🐙 Cosmic Horror

What Festers Within

✍️ Mark N Drake
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$11.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

Jack Glennison returns to Darkisle to fight a contagious fear and deadly cult.

The plot centers on Josine Young returning to Manchester from Darkisle, where she previously introduced Jack Glennison to supernatural threats. Both are now hunted by the Church of the Celestial Shadow. Their escape leads them back to the island to assist a former client. The narrative examines the intersection of 1920s noir conventions and cosmic horror tropes. Drake uses the setting of Carnven to explore how fear can spread like a disease. The story relies on established lore from 'The Gathering of Shadows' and 'Those Under The Hill'. Characters must confront both human antagonists and ancient entities. The tone remains grim, emphasizing survival over celebration during the Christmas season.

Key Themes
Church of the Celestial Shadow contagious fear ancient gods
Literary Context

The story is set in December 1922, moving between Manchester and Darkisle. It blends British Lovecraftian horror with 1920s detective noir traditions. The narrative draws on previous works by Mark N Drake to expand the mythology of the Glennison series.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · M.R. James · Ramsey Campbell · Arthur Machen
🐙
Cosmic Horror
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2022 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9798840211212

📝 Description: What Festers Within

Mark N Drake writes the third installment in the Glennison Darkisle Cases series, focusing on Jack Glennison and Josine Young. The narrative follows the pair as they flee Manchester in December 1922 after being targeted by the Church of the Celestial Shadow. They return to Darkisle to address unfinished business regarding a former client. The story unfolds against a backdrop of ancient gods, deadly magic, and terrifying monsters. Jack reconnects with friends and foes from his previous visit while investigating a mysterious disease spreading through Carnven. The atmosphere reflects 1920s detective noir blended with British Lovecraftian horror elements. Public unrest and blizzards intensify the tension as fear becomes contagious. Drake qualifies this work by continuing the exploration of otherworldly mysteries introduced in earlier volumes. Readers who enjoy atmospheric supernatural fiction set in historical periods will find this appealing. Those seeking lighthearted holiday tales or pure action without mystery may prefer different selections. The book grounds its horror in specific locations and established characters rather than abstract concepts.

💎 Our verdict on What Festers Within

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Drake effectively merges 1920s noir conventions with cosmic horror, creating a grim atmosphere that emphasizes survival during the Christmas season. The story excels in exploring how fear spreads like a contagious disease within the setting of Carnven, utilizing established lore to deepen the narrative stakes. The blend of public unrest and blizzards intensifies the tension, making the supernatural threats feel immediate and visceral. This work is best suited for readers who appreciate atmospheric supernatural fiction grounded in specific historical contexts and character-driven plots. Those looking for lighthearted tales or action-heavy mystery may find it too slow, but fans of British Lovecraftian horror will likely appreciate the detailed exploration of otherworldly mysteries and deadly cults.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking atmospheric supernatural fiction set in historical periods will find this appealing for its grim exploration of fear and ancient entities. The book grounds its horror in specific locations and established characters rather than abstract concepts, offering a cohesive experience for fans of the series. It is ideal for those who enjoy the intersection of cosmic horror tropes with psychological tension. However, it may not suit readers seeking lighthearted holiday tales or pure action without mystery. The narrative emphasizes survival over celebration, providing a tense and immersive journey through a world where human antagonists and ancient gods collide.

⭐ 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

Drake effectively merges 1920s noir conventions with cosmic horror, creating a grim atmosphere that emphasizes survival during the Christmas season. The story excels in exploring how fear spreads like a contagious disease within the setting of Carnven, utilizing established lore to deepen the narrative stakes. The blend of public unrest and blizzards intensifies the tension, making the supernatural threats feel immediate and visceral. This work is best suited for readers who appreciate atmospheric supernatural fiction grounded in specific historical contexts and character-driven plots. Those looking for lighthearted tales or action-heavy mystery may find it too slow, but fans of British Lovecraftian horror will likely appreciate the detailed exploration of otherworldly mysteries and deadly cults.

📖 From the series “The Glennison Darkisle Cases”

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