What do you think?
Rate this book
Ludo Carstairs #7
The Gothic Cocoon: A Terrifying And Uncanny Thriller, with a twist of Edgar Allan Poe...
Four hundred potential victims, trapped at the mercy of a maniac!
The Bluebetter Community is a lovely retirement village to the north of London. A bucolic, peaceful retreat for one’s later years. But in the last week, it has become inexplicably sealed off from the world. An invisible barrier has slammed down around the residents. None can get out; few can get in.
Two who manage to breach this cocoon are supernatural investigators, Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris. Their urgent task is to discover the cause of the phenomenon, and put a stop to it. However, on arrival, they learn of a gruesome murder. An old man’s insides have been sliced open. When the corpse was discovered, a black cat was feasting at his innards.
Before long, there’s another brutal slaying. A onetime television actress decapitated. Not only are they all trapped, but there’s a serial killer on the loose.
Partnering with an older lady the newspapers once described as ‘The Twenty-First Century Miss Marple’, Ludo and Garris have to work quickly to stop these slayings and solve the mystery of their baffling imprisonment. But what secret lies at the centre of this community?
And can they discover the truth while remaining in one piece?
A brand new and terrifying supernatural thriller! Tap the link, grab your copy, and discover the seventh standalone adventure in this incredible series!
The Bluebetter Community is a lovely retirement village to the north of London. A bucolic, peaceful retreat for one’s later years. But in the last week, it has become inexplicably sealed off from the world. An invisible barrier has slammed down around the residents. None can get out; few can get in.
Two who manage to breach this cocoon are supernatural investigators, Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris. Their urgent task is to discover the cause of the phenomenon, and put a stop to it. However, on arrival, they learn of a gruesome murder. An old man’s insides have been sliced open. When the corpse was discovered, a black cat was feasting at his innards.
Before long, there’s another brutal slaying. A onetime television actress decapitated. Not only are they all trapped, but there’s a serial killer on the loose.
Partnering with an older lady the newspapers once described as ‘The Twenty-First Century Miss Marple’, Ludo and Garris have to work quickly to stop these slayings and solve the mystery of their baffling imprisonment. But what secret lies at the centre of this community?
And can they discover the truth while remaining in one piece?
A brand new and terrifying supernatural thriller! Tap the link, grab your copy, and discover the seventh standalone adventure in this incredible series!
339 pages, Paperback
Published October 4, 2024
4 people are currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
F.R. Jameson
37 books222 followersF.R. Jameson was born in Wales, but now lives in London with his wife and young daughter. He writes both historical thrillers and supernatural thrillers.
His books are, at the moment, mostly sorted into two different – but complimentary – series. The first, ‘Screen Siren Noir’, currently comprises of three novels: ‘Diana Christmas’, ‘Eden St. Michel’ and ‘Alice Rackham’. All of which tell the stories of beautiful British film stars caught up in Noir tales of blackmail, obsession, scandal and death. He is currently working on both the fourth and fifth books in the series.
The second series is more disturbing and scary, and lives under the moniker: ‘Ghostly Shadows’. Right now there is only one book published, a tale of supernatural revenge – ‘Death at the Shadows’. However, 2019 will bring four more entries to terrify and intrigue.
His blog - https://frjameson.com/ - is regularly updated with information about his writing, as well as film and book reviews. You can follow him @frjameson on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and you can find him on Facebook.
His books are, at the moment, mostly sorted into two different – but complimentary – series. The first, ‘Screen Siren Noir’, currently comprises of three novels: ‘Diana Christmas’, ‘Eden St. Michel’ and ‘Alice Rackham’. All of which tell the stories of beautiful British film stars caught up in Noir tales of blackmail, obsession, scandal and death. He is currently working on both the fourth and fifth books in the series.
The second series is more disturbing and scary, and lives under the moniker: ‘Ghostly Shadows’. Right now there is only one book published, a tale of supernatural revenge – ‘Death at the Shadows’. However, 2019 will bring four more entries to terrify and intrigue.
His blog - https://frjameson.com/ - is regularly updated with information about his writing, as well as film and book reviews. You can follow him @frjameson on Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest, and you can find him on Facebook.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
September 30, 2024
Back again for book 7 of the adventures of Carstairs and Garris. Time flies but Jameson keeps knocking these adventures out and I am here waiting each time!
This time we see our dynamic duo passing through the impassable barrier and Into the retirement village that finds itself cut off from the rest of the world. Once inside murder is afoot and upon teaming up with one Marple-esque resident, things quickly begin to get out of hand.
Unlike the globe-hopping previous adventure, this one sees us working through a rather confusing locked ‘room’ mystery as the stakes keep rising. Our usual cast is joined by an array of odd pensioners as they try to get to the bottom of things.
Even though The Gothic Cocoon has the same tone as previous books, there’s definitely some fun switch ups in it, and if you’re a gothic literature buff you will love some of the nods here too.
This time we see our dynamic duo passing through the impassable barrier and Into the retirement village that finds itself cut off from the rest of the world. Once inside murder is afoot and upon teaming up with one Marple-esque resident, things quickly begin to get out of hand.
Unlike the globe-hopping previous adventure, this one sees us working through a rather confusing locked ‘room’ mystery as the stakes keep rising. Our usual cast is joined by an array of odd pensioners as they try to get to the bottom of things.
Even though The Gothic Cocoon has the same tone as previous books, there’s definitely some fun switch ups in it, and if you’re a gothic literature buff you will love some of the nods here too.
October 14, 2024
I have loved every book in this series. This book was no exception. These two gentlemen are so creative in their thinking as to how they can solve a new mystery. This case was very peculiar indeed. Ludo and Garris had todo all kinds of crazy steps to enter the place that was locked away from the world. I felt the horror as Ludo, Garris and Margaret faced each time they experienced a new perplexing murder. I also desperately wanted to know what was going on in the senior village. Because I enjoy the literary works of Edgar Allen Poe, I loved how the group realized the murders were based on his most famous works. When the group found out who was behind all the terrifying ordeals, I was as surprised as Ludo as to what the culprit was. Of all the cases Ludo and Garris have done, this one was the most intriguing!
September 23, 2024
Brilliant. There are some books that just can’t pull yourself away from with the need to find out what’s going to happen, and this is definitely one of those stories. I love F.R. Jameson’s writing style, especially the background and depth he puts into the characters. For me, this is what really sets a truly great book apart from other thrillers. Michael Garris and Ludo Carstairs have one of the scariest jobs, investigating supernatural beings that would scare the life out of any ordinary person. However, they charge in time and time again to do what they can to stop the killings. Which are often too gruesome for anyone to imagine.
From start to finish this is an exceptional book, and I would certainly recommend it. 5/5 Star Rating.
From start to finish this is an exceptional book, and I would certainly recommend it. 5/5 Star Rating.
October 18, 2024
A clever, thrilling and captivating story full of tension and suspense! This series just gets better and better with each new addition! Great multi-faceted, realistic characters. Very interesting plots. Vivid descriptions. I'm totally addicted to the antics of Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris! This was a compelling read, that I did not want to put down!
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
*I received a complimentary ARC of this book in order to read and provide a voluntary, unbiased and honest review, should I choose to do so.
October 10, 2024
Another fantastic Ludo Carstairs story. I really enjoyed the direction this went. The side characters were elderly people with some questionable backgrounds. I admit, I had no clue while reading what was causing the paranormal situation, but was highly entertained while finding out. Ludo and Michael stayed true to character throughout. Overall, this is a solid addition to a book series I love.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy to review. All opinions are my own.
October 25, 2024
The Gothic Cocoon by FR Jameson
This was my first introduction to FR Jameson and his Ludo Carstairs series, and it will not be my last! I love paranormal investigation stories, and the concept for this one was original (murder at the retirement home was more entertaining than I expected!). The characters Ludo and Michael felt like old friends even though this was the first time I met them, and the pace was just right. I look forward to reading some more of their adventures!
This was my first introduction to FR Jameson and his Ludo Carstairs series, and it will not be my last! I love paranormal investigation stories, and the concept for this one was original (murder at the retirement home was more entertaining than I expected!). The characters Ludo and Michael felt like old friends even though this was the first time I met them, and the pace was just right. I look forward to reading some more of their adventures!
October 27, 2024
Another supernatural good time!
Book 7 is just as good as Book 1 was.
This one is more of a slow burn in my opinion, but no less engrossing. The atmosphere of the story engulfs you as you read. The dread and darkness are so palpable I felt like I was in the book myself.
Ludo and Michael are two of my favorite characters ever and I could see these books becoming a movie or a series.
Book 7 is just as good as Book 1 was.
This one is more of a slow burn in my opinion, but no less engrossing. The atmosphere of the story engulfs you as you read. The dread and darkness are so palpable I felt like I was in the book myself.
Ludo and Michael are two of my favorite characters ever and I could see these books becoming a movie or a series.
October 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. The story moves at a good pace and keeps you hooked from the opening pages. The characters are well developed and I really love this entire series. I would definitely recommend this book and the entire series.
October 10, 2024
This is my first read from this author. The lure of supernatural investigators is what drew me in. The narrative is what kept me there. The word "gothic" in the title was well earned. Nicely done.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion of the tale.
I received a free copy of this book and this is my voluntary opinion of the tale.
October 25, 2024
To see a full review check it out here.
I did not guess a single twist in this book, but in a satisfying way. It felt well thought out and well done.
Jameson continues his spell over me.
I did not guess a single twist in this book, but in a satisfying way. It felt well thought out and well done.
Jameson continues his spell over me.
October 9, 2024
This is a 4.5 ⭐️! The 7th book in A Terrifying and Uncanny Thriller with a twist of Edgar Allan Poe featuring the auspicious duo of Ludo Carstairs and Michael Garris-expert paranormal investigators.
An invisible force field has cut off a community (vibes of Stephen King’s Under The Dome, at least for this reader), letting no one enter or leave. Our duo must leave their place of employment and be hired onto the staff that helps run the retirement village so they are able to enter. Once there they come upon murder, scenes reminding one of the works of Poe, and an apparent entity that calls itself a goblin! This is a must read for fans of this series and for new readers, you need to grab this one so you can come to love the unique personalities of Carstairs and Garris.
An invisible force field has cut off a community (vibes of Stephen King’s Under The Dome, at least for this reader), letting no one enter or leave. Our duo must leave their place of employment and be hired onto the staff that helps run the retirement village so they are able to enter. Once there they come upon murder, scenes reminding one of the works of Poe, and an apparent entity that calls itself a goblin! This is a must read for fans of this series and for new readers, you need to grab this one so you can come to love the unique personalities of Carstairs and Garris.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews