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James F. Mordechai
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A Crack in the World Kindle Edition

by James Mordechai (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 20 ratings
England, 1994. Villages in Sussex are vanishing into thin air at an alarming rate. Gino Marcotti – the Gran Maestro Occultist, son of the official occultist of the Fascist Italian Regime – is tasked to investigate by the Royal Paranormal Institute in Greenwich. His investigation takes an unexpected turn when he realises that the Black Metal scene, with its recent homicides and arson attacks on Norwegian churches, is connected to these disappearances. But he soon discovers that there are bigger and more malevolent forces at play – and the only way to defeat them is to connect with his dead father.

A Crack in the World is a fast-paced Occult Detective novel that plays with paranormal, cosmic horror and dark academia themes. A thrilling race across multidimensional portals for the fans of The X-Files, Twin Peaks and H. P. Lovecraft.

PRAISES FOR JAMES MORDECHAI:
  • "Mordechai's imagination is vast. One of the great storytellers of our time." Miskatonic Times
  • "Chock-full of riveting action." Daily Arkham (midnight edition)
  • "Mordechai takes the New Weird to new phantasmagorical levels." The Sunday Pentagram
  • "Great, brilliant, simply unputdownable!" James T. from Barnard Castle
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  1. Book 1 of 2
    A Crack in the World
  2. Print length
    344 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    March 1, 2023
  6. File size
    1.5 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0BTKBK86H
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Amazon KDP
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ March 1, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1.5 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 344 pages
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Book 1 of 2 ‏ : ‎ A Crack in the World
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 20 ratings

About the author

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James F. Mordechai

James F. Mordechai

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James Mordechai writes Science Fiction and New Weird books and enjoys the placid seas of anonymity. There is no biography other than his books.

Although not quite known in this world James Mordechai's work has been extensively read, studied and acclaimed in other realities that can only be accessed through portals during certain full moon nights. Here is just a tiny excerpt of the numerous reviews he has received for his major contributions to human (and non-human) literature:

REVIEWS

"Mordechai's imagination is vast. One of the great storytellers of our time." - Miskatonic Times

"Chock-full of riveting action." - Daily Arkham (midnight edition)

"Mordechai takes the New Weird to new phantasmagorical levels." - The Sunday Pentagram

"Great, brilliant, simply unputdownable!" - James T. from Barnard Castle

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
20 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Carolyn Sturgis
    5.0 out of 5 stars Occult science
    Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2024
    This book draws in information from the Occult sciences with airs of mystery and intrigue. It’s a fun read. I think what I enjoyed most was the ending as I wasn’t sure how it would end. I enjoyed reading it and I’m glad I was able to.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Erin Twitty
    5.0 out of 5 stars Spooky and thrilling occult mystery
    Reviewed in the United States on October 12, 2023
    I really enjoyed A Crack in the World! It's hard to find a good occult mystery with plenty of suspense and high stakes. James Mordechai nailed it! Gino, the occultist working for the Royal Paranormal Institute, and Carter, his bodyguard and confidant, are characters I really connected with and wanted to follow every step of the way. The premise - towns disappearing in the English countryside without cause - was compelling and scary. The way the mystery tied into the death metal music scene was also really interesting.

    Overall, I recommend this book and think readers will enjoy a well-crafted mystery that teaches them more about the occult. Now, I want to know more!
    Helpful
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  • Book Reviewer
    3.0 out of 5 stars Book review
    Reviewed in the United States on September 3, 2023
    "If you are new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, it can seem a little daunting due to the fact that there is a lot of lore to get used to and at times this can be rather off putting. Not only where do you start, but there is the question of what particular arm of the genre do you go down." I located twenty reviews of James Mordechai's A Crack in the World, the above statement was embodied in one of them, and the audience to which that particular reviewer refers includes me. A little daunting indeed! Reading this book was quite an adventure. Although I could not quite do so fairly, I might compare it with reading a book that is written in a language that is foreign to me. In A Crack in the World I discovered entities that can extract power from legendary items by destroying them. I was introduced to the meaning and capabilities of tarot cards. I consulted Google frequently for help in discovering what the words sigil, eldritch, necromancy, telasthesia, ascari, esoboffin, astral projection, arcana, etc, etc meant. I marveled at the term "Copernican consequences" and sentences such as "He is a trapped astral projection in a different cosmos." What does it all mean? Are there people really comfortable with this vocabulary and phraseology? Looking at the reviews, clearly, there are.

    The story itself is not that big a mystery. Entire villages in England are disappearing, and it is up to intrepid occult detective Gino and his sidekick Carter, working through the Royal Paranormal Institute (RPI) to discover the cause. Their initial conjecture is that the occurrences may be related to Gino's father's efforts toward energy independence, but the detectives discover more - a sigil (Google tells me this is a pictorial symbol of a deity or spirit) that may have been protecting is actually degrading the situation, and the culprit is not really a relative; instead, it's a being from the ancient Middle East, who has adopted the name James Shackleton.

    At least, that's what I think happened.

    There is evidently a captive audience for this type of tale, a group comfortable with the author's methodology and vocabulary. Were I a cowboy from the Americas of 100+ years ago, I would suggest that I tried to tame this bronco and it threw me, and I'm not at all certain when, or if, I'll attempt its like again.

    Chris Maddix's review
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  • Book Tasters
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book review
    Reviewed in the United States on June 3, 2023
    I noticed that this was described as a cosmic horror novel, which is a genre that I've taken a little more interest in just recently. The cover was eye-catching.

    This was dark, eerie and creepy in a satisfying way. I also found parts of it a little bit humorous, in a dark way. There were some themes present in the story that I found interesting, such as Egypt, and the occult. I also found it interesting that there was a discography - suggestions for music to listen to while reading this. I took advantage of those suggestions, and I wonder if other readers would find that interesting too.

    I would recommend this to horror fans.

    Kelly Marie Purdy's review
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  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Horror Novel to Check Out
    Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
    I really enjoyed A Crack in the World! It's hard to find a good occult mystery with plenty of suspense and high stakes. James Mordechai nailed it! Gino, the occultist working for the Royal Paranormal Institute, and Carter, his bodyguard and confidant, are characters I really connected with and wanted to follow every step of the way. The premise - towns disappearing in the English countryside without cause - was compelling and scary. The way the mystery tied into the death metal music scene was also really interesting.

    I recommend this book and think readers will enjoy a well-crafted mystery that teaches them more about the occult. Now, I want to know more!
    Helpful
     Report
  • Brandon Wills
    4.0 out of 5 stars Occult Mystery Filled with Action
    Reviewed in the United States on May 25, 2023
    This book was a slow build, but once the pieces started coming together and the puzzle revealed itself, it sucked me in. The action sequences were great, and there were parts and characters that made me laugh. The only complaint is that the flashback sequences sometimes were frequent and sometimes interrupted the main story, which caused me to forget what timeline I was reading if I put the book down for a time. I recommend this for any occult buffs, or anyone who loves a good horror mystery!
    Helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Liis P
    5.0 out of 5 stars Atmospheric, must read occult horror.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A Crack in the World is exactly the kind of indie that cements indie titles as worthy. I know Grady Hendrix is big, I love his books, apart from Horrorstör. Horrorstör was boring. So boring. Thus, if one was put in front of a choice: to read Horrorstör by the mighty Hendrix or A Crack in the World by Mordechai, I’d say go for Mordechai so fast, you’d think I was possessed. A Crack in the World is SO, SO worthy!

    I love horror, but I am also very fussy when it comes to horror books and horror movies. Horror movies mainly make me laugh, they’re simply ridiculous because I can’t be afraid of something that doesn’t exist! A weird-looking, green goo spouting something-or-other is just laughable… A scary movie with spiders, though, that’s scary, because spiders exist! Anyway, horror books can be mindless gore. Gore does nothing for me in horror. I’m all sorts of whatever about the slashers… One could easily categorize me a bit psycho for not batting an eyelid at pointless blood-letting. Torn off limbs and overexaggerated spurting blood is just *smh*… What makes horror books good for me is the added depth to characters, to conflicts presented in the book, the dash of realism. Bonus points if author manages to make me question said realism and prompt a bit of an existential crisis by shaking my beliefs (or non-believing) in the supernatural. I have read some good horror, both traditionally and indie published. Now. When it comes to Occult Horror in particular, A Crack in the World takes the cake!

    Yes, it has demons, bloody creepy ones at that, but their existence and how they come to be and why is dancing on the edge of realistically questionable, and this is what makes this particular horror scary. It’s imaginative and otherworldly, but it uses such elements and small details that firmly sets its one foot to the reality as we know it and that’s triumphant!

    One thing this glorious indie horror totally is? Atmospheric! This is not a t-shirt and flip flops wearing slasher kind of reading experience. Far from it. A Crack in the World is a polished shoe and suit wearing entity that drinks expensive wine and knows a lot! It’s an experience to savour. This doesn’t however mean, it’s academically dry and slow paced – it’s full of things to explore about the occult. It has a vibe of history and culture without ever becoming ridiculous or shallow. And there’s an investigative tone to boot. Yes, the Black Metal culture has been used here, but our main characters are not c*rpse paint wearing leathered up dudes chasing Sat*n… The Black Metal culture is an aspect weaved into to the bigger mystery that our MCs Gino and Carter are trying to solve.

    Speaking of our main MCs – they are complete opposites in every sense of the word and their dynamic is cohesive in a way that let’s them both be the characters that they are individually meant to be in terms of solving the mystery of the vanishing villages, whilst at the same time it is obvious that one could not do without the other.

    In a rare occurrence, A Crack in the World surprised me with some dry wit and humour. It surprised me with new twists and turns when I thought it would not have anything else left to surprise me with. And yet, it managed to surprise me until the very end. It also surprised me again and again with details that gave this story its essence. Gino’s father, for example, a man with a Fas*ist past. His backstory, the snippets from Gino’s childhood, really added that extra layer for helping me to visualize how far reaching and how deeply rooted (and yet at the same time invisibly bubbling under the surface) the occult society is. It makes this story believable. And mysterious like the goings on in a cigar smoke filled room. This society was not something that was created for the sake of the story and for the benefit of the reader’s enjoyment. It feels like this story is but a glimpse into something that is. Something that is true and real. You can feel sometimes when an author is insecure about the things they write. You can most definitely feel when an author is confident about the things they write. It’s the latter case that makes reading an enjoyable experience. It’s the latter when it comes to A Crack in the World. You WILL get the occult vibe 100% and it’s the detail from the author that has made it happen.

    As you can tell, I loved this book. The story, the mystery, the links in between the past and the present, the fictional and supernatural swiftly merging and the incredible otherworldly feeling I got thanks to the carefully and boldly used occult elements. I’ve never read anything like it.

    I’ll tell you what… James Mordechai is a dark horse to look out for in horror literature. If A Crack in the World is anything to go by, I can’t wait to see what he next has in store.
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  • CS
    5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling occult detective tale with a twist
    Reviewed in Italy on March 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    If you're a fan of the Dresden Files by Jim Butcher, Twin Peaks, or Hellboy, then A Crack in the World by James Mordechai is a must-read.

    The book is an intriguing blend of mystery, horror, and the occult that will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

    Set in England in 1994, the story follows Gino Marcotti, the
    Gran Maestro Occultist, as he investigates the disappearance of villages in
    Sussex. Gino, who is the son of the official occultist of the Fascist Italian
    Regime, is tasked by the Royal Paranormal Institute in Greenwich to investigate
    these strange occurrences.

    As Gino delves deeper into the investigation, he discovers
    that the Black Metal scene, with its recent homicides and arson attacks on
    Norwegian churches, is connected to the disappearances. But things take an
    unexpected turn when he realizes that there are bigger and more malevolent
    forces at play.

    What I loved about this book is the twist that James
    Mordechai brings to the typical occult detective genre.

    The book's blend of occult themes, detective work, and
    supernatural elements is reminiscent of Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files, while
    the eerie atmosphere and small-town setting bring to mind Twin Peaks. Fans of
    Hellboy will also appreciate the book's darker and more mature themes.

    The writing is fast-paced and engaging, and the characters
    are well-developed and memorable,
    with Gino Marcotti being a particularly fascinating protagonist. He's a complex character with a troubled past, and his journey to connect with his dead father is both heart-wrenching and thrilling.
    I was hooked from the very first page and
    couldn't put the book down until I finished it.

    Overall, if you're looking for a thrilling occult detective
    tale with a twist, A Crack in the World is a must-read.
    Report
  • Fantasy Book Nerd
    4.0 out of 5 stars A fast - paced cosmic detective story
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Whole villages in Sussex are disappearing. No one knows why, and no one knows where they go. The Royal Paranormal Institute in Greenwich has sent the Gran Maestro Occultist.Gino Marcotti and his bodyguard, Carter Williams to find the reason for these disappearances.

    The trail leads them to make discoveries that will shock the world as their journey takes them to determine that the world is changing. Black Metal is the new cult and the world becoming more of an occult world.

    Travelling through both England, their investigation will lead them to the truth about the disappearances and the truth about Gino’s long-lost father.

    James Mordechai’s new book A Crack in the World is a fast - paced cosmic detective story drawing on influences like Brian Lumley, the X – Files and the good old detective novel.

    The story centres around the team of Gino Marcotti and his bodyguard Carter Williams, and these are the two main characters through which we are introduced to James Mordechai’s other England. It’s an interesting take on the genre and whilst traditional cosmic horror is at the stories heart, the wrappings around the tale use a more modern approach.

    Obviously, James Mordechai knows the genre that he is writing in very well, particularly the influences of both past masters and modern greats, but he also adds his own little flair with the inclusion of modern pop culture like 90’s black metal, the X – Files, Twin Peaks, and it was quite exciting to see references to these made in the book. In addition to that there is the inclusion of occultist history and theory peppering the story, particularly the late Victorian aspects of the movement, like Crowley and other influential figures. However, the inclusion of these aspects are woven into the story really well and add to the overall tone of the book, mainly when we learn of the inception of the Royal Paranormal Institute. Not only that there is the inclusion of some of the more darker parts of modern history, particularly the amalgamation of fascist scientists into the world of the second world war allies. For instance, we learn that Gino’s father was the lead paranormal expert that was supposed to aid Mussolini in his victories but that when the Allies defeated the Italian forces, the British took a different path than the rest of the world and instead of using the scientific advances that were made by the Axis forces, instead went down the supernatural path in order to re-establish the glories of the great British empire.

    If you are new to the cosmic horror/weird fiction genre, it can seem a little daunting due to the fact that there is a lot of lore to get used to and at times this can be rather off putting. Not only where do you start, but there is the question of what particular arm of the genre do you go down. For instance some authors choose to set their stories in a Lovecraftian type of world, whilst others use the influences of cosmic horror/weird fiction and write whole new worlds, people like Brian Hodges, Laird Barron, John Langan, Hailey Piper etc and for me, James Mordechai definitely seems to follow the latter of the two. In fact, in some respects, this tale did put me in mind of Brian Hodges at times, amongst many other things. And if you are new to the genre, I think that A Crack in the World is a good place to start as it bridges that gap of being accessible whilst having lots of the lore underpinning it.

    The story itself is highly enjoyable, having a good mix detective story, pop culture, dark academia, science fiction and a good old adventure story that keeps the pace flowing to the end.

    The characters are well rounded and the relationship between the two buoys the story along and in some ways put you in mind of the Mulder and Scully relationship, that contrasting view of the believer and the accepting sceptic.

    On the whole, A Crack In The World is a thoroughly enjoyable read and if you want to get into the weird fiction genre I can’t think of a better place to start.
    Report
  • Andy
    5.0 out of 5 stars An extremely fun Urban Fantasy/Horror.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    A Crack in the World by James Mordechai.

    Gino Marcotti, the Gran Meastro Occultist, is haunted by his father's past working for Italy's fascist regime in WWII. Now it's 1994 and he's following in his father's footsteps. Working for the Royal Paranormal Institute, and working on a case with his bodyguard Carter.

    In a mystery involving entire villages in Sussex disappearing into thin air, physics breaking wells and the Black Metal underground, can they use their occult knowledge and skills to save the world?

    So we all know I love me some Urban Fantasy: Buffy, Anita Blake, Dresden. There's something about Fantasy and noir fiction. It just straight up does it for me! Which is interesting considering how little crime I tend read... Anyway I digress!

    I've been looking forward to this for a while now, ever since I found Mordechai's unique brand of Weird fiction. He has done a fantastic job setting up the world building and lore, with lots of different strands to follow. The horror has some great eldritch/cosmic elements, which are also a personal favourite.

    I will say I particularly enjoyed the use of the Tarot, I was immediately coming up with theories around them after the reading. There's some well thought out ideas behind Science Vs Unknown in this world, with lore being fed to the reader at well placed points, jumping back in time and seeing the influences of his father's past.

    It had everything I love about Urban Fantasy. It's fast paced, has plenty of action, pop culture and gore. It has magic, monsters and mystery. But most importantly, it's a lot of fun! There was a lot of wit and humour, I found myself smiling constantly.

    And whilst some of those Black Metal Cultists were accurately gatekeepers... There wasn't the usual "They're devil worshipping freaks". I liked seeing Gino's enjoyment and understanding of the music/scene grow & the reactions of Carter comparetivly (as a more modern man).

    We even have a faithful doggo, which I got accompanying 4D effects for... with a friends dog giving me heart attack, by growling at the TV. Perfect! 🤣

    I really loved this book, I totally recommend checking this out. It's even on KU, so go ahead. Treat yourself!
    Customer image
    Andy
    5.0 out of 5 stars
    An extremely fun Urban Fantasy/Horror.

    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 7, 2023
    A Crack in the World by James Mordechai.

    Gino Marcotti, the Gran Meastro Occultist, is haunted by his father's past working for Italy's fascist regime in WWII. Now it's 1994 and he's following in his father's footsteps. Working for the Royal Paranormal Institute, and working on a case with his bodyguard Carter.

    In a mystery involving entire villages in Sussex disappearing into thin air, physics breaking wells and the Black Metal underground, can they use their occult knowledge and skills to save the world?

    So we all know I love me some Urban Fantasy: Buffy, Anita Blake, Dresden. There's something about Fantasy and noir fiction. It just straight up does it for me! Which is interesting considering how little crime I tend read... Anyway I digress!

    I've been looking forward to this for a while now, ever since I found Mordechai's unique brand of Weird fiction. He has done a fantastic job setting up the world building and lore, with lots of different strands to follow. The horror has some great eldritch/cosmic elements, which are also a personal favourite.

    I will say I particularly enjoyed the use of the Tarot, I was immediately coming up with theories around them after the reading. There's some well thought out ideas behind Science Vs Unknown in this world, with lore being fed to the reader at well placed points, jumping back in time and seeing the influences of his father's past.

    It had everything I love about Urban Fantasy. It's fast paced, has plenty of action, pop culture and gore. It has magic, monsters and mystery. But most importantly, it's a lot of fun! There was a lot of wit and humour, I found myself smiling constantly.

    And whilst some of those Black Metal Cultists were accurately gatekeepers... There wasn't the usual "They're devil worshipping freaks". I liked seeing Gino's enjoyment and understanding of the music/scene grow & the reactions of Carter comparetivly (as a more modern man).

    We even have a faithful doggo, which I got accompanying 4D effects for... with a friends dog giving me heart attack, by growling at the TV. Perfect! 🤣

    I really loved this book, I totally recommend checking this out. It's even on KU, so go ahead. Treat yourself!
    Images in this review
    Customer image
    Report
  • D.A Holmes
    4.0 out of 5 stars Sherlock Holmes meets the X-files
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 30, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    From the first chapter, getting hooked and lost in this world of magic and mayhem is easy. There is never a dull moment. For most of the novel, we follow the perspective of Gino and Carter as they pull the threads behind this mystery. Mordechai does an excellent job of weaving in and out of the heads of the two leads, jumping from one thought to the other like a stone skipping across water. The plot is executed gracefully, and a good bit of dry British wit is thrown in for good measure.
    The main characters, Gino and Carter, instantly felt like a classic duo, a team of paranormal investigators on one of their weekly adventures. There is much more to be explored with Gino and Carter and many more mysteries to solve.

    Where this book really shines, however, is with its knowledge of the occult. The author did a thorough job researching occult practice. Any skeptics or practitioners that have read or glanced over the work of the Golden Dawn or Crowley will appreciate the accuracy here.
    What I enjoy the most is that all of these aspects of the book have been approached from a scientific perspective. One of my favorite lines in the book sums it up perfectly. “Both scientists and occultists are sceptics, they just question different things.”
    This is a real-world approach to how Tarot readings would play out or the function of sigil magick. There was a deep dive when it came to research, even exploring the realms of Astral Projection.
    Many subjects I love to read are wrapped up in this novel and presented with a beautiful red bow on top. The bow is an excellent mystery and wonderful characters. It’s both funny and thrilling. One of those novels you struggle to put down. I eagerly await the next book by James.
    Report

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