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Whitby
A burned-out Pulitzer Prize–winning author flees his collapsing life and retreats to the fog-drenched cliffs of Whitby—a place caught between twilight and full dark, where gothic stories never truly end. He wants quiet. He wants anonymity. He wants something that feels real.
Instead, he meets her.
Elise—magnetic, unsettling, impossible to ignore—pulls him toward a world far more intoxicating than anything he’s ever written. When she invites him to the ancient abbey at midnight, he follows… and the life he knew begins to unravel. Night by night, the line between desire and danger thins, and his own body betrays him in ways only a mutation can.
As he uncovers the truth behind a medieval blood-borne gene—and a ruthless biotech syndicate hunts anyone touched by it—he faces a brutal return to the life that destroyed him, or surrender to the one force that finally makes him feel alive.
Whitby is a dark, hypnotic gothic novel about obsession, identity, and the cost of transformation. Atmospheric, intimate, and addictive, it’s crafted for readers drawn to forbidden longing, shadowed desire, and the emotional pull of worlds where love becomes perilous.
Perfect for readers who
dark romance with real stakesatmospheric gothic fictionpsychological horror with heatslow-burn seduction wrapped in dangercontemporary vampire fiction rooted in realismHaunting, seductive, and impossible to shake—Whitby is for anyone searching for a dark, immersive, emotionally charged novel that lingers long after the last page, like a sun that never fully rises.
Instead, he meets her.
Elise—magnetic, unsettling, impossible to ignore—pulls him toward a world far more intoxicating than anything he’s ever written. When she invites him to the ancient abbey at midnight, he follows… and the life he knew begins to unravel. Night by night, the line between desire and danger thins, and his own body betrays him in ways only a mutation can.
As he uncovers the truth behind a medieval blood-borne gene—and a ruthless biotech syndicate hunts anyone touched by it—he faces a brutal return to the life that destroyed him, or surrender to the one force that finally makes him feel alive.
Whitby is a dark, hypnotic gothic novel about obsession, identity, and the cost of transformation. Atmospheric, intimate, and addictive, it’s crafted for readers drawn to forbidden longing, shadowed desire, and the emotional pull of worlds where love becomes perilous.
Perfect for readers who
dark romance with real stakesatmospheric gothic fictionpsychological horror with heatslow-burn seduction wrapped in dangercontemporary vampire fiction rooted in realismHaunting, seductive, and impossible to shake—Whitby is for anyone searching for a dark, immersive, emotionally charged novel that lingers long after the last page, like a sun that never fully rises.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2026
About the author
Alex Brown
5 books56 followersAlex Brown is the author of Whitby, a gothic horror novel blending psychological obsession, immortality mythology, and biotech suspense against the storm-soaked backdrop of the English coast. His work explores the dangerous space where desire, identity, and transformation begin to collapse into one another.
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Brown is the founder of Open Kimono Publishing. His fiction is known for atmospheric worldbuilding, emotionally charged relationships, and literary horror that lingers long after the final page.
Whitby is available in print, Kindle, and Audible, narrated by Eric Jason Martin.
Website: brownnovels.com
Born and raised in Denver, Colorado, Brown is the founder of Open Kimono Publishing. His fiction is known for atmospheric worldbuilding, emotionally charged relationships, and literary horror that lingers long after the final page.
Whitby is available in print, Kindle, and Audible, narrated by Eric Jason Martin.
Website: brownnovels.com
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
May 10, 2026
3.5⭐️
This book wasn't what I was expecting?
Very moody and atmospheric in setting and big on plot twists, this was a short read that was very different to my expectations.
Alex starts this story stuck in a rut of his own creation, looking for escape, and getting much more than he expects.
I feel there wasn't as much explanation of the development of relationships as id hoped of this book.
But, the explanation of what it is to see the world through a newly created vampires eyes was quite exceptional.
I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book wasn't what I was expecting?
Very moody and atmospheric in setting and big on plot twists, this was a short read that was very different to my expectations.
Alex starts this story stuck in a rut of his own creation, looking for escape, and getting much more than he expects.
I feel there wasn't as much explanation of the development of relationships as id hoped of this book.
But, the explanation of what it is to see the world through a newly created vampires eyes was quite exceptional.
I received an advance review copy for free from booksirens.com, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 17, 2026
Thank you to BookSirens and Open Kimono Publishing for the eARC in exchange for a review. Out 7 April 2026.
Whitby is a moody, atmospheric gothic romance that leans into dark longing, identity, and transformation, all set against the haunting backdrop of fog-drenched cliffs and abbey ruins.
I was immediately drawn in by the setting - Whitby itself feels like a character, steeped in quiet unease and history. There’s a strong sense of atmosphere throughout, and the premise (a burned-out, Pulitzer Prize–winning author unravelled by a mysterious woman and a dangerous bloodline) is undeniably compelling.
That said, while I appreciated the ambition and unpredictability of the story, it didn’t quite reach the emotional heights I was hoping for. At times, it felt like it needed a bit more polish - particularly in how the relationships and deeper themes were developed. I found myself wanting more… though I couldn’t quite put my finger on exactly what was missing.
There’s an intensity here that will absolutely work for the right reader - especially if you enjoy darker, more unsettling romance with a psychological edge. For me, it was intriguing and easy to read, but just shy of being truly immersive.
A solid, atmospheric read with a lot of promise - one that lingers more in mood than in impact.
“This isn’t romance. This is ruin.”
Whitby is a moody, atmospheric gothic romance that leans into dark longing, identity, and transformation, all set against the haunting backdrop of fog-drenched cliffs and abbey ruins.
I was immediately drawn in by the setting - Whitby itself feels like a character, steeped in quiet unease and history. There’s a strong sense of atmosphere throughout, and the premise (a burned-out, Pulitzer Prize–winning author unravelled by a mysterious woman and a dangerous bloodline) is undeniably compelling.
That said, while I appreciated the ambition and unpredictability of the story, it didn’t quite reach the emotional heights I was hoping for. At times, it felt like it needed a bit more polish - particularly in how the relationships and deeper themes were developed. I found myself wanting more… though I couldn’t quite put my finger on exactly what was missing.
There’s an intensity here that will absolutely work for the right reader - especially if you enjoy darker, more unsettling romance with a psychological edge. For me, it was intriguing and easy to read, but just shy of being truly immersive.
A solid, atmospheric read with a lot of promise - one that lingers more in mood than in impact.
April 12, 2026
3.5-4⭐️
The first half of this book was so good. I really enjoyed the mystery of the characters and it felt really vampy.
About half way through the book it feels like the book shifted into something different. I didn’t feel like it had the same mystery as it did in the first half.
I didn’t love the friend group being added to the mix of the two main characters…at the time it felt like I didn’t have a deep sense of them and it felt a bit rushed. It didn’t feel like there was enough character development on those perhaps.
However, by the end of the book I feel that having the friend dynamic there was good and it made things make more sense by the end.
Some of the aura stuff and just some of the explanations seemed a little confusing in some spots.
But all in all, I have to say I really enjoyed this book! As a whole, the story, detail, and the vampy feel was really good. I enjoyed this story and the ending made me think deeply.
Thank you!!! 🙏
The first half of this book was so good. I really enjoyed the mystery of the characters and it felt really vampy.
About half way through the book it feels like the book shifted into something different. I didn’t feel like it had the same mystery as it did in the first half.
I didn’t love the friend group being added to the mix of the two main characters…at the time it felt like I didn’t have a deep sense of them and it felt a bit rushed. It didn’t feel like there was enough character development on those perhaps.
However, by the end of the book I feel that having the friend dynamic there was good and it made things make more sense by the end.
Some of the aura stuff and just some of the explanations seemed a little confusing in some spots.
But all in all, I have to say I really enjoyed this book! As a whole, the story, detail, and the vampy feel was really good. I enjoyed this story and the ending made me think deeply.
Thank you!!! 🙏
March 25, 2026
ARC REVIEW:
When I was accepted to the ARC team and received my free copy of the book, I was sure it would be a quick, fun vampire read. It was so much more!
The beginning was very predictable, troubled MMC meets mysterious FMC with chilly skin. Typical, right? I was thinking this is just like so many other vampire stories, is it going to be boring? No, no it was not.
The MMC craves attention and affection from the FMC, even after she turns him. She’s mysterious though and you can never quite tell what her motivations are. His are open, as the character is an author and his inner dialogue reflects this with the way he phrases things.
There is a huge plot twist at the end, and it was definitely worth the read!
When I was accepted to the ARC team and received my free copy of the book, I was sure it would be a quick, fun vampire read. It was so much more!
The beginning was very predictable, troubled MMC meets mysterious FMC with chilly skin. Typical, right? I was thinking this is just like so many other vampire stories, is it going to be boring? No, no it was not.
The MMC craves attention and affection from the FMC, even after she turns him. She’s mysterious though and you can never quite tell what her motivations are. His are open, as the character is an author and his inner dialogue reflects this with the way he phrases things.
There is a huge plot twist at the end, and it was definitely worth the read!
May 16, 2026
"Whitby" by Alex Brown is a paranormal romantic thriller which explores the alienated life of the writer protagonist (alias H.A. Hopes), depicting how identity crisis and social seclusion nurtures human beings to step into the unnatural and paranormal hemispheres of life. Written as a first-person narration, Hopes' sudden encounter with Elise, the antagonist of the story, drives the central plot of the storyline and builds the anticipation necessary for a vampire fiction novel.
Conclusively, a well-written and structured indie read for readers interested in dark fiction and the supernatural.
Conclusively, a well-written and structured indie read for readers interested in dark fiction and the supernatural.
Review of advance copy
An intriguing premise that pulled me in with its mystery and moodiness. However, I feel that the second half of the story was not what I had expected and felt different from the gothic moodiness of the beginning. Thank you to the author for the ARC copy ✨
Read
May 7, 2026Chilling, lusting, goosebump page turner. This atmospheric gothic fantasy thriller, sends chills down your spine. Love found in the foggy lanes of Whitby. One lost soul sent on a dangerous journey.
This book grabs you by the neck and doesn’t let go!
Excellent read
This book grabs you by the neck and doesn’t let go!
Excellent read
July 18, 2026
A famous author flees to a remote island (WHAT'S WITH THESE SINISTER ISLAND NOVELS?) and meets a mysterious beautiful woman. While he may be looking to transform his life, he is not prepared for what lies ahead. Love can be dangerous to say nothing of vampires meet biotechnology gone awry.
April 20, 2026
At least it was a short one.
June 15, 2026
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Author
A unique, dark story that will have you questioning what is real and what is not! Deeply immersive- The characters jump off the page and join you in your restless dreams- DON’T miss this one-
Whitby is a steamy, searing, effervescent story that brings folklore into reality in shocking clarity!
The story follows H. A. Hopes, an author who is trying to escape his writers block and have a little rest in Whitby England. What he ends up experiencing there is beyond what he thought was possible. This story will have you feeling like you are walking the cobblestone areas of the little seaside town yourself. There is a touch of dark romance, horror, thrills and an unusual twist that will keep you on your toes!
Whitby is a steamy, searing, effervescent story that brings folklore into reality in shocking clarity!
The story follows H. A. Hopes, an author who is trying to escape his writers block and have a little rest in Whitby England. What he ends up experiencing there is beyond what he thought was possible. This story will have you feeling like you are walking the cobblestone areas of the little seaside town yourself. There is a touch of dark romance, horror, thrills and an unusual twist that will keep you on your toes!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews