J.L. Murray

J.L. Murray is an author specializing in gothic dark fantasy and literary horror, crafting narratives that explore the blurred lines between good and evil. She is best known for the Niki Slobodian series, which includes titles such as "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," "The Devil Is a Gentleman," and "The Devil's Backbone." Her body of work also encompasses "The Thirteen" series, featuring "Jenny Undead" and "Eat the Ones You Love," as well as standalone novels like "After the Fire," "Blood Day," and "The Collins Widow." Murray's storytelling often delves into themes of folklore, haunted landscapes, and moral ambiguity, reflecting her belief that horror can possess a haunting beauty.

With a distinctive style that merges shadow and folklore, Murray's writing frequently draws inspiration from atmospheric settings and mythic undertones. Her Thornfield Moon series reimagines familiar tales through a lens of gothic tradition, weaving dark fantasy elements into its core. The Pacific Northwest, where she resides, serves as a backdrop for many of her works, infusing them with the region's eerie forests and lingering moonlight. Murray's narratives, including those in the Blood of Cain series - "Monstrous," "Hoarfrost," and "Sanguine" - often explore themes of legacy, transformation, and the supernatural. Her novel "The Hungry Deep" further exemplifies her ability to blend folk horror with rich, evocative prose.
Niki Slobodian Books
# Title Year
1 Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea 2012
2 The Devil Is a Gentleman 2012
3 Before the Devil Knows You're Dead 2012
4 The Devil Was an Angel 2013
5 The Devil's Backbone 2014
Blood of Cain Books
# Title Year
1 Monstrous 2016
2 Hoarfrost 2017
3 Sanguine 2023
Death and Diablerie Books
# Title Year
1 The Diablerists 2025
Gothic Folk Books
# Title Year
1 Blood Day 2015
2 Blood of the Stars 2016
3 The Hungry Deep 2022
4 The Collins Widow 2023
The Thirteen Books
# Title Year
1 Jenny Undead 2013
2 Eat the Ones You Love 2015
After the Fire Books
# Title Year
1 After the Fire 2013
Thornfield Moon Books
# Title Year
1 The Wolves of Thornfield Hall 2025
Short Stories/Novellas
# Title Year
1 Wicked, Clockwork Heart 2018
J.L. Murray Anthologies
# Title Year
1 2012 Flash Fiction 2013