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Netherwood
After personal trauma and professional failure in London, Justine and Adam move to Hastings, hoping that the charming fisherman’s cottage overlooking the sea will be the perfect place to make a new life together. But their new home holds many secrets, including a cave at the back of it, and a witch bottle said to ward off bad spirits. Soon, they discover a dark history that haunts this seaside town.
Former occupant of their house, John Malachy, was an occult celebrity at the height of the Sixties counterculture, obsessed with macabre rituals and chaos magic that led to shocking scandal and his mysterious suicide. Strange events escalate, Justine becomes haunted by the ghost of a young girl, Adam enchanted by an unearthly creature, and they begin to learn of something terrible that Malachy once enacted in the cave.
It all leads back to the notorious Aleister Crowley - the Great Beast - whose death in Hastings years before unleashed a dangerous force that still exerts a powerful influence on our times, and a legacy that starts a grim chain of events with grave consequences for Justine, Adam and even the world.
Former occupant of their house, John Malachy, was an occult celebrity at the height of the Sixties counterculture, obsessed with macabre rituals and chaos magic that led to shocking scandal and his mysterious suicide. Strange events escalate, Justine becomes haunted by the ghost of a young girl, Adam enchanted by an unearthly creature, and they begin to learn of something terrible that Malachy once enacted in the cave.
It all leads back to the notorious Aleister Crowley - the Great Beast - whose death in Hastings years before unleashed a dangerous force that still exerts a powerful influence on our times, and a legacy that starts a grim chain of events with grave consequences for Justine, Adam and even the world.
256 pages, Hardcover
First published August 25, 2026
About the author
Jake Arnott
18 books132 followersJake Arnott is a British novelist, author of The Long Firm and four other novels. In 2005 Arnott was ranked one of Britain's 100 most influential gay and lesbian people. When he was included in a list of the fifty most influential gay men in Britain in 2001, it was declared that he was widely regarded as one of Britain's most promising novelists.
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A year after I finally read one of Jake Arnott's noughties crime novels, he returns with a move into folk horror! Ideal, if only this weren't so dreadful. And not in the way horror is supposed to be. He Kills Coppers had its clunkinesses and Marenghi moments, but flashes of power too. Here, the prose is smoothed out to nothing and the characters traipse through it trading blankly functional dialogue fit only for an ITV drama. It's set a decade ago, which does enable its one approach to an interesting idea in the final act, regarding the potential applications of chaos magic (and I suppose I'll grudgingly award a second point for consistently spelling magic without the asinine K the material could easily have led to), but mainly feels like cover; the story of an arty couple moving from Whitechapel to Hastings might be played out now, but if it were 2015 then The Stone Tide wouldn't have come out yet, so it's actually prescient, right? It also means that she, a critic, can get in somewhere close to the ground floor of the Hilma af Klint revival, though I still found it implausible that she'd never heard of Crowley. Fortunately, there are gay neighbours to explain everything in reams of exposition, though obviously whenever they're about to hit a key detail they can't say it right now for some reason and then...well, I suppose technically that would be a spoiler, but if any development here surprises you, maybe you haven't heard of Crowley either, or indeed ever encountered a horror story before, and so won't sigh when they find a cave in their new house, and disturb a witch bottle they find there, and he, a blocked artist, decides to fuck with it instead of just putting it right back like anyone remotely sane would. If it hadn't been such a quick read* then I wouldn't have persevered; as is, I'm left with the inglorious sensation of having crammed down the hipster Dennis Wheatley.
Also, I know Netherwood is the real name of the retirement home where the Great Beast ended up, but when you keep seeing it, it starts sounding a lot like a Victorian euphemism for pubes.
*And that despite my Kindle app being infuriatingly temperamental with the Netgalley ARC.
Also, I know Netherwood is the real name of the retirement home where the Great Beast ended up, but when you keep seeing it, it starts sounding a lot like a Victorian euphemism for pubes.
*And that despite my Kindle app being infuriatingly temperamental with the Netgalley ARC.
July 19, 2026
Between 2- 2.5 stars.
A slow burn at the start then got more suspenseful. Basically a self centred, gas lit man manipulating women in folk horror. Don’t trust most men. End of.
It quickly picked up after half way and I was more engaged. The ending was a bit like, give up vibes!
A slow burn at the start then got more suspenseful. Basically a self centred, gas lit man manipulating women in folk horror. Don’t trust most men. End of.
It quickly picked up after half way and I was more engaged. The ending was a bit like, give up vibes!
August 20, 2026
Thank you to Titan Books for an Advanced Copy of this book prior to its release next week!
I really enjoyed this gothic tale of loss, the occult and of love and devotion - so much so that I devoured within 24 hours of receiving. A tale in three parts, the first setting the scene beautifully and the following parts devolving into absolute carnage and chaos. The twists and the turns of the book genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and every page turned had me wanting more.
It was dark, it was gritty, and boy was it just delectable.
I really enjoyed this gothic tale of loss, the occult and of love and devotion - so much so that I devoured within 24 hours of receiving. A tale in three parts, the first setting the scene beautifully and the following parts devolving into absolute carnage and chaos. The twists and the turns of the book genuinely kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and every page turned had me wanting more.
It was dark, it was gritty, and boy was it just delectable.
May 27, 2026
This was a delightfully unnerving read! I read an eARC of this book on NetGalley so thank you to the author and the publisher.
This is a horror novel set in Hastings. A couple buy a house to get away from London. It’s quirky, there’s a spiral staircase leading up to a studio, it’s built with a door into a cave. They find odd things when they explore, a bottle full of rusty nails and Latin words scratched into the wood. And when people find out where they’re living, they get concerned. We follow an artist who hasn’t been having much career success lately and an art critic who is grieving.
The best thing about this book was how integral Hastings was to the story. The location really shaped the story, both through the sea, cliffs and caves, but also the local history and lore. I really liked how distinctive the setting was and how recognisable the location identity was. The book draws on notorious real people as well as creating its own nefarious characters. I enjoyed this blending of fiction with reality as these real world anchors made the horror elements feel more believable and immersive.
This book is creepy! I read the whole thing in one sitting. I was enraged with certain characters’ actions and I was practically screaming at the main character to get out of there at times. Wonderfully tense! I couldn’t put this book down!
This is a horror novel set in Hastings. A couple buy a house to get away from London. It’s quirky, there’s a spiral staircase leading up to a studio, it’s built with a door into a cave. They find odd things when they explore, a bottle full of rusty nails and Latin words scratched into the wood. And when people find out where they’re living, they get concerned. We follow an artist who hasn’t been having much career success lately and an art critic who is grieving.
The best thing about this book was how integral Hastings was to the story. The location really shaped the story, both through the sea, cliffs and caves, but also the local history and lore. I really liked how distinctive the setting was and how recognisable the location identity was. The book draws on notorious real people as well as creating its own nefarious characters. I enjoyed this blending of fiction with reality as these real world anchors made the horror elements feel more believable and immersive.
This book is creepy! I read the whole thing in one sitting. I was enraged with certain characters’ actions and I was practically screaming at the main character to get out of there at times. Wonderfully tense! I couldn’t put this book down!
September 29, 2026
There’s little original here, but I think that’s intentional on Arnott’s part, for whom this diversion into the horror genre is something new. He borrows a lot of the story’s plot twists from 1970s British fantastic fiction, of which I was a big fan; from supernatural events occurring in a typical south coast seaside town with a certain secret history, to the gradual reveal merging fact and fiction, and rather predictable, ghostly, set pieces.
Arnott is better known for his crime novels of twenty or so years ago, set in London at various points in recent history. His later books referred to Occultism and in particular to Aleister Crowley, the occultist known as the ‘wickedest man in the world’. Hence, this move of location from London to Hastings, where Crowley lived in his last years, in a retirement home, also called Netherwood.
I didn’t like it..
Arnott is better known for his crime novels of twenty or so years ago, set in London at various points in recent history. His later books referred to Occultism and in particular to Aleister Crowley, the occultist known as the ‘wickedest man in the world’. Hence, this move of location from London to Hastings, where Crowley lived in his last years, in a retirement home, also called Netherwood.
I didn’t like it..
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a weird read for me. I found the story to be a bit - jumping around all over the place - never settling for long enough for me to get my teeth into it. Which ultimately meant that I didn't really manage to connect properly, or care about, the characters.
We start with Justine and Adam who are moving to Hastings for a fresh start. Their new house has a rather nifty feature - A bolted door in their basement opens up to a cave. It appears that the previous owner of said house was one John Malachy who was obsessed with the occult, and a strange band from the 80s called Sacred Disease, the member of which experimented with all things occult. In the cave they discover a strange bottle and also writing scratched into the walls. So they seek the wisdom of another occultist who runs a bookshop - James Blackwood.
Long story short, dark magic, rituals, spirits, chaos, and all things spooky ensue...With Adam pretty much buying into the whole occult thing, using it to kickstart his art career. Justine meanwhile becomes haunted by the spirit of a young woman...
As I said, I found it all a bit disjointed. Episodic, like it was written for easy conversion into a screenplay for tv. Which is all well and good but books and tv series are two different animals and I have seen this in previous books, and not been able to fully connect to them either. It also dragged things out far too much, with quite a few hints at things to come. That said, the premise of the book was intriguing, and I was compelled to read on to find out what ultimately happened in the end. More fool me though as when it did come, it was a bit flat.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start with Justine and Adam who are moving to Hastings for a fresh start. Their new house has a rather nifty feature - A bolted door in their basement opens up to a cave. It appears that the previous owner of said house was one John Malachy who was obsessed with the occult, and a strange band from the 80s called Sacred Disease, the member of which experimented with all things occult. In the cave they discover a strange bottle and also writing scratched into the walls. So they seek the wisdom of another occultist who runs a bookshop - James Blackwood.
Long story short, dark magic, rituals, spirits, chaos, and all things spooky ensue...With Adam pretty much buying into the whole occult thing, using it to kickstart his art career. Justine meanwhile becomes haunted by the spirit of a young woman...
As I said, I found it all a bit disjointed. Episodic, like it was written for easy conversion into a screenplay for tv. Which is all well and good but books and tv series are two different animals and I have seen this in previous books, and not been able to fully connect to them either. It also dragged things out far too much, with quite a few hints at things to come. That said, the premise of the book was intriguing, and I was compelled to read on to find out what ultimately happened in the end. More fool me though as when it did come, it was a bit flat.
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 31, 2026
Hastings is a place I often to go to, whether to have a relaxing day out or to do some shopping. So, when I found out an author had recently written and published horror novel set in Hastings, I knew without a doubt I had to pick this one up. Very excited to read a novel set in a town I love so much.
Justine and Adam can't keep up with the inflation up in London, so they go down into Hastings. Justine is a critic, whilst Adam is an artist, both of them have had a time of it, especially after losing an unborn child. But the cheap house they've moved into holds some dark secrets of its own. Hastings has a bleak history with the occult and if they're not careful, they may very well find themselves in the midst of it. Ghostly cries at night keep Justine awake, but it's the horrors inflicting her husband that truly disturb her. Something evil has returned to the town and it's come for her.
Jake Arnott has written a very atmospheric and at times disturbing occult horror novel set in a seaside town I know all too well. It was very exciting and strange to read out familiar sights or locations I know very well, but it made this novel for me come to life in a way that many stories struggle to. I think it's mostly because I know the area like the back of my hand, but it's safe to say made the read a lot more immersive than usual. The story itself is a haunting one with some interesting and down-to-earth characters, it's very much a mix of Rosemary's Baby with a haunted house type of setting, which I got a kick out of. I really like the dive into the creative arts, as well as the history about the town itself and dark magic.
Overall: An incredible novel that kept me on the edge of my seat. A very disturbing and haunting read. 10/10
Justine and Adam can't keep up with the inflation up in London, so they go down into Hastings. Justine is a critic, whilst Adam is an artist, both of them have had a time of it, especially after losing an unborn child. But the cheap house they've moved into holds some dark secrets of its own. Hastings has a bleak history with the occult and if they're not careful, they may very well find themselves in the midst of it. Ghostly cries at night keep Justine awake, but it's the horrors inflicting her husband that truly disturb her. Something evil has returned to the town and it's come for her.
Jake Arnott has written a very atmospheric and at times disturbing occult horror novel set in a seaside town I know all too well. It was very exciting and strange to read out familiar sights or locations I know very well, but it made this novel for me come to life in a way that many stories struggle to. I think it's mostly because I know the area like the back of my hand, but it's safe to say made the read a lot more immersive than usual. The story itself is a haunting one with some interesting and down-to-earth characters, it's very much a mix of Rosemary's Baby with a haunted house type of setting, which I got a kick out of. I really like the dive into the creative arts, as well as the history about the town itself and dark magic.
Overall: An incredible novel that kept me on the edge of my seat. A very disturbing and haunting read. 10/10
October 22, 2026
I’m being generous with that mark, I really am - occasionally Arnott does manage a passage that’s actually interesting and well written though but only very occasionally. For the most part this is a tragic combination of terrible, almost passive writing with a really weird love of clunking exposition and some of the most hoary old cliches going wrapped around a tiresome plot. Characters signpost their deaths, weirdly our central character takes several months to read the three chapters of a draft of a novel left by a friend which if she’d read in one go would have saved everyone a lot of trouble and there’s a particularly gruesome misuse of poor old Crowley and the Moonchild which just takes every other cliche Arnott hasn’t used yet. Crowley was a colossal dick but he was also a showman and a charlatan and not the sort of monster a book like this lazily decides to use, and as for the Moonchild… only one funny thing comes from the Moonchild and that’s Crowley’s reaction to finding out Jack Parsons and L Ron Hubbard were trying to create one. And that simple anecdote is funny, weird, unhinged and has every unexpected thing in it that this book never has. A turgid mess of a novel and, yes, i have now talked myself into giving it only one star. Happy now?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a frustrating novel for me. I really liked the core ideas - a couple move to Hastings for a new start and find an old cave with strange inscriptions in the back of their house. Things get weirder from here, with ghostly voices, a shadowy figure influencing the husband's art and the looming spectre of Alisteir Crowley. I also like the choice of revealing some of the story through the draft of a novel written by a friend of the main character found dead on the pier.
The main element that was lacking for me was the writing style. The book shares strong thematic elements with weird and gothic horror, but is written much more like a modern thriller or crime novel. There is very little tension, mystery, suspense or atmospheric storytelling. There's also little involvement of the main antagonist directly in the plot until very close to the end - I would have liked to see more with him exerting a malign influence over the husband, for example. I will say that it's not badly written in terms of prose, the writing just doesn't suit the genre or themes of the book.
The main element that was lacking for me was the writing style. The book shares strong thematic elements with weird and gothic horror, but is written much more like a modern thriller or crime novel. There is very little tension, mystery, suspense or atmospheric storytelling. There's also little involvement of the main antagonist directly in the plot until very close to the end - I would have liked to see more with him exerting a malign influence over the husband, for example. I will say that it's not badly written in terms of prose, the writing just doesn't suit the genre or themes of the book.
October 26, 2026
'No, I really do think she has a point. I mean, you have to admit, Michael shrugged, 'that when we attempt to own property, we all become haunted by it in the end. By the claim it has on us. After all, that's what mortgage means, isn't it? From the Old French mort for death, gage for pledge. It's a debt that takes us to our grave. A curse.'
As we are firmly in spooky season, it would be rude to not read a horror or two. To kick me off, I choose this, inspired by Tania's connection to Hastings, the setting of the story.
Taking real settings, and twisting some details of Aleister Crowley death, the story delivers a horror packed with the supernatural, superstitions, and the occult. It is worthy of H.P. Lovecraft as it taps into the esoteric, dark magic, and the concept of lineage.
It is a slow burner and some plot points were a little obvious, but the ending blew me away and ensured this got the full 5 stars.
As we are firmly in spooky season, it would be rude to not read a horror or two. To kick me off, I choose this, inspired by Tania's connection to Hastings, the setting of the story.
Taking real settings, and twisting some details of Aleister Crowley death, the story delivers a horror packed with the supernatural, superstitions, and the occult. It is worthy of H.P. Lovecraft as it taps into the esoteric, dark magic, and the concept of lineage.
It is a slow burner and some plot points were a little obvious, but the ending blew me away and ensured this got the full 5 stars.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Jake Arnott, Titan Books, and NetGalley for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
Netherwood is a folk horror novel and centred on Adam, an artist, and Justine, an art critic, as they move from Whitechapel to a cottage in Hastings, so built into the cliff side that it has it’s own cave. They recently suffered a miscarriage and crave a fresh beginning. Their friend, Michael, had moved down to Hastings a few years previously.
Adam and Justine soon find an unusual stopper bottle filled with bones, blood, and seashells and experience unnerving sights and visions. After consulting a local mystic, they find that the house they have bought belonged to an occultist sorcerer.
Whilst this gave the vibes of Rosemary’s baby, it was incredibly disappointing. The twists were obvious, it read like a textbook with no suspense built up, and the epilogue was awful. I dragged myself through this book only for the immense-chaos-plot-twist Brexit? Do not recommend.
Netherwood is a folk horror novel and centred on Adam, an artist, and Justine, an art critic, as they move from Whitechapel to a cottage in Hastings, so built into the cliff side that it has it’s own cave. They recently suffered a miscarriage and crave a fresh beginning. Their friend, Michael, had moved down to Hastings a few years previously.
Adam and Justine soon find an unusual stopper bottle filled with bones, blood, and seashells and experience unnerving sights and visions. After consulting a local mystic, they find that the house they have bought belonged to an occultist sorcerer.
Whilst this gave the vibes of Rosemary’s baby, it was incredibly disappointing. The twists were obvious, it read like a textbook with no suspense built up, and the epilogue was awful. I dragged myself through this book only for the immense-chaos-plot-twist Brexit? Do not recommend.
September 28, 2026
I kicked off spooky season with a new book that just came out last month. Arnott has done literary fiction, mysteries, historical and SF Dr. Who stories, and here he links historical figures like Aleister Crowley and even David Bowie and Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones with the fictional characters in a gothic occult horror in the seaside town of Hastings. A couple buys the former home of an occultist and Crowley acolyte who also had associations with an 80s industrial band called Sacred Disease. Arnott did some research into the roots of the early British industrial scene with Throbbing Gristle and Cabaret Voltaire, where there was certainly some dabbling in occult interests. More of an unsettling experience than flat-out horror, it was a satisfying story, though after reading Blood Meridian, I was hoping for a bit more from the writing.
September 25, 2026
I really enjoyed this folk/occult horror tale. It's the second of Arnott's books to feature Aleister Crowley (the other is the also excellent The Devil's Paintbrush), and I can't help by hope we might see as bit more of the Great Beast in a future novel or two.
This is one of those stories where the horror creeps up on you and slowly slides into the foreground as the story goes on. The characters are well developed and the use of Hastings as the backdrop works really well.
Yes, some of the twists were a little obvious, but this thoroughly well written book is well worth a delve into...
This is one of those stories where the horror creeps up on you and slowly slides into the foreground as the story goes on. The characters are well developed and the use of Hastings as the backdrop works really well.
Yes, some of the twists were a little obvious, but this thoroughly well written book is well worth a delve into...
October 26, 2026
Disappointing. I became a fan of Arnott's when "The Long Firm" was released years ago. I admired its lean prose and swift story-telling. "Netherwood" is a misfire: clunky tell-don't-show dialogue, and characters that don't venture beyond stereotypes. Characters blandly reveal information to the protagonists, leaving no sense of mystery or discovery on the part of the reader. The story in and of itself is relatively derivative, and the supernatural elements are cliched. I didn't feel like I was reading anything fresh.
July 5, 2026
A gripping and vivid story of witchcraft, love, and loss. Jake Arnott entwines a dark and brooding aura throughout the book and ensures a intense read throughout.
A terrifically British book that celebrates some of what we have in this country, beautiful landscapes, seaside living and at the heart of the land, a rich history, with eclectic mixes of beliefs.
This story is a terrific nod to all of this, with a fantastic story, which is beautifully paced.
A terrifically British book that celebrates some of what we have in this country, beautiful landscapes, seaside living and at the heart of the land, a rich history, with eclectic mixes of beliefs.
This story is a terrific nod to all of this, with a fantastic story, which is beautifully paced.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I wasn't sure what to expect with Netherwood but I was not expecting that. Started out as a slow burn but soon picked up.
Justine and Adam move to Hastings in a bid to leave London and recover from a personal tragedy. However their quaint new home is not as it seems.
The strain between Justine’s terror and Adam’s spiraling madness is as tense as the supernatural threats they encounter.
This is a magic, gothic and eerie read for fans of British folk horror and psychological thrillers
Justine and Adam move to Hastings in a bid to leave London and recover from a personal tragedy. However their quaint new home is not as it seems.
The strain between Justine’s terror and Adam’s spiraling madness is as tense as the supernatural threats they encounter.
This is a magic, gothic and eerie read for fans of British folk horror and psychological thrillers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Very bland characters and a lack of scene setting - it often felt like it might as well be a script (although even those would have descriptions and directions!). As another reviewer has said, it's very convenient having the neighbours deliver the exposition with little prompting. (That is sarcasm, if it isn't clear.)
After about 30% I skimmed the rest, but don't think I missed much.
I think baiting us in with mentions of Crowley was misleading as he had little to do with what was going on.
After about 30% I skimmed the rest, but don't think I missed much.
I think baiting us in with mentions of Crowley was misleading as he had little to do with what was going on.
October 10, 2026
Basically The Omen, but set in an English seaside town. I felt characters and ideas were introduced but not really fleshed out, for example I was really hoping the fishmonger would step in with some interesting lore to turn the story around when the inevitable connection was made, or the Russian Ogliarch "disruptor" would get involved? Or even the art dealer? The sister and nephew, what happened to them? I also feel like the whole time travel thing was introduced but not explored.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Early access copy via Net Galley
Enjoyed this, even though it was out of my comfort zone. The ghost elements were interesting and the witchcraft/magic plot engaging. Had echoes of the old christmas ghost stories. Some unexpected twists to the story. Female narrator gave an interesting dimension, a spectator to a lot of the key story elements but ultimately integral to it all
Enjoyed this, even though it was out of my comfort zone. The ghost elements were interesting and the witchcraft/magic plot engaging. Had echoes of the old christmas ghost stories. Some unexpected twists to the story. Female narrator gave an interesting dimension, a spectator to a lot of the key story elements but ultimately integral to it all
September 25, 2026
A dark tale of occultism and revenge featuring the notorious Great Beast, Alistair Crowley and Netherwood the care home where he met his end.
Justine and Adam move to Hastings and find an old property which has some singularly peculiar features, including a locked cave room.
What follows is a gripping tale of the occult and supernatural perfect for dark wintry nights.
Justine and Adam move to Hastings and find an old property which has some singularly peculiar features, including a locked cave room.
What follows is a gripping tale of the occult and supernatural perfect for dark wintry nights.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews