A reimagining of the warnings of the British public information films of the 1970s as rituals in a gritty and unflinching urban folk horror novella.
Charlie Mason made his name in the 1990s as the enfant terrible of the stand-up world. Reformed, he’s trying to make a comeback but finds the past – in the form of his imaginary foul-mouthed enabler, Cat – impossible to shake off.
Charlie Says blends themes of racism, social inequality and community enablement with the deeply buried terrors of fooling around with matches, crossing the road, playing near railway lines, electricity or water and, worst of all, talking to strangers.
Published by Black Shuck Books.
BSFA award and British Fantasy award finalist in 2025
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“Charlie Says is a tale of urban folk horror that re-purposes the public information films and safety adverts of the 70s into something like tarot cards in order to show us an awful and seemingly inevitable future. Reading this novella by Neil Williamson is like accepting sweets from a stranger who only seems friendly. Consider yourself warned.” Ray Cluley, author of Probably Monsters
“Charlie Says is a great example of modern, self-aware folk horror that puts nostalgia and well-worn genre tropes through a blender and succeeds at creating something that feels exciting and new.” The Harvest Maid
“Charlie Says is a potent shot of ’80s hauntology, social commentary and folk horror best downed in one to savour the full impact. Straight, no chaser. Read it, folks.” Daniel Church, author of The Hollows
“Eerie intelligent 21st century folk horror exploring the darker side of the U.K. Very, very impressive and hugely recommended.” Runalong the Shelves blog
“A gritty sweat-and-angst riddled story […] You may have seen its ilk before, but I guarantee you’ve never seen it like this.” ParSec Magazine
“Wonderful modern folk horror […] This is exactly the type of modern take on the genre that I have been craving from someone who understands exactly what makes it so powerful.” Scary As Folk
“A modern day folk horror classic. Charlie Says is one of the best books I’ve ever read.” Penny Jones, author of Behind A Broken Smile
“An urban folk horror masterpiece.” James Everington, author of Trying To Be So Quiet, and Other Hauntings
“An excellent horror novella and I recommend it highly.” Mark West, author of Don’t Go Back
“An exceptionally well written novella in exactly the right tone about how the past doesn’t just catch up with you, but is inside you all along. Highly recommended.” Andrew Hook, author of Candescent Blooms
“This is a story that should be read, that must be read, so, go read it.” Robin Duncan, author of The Mandroid Murders
“For us to find redemption in real life, as individuals and as a society, means looking at the world with clear eyes, whether we want to or not. It means looking at the things we find uncomfortable even when they appall us or, more challengingly, when they attract us. Charlie Says lives in that tension, and now I do too.” Andrew Knighton, author of Ashes of the Ancestors
“Everything that terrified me as a child of the 1970s, and everything that terrifies me as an adult of the 2020s.” Priya Sharma, award winning author of Pomegranates
“Charlie Says is the horror genre at its very best, addressing real world concerns through the medium of fiction, posing the hard questions that we all need to ask of ourselves. Highly recommended.” Peter Tennant, Trumpetville
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