🩸 Horror Fiction

Strangled (Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces)

✍️ Stephen Wertzbaugher
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$12.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A grisly retelling of Rapunzel where vengeance meets a family curse.

Rosalinde Grimm’s life unravels after her partner is killed and her twins are taken. She spends ten years in hiding before returning to hunt the Heralds who caused her pain. Her quest for justice becomes intertwined with an ancient family curse linked to Rapunzel. As she targets each member of her past, Rosalinde faces a critical choice about her own soul. The narrative explores the cost of obsession and the power of inherited darkness. Wertzbaugher delivers a story where horror stems from personal loss and supernatural legacy.

Key Themes
family curse Rapunzel legend vengeance
Literary Context

This book sits within the tradition of twisted fairy tale retellings, specifically reimagining the Rapunzel narrative. It draws on gothic and supernatural fiction traditions prevalent in contemporary horror publishing. The work is part of a collection that focuses on familiar characters transformed into terrifying figures.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Cathy Park Hong's 'Minor Feelings' · Sarah Waters' 'Fingersmith' · Neil Gaiman's 'Norse Mythology' · Clive Barker's 'The Hellbound Heart'
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 M4l Publishing 📅 2025 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781951762957

📝 Description: Strangled (Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces)

Stephen Wertzbaugher presents Strangled, a dark reimagining of the Rapunzel legend within the Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces collection. The narrative follows Rosalinde Grimm, who believes she has escaped her family curse after fleeing with her partner and expecting twins. Her peace shatters when her beloved is murdered and her unborn children are abducted. Ten years later, Rosalinde returns to her hometown, driven by madness and a desire for vengeance against the Heralds responsible for her suffering. The story traces Rosalinde’s descent as she hunts down those who ruined her life. Each encounter forces her to confront the weight of her lineage. She must decide whether to fully embrace the generational curse or risk losing her humanity to its darkness. Wertzbaugher crafts a grisly tale that blends elements of abduction, murder, and supernatural horror. The book suits readers who enjoy twisted retellings of classic fairy tales with a focus on psychological unraveling and vengeance. It may not appeal to those seeking lighthearted fantasy or traditional happy endings. This volume is part of a series dedicated to turning beloved characters into terrifying nightmares. Wertzbaugher’s work appeals to fans of gothic fiction and dark supernatural narratives. The narrative structure focuses on Rosalinde’s personal journey rather than a broader societal critique. Readers looking for a straightforward horror story might find the focus on familial legacy complex. Those who appreciate detailed explorations of cursed bloodlines will likely engage with the text.

💎 Our verdict on Strangled (Twisted Tales of Familiar Faces)

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Wertzbaugher delivers a visceral tale where horror stems from profound personal loss intertwined with supernatural legacy. The narrative effectively traces the protagonist's descent as she hunts those responsible for her suffering, forcing confrontations with her lineage. The book succeeds in blending abduction and murder elements with psychological depth. It suits readers who enjoy dark supernatural narratives and twisted fairy tales. While it lacks societal critique, its focus on personal journey provides intense emotional stakes. Fans of gothic fiction will appreciate the atmospheric tension and the exploration of humanity's fragility against ancient curses.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the intersection of personal trauma and supernatural horror will find this book compelling. It offers a grisly exploration of vengeance, appealing to those who enjoy psychological unraveling over traditional fantasy resolutions. The narrative focuses on the cost of obsession and inherited darkness, providing a tense journey for fans of gothic fiction. Those seeking lighthearted stories should avoid it, but enthusiasts of twisted retellings will engage with the protagonist's descent into madness and her confrontation with generational curses.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Wertzbaugher delivers a visceral tale where horror stems from profound personal loss intertwined with supernatural legacy. The narrative effectively traces the protagonist's descent as she hunts those responsible for her suffering, forcing confrontations with her lineage. The book succeeds in blending abduction and murder elements with psychological depth. It suits readers who enjoy dark supernatural narratives and twisted fairy tales. While it lacks societal critique, its focus on personal journey provides intense emotional stakes. Fans of gothic fiction will appreciate the atmospheric tension and the exploration of humanity's fragility against ancient curses.

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