Parallel Hells

Parallel Hells is a queer horror book that explores queer identity, love, power, and the complicated nature of being human. It features thirteen darkly audacious stories, including a golem, a ruined mansion, a notorious murderer, and an ancient being who feasts on the shame of contemporary Londoners. The book has a laconic elegance that is both chilling and pleasurable, and it was praised by the Financial Times, Mslexia, and the Big Issue.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 17 February 2022
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Trust me: you want to read this. It's the queer horror book of your dreams!




Kirsty Logan, in her review for the Financial Times, praises the collection for its "laconic elegance that's both chilling and pleasurable." She describes it as a "deliciously strange debut collection" that explores queer identity, love, power, and the complexities of human nature in refreshingly inventive ways.




In the thirteen darkly audacious stories of Parallel Hells, readers encounter a golem made of clay, discovering that its powers far exceed its Creator's expectations. They explore a ruined mansion that grants the secret wishes of a group of revelers, and a notorious murderer who uncovers that her Viking husband is not what he seems.




Asta, an ancient being who feeds on the shame of contemporary Londoners, longs to fit in with a group of friends they will long outlive. An Oxford historian, in fierce competition with her faculty members, stumbles upon an ancient tome with sinister contents that could solve her problems. Livia orchestrates a Satanic mass to distract herself from a recent trauma, and two lovers must resolve their differences to defy a lethal curse.




Parallel Hells is a glorious collection of short stories that reads as if Edgar Allan Poe and Shirley Jackson had a little queer baby. Craig's worlds appear effortless, with Mslexia noting his "masterful control of language and atmosphere."




Whether you're a fan of queer horror or simply seeking a fresh and innovative take on the genre, Parallel Hells is a must-read. It's a testament to Leon Craig's talent as a writer and his ability to create captivating and unsettling stories that leave a lasting impression. Don't miss out on this thrilling and captivating debut collection!

Weight: 336g
Dimension: 143 x 222 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529371420