The Lairdbalor

Named one of the top three spooky novels to read this Halloween by Brit + Co: "THE LAIRDBALOR might just have you checking in your closet and under your bed for some things that go bump in the night."—Ilana Lucas "The Babadook meets The Hobbit in this nightmare-riddled fantasy. Kaufman’s subtle horror will pull readers along with a creeping sense of unease, though the Lairdbalor’s scenes are genuinely chilling."—Booklist Mythic, haunting, and imaginative, THE LAIRDBALOR is a beautifully-written nightmare where the tumultuous anxieties and emotions of childhood are given life and then skinned raw."—Jake Marley, Winner of the 2017 Golden Pen Award “Sweeping, lyrical, and darkly philosophical, THE LAIRDBALOR succeeds in mapping not only a new world, but also a new voice ready to confront and explore our deepest, darkest fears.”—Bram Stoker Award-winning author John Palisano "Imagine a harrowing coming-of-age quest in a world that is literally your worst nightmare. Kathleen Kaufman has already imagined it for you. THE LAIRDBALOR is wondrous, strange and horrifying. You won’t want to sleep again after reading it."—Bill Bridges, author of The Song of Unmaking “A powerful story of myth, legend, and lore this lyrical nightmare come true is chilling and unsettling, but not without hope and heart.”—Richard Thomas, author of the Thriller Award-nominated Breaker "With THE LAIRDBALOR, Kathleen Kaufman has written a novel that re-imagines the traditions of Lewis Carroll, J.R.R. Tolkien, and C.S. Lewis for the twenty-first century. In its pages, Kaufman takes us on a journey with Jamie, her young hero, cast from our world into another, fantastic one. There, he must traverse strange landscapes and treat with weird creatures, all in the shadow of the figure he fears the most, the Lairdbalor. Kathleen Kaufman has produced a fine debut, one whose roots in the literature of the fantastic rise into bizarre, memorable fruit."—John Langan, author of The Fisherman "Kathleen Kaufman's debut is a dark, twisted fairytale of the best kind. THE LAIRDBALOR is haunting, evocative, page-turning. Couldn't read it fast enough! The ending will stay with you long after you've put it down."—Jennifer Brody, award-winning author of The 13th Continuum “Kaufman conjures terrifying scenarios, from the creepily unsettling to the graphically horrific, with crisp, elegant prose.”—Kirkus Reviews "A unique, deftly crafted, impressively engaging read from cover to cover, THE LAIRDBALOR showcases author Kathleen Kauman's extraordinary flair for imaginative and entertaining storytelling. Unreservedly recommended."—Midwest Book Review