What do you think?
Rate this book
Isolated
Isolated is a genuinely chilling supernatural horror novella by the author of Formulation and RED.
When Edwyn visits the remote cottage where he and Ella spent their honeymoon, he uncovers dark secrets about the mysterious forest that dominates the snow-covered horizon. A malevolent thought intrudes on his mind, suggesting that his wife’s peculiar illness was somehow linked to that place and to the tree she had cut down for Christmas. As the truth unravels, it does so in a cruel and malicious manner.
“An unexpected treat from an emerging master of the macabre”
When Edwyn visits the remote cottage where he and Ella spent their honeymoon, he uncovers dark secrets about the mysterious forest that dominates the snow-covered horizon. A malevolent thought intrudes on his mind, suggesting that his wife’s peculiar illness was somehow linked to that place and to the tree she had cut down for Christmas. As the truth unravels, it does so in a cruel and malicious manner.
“An unexpected treat from an emerging master of the macabre”
- GenresHorror
ebook
Published August 3, 2026
About the author
Daniel Lorn
8 books89 followersDaniel has been obsessed with horror since childhood and is particularly interested in the works of Edgar Allan Poe, Charles L Grant, H.P. Lovecraft, and M.R. James.
With his spine-chilling debut, Obsession, in 2022, Daniel marked his entry into the world of horror literature. The resounding acclaim for his unique brand of horror quickly fuelled his creative drive, leading to the release of PACT, See You Later, RED, Sins of the Wronged, and Formulation.
Daniel has been commended on his ability to transform the ordinary into the monstrous. While he has primarily delved into psychological horror, his true passion lies in supernatural horror. This genre will be the key focus of his future works, and Daniel promises many more spine-tingling tales to come.
With his spine-chilling debut, Obsession, in 2022, Daniel marked his entry into the world of horror literature. The resounding acclaim for his unique brand of horror quickly fuelled his creative drive, leading to the release of PACT, See You Later, RED, Sins of the Wronged, and Formulation.
Daniel has been commended on his ability to transform the ordinary into the monstrous. While he has primarily delved into psychological horror, his true passion lies in supernatural horror. This genre will be the key focus of his future works, and Daniel promises many more spine-tingling tales to come.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 17, 2026
No Entry
ISOLATED
by Daniel Lorn
5 stars. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry...
Edwyn Durant drove through the sleet and snow eagerly trying to unplug from the nightly hospital visits and their false hopes...
He was headed to a place he and his wife Ella had promised to visit each year...
It had been a stressful year...
His happy memories gave him temporary relief from his pain. He wants to believe Ella will be waiting at the end of his long drive...
Arriving in the village of Netherhaven...
He feels like he belongs. He stops in at the Black Watch Pub to meet with Peter, owner of the secluded cottage where he'll be staying...
Inside...
The pub is cozy with a roaring fire. Last year, he and Ella sat by the same fire. It was like deja vu...
Giving Edwyn the keys to Moribund cottage, Peter reminded him to stay within the clearly marked boundaries and off the hilltop forest...
The Black Forest...
Where plague victims had been isolated and then burned alive in the hilltop church. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...
At the boundry, a sign on the gate post read: NO ENTRY
And where had Edwyn heard...
The intriguing local tale of an ancient graveyard legend saying that the forest kept the essence of those who died there within its boundaries...
It's been too long since Daniel Lorn has written another of his excellent horror novellas, and this one was not disappointing. The legend in the story reminded me of an old Sioux (American Indian) story passed down to each generation, but with its own twists and turns.There are many horrors in a forest full of old, wizened trees, to be sure. This was a very atmospheric story.
If you haven't discovered this author's great collection of horror novellas yet, what are you waiting for? OBSESSION and RED are two excellent places to start.
Highly recommended!
ISOLATED
by Daniel Lorn
5 stars. The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry...
Edwyn Durant drove through the sleet and snow eagerly trying to unplug from the nightly hospital visits and their false hopes...
He was headed to a place he and his wife Ella had promised to visit each year...
It had been a stressful year...
His happy memories gave him temporary relief from his pain. He wants to believe Ella will be waiting at the end of his long drive...
Arriving in the village of Netherhaven...
He feels like he belongs. He stops in at the Black Watch Pub to meet with Peter, owner of the secluded cottage where he'll be staying...
Inside...
The pub is cozy with a roaring fire. Last year, he and Ella sat by the same fire. It was like deja vu...
Giving Edwyn the keys to Moribund cottage, Peter reminded him to stay within the clearly marked boundaries and off the hilltop forest...
The Black Forest...
Where plague victims had been isolated and then burned alive in the hilltop church. Ashes to ashes, dust to dust...
At the boundry, a sign on the gate post read: NO ENTRY
And where had Edwyn heard...
The intriguing local tale of an ancient graveyard legend saying that the forest kept the essence of those who died there within its boundaries...
It's been too long since Daniel Lorn has written another of his excellent horror novellas, and this one was not disappointing. The legend in the story reminded me of an old Sioux (American Indian) story passed down to each generation, but with its own twists and turns.There are many horrors in a forest full of old, wizened trees, to be sure. This was a very atmospheric story.
If you haven't discovered this author's great collection of horror novellas yet, what are you waiting for? OBSESSION and RED are two excellent places to start.
Highly recommended!
August 22, 2026
A moving story of loss and horror as Edwyn and Ella are warned to stay away from the Black Forest while staying in the Moribund cottage for Christmas. as Ella's need for a xmas tree they do not heed the warnings and soon will learn! A big 5 stars
August 4, 2026
Waited a while for this one and once again Daniel didn’t dissapoint. A quick read but one that will stay with me. Once again the writing and atmosphere are top notch. Loved it!
Read
August 9, 2026Isolated is quite different from my other work, hence my reason for dropping this one quietly. I don’t tend to respond to reviews as these are for the readers, but every single star is very much appreciated.
Yours in horror.
Daniel Lorn
Yours in horror.
Daniel Lorn
August 26, 2026
One of my favourite aspects of Daniel Lorn's works is in how well he places the reader in the mindset of the monster. It's a discomfort I feel he truly excels at, so I was certainly curious to see how his talents would adapt to the third person.
This story now ranks as a very close 2nd favourite of his entire body of work after Red. That discomfort isn't lost in the shift of pov, simply how it presents itself; here, I don't want to escape the mind of the monster, but just get me out of these damned woods!
Although different from his other works, I think this still serves as a strong introduction to Lorn's style. An approachable but suffocating entry point.
This story now ranks as a very close 2nd favourite of his entire body of work after Red. That discomfort isn't lost in the shift of pov, simply how it presents itself; here, I don't want to escape the mind of the monster, but just get me out of these damned woods!
Although different from his other works, I think this still serves as a strong introduction to Lorn's style. An approachable but suffocating entry point.
August 17, 2026
Moving grief horror
Isolated combines three things I love. Christmas, grief horror, and trees.
It was refreshing to read a third person point of view story by Lorn. His other books of first person psychological horror are incredible, and this foray into third person perspective is no less intense or moving.
I felt for Ella and Edwyn, and their love story.
The story of the village and its sinister past was suitably creepy.
This is a story I will enjoy reading again at Christmas, alongside Lorn’s other Christmas set horror, Red.
Isolated combines three things I love. Christmas, grief horror, and trees.
It was refreshing to read a third person point of view story by Lorn. His other books of first person psychological horror are incredible, and this foray into third person perspective is no less intense or moving.
I felt for Ella and Edwyn, and their love story.
The story of the village and its sinister past was suitably creepy.
This is a story I will enjoy reading again at Christmas, alongside Lorn’s other Christmas set horror, Red.
August 9, 2026
When i first started reading this i was initially taken aback. Unlike the other books i have read by this author, this had a different feel. And then the story unfolded, sweeping me up in the beutifully written atmospherics.
4.5 stars rounded up to five.
4.5 stars rounded up to five.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews