Stay-Home Winter Reads

The feelings and sensations associated with winter and Christmas may sometimes seem like a paradox. On one hand it can be cold and chilly, and on the other it can be warm and cosy. Whether you prefer it frosty or heartwarming, these stories will surely make for a good reading experience while staying indoors.

Read the curator's top picks and notes here: https://blog.thryft.sg/5-books-to-feel-the-winter-chill-and-christmas-warmth-from-the-comfort-of-your-home/.

Curated by: Hong Jin

232 Results

Switch between grid and list views for a better book browsing experience!

232 Results

No results

No results

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls - Thryft
Sold out
Claire Legrand, Sarah Watts  | Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls

Regular price $5.91 from $4.14 Save up to 30%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.85

Regular price $5.91 from $4.14 Save up to 30%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

The Cavendish Home for Boys and Girls is a great read for fans of spooky stories with a heart. The unique and distinctive feature of this book is the atmospheric and intriguing setting of the mysterious home for misfits. Readers who enjoy books like Coraline and The Mysterious Benedict Society will love the creepy yet heartfelt tone of this novel. The book is perfect for young adult and adult readers who want to be entertained and captivated by a compellingly spooky story.
Don't Tell a Soul - Thryft
Sold out
Kirsten Miller | Delacorte Press

Don't Tell a Soul

from $8.59

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.8

from $8.59

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Stay up all night with this modern day Rebecca! Perfect for fans of Truly Devious—a haunting story about a new girl in an old town filled with dark secrets . . . that might just kill her.People say the house is cursed.It preys on the weakest, and young women are its favorite victims.In Louth, they're called the Dead Girls.All Bram wanted was to disappear—from her old life, her family's past, and from the scandal that continues to haunt her. The only place left to go is Louth, the tiny town on the Hudson River where her uncle, James, has been renovating an old mansion.But James is haunted by his own ghosts. Months earlier, his beloved wife died in a fire that people say was set by her daughter. The tragedy left James a shell of the man Bram knew—and destroyed half the house he'd so lovingly restored.The manor is creepy, and so are the locals. The people of Louth don't want outsiders like Bram in their town, and with each passing day she's discovering that the rumors they spread are just as disturbing as the secrets they hide. Most frightening of all are the legends they tell about the Dead Girls. Girls whose lives were cut short in the very house Bram now calls home.The terrifying reality is that the Dead Girls may have never left the manor. And if Bram looks too hard into the town's haunted past, she might not either.
The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein - Thryft
Sold out
Peter Ackroyd | Vintage Books

The Casebook of Victor Frankenstein

from $1.02

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.34

from $1.02

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Peter Ackroyd’s imagination dazzles in this brilliant novel written in the voice of Victor Frankenstein himself. Mary Shelley and Shelley are characters in the novel.It was at Oxford that I first met Bysshe. We arrived at our college on the same day; confusing to a mere foreigner, it is called University College. I had seen him from my window and had been struck by his auburn locks.The long-haired poet — “Mad Shelley” — and the serious-minded student from Switzerland spark each other’s interest in the new philosophy of science which is overturning long-cherished beliefs. Perhaps there is no God. In which case, where is the divine spark, the soul? Can it be found in the human brain? The heart? The eyes?Victor Frankenstein begins his anatomy experiments in a barn near Oxford. The coroner’s office provides corpses — but they have often died of violence and drowning; they are damaged and putrifying. Victor moves his coils and jars and electrical fluids to a deserted pottery and from there, makes contact with the Doomesday Men — the resurrectionists.Victor finds that perfect specimens are hard to come by . . . until that Thames-side dawn when, wrapped in his greatcoat, he hears the splashing of oars and sees in the half-light the approaching boat where, slung into the stern, is the corpse of a handsome young man, one hand trailing in the water. . . .From the Hardcover edition.
Hide Me Among the Graves - Thryft
Sold out
Tim Powers | Corvus

Hide Me Among the Graves

from $5.56

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.59

from $5.56

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Hide Me Among the Graves' compelling mix of history and the supernatural makes it a must-read for those looking for a unique take on the vampire genre. Tim Powers' exquisite writing style transports readers from high society to grimy slums, providing a richly detailed portrayal of 19th-century London. With an unforgettable cast of characters, including Lord Byron's doctor turned bloodthirsty vampire, this haunting novel is sure to leave readers wanting more.
Silent She Sleeps - Thryft
Sold out
Craig Smith | Random House Uk

Silent She Sleeps

from $8.26

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.21

from $8.26

Unit price
per

Out of stock

In a southern Illinois college town where horror is carved in flesh and corruption knows no bounds, a young English professor with a shrouded past is about to learn higher education can be murder.     No one remembers how the body of Josie Fortune was found deep inside Lues Creek Canyon twenty years ago. No one remembers how corrupt police officials framed an innocent man and handed the victim’s daughter into the state’s welfare system. No one remembers, no one but a killer left to carve out a brutal legacy of torture and murder with absolute impunity in this rural southern Illinois college town.     When Josie Darling returns to Lues State to assume a teaching position and come to terms with her mother’s murder, she takes every precaution to hide her tainted past from her colleagues. But someone close remembers, and the shadows of history close in. Threats come, intimate promises of violence written in a desperately psychotic scrawl, invading every aspect of her life. Confronted by personal and professional jeopardy at every turn, Josie must face her terror and expose the identity of her mother’s killer—a killer who is now stalking her.     “If you think you can sleuth this thing, I’m afraid you’re in over your head,” warns a local investigator, but Josie’s stake in this case is all too personal and all the more immediate as she uncovers other murders. Her list of potential suspects includes her deranged ex-husband, her outlaw stepfather and any of his rogue clan, several manipulative Englishprofessors, and a host of corrupt local lawmen.      Struggling against an unseen but ever-present enemy and with few allies to counsel her, Josie embarks on an odyssey of self-discovery. Using her well-honed research skills, the academic becomes the detective and sets out to recover her birthright. Josie transforms herself from tormented victim to relentless avenger as she takes on the intense willfulness of her namesake. But even her renewed strength of character may not help Fortune’s Darling save herself and find the elusive killer’s true identity in time, an identity heard only in the whisper of leaves.
The Queen Of The Damned - Thryft
Sold out
Anne Rice | Warner Books

The Queen Of The Damned

from $6.78

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.91

from $6.78

Unit price
per

Out of stock

"A welcome chance to catch up with old friends... Fascinating... When we emerge from its folds, there's good news on the last page: 'The chronicle of the vampires will continue.' Yum."PHILADELPHIA INQUIRERA feat of mesmerizing storytelling, a chilling entertainment, THE QUEEN OF THE DAMNED unleashes Akasha, the Queen herself, who has risen from a six-thousand year sleep to let loose the powers of the night. Akasha has a marvelously devious plan to "save" mankind and destroy Lestat--in this extraordinarily sensual novel of the complex, erotic, electrifying world of the undead.
The House at Midnight - Thryft
Sold out
Lucie Whitehouse | Bloomsbury Publishing Plc

The House at Midnight

Regular price $2.90 $2.00 Save up to 56%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.16

Regular price $2.90 $2.00 Save up to 56%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

On an icy winter weekend, seven friends celebrate New Year's Eve at Stoneborough, a grand manor in the English countryside. They've been brought together by Lucas Heathfield, a young man who recently inherited the property after the tragic death of his uncle Patrick. Though still raw from the loss of his last family member, Lucas welcomes this tight-knit group of friends to the estate he hopes will become their home away from home-an escape from London where they can all relax and rekindle the revelry of their college days.Lucas's best friend, Joanna, finds herself oddly affected by the cavernous manse, with its lavish mythological ceiling mural and sprawling grounds, and awakened to a growing bond with Lucas. Much to her surprise, he reveals that he's loved her for years. But as they begin to find their way from friendship to romance, Joanna can't shake the feeling that the house is having its own effect on them.Back in London, Joanna is stunned when Lucas announces that he and their impetuous friend Danny are moving into Stoneborough full-time. Her concern seems justified as Lucas, once ensconced, becomes completely ensnared in the turbulent past that seems to haunt the house - a past that is captured in old movie reels featuring Lucas's now-dead his charismatic uncle Patrick, his lovely mother, Claire, and his golden-boy father, Justin.Over one decadent, dramatic year, as the friends frequently gather at the shadowed residence, secrets slide out and sexual tensions escalate, shattering friendships and forever changing lives. And all the while, the house cradles a devastating secret.By turns taut and sensual, mesmerizing and disturbing, The House at Midnight is a gripping psychological novel that pulls the reader into the thrall of its ominous atmosphere. Newcomer Lucie Whitehouse has written a tense and captivating story that will linger long after the final, shocking pages.
Spider Light - Thryft
Sold out
Sarah Rayne | Simon & Schuster Uk

Spider Light

Regular price $2.28 from $2.00 Save up to 40%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.66

Regular price $2.28 from $2.00 Save up to 40%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Following a shattering and exceedingly public personal tragedy, Antonia Weston moved to the sleepy town of Amberwood seeking peace and anonymity. As she struggles to rebuild her life, Antonia finds herself increasingly fascinated by the macabre history surrounding the town. The abandoned watermill, Twygrist, with its brooding darkness, and the now-vanished Latchkill Asylum—where, a hundred years ago, the unfortunate inmates suffered gruesome fates—both pique her interest. Eventually, however, Antonia's obsession with the linked histories of Twygrist and Latchkill alerts someone from her own past, a person who knows the town’s brooding secrets and who is prepared to use that knowledge in the most horrifying manner.
Marina - Thryft
Sold out
Carlos Ruiz Zafón | Phoenix

Marina

from $6.56

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 4.12

from $6.56

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Marina could be a good read for those who love mystery novels with elements of friendship and young love. Carlos Ruiz Zafon's writing style creates a vivid image of postwar Barcelona and the characters' journey into the unknown. The storyline is unique and filled with surprises.
Frankenstein - Thryft
Sold out
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley | Penguin

Frankenstein

from $6.34

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.87

from $6.34

Unit price
per

Out of stock

This classic novel, Frankenstein, is a must-read for anyone who enjoys eerie tales that delve into the depths of human nature. Mary Shelley's masterful storytelling not only terrifies readers with the monstrous creation of Victor Frankenstein but also confronts the moral dilemmas of scientific ambition and the consequences of playing god. With its gothic atmosphere and thought-provoking themes, Frankenstein lingers in your mind long after you turn the last page, making it an unforgettable and timeless read.
Book of Shadows - Thryft
Sold out
James Reese | William Morrow

Book of Shadows

from $11.19

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.33

from $11.19

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Book of Shadows could be a fascinating read for anyone interested in exploring otherworldly roots and the dark mysteries of the past. The story takes place in the 19th-century French countryside and follows Herculine, a young orphan who is raised by nuns. The book is filled with unforgettable characters, including a witch, an incubus priest, and a demonic figure. It is a masterwork of imagination that is both disturbing and beautiful, perfect for fans of Anne Rice and Bram Stoker's Dracula.
Count Karlstein, or the Ride of the Demon Huntsman - Thryft
Sold out
Philip Pullman | Gardners Books

Count Karlstein, or the Ride of the Demon Huntsman

Regular price $7.90 from $5.90 Save up to 30%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.51

Regular price $7.90 from $5.90 Save up to 30%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

If you adore tales that blend the eerie with the absurd, "Count Karlstein" will not disappoint. Philip Pullman's knack for creating vivid, otherworldly landscapes shines through in this early work, long before his "His Dark Materials" fame. Expect a plot that tantalizes with danger and dark humor, inviting you on a thrilling journey through a fantastical All Souls' Eve adventure. This book is a gem for those who appreciate a lighter touch to their Gothic fixations.
The Dark Descent Of Elizabeth Frankenstein - Thryft
Sold out
Kiersten White | Pisces Books

The Dark Descent Of Elizabeth Frankenstein

from $8.37

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.9

from $8.37

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Elizabeth Lavenza hasn't had a proper meal in weeks. Her thin arms are covered with bruises from her "caregiver," and she is on the verge of being thrown into the streets . . . until she is brought to the home of Victor Frankenstein, an unsmiling, solitary boy who has everything--except a friend.Victor is her escape from misery. Elizabeth does everything she can to make herself indispensable--and it works. She is taken in by the Frankenstein family and rewarded with a warm bed, delicious food, and dresses of the finest silk. Soon she and Victor are inseparable.But her new life comes at a price. As the years pass, Elizabeth's survival depends on managing Victor's dangerous temper and entertaining his every whim, no matter how depraved. Behind her blue eyes and sweet smile lies the calculating heart of a girl determined to stay alive no matter the cost . . . as the world she knows is consumed by darkness.
Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea - Thryft
Sold out
April Genevieve Tucholke | Speak

Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

from $4.95

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.56

from $4.95

Unit price
per

Out of stock

You stop fearing the Devil when you're holding his hand... Nothing much exciting rolls through Violet White's sleepy, seaside town... until River West comes along. River rents the guesthouse behind Violet's crumbling estate, and as eerie, grim things start to happen, Violet begins to wonder about the boy living in her backyard. Is River just a crooked-smiling liar with pretty eyes and a mysterious past? Or could he be something more? Violet's grandmother always warned her about the Devil, but she never said he could be a dark-haired boy who takes naps in the sun, who likes coffee, who kisses you in a cemetery...who makes you want to kiss back. Violet's already so knee-deep in love, she can't see straight. And that's just how River likes it. A gothic thriller romance with shades of Stephen King and F. Scott Fitzgerald, set against a creepy summertime backdrop—a must-read for fans of Beautiful Creatures, The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, and Anna Dressed in Blood.
Vittorio, The Vampire - Thryft
Sold out
Anne Rice | Arrow/children's (a Division O

Vittorio, The Vampire

from $3.16

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.54

from $3.16

Unit price
per

Out of stock

A Vampire Chronicles novella from the internationally bestselling Anne RiceA VAMPIRE IN THE ITALIAN AGE OF GOLD. . . Sixteen years old, Vittorio is the sole survivor of a bizarre and violent massacre at his father's Tuscan palazzo. Escaping to the Florence of Cosimo de Medici, he seeks vengeance and retribution. But though he has been saved from death by a mysterious woman, he finds himself at the mercy of demonic, bloody nightmares, war and political intrique. And, beyond even these perils, Vittorio faces being torn apart by a dangerous love. Against a backdrop of the wonders - both sacred and profane - of Rennaisance Italy, with it's art and ferocity, angels and demons, Anne Rice introduces a seductive new character and creates a passionate traggic legend of doomed young love and lost innocence.
If There Be Thorns - Thryft
Sold out
V.C. Andrews | Harpercollins

If There Be Thorns

from $3.90

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.77

from $3.90

Unit price
per

Out of stock

If you enjoy the twisted family dynamics, complex characters and secrets revealed in the previous two books, you won't be disappointed with If There Be Thorns. The story picks up with the new generation of Dollangangers trying to come to grips with their parents' legacy. The book is a page-turner that explores the themes of forgiveness and revenge. Readers will appreciate Virginia Andrews' ability to create a compelling narrative that draws you in and doesn't let go until the very end.
Mischief
Sold out
Fay Weldon | Head Of Zeus

Mischief

from $8.90

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.38

from $8.90

Unit price
per

Out of stock

If you revel in sharp wit paired with profound insights, Fay Weldon's "Mischief" offers just that. This collection showcases her fearless voice through short stories that span an illustrious fifty-year career. Plus, "The Ted Dreams" novella will appeal if you're intrigued by ghost stories reflective of modern anxieties surrounding technology and privacy.
The Girl in a Swing - Thryft
Sold out
Richard Adams | Penguin Books

The Girl in a Swing

from $4.05

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.53

from $4.05

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Recommendation: This book is a gripping and atmospheric psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. With its intriguing blend of romance, supernatural elements, and a shocking twist, "The Girl in a Swing" is a perfect read for those who enjoy dark, mysterious stories with a touch of horror. Prepare to be captivated by the author's beautifully crafted prose and the unsettling atmosphere that lingers long after you turn the last page.
The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy - Thryft
Sold out
Tim Burton | Faber And Faber

The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy

from $5.99

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 4.12

from $5.99

Unit price
per

Out of stock

This book is perfect for those who enjoy dark, twisted humor and are fascinated by the macabre. Tim Burton's unique illustrations bring to life a group of lovable yet tragic characters. Each story is a beautiful blend of sweetness and melancholy that never fails to leave a lasting impression on readers. Overall, The Melancholy Death of Oyster Boy is a beautifully crafted collection of poignant tales that will stir the emotions of all who read it.
Roald Dahl's Book of Ghost Stories
Sold out

from $8.90

Unit price
per

Out of stock

If the thought of a chill creeping up your spine entices you, this collection is where you should venture next. Curated by Roald Dahl, who knew how to disturb and delight in equal measure, this book promises a journey through the eerie and macabre. His selection of ghostly tales will likely linger with you, provoking thought and maybe a glance over your shoulder before lights out.
Alien Invasion Short Stories - Thryft
Sold out

from $5.07

Unit price
per

Out of stock

This book would appeal to science fiction fans who are fascinated by alien worlds and their possible interactions with humanity. The collection includes classic and modern authors, offering a diverse range of perspectives on what might happen during an extraterrestrial encounter. Readers can expect to be engaged by thrilling and thoughtful tales that will leave them pondering the mysteries of the universe long after the last page is turned.
Frankenstein Omnibus - Thryft
Sold out

from $5.07

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Frankenstein Omnibus could be a good read for those interested in classic horror stories. This book is a compilation of Mary Shelley's original Frankenstein novel, along with other related works. Readers may appreciate the unique and distinctive feature of this book, which is its inclusion of additional content related to the original tale. The book's omnibus format may also provide readers with an opportunity to experience different variations of the Frankenstein story.
Taltos : :Lives of the Mayfair Witches - Thryft
Sold out
Anne Rice | Arrow

Taltos : :Lives of the Mayfair Witches

from $2.74

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.81

from $2.74

Unit price
per

Out of stock

The third volume in the series featuring the Mayfair witches, following "The Witching Hour" and "Lasher". The Taltos are the spirits - immortal, dangerous and damned - from whom the Mayfairs derive their occult powers, and at whose mercy they are.
Gates of Paradise - Thryft
Sold out
V.C. Andrews | Pocket Books

Gates of Paradise

from $5.07

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.85

from $5.07

Unit price
per

Out of stock

This book would be a good read for someone who loves a gripping family saga with a touch of mystery. With its haunting Casteel spell and the protagonist's struggle with her past, Gates of Paradise will keep you hooked from beginning to end.
Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus - Thryft
Sold out
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley | Penguin Classic

Frankenstein, or, The Modern Prometheus

Regular price $8.68 from $5.90 Save up to 36%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.87

Regular price $8.68 from $5.90 Save up to 36%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

If you're into the timeless struggles of ethics in science and the complexities of what it means to be human, "Frankenstein" is more than just a horror story. Shelley's rich prose and the deep philosophical questions raised give this classic an enduring appeal. The relationship between Frankenstein and his creation challenges us to consider the consequences of our ambitions and the responsibilities we hold toward our creations.
Dracula
Sold out
Bram Stoker | Penguin Books

Dracula

from $8.90

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 4.02

from $8.90

Unit price
per

Out of stock

"Dracula" isn't just a horror novel; it's a plunge into a Victorian-era nightmare that reveals as much about human resilience as it does about the darkness. Stoker crafts a timeless tale that combines a sense of creeping dread with a testament to the power of friendship and duty. If you're looking for a book that entwines fear, mystery, and a touch of the erotic in a historical setting, then the menacing charm of Count Dracula awaits to draw you into the shadows of the night.
Seeds of Yesterday - Thryft
Sold out
V.C. Andrews | Simon & Schuster Adult Publishing Group

Seeds of Yesterday

from $6.34

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.84

from $6.34

Unit price
per

Out of stock

This book would be a good read for someone who enjoys dark and suspenseful family dramas. Seeds of Yesterday is the final installment in a captivating series that follows the lives of Cathy and Chris and their haunting past. The book is filled with passion, peril, and a sense of impending doom that keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the chilling climax. Prepare to be captivated by this gripping and unforgettable family saga.
The Vanishment - Thryft
Sold out
Jonathan Aycliffe | Constable & Robinson

The Vanishment

Regular price $5.90 from $3.90 Save up to 43%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.76

Regular price $5.90 from $3.90 Save up to 43%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

"The Vanishment" is a perfect read for fans of horror and supernatural fiction. Aycliffe's writing creates an eerie and unsettling atmosphere, and his ability to build tension is masterful. The disappearance of Peter's wife raises questions that keep readers hooked until the very end.
Haunting Christmas Tales - Horror Stories For The Festive Season - Thryft
Sold out

Haunting Christmas Tales - Horror Stories For The Festive Season

Regular price $7.90 from $3.90 Save up to 56%

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.65

Regular price $7.90 from $3.90 Save up to 56%

Unit price
per

Out of stock

"Haunting Christmas Tales" is a perfect read for those who crave a good scare during the festive season. Joan Aiken's masterful storytelling will leave you feeling spooked and unnerved, with each story more chilling than the last. The unique blend of horror and holiday cheer is sure to be a hit with fans of both genres.
Frankenstein - Thryft
Sold out
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley | Transatlantic Press

Frankenstein

from $4.75

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.87

from $4.75

Unit price
per

Out of stock

Mary Shelley began writing Frankenstein when she was only eighteen. At once a Gothic thriller, a passionate romance, and a cautionary tale about the dangers of science, Frankenstein tells the story of committed science student Victor Frankenstein. Obsessed with discovering the cause of generation and life and bestowing animation upon lifeless matter, Frankenstein assembles a human being from stolen body parts but; upon bringing it to life, he recoils in horror at the creature's hideousness. Tormented by isolation and loneliness, the once-innocent creature turns to evil and unleashes a campaign of murderous revenge against his creator, Frankenstein. Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever.
Haunted - Thryft
Sold out
James Herbert | Jove

Haunted

from $3.88

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 3.78

from $3.88

Unit price
per

Out of stock

An investigator into the supernatural is hired by a once-noble family to discover whether the family residence is haunted, an assignment which almost proves his undoing
The Vampire Lestat - Thryft
Sold out
Anne Rice | Time Warner

The Vampire Lestat

from $7.21

Unit price
per

Goodreads rating: 4.09

from $7.21

Unit price
per

Out of stock

'Ah, the taste and feel of blood when all passion and greed is sharpened in that one desire!' a vampire - but very much not the conventional undead, for Lestat is the truly alive. Lestat is vivid, ecstatic, stagestruck, and in his extravagant story he plunges from the lasciviousness of eighteenth-century Paris to the demonic Egypt of prehistory; from fin-de-siecle New Orleans to the frenetic twentieth-century world of rock superstardom - as, pursued by the living and the dead, he searches across time for the secret of his own dark immortality.