The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed: A Baker Johnson Tale

Name: The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed: A Baker Johnson Tale
Price: 7.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781503016798

✍️ Terry M West

Reader Score

4.6

(1 review)

$7.99

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A 1925 tale of a parapsychologist inheriting a haunted estate with an empty containment room.

Baker Johnson inherits his uncle's property in 1925 and finds the Black Room empty. This breach of safety triggers a series of events that test his skills as a flawed investigator. West uses this premise to examine the weight of family legacy and the dangers of supernatural artifacts. The narrative structure allows for deep character development alongside traditional horror elements. Readers follow Baker as he confronts the consequences of his uncle's past actions. The story blends psychological tension with gothic atmosphere, creating a unique reading experience. The preview of SERVANT OF THE RED QUILL extends this exploration into new territories, maintaining the established tone and style.

Key Themes

haunted items parapsychology family legacy

Literary Context

The narrative is set in 1925, placing it within the early twentieth century period of American horror fiction. It draws on the tradition of psychical research and haunted house stories popular during that era, focusing on the psychological aspects of supernatural encounters rather than mere ghostly apparitions.

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

H.P. Lovecraft · M.R. James · Thomas Ligotti

🕯️

Supernatural

🏛 Createspace Independent Publishing Platform 📅 2014 📖 36 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781503016798

📝 Description: The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed: A Baker Johnson Tale

Terry M. West presents a haunting tale centered on Baker Johnson, a flawed parapsychologist in the year 1925. After inheriting his uncle Richard Johnson's estate, Baker moves into the legendary psychical researcher's home. He soon discovers that the Black Room, where haunted items are safely contained, has been emptied. This narrative explores the consequences of such a breach within the gothic tradition. The book includes a lengthy preview of a brand new Baker Johnson story titled SERVANT OF THE RED QUILL. West is described as a critically-acclaimed horror author whose work attempts to explain incredible depth of aesthetic. The Horror Nation notes that explaining this depth is like comparing well aged Scotch to moonshine, highlighting the superior quality of the writing and editing. This volume suits readers who enjoy early twentieth century supernatural fiction and character-driven horror. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or modern technological settings. The text focuses on atmospheric dread and the psychological impact of inherited curses. Baker Johnson serves as a complex protagonist navigating a legacy he did not choose. The inclusion of preview material offers a glimpse into future installments of this series, providing additional context for fans of the character.

💎 Our verdict on The Giving of Things Cold & Cursed: A Baker Johnson Tale

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Terry M. West crafts a haunting tale centered on Baker Johnson, a complex protagonist navigating an unwanted legacy. The narrative excels in blending psychological tension with gothic atmosphere, creating a unique reading experience that prioritizes character development alongside traditional horror elements. The story effectively examines the consequences of breaching safety protocols within a supernatural context. This volume is best suited for enthusiasts of early twentieth-century supernatural fiction who value aesthetic depth and slow-burn dread. While it may not appeal to those seeking modern settings or rapid plot progression, it offers a superior quality of writing and editing that resonates with fans of literary horror.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric dread over fast-paced action will find this narrative deeply rewarding. It offers a compelling exploration of family legacy and the psychological weight of inherited curses through the lens of a flawed parapsychologist. The gothic setting provides a rich backdrop for examining the dangers of supernatural artifacts, appealing to those who enjoy character-driven horror. Additionally, the included preview of 'Servant of the Red Quill' provides valuable context for fans of the series, extending the exploration of tone and style into new territories while maintaining the established aesthetic depth.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 1 reviews

Horror Reads editorial team

Terry M. West crafts a haunting tale centered on Baker Johnson, a complex protagonist navigating an unwanted legacy. The narrative excels in blending psychological tension with gothic atmosphere, creating a unique reading experience that prioritizes character development alongside traditional horror elements. The story effectively examines the consequences of breaching safety protocols within a supernatural context. This volume is best suited for enthusiasts of early twentieth-century supernatural fiction who value aesthetic depth and slow-burn dread. While it may not appeal to those seeking modern settings or rapid plot progression, it offers a superior quality of writing and editing that resonates with fans of literary horror.