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Hearth of Darkness: If your home had a dark past, would you want to know? A true story
'Captivating. What begins as a modern horror story slowly reveals itself as something more ambiguous and, ultimately, heartening. Blake is a very winning narrator.' Julie Myerson
A haunting blend of true crime, psychological thriller and paranormal investigation, Hearth of Darkness is a razor-sharp exploration of what it means to feel unsafe… in your own home.
What would you do if your radio turned on by itself in the middle of the night?
If slugs started to fall from the ceiling?
If some rooms stayed stubbornly cold, no matter how high the heating?
If you constantly felt an eerie presence following you around from room to room?
And what if, quite by chance, you then found out that a notorious murderer used to live in your home?
Journalist Matt Blake tells the powerful true story of how he discovered that his new house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker. It was meant to be a refuge for him and his four-year-old daughter after a painful divorce. But unravelling the chilling secrets of the past threatens to suffocate the present.
Instinctively sceptical, Matt sets out on a scientific quest to make sense of the paranormal and find peace at home. In his quest, he speaks to the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry for advice on 'place memories', scientists on the theory of 'emotional residue', property lawyers about how they sell 'cursed' properties (and whether he can get his money back) and psychologists about the human brain's ineptitude in processing the ocean of electromagnetic radiation that surrounds us – finding that the truth is much more complicated and conflicting than he'd anticipated.
For fans of investigative writing, domestic noir, and those fascinated by the horrors that lurk behind closed doors, this book speaks to our innate desire to feel safe at home.
'Expertly crafted and blisteringly honest … I was drawn in from the very first sentence.' Manni Coe, author of brother.do.you.love.me
A haunting blend of true crime, psychological thriller and paranormal investigation, Hearth of Darkness is a razor-sharp exploration of what it means to feel unsafe… in your own home.
What would you do if your radio turned on by itself in the middle of the night?
If slugs started to fall from the ceiling?
If some rooms stayed stubbornly cold, no matter how high the heating?
If you constantly felt an eerie presence following you around from room to room?
And what if, quite by chance, you then found out that a notorious murderer used to live in your home?
Journalist Matt Blake tells the powerful true story of how he discovered that his new house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker. It was meant to be a refuge for him and his four-year-old daughter after a painful divorce. But unravelling the chilling secrets of the past threatens to suffocate the present.
Instinctively sceptical, Matt sets out on a scientific quest to make sense of the paranormal and find peace at home. In his quest, he speaks to the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry for advice on 'place memories', scientists on the theory of 'emotional residue', property lawyers about how they sell 'cursed' properties (and whether he can get his money back) and psychologists about the human brain's ineptitude in processing the ocean of electromagnetic radiation that surrounds us – finding that the truth is much more complicated and conflicting than he'd anticipated.
For fans of investigative writing, domestic noir, and those fascinated by the horrors that lurk behind closed doors, this book speaks to our innate desire to feel safe at home.
'Expertly crafted and blisteringly honest … I was drawn in from the very first sentence.' Manni Coe, author of brother.do.you.love.me
- GenresNonfictionMemoir
267 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 30, 2025
6 people are currently reading
75 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 30, 2025
4.5 ⭐ rounded to 5.
I was curious about this book as it’s not every day that a non fiction book is about (usually) fictional matters. As I started reading I felt my interest growing in Matt Blake’s real story, but more so I felt deeply interested in the story of his house’s history and how it could influence who inhabits it.
I found the story as equally intriguing as the author’s writing, with an honest recounting of his experiences with the house and an intriguing methodological approach to finding out the causes of why he felt haunted by it. I was fascinated by all the various investigative paths and I have learnt so much without feeling a chore. I have never known that there are some aspects of science dedicated to how we interact with matter, and I was surprised by the church’s explanations given to the author.
There is a lot of research into this book and it truly shows, as well as the need to put all of this on paper as a way of catharsis. I loved the authenticity and how the author lays out his vulnerability for everyone to see. At the same time I also loved what feels like a developmental arc of the relationship between the author and the house, with a very positive ending.
The only negative for me as an animal lover and vegan were the descriptions of how unwanted animals in the house were dealt with, that made my heart ache. There are humane ways to remove animals. But this is my opinion and other people might think differently.
I highly recommend this book for those curious about haunted houses in real life and for those looking for a well written and compelling story!
Thanks to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
I was curious about this book as it’s not every day that a non fiction book is about (usually) fictional matters. As I started reading I felt my interest growing in Matt Blake’s real story, but more so I felt deeply interested in the story of his house’s history and how it could influence who inhabits it.
I found the story as equally intriguing as the author’s writing, with an honest recounting of his experiences with the house and an intriguing methodological approach to finding out the causes of why he felt haunted by it. I was fascinated by all the various investigative paths and I have learnt so much without feeling a chore. I have never known that there are some aspects of science dedicated to how we interact with matter, and I was surprised by the church’s explanations given to the author.
There is a lot of research into this book and it truly shows, as well as the need to put all of this on paper as a way of catharsis. I loved the authenticity and how the author lays out his vulnerability for everyone to see. At the same time I also loved what feels like a developmental arc of the relationship between the author and the house, with a very positive ending.
The only negative for me as an animal lover and vegan were the descriptions of how unwanted animals in the house were dealt with, that made my heart ache. There are humane ways to remove animals. But this is my opinion and other people might think differently.
I highly recommend this book for those curious about haunted houses in real life and for those looking for a well written and compelling story!
Thanks to Elliott & Thompson and NetGalley for a copy and this is my honest opinion.
December 8, 2025
📚Hearth of Darkness
✍🏻Matt Blake
Blurb:'Captivating. What begins as a modern horror story slowly reveals itself as something more ambiguous and, ultimately, heartening. Blake is a very winning narrator.' Julie Myerson
A haunting blend of true crime, psychological thriller and paranormal investigation, Hearth of Darkness is a razor-sharp exploration of what it means to feel unsafe… in your own home.
What would you do if your radio turned on by itself in the middle of the night?
If slugs started to fall from the ceiling? If some rooms stayed stubbornly cold, no matter how high the heating?
If you constantly felt an eerie presence following you around from room to room?
And what if, quite by chance, you then found out that a notorious murderer used to live in your home?
Journalist Matt Blake tells the powerful true story of how he discovered that his new house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker. It was meant to be a refuge for him and his four-year-old daughter after a painful divorce. But unravelling the chilling secrets of the past threatens to suffocate the present.
Instinctively sceptical, Matt sets out on a scientific quest to make sense of the paranormal and find peace at home. In his quest, he speaks to the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry for advice on 'place memories', scientists on the theory of 'emotional residue', property lawyers about how they sell 'cursed' properties (and whether he can get his money back) and psychologists about the human brain's ineptitude in processing the ocean of electromagnetic radiation that surrounds us – finding that the truth is much more complicated and conflicting than he'd anticipated.
For fans of investigative writing, domestic noir, and those fascinated by the horrors that lurk behind closed doors, this book speaks to our innate desire to feel safe at home.
'Expertly crafted and blisteringly honest … I was drawn in from the very first sentence.' Manni Coe, author of brother.do.you.love.me
My Thoughts:
Following divorce, Matt Blake moves house into what he hopes will become somewhere warm & welcoming to build new memories with his daughter. What he gets is radios & showers turning on at random, noise of footsteps when no-one is there, strange smells, & an odd 'heavy' atmosphere that almost every visitor notices.As a journalist, Blake knows how to investigate a backstory so he looks into the history of the house & finds out that it housed the 'E17 Nightstalker', a man who committed several rapes & a murder in 2009. Although the Nightstalker is now in prison & not deceased, it feels almost as if the house is haunted by his presence & his crimes. Blake embarks on a scientific quest to investigate the paranormal, including contacting the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry, psychologists, & even speaking to others who live in haunted homes for answers.
I found the story as equally intriguing as the author’s writing, with an honest recounting of his experiences with the house and an intriguing methodological approach to finding out the causes of why he felt haunted by it. I was fascinated by all the various investigative paths and I have learnt so much without feeling a chore. I have never known that there are some aspects of science dedicated to how we interact with matter, and I was surprised by the church’s explanations given to the author.
Thanks NetGalley, Elliott & Thompson and Author Matt Blake for the advanced copy of "Hearth of Darkness" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Elliott&Thompson
#MattBlake
#HearthofDarkness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings:Rape, Murder
✍🏻Matt Blake
Blurb:'Captivating. What begins as a modern horror story slowly reveals itself as something more ambiguous and, ultimately, heartening. Blake is a very winning narrator.' Julie Myerson
A haunting blend of true crime, psychological thriller and paranormal investigation, Hearth of Darkness is a razor-sharp exploration of what it means to feel unsafe… in your own home.
What would you do if your radio turned on by itself in the middle of the night?
If slugs started to fall from the ceiling? If some rooms stayed stubbornly cold, no matter how high the heating?
If you constantly felt an eerie presence following you around from room to room?
And what if, quite by chance, you then found out that a notorious murderer used to live in your home?
Journalist Matt Blake tells the powerful true story of how he discovered that his new house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker. It was meant to be a refuge for him and his four-year-old daughter after a painful divorce. But unravelling the chilling secrets of the past threatens to suffocate the present.
Instinctively sceptical, Matt sets out on a scientific quest to make sense of the paranormal and find peace at home. In his quest, he speaks to the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry for advice on 'place memories', scientists on the theory of 'emotional residue', property lawyers about how they sell 'cursed' properties (and whether he can get his money back) and psychologists about the human brain's ineptitude in processing the ocean of electromagnetic radiation that surrounds us – finding that the truth is much more complicated and conflicting than he'd anticipated.
For fans of investigative writing, domestic noir, and those fascinated by the horrors that lurk behind closed doors, this book speaks to our innate desire to feel safe at home.
'Expertly crafted and blisteringly honest … I was drawn in from the very first sentence.' Manni Coe, author of brother.do.you.love.me
My Thoughts:
Following divorce, Matt Blake moves house into what he hopes will become somewhere warm & welcoming to build new memories with his daughter. What he gets is radios & showers turning on at random, noise of footsteps when no-one is there, strange smells, & an odd 'heavy' atmosphere that almost every visitor notices.As a journalist, Blake knows how to investigate a backstory so he looks into the history of the house & finds out that it housed the 'E17 Nightstalker', a man who committed several rapes & a murder in 2009. Although the Nightstalker is now in prison & not deceased, it feels almost as if the house is haunted by his presence & his crimes. Blake embarks on a scientific quest to investigate the paranormal, including contacting the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry, psychologists, & even speaking to others who live in haunted homes for answers.
I found the story as equally intriguing as the author’s writing, with an honest recounting of his experiences with the house and an intriguing methodological approach to finding out the causes of why he felt haunted by it. I was fascinated by all the various investigative paths and I have learnt so much without feeling a chore. I have never known that there are some aspects of science dedicated to how we interact with matter, and I was surprised by the church’s explanations given to the author.
Thanks NetGalley, Elliott & Thompson and Author Matt Blake for the advanced copy of "Hearth of Darkness" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Elliott&Thompson
#MattBlake
#HearthofDarkness
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings:Rape, Murder
September 4, 2025
Matt Blake’s Hearth of Darkness is a gripping blend of true crime, psychological thriller, and paranormal investigation that manages to be both unsettling and unexpectedly uplifting. What begins as a story of a man moving into a new home with his young daughter after a painful divorce quickly spirals into something far stranger—and far more compelling.
Blake’s discovery that his house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker sets off a journey that’s part ghost hunt, part emotional reckoning. Radios flicker to life, slugs fall from ceilings, and rooms stay stubbornly cold—yet the real chill comes from the past that clings to the walls. With a journalist’s curiosity and a father’s vulnerability, Blake dives into everything from “place memories” and emotional residue to cursed property law and electromagnetic chaos.
What makes this book sing is Blake himself: skeptical, self-aware, and quietly funny, he’s the kind of narrator you want to follow into the dark. The writing is sharp, honest, and layered with insight—not just into the supernatural, but into the very human need to feel safe, especially at home.
If you love investigative memoirs with a twist of the uncanny, Hearth of Darkness is a hauntingly good read.
With thanks to Matt Blake, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Blake’s discovery that his house was once the lair of the E17 Nightstalker sets off a journey that’s part ghost hunt, part emotional reckoning. Radios flicker to life, slugs fall from ceilings, and rooms stay stubbornly cold—yet the real chill comes from the past that clings to the walls. With a journalist’s curiosity and a father’s vulnerability, Blake dives into everything from “place memories” and emotional residue to cursed property law and electromagnetic chaos.
What makes this book sing is Blake himself: skeptical, self-aware, and quietly funny, he’s the kind of narrator you want to follow into the dark. The writing is sharp, honest, and layered with insight—not just into the supernatural, but into the very human need to feel safe, especially at home.
If you love investigative memoirs with a twist of the uncanny, Hearth of Darkness is a hauntingly good read.
With thanks to Matt Blake, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
October 22, 2025
This memoir tells the chilling true story of a journalist who moves into a new home with his young daughter, only to find that something isn’t right. Strange things begin happening: the radio switches on by itself at night, the doorbell rings but no one's there, the shower turns on with warm water, an awful, unexplained smell lingers in the air and feeling/seeing a presence.
These unsettling events push Matt to dig into the history of the house — and what he uncovers is shocking. His investigation leads him to speak with a range of experts, exploring fascinating theories about energy trauma, childhood sensitivity, and the idea that homes can somehow "remember" what has happened within their walls.
Reading the part about a home in Wirral UK gave me the shivers- I shouldn't have read this before bed!!
The story is dark and deeply compelling. What makes it especially haunting is that it's all true — a raw, honest account that blends personal experience, true crime, and chilling paranormal activity.
These unsettling events push Matt to dig into the history of the house — and what he uncovers is shocking. His investigation leads him to speak with a range of experts, exploring fascinating theories about energy trauma, childhood sensitivity, and the idea that homes can somehow "remember" what has happened within their walls.
Reading the part about a home in Wirral UK gave me the shivers- I shouldn't have read this before bed!!
The story is dark and deeply compelling. What makes it especially haunting is that it's all true — a raw, honest account that blends personal experience, true crime, and chilling paranormal activity.
October 31, 2025
Hearth of Darkness by Matt Blake was a book I am so glad I read. . . . It was a very interesting read. it was a true crime with some paranormal investigation thrown in. which was an unsettling read and a great read for this time of year.
Matt Blake is a Journalist and tells a powerful true story and how he discovered that his new house he has just moved into was once a Liar of the E17 Nightstalker. WoW. . . . . . . . This was meant to be a refuge for him and his four-year-old daughter after a painful divorce. But this house has dark secrets and the past threatens to suffocate the present.
This was a book I could not stop reading, once i had read a few pages of Hearth of Darkness I could not put this book down until the very end. A scary read especially as it was windy outside and I start to read this in the evening!!! Wrong Move!!!
The Book cover 📘 was not an eye catcher and I would have walked past this book if it was on the shelf, but I am so glad I read it. So don't judge a book by its cover as you will miss a great read! 📚
Matt Blake is a Journalist and tells a powerful true story and how he discovered that his new house he has just moved into was once a Liar of the E17 Nightstalker. WoW. . . . . . . . This was meant to be a refuge for him and his four-year-old daughter after a painful divorce. But this house has dark secrets and the past threatens to suffocate the present.
This was a book I could not stop reading, once i had read a few pages of Hearth of Darkness I could not put this book down until the very end. A scary read especially as it was windy outside and I start to read this in the evening!!! Wrong Move!!!
The Book cover 📘 was not an eye catcher and I would have walked past this book if it was on the shelf, but I am so glad I read it. So don't judge a book by its cover as you will miss a great read! 📚
October 31, 2025
Following divorce, Matt Blake moves house into what he hopes will become somewhere warm & welcoming to build new memories with his daughter. What he gets is radios & showers turning on at random, noise of footsteps when no-one is there, strange smells, & an odd 'heavy' atmosphere that almost every visitor notices.
As a journalist, Blake knows how to investigate a backstory so he looks into the history of the house & finds out that it housed the 'E17 Nightstalker', a man who committed several rapes & a murder in 2009. Although the Nightstalker is now in prison & not deceased, it feels almost as if the house is haunted by his presence & his crimes. Blake embarks on a scientific quest to investigate the paranormal, including contacting the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry, psychologists, & even speaking to others who live in haunted homes for answers.
This was a fascinating read. As someone who has had probably more than their fair share of paranormal experiences, I was interested to read the different theories on what causes 'hauntings' although I didn't always agree with them. I thought this was a well-written factual account of the author's experiences.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Elliott & Thompson, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
As a journalist, Blake knows how to investigate a backstory so he looks into the history of the house & finds out that it housed the 'E17 Nightstalker', a man who committed several rapes & a murder in 2009. Although the Nightstalker is now in prison & not deceased, it feels almost as if the house is haunted by his presence & his crimes. Blake embarks on a scientific quest to investigate the paranormal, including contacting the Church of England's Deliverance Ministry, psychologists, & even speaking to others who live in haunted homes for answers.
This was a fascinating read. As someone who has had probably more than their fair share of paranormal experiences, I was interested to read the different theories on what causes 'hauntings' although I didn't always agree with them. I thought this was a well-written factual account of the author's experiences.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Elliott & Thompson, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
October 30, 2025
This was a really interesting and well written book in which the reader goes on a journey with the author to find out more about the history of his new home.
Much of it reads as a modern horror story with slugs falling from the ceiling, radios turning on by themselves and a plague of rats and mice, which, for me, made it even more scary to discover its a true story. After discovering a rapist and murderer had lived in the house before him Matt consults various academics and theologians to try to discover why these phenomena are occurring, if there is a link to the previous occupant and if there is anyway to stop them. The feedback gave fascinating insights into how our brains cope with stress and distress and scientific reasons for "unexplained" events but also what lies outside our present understanding of the world.
Thank you to netgally and Elliott and Thompson for an advance copy of this book.
Much of it reads as a modern horror story with slugs falling from the ceiling, radios turning on by themselves and a plague of rats and mice, which, for me, made it even more scary to discover its a true story. After discovering a rapist and murderer had lived in the house before him Matt consults various academics and theologians to try to discover why these phenomena are occurring, if there is a link to the previous occupant and if there is anyway to stop them. The feedback gave fascinating insights into how our brains cope with stress and distress and scientific reasons for "unexplained" events but also what lies outside our present understanding of the world.
Thank you to netgally and Elliott and Thompson for an advance copy of this book.
December 24, 2025
The story is thin, unlike the unfortunate rat, which was straightforward domestic yuck, and unlike the ceiling slugs, which I have seen in similarly ill maintained houses. But Blake keeps it going nicely until his trip up to the Wirral, which ultimately lacked specificity and came across as paranormal polyfiller demanded by his publisher. Thereafter a palpable air of strain attended this tale - that tentative yet clunky business in the former cannabis farm attic especially. It is all well written, but only the first half engaged my interest. Build ups, then again, are usually more effective than revelations in this genre, so good luck to yer man.
October 30, 2025
Many thanks to Netgalley and Elliott and Thompson for the opportunity to read this book.
Matt moves into his new home and soon learns it holds a dark past. When he starts finding strange things happening, he begins to wonder if the house is haunted by its tragedies?
This was a really interesting read. Its true crime with some paranormal investigation thrown in. It starts as more of a horror bu devlops to a much deeper story. The basic premise is interesting as we watch Matt try to figure out what is happening with his house. I liked learning the history of the house and of course its most infamous resident. Plus I found his chats with others living in notorious houses really fascinating. The ending was so well written and how I hoped it might end. A really interesting true crime story of reclaiming a house from its past.
Matt moves into his new home and soon learns it holds a dark past. When he starts finding strange things happening, he begins to wonder if the house is haunted by its tragedies?
This was a really interesting read. Its true crime with some paranormal investigation thrown in. It starts as more of a horror bu devlops to a much deeper story. The basic premise is interesting as we watch Matt try to figure out what is happening with his house. I liked learning the history of the house and of course its most infamous resident. Plus I found his chats with others living in notorious houses really fascinating. The ending was so well written and how I hoped it might end. A really interesting true crime story of reclaiming a house from its past.
September 24, 2025
I misread the blurb on this, and thought I was getting a fiction book.
What I was actually getting was a manual on what to do if you think your house is haunted.
It brings up some interesting avenues, and very thought provoking on buildings holding memories.
I found myself enjoying it more and more the further I read.
Spaced in with some slightly creepy stories, it's not my normal read, but it's a very intriguing one.
What I was actually getting was a manual on what to do if you think your house is haunted.
It brings up some interesting avenues, and very thought provoking on buildings holding memories.
I found myself enjoying it more and more the further I read.
Spaced in with some slightly creepy stories, it's not my normal read, but it's a very intriguing one.
December 6, 2025
Living in a creepy house where dark moods pass through and the energy changes- lights flickering as if in answer to what you are saying this book was fascinating. The powers of our imaginations and the myriad explanations for said encounters is richly explored. It was a chilling, intriguing read and I need more!!
December 10, 2025
Engaging and compelling writing from Matt Blake, telling a true story of intrigue.
It may be a dark subject but rather than being plagued by subfusc, HEARTH OF DARKNESS shines with the new light of love and hope.
It may be a dark subject but rather than being plagued by subfusc, HEARTH OF DARKNESS shines with the new light of love and hope.
October 21, 2025
Absolutely gripping, couldn’t stop reading!
Matt takes us on a journey here, possibly the human race most common fear (and worst!) while navigating intense life changes
Matt takes us on a journey here, possibly the human race most common fear (and worst!) while navigating intense life changes
December 1, 2025
Interesting and entertaining!
October 28, 2025
This was such a fascinating and interesting read, with so many different aspects, definitely one to binge throughout spooky season.
I went well and truly down rabbit holes whilst reading this, I was hooked on learning more on whatever the author was uncovering/experiencing. The parts on Place memories were my favourite and as I hadn’t heard of this it was really informative.
This is a must read for those who like true crime and anything supernatural.
I went well and truly down rabbit holes whilst reading this, I was hooked on learning more on whatever the author was uncovering/experiencing. The parts on Place memories were my favourite and as I hadn’t heard of this it was really informative.
This is a must read for those who like true crime and anything supernatural.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews