🩸 Horror Fiction

Sadist: The Rise

✍️ Kel Fulgham
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$19.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A novel about four lives intersected by the influence of the Sadist.

This work examines the personal histories of Patrick Stetson, Amanda Stetson, Calton Johnson, and Maria Fletcher. Each character faces a distinct crisis that leaves them vulnerable to the Sadist. The story moves from individual struggles to a collective fate. Fulham uses the South Bronx setting to ground the supernatural elements in reality. The narrative avoids traditional horror tropes in favor of psychological unease. The book is organized around these four viewpoints, showing how their separate paths merge. It offers a study of isolation and the consequences of hidden secrets. The tone remains serious and focused on character development rather than plot twists.

Key Themes
urban isolation hidden secrets shared fate
Literary Context

Published in 2010 by Xlibris, this book sits within the tradition of American gothic fiction. It draws on the gritty atmosphere of the South Bronx to explore supernatural themes. The work connects personal drama with horror elements, reflecting a period where urban settings often mirrored internal decay. Fulham uses this backdrop to ground the narrative in a specific cultural and geographical reality.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Thomas Harris · Patricia Highsmith · Shirley Jackson
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Xlibris 📅 2010 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781453561546

📝 Description: Sadist: The Rise

Kel Fulgham’s Sadist: The Rise traces the intersecting lives of four individuals whose paths converge under a dark influence. Patrick Stetson moves to the South Bronx to pursue his ambition of becoming a detective and starting a family. His wife, Amanda Stetson, alters her life by bearing a child who is not his. Calton Johnson seeks peace in his isolated world until he encounters someone sharing his loneliness. Maria Fletcher navigates a silent existence while following her heart. None of these characters anticipate the impact of the Sadist on their futures. The narrative draws on the gritty atmosphere of urban America and explores themes of isolation, betrayal, and unexpected connection. Fulham structures the story around these distinct perspectives, showing how personal choices lead to shared consequences. The book suits readers interested in character-driven horror and gothic fiction that examines human vulnerability. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or supernatural spectacle without emotional depth. The text relies on the psychological tension between the characters rather than external threats alone. Fulham presents a tale where personal histories collide with an unseen force. The setting in the South Bronx provides a backdrop of urban decay and determination. The story does not offer easy resolutions but instead focuses on the lingering effects of the Sadist’s touch. Readers will find a concentrated look at how loneliness can be exploited by darker forces. The narrative remains grounded in the specific experiences of Stetson, Johnson, Amanda, and Fletcher.

💎 Our verdict on Sadist: The Rise

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Fulham presents a serious tale where personal histories collide with an unseen force, relying on psychological unease rather than traditional horror tropes. The South Bronx setting provides a grounded backdrop of urban decay and determination, enhancing the sense of isolation. By structuring the story around four distinct viewpoints, the author effectively demonstrates how separate paths merge under a dark influence. The tone remains focused on character development, making it ideal for readers who prioritize emotional depth over plot twists. While it may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action, the work succeeds as a study of consequence and vulnerability.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking character-driven horror and gothic fiction that examines human vulnerability will find value in this text. It suits those interested in the psychological tension between characters rather than external threats alone. The book offers a serious study of isolation, betrayal, and unexpected connection through distinct perspectives. Those who prefer emotional depth over fast-paced action or supernatural spectacle will appreciate the focus on character development and hidden secrets. The narrative structure allows for an exploration of how personal choices lead to shared consequences, providing a lingering effect rather than easy resolutions.

⭐ 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

Fulham presents a serious tale where personal histories collide with an unseen force, relying on psychological unease rather than traditional horror tropes. The South Bronx setting provides a grounded backdrop of urban decay and determination, enhancing the sense of isolation. By structuring the story around four distinct viewpoints, the author effectively demonstrates how separate paths merge under a dark influence. The tone remains focused on character development, making it ideal for readers who prioritize emotional depth over plot twists. While it may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action, the work succeeds as a study of consequence and vulnerability.

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