The Gathering

The Gathering is a haunting tale of friendship, fear, and the unseen forces that disrupt the familiar.

The Plot

After a decade apart, Sarah and her husband Roshan are eager to reconnect with their school friends during a week-long retreat in a beautifully converted church. Initially, the atmosphere is filled with nostalgia and excitement, but this quickly shifts as Sarah becomes increasingly unsettled by the church’s eerie presence. As she begins to experience disturbing visions, the line between reality and paranoia blurs.

Simultaneously, the local community grapples with a series of armed robberies committed by a masked woman, leaving the police baffled and the townsfolk in fear. As Sarah and her friends confront both their past and the growing tensions in the area, their idyllic reunion turns into a nightmarish struggle for survival. They must confront their deepest fears and question their safety in a place that was once a sanctuary.

Themes

• Friendship: The novel explores the complexities of old friendships and the shadows of the past.
• Fear: It delves into the psychological aspects of fear, both personal and communal.
• Reality versus Illusion: The narrative challenges perceptions of what is real and what is imagined.

"A gripping exploration of the dark corners of the human psyche."

Readers who enjoyed Lisa Stone's previous works or those who appreciate atmospheric thrillers akin to The Shining by Stephen King will find The Gathering a compelling addition to their literary collection.