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The Fourth Haunting
How a boy matured into England's most celebrated ghost hunter. And how what haunted him came back into his life bent only on a ghastly mission of vengeance.
- GenresHorror
452 pages, Paperback
Published March 27, 2023
About the author
F.G. Cottam
24 books480 followersReading is a cheap and totally effective way of being transported to another world. The same is true of writing. Mundane concerns only afflict your characters if you decide you want them to.
University was where I first thought seriously about fiction; hearing about Hemingway's iceberg theory and Eliot's objective correlative and having the luxury of time to ponder on the mechanics of the novel.
My first writing was journalism and pieces for I-D, Arena and The Face brought me to the attention of mainstream magazine publishers. In the '90's I edited FHM when it still majored on sport and fashion rather than Hollyoaks starlets and weather girls. Then I launch-edited the UK edition of Men's Health magazine and then came to the conclusion that if I didn't try to write some fiction it was never going to happen.
I read all kinds of fiction, but write stories with a paranormal element I think really because history fascinates me and ghosts allow the past to resonate shockingly, scarily and I hope convincingly, into the present.
I got off to an encouraging start but have suffered a few disappointments since then. I wouldn't in honesty want to do anything else, though. If I write a terrible novel it's my fault entirely. If I write a good novel, it's entirely my achievement.
University was where I first thought seriously about fiction; hearing about Hemingway's iceberg theory and Eliot's objective correlative and having the luxury of time to ponder on the mechanics of the novel.
My first writing was journalism and pieces for I-D, Arena and The Face brought me to the attention of mainstream magazine publishers. In the '90's I edited FHM when it still majored on sport and fashion rather than Hollyoaks starlets and weather girls. Then I launch-edited the UK edition of Men's Health magazine and then came to the conclusion that if I didn't try to write some fiction it was never going to happen.
I read all kinds of fiction, but write stories with a paranormal element I think really because history fascinates me and ghosts allow the past to resonate shockingly, scarily and I hope convincingly, into the present.
I got off to an encouraging start but have suffered a few disappointments since then. I wouldn't in honesty want to do anything else, though. If I write a terrible novel it's my fault entirely. If I write a good novel, it's entirely my achievement.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 22, 2023
Loved it! Don't understand why the publisher declined it but super happy that the author decided to self publish. Just as good if not better than his previous books. No one tells a ghost story like Mr Cottom. Well done sir, thank you!
June 18, 2026
Horror Matters - The Fourth Haunting by F.G. Cottam
Peter S Bradley
Jun 27, 2026
Horror Matters – The Fourth Haunting by F.G. Cottam
As a boy, Tom Carter had a supernatural experience in which the ghost of a child murderer haunted a hat. (This sounds more innocuous than it is.) This experience caused Tom to investigate the back story of the child murderer. Later in his life, Tom became a professional ghost hunter, renowned for providing films of hauntings. As this book opens, Tom is pitching a four-part documentary: one is a convent in the Italian Alps; the last – the putative fourth – is an abandoned warehouse in Chicago that used to be one of Al Capone’s brothels. Tom also has a gifted suicidal daughter in a mental health facility, a bitter ex-wife, and a budding romance with his researcher.
There is also a deep conspiracy going back to the child murderer that is reaching out into Tom’s life.
There are a lot of moving parts in this book. F.G. Cottam keeps the story moving as we learn about Tom’s life, his interactions with the supernatural, his concern for his daughter, and, ultimately, the existence of an old and powerful conspiracy that has been watching him the whole time.
Cottam keeps the story moving and makes all the pieces fit. I found it an engaging read that kept my interest. Also, it had two features I don’t usually find in horror stories. First, I liked the main character. He was solid and grounded, and he was prepared to love and care for his daughter. He had more of a backstory than a lot of horror characters do. Second, the story was optimistic. A lot of modern horror is designed to present a pitiless universe in which a character’s survival is a matter of chance. This was different. I felt that Cottam was moving into Dean Koontz territory, and I liked that.
Cottam has written a fair number of horror novels. I read his “Colony” trilogy, which I obviously liked well enough to complete. I was interested to learn that one of the characters mentioned in this book's backstory was featured in the earlier Cottam horror novel, Dark Echo. Also, the house and a party that feature prominently in Tom’s story are the centerpieces of Cottam’s novel, The House of Lost Souls.
So, there were more gears than I knew.
Peter S Bradley
Jun 27, 2026
Horror Matters – The Fourth Haunting by F.G. Cottam
As a boy, Tom Carter had a supernatural experience in which the ghost of a child murderer haunted a hat. (This sounds more innocuous than it is.) This experience caused Tom to investigate the back story of the child murderer. Later in his life, Tom became a professional ghost hunter, renowned for providing films of hauntings. As this book opens, Tom is pitching a four-part documentary: one is a convent in the Italian Alps; the last – the putative fourth – is an abandoned warehouse in Chicago that used to be one of Al Capone’s brothels. Tom also has a gifted suicidal daughter in a mental health facility, a bitter ex-wife, and a budding romance with his researcher.
There is also a deep conspiracy going back to the child murderer that is reaching out into Tom’s life.
There are a lot of moving parts in this book. F.G. Cottam keeps the story moving as we learn about Tom’s life, his interactions with the supernatural, his concern for his daughter, and, ultimately, the existence of an old and powerful conspiracy that has been watching him the whole time.
Cottam keeps the story moving and makes all the pieces fit. I found it an engaging read that kept my interest. Also, it had two features I don’t usually find in horror stories. First, I liked the main character. He was solid and grounded, and he was prepared to love and care for his daughter. He had more of a backstory than a lot of horror characters do. Second, the story was optimistic. A lot of modern horror is designed to present a pitiless universe in which a character’s survival is a matter of chance. This was different. I felt that Cottam was moving into Dean Koontz territory, and I liked that.
Cottam has written a fair number of horror novels. I read his “Colony” trilogy, which I obviously liked well enough to complete. I was interested to learn that one of the characters mentioned in this book's backstory was featured in the earlier Cottam horror novel, Dark Echo. Also, the house and a party that feature prominently in Tom’s story are the centerpieces of Cottam’s novel, The House of Lost Souls.
So, there were more gears than I knew.
February 25, 2023
Not his best
I love F G Cottam and always look forward to new books from him, but this book is a hot mess. There are too many story lines with confusing timelines, really hard to keep it all straight. Also, seemed to be lacking an editor; run on sentences and missing commas add to the confusion. The story itself is good, many characters from his prior novels make appearances. I will continue to look forward to the author's future novels, as I have loved most of them.
I love F G Cottam and always look forward to new books from him, but this book is a hot mess. There are too many story lines with confusing timelines, really hard to keep it all straight. Also, seemed to be lacking an editor; run on sentences and missing commas add to the confusion. The story itself is good, many characters from his prior novels make appearances. I will continue to look forward to the author's future novels, as I have loved most of them.
April 16, 2023
Quite scary
I like that this book picked up a few characters from previous books as I have read all of them. I thought the main character a bit shallow I didn't feel very invested in him. I would have liked to know more about the history of Claire and what made her unable to live at home. I thought the end rather flat too!
I like that this book picked up a few characters from previous books as I have read all of them. I thought the main character a bit shallow I didn't feel very invested in him. I would have liked to know more about the history of Claire and what made her unable to live at home. I thought the end rather flat too!
May 10, 2023
Gripping book
Really gripping book. I hope he does more with these intriguing characters. Claire is fascinating. I get that the mental health sequences are written for an American audience. - orderlies, etc. Felt a bit awkward and inaccurate to UK mental health care. Not enough to deter from reading it though. I would recommend it as a good read
Really gripping book. I hope he does more with these intriguing characters. Claire is fascinating. I get that the mental health sequences are written for an American audience. - orderlies, etc. Felt a bit awkward and inaccurate to UK mental health care. Not enough to deter from reading it though. I would recommend it as a good read
July 25, 2023
Really Enjoyed This!
Not great literature, and occasionally a bit on the slow side. And the English could do with tidying up in places. But a cracking read. A lot of these types of novels tend to have a somewhat anti-climactic ending, but this one keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end!
Not great literature, and occasionally a bit on the slow side. And the English could do with tidying up in places. But a cracking read. A lot of these types of novels tend to have a somewhat anti-climactic ending, but this one keeps you on the edge of your seat to the end!
January 1, 2024
One of Cottam's best, every bit as good as The House of Lost Leaves or Dark Echo.
He writes good characters, plots well and writes clearly and engagingly.
Cottam's female characters are always strong and strike me as being based on very specific people he knows. In this book, Daisy Chain might not be a Ruthie Gillespie but she's not far off.
He writes good characters, plots well and writes clearly and engagingly.
Cottam's female characters are always strong and strike me as being based on very specific people he knows. In this book, Daisy Chain might not be a Ruthie Gillespie but she's not far off.
April 24, 2024
My first read of this author, who came highly recommended in reviews, has been, to say the least, an infuriating, frustrating experience trying to wade through the endless grammatical errors. Glad I didn't spend any money on this book. If this author doesn't care about how his book is sent out into the world, well I don't much care to invest my time or money on his work.
March 7, 2023
Another brilliantly creepy ghost story by one of my favourite horror authors. Lots of great historical detail and well fleshed out characters.
Thoroughly recommend!
Thoroughly recommend!
March 10, 2023
Brulliant
Loved this book highly recommended. Seriously creepy and atmospheric. Great twist at the end and references to previous characters .
Loved this book highly recommended. Seriously creepy and atmospheric. Great twist at the end and references to previous characters .
March 29, 2023
Great Book
I loved this, very interesting story. A must read for any one who loves the darker things in out there
I loved this, very interesting story. A must read for any one who loves the darker things in out there
April 4, 2023
A truly haunting (no pun intended) read that will leave you feeling uneasy.
May 30, 2023
His The House of Lost Souls is much better. The editing on this one is quite bad too.
August 17, 2023
I enjoyed the references to places and characters encountered in the author's previous books.
November 20, 2024
I was so happy to see another book of this paranormal genre from F.G. Cotton! In my opinion, it’s one of his best! Read it through twice already.
April 18, 2023
Spooky and chilling, a really enjoyable read
December 20, 2023
Classy horror with some genuinely creepy moments. Definitely recommended.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews