The Acrimonious

Name: The Acrimonious
Price: 16.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780620926270

✍️ Michael Ferguson

Reader Score

4.5

(1 review)

$16.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of ten supernatural stories set in the hidden world of Bracken.

Ferguson constructs a narrative landscape where magic is a practical tool rather than a myth. The Cobblestone witches, including Circe, Mortencia, and Euphoria, provide esoteric services that blur the line between help and hazard. Their three hundred years of experience suggest a deep, perhaps weary, knowledge of the occult. The stories do not shy away from the consequences of supernatural intervention. Desperation drives characters to make dangerous bargains, while professional duties force others into life-threatening confrontations with the paranormal. The setting allows for a mix of domestic issues and cosmic horror, creating a unique atmosphere where the ordinary and the bizarre intersect.

Key Themes

Cobblestone witches demonic possession cursed objects

Literary Context

The book draws on traditions of urban fantasy and gothic horror. It places supernatural elements within a modern town setting, blending folk magic with contemporary life. The focus on family lineage and esoteric experience connects to long-standing literary tropes of inherited magical knowledge.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · Neil Gaiman · Poppy Z. Brite

👻

Ghost Stories

🏛 Michael Ferguson 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780620926270

📝 Description: The Acrimonious

Michael Ferguson’s The Acrimonious presents a collection of ten stories set in Bracken, a town defined by its hidden supernatural elements. Here, witches coexist with ordinary residents, and phenomena such as demonic possession, haunted houses, and man-eating plants are part of daily life. The narrative centers on the Cobblestone family, specifically Circe, Mortencia, and Euphoria Cobblestone. These three women possess over three hundred years of combined esoteric experience, offering magical solutions to both mundane and supernatural problems through potions and tarot readings. The collection examines the price of magic and the nature of the unexplainable. One tale follows a desperate woman who receives four wishes from a mysterious stranger, revealing the heavy cost of such power. Another story involves a real estate agent attempting to sell a known haunted property while fighting for her friend’s life. Readers also encounter characters who keep ghosts as pets and explore realms that have escaped their nightmares. Ferguson, the author and publisher, curates these tales to highlight the strange and dangerous aspects of Bracken. This book suits readers interested in urban fantasy and dark folklore. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional horror or realistic fiction.

💎 Our verdict on The Acrimonious

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Ferguson successfully constructs a narrative landscape where magic is a practical tool, creating a distinct atmosphere in Bracken. The collection excels in blending domestic issues with cosmic horror, highlighting the dangerous consequences of supernatural intervention. Through the Cobblestone witches, the stories delve into themes of desperation and professional duty in the face of the paranormal. The mix of demonic possession, haunted houses, and man-eating plants provides variety while maintaining a cohesive dark tone. This book is best suited for readers of urban fantasy and dark folklore who appreciate complex magical systems and the intersection of the ordinary with the bizarre. It avoids traditional horror tropes, offering instead a weary, experienced perspective on the occult that may not appeal to those seeking realistic fiction.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy urban fantasy and dark folklore will find The Acrimonious a compelling collection of ten supernatural stories set in the hidden world of Bracken. The book appeals to those interested in the practical application of magic, where witches like Circe, Mortencia, and Euphoria Cobblestone offer esoteric services that blur the line between help and hazard. Ferguson explores the heavy price of magical intervention, featuring desperate bargains, haunted properties, and man-eating plants as part of daily life. This collection is ideal for fans of cosmic and psychological horror who appreciate a unique atmosphere where ordinary issues intersect with the bizarre. It suits readers seeking dark folklore rather than traditional horror or realistic fiction, offering a weary yet deep knowledge of the occult through the Cobblestone family's three hundred years of experience.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Ferguson successfully constructs a narrative landscape where magic is a practical tool, creating a distinct atmosphere in Bracken. The collection excels in blending domestic issues with cosmic horror, highlighting the dangerous consequences of supernatural intervention. Through the Cobblestone witches, the stories delve into themes of desperation and professional duty in the face of the paranormal. The mix of demonic possession, haunted houses, and man-eating plants provides variety while maintaining a cohesive dark tone. This book is best suited for readers of urban fantasy and dark folklore who appreciate complex magical systems and the intersection of the ordinary with the bizarre. It avoids traditional horror tropes, offering instead a weary, experienced perspective on the occult that may not appeal to those seeking realistic fiction.