The Starlight Demon: A Psychological Horror

In a quiet English village, a mutilated corpse might pass unnoticed by a world on the brink of war. But something is watching from the shadows.

On the eve of World War II, thirteen-year-old George endures a life of routine and repression—until a brutal killing shatters the stillness of his rural home. When he encounters Mr. Simpkins, a reclusive astronomer obsessed with a distant, pulsing star, George begins to fear the unthinkable: the killer may not be human.

As paranoia takes root and the bodies begin to mount, George is pulled into a waking nightmare that defies logic, science—and sanity. Is the real monster lurking in the dark, or hiding in plain sight?

The Starlight Demon is a chilling fusion of cosmic horror, psychological suspense, and slow-burn science fiction. Perfect for fans of Stranger Things, The Midwich Cuckoos, The Thing, and The Time Machine, this haunting tale will pull you into a world where war looms, the stars are watching, and the true horror is only just beginning.

Born in Surrey, England, I gained a BSc (hons) degree in Astronomy and Planetary Science at university. After serving in the British Armed Forces, I settled down to a long career in Emergency Response planning; preparing the United Kingdom to recover from natural, accidental or malicious major incidents.

In 2014 I was honoured to became an elected Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society. As such, I am eager to promote the sciences to a wide audience. I have taught astronomy and physics to college students as well as contributing to some publications. In my spare time, I am a keen astrophotographer - regularly photographing galaxies, nebula and planets from the dark skies of Lincolnshire where I now live with my wife and two young children.