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Father
From acclaimed author of The North Woods and The Sarvàn comes a chilling new tale of folk horror.
“Hoover’s best yet… Father strikes a terrifying chord deep in the reader’s psyche—one that will haunt you until long after you flip feverishly to the final page.” –Dirtbag Magazine
The year is 1837.
As the freshly minted nation hurtles toward financial collapse, former Marine-turned-gunsmith John Darrow inherits a sprawling estate deep in the wilds of coastal Maine. But the farm carries with it a dark legacy — one of bloodthirsty murder and vile deceit.
Caught between the perils of the wilderness and the madness lurking within his own family, John struggles to keep those he loves safe. Little does he know that something else is haunting the shadows of the night. Something sinister and evil. Something that seeks to take from him that which he holds most dear. When the cards fall, the very survival of his family will demand John to sacrifice his humanity, as his vengeance becomes a battle against the darkness itself.
A gripping tale of love, loss, and the lengths one man will go to protect his own.
“Hoover’s best yet… Father strikes a terrifying chord deep in the reader’s psyche—one that will haunt you until long after you flip feverishly to the final page.” –Dirtbag Magazine
The year is 1837.
As the freshly minted nation hurtles toward financial collapse, former Marine-turned-gunsmith John Darrow inherits a sprawling estate deep in the wilds of coastal Maine. But the farm carries with it a dark legacy — one of bloodthirsty murder and vile deceit.
Caught between the perils of the wilderness and the madness lurking within his own family, John struggles to keep those he loves safe. Little does he know that something else is haunting the shadows of the night. Something sinister and evil. Something that seeks to take from him that which he holds most dear. When the cards fall, the very survival of his family will demand John to sacrifice his humanity, as his vengeance becomes a battle against the darkness itself.
A gripping tale of love, loss, and the lengths one man will go to protect his own.
- GenresHorror
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2026
About the author
Douglass Hoover
6 books164 followersDouglass Hoover is a writer, craftsman, veteran, and an avid outdoorsman. He has written four novels and holds an MFA from Emerson College. When not slaving away over a keyboard, you can find him hunting, blacksmithing, farming, or bushwhacking skinwalkers in the forests of rural Maine with his wife, their little goblin, and the pack of wild dogs that nip at their heels.
Follow their adventures on Instagram
@StripedDogForge
@DouglassHooverAuthor
Find handmade outdoor equipment and signed books at www.stripeddogforge.com
Perhaps most importantly, sign up for our newsletter at www.douglasshoover.com for updates on future projects.
Follow their adventures on Instagram
@StripedDogForge
@DouglassHooverAuthor
Find handmade outdoor equipment and signed books at www.stripeddogforge.com
Perhaps most importantly, sign up for our newsletter at www.douglasshoover.com for updates on future projects.
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
April 29, 2026
BURNED THROUGH THE BOOK IN TWO DAYS! I’ve read all of the authors books and this is my favorite so far.
May 27, 2026
Oh holy sh!+! what a story!
This book needs to be a mini series on Netflix... this was a captivating story right from the start. I love that it tied into historical events of the time. The whole story had this kind of atmospheric feel...in a horrifying kind of way. The action at the end blew me away with the well paced and perfectly delivered timing of events, the feelings of the characters, and the descriptions of the events and settings. I really felt like i was there next to John and Isla. Definitely will be exploring more by this author!
This book needs to be a mini series on Netflix... this was a captivating story right from the start. I love that it tied into historical events of the time. The whole story had this kind of atmospheric feel...in a horrifying kind of way. The action at the end blew me away with the well paced and perfectly delivered timing of events, the feelings of the characters, and the descriptions of the events and settings. I really felt like i was there next to John and Isla. Definitely will be exploring more by this author!
May 15, 2026
Hoover is quickly becoming an auto-buy author for me. It started with his WW1 horror novel The Sarvan and I’ve been hooked ever since. If you loved the Sarvan, then Father is for you!
In the 1840s, John Darrow inherits property from his late uncle he didnt know existed. He decides to move to Maine with his wife, newborn, mother, and his dementia ridden grandfather.
As things begin to go horribly wrong at their new residence. Livestock slaughtered, their dog is attacked (good spoiler: he lives!), and shadows are lurking in the night. John and his wife begin to lose their sense of safety and reality. From there, this novel takes us through a series of slow burning terrors that concludes in a bloodied frenzy. At what lengths would a father go to protect his family?
If you are a fan of Slewfoot, The Wicker Man, and The Ritual then I suggest giving a small time author and veteran the chance and snag a copy of his most recent release, Father.
Follow me at BradsUnreliableReviews on Instagram
In the 1840s, John Darrow inherits property from his late uncle he didnt know existed. He decides to move to Maine with his wife, newborn, mother, and his dementia ridden grandfather.
As things begin to go horribly wrong at their new residence. Livestock slaughtered, their dog is attacked (good spoiler: he lives!), and shadows are lurking in the night. John and his wife begin to lose their sense of safety and reality. From there, this novel takes us through a series of slow burning terrors that concludes in a bloodied frenzy. At what lengths would a father go to protect his family?
If you are a fan of Slewfoot, The Wicker Man, and The Ritual then I suggest giving a small time author and veteran the chance and snag a copy of his most recent release, Father.
Follow me at BradsUnreliableReviews on Instagram
June 20, 2026
I really enjoyed the characters, the suspense, the plot, and the setting of this book! Highly recommend if you like spooky books
May 15, 2026
Exciting. Scary. Brilliant. Father.
Father was beautifully written and kept me on edge the entire time. The story had several twists and turns I didn’t see coming, which made it even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a book that will genuinely creep you out, this is definitely one to read. Father proves again that he can write spine tingling horror that sticks with you long after finishing. I highly recommend checking out his other books as well.
Father was beautifully written and kept me on edge the entire time. The story had several twists and turns I didn’t see coming, which made it even more enjoyable. If you’re looking for a book that will genuinely creep you out, this is definitely one to read. Father proves again that he can write spine tingling horror that sticks with you long after finishing. I highly recommend checking out his other books as well.
May 21, 2026
I enjoyed the story and learned a decent amount about weaponry during the time period. You can tell the author really did his research on what types of guns and even breeds of horses that were in the geographic location at the time. The book is slow at some points but makes up for it with the intense action and descriptions at just the right points.
April 29, 2026
Douglass Hoover does it again!
May 6, 2026
Douglass always has something up his sleeve and he delivered again. I love myself a good spook.
June 11, 2026
Hoover's work just keeps getting better and better. I still think the accursed huntsman is my favorite of his but this and the sarvan are close seconds. I will continue to read or listen to his books as long he keeps writing.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews