Murder by Love

Name: Murder by Love
Price: 25.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781475934090

✍️ Marc McCall

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$25.95

In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A bitter man makes a deal with a dark spirit for revenge, only to fight for love.

Lace begins in misery after a breakup, closing himself off from human connection. Gormant exploits this isolation, offering Lace supernatural power through death. The protagonist agrees, becoming a vengeful spirit who targets his past lovers and enemies. A new romantic interest emerges, providing Lace with a reason to resist the spirit’s control. The conflict centers on Lace battling Gormant internally and externally to save the woman he now loves. The story highlights the danger of letting bitterness define one’s existence and the strength found in clinging to humanity.

Key Themes

supernatural revenge emotional isolation love versus hatred

Literary Context

Published by iUniverse in 2012, this work sits within the tradition of American gothic fiction. It draws on supernatural horror tropes where emotional trauma invites demonic influence. The narrative reflects contemporary interests in psychological horror and the consequences of unchecked bitterness.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Anne Rice · Clive Barker

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Horror Fiction

🏛 iUniverse 📅 2012 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781475934090

📝 Description: Murder by Love

Marc McCall’s novel Murder by Love follows Lace, a man devastated by the end of a romantic relationship. He rejects love entirely until a dark spirit named Gormant appears in his shadows. Gormant offers Lace a deal: he will die and become a spirit with limitless power to exact revenge on those who broke his heart. Lace accepts this bargain, initiating a violent rampage against his enemies and former lovers. The story shifts when Lace encounters a woman who truly loves him. He realizes too late that he is under Gormant’s control and cannot easily escape the dark influence. The narrative focuses on the struggle between Lace and his master spirit. Lace must use his lingering human feelings for this new love to fight back against the murderous intent imposed by Gormant. The plot examines how bitterness can be exploited by supernatural forces and how emotional connections remain a potent weapon even in death. This book suits readers interested in supernatural revenge tales and gothic fiction where emotional pain manifests as physical danger. It appeals to those who enjoy stories about the corrupting nature of hatred and the redemptive power of love. Readers seeking lighthearted romance or purely academic horror analysis may find it less engaging. The narrative relies on the tension between Lace’s desire for payback and his growing attachment to a living woman.

💎 Our verdict on Murder by Love

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This novel effectively merges gothic elements with a psychological thriller, centering on a protagonist trapped between vengeance and redemption. The narrative excels in depicting the internal conflict of a man battling a dark spirit while clinging to humanity through love. It offers a chilling exploration of isolation and the danger of letting bitterness define existence. The story is best suited for readers who enjoy supernatural revenge tales where emotional pain manifests as immediate physical danger. It provides a tense, atmospheric experience that highlights the strength found in resisting corrupting influences. Fans of dark fantasy and gothic fiction will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of love as a weapon against evil.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy supernatural revenge tales and gothic fiction will find this narrative compelling. It appeals to those interested in stories about the corrupting nature of hatred and the redemptive power of love. The book examines how bitterness can be exploited by supernatural forces, offering a tense exploration of emotional pain turning into physical threat. It suits individuals who appreciate the tension between a desire for payback and growing attachment to another person. Those seeking lighthearted romance or academic horror analysis may find it less engaging, but fans of dark fantasy where human connections remain potent weapons will gain from this intense psychological and supernatural struggle.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

This novel effectively merges gothic elements with a psychological thriller, centering on a protagonist trapped between vengeance and redemption. The narrative excels in depicting the internal conflict of a man battling a dark spirit while clinging to humanity through love. It offers a chilling exploration of isolation and the danger of letting bitterness define existence. The story is best suited for readers who enjoy supernatural revenge tales where emotional pain manifests as immediate physical danger. It provides a tense, atmospheric experience that highlights the strength found in resisting corrupting influences. Fans of dark fantasy and gothic fiction will appreciate the nuanced portrayal of love as a weapon against evil.