🩸 Horror Fiction

The Cost of Free Power

✍️ Joshua Calkins-Treworgy
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$8.00
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A harbor master learns that free power has a hidden price.

This volume focuses on Roger Burke, a harbor master who faces the repercussions of believing promises that seem too good to be true. Calkins-Treworgy uses this character to explore themes of trust and consequence within a maritime setting. The narrative avoids supernatural elements, instead grounding its conflict in real-world professional challenges. The book is organized around Burke’s experiences, offering a straightforward account of his journey from belief to realization. It appeals to readers who enjoy grounded narratives about authority figures and the weight of responsibility. The publication details confirm its release by Lulu.com in early 2026.

Key Themes
harbor master duties cost of free power trust and deception
Literary Context

The book sits within contemporary American publishing, released by Lulu.com in March 2026. It reflects a trend toward independent releases focusing on niche professional experiences rather than broad genre conventions.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King's non-supernatural thrillers · Herman Melville's character studies · John Steinbeck's maritime works · Robert Stone's ethical dramas
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Lulu.com 📅 2026 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781105537639

📝 Description: The Cost of Free Power

Harbor Master Roger Burke discovers the harsh reality behind the adage that offers too good to be true. Joshua Calkins-Treworgy presents this narrative in The Cost of Free Power, published by Lulu.com on March 8, 2026. The work examines the consequences of accepting unverified promises through the lens of Burke’s professional life. The text draws upon maritime traditions and the specific experiences of harbor authority figures. Calkins-Treworgy structures the narrative to highlight the intersection of duty and deception. Readers interested in maritime fiction or cautionary tales about trust will find this volume relevant. Those seeking supernatural horror or gothic atmospheres may find the content less aligned with their preferences, as the focus remains on practical lessons learned by a harbor official. The ISBN for this edition is 9781105537639. The book serves as a record of one man’s realization regarding the value of skepticism. It does not offer magical solutions or otherworldly entities, but rather grounds its themes in the tangible world of harbor management and personal accountability.

💎 Our verdict on The Cost of Free Power

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Calkins-Treworgy structures this narrative to highlight the tangible consequences of accepting unverified promises through the lens of Roger Burke’s professional life. The work excels in grounding its conflict in real-world challenges rather than supernatural tropes, offering a clear exploration of trust and consequence within a maritime setting. It is best suited for readers who enjoy grounded narratives about authority figures and the burden of duty. While it may disappoint those seeking gothic atmospheres or cosmic horror, it succeeds as a cautionary tale about the value of skepticism. The straightforward account effectively conveys the harsh realities behind offers that seem too good to be true.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking a grounded narrative about the weight of responsibility will find value in this account. It appeals to those interested in maritime traditions and the specific pressures faced by harbor authority figures. The book offers a straightforward examination of how unverified promises can lead to harsh realizations, making it suitable for fans of cautionary tales regarding trust and professional accountability. Those who prefer practical lessons over magical solutions or otherworldly entities will appreciate its focus on personal responsibility. It serves as a record of one man's journey from belief to skepticism, providing insight into the intersection of duty and deception without relying on supernatural elements.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Calkins-Treworgy structures this narrative to highlight the tangible consequences of accepting unverified promises through the lens of Roger Burke’s professional life. The work excels in grounding its conflict in real-world challenges rather than supernatural tropes, offering a clear exploration of trust and consequence within a maritime setting. It is best suited for readers who enjoy grounded narratives about authority figures and the burden of duty. While it may disappoint those seeking gothic atmospheres or cosmic horror, it succeeds as a cautionary tale about the value of skepticism. The straightforward account effectively conveys the harsh realities behind offers that seem too good to be true.

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