David Moody

David Moody Author of HATER, AUTUMN, and SHADOWLOCKED.

"A head-spinning thrill ride... HATER will haunt you long after you read the last page..." ―GUILLERMO DEL TORO

"As imaginative as Barker, as compulsory as King, and as addictive as Palahniuk." —SCREAM MAGAZINE

13/08/2026

*REVIEW*

KEMBERTON By David Moody

Holy s**t!! What a powerful opening!
When you're left reeling and needing to pause for a bit, from just the first chapter you know you're in for a treat. Moody's narrative is so intense and immersive, I was completely in that world with Eddie and his family, and felt every emotion.. Wow! Wow, Wow, Wow!
An opening chapter like this one immediately sets a high standard for the rest of the book, but not to worry, it lives up to it, and then some. Boy does it!!

Kemberton got his name in a unique way, and for a unique reason, there will only ever be one Kemberton! And after a terrible accident with his dad, it has a devastating effect on Kemberton, and changes his whole little life. Of course, this then attracts the more unsavoury types towards Kemberton..
He recedes into himself and learns to fight back the only way he can, though his coping mechanisms just serve to make him even more of an outcast.
He hasn't chosen to be this way, he wants more than anything to be "normal”.

Another incident later on, sees Kemberton's life change once again, flips his whole world, and that of those around him.
A young boy, traumatised and abused, who now just wants to look out for his mum, do anything in his power to protect her. He's not about to keep things bottled up anymore, he's about to let loose the only way he can, and it feels empowering, if a little confusing.

This has to be the most invested I've been in a character for a long time. Kemberton is screaming out for love and affection, but of course he's unable to express that and getting ignored and abused from all angles. It's absolutely heart wrenching. It makes you feel so helpless and broken for him.

A completely shocking, horrifying and gripping storyline that went in a completely unexpected direction.
Kemberton isn't like other people, he really (and thankfully) is one of a kind...
And when that penny dropped, so did my jaw!

I don't think there was a single time in this whole heartbreaking, horrific story that my heart didn't go out to Kemberton. I feel like I know this kid, and his story is going to stick with me for quite a while.

I'm pretty sure I read the last 20% or so at the speed of light. I burnt through those pages, could not get enough! But was inevitably left with a huge book hangover.

As utterly heartbreaking as it is horrifying, this one's gonna leave mental scars!!!!
Again….WOW!! 🖤

No ReMorse Reviews

Stunning blue skies all day today. Just one solitary cloud that decided to appear at the moment of the eclipse. Typical!
12/08/2026

Stunning blue skies all day today. Just one solitary cloud that decided to appear at the moment of the eclipse. Typical!

“What Kemberton witnessed all those years ago was awful. What’s going to happen next could be even worse.”I have an infu...
12/08/2026

“What Kemberton witnessed all those years ago was awful. What’s going to happen next could be even worse.”

I have an infuriating habit of moving onto the next project the moment a book has been released. So, I’m going to make a concerted effort to keep talking about KEMBERTON while I’m spinning plates relating to my next few projects. Full writing update coming soon. HATER anniversary edition update coming tomorrow.

Please don’t forget about poor, sad, silent Kemmie. I guarantee you won’t once you’ve read his story. I also guarantee you won’t be able to predict the insane left turn the book takes after chapter 36.

Fantastic couple of days spent on the south coast with friends and family. Very grateful to have been surrounded by such...
11/08/2026

Fantastic couple of days spent on the south coast with friends and family. Very grateful to have been surrounded by such a lovely bunch of lovely people. But Christ, it’s hard to get motivated to write about doom and gloom today…

To mark the release of KEMBERTON, I put together a list of ten notable body horror movies for This Is Horror | Michael D...
07/08/2026

To mark the release of KEMBERTON, I put together a list of ten notable body horror movies for This Is Horror | Michael David Wilson . Not necessarily the best, nor the goriest, but ten films I recommend watching.

Head over to This is Horror to read the article explaining why these films in particular have had an impact on me and my writing.

And if you’re in the mood for more, please grab a copy of KEMBERTON. The eBook is reduced to £1.99/$1.99/€1.99 for today only!

https://www.thisishorror.co.uk/david-moodys-top-ten-body-horror-films/

Come for the family chaos and low-level gangster shenanigans, stay for the absolute bloody carnage that ensues.The KEMBE...
06/08/2026

Come for the family chaos and low-level gangster shenanigans, stay for the absolute bloody carnage that ensues.

The KEMBERTON eBook is only £1.99/$1.99/€1.99 for the next three days.

“The perfect build up and horrifying, gut-wrenching payoff. This is gonna stick with me for a while.” —The Lit Wizzler

https://amzn.to/4xi01Cq

For the longest time I resisted using real places in my books. I didn’t want to be tied down to the specifics of areas t...
05/08/2026

For the longest time I resisted using real places in my books. I didn’t want to be tied down to the specifics of areas that might change and buildings that might disappear.

On occasion, though, the opposite is true and those specifics can add to the story. Case in point – the third Hater novel was set in post-apocalyptic Lowestoft where my late mother-in-law used to live (which is why I always associated the place with the end of the world).

In my new novel Kemberton, I’ve gone back to my old childhood haunts to help tell my main character’s story. At the beginning of the book, Kemberton’s just a little older than I was when I first arrived in Weoley Castle.

My early years were spent here. It’s an odd little corner of Birmingham. In the 1980’s and 1990’s, I was desperate to get away from the place, and in the 30+ years since I’ve been gone, it’s barely changed.

In picture one: the charity shop above which Kemberton lived.

In the video: the parched patch of grass where he witnesses something terrible happening to someone he loved.

In the penultimate picture: the street which was the inspiration for his name.

I grew up wanting to make films and tell stories, all of which I thought would take place many, many miles away from where I lived, where I went to school, and where I played with my mates. Not for one second did I ever imagine I’d end up using Weoley Castle as the setting for my 20th novel!

Address

Unit 149551, PO Box 7169
Poole
BH159EL

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