Epeolatry Book Review: A Burnt Offering by Mark T. Bates
Disclosure:
Our reviews may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the links in this article we may receive a small commission or referral fee. This happens without any additional cost to you.
Title: A Burnt Offering
Author: Mark T. Bates
Genre: Horror
Publisher: The Dark Corner
Publication date: June, 2025
Synopsis: Fresh from the horrors of World War II and battling his own internal demons, David, a young veteran, arrives at a seemingly quaint London guesthouse run by the enigmatic Mrs. Van Der Hagen. Seeking solace and a new beginning, he hopes to reconnect with a friend who supposedly stayed there before him.
However, from the moment David steps through the door, an unsettling atmosphere pervades the house. Strange occurrences, Mrs. Van Der Hagen’s peculiar mannerisms, and a cryptic encounter with another long-term resident, Colonel Joseph Shaw, begin to chip away at David’s fragile composure. As he tries to piece together the truth about his friend’s whereabouts and the guesthouse’s unsettling history, David finds himself increasingly trapped in a nightmare that blurs the lines between his wartime trauma and a terrifying reality.
“A Burnt Offering” by Mark T. Bates is a good war-era story. However, I couldn’t quite hear Mrs. Van Der Hagen’s supposed Dutch accent. We’re told she speaks with one, but from the dialogue—aside from a single word the listener says she pronounces with an accent—it reads as perfect English. This bothers me, because I would’ve liked to read Mrs. Van Der Hagen’s dialogue the way the listener supposedly hears it.
Other than that, it was a lovely, quick read. Atmospheric—though not heavily so—which is a plus for someone like me with aphantasia. The story touches on the psychological trauma of PTSD, which made me sympathize with the main character, David. I was pleased with the ending, though that’s all I’ll say about that. If you’ve been following my reviews, you probably know what kind of ending I tend to enjoy. I don’t want to say too much here—it is a short story, after all—and I wouldn’t want to spoil it for you.
All in all, I’d give this story three ravens. I didn’t particularly enjoy the dialogue—not just because of the missing accent, but also because it felt a bit too scripted. The story is good, but not exactly gripping. So yes, I do recommend you give it a read—but mainly because it’s short and entertaining.
/5
Available here https://thedarkcorner.blog/volume-iv-untitled/.
- About the Author
- Latest Posts
Luc Dantes is a high school English teacher by day and aspiring author by night. Their writing style is shaped by their experience living with ADD, as well as their identity as part of the LGBTQIA+ community. Luc finds comfort in the horror genre, seeing it as a place to explore darker themes in a safe environment. Their work has been featured in Ghostwatch Zine’s Winter’s Warning quarterly issue in 2025, and they are set to be published in “Twisted Horrors,” a queer anthology curated by River Gardner in 2025.
As an avid reader, Luc has consistently ranked among Goodreads’ top users, placing in the top 25% of readers in 2023 and advancing to the top 10% of readers and top 1% of reviewers in 2024. Their literary interests span a wide range of genres, with a particular passion for horror, fantasy, and autobiographies.
As a writer, Luc aims to bring an honest, relatable perspective to readers through their work. Their experience as both a prolific reader and reviewer informs their writing, allowing them to craft stories that resonate with diverse audiences. Above all, Luc’s greatest passions are their loving spouse and children, who continue to inspire and support their literary journey.
Instagram: @thebibliobabbler
