Title: Beyond the Smoke and Shadow

Author: Catriona Mowat

Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0DFYXRVR2/

Release Date: June 13, 2025

Summary

A collection of 9 gothic tales and poetry to haunt the darkest of nights. From the distant past to the far-off future, horrors lurk and there are no happy endings. Pirates, witches, ghosts, cryptids, and what will you find waiting for you beyond the smoke and shadow?

What will happen when the spirits of Salem witches seek revenge? Or a hidden city is found beneath the earth? Is there something lurking in the woods at night?

Fans of classic gothic fiction, historical horror, and even science fiction will find a story just for them. Each story comes with an accompanying poem to unsettle and entertain you.

My Review

5/5 Stars

This was a very engrossing set of nine short stories. I loved the bits of poems worked in to each one and found each story to be wildly creative.

There were a lot of subgenres represented in this collection from gothic to maritime tales to historical horrors. The stories are all very well written and for that reason, I had a hard time choosing a favorite.

If I had to pick though, I would say The Lost City.

Atmospheric and well-written, this is a fantastic debut release!