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A History of Fear: A Novel Hardcover – December 6, 2022

by Luke Dumas (Author)
4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 229 ratings
Editors' pick Best Mystery, Thriller & Suspense
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This “disorienting, creepy, paranoia-inducing reimagining of the devil-made-me-do-it tale” (Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World) follows the harrowing downfall of a tortured graduate student arrested for murder.

Grayson Hale, the most infamous murderer in Scotland, is better known by a different name: the Devil’s Advocate. The twenty-five-year-old American grad student rose to instant notoriety when he confessed to the slaughter of his classmate Liam Stewart, claiming the Devil made him do it.

When Hale is found hanged in his prison cell, officers uncover a handwritten manuscript that promises to answer the question that’s haunted the nation for years: was Hale a lunatic, or had he been telling the truth all along?

The first-person narrative reveals an acerbic young atheist, newly enrolled at the University of Edinburgh to carry on the legacy of his recently deceased father. In need of cash, he takes a job ghostwriting a mysterious book for a dark stranger—but he has misgivings when the project begins to reawaken his satanophobia, a rare condition that causes him to live in terror that the Devil is after him. As he struggles to disentangle fact from fear, Grayson’s world is turned upside-down after events force him to confront his growing suspicion that he’s working for the one he has feared all this time—and that the book is only the beginning of their partnership.

“A modern-day Gothic tale with claws” (Jennifer Fawcett, author of Beneath the Stairs), A History of Fear marries dread-inducing atmosphere with heart-palpitating storytelling.
Previous page
  1. Print length
    368 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    Atria Books
  4. Publication date
    December 6, 2022
  5. Dimensions
    6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1982199024
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1982199029
  8. See all details
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From the Publisher

history of fear

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[Luke] Dumas’s layered and atmospheric writing shines . . . engrossing.” —New York Times Book Review

“A History of Fear is a chilling read for a dark winter night. It will leave the reader with questions and doubt, and will get under one’s skin because of it." —The Library Ladies

“A History of Fear succeeds on so many levels—as a haunting tale of the supernatural, a harrowing story of suspense, and a stark warning about the power of our inner demons. I consumed this book breathlessly, and every time I think of its jaw-dropping ending, I feel a chill all over again.”—This is Horror

"A methodical story about evil—its mystery and its toll—takes its murderous narrator past the brink of sanity. . . . Lean and propulsive, this dissection of evil marches forward with a deadly logic and sleight of hand, with occasional gaps filled in by an enterprising journalist and a Scottish information commissioner. The key is that we feel for Grayson as he leads us up to the brink of his terrible deed. The characters surrounding him, from his ghoulish family to his annoying roommate to his eventual victim, come to life on the page, all part of Grayson’s living nightmare. . . . It’s a patient pursuit and a patient book, one that builds without the reader quite realizing it. It blurs the line between mental illness and something less definable, more supernatural and sinister. A muscular, enigmatic, and devilishly smart read." —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“[A] stellar debut, a complex whydunit . . . . Admirers of Andrew Pyper’s The Demonologist will be riveted.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review

"A delicious walk along the razor's edge between the imagined and the supernatural, A History of Fear is candy for readers who like their thrills real and their horror a worrying whisper in their head." —Andrew Pyper, author of The Demonologist and The Residence

“A History of Fear presents itself as a disquieting cache of nightmares, a nested doll narrative that reads like a found-footage Falling Angel by William Hjortsberg. Readers, beware: this novel is not safe and will have you questioning what's real for many sleepless nights to come.” —Clay McLeod Chapman, author of The Remaking, Whisper Down the Lane, and Ghost Eaters

"A History of Fear succeeds on so many levels—as a haunting tale of the supernatural, a harrowing story of suspense, and a stark warning about the power of our inner demons. I consumed this book breathlessly, and every time I think of its jaw-dropping ending, I feel a chill all over again." —Megan Collins, author of The Family Plot

"A History of Fear is a disorienting, creepy, paranoia-inducing reimagining of the devil-made-me-do-it tale. A clever, twisty novel, imbued with emotional and psychological insight. Luke's vision of Old Scratch left me thrilled and looking over my shoulder." —Paul Tremblay, author of The Cabin at the End of the World and The Pallbearers Club

“A History of Fear deftly plays with perception and will have you questioning what is real and what horrors we are capable of. A modern-day Gothic tale with claws, it latches into you and doesn’t let go.” —Jennifer Fawcett, author of Beneath the Stairs

About the Author

Luke Dumasis the author of the novel A History of Fear. His nonfiction has appeared in Literary Hub, Hobart, Last Exit, Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature, and more. He received his master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh and is a graduate of the University of Chicago.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Atria Books (December 6, 2022)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 368 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1982199024
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1982199029
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6 x 1.4 x 9 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.0 4.0 out of 5 stars 229 ratings

About the author

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Luke Dumas

Luke Dumas

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Luke Dumas is the USA Today bestselling author of The Paleontologist, A History of Fear, and two forthcoming novels from Atria Books.

He received his master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Edinburgh and is a graduate of the University of Chicago. His nonfiction has appeared in Literary Hub, CrimeReads, Hobart, Panorama: The Journal of Travel, Place, and Nature, and more.

Luke has worked in nonprofit philanthropy for more than a decade with organizations including San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and the American Red Cross.

Luke was born and raised in San Diego, California, where he lives with his husband and dogs.

Customer reviews

4 out of 5 stars
4 out of 5
229 global ratings
unputdownable supernatural murder mystery
5 Stars
unputdownable supernatural murder mystery
A History of Fear by Luke Dumas (debut novel)Release Date: December 6th, 2022General Genre: Horror, Thriller, SuspenseSubgenre/Themes: Crime-Thriller, Cult-like church, spiritual abuse, the Devil, paranoia, phobias, mental illness, college life, Scotland, Ghostwriting, LBGTQIA+Writing Style: First Person POV, Intricately plotted, epistolary & narrativeWhat You Need to Know: Grayson Hale, the most infamous murderer in Scotland, is better known by a different name: the Devil's Advocate. The twenty-five-year-old American grad student rose to instant notoriety when he confessed to the slaughter of his classmate Liam Stewart, claiming the Devil made him do it.My Reading Experience: Highest marks for an enjoyable reading experience. I read this over a three-day weekend. Anytime I set this book down, I was thinking about it, anticipating my return to it. Dumas unfolds a complicated murder mystery with exciting, layered, compelling storytelling that fluctuates back and forth between first person POV narrative with a sympathetic character named Grayson Hale and chapters that read like notes from a criminal investigation. As the story progresses, Dumas delves deeper into Grayson’s psyche as it relates to his childhood and complicated relationships with his family members as well as his adult relationships with fellow students at school and his flatmate.Simultaneously, the notes from the trial uncover startling truths. Key people closest to Grayson give interviews that wildly contradict Grayson’s narrative. The reading experience is deliciously torn between what we know Grayson is experiencing and what we actually think is happening as well as clues and revelations we are picking up along the way from the investigation. It’s absolutely genius.Bonus points for this book’s setting in Edinburgh, Scotland. I loved the atmosphere it brought to this tale.Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans who love to devour a complex, atmospheric murder mystery with supernatural elements. Did the Devil make him do it?Comps: The Demonologist by Andrew Pyper, Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane, the movie Primal Fear, and The Outsider by Stephen King
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Top reviews from the United States

Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Page turner
Reviewed in the United States on November 6, 2023
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Once immersed into this story,wow, I couldn't put it down! Fantastic storytelling about a young man who may or may not be tormented by the devil. This sounds all to simplified for a good story, but the question on what to believe might not get answered.
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Michael Walter
4.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Novel
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
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10 pages into this book I had to double check to make sure I was actually reading a work of fiction. Dumas presents this book as if it is a real life, character analysis of a murderer. And he does it very well. Grayson Hale, an American studying in Scotland, either meets the devil and becomes possessed or simply losses his mind and kills a fellow classmate who he has a crush on. This was a page turner that I very much enjoyed although I probably could have used a bit more description of the actual murders (yes there’s a second, matricidal, killing that oddly enough gets barely a mention). All in all I’d recommend this book for the overall story as well as the uniqueness of its presentation
6 people found this helpful
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3.0 out of 5 stars The devil is I Scotland
Reviewed in the United States on December 20, 2022
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This is murder mystery and a horror story about abuse, depression and the devil. Words like Santophobia. This book is about 25 year old Grayson Hale and the murder of 23 year old Liam Stewart. Grayson comes to Scotland to finish hid PhD but has no funds when the mysterious DB offers him $40,000 to write a book about the devil in Scotland. The book is a memoir of Gray son's descent into madness and the manipulation of the devil but is any of it true or delusion. You decide. It is interspersed with really good writing and great violence. The son repeats the sins of the father. It is very well written story with twists and turns to the end.
5 people found this helpful
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Roger A Canaff
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully written, haunting and chilling- a remarkable debut novel
Reviewed in the United States on January 3, 2023
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This was a great book, front to back. Dumas creates an eerie sense of place in a great city (Edinburgh) and and then fills it with brilliant characters in the doomed Grayson, his fellow students and his family. The juxtaposition between the first-person narrative (slowly spiraling into madness- or something worse) and the objective, retrospective accounts (posed as non-fiction) are expertly woven. I enjoyed every bit of this book and I look forward to more from this author.
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Lynsie Wilson
4.0 out of 5 stars The Devil Comes To Scotland
Reviewed in the United States on December 18, 2022
How many times has the Devil been blamed for sinful acts, such as lying, cheating, stealing… or even murder? Grayson Hale is convinced the Devil made him do it.
Grayson, or Gray, has suffered from Satanophobia since he was thirteen years old. He grew up in California, under the roof of his abusive mother and neglectful, ever-disappointed father who is also the minister for a cult-like Christian sect that would hold regular Fellowship out of their family home. Now in his 20’s, he moves to Edinburgh to get his doctorate in Scottish literature, hoping to finally win the approval of his deceased father. When Grayson arrives, he sees an ad for “WRITING HELP NEEDED”, and responds, eventually meeting the dark and mysterious D.B. Now Gray isn’t so sure it was just a phobia, what if the Devil is real and he made a deal? What follows is a heady mix of depravity, violence, and madness through the streets of Edinburgh. The book is part memoir and part investigative, as we follow the events that got Gray, “The Devil’s Advocate”, put away for life for the murder of Liam Stewart.
Thank you to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advanced ebook copy of “A History of Fear” by Luke Dumas.

Dumas does an exceptional job with his debut novel. The writing is cutting, frank, and mid to fast-paced. Gray is one of the most unreliable narrators I have had the devious pleasure of reading but I caught myself hanging onto his every word. Dumas’ mastery of capturing Gray’s distress while keeping the characters' personalities forefront made switching between text (or narrators) natural. There is a menacing quality to Dumas’ writing that hooked me from the beginning, keeping me engaged until the heart-rending conclusion.
The use of the Devil as an embodiment of repressed homosexuality is the real gem here. On its face, it’s offensive. I debated continuing the book when I figured out what was happening. I did some research and deep breathing and continued, and I have to say it’s genius. Gray grew up in an ultra-conservative religious environment, same as me, and Dumas captured the feeling of otherness, internally and within the family unit, to a tee. The religious trauma and abuse, as well as physical abuse in this story is graphic and needs a warning, but it is well written and non-exploitative. It brought up a lot of memories I had growing up. The feeling Gray has of being invaded, unclean, evil… I would be surprised if Dumas didn’t also grow up like this. I have a feeling this is a somewhat autobiographical work.
What is keeping this work from being perfect for me is the lack of subtlety. Around the middle of the book, I was no longer guessing if it was supernatural or not due to how obvious the writing was. I’m going to impugn my own critique here by saying it didn’t make the book less enjoyable, but it bridles it from achieving perfection.
I do recommend this book whole-heartedly, but warning for themes of homophobia (internalized and external), sexual assault, child abuse, and religious trauma and abuse. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more by this author. 4.5/5
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Saintpetepaul
5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpectedly great!
Reviewed in the United States on March 28, 2023
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I just finished this novel and wow, what a great story. It has a bit of everything in so I'd hesitate to pigeonhole it as a horror story. I'm really glad I took a chance on this book.
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RCG
3.0 out of 5 stars Decent read
Reviewed in the United States on March 30, 2023
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Interesting idea, but ultimately it felt a little slow to build, at least for me — especially as the outcome was fairly predictable. Easy read. Some nice remembrances of Edinburgh. Not “scary”, if that would put anyone off.
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Top reviews from other countries

DOUGLAS L GOLD
4.0 out of 5 stars WELL DONE
Reviewed in Canada on March 3, 2023
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Luke Dumas has a great future in writing.
After reading this novel I am looking forward to Dumas next work.
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momanddadlightfoot
5.0 out of 5 stars a glimpse into the heart of darkness
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 26, 2023
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Mr Dumas debut novel steers you inevitably into the depths of madness without remorse, a tale of the devil and his monstrous machinations that show the futility of man’s struggle against evil. Read with the light on.
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Tina La Cock
5.0 out of 5 stars One of the BEST books I’ve ever read, set in the BEST city in the world!
Reviewed in Germany on January 19, 2023
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Just finished this masterpiece. When I first heard about it and saw the cover ("Looks like Edinburgh!") and title, just last week, I knew I just had to have this book. Ordered it from Amazon, dived right into it and couldn‘t put it down! Little had I expected that not only would it be an extraordinally well written story, set in my beloved Edinburgh, but that it would turn out to be one of the BEST books I‘ve ever read!! Highly recommend!!
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