The Collection: A Novella

by Katherine Silva

In the wake of his estranged father's death, newspaper editor, Peter Dawson, discovers the old man, a renowned professor, owned an estate somewhere in the dense woodlands of Norfolk County. Also to his surprise is that a woman he's never met has inherited this place. Miss Inga Rapp was his father's last research partner in the concluding years of his life and seems particularly protective of the estate as well as a book containing all of their investigations into a collection of unusual objects.

Trying to overcome nightmares of his time in the Great War and memories of a bittersweet childhood, Peter finds himself drawn to understanding his father's final days and the research that caused him to lose his sanity. Once inside the house, he soon uncovers the secrets his father kept and the unimaginable horrors that await through every door.

Genres: Horror

128 pages, Paperback

Published April 5, 2018

About the author

Katherine Silva is an ace Maine horror author, a connoisseur of coffee, and victim of cat shenanigans. Her favorite flavors of the genre mix grief and existentialism which she combines with her love of the New England wilderness in her works. She is a three-time Maine Literary Award finalist for speculative fiction. Katherine is also editor-in-chief of Strange Wilds Press. You can find out all about her work at katherinesilvaauthor.com.

For event booking or questions, please email Katherine at kasilva@katherinesilvaauthor.com

Reviews

[Brian Bowyer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fast, Creepy, and Atmospheric!

This was a fantastic read. THE COLLECTION is a chilling novella filled with terror and suspense that kept me racing through the pages. I'm a huge fan of this author, and I'm always looking forward to more from Silva. Highly recommended!

[Wayne Fenlon · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read from Katherine Silva, but a damn good one. Great writing and characters and I loved the author notes at the end, too. Cool to see another fan of the brilliant mini series The Lost Room.
I love it when an author can make an idea work when it probably shouldn't. That always sits well with me.
This is my first Katherine Silva book. I plan on reading THE WILD DARK soon, and then, all going well, onto her follow up THE WILD FALL.

Five stars.

[Chris Philbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently met Katherine while tabling at the Bangor Toy and Comic Con, and we swapped some books to entertain ourselves. She gave me this, and I'm really glad she did.

Without giving too much of the story away, this is a period novella set in the wake of the Great War. The veteran MC is dealing with the fallout from that, and he finds out his distant scholar father has passed away. As the will is being divvied out, he discovers an unknown woman who gets a book from his father that isn't mentioned in the will.

Part period mystery, part gothic horror, and part Lovecraftian madness, The Collection is a wonderful, dark tale that follows the descent of a man and his family as they peel back the shroud on their family's dark past.

Super fun story.

[Glady · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's always exciting to discover a new-to-me author whose work demonstrates so much talent and potential. Katherine Silva's The Collection manages to be eerie, historical, romantic, and frightening all at the same time.

Peter Dawson has inherited property from his distant, troubled father who had traveled the world on mysterious quests. Peter, a veteran of WWI, has his own issues but his loving wife and son represent a hopeful and happy life so different from his own childhood. His inheritance brings forth some painful memories as he wonders about the purpose of his father's research while investigating the mysterious collection.

Silva does an excellent job with Peter's interior monologue. He questions his own actions in such a way that readers will absolutely recognize and understand the self-doubt and hesitation of someone unsure as to the next step. Also, she describes settings so vividly that readers will easily visualize the sinister nature of Caulfield, the home of the "collection" and the horrifying trap of Ogden Institute.

This novella leaves room for more tales of Peter Dawson. I look forward to them.

[Carrie Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the pleasure of meeting Katherine at the Bangor Comicon this Spring, and purchasing this book, which she happily signed for me. I highly enjoyed this novella, and will be purchasing future books by this author!

[Kevin Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book through a happy accident and I'm so glad I did.

It's a short quick read that's not short of excitement. I loved the setting and the characters. Right after WWI and a recent vet with PTSD. It definitely has a Lovecraft vibe, but also aspects of Sherlock Holmes.

Settle back one evening and give this one a go.

[Annie H · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 rounded up

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I read this in two nights and can not wait for the next book to come out!

[Kevin Arthur Arthur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Katherine Silva's chilling gothic horror period novella is a tale about a man named Peter Dawson who inherits a dreaded book from his late father. When Peter visits a spooky mansion, things become more horrifying as he is terrorized by objects and taxidermy animals that come alive. Silva proves once again that she is a master at crafting an atmospheric supernatural story. THE COLLECTION is a well-written and fast-paced novella!

[Elin Olausson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the settings and the overall feel of this novella. Excellent writing and some truly terrifying scenes.

[Sue :) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a trip.

It's fast paced and well written. I couldn't read it at night. I had a few nightmares even reading it during the day.