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Loch Dorcha: Lake of Lost Souls
A haunting mystery thriller about intergenerational trauma, dark secrets and a desperate search for truth – even if it could destroy everything you thought you knew. An essential read for fans of Stephen King’s supernatural mysteries and the haunting ghost stories of Susan Hill, performed by a full cast led by Daisy Ridley (Star Wars).
Three decades after the mysterious death of her mother, Zoe Crowley returns to Loch Dorcha, the remote village in the Scottish Highlands where her father was born. There, on the shores of the dark, fog-veiled loch, she hopes to finally find answers. But the icy water holds more than memories. A ghostly young boy emerges from the black depths, dripping and pale, beckoning her to follow. Unsure whether her mind is playing tricks or if the place is truly haunted, Zoe descends into her parents’ past. What begins as a search for the truth unleashes a chain of deadly events. No sooner has Zoe arrived than a series of inexplicable murders occurs. With every layer of the past she uncovers, the villagers’ hostility grows, their suspicion turning towards Zoe herself. As the boundaries between reality and delusion blur, a dark family secret is revealed. Did her mother die for threatening to uncover that same horror? Zoe can’t shake the feeling that the ghostly boy visiting her on cold, stormy nights holds the key to the mystery.
Three decades after the mysterious death of her mother, Zoe Crowley returns to Loch Dorcha, the remote village in the Scottish Highlands where her father was born. There, on the shores of the dark, fog-veiled loch, she hopes to finally find answers. But the icy water holds more than memories. A ghostly young boy emerges from the black depths, dripping and pale, beckoning her to follow. Unsure whether her mind is playing tricks or if the place is truly haunted, Zoe descends into her parents’ past. What begins as a search for the truth unleashes a chain of deadly events. No sooner has Zoe arrived than a series of inexplicable murders occurs. With every layer of the past she uncovers, the villagers’ hostility grows, their suspicion turning towards Zoe herself. As the boundaries between reality and delusion blur, a dark family secret is revealed. Did her mother die for threatening to uncover that same horror? Zoe can’t shake the feeling that the ghostly boy visiting her on cold, stormy nights holds the key to the mystery.
Audible Audio
Published February 5, 2026
13 people are currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Yves Eugene Hensel
2 books2 followersRoots in (which is a fancy way of saying “my parents are from…”) North Yorkshire and Bavaria, born in Berlin. So, yeah, my heritage is a mix of misty moors, Alpine peaks, and gritty techno clubs. I grew up speaking both English and German, lived in Vienna and London, and am now based in Berlin again. I’ve seen the fog creep over the North Yorkshire Moors and the dark alleys of big cities—they both tell fascinating stories, and sometimes they even come together for a dance.
After graduating from the German Film and TV Academy Berlin (DFFB), I began working as a screenwriter. Since then, I have worked on shows for Sky, ARD, RTL, and Apple TV, including the German version of the BBC hit sitcom, Ghosts.
But my journey didn’t start with my professional career. Looking back, I’d say I’ve always been a writer, as long as I can remember, even though I might not have known what to call it yet. To me, writing is like breathing; I can’t imagine a life without it, and even if I weren’t able to make a living from it, I’d still be filling pages.
As an author, I am only just beginning. My debut novel, LOCH DORCHA, is a Highlands mystery thriller and ghost story that dives into psychological horror and Gothic folk tales. It is currently an Audible Original, narrated by the wonderful Daisy Ridley, and is available in both English and German.
I like the dark stuff—the stuff that sends shivers up your spine and adrenaline through your body; the stuff that delves into the depths of the human psyche and tells us something about who we are; the stuff that moves us and touches us, but keeps us thoroughly entertained and turning pages. Among my biggest influences are Stephen King, Susan Hill, Shirley Jackson, Ursula K. Le Guin, Patricia Highsmith, Alan Moore, and Tolkien, to name just a few.
As of now, I’m working on my next book. And it’s going to be… scary!
After graduating from the German Film and TV Academy Berlin (DFFB), I began working as a screenwriter. Since then, I have worked on shows for Sky, ARD, RTL, and Apple TV, including the German version of the BBC hit sitcom, Ghosts.
But my journey didn’t start with my professional career. Looking back, I’d say I’ve always been a writer, as long as I can remember, even though I might not have known what to call it yet. To me, writing is like breathing; I can’t imagine a life without it, and even if I weren’t able to make a living from it, I’d still be filling pages.
As an author, I am only just beginning. My debut novel, LOCH DORCHA, is a Highlands mystery thriller and ghost story that dives into psychological horror and Gothic folk tales. It is currently an Audible Original, narrated by the wonderful Daisy Ridley, and is available in both English and German.
I like the dark stuff—the stuff that sends shivers up your spine and adrenaline through your body; the stuff that delves into the depths of the human psyche and tells us something about who we are; the stuff that moves us and touches us, but keeps us thoroughly entertained and turning pages. Among my biggest influences are Stephen King, Susan Hill, Shirley Jackson, Ursula K. Le Guin, Patricia Highsmith, Alan Moore, and Tolkien, to name just a few.
As of now, I’m working on my next book. And it’s going to be… scary!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
February 16, 2026
4.5 stars. A true horror blended with elements of a psychological thriller. The ones will have you doubting yourself (along with everyone else). Truly spooky!
Read
February 11, 2026Slow at first, but picks up half way through!
Twisty and enjoyable 👻
Twisty and enjoyable 👻
March 4, 2026
My first mystery/ thriller and it wasn’t bad but it definitely had some twists that I wasn’t expecting and am conflicted about. It went from murder mystery to supernatural to almost a psychological thriller I suppose. The story tied up nicely and ended with the possibility for a sequel.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2026
If you have ever watched an episode of Scooby Doo you will be familiar with this level of sophistication. And no you can't make something good by getting someone famous to read it.
February 27, 2026
A little silly, a touch of the creepy in places, generally inoffensive
February 18, 2026
A sad story about a girl with schizophrenia. Well written.
Liked the background music here and there. I also liked having the different narrators for the later sections.
Liked the background music here and there. I also liked having the different narrators for the later sections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2026
A little cliche but not a horrible read. I feel like the ending gives it a bump.
March 31, 2026
The narration of the audiobook, absolutely spot on!!! The actual story…meandering as nauseum…,
And who wasn’t able to figure out what happened within the first few chapters? Interesting premise? Yes. Execution - much to be desired.
And who wasn’t able to figure out what happened within the first few chapters? Interesting premise? Yes. Execution - much to be desired.
February 19, 2026
Wonderful mystery/thriller! I honestly didn’t see the twist ending coming, even the epilogue threw me for a loop! I listened to the audiobook while working and I was hanging on every word. Sorry to my boss if I messed anything up that day!
February 21, 2026
The story was pretty good to me, but the major things that annoyed me were the main character having a very British accent but was raised in Berlin and that they had additional voice actors but barely used them.
March 31, 2026
OVERALL REVIEW: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
NARRATION: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PLOT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the passing of her father, Zoe has decided to go to Loch Dorcha in the hopes of finally finding out about her past. Zoe’s mother had apparently died due to an accidental drowning in the loch, but Zoe has never believed this. She is certain something bad must have happened and she is determined to find out the truth. However, once Zoe gets to Loch Dorcha she realises the place is filled with secrets best left buried, and when people start turning up dead she knows her presence there has caused this murder spree. Can she finally find out the truth she has long needed to know, or will the odd behaviour of everyone at the loch make her wish she’d never left Berlin?
Daisy Ridley narrates 90% of this book and I can’t fault her! I’m a big fan of hers anyway, but I loved her more after hearing her read this novel. It was a bit odd that she was chosen considering the character was raised in Berlin and Ridley has a very British accent, but she still was great. She has the right level of emotion and intensity that really draws you in and makes you keen to listen on. I’d give her five stars alone, but as the last ten percent of the book suddenly threw in three different voice actors/POVs it felt strange. I enjoyed their input, but felt they should have been involved more throughout as it felt an odd choice to throw them all in right at the end.
The overall plot was great and I particularly liked the twist with the killer, but I can’t give it more than three stars as a lot of things were ambiguous and left you more confused than satisfied. The genre was an odd mix of thriller, supernatural, and horror, and a lot of the time you didn’t know what to think. While I usually enjoy ambiguity in novels, it didn’t quite work here for me for various reasons.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Why did Duncan murder his dad? Was it his own free will or did the entity possess him? As we never see or hear about him again it’s impossible to know. It seemed odd to have Duncan do something so dramatic then not address it again… it felt almost pointless. Was there really an entity, or did Zoe suffer from psychosis? Why did Cal just allow Zoe to die when he knew something wasn’t right and he apparently loved her? These things made no sense and, while the ending suggested there was an entity, you never know for sure.
Overall, Ridley did a great job with this, but not even she could save the perplexities in the plot.
NARRATION: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
PLOT: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
After the passing of her father, Zoe has decided to go to Loch Dorcha in the hopes of finally finding out about her past. Zoe’s mother had apparently died due to an accidental drowning in the loch, but Zoe has never believed this. She is certain something bad must have happened and she is determined to find out the truth. However, once Zoe gets to Loch Dorcha she realises the place is filled with secrets best left buried, and when people start turning up dead she knows her presence there has caused this murder spree. Can she finally find out the truth she has long needed to know, or will the odd behaviour of everyone at the loch make her wish she’d never left Berlin?
Daisy Ridley narrates 90% of this book and I can’t fault her! I’m a big fan of hers anyway, but I loved her more after hearing her read this novel. It was a bit odd that she was chosen considering the character was raised in Berlin and Ridley has a very British accent, but she still was great. She has the right level of emotion and intensity that really draws you in and makes you keen to listen on. I’d give her five stars alone, but as the last ten percent of the book suddenly threw in three different voice actors/POVs it felt strange. I enjoyed their input, but felt they should have been involved more throughout as it felt an odd choice to throw them all in right at the end.
The overall plot was great and I particularly liked the twist with the killer, but I can’t give it more than three stars as a lot of things were ambiguous and left you more confused than satisfied. The genre was an odd mix of thriller, supernatural, and horror, and a lot of the time you didn’t know what to think. While I usually enjoy ambiguity in novels, it didn’t quite work here for me for various reasons.
SPOILERS AHEAD
Why did Duncan murder his dad? Was it his own free will or did the entity possess him? As we never see or hear about him again it’s impossible to know. It seemed odd to have Duncan do something so dramatic then not address it again… it felt almost pointless. Was there really an entity, or did Zoe suffer from psychosis? Why did Cal just allow Zoe to die when he knew something wasn’t right and he apparently loved her? These things made no sense and, while the ending suggested there was an entity, you never know for sure.
Overall, Ridley did a great job with this, but not even she could save the perplexities in the plot.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 30, 2026
I like Daisy Ridley. She has a delightful Englishness about her.
So spotting this in Audible's extensive catalogue was an easy pick. Given that i happen also to be Scottish, a ghost story about a small Scottish village in the Highlands was right up my alley.
Zoe comes to the town of Loch Dorcha to investigate the disappearance of her mother many years ago. Her estranged father, born in the town, died just recently and she feels its about time she learns about her family. On arriving she finds a friend in the handsome and mysterious Cal, and together they start asking unwanted questions.
There is nothing spectacularly original about the story, i'll be honest. Were it not for Daisy Ridley's presence and Mark Bonnar (albeit brief) i would say this was unremarkable. The prose is stunted and clunky, relying on repeating cliches and tropes without using any eye-catching or memorable turns of phrases or plot twists.
We have amnesia, schizophrenia, flashbacks and convenient lapses of judgement. We have a father with a dark past. We have a main character with a dark past. We have characteristics that would have changed the novel at the beginning had we not decided not to mention them.
Its not BAD... not at all. Its just hugely forgettable.
So spotting this in Audible's extensive catalogue was an easy pick. Given that i happen also to be Scottish, a ghost story about a small Scottish village in the Highlands was right up my alley.
Zoe comes to the town of Loch Dorcha to investigate the disappearance of her mother many years ago. Her estranged father, born in the town, died just recently and she feels its about time she learns about her family. On arriving she finds a friend in the handsome and mysterious Cal, and together they start asking unwanted questions.
There is nothing spectacularly original about the story, i'll be honest. Were it not for Daisy Ridley's presence and Mark Bonnar (albeit brief) i would say this was unremarkable. The prose is stunted and clunky, relying on repeating cliches and tropes without using any eye-catching or memorable turns of phrases or plot twists.
We have amnesia, schizophrenia, flashbacks and convenient lapses of judgement. We have a father with a dark past. We have a main character with a dark past. We have characteristics that would have changed the novel at the beginning had we not decided not to mention them.
Its not BAD... not at all. Its just hugely forgettable.
April 7, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up.
A woman returning to her childhood village looking for answers about her mothers death.
Very enjoyable book, a bit on the fence...was it brilliant or was it confusing??
The book is very eerie, especially on audio with background music. I listen on double speed, so then the music in the background is not so great.
Very good twists and turns.
The whole way through the book you feel like you don't really know what is true and what is not...but I guess that is the point.
Still very enjoyable.
The cast on the audio book did an amazing job!!
A woman returning to her childhood village looking for answers about her mothers death.
Very enjoyable book, a bit on the fence...was it brilliant or was it confusing??
The book is very eerie, especially on audio with background music. I listen on double speed, so then the music in the background is not so great.
Very good twists and turns.
The whole way through the book you feel like you don't really know what is true and what is not...but I guess that is the point.
Still very enjoyable.
The cast on the audio book did an amazing job!!
March 1, 2026
LOCH DORCHA, Audiobook - I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. I liked the intriguing story lines, the interesting variety of characters, the different elements involved, and the unexpected twist. The narrators Daisy Ridley, Phyllis Logan, Mark Bonner, and Michael Abubakar did excellent work with their characters. The only complaint I have is where is the German accent for Zoe, das ist nicht richtig. Source: My Kindle library. 5*
February 17, 2026
I've never read such an eerie, atmospheric novel in which the landscape is very much a character. I would not shelve this with mystery, but with horror, although it is a blend of the two. A very different novel that is definitely a page-turner. It is not the plot or the characters that dominate this story--it is the setting.
February 20, 2026
Good, quick read/listen. Builds up atmosphere quite well, treats a couple of sensitive topics with respect. The end is shining through from the middle onwards, but this is nothing bad, but rather a welcome feeling of foreshadowing.
Could have been longer, explore the characters a bit more, and further develop a couple of the side stories better.
Overall, solid experience, would do again, 4/5
Could have been longer, explore the characters a bit more, and further develop a couple of the side stories better.
Overall, solid experience, would do again, 4/5
March 8, 2026
I thought that the audiobook was very well done. The storyline reminded me of something from the minds of Steven King or M. Night Shyamalan. I liked the plot twists and turns and creepy atmosphere. The ending was not what I wanted, but the epilogue made up for it! A surprisingly good Audible original, included in my subscription.
March 16, 2026
This was a good story and I enjoyed it. I had it as an audio book, the narrator was very good and managed to bring the story and the characters to life. The only thing that really spoilt it was the unnecessary music in the background when the story got creepy. The story certainly didn't go where I expected it to and the ending was really good. A very good spooky story.
February 23, 2026
I truly enjoyed this!! I knew who was the culprit but I still really enjoyed the story and it did keep me on my toes. I truly loved the plot and ending. I was also thankful for the translation LOL.
4 Loching Stars
4 Loching Stars
March 13, 2026
Two stars for the story, an extra star because Scotland has my heart. It was giving Kroger brand version of Stephen King. I would have been more on board if the ghost was actually the little boy that drowned not some strange loch entity masquerading as the boy who drowned.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 15, 2026
I couldn’t finish it. The narration felt a bit monotonous (sorry, Daisy — loved you in Star Wars!), and the story just wasn’t engaging enough to keep me hooked until the end.
February 22, 2026
good story ending was anti climatic and confusing.
February 22, 2026
No idea what I just listened to but it kept me company whilst cleaning.
February 24, 2026
a decent free audible book. beginning sucked, but the end was decent
February 26, 2026
Didn’t finish, had high expectations but really wasn’t enjoyable for me
March 11, 2026
Decent enough, the village mentality is definitely reasonable enough. Nice little twists and turns, just when it’s obvious what’s happening another little twist
March 16, 2026
Hints of Mollie Hunter - the wicked one
March 21, 2026
Very OKish. Pressed this free book on Audible by mistake. Not bad, but not great either.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews