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Checkmate
Pestered by constant phone messages from a girlfriend who disappeared ten years ago, pushed around by a petty boss, short on friends and money, it's no wonder Mack looks forward to his Friday night chess games with the local priest. But when he's asked to demolish a wall beneath the chapel and a local girl goes missing, Mack finds he's playing a game far more treacherous than chess. He quickly realises he has no idea who, or what, he's up against. Checkmate is a darkly Gothic, supernatural horror story of guilt, revenge and history repeating itself.
250 pages, Paperback
Published July 1, 2015
1 person want to read
About the author
Rowan Bowman
3 books2 followersI have always written horror stories. They're the place I escape to when I can't sort out the real world. A problem I can solve.
I discovered an academic interest in the genre when I came across an advert for an MA in creative writing. I have two masters degrees and a PhD in Creative Writing. My thesis title was 'On Barley Hill; Method Writing and Spectral Landscapes and the Supernatural Gothic Horror Story' . This academic work reflects my use of local landscape to generate horrific scenarios within my creative practice.
I've had several short stories published and Checkmate is my first novel. I am currently working on a second novel, On Barley Hill, another supernatural horror story set in the North East of England.
I discovered an academic interest in the genre when I came across an advert for an MA in creative writing. I have two masters degrees and a PhD in Creative Writing. My thesis title was 'On Barley Hill; Method Writing and Spectral Landscapes and the Supernatural Gothic Horror Story' . This academic work reflects my use of local landscape to generate horrific scenarios within my creative practice.
I've had several short stories published and Checkmate is my first novel. I am currently working on a second novel, On Barley Hill, another supernatural horror story set in the North East of England.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
January 25, 2018
I could not put this book down.
It’s one of those true gothic novels that some how crawls underneath your skin and gets into your marrow. You don’t feel disturbed until you feel it in your toes, when the hairs on your arms and legs raise up without warning.
It’s subtle, deep and dark. Rowan creates an amazing landscape in this novel. It’s not just location, or place, the very bricks and stones of the Castle almost have life. I honestly think the only similar experience would be your own ghost walk and if you saw something you couldn’t explain.
Knowing the genre, where Mack ends up didn’t surprise me - you know, for an ending. But, that doesn’t mean that the ending wasn’t a surprise.
I’m not going to add any spoilers.
It’s a beautiful piece of gothic fiction, and I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone. I’d say keep the light on, but it wouldn’t matter. Even during the bright light of midday I felt a chill.
It’s one of those true gothic novels that some how crawls underneath your skin and gets into your marrow. You don’t feel disturbed until you feel it in your toes, when the hairs on your arms and legs raise up without warning.
It’s subtle, deep and dark. Rowan creates an amazing landscape in this novel. It’s not just location, or place, the very bricks and stones of the Castle almost have life. I honestly think the only similar experience would be your own ghost walk and if you saw something you couldn’t explain.
Knowing the genre, where Mack ends up didn’t surprise me - you know, for an ending. But, that doesn’t mean that the ending wasn’t a surprise.
I’m not going to add any spoilers.
It’s a beautiful piece of gothic fiction, and I wouldn’t want to spoil it for anyone. I’d say keep the light on, but it wouldn’t matter. Even during the bright light of midday I felt a chill.
Displaying 1 of 1 review