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Wolf Worm

A Southern gothic masterpiece about secrets, parasites and deadly ambition

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Wolf Worm

By: T. Kingfisher
Narrated by: Mary Robinette Kowal
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Summary

*THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER*

'Wolf Worm is going to burrow straight into your brain' – Cassandra Khaw, USA Today bestselling author of The Library at Hellebore

Something darker than the devil stalks the North Carolina woods in Wolf Worm, an original gothic masterpiece from Sunday Times bestselling author T. Kingfisher.

The year is 1899 and Sonia Wilson is a scientific illustrator without work, prospects or hope. When the reclusive Dr. Halder offers her a position illustrating his vast collection of insects, Sonia jumps at the chance to move to his North Carolina manor house and put her talents to use.

But soon enough she finds that there are darker things at work in the Carolina woods.

What happened to her predecessor, Halder’s wife?

Why are animals acting so strangely?

And what is behind the peculiar local whispers about ‘blood thieves’?

With the aid of the housekeeper and a local healer, Sonia discovers that Halder’s entomological studies have taken him down a dark road full of parasitic maggots that burrow into human flesh – and that his monstrous experiments may grow to encompass his newest illustrator . . .

'Kowal’s performance enhances this gothic horror audiobook.' – Kirkus Reviews

'Only T. Kingfisher can write horror this lovely, even sweet, while simultaneously nauseating, grizzly, and revolting' – Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six

 Fantasy Gothic Historical Horror Mystery

Critic reviews

Only T. Kingfisher can write horror this lovely, even sweet, while simultaneously nauseating, grizzly, and revolting. Wolf Worm will live in my brain forever, parasitically, just as it should (Olivie Blake, New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six)
A creepy southern gothic that delivers real chills along with a surprising ration of human warmth. T. Kingfisher is one of the most consistently excellent writers working today – her prose is always delicious, whether rendering creekside wildflowers or stomach-churning body horror (Christopher Buehlman, USA Today bestselling author of The Blacktongue Thief & Between Two Fires)
Every time Kingfisher takes a foray into horror, I discover new reasons to become incredibly suspicious of completely mundane things. Wolf Worm is going to burrow straight into your brain (Cassandra Khaw, USA Today bestselling author of The Library at Hellebore)
Wolf Worm offers the perfect balance between curiosity and dread, driving you ineluctably forward through the story, but always with a twisting, well, worm in your gut. (But also, let's be honest, she had me at CREEPY BUG BOOK) (Chuck Wendig, New York Times bestselling author of Wanderers)
Gothic, creepy, but also full of Kingfisher's trademark wit, Wolf Worm will burrow deep into your brain and not come out. Another wonderful addition to the horror genre (Johanna van Veen, USA Today bestselling author of Blood on her Tongue)
Kowal’s performance enhances this gothic horror audiobook. (Kirkus Reviews)
This kept me up way too late, I literally had to tear myself away. Wolf Worm is hearty, atmospheric, gruesome and funny – and reminded me all over again why T. Kingfisher is one of my all time favourite writers (Hildur Knútsdóttir, author of The Night Guest)
Kingfisher is a master of blending genuine dread with a touch of dark humour (The Hounslow Herald)
All stars
Most relevant
Just plan silly in parts. A weird, silly interaction between a young woman and a vampire ( of sorts) in a cellar with comic asides left me cold. Wanted so much from this and it delivered nothing. Sorry.

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I may come back and comment on the story if I can get through it, but honestly, the voice choices for some of the characters is horrible. Painful does not come close. A choice was made insulting to multiple coultures: African American, Jamaican and Scottish. A character who is described as Scottish, uses Scots vocabulary, but sounds like Danny Aykroid's black face character in the train scene in Trading Places. It's 2026 ffs, we can do better than that. I appreciate accents are difficult and not everyone can easily simulate them, but if that's the case just don't attempt it. Just don't.

what the actual...?

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