Cults of Death and Madness

The Book of Ancient Evil #1

by John Haas

A hideous idol. An ancient slumbering evil. A murderous cult.
1878—Doctor Archibald Shaw arrives in India with lofty intentions. He wants to make a difference in the world. As a young doctor and new officer in Her Majesty’s British army, he wants nothing more than to help the local people while distinguishing himself in Queen Victoria’s foreign service. In short order, though, Shaw finds his basic concept of the world turned upside down. It begins with an ugly idol, and an evil from the dawn of time waiting to return to this world. This elder god still sleeps…but fitfully, and a cult long thought destroyed has come back to awaken it. They will kill anyone who gets in their way. Everything Shaw once believed true dissolves around him, and he grasps at straws to keep his own sanity—including the desperate friendship of one young orphan boy. Will it be enough to keep him alive? Shaw begins to realize that the fate of all humanity rests in his hands.

Genres: Horror

353 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 13, 2021

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name. This profile may contain books from multiple authors of this name.

Other authors publishing under this name are:

John Haas, Canadian author

Reviews

[Helena Blaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the very first chapter, Cults of Death and Madness completely pulled me in. John Haas has this remarkable way of blending historical fiction with cosmic horror so much so that you actually feel like you’re right there in 1878 India, walking alongside Dr. Archibald Shaw as his world slowly unravels.

The story starts with noble intentions and quickly spirals into something much darker and more fascinating. I loved how Haas captured the sense of isolation, disbelief, and creeping dread as Shaw encounters a cult obsessed with awakening an ancient evil. The pacing was spot on tense but never rushed and I found myself turning the pages late into the night.

What really stood out to me was how human the story felt beneath all the supernatural terror. Shaw’s friendship with the orphan boy added so much emotional depth it’s what made me care about his struggle to hold onto both his sanity and humanity.

I truly admire Haas’s writing style. His attention to detail, his ability to build atmosphere, and his mix of history and horror all come together beautifully. This is the kind of story that stays with you after you finish. I’ll definitely be checking out more of his work.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

What really hooked me was Shaw’s unraveling sanity. By the time the elder god and the cult come into play, you’re already deeply invested in this man who just wanted to help people. The stakes feel massive and personal.

[Jack Wenus · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was so hard not to put this book down, I absolutely loved it. I already love this type of lovecraft horror so this was right up my ally.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovecraftian in ideas but his own unique style which I appreciated. The writing quality was good with a wider vocabulary than I usually see in many modern authors.

[Sarah Leis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a slow burn, lovecraftian style story that had an excellent balance of historical fact and fiction. It does take some time for things to unfold, but the characters were likable, and the story was interesting enough to keep your attention as the mystery plays out.

If you are looking for a fast-paced adventure, this may not be your cup of tea, but if you are looking for a thoughtful, dark, and mysterious read, then you should check this book out. 4⭐

[ThatBookMoth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good introduction to Lovecraft for those who don’t want to read Lovecraft.

It shows both facets of eldritch horror cults, one worships in a way to keep it contained while the other wants to release it.
A inanimate object that can drive you to insanity from a mere glance.

One of the big things I love about Lovecraftian cosmic horror is the insanity. Straight up these things can make you go insane from just a glance. It doesn’t even have to be a glance AT THEM, just their items of influence.

Which, again, is what makes this a good first book for those who want to start reading cosmic horror. It’s simple and straightforward in its horror and set up. The relationship between Shaw and Singh is perfect. Two culturally different people who wind up teaching each other.

This also includes the short story that inspired the book, elaborating more on Shaw and Singh. I do have the second book in this series, I hope we get more of these two in it.

[Serge Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered this author and I will certainly be looking at his other work. Cults of Death and Madness is the kind of book that draws you in from the early chapters and is hard to put down once you start. With its Lovecraft-y feel, the story of Doctor Shaw has it all: action, suspense, emotion and great characters. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Tomasz · Rating 2 out of 5]

It would be SO awesome if people wishing to WRITE A NOVEL learned to WRITE first, period. This is more like a lame guy's (yeah, an intended comparison) 400 meter run, painfully ungainly and distinctly unpleasant for everybody involved. Yep, Mr. Haas, so you've read your Lovecraft, congratulations, I guess.

[Serge Cormier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently discovered this author and I will certainly be looking at his other work. Cults of Death and Madness is the kind of book that draws you in from the early chapters and is hard to put down once you start. With its Lovecraft-y feel, the story of Doctor Shaw has it all: action, suspense, emotion and great characters. Looking forward to the sequel!

[Chaz Jack · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never read a book ith so strong an energy to move around like I was SuperMan. This is a very intense book and I advocate for only the strongest minds to read it as they are the only ones who can withstand it's powerful attachment and effect.