Headcase: A Post-truth ghost story

by Mr Seb Duncan

Prague has a serial killer problem. Meet Tomáš Novák, alcoholic, genius crime buster and Nicolas Cage lookalike (much to his annoyance). He is in pursuit of a killer whose leitmotif is decapitating heads and leaving them in public places. As the investigation unfolds, it reveals a parallel story of revenge and passion from 17th Century Czech folklore. Novák has an estranged daughter, a growing drink problem, and he looks like Nicolas Cage. But that has never stopped him before.Headcase is a satirical post-truth ghost story. Think The Da Vinci Code written by Thomas Harris with a dash of hard boiled Raymond Chandler Noir. The atmosphere of the book should feel like a David Fincher film. Ghostly, Macabre with wickedly black humour. It employs a parallel narrative. One shorter story is placed at the front of the book and is primarily told in the first person and takes place in the late Medieval period. The second core story follows a set of separate characters in the 21st Century.A little bit about the book from the authorHeadcase presents the reader with a central character from folklore, and places him into a modern fast paced narrative context about a murder investigation and an absurd political fake news story. For the reader, there should be suspension of disbelief about the old story (because it is a famous legend) whilst knowing that truth in the 21st Century is becoming very hard to define.I find the clash between these themes interesting; the original story is sweet and kind of innocent (in its own way), while the modern story is cynical and fast paced. Although I don’t want it to be a “ghost story”, I do want the prose to feel like one in parts, the idea being to keep the reader guessing throughout. In addition, the book takes place in Prague, with all its atmosphere and mystery hopefully adding to the feeling of unease.After I started writing the book, I realised that it shared some aspects of Look Who's Back by Timur Vermes (although this was not intentional!). His novel pulls off the idea of a famous historical character taking part in a modern story, by giving no explanation as to how he arrived there, which I like very much. The book doesn't dwell on it and just concentrates on the implications of him living in the present as the main story.

116 pages, Paperback

Published April 29, 2021

Reviews

[Barry Lamb · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great ghost story based in Prague. It combines creeping horror with really black humour. A rare thing these days. If you're into dark medieval history and absurd fake news then this is for you! The story is based on the famous 16th Century Prague executioner, Jan Mydlar and his statues and tributes can be seen all over Prague. This feels a bit like an origin story, which I love.

The inclusion of the central character as a Nic Cage lookalike was cool but I would have liked more about this.

Other than that, a really brisk read (it’s a novella).
Really enjoyable!

[Barry Lamb · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella really hits the spot when it comes to being creative with genres. It starts off with a historical story and moves into the modern day, while including social media, fake news and and murder mystery all in one punch! Also if you've ever been to Prague you will love the way the writer depicts the city. Great debut. Be interesting to see what Seb Duncan comes up with next.

[Saba Mosavi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Headcase is just amazing. I'm a book club member and we all enjoyed reading such an intriguing mystery novella. The story was full of wit and thril, and I couldn't put it down to the very end. I found it very interesting how the writer intertwined the past and present in the storyline and created surprising twists. I wholeheartedly recommend it and can't wait for more from this author.

[Noosha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a strange book and I loved it. It centres around the myth of a Prague executioner from the 1500s and brings it back to life in modern Prague. There are all sorts of strange goings on invloving a police detective and a fake news plot involving politics. A great novella if you like your horror dark and funny!

[Roham Makki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This creatively written novella is an absorbing mixture of horror and police detective stories. The fake news elements are very funny too. I would like to see where Novak (the Prague police detective) goes next!
Truly exciting and unpredictable.

[Myles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read from start to finish. Atmospheric and fast paced in equal measure. Prague, executioners and fake news what’s not to love!

[Christopher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and mysterious horror that combines a folkloric story with modern crime caper.

[Bibiana]

Both gripping and extremely funny; I could not stop reading! Highly recommended.