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Mark Cassell
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The Shadow Fabric: a supernatural thriller (dark fantasy horror) Kindle Edition

by Mark Cassell (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.0 out of 5 stars 122 ratings
Leo remembers little of his past. Desperate for a new life, he snatches up the first job to come along. On his second day, he witnesses a murder, and the Shadow Fabric – a malevolent force that controls the darkness – takes the body and vanishes with it.

Determined to get answers, Leo has no idea where to turn. Revelations come in the most unlikely places, and secrets of witchcraft and ancient artefacts unfold. In particular, a device used in the 17th century to extract evil from witches proves key to his discoveries. With these truths long hidden from humankind, his memory unravels. Not only haunted by the past, a sinister presence within the darkness threatens Leo’s existence and he soon doubts everything and everyone...including himself.

The relentless and destructive power of the Shadow Fabric compels Leo to fight not only this growing darkness, but also the entity beneath the Fabric’s surface. While these supernatural horrors rage and his world crumbles, Leo must confront his past before he can embrace his future. But the future may not exist.

THE SHADOW FABRIC is a modern-day story revealing the unknown history of witchcraft and the true cause of the Great Fire of London. A subtle horror novel of sins, shadows, and the reanimated dead.

A bestselling supernatural thriller by Mark Cassell

"Mark Cassell has a remarkable way with words and is a riveting storyteller and weaver of dark tales. The horror elements were both unnerving and raw, chilling in some scenes; leaving me wanting to find out more yet dare to tread deeper and find the secrets of the Fabric." - Five-star reviewer.

Interview with the author:

Where in the hell did you come up with the scenes for this? It is very involved and imaginative.

MC: I laid out plans from the very start, knowing the beginning and end, and wanted to avoid every cliché there was. It took time. Some scenes were lifted straight from dreams whereas others took a great deal of shaping. For instance, I needed to develop a device with which to stitch the Shadow Fabric, and even after creating a 17th-century hourglass complete with wrist harness, I still had the issue of bringing it into the 21st century. When it came to precisely how the stitching occurs, that's when I truly had fun.

So none of this is taken from anything similar in legends or folklore? This is all out of your imagination?

MC: Entirely from my noodle, yes. I think that's why it took so damn long to lay down the groundwork. I think I scribbled and scrawled more than I ended up typing, no joke. I didn't realise it at first but as the plot evolved, it was necessary to reshape witchcraft and demonology into something more than a standalone novel.
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  1. Print length
    341 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    October 31, 2014
  5. File size
    2.8 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B00NAAIEE6
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Herbs House
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 31, 2014
  • Edition ‏ : ‎ 1st
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.8 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 341 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 out of 5 stars 122 ratings

About the author

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Mark Cassell

Mark Cassell

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Mark Cassell lives on the south-east coast of the United Kingdom with his wife and many animals. His jobs have included baker, lab technician, driving instructor, actor, and was once a spotlight operator for an Elvis Presley impersonator.

As the author of the best-selling Shadow Fabric mythos, he’s written under several pen names with over 150 stories published in magazines and anthologies. Though his passion remains embedded in dark fantasy and horror, he’s written steampunk, fantasy and sci-fi, and regularly crosses the blurry lines between genres.

Most recently he’s seen publication in the children’s market. In particular, a Would You Rather game book series that has proven popular, and a successful range of pirate activity books. Mark often says how the “Pirate Thing” is a latent interest that will always astonish him.

A proud addition to his bibliography is through Caffeine Nights Publishing with the horror novel, Parasite Crop. Since signing that contract, he remains humbled in the knowledge he now shares the same publisher as one of his literary heroes from the late-1980s, a bygone time when he sneakily read novels at the back of school classrooms.

Incidentally, Mark never got caught.

~

More about the author can be found at www.MarkCassell.co.uk

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
122 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this supernatural thriller to be a wonderful debut horror novel, with one review noting it's a tightly twisted thriller full of unexpected twists. Moreover, the book receives praise for its intelligent writing, compelling characters, and well-paced narrative. Additionally, customers appreciate the unique concept of the shadow fabric, with one review describing it as rich and tightly woven.

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22 customers mention "Suspenseful"19 positive3 negative

Customers find the book suspenseful, describing it as a wonderful debut horror novel that successfully blends supernatural elements with cosmic horror, and one customer notes it keeps readers engaged from the first page.

"...well-developed characters with believable personalities and a whole lot of dark terror make this book a must read for the horror/terror fan...." Read more

"...with betrayal, double cross and triple-cross and you have a tightly twisted thriller that will keep readers awake through the night, unable to close..." Read more

"...I love when a writer has the ability to weave history and lore into a new tale. I feel as though Cassell took extra time in doing just that...." Read more

"...The Shadow Fabric is an action-packed and fast-paced run through the underbelly of a realm of darkness, insanity, and a secret mythos that all but..." Read more

15 customers mention "Readability"15 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable and entertaining, with one describing it as a brilliant novel.

"...All in all, an excellent book. Glad I found it while plunging through the waves of social media. Highly recommended...." Read more

"...Plop your dime down now. The Shadow Fabric is worth the read. Rating system:..." Read more

"...Overall, it was an entertaining and suspenseful read with very intricate flourishes." Read more

"...A clever, intelligent novel that takes well-worn themes and works them brilliantly into an original, thought provoking story...." Read more

9 customers mention "Creativity"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the creativity of the book, with one customer highlighting its intricate flourishes and another noting its world full of imagination.

"...New ideas, fantastic imagery, well-developed characters with believable personalities and a whole lot of dark terror make this book a must read for..." Read more

"...Overall, it was an entertaining and suspenseful read with very intricate flourishes." Read more

"...Mark Cassell’s “The Shadow Fabric” does all of this and more. A clever, intelligent novel that takes well-worn themes and works them brilliantly..." Read more

"...It need an Alfred Hitchock kind of touch. Nice to have a new premise." Read more

8 customers mention "Character development"8 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the character development in the book.

"...New ideas, fantastic imagery, well-developed characters with believable personalities and a whole lot of dark terror make this book a must read for..." Read more

"...Rating system: 5 = Delicious dialogue, crisp prose, clever characters & compelling plot..." Read more

"...The characters are well drawn and relatable. Timing is impeccable - the pace picks up quickly and maintains for the entire read...." Read more

"...The lively characters and first-person viewpoint is well done and grabs and holds you in...." Read more

8 customers mention "Pacing"8 positive0 negative

Customers find the pacing of the book well-paced, with one customer noting its fantastic imagery.

"...New ideas, fantastic imagery, well-developed characters with believable personalities and a whole lot of dark terror make this book a must read for..." Read more

"The Shadow Fabric is a fun, fast paced, and entirely scary novel that is worth your time to read...." Read more

"...The characters are well drawn and relatable. Timing is impeccable - the pace picks up quickly and maintains for the entire read...." Read more

"...propels the reader through a sensory maelstrom and compels them onward at a hellish pace, never lacking in suspense...." Read more

5 customers mention "Fabric content"5 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the fabric content of the book, with one noting its unique shadow fabric concept and another describing it as tightly woven.

"...I very much enjoyed the tale of the fabric and its accouterments as seen through the amnesiac eyes of Leo...." Read more

"...The mythology he’s created around the Witchblade and Shadow Fabric is rich and deep and there’s no doubt the depth will be plumbed even further in..." Read more

"The whole concept of a shadow fabric is unique and interesting...." Read more

"Shadow Fabric is a tightly woven story with plenty of dark surprises. I never could get ahead of the story and guess what would happen next...." Read more

HORROR HAS A RISING TALENT: Book Review of Mark Cassell’s, The Shadow Fabric
3 out of 5 stars
HORROR HAS A RISING TALENT: Book Review of Mark Cassell’s, The Shadow Fabric
ABOUT THE SHADOW FABRIC: Leo remembers little of his past. Desperate for a new life, he snatches up the first job to come along. On his second day, he witnesses a murder and the Shadow Fabric – a malevolent force that controls the darkness – takes the body and vanishes with it. Uncovering secrets long hidden from humankind, Leo’s memory unravels. Not only haunted by the past, a sinister presence within the darkness threatens his existence and he soon doubts everything and everyone…including himself. Now Leo must confront the truth about his past before he can embrace his future. But the future may not exist. THE SHADOW FABRIC is a story revealing the unknown history of witchcraft and the true cause of the Great Fire of London. A supernatural horror novel of sins, shadows, and the reanimated dead.The Shadow Fabric MY REVIEW: Mark Cassell’s debut novel The Shadow Fabric is an action packed tale of supernatural horror. The book follows the journey of Cassell’s main character Leo. A car accident in Leo’s past had wiped out his memory. In his new life, post-accident, he struggles to recall the memories of his former life. Now, Leo finds himself working for a mysterious man named Victor Jacobs. Victor has secrets, ages old, and Leo quickly finds himself propelled into the secret and deadly world of the twisted Shadow Fabric. Cassell has written a fast moving novel with a fascinating evil. He navigates us through a mysterious plot, and introduces us to a number of characters, ancient artifacts and legends that are all entwined with the Shadow Fabric. Cassell has effectively created a world at the edge of darkness, and he slaps us consistently with thrills and chills that will make you feel like you’re reading a movie. Cassell’s marketing and author platform is outstanding, and his imagination is immense, as revealed by the unfolding of the Shadow Fabric mythos in the novel. He is an author with an online presence that clearly demonstrates a dedication to his craft. I enjoyed reading and discovering the horrors of the Shadow Fabric and all its macabre wonders. If you’re a fan of classic paranormal horror then take the time to read Mark Cassell’s The Shadow Fabric. He has undoubtedly weaved a world by which legends of horror are born. I expect more great works will bleed from this author. “Praise for Mark Cassell, a rising talent in horror.” ~ Darryl Foster
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Mike Wolff
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Story
    Reviewed in the United States on February 3, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    There are some books that really piss me off. Not because they are bad; no, it's the exact opposite. This is one of those books. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find enough time in my schedule to read this book as fast as I wanted. I actually sat in my car this morning before work, and was late, just to finish it. It's addictive. Curse you Mark Cassell!!!

    Seriously, though. The Shadow Fabric is a brilliantly written novel. I read a lot of books, and have been known to say that there are no new ideas out there, that writing is simply just re-writing ideas that have already been done. I stand corrected. I've never read a book like this one. Cassell has woven a mythology around this evil presence, the Shadow Fabric, that rivals any 'mainstream' author I've ever read. I dare say, this is better than most.

    New ideas, fantastic imagery, well-developed characters with believable personalities and a whole lot of dark terror make this book a must read for the horror/terror fan. If I were to have one slightly negative comment, I did get a bit lost in the last chapter of the book. Maybe it's due to my own limited imagination, but I'm not sure where it's going. There is one final death, one of many, and the lead character has some final thoughts. Those thoughts have been going through my mind all morning, as I try to piece it all together. Is this bad? I don't think so. It makes me want to read more, so I hope there is a sequel. All in all, an excellent book. Glad I found it while plunging through the waves of social media. Highly recommended.

    4.75 of 5 Stars (which rounds to 5)
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  • Phillip T Stephens
    4.0 out of 5 stars Every monster in an old fashioned Saturday matinee
    Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Mark Cassell pulls out every stop in his horror thriller The Shadow Fabric, throwing every monster you'd hope to see if you sat down to binge watch a day of horror features. Except vampires. And werewolves. On the other hand, eight million paranormal romances with female leads brooding over vampire v. lycan love turned vampires and werewolves into cuddly plush dolls.

    Cassell delivers sorcerers, witches, mad scientists, frankenstein's monsters, reanimated corpses, shapeshifters, flesh-eating zombies, creatures that dwell in the shadows and—best of all—ancient gods looking to rule the world. Deliver that package in 70,000 words, combine it with betrayal, double cross and triple-cross and you have a tightly twisted thriller that will keep readers awake through the night, unable to close the book's covers.

    Cassell wraps the entire package in a mystery surrounding his narrator, a man with no memory prior to four years before, a tabula rasa upon which the machinations of the shadow fabric turn. The shadow fabric, it seems, steals the darkness in people's souls to weave a fabric of evil that will pave the way for the a horror that will devour all of humanity. The narrator, Leo's employer Victor, wishes to find the fabric to prevent his return.

    Victor and his brother Stanley collect rare antiques in partnership with Leo's patron Goodwin. They consider the Shadow Fabric one of their finest prizes. Unfortunately, when a vagrant surrenders the Fabric to Victor, the Fabric compels Victor to murder his brother, launching a string of catastrophic events that unleashes the forces of darkness and the undead.

    Everyone except Leo has been keeping secrets. Leo might be, he just doesn't remember what his are. He partners with Victor and Isidore, a first class thief, to recover the fabric before its power grows too large to contain.

    Cassell understands pulp—fat, juicy and hurled against a wall to drip in all its gory delight. No literary pretense, this is slash an burn with visceral terror from page one when Victor slams his knife into his brother Stanley's chest until the last page when all's well that should end well. Only it doesn't.

    Will Cassell deliver a sequel? Probably. He offers fans a collection of related short stories, Sinister Stitches. Plop your dime down now. The Shadow Fabric is worth the read.

    Rating system:
    5 = Delicious dialogue, crisp prose, clever characters & compelling plot
    4 = Great read, won't want to stop (5 for many reviewers)
    3 = Worth buying but…
    2 = I will tell you what audience will like this, but other readers might want to look elsewhere
    1 = If I review a book this bad I felt seriously compelled to warn you
    Phillip T. Stephens is the author of "Cigerets, Guns & Beer," "Raising Hell" and "Seeing Jesus."
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Amazon Customer
    3.0 out of 5 stars I love when a writer has the ability to weave history and lore into a new tale.
    Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    I was intrigued by this read from day one. I love when a writer has the ability to weave history and lore into a new tale. I feel as though Cassell took extra time in doing just that. I very much enjoyed the tale of the fabric and its accouterments as seen through the amnesiac eyes of Leo. His journey is filled with suspense and detailed action. There were several passages within this book that are very well written.

    That said, it did take me almost halfway through the book to appreciate Leo’s plight. The application of showing rather than telling shone through in many scenes. At other times, I did wish a bit more from the dialogue. But when Cassell was into the scene, he certainly excelled at describing it. I was left with a few more questions from the abrupt ending, but I suspect that was what the writer intended.

    Overall, it was an entertaining and suspenseful read with very intricate flourishes.
    5 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Morgan K Tanner
    5.0 out of 5 stars from engulfing everything good in the world
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 16, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Wow! Now this here's a book that will make you scared of the dark. Is that a shadow in the corner of the room or a black, venomous tentacle of a shadowy beast that's waiting to impale me and spill my chunky viscera all over my bedsheets? OK, it was actually just a shadow that time!

    The story follows Leo, a man who has been involved in a car accident (or so he thinks) that has left him with amnesia. His is helped by a man named Goodwin, a friend of Leo's family who he doesn't remember (or so he thinks). He's got amnesia, remember?

    Leo takes a job with an acquaintance of Goodwin's, Victor. The man is rather eccentric and pays Leo handsomely for, well just basically driving him around the place. But Victor is part of some kind of ancient group who are battling to prevent the darkness taking over the world as we know it. Before he knows it, Leo is embroiled in the group's mysterious plans, where no one is who they seem.

    The group are trying to prevent The Shadow Fabric, an ancient piece of, erm fabric, from engulfing everything good in the world. The fabric has been stitched together over centuries by the souls of evil-doers, and with a few more additions it will have the power to turn everything to darkness.

    Throughout the book Leo is in the dark (or the shadows) over his previous life, as he remembers nothing about it. As the story unfolds the reader discovers just exactly what happened to him, along with Leo.

    It's suspenseful, with twists and turns here and there – are they a baddie or a goodie? - and some pretty graphic carnage thrown in to boot. This is my first read by Mark Cassell, and the fact that there is a collection of short stories involving this whole Shadow Fabric mythos, is exciting.

    A great book, and highly recommended. I had to change my black curtains in the lounge after it, though. At night they just seemed a bit more, I dunno, creepy!
    Report
  • Rosha
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spannend! Nichts für schwache Nerven.
    Reviewed in Germany on December 1, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Ich habe das Buch bei Twitter entdeckt und direkt auf meine Leseliste gepackt. Die Hauptfigur bleibt bis zum Ende ebenso mysteriös wie die komplette Geschichte. Der Autor hat einen interessanten (und ich meine das positiv) Schreibstil mit viel Gewicht auf den Sinneseindrücken.

    Zur Geschichte (keine Spoiler):
    Die Handlung startet direkt durch, was anfangs etwas verwirrt. Keine Angst, es folgen alle nötigen Erklärungen. Während sich nun in entspanntem, aber stetigem Tempo die Handlung aufbaut gleitet man immer tiefer in die dunklen Abgründe hinab. Am Ende hatte ich kaum mehr Zeit zum Luft holen.

    Fazit:
    Ein unglaublich spannendes und sehr actionreiches Buch mit etlichen (sehr dunklen, abgrundtief erschreckenden) Geheimnissen, die gelöst werden wollen. Angefangen bei der Hauptfigur Leo bis hin zum 'Shadow Fabric' selbst.
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  • BlackBrigand
    3.0 out of 5 stars Could benefit from the skills of a professional editor and proof-reader.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 9, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I have always been a great fan of horror and supernatural novels since I started reading them as a boy in the early fifties and over the years have amassed a large collection, mainly paperback copies and I am now replacing those available as e-books with Kindle Editions. This re-organisation has also given me the chance to revisit books that I have not read for a while and catch up on titles that I may have missed. This was one of the latter,

    I was a little disappointed as the story started off well with an intriguing storyline and an interesting premise. Unfortunately after the first few chapters the story became bogged down in detailed descriptions and explanations of the minutiae of the tale without really adding much to the story and although there were patches of action the constant discussion dialogue became rather tedious and the writing style became repetitive and rather jerky.

    I did like the idea behind the story but the book could benefit from the skills of a professional editor and proof-reader.
    Report
  • D E McCluskey
    4.0 out of 5 stars Great work here by a very talented author
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Great work here by a very talented author. Fantastic introduction to a whole new world of suspense, drama and horror.
    Report
  • Charlotte Munro
    5.0 out of 5 stars And like this, to infinity, I would highly recommend
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 18, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    The Shadow Fabric is a thrilling, fast paced page-turner. An exquisite dark story woven with the brilliant supernatural twist, it leaves no room for error. A mixture of characters that leap off the page with their realistic flaws and personalities. Leo was a great protagonist.

    Mark Cassell has a remarkable way with words and is a riveting storyteller and weaver of dark tales. The horror elements were both unnerving and raw, chilling in some scenes; leaving me wanting to find out more yet dare to tread deeper and find the secrets of the Fabric.

    Set in a small town, actually a village, the descriptions were amazingly accurate with flawless metaphors throughout. I don't live too far off from where this story was based and it added to the atmosphere.

    This is the first book I have read from this author and I have not been disappointed. An original idea that was expertly woven and with a decadent dark imagination with some nightmares intertwined, this has left me wanting more.

    And like this to infinity, I would highly recommend.
    Report

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