The Mother of All Things

Godless Creatures #1

by Gabriel Blake

Alternate cover edition of ASIN B07FYT2Z98

If your mind wiped away a traumatic event from your past, would you want to remember? Sometimes the choice is made for you!

It was supposed to be a new beginning for Elaine Davis. Returning to her childhood home in North Yorkshire, she hopes to move on from a devastating past and rebuild her life with the help of her mother and children.
Sometimes though, new beginnings in familiar surroundings can come with the stirrings of memories long forgotten.
As Elaine’s mind begins to unravel, discoveries of deceit and betrayal reveal themselves and circumstances spiral beyond her control.

Elaine must fight to hold on to her sanity; unless of course, she has already lost it!

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Fiction, Psychological Thriller, Ebooks, Mystery Thriller

388 pages, ebook

First published March 26, 2018

About the author

My preferred genre is psychological thrillers. I love all the plotting involved in creating a story with twists, turns, and jaw-dropping moments. Some would say my writing is aimed more toward horror-thriller.
I love to read books by Stephen King, Mark Billingham, James Patterson, Dean Koontz, Jeffery Deaver, Val McDermid, Peter James, and Teresa Driscoll to mention a few.
I also love movies like Seven, The Shining, Misery, LA Confidential, Silence of the Lambs and almost everything from John Hughes in the 80s and early 90s. I was a huge Brat Pack fan. Tv shows include the likes of Silent Witness, Endeavour, Line of Duty, Luther, Vera, Breaking Bad, You, Game of Thrones, True Detective, Fargo, and similar.

I'd love to hear from readers or potential readers and will always do my best to respond as soon as possible. You can contact me in the following ways:
Email: gabriel@gabrielblake.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GabrielWilliamBlake
Twitter: @GabrielBlake_

Most of my working life has been in property maintenance, apart from a short spell as a postman. I hope to become a full-time writer in the coming year or years, as may well be the case.

I was born in southeast London but am now living in Kent with my wife, mother-in-law, and three cats. Tilly, Mrs. Slocombe, and Mr. Tibbs.

Reviews

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. The main character is skilfully brought to life by the author and the story hurtles along at breakneck speed to a breathtaking finish. It really is one of those books that ‘you can’t put down’ as you can’t wait to see what happens next. Although quite dark in places, there are some wonderful, almost comic interactions that lighten the mood along the way. There are many facets to this book, making it one of the most interesting reads I’ve had in a very long time. Really hope there’s going to be a sequel!

[E. Billups · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, I’m stunned this is Mr. Blake’s debut novel. It seems he’s been writing psychological thrillers a while. In The Mother of All Things, Mr. Blake melds mystery, crime, suspense, drama, and action in a story seeping with dark paranoid tension that leaves you wondering about the main character’s mental state. Mr. Blake throws the reader immediately into the MC’s conflict as she wakes covered in blood with a dead man beside her, and no memory of how he got there, or whether she killed him. My interest was piqued even more when her mother appears and says, “Now calm yourself, child. You know what you have to do…” an ever-present voice of reason.

Elaine has grieved the mysterious disappearance of her son Charlie for years, which eventually ended her marriage and sends her spiraling down a suicidal path. After years of counseling, she seems to be holding up well, until she returns to her childhood home, a five-bedroom, two-story former farmhouse, with a dilapidated barn, which she sets out to restore. Elaine’s constant painting, throughout the novel, somehow appears a metaphor for her murky past—a fresh coat of paint concealing a muddied, ugly past. Elaine has no memory of her father and has forgotten most of her childhood. A forlorn oak tree whispers something horrific, the old barn holds a secret, and bordering the two-acre property are several buried mysteries.

As the story progresses something’s not right as Elaine tries to reclaim her life and make it right. The past keeps popping its tormenting head into her life. Night terrors, and dreams forebode danger, but from whom or what. Reality soon takes on the possibility of a horror story with terrifying manifestations. Mr. Blake paints the picture of uncertainty; a mood and tone that make the reader wonder if the MC is stable or delusional as inexplicable murders keep happening around her. The story turns strange and dark, as Elaine’s past unfolds.

I must say the climactic bloodbath that follows a horrifying truth just keeps going and going and I prayed for the poor souls in the path of death. The denouement reaps vengeance and retribution so dark, so brutal yet horribly good.

The twists and turns, and interwoven characters held me to the end. The pace is never slow and just right for a psychological thriller. Told in the third person, Mr. Blake crafted an MC your heart will ache for. After such a harrowing past, you want and hope she’s victorious in the end. I recommended this book to anyone looking for a well written psychological thriller. Mr. Blake, thank you for the fantastic read!

[Diana Febry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this a roller coaster of a read. I was a little confused for the first few chapters ( I often am! ). The book steadily developed into an intriguing psychological mystery. The author certainly knows how to drop in those teasing little snippets that draw you into the story and encourage you to read on. The climax of the story, out of the blue, was explosive veering more towards horror than thriller. The loose ends are then neatly tied up.
I thoroughly enjoyed the read and I'm going to follow where this author goes next. This book demonstrates he can create believable characters, do suspense and mystery and also full-on action and horror. If he chooses the later I might have to read with one eye closed.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining psychological listening 🎶🔰

This was a free novel e-book from Amazon.

This is a great listening novel moving at a fast pace. She is living in her family house with all kinds of strange things happening. Then a police officer goes missing, then she sees 👀 her mother hanging in a tree, and then her brother shows up ☝. The ending of this novel was full of psychological action, misdirection, and violence leading to the murder of a number of people.

I would recommend this novel and author to 👍 readers of romantic psychological violence novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡💘

[Sterling Emmal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabrial Blake is to writing as Vincent Van Gogh is to art—a master of his craft.

The Mother of All Things is a descriptive emotion-packed novel with a horror twist about a woman named Elaine who suffers from depression and other mental health conditions. In the beginning, Elaine lives with her cheating husband, Robert, and her three small children. After the loss of her oldest son, Charlie, to a brutal murderer, she devoices Robert and moves back home with her mother, but things are not always what they seem in Elaine's twisted world. If I say more I would be spoiling too much.

I absolutely feel that five out of five stars does not come close to giving Gabrial Blake or his book the credit that they deserve. In fact, I wouldn't even think 100 out of 5 stars would be enough. This book touched me on a personal note. As someone who struggles with bipolar depression, I could actually relate to a lot of Elaine's feelings and anxieties about life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good chilling—graphic—literary masterpiece.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mother Of All Things by Gabriel Blake is a contemporary psychological horror suspense that completely drew me in. I have never read this genre before but was totally absorbed in the action.
The novel has the reader questioning, what is real? What is imagined? Who is telling the truth? And who is lying? There seems to be a fine line between reality and imagination. There were times when I believed the action was real, only to find I was wrong - or was I?
A mother's love knows no bounds. What lengths would you go to to protect your children?
The mind is a powerful tool. It can be manipulated. It can be shut down but watch out when the doors are unlocked. "Other doors began to open in her mind."
Loss consumes. You cannot just 'get over it.' Some losses are just too painful. "I can't stop the hurt."
There are crimes and mysteries to solve. As the body count rises, the reader is even more mystified as to who the perpetrator is. I suspected just about everyone.
The characters are well drawn. The lead character took up residence in my head. I 'lived' the action through her.
Gabriel Blake imagined a very well thought out plotline with twists and turns that kept the action alive and me on tenterhooks. There were definitely jaw dropping moments. An excellent novel that would translate well into a movie.
A word of caution- this novel does contain language and scenes some readers may not like. I found there was too much detail in the bedroom scenes so I skipped over them. It did not detract from the story though.
On a lighter note - locations are important. Imagine my surprise, having grown up in Solihull, to see 'Aldersbrook Road, Solihull' mentioned. I went to Alderbrook School and my parents used to park the car in Alderbrook Road to drop me off or pick up. I could easily imagine the leafy suburb and the huge houses. Thank you Gabriel Blake for bringing a wow moment to me.
I received this book for free from The Book Gobbler. A favourable review was not required and all views expressed are my own.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book as a Mother's Day present from my Daughter, Sterling Emmal, and it did not disappoint. I related to the main character Elaine because we were about the same age and we both have suffered depression and experienced troubled childhoods. I made the mistake of staying up late and reading it until the end, and it scared me half to death. It was totally off the chain! I highly recommend it.

[Joanna Marta Pilatowicz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This journey of Elaine pulled me in. It proves an author’s ability to describe with a detail psychological process of a human nature, which I am also fascinated with. What is real, what is not when a mind cannot really differentiate that? Sane or crazy? It is a deeply touching story, scary at times but wanting to know what will happen next, I kept reading. Excellent writing and creating characters that who knows maybe are out there, living their life.

[Sterling Emmal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gabriel Blake is to writing as Vincent Van Gogh is to art—a master of his craft.
The Mother of All Things is a descriptive emotion-packed novel with a horror twist about a woman named Elaine who suffers from depression and other mental health conditions. In the beginning, Elaine lives with her cheating husband, Robert, and her three small children. After the loss of her oldest son, Charlie, to a brutal murderer, she devoices Robert and moves back home with her mother, but things are not always what they seem in Elaine's twisted world. If I say more I would be spoiling too much.
I absolutely feel that five out of five stars does not come close to giving Gabrial Blake or his book the credit that they deserve. In fact, I wouldn't even think 100 out of 5 stars would be enough. This book touched me on a personal note. As someone who struggles with bipolar depression, I could actually relate to a lot of Elaine's feelings and anxieties about life. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a good chilling—graphic—literary masterpiece.

[teresa pogue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! Elaine is all kinds of messed up. But is she crazy? That's the question you will keep asking yourself all through this book. I enjoyed reading this book so much that it beat another book out that I have to read for a deadline on a challenge. I couldn't help myself. It was impossible to put down! Thank you book gobbler and Gabriel Blake for letting me read this terrific thriller.

[Rodney Strong · Rating 4 out of 5]

The return home was supposed to be a fresh start for Elaine, after the abduction and murder of her child years earlier, and the subsequent break up of her marriage. She moves back into the family home and throws herself into rebuilding both the house, and her life. But going back is never easy, and Elaine finds herself facing demons, both past and present, in a fight for her very sanity.

The Mother of All Things is a very well written book, with complex and detailed characters, a plot that twists and turns enough to maintain interest all the way through, and an interesting ending. Blake has done a superb job for a first book. Elaine in particular is a character that readers grow to know, and yet feel like there is always something we don't know about her. This is a tricky thing to do, yet the author does a great job with it.

This was almost a 5 star review, but the one thing that tripped me up, and this may just be a personal taste thing, was POV. Elaine is the main character, yet the author constantly uses an omnipotent POV, rapidly switching between characters on the same page, and sometimes in the same paragraph. I can understand that there are sometimes things the author wants readers to know to progress the story, but there was often too much of it, and not all of it seemed necessary for plot. There was also alot of bloodshed at the end of the book, again not all of it seemed necessary for character or plot development.

However, that point aside, this was an excellent read, and I look forward to seeing what Mr Blake does next.

[Dean Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

An absorbing, disturbing and kinetic thriller that balances a tight rope between a conventional whodunnit and a Gothic horror, Gabriel Blake commands this tome with a skilfull hand wherein you're never quite sure what state of existence the real world lies in. Elaine Bennett, Blake's tortured protagonist, is a fascinating character to observe as the events in the story unfold and the deepening psychological disturbances she endures that hint at a whole other subplot keep the reader engaged. Blake executes his mystery competently, and there's a satisfying interactivity to it that had me going back to check and double check a couple of plot points to see if I was putting things together. That, to me, was fun and it kept me invested. The action is taut, confronting to be sure but it kept me on the edge of my seat and had me looking over my shoulder once or twice in the darkness of my own living room.

The Mother Of All Things is a worthy thriller off which Gabriel Blake should be justly proud.

[Jodie Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant novel. The detailing in the description of the characters, places and dreams are breathtaking - almost like you’re watching the novel play out in front of your eyes rather than reading it. I honestly struggled to tear myself away from reading it once it really got started! I didn’t expect it to get as dark as it did but it really worked well with the little witty remarks and humour made by the main characters. I was definitely left wanting more after reading. I highly recommend. It’s the best novel I’ve read in a long time!

[Jodie Fowler · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brilliant novel. The detailing in the description of the characters, places and dreams are breathtaking - almost like you’re watching the novel play out in front of your eyes rather than reading it. I honestly struggled to tear myself away from reading it once it really got started! I didn’t expect it to get as dark as it did but it really worked well with the little witty remarks and humour made by the main characters. I was definitely left wanting more after reading. I highly recommend. It’s the best novel I’ve read in a long time!

[Stephen Clynes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Elaine Davis is happily spending time with her family at a fun fair in London when her son Charlie goes missing. Follow Elaine as she copes with Charlie’s disappearance and secrets from her past.

I did not take to The Mother of all Things as this story got off to a bad start. The early chapters of this book alternate between the present day and 5 years earlier when Charlie disappeared. This chopping back and forth between time zones really annoyed me.

Elaine then moved to Helmsley in North Yorkshire where she spent her childhood years. Thankfully from then onwards this story remained in the present day. But many more frustrations lay ahead. Gabriel would at great length describe his scenes centred around Elaine only for the reader and Elaine to discover she was having a bad dream or nightmare. This constant challenge between her dream world and the real world really irritated me and spoilt any possible enjoyment I might have been able to get from this novel.

Gabriel teases the reader a lot throughout his novel. “Beware zero six four two” features time and time again through this story, making the reader want to discover what 0642 relates to.

There is a dark side to Elaine and mental health issues are thrown into the mix. Try not to smile when Elaine gives Ashton a surprise to remember!

The story rolled on with the action accelerating to a tremendous climax. But when I got to the end of The Mother of all Things, there were many details that were not resolved. I finished this book and was very disappointed with all the loose ends that were left behind. It is okay authors leaving room for the next book but most readers want closure when they have got to the end of a book.

I was not impressed with The Mother of all Things and consider it a POOR 2 star read. This is the first book I have read from Gabriel but I shall not invest my time to read another book from him.

[Tertia · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all I would like to thank the author for a copy of this book for review purposes.
I give this book 3 and a 1/2 stars.
Very good for a debut novel to be honest.
The characters are believable and very human, just like you and me.
I sometimes doubted Elaine's sincerity, but as a main character she was well written.
Sometimes I got a little bit confused, with the very quick and unexpected change between characters, but not so much I couldn't follow.
Great turns and some twists!!
Enjoyed it very much!! Looking forward to the next book by Gabriel Blake.

[Mirthe · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a rollercoaster with an absurd amount of gory details. I like.

[Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: C

Five years prior to the story, Elaine's son, Charlie, is kidnapped and murdered by a fair clown while her husband has a secret tryst with his girlfriend, Chloe. This pushes Elaine to a mental breakdown and ends the marriage between Elaine and Robert. Now, five years later (to the present), Elaine is recovering, in therapy and is fixing up her old childhood home for her kids. She's trying to make friends and find a place for herself, but strange things start happening and the cops are still investigating her regarding her son's disappearance.

In all, I did enjoy some parts of the novel, but while pushed as a psychological thriller, it was not really that at all - very meandering and slow in its overall execution. I found it repetitive and a bit of a slog at times. The [spoiler]first twist was easy enough for me to guess, but I didn't see the rest coming, and the book really popped off at about 80%[/spoiler] but I found it difficult to really be invested to get that far.

It was fine, I don't think I would recommend it to anyone.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

There aren't enough words to describe how amazing this book is!! The backstory and the various tragedies r all horrible, but the twists were so great!! So excited there's a sequel

[Jayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mother of all...evil!

This book is extremely addictive...but incredible chilling.
It's written in the third person, in short readable chapters, from the perspective of numerous characters but the main character is female. To say she has been through sheer hell is an understatement!
The storyline begins in the present day but leaps back and forth between the past five years, this is essential as the story progresses, however, the dreamlike states were a little confusing at times, and annoying...but again, essential.
As the chapters pass, one realizes immediately that this psychological mystery thriller goes a lot deeper than the first few pages.
This is NOT to be read by the faint of heart!!!
There's child abduction, murder, rape, violence, horror, vengeance, schizophrenia...and quite frankly...A sick evil!!! But seriously, all that said grab a copy of this book, (I dare you!), it's terrifyingly depraved but un-put -a-down-able! And was fortunate to find it free. This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger but also doesn't conclude the story.
I'd recommend to those who love sick horror.

[Anita Dow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shocking, tense, gripping, surprising, thought provoking, dark and chilling – this book is all of these and more. It is a clever and compelling emotional roller coaster of a story that I did not want to put down. The opening immediately drew me in with shock and sympathy for the family of an abducted child and as I learned more about the characters I began to doubt almost everyone. Just when I thought I knew who the villain was, the plot took another twist. By the end it was hard to decide who was victim and who was perpetrator. Moving towards the tense and unforgettable conclusion. I felt as though the book had about three endings, each one ever more surprising. The twists and turns had me glued to every page and the final chapter took my breath away. I can't wait to read the next book from the mind of this exceptionally talented author.

[Jennifer Lambert · Rating 5 out of 5]

By far, this is the best, slam-dunk debut novel I've ever read. Thrilling, captivating & kept my fingers moving page to page thirsty for more. I could not put it down and finished it on my second night reading. The way the author twists and turns the scenarios is just mind-bending in how he flawlessly and seamlessly transitions it together.

The story line cannot be beat and an emotional attachment to the characters begin immediately. Just when you believe you know where it is all going - you are completely fooled! Addicting and marvelously written! I cannot wait to read more written by Gabriel Blake. I am a fan, a huge fan already! More, please!

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a disturbing read, the issues raised certainly psychologically awful...and yet extremely well done.

Many of the characters were unlikeable but all fit nicely into the plot. Elaine was a complex character and I was intrigued by the mystery for the beginning.

I don't give spoilers but will say that this was a well-written story that packed a punch - beware.

Highly recommended.

[Cassandra Brenton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Dark

Blake pulls off a true masterpiece! Normally, one would not be able to justify the horrible retribution, but, I all by stood up and cheered.

[mark feenan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book for free off Amazon. 5* read. Brilliant story well told. Have just purchased the sequel.

[Horror_Reader1973 · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading rave reviews, I have to admit this book did not go in the direction I was expecting. Its always difficult, when there is a lot of hype, because one person's version of an addictive page turner is not the same as another's.

Having said that, this is an extremely intense, cleverly written, book.

Elaine has mental health issues, she is off her meds and cannot determine reality from her dreams and delusions. Some of her reality is quite obviously not as it seems to the reader, but how much of that is not certain. For me, this is what makes this book so engaging, you can see some elements that are obvious but the other parts are a mystery. Who is the mysterious intruder? Are the kids there? Are they even alive?

The characters in this book are complex and not particularly likeable. It's the mystery that had me hooked, I wanted to know wtf was going on!!!

So yes, in the end it was a page turner! And that is due to the absolute cryptic web the author managed to spin. I was a fly stuck in that web and I finished the book in two days. Its dark and unsettling, engaging, confusing and above all very very well written. The haunting setting, the vivid imagery, the utter mystery of what is actually happening was more important to me, than a story I loved.

[Molly Bethoney · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really promising right from the get go. As Elaine tries to repurpose her life after divorce and the murder of her young son, her state of mind begins to deteriorate and people go missing or turn up dead in her presence. The reader and Elaine are both unsure of what really is true versus a psychotic episode, making this book a guessing game. Over time, Elaine becomes sicker and sicker with the finger beginning to point at her. The ending you will not see coming.
I thought this book was unique in the plot but that the characters were very unlikeable. I also found it to be easy to determine who in Elaine’s life was real vs. fake. The ending did shock me and made me feel sympathetic towards Elaine.

[Ceeceereads · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an exceptional 5 star horror (just until the end where I was a little disappointed) so dropped my rating to 4 stars. For the most part, I thought this read in a similar disjointed- but exceptionally coherent- fashion to Slade House with a touch of Ramsey Campbell and I absolutely relished it. A circus, a missing child… this was chilling and creepy af. The end, without giving spoilers, was too complete for me. Too neatly wrapped. I wanted to be unsure. I wanted to be left with nightmares, god dammit. Good effort though.

[Jacqui Hallas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book, it was a good introduction to a new to me author. Great characters and not at all predictable. Thank You Gabriel Blake , I shall look out for more titles, especially Godless Creatures, loved the teaser of the new book.

[Danni May · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was insane and I loved it. Such a dark physiological thriller. It totally sucked me in and stressed me out!