Grayson Hale, a man who claims the Devil made him kill his classmate, has been found dead in his prison cell in an apparent suicide. Officers discover a manuscript in his cell which turns out to be a manuscript he wrote that may answer the question: Was he telling the truth all along?
The manuscript reveals Grayson to be an atheist, newly enrolled at the University of Edinburgh, following his recently deceased father’s footsteps. Needing money, he agrees to become a ghost writer for a strange man known as D.B, which reignites his Satanophobia, a condition that makes him think the Devil is after him.
As Grayson works on the manuscript, he struggles to find the truth between reality and fantasy, and he must confront his growing suspicion of his employer’s true identity…
‘’A History of Fear’’ is Luke Dumas’ debut novel, published in 2022.
Contains examples of:
- Abusive Parents: Grayson’s mother acted proud of him to other people, but in reality, she admits she never loved him. It’s made worse with the reveal that she encouraged his brother’s Big Brother Bully behavior towards him, especially whenever he expressed any signs of homosexuality. His father was never physically abusive, but he was certainly neglectful and unattached from him.
- Ambiguous Situation: Did Grayson and Liam actually have sex? Or was it the Devil disguised as Liam? Is Daniella the devil? We don’t know.
- Deal with the Devil: Grayson makes an accidental version, when he’s signing the ghost writing contract with D.B, he cuts his finger. He notes how the blood mixes with the ink.
- Devil in Disguise: Grayson believes that D.B, his ghostwriting employer, is secretly the Devil himself.
- Does This Remind You of Anything?: The way Grayson’s fanatically Christian family treats the “evil” that apparently resides within him and his father could be taken at face value. But it also could be them reacting to their homosexuality. Or even both!
- The Ending Changes Everything: The final word of the story is the reporter/editor’s initials, which are revealed to be D.B, the very same initials belonging to Grayson’s employer and the man that his father knew while in Scotland.
- Epistolary Novel: The story is told as a memoir Grayson wrote in prison prior to his death, with notes and interviews Daniella, the reporter, has conducted interspliced.
- The Fourth Wall Will Not Protect You: First, there’s the memoir aspect. Then the reporter’s initials are revealed to be D.B, implying that Daniella herself is the devil who tormented Grayson, wanting to ensure that he is not forgotten by whoever reads the book.
- Our Demons Are Different: “Fiends”, or small winged creatures that Grayson sees following him whenever his Satanophobia is triggered.
- Satan: The key character of the plot! Grayson has been taught since birth to fear The Adversary/The Devil, and he suspects D.B, his employer, to actually BE him.
