Review: Hell Cat of the Holt by Mark Cassell
Got a Hell Cat? Me too!
My Thoughts
4 1/2 Evil Patrick's
I shallowly chose this as my next read because of the title and the cover. I live with a hell cat who chews laptop cords, Ipads, electrical wiring, hapless and short lived mice and human legs. He likes the legs best of all but only if they’re hairy so I’m usually safe. He also takes great joy in lazing about on the stairway awaiting the human stupid enough to dare pass him. You know the type. Here’s the devil’s furry son we call Patrick.
The beast in action:
Anyhow, this story turned out to be about a potentially demonic cat and a whole lot more. It’s part of the “shadow fabric mythos” which consists of several connected stories set up by the author. I haven’t read any of the other work set in this mythos but I can tell you that I’m going to change that. You can go into this one without feeling left out, confused or aggravated. Hell Cat of the Holt stands alone quite well and is one of those atmospheric stories that creeps under your skin pretty quick.
I was taken in by the opening scene which was nearly a complete unsettling short story all on its own. I even had to flick back to the blurb to make sure I hadn’t accidentally picked up another short story collection. Nope, I was safe! I hadn’t just accidentally agreed to read another “Nightmares”. Phew.
Anne has recently returned to the home of her childhood with her cat Murphy. Soon after, Murphy goes missing and she spends most of her time wandering about the small town in search of him. She worries that the rumors may be true, and that there is indeed a big, black monstrous cat terrorizing the locals, causing accidents and she fears that it may have done something terrible to her beloved Murphy! Nothing hooks me like a sweet kitty in peril and hooked I was. With the help of a neighbor named Leo, Anne digs deep into the secrets of the demonic cat and discovers something far more insidious and frightening than an overlarge cat with red eyes (but yeah, that’s scary enough!).
This short tale paints an excellent picture of a small town gripped by something not quite of this world. It’s a little gory and the atmosphere is as much a part of the story as the characters and I always love an author who can do that and do it well. There is a bonus story at the end that ties in with Hell Cat and adds an even creepier undertone to everything. If you’re a fan of atmospheric horror and cats you’ll most definitely want to read Hell Cat of the Holt.
A Bit About the Writer
Mark Cassell lives in a rural part of the UK where he often dreams of dystopian futures, peculiar creatures, and flitting shadows. Primarily a horror writer, his steampunk, dark fantasy, and SF stories have featured in several anthologies and ezines. His best-selling debut novel THE SHADOW FABRIC is closely followed by the popular short story collection SINISTER STITCHES and are both only a fraction of an expanding mythos of demons, devices, and deceit. Mark’s 2017 release HELL CAT OF THE HOLT further explores the Shadow Fabric mythos with ghosts and black cat legends.
The dystopian sci-fi short story collection CHAOS HALO 1.0: ALPHA BETA GAMMA KILL is in association with Future Chronicles Photography where he works closely with their models and cosplayers.
For one of Mark’s FREE stories go to: www.markcassell.com.
Or visit the website: www.theshadowfabric.co.uk
Thank you Confessions of A Reviewer Publicity Tours for sharing this book with me!
Hell Cat of the Holt by Mark Cassell
Horror Novella, 193 Pages
Series: A Shadow Fabric Mythos Novella
Released June 1, 2017 by Herbs House
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
Horror Novella, 193 Pages
Series: A Shadow Fabric Mythos Novella
Released June 1, 2017 by Herbs House
Amazon ♦ Goodreads
Shy accountant Anne returns to the village of Mabley Holt to piece together her life after a family tragedy. When her cat vanishes, and a neighbour claims to speak with his dead wife, she soon learns there’s more to the village than any resident dares admit. In search of her beloved pet, she discovers not only family secrets but also revelations of a local legend.
As she treads an unsteady path between folklore and fact, her confidence in where she grew up begins to crumble. Into hell.
Set in the bestselling Shadow Fabric mythos, Hell Cat of the Holt is not just a ghost story, and is much more than a black cat sighting.
A Supernatural Suspense Thriller
From Mark Cassell, author of the best-selling supernatural horror novel The Shadow Fabric, this novella further explores his expanding occult mythos.
As she treads an unsteady path between folklore and fact, her confidence in where she grew up begins to crumble. Into hell.
Set in the bestselling Shadow Fabric mythos, Hell Cat of the Holt is not just a ghost story, and is much more than a black cat sighting.
A Supernatural Suspense Thriller
From Mark Cassell, author of the best-selling supernatural horror novel The Shadow Fabric, this novella further explores his expanding occult mythos.
My Thoughts
I shallowly chose this as my next read because of the title and the cover. I live with a hell cat who chews laptop cords, Ipads, electrical wiring, hapless and short lived mice and human legs. He likes the legs best of all but only if they’re hairy so I’m usually safe. He also takes great joy in lazing about on the stairway awaiting the human stupid enough to dare pass him. You know the type. Here’s the devil’s furry son we call Patrick.
Anyhow, this story turned out to be about a potentially demonic cat and a whole lot more. It’s part of the “shadow fabric mythos” which consists of several connected stories set up by the author. I haven’t read any of the other work set in this mythos but I can tell you that I’m going to change that. You can go into this one without feeling left out, confused or aggravated. Hell Cat of the Holt stands alone quite well and is one of those atmospheric stories that creeps under your skin pretty quick.
I was taken in by the opening scene which was nearly a complete unsettling short story all on its own. I even had to flick back to the blurb to make sure I hadn’t accidentally picked up another short story collection. Nope, I was safe! I hadn’t just accidentally agreed to read another “Nightmares”. Phew.
Anne has recently returned to the home of her childhood with her cat Murphy. Soon after, Murphy goes missing and she spends most of her time wandering about the small town in search of him. She worries that the rumors may be true, and that there is indeed a big, black monstrous cat terrorizing the locals, causing accidents and she fears that it may have done something terrible to her beloved Murphy! Nothing hooks me like a sweet kitty in peril and hooked I was. With the help of a neighbor named Leo, Anne digs deep into the secrets of the demonic cat and discovers something far more insidious and frightening than an overlarge cat with red eyes (but yeah, that’s scary enough!).
This short tale paints an excellent picture of a small town gripped by something not quite of this world. It’s a little gory and the atmosphere is as much a part of the story as the characters and I always love an author who can do that and do it well. There is a bonus story at the end that ties in with Hell Cat and adds an even creepier undertone to everything. If you’re a fan of atmospheric horror and cats you’ll most definitely want to read Hell Cat of the Holt.
Other books in The Shadow Mythos Series:
A Bit About the Writer
Mark Cassell lives in a rural part of the UK where he often dreams of dystopian futures, peculiar creatures, and flitting shadows. Primarily a horror writer, his steampunk, dark fantasy, and SF stories have featured in several anthologies and ezines. His best-selling debut novel THE SHADOW FABRIC is closely followed by the popular short story collection SINISTER STITCHES and are both only a fraction of an expanding mythos of demons, devices, and deceit. Mark’s 2017 release HELL CAT OF THE HOLT further explores the Shadow Fabric mythos with ghosts and black cat legends.The dystopian sci-fi short story collection CHAOS HALO 1.0: ALPHA BETA GAMMA KILL is in association with Future Chronicles Photography where he works closely with their models and cosplayers.
For one of Mark’s FREE stories go to: www.markcassell.com.
Or visit the website: www.theshadowfabric.co.uk
Thank you Confessions of A Reviewer Publicity Tours for sharing this book with me!
This sounds like a story I would love. Great review.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get to read it, Nadine!
DeleteI HATE cats! There are eight in our street that use my garden as a personal toilet and it is disgusting. Two nights ago one almost got a baby magpie and I had to run out and chase the damn thing. Today I loaded up on anti-cat plants and things at a garden centre to get rid of them. Grr!
ReplyDeleteAwww, Chuckles, they are little demons and, IMO, should not be let outside to terrorize the neighbors. I love cats but keep mine indoors so they only terrorize me and each other. My neighbors let theirs outside and they puke up birds and other critters and leave them in driveway all the time :( They also poop in my garden so I feel your pain. I'm building a "catio" for my beasts which will allow them access to the outside world but they won't be able to get out of it and be a pain to neighbors. I also don't want them getting eaten by a fisher cat or hit by a car.
DeleteGreat shot of your Hellcat eating your tablet. This book sounds interesting and I bet Booker T would have a blast reviewing it and adding his thoughts. Gonna make sure I have a copy - for some reason I think I do. Awesome review.
ReplyDeleteBookerT would enjoy this one and I think you would too :) I hope you get a chance to read it.
DeleteI love that cover and your kitty impersonating a hellcat lol
ReplyDeleteFor What It's Worth
Yep, I didn't even have to prod him into it!
DeleteI love demonic, small town atmospheric tales! [not sure about the cat! I'm a dog person] :) the covers of the Shadow Mythos Series are AWESOME I want to read it just because of the covers!
ReplyDeleteIf you like dark fantasy type reads I think you'll really this one!
Delete