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The Kielder Strain: A werewolf horror novel
At a hidden research laboratory ethics are dead and now something driven to hunt, and mate, and feed lurks within the forest …
For her sins, disgraced cop, Javeen Latimer, has been shunted to the backwater village of Kielder, Northumberland.
Set deep within the vast acreage of Kielder Forest, the pace of life is slow, the anonymity healing, and the job thankfully undemanding, until the body of a student activist is found slaughtered among the trees.
Javeen’s investigations take her to a shady but well-funded research institute at the heart of the forest where staff have gone missing, armed guards protect the perimeter, and an incinerator burns 24/7.
But with her investigation thwarted by a wall of silence, the killer continues to stalk the locals.
As the body count begins to rise, Javeen realises that something far worse than being caught having an affair with the boss threatens her career.
And that the horror has only just begun.
And no one is coming to help.
And escape is not an option!
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
★★★★★ 'A brilliant werewolf story, different to most as it tells from the werewolf's point of view as well as the characters.'
★★★★★ 'Enormous fun'.
★★★★★ 'If you are fed up with the daily grind, take a trip to Kielder and listen for the Children of the night, (How sweetly they sing!)'
★★★★★ 'A twist on the werewolf saga. Definitely worth reading.'
★★★★★ 'Plenty of gore all you want from a werewolf tale please read you won't be sorry.'
★★★★★ 'Definitely a new slant on a rather tired genre!'
★★★★★ 'Werewolves Jim, but not as we know it. Bought as a giggle, this was fun. Small remote village, secretive research station and .........Whoops! It all goes horribly wrong. Believable on so many levels.'
★★★★★ 'As someone who has devoured werewolf horror in all it's forms ... this is one of the best you will read.'
The Kielder Strain is an intense horror that will keep you turning the pages.
Order your copy today to discover their fate! Just lock your door before you start reading!
For her sins, disgraced cop, Javeen Latimer, has been shunted to the backwater village of Kielder, Northumberland.
Set deep within the vast acreage of Kielder Forest, the pace of life is slow, the anonymity healing, and the job thankfully undemanding, until the body of a student activist is found slaughtered among the trees.
Javeen’s investigations take her to a shady but well-funded research institute at the heart of the forest where staff have gone missing, armed guards protect the perimeter, and an incinerator burns 24/7.
But with her investigation thwarted by a wall of silence, the killer continues to stalk the locals.
As the body count begins to rise, Javeen realises that something far worse than being caught having an affair with the boss threatens her career.
And that the horror has only just begun.
And no one is coming to help.
And escape is not an option!
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
★★★★★ 'A brilliant werewolf story, different to most as it tells from the werewolf's point of view as well as the characters.'
★★★★★ 'Enormous fun'.
★★★★★ 'If you are fed up with the daily grind, take a trip to Kielder and listen for the Children of the night, (How sweetly they sing!)'
★★★★★ 'A twist on the werewolf saga. Definitely worth reading.'
★★★★★ 'Plenty of gore all you want from a werewolf tale please read you won't be sorry.'
★★★★★ 'Definitely a new slant on a rather tired genre!'
★★★★★ 'Werewolves Jim, but not as we know it. Bought as a giggle, this was fun. Small remote village, secretive research station and .........Whoops! It all goes horribly wrong. Believable on so many levels.'
★★★★★ 'As someone who has devoured werewolf horror in all it's forms ... this is one of the best you will read.'
The Kielder Strain is an intense horror that will keep you turning the pages.
Order your copy today to discover their fate! Just lock your door before you start reading!
- GenresHorror
380 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 20, 2022
205 people are currently reading
59 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 9, 2024
Oh my. If you read cryptid novels for the excitement, then this one is for you. Plenty of beastly interaction to get your adrenaline pumping.
A failed experiment on rabies vaccine, the remote “Institute” sends the local village into a days long nightmare of tooth and claw. The creatures grow in numbers while the population dwindles. A twenty foot tall fence erected to contain the situation leaves the villagers with no means of escape.
I always appreciate a fresh take on werewolf novels. In this one, a bite creates a monstrous transition to beast, which becomes a permanent form. There is no human/wolf lunar switch. However the monsters do retain more humanistic features (which may decrease over time): They remain bi-pedal at all times, have some verbal communication, clawed hands are able to grip and turn door handles, and the snout and fangs are less pronounced giving each a likeness of their human identity.
This is a fast read with terror at the forefront. Not a convoluted plot, but maintains a great tempo/pace throughout. There are no dull chapters. This book won’t increase your vocabulary or sharpen your sleuthing talents, but it does deliver on horror.
Rated four stars as there is unnecessary graphic sexual content and a bit of repetition in the narrative.
Can recommend.
A failed experiment on rabies vaccine, the remote “Institute” sends the local village into a days long nightmare of tooth and claw. The creatures grow in numbers while the population dwindles. A twenty foot tall fence erected to contain the situation leaves the villagers with no means of escape.
I always appreciate a fresh take on werewolf novels. In this one, a bite creates a monstrous transition to beast, which becomes a permanent form. There is no human/wolf lunar switch. However the monsters do retain more humanistic features (which may decrease over time): They remain bi-pedal at all times, have some verbal communication, clawed hands are able to grip and turn door handles, and the snout and fangs are less pronounced giving each a likeness of their human identity.
This is a fast read with terror at the forefront. Not a convoluted plot, but maintains a great tempo/pace throughout. There are no dull chapters. This book won’t increase your vocabulary or sharpen your sleuthing talents, but it does deliver on horror.
Rated four stars as there is unnecessary graphic sexual content and a bit of repetition in the narrative.
Can recommend.
November 24, 2024
One star for egregious use of the word pussy.
If nothing else the book highlights how ill equipped local police forces are in the event of a werewolf outbreak.
If nothing else the book highlights how ill equipped local police forces are in the event of a werewolf outbreak.
January 8, 2025
Werewolf outbreak in the English countryside…due to SCIENCE!!!
The Kielder Strain: A Science Fiction Horror Novel by Rebecca Fernfield is fairly straightforward as an action horror story.
Near the remote Kielder Village in the Kielder Forest lies the Kielder Institute.
They conduct animal experimentation free of oversight for the most part. Warning…there is talk of dog death in case that’s an issue for you.
The story follows those native to the region and those from outside…both researchers and other employees at the Institute…the police, clergy, and others in the Village…even others such as those protesting the Institute’s activities…
And then the outbreak…a terrible accident occurs…
As a few humans are infected with a mutated form a rabies…they start to change…
And soon the entire village (what’s left o it) are trying to escape them…
It’s pretty grim, I felt it was about a hundred pages too long, and I don’t think it properly developed the Institute itself outside of the early chapters showing some days to day discussions…
Still it was decent…and it sets up further plots, so I may give those a try…
The Kielder Strain: A Science Fiction Horror Novel by Rebecca Fernfield is fairly straightforward as an action horror story.
Near the remote Kielder Village in the Kielder Forest lies the Kielder Institute.
They conduct animal experimentation free of oversight for the most part. Warning…there is talk of dog death in case that’s an issue for you.
The story follows those native to the region and those from outside…both researchers and other employees at the Institute…the police, clergy, and others in the Village…even others such as those protesting the Institute’s activities…
And then the outbreak…a terrible accident occurs…
As a few humans are infected with a mutated form a rabies…they start to change…
And soon the entire village (what’s left o it) are trying to escape them…
It’s pretty grim, I felt it was about a hundred pages too long, and I don’t think it properly developed the Institute itself outside of the early chapters showing some days to day discussions…
Still it was decent…and it sets up further plots, so I may give those a try…
Read
July 9, 2025DNF.
The idea of a science-based werewolf virus is fantastic, and I was hooked during the first few chapters. Unfortunately the more I read from there, the less fun it became, with the virus itself not making much sense the more you think about it (example: the virus came to be from a mix of mutated rabies, a failed vaccine, self-regenerating zebra fish cells, and lab tested beagle puppies. How does this result in a werewolf and not a man-dog-fish monster? Unless all of these elements awakened dormant wolf genes in the beagles, its difficult to wrap your head around, even when you try to turn your brain off and enjoy the ride).
Most of the characters were unlikable despite attempts to make them sympathetic (aka Max), with the supposed main lead, Javeen, being on the weaker, frustrating 'I can't stand up for myself' side. I'm not sure if this changes as the book goes on, but I'm not in the mood to find out.
Finally, everyone in Kielder seems horny as shit, with it only getting worse once the werewolves start coming in. I get sex plays a large part in most werewolf stories, but it felt gratuitous and distracting here.
I can see why others would enjoy this story, and the writing itself isn't too bad, but either I'm not in the mood to finish it, or this book isn't for me. My search for the ideal werewolf story continues!
The idea of a science-based werewolf virus is fantastic, and I was hooked during the first few chapters. Unfortunately the more I read from there, the less fun it became, with the virus itself not making much sense the more you think about it (example: the virus came to be from a mix of mutated rabies, a failed vaccine, self-regenerating zebra fish cells, and lab tested beagle puppies. How does this result in a werewolf and not a man-dog-fish monster? Unless all of these elements awakened dormant wolf genes in the beagles, its difficult to wrap your head around, even when you try to turn your brain off and enjoy the ride).
Most of the characters were unlikable despite attempts to make them sympathetic (aka Max), with the supposed main lead, Javeen, being on the weaker, frustrating 'I can't stand up for myself' side. I'm not sure if this changes as the book goes on, but I'm not in the mood to find out.
Finally, everyone in Kielder seems horny as shit, with it only getting worse once the werewolves start coming in. I get sex plays a large part in most werewolf stories, but it felt gratuitous and distracting here.
I can see why others would enjoy this story, and the writing itself isn't too bad, but either I'm not in the mood to finish it, or this book isn't for me. My search for the ideal werewolf story continues!
February 10, 2024
By far the best werewolf horror I have ever read, such a good twist on how they became werewolves.
I picked the book up and didn't put it down till I'd finished it, the tension kept a grip on me the whole way through, I was actually scared for the characters, nobody was safe from the werewolfs power and I mean nobody.
The shocks just keep coming.
I highly recommend it to anyone but I can guarantee any werewolf lovers out there this is the book for you.
I picked the book up and didn't put it down till I'd finished it, the tension kept a grip on me the whole way through, I was actually scared for the characters, nobody was safe from the werewolfs power and I mean nobody.
The shocks just keep coming.
I highly recommend it to anyone but I can guarantee any werewolf lovers out there this is the book for you.
September 7, 2024
Disappointed
There are so many flaws, and no one had a clear thought or worse common sense. What police officer does not have a gun to protect a village in the woods? There were too many loose ends, and the ending was rubbish. The main character was so weak that you wanted her to get it. Amazing she made it to the end. This is not a werewolf story. I'm glad I did not pay for it.
There are so many flaws, and no one had a clear thought or worse common sense. What police officer does not have a gun to protect a village in the woods? There were too many loose ends, and the ending was rubbish. The main character was so weak that you wanted her to get it. Amazing she made it to the end. This is not a werewolf story. I'm glad I did not pay for it.
November 1, 2022
The Kielder Strain
This is the first book I've read from this author and it's a brilliant werewolf story , different to most as it tells from the werewolf's point of view as well as the characters plenty of gore all you want from a werewolf tale please read you won't be sorry .
This is the first book I've read from this author and it's a brilliant werewolf story , different to most as it tells from the werewolf's point of view as well as the characters plenty of gore all you want from a werewolf tale please read you won't be sorry .
September 28, 2024
Werewolves
The Kielder Strain was a good book. I finished it quickly as I couldn't put my kindle down. I'm reading the next book straight away. If you enjoy gory books which I do you'll enjoy this book.
The Kielder Strain was a good book. I finished it quickly as I couldn't put my kindle down. I'm reading the next book straight away. If you enjoy gory books which I do you'll enjoy this book.
November 8, 2024
Great Read
This is a great new take on the. Werewolf theme.
The story is fast-paced and action-packed. Up to the final paragraph, you are left wondering what the hell will happen next.
This has the Outer Gods stamp of approval.
This is a great new take on the. Werewolf theme.
The story is fast-paced and action-packed. Up to the final paragraph, you are left wondering what the hell will happen next.
This has the Outer Gods stamp of approval.
December 27, 2024
Fast paced read...
Is reality stranger than fiction... This seems all too plausible.
This was a really good telling of the over told werewolf story.
Loved it, highly recommended.
Is reality stranger than fiction... This seems all too plausible.
This was a really good telling of the over told werewolf story.
Loved it, highly recommended.
October 27, 2025
Loved it
Great twist on the werewolf. Eerie and visceral and atmospheric. Really got into it. Highly recommended. I read a recent Stephen King book and didn’t finish it. Losing his touch. This book reminds me more of the younger King. Put the frighteners on me it did.
Great twist on the werewolf. Eerie and visceral and atmospheric. Really got into it. Highly recommended. I read a recent Stephen King book and didn’t finish it. Losing his touch. This book reminds me more of the younger King. Put the frighteners on me it did.
April 2, 2024
This was cool. Different take on werewolves but a really cool story I thought. After about halfway through I couldn’t put it down
June 7, 2024
Great read!
June 22, 2024
Different but good
The origin of the creatures is handled in an interesting and new way. If you like good scares, I recommend this book.
The origin of the creatures is handled in an interesting and new way. If you like good scares, I recommend this book.
June 26, 2024
I liked this
Fun Sci fi horror. A a lot of dog deaths I ddnt need. It was pretty good and nice and bloody.
Fun Sci fi horror. A a lot of dog deaths I ddnt need. It was pretty good and nice and bloody.
November 11, 2024
Brilliant!
January 20, 2025
what a waste of time
This book was such a total disappointment in almost every way. I have been a horror fan for 50 years and this book was total trash.
This book was such a total disappointment in almost every way. I have been a horror fan for 50 years and this book was total trash.
February 18, 2025
New favorite
Glad I got this book , new variation of a werewolf story and it has teeth. If you are looking for a different wolfman tale you wont be disapointed.
Glad I got this book , new variation of a werewolf story and it has teeth. If you are looking for a different wolfman tale you wont be disapointed.
April 2, 2025
Awesome
This book is terrifying. An experiment gone wrong has a small remote village dealing with something horrifying. Will anyone survive?
This book is terrifying. An experiment gone wrong has a small remote village dealing with something horrifying. Will anyone survive?
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews