A History of Fear: A Novel

Written by Luke Dumas

Narrated by Graham Halstead, Toni Frutin, Shiromi Arserio and 2 more

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Dec 6, 2022
• ISBN: 9781797148496

Luke Dumas

Luke Dumas is the author of the novel A History of Fear. His nonfiction has appeared in Literary Hub, Hobart, Last Exit, Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature, and more. He received his master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh and is a graduate of the University of Chicago. 

Reviews for A History of Fear

[jack fisher · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Brilliantly written. A sly, clever, reimagining of the-devil-made-me-do-it narrative. The impressive use of foreshadowing and symbolism set the tone of this novel squarely among the ranks of such classics as Rosemary’s Baby and The Exorcist. I found it genuinely disquieting, yet impossible to put down. I’ve already recommended this novel to several of my friends.

[Victoria · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Such a compulsive read. I couldn't put it down and the story is very intriguing.

[Erin Sledd · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Beautifully written, atmospheric, gothic literary fiction. As a literature professor, I enjoyed the connections with American literary influences, as well as the introduction to Scottish stories and folklore. As a reader, I was completely engrossed.

[Ginan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. Best book I've read in a while. Couldn't put it down

[Donna · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What just happened!?? I have to reread this book help

[Jason Doerr · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

I found much of the novel overwritten. How many metaphors and similes does one page of text need? For this author, too many is the answer.

[Chris C · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Very few books suck me in before page 20 or so. This one had me from page 1! Beautiful prose, unique storytelling, and a great story make for a novel you'll want to finish in one day. Also being his first novel Luke Dumas is definitely an author that fans of horror/thriller readers need to keep an eye on as he has the potential and the skills that makes for a "Must Read Author".... Can't wait for his second novel due out in December of 23.