The Monster's Lament

Set in post-war London, The Monster’s Lament follows Aleister Crowley's dark ambitions as he seeks to save an innocent man from execution.

In The Monster’s Lament, set against the backdrop of April 1945, Aleister Crowley, known as the English Monster, devises a plan for his own immortality amidst the chaos of war-torn London. As the Allied Forces strike the final blows against Nazi Germany, the underbelly of London is rife with black marketeers, conmen, and ambitious gangsters, all preparing for the impending peace. Crowley’s ambitions hinge on the cooperation of Tommy Fowler, a notorious gangland boss who, despite his crumbling empire, possesses the means to obtain anything for the right price.

At the heart of Crowley’s scheme is Peter Tait, a young man condemned to death for murder in Pentonville Prison. Crowley believes in Tait’s innocence, but proving it is another matter entirely. The only hope for Tait lies in the hands of a determined detective who faces overwhelming odds in a desperate appeal that seems doomed to fail. As the narrative unfolds, the characters navigate a landscape riddled with moral ambiguity and the ever-present threat of violence.

The Monster’s Lament is not just a tale of survival but a profound exploration of the monsters that lurk in both the shadows of war and the human soul. As the story progresses, the characters grapple with their own demons, revealing that sometimes the most formidable monsters are those that reside within us. This gripping narrative invites readers to ponder the true nature of evil in a world where the lines between hero and villain blur.