The Macabre
Published on 11. September 2025
Book
Hardback
400 pages
978-0-00-876451-7 (ISBN)
Description
A picture is worth a thousand nightmares...
The twisty and compelling adult dark fantasy debut from award-winning author, Kosoko Jackson.
Struggling painter Lewis Dixon can't shake the feeling there's something powerful - and slightly disturbing - about his work. Especially when the British Museum begin to show a surprising interest in his most horrifying piece, a recreation of one of his ancestor's infamous paintings.
He accepts their invitation only to be met with a test: to see if he possesses the magic necessary to enter the paintings - and the strength to escape them. Because his ancestor's pieces carry unnatural abilities and a terrible curse. And Lewis must destroy them all.
Under orders from the museum and partnered with handsome agent Noah, Lewis plunges into a world of black markets, gothic magic, and unspeakable terror. But if he's to succeed, he'll have to locate the long-lost final work, and its powers might be the most devastating of all...
The twisty and compelling adult dark fantasy debut from award-winning author, Kosoko Jackson.
Struggling painter Lewis Dixon can't shake the feeling there's something powerful - and slightly disturbing - about his work. Especially when the British Museum begin to show a surprising interest in his most horrifying piece, a recreation of one of his ancestor's infamous paintings.
He accepts their invitation only to be met with a test: to see if he possesses the magic necessary to enter the paintings - and the strength to escape them. Because his ancestor's pieces carry unnatural abilities and a terrible curse. And Lewis must destroy them all.
Under orders from the museum and partnered with handsome agent Noah, Lewis plunges into a world of black markets, gothic magic, and unspeakable terror. But if he's to succeed, he'll have to locate the long-lost final work, and its powers might be the most devastating of all...
Reviews / Votes
'Kosoko Jackson storms into the horror genre with The Macabre-a thrilling and chilling story that explores the power of art... in all its wonder and terror.' Rob Hart, USA Today bestselling author of Assassins Anonymous'An absolutely captivating and electrifying novel, layered in rich meaning and brimming with lush prose. In Kosoko Jackson's The Macabre we are confronted with magic and art, painting and meaning. I am completely under its spell.' Cynthia Pelayo, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of Vanishing Daughters
'The Macabre is an expert blend of the sublime and horror, told in a way that entices both art lovers and those prone to ghoulish flights of fancy. And if you're both-look out! Jackson weaves this tale with a crucial precision not unlike the brush in a painter's hand. You'll never feel more breathless after reading this book.' Vincent Tirado, author of We Came to Welcome You
'I'm so honored that my Unseen World books were an inspiration for Kosoko Jackson's The Macabre. Readers who crave sharp and vivid magic that explores the uncanny connection between eldritch horror and great art will be captivated by this layered and imaginative novel.' Kat Howard, Alex Award-winning author of An Unkindness of Magicians
'Kosoko Jackson pulls you into this vividly written mashup of horror and fantasy and doesn't let you go. Wonderfully executed, three-dimensional characters take you on an emotional journey, unraveling the mystery of living art page by page, painting by painting.' Charlie N. Holmberg, Wall Street Journal bestselling author
'The Macabre is a feast of dark artistry. Fast-paced. Luscious world-building. Jackson wields emotional depth, tight plotting, and genuine terror, to craft a masterpiece.' Erin E. Adams, author of Jackal
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers
Dimensions
Height: 237 mm
Width: 160 mm
Thickness: 41 mm
Weight
614 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-00-876451-7 (9780008764517)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
From a young age, when he wrote his first narrative at six about kindergartners being eaten by a bear, Kosoko Jackson has loved stories. Now he writes them for teens and adults. He is the author of several YA novels starring Black queer protagonists, including his debut, Yesterday Is History, and Survive the Dome, and his adult novel was the winner of the 2023 Lambda Literary Award for Gay Romance. When not trying to decide how to best torture his characters next, he can be found playing with his golden retriever, Artemis; attempting to hit his one-hundred-movies-a-year goal; or playing video games (badly). Visit Kosoko online at kosokojackson.com