Psychological Horror

A retired detective investigating a missing persons case in a remote town uncovers a cult that believes the mind is a doorway—and they've found the key.

A broke, sleepless transcriptionist joins a paid sleep study at the Ondale Institute, where the nightly logs record hours she cannot remember living, and the price of the payment is her certainty about which memories are hers.

Avelin Cindermill paid her Hours to make her daughter wealthy, and is now warden of the Hourhouse and the Overdrawn. Her expiry is certain and on a calendar. Merric Mabry measures what she can still do. Trenn counts it down. Only Nyall never asks.