🩸 Horror Fiction

Near Death

✍️ Richard Wall
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$15.49
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A chaplain battles a posthumous killer in 1962 Sing Sing Prison.

This novel explores the lingering impact of violence through supernatural means. John Henry struggles with guilt and duty after leaving his role as prison chaplain. The murders attributed to Joseph Hickey continue despite Hickey's execution, suggesting a malevolent force beyond the grave. Wall uses this premise to examine themes of redemption and the inability to escape one's past. The setting provides a stark backdrop for the unfolding mystery, emphasizing isolation and institutional power. Readers interested in character-driven horror will find the psychological depth engaging. The story does not offer easy answers but presents a challenging puzzle for the protagonist to solve.

Key Themes
posthumous murder prison chaplaincy 1960s America
Literary Context

The book is set in 1962 at Sing Sing Prison, capturing the atmosphere of mid-century American incarceration. It draws on gothic horror traditions and supernatural fiction to explore guilt and redemption within this specific historical context.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Peter Straub · Clive Barker · Thomas Harris
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Burning Chair Limited 📅 2023 📖 356 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781912946372

📝 Description: Near Death

Richard Wall returns with Near Death, a novel that examines the boundary between life and death through the lens of supernatural horror. The narrative is set in 1962 at Sing Sing Prison, where Joseph Hickey faces execution for a series of gruesome murders. This event does not end the violence but rather initiates a new phase of terror. John Henry, a former prison chaplain who attempted to leave his post behind, finds himself drawn back into the conflict as the killings persist. The story follows Henry as he tries to break an endless cycle of torment while investigating the source of the continuing crimes. Wall, known for his Amazon #1 bestseller Fat Man Blues, constructs a plot featuring troubled heroes and an unstoppable villain within authentic 1960s America. The book appeals to readers who enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction and mysteries rooted in specific historical settings. It may not suit those seeking fast-paced action or contemporary thrillers, as the focus remains on psychological dread and supernatural mystery. The narrative structure relies on the interplay between the past crimes and their present consequences, forcing Henry to confront the unresolved trauma of his time at the prison.

💎 Our verdict on Near Death

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Wall constructs a compelling narrative that examines the boundary between life and death through supernatural horror. The setting at Sing Sing Prison emphasizes isolation and institutional power, creating a stark backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The protagonist’s struggle with guilt and duty adds psychological weight to the plot, appealing to readers who enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction. While the focus remains on dread rather than action, the interplay between past crimes and present consequences forces meaningful confrontation with unresolved trauma. This approach suits those who prefer character-driven stories over fast-paced thrillers. The novel does not offer easy answers but presents a challenging puzzle for the protagonist to solve, rewarding patience with deep thematic exploration.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate character-driven horror and psychological depth will find significant value in this narrative. The book appeals to those interested in atmospheric gothic fiction and mysteries rooted in authentic historical settings, offering a challenging puzzle rather than easy answers. It is ideal for audiences who enjoy exploring themes of redemption, guilt, and the inability to escape one's past through supernatural means. Those seeking fast-paced action or contemporary thrillers may find the focus on psychological dread too slow, but fans of dark fantasy and true crime will engage with the investigation into a malevolent force beyond the grave. The story provides a compelling examination of institutional power and isolation, making it suitable for readers who prefer intricate plots over simple resolution.

⭐ 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

Wall constructs a compelling narrative that examines the boundary between life and death through supernatural horror. The setting at Sing Sing Prison emphasizes isolation and institutional power, creating a stark backdrop for the unfolding mystery. The protagonist’s struggle with guilt and duty adds psychological weight to the plot, appealing to readers who enjoy atmospheric gothic fiction. While the focus remains on dread rather than action, the interplay between past crimes and present consequences forces meaningful confrontation with unresolved trauma. This approach suits those who prefer character-driven stories over fast-paced thrillers. The novel does not offer easy answers but presents a challenging puzzle for the protagonist to solve, rewarding patience with deep thematic exploration.

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