The Bell Chime: A Novella

Mona Kabbani’s The Bell Chime is a novella that earned the Ladies of Horror Fiction Award for Best Novella in 2020. The narrative centers on a young woman plagued by severe night terrors who encounters a missing poster in her apartment building. The photograph on the flyer depicts her own face, yet she has no memory of taking it. Her unease grows as the subject’s grin appears menacing and the eyes seem to track her movements across any room. The story unfolds through a sequence of unsettling events that blur the line between waking reality and sleep-induced terror. Kabbani, recognized for this award-winning work, crafts a psychological horror experience that challenges the protagonist’s grip on sanity. The novella forces readers to question what is tangible and what exists only within the nightmare. This tight narrative structure maintains a steady pace of dread without resorting to external monsters. This book suits fans of psychological horror and gothic fiction who appreciate stories focused on internal fear and identity. It may not appeal to those seeking traditional supernatural entities or fast-paced action. The work is available in book format with ISBN 9798874771546, published by Tantor Audio on May 14, 2024.