King Stakh's Wild Hunt

King Stakh's Wild Hunt by Uladzimir Karatkevich

A dark, thrilling tale of an archaic adventure. 

The story is told in a reminiscent nature by 96 year old Andrey Belaretski; a folklorist, looking back upon an adventure from his youth. Young Andrey, lost within the remote swamps of a Belarusian territory, comes upon the grand, forgotten castle of Marsh Firs. 

There, he meets his high-born hostess, Lady Nadzeya Yanovsky, the last remaining heir to the Yanovsky line. She is deeply frightened of the all-too-real phantoms that exist inside and outside of the castle walls. Believing herself the next in line to receive the vengeful comeuppance doled out by the Lady-in-Blue for all the cursed Yanovskys', Nadzeya is grateful for Andrey's company.

"It was fright, chronic, horrible fright. Not the fright that makes one's hair stand on end for a moment, but the fright that finally becomes a habitual state impossible to get rid of even in one's sleep."

It is not long before Andrey himself becomes cognizant of a supernatural force. He takes it upon himself to help undo the awful curse that plagues both the mental and physical health of Lady Yanovsky. Thus, he becomes engaged in the dangerous game of King Stakh's Wild Hunt.

"What's fated must die... You are a stranger here, these cursed generations are no business of yours. King Stakh's Hunt comes at midnight. Await it."

As the story ensues, the reader is taken through a series of eerie twists and hits a shocking revelation that threatens the foundation of the characters' lives.

Uladzimir Karatkevich (November 26, 1930 - July 25, 1984) created a profoundly macabre and emotive story that will both engage and excite all readers.

Exit Strategy

An astonishingly harrowing tale of terror and fright. The mind is a truly incredible mechanism.

Exit Strategy by L.F. Falconer

The story is about Jonas Dumar, a fugitive accused of murder, who sets sail to start a new existence. Only, there's a catch, how far can a person outrun himself?

A stroke of desperation. 

Jonas decides to venture across the Atlantic, away from the accusations of murder and deceit, he sets off with his trusty dog to find haven in a different land.  In the silence of his journey, his mind is his greatest friend and enemy. As he grapples with the emergence of new and old acquaintances, he is pushed to the brink of restraint. 

Enter Gabe and Izzy. They are two free spirits trying to work their way back to Spain. Jonas takes the couple along on his vessel, hoping to circumvent the long, quiet hours spent on the open sea. But nothing is as it seems. The ominous and hellish journey has only begun, Jonas risks his very existence as he attempts to outrun his own demons.

Exit Strategy is a fantastic, hair-raising story that will keep the reader guessing. L.F. Falconer weaves a masterful tale, both simplistic and convoluted, giving insight into the human psyche and causes us to ruminate on our own sanity. I highly recommend this new read of 2013.