Dark Observation

by Catherine Cavendish

Eligos is waiting…fulfil your destiny

1941. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet works in Churchill's subterranean top secret Cabinet War Rooms, where key decisions that will dictate Britain’s conduct of the war are made. Above, the people of London go about their daily business as best they can, unaware of the life that teems beneath their feet.

Night after night the bombs rain down, yet Violet has far more to fear than air raids. A mysterious man, a room only she can see, memories she can no longer trust, and a best friend who denies their shared past... Something or someone - is targeting her.

Genres: Horror, Historical Fiction, World War II

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 13, 2022

About the author

Hello, my name's Catherine Cavendish and I write suspense novels, novellas and short stories of the ghostly, haunted, creepy kind that include supernatural, paranormal, Gothic and other, related themes.

THE STONES OF LANDANE is out now from Flame Tree Press - When Jonathan agrees to accompany his girlfriend, Nadia, on a trip to Landane, he imagines a short relaxing break in the countryside, but he quickly discovers that Nadia isn’t just drawn to the ancient Neolithic stone circle, she is obsessed by the megaliths. One in particular holds a fascination for her. Within hours, her personality begins to change, and it isn’t long before Jonathan starts to fear for her sanity. All too soon he realizes, it isn't only Nadia who is in danger

My other novels from Flame Tree Press are:

THOSE WHO DWELL IN MORDENHYRST HALL - Evil runs deep at Mordenhyrst Hall… When Grace first sets eyes on the imposing Gothic house, she is struck with an overwhelming sense that something doesn’t want her there. Her fiancé’s sister heads a coterie of Bright Young Things whose frivolous lives hide a sinister intent. Simon, Grace’s fiancé, is not the man she fell in love with, and the local villagers eye her with suspicion that borders on malevolence.

Her friend, Coralie, possesses the ability to communicate with powerful spirits. She convinces Grace of her own paranormal gifts – gifts Grace will need to draw deeply on as the secrets of Mordenhyrst Hall begin to unravel.

THE AFTER-DEATH OF CAROLINE RAND - Alli is caught between fantasy and reality, past and present, in the life of a famous singer from the 1960s and soon learns that evil infests the once-holy building she called
home. Before long, Alli's fate will be sealed, and she will learn about her role in the after-death of Caroline Rand. It begins with a chilling greeting: "Welcome to The Columbine, Miss Sinclair. You are expected."

DARK OBSERVATION - is published by Flame Tree Press. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet has more to fear than bombs. From deep within the Earth, demonic forces are rising.

IN DARKNESS, SHADOWS BREATHE. Carol and Nessa are strangers with one thing in common, they are in the hands of an entity that knows no boundaries and crosses dimensions - bending and twisting time itself - where danger waits in every shadow

THE GARDEN OF BEWITCHMENT. Historical haunted Gothic horror set in the wilds of the Yorkshire moors - pure Bronte country - with a Bronte theme.

And - THE HAUNTING OF HENDERSON CLOSE. Ghostly horror set in Edinburgh's Old Town.

THE CROW WITCH AND OTHER CONJURINGS is my first short fiction collection and is out now from Weird House Press.

My novellas THE DARKEST VEIL, COLD REVENGE, MISS ABIGAIL'S ROOM, THE DEMONS OF CAMBIAN STREET, DARK AVENGING ANGEL, LINDEN MANOR, THE DEVIL INSIDE HER and THE SECOND WIFE are published by Crossroad Press.

My novels THE DEVIL'S SERENADE and SAVING GRACE DEVINE have also been released in new editions by Crossroad Press, as has my novel of the Lancashire Witches - THE PENDLE CURSE.

I live with a long-suffering husband and a delightful black cat who has never forgotten that her species used to be worshipped in ancient Egypt. She sees no reason why that practice should not continue. Who am I to argue?

When not slaving over a hot computer, I enjoy wandering around Neolithic stone circles and visiting old haunted houses.

Reviews

[Graeme Rodaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Occult Shocker! Main Character Drops Ball! "Well, I just focused on trying to work out WHY I was being targeted by evil forces. (Shrugs shoulders) On reflection, perhaps I should've spent more time focussed on WHAT was happening and HOW to stop it. But that approach ... just didn't occur to me." - Vi - the Occult Defense for Beginners Newsletter

[EDIT 23Oct2023] After reading the excellent 'The Demonic,' by Lee Mountford, and his masterful display of character agency against horrific odds, the gap here is vivid. Rerating from 4 to 3 stars.

This story could have been lifted above 3 stars by the generally gripping nature of the story, which is well written and told. But the absence of character agency turned a five star read into 3 stars.

I have a huge issue with passive main characters that lack agency, especially where their own safety and the safety of their family is at stake.

Our MC, Violet (aka Vi) is subject to an ever growing occult threat. This begins and evolves as a steadily growing mystery and is very well done - as a mystery - with new clues dropped like breadcrumbs in a dark and shadowy wood with some very evil monsters slowly becoming more and more apparent as the story goes on.

I was eagerly awaiting the moment Vi would start to respond to the ever more obvious attacks on her with an attempt to find out WHAT was happening to her, and HOW to stop it. And I waited ... and waited ... and waited ... until it became obvious that Vi was never going to do anything to save herself.

After disaster strikes, and Vi seemingly recovers from an incident that would send most of us stark staring mad, she again does nothing beyond recording some ineffectual notes that leave her granddaughter defenseless against the same threat.

If what happened to Vi, happened to me, and I managed to retain my sanity, I would have devoted the rest of my life to mastering occult defense... especially given the primary evil villain tells me that it is possible near the end of Vi's story.

Strike me non-plussed. Vi could have gone to a library and read books from the occult section. She could have consulted a priest or two or three. She could have lifted a finger to help herself, but she doesn't, becoming a helpless lamb preyed upon by ravenous red-eyed wolves...

Vi, really reminds me of the passive character 'Laura,' from Carmilla about which the villains run rings ... like Laura, Vi is very disappointing once I realized that she was never going to 'wise up!'

In summary: A gripping story let down in the last quarter by a lamentably passive main character.

Not Recommended, 3 'Little Lost Lamb,' stars.

Read this with the fine folk over at Nightmares and Dreamscapes in February 2023.

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Demonic Twist!

A small backstory:

Setting: World War II

Vi has found a job that will send her to the depths of a government complex (the war rooms) where she becomes involved with working close with Prime Minister Churchill. While she is getting adjusted to her new job - things happen at a home she is renting - strange things - spooky things that make her wonder what is going on. There are three of them that rent the home from a nice lady, Mrs. Harris - Vi, her friend Tilly, and a strange girl named Sandrine.

As time goes on with all three of them in the home - the war rages outside but inside the home creepy forces are at work which will send Vi, Tilly and Sandrine on a collision course toward hell!

That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers, so if you want to know more or your interest is piqued then go grab this book!

Thoughts:

Author, Catherine Cavendish never disappoints! I do not read a lot of historical settings within horror but some authors can just weave the horror settings into historical background which can grab the reader and pull them into that time era - Catherine Cavendish is one of those authors!

This story had it all - suspense, mystery, scratching your head wonderings, demonic theme vibes pulsating throughout the story, historical settings, and tons of things happening that make you think hard.

When the demonic themes picked up more within the story as most of the story is saturated in it I had a feeling where the story was going as I have read fiction books and non-fiction books on the occult. I have read lots of true paranormal non-fiction books in the past that had demons and the occult involved so I kind of guessed some of it and my brain was already forming scenarios of what was happening to the characters in this book.

To understand more from where I am coming from then you will need to read the book and discover it for yourself as I have said enough already and don't want to go into it too deep or spoilers might arise. Go read it and let this author swirl you back to World War II letting you discover the mystery of working in war rooms with a dark occult background lurking in the shadows of your mind. Giving this book five "Suspenseful Spooky" stars!

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

I completely vibe with Catherine Cavendish's writing style. This one has some of my favorite things. Occult shenanigans, people wondering if they're crazy, female villains that are hot so I fall in love with them. Such a great story, couldn't put it down. Highly recommend!

[Netanella · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars, rounded up to 4

I enjoyed this historical horror novel set in London during the German bombing of World War II. The majority of the story follows Vi (or Violet), a typist at the Treasury Department who gets promoted to work in the super-secure War Cabinet Rooms, where she is one of several secretaries to Churchill and other big wigs. The intricate details of daily life during this time, her interactions with her friends and housekeepers, the tense scenes of the nightly bombings - all of these fascinated me while reading the book. Add a supernatural layer throughout - the mysterious comings and goings of a foreign occultist who is renting a room next to Vi's - and the book's mysteries and tension were heightened.

However, I must admit that I did not enjoy the ending of the book, both for Vi and for her granddaughter Heather. Aside from the brutality of it (although the scene was appreciatively non-descriptive), the events simply caught me off guard as moving the story in an unexpected direction, and they left a sour taste in my mouth.

But for this plot point, I enjoyed the read tremendously.

[Shehanne Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well this is a nice unusual one from the mistress of horror. Moving away from what might constitute more ‘normal’ themes in the genre, if such a thing is possible with horror, Cat Cavendish sets this one, not just in WW2, but in Churchill’s subterranean top secret war rooms. Above the ground the Peoples’ War rages but the real horror isn’t the bombs and the sirens, it’s a far greater evil bent on destruction and it’s not for going away either for all it starts in the present and you sort of hope that means those in the story will get out in one piece. More fool you. This is Catherine Cavendish we’re talking here. Rich in historical detail with a basis in actual facts,

[Hunter Shea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Cavendish does it again! Set against the backdrop of London during WWII, Dark Observation spins a tale of harsh reality mixed with the paranormal. I couldn't put this one down. I felt the fear and despair as the bombs dropped each night, and was riveted by the occult strangeness that Violet is thrown into...with some heavy implications that will make your skin crawl. And how many horror books have Winston Churchill in them? A can't miss.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dark Observation is a historical horror story. Heather and her Mum decided to take her grandmother Violet on an adventure to London. One place they chose to visit is Churchill's Cabinet War Room. However, it was wrong for Violet because in 1941, she worked for Churchill in the Cabinet War Room, and the visit brought out memories of the past for Violet. Will Heather and her Mum find out what scared Violet? The readers of Dark Observation will continue to follow Heather and her Mum to find out.

Dark Observation was the first book I read by Catherine Cavendish. I do not always enjoy reading books in the Horror genre, but I enjoy reading this book. I like how Catherine Cavendish incorporates historical facts into her plot of Dark Observation. I enjoyed Catherine Cavendish's portrayal of her characters and the way they interacted with each other throughout this book. Dark Observation is well-written and researched by Catherine Cavendish. I like Catherine Cavendish's description of the settings of Dark Observation that complemented the book's plot.

The readers of Dark Observation will learn about the racist society called Vril Society and that Adolf Hitler's book Mein Kampf adhered to their beliefs. The readers of Dark Observation will learn about the Mass Observation Project and the archives of materials they have on their website.

I recommend this book.

[Staceywh_17 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fact: Dark Observations was one of Churchill's secret operations.

Cavendish is another new author to me and I don't know how I've managed to miss out on her books till now.

I love books that are set in wartime Britain and the premise of this sounded promising. It was a highly entertaining, compelling read which I enjoyed.

Historical fiction has always been my thing and coupled with occult horror it certainly made for an interesting blend. Dark Observations was dark, disturbing, and took us on a fast paced journey through the underground Cabinet War Rooms as Violet tries to find out who or what has her in their targets.

Many thanks to Random Things Tours for my tour spot.

Rating ⭐⭐⭐💫 (3.5)

[D.K. Hundt · Rating 5 out of 5]

DARK OBSERVATION – by Catherine Cavendish

‘1941. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet works in Churchill's subterranean top secret Cabinet War Rooms, where key decisions that will dictate Britain’s conduct of the war are made. Above, the people of London go about their daily business as best they can, unaware of the life that teems beneath their feet.’

That was Creepy Good! Highly Recommend!

Thank you, NetGalley and Flame Tree Press Publishing, for providing me with an eBook of DARK OBSERVATION at the request of an honest review.

[Sue Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dark Observation by Catherine Cavendish.
1941. In the dark days of war-torn London, Violet works in Churchill's subterranean top secret Cabinet War Rooms, where key decisions that will dictate Britain’s conduct of the war are made. Above, the people of London go about their daily business as best they can, unaware of the life that teems beneath their feet.
A good read. I liked the cover. But it wasn't what I thought it would be. 3*.

[Daniel R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a young woman living in London during World War II, Violet "Vi" Harrington suffers through various blitzes and assaults from fascist Germany. Lights out is a requirement after dark to limit the number of target opportunities. She's a typist, living in a house with several other women including her best friend Tilly Layton and the enigmatic Sandrine Maupas di Santiago. It is the latter who is some cause for mystery.

Sandrine is a woman with an unidentifiable accent who disappears before blitzes begin and doesn't come back until they are over. Her room is a source of strange sounds and lights, the latter of which get the household into some trouble with the night watchmen charged with enforcing the no-light mandates. She's a cagey woman, and the more events that align, the more suspicions Vi finds the strange woman raising. Can she be a spy for the Germans? Or is she something altogether different?

As Vi finds herself promoted from the typical typist pool to a select group of women who work with some of the most powerful men of the time, she also discovers she has been targeted both by Sandrine as well as her equally eerie associate Alex for sinister purposes. These people have access to seemingly occult abilities, and they are using them to insinuate themselves into high stations while also insulating their presences from discovery. However, Vi can see, interact with, and be manipulated by them. She discovers they are associated with secret societies, mysterious tattoos, and The Coming Race, a nineteenth century occult work from Lord Edward Bulwer-Lytton positing secret, subterranean superhuman creatures called the Vril. What is Sandrine's plan, and what role do she intend for Vi? Author Catherine Cavendish composes an intriguing historical horror mystery with her novel Dark Observation.

Wartime breeds secrecy, of course, and it heightens a populace's paranoia. Both of these qualities are at the heart of Vi's story and Dark Observation as a whole. The major forces of World War II had occult interests that have been exploited in horror and dark fantasy fiction before, but not in quite the same way Cavendish does in this novel. This is not a high octane thriller, though there are certainly a few sequences of speedy suspense, and nor is it a horror yarn drenched in creepy atmosphere, though there are a few sequences that take place in subterranean chambers where the lights wink out and sounds come to haunt our harried protagonist. This is more of a slice of life book that includes intrusive eerie elements, a work of psychological horror that manages to sidestep issues of madness while bringing to the forefront all those historically accurate horror stories about how easily women's mental states were cast in a lunatic light for the slightest socially unacceptable behaviors.

Dark Observation is well named, not only for the in-book reason that the term relates to one of Churchill's secret operations, but for the fact that the book thematically takes an impassioned look at the state of women's lives and issues as they have changed (or not) from the 1940s. This is a decidedly feminist narrative, one that offers an honest look at a dark time in history and sees how the threads from that period continue through to the present day.

From a structural perspective, Cavendish's novel is intriguing. The meat of the book (Vi's story) is bookended with modern day sequences, the first of which introduces the elderly Vi, her middle age daughter, and twenty-something granddaughter on a shopping excursion to London. There, old memories resurface and an impossible face from the past appears. However, much to Vi's dread, that impossible person is also visible to her relatives. Who is this mystery woman? Why it's Sandrine Maupas di Santiago. Her relations wonder: And who is she? Well, therein lies the meat of the book, which chronicles Vi's life and strange encounters during the 1940s. Once this sequence is completed, we return to the present day to learn why Vi's past resurfaced and what continuing intentions Sandrine and the Vril have for Vi's family …

These bookending sections are a tad too quick for my preference, almost rushed. I would have liked some more time to get to know granddaughter and narrator Heather but these sequences have the faster pace of a short story or novella instead of the more languid approach to Vi's life and times and the slow occult intrusions upon her situation normal.

While the story has a complete beginning, middle, and ending, the world Cavendish has evoked here is one that may well be ripe for returning to in another narrative. Perhaps it will revisit characters in this one (Tilly's story seems like an intriguing one to explore) or unrelated characters whose lives are touched by the sinister conspiracy operating behind the scenes here.

Historical fiction requires an attentiveness to the details while evoking their period of choice. If an author can also find some unexploited elements to add to the immersion, all the better. Cavendish adds several glimpses into the world women occupied during the London Blitzes, including both familiar elements (e.g., mandatory evening blackouts) and a few unfamiliar ones. I had not encountered the concept of MO or Mass Observation, which are essentially diaries anonymously documenting citizens lives and an unusual things they've observed. These play a role in the novel, of course, but the use of them at all will be novel for several readers.

As a trigger warning for those who would benefit from one, this novel does contain some nasty efforts at gaslighting as well as some sexual abuse material. Neither of these is gratuitous, both are germane to the plot. Still, these elements are strong components in the story and may put off a few readers who would prefer not to be surprised by such material.

Dark Observation is an intriguing blend of historical, espionage, and supernatural tales, offering a glimpse of a workgroup that doesn't seem to get much attention. Women played key roles in the machinery of WWII, and Vi's day-to-day story is as rife with possibilities for drama as the supernatural intrusions. Cavendish balances the interesting everyday with the often frustrating encounters with occult terror.
#
A special thank you to NetGalley and Flame Tree Press who provided an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

[M. K. French · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet works in Churchill's secret War Rooms in 1941, and citizens are generally unaware of this work. Air raids are common, but she's not afraid of those. Instead, she has other problems: a mysterious man, a room only she can see, memories she can't trust, and a best friend who denies their shared past. Someone seems to be targeting her.

The oddities surrounding Vi start slowly, with a fellow boarder that is secretive and has books on the occult in her room. A man appearing at odd intervals, a neighborhood that no one remembers and the room people can't remember all adds to the disconcerting atmosphere of wartime London. With the fear of bombings every night, spies in the streets and the secretive nature of her work, Vi isn't sure where to turn. Her story is framed within that of her granddaughter Heather, who is also starting to notice similar strange events.

I like that some historical content inspired the novel. Churchill was interested in the occult, as were the Nazis, and some of what we know about them fits with this book. It's definitely creepy more than bloody and will make you think twice about what could have happened.

[Russell James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Catherine Cavendish has penned another winner. This is a splendid horror story that will also appeal to mystery readers or readers of World War II fiction. Catherine excels at getting the feel for living during the London Blitz and the impacts of wartime stresses on her characters. A cast of creepy antagonists keep the tension high. Their backstory and the historically accurate details in the novel leave you wondering when you turn the last page how much of this story might be true. Catherine writes many Gothic horror novels set in a variety of centuries. Here’s hoping she isn’t quite done with the mid-20th.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked everything about this occult-inspired WWII story. Except the last quarter. It just didn't work for me.

It was a real page turner until then about the war work and lifestyle of many young women in England with the creepy overtones of a very dangerous secret society, which I felt was done very well.

The generational contact of the occult forces and the weakness of the female protagonists was disappointing and was not how I would have constructed this story, but that is a personal choice and not the fault of the author.

[Runalong · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightfully dark slice of historical horror making the best use of its WW2 London settling and characters you both care about and fear for. Eerie and by the end a dark nightmare - perfect for spooky reading season

Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...

[Sean Graham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a difficult one for me to review - I enjoyed the premise which brought a twist to Churchills secret war rooms, however, I found this just lost steam towards the end. It’s a solid 3 of a novel, enjoyable but not something I’d come back to. If you’re looking for light gothic horror then this will tick that box!

[Deborah G. deAlteriis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent gothic horror!

Catherine never fails to deliver gothic horror at its best. This may be her best yet! Set in WWII, we have mystery, war and demons. What more can a girl ask for?

[Angela Maher · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderfully weird story where the convoluted aspects serve to beautifully enhance the character's confusion and add to the mystery. A constantly moving mix of mystery, the occult, and the undeniable horrors of war. The historic setting of the majority of the novel is done really well, too.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow burning story that mixes horror and historical fiction. We go from a typical historical fiction set during WWII to a horror that keeps you on the edge.
Gripping and well plotted.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Bronwen Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content warning: violent non-consensual sexual assault.
DNF
This was a gripping read until the 80% mark where the protagonist was stripped of all agency and violently raped. I stopped reading at that point.

[Elise Maria · Rating 2 out of 5]

The ending, like what?! For such a dark, crazy and unique story, THIS is how it ends? Boo. Went from an easy 4-5⭐️ to 2⭐️ in the span of three pages. I feel like this is the kind of story that requires a complete ending, don't leave me to imagine what happens next!

[Cat Evans · Rating 2 out of 5]

Strong start, falls apart completely at the end. A disappointing collection of events with limited impact that undermines and strips the agency from the story's protagonist.

[Josef Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very strong horror novel

For a full review, please go to https://areviewerdarkly.blogspot.com/... and follow me on Twitter @josenher

[D.E. McCluskey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was beautiful. I love Catherine’s style. Very easy to read and the subject matter was right up my tree…

WWII is such a rich tapestry to draw from.

READ THIS BOOK