🩸 Horror Fiction

Deals Diabolical

✍️ Erin Thorne
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$8.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Three desperate souls make forbidden bargains in this gothic horror novel by Erin Thorne.

The narrative structure interlaces three separate lives united by a single type of supernatural transaction. Each protagonist faces a specific crisis that drives them toward a dangerous solution. The father wants his child back, the DJ wants justice, and the wife wants to protect her daughter. The cost of their desires is abstract but absolute. Thorne uses these parallel stories to show how desperation clouds judgment. The book does not offer easy answers or happy endings. Instead, it presents a chilling look at human vulnerability. Readers will follow the consequences of choices made in moments of weakness. The tone remains dark and serious throughout.

Key Themes
forbidden aid domestic violence vigilante justice
Literary Context

Published in 2012 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform, this work fits into the contemporary independent horror market. It draws on long-standing American traditions of gothic fiction and supernatural tales where characters face moral dilemmas. The book reflects a period where self-publishing allowed niche voices to explore dark themes without mainstream constraints.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Ramsey Campbell · Thomas Ligotti
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2012 📖 216 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781479285990

📝 Description: Deals Diabolical

Erin Thorne’s novel Deals Diabolical weaves together three distinct narratives centered on desperate individuals who turn to forbidden aid to resolve their crises. The story begins with a father who loses his child due to her impulsive nature and wishes for her safe return. An up-and-coming disc jockey working the late shift seeks vigilante justice after a brutal attack. A wife in a successful marriage vows that her daughter will never see her husband become a monster as domestic violence begins. These characters bind themselves to a supernatural bargain, purchasing aid at the cost of something they will never miss in this life. The narrative explores themes of parental grief, professional desperation, and marital breakdown through a lens of gothic horror. Thorne draws on traditional Faustian pact tropes to examine how far ordinary people will go when pushed to the edge. The book suits readers who enjoy character-driven supernatural fiction with a focus on moral consequences. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear-cut heroes and villains, as the story emphasizes psychological weight over physical spectacle.

💎 Our verdict on Deals Diabolical

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Thorne delivers a meticulously crafted study of human vulnerability through three interlaced narratives that explore the devastating costs of forbidden bargains. The novel excels in its serious tone, avoiding easy answers to present a chilling portrait of moral decay. By focusing on parental grief, professional desperation, and marital breakdown, Thorne grounds supernatural horror in relatable, painful realities. This approach suits readers who prefer psychological weight over physical spectacle. While the lack of clear heroes may deter some, it enhances the authenticity of the despair depicted. The parallel structure effectively demonstrates how different crises can lead to similar spiritual ruin. It is a strong entry for those who enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction that prioritizes emotional resonance and thematic consistency above all else.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking profound psychological horror rather than visceral gore will find this novel deeply rewarding. Thorne’s work appeals to those who appreciate character-driven narratives where internal conflict outweighs external action. It is ideal for fans of dark fantasy who enjoy exploring the consequences of moral compromise and the fragility of human judgment under extreme pressure. Those interested in the intersection of domestic tragedy and supernatural elements will gain much from its serious tone. The book offers a chilling examination of vulnerability, making it a compelling choice for individuals who value atmospheric tension and thematic depth over fast-paced plot resolutions. It provides a sobering look at how desperation clouds reason.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Thorne delivers a meticulously crafted study of human vulnerability through three interlaced narratives that explore the devastating costs of forbidden bargains. The novel excels in its serious tone, avoiding easy answers to present a chilling portrait of moral decay. By focusing on parental grief, professional desperation, and marital breakdown, Thorne grounds supernatural horror in relatable, painful realities. This approach suits readers who prefer psychological weight over physical spectacle. While the lack of clear heroes may deter some, it enhances the authenticity of the despair depicted. The parallel structure effectively demonstrates how different crises can lead to similar spiritual ruin. It is a strong entry for those who enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction that prioritizes emotional resonance and thematic consistency above all else.

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