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A Crack in the World
A Crack in the World
England, 1994. Villages in Sussex are vanishing into thin air at an alarming rate. Gino Marcotti – the Gran Maestro Occultist, son of the official occultist of the Fascist Italian Regime – is tasked to investigate by the Royal Paranormal Institute in Greenwich. His investigation takes an unexpected turn when he realises that the Black Metal scene, with its recent homicides and arson attacks on Norwegian churches, is connected to these disappearances. But he soon discovers that there are bigger and more malevolent forces at play – and the only way to defeat them is to connect with his dead father.
A Crack in the World is a fast-paced Occult Detective novel that plays with paranormal, cosmic horror and dark academia themes. A thrilling race across multidimensional portals for the fans of The X-Files, Twin Peaks and H. P. Lovecraft.
PRAISES FOR JAMES
A Crack in the World is a fast-paced Occult Detective novel that plays with paranormal, cosmic horror and dark academia themes. A thrilling race across multidimensional portals for the fans of The X-Files, Twin Peaks and H. P. Lovecraft.
PRAISES FOR JAMES
- GenresHorror
342 pages, Paperback
Published February 28, 2023
4 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
About the author
James F. Mordechai
3 books34 followersJames Mordechai writes New Weird books and enjoys the placid seas of anonymity. There is no biography other than his books.
Although not quite known in this world, James Mordechai's work has been extensively read, studied and acclaimed in other realities. Here is just a tiny excerpt of the numerous reviews he received for his major contributions to human (and non-) literature:
REVIEWS
"Mordechai's imagination is vast. One of the great storytellers of our time." - Miskatonic Times
"Chock-full of riveting action." - Daily Arkham (midnight edition)
"Mordechai takes the New Weird to new phantasmagorical levels." - The Sunday Pentagram
"Great, brilliant, simply unputdownable!" - James T. from Barnard Castle
https://linktr.ee/jamesmordechai
Although not quite known in this world, James Mordechai's work has been extensively read, studied and acclaimed in other realities. Here is just a tiny excerpt of the numerous reviews he received for his major contributions to human (and non-) literature:
REVIEWS
"Mordechai's imagination is vast. One of the great storytellers of our time." - Miskatonic Times
"Chock-full of riveting action." - Daily Arkham (midnight edition)
"Mordechai takes the New Weird to new phantasmagorical levels." - The Sunday Pentagram
"Great, brilliant, simply unputdownable!" - James T. from Barnard Castle
https://linktr.ee/jamesmordechai
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
March 6, 2023
I mean, hot damn! A Crack in the World is exactly the kind of indie that cements indie titles as worthy. I know Grady Hendrix is big, I love his books, apart from Horrorstör. Horrorstör was boring. So boring. Thus, if one was put in front of a choice: to read Horrorstör by the mighty Hendrix or A Crack in the World by Mordechai, I’d say go for Mordechai so fast, you’d think I was possessed. A Crack in the World is SO, SO worthy!
I love horror, but I am also very fussy when it comes to horror books and horror movies. Horror movies mainly make me laugh, they’re simply ridiculous because I can’t be afraid of something that doesn’t exist! A weird-looking, green goo spouting something-or-other is just laughable… A scary movie with spiders, though, that’s scary, because spiders exist! Anyway, horror books can be mindless gore. Gore does nothing for me in horror. I’m all sorts of whatever about the slashers… One could easily categorize me a bit psycho for not batting an eyelid at pointless blood-letting. Torn off limbs and overexaggerated spurting blood is just *smh*… What makes horror books good for me is the added depth to characters, to conflicts presented in the book, the dash of realism. Bonus points if author manages to make me question said realism and prompt a bit of an existential crisis by shaking my beliefs (or non-believing) in the supernatural. I have read some good horror, both traditionally and indie published. Now. When it comes to Occult Horror in particular, A Crack in the World takes the bloody cake!
Yes, it has demons, bloody creepy ones at that, but their existence and how they come to be and why is dancing on the edge of realistically questionable, and this is what makes this particular horror scary. It’s imaginative and otherworldly, but it uses such elements and small details that firmly sets its one foot to the reality as we know it and that’s triumphant!
One thing this glorious indie horror totally is? Atmospheric! This is not a t-shirt and flip flops wearing slasher kind of reading experience. Far from it. A Crack in the World is a polished shoe and suit wearing entity that drinks expensive wine and knows a lot! It’s an experience to savour. This doesn’t however mean, it’s academically dry and slow paced – it’s full of things to explore about the occult. It has a vibe of history and culture without ever becoming ridiculous or shallow. And there’s an investigative tone to boot. Yes, the Black Metal culture has been used here, but our main characters are not corpse paint wearing leathered up dudes chasing Satan… The Black Metal culture is an aspect weaved into to the bigger mystery that our MCs Gino and Carter are trying to solve.
Speaking of our main MCs – they are complete opposites in every sense of the word and their dynamic is cohesive in a way that let’s them both be the characters that they are individually meant to be in terms of solving the mystery of the vanishing villages, whilst at the same time it is obvious that one could not do without the other.
In a rare occurrence, A Crack in the World surprised me with some dry wit and humour. It surprised me with new twists and turns when I thought it would not have anything else left to surprise me with. And yet, it managed to surprise me until the very end. It also surprised me again and again with details that gave this story its essence. Gino’s father, for example, a man with a Fascist past. His backstory, the snippets from Gino’s childhood, really added that extra layer for helping me to visualize how far reaching and how deeply rooted (and yet at the same time invisibly bubbling under the surface) the occult society is. It makes this story believable. And mysterious like the goings on in a cigar smoke filled room. This society was not something that was created for the sake of the story and for the benefit of the reader’s enjoyment. It feels like this story is but a glimpse into something that is. Something that is true and real. You can feel sometimes when an author is insecure about the things they write. You can most definitely feel when an author is confident about the things they write. It’s the latter case that makes reading an enjoyable experience. It’s the latter when it comes to A Crack in the World. You WILL get the occult vibe 100% and it’s the detail from the author that has made it happen.
As you can tell, I loved this book. The story, the mystery, the links in between the past and the present, the fictional and supernatural swiftly merging and the incredible otherworldly feeling I got thanks to the carefully and boldly used occult elements. I’ve never read anything like it. I imagine if the religious folk got a hold of this book, they would wave it at the crowd, saying: “I told you so!” before swiftly banning it.
I’ll tell you what… James Mordechai is a dark horse to look out for in horror literature. If A Crack in the World is anything to go by, I can’t wait to see what he next has in store.
I love horror, but I am also very fussy when it comes to horror books and horror movies. Horror movies mainly make me laugh, they’re simply ridiculous because I can’t be afraid of something that doesn’t exist! A weird-looking, green goo spouting something-or-other is just laughable… A scary movie with spiders, though, that’s scary, because spiders exist! Anyway, horror books can be mindless gore. Gore does nothing for me in horror. I’m all sorts of whatever about the slashers… One could easily categorize me a bit psycho for not batting an eyelid at pointless blood-letting. Torn off limbs and overexaggerated spurting blood is just *smh*… What makes horror books good for me is the added depth to characters, to conflicts presented in the book, the dash of realism. Bonus points if author manages to make me question said realism and prompt a bit of an existential crisis by shaking my beliefs (or non-believing) in the supernatural. I have read some good horror, both traditionally and indie published. Now. When it comes to Occult Horror in particular, A Crack in the World takes the bloody cake!
Yes, it has demons, bloody creepy ones at that, but their existence and how they come to be and why is dancing on the edge of realistically questionable, and this is what makes this particular horror scary. It’s imaginative and otherworldly, but it uses such elements and small details that firmly sets its one foot to the reality as we know it and that’s triumphant!
Wooden panels carved with geometric patterns that only the initiated knew contained esoteric symbolism. Beautiful to the layman, full of significance for the occultist.
One thing this glorious indie horror totally is? Atmospheric! This is not a t-shirt and flip flops wearing slasher kind of reading experience. Far from it. A Crack in the World is a polished shoe and suit wearing entity that drinks expensive wine and knows a lot! It’s an experience to savour. This doesn’t however mean, it’s academically dry and slow paced – it’s full of things to explore about the occult. It has a vibe of history and culture without ever becoming ridiculous or shallow. And there’s an investigative tone to boot. Yes, the Black Metal culture has been used here, but our main characters are not corpse paint wearing leathered up dudes chasing Satan… The Black Metal culture is an aspect weaved into to the bigger mystery that our MCs Gino and Carter are trying to solve.
Speaking of our main MCs – they are complete opposites in every sense of the word and their dynamic is cohesive in a way that let’s them both be the characters that they are individually meant to be in terms of solving the mystery of the vanishing villages, whilst at the same time it is obvious that one could not do without the other.
In a rare occurrence, A Crack in the World surprised me with some dry wit and humour. It surprised me with new twists and turns when I thought it would not have anything else left to surprise me with. And yet, it managed to surprise me until the very end. It also surprised me again and again with details that gave this story its essence. Gino’s father, for example, a man with a Fascist past. His backstory, the snippets from Gino’s childhood, really added that extra layer for helping me to visualize how far reaching and how deeply rooted (and yet at the same time invisibly bubbling under the surface) the occult society is. It makes this story believable. And mysterious like the goings on in a cigar smoke filled room. This society was not something that was created for the sake of the story and for the benefit of the reader’s enjoyment. It feels like this story is but a glimpse into something that is. Something that is true and real. You can feel sometimes when an author is insecure about the things they write. You can most definitely feel when an author is confident about the things they write. It’s the latter case that makes reading an enjoyable experience. It’s the latter when it comes to A Crack in the World. You WILL get the occult vibe 100% and it’s the detail from the author that has made it happen.
As you can tell, I loved this book. The story, the mystery, the links in between the past and the present, the fictional and supernatural swiftly merging and the incredible otherworldly feeling I got thanks to the carefully and boldly used occult elements. I’ve never read anything like it. I imagine if the religious folk got a hold of this book, they would wave it at the crowd, saying: “I told you so!” before swiftly banning it.
Occultism predates religion, let alone organized religion, and it will exist even when all religions and their gods are gone.
I’ll tell you what… James Mordechai is a dark horse to look out for in horror literature. If A Crack in the World is anything to go by, I can’t wait to see what he next has in store.
September 11, 2023
This plotline GRASPED me. I was intrigued by the concept of occult horror as I’ve read few books similar to that and Halloween season is coming up so I was ready and willing to cuddle up with this book and get into it!
It did not disappoint. It was well-detailed although slightly too fast-paced in some places, this was a very layered and well-thought out book with an intricate plotline I loved following but was lost on sometimes. I really liked it though! It gave just the right amount of chilling horror and dry wit and humor to tie together in a gripping read. :)
I loved the snippets into Gino’s childhood, the slow reveal of secrets and backstory right up until the very end. It all created such an intimate and connected atmosphere that really made it feel as though I was inside of the story, not even reading a book.
Great read that hooked me right until it finished! 😊
It did not disappoint. It was well-detailed although slightly too fast-paced in some places, this was a very layered and well-thought out book with an intricate plotline I loved following but was lost on sometimes. I really liked it though! It gave just the right amount of chilling horror and dry wit and humor to tie together in a gripping read. :)
I loved the snippets into Gino’s childhood, the slow reveal of secrets and backstory right up until the very end. It all created such an intimate and connected atmosphere that really made it feel as though I was inside of the story, not even reading a book.
Great read that hooked me right until it finished! 😊
March 15, 2023
Interview with the author: https://jamreads.com/interviews/some-...
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/a-crack-...
A Crack in the World is the debut novel of James Mordechai, a really fast-paced story that I found unputdownable, as it blends some of my favourite elements in the horror genre. You are directly thrown into the story, starting in media res, but soon get you to the past, in order to introduce you to what was happening.
We are introduced to our pair of protagonists, Gino and Carter, who are investigating the disappearance of some villages in Sussex, which seems to have a supernatural cause. It is important to notice how different Gino and Carter are, a dynamic that will work marvels during the story: while Gino is a master occultist, a really intelligent man used to deal with the strange and the supernatural, Carter is a simpler person, the muscle of this pair.
Together, they will investigate this phenomenon, and try to understand how this is related to the Royal Paranormal Institute; an investigation that will take them to enter into contact with the black metal subculture. Particularly, I found this specific section of the book really enjoyable, as you can feel how the author has studied the Norse Black Metal scene; and the pacing feels kinda similar to Ringu, by Koji Suzuki, a novel that is really beloved to me.
But even after this section that remembers more to a detective novel than a horror one per sé, we finally dive into the world that is hidden from our eyes. And this is where Mordechai shows his writing abilities, creating an atmospheric horror without falling into clichés, making use of strong prose that allows him to create a sort of cosmic creatures, similar to what we could find in H.P. Lovecraft.
If you are looking for an even better immersion, the author has also included a list of songs that can be played while reading this book, and honestly, I can say it creates an effect that makes the reading experience even better. As said, the work done by Mordechai studying and learning about occultism and black metal has a big payoff.
I've really enjoyed reading A Crack in the World, as it is an excellent example of how to write a horror novel that doesn't fall into clichés. If you are into cosmic horror, or you, like me, prefer a sort of investigative narrative, James Mordechai has you covered.
Full text review: https://jamreads.com/reviews/a-crack-...
A Crack in the World is the debut novel of James Mordechai, a really fast-paced story that I found unputdownable, as it blends some of my favourite elements in the horror genre. You are directly thrown into the story, starting in media res, but soon get you to the past, in order to introduce you to what was happening.
We are introduced to our pair of protagonists, Gino and Carter, who are investigating the disappearance of some villages in Sussex, which seems to have a supernatural cause. It is important to notice how different Gino and Carter are, a dynamic that will work marvels during the story: while Gino is a master occultist, a really intelligent man used to deal with the strange and the supernatural, Carter is a simpler person, the muscle of this pair.
Together, they will investigate this phenomenon, and try to understand how this is related to the Royal Paranormal Institute; an investigation that will take them to enter into contact with the black metal subculture. Particularly, I found this specific section of the book really enjoyable, as you can feel how the author has studied the Norse Black Metal scene; and the pacing feels kinda similar to Ringu, by Koji Suzuki, a novel that is really beloved to me.
But even after this section that remembers more to a detective novel than a horror one per sé, we finally dive into the world that is hidden from our eyes. And this is where Mordechai shows his writing abilities, creating an atmospheric horror without falling into clichés, making use of strong prose that allows him to create a sort of cosmic creatures, similar to what we could find in H.P. Lovecraft.
If you are looking for an even better immersion, the author has also included a list of songs that can be played while reading this book, and honestly, I can say it creates an effect that makes the reading experience even better. As said, the work done by Mordechai studying and learning about occultism and black metal has a big payoff.
I've really enjoyed reading A Crack in the World, as it is an excellent example of how to write a horror novel that doesn't fall into clichés. If you are into cosmic horror, or you, like me, prefer a sort of investigative narrative, James Mordechai has you covered.
February 28, 2023
Whole villages in Sussex are disappearing. No one knows why, and no one knows where they go. The Royal Paranormal Institute in Greenwich has sent the Gran Maestro Occultist.Gino Marcotti and his bodyguard, Carter Williams to find the reason for these disappearances.
The trail leads them to make discoveries that will shock the world as their journey takes them to determine that the world is changing. Black Metal is the new cult and the world becoming more of an occult world.
Travelling through both England, their investigation will lead them to the truth about the disappearances and the truth about Gino’s long-lost father.
James Mordechai’s new book A Crack in the World is a fast - paced cosmic detective story drawing on influences like Brian Lumley, the X – Files and the good old detective novel.
The story centres around the team of Gino Marcotti and his bodyguard Carter Williams, and these are the two main characters through which we are introduced to James Mordechai’s other England. It’s an interesting take on the genre and whilst traditional cosmic horror is at the stories heart, the wrappings around the tale use a more modern approach.
Obviously, James Mordechai knows the genre that he is writing in very well, particularly the influences of both past masters and modern greats, but he also adds his own little flair with the inclusion of modern pop culture like 90’s black metal, the X – Files, Twin Peaks, and it was quite exciting to see references to these made in the book. In addition to that there is the inclusion of occultist history and theory peppering the story, particularly the late Victorian aspects of the movement, like Crowley and other influential figures. However, the inclusion of these aspects are woven into the story really well and add to the overall tone of the book, mainly when we learn of the inception of the Royal Paranormal Institute. Not only that there is the inclusion of some of the more darker parts of modern history, particularly the amalgamation of fascist scientists into the world of the second world war allies. For instance, we learn that Gino’s father was the lead paranormal expert that was supposed to aid Mussolini in his victories but that when the Allies defeated the Italian forces, the British took a different path than the rest of the world and instead of using the scientific advances that were made by the Axis forces, instead went down the supernatural path in order to re-establish the glories of the great British empire.
If you are new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, it can seem a little daunting due to the fact that there is a lot of lore to get used to and at times this can be rather off putting. Not only where do you start, but there is the question of what particular arm of the genre do you go down. For instance some authors choose to set their stories in a Lovecraftian type of world, whilst others use the influences of cosmic horror/weird fiction and write whole new worlds, people like Brian Hodges, Laird Barron, John Langan, Holly Piper etc and for me, James Mordechai definitely seems to follow the latter of the two. In fact, in some respects, this tale did put me in mind of Brian Hodges at times, amongst many other things. And if you are new to the genre, I think that A Crack in the World is a good place to start as it bridges that gap of being accessible whilst having lots of the lore underpinning it.
The story itself is highly enjoyable, having a good mix detective story, pop culture, dark academia, science fiction and a good old adventure story that keeps the pace flowing to the end.
The characters are well rounded and the relationship between the two buoys the story along and in some ways put you in mind of the Mulder and Scully relationship, that contrasting view of the believer and the accepting sceptic.
On the whole, A Crack In The World is a thoroughly enjoyable read and if you want to get into the weird fiction genre I can’t think of a better place to start.
The trail leads them to make discoveries that will shock the world as their journey takes them to determine that the world is changing. Black Metal is the new cult and the world becoming more of an occult world.
Travelling through both England, their investigation will lead them to the truth about the disappearances and the truth about Gino’s long-lost father.
James Mordechai’s new book A Crack in the World is a fast - paced cosmic detective story drawing on influences like Brian Lumley, the X – Files and the good old detective novel.
The story centres around the team of Gino Marcotti and his bodyguard Carter Williams, and these are the two main characters through which we are introduced to James Mordechai’s other England. It’s an interesting take on the genre and whilst traditional cosmic horror is at the stories heart, the wrappings around the tale use a more modern approach.
Obviously, James Mordechai knows the genre that he is writing in very well, particularly the influences of both past masters and modern greats, but he also adds his own little flair with the inclusion of modern pop culture like 90’s black metal, the X – Files, Twin Peaks, and it was quite exciting to see references to these made in the book. In addition to that there is the inclusion of occultist history and theory peppering the story, particularly the late Victorian aspects of the movement, like Crowley and other influential figures. However, the inclusion of these aspects are woven into the story really well and add to the overall tone of the book, mainly when we learn of the inception of the Royal Paranormal Institute. Not only that there is the inclusion of some of the more darker parts of modern history, particularly the amalgamation of fascist scientists into the world of the second world war allies. For instance, we learn that Gino’s father was the lead paranormal expert that was supposed to aid Mussolini in his victories but that when the Allies defeated the Italian forces, the British took a different path than the rest of the world and instead of using the scientific advances that were made by the Axis forces, instead went down the supernatural path in order to re-establish the glories of the great British empire.
If you are new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, it can seem a little daunting due to the fact that there is a lot of lore to get used to and at times this can be rather off putting. Not only where do you start, but there is the question of what particular arm of the genre do you go down. For instance some authors choose to set their stories in a Lovecraftian type of world, whilst others use the influences of cosmic horror/weird fiction and write whole new worlds, people like Brian Hodges, Laird Barron, John Langan, Holly Piper etc and for me, James Mordechai definitely seems to follow the latter of the two. In fact, in some respects, this tale did put me in mind of Brian Hodges at times, amongst many other things. And if you are new to the genre, I think that A Crack in the World is a good place to start as it bridges that gap of being accessible whilst having lots of the lore underpinning it.
The story itself is highly enjoyable, having a good mix detective story, pop culture, dark academia, science fiction and a good old adventure story that keeps the pace flowing to the end.
The characters are well rounded and the relationship between the two buoys the story along and in some ways put you in mind of the Mulder and Scully relationship, that contrasting view of the believer and the accepting sceptic.
On the whole, A Crack In The World is a thoroughly enjoyable read and if you want to get into the weird fiction genre I can’t think of a better place to start.
February 24, 2023
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
A Crack in the World is fast-paced action from page one and at no point does Mordechai let the pace slow. This is 300+ pages of plot and I was totally absorbed the whole time. You're thrown into the action with the first few chapters bouncing between '12 hours' and 'one month' earlier, and that really reels you in because you get to see where the story is going, but not how you're going to get there. Plus you get a great idea of how weird things will become...
A Crack in the World mainly focusses around Gino & Carter - partners in the Royal Paranormal Institute. Gino is an occultist while Carter is more the muscle. This creates a great dynamic whereby Gino has to explain things for Carter (very helpful as a reader), but it never feels like you're just being walked through the story. Many things are either clear from context or explained later in the story. They make a great duo and they give great balance to the story.
Plot-wise A Crack in the World never lets up for a moment. But it really works well. Everything comes together inn the last 100 pages or so and it really feels like they're up against a ticking time bomb. There's a particularly epic moment towards the end that I wish could have been explored more, but there's so much else going on that it's not a problem. Mordechai's world-building is wonderful and there's so many things hinted at that I hope we might get to explore in future. I loved how certain things came together and the realisation that maybe these things created more than intended. The inclusion of disappearing villages, demons and other-wordly spaces just made the book all the more fascinating.
A Crack in the World is a unputdownable debut and if you've an interest in the occult, and what may lie beyond our reality I'd highly recommend getting yourself a copy.
A Crack in the World is fast-paced action from page one and at no point does Mordechai let the pace slow. This is 300+ pages of plot and I was totally absorbed the whole time. You're thrown into the action with the first few chapters bouncing between '12 hours' and 'one month' earlier, and that really reels you in because you get to see where the story is going, but not how you're going to get there. Plus you get a great idea of how weird things will become...
A Crack in the World mainly focusses around Gino & Carter - partners in the Royal Paranormal Institute. Gino is an occultist while Carter is more the muscle. This creates a great dynamic whereby Gino has to explain things for Carter (very helpful as a reader), but it never feels like you're just being walked through the story. Many things are either clear from context or explained later in the story. They make a great duo and they give great balance to the story.
Plot-wise A Crack in the World never lets up for a moment. But it really works well. Everything comes together inn the last 100 pages or so and it really feels like they're up against a ticking time bomb. There's a particularly epic moment towards the end that I wish could have been explored more, but there's so much else going on that it's not a problem. Mordechai's world-building is wonderful and there's so many things hinted at that I hope we might get to explore in future. I loved how certain things came together and the realisation that maybe these things created more than intended. The inclusion of disappearing villages, demons and other-wordly spaces just made the book all the more fascinating.
A Crack in the World is a unputdownable debut and if you've an interest in the occult, and what may lie beyond our reality I'd highly recommend getting yourself a copy.
March 21, 2023
A Crack in the World by James Mordecai is fast-paced and original. The ideal read for fans of cosmic horror, esoteric pursuits and black metal.
The book is packed with pop references (mostly from the 90s) Lovecraftian themes and even a generous dose of mythology. Carter and Gino put me in mind of Mulder and Scully, minus the sexual tension, as they set out to investigate the reason behind the disappearance of entire villages in Sussex. And what they find could easily be turned into an X-file.
Mordecai's writing is unusual, and a bit convoluted at times, but the characters are accessible. The plot is filled with twists and turns as the story weaves dozens of weird facts and fantastical occurrences together without giving the reader too much time to think about them before the next strange event occurs. Readers who are not familiar with some of the terms and events described in the book may have a bit of trouble catching up with the narrative, especially towards the end.
Overall Crack in the World is an original book faithful to its genre, that will keep you guessing and entertained.
The book is packed with pop references (mostly from the 90s) Lovecraftian themes and even a generous dose of mythology. Carter and Gino put me in mind of Mulder and Scully, minus the sexual tension, as they set out to investigate the reason behind the disappearance of entire villages in Sussex. And what they find could easily be turned into an X-file.
Mordecai's writing is unusual, and a bit convoluted at times, but the characters are accessible. The plot is filled with twists and turns as the story weaves dozens of weird facts and fantastical occurrences together without giving the reader too much time to think about them before the next strange event occurs. Readers who are not familiar with some of the terms and events described in the book may have a bit of trouble catching up with the narrative, especially towards the end.
Overall Crack in the World is an original book faithful to its genre, that will keep you guessing and entertained.
February 6, 2023
I think with a lot of things labelled cosmic horror, especially since a lot of it tries to conform to the style of the founders of the genre (in the 1920s), you sort of expect a certain vibe, a certain energy going in. You expect a very moody atmosphere, a specific kind of language, a very "adventure magazines for boys" main character. So it's really nice to dive into something that takes from that genre, but is also FUN. In this we have witty characters, an interesting setting and a diverse cast of background occultists, high stakes and something you don't get a huge amount of in especially more retro cosmic horror stuff... ACTION.
In terms of what the overall vibe of the book is like, I'd compare it a little to Dresden Files, a lot to the Hellboy comics, and probably a bit more to Brian Lumley's Titus Crowe books. What offsets those vibes a little and makes this feel really nice is the almost buddy-cop energy between the two main protagonists. You have the expert and the protection, the brains and the brawn, and the fact it opens with the military muscle POV that seems to almost hold his partner in this kind of reverance it reminded me quite a bit of a Sherlock Holmes and Watson relationship. Then there's a bit of Agatha Christie energy there too with the trying to solve a mystery, and a main character that's very knowledgeable, up for anything and not condescending, who I personally thought was very Poirot.
This book draws from a lot of real life history and occult lore. You can tell that this is a passionate interest of the author and that the foundations that they've chosen to build on are well researched. There's a mix of clever nods, and original fantastical inventions with a real-life seed at their core, and for a layman it's quite hard to distinguish between the two, which makes this worldbuild nestle into our reality very easily. It's very easy for me to imagine such a demi-monde (to use a rivers of london term) existing under the surface of my London, my Sussex. But I definitely did a lot of looking-up and this book sent me on some really interesting rabbit-hole deep dives.
One side effect of this though, is that there are so many instances in the story where we get a sniff of lore, we see the tip of an iceberg, and then are hurriedly rushed on to the next item. You can smell that the author has created a world which we are only seeing a tantalising sliver of. I think one of the things this book does best is intriguing you and leaving you wanting to see more of what's happening just out of view...
I'm desperate for more books in the series, more stories about the other members of the RPI, about the consequences of the characters choices and decisions in this book. This felt like an amazing book 1 where the story made us love these two great protagonists. Now I want to see them grow! We're introduced to two experts in their own fields, but there's a lot of room for them to change and learn still.
One thing I particularly liked was that this book didn't shy away from descriptives. In cosmic horror you get a lot of "it was totally indescribable, unlike anything he had ever seen" but Mordechai gives us the gore, the blood sweat and tears. Warts and all, there are some proper gruesome scenes in here. And managing to keep that feeling of mysterious otherworldliness while still giving the creatures and eldritch magic a proper spotlight and not keeping them in the shadows is a tough job which I think Mordechai manages to pull off.
Also, one last note on the things I liked front was that the author included a discography of perfect accompaniment songs in the back, which is something I've only seen done 2 or 3 times so extra points for that!
There are a couple of things I found a bit of fault with. The first was that while the writing overall was good because of these descriptives, I wasn't a huge fan of some of the dialogue. A lot of it seemed a little archaic for a book set in the 90s, or unrealistic for a person alive in the 90s to say. Which could be a symptom of this belonging to a genre with its roots firmly in the early 1900s, I don't know.
The second thing was the pacing. In the first four fifths of the book, there's this really good pacing that manages to deliver a sense of urgency, and the feeling that we were building to a crescendo, a cataclysm around the corner. I think in the very last fifth of the book it got a bit out of hand, and the sudden coming together of a lot of different aspects of the story felt a little messy, and I had one thing slapping me in the face while I was still trying to process another thing that happened the previous page.
I feel like the author could have kept up the sense of urgency while giving us a little more exposition in the last act, but again it could have been totally deliberate, and it's just a taste thing anyway. Personally I just wish this book was an extra 70-80 pages longer in the last act.
BUT, those things aside. I still had a really good time, this was honestly so much fun to read, and it's a delight to see people contributing to one of my favourite genres in new and interesting ways. I'm going to give this one 4 stars and fervently hope that we hear from Gino and Carter again!
In terms of what the overall vibe of the book is like, I'd compare it a little to Dresden Files, a lot to the Hellboy comics, and probably a bit more to Brian Lumley's Titus Crowe books. What offsets those vibes a little and makes this feel really nice is the almost buddy-cop energy between the two main protagonists. You have the expert and the protection, the brains and the brawn, and the fact it opens with the military muscle POV that seems to almost hold his partner in this kind of reverance it reminded me quite a bit of a Sherlock Holmes and Watson relationship. Then there's a bit of Agatha Christie energy there too with the trying to solve a mystery, and a main character that's very knowledgeable, up for anything and not condescending, who I personally thought was very Poirot.
This book draws from a lot of real life history and occult lore. You can tell that this is a passionate interest of the author and that the foundations that they've chosen to build on are well researched. There's a mix of clever nods, and original fantastical inventions with a real-life seed at their core, and for a layman it's quite hard to distinguish between the two, which makes this worldbuild nestle into our reality very easily. It's very easy for me to imagine such a demi-monde (to use a rivers of london term) existing under the surface of my London, my Sussex. But I definitely did a lot of looking-up and this book sent me on some really interesting rabbit-hole deep dives.
One side effect of this though, is that there are so many instances in the story where we get a sniff of lore, we see the tip of an iceberg, and then are hurriedly rushed on to the next item. You can smell that the author has created a world which we are only seeing a tantalising sliver of. I think one of the things this book does best is intriguing you and leaving you wanting to see more of what's happening just out of view...
I'm desperate for more books in the series, more stories about the other members of the RPI, about the consequences of the characters choices and decisions in this book. This felt like an amazing book 1 where the story made us love these two great protagonists. Now I want to see them grow! We're introduced to two experts in their own fields, but there's a lot of room for them to change and learn still.
One thing I particularly liked was that this book didn't shy away from descriptives. In cosmic horror you get a lot of "it was totally indescribable, unlike anything he had ever seen" but Mordechai gives us the gore, the blood sweat and tears. Warts and all, there are some proper gruesome scenes in here. And managing to keep that feeling of mysterious otherworldliness while still giving the creatures and eldritch magic a proper spotlight and not keeping them in the shadows is a tough job which I think Mordechai manages to pull off.
Also, one last note on the things I liked front was that the author included a discography of perfect accompaniment songs in the back, which is something I've only seen done 2 or 3 times so extra points for that!
There are a couple of things I found a bit of fault with. The first was that while the writing overall was good because of these descriptives, I wasn't a huge fan of some of the dialogue. A lot of it seemed a little archaic for a book set in the 90s, or unrealistic for a person alive in the 90s to say. Which could be a symptom of this belonging to a genre with its roots firmly in the early 1900s, I don't know.
The second thing was the pacing. In the first four fifths of the book, there's this really good pacing that manages to deliver a sense of urgency, and the feeling that we were building to a crescendo, a cataclysm around the corner. I think in the very last fifth of the book it got a bit out of hand, and the sudden coming together of a lot of different aspects of the story felt a little messy, and I had one thing slapping me in the face while I was still trying to process another thing that happened the previous page.
I feel like the author could have kept up the sense of urgency while giving us a little more exposition in the last act, but again it could have been totally deliberate, and it's just a taste thing anyway. Personally I just wish this book was an extra 70-80 pages longer in the last act.
BUT, those things aside. I still had a really good time, this was honestly so much fun to read, and it's a delight to see people contributing to one of my favourite genres in new and interesting ways. I'm going to give this one 4 stars and fervently hope that we hear from Gino and Carter again!
February 3, 2024
James F. Mordechai has done it again, and has gives us a great and interesting story. A Crack In The World has a fantastic read and a page turner. I had a hard time putting the book down.
The story as a interesting and unique plot. I loved the mix of cosmic horror, detective work, and the occult. The occult subject in the book are wel researched with no nonsense I often see in other books. With is just refreshing too read.
Our two leading men, Gino and Carter, are likable (as are the side characters.) and the play well of each other.
I loved Gino. As a person how has studied the occult for years, he was really relatable to me. And is the reason I know James F. Mordechai did a good amount of research on the occult topic found throughout the book.
I really enjoyed all the hours I spend with my nose in this book. I can't wait to continue reading what future occult cases and horrifying creatures Gino and Carter will face in the currently being written sequence.
The story as a interesting and unique plot. I loved the mix of cosmic horror, detective work, and the occult. The occult subject in the book are wel researched with no nonsense I often see in other books. With is just refreshing too read.
Our two leading men, Gino and Carter, are likable (as are the side characters.) and the play well of each other.
I loved Gino. As a person how has studied the occult for years, he was really relatable to me. And is the reason I know James F. Mordechai did a good amount of research on the occult topic found throughout the book.
I really enjoyed all the hours I spend with my nose in this book. I can't wait to continue reading what future occult cases and horrifying creatures Gino and Carter will face in the currently being written sequence.
dnf
July 3, 2023As a horror enthusiast, I was thrilled to find A Crack in the World among the six titles assigned to me. The premise had me hooked from the start: entire villages in Sussex mysteriously disappear into thin air.
Puff.
Gone.
Leading the investigation is Gino Marcotti, renowned as the Gran Maestro Occultist. With his expertise and background, he delves into the unsettling case alongside his partner/bodyguard, Carter.
Their journey takes an interesting turn when they uncover unexpected connections to the Black Metal scene. As they delve deeper, the duo realizes that there are sinister forces at play. The mystery unfolds, and they must confront dark entities that threaten everything.
A Crack in the World combines occult themes, detective work, and supernatural elements with Gino’s troubled past and imminent danger. I got the impression the occult lore was well-researched, and I appreciate that.
On the flip side, the writing didn’t appeal to me. The overuse of passive voice made the writing feel less engaging and slower-paced. I also admit I found many similes awkward and unnecessary. The attention to detail certainly helped to build atmosphere and develop the lore but at the cost of the pacing.
Ultimately, I decided to DNF A Crack in the World at 39% of the ebook version. I expect fans of occult fiction will appreciate it more than I did.
Puff.
Gone.
Leading the investigation is Gino Marcotti, renowned as the Gran Maestro Occultist. With his expertise and background, he delves into the unsettling case alongside his partner/bodyguard, Carter.
Their journey takes an interesting turn when they uncover unexpected connections to the Black Metal scene. As they delve deeper, the duo realizes that there are sinister forces at play. The mystery unfolds, and they must confront dark entities that threaten everything.
A Crack in the World combines occult themes, detective work, and supernatural elements with Gino’s troubled past and imminent danger. I got the impression the occult lore was well-researched, and I appreciate that.
On the flip side, the writing didn’t appeal to me. The overuse of passive voice made the writing feel less engaging and slower-paced. I also admit I found many similes awkward and unnecessary. The attention to detail certainly helped to build atmosphere and develop the lore but at the cost of the pacing.
Ultimately, I decided to DNF A Crack in the World at 39% of the ebook version. I expect fans of occult fiction will appreciate it more than I did.
September 18, 2023
"A Crack in the World" by James Mordechai is a thrilling dive into the world of occult horror and cosmic mysteries that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Honestly, I am not a fan of this genre, and being someone who has not read too many on this subject, I wasn't disappointed.
The plotline is nothing short of gripping, immediately drawing you in and refusing to let go. Mordechai crafts a well-detailed narrative that keeps you engaged throughout, although at times, the breakneck pace left me slightly disoriented. Nevertheless, the book is a brilliantly layered and intricately thought-out tale that offers a rich and immersive experience.
What sets "A Crack in the World" apart is its perfect balance of chilling horror and dry wit and humour. The author weaves these elements together seamlessly, resulting in a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The inclusion of humour amidst the horror adds a unique and enjoyable dimension to the narrative.
One of the book's standout features is the gradual reveal of secrets and backstory, particularly Gino's childhood. These snippets create an intimate and connected atmosphere, making it feel as though you're living inside the story rather than merely reading a book.
The dynamic between the two protagonists, Gino and Carter, adds depth to the narrative. Gino's occult expertise and Carter's physical prowess make them a captivating duo. Their partnership, reminiscent of the Mulder and Scully dynamic, enriches the story and keeps it buoyant.
Mordechai's deep understanding of the cosmic horror and weird fiction genres shines through in this book. He expertly blends elements from past masters and modern greats, infusing references to 90's black metal, the X-Files, Twin Peaks, and more. These references are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the overall tone of the book.
For readers new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, "A Crack in the World" serves as an accessible entry point. It bridges the gap between familiarity and the rich lore of the genre, making it an ideal starting point for those looking to explore this captivating literary realm.
In summary, "A Crack in the World" is an exhilarating cosmic detective story that draws inspiration from various influences while crafting a unique and engaging narrative. James Mordechai's blend of detective story, pop culture, dark academia, and science fiction results in a tale that maintains a brisk pace from beginning to end. The well-rounded characters and their dynamic partnership elevate the story, making it a highly enjoyable read. If you're looking to dip your toes into the weird fiction genre, this book is a fantastic place to start.
The plotline is nothing short of gripping, immediately drawing you in and refusing to let go. Mordechai crafts a well-detailed narrative that keeps you engaged throughout, although at times, the breakneck pace left me slightly disoriented. Nevertheless, the book is a brilliantly layered and intricately thought-out tale that offers a rich and immersive experience.
What sets "A Crack in the World" apart is its perfect balance of chilling horror and dry wit and humour. The author weaves these elements together seamlessly, resulting in a story that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The inclusion of humour amidst the horror adds a unique and enjoyable dimension to the narrative.
One of the book's standout features is the gradual reveal of secrets and backstory, particularly Gino's childhood. These snippets create an intimate and connected atmosphere, making it feel as though you're living inside the story rather than merely reading a book.
The dynamic between the two protagonists, Gino and Carter, adds depth to the narrative. Gino's occult expertise and Carter's physical prowess make them a captivating duo. Their partnership, reminiscent of the Mulder and Scully dynamic, enriches the story and keeps it buoyant.
Mordechai's deep understanding of the cosmic horror and weird fiction genres shines through in this book. He expertly blends elements from past masters and modern greats, infusing references to 90's black metal, the X-Files, Twin Peaks, and more. These references are seamlessly integrated into the narrative, enhancing the overall tone of the book.
For readers new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, "A Crack in the World" serves as an accessible entry point. It bridges the gap between familiarity and the rich lore of the genre, making it an ideal starting point for those looking to explore this captivating literary realm.
In summary, "A Crack in the World" is an exhilarating cosmic detective story that draws inspiration from various influences while crafting a unique and engaging narrative. James Mordechai's blend of detective story, pop culture, dark academia, and science fiction results in a tale that maintains a brisk pace from beginning to end. The well-rounded characters and their dynamic partnership elevate the story, making it a highly enjoyable read. If you're looking to dip your toes into the weird fiction genre, this book is a fantastic place to start.
August 25, 2023
"If you are new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, it can seem a little daunting due to the fact that there is a lot of lore to get used to and at times this can be rather off putting. Not only where do you start, but there is the question of what particular arm of the genre do you go down." I located twenty reviews of James Mordechai's A Crack in the World, the above statement was embodied in one of them, and the audience to which that particular reviewer refers includes me. A little daunting indeed! Reading this book was quite an adventure. Although I could not quite do so fairly, I might compare it with reading a book that is written in a language that is foreign to me. In A Crack in the World I discovered entities that can extract power from legendary items by destroying them. I was introduced to the meaning and capabilities of tarot cards. I consulted Google frequently for help in discovering what the words sigil, eldritch, necromancy, telasthesia, ascari, esoboffin, astral projection, arcana, etc, etc meant. I marveled at the term "Copernican consequences" and sentences such as "He is a trapped astral projection in a different cosmos." What does it all mean? Are there people really comfortable with this vocabulary and phraseology? Looking at the reviews, clearly, there are.
The story itself is not that big a mystery. Entire villages in England are disappearing, and it is up to intrepid occult detective Gino and his sidekick Carter, working through the Royal Paranormal Institute (RPI) to discover the cause. Their initial conjecture is that the occurrences may be related to Gino's father's efforts toward energy independence, but the detectives discover more - a sigil (Google tells me this is a pictorial symbol of a deity or spirit) that may have been protecting is actually degrading the situation, and the culprit is not really a relative; instead, it's a being from the ancient Middle East, who has adopted the name James Shackleton.
At least, that's what I think happened.
There is evidently a captive audience for this type of tale, a group comfortable with the author's methodology and vocabulary. Were I a cowboy from the Americas of 100+ years ago, I would suggest that I tried to tame this bronco and it threw me, and I'm not at all certain when, or if, I'll attempt its like again.
The story itself is not that big a mystery. Entire villages in England are disappearing, and it is up to intrepid occult detective Gino and his sidekick Carter, working through the Royal Paranormal Institute (RPI) to discover the cause. Their initial conjecture is that the occurrences may be related to Gino's father's efforts toward energy independence, but the detectives discover more - a sigil (Google tells me this is a pictorial symbol of a deity or spirit) that may have been protecting is actually degrading the situation, and the culprit is not really a relative; instead, it's a being from the ancient Middle East, who has adopted the name James Shackleton.
At least, that's what I think happened.
There is evidently a captive audience for this type of tale, a group comfortable with the author's methodology and vocabulary. Were I a cowboy from the Americas of 100+ years ago, I would suggest that I tried to tame this bronco and it threw me, and I'm not at all certain when, or if, I'll attempt its like again.
May 4, 2023
Wears it's inspirations on its sleeve
James Mordechai probably has access to my internet search history 😂 and that's how he wrote a book perfectly aimed at me.
It hits that Lovecraft vibe head on, throwing up occult/esoteric references to every rabbithole iv ever went down.
Time and logic are the first casualties of this tale, which concerns the vanishing of villages and people. There are very few straight lines drawn between events; rather, we are drawn into a web of mystery alongside the occult investigators trying to solve it.
A lot of effort has gone into the intricacies of A Crack in the World, and I applaud Mordechai's trust in the reader to connect the dots. The rituals, the worldbuilding, the lore that is layered like lasagna, are what I found to be the real meat of the story.
Any issues I found were purely stylistic - it felt a bit dense and slow for me at times - but it mirrors many of its influences in that regard. It's not a book for the impatient, but it holds great rewards for those who give it the time.
If you like the occult, good horror, and mind-bending chronology, then I would recommend A Crack in the World 😁
Il be checking out more of James' stuff in future.
James Mordechai probably has access to my internet search history 😂 and that's how he wrote a book perfectly aimed at me.
It hits that Lovecraft vibe head on, throwing up occult/esoteric references to every rabbithole iv ever went down.
Time and logic are the first casualties of this tale, which concerns the vanishing of villages and people. There are very few straight lines drawn between events; rather, we are drawn into a web of mystery alongside the occult investigators trying to solve it.
A lot of effort has gone into the intricacies of A Crack in the World, and I applaud Mordechai's trust in the reader to connect the dots. The rituals, the worldbuilding, the lore that is layered like lasagna, are what I found to be the real meat of the story.
Any issues I found were purely stylistic - it felt a bit dense and slow for me at times - but it mirrors many of its influences in that regard. It's not a book for the impatient, but it holds great rewards for those who give it the time.
If you like the occult, good horror, and mind-bending chronology, then I would recommend A Crack in the World 😁
Il be checking out more of James' stuff in future.
May 31, 2023
I noticed that this was described as a cosmic horror novel, which is a genre that I've taken a little more interest in just recently. The cover was eye-catching.
This was dark, eerie and creepy in a satisfying way. I also found parts of it a little bit humorous, in a dark way. There were some themes present in the story that I found interesting, such as Egypt, and the occult. I also found it interesting that there was a discography - suggestions for music to listen to while reading this. I took advantage of those suggestions, and I wonder if other readers would find that interesting too.
I would recommend this to horror fans.
This was dark, eerie and creepy in a satisfying way. I also found parts of it a little bit humorous, in a dark way. There were some themes present in the story that I found interesting, such as Egypt, and the occult. I also found it interesting that there was a discography - suggestions for music to listen to while reading this. I took advantage of those suggestions, and I wonder if other readers would find that interesting too.
I would recommend this to horror fans.
May 25, 2023
This book was a slow build, but once the pieces started coming together and the puzzle revealed itself, it sucked me in. The action sequences were great, and there were parts and characters that made me laugh. The only complaint is that the flashback sequences sometimes were frequent and sometimes interrupted the main story, which caused me to forget what timeline I was reading if I put the book down for a time. I recommend this for any occult buffs, or anyone who loves a good horror mystery!
August 27, 2023
What did I just read?
Started as a detective story.
Whole villages are disappearing and to investigate detectives are allotted
But then the story shifts to the occult named black metal. I mean the world is changing!
The atmosphere of this novel is really absorbing.
James really knows what he is writing.
This is part para natural ,part occult part detective fiction.
Loved it.
Started as a detective story.
Whole villages are disappearing and to investigate detectives are allotted
But then the story shifts to the occult named black metal. I mean the world is changing!
The atmosphere of this novel is really absorbing.
James really knows what he is writing.
This is part para natural ,part occult part detective fiction.
Loved it.
November 8, 2024
I enjoy mystery books thoroughly and this was no exception. Not only did I enjoy the mystery itself, but also the content itself. Occult studies have always fascinated me and I’m glad to have to chance to read a mystery that surrounds it.
May 28, 2025
unique original story....really enjoyed it. as someone who loves black metal i especially enjoyed the black metal references. looking forward to reading the sequel... highly recommend
Read
November 2, 2025Why I Read This:
To be honest, I was curious to see how black metal and the occult would be depicted in this cosmic horror mystery. I also read it because I like to support indie authors.
My Impression:
At the time of reading, I had just started a rewatch of the X-files and found this story to be very much in keeping with the feel and themes of that show.
MCs Gino (esoteric practitioner) and Carter (his police bodyguard) have a good rapport, reminiscent of the friendship between Mulder and Scully. We don’t get much insight into Carter’s personal life but we do get to explore Gino’s fraught history with his occultist father as the story progresses. I liked the historical flashbacks and the way that Mordechai developed a layered mystery that connected seemingly disparate events.
The black metal and occult references were an interesting touch, depicting those in the scene with a reckless thirst for chaos but with very little awareness of what they are dabbling with. Real bands are mentioned in passing but we don’t meet any recognisable figures up close. To get into the mood of the book, check out the author’s accompanying soundtrack in the appendix.
I’m not a huge horror fan and am particularly squeamish about demonic possession but I found A Crack in the World struck a good balance between horror elements and the broader mystery.
I loved that Mordechai dedicated the book to ‘Omicron’ for giving him the fever dreams that inspired the story. The Well certainly felt like something plucked from a dream.
Craft Related Notes:
-The story wove together many interesting events from history, including lesser-known esoteric and musical scenes.
- I liked the way tarot cards were incorporated into the story structure.
-I think the writing style could have benefitted from a little more immediacy and suspense in the concluding scenes to give the plot reveals more punch. Overall, the scenes I liked best were the ones that were accounted directly.
-I’m not sure if The Dead Mountaineer is an invented text but that small part of the story was particularly haunting.
To be honest, I was curious to see how black metal and the occult would be depicted in this cosmic horror mystery. I also read it because I like to support indie authors.
My Impression:
At the time of reading, I had just started a rewatch of the X-files and found this story to be very much in keeping with the feel and themes of that show.
MCs Gino (esoteric practitioner) and Carter (his police bodyguard) have a good rapport, reminiscent of the friendship between Mulder and Scully. We don’t get much insight into Carter’s personal life but we do get to explore Gino’s fraught history with his occultist father as the story progresses. I liked the historical flashbacks and the way that Mordechai developed a layered mystery that connected seemingly disparate events.
The black metal and occult references were an interesting touch, depicting those in the scene with a reckless thirst for chaos but with very little awareness of what they are dabbling with. Real bands are mentioned in passing but we don’t meet any recognisable figures up close. To get into the mood of the book, check out the author’s accompanying soundtrack in the appendix.
I’m not a huge horror fan and am particularly squeamish about demonic possession but I found A Crack in the World struck a good balance between horror elements and the broader mystery.
I loved that Mordechai dedicated the book to ‘Omicron’ for giving him the fever dreams that inspired the story. The Well certainly felt like something plucked from a dream.
Craft Related Notes:
-The story wove together many interesting events from history, including lesser-known esoteric and musical scenes.
- I liked the way tarot cards were incorporated into the story structure.
-I think the writing style could have benefitted from a little more immediacy and suspense in the concluding scenes to give the plot reveals more punch. Overall, the scenes I liked best were the ones that were accounted directly.
-I’m not sure if The Dead Mountaineer is an invented text but that small part of the story was particularly haunting.
July 2, 2023
This book has a very unique premise, you follow two characters Gino and Carter, both of whom I loved. I did feel Gino was lacking some depth, however, the characters combined really work.
Towns are disappearing with whole communities gone with them, Gino and Carter are in charge of finding out exactly where and why these towns are disappearing. The story is intriguing, and full of surprises.
The main issue I had with the book itself is that I found it quite slow and the ending for me really was lacking, I was hoping for a more fulfilling explanation, to me it felt quite basic considering the vast amount of information the rest of the book includes, the ending was just a little too simple.
I think for some readers this would be the perfect action fantasy book, but for me it wasn’t quite what I had in mind.
I am interested in what James has up his sleeve for his next book and I will definitely be giving it a read. Many thanks for holding the giveaway which I was incredibly grateful to win on Twitter and I have an included an honest review as a token of my thanks.
Towns are disappearing with whole communities gone with them, Gino and Carter are in charge of finding out exactly where and why these towns are disappearing. The story is intriguing, and full of surprises.
The main issue I had with the book itself is that I found it quite slow and the ending for me really was lacking, I was hoping for a more fulfilling explanation, to me it felt quite basic considering the vast amount of information the rest of the book includes, the ending was just a little too simple.
I think for some readers this would be the perfect action fantasy book, but for me it wasn’t quite what I had in mind.
I am interested in what James has up his sleeve for his next book and I will definitely be giving it a read. Many thanks for holding the giveaway which I was incredibly grateful to win on Twitter and I have an included an honest review as a token of my thanks.
June 22, 2025
This next book we are going to look at was of particular intrigue for me personally because of its premise. Once I started to flip through pages I quickly realized this was one of those rare indie works that instantly comes across as very professionally put together, competent, and well-thought out. In that sense, it reminded me of titles such as Bridgehouse by J. Sebastian King or The Hand of God by Yuval Kordov—though the genre in this case is not sci-fi but dark fantasy, rather.
MAGIC/THE OCCULT:
When we talk about fiction novels, we might find ourselves dealing with 1) ‘pure fantasy’ novels or 2) novels specifically centered around ‘the occult’. It’s important not to confuse the two.
In pure fantasy, the writer can have total creative freedom and can make up any and all fantastic or magic-based concepts they so choose for the sake of producing a good story.
The occult is trickier, though, and in many aspects more challenging, because it is based on facts and historical data: real historical characters and real historical events. Occultism is real and has been practiced for a long time in many civilizations and across many nations all around the world.
A Crack in the World centers around the occult and I am happy to report that the author has done a stellar job in staying true to the history and the reality of it all. This is crucial in any story claiming to deal with the occult and its practices. There is too much history and too much lore on this subject to deny it or to try to make up something that departs from it, or else we would just fall back into the ‘pure fantasy’ genre.
PLOT:
The story revolves around the adventures of two members of the RPI, the Royal Paranormal Institute of London: Gino and Carter.
Gino is a qualified occultist following in the footsteps of his late father, also a former Italian occultist who had relocated to the UK after WWII. Carter is an agent of the British police force who had taken a job at the RPI a few years back basically to be Gino’s bodyguard, in a nutshell, and has zero experience or knowledge of the occultic practices.
When a few entire towns begin to mysteriously disappear into thin air, Gino and Carter are assigned to the task of solving this big mystery which is obviously stemming from occult activities.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DR. WATSON?
The synergy between the two main characters, Gino and Carter, can be easily compared to some degree to that of Sherlock and Watson, or also to that of Poirot and Hastings. Here you have two individuals who could not be more opposite in personalities and perspectives, yet must work together to solve a mystery. One is the ‘scalpel’ while the other one is the ‘power drill’ – metaphorically speaking. One is fine-tuned to those supernatural activities which are far removed from the realm of the rational mind, whereas the other is a skeptic through and through, and only believes in what he can see.
Their relationship offers grounds for some comedic relief of course, but also for a real friendship and brotherly love to develop. There is never a dull moment with these two. What a stellar job by the author in fine-tuning the back-and-forths these two main characters engage in throughout the story, with just enough humor.
HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS:
Going back to the historical accuracy presented in the book: particularly when it comes to the history of the occult during the period of the events of WWII in Europe, the author is able to insert his narrative flawlessly, and that takes some skills. We learn how the Axis wanted to tap into the power of the occult to win the war. Gino’s father, Amilcare Marcotti, was then recruited by the Brits at the end of the war:
“Amilcare Marcotti was supposed to bring Great Britain back to the glories of the lost Empire. He had promised Churchill he would take Great Britain to a future of unending energy independence, the biggest navy fleet in the world and the return of the Commonwealth colonies back to the Motherland.”
UNEXPECTED TWISTS:
Yes, yes, yes, we do have some nicely planted unexpected twist towards the end of the story and I myself must admit I didn’t see it coming. This refers to a particular secondary character of great importance in the plot. But you will have to pick up the book to find out more!
NEGATIVES:
The only real issue I had, overall, was the insertion of Amilcare Marcotti’s personal journal from 1941 during his expedition in Africa. This is found around the end of Act 2 (?) and to me all it does is disrupt the nice pace of the story thus far, by taking a time out from our main characters and info-dumping about things we pretty much already learned from Giino himself. I know the author has disagreed on this:
“I disagree. The two stories intertwined until the very end. Without it you would miss a lot of context. It’s a story that revolves around the relationship between father and son across space and time. You will see when you read the end.”
Well, I’ve read the end and I still feel those entries from babbo’s journal (babbo = dad) were unnecessary and everything that was achieved could have been achieved just fine without disrupting the overall pace. Maybe it could have been included as a prologue and perhaps it wouldn’t have felt so out of place – for me personally, at least.
CONCLUSIONS:
If you enjoy occult-based stories that truly respect the history and lore rather than merely offer a pure fantasy trope, this book is for you. In addition, the level of professionalism, editing, and proofreading is outstanding; way above the current indie standards. The synergy between the two main characters is engaging, entertaining, filled with humor but with good balance too, never going into those MCU-level jokes we’ve all come to roll our eyes to. There are some good twists and turns to satisfy even the most demanding of readers. My only complaint is the addition of Gino’s father’s journal ¾ of the way in, which really doesn’t add much to what we already learn from Gino in relation to his father’s role in all this. But again, that is MY take on it. You should grab a copy, read it, and get back to me with your personal opinion.
All in all, job well done. This is how you put indies on the map.
🦀
MAGIC/THE OCCULT:
When we talk about fiction novels, we might find ourselves dealing with 1) ‘pure fantasy’ novels or 2) novels specifically centered around ‘the occult’. It’s important not to confuse the two.
In pure fantasy, the writer can have total creative freedom and can make up any and all fantastic or magic-based concepts they so choose for the sake of producing a good story.
The occult is trickier, though, and in many aspects more challenging, because it is based on facts and historical data: real historical characters and real historical events. Occultism is real and has been practiced for a long time in many civilizations and across many nations all around the world.
A Crack in the World centers around the occult and I am happy to report that the author has done a stellar job in staying true to the history and the reality of it all. This is crucial in any story claiming to deal with the occult and its practices. There is too much history and too much lore on this subject to deny it or to try to make up something that departs from it, or else we would just fall back into the ‘pure fantasy’ genre.
PLOT:
The story revolves around the adventures of two members of the RPI, the Royal Paranormal Institute of London: Gino and Carter.
Gino is a qualified occultist following in the footsteps of his late father, also a former Italian occultist who had relocated to the UK after WWII. Carter is an agent of the British police force who had taken a job at the RPI a few years back basically to be Gino’s bodyguard, in a nutshell, and has zero experience or knowledge of the occultic practices.
When a few entire towns begin to mysteriously disappear into thin air, Gino and Carter are assigned to the task of solving this big mystery which is obviously stemming from occult activities.
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND DR. WATSON?
The synergy between the two main characters, Gino and Carter, can be easily compared to some degree to that of Sherlock and Watson, or also to that of Poirot and Hastings. Here you have two individuals who could not be more opposite in personalities and perspectives, yet must work together to solve a mystery. One is the ‘scalpel’ while the other one is the ‘power drill’ – metaphorically speaking. One is fine-tuned to those supernatural activities which are far removed from the realm of the rational mind, whereas the other is a skeptic through and through, and only believes in what he can see.
Their relationship offers grounds for some comedic relief of course, but also for a real friendship and brotherly love to develop. There is never a dull moment with these two. What a stellar job by the author in fine-tuning the back-and-forths these two main characters engage in throughout the story, with just enough humor.
HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS:
Going back to the historical accuracy presented in the book: particularly when it comes to the history of the occult during the period of the events of WWII in Europe, the author is able to insert his narrative flawlessly, and that takes some skills. We learn how the Axis wanted to tap into the power of the occult to win the war. Gino’s father, Amilcare Marcotti, was then recruited by the Brits at the end of the war:
“Amilcare Marcotti was supposed to bring Great Britain back to the glories of the lost Empire. He had promised Churchill he would take Great Britain to a future of unending energy independence, the biggest navy fleet in the world and the return of the Commonwealth colonies back to the Motherland.”
UNEXPECTED TWISTS:
Yes, yes, yes, we do have some nicely planted unexpected twist towards the end of the story and I myself must admit I didn’t see it coming. This refers to a particular secondary character of great importance in the plot. But you will have to pick up the book to find out more!
NEGATIVES:
The only real issue I had, overall, was the insertion of Amilcare Marcotti’s personal journal from 1941 during his expedition in Africa. This is found around the end of Act 2 (?) and to me all it does is disrupt the nice pace of the story thus far, by taking a time out from our main characters and info-dumping about things we pretty much already learned from Giino himself. I know the author has disagreed on this:
“I disagree. The two stories intertwined until the very end. Without it you would miss a lot of context. It’s a story that revolves around the relationship between father and son across space and time. You will see when you read the end.”
Well, I’ve read the end and I still feel those entries from babbo’s journal (babbo = dad) were unnecessary and everything that was achieved could have been achieved just fine without disrupting the overall pace. Maybe it could have been included as a prologue and perhaps it wouldn’t have felt so out of place – for me personally, at least.
CONCLUSIONS:
If you enjoy occult-based stories that truly respect the history and lore rather than merely offer a pure fantasy trope, this book is for you. In addition, the level of professionalism, editing, and proofreading is outstanding; way above the current indie standards. The synergy between the two main characters is engaging, entertaining, filled with humor but with good balance too, never going into those MCU-level jokes we’ve all come to roll our eyes to. There are some good twists and turns to satisfy even the most demanding of readers. My only complaint is the addition of Gino’s father’s journal ¾ of the way in, which really doesn’t add much to what we already learn from Gino in relation to his father’s role in all this. But again, that is MY take on it. You should grab a copy, read it, and get back to me with your personal opinion.
All in all, job well done. This is how you put indies on the map.
🦀
June 22, 2023
Urban Fantasy
A Crack in the World
James Mordechai
In 1994 (90s nostalgia👌) small villages in England are vanishing at alarming rates. Gino, a skilled occultist is the key to solving the mystery of this devastating loss. Gino soon realises that there is a connection with the black metal scene and one mysterious character, the man in the hat.
Carter is selected by Gino as he is a non believer in the art of occultism. A skeptic.
Nevertheless Carter respects Gino and becomes a dependable body guard to him. I enjoyed reading about their relationship development because they are different to one another but they work so well as a team. And without hesitation they both risk their lives to save the world.
"They were mere flesh vessels of fear sandwiched between an approaching known threat from below and an upcoming void above."
The black metal scene is a genius idea and I loved it so much. As well as the dark fantasy themes including tarot cards, demon entities and necromancy.
One of my favourite parts was the exploration of occultism. The notions explained by Gino were so persuasive and interesting.
"Modern scientists need to measure a phenomenon in order to explain it. For a scientist if you can't measure it, even by proxy that phenomenon doesn't exist. For an occultist, the knowledge does not come from measurement, but from previously acquired hidden knowledge."
Gino has a tarot card reading and refers to this when trying to make sense of what is happening and what he needs to achieve.This provided reflective structure to the narrative which I enjoyed. The cards influenced him, perhaps a little too much causing a distraction in a way.
Annoyed at myself that I didn't realised why towns were disappearing because the clues were there! But I also love it when it sneeks up on you and you have that moment of realisation where it all makes sense.
I loved this. There were some scenes that I just kept replaying over and over in my mind. And the ending was brilliant.
A Crack in the World
James Mordechai
In 1994 (90s nostalgia👌) small villages in England are vanishing at alarming rates. Gino, a skilled occultist is the key to solving the mystery of this devastating loss. Gino soon realises that there is a connection with the black metal scene and one mysterious character, the man in the hat.
Carter is selected by Gino as he is a non believer in the art of occultism. A skeptic.
Nevertheless Carter respects Gino and becomes a dependable body guard to him. I enjoyed reading about their relationship development because they are different to one another but they work so well as a team. And without hesitation they both risk their lives to save the world.
"They were mere flesh vessels of fear sandwiched between an approaching known threat from below and an upcoming void above."
The black metal scene is a genius idea and I loved it so much. As well as the dark fantasy themes including tarot cards, demon entities and necromancy.
One of my favourite parts was the exploration of occultism. The notions explained by Gino were so persuasive and interesting.
"Modern scientists need to measure a phenomenon in order to explain it. For a scientist if you can't measure it, even by proxy that phenomenon doesn't exist. For an occultist, the knowledge does not come from measurement, but from previously acquired hidden knowledge."
Gino has a tarot card reading and refers to this when trying to make sense of what is happening and what he needs to achieve.This provided reflective structure to the narrative which I enjoyed. The cards influenced him, perhaps a little too much causing a distraction in a way.
Annoyed at myself that I didn't realised why towns were disappearing because the clues were there! But I also love it when it sneeks up on you and you have that moment of realisation where it all makes sense.
I loved this. There were some scenes that I just kept replaying over and over in my mind. And the ending was brilliant.
January 1, 2024
This is one of those rare books which will make you fall in love with reading (again if you were in a reading slump), when I was a kid I would have been right down the shops looking for more of this. A crack in the world does what I love with fiction, takes something small and create a whole world and history for you to explore. In this case it takes the rise of Black Metal in the 90’s and the church burnings and murders that surrounded the scene, I remember these events and used to listen some of the bands, the ones I can remember most are Burzum and Children of Bodom.
The story follows Gino and Carter, two investigators working for the Royal Paranormal Institute or RPI, they are investigating whole villages that have disappeared suddenly, their search leads them to the sudden rise of the Black Metal Scene. What this book does best is stir up your imagination, I was constantly trying to figure out what could be happening and 100% always being way off, turns out I don’t think I have what is needed to work for the RPI. The organisation has it’s own history which is covered in the book, and it felt a lot like the organisation in Hell Boy, Gino could easily be a young John Hurt in my head. As the plot progresses there is a interesting Tarot reading that lays out the path for the rest of the book.
The book is fast paced, full of dark creatures, sigils, astral projections, mind reading, demons, ace of base, other dimensions, weird lakes of lead, empty villages, good guys, bad guys and 1 Man Utd fan…a huge amount going on that somehow manages to avoid becoming overly complicated. I can highly recommend this book and there better be more as I am fully invested now.
As a side note I think I have figured out the moral of this story….rock music bad! Government officials good! haha!
Blog Review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2024...
The story follows Gino and Carter, two investigators working for the Royal Paranormal Institute or RPI, they are investigating whole villages that have disappeared suddenly, their search leads them to the sudden rise of the Black Metal Scene. What this book does best is stir up your imagination, I was constantly trying to figure out what could be happening and 100% always being way off, turns out I don’t think I have what is needed to work for the RPI. The organisation has it’s own history which is covered in the book, and it felt a lot like the organisation in Hell Boy, Gino could easily be a young John Hurt in my head. As the plot progresses there is a interesting Tarot reading that lays out the path for the rest of the book.
The book is fast paced, full of dark creatures, sigils, astral projections, mind reading, demons, ace of base, other dimensions, weird lakes of lead, empty villages, good guys, bad guys and 1 Man Utd fan…a huge amount going on that somehow manages to avoid becoming overly complicated. I can highly recommend this book and there better be more as I am fully invested now.
As a side note I think I have figured out the moral of this story….rock music bad! Government officials good! haha!
Blog Review: https://felcherman.wordpress.com/2024...
April 5, 2023
Title : A Crack In The World
Author : James Mordechai
Rating : 4/5
What would be your reaction, if you heard that an entire village or town has disappeared with all the people living in it? It would no doubt be, that it is a joke or prank by someone. However this is exactly what happens in this book wherein entire towns disappear over a period of time, and in due course during the book, one town, Hartesbridge reappears, sans the people. What has happened to them?
The protagonist here is Gino Marcotti, an occultist working with the RPI ( Royal Paranormal Institute), that deals with saving people from demonic entities from another plane, that may have slipped into our world due to opening of some inter planar corridor. A person stuck in the crack in the corridor for a few minutes, when rescued, said that he had spent seven years in another plane. Such exhilarating events in the story make the book an exciting read.
We have Carter and Emma from the local police department assisting Gino in his investigation on the disappearing villages. Gino's father Amilcare, also an Occultist has passed on his knowledge onto his son before passing away. Who is the person behind all the paranormal happenings across the globe. Can Gino uncover this mystery and save the world or will he perish just like his father?
All the answers available in this interesting read. A pacy, paranormal thriller, with easy to understand language, and good characterisation. A must read book.
Author : James Mordechai
Rating : 4/5
What would be your reaction, if you heard that an entire village or town has disappeared with all the people living in it? It would no doubt be, that it is a joke or prank by someone. However this is exactly what happens in this book wherein entire towns disappear over a period of time, and in due course during the book, one town, Hartesbridge reappears, sans the people. What has happened to them?
The protagonist here is Gino Marcotti, an occultist working with the RPI ( Royal Paranormal Institute), that deals with saving people from demonic entities from another plane, that may have slipped into our world due to opening of some inter planar corridor. A person stuck in the crack in the corridor for a few minutes, when rescued, said that he had spent seven years in another plane. Such exhilarating events in the story make the book an exciting read.
We have Carter and Emma from the local police department assisting Gino in his investigation on the disappearing villages. Gino's father Amilcare, also an Occultist has passed on his knowledge onto his son before passing away. Who is the person behind all the paranormal happenings across the globe. Can Gino uncover this mystery and save the world or will he perish just like his father?
All the answers available in this interesting read. A pacy, paranormal thriller, with easy to understand language, and good characterisation. A must read book.
March 5, 2023
What would you do, if you woke up and the world as you knew it, had changed, irrevocably? Panic, maybe? But, you don’t have time panic, not in life and certainly not in the book, A Crack In The World. It’s all happening right now and you have to solve the riddle of the disappearing villages in England.
There is so much going on in this book, and this is great. It can be difficult to follow the storyline at times, and this is where I, personally, can find things arduous. Constant bouncing out of one timeline to another within the book’s first chapters sets out exactly how everything has progressed so far. However, though it could be seen to be helpful do be careful not to be left behind somewhere at this point.
The novel is well-written, punchy in its pace and nicely complex where the world’s structure is concerned. The characters are very well put together and their individual skill sets move the story along in a timely manner; interesting and thought-provoking.
A Crack In The World is a well-written book and should definitely not be confused with the 1965 disaster film of the same name. Both entertaining and insightful.
There is so much going on in this book, and this is great. It can be difficult to follow the storyline at times, and this is where I, personally, can find things arduous. Constant bouncing out of one timeline to another within the book’s first chapters sets out exactly how everything has progressed so far. However, though it could be seen to be helpful do be careful not to be left behind somewhere at this point.
The novel is well-written, punchy in its pace and nicely complex where the world’s structure is concerned. The characters are very well put together and their individual skill sets move the story along in a timely manner; interesting and thought-provoking.
A Crack In The World is a well-written book and should definitely not be confused with the 1965 disaster film of the same name. Both entertaining and insightful.
October 26, 2023
Mordechai does a masterful job of blending together elements of cosmic horror,
detective fiction, and occultism to create a truly unique and suspenseful read.
The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed
and relatable.
One of the things that I enjoyed most about A Crack in the World is the way
that Mordechai weaves real-world history and events into the story.
This adds an extra layer of authenticity and realism to the story.
Another thing that I appreciated is the way that Mordechai handles the
occult elements of the story. He does not shy away from the darker
aspects of occultism, but he also does not glorify it. Instead, he presents
it as a complex and dangerous force that should be treated with respect.
Overall, A Crack in the World is a well-written and suspenseful novel that
is sure to appeal to fans of cosmic horror, detective fiction, and occultism.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a truly unique
and unforgettable read.
Of course I give a 5 star rating for this unique book!
detective fiction, and occultism to create a truly unique and suspenseful read.
The story is full of twists and turns, and the characters are well-developed
and relatable.
One of the things that I enjoyed most about A Crack in the World is the way
that Mordechai weaves real-world history and events into the story.
This adds an extra layer of authenticity and realism to the story.
Another thing that I appreciated is the way that Mordechai handles the
occult elements of the story. He does not shy away from the darker
aspects of occultism, but he also does not glorify it. Instead, he presents
it as a complex and dangerous force that should be treated with respect.
Overall, A Crack in the World is a well-written and suspenseful novel that
is sure to appeal to fans of cosmic horror, detective fiction, and occultism.
I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a truly unique
and unforgettable read.
Of course I give a 5 star rating for this unique book!
October 12, 2023
I really enjoyed A Crack in the World! It's hard to find a good occult mystery with plenty of suspense and high stakes. James Mordechai nailed it! Gino, the occultist working for the RPI, and Carter, his bodyguard and confidant, are characters I really connected with and wanted to follow every step of the way. The premise - towns disappearing in the English countryside without cause - was compelling and scary. The way the mystery tied into the death metal music scene was also really interesting.
Overall, I recommend this book and think readers will enjoy a well-crafted mystery that teaches them more about the occult. Now, I want to know more!
Overall, I recommend this book and think readers will enjoy a well-crafted mystery that teaches them more about the occult. Now, I want to know more!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews