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Threadbare
A deep but bittersweet love binds them to the end...
When Edward inherits the family textile mill from his deceased parents, he knows where his duty lies. As a young Victorian gentleman, he devotes himself to the family business and doing right by his customers and employees. What concern is it that he surrenders his own artistic ambitions and romantic passions?
But a hideous accident at the mill one day brings him into close contact with Mori, one of his most productive workers, a beautiful yet seemingly delicate and vulnerable young man. Edward takes Mori under his protection, bringing him back to his house. At last, Edward has found a friend and companion. His fascination for Mori grows swiftly into love, drawing his quiet introspection into a world of delight and passion.
Yet Mori has a private task that both baffles and concerns the completion of a stunningly beautiful, abstract tapestry. Edward doesn’t understand its significance, Mori’s devotion to it, or Mori’s strange behaviour when Edward tries to part the man from his mission. Mori loves him in return, he’s sure – but can that ever be enough?
As Edward is tangled more deeply and irretrievably into the web of Mori’s love and mystery, what bittersweet price might he have to pay?
Author This book is part of the After Midnight series of standalone stories, all with darker, bittersweet themes.
2025: this is the latest issue.
When Edward inherits the family textile mill from his deceased parents, he knows where his duty lies. As a young Victorian gentleman, he devotes himself to the family business and doing right by his customers and employees. What concern is it that he surrenders his own artistic ambitions and romantic passions?
But a hideous accident at the mill one day brings him into close contact with Mori, one of his most productive workers, a beautiful yet seemingly delicate and vulnerable young man. Edward takes Mori under his protection, bringing him back to his house. At last, Edward has found a friend and companion. His fascination for Mori grows swiftly into love, drawing his quiet introspection into a world of delight and passion.
Yet Mori has a private task that both baffles and concerns the completion of a stunningly beautiful, abstract tapestry. Edward doesn’t understand its significance, Mori’s devotion to it, or Mori’s strange behaviour when Edward tries to part the man from his mission. Mori loves him in return, he’s sure – but can that ever be enough?
As Edward is tangled more deeply and irretrievably into the web of Mori’s love and mystery, what bittersweet price might he have to pay?
Author This book is part of the After Midnight series of standalone stories, all with darker, bittersweet themes.
2025: this is the latest issue.
43 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 23, 2011
79 people want to read
About the author
Clare London
147 books434 followersClare took the pen name London from the city where she lives, loves, and writes. A lone, brave female in a frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home, she juggles her writing with her other day job as an accountant. She’s written in many genres and across many settings, with award-winning novels and short stories published both online and in print. She says she likes variety in her writing while friends say she’s just fickle, but as long as both theories spawn good fiction, she’s happy. Most of her work features male/male romance and drama with a healthy serving of physical passion, as she enjoys both reading and writing about strong, sympathetic and sexy characters.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
Clare currently has several novels sulking at that tricky chapter 3 stage and plenty of other projects in mind . . . she just has to find out where she left them in that frenetic, testosterone-fuelled family home.
All the details and free fiction are available at her website. Visit her today and say hello!
Clare also writes as Stella Shaw and launched a new series of rent boy romances in 2021.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 26, 2018
Truly indescribable, this short tale combines fantasy and paranormal elements in a 1800's London setting of a textile mill. The writing is hauntingly beautiful and otherworldly. A bit strange (and it's honestly not really my cup of tea) ... but definitely not the usual run-of-the-mill.
January 25, 2011
From time to time Clare London writes a story that's outside the box, as they say. This is one of them. There's a paranormal element to it that keeps you wondering just what is going to happen, and leaves you wanting more.
The story is short (about 30 pages) so it's hard to say too much without giving things away. The official blurb is a good descriptor. Clare does get the feel of the era across, and a bit of the working conditions in the mills. Edward is defined clearly, and without beating over the head with it we learn what he gave up to take on his responsibility.
My only quibble is that I wish this had been a longer book. I would have liked to know more about how Edward's Victorian peers (and employees) might be reacting to his taking a beautiful young man into his home. And of course, I wanted more information about Mori and his 'people'.
******* A warning about the ending ******************
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This is not an HEA or even an HFN.
The story is short (about 30 pages) so it's hard to say too much without giving things away. The official blurb is a good descriptor. Clare does get the feel of the era across, and a bit of the working conditions in the mills. Edward is defined clearly, and without beating over the head with it we learn what he gave up to take on his responsibility.
My only quibble is that I wish this had been a longer book. I would have liked to know more about how Edward's Victorian peers (and employees) might be reacting to his taking a beautiful young man into his home. And of course, I wanted more information about Mori and his 'people'.
******* A warning about the ending ******************
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This is not an HEA or even an HFN.
November 4, 2014
this was a unique story, so beautiful and beautifully written.
March 31, 2018
If you had a choice, would you rather have loved and lost or would you rather not have loved at all? When I think of Edward in 'Threadbare' by Clare London, I have to wonder how he would answer this question. Edward thought that beauty and passion was lost to him forever, having been replaced by duty and responsibility, that is, until he meets the elusive Mori. Edward comes to love Mori with all his heart, treasuring and nurturing him. Mori is his joy in life--Mori is his life. Alas, even though Mori returns his love, he has a different agenda, one which Edward can't comprehend. He feels that if he can love Mori enough, he will put his plan aside and stay with Edward forever.
Although they both love beauty, their outlooks are different. Edward admires and appreciates it; but Mori creates beauty--Mori is beauty. Mori is the leader of a small group of mysterious people, who treasure beauty more than anything else. Mori is chosen to be the gatekeeper, the one in charge of safeguarding this beauty. When the time comes to choose, between his love for Edward and what he believes is his life's purpose, he chooses the latter, but tries to encompass Edward in this decision. Unable to comprehend the magnitude of his choice, he thwarts Mori's plan, ending any chance of success for either of them.
Clare London weaves 'Threadbare' with a beauty and gracefulness befitting Edward and Mori's love story. Although full of angst, there are also some amazingly passionate, emotional and physical portrayals of love and devotion which frequently brought tears to my eyes. There is an unexpected, almost unfathomable, twist to this story, one which had me contemplating the enigmas of life.
‘Threadbare' is not your ordinary love story by any means. It pushes the envelope on the subject of love and passion versus honor and responsibility. Is the experience of love worth the pain that inevitably accompanies it? Or is it better to avoid the love in order to not feel the pain? Personally, I believe that the experience of being loved far outweighs the pain. What do you think?
NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Although they both love beauty, their outlooks are different. Edward admires and appreciates it; but Mori creates beauty--Mori is beauty. Mori is the leader of a small group of mysterious people, who treasure beauty more than anything else. Mori is chosen to be the gatekeeper, the one in charge of safeguarding this beauty. When the time comes to choose, between his love for Edward and what he believes is his life's purpose, he chooses the latter, but tries to encompass Edward in this decision. Unable to comprehend the magnitude of his choice, he thwarts Mori's plan, ending any chance of success for either of them.
Clare London weaves 'Threadbare' with a beauty and gracefulness befitting Edward and Mori's love story. Although full of angst, there are also some amazingly passionate, emotional and physical portrayals of love and devotion which frequently brought tears to my eyes. There is an unexpected, almost unfathomable, twist to this story, one which had me contemplating the enigmas of life.
‘Threadbare' is not your ordinary love story by any means. It pushes the envelope on the subject of love and passion versus honor and responsibility. Is the experience of love worth the pain that inevitably accompanies it? Or is it better to avoid the love in order to not feel the pain? Personally, I believe that the experience of being loved far outweighs the pain. What do you think?
NOTE: This book was provided by JMS Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
June 20, 2012
Not much more than a short story but beautifully written with a lovely mysterious thread running through it (it's hard not to launch into fabulous imagery..) The prose is positively sumptuous without pushing over the line into purple and the mystery is well done.
The vital scene is amazing and this short could easily grace any mainstream horror anthology, in my opinion.
Not a HEA which some may think they should avoid, but I don't think you should because it's well worth a read, and under £2 it's worth the money.
The vital scene is amazing and this short could easily grace any mainstream horror anthology, in my opinion.
Not a HEA which some may think they should avoid, but I don't think you should because it's well worth a read, and under £2 it's worth the money.
October 29, 2012
This is a beautiful, mysterious, haunting story. It's also very sad. The core of the story remains untouchable even after the end and if you're looking for closure, you'll probably get none. It's beautiful for its purity, for the precious moments of sharing and love. Warning:
February 18, 2011
Threadbare took my breath away with its bittersweet beauty. One of the meanings of literature is “writing that is so beautiful that it’s a work of art” and I was thinking the whole time that this little book certainly qualifies.
February 10, 2011
Edward, a Victorian textile mill owner, has some ideas his compatriots think rather quirky. For example, he doesn’t employ children, and he provides basic healthcare for his workers, an almost unheard-of generosity. Although he can’t become rich that way, the quality of his fabrics is beyond debate, and his workers like working for him. His mill even attracts a group of somewhat secretive, unusually skilled foreigners who keep themselves separate from the other workers, but create the most impeccable cloths.
When one of those foreigners dies in an awful accident, Edward gets to know the group’s leader, Mori. Edward, who has put aside his romantic and carnal needs for the sake of the mill, finds himself strangely attracted to the beautiful stranger, to a point where he can’t help kissing the young man. He even goes one step further, inviting Mori to spend the night at his home. One thing leads to the next, and soon Mori is living with Edward, sharing his house and his bed, and Edward finds himself in love with Mori. Although he’s sure Mori loves him back, he can’t help wondering at his young lover. Mori often gets up during the night to work at a mysteriously beautiful tapestry which he says belongs to his entire group, with him being its keeper. When he comes back into Edward’s bed, he’s usually voracious for sex, which Edward doesn’t mind, quite the contrary. Edward finds his life enrichened and lightened by Mori, to a point where he can’t imagine being without Mori anymore, no matter what people might think of him.
Mori, though, doesn’t come alive on the pages. As well as we get to know Edward, his thoughts and motivations, Mori remains distant, strange, an enigma. Their love feels one-sided, with Mori merely playing along, pliantly and obediently following Edward around while he goes about his goal and purpose: weaving his tapestry. Everything Mori does revolves around his tapestry, Mori’s only purpose and the reason why he is with Edward seems to be his weaving, preserving it, working on it, completing it. The only time when Mori shows initiative is in bed, but this has also always to do with his tapestry, since he’s usually the most lecherous after working on it.
As the members of Mori’s group fall ill and die one after the other, the colors on their tapestry grow fewer and fewer until only Mori’s own silvery thread remains. Although Mori, thanks to Edward’s loving care, is as healthy and well-fed as any young man can be, he becomes more desperate day after day, with his tapestry as well as in bed, as if he was running out of time. Edward spends more and more time with Mori and less in the mill, bewildered and scared by Mori’s strange behavior, yet willing to do everything in his powers to protect Mori, even from himself. But will it ever be enough?
I can’t reveal more of the plot in order to avoid spoilers, but I have to say, this story wasn’t the usual m/m romance. I’m not even sure I’d label it as romance at all, although it was sure the story of a deep, lasting and all-consuming love. In fact, putting a label to this story gave me a hard time; “gay themed romantic literary fiction” comes closest, I guess. “Threadbare” reminded me of some works by Romantics I read back in school , Novalis, for example, or the young Goethe – a tragic, fated love, very sad, very mysterious, bizarre and yet so beautiful.
Don’t expect a “normal” historical m/m romance, for this “Threadbare” is not. Although I must admit I didn’t particularly like this story in itself, I must also clearly take off my hat to the author’s poetic, skillful writing and to her courage in setting about to publish such a story.
Threadbare can be recommended for those who are open to new and unusual experiences and don’t mind untraditional endings.
When one of those foreigners dies in an awful accident, Edward gets to know the group’s leader, Mori. Edward, who has put aside his romantic and carnal needs for the sake of the mill, finds himself strangely attracted to the beautiful stranger, to a point where he can’t help kissing the young man. He even goes one step further, inviting Mori to spend the night at his home. One thing leads to the next, and soon Mori is living with Edward, sharing his house and his bed, and Edward finds himself in love with Mori. Although he’s sure Mori loves him back, he can’t help wondering at his young lover. Mori often gets up during the night to work at a mysteriously beautiful tapestry which he says belongs to his entire group, with him being its keeper. When he comes back into Edward’s bed, he’s usually voracious for sex, which Edward doesn’t mind, quite the contrary. Edward finds his life enrichened and lightened by Mori, to a point where he can’t imagine being without Mori anymore, no matter what people might think of him.
Mori, though, doesn’t come alive on the pages. As well as we get to know Edward, his thoughts and motivations, Mori remains distant, strange, an enigma. Their love feels one-sided, with Mori merely playing along, pliantly and obediently following Edward around while he goes about his goal and purpose: weaving his tapestry. Everything Mori does revolves around his tapestry, Mori’s only purpose and the reason why he is with Edward seems to be his weaving, preserving it, working on it, completing it. The only time when Mori shows initiative is in bed, but this has also always to do with his tapestry, since he’s usually the most lecherous after working on it.
As the members of Mori’s group fall ill and die one after the other, the colors on their tapestry grow fewer and fewer until only Mori’s own silvery thread remains. Although Mori, thanks to Edward’s loving care, is as healthy and well-fed as any young man can be, he becomes more desperate day after day, with his tapestry as well as in bed, as if he was running out of time. Edward spends more and more time with Mori and less in the mill, bewildered and scared by Mori’s strange behavior, yet willing to do everything in his powers to protect Mori, even from himself. But will it ever be enough?
I can’t reveal more of the plot in order to avoid spoilers, but I have to say, this story wasn’t the usual m/m romance. I’m not even sure I’d label it as romance at all, although it was sure the story of a deep, lasting and all-consuming love. In fact, putting a label to this story gave me a hard time; “gay themed romantic literary fiction” comes closest, I guess. “Threadbare” reminded me of some works by Romantics I read back in school , Novalis, for example, or the young Goethe – a tragic, fated love, very sad, very mysterious, bizarre and yet so beautiful.
Don’t expect a “normal” historical m/m romance, for this “Threadbare” is not. Although I must admit I didn’t particularly like this story in itself, I must also clearly take off my hat to the author’s poetic, skillful writing and to her courage in setting about to publish such a story.
Threadbare can be recommended for those who are open to new and unusual experiences and don’t mind untraditional endings.
June 13, 2011
Beautifully written story and despite it's lack of a traditional HEA, or even HFN ending, it's definitely worth reading. My only real complaint is that it was too short. I would have loved a deeper look at these two compelling characters.
June 2, 2011
I'd give this six stars if I could. Exceptional writing and a story that literally sucks you in. There is always a hint that this is a fantasy, but you don't know for sure until near the end. Loved it!
January 23, 2011
I loved this story ! It's rather short but perfect told. And the cover is great, too !
October 21, 2025
Threadbare is part of the After Midnight series of standalone stories with a dark side and a monster or two thrown in. Human monsters in the main that is but not in all cases.Threadbare is set in Victorian times. Edward has inherited his family textile mill and he sets about modernising it, producing high quality cloth and providing a better working environment for his workers but only up to a point. That point is reached when a worker gets her arm torn off in a loom and is left to bleed to death on the factory floor. She is one of a supposed family group of mill workers. One of them, Mori, attracts Edward’s attention and he offers his support, falling for him in the process and discovering an embroidery Mori and his group are working on in their spare time. Edward is intrigued by the embroidery but its meaning is hidden from him.
One by one Mori’s family die from disease through the winter until only Mori remains. Edward keeps him close, not willing to lose him but when Mori’s secret is revealed the end is not far away and Edward reveals his uncompromising side.
The ending is a tad bizarre and leaves more questions than answers. It reminded me of one of the short horror stories I may have read as a teenager or something from the Hammer House of Horror television series back in the eighties. Interesting rather than enthralling but with a chilling finish.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
One by one Mori’s family die from disease through the winter until only Mori remains. Edward keeps him close, not willing to lose him but when Mori’s secret is revealed the end is not far away and Edward reveals his uncompromising side.
The ending is a tad bizarre and leaves more questions than answers. It reminded me of one of the short horror stories I may have read as a teenager or something from the Hammer House of Horror television series back in the eighties. Interesting rather than enthralling but with a chilling finish.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 28, 2025
Tis better to have loved and lost, as someone once said (Tennyson, I believe). In this paranormal short, Edward finds that to be relatively true. A responsible young man, head of a textile mill in Victorian England, he meets the mysterious and beautiful Mori, who is talented at weaving, as are the rest of his people. But his people keep dying and disappearing. Edward takes Mori to live in his home, and they become lovers. Inevitably, Mori is lost to him - I won't describe how as it is a spoiler.
This is a lyrical, lovely story, and very unusual. It is not a happy ending but I believe it is best described as bittersweet and truly beautiful in its way.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my honest review of the story.
This is a lyrical, lovely story, and very unusual. It is not a happy ending but I believe it is best described as bittersweet and truly beautiful in its way.
I received an advance copy from the author and this is my honest review of the story.
October 24, 2025
This was a wholesome read until it took a turn that you know is coming, but still gets you turning the page until the end. As always with Clare London, the world she creates is vivid and rich. The words draw you in and keep you going. Edward was someone who was all work until the death of an employee, one of a group that seem to stick together. This is where the intrigue and suspense comes in, and as Mori comes into the story, little by little you’re drawn into what happens. This doesn’t have a romantic happy ending, but it does feel satisfying in the way the story does end.
October 14, 2025
Another dark and deliciously Gothic tales as part of Clare London's After Dark standalone series.
This Victorian-set novella was full of foreboding, a wonderfully cautionary tale about how the consequences from an overwhelming need to possess what we love.
I really enjoyed the elements of the mysterious and paranormal in this story that made Mori so alluring to Edward. Resonant, eerie and full of longing, this is an unusual and haunting read.
This Victorian-set novella was full of foreboding, a wonderfully cautionary tale about how the consequences from an overwhelming need to possess what we love.
I really enjoyed the elements of the mysterious and paranormal in this story that made Mori so alluring to Edward. Resonant, eerie and full of longing, this is an unusual and haunting read.
January 18, 2024
Working through a bunch of short stories, this one baffled me. Victorian set - I'm assuming from the factory conditions - beautifully written, a nice read until THAT happened! Something weird, something I just didn't get but it left an odd and unsatisfying ending.
October 28, 2025
While it's a short story, it isn't lacking and feels complete.
Mori and Edward are both purveyors of beauty but with different definitions and aspects.
This was weird, hauntingly beautiful, and a warning about the consequences that must be endured when we seek to possess.
Mori and Edward are both purveyors of beauty but with different definitions and aspects.
This was weird, hauntingly beautiful, and a warning about the consequences that must be endured when we seek to possess.
January 12, 2017
Quite the little spine tingler! 3.5*
one to read on a dark winters night, rain lashing the windows!
Edward owns a fabric factory, where he meets one of his workers, Mori. There is always the 'otherworldly' feel to Mori and his band of friends, but what is it about him?
Short, but pacy story that delivers
one to read on a dark winters night, rain lashing the windows!
Edward owns a fabric factory, where he meets one of his workers, Mori. There is always the 'otherworldly' feel to Mori and his band of friends, but what is it about him?
Short, but pacy story that delivers
July 7, 2011
This was... weird. My second London title, and I haven't cared for either one. I think this author just isn't for me.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews