👻 Ghost Stories

Wicked Jenny (Main)

✍️ Matt Hilton
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$29.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A group of friends is haunted by the unsolved murder they witnessed decades ago.

Andy Miller and his childhood circle face retribution for a covered-up tragedy involving Poppy and her sister. The story alternates between the 1988 incident at the flooded tracks and the present day, where Carl's murder signals that their tormentor has returned. As the group falls apart under psychological pressure, they confront a figure who seems to blend human malice with supernatural power. Hilton examines the lasting impact of guilt through this haunting narrative about friendship and justice.

Key Themes
childhood trauma unsolved murder supernatural revenge
Literary Context

This novel fits within the tradition of spooky fairy tales with dark twists, blending gothic horror elements with contemporary suspense. It draws on the trope of childhood secrets returning to haunt adults, set against the backdrop of a flooded railway line that serves as a site of both memory and death.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Daphne du Maurier · M.R. James · Thomas Hardy · Shirley Jackson
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Severn House 📅 2025 📖 240 pages 🌐 English 📔 Hardcover ISBN: 9781448313938

📝 Description: Wicked Jenny (Main)

Matt Hilton presents a dark tale where old friends are hunted by the ghosts of their past. In 1988, Andy and his peers saw Poppy attacked and her sister killed near flooded tracks. They blamed a troubled teen who then took his own life, leaving everyone with heavy guilt. Years later, Carl is found dead near those same waters, sparking fear among the survivors. A terrifying woman appears to them, causing paranoia about whether she is Poppy's spirit or a manifestation of their shared shame. This novel explores how buried secrets can destroy lives and may appeal to fans of eerie, character-driven horror.

💎 Our verdict on Wicked Jenny (Main)

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Hilton crafts a tense, atmospheric narrative that leverages the weight of buried secrets to generate genuine dread. The alternating timeline between 1988 and the present day effectively builds paranoia, blurring the lines between supernatural vengeance and psychological breakdown. The depiction of friendship dissolving under pressure adds emotional resonance to the horror elements. While the premise relies on familiar tropes of haunted pasts, the execution is robust, focusing on character psychology rather than explicit violence. This book suits readers who prefer ghost stories that investigate the human condition alongside the macabre, offering a chilling meditation on guilt and justice.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric horror driven by psychological depth rather than gore will find this narrative compelling. It offers a chilling exploration of guilt, memory, and the fragility of friendship when confronted with past sins. The dual timeline structure builds tension effectively, appealing to those who enjoy slow-burn dread and moral ambiguity. Fans of stories where the supernatural serves as a metaphor for internal shame will engage deeply with the characters' deteriorating mental states. It is ideal for audiences seeking a haunting tale that prioritizes emotional impact and eerie ambiance over jump scares.

⭐ 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

Hilton crafts a tense, atmospheric narrative that leverages the weight of buried secrets to generate genuine dread. The alternating timeline between 1988 and the present day effectively builds paranoia, blurring the lines between supernatural vengeance and psychological breakdown. The depiction of friendship dissolving under pressure adds emotional resonance to the horror elements. While the premise relies on familiar tropes of haunted pasts, the execution is robust, focusing on character psychology rather than explicit violence. This book suits readers who prefer ghost stories that investigate the human condition alongside the macabre, offering a chilling meditation on guilt and justice.

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