Horse

by T.J.J. Hogben

When James returns home after years abroad, he finds the land changed — and yet hauntingly familiar. The once-gentle hills of Gloucestershire seem to breathe, the fields whisper his name, and the farm he grew up on hides something restless beneath the soil.

What begins as an uneasy reunion with his aging parents soon unravels into something far more disturbing. Livestock are found mutilated. A strange light falls beyond May Hill. And as old tensions resurface, James realises that the darkness surrounding his childhood home has been waiting for him all along.

Horse is a tale of memory, madness, and the inescapable pull of home — where the line between man and beast blurs, and the past refuses to stay buried.

196 pages, Paperback

Published November 21, 2024

About the author

Theo was born in Gloucestershire and grew up in the Severn Valley, surrounded by the folklore and rural traditions that would later inspire his fiction. He has worked across many fields — from bar work and teaching game design in northern Sweden to founding creative studios under the Tyrant name.

In 2020, during a difficult period of his life, Hogben began writing what would become Horse — a feverish blend of memory, folklore, and nightmare, written largely in one sitting. He later revised it several times over the following years, shaping it into a dark meditation on homecoming and inheritance.

Though he had no formal literary training, Horse was praised for its atmosphere and lyrical prose. His later work expands upon these themes, exploring the uncanny and the cosmic within the ordinary. He now lives north of the Arctic Circle in Luleå, Sweden, where he continues to write and teach.

Reviews

[Corrina Morse]

This story is Theo's debut and a direct result of his nightmares and fever dreams, written down as notes upon waking and eventually put together as this story, Horse.

A man returns to his childhood home, and the dark horrors that dwell there. It's ominous and creepy from the off, and events escalate quickly and horrifically.

Just enough is teased throughout to keep the intrigue and mystery high, and the reader wanting more!

With its great descriptive imagery, and scene setting, this is a quick, easy read, with a smooth, detailed narrative and prose that is almost poetic in places! The story's progression was perfectly paced and kept my attention.

The illustrations within, hand drawn by Theo, were a nice touch too.

This could've been a longer book, could've gone more in depth into the story and the characters, but it's super in its simplicity, and makes for a quick, addictive read. I read it in just two sittings but could easily and happily have read it in one, if life didn't happen! I thoroughly enjoyed the story, but it would be nice if there was a sequel one day, maybe dealing more with the creatures…

[Nina]

Found a signed copy in a bookstore in Wales and read it in the car. It was certainly a page-turner. Could have used a bit more editing/hints/mystery but did enjoy when the action kicked off!

[Isabella Nordström]

I did genuinely really like this book. i love the story building and the environment given in the book. The ending went very fast with him going over to the older couples house than managing to kill them right away, but i honestly dont know how hogben could have written it better. So in other words i just wanted it too be longer. Totaly recommend if your looking for book with suspense and stress at the end.

[Ailie Li]

Very captivating story with beautiful illustrations that set the mood of the book well. My only problem is that I wish it had been longer, more mysterious. But as said in the ‘letter from the author’ it is based on the authors own nightmares, so for me to say what I would wish to be different doesn’t really make sense.
It was overall wonderful reading experience!
3,5 / 5

[Craig Waters]

I too grew up in Gloucestershire (I now live in California). The in print of May Hill in my childhood memories will always be there and has always given me a sense of home. I don't often read books quickly, as my mind is more mathematically inclined. This book is the first book I have ever read in 'one go' in a single evening! I couldn't put it down - it felt like I was actually there again - it took me back to my childhood. Thank you for giving me this experience!