Bramwell Finch built a Hollywood empire alongside his lifelong friend, Edmond Malvern. Their company, CineFilm Finch & Malvern Studios, became a powerhouse driven by Finch’s ambition and Malvern’s brilliant screenwriting. But after Malvern’s sudden death, the studio falters.
On Christmas Eve, Finch receives a mysterious invitation to a private screening on an abandoned studio lot, one that shouldn’t even exist anymore. Inside a forgotten screening room, a projector flickers to life, showing a film composed of Finch’s darkest secrets and the blood-soaked truths behind his building of the studio.
As the reel unspools, Finch must confront the sins he’s buried for decades and the spirits determined to bring them to light.
Dark the Halls is a wonderfully gripping ghost story, it’s rich with gasp-worthy twists, an intriguing cast of characters, and a cinematic atmosphere
Timothy Roderick pulls the reader straight into the 1930s with remarkable ease. If you grew up loving A Christmas Carol but later found yourself drawn to suspense and thrillers, this novel is right up your alley. It blends the comfort of a classic holiday tale with something entirely its own, making it a perfect cozy-yet-spooky seasonal read.
Roderick crafts a haunting narrative about a man forced to confront every demon he once believed was gone and buried. As Bramwell Finch’s façade begins to unravel, you can feel his descent and at its height, the story becomes almost dizzying in the best possible way. The author’s ability to thread connections from the very first page to the final moments is fantastic; subtle clues and character ties gradually swell into something powerful and unmistakable by the end.
Although Bramwell Finch himself may lack redeeming qualities, the conclusion provides a deeply satisfying resolution for all the characters and their arcs. The novel drives home an enduring truth: the choices we make, especially the ones that harm those around us will never stay buried. Finch convinces himself his actions served a greater good, but the reels reveal otherwise, leaving both him and the reader thoroughly, and memorably, haunted.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Timothy Roderick is a native southern Californian who lives in Los Angeles and has written at least 10 to 11 other books, including Cornbones (2024), which was top ranked in Malevolent Dark’s Best Horror of 2024. His novels range from nonfiction, horror, paranormal thrillers and young adult fantasy.