👻 Ghost Stories

The Cunning Man

✍️ Elizabeth Andrews
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$12.64
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A tale of two women investigating smuggling history and witch marks in a haunted village.

The Cunning Man focuses on the enigmatic figure who hangs over Bindon despite being deceased. Queenie and Sybil observe fresh witch marks on door lintels throughout the village. They also encounter a child ghost in the churchyard. These events drive their curiosity about local secrets. The story explores the connection between the Cunning Man, smuggling traditions, and these supernatural signs. Andrews uses the setting of Bindon to weave together past crimes and present-day mysteries. The narrative does not rely on complex magical systems but rather on the weight of history and local folklore. Readers interested in the intersection of criminal history and ghost stories will find this account compelling.

Key Themes
witch marks Cunning Man spectre smuggling history
Literary Context

The story is set in Bindon, a village known for centuries of smuggling. It draws on gothic and supernatural fiction traditions. The narrative engages with the legacy of witch marks and local folklore surrounding the Cunning Man.

Difficulty
● Easy
Recommended For Fans Of
Daphne du Maurier · M.R. James · Ramsey Campbell · Robert Aickman
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2016 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781520119489

📝 Description: The Cunning Man

Elizabeth Andrews presents a narrative centered on the village of Bindon, a location with a long history of smuggling. The story follows Queenie and Sybil as they investigate the lingering spectre known as 'The Cunning Man,' who remains present despite being long dead. These two women notice freshly carved witch marks on every door lintel in the area. Their attention is further drawn to the ghost of a child found in the churchyard. This discovery prompts them to examine the mysterious affairs of the local residents more closely. The text draws upon gothic and supernatural traditions, focusing on folklore and the eerie atmosphere of a community haunted by its past. Andrews qualifies her work by grounding it in these specific regional legends and the tangible presence of witch marks. This book suits readers who enjoy atmospheric tales involving local history and unexplained phenomena. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or scientific explanations for supernatural events. The narrative structure relies on the investigation of these physical and spectral clues within Bindon.

💎 Our verdict on The Cunning Man

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Andrews crafts a compelling atmosphere where history and horror intertwine seamlessly. The narrative effectively uses the village of Bindon as a vessel for exploring smuggling traditions and lingering spectres without relying on complex magical systems. The presence of witch marks and the child ghost serves as potent symbols of unresolved past crimes. This approach suits readers who enjoy literary ghost stories that prioritize mood and folklore over jump scares. The investigation by Queenie and Sybil provides a clear through-line for the mystery, though those seeking rapid plot progression may find the pace deliberate. It is a solid contribution to the genre for those valuing regional legend and eerie setting above all else.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers fascinated by the intersection of criminal history and supernatural folklore will find this narrative compelling. It appeals to those who prefer atmospheric investigation over fast-paced action or scientific rationalization. The book offers a unique exploration of how past sins linger in physical spaces, marked by witch signs and spectral presences. It is ideal for enthusiasts of gothic settings where the environment itself acts as a character. Those interested in the psychological weight of local legends and the eerie silence of haunted villages will appreciate the slow-burn mystery. The focus on two women uncovering secrets provides a grounded perspective amidst the supernatural elements, making it accessible yet deeply unsettling for fans of traditional ghost stories.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
5
0
4
1
3
0
2
0
1
0
H
Horror Reads editorial team

Andrews crafts a compelling atmosphere where history and horror intertwine seamlessly. The narrative effectively uses the village of Bindon as a vessel for exploring smuggling traditions and lingering spectres without relying on complex magical systems. The presence of witch marks and the child ghost serves as potent symbols of unresolved past crimes. This approach suits readers who enjoy literary ghost stories that prioritize mood and folklore over jump scares. The investigation by Queenie and Sybil provides a clear through-line for the mystery, though those seeking rapid plot progression may find the pace deliberate. It is a solid contribution to the genre for those valuing regional legend and eerie setting above all else.

🏛 Books from this publisher Independently Published

The Walking Worm
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Matthew Cowdery
The Walking Worm
$12.99
78
Read →
You'll Do As You're Told
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Craig Wesley Wall
You'll Do As You're Told
$14.99
78
Read →
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Jon Ridan
La Sincronicidad de los Dioses
$11.99
81
Read →
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Syl Emerald
Forever Your Blood: Christabel Kane I
$19.00
81
Read →
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Shane Terry
John Hopkins: At the heart of England
$17.32
78
Read →
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.5
Nick Razer
Skinheads VS. Goth Vampires
$15.99
78
Read →

You might also like

See more →
The Fourth Bhf Book of Horror Stories ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Darrell Buxton
The Fourth Bhf Book of Horror Stories
$12.65
86
Read →
One Night in Crowford ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Amy Cross
One Night in Crowford
$12.99
86
Read →
The Manor at Blackmere Hollow: A Gothic Tale of Memory and the Sea ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Arthur Blackwood
The Manor at Blackmere Hollow: A Gothic Tale of Memory and the Sea
$12.99
86
Read →
Nightmare Eve ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
L K Scott
Nightmare Eve
$12.99
86
Read →
Barnaby: A Possession Horror ✨ New
★★★★★
★★★★★
4.6
1
Dillon Demaine
Barnaby: A Possession Horror
$12.99
86
Read →

Have a question about this item?

Ask about the edition, condition, delivery or anything else — we reply by email or phone, usually within a day.

Home Genres
Cart
Wishlist