The Strandling

by James Brogden

Nineteen-year old Megan Howatt lives in a house on the edge of a crumbling sea cliff, waiting for her life to fall into the North Sea. Her mother is dead, and her father has lost his mind, obsessively hoarding the junk that he salvages from the shoreline. Her only friends are Lou, the eccentric owner of a beach-side cafe, and Kelpy, the large black dog that she rescued from the sea as a puppy. Desperate to escape, but unwilling to abandon her father, she scratches a living working at the Dry Dog Inn in the nearby village of Salwick.

A violent storm hits the village, and the killings begin. A flock of sheep is torn apart, and suspicious eyes turn towards Kelpy. The owner of a local antiques shop goes missing. Something prowls the village streets at night – something that smells of rot and endless hunger. Megan finds herself drawn to the story of Mad Annie, a local woman accused of witchcraft who died on the island of Nine Mothers. With Lou's help, Megan must reckon with the occult powers awakening in her, face the ghosts of her childhood and save her home from a shape-shifting horror of the ancient world.

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Folklore

365 pages, Paperback

Published September 2, 2024

About the author

James Brogden is a writer of horror and dark fantasy. A part-time Australian who grew up in Tasmania and the Cumbrian Borders, he has since escaped to Birmingham UK and now lives in the Jewellery Quarter. When not writing he can usually be found up a hill, poking around stone circles and burial mounds. A recovering ex-teacher and lego addict, he is owned by two cats who do not approve of this nonsense.

His short stories have appeared in various anthologies and periodicals ranging from The Big Issue to the BFS Award-Winning Alchemy Press. His novel 'The Plague Stones' was shortlisted for the August Derleth Award in 2021 and his most recent novella, ‘The Dwimfolk’ was published by PS Publishing in October 2025. He is currently writing for Warhammer's Black Library.

@jamesbrogden.bsky.social
Insta: jameswbrogden

Reviews

[Brooke · Rating 5 out of 5]

A folk-horror mystery that takes place on the cliffs of the North Sea. Fantastic use of local legends and setting.

🌊Megan and her dog Kelpy whom she rescued, are inseparable. Megan is dealing with grief and guilt from losing her mom. A storm sweeps across the countryside leaving behind something very mysterious in its wake. Sheep are being brutally murdered and Kelpy is getting blamed. Megan doesn't think Kelpy would ever do something like that, but then she starts to question what she knows and sees.

The sea has brought up an ancient evil that is predicted in the local folklore. Megan investigates as some of the recent killings seem to have something to do with this monster. Innocent people are falling prey because they are not able to recognize the monster when they see it. It's a cunning beast that shape-shifts and uses manipulation to lure its victims to their demise.

Megan begins to experience some extra-sensory abilities. She can smell illness and is able to heal people and to use runes as protection. This sounds great, like it will earn her lots of friends, but no, she gets accused of being a witch and the townspeople want her dog dead too! They call her a witch with a bitch, and personally I think we need more witches with bitches, or whatever it takes to get the job done. .

This was great, I enjoyed Megan's sass, her funny witty dialogue, and her relationship with her dog, and the combination of horror-mystery worked really well.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25⭐️
We've just finished the second season of The Vinland Saga, so the Norse mythology at the heart of this book felt like home. James Brogden is a fantastic horror writer, and it's a crying shame that this has had to be self-published.

[myreadingescapism · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[Mary Montgomery H. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoy a good horror story now and then. And although I have been impressed with some of Brogden's previous works, this one fell short of my expectations. At about the halfway point I became bored with the characters and the plot. Since I was listening to the audible, I had to speed up the narration to push through to the end. I was also put off by some of the ideology that was inserted in the story. Unsure why the primary supporting character was written as a transgender woman. I didn't see that this added anything to the storyline but was simply for the purpose of virtue signaling.

[Bookworm With a B · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars for a fantastic folk horror story! I had a great time listening to this. Kelpie and Lou definitely stole the show. I wish James Brogden had a larger back list for me to read! And I wish his books were easier to get ahold of in the US.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read anything from James Brogden and this eerie, sea-soaked folk horror was a brilliant place to start!
Megan lives in a house that's literally falling into the sea, with a grief-stricken, hoarder dad and her dog, Kelpy, for company. Then a brutal storm hits, animals are torn apart, people go missing, and something ancient starts stalking the village…

Think witchcraft, local legends, creepy islands, and a girl discovering strange powers while trying to save what little she has left. Atmospheric, haunting, and full of heart. Highly recommend if you're into dark folklore, moody coastal settings, and horror with soul.

[Tammy Salyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Masterful Blend of Myth, Mystery, and Everyday Horror

If you're looking for a spine-chilling tale that seamlessly weaves together the everyday and the otherworldly, look no further than James Brogden's "The Strandling." This fast-paced novel follows Megan Howatt, a 19-year-old living on the edge of a crumbling sea cliff, as she navigates her father's personal battles and obsessive hoarding, the death of her mother, and the eerie happenings in the nearby village of Salwick. With her only companions being the eccentric and clever cafe owner Lou and her loyal black dog Kelpy, Megan finds herself drawn into a web of ancient occult powers and shape-shifting horrors that Brogden writes so clearly and creeptastically you’ll be seeing this thing in your dreams—or nightmares.

Brogden's signature style shines through in "The Strandling," as he masterfully creates an atmosphere of foreboding and tension that builds with each turn of the page. The dynamic and relatable characters, particularly the tough-by-virtue-of-having-no-other-choice Megan and her witty and take-no-guff sidekick Lou, make the story all the more engaging and compelling. As Megan unravels the mystery surrounding Mad Annie, a local woman accused of witchcraft, and the sinister forces at play in Salwick, readers will find themselves thoroughly immersed in this awe-inspiring tale that seamlessly blends myth, legend, and the all-too-real horrors of everyday life. If you're a fan of Brogden's work, particularly the delightfully creepy "The Plague Stones," you won't want to miss this five-star read that's sure to keep you up at night and haunt your dreams long after you've turned the final page.

[M.P. Conn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful folk horror, well written and entertaining. As I mentioned in my small review on Amazon, the author states in his acknowledgements the difficulty in publishing and at last resorting to auto publish, to just go ahead and keep up the good work. I have eight novels published through publishing houses and I am going to auto publish this year. I am so very tired of receiving barely any royalties, having to do all of the marketing myself, etc. It´s just not worth it. I will definitely keep reading this author, I have become a fan!

[Adam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would describe this book as a fantasy horror. Had it been described as such before I bought it, I probably wouldn’t have read it, but so pleased I did. It turned out to be a great story set in a small coastal village in the East Riding of Yorkshire. The story is well developed and the characters are very believable. Quite a lot of blood and gore as well as the fantasy of an ancient shape shifter creature called the Nuck. Quite a fast moving novel and certainly a page turner. Recommended for lovers of horror stories with a fantasy twist.

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love you, James Brogden, but this was not my favourite. It's a great story, and the writing is excellent, I just found it too longwinded. Loved the folklore and the setting!

[Hayley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Witches,monsters and a lot of gore,what's not to like ha!

[john walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Different, dark and magical at the same time.

I really enjoyed this, what a fantastic read well written and a great story about ordinary people fighting for their loved ones.

[Jennifer Leonard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfection as always. Characters I loved(or loved to hate), a fantastic bit of mythology, and lots of action tinged with the right amount of gore. You cannot possibly go wrong with this one.

[Stephanie Would · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think I’ve found my new literary obsession and his name is James Brogden.

It all started a few months ago when I impulse bought Bone Harvest on Amazon, because apparently next-day delivery is my idea of living dangerously. One read later and I swore a sacred oath to inhale everything this man has ever written.

Enter The Strandling. WOW. Just… wow. If folk horror isn’t your thing yet, it’s about to be. Megan and Kelpy? Legends. Lou? Unhinged in the best possible way — comedic gold. The story? It’s giving horror, it’s dishing out fantasy, there’s a pinch of romance, a splash of heartbreak, and a sprinkling of hope, it’s basically a literary tasting menu and I devoured every bite.

Bonus points: it’s set in good ol’ Yorkshire - my stomping ground AND it’s blessed me with a new life motto: fizzy knickers. Don’t ask, just read it.

James Brogden, you magical word-wizard - I am in awe. I’ve already queued up my next Brogden read for tonight because apparently sleep is optional when you’re this entertained.

If you haven’t read one of his books yet, I’m genuinely judging you — nicely, but still. Go on. Treat yourself. 📚✨🖤

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As with all James Brogden books, this one is steeped in Nordic (?) folklore - although I will have to check that. I've read three of the author's books in total, and each one has been unique in its own way. This was a good read - probably the most straightforward one to follow in terms of plot. Brogden has a real love of the English landscape as a "character" which comes out in some beautiful prose. No important character is truly safe in a Brogden novel, but I was slightly relieved that this one had somewhat of a "happy" ending.

[Allyssa Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Brogden knocks another one out of the park! What a beautiful story with the perfect amount of folklore (which is exactly why he is one of my favorite authors!) A blend of the whole world recovering from horrors unseen and standing up to be the hero - even when you don't want to be.
Man, this book makes me feel on so many levels!

[Jessica Doheny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Different but brilliant!

I always seem to be reading a James Brogden book at this time of year and the tradition has not lead me astray yet!

It's very different from his other works but his writing style and descriptions are always so gripping and enthralling that you get hooked immediately.

Definitely worth a read if you love a a creepy tale based on folklore and small town beliefs.

[Dave Terp · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, Brogden is able to weave seemingly disparate subjects together into a folk horror masterpiece that carries you along page by page ans never let's go. Full of heart, horror, surprises, and lovable characters, The Foundling is a joy to read.

[Saz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a good lovecraftian book ! I liked the mythology. I liked the characters ( Lou : 10/10).
Not fully sure i understood the ending but still loved it. I low key wish this was turned into an illustrated version.

[Caroline "Carrie" Murphy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[J.A. Ironside · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finished this 2 days ago and I can't get it out of my head so I'm bumping it from 4 stars to 5 stars. Loved the blend of small northern town and Norse myth. Also love me a black demon dog story. Highly recommend this folk horror gem.

[Livia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Halloween-Read with "Schimmelreiter"-Vibes. (Which I guess no one knows outside from German schools:D)

[Lobstar · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting lore but it was way too fast paced.

[Michael Szilagyi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected far more actual horror, suspense, and creepiness.

[Andy Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

James Brogden has to be my favourite author over the past few years. I have read each of his novels and this one, which he had to self-publish, was just as gripping as the rest. I look forward to any future ventures he chooses to commit to paper.

The Strandling mixes contemporary themes with ancient myths and gives a hearty nod to ancient Norse/ Anglo-Saxon beliefs. The characters were strong and I read this one quickly for me because I was drawn in.

[Mindy Rose · Rating 4 out of 5]

in a small coastal town that's rapidly eroding into the sea, something cunning and ancient surfaces and begins gorging itself on -and playing sinister mind games with- the residents, and a young woman -fiercely grieving the death of her mother and the descent of her father into alcoholism- seems to be, along with her strange, enormous dog, uncannily in tune to what's happening and, possibly, how to fight it. this was devastating and lovely and beautifully written. the atmosphere was flawlessly dreary. i wanted to rip most of the villagers apart with my teeth. i would die for kelpy and lou. i've loved every book i've read by brogden and at this point i consider him an absolute master of the fuckin craft. i highly recommend this and all of his other work. 4/5.

massive thanks to james for being terribly kind and sending me a review copy :']

[Horror DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Strandling ticks many of the Folk Horror boxes you might expect to find in a James Brodgen novel, featuring powerful landscapes, the threat of nature, isolated communities, atrocious weather, superstition and a story which harks back to the folklore of the old ways. The setting is a major strength of the narrative, a small northeast of England seaside town, which has seen better days, struggling to recover from its Covid-19 hangover, with tourists still in scant supply.

You can read Tony's full review at Horror DNA by clicking here.