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The King of Shadows — Psychological Horror

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🧠 Psychological Horror −24%

The King of Shadows

Name: The King of Shadows
Price: 24.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9781941971253

✍️ Robert McCammon

Reader Score

4.3

(3 reviews)

$24.99 ~~$33.00~~ Save $8.01 (24%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Robert McCammon’s eighth Matthew Corbett thriller centers on a haunted Italian island.

The narrative follows Matthew Corbett as he confronts a foe threatening his mind. He investigates a secretive creature near a volcano while battling the island's influence. The plot relies on historical thriller conventions mixed with gothic horror tropes. McCammon structures the tension through isolation and supernatural dread rather than physical combat alone.

Key Themes

psychological horror historical mystery supernatural threat

Literary Context

The story is set in January of 1704 during Matthew Corbett’s mission to Italy. It draws on the tradition of historical thrillers featuring a brave problem-solver. The narrative incorporates gothic elements through the use of a mirror created by the sorcerer Ciro.

Robert McCammon

📚 all books by this author (29) →

Difficulty

●●● Challenging

Recommended For Fans Of

Stephen King · H.P. Lovecraft · Anne Rice · Thomas Harris

🧠

Psychological Horror

🏛 Lividian Publications 📅 2023 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781941971253

📝 Description: The King of Shadows

In January of 1704, Matthew Corbett travels to Italy with Hudson Greathouse and former enemy Professor Fell. Their goal is to locate Brazio Valeriani and learn about a mirror made by the sorcerer Ciro. Legend says this object summons demons from beyond. A pod of whales disables their ship, forcing the group to take refuge on a secluded island. The locals welcome them with a feast, but the situation grows sinister as the island affects their minds. Matthew must solve the mystery near an active volcano while fighting for his own identity. This novel is the eighth installment in Robert McCammon’s acclaimed series of historical thrillers. McCammon is a bestselling author known for creating brave problem-solvers who face challenges that threaten their sanity. The story focuses on psychological horror and supernatural elements within a historical setting. Readers who enjoy complex mysteries involving magic and mind control will find this book suitable. Those seeking straightforward action without psychological depth may prefer other titles.

💎 Our verdict on The King of Shadows

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🩸

Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

This installment delivers atmospheric tension through isolation and supernatural dread rather than relying solely on physical combat. McCammon effectively uses historical thriller conventions mixed with gothic horror to explore the vulnerability of the human mind. However, this book is not suitable for readers seeking straightforward action without psychological depth or those who dislike slow-burn mysteries involving magic. The focus remains tightly on the protagonist’s internal struggle and the eerie influence of the island. It is a strong choice for fans of cosmic and psychological horror who appreciate nuanced character development over explosive set pieces.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy complex mysteries involving magic and mind control will find this book suitable, as it offers a deep dive into psychological horror rather than simple action. Those seeking straightforward physical combat may prefer other titles, but fans of brave problem-solvers facing sanity-threatening challenges will appreciate McCammon’s work. The narrative excels in building tension through isolation and supernatural dread on a secluded Italian island. It appeals to those who like historical settings mixed with gothic tropes and secretive creatures. The focus is on the protagonist's battle for his own identity against a foe threatening his mind, making it ideal for enthusiasts of psychological depth within a thriller framework.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.6/5

★★★★★

Seekers of cerebral dread and intricate puzzles will adore this tale of mental erosion. If you crave pure visceral gore or lack patience for slow-burn psychological unraveling, this historical mystery may leave you cold.

Reader rating

4.3

Based on 3 reviews

Rosa N.

June 29, 2026

Almost perfect

Finished it over a stormy weekend, which helped. Some chapters are hard to read in the best possible way.

Peter V.

August 11, 2025

Decent

Wanted something for October and it delivered. The dread is in the pacing, not in gore, which is exactly how I like it. My only quibble is that the middle third sags a little. Still worth having on the shelf.

❓ Frequently asked questions

Yes, it is the eighth installment in McCammon's historical thriller saga. While you can read it as a standalone, familiarity with Matthew Corbett’s past exploits will enrich your understanding of his character dynamics and backstory.

The story features heavy supernatural elements, including demonic summoning and mind-altering artifacts. The horror is primarily psychological, focusing on how the protagonists' perceptions fracture under the island's cursed influence rather than just physical threats.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Continuing his celebrated series, McCammon merges the golden age of exploration with creeping supernatural dread. This entry leans heavily into psychological horror, echoing Lovecraftian themes of isolation and sanity loss. It represents a mature evolution in his bibliography, prioritizing atmospheric tension and arcane mystery over traditional action-adventure tropes.