4.0 (46 ratings)

Of Myth and Memento Mori

Name: Of Myth and Memento Mori
Rating: 4 (46 reviews)
Author: Victoria Clapton
ISBN: B0CHTB774W

by Victoria Clapton

ghosts

About this book

Hiraeth Hollow is a town built on secrets and the lingering shadows of the Appalachian wilderness. For Lenore, a local mortician and artisan pumpkin carver, Halloween is the highlight of the year. But when a rhythmic, ominous knocking begins to echo through the trees, the boundary between local folklore and terrifying reality starts to dissolve. The Knockers have arrived, and they are hunting for retribution.

As a malevolent force from the past threatens her home, Lenore is forced to rely on Gwilym, an enigmatic, inhuman stranger who appears as quickly as he vanishes. Their connection sparks a slow-burn romance that defies the laws of nature, offering a glimmer of hope amidst a mounting body count. Caught between ancestral secrets and an ancient curse, Lenore must embrace her destiny as a protector of the living and the dead.

This atmospheric paranormal romance masterfully blends Southern Gothic charm with chilling supernatural suspense. Featuring a witty talking bat, a unique collection of Memento Mori, and the perfect autumnal aesthetic, this stand-alone novel is a must-read for those who crave a haunting, heart-pounding love story. Step into Hiraeth Hollow, where the line between myth and mortality is razor-thin and the ghosts are always listening.

Publication Date: May 25, 2026
ASIN: B0CHTB774W

Reader Reviews

A Southern horror stand-alone!

October 29, 2024

“Since birth, I’d always lived in a ghost story. This cemetery stood testament to that.” – paperback, page 177, Chapter 26. Of Myth and Memento Mori by Victoria Clapton is a paranormal horror stand-alone with spooky encounters that hang on an unsolved family mystery. Throughout the book, we follow Lenore Blatherwick, mortician, collector, and… pumpkin-carving expert! While working at Hiraeth Hollow, a seasonal event that celebrates Fall and Halloween, Lenore sees an apparition she can’t name...

Great Spooky Read--but not too spooky!

November 6, 2024

Of Myth and Memento Mori by Victoria Clapton is a delightful dive into the mystique and memory of southern culture, perfectly wrapped in a Halloween-themed tale. From the very first page, Clapton’s storytelling breathes authenticity into her setting with rich colloquialisms and regional clichés that instantly transport you to the heart of the southern folklore she explores. Her commitment to weaving southern charm with the supernatural makes for an engaging narrative that feels both whimsical...

Best Halloween Story of 2023!

October 13, 2023

An intense, edge-of-your-seat, artfully told story just in time for Halloween! )

Perfect Autumn Read

April 13, 2025

I meant to read this one in the fall, but life happened and it became a spring read instead. That said, I may very well pull this one out for a reread come spooky season, as it was an absolute delight of pumpkins and autumn vibes and ghosties and fated love and (!!!) bat familiars. Highly recommend checking this one out! )

Good story

October 30, 2023

3.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ but I rounded up since they do not do half stars. This is a new to me author and, I believe, a newish author. The story idea was wonderful. A woman and her friends own and run a mortuary. Turns out she is a witch but did not know it until years after her parents died and spooky things begin happening around town, bad spooky things, that she needs to fix. With the help of her guardian, the spirits of her ancestors, and the support of her besties, she is ready and willing to tackle...