Mortefontaine (Books of Anguish 2)

Name: Mortefontaine (Books of Anguish 2)
Price: 20.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781649322401

✍️ Kurt Steiner

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$20.95

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Two mid-century French horror tales by Kurt Steiner exploring isolation and hidden secrets.

This volume gathers two separate narratives that examine the intersection of romance and terror. In the first tale, Michel’s love for Cecile is tested by her otherworldly nature within a secluded castle. The second narrative focuses on Wanda, whose new Parisian home hides a menacing secret behind a triangular room. Both stories rely on setting to generate fear rather than explicit violence. Ruellan uses these plots to explore how ordinary people react when confronted with the inexplicable. The collection highlights his skill in building tension through environmental details and psychological pressure. It serves as a bridge between his earlier screenwriting work and his literary output during the golden age of French pulp fiction.

Key Themes

supernatural romance hidden secrets Parisian horror

Literary Context

Andre Ruellan wrote these novels in France during the 1950s and 1960s for publisher Fleuve Noir. This collection, part of the Books of Anguish series, preserves his legacy as a distinguished screenwriter and key figure in French science fiction and horror literature.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Daphne du Maurier · H.P. Lovecraft · Edgar Allan Poe · Shirley Jackson

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Hollywood Comics 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781649322401

📝 Description: Mortefontaine (Books of Anguish 2)

Kurt Steiner, the pseudonym for French writer Andre Ruellan, presents two distinct tales of dread in this collection. The first narrative follows Michel, who finds himself drawn into a romantic obsession within a mist-shrouded, lonely castle. His beloved Cecile appears to belong to another world, creating an atmosphere of supernatural unease that defines their relationship. The second story shifts the setting to Paris, where Wanda, a young artist, secures an apartment at an unbeatable price. The lease comes with a condition: a strange triangle-shaped room that conceals a terrible secret. This structure becomes the focal point of her growing anxiety as she uncovers the darkness hidden within its walls. Ruellan originally wrote these classic horror novels during the 1950s and 1960s for Fleuve Noir. The Books of Anguish series collects these specific works, preserving Ruellan’s reputation as one of France’s most distinguished screenwriters and a notable figure in science fiction and horror literature. The volume offers a glimpse into mid-century French gothic traditions through Steiner’s lens. Readers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven terror set in isolated or confined spaces will find this collection engaging. Those seeking fast-paced action or modern technological horror may find the pacing too deliberate. The book suits fans of psychological dread and classic European supernatural fiction.

💎 Our verdict on Mortefontaine (Books of Anguish 2)

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Steiner excels at generating fear through setting rather than gore, making this a masterclass in psychological horror. The first tale’s mist-shrouded castle and the second’s menacing triangular room effectively isolate protagonists, amplifying their descent into unease. Ruellan’s background in screenwriting informs the narrative structure, creating a cinematic flow that suits fans of classic Euro-horror. While the deliberate pacing may alienate readers seeking modern technological terror or fast-paced action, the book succeeds for those valuing environmental dread. It is a compelling artifact of its era, demonstrating how ordinary individuals unravel when faced with hidden secrets and supernatural implications.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric, character-driven terror set in isolated or confined spaces will find this collection engaging. The volume highlights Kurt Steiner’s skill in building tension through environmental details and psychological pressure rather than explicit violence. It offers a unique glimpse into mid-century French gothic traditions, exploring how ordinary people react when confronted with the inexplicable. Those interested in the intersection of romance and terror, or the specific cultural context of French pulp fiction, will gain insight into a distinguished screenwriter’s literary contributions. The deliberate pacing appeals to those seeking slow-burn dread over fast-paced action.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Steiner excels at generating fear through setting rather than gore, making this a masterclass in psychological horror. The first tale’s mist-shrouded castle and the second’s menacing triangular room effectively isolate protagonists, amplifying their descent into unease. Ruellan’s background in screenwriting informs the narrative structure, creating a cinematic flow that suits fans of classic Euro-horror. While the deliberate pacing may alienate readers seeking modern technological terror or fast-paced action, the book succeeds for those valuing environmental dread. It is a compelling artifact of its era, demonstrating how ordinary individuals unravel when faced with hidden secrets and supernatural implications.