When a viral scandal destroys her London career, architect Rebecca Langford flees to rural Somerset, the county where her sister Grace vanished five years ago. She takes a harvest job at Standing Stone Cellars, an award-winning vineyard nestled beneath ancient oaks and standing stones, and for the first time in years, she feels like she belongs.
But this vineyard is no sanctuary. From the primal fires of Beltane to the thinning veil of Samhain, the community keeps an older calendar, workers disappear in the night, and evidence of blood rites leads Rebecca toward a horrifying truth: Standing Stone's exceptional vintage is nourished by more than sunlight and soil. Perhaps Grace discovered that too.
As the wheel of the year turns toward its darkest festival, Rebecca must choose: embrace the legacy of the vineyard and finally belong, or become the next offering to the Horned God who demands his due.
Every harvest has a price.
Perfect for fans of The Wicker Man and Midsommar, Blood Vintage is a standalone folk horror novel from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author J.F. Penn.
Genre: Folk Horror, Occult & Supernatural, Psychological Thriller, Suspense
Ebooks and audiobooks are delivered by email through Bookfunnel. Check your email (or spam if it hasn't arrived in 10 mins) and then download or read/listen on your favorite device.
"This book kept me engaged right to the end. I don't usually read this genre, but once I had started to read Blood Vintage, I couldn't give up."
Janet
5 star Goodreads review
★★★★★
"A chilling tale that lingers long after the final page—heady, unsettling, and unforgettable."
Bookfan
5 star Goodreads review
★★★★★
"... Secrets, death and mayhem — I ended up reading this page-turner over a weekend. I had never heard of folk horror before but it may now be my new fav genre! Highly recommended."
Looking for a new start in her life, Rebecca has been drawn to an award-winning winery where she seems to fit in their routine, quickly learning that their processing is much different than for other brands, although there are secrets that are not divulged. Eventually, Rebecca picks up some strange vibes. Most of the laborers are strictly disciplined and keep to themselves. There is a secret area that piques her interest as she notices a shadowy creature in that area. Then people start to disappear and the special holiday feast for the laborers in the secret area appeared to be a drunken orgy. As the oddities increase, Rebecca tries to decide whether she is in danger or merely misinterpreting what she senses. Ms. Penn has knack for writing a story arc that is easy to follow, to get the reader engrossed with the strong characters and vivid descriptions that appear as if a movie is being played out before your eyes. As usual, the story kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I am always watching for the next book by this great author!
M
Milissa Story
So Much Passion and Imagery.
Jo wrote this book with so much passion! The story itself is enough to draw you in, but the imagery evoked by the words leaves you wanting more. Like the Horned God's share, I need more! The character development was wonderful; you could feel the fear and the joy. The story arc was perfect; you could feel the tension, but the ending was unpredictable! I loved it!
Blood Vintage by J.F. Penn | British Folk Horror Novel
