Skin Deep

Name: Skin Deep
Price: 9.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781393304173

✍️ C G Durrant

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$9.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A father battles supernatural entities born from a cursed box to save his daughter.

Carl discovers a mysterious box at a car-boot sale after his wife dies. This item summons beautiful women who seek his love. These beings are connected to a dark power affecting his daughter June. Carl realizes he must stop the creator of these forms. The plot focuses on his struggle to protect June while confronting his own vulnerabilities. Durrant uses the box as a catalyst for supernatural events. The story examines how grief can make one susceptible to evil influences. Carl’s journey is internal and external, blending psychological horror with gothic elements. The narrative does not offer easy answers about the nature of the evil. It remains focused on the immediate threat to his family.

Key Themes

paternal protection supernatural obsession grief and closure

Literary Context

Published in 2020 by C G Durrant, this work sits within the contemporary American horror market. It draws on gothic fiction traditions where evil takes beautiful forms. The setting includes a car-boot sale, grounding the supernatural in everyday life. The narrative reflects modern anxieties about family safety and unresolved trauma.

Difficulty

● Easy

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · Shirley Jackson · Neil Gaiman

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Horror Fiction

🏛 C.G. Durrant 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781393304173

📝 Description: Skin Deep

C G Durrant presents a supernatural thriller centered on Carl, a father seeking closure after his wife’s murder. The narrative begins with Carl discovering an innocent-looking box at a car-boot sale. This object triggers a dangerous obsession involving beautiful women who fight for his acceptance. These figures are not human but semblances of the female form, born of a supernatural power linked to Carl and his daughter June. The story explores themes of paternal protection and the corruption of beauty. Carl must identify the architect behind these forms to save himself and June from their escalating threats. The text draws on gothic traditions where evil manifests through allure rather than overt violence. Durrant, the author and publisher, structures the plot around Carl’s psychological unraveling as he faces his past. This book suits readers who enjoy psychological horror and supernatural mysteries involving family dynamics. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear resolutions without ambiguity. The narrative relies on atmospheric tension rather than graphic content. Durrant’s background in self-publishing allows for a focused exploration of grief and obsession. The story remains grounded in Carl’s perspective, making the supernatural elements feel intimate and personal. Readers will find a tight narrative that prioritizes emotional stakes over world-building.

💎 Our verdict on Skin Deep

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Durrant effectively crafts a tight narrative that prioritizes emotional stakes over graphic content, creating a sense of intimacy around Carl’s psychological unraveling. The use of the cursed box as a catalyst allows for a focused examination of vulnerability and obsession, blending gothic traditions with modern psychological horror. The story succeeds in maintaining atmospheric tension without offering easy resolutions, appealing to readers who prefer ambiguity. While it may not satisfy those seeking clear answers or rapid pacing, it delivers a compelling study of grief and protection. The narrative remains grounded in Carl’s perspective, ensuring the supernatural elements feel personal and immediate rather than distant or abstract.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric tension and the exploration of paternal love under duress will find this title compelling. It offers a focused narrative on how grief can warp perception, inviting audiences to engage with a protagonist whose internal unraveling mirrors external threats. Those who enjoy stories where evil manifests through allure rather than gore will appreciate the subtle horror elements. The book provides an intimate look at family dynamics and the struggle for closure, making it suitable for those seeking emotional depth alongside supernatural mystery without demanding fast-paced action or definitive answers.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Durrant effectively crafts a tight narrative that prioritizes emotional stakes over graphic content, creating a sense of intimacy around Carl’s psychological unraveling. The use of the cursed box as a catalyst allows for a focused examination of vulnerability and obsession, blending gothic traditions with modern psychological horror. The story succeeds in maintaining atmospheric tension without offering easy resolutions, appealing to readers who prefer ambiguity. While it may not satisfy those seeking clear answers or rapid pacing, it delivers a compelling study of grief and protection. The narrative remains grounded in Carl’s perspective, ensuring the supernatural elements feel personal and immediate rather than distant or abstract.