First published 1976
Clare Frayn faces a terror that reaches back into his childhood when disturbing events begin to unfold around him. The horror centers on a doll from his past, an object that carries dark significance and seems to exert a malevolent influence on the present. As Clare investigates the connection between his memories and the frightening occurrences plaguing him, he discovers that some childhood fears never truly disappear. The doll represents more than mere nostalgia or innocent play. It embodies a consuming force that threatens to devour not just his peace of mind, but his very sense of reality. Clare must confront both the supernatural entity and his own psychological demons as the boundary between past and present dissolves. The story explores how childhood trauma can manifest in unexpected ways, transforming familiar objects into sources of dread. Campbell weaves together psychological and supernatural elements as Clare struggles to understand whether the threat comes from external forces or from within his own fractured psyche.
Genres: horror, supernatural, psychological-thriller, dark-fantasy
Vibes: dark, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: psychological-horror, unreliable-narrator
209 pages · Hardcover · Bobbs-Merrill