The Forgotten Stories of Hafod y Môr, a haunting collection of horror stories by Staffordshire writers John Hendy and Mary-ann Astle, is now available on Amazon UK.
Set in the fictional Hafod y Môr hotel on the coast of Wales, the anthology plunges readers into a world of shadows and secrets, where each room holds its own terrifying story.
The collection follows various occupants of the hotel – from visitors and hotel staff to strange, lingering spirits. As each story unfolds, the characters discover that the hotel’s walls seem to breathe with sinister energy, hiding dark histories and insatiable horrors. Written with a blend of supernatural suspense and psychological depth, the anthology appeals to readers who enjoy eerie tales of isolated places, haunting memories, and spine-tingling surprises.
John Hendy, Director of Digital Transformation and Innovation at Newham College in London and a resident of Stoke-on-Trent, brings his lifelong fascination with horror and the unknown to the collection. Hendy explains, “Horror fiction lets us explore fears that lie just beneath the surface – it’s a place where the rules change, and we can confront the unknown. With The Forgotten Stories of Hafod y Môr, we wanted each room to echo that sense of lurking dread, creating a space where each guest faces their deepest fears in a hauntingly personal way. The goal was to make Hafod y Môr a place where reality and nightmare intermingle, leaving readers questioning the boundaries of the natural and supernatural.”
Hendy’s drive to create horror narratives stems from a desire to provide readers with thought-provoking, heart-pounding experiences. His stories focus not only on terror but also on the complex psychology of characters facing overwhelming dread. Each tale in The Forgotten Stories is designed to take readers deep into these unsettling encounters, with elements that leave them lingering in suspense long after the story has ended.
Mary-ann Astle, a former journalist and current Head of Communications at University of Staffordshire, adds her storytelling expertise to the anthology, grounding each narrative with carefully constructed atmosphere and detail. Astle, who resides in Newcastle-under-Lyme, sees the hotel itself as the heart of the collection, saying, “The Forgotten Stories of Hafod y Môr has been a thrilling journey, allowing us to dive into each character’s fears while weaving the hotel’s dark past into their stories. Our goal was to make Hafod y Môr a character in itself – alive with memories and secrets that shift and grow with each tale. We wanted readers to feel as though they were stepping into each room, feeling the quiet tension and whispers of what came before.”
Astle’s approach combines elements of realism with the unsettling supernatural, drawing readers into a setting that feels tangible yet disturbing. With her background in journalism and communications, Astle brings a compelling sense of place and character to each story, ensuring that the world of Hafod y Môr lingers long after the pages are turned.
As the book progresses, the interconnected tales reveal an overarching narrative – the chilling and inexplicable aura of Hafod y Môr itself. Readers will find themselves captivated by the hotel’s stories, its residents, and the eerie hold it has over all who enter.
The Forgotten Stories of Hafod y Môr is now available for purchase on Amazon UK. Perfect for fans of atmospheric horror, the anthology invites readers to experience a unique blend of fear, suspense, and unforgettable storytelling.
