🩸 Horror Fiction

Wearing Shadows: A devilishly dark horror novella & 9 short stories

✍️ Simon Paul Woodward
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$9.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A dark collection by Simon Paul Woodward featuring occult horror and supernatural tales.

Woodward’s collection examines the physical manifestation of evil through various narratives. The novella focuses on body horror via shadow amputation, while short stories explore betrayal and artistic sacrifice. Each tale connects to the overarching theme of hidden darkness within human souls. The structure moves from personal psychological terror to broader supernatural retribution, maintaining a consistent tone of dread throughout the pages.

Key Themes
occult cosmetic surgery blind businesswoman violin maker apprentice
Literary Context

This 2021 release by Simon Paul Woodward sits within the contemporary American horror market. It draws on gothic and supernatural fiction traditions. The work aligns with modern readers who appreciate the unsettling narratives found in works by Stephen King, Joe Hill, or Clive Barker.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
Stephen King · Joe Hill · Clive Barker
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2021 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798739738523

📝 Description: Wearing Shadows: A devilishly dark horror novella & 9 short stories

Simon Paul Woodward presents Wearing Shadows, a volume containing an eponymous novella alongside nine short stories. The central narrative follows a troubled actress who undergoes extreme occult cosmetic surgery to have her shadow amputated, resulting in gruesome consequences. This work explores the intersection of physical alteration and spiritual corruption within the horror genre. The collection includes distinct tales such as The Man with Sticks and Hooks, which pits a blind businesswoman against a diabolical predator in a deadly game of cat and mouse. Another story, The Master Workshop, examines an apprentice violin maker who discovers that pain and murder are necessary components of the creative process. Chalk Bodies traces a father’s lies that lead his son to a historic betrayal site where a dark shadow waits for revenge. This second installment in the Wearing Horror series appeals to readers familiar with the unsettling styles of Stephen King, Joe Hill, or Clive Barker. It suits those who enjoy psychological dread and supernatural twists. Individuals seeking lighthearted entertainment or traditional romance will find little comfort here. The book remains firmly rooted in the darker traditions of gothic fiction.

💎 Our verdict on Wearing Shadows: A devilishly dark horror novella & 9 short stories

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Woodward delivers a cohesive anthology where personal psychological terror evolves into broader supernatural retribution. The eponymous novella stands out for its grotesque exploration of shadow amputation, setting a grim tone that permeates the subsequent short stories. Each tale reinforces the central motif of betrayal and artistic sacrifice, maintaining a relentless atmosphere of dread. This volume is ideal for aficionados of gothic fiction who appreciate unsettling styles and spiritual corruption. It avoids lighthearted entertainment in favor of deep, lingering horror. The collection succeeds by connecting disparate narratives through a unified vision of evil, offering a compelling read for those who enjoy the darker corners of the literary landscape.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking intense psychological terror and supernatural twists will find this collection deeply rewarding. The novella offers a visceral examination of body horror through the lens of occult cosmetic surgery, appealing to those fascinated by the intersection of physical alteration and spiritual corruption. Enthusiasts of dark fantasy and true crime aesthetics will appreciate the varied narratives, from a blind businesswoman’s deadly game to an artisan’s gruesome creative process. The consistent tone of dread ensures that even those unfamiliar with the specific stories remain engaged by the overarching theme of hidden darkness within human souls.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Woodward delivers a cohesive anthology where personal psychological terror evolves into broader supernatural retribution. The eponymous novella stands out for its grotesque exploration of shadow amputation, setting a grim tone that permeates the subsequent short stories. Each tale reinforces the central motif of betrayal and artistic sacrifice, maintaining a relentless atmosphere of dread. This volume is ideal for aficionados of gothic fiction who appreciate unsettling styles and spiritual corruption. It avoids lighthearted entertainment in favor of deep, lingering horror. The collection succeeds by connecting disparate narratives through a unified vision of evil, offering a compelling read for those who enjoy the darker corners of the literary landscape.

📖 From the series “Wearing Horror”

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