🩸 Horror Fiction

Fade to Black

✍️ Steven Bannister
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$15.70
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A detective chooses between police work and fighting ancient evil in London.

Allie St. Clair faces a unique challenge as she leads her Murder Investigation Team against a satanic threat. Her investigation uncovers secrets linking her family history to The Archangel Michael. This revelation pits her directly against Mr Black, drawing in London's underworld figures. The stakes rise as colleagues and family members face death. The narrative moves from quiet suburban crime scenes to chaotic violence at a music festival. Allie must decide if she will remain a detective or join a hidden war. The story examines the burden of power and the cost of fighting darkness. It offers a fast-paced look at a woman caught between two worlds.

Key Themes
satanic evil ancient family connections police investigation
Literary Context

The narrative is set in London, specifically New Scotland Yard and wealthy suburbs. It draws on British police hierarchy and gothic traditions involving The Archangel Michael. The story reflects a modern urban fantasy context where ancient spiritual battles intersect with contemporary law enforcement procedures.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Charles de Lint · Neil Gaiman · Kim Harrison
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2012 📖 408 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781478387190

📝 Description: Fade to Black

A Cambridge-educated woman becomes the youngest Acting Detective Chief Inspector at New Scotland Yard in this supernatural thriller. Her privileged background contrasts sharply with the grim realities of her new role. The narrative begins with two disturbing murders in London's wealthy suburbs, which quickly reveal connections to ancient family ties involving The Archangel Michael. As Allie investigates, she confronts the satanic Mr Black and navigates a dangerous underworld that places her team in mortal peril. The plot escalates toward a desperate flight ending in mass violence at a music festival. This climax tests her loyalty and forces a critical decision regarding her future. She must choose between continuing her career in law enforcement or becoming a warrior in what is described as 'The Game Without End.' This story blends police procedural elements with gothic horror traditions. It appeals to readers who enjoy urban fantasy mixed with crime fiction. Those seeking pure legal dramas or historical non-fiction may find the supernatural focus less engaging. The book relies on the tension between institutional duty and ancient, unseen forces to drive its plot forward.

💎 Our verdict on Fade to Black

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Bannister effectively merges the rigid structure of a police investigation with the chaotic unpredictability of cosmic horror. The protagonist’s privileged background contrasts sharply with the grim realities she faces, creating a dynamic narrative voice. The transition from quiet suburban crime scenes to violent chaos highlights the escalating stakes of her confrontation with Mr Black. This blend appeals to readers who enjoy urban fantasy mixed with crime fiction, offering a look at the cost of fighting darkness. However, those seeking pure legal dramas may find the supernatural focus less engaging. The story relies heavily on tension between duty and ancient forces, making it a solid choice for fans of genre-blending thrillers.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the intersection of law enforcement procedural details with high-stakes supernatural conflict will find this narrative compelling. It offers a fast-paced exploration of a protagonist caught between institutional duty and ancient, unseen forces. The book appeals to those interested in the burden of power and the cost of fighting darkness, particularly within an urban setting. By blending police work with gothic horror, it provides a unique perspective on how modern professionals might confront satanic threats and hidden wars. Fans of strong female leads navigating complex moral landscapes against chaotic violence will appreciate the tension between suburban quietude and festival-era destruction.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Bannister effectively merges the rigid structure of a police investigation with the chaotic unpredictability of cosmic horror. The protagonist’s privileged background contrasts sharply with the grim realities she faces, creating a dynamic narrative voice. The transition from quiet suburban crime scenes to violent chaos highlights the escalating stakes of her confrontation with Mr Black. This blend appeals to readers who enjoy urban fantasy mixed with crime fiction, offering a look at the cost of fighting darkness. However, those seeking pure legal dramas may find the supernatural focus less engaging. The story relies heavily on tension between duty and ancient forces, making it a solid choice for fans of genre-blending thrillers.

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