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The Cundy
THERE’S SOMETHING IN THE DARK…
For fans of Stand By Me and IT, this standalone coming of age tale, set in an ex-mining village in the northeast of England in the mid-90s, blends Norse mythology and the occult.
‘When 13-year-old Sullivan Carter and his younger brother, Colton, are forced to hide from school bullies in the cundy (a water conduit in Castle Eden Dene), they are attacked by a terrifying creature which goes on to haunt their dreams.
Rumour has it that some older teens have been performing strange rituals at the cundy. As such, Sullivan is convinced that he and Colton are now being hunted by an ancient creature that’s been unleashed from its dark lair. A creature that’s been lurking since the time Scula the Danish Viking warlord ruled the area in the 900s.
When Colton begins to hear voices which draw him back to the cundy, he tells Sullivan he believes one of them belongs to their dead mother.
Sullivan must reach beyond his own profound grief in order to defend Colton and himself against the wily creature.
Does he have what it takes to defeat it? Or will he need to sacrifice himself in order to save his little brother?’
For fans of Stand By Me and IT, this standalone coming of age tale, set in an ex-mining village in the northeast of England in the mid-90s, blends Norse mythology and the occult.
‘When 13-year-old Sullivan Carter and his younger brother, Colton, are forced to hide from school bullies in the cundy (a water conduit in Castle Eden Dene), they are attacked by a terrifying creature which goes on to haunt their dreams.
Rumour has it that some older teens have been performing strange rituals at the cundy. As such, Sullivan is convinced that he and Colton are now being hunted by an ancient creature that’s been unleashed from its dark lair. A creature that’s been lurking since the time Scula the Danish Viking warlord ruled the area in the 900s.
When Colton begins to hear voices which draw him back to the cundy, he tells Sullivan he believes one of them belongs to their dead mother.
Sullivan must reach beyond his own profound grief in order to defend Colton and himself against the wily creature.
Does he have what it takes to defeat it? Or will he need to sacrifice himself in order to save his little brother?’
- GenresHorror
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 13, 2019
About the author
R.H. Dixon
13 books16 followersR. H. Dixon is a horror enthusiast who, when not escaping into the fantastical realms of fiction, lives in the northeast of England with her husband and two whippets. She is an active member of the Horror Writers Association.
When reading and writing she enjoys exploring the darknesses and weaknesses within the human psyche, and she loves good strong characters that are flawed and put through their paces. Her favourite authors include: Shirley Jackson, John Ajvide Lindqvist, Joe Hill, Ramsey Campbell, Paul Tremblay, Michelle Paver and Stephen King.
As well as reading and writing, she enjoys travelling (particularly wildlife-spotting jaunts involving bears, wolves and corvids), visiting spooky places, collecting animal skulls and drinking full-bodied red wine.
When reading and writing she enjoys exploring the darknesses and weaknesses within the human psyche, and she loves good strong characters that are flawed and put through their paces. Her favourite authors include: Shirley Jackson, John Ajvide Lindqvist, Joe Hill, Ramsey Campbell, Paul Tremblay, Michelle Paver and Stephen King.
As well as reading and writing, she enjoys travelling (particularly wildlife-spotting jaunts involving bears, wolves and corvids), visiting spooky places, collecting animal skulls and drinking full-bodied red wine.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 2, 2025
Abandoning ship...
THE CUNDY
by R.H. Dixon
No spoilers. 2 stars. I'm sorry. I really hate not finishing a book once I start reading it, but honestly!...
This story moved as fast as molasses. I DNF at 50%, wondering ...
Where's the cundy?!...
This story would have been suitable for young teens except for the language used...
It was supposed to be about scary events in the neighborhood cundy (drain)...
But...
At the 50% mark, it really was more about school bullying and parental problems...
That cundy was only mentioned twice at the halfway point...
So far...
It it has been a slogging, unimpressive read, and I'm abandoning ship...
There was waaaay too much fluff and filler and not enough story.
THE CUNDY
by R.H. Dixon
No spoilers. 2 stars. I'm sorry. I really hate not finishing a book once I start reading it, but honestly!...
This story moved as fast as molasses. I DNF at 50%, wondering ...
Where's the cundy?!...
This story would have been suitable for young teens except for the language used...
It was supposed to be about scary events in the neighborhood cundy (drain)...
But...
At the 50% mark, it really was more about school bullying and parental problems...
That cundy was only mentioned twice at the halfway point...
So far...
It it has been a slogging, unimpressive read, and I'm abandoning ship...
There was waaaay too much fluff and filler and not enough story.
March 13, 2019
THE CUNDY, by R.H. Dixon, is a supernatural novel that has a strong "coming-of-age" theme running through it. The author begins with the definitions of cundy, for those of us unfamiliar with its British/Scottish origins, as:
1. A drain or drain entrance
2. A tunnel or passage
Sullivan and his younger brother, Colton Carter have recently lost their mother to a fatal disease. Trying to move on with their father now having to play the role of BOTH parents would be difficult enough on its own. Unfortunately, Sully, a young teenager, has been targeted by the local bullies for no apparent reason. As if that weren't bad enough, ten-year old Colton has taken to skipping school often, leading to exasperation and even more frustration for their already overwhelmed Father.
I immediately felt for each of these characters. We are given important information about them in small increments all throughout the novel. We see firsthand all that Sully is going through. Aside from being bullied, he is now forced to step up and watch out for the welfare of his younger brother, as his father is struggling to manage all other things--including his personal grief. I could honestly picture his late mother asking him this favor, knowing how their different personalities would struggle to process things after she's gone.
". . . When Colton came along we were known, collectively, as the Cosmic Kids. When Mam died, so did both the nicknames."
While we are given bits of the past to solidify the boys in our minds, the action in the novel takes place in the present. There are some things that seem to be true no matter where in the world you go. One such thing is that there are always those looking to bully others.
"Bullies . . . are nothing but weakling sociopaths, after all . . . "
Another thing that you can count on is that in virtually any town or village you come across, there's usually someplace rumored by all kids to be haunted.
". . . if there are pockets of darkness in the world . . . I expect the cundy is one of them."
The main point of this novel certainly centers around the cundy; however, through Dixon's words we are invited to live life as Sully for a time.
The coming-of-age is undeniably present with Sully through all of this, and so well done that his every action feels true. While immersed in this book, I felt that I was there witnessing everything happening. Not only with Sully, but with each of the characters brought in. All of their motivations, actions, and feelings rang true to me. A feat which most authors strive for is to have the people they create come "alive", and connect with the reader on some level. Dixon manages to do that seemingly effortlessly.
". . . I had simply surpassed the limits of fear and had transcended into some realm of acceptance . . . life can't be avoided . . . "
When we peer into the dark depths of the cundy, a part of our mind is actually there--experiencing each moment as we read it. It was easy to mentally witness everything vividly as I read the author's descriptions, my own imagination supplying any additional details that felt right. Even the thoughts of the boys--under these circumstances--seemed completely natural to me.
". . . Life was not a video game and it couldn't be reset . . . "
As for the supernatural experiences--all I can say is that they felt refreshingly "new", and at the same time, the only possible way it could be. That is what kind of hold these words had on me. Even the most illogical of conclusions can feel real when penned by the right hands.
". . . Life was finite. Death was known."
Overall, I felt this was an extremely well described, atmospheric novel that showcased a boy coming-of-age to perfection. All of the little details, from those that bonded the characters to each other, to those that separated them and set them apart as individuals, flowed steadily into my mind. R.H. Dixon has a true gift with her words, and personally, I plan on being in line for each new release she comes out with.
Highly recommended.
*I received an arc of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own.*
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
1. A drain or drain entrance
2. A tunnel or passage
Sullivan and his younger brother, Colton Carter have recently lost their mother to a fatal disease. Trying to move on with their father now having to play the role of BOTH parents would be difficult enough on its own. Unfortunately, Sully, a young teenager, has been targeted by the local bullies for no apparent reason. As if that weren't bad enough, ten-year old Colton has taken to skipping school often, leading to exasperation and even more frustration for their already overwhelmed Father.
I immediately felt for each of these characters. We are given important information about them in small increments all throughout the novel. We see firsthand all that Sully is going through. Aside from being bullied, he is now forced to step up and watch out for the welfare of his younger brother, as his father is struggling to manage all other things--including his personal grief. I could honestly picture his late mother asking him this favor, knowing how their different personalities would struggle to process things after she's gone.
". . . When Colton came along we were known, collectively, as the Cosmic Kids. When Mam died, so did both the nicknames."
While we are given bits of the past to solidify the boys in our minds, the action in the novel takes place in the present. There are some things that seem to be true no matter where in the world you go. One such thing is that there are always those looking to bully others.
"Bullies . . . are nothing but weakling sociopaths, after all . . . "
Another thing that you can count on is that in virtually any town or village you come across, there's usually someplace rumored by all kids to be haunted.
". . . if there are pockets of darkness in the world . . . I expect the cundy is one of them."
The main point of this novel certainly centers around the cundy; however, through Dixon's words we are invited to live life as Sully for a time.
The coming-of-age is undeniably present with Sully through all of this, and so well done that his every action feels true. While immersed in this book, I felt that I was there witnessing everything happening. Not only with Sully, but with each of the characters brought in. All of their motivations, actions, and feelings rang true to me. A feat which most authors strive for is to have the people they create come "alive", and connect with the reader on some level. Dixon manages to do that seemingly effortlessly.
". . . I had simply surpassed the limits of fear and had transcended into some realm of acceptance . . . life can't be avoided . . . "
When we peer into the dark depths of the cundy, a part of our mind is actually there--experiencing each moment as we read it. It was easy to mentally witness everything vividly as I read the author's descriptions, my own imagination supplying any additional details that felt right. Even the thoughts of the boys--under these circumstances--seemed completely natural to me.
". . . Life was not a video game and it couldn't be reset . . . "
As for the supernatural experiences--all I can say is that they felt refreshingly "new", and at the same time, the only possible way it could be. That is what kind of hold these words had on me. Even the most illogical of conclusions can feel real when penned by the right hands.
". . . Life was finite. Death was known."
Overall, I felt this was an extremely well described, atmospheric novel that showcased a boy coming-of-age to perfection. All of the little details, from those that bonded the characters to each other, to those that separated them and set them apart as individuals, flowed steadily into my mind. R.H. Dixon has a true gift with her words, and personally, I plan on being in line for each new release she comes out with.
Highly recommended.
*I received an arc of this book from the author. All opinions expressed are uniquely my own.*
AVAILABLE NOW!!!
June 21, 2019
Memories of playing under the culvert come to mind as I read The Cundy. To me, that is always a sign of good things to come.
A mining village in England, Norse mythology, the occult, bullying…A monster in the dark. Sounds like a chilling read to me. I can see the creepiness. How about you?
A coming of age story, with subtle danger and eerie happenings.
I love how the family works through a horrible time and the loss of a mom and wife, trying to figure out how to go on.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Cundy by R H Dixon.
See more at fundinmental
A mining village in England, Norse mythology, the occult, bullying…A monster in the dark. Sounds like a chilling read to me. I can see the creepiness. How about you?
A coming of age story, with subtle danger and eerie happenings.
I love how the family works through a horrible time and the loss of a mom and wife, trying to figure out how to go on.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Cundy by R H Dixon.
See more at fundinmental
March 13, 2019
The Cundy is an extremely atmospheric and multi-layered tale told in the first-person narrative of a teenage boy struggling valiantly with bullying, grief and overwhelming responsibility in the aftermath of family tragedy. Of course, this is an R.H. Dixon novel and so there is a sinister, goosebump-inducing supernatural twist that binds it all together.
Once again, Dixon weaves her magic with grounded and vivid characters who evoke feelings of empathy, frustration and hope in equal measures. I was charmingly thrown back into life in 90s Northern England, and, through Sullivan Carter, I could practically smell the school hallways and classrooms of my own youth and taste the sweet treats on offer at the local corner shop!
The cundy itself is an unusual, ominous antagonist. A formidable yet unknown quantity shrouded in darkness and local lore, it hauntingly calls to the book’s characters, preying on their individual fears and torments.
On a personal note, like Sully, I was the target of bullying as a teenager. I fully identified with his feelings of constant dread and the awareness that it is an unfair struggle which must be endured rather than avoided. I applaud the author’s navigation of this particular subject matter and I silently praised Sully for his bravery and strength with each turn of the page.
The Cundy is completely immersive and effortlessly well-written, with unflinching characters and colourful dialogue. Download it now!
Once again, Dixon weaves her magic with grounded and vivid characters who evoke feelings of empathy, frustration and hope in equal measures. I was charmingly thrown back into life in 90s Northern England, and, through Sullivan Carter, I could practically smell the school hallways and classrooms of my own youth and taste the sweet treats on offer at the local corner shop!
The cundy itself is an unusual, ominous antagonist. A formidable yet unknown quantity shrouded in darkness and local lore, it hauntingly calls to the book’s characters, preying on their individual fears and torments.
On a personal note, like Sully, I was the target of bullying as a teenager. I fully identified with his feelings of constant dread and the awareness that it is an unfair struggle which must be endured rather than avoided. I applaud the author’s navigation of this particular subject matter and I silently praised Sully for his bravery and strength with each turn of the page.
The Cundy is completely immersive and effortlessly well-written, with unflinching characters and colourful dialogue. Download it now!
April 22, 2019
I received an eBook review copy of this book from the author. And I was happy to because after reading the blurb, I was intrigued.
Sullivan Carter is being hassled by bullies, and while trying to get away from them he's forced to hide in the cundy with his younger brother. That's when they're attacked by a scary creature who starts to haunt them.
At the same time, things at home are complicated with their dad and Sullivan's starting a new friendship with a girl. But things get worse when the dreams come and the voices start whispering...
Okay. I was really excited about this book. I love coming of age stories, especially featuring siblings. But I have to admit, I started reading this a few weeks ago but... couldn't get into it.
There was something keeping me from connecting with the characters and the story. And I'm not sure why. I mean, both Sullivan and Colton were interesting in their own way, and I felt bad for Sullivan getting bullied by asshole kids. Plus the writing was good, it really was.
But I just wasn't hooked. Still, I kept reading until the end.
One thing I did enjoy was the sense of atmosphere and location in this story. The dark and dreary days added to the damp and grey feel of the place, and the sadness of what was going on. It was bleak, but not as frightening as I was expecting.
It's a shame that I wasn't captivated by this book, because that's what I was hoping would happen.
Sullivan Carter is being hassled by bullies, and while trying to get away from them he's forced to hide in the cundy with his younger brother. That's when they're attacked by a scary creature who starts to haunt them.
At the same time, things at home are complicated with their dad and Sullivan's starting a new friendship with a girl. But things get worse when the dreams come and the voices start whispering...
Okay. I was really excited about this book. I love coming of age stories, especially featuring siblings. But I have to admit, I started reading this a few weeks ago but... couldn't get into it.
There was something keeping me from connecting with the characters and the story. And I'm not sure why. I mean, both Sullivan and Colton were interesting in their own way, and I felt bad for Sullivan getting bullied by asshole kids. Plus the writing was good, it really was.
But I just wasn't hooked. Still, I kept reading until the end.
One thing I did enjoy was the sense of atmosphere and location in this story. The dark and dreary days added to the damp and grey feel of the place, and the sadness of what was going on. It was bleak, but not as frightening as I was expecting.
It's a shame that I wasn't captivated by this book, because that's what I was hoping would happen.
April 12, 2019
Was disappointed, not up to the usual standard of Ms Dixon's books. The story was about two brothers, Soly age 14 and Colton age 10. Although everything Colton did sounded more like an eight year old even down to his brother saying his small hand touched him. The oldest was bullied by four boys from school and one day he was chased with his brother over the beach to the viaduct and the Cundy where they hid and where they had their first encounter with a very large black wolf. This wolf continued to haunt them n their dreams and the younger boy believed that his dead mother was alive in the Cundy and the wolf was guarding the entrance to where she was. It was at the end Soly discovered what the wolf really was. The first third of the book was mostly about their parents and how Soly's dad was feeling now his mam had gone. There was mention of Norse God's from a girl he'd met, what they had to do with the story I can't think.
June 6, 2019
Very Good coming of age story with a unique twist and original horror backstory.
I have always enjoyed a good coming of age story if there not overly syrupy. I also enjoy books in the horror genre. This book mixes the two for a very satisfying read. I always hate it when books end in the middle of the story and force you to find out the ending in a sequel this book does not do that however I loved the characters and the unique ending so much it left me hoping the author revisits the people in this book in the future. This is especially true of the main character and his true nature reveled at the end of the book. I wouldn't even mind a series, which is saying something since I mostly prefer stand alone books which this seems to be. Lastly for your American audience of which I'm one, I enjoyed your use of English slang in the book but would have preferred you had the definitions at the beginning of the book instead of the end. Very well done story and enjoyable read.
I have always enjoyed a good coming of age story if there not overly syrupy. I also enjoy books in the horror genre. This book mixes the two for a very satisfying read. I always hate it when books end in the middle of the story and force you to find out the ending in a sequel this book does not do that however I loved the characters and the unique ending so much it left me hoping the author revisits the people in this book in the future. This is especially true of the main character and his true nature reveled at the end of the book. I wouldn't even mind a series, which is saying something since I mostly prefer stand alone books which this seems to be. Lastly for your American audience of which I'm one, I enjoyed your use of English slang in the book but would have preferred you had the definitions at the beginning of the book instead of the end. Very well done story and enjoyable read.
March 24, 2019
Amazingly terrifying
This isn't the first book of Dixon's that I've read, and it definitely won't be the last. This is a book that will scare the living ... right out of you. I loved every minute of this page turner. I wasn't quite sure what "Cundy" meant, but it did sound absolutely terrifying, and the author explains it in the beginning of the book. Dixon also writes that "The Cundy is based on a real water conduit in Castle Eden Dene." And then the story begins. I love the way Dixon tells a story, and brings the reader right in, emotions running high, heart pounding excitement, and serious character development. I couldn't stop reading this book, even though in some parts, you just want to look away, but you can't. Magnificently heart-pounding story.
This isn't the first book of Dixon's that I've read, and it definitely won't be the last. This is a book that will scare the living ... right out of you. I loved every minute of this page turner. I wasn't quite sure what "Cundy" meant, but it did sound absolutely terrifying, and the author explains it in the beginning of the book. Dixon also writes that "The Cundy is based on a real water conduit in Castle Eden Dene." And then the story begins. I love the way Dixon tells a story, and brings the reader right in, emotions running high, heart pounding excitement, and serious character development. I couldn't stop reading this book, even though in some parts, you just want to look away, but you can't. Magnificently heart-pounding story.
September 1, 2025
Superb read
Just finished The Cundy and really enjoyed it. I grew up in Horden so familiar with a lot of the places you mentioned in the book. About to start the second book. Looking forward to reading more of your stories.
Just finished The Cundy and really enjoyed it. I grew up in Horden so familiar with a lot of the places you mentioned in the book. About to start the second book. Looking forward to reading more of your stories.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews