The launch of Flame Tree Press in 2018 has seen us release 13 books! With a mix of crime, thrillers, horror, science fiction and fantasy, the list encompasses a wide variety of themes and offers something for everyone. We are so happy with the stories we've helped our authors to tell, the quality of the books themselves and the response from readers. We didn't expect such huge engagement and so much enthusiasm so early on in our own story. We thought we'd take a minute and look back at all 13 titles from the 2018 list from Flame Tree Press.
The Bad Neighbour - David Tallerman
When part-time teacher Ollie Clay panic-buys a rundown house in the outskirts of Leeds, he soon recognises his mistake. His new neighbor, Chas Walker, is an antisocial thug, and Ollie's suspicions raise links to a local hate group. With Ollie's life unravelling rapidly, he feels his choices dwindling: his situation is intolerable and only standing up to Chas can change it. But Ollie has his own history of violence, and increasingly, his own secrets to hide; and Chas may be more than the mindless yob he appears to be. As their conflict spills over into the wider world, Ollie will come to learn that there are worse problems in life than one bad neighbor.
'It is a well-written and cleverly imagined crime thriller with a knife-sharp edge.' - Crime Review
Follow David Tallerman on Twitter - @davidtallerman
Creature - Hunter Shea
The monsters live inside of Kate Woodson. Chronic pain and a host of autoimmune diseases have robbed her of a normal, happy life. Her husband Andrew’s surprise of their dream Maine lake cottage for the summer is the gift of a lifetime. It’s beautiful, remote, idyllic, a place to heal. But they are not alone. Something is in the woods, screeching in the darkness, banging on the house, leaving animals for dead. Just like her body, Kate’s cottage becomes her prison. She and Andrew must fight to survive the creature that lurks in the dead of night.
'Creature is quite simply brilliant! It put me through the wringer, the final third of the book ramps things up to unbearable levels of emotional (and horrific) tension. It’s not very often I finish a horror novel with tears in my eyes, this book connected with me in a way no other has. It’s a beautiful horror story that will stay with you long after you snap the book shut.' - Kendall Reviews
Follow Hunter Shea on Twitter - @huntershea1
The Mouth of the Dark - Tim Waggoner
Jayce’s twenty-year-old daughter Emory is missing, lost in a dark, dangerous realm called Shadow that exists alongside our own reality. An enigmatic woman named Nicola guides Jayce through this bizarre world, and together they search for Emory, facing deadly dog-eaters, crazed killers, homicidal sex toys, and – worst of all – a monstrous being known as the Harvest Man. But no matter what Shadow throws at him, Jayce won’t stop. He’ll do whatever it takes to find his daughter, even if it means becoming a worse monster than the things that are trying to stop him.
'I can always count on Tim Waggoner to find the weird in a story and there’s plenty of that in The Mouth of the Dark. Tim has a unique voice in the horror community and is a genuine wordsmith. The book is filled with truly horrible images, yet I found myself smiling more often than not. Sex, violence, and an all-around crazy good time.' - Cemetery Dance
Follow Tim Waggoner on Twitter - @timwaggoner
The Siren and The Specter - Jonathan Janz
When part-time teacher Ollie Clay panic-buys a rundown house in the outskirts of Leeds, he soon recognises his mistake. His new neighbor, Chas Walker, is an antisocial thug, and Ollie's suspicions raise links to a local hate group. With Ollie's life unravelling rapidly, he feels his choices dwindling: his situation is intolerable and only standing up to Chas can change it. But Ollie has his own history of violence, and increasingly, his own secrets to hide; and Chas may be more than the mindless yob he appears to be. As their conflict spills over into the wider world, Ollie will come to learn that there are worse problems in life than one bad neighbor.
'One of the best novels I've ever read that infuses the supernatural so seamlessly with human nature. Despite the literary complexity of this story, Janz’ skill made it easy to follow along for the entire duration. The only real complaint I had was when it ended.' - Horror After Dark
Follow Jonathan Janz on Twitter - @JonathanJanz
The Sky Woman - J.D. Moyer
Car-En, a ringstation anthropologist on her first Earth field assignment, observes a Viking-like village in the Harz mountains. As Car-En secretly observes the Happdal villagers, she begins to see them as more than research subjects (especially Esper, a handsome bow-hunter). When Esper’s sister is taken by an otherwordly sword-wielding white-haired man, she can no longer stand by as a passive witness. Knowing the decision might end her career, she cuts off communication with her advisor and pursues the abductor into the mountains.
'Moyer has created an incredible and detailed vision of Earth’s future that I found original and refreshing. The Sky Woman is a great and very satisfying read no matter if you're into Science-fiction or not.' - Pamela Morris
Follow J.D. Moyer on Twitter - @johndavidmoyer
Thirteen Days by Sunset Beach - Ramsey Campbell
It’s Ray’s and Sandra’s first family holiday in Greece, on the island of Vasilema. The skies are cloudier than anywhere else in Greece, and they’re intrigued by local eccentricities—the lack of mirrors, the outsize beach umbrellas, the saint’s day celebrated with an odd nocturnal ritual. Why are there islanders who seem to follow the family wherever they go? Why do Sandra and the teenage grandchildren have strangely similar dreams? Has Sandra been granted a wish she didn’t know she made? Before their holiday is over, some of the family may learn too much about the secret that keeps the island alive.
'A simple, beautifully crafted little gem of quiet horror' - Kendall Reviews
Follow Ramsey Campbell on Twitter - @ramseycampbell1
The House by the Cemetery - John Everson
Rumor has it that the abandoned house by the cemetery is haunted by the ghost of a witch. But rumors won’t stop carpenter Mike Kostner from rehabbing the place as a haunted house attraction. Soon he’ll learn that fresh wood and nails can’t keep decades of rumors down. There are noises in the walls, and fresh blood on the floor: secrets that would be better not to discover. And behind the rumors is a real ghost who will do whatever it takes to ensure the house reopens. She needs people to fill her house on Halloween. There’s a dark, horrible ritual to fulfill. Because while the witch may have been dead... she doesn’t intend to stay that way.
'John Everson has created one of my top ten books of all time. The House By The Cemetery is a cauldron filled with devilry and witchery – all my favorite things. It’s a love story at its core, but on the surface, it’s a blood-curdling tale of utter mayhem and savagery. I loved every minute of this book. 2018 has seen several great books, but this one is a definite must read for all fans of horror!' - Cedar Hollow Books
You can find John Everson at johneverson.com
Ten Thousand Thunders - Brian Trent
Having just been killed in a mysterious shuttle explosion, Gethin Bryce is back to uncover what happened. An unusually gifted investigator with the InterPlanetary Council, Gethin is tasked with seeking out the truth behind unexplained anomalies that lie outside IPC control. His investigation takes him from the luxurious enclaves of Earth’s elite, to the battered Wastelands beyond civilization’s protective thrall. Linking up with an inquiry team from a planet-spanning corporate powerhouse, he also befriends a grim and reluctant outlander who has an important piece of the puzzle—evidence of a sadistic entity which threatens not just civilization, but all life…
'Ten Thousand Thunders is a remarkable book, showcasing many of Brian Trent’s talents. He has created a believable and fascinating future, visited it with a plot any science fiction writer would be proud to have created, and – most important – populated it with believable, motivated characters. Hats off to the new kid on the science fiction block!' - Mike Resnick
You can find Brian Trent at briantrent.com
The Toy Thief - D.W. Gillespie
Jack didn’t know what to call the nameless, skeletal creature that slunk into her house in the dead of night, stealing the very things she loved the most. So she named him The Toy Thief… There’s something in Jack’s past that she doesn’t want to face, an evil presence that forever changed the trajectory of her family. It all began when The Toy Thief appeared, a being drawn by goodness and innocence, eager to feed on everything Jack holds dear. What began as a mystery spirals out of control when her brother, Andy, is taken away in the night, and Jack must venture into the dark place where the toys go to get him back. But even if she finds him, will he ever be the same?
'It takes a lot to scare me with the amount of horror related content I take in on a day to day basis, but The Toy Thief managed to do just that. At certain points during my read, I found myself holding my breath without even realizing it. I certainly won't be able to get the unnerving description of the Toy Thief out of my mind anytime soon, or my dreams for that matter.. and I doubt you'll be able to either.' - Brandy's Books
You can find D.W. Gillespie at dwgillespie.com
Night Shift - Robin Triggs
Antarctica. A mining base at the edge of the world. Anders Nordvelt, last-minute replacement as head of security, has no time to integrate himself into the crew before an act of sabotage threatens the project. He must untangle a complex web of relationships from his position as prime suspect. Then a body is found in the ice. Systems fail as the long night falls. Now Anders must do more than find a murderer: he must find a way to survive. Will anyone endure the night shift, or will ice and frozen corpses be all that remains?
'Well-written and superbly plotted crime thriller' - Cheryl M-M's Book Blog
You can find Robin Triggs at robintriggs.wordpress.com
Think Yourself Lucky - Ramsey Campbell
David Botham just wants a quiet ordinary life—his job at the travel agency, his relationship with his girlfriend Stephanie. The online blog that uses a title he once thought up has nothing to do with him. He has no idea who is writing it or where they get their information about a series of violent deaths in Liverpool. If they’re murders, how can the killer go unseen even by security cameras? Perhaps David won’t know until they come too close to him—until he can’t ignore the figure from his past that is catching up with him…
'Campbell continues to scare readers with his unique ability to draw out the terrors of everyday life with easily relatable characters faced with horrific realities.' - This Is Horror
You can find Ramsey Campbell at ramseycampbell.com
Kosmos - Adrian Laing
Rookie barrister George Winsome, young and arrogant, defends an old boy who thinks he’s Merlin on a manslaughter charge. The riotous trial turns Merlin into a celebrity; money, greed and ambition take hold of George and his partner Heather until the secret of Merlin’s past is revealed as the spirit of Saint Yves intervenes to ensure George and Heather follow their true paths. ‘Kosmos’ is a modern-day jury trial, a feel-good love story and a spiritual journey involving Saint Yves, Nemesis and Merlin.
'Expect the unexpected at every turn of the page. Kosmos is a story like no other. Completely different, charming, and an enormous amount of fun.100-percent recommended.' - Cemetery Dance
The Sorrows - Jonathan Janz
The Sorrows, an island off the coast of northern California, and its castle have been uninhabited since a series of gruesome murders in 1925. But its owner needs money, so he allows film composers Ben and Eddie and a couple of their female friends to stay a month in Castle Blackwood. Eddie is certain a haunted castle is just the setting Ben needs to find inspiration for a horror film. But what they find is more horrific than any movie. Something is waiting for them in the castle. A malevolent being has been trapped for nearly a century. And he’s ready to feed.
'I cannot get over how enjoyable Jonathan’s work is, and how creepy and artful his stories are.' - Howling Libraries
You can find Jonathan Janz at jonathanjanz.com
We are so excited for our upcoming 2019 list! We have so many great authors and some amazing stories we want to share with you...
Check out all of the November Release blog posts!
- Flame Tree Press | November Release | 1 | Ramsey Campbell Q&A
- Flame Tree Press | November Release | 2 | Robin Triggs Q&A
- Flame Tree Press | November Release | 3 | Jonathan Janz Q&A
- Flame Tree Press | November Release | 4 | Adrian Laing Q&A
- Flame Tree Press | November Release | 5 | Upcoming Titles
- Flame Tree Press | Our 2018 List in Review
Also make sure you check the new History of Horror Fiction series on our blog!
- Horror Fiction History | Haunted Houses
- Horror Fiction History | Vampires
- Horror Fiction History | Frankenstein
- Horror Fiction History | Werewolves