Running Home

Name: Running Home
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781912382262

✍️ Julie Hutchings

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$15.99

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A gothic novel about grief, isolation, and unexpected connection in rural New Hampshire.

Ellie lives a detached life in rural New Hampshire after losing her family. She works in a gift shop and spends her nights alone on the couch. Her only friend is her sole link to the outside world. Nicholas French arrives, disrupting her routine and sparking hope for something more. Hutchings explores themes of loss and the human need for connection through Ellie’s perspective. The story blends supernatural elements with emotional realism. It focuses on how grief isolates individuals and how relationships can offer a path forward. The narrative avoids sensationalism, instead focusing on internal conflict and subtle shifts in perception. Readers will find a quiet yet intense exploration of healing and vulnerability.

Key Themes

grief and loss emotional isolation supernatural connection

Literary Context

This work sits within the tradition of American gothic fiction, set in rural New Hampshire. It draws on themes of personal trauma and the supernatural, reflecting a period where horror often explores internal psychological states rather than external monsters.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Susan Hill · Daphne du Maurier · Stephen King

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Horror Fiction

🏛 Inked Entertainment Ltd 📅 2019 📖 358 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781912382262

📝 Description: Running Home

Julie Hutchings presents a narrative centered on Ellie, an awkward book lover residing in rural New Hampshire. She maintains emotional distance from others after her family’s death, relying on a single friend for connection. Her days involve dull work at a gift shop, while her nights consist of staying on the couch. This isolation shifts when Nicholas French enters her life, offering a glimpse of something beyond her current routine. The story draws upon gothic and supernatural fiction traditions, focusing on personal loss and the desire for deeper human connection. Hutchings structures the plot around Ellie’s internal struggle to detach from pain while simultaneously longing for intimacy. The setting of rural New Hampshire provides a backdrop for exploring how grief shapes identity and relationships. This work suits readers who enjoy character-driven horror with emotional depth. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or complex magical systems. Ellie’s journey is defined by her interaction with the supernatural elements that disrupt her quiet existence. The narrative examines the tension between self-imposed isolation and the need for companionship. Hutchings uses the gift shop setting to highlight the contrast between Ellie’s mundane daily tasks and her rich inner world of literature. The arrival of Nicholas French serves as a catalyst for change, forcing Ellie to confront her fears and past traumas.

💎 Our verdict on Running Home

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Julie Hutchings delivers a poignant examination of grief through Ellie’s detached existence in rural New Hampshire. The narrative effectively blends supernatural elements with emotional realism, avoiding clichés to focus on internal conflict. While the pacing may feel slow to action-oriented readers, it rewards those seeking atmospheric depth and psychological nuance. The contrast between Ellie’s mundane life and rich inner world creates a compelling tension. Ultimately, this is a refined work for fans of gothic fiction who value subtlety and emotional resonance over horror tropes.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

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Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate character-driven horror and literary fiction will find this narrative deeply rewarding. It offers a quiet, intense exploration of healing and vulnerability without relying on sensationalism or fast-paced action. Those interested in how grief isolates individuals and how relationships can offer a path forward will connect with Ellie’s internal struggle. The book suits audiences seeking emotional depth and subtle shifts in perception over complex magical systems. It provides a compelling look at the human need for connection amidst loss, making it ideal for those who enjoy atmospheric storytelling that prioritizes psychological realism and the tension between self-imposed isolation and the desire for companionship.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Julie Hutchings delivers a poignant examination of grief through Ellie’s detached existence in rural New Hampshire. The narrative effectively blends supernatural elements with emotional realism, avoiding clichés to focus on internal conflict. While the pacing may feel slow to action-oriented readers, it rewards those seeking atmospheric depth and psychological nuance. The contrast between Ellie’s mundane life and rich inner world creates a compelling tension. Ultimately, this is a refined work for fans of gothic fiction who value subtlety and emotional resonance over horror tropes.