Room of Cloth by R. H. Gründ

Inspired by contemporary “creepypastas,” ROOM OF CLOTH is a horror novel for the Information Age that will appeal to fans of literary horror and psychological suspense. Discretion this novel contains scenes of graphic violence and allusions to physical/emotional abuse and sexual trauma.

” . . . AND IN ITS PLACE WAS A ROOM OF RED AND BLACK, THE WALLS WHEEZING OUT HOT, BLOOD-DRENCHED BREATH, UNDULATING AS THOUGH ALIVE, ENVELOPING HIM IN HEAT. A ROOM OF FLESH AND BONE. A ROOM OF CLOTH.” When Sebastian Creed returns home after a yearlong disappearance, his sister Sarah hopes she can finally get him off the drugs and make up for the many years she left him to suffer at the hands of their late, alcoholic father. Only Sarah has no idea that Sebastian has brought back with him something far worse than any drug. In the depths of the web, he found “Room of Cloth,” an unfinished manuscript linked to disappearances and suicides, rumored to drive its readers insane. For Sebastian, completing the story means escaping from a ruined life to a place free of pain and suffering. The manuscript tells him as much, first on the page and then in his dreams. We’re waiting for you, the voices whisper. All are welcome within the room of cloth. All are saved. When Sarah also falls under the manuscript’s influence, she begins a desperate bid to save herself and the family she once abandoned, unaware that Sebastian may have already opened the door to a fate neither can escape—even in death.

Overall Rating

5/5

Quick Take

Room of Cloth by R. H. Gründ is one of those hidden horror gems that clearly needs to be at the top of the genre in popularity. It is inspired by creepypastas, and so well written that it really got under my skin. There are no horror elements inside that exist purely for shock value. Instead, every horror element is expertly woven into the story to scare the reader before they realize what is happening. This is one of the best horror novels I have ever read, and I cannot recommend it enough.

Tell Me More

Horror is one of those genres where books are either hit or miss. I often find that I either love a book, or that it just didn’t do it for me. There is rarely a middle ground.

But let me tell you that I am not exaggerating when I say that Room of Cloth by R. H. Gründ is one of the best horror novels I have read this year, if not in my lifetime.

Based on modern “creepypastas”, Room of Cloth follows an unfinished manuscript by the same name that has been linked to suicides and disappearances. A man named Sebastian happens to get his hands on the manuscript and falls under its spell. His sister, Sarah, also ends up becoming entranced by the manuscript, and what ensues are horrifying consequences.

While the novel does have a lot of violence, the writing is beautiful and allows room for the reader’s imagination. By not providing extensive details, I found the story to be scarier than others, because it was not over explained.

I don’t want to give away too much about this beautiful novel, so I will just stop here and say – go pick it up and read it. It is sure to entrap you just as it has me.