A History of Fear

A Novel

By: Luke Dumas

Narrated by: Graham Halstead, Toni Frutin, Shiromi Arserio, Jennifer Aquino, Gary Tiedemann

This “disorienting, creepy, paranoia-inducing reimagining of the devil-made-me-do-it tale” (Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World) follows the harrowing downfall of a tortured graduate student arrested for murder.

Grayson Hale, the most infamous murderer in Scotland, is better known by a different name: the Devil’s Advocate. The twenty-five-year-old American grad student rose to instant notoriety when he confessed to the slaughter of his classmate Liam Stewart, claiming the Devil made him do it.

When Hale is found hanged in his prison cell, officers uncover a handwritten manuscript that promises to answer the question that’s haunted the nation for years: was Hale a lunatic, or had he been telling the truth all along?

The first-person narrative reveals an acerbic young atheist, newly enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to carry on the legacy of his recently deceased father. In need of cash, he takes a job ghostwriting a mysterious book for a dark stranger—but he has misgivings when the project begins to reawaken his satanophobia, a rare condition that causes him to live in terror that the Devil is after him. As he struggles to disentangle fact from fear, Grayson’s world is turned upside-down after events force him to confront his growing suspicion that he’s working for the one he has feared all this time—and that the book is only the beginning of their partnership.

“A modern-day Gothic tale with claws” (Jennifer Fawcett, author of Beneath the Stairs), A History of Fear marries dread-inducing atmosphere with heart-palpitating storytelling.

Critic reviews

"Outcast American Grayson Hale follows in his father's footsteps to Scotland, where he allegedly kills in the name of Satan. An ensemble of narrators lends credibility to the illusion that this is a true story, along with the introduction and comments throughout by Toni Frutin — but it is fiction. The first-person story is masterfully delivered by Graham Halstead as Hale recounts his life as a confused young man. He is ignored by unloving parents and a fear of the devil, who sends horrible creatures to attack him, creatures only he can see. After his arrest for murder, he becomes infamous by insisting the devil forced him to kill. The narrators effectively instill an undertone of horror and helplessness, making listeners pity Hale. Are his visions real-or the product of a deranged mind? They keep us guessing."

WELL CRAFTED STORY

I enjoyed this audiobook, and I felt the story was well crafted and presented.

He never stood a chance!

This was quite a graphic and intense read, and there were times I had to reread portions over again to ensure I understood what was going on. Grayson's life was marked from the very beginning as darkness followed and finally caught up to him, making his already miserable life that much worse. It's such a shame he things happened and ended the way they did.

calling1

This was like a guy on acid trip or mental unstable if you like horror book this for you waring this has lot sexual contend

Caaa-razy!!!

This was the kind of book that really keeps you guessing. I know that is one of those things people just say, but I really came away from this wondering what was real and what wasn’t. It’s a little slow in the beginning, but once the action picks up, it’s really riveting, and frankly, some of the underlying themes are devastatingly, tragic and sad, and unfortunately, a reflection of what so many people face in our society.

Twists & Turns

The narration of this story is top notch and really helped the story come to life. It is complex and feels like a narrated mini television series. Lots of great twists and layers along the way. I highly recommend giving this book a chance.