Novelist
AJ Parnell
Throughout my writing, you will find stories that tackle the darker side of the human psyche. Though they might make some uncomfortable, stories such as these help us to better understand the twisted realities that many find themselves trapped within.
Humanity can be brutal, painful, and at its core, unsympathetic to those who suffer. However, as we traverse the dark corridors of our existence, these narratives’ objective is to help us find meaning and empathy. They may help us create a better understanding of the people we encounter and discover a deeper truth, as we delve into the fragmented lives of a diverse group of characters.
Making Monsters:
Dark Variations
In the shadowy world of Dark Variations by AJ Parnell, fate weaves a chilling tapestry of betrayal and survival. Vander is haunted by a vision—a glimpse of his own death at the hands of Alexander, his revered mentor and guardian. With a few weeks to avert his grim fate, Vander is thrust into a nightmarish race against time, where trust is a luxury, he can’t afford.
Alayna, gifted with the unsettling powers of precognition and mediumship, senses an impending doom. Yet, the cryptic whispers of foreboding leave her grasping at shadows until a fateful encounter nearly claims her life. It is only through the intervention of Brayden, a detective enveloped in his own dark quest, that she escapes a grisly fate.
A relentless killer stalks the city, transforming victims into grotesque art installations. With every chilling masterpiece, Brayden inches closer to uncovering a truth that could shatter everything he holds dear.
In a realm where the supernatural mingles with the macabre, alliances blur, and destiny’s hand wields an unpredictable brush. Can Vander outmaneuver the shadows of his demise? Will Alayna’s visions illuminate the path, or plunge them further into darkness? And in the end, who will stand when the truth is finally unveiled?
Dive into the ominous depths of Dark Variations, where each page beckons with suspense and a haunting question lingers—who can truly be trusted, when the line between friend and foe is as elusive as the whispering wind?
Making Monsters: Dark Origins
PUBLISHER'S PICK
2024 Frankfurt International Book Fair
Battling to survive his savage surroundings, Vander, a boy with a supernatural gift, finds himself in a cat and mouse game with a sophisticated serial killer while also helping his mentor evade corrupt local authorities.
Living in a South African slum, Vander faces dangers from an abusive father, roaming street gangs and predatory police officers. His supernatural premonitions become more horrifying by the day as he struggles to understand them.
Befriended by a wealthy Englishman, who believes in the boy, Vander sees an opportunity to change his destiny. But, suddenly, Vander realizes that a serial killer is closing in on him.
In order to survive, will he be forced to unleash his own monster from within?
Making Monsters: Dark Origins
Battling to survive his savage surroundings, Vander, a boy with a supernatural gift, finds himself in a cat and mouse game with a sophisticated serial killer while also helping his mentor evade corrupt local authorities.
Living in a South African slum, Vander faces dangers from an abusive father, roaming street gangs and predatory police officers. His supernatural premonitions become more horrifying by the day as he struggles to understand them.
Befriended by a wealthy Englishman, who believes in the boy, Vander sees an opportunity to change his destiny. But, suddenly, Vander realizes that a serial killer is closing in on him.
In order to survive, will he be forced to unleash his own monster from within?
Dagger’s Draw
When 7-year-old Ben Calhoun sneaks into Dagger’s Draw cemetery with his best friend Lacy Seacrest, the harmless mischief in the moonlit graveyard turns deadly when they provoke an enraged spirit. Saved by his grandfather Edmund, Ben is left with trauma that follows him into adulthood. Lacy, hiding during the attack, disappears into the night, leaving their friendship shattered.
Years later, Ben, now a determined journalism student, takes on an investigation involving deadly attacks on the homeless. His efforts lead him back to Dagger’s Draw, a cursed small town steeped in dark secrets and bloodstained history. Joining his field trip group led by Professor Yancey, Ben discovers he’s pitted against a smug rival, mysterious allies, and long-buried horrors that refuse to stay silent.
Survival Above
VENGEFUL
As Abigail fights for her life, Luke struggles with his sanity as the couple wage a psychological war, each battling to survive, as their battle plays out in the vast, desert wastelands of New Mexico.
Short stories
