“The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb” is a gripping gothic horror novel that melds supernatural possession with psychological terror. Set in Victorian-era Muchmarsh, David Griffin’s entomological tale follows thirteen-year-old Alastair Stubb as he becomes possessed by his grandfather Theodore’s vengeful spirit.
Griffin excels at creating a brooding, Dickensian atmosphere without knocking the reader over the head with details. His descriptions bring alive the village of Muchmarsh – from the abandoned church with its sinister crypts to the manor house’s sinister attic. The writing engages all senses, whether depicting the musty reek of rotting wood or the chitinous horror of supernatural insect swarms that plague the village, which is the mark of a competent writer.
The plot interweaves two timelines masterfully. Thirteen years before the main events, Theodore Stubb faked his death and orchestrated his daughter-in-law Eleanor’s descent into madness, only to meet his own demise in the church crypts. In the present, young Alastair’s gradual possession unfolds through increasingly disturbing incidents as Theodore attempts to use him for revenge.
The elements of psychological horror and loss of control in this book are particularly memorable. Griffin blurs the line between supernatural events and mental illness – Eleanor’s transformation into the deranged “Queenie” mirrors Alastair’s possession, while William’s alcoholic spiral represents another, subtler kind of haunting. The novel explores how trauma and evil pass between generations. Griffin’s use of insects as a recurring motif is both inspired and creepy. The supernatural swarms serve as visible manifestations of corruption, reaching horrifying crescendos during key scenes, such as the novel’s climactic confrontation in the church crypts.
The supporting characters are also vividly drawn, from Florence Dripping and her hidden daughter Abergail to the menacing Brood Stilt and bumbling Constable Flute. The village itself emerges as a character itself at times, its web of relationships and secrets deepening the gothic atmosphere.
An ambitious novel from the start, the Victorian setting feels well-drawn without drowning in period detail. Griffin captures both the rigid social constraints and simmering tensions of the era, using them to heighten the horror. While the middle section’s pacing occasionally slackens, the psychological complexity and foreboding atmosphere maintain tension throughout. The novel rewards attentive reading with subtle hints that gain significance as the full scope of past events comes to light.
“The Unusual Possession of Alastair Stubb” succeeds both as supernatural horror and as an exploration of family trauma, madness, and the weight of history. It’s a distinctive addition to the gothic genre that will satisfy readers who appreciate atmospheric writing, complex characters, and horror that operates on multiple levels.
