Switchboard

Name: Switchboard
Price: 15.95 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781950305162

✍️ Andrew Post

Reader Score

4.4

(1 review)

$15.95

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

📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A detective trapped in a violent time loop while hunting an eldritch drug dealer.

Detective Dwayne Spare enters a crumbling apartment complex to catch chemist Gerald Metzger. His mission shifts from standard narcotics enforcement to survival as he discovers Metzger is lulling users into catatonia to reach an eldritch being. Once exposed, Spare becomes the new subject for these dark rituals. The story unfolds through a series of repetitive, violent cycles that blur the line between psychological breakdown and supernatural invasion. Post uses this structure to examine the fragility of the human mind when faced with incomprehensible forces. The narrative focuses on the immediate terror of being trapped in a place where reality is malleable and hostile.

Key Themes

time loop horror eldritch contact narcotics investigation

Literary Context

Published by JournalStone in 2020, this novel sits within the modern tradition of cosmic horror. It blends contemporary police procedural tropes with classic gothic themes of haunted architecture and psychological dread.

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Robert Aickman · Thomas Ligotti · Jeff VanderMeer

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Horror Fiction

🏛 JournalStone 📅 2020 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781950305162

📝 Description: Switchboard

Andrew Post, a writer known for dark fiction, presents Switchboard, a novel that merges police procedural elements with cosmic horror. The story follows narcotics detective Dwayne Spare as he investigates a suspected krokodil manufacturing operation in a dilapidated apartment building. After two unsuccessful raids yield no evidence, Spare infiltrates the structure to find chemist Gerald Metzger. Metzger is not seeking profit but is instead using his customers to facilitate contact with an eldritch entity. When Spare’s identity is revealed, he becomes a test subject for these rituals. The narrative traps Spare in a violent time loop within the building. This recurring cycle forces him to confront a reality where mental states dictate physical existence. The text draws on gothic traditions of haunted spaces and supernatural fiction involving eldritch beings. It explores the intersection of law enforcement duty and psychological terror. Readers who enjoy stories about isolated settings and mind-bending loops will find this compelling. Those seeking straightforward police procedurals without supernatural elements may find it unsuitable. Post structures the plot around Spare’s descent into a nightmarish reality. The book examines how addiction and desperation can open doors to otherworldly influences. It does not offer easy escapes for its protagonist. The ending leaves Spare trapped in his involuntary pilgrimage, highlighting the relentless nature of the horror he faces.

💎 Our verdict on Switchboard

“

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Post effectively merges police procedural elements with cosmic horror, creating a tense atmosphere where mental states dictate physical existence. The narrative structure traps the reader in Spare’s violent cycles, blurring the line between psychological breakdown and supernatural invasion. This approach successfully examines the fragility of the human mind when facing incomprehensible forces. The book is best suited for readers who enjoy isolated settings and mind-bending loops over traditional law enforcement narratives. While it may disappoint those seeking straightforward police work, it delivers a compelling exploration of desperation and eldritch terror. The focus on immediate terror and the lack of easy escapes makes it a distinct addition to dark fiction.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate the disorientation of time loops and the visceral dread of cosmic horror will find this novel compelling. It appeals to those interested in how addiction and desperation can serve as portals for otherworldly influences, offering a narrative where reality is malleable and hostile. The book suits individuals seeking immediate terror within an isolated setting rather than straightforward procedural justice. It provides a deep dive into the psychological breakdown of its protagonist as he confronts eldritch entities, making it ideal for fans of dark fiction that refuses to offer easy escapes or comfortable resolutions.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Post effectively merges police procedural elements with cosmic horror, creating a tense atmosphere where mental states dictate physical existence. The narrative structure traps the reader in Spare’s violent cycles, blurring the line between psychological breakdown and supernatural invasion. This approach successfully examines the fragility of the human mind when facing incomprehensible forces. The book is best suited for readers who enjoy isolated settings and mind-bending loops over traditional law enforcement narratives. While it may disappoint those seeking straightforward police work, it delivers a compelling exploration of desperation and eldritch terror. The focus on immediate terror and the lack of easy escapes makes it a distinct addition to dark fiction.