Gloam
By (Author) Jack Mackay
Oneworld Publications
Rock the Boat
2nd September 2025
14th August 2025
United Kingdom
Children
Fiction
Childrens / Teenage emotions: Courage, bravery, hope
Childrens / Teenage fiction: Horror and ghost stories, chillers
Childrens / Teenage general interest: Supernatural and mythological creatures
Paperback
256
Width 129mm, Height 198mm
In a creaky old house on a small, damp island, someoneor something is waiting
Gwen doesnt want to admit that everything feels wrong since her mum died. Theres no time for all these feelings now that she has her younger siblings to care for. Especially not since they've moved to their late grandmothers house on Gloam Island.
And now theres an intruder. Esme Laverne may seemsweet and kind but Gwen isn't fooled by her new babysitter, even if everyone else is. It quickly becomes clear that if she wants Esme gone, she'll have to handle it herself.
Determined to protect her family, Gwen will have to fight off terrifying creatures and nightmares come to life. But as Esmes power grows, Gwen must face everything shes been running from and embrace her fears before she can defeat the monster in her home... for good.
'A sumptuously sinister tale that is thoroughly spine-chilling, yet utterly heart-warming. I had both goosebumps and throat lumps whilst reading it!' Hana Tooke, author of The Unadoptables
Jack Mackayis a writer, theatre-maker and horror enthusiast. Though hes currently floating around somewhere near York, his heart is in the Midlands, in his grandparents creaky old house where he grew up. He has written stories since he was four years old, but this is the first one that was any good. He also co-founded Griffonage Theatre, a York-based company with a taste for the madcap and macabre. He loves his family, his dog,The Texas Chain Saw Massacre,and K-pop.