Rudheath author's supernatural horror Prey for Me out now

A J Hodkinson – or Aaron to his friends - published Prey for Me on Monday, March 2.

"It is definitely not for the faint-hearted," the 38-year-old said.

It is the story of a family who move to an idyllic town in the rural northeastern US - Stephen King territory - in search of a fresh start.

Seven years in the making, Aaron describes the plot as 'part crime thriller, part supernatural horror’ centring on a missing boy, Elija, who disappears after his exhausted dad falls asleep on the bus on the way to start his new nursery.

Racked with guilt and panic stricken, the parents enlist the help of a jaded local detective, whose insight helps them see there is more to this town and its folks than meets the eye.  

Their attention soon turns towards the town’s pastor, a highly respected family man, whose real devotion is to a force quite unholy.

The essence of the story is the eternal struggle between good and evil, but Aaron is not prepared to say which side is victorious by the end.

The dad-of-one said: "If I had to sum it up in three words, I would say heartbreaking, suspenseful, and unflinchingly eerie.

"It is the story of a family’s love pushed to its limits.

“The plot sprang from the times when my son and I used to have to get the bus together to his nursery.

Aaron is also a talented illustrator who sells his original work regularly (Image: A J Hodkinson)

“There are elements of the mystery and thriller crime genres, but also supernatural horror. 

“There is a religious family living in the town who everyone looks up to, but it turns out the pastor is really not as nice as he is pretending to be.

“There is violence and gore, and some pretty uncomfortable moments, but I really do think they need to be in there.

“It also deals with racism, and child abuse linked to churches.

"I'm not doing to lie - it’s pretty dark. This one is definitely not for kids.

“But there is also a light side too. When you drill down into it, it’s good versus evil.

“My wife has given me them thumbs up and told me she thinks its actually good.

“I’m pretty pleased with the way it has turned out.”

Aaron says says creepy things have always caught his imagination (Image: A J Hodkinson)

Aaron admits he has ‘always been fascinated by creepy things’. 

He is also a talented illustrator whose eerie yet beautiful drawings and paintings are often the first to sell in exhibitions, even when surrounded by more pastoral scenes.  

“I remember once going to see my work in an exhibition at Visual Arts Cheshire’s gallery in Barons Quay,” he added.

“There were all these nice pictures of Marbury Park and robins perched on branches, and then there was mine of a load of ghostly kids encircling a plague doctor.

“I remember my dad saying ‘well, you can tell which ones are yours’, but they sold in a couple of days.

“People must see something in them I suppose.”

Prey for Me is available on Amazon now, priced £10.99.