Darkest Thoughts: A Horror Novella

by P.W. Hillard

If you could look into a person’s mind, what if you didn’t like what you saw?

Darren Bolton is a therapist with a difference. Blessed with the ability to read minds, his gift has given him an easy life, so far.

When a new patient walks into his office, her thoughts disgusting and vile, Darren’s life will change forever. Pulled into a hidden world, Darren will learn that things get a lot stranger than telepaths as he comes face to face with the supernatural.

Suspected for a murder he didn’t commit, Darren must learn about this secret world, and quickly, if he hopes to survive.

87 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2020

About the author

Currently living in South Wales with his beautiful wife and two cats, P.W Hillard is a writer of horror and dark urban fantasy. His major influences are Stephen King, Clive Barker and especially the works of John Carpenter. As well as horror, he reads fantasy and science fiction, and is a voracious consumer of novels.

Outside of fiction, his other obsessions are tiny toy soldiers and giant monster movies. He also spends far too much time playing video games when he should be writing books.

Reviews

[Buttercupp77 · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novella centres on Darren - a therapist in private practise. Darren has an ability that he does his best to avoid, but nonetheless, he uses it to his advantage. When an older lady attends her first session, Darren has an experience that he can't ignore. His curiosity about this patient leads him into life-altering situations.

I really enjoyed this story. It was surprising and different. I liked the characters and their development. I liked the big reveal and I really liked how things resolved, leaving the door open to potential future developments (which I would be very interested to read).

There were some spelling errors, so an extra revision would tidy those up, but overall, I enjoyed this very much.

I received a copy of this novel via the author.

[Karin Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the story concept to be very interesting; a therapist who can not help but to feel and hear his client's thoughts and takes a job that lands him as a suspect to a murder. No one is who they appear to be, and I was disappointed that their true identities were not revealed. There are some issues with spelling and grammar, which a good once over by a proofreader would help, and with a touch more fleshing out, this has the potential to be a creepy short story or even the start to a series.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite an interesting story, I'm glad I took a chance although there are still some parts with grammar and spelling errors that really are annoying.
Darren can read thoughts and tries to quieting the world by being a therapist. He gets a visit from a supernatural being and gets dragged into the petty games of hell.

[Jeanne · Rating 1 out of 5]

Though the tale has merit, the spelling mistakes overshadow the story. In need of a good editing. I received a free copy of this book and voluntarily leave a review.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great premise little confusing at parts def worth the read

[Roger]

Darkest Thoughts: A Horror Novella, my second read from author P W Hillard. I was given an Audible copy of Consumption (Special Investigations, #3) by P.W. Hillard & wanted to read the first 2 books in the series before reading that one. Not a bad book, just not particularly to my liking. I don't see any connection to Blessed by Fire. Well-written, I can see where readers of the horror genre would enjoy the book. Next up; Consumption: A supernatural detective horror (Special investigations Book 3). (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 - July 24, 2018).