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Strangers
A dark and dirty horror novel from David Moody, author of HATER and AUTUMN
A spate of brutal murders occur in and around the small town of Thussock. The bodies of the dead – savagely mutilated, unspeakably defiled – are piling up with terrifying speed. There are no apparent motives and no obvious connections between the victims, but the killings only began when Scott Griffiths and his family arrived in Thussock...
“In his evocation of fear and unease and the speed with which he grips you, he brings to mind old Brit horror writer James Herbert. And that is some recommendation.” —London Lite
“Moody has the power to make the most mundane and ordinary characters interesting and believable, and is reminiscent of Stephen King at his finest.” —Shadowlocked
"Moody is as imaginative as Barker, as compulsory as King, and as addictive as Palahniuk." —Scream the Horror Magazine
A spate of brutal murders occur in and around the small town of Thussock. The bodies of the dead – savagely mutilated, unspeakably defiled – are piling up with terrifying speed. There are no apparent motives and no obvious connections between the victims, but the killings only began when Scott Griffiths and his family arrived in Thussock...
“In his evocation of fear and unease and the speed with which he grips you, he brings to mind old Brit horror writer James Herbert. And that is some recommendation.” —London Lite
“Moody has the power to make the most mundane and ordinary characters interesting and believable, and is reminiscent of Stephen King at his finest.” —Shadowlocked
"Moody is as imaginative as Barker, as compulsory as King, and as addictive as Palahniuk." —Scream the Horror Magazine
290 pages, ebook
First published December 1, 2014
16 people are currently reading
337 people want to read
About the author
David Moody
77 books1,257 followersDavid Moody first released Hater in 2006, and without an agent, succeeded in selling the film rights for the novel to Mark Johnson (producer, Breaking Bad) and Guillermo Del Toro (director, The Shape of Water, Pan's Labyrinth). Moody's seminal zombie novel Autumn was made into a movie starring Dexter Fletcher and David Carradine. He has an unhealthy fascination with the end of the world and likes to write books about ordinary folks going through absolute hell. With the publication of continuing Hater and Autumn stories, Moody has cemented his reputation as a writer of suspense-laced SF/horror, and "farther out" genre books of all description.
Find out more about his work at www.davidmoody.net and www.infectedbooks.co.uk, and join Moody's mailing list to keep up with new releases.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
March 8, 2015
Strangers is a fantastic story that demonstrates David Moody's strongest skill, he is a master of describing human interaction and creating people who are real, and familiar.
I initially read a blurb for the book on his site a couple of months back, and I thought WTF? It was so completely shocking and not what I expected. I had to know more.
Strangers is the story of Scott and his family, his wife Michelle, her two daughters from a previous marriage and his son with Michelle, George. They have moved to the middle of nowhere...or in their case Northern Scotland, "to get a fresh start."
This story reads like a tantalizing striptease...as the story unfolds we slowly learn what is really going on. Why has Scott moved his family to the ends of the earth? What are these crazy murders that are taking place in this quiet, sleepy town? The pieces of this puzzle slowly get pulled together. The answers are shocking, disturbing and downright infuriating.
More than anything else we see David Moody's true strength. His understanding of human relationships. The people in Thussock and Scott's family make this story so real. Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider can relate to Scott, Michelle and their family. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows Thussock and the people who are a part of the community.
Strangers is a story about our friends and neighbors and the friends and neighbors we wish we didn't have. It is how ordinary, everyday people react when the shit hits the fan and no one knows who to trust. If you love a story that gets into the darkness of the human soul, you will love Strangers.
5 Stars
I initially read a blurb for the book on his site a couple of months back, and I thought WTF? It was so completely shocking and not what I expected. I had to know more.
Strangers is the story of Scott and his family, his wife Michelle, her two daughters from a previous marriage and his son with Michelle, George. They have moved to the middle of nowhere...or in their case Northern Scotland, "to get a fresh start."
This story reads like a tantalizing striptease...as the story unfolds we slowly learn what is really going on. Why has Scott moved his family to the ends of the earth? What are these crazy murders that are taking place in this quiet, sleepy town? The pieces of this puzzle slowly get pulled together. The answers are shocking, disturbing and downright infuriating.
More than anything else we see David Moody's true strength. His understanding of human relationships. The people in Thussock and Scott's family make this story so real. Anyone who has ever felt like an outsider can relate to Scott, Michelle and their family. Anyone who has ever lived in a small town knows Thussock and the people who are a part of the community.
Strangers is a story about our friends and neighbors and the friends and neighbors we wish we didn't have. It is how ordinary, everyday people react when the shit hits the fan and no one knows who to trust. If you love a story that gets into the darkness of the human soul, you will love Strangers.
5 Stars
April 24, 2025
Oh hell yeah!
It's been such a long time since I've read something by David and Strangers is such a cool departure from his post apocalyptic worlds... and I'm so here for it!
The Griffiths, in an attempt to escape a past that continues to haunt them, move out to a small Scottish town and soon discover the people there are not especially welcoming of strangers. And no wonder. Shortly after they arrive, people start dying. And not the sweetly passing away in their bed kind of dying. Nope. We're talking brutally mutilated, their genitals an absolutely bloody horrorshow.
Initially the local police are on the hunt for a serial killer, and there are quite a few obvious suspects. But each time they think they've got a pulse on it, another body is found. Men and women both. Are any of the residents of Thussock safe? And what if they've got it all wrong... what if the town is being preyed upon by someTHING instead of a someONE?
It's dark and a little twisted, with a fun campy horror vibe, only not as in your face. There's also the whole bored teenaged kids getting up to no good, typical creepo dudes and the women who love and defend them that you'd come to expect in a small town novel like this one. Each of the characters are bound to stir up some feelings in you. They are all far from perfect, and none are what you would peg as an immediate hero of the story, which ends up tricking you into paying more attention to the What rather than the Who, if that makes sense?
I think this would make a kick ass movie! Don't snooze on this one, you guys.
Q: Do you prefer slow burn storylines with tons of tension or books that are jam packed with non stop action?
It's been such a long time since I've read something by David and Strangers is such a cool departure from his post apocalyptic worlds... and I'm so here for it!
The Griffiths, in an attempt to escape a past that continues to haunt them, move out to a small Scottish town and soon discover the people there are not especially welcoming of strangers. And no wonder. Shortly after they arrive, people start dying. And not the sweetly passing away in their bed kind of dying. Nope. We're talking brutally mutilated, their genitals an absolutely bloody horrorshow.
Initially the local police are on the hunt for a serial killer, and there are quite a few obvious suspects. But each time they think they've got a pulse on it, another body is found. Men and women both. Are any of the residents of Thussock safe? And what if they've got it all wrong... what if the town is being preyed upon by someTHING instead of a someONE?
It's dark and a little twisted, with a fun campy horror vibe, only not as in your face. There's also the whole bored teenaged kids getting up to no good, typical creepo dudes and the women who love and defend them that you'd come to expect in a small town novel like this one. Each of the characters are bound to stir up some feelings in you. They are all far from perfect, and none are what you would peg as an immediate hero of the story, which ends up tricking you into paying more attention to the What rather than the Who, if that makes sense?
I think this would make a kick ass movie! Don't snooze on this one, you guys.
Q: Do you prefer slow burn storylines with tons of tension or books that are jam packed with non stop action?
May 12, 2015
Enjoyable tale from Moody about the strange goings on in a small, rundown town newly inhabited by a family looking for a fresh start. A series of gruesome murders has everyone on guard and making everyone look suspicious. Not a whole lot new here but done well by Moody's crisp writing and sharp eye for detail. The story kept me interested throughout despite the lack of originality. The wife and mother of the family could be rather annoying at times but the other characters make up for her. Not my favorite Moody book but still a good read. 3.5 stars. Recommended.
January 7, 2015
An author who resides as one of my all-time favourites and one who has consistently delivered when it comes to post-apocalyptic horror, I was somewhat apprehensive but excited to hear that Moody was releasing a story which contained neither zombies or the end of the world as we know it.
A compelling story following the relocation of a family, moving from their home in Redditch to Thussock. Thussock is a deprived town in the middle of nowhere, a town that time seems to have forgotten. Located in a remote location, near a fracking site, where unemployment is rampant and the town’s people aren’t welcoming to outsiders, it’s hard to understand why anyone would move there and the motives aren’t revealed until the later parts of this intriguing story. The dynamics of the family seem perfectly normal to begin with but with the secrecy and somewhat controlling and violent nature (that the reader is slowly introduced to) of one of the main characters, Scott Griffiths, hints at a more sinister side to this family.
As well as the stress of moving there is also the issue of a spate of gruesome murders which only started when the family showed up, instantly the close knit community of Thussock start to have suspicions of the strangers within their midst. As the reader, you start to develop your own conclusions, could it be one of the residents of the strange town or is it the hot headed Scott, the mystery creates an enthralling page turner. Pulling me in with its superb characterisation and realistic dialogue. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page, yet some of the gruesomeness and the detailed description employed by Moody had me reading mouth agape. This is not a story for with a weak constitution. Although this story is not the platform I am used to from Moody, I was not surprised to read the gruesome, violent and graphic descriptions of the murder victims, disturbing and grotesque as would be expected from the author of the Autumn and Hater series.
As anyone who reads Moody’s stories will tell you, a real strength in his writing is his masterful way of taking what seem like ordinary people and thrusting the into shocking situations, with crisp dialogue and an ability to depict believable and realistic human interaction and reactions in these circumstances. This as well as a disturbing plot and setting Moody creates a highly believable and all the more terrifying story.
A compelling story following the relocation of a family, moving from their home in Redditch to Thussock. Thussock is a deprived town in the middle of nowhere, a town that time seems to have forgotten. Located in a remote location, near a fracking site, where unemployment is rampant and the town’s people aren’t welcoming to outsiders, it’s hard to understand why anyone would move there and the motives aren’t revealed until the later parts of this intriguing story. The dynamics of the family seem perfectly normal to begin with but with the secrecy and somewhat controlling and violent nature (that the reader is slowly introduced to) of one of the main characters, Scott Griffiths, hints at a more sinister side to this family.
As well as the stress of moving there is also the issue of a spate of gruesome murders which only started when the family showed up, instantly the close knit community of Thussock start to have suspicions of the strangers within their midst. As the reader, you start to develop your own conclusions, could it be one of the residents of the strange town or is it the hot headed Scott, the mystery creates an enthralling page turner. Pulling me in with its superb characterisation and realistic dialogue. I couldn’t tear my eyes away from the page, yet some of the gruesomeness and the detailed description employed by Moody had me reading mouth agape. This is not a story for with a weak constitution. Although this story is not the platform I am used to from Moody, I was not surprised to read the gruesome, violent and graphic descriptions of the murder victims, disturbing and grotesque as would be expected from the author of the Autumn and Hater series.
As anyone who reads Moody’s stories will tell you, a real strength in his writing is his masterful way of taking what seem like ordinary people and thrusting the into shocking situations, with crisp dialogue and an ability to depict believable and realistic human interaction and reactions in these circumstances. This as well as a disturbing plot and setting Moody creates a highly believable and all the more terrifying story.
April 3, 2025
Got the new hardback edition of this book and despite having read the original release back in the day, couldn't remember all the ins and outs of this story.
Strangers is a sleazy, British take on The Thing. It has all of the tension and drama of the film. Mistrust is rife here.
Moody's essay about the genesis of the book is also well worth a read, it's a poignant and interesting look at the life of a writer.
Superb production values on the hardback as well.
Strangers is a sleazy, British take on The Thing. It has all of the tension and drama of the film. Mistrust is rife here.
Moody's essay about the genesis of the book is also well worth a read, it's a poignant and interesting look at the life of a writer.
Superb production values on the hardback as well.
December 30, 2016
Gripping story throughout
I pre ordered the signed paperback so I received the ebook early, the paperback just arrived this morning which is what prompted me to write this review.
This is the first book that I have actually read straight through in years. It is set in a fictional Scottish town that is grim enough to cause nightmares without all the inexplicable deaths. The main characters, the Griffiths family, have uprooted themselves from Redditch to Thussock, in the hope of rebooting their lives which had become difficult due, in the most part to Scott which the reader suspects early on in the story but becomes clear later.
The book is pretty explicit in parts, definitely gruesome, a big plus in a horror story for me, but is not a continual barrage of gore, much of the story is concerned with the relationships within the Griffiths family, which are horrifying in their own way.
It is no literary masterpiece, but is certainly a marvellous addition to any horror fans library.
I pre ordered the signed paperback so I received the ebook early, the paperback just arrived this morning which is what prompted me to write this review.
This is the first book that I have actually read straight through in years. It is set in a fictional Scottish town that is grim enough to cause nightmares without all the inexplicable deaths. The main characters, the Griffiths family, have uprooted themselves from Redditch to Thussock, in the hope of rebooting their lives which had become difficult due, in the most part to Scott which the reader suspects early on in the story but becomes clear later.
The book is pretty explicit in parts, definitely gruesome, a big plus in a horror story for me, but is not a continual barrage of gore, much of the story is concerned with the relationships within the Griffiths family, which are horrifying in their own way.
It is no literary masterpiece, but is certainly a marvellous addition to any horror fans library.
December 24, 2014
David Moody proves that he can take a simple premise, a family moving and setting up house elsewhere, and twist it into something deeper, richer and ultimately very horrifying. Through vibrant characterization, tight plotting, and crisp dialogue he really makes the family at the heart of this story come alive and resonate.
It's a terrific read, as are all of his books, so enjoy this one, and then go tell your family that you love 'em.
It's a terrific read, as are all of his books, so enjoy this one, and then go tell your family that you love 'em.
November 3, 2017
A troubled family moves to a small town in northern Scotland when the murders start happening.
What could be a better plot than that?
Part horror and part mystery, you'll be guessing as to the cause of the trouble the whole way through the book, and you'll likely be wrong most of the time. And that's ok. That's what makes it such a great read.
What could be a better plot than that?
Part horror and part mystery, you'll be guessing as to the cause of the trouble the whole way through the book, and you'll likely be wrong most of the time. And that's ok. That's what makes it such a great read.
September 18, 2017
This novel reminded me of reading a Bentley Little book. Very similar. I enjoyed it, some very graphic parts.
April 23, 2018
A great story by Moody. Starting to wonder where this writer has been all my life, lol.
This book is a mix of drama and sci-fi/horror. It follows the life of a blended family that just moved to a new, small town, in the middle of nowhere to get a fresh start. They seem like a typical family but we soon come to see that their life and situation is a story in itself, lots of drama regarding their past and current lives. Then you have the addition of brutal murders happening in their new town, that begin when the new family shows up. A very good read. Great characters, especially a pretty hated one, as Moody seems to do often. A great family story enmeshed in a murderous blood bath that leaves the victims severely mutilated and a town wondering "who dun it?". A definite recommended read.
This book is a mix of drama and sci-fi/horror. It follows the life of a blended family that just moved to a new, small town, in the middle of nowhere to get a fresh start. They seem like a typical family but we soon come to see that their life and situation is a story in itself, lots of drama regarding their past and current lives. Then you have the addition of brutal murders happening in their new town, that begin when the new family shows up. A very good read. Great characters, especially a pretty hated one, as Moody seems to do often. A great family story enmeshed in a murderous blood bath that leaves the victims severely mutilated and a town wondering "who dun it?". A definite recommended read.
October 10, 2015
Absolutely loved this story. I burned through it so fast but only because it was just that good.
I was worried for a brief moment about reading a Moody story that wasn't post-apocalyptic or zombie related, but man did he do this justice.
It was horror, it was thriller, it was sci-fi and when I finished it all I could think was "what the hell just happened?!" In the best possible way.
I was worried for a brief moment about reading a Moody story that wasn't post-apocalyptic or zombie related, but man did he do this justice.
It was horror, it was thriller, it was sci-fi and when I finished it all I could think was "what the hell just happened?!" In the best possible way.
February 28, 2015
Disappointed
I have read the hater and Autumn series and loved them. This was a long drawn out domestic violence story with a science fiction side story. There are pages of arguments between the main characters that made me want to put the book down. The real story did surface until 70% in to the book. Skip this one.
I have read the hater and Autumn series and loved them. This was a long drawn out domestic violence story with a science fiction side story. There are pages of arguments between the main characters that made me want to put the book down. The real story did surface until 70% in to the book. Skip this one.
April 16, 2020
DNF
I had trouble connecting with all of the characters. Not one redeeming quality and most of the story that I did read (approx 1/2) consisted of their shortcomings as human beings. A disappointing addition to what I consider to be a pretty decent author's bibliography
I had trouble connecting with all of the characters. Not one redeeming quality and most of the story that I did read (approx 1/2) consisted of their shortcomings as human beings. A disappointing addition to what I consider to be a pretty decent author's bibliography
October 6, 2019
I wasn’t sure if I would like this book as it’s not my usual subject matter, but I loved it. I felt that I could relate to the characters which, I think, is the mark of a good author. I was invested in both the story and characters which helped to keep me engaged and reading right to the end (there have been a lot of books recently that I haven’t finished because, frankly, there are too many books to read to want to struggle on if I’m not enjoying it!). I really liked the way modern day issues were used, I feel this brings the book firmly into the 21st century.
I’m looking forward to reading another book by David Moody, hopefully it’ll be just as engaging as this one was.
I’m looking forward to reading another book by David Moody, hopefully it’ll be just as engaging as this one was.
April 17, 2018
Boy, I had hopes for this one (I'm a big fan of his Hater series).
Think "The Thing" filtered through a cross between James Herbert and Ray Garton. It started strong, and then....and then....it just dragged for 200 pages. I was hoping for a payoff (or something) at the end, but no such luck. Smells like a short story or novella padded out to novel length. Oh well.
Think "The Thing" filtered through a cross between James Herbert and Ray Garton. It started strong, and then....and then....it just dragged for 200 pages. I was hoping for a payoff (or something) at the end, but no such luck. Smells like a short story or novella padded out to novel length. Oh well.
November 1, 2018
A family move to the remote town of Thussock. A string of dead bodies cases suspicion to fall on Scott, the father. He is a man with a dark history and a violent temper, while his family are just trying to make the most of a bad situation. Events unravel quickly as the bodies pile up, but there is more to it than just a serial killer. A superb tale of desolation and survival.
April 12, 2019
Enjoyable horror story from David Moody. I do prefer the Hater series and the Autumn series. Actually I have also loved the standalone novels Trust and Straight To You. The comparisons to James Herbert are deserved, but with more venom and action. Yes, I do like David's books very much indeed.
Ray Smillie
Ray Smillie
June 30, 2020
I have never, until now, read a book where I hated the vast majority of the characters. I also felt like there was a lot of fluff in this story and that it would have made for a better short story. It's a shame because David Moody really is a good writer.
August 7, 2017
Moody's becoming a favorite author for me. Loved the Autumn books, and now this, a bit outside my usual preferences, but good enough to keep me reading. Well done!
July 28, 2020
I enjoyed this book. It was like a cross between “It Follows” and “The Thing.”
October 2, 2022
An ok read. Heavy in bickering, arguing dialogue and story build till the last few chapters.
Read
March 5, 2023I don't remember much about this one, but I do remember that reading it broke a streak of not-reading that was beginning to dismay me, so kudos
August 10, 2025
I think David Moody needs a lot of psychiatric help.
October 23, 2025
Decent horror novel, but it was genuinely hard to tell the difference between British-isms and outright errors.
January 12, 2015
A family moves to the back of beyond a small town where they are outsiders.
Having moved away from Redditch after an accident they are stuck in a town that does not seem to want them.
At the same time as their arrival there are unexplained deaths all of a sexual nature.
And so the story begins for Michelle her husband Scott and three children Tammy Phoebe and Baby George. With their family hanging by a thread a tensions high you have to wonder how they would have coped with out the murders going on around them in the first place. The STI organism was a nice touch and the description was excellent.
The writing was spot on and it could easily be a bbc drama or film I enjoyed the story and the buildup and the characters are very fleshed out. The tension remains high and you begin to hate the right ones and despair at the choices they make.
Only (slight) criticism was the end I just wanted more but a minor quibble to a very enjoyable read.
Having moved away from Redditch after an accident they are stuck in a town that does not seem to want them.
At the same time as their arrival there are unexplained deaths all of a sexual nature.
And so the story begins for Michelle her husband Scott and three children Tammy Phoebe and Baby George. With their family hanging by a thread a tensions high you have to wonder how they would have coped with out the murders going on around them in the first place. The STI organism was a nice touch and the description was excellent.
The writing was spot on and it could easily be a bbc drama or film I enjoyed the story and the buildup and the characters are very fleshed out. The tension remains high and you begin to hate the right ones and despair at the choices they make.
Only (slight) criticism was the end I just wanted more but a minor quibble to a very enjoyable read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 16, 2015
A dark and dirty horror novel from David Moody, author of HATER and AUTUMN
A spate of brutal murders occur in and around the small town of Thussock. The bodies of the dead – savagely mutilated, unspeakably defiled – are piling up with terrifying speed. There are no apparent motives and no obvious connections between the victims, but the killings only began when Scott Griffiths and his family arrived in Thussock...
Dark and dirty definitely!! Super fast read with a great setting, excellent characters and realistic dialogue.
My only moan is that it was too short....
A spate of brutal murders occur in and around the small town of Thussock. The bodies of the dead – savagely mutilated, unspeakably defiled – are piling up with terrifying speed. There are no apparent motives and no obvious connections between the victims, but the killings only began when Scott Griffiths and his family arrived in Thussock...
Dark and dirty definitely!! Super fast read with a great setting, excellent characters and realistic dialogue.
My only moan is that it was too short....
December 16, 2015
This one's a bit different to his usual end of the world stuff, it's more of a murder mystery with a bit of weirdness thrown in. It deserves a wider audience than it will probably get from the straight horror crowd, but people who've read his other stuff should like it too as long as they don't expect lots of mayhem.
December 5, 2014
Definitely a page turner. No spoilers here, just give it a go
March 9, 2015
Great book as always. Felt like roller coaster. Built up and then all hell breaks loose. That's all I say; a definite read.
April 15, 2015
It references the exact horror movies that I felt it copied. Too little happens for there to be any payoff--it works better as a movie, believe it or not.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews