After the chillingly elegant intrigue of the IBA 2026 Award-Winning Finalist Dark Masquerade drew a growing readership into its shadowed world, including many readers discovering gothic and supernatural fiction for the first time, R. Slater returns with the next instalment.
London, 1891. The mask begins to crack.
Malevolence, long veiled, stirs beneath its exquisite fa§ade as the hidden world beneath London's surface begins to rise.
Within the Order of the Steel Rose, the six new members must learn to stand together. Each is stalked by their own secrets while they begin their hunt for the Dark Master. But in a world of shadows and deception, one question remains: Who is hunting whom?
Supernatural forces twist their path, leading to a devastating confrontation in the shadows of the East End - one for which none of them are truly prepared.
And behind it all, something older and far more dangerous moves unseen, shaping events towards an end none of them can yet imagine.
Who will triumph? Who will survive to face What lies in the Darkness? Find out in the chilling second part of the Order of the Steel Rose series.
PRAISE FOR R. SLATER
'I don't read a great deal, but this Gothic horror novel completely pulled me in. Even as someone who doesn't usually gravitate toward the genre, I found myself eager to keep turning the pages. Proof that a well-told Gothic story can captivate even those who don't consider themselves regular readers.' C Fredericks
'This book was definitely outside my usual reading choices, so I wasn't sure what to expect, however, I really enjoyed it. The story pulled me in gradually and before I knew it, I was fully engaged. The writer was exceptionally descriptive, bringing every scene to life with rich detail. It was clear that a lot of research went into this compelling story. The sequels are definitely on my must-read list.' Deb Frichot
'Slater draws you in with intrigue of what takes place in the dark of merry old London town, and then in that dark, brings you to the skin-crawling horrors his mind has devised. A great beginning to many more treats he has in store for us.' Kane Stewart, First Nations Poet
'A compelling gothic horror story set in 1890s London, where the polished surface of Victorian society hides a darker, secret world. The story blends everyday life with a sinister underbelly of monstrous beings and secret societies, creating an atmosphere of suspense and mystery. The author captures the era beautifully, from darkened streets and gloomy architecture to complex characters and frightening events. The way the author writes pulls you deeper into the world, making it hard to stop reading. I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys a gripping story that combines horror and history.' Elizabeth D
'A very chilling, character-driven descent into an authentic, yet eerie depiction of 1890s London. The story builds a tense, slow-burning sense of horror that rewards paying close attention to detail. Dry wit and bursts of action sharpen the dread, with characters that are as layered and compelling as the supernatural world they face. ' Rebecca V
Industry Reviews
'The author has created a vivid picture of 1890s London, with plenty of historical detail that brings the setting to life. It's clear a lot of research went into the story, and the atmosphere of Victorian London comes through strongly on every page. The blend of mystery and darker themes makes for an engaging read, particularly for fans of gothic horror and historical fiction. An imaginative story with a strong sense of place. Fractured Veil continues the Order of the Steel Rose series, expanding on the world established in the first book. Victorian London is well realised, with strong atmosphere and detail throughout. The writing has a distinctive voice, particularly in the dialogue. It's a solid continuation, and I'm looking forward to the next instalment in the series.' M Ross
'I don't read a great deal, but this Gothic horror novel completely pulled me in. Even as someone who doesn't usually gravitate toward the genre, I found myself eager to keep turning the pages. Proof that a well-told Gothic story can captivate even those who don't consider themselves regular readers.' C Frdericks
'This book was definitely outside my usual reading choices, so I wasn't sure what to expect, however, I really enjoyed it. The story pulled me in gradually and before I knew it, I was fully engaged. The writer was exceptionally descriptive, bringing every scene to life with rich detail. It was clear that a lot of research went into this compelling story. The sequels are definitely on my must-read list.' Deb Frichot
'Slater draws you in with intrigue of what takes place in the dark of merry old London town, and then in that dark, brings you to the skin-crawling horrors his mind has devised. A great beginning to many more treats he has in store for us.' Kane Stewart, First Nations Poet
'After reading Fractured Veil, it is easy to see why the author is a finalist in the 2026 International Book Awards for this series. R. Slater has done it again with his latest instalment Fractured Veil, which follows on from the award-winning Dark Masquerade. This story is a captivating dark gothic horror novel, set in the late 1800s London. I was immersed in a world of mystery, danger and supernatural forces that kept me turning the page from start to finish. One of the aspects I enjoyed most about this novel is the author's attention to historical detail. The use of authentic dialect helped bring the characters to life for me, and made the story feel true to its setting. The descriptive writing is exceptional, allowing the reader to vividly imagine the streets of Victorian London, the atmospheric locations and the clothing worn by the characters. The author's ability to paint such detailed scenes made it easy to feel transported back in time. I really loved several of the characters in this series and found myself rooting for a couple in particular... Overall, I found Fractured Veil an engaging gothic horror that combines rich historical detail with compelling characters and supernatural intrigue. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey thus far and are eagerly looking forward to reading the final instalments of the series. I must say, 'Well done, Ol Chap!' Wendy Pym, author
