Through a Glass, Darkly

by W.H. Hussey

Steeped in classic horror, this chilling contemporary tale deals with secrets long buried, festering guilt, and haunting loneliness. Jack Trent, the most effective criminal investigation officer in the history of the department, is having bad dreams of a child's murder in a forest at the hands of something indescribable.

But these are more than nightmares—they are visions of the future that Jack has tried for years to suppress. Something happened to Jack in his childhood— something that means he cannot touch another living person and something that killed his mother—and this something has returned to inspire his visions.

In a final race against time, Jack attempts to save a boy’s life in the clearing of Redgrave Forest. Can he face the long-dead Dr. Mendicant and the ancient Darkness of Crowman? Can he face the evil living inside himself? And what will he make of the Doctor’s final, devastating revelation?

"Horrific, haunting, and humane, Hussey's novel is a disturbing journey into the darkest of minds." - Tim Lebbon, author of The Last Storm

“Packed with atmosphere and beautiful writing. Hussey delivers an absorbing, creepy read.” - Rev. Peter Laws, author of The Frighteners and The Matt Hunter Series

Genres: Horror

470 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 20, 2023

Reviews

[Margaret Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

BRILIANT one of the scariest and horrorfing books i have read

[Beth Roberts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I admit, I did not expect this one to go as well as it did. While this was a classic possession, religious horror story, it was extremely well-executed. Definitely a throwback to classic 70s horror.

I had not heard of this author prior to receiving my beautiful special edition from Twisted Retreat. His books are hard to obtain in the States and only a few available in the UK. I liked this one enough that I've ordered another of Hussey's books from the UK. I'm hoping more of his books become available.

[Ginger · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this beautiful hard cover edition through my book box subscription.
It took a minute to get into the story, the author was not kidding when he said he threw everything into this story including the kitchen sink.

It was a wild ride but I enjoyed it.

[liz ⚰️ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book in my Twisted Retreat box and picked it up without quite knowing what to expect. Little did I know, it relies on one of my favorite tropes (police procedural meets supernatural mystery, á la X-Files or Twin Peaks), and it delivered! This really has it all when it comes to this type of story: the troubled detective with repressed supernatural abilities, the mysterious small town with big secrets, and a terrifying evil force that forces our main character to face his past in order to save the future. The way that Jack's past story and childhood trauma wrapped into the current-day mystery and the supernatural aspects of the book was both surprising and satisfying. There were at least two moments where my jaw dropped in the last third of this book, which I truly appreciate. The pacing, while dense at some times, was ultimately rewarding by the end. Given the many perspectives, timelines, and journal entries that are eventually used, there were always going to be moments that felt slow compared to others, which made this a bit of a slower read for me at times. With that being said, by the end, I felt that the way that everything came together justified the slower points, and made the fast-paced moments even richer.

[SilentReverie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Through a Glass, Darkly effortlessly weaves classic horror elements with a contemporary thriller, delivering a dark, multilayered journey that never feels overstuffed. Jack Trent is a compelling protagonist who is haunted by childhood trauma, cursed with disturbing visions, and unable to touch another living soul. Watching him race against time to confront both external evil and his own inner darkness kept me on the edge of my seat.

Dr. Mendicant is one of the most unsettling villains I’ve encountered. Equal parts creeping dread and diabolical mastermind.

What impressed me most was the balance: complex lore, deep emotional stakes, and visceral horror all coexist without ever overwhelming the narrative. If you’re craving a horror-thriller with rich atmosphere and compelling story, this is not to be missed.