Welcome to Gothic Tales for Sleep, where the eerie and the soothing collide. Each episode, we journey through the shadowy corridors of classic literature, reading haunting ghost stories from centuries past to lull you into peaceful sleep. Dim the lights, close your eyes, and let the whispers of history carry you off to dreamland.
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A new series of gothic horror tales each month to capture your imagination and transport you back into a world of ghouls and ghosts. The stories you will hear are sure to make you sit bolt upright in your chairs. Make no mistake, these tales are not for the faint hearted.
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Discover the Kindle best selling books of D. J. Swales. This unmissable Top 10 audio fiction and audio drama podcast has something for everyone. Enjoy the dark fiction of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, the laugh-out-loud quirkiness of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY, the captivating travel memoirs of LETTERS TO CODY, or the author’s poignant poetry. Listen to this and more . . . Coming soon, NIGHT TRAIN IN MOROCCO, a gripping thriller. Follow the author’s writings at https://tumbleweedroyale.substack.com/ *Apple ...
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An accused witch is banished from her home in Portland, Maine. A young socialite in New Orleans dabbles in magic to get rid of a rival. An acrobat in a traveling circus learns her greatest enemy lives in the mirror. An Irish immigrant may have brought malevolent faeries with her to the New World. A lumberjack in the Pacific Northwest suspects a monster lurks behind the enormous trees. A Colorado gold miner finds himself trapped in the bowels of the earth, no matter how many times he tries to ...
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The Tower, by Marghanita Laski
19:29
19:29
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19:29
In Italy, a young Englishwoman named Caroline explores a secluded tower despite warnings of its eerie reputation, only to find herself gripped with fear as she ascends its spiral staircase.
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Ruthie and Natalie talk about the age old issue of communication between the sexes and how expressing feelings still seems to baffle us. Do you have a story you'd like us to read? Get in touch: gothictalesforsleep@gmail.com
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The Readjustment, by Mary Austin
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16:09
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16:09
Three days after her death, a wife returns as a ghost to confront her husband's detachment.
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Ruthie and Natalie discuss W.W. Jacobs classic lesson of gratitude and the many iterations of the story in film and TV. Do you have a story you'd like us to read? Get in touch: gothictalesforsleep@gmail.com
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The Monkey's Paw, by W.W. Jacobs
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23:39
A family comes into possession of a mystical paw capable of granting three wishes but with unforeseen consequences, ever reminding them: be careful what you wish for.
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Ruthie and Natalie explore Mary Elizabeth Braddon's themes of guilt, shame, and the cruelty of 19th century ghosting. Do you have a story you'd like us to read? Get in touch: gothictalesforsleep@gmail.com
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The Cold Embrace, by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
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24:15
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24:15
A young artist ends his engagement leading to his fiancée's death, but her vow never to leave him soon haunts his every moment.
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Ruthie and Natalie discuss some of the weaknesses in the plot, but quickly discover that M.R. James' commentary on class, nature, and criminal justice are still relevant today. Do you have a story you'd like us to read? Get in touch: gothictalesforsleep@gmail.comDe către Gothic Tales
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The Rose Garden, by M.R. James
26:28
26:28
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26:28
Mrs. Anstruther wants to plant a rose garden on her estate, but the location she chooses reveals a troubled spirit lingering on the grounds.
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Ruthie and Natalie discuss Ambrose Bierce's feminist themes of domestic violence, along with the author's mysterious disappearance. Do you have a story you'd like us to read? Get in touch: gothictalesforsleep@gmail.com
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The Moonlit Road, by Ambrose Bierce
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The mysterious murder of Julia Hetman is retold in three differing perspectives: her son, the man who may be her husband, and Julia herself.
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DEEP DIVE: Angeline, or The Haunted House
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Host Ruthie Darling and producer Natalie Gregory discuss the origin for the Gothic Tales series as well as themes and ideas from Émile Zola's Angeline, or The Haunted House. This episode is brought to you by Audio Monuments. Do you have a story you'd like us to read? Get in touch: gothictalesforsleep@gmail.com…
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Angeline, or The Haunted House by Émile Zola
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27:17
On the outskirts of Paris, a young man happens upon an old house with a strange ambiance, and the discovery of a haunting presence connected to its tragic past.
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The Granville Horror: The Vanishing Film
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33:21
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Send us a text George Rankin is no fool. He is educated, intuitive and daringly bold. But it is his desperate desire to dispel the fanciful and discredit the superstitious that leads him aboard a train ride from London to Norfolk. Little does he know of the evil that lurks aboard that train, a sinister presence which stalks the carriages and hunger…
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Send us a text The English London and Northwestern Railway has never known a tale riddled by a terror so unforgiving as that which you will soon hear. Aboard a train of obscure repute, our story begins, crossing a grey landscape from London to Norfolk in pursuit of an unnatural ambition that would soon become the enduring bedrock of an infamous soc…
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Chicago, IL 1885 Dr. Nathaniel Martin is proud to be at the forefront of modern psychiatry, but a painful bout of insomnia and the repressed memory of a personal tragedy lead him to the most puzzling psychological challenge of his career: the inner workings of his own mind. Join us for a tale of delusion and despair in the story of... The Psychiatr…
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Send us a text This month, I'll be sharing a bittersweet yule time tale filled with joy, wonder and magic.De către Arthfael Black
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Baker's Park, CO 1868 A gold miner in Colorado has had it with the brutal winters. Once he finds a secret treasure hiding in the rocks, he sets his sights on retirement in a warmer climate. But the mountains may not be ready to let him go. Join us for a tale of bitterness, greed, and the deep, dark recesses of the earth – and indeed, of our very ow…
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While the World Sleeps: Babysitting Bluebells
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27:40
Send us a text In a world plagued by a new flesh-eating drug, Colt Walker and Noah stumble upon something that could change everything. Special episode.
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Puget Sound, WA 1861 An introverted worker has found a steady job in the Pacific Northwest logging industry and comfortable home with his wife and son, but his safe haven is threatened when he suspects something terrible lurks within the epic forests. Join us for a tale of love, sacrifice, and the forces that feed on our deepest fears in the story …
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Send us a text The Staircase is an introspective look into the anima of human mortality. You awake as a nameless character and must follow the spiral staircase in order to unravel the fibers of consciousness woven from your deepest fears. What truths are born before the ghostly vanity? What strings tug at your mortal coil?…
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Philadelphia, PA 1849 A young woman from Ireland fears she may have brought malevolent faeries with her to the New World. Join us for a tale of longing, hunger, and the legends that haunt us no matter where we may be in the story of... The Immigrant.De către Jessica Hobbs
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The Manor on the Moors: Requiem for a Monster
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29:23
Send us a text In the final chapter of The Manor on the Moors, Peter Norrell will be forced to face his darkest fears, but he will soon discover that what he fears most of all is what lurks deep inside his heart.De către Arthfael Black
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The Manor on the Moors: The Beast of Black Bile
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Send us a text When another death surfaced in the little town on the moors, Mr. Norrell’s suspicions quickly turn on Grimwulf manor. With the ever elusive Mr. Grimwulf yet to make an appearance, he is determined to uncover the truth that hangs over the town like a ghostly fog… but what he uncovers is a secret far more disturbing than he could have …
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South Carolina, 1841Somewhere within the moody woods of South Carolina, a young Acrobat faces an unforgivable betrayal... and finds that her worst enemy may live not in an adjoining wagon, but in her own mirror. Run away and join the circus with us for the tale of... The Acrobat.De către Jessica Hobbs
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The Manor on the Moors: Return to the Manor
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Send us a text When the ailing master of the manor on the moors commissions an autobiography to dispel a life-long mystery surrounding the Grimwulf name, Peter Norrell answers with apprehensive fervour. The quiet town of Ascott-under-Wychwood is a welcomed change for the London-based writer, who has not been back to the town ever since he was a boy…
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Send us a text Our first tale begins in the eighteenth century during a time when art and science burgeoned, propelling England into what would become the industrial revolution. Georgian England was a time of extremes, of radicalism and growth, poverty, and wealth, and most notably, of life and death. But even the brightest of sparks could not disp…
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New Orleans, LA 1835 Violet Davenport loves New Orleans, and once she makes her debut at the annual Mardi Gras carnival, New Orleans will love her right back. But when Violet learns her new and quite unwelcome step-sister will be sharing the spotlight on her special night, Violet turns to the magickal forces that lurk beneath the surface of the cit…
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Portland, ME 1814 Accused of witchcraft and banished from her village, a young woman encounters a fugitive soldier during the War of 1812. Join us as we venture into the woods of Maine for a tale of isolation, betrayal, love, and vengeance in... The Witch.De către jessicahobbs713
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EP 7 |MATCHA | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
17:25
17:25
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17:25
Mallory Blunder is a flamboyant Bloomsbury playwright who receives weekly treats from a mysterious admirer. Mallory's mother Face-times him from her Torquay home atop crumbling cliffs, hoping that a marriage might be in the offing. After discussing his latest show, a genius work-in-progress, Mallory breaks the news about a terrible fate that has be…
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EP 6 |SHEILA'S STEW | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
17:07
17:07
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17:07
Discover how Sheila Barclay returned from London to Belfast, soon scandalizing the already-divided society with her newfangled take on Irish stew. Learn how Sheila boomeranged back to London in triumph, where one of her first customers outside Green Park Station was Josie (before she became Bloomsbury's mysterious midnight walker). PEOPLE OF BLOOMS…
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EP 5 | TIBBY THE CAT | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
16:11
16:11
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16:11
PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London neighbours! Some harbour secr…
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EP 4 | TURTLE | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
11:39
11:39
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11:39
Turtle was conceived during an eventful skinny-dipping session on the coast of North Wales. He is obsessed with trapping pigeons for their "good luck feathers", using skills he claims to have acquired from staying too long in his mother's womb. We learn how Turtle has employed these unappreciated skills around the world . . . PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY i…
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EP 3 | BOB MARLEY | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
17:55
17:55
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17:55
Jasper Mince recalls the tragic and fortuitous events leading to the day he came to be living secretly under the bed of his host. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY is the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark ficti…
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EP 2 | JASPER MINCE | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
7:01
7:01
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7:01
Jasper Mince is a troubled runaway from Yorkshire. He lives secretly in Ridgmount Gardens, coming and going by stealth. He works a security job nearby, sharing his shift with a culinary Hungarian, who obsesses over a cake named Marmalade Whoopsy. Dressed like a ninja, Jasper watches Josie depart on one of her nocturnal jaunts. PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY …
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EP 1 | JOSIE | People of Bloomsbury | The Curled Up and Cozy Collection | Audio Drama | Popular Fiction
12:52
12:52
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12:52
Discover the debut episode of PEOPLE OF BLOOMSBURY, the first heartwarming book from the Curled Up and Cozy Collection, a charming and quirky magical realism series from the author of FITZMARBURY WITCHES, #1 Amazon Best Seller in several dark fiction categories. Audio drama exclusive preview! Allow me to introduce you to your eccentric new London n…
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PARIS: A CURSE IN THE CITY OF THE CATACOMBS | EP 1 | A Short Story of the Macabre | Audio Drama | Paranormal Thriller and Supernatural Horror
6:43
6:43
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6:43
Emily in Paris meets The Exorcist! ★★★★★ Will you ever say "I Love Paris" again? Dare to find out . . . Don't miss this! ◆ Author D.J. Swales conceived this disturbing tale on a night walk, while working at Paris Fashion Week ◆ Ryan is an awkward Irish poet. He moves to Paris on the heels of a messy break up. Ryan's new home is a decaying mansion b…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 11 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
8:57
8:57
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8:57
FATAL AMBITIONS. Emeshmoon must confront the intruder and past revelations about her origins. Read BARATANAC for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED, or buy on AMAZON in paperback or ebook (for Kindle and the FREE Kindle App). ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no coincidenc…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 10 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
18:01
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18:01
SEKHT-AM SECRETS, A PRETENDER & AN INQUISITOR. The priestess suspects she has attracted the attention of another blackmailer. She recalls the fateful ends of those who previously exploited her greatest secret to extort favours and temple riches . . . ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!…
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KWAIDAN JAPANESE GHOST STORIES | EP 3 | Audio Fiction | Horror and Supernatural Folklore
5:06
5:06
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5:06
OSHIDORI KWAIDAN: STORIES AND STUDIES OF STRANGE THINGS Listen as DJ Swales, author of BARATANAC, narrates this audio drama of personally selected Japanese ghost stories from Kwaidan. First published by Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) in 1904, Kwaidan is Japan’s most famous, widely read, and beloved collection of ghostly folklore and s…
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KWAIDAN JAPANESE GHOST STORIES | EP 2 | Audio Fiction | Horror and Supernatural Folklore
6:38
6:38
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6:38
RIKI BAKA KWAIDAN: STORIES AND STUDIES OF STRANGE THINGS Listen as DJ Swales, author of BARATANAC, narrates this audio drama of personally selected Japanese ghost stories from Kwaidan. First published by Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) in 1904, Kwaidan is Japan’s most famous, widely read, and beloved collection of ghostly folklore and …
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KWAIDAN JAPANESE GHOST STORIES | EP 1 | Audio Fiction | Horror and Supernatural Folklore
5:31
5:31
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5:31
CHERRY TREE OF THE SIXTEENTH DAY. KWAIDAN: STORIES AND STUDIES OF STRANGE THINGS Listen as DJ Swales, author of BARATANAC, narrates this audio drama of personally selected Japanese ghost stories from Kwaidan. First published by Irish writer Lafcadio Hearn (Yakumo Koizumi) in 1904, Kwaidan is Japan’s most famous, widely read, and beloved collection …
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 9 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
34:03
34:03
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34:03
ROBED MERCHANT OF THE RED LANDS. A trespasser confronts the priestess as she navigates through Baal's great temple in Carthage. Before the gleaming sacrificial Tophet ovens, she suspects a familiarity in the concealed man's voice. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It i…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 8 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
23:45
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AN ORNAMENTAL EGYPTIAN BOX. Waves rock the ship as the sailor spies on the priestess. She is possessed with her tasks until a sudden interruption. His blood freezes as her incantations tear open old scars. The sailor suspects she is not alone in her cabin. . . ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror …
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 7 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
28:48
28:48
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28:48
A SAILOR DIVULGES DESERT SECRETS. The despised monks of an ancient desert crocodile cult file on board the lead ship of the Silver Fleet. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula's first Wh…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 6 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
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26:20
DRIED COBRAS AND THE CHILDREN OF SEBEQ. The sailor Igider spies on the priestess of Baal and makes a discovery that could rock the ship to its core. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the same last name as Count Dracula…
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Witching Hour Poet EP 2: THE BUNKER (RUINS OF CORREGIDOR)
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Let your skin prickle with fear and be transported to the spectral abandoned ruins of Corregidor Island - a former U.S military HQ in the Philippines. The ghosts of the Second World War still breathe on this great rock that guards Manila Bay. They dwell in the shattered buildings and bunkers, and haunt the labyrinthine Malinta tunnels - scarred fra…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 5 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
29:01
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EMISSARY OF DARKNESS. The concealed sailor is utterly alone at the stern of the ship when a host of disturbing sights violate his mind and body. The crew discuss the many sadistic cults and ruthless predators that stalk Carthage. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 4 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
23:49
23:49
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23:49
BLOOD ON CEDARS AND WARNINGS OF A NECROMANCER. Bloody sacrifices and pious self-mutilations are recalled from the times Baal's faithful priests gathered around the roots of the greatest holy cedars. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J.…
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THE DEMON BOOK | EP 3 | Audio Fiction | FITZMARBURY WITCHES | Occult Horror & Dark Historical Fiction Series
22:50
22:50
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22:50
THE CHAINED AND THE WRETCHED. The Libyan sailor pauses over the grate of the slave galley. Misery whispers from the lips of the chained men below, all trapped in a dreadful fate. ★★★★★ "What a debut novel! Hollywood this is your new dark historical fantasy and horror franchise!" -- Jedi Joeda It is no mere coincidence that D. J. Swales shares the s…
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