The Haunting of William Thorn
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Watkins Media Limited
Publishing:9th Sep '25
£9.99
This title is due to be published on 9th September, and will be despatched as soon as possible.
William Thorn had his life all planned out… until his long-term boyfriend Archie cheats, breaking his heart. Distraught, William kicks him out of their home, where tragedy strikes when Archie is killed instantly in a car accident. Riddled with guilt, William is shocked to learn that he’s inherited a manor in the quaint village of Stonewall, left to him in Archie’s will. He leaves the city with plans to make a new start for himself, but is surprised by the rundown state of the manor, and the unwelcoming villagers who want him gone. His only ally is Edward, a seemingly friendly local with secrets of his own. However, it’s not only the villagers who are adverse to his presence. A malevolent spirit roams the manor, one that seeks to drive William out for good. But when he uncovers the heartbreaking tale of two men in love in the 1930’s, William strives to find peace for the spirit, ending the haunting once and for all. But what dark secrets lie hidden in the manor walls? And will William be able to put aside his own grief to save his new home...and his life? Introducing the first horror novel from #1 bestselling author Ben Alderson, an evocative story of love, exploring grief, trauma, and the bones of the past, The Haunting of William Thorn is the perfect read for fans of the gothic.
“The Haunting of William Thorn is a ghostly love story filled with a mystery that spans generations. Alderson paints a beautiful portrait of grief, as horrifying and grotesque as the spirits that feel real enough to claw off the page. A gift to the genre and a notable new voice for fans of queer horror, Alderson’s entry to the space is a shining example; a gothic story that understands the dark sorrow of guilt, and how the tangled truths that leave one feeling lonely, can weave a complex web of problems all on their own. A story I absolutely could not put down, William and Edward tugged at my queer little heartstrings, and their tale is sure to be remembered long, long after the final page.”
– Kit Mayquist, author of Tripping Arcadia
"Dripping with charm and haunted house nostalgia, The Haunting of William Thorn delivers in equal parts sorrow and thrill. With twist after twist giving it a unique flair, it's a new staple to horror shelves and I couldn't put it down!"
– Harvey Oliver Baxter, author of Fallen Thorns
"Paranoia breathes on your neck in this well crafted jaw-dropping mystery, with two storylines expertly weaved together with history, intrigue, and fear. A gem of a gothic horror, it makes me want to crack out my own ouija board and summon the dead, so they can read it and be blown away, too. The characters in The Haunting of William Thorn will stay with me for a long time, like a ghost who doesn’t pay rent, and the love affairs of each character are poignant and touching and complex. A wonderfully compelling, intricate story."
– Jack Strange, author of Look Up, Handsome
“Devastating, harrowing, and darkly romantic, this is a gothic horror that will haunt readers’ hearts long after William’s story is through,”
– Laura R. Samotin, author of The Sins on Their Bones
“Ouch, that hurt. A hauntingly beautiful tale of love, woven with the horrors of a house with a dark past. It will have you sobbing throughout and long after you have put it down.”
– Jasmine Andrady, author of Blazing Desires
ISBN: 9781915998835
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
400 pages
New edition