Purity

by Luke Presneill, David Haviland (Editor)

Corbeauroch was once the capital of the world, a vast city carved into the mountains with access to all of Eden. Now it stands as a ruin where even the seabirds refuse to nest; a skeletal monument to the fanaticism that once consumed it.

When a peculiar murder is witnessed by a young engineering apprentice, Jean finds himself drawn into a mystery far larger than he can understand. Beneath the fractured streets of the fallen city, a secretive religious order is quietly preparing for events that could reshape the world itself.

Meanwhile, Chantelle struggles to survive after the death of her mother, unaware that her grieving father, Cicero, stands at the centre of the order’s growing power. As the threads of murder, faith, and vengeance begin to intertwine, the truth behind Corbeauroch’s past is waiting... Hungrily.

Purity is a dark gothic fantasy of mystery and belief, exploring the fragile value of human life in a vividly imagined world touched by subtle dark fantasy and steampunk influences.

343 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 11, 2026

Reviews

[Agnes Odek · Rating 5 out of 5]

With rich world-building, this book hooked me till the end. With a slow start, it slowly builds to a dark fantasy mixed with murder. Death, a hidden religious order, and vengeance drive Purity into the book it is. As pasts uncover This book should be turned into a series. I highly recommend this book.

[Gill Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I decided to give this new author a try and I’m really glad I did. This dark fantasy was an enjoyable read, with a world that feels rich and well imagined. It unfolds at a steady pace, but it draws you in with a storyline that brings together a murder and a dark mystery. You can tell the story is building towards something bigger and it’s clear there’s more to come with a sequel on the way. A strong debut that’s definitely worth your time.

[Sarah Miles · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up Purity not quite knowing what to expect and it turned out to be a really enjoyable read. What stood out for me most was the atmosphere, there’s a constant sense that something bigger is going on beneath the surface and that feeling stays with you throughout. The world feels carefully put together with a strong focus on belief and how it shapes people and events, which gives the story a bit more depth than your typical fantasy. It doesn’t rush but it takes its time to draw you in and by the end youre fully invested in where things are heading. As a debut, it shows a lot of promise and it definitely feels like the start of a much larger story. I’ll be interested to see where the author takes you in the next book.

[John Kamande · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure what I’d find when I picked up this book. From the first page, Luke Presneill’s writing drew me in and kept me hooked until the end. PURITY (The Saint of Suffering Book 1) is an enjoyable book that is worth reading. The book’s strongest quality is its world-building. The setting is vivid and carefully designed, making it the perfect stage for a story of murder, secrets, and dark intrigue. The characters are fun to follow, and each makes the mystery more interesting. As more pieces fit together, the story becomes even more gripping.

[Scovia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was hands down the best. It is a fantasy themed novel that is so diverse, it’s literally never a dull moment In this book, as one family struggles with healing and grief of losing the mother and a wife, the daughter finds it hard to relate to the father who’s also going through a chain of his own challenges.
Jean on the other hand is going through the toughest times but still manages to be kind.
I found the story mind blowing, I’ve never come across something so diverse. It’s interesting to me how you can read so many books but each author is so unique.

[Michelle Presneill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not my usual choice of genre, however throughly enjoyed this debut novel , it’s left me wanting more.