“With his latest, Barnett runs through five timelines of a cursed coal mining town in what many are calling the most original folk horror novel of the year.”
1865. Lord Henry Brody aims to get at the coal beneath Scratch Moss Hall. But there’s something else below, something dark and evil.
1905. Reverend George Ackman is sure there have never been more godless people than those at Scratch Moss. But what do they believe in if not God?
1945. Ahead of nationalisation, Arthur visits the privately owned pits on assignment from the Coal Commission. When he finally visits Scratch Moss, he finds misery and death.
1985. Thatcher reigns supreme and the miners have lost. And in shattered Scratch Moss, the rumors of Red Clogs—a terrible entity from the land below—continue to resurface.
2025. Newly divorced, fifty-something writer Joe returns to Scratch Moss, his hometown, for his father’s funeral. Soon his memories, including those of the horror that infected the community years ago, come rushing back.
Why we’re excited about this book:
Folk Horror is one of the most popular sub-genres of horror currently, and David Barnett is at the forefront of those spinning the compelling tales. The author of Calling Major Tom and There Is A Light That Never Goes Out among others, Barnett is known for this work in the comics industry with such publishers as DC and IDW, and most recently for the folk horror novels Withered Hill and Scuttler’s Cove. With his latest, Barnett runs through five timelines of a cursed coal mining town in what many are calling the most original folk horror novel of the year. Kealan Patrick Burke (KIN, The Widows of Winding Gale) calls Scratch Moss ” … a masterpiece of folkloric horror …” , and Sarah Pinborough (Behind Her Eyes, We Live Here Now) says the book is “A creepy folk horror set in an old mining town which moves between generations to slowly build a picture of a town complicit in some terrible things. Really loved this one!’
Releasing from Canelo 1 September 2026, Scratch Moss by David Barnett is available for pre-order now.
BOB PASTORELLA
