The Cherale - Indian Based Horror (ft. Author, Lance Marwood) (Let's Talk Horror: Part 9)

Welcome back to Let's Talk Horror, the special miniseries from Let's Talk Media with Vedant Akhauri exploring the dark and scary side of media.In this chilling Part 9, host Vedant Akhauri interviews author Lance Marwood about his debut novel, the chilling supernatural thriller, The Charale (published March 1, 2025, by V13 Press). The Charale dives into the intersection of supernatural and cosmic horror, blending occultish elements with generational trauma. The novel centers on Michael Abney, a struggling writer, and his young son, Gordon. The horror begins when Gordon starts seeing mysterious apparitions and subsequently becomes non-verbal. As their relationship deteriorates, Michael reaches out to his mother, who is forced to reveal a dark family curse. The curse originated generations prior with Michael’s great-grandfather, Steven Abney, a man who was indoctrinated into a cult inspired by the concept of Thuggee. Steven made a pact with an ancient Indian entity, setting in motion a devastating cycle that demands a due or payment. If the entity does not receive what it is owed, it simply moves onto the next of kin. This entity has been linked to the mysterious deaths of various men across the family's history.Lance Marwood discusses how his own unconventional background - including his mother’s upbringing in India and the ghost stories he was raised on - inspired the novel and its central figure, the Churel (a word for a female ghost or witch in Indian folklore).We explore:The book's visceral themes, including the recurring motif of the voice.Why this story is ultimately a dark, challenging look at what happens when human beings make decisions that haunt their descendants.If you're looking for a dark story that is not for the faint of heart or weak of stomach, listen in to discover the terrifying scope of this family's curse.You can find Lance Marwood's book, The Cherale, on Amazon or order the E-book or paperback through your local bookstore via the Ingram Spark Distribution.If you like what you hear, please subscribe and leave a rating to help boost the show! Follow us on Instagram @letstalkmediava