is a thriller novel by the British broadcaster and author Simon Mayo . Published in 2024, the story is a modern-day psychological thriller that centers on a family's unraveling after they relocate to a remote, historically charged area of England. Plot Overview
: The Forest of Dean serves as more than just a backdrop; its dense woods and isolated communities create a sense of claustrophobia and "folk horror." Witchcraft Sample By Simon Mayo
The title refers to a "sample" of historical witchcraft practices or beliefs that seem to bleed into the modern day. As the family investigates the odd occurrences, they find themselves caught between rational explanations—such as psychological distress or local hostility—and the more terrifying possibility of a supernatural inheritance tied to the land's dark past. Key Themes and Elements is a thriller novel by the British broadcaster