Tales From The Dark Past Series

In 1914, fear and paranoia rule the high seas. Young Iain Cosgrove sets sail for a research trip aboard Lady Balgay, the last of Dundee’s once-grand sealing fleet. Fueled by rum and the crew's eerie tales, they obsess over ancient superstitions, which Iain dismisses as simple lore - until they reach the frigid Arctic seas. Soon, Iain begins to question his beliefs. But none of them are prepared for what they are about to face in the frigid, dark waters of the north.

In the West Highlands of Scotland, after the end of World War One, Brenda and her friends are preparing for an expedition of a lifetime: climbing An Cailleach, also known as The Witch. But even before they reach the base of the mountain, they realize that something is wrong. Strange apparitions, even stranger locals and ancient superstitions tell them of the dangerous path they have chosen. When things take a turn for the worse, will friendship be more important than survival?

Edinburgh, 1820s. On one side is the Old Town; ancient, crumbling and full of poverty. On the other is the New Town - elegant, refined and prosperous. When newly qualified Doctor Martin Elliot arrives, he discovers that the duality goes deeper. There is more darkness in the streets than he could have imagined. Ghosts of the long-dead haunt the houses, and nightmares soon fill Martin’s head. Only a relic of the past - a dark, carved staff - seems to give Martin respite. But can be balance its power with the burden that comes with it, or will evil overcome his good intentions? Dark Capital is a standalone novel, and can be enjoyed even if you haven't read other books in the series.

Scottish Borders, 1921. When Eleanor Armstrong and her brother Thomas move from Edinburgh to the old house of Anton’s Walls, they hope to give Thomas peace from the shell-shock that damaged his mind. Instead, they find a community that refuses to accept incomers and a house with an evil past. Scottish Borders, 1321. Newly knighted Sir Andrew Douglas hopes for glory and adventure when he ventures to the crusades, but is diverted to fight the rogue knight Hugo de Soulis at Caercorbie. Past and present combine in this dark tale of necromancy and demons amongst the moorland and hills of rural Scotland. Can Eleanor and Thomas overcome an ancient, powerful evil?

Scotland, 1899. When young orphan Ellen Luath starts work as a kitchen maid in a remote farm, she hopes she has left her troubled past behind. But something is not right at Kingsinch farm. Soon, supernatural forces of long past return to haunt Ellen, and she finds herself in a circle of darkness that invades her mind, and threatens her life. As time and place alter, can Ellen keep her sanity, and find her place in an increasingly confusing world?

The first three books in Helen Susan Swift's series of historical horror novels, 'Tales From The Dark Past', now available in one volume! Dark Voyage: It’s 1914, and fear and paranoia rule the high seas. Iain Cosgrove sets sail abroad Lady Balgay, last of Dundee’s once-grand sealing fleet. Fueled by rum and the tales of John Pratt, the crew obsess over ancient superstitions; ones Iain casually dismisses as simple lore... until they reach the frigid Artic seas. Soon, Iain's beliefs are shaken when the ship discovers two castaways, and events take a sinister turn. Dark Mountain: In the West Highlands of Scotland, few years after the end of World War One, Brenda and her friends are preparing for an expedition of a lifetime: climbing An Cailleach, also known as The Witch. But even before they reach the base of the mountain, they realize that something is wrong. Strange apparitions, even stranger locals and ancient superstitions are all signs that they are on a dangerous path. What evil lurks in the depths of the dark mountain? Dark Capital: Edinburgh, 1820s. On one side is the Old Town; ancient, crumbling and full of poverty. On the other is the New Town - elegant, refined and prosperous. When newly qualified Doctor Martin Elliot arrives, he discovers that there is more darkness in the streets than he could have imagined. Ghosts of the long-dead haunt the houses, and nightmares soon fill Martin’s head. Only a relic of the past seems to give Martin respite, but can be balance its power with the burden that comes with it?

All four books in Helen Susan Swift's series of historical horror novels, 'Tales From The Dark Past', now available in one volume! Dark Voyage: It’s 1914, and fear and paranoia rule the high seas. Iain Cosgrove sets sail abroad Lady Balgay, last of Dundee’s once-grand sealing fleet. Fueled by rum and the tales of John Pratt, the crew obsess over ancient superstitions; ones Iain casually dismisses as simple lore... until they reach the frigid Artic seas. Soon, Iain's beliefs are shaken when the ship discovers two castaways, and events take a sinister turn. Dark Mountain: In the West Highlands of Scotland, few years after the end of World War One, Brenda and her friends are preparing for an expedition of a lifetime: climbing An Cailleach, also known as The Witch. But even before they reach the base of the mountain, they realize that something is wrong. Strange apparitions, even stranger locals and ancient superstitions are all signs that they are on a dangerous path. What evil lurks in the depths of the dark mountain? Dark Capital: Edinburgh, 1820s. On one side is the Old Town; ancient, crumbling and full of poverty. On the other is the New Town - elegant, refined and prosperous. When newly qualified Doctor Martin Elliot arrives, he discovers that there is more darkness in the streets than he could have imagined. Ghosts of the long-dead haunt the houses, and nightmares soon fill Martin’s head. Only a relic of the past seems to give Martin respite, but can be balance its power with the burden that comes with it? Whistlers Of The Dark: Scotland, 1899. When young orphan Ellen Luath starts work as a kitchen maid in a remote farm, she hopes she has left her troubled past behind. But something is not right at Kingsinch farm. Soon, supernatural forces of long past return to haunt Ellen, enclosing her in a circle of darkness. As time and place alter, can she keep her sanity and find her place in an increasingly confusing and dangerous world?

Books 4-5 in Helen Susan Swift's series of historical horror novels, 'Tales From The Dark Past', now available in one volume! Whistlers Of The Dark: In 1899 Scotland, orphaned Ellen Luath seeks solace in a new job as a kitchen maid at Kingsinch farm. However, her troubled past catches up with her as eerie supernatural forces from long ago resurface, plunging her into a menacing web of darkness. Amid shifting time and place, Ellen must battle to preserve her sanity and discover her purpose in an increasingly bewildering reality. But can she find her way amidst the encroaching shadows? Guardian Of The Dark Slap: Scottish Borders, 1921. Eleanor Armstrong and her troubled brother Thomas seek solace in the ancient dwelling of Anton's Walls, aiming to provide him respite from the haunting effects of shell-shock. Instead, they encounter a hostile community unwilling to accept outsiders and a house shrouded in a malevolent history. Meanwhile, in the year 1321, Sir Andrew Douglas embarks on a journey to the crusades, only to be diverted to confront the rogue knight Hugo de Soulis at Caercorbie. As past and present intertwine, a chilling tale emerges, revealing the presence of demonic forces amidst the moorlands of rural Scotland.