Maypole

by Devon De'Ath

You can run from the past, but sometimes it catches up.

Lisa Marston thought domestic violence and a psychotic boss were bad enough.
When physical danger, harassment and professional abuse cause her to flee south, the promised haven of peace and tranquillity proves anything but.

A quiet Kent village is thrown into chaos. Gruesome murders, missing children and unsettling whispers of an ancient evil all seem to revolve around the Maypole.

Is there any truth to rumours something like this happened once before?

Why does the retired schoolteacher appear to know more than she’s telling?

What have Norse mythology and folklore to do with the present, unsettling reality?

They’re just stories, after all…

Genres: Horror

351 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 27, 2023

About the author

Devon De’Ath was born in the county of Kent, ‘The Garden of England.’ Raised a Roman Catholic in a small, ancient country market community famously documented as ‘the most haunted TOWN in England,’ he grew up in an atmosphere replete with spiritual, psychic, and supernatural energy. Hauntings were commonplace and you couldn’t swing a cat without hitting three spectres, to the extent that he never needed question the validity of such manifestations. As to the explanations behind them?

At the age of twenty, his earnest search for spiritual truth led the young man to leave Catholicism and become heavily involved in Charismatic Evangelicalism. After serving as a part-time youth pastor while working in the corporate world, he eventually took voluntary redundancy to study at a Bible College in the USA. Missions in the Caribbean and sub-Saharan Africa followed, but a growing dissatisfaction with aspects of the theology and ministerial abuse by church leadership eventually caused him to break with organised religion and pursue a Post-Evangelical existence. One open to all manner of spiritual and human experiences his ‘holy’ life would never have allowed.

After church life, De’Ath served fifteen years with the police, lectured at colleges and universities, and acted as a consultant to public safety agencies both foreign and domestic.

A writer since he first learned the alphabet, Devon De’Ath has authored works in many genres under various names, from Children’s literature to self-help books, through screenplays for video production and all manner of articles.

Reviews

[Rach Chippendale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent well researched, fast paced, Engaging Characters Loved this Book!

This is the first book that I’ve read by Devon De’Ath, and what a seriously impressive introduction to their work this story was in every important respect.
Intelligent Horror at it’s very best.
Very well written, the characters believable and engaging, the story & it’s mythology and delivery detailed & paced exactly right.
Gripping, frightening, gory & disturbing in parts, yet a very human story at its core.
I have zero hesitation in highly recommending this book

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book!!! The ending was both sad and happy but without the sadness the happiness wouldn't be possible. I would definitely reread this book many times. I recommend to anyone who enjoys paranormal twists with happy endings

[Sarah Nix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmerizing! Couldn't put it down!

Thank you, thank you, thank you!! Finally! A romping, good read from the first page to the last! I've already downloaded two more books by this author! I can't wait!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great read by Devon De'Ath. This story was unique in so many ways from the content to the plot to some of the characters... it's well done. The characters have depth, even the not-so-nice ones. While there are some tough scenes in this book, some tough subject matters, I still recommend this book. It's interesting and it gets you thinking.

SPOILER BELOW:


With that said, I think if you're a survivor of childhood and/or adult se#ual trauma, you'll need to decide if you're okay to read this book. I am both of those things and while I have a handle on most of my triggers, I can say that it's still tough to read about these subjects. The good news is that it's not the main part or the whole story. Also, the survivors get a sort of justice... a grisly sort of justice, but justice nonetheless.

[Carole J Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Try it you'll like it.

Good read. Good story linr a few surprises. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it if you like this kind of book.

[Margaret Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous. Best book I have read in a long time.

[Wayne Neylan · Rating 5 out of 5]

really good book, gonna find more for this author

[B.J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different, but delightful

I am a willow rose / Steven king reader , took a chance here . It held my interest,so I read it in one night. Mystery,horror, violence, sex,and happy ending, who can ask for anything more.