The Bookkeeper's Skull

Warhammer Horror

by Justin D. Hill

A Warhammer Horror Novel

Follow in the footsteps of Rudgard Howe, an enforcer cadet who, while on their first mission, and embroiled in an embittered succession battle back home, uncovers a heinous sanguinary cult…

READ IT BECAUSE
In the grim darkness of the far future, horror lies in the most unlikely of places, as a routine investigation becomes something all the more sinister.

THE STORY
On the captital world of Potence, young enforcer cadet Rudgard Howe is caught up in a bitter internecine feud to inherit his father's position of Chief Enforcer. As the tithe fleets approach, he is sent on his first mission to ensure that the planet's distant agri-facilities fulfil their quotas to the God-Emperor. Farmed with serfs and managed by ex-Militarum soldiers, the agri-facilities are places of shocking brutality and hopelessness. But when he is sent to the outlying farmstead of Thorsarbour, Rudgard discovers a community where the crops are left to rot as the inhabitants indulge in the bloody ecstasy of a sanguinary cult. As Rudgard imposes the strict Lex Imperialis upon the farmstead, he begins to uncover a place where sanity is rapidly slipping. Just a single step into his nightmarish mission though, a series of cruel deaths threatens to dismantle everything he has ever known about the Imperium, his faith in the Emperor, and the strength of his very soul.

Genres: Horror, 40k, Science Fiction, Fantasy, Mystery, Fiction, Audiobook

208 pages, Hardcover

First published January 15, 2022

About the author

Justin is a long-time Astra Militarum player with a trophy cabinet of painting and gaming awards. He now leads his Imperial Fists into the hell of the Horus Heresy.

Reviews

[Victoria Hayward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin writes with the heart of a historian, and the mind of a depraved monster.

I love the carefully observed rituals he depicts, as well as the horrifying dissonance between the protagonist’s perception of the ‘normality’ of everyday life and its awful reality to the reader’s eyes. As with everything written in the 40k setting, the everyday is already horrific, but Justin manages to ramp up the tension and weirdness, and when our protagonist starts to get worried, you know things are about to get *very* gnarly.

I also really enjoyed Justin’s descriptions of the setting, which reminded me of Dan Abnett’s evocative 40k cityscapes, the colour and life of the urban landscapes being made tangible through carefully crafted details.

This was a really enjoyable piece, and I’d like to hear more from the protagonist!

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick, punchy, and dread-full novel. The atmosphere builds up steadily and crescendos into its climax. Every sentence feels like it puts in work to building the agri-world setting. Indeed, this is the part that impressed me the most. Potence felt tangible and utterly miserable. Characters work for the length of the novel, but not much more. That part is only noteworthy if you are going into the book expecting that. Overall, very much worth my time. I’ll probably be thinking about this one for a while when dreaming of the Imperium.

Fun note: Valgaast makes another appearance from David Annandale’s short story: “The Terminus.” I wonder if this is recurring in Warhammer Horror stories?

[Amie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Idk how I will communicate this effectively to the degree that I feel it but here goes: if Rick O'Connell (Brendan Fraiser, The Mummy) lived as Hadrian Marlowe going to stormtrooper Nevaro (Mandalorin) but it looks like Adelphi or maybe Morak and its spooky. I know, I know. My nerd is showing 😋

There are some books I outright refuse to read unless I have the audiobook, no matter how long I have to wait, I will. Hellmouth, Empire of Silence, Dark Harvest, Promise of Blood, and Children of Gods and Fighting Men are some examples and I regard them highly. I didn't think this was one of them until I listened to the preview. Major fuck up bc I used my 1 credit already. Currently, I'm trying to justify buying a 4h 32min audiobook for more than my membership...it's just a cocktail and a half 👀

Here we have a man with distant royal relations who grew up in a home where both his parents were trauma causers. Now he's interning for his father to prove that he should inherit the Chief Enforcer position from him instead of his brothers by going to a planet to heckle people for their taxes. The town is going through some supernatural, paranormal, cultish transformation and he is unaware of the situation. I've been eating up 1st person, one pov sci-fis. Plus this plot?? It was almost too niche to be true 😂

Mr. Hill's prose was so unexpectedly beautiful, Rudgard charmed my socks off, and the setting served its purpose. I loved this and its abrupt ending. It was not at all scary, not eerie, not creepy, barely a horror, but the story more than made up for it.

My Audible wishlist is solely made up of Warhammer horrors, The Bookkeeper's Skull is a prime case of why. I wish this was longer, I need a trilogy minimum on Rudgard. There are so many 'stories for another day' that we need to get to and I want to experience his future too.

[Paul Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is Horror? The definition in the grim dark future of the Imperium is a very grey area, is it the way the workforce indentured serfs are so callously and casually tortured and killed or is it that the emperor cares not? It was interesting to read of Enforcer Howe again having seen what an unpleasant character he was is the authors previous book, I think he was almost trying to justify the road he took in this book but the simple fact is Howe is ruthless bastard

[AA_Logan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcome return for the Warhammer Horror imprint and a welcome entry in it from the always-excellent Justin D Hill. As much a look at life in a brutal theocracy as much as a supernatural story, this is an excellent little horror novel. Hill has a great handle on the Imperium and this comes to the fore in this book; agricultural life isn’t really any less bloody than that on the battlefields of the grim darkness of the far future. Punishments for crimes are passed down through generations, and those with the power to administer said punishments were born into the position; lives are sacred to the God-Emperor but can be snuffed out by his servants to make a point. The book plays with these ironies to tell a compelling and unsettling story.

The only complaint I have with this book is the superficial similarities it has to another Warhammer Horror book, Josh Reynolds’ Dark Harvest. In the same way the early titles from this imprint were perhaps too dominated by planetary governors being tormented by the supernatural, it’s a little disappointing to have two stories set in universes of near-unlimited storytelling potential both being set in rural backwaters plagued by mysterious killings accompanied by the sudden appearance of scarecrows. Don’t let that put you off though, both titles are well worth reading!

[Coleton Winters · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is really good, but the killer is way too obvious.

[Clint · Rating 3 out of 5]

4/5 Starbites™

A fun and different Black Library read. I haven't read any Warhammer Crime but I expect it's pretty similar.

This one really leans into how horrific a lot of mundane things in the Imperium are. The cast of characters isn't huge but they get strong identities for a story this short. They aren't all Space Marines or AdMech either so the range of characters is wider than a lot of 40k stories. The narrator did a great job with the wider cast as well

Check it out if you like 40k with low stakes, but it's definitely not a starting point

[Paulo "paper books only" · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well what an interesting read in the 40K universe.
Another in the Warhammer Horror new line - this one set in the 40K.
Justin D Hill created the Cadia series (3 novels) which I Have yet to read.

This one is not connected with any other Horror series - although the name Valgaast was known to me and I found it was on a David Annadale story. so it's self contain. One of the things that this novel made me thing, since it's set on a typical world is that the universe in the 40K is grim. It's plain horror. From the total oppression, laws that can make you a slave and your descendants time X and the quotas that must be field - everything seems grimdarkish.

Some interesting part about life after becoming "free"
"Do many serfs stay on after they're freed?"
Capo shook his head. "Not many of them live long enough to get greed. And those that do, most of them are institutionalised. They wouldn't know how to live in the real world..

This tale we follow a pair of enforcers as they go on their business and checking if the farms are getting their quotas. Some weird stuff is happening in a strange, mostly forgotten place and they go on their way to meet the problem. There their investigation start and they are thrown one side to another to find what is happening. Is it some Emperor cult gone waywrire, is it some chaos stuff (never really speaking those words), is it some machine stuff or supenartural? Or are our protagonist become crazy bastards? OH well... read and find out.

I think horror is something already part of the 40K universe due to grimdark stuff most books that give some insights on other stuff besides Space Marines touch this grim stuff. One book that gave me that vibes were Double Eagle. I've read that book 12 years ago and I Still remember vividly reading about the common people on that planet. Awful.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very Dissappointing

The novel starts off great, with some very serious and grim moments. The character of Gambol is quite possibly the best part about this book, and is creepy in all the right ways. However, the quality of the plot, environment, and writing falls dramatically after we reach Thorsarbour, where the majority of the book takes place. The story begins to become very lazy, and the final reveal of the main horror is extremely dissatisfying and underwhelming. This is a short novel that would’ve been far better as a focused short story, instead it is mostly filler after a quite strong opening act. The ending, with some better foreshadowing and more hints, could’ve been done quite well in a shorter format.

[Matt Riddell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent story. Sets the tone right out of the gate with a nice body horror nightmare. Builds up the characters gradually and gives a well rounded conclusion. A decent worldbuilding setup, you feel the weight of the imperium and the emperor upon every surf's pitiful life. But in a very realistic, you gotta do what you gotta do, way.

The one shortcoming is definitely the title. As is often the case with horror, the title kinda ruins the build up. If you know the Skull is going to be central to the story, then it becomes the focus right at the end, that gives the game away as to how it is going to end.

[Matthew Wake · Rating 4 out of 5]

A somewhat grotesque and gore laden novel, with enough mystery to keep the plot moving along.
The characters were varied and interesting in their own right, but the length of the novel prevented any decent character development.
An easy read, with a fast pace and good world building, this a good entry point for readers wanting a 40K novel that isn’t all about space marines.

[Robert Bridgewater · Rating 4 out of 5]

Flew through this book. Love reading about every day life in the 40k universe, grim dark is definitely the life of a serf on this agri world. Fun story, praise be to the emperor. The hardcover of this book is very very nice, brilliant cover and love the green trim on the pages.

[Mitch Carli · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5/5

[Scott Waldie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Halloween 2022 Marathon, book 13 of 13.

[Jake Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science fiction meets folk horror in the Warhammer 40,000 universe. The book excels at building a sense of increasing dread and disorientation as the story progresses, constantly and subtly hinting at the dark secrets bubbling beneath the surface of the seemingly mundane setting. And it is Thorsarbour, the setting for much of the story, which is the true star. The characters, on the other hand, are the usual troubled and morally grey caricatures common to most Warhammer 40,000 literature. Overall, it was an enjoyable read even though the ending felt rushed.

[Primus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyable to read. The choice of an agricultural complex as a setting was a great choice cause it's often overlooked in Warhammer stories in favour of the industrial sector or cityscapes.

The showing of the casual brutality of the imperium was really good too. How people just barely blink at intense violence

[Sam Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one for its oddness and brutality following enforcer life in the Imperium of Mankind. It has a real sense of the grimdark throughout.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had some really creepy sequences in it and it was nice to see a 40k story take place in an agricultural farm setting.

The clown servitor in this was creeeeepy as HELL.

The main story is a cop story (but as it is a Warhammer 40K book ACAB is understood implicitly lol) but with some STRONG horror elements to tell its story.

The reveal to the mystery seems mindnumbingly obvious when it happens and I am sure non-40K folks will get it waaay sooner than me who thought he knew the ins and outs of a specific tech that is vital to solving the mystery.

This would be a good starting place for someone new to the setting and overall it is just a very messed up horror mystery.

[Barthel Loren · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great atmosphere and some gut-wrenching gore. Sadly it lacks proper characterization, subtlety and is way too short for novel price.

Watch the full review here: https://youtu.be/2SBiNc5XDX4

[Arthur B · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid Warhammer 40,000 horror story which remembers that the setting is meant to be a dystopia. Full review: https://fakegeekboy.wordpress.com/202...

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read with a great setting and creepy atmosphere. I'd read more!

[Unseen Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating of 4.5.

Get ready to dive back into the crazy and terrifying Warhammer 40,000 universe with the clever and exciting read, The Bookkeeper’s Skull by acclaimed author Justin D. Hill, which serves as a great entry in the Warhammer Horror sub-series.

Throughout the Imperium of Man, many planets serve the God Emperor in different ways. For the agri-world of Potence, its only duty is to meet the iron-firm food quotas levied upon it by Imperial hierarchy, ensuring that the armies of the Imperium are supplied with all the food they need to fight the aliens and the heretics. The enforcers, implacable lawmen with the ability to deal out death on an arbitrary basis, roam the planet and the farms of Potence, ensuring that the populace and serfs do all there is to produce the appropriate amounts.

Rudgard Howe is a new enforcer recruit who has just reported to duty. The son of the planet’s chief enforcer, Rudgard faces a deadly future which will eventually force him to kill his older brothers to claim his dying father’s position. But before he faces his family, he must learn the ropes by journeying out to the farmsteads of the planet and ensuring they can meet their quotas. Travelling with a veteran enforcer, Rudgard learns the hard truths about life in the Imperium and the necessities of justice in keeping the planet running. However, no lessons will prepare Rudgard for the horrors awaiting the enforcers at their final destination, the far-flung farmstead of Thorsarbour.

Located out in an ancient and unknown region of the planet, Thorsarbour is a cursed settlement, with its overseers poorly led and its serfs living in terror of the strange presences they claim to feel. Finding the settlement far behind its quotas, the enforcers attempt to whip the farm into shape, but between the unnatural feeling of the land surrounding Thorsarbour and the dangerous presence of a bloody sanguinary cult amongst the serfs, they have their work cut out for them. Worse, a series of unexplained and brutal murders are occurring around Thorsarbour, each one accompanied by mysterious strawman placed near the body. As Rudgard tries to uncover the cause of these mysterious deaths before they destabilise their work, the enforcers begin to discover something unnatural behind them. Can they discover the culprit before it is too late, or will the horrors of Thorsarbour consume them all?

To see the full review, click on the link below:
https://unseenlibrary.com/2022/04/18/...

For other exciting reviews and content, check out my blog at:
https://unseenlibrary.com/

[Alberto · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rating:
⭐️ ⭐️/5
El concepto me pareció bueno, el final es incluso interesante. Pero me pareció demasiado gráfico y burdo, rayando en lo obsceno. No se si sea lo normal en Warhammer horror pues es la primera novela que leo dentro de esta categoría, pero la verdad es que me costó leerla muchos más días que un libro el doble de largo.

Opinión sin spoiler:
El que le de 2 estrellas a un libro no significa que sea malo, pero si tuve que obligarme a terminarlo en algún punto, y de ahí viene la valoración tan baja. La historia es interesante. El enfoque en la vida de los mundos agrícolas es fascinante y lleva lo grim dark a su máxima expresión. Pero a veces creo que se sobrecarga demasiado de elementos gráficos burdos tan violentamente salvajes que ya incluso se sienten como una fantasía enfermiza. Más allá de eso, la historia diría que es más suspenso que horror, aunque tendría más potencial de horror si fuese llevado a animación o live action pues las escenas de miedo son muy visuales. Por el final valió la pena terminar de leerlo, aunque eso no quita que en cierto momento incluso lo sentí como asignación.

[Kristina Tancredi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warhammer horror books are always hit or miss for me. This one was a miss. The main character was flat and uninteresting with no redeeming characteristics. I found Agafa to be the most interesting character and wish she had been focused on more.

The plot of the book sounded interesting but like the main character the plot fell flat. There was no real build up or suspense and at the end I was left feeling very meh about the whole book. The author seems more interested in torture and gore than he does on character and plot development.

I know the Warhammer universe is a horrifying place but I thought some of the violence was unnecessary or just stated in such a way I found to be personally distasteful. For reference I really enjoyed both deacon of wounds and the reverie.

I have the hardcover version and the cover and green pages are awesome though

[Heather Cawte · Rating 5 out of 5]

Justin D Hill is no stranger to writing about horrific things - I still shudder at the memory of the spiders in Terminal Overkill - but this is his first horror novel per se. It manages to be claustrophobic *and* describe a desolate, deserted place at the same time. The horror creeps on irresistibly, with visceral, almost Grand Guignol deaths and attacks. The supernatural blends with the mundane to completely unsettle the reader. You are drawn in to the story to the point where you have to keep glancing over your shoulder….

[Jayme · Rating 4 out of 5]

Finally a Warhammer horror entry that retells the horror-esque elements of the universe with the layer of dread they deserve. Serfs serving their grandfather’s “sentence”, lobotomised servitors toiling for decades, officers shooting underlings to keep others “in line”. In regular 40K fiction this is dark, but here it’s terrifying.

Extra point to this being actually easy to follow unlike the last two Warhammer horror books I read

[Michael Knolla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given how enjoyable this quick read was through the main story was heading towards a four star rating. Unfortunately the epilogue undid quite a bit of my goodwill in 5 short pages. Horror feels like a natural extension for Warhammer but Black Library has to be more comfortable with ambiguity to fully take advantage of the genre.

[Lawrence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Minor, but creepy. There’s one terrifically spooky thing early in the novel, and then it settles into being a 40k slasher. Which is a fascinating thing to be, and it’s good at being it. It’s got atmosphere for days, and a memorably unlikeable protagonist. But the climax is unsatisfying, both conceptually and in execution.

[Aisla Houghton-Foster · Rating 2 out of 5]

(2.5 really) This was… fine? I think outside of mainline 40K novels you always take a bit of a gamble and this was just kinda middle of the road for me. Some interesting vignettes and set pieces, but the dressing ended up a little lacklustre. I think if it wasn’t a 40K novel it might have been different, but as it was I was somewhat underwhelmed.

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A grim tale from a psychopathic narrator. Nothing can be trusted, other than the sense of superiority. To be so above the law as to write morality yourself.

A disappointing ending, but isn't that justified? It's all about the journey, afterall...