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Moth of the Marsh
As the ground trembles and shadows dance, a group of friends are drawn to an ancient enigma.
But some lights are best left unchased, for they lead to secrets buried deep, waiting to consume all who dare to uncover them.
In a town built on memories, the past is not dead...
It's hungry.
Praise for Thomas Hutt-Dixon
‘If he applied himself and stopped talking throughout lesson, Thomas would excel in ICT.’
My year 10 ICT teacher
‘‘I saw Thomas Hutt-Dixon wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops.’
Scarlett Clarke
‘Omg he is so fit.’
Your dad
But some lights are best left unchased, for they lead to secrets buried deep, waiting to consume all who dare to uncover them.
In a town built on memories, the past is not dead...
It's hungry.
Praise for Thomas Hutt-Dixon
‘If he applied himself and stopped talking throughout lesson, Thomas would excel in ICT.’
My year 10 ICT teacher
‘‘I saw Thomas Hutt-Dixon wearing army pants and flip flops, so I bought army pants and flip flops.’
Scarlett Clarke
‘Omg he is so fit.’
Your dad
148 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2025
2 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 4, 2025
Horror fans! Looking for a little novella to cleanse your palette? Look no further.
‘The Moth of the Marsh’ is a creepy, camp, creature feature style story that has both moments of pure gruesome gore as well as snigger-worthy commentary and fourth wall breaks, and manages to make them work together. Whilst the story is freaky as hell, if you’re looking for a book that takes itself too seriously this is absolutely not it - the author’s sense of humour is a constant undertone which really gave it that B-movie vibe and I loved it!
One of my biggest icks in life are moths (and butterflies) so this book was like exposure therapy for me. The scene in the mine was literally plucked directly from my nightmares. There are plenty of other common phobias and horror tropes utilised too but I wont give details as this is a spoiler free zone.
Despite the nature of the book, Hutt-Dixon’s style of writing is really beautiful - it’s descriptive in a metaphorical kind of way, without getting too wordy and bogged down with detail.
At under 150 pages, if you’re partial to a bit of horror now and again, especially if you are a fan of the high school/horror movies of the 90s & 00s, you’ll devour this 🧡
‘The Moth of the Marsh’ is a creepy, camp, creature feature style story that has both moments of pure gruesome gore as well as snigger-worthy commentary and fourth wall breaks, and manages to make them work together. Whilst the story is freaky as hell, if you’re looking for a book that takes itself too seriously this is absolutely not it - the author’s sense of humour is a constant undertone which really gave it that B-movie vibe and I loved it!
One of my biggest icks in life are moths (and butterflies) so this book was like exposure therapy for me. The scene in the mine was literally plucked directly from my nightmares. There are plenty of other common phobias and horror tropes utilised too but I wont give details as this is a spoiler free zone.
Despite the nature of the book, Hutt-Dixon’s style of writing is really beautiful - it’s descriptive in a metaphorical kind of way, without getting too wordy and bogged down with detail.
At under 150 pages, if you’re partial to a bit of horror now and again, especially if you are a fan of the high school/horror movies of the 90s & 00s, you’ll devour this 🧡
April 24, 2025
Look at the cover of this book. I hate it. I am so scared of moths, and when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it (thanks to the author for the ARC). A horror novella about one of my biggest fears? Sounds genuinely terrifying. Don't get me wrong, I've got no issues with most bugs - even spiders are fine - but moths? No no no.
The beginning of this book immediately made me feel cosy: it starts with a queer couple-not-couple telling spooky stories, before moving into the actual horror story itself. From the start, James was my favourite character. I really felt for him when he was worried about all the little creatures in the marsh (I spent hours rehoming snails when I was meant to be gardening at the weekend!).
Once the horror started, this book was grim. The author did a fantastic job of the graphic scenes, and even with very explicit foreshadowing, the story was still gripping. It mostly took place in one location, but I did make a note at a setting change: "OH GOD THE MINE." It was beyond awful. That is definitely something the author plucked straight out of one of my nightmares; so incredibly unnerving.
Without spoiling too much, I was delighted to see the author somewhat subverting the 'bury your gays' trope, and the ending was very satisfying. If you're a fan of the classic eighties horror vibes, but you wish they were gayer, this book is for you!
My absolute biggest fear is anglerfish, if Thomas Hutt-Dixon wants to personally target me again!
The beginning of this book immediately made me feel cosy: it starts with a queer couple-not-couple telling spooky stories, before moving into the actual horror story itself. From the start, James was my favourite character. I really felt for him when he was worried about all the little creatures in the marsh (I spent hours rehoming snails when I was meant to be gardening at the weekend!).
Once the horror started, this book was grim. The author did a fantastic job of the graphic scenes, and even with very explicit foreshadowing, the story was still gripping. It mostly took place in one location, but I did make a note at a setting change: "OH GOD THE MINE." It was beyond awful. That is definitely something the author plucked straight out of one of my nightmares; so incredibly unnerving.
Without spoiling too much, I was delighted to see the author somewhat subverting the 'bury your gays' trope, and the ending was very satisfying. If you're a fan of the classic eighties horror vibes, but you wish they were gayer, this book is for you!
My absolute biggest fear is anglerfish, if Thomas Hutt-Dixon wants to personally target me again!
May 7, 2025
As much as i hate moths this one seemed to be serving all kinds of cunt
May 2, 2025
I don’t think I’ve ever read a creature feature before so genuinely didn’t know what to expect going into this, but I couldn’t put it down! It’s one of those books where you’re constantly questioning “omg where is this going to end up?” And despite all the guessing I still had no idea what the ending was gonna be!
I feel like characters in novellas tend to not have much backstory due to their shorter nature but in this book that is so not the case. The flashbacks and constant insight into each character’s unique personalities really gives you a clear idea of them individually and the relationships between friends. It’s hard not to love the main character James and as a result I was willing him on every step of the way.
Tom’s writing is so incredibly descriptive that no effort is required to picture everything - it really feels like you’re right there with them, which is fucking terrifying in some of the scenes! (I shan’t spoil).
Finally, we love books that have authentic queer characters. Rooting for Luke and Kyle! 🫶🏼🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
I feel like characters in novellas tend to not have much backstory due to their shorter nature but in this book that is so not the case. The flashbacks and constant insight into each character’s unique personalities really gives you a clear idea of them individually and the relationships between friends. It’s hard not to love the main character James and as a result I was willing him on every step of the way.
Tom’s writing is so incredibly descriptive that no effort is required to picture everything - it really feels like you’re right there with them, which is fucking terrifying in some of the scenes! (I shan’t spoil).
Finally, we love books that have authentic queer characters. Rooting for Luke and Kyle! 🫶🏼🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
August 12, 2025
‘killer fucking moths. what’s next, zombie frogs?’
a debut novel? are you for fucking real?! i pissed and shit my pants, simultaneously, and on more then one occasion.
welcome to a tantalisingly terrifying, totally torturous, motherfucking moth-iriffic, marshy nightmare! what a whip!
for the girl who runs at the sight of that twat harry p, i pulled up my big girl pants and blew my pussy status to smithereens, ‘av that you betch.
let’s just chat about the plot…a tiny irrelevant turd-burger of an insect turns into a man eating, side splitting, blood sucking, probe injecting, body dangling, wing throbbing, heart stopping cunt-chops of a demon, but with enough warmth to retain the main character (which turns out to be mr writers husband, i still can’t decide if this sick or cute) and shackles him to the swap, injects him with his special love juice and crowns him his secret sex slave - or at least that’s what happened in my brain box!
‘birdies. birdies. burhhhhhhhhz. WARM WARM WARM HUGS HUGS HUGS’
strong war of the worlds vibes, but better, tom cruise, eat your fucking heart out.
in the opening scene i thought i was gonna get some spicy spicy, give me pubey licey, but no, that tease was quickly squashed, god dammit, but the moth porn was actually rather refreshing.
kyle and luke re-appeared at the end, which was a shocker as id forgotten about their existence, i was so invested in everyone else - for such a small book it was jam packed with character, it screamed life.
‘would you rather piss razor blades for a week or eat shit for a day’
mr thomas hurt-dixon is an absolute fucking dream boat, his writing is flawless, delicious, juicy and fluid, the words oozed from the page, like my fanny ten years ago when i last got laid.
moth of the marsh is an absolute spectacle.
i don’t think any review will ever do it justice, apart from the one, this one is deep, ballsdeep.
if i were to write a book about a moth, it’d go something like this…once upon a time, there was a moth…SPLAT. the end.
and that my dolls, is why i only write for myself, my talent is wasted on the world.
@tomiswriting you are a babe.
a debut novel? are you for fucking real?! i pissed and shit my pants, simultaneously, and on more then one occasion.
welcome to a tantalisingly terrifying, totally torturous, motherfucking moth-iriffic, marshy nightmare! what a whip!
for the girl who runs at the sight of that twat harry p, i pulled up my big girl pants and blew my pussy status to smithereens, ‘av that you betch.
let’s just chat about the plot…a tiny irrelevant turd-burger of an insect turns into a man eating, side splitting, blood sucking, probe injecting, body dangling, wing throbbing, heart stopping cunt-chops of a demon, but with enough warmth to retain the main character (which turns out to be mr writers husband, i still can’t decide if this sick or cute) and shackles him to the swap, injects him with his special love juice and crowns him his secret sex slave - or at least that’s what happened in my brain box!
‘birdies. birdies. burhhhhhhhhz. WARM WARM WARM HUGS HUGS HUGS’
strong war of the worlds vibes, but better, tom cruise, eat your fucking heart out.
in the opening scene i thought i was gonna get some spicy spicy, give me pubey licey, but no, that tease was quickly squashed, god dammit, but the moth porn was actually rather refreshing.
kyle and luke re-appeared at the end, which was a shocker as id forgotten about their existence, i was so invested in everyone else - for such a small book it was jam packed with character, it screamed life.
‘would you rather piss razor blades for a week or eat shit for a day’
mr thomas hurt-dixon is an absolute fucking dream boat, his writing is flawless, delicious, juicy and fluid, the words oozed from the page, like my fanny ten years ago when i last got laid.
moth of the marsh is an absolute spectacle.
i don’t think any review will ever do it justice, apart from the one, this one is deep, ballsdeep.
if i were to write a book about a moth, it’d go something like this…once upon a time, there was a moth…SPLAT. the end.
and that my dolls, is why i only write for myself, my talent is wasted on the world.
@tomiswriting you are a babe.
May 20, 2025
🦋 A giant killer moth? Queer rep? A Steps reference?? YES PLEASE 🖤🖤
Rating: 3.75 ⭐️
This book was so much fun - a perfect summer slasher/Summerween rec! ☀️🔪
The story unfolds like a campfire myth: two friends recount a local legend in the exact marsh they’re standing in, about a group of teens in the 2010s who skip prom for one last rampage before college… except it really is their last time. 😱 The kills were creative and funny, the main characters had a great dynamic, and while I wanted a bit more backstory for a few of the characters, it was the perfect palette cleanser between heavier reads. It definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously - in the best way.
Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. Remember to take a chance on a happy ending ;)
Rating: 3.75 ⭐️
This book was so much fun - a perfect summer slasher/Summerween rec! ☀️🔪
The story unfolds like a campfire myth: two friends recount a local legend in the exact marsh they’re standing in, about a group of teens in the 2010s who skip prom for one last rampage before college… except it really is their last time. 😱 The kills were creative and funny, the main characters had a great dynamic, and while I wanted a bit more backstory for a few of the characters, it was the perfect palette cleanser between heavier reads. It definitely doesn’t take itself too seriously - in the best way.
Huge thanks to the author for gifting me a copy. Remember to take a chance on a happy ending ;)
May 26, 2025
Thomas Hutt-Dixon the genius that you are. Absolutely was obsessed with this- so PROUD OF YOU
A lovely short horror with all the gritty, disgusting details one might yearn for. Despite it being short, Tom made it so easy to connect with and root for each character. The pace was fantastic and the writing and descriptions were atmospheric and gripping.
Read this in basically one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down
A lovely short horror with all the gritty, disgusting details one might yearn for. Despite it being short, Tom made it so easy to connect with and root for each character. The pace was fantastic and the writing and descriptions were atmospheric and gripping.
Read this in basically one sitting because I just couldn’t put it down
May 9, 2025
I feel so grateful that I got to not only interview Thomas Hutt-Dixon for my podcast, but that I also got to read this immersive and terrifying short horror story. If you are scared of large bugs, Woods, and wasn't a fan of prom I highly reccomend this book to you!!! go in blind. i promise you'll love it.
May 6, 2025
A must read for fans of coming of age horror, this creature feature is terrifying in the best way with fully fleshed out (no pun intended) characters to root for and a perfect balance of humour mixed in - Thomas Hutt-Dixon's writing is so engaging and this novella will keep you HOOKED! 🦋
August 28, 2025
Wry, funny, nostalgic, atmospheric, disturbing and, at times, romantic. Smashed through this in one day. Sequel pls.
May 18, 2025
A gorgeous little creature feature, full of tension, blood and gore! Just as the moth of the marsh, I'm hungry for more!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews