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AFTERWORD

Thank you so much for reading The Longing.

The monsters from this series are based on myths and legends from my beloved local area, the North East of England, primarily Northumberland.

It’s an ancient place, a debatable lands, bordered by the wild and dangerous North Sea to the east, the rugged Pennines to the west, and the Scottish border to the north, fenced by Hadrian’s wall.

The Romans tried to conquer it, but ended up building a wall to keep out the Scots.

The Border Reivers did their best to make it uninhabitable meaning those who could afford it built castles and Pele towers in an attempt to stay safe.

In such a landscape, with such threats, it’s no wonder that monsters like the Lambton Wyrm (worm being the old colloquial term for dragon in these parts), the Brag, the Barghest, the Redcaps, Duegar, Bluecaps and Shellycoat sprang out at the inhabitants from the moorlands, fell sides and sea sides.

Along with more ghosts and ghouls you can shake the proverbial stick at.

It is a place I grew up, following my monsters and colouring my imagination.

A land I love, and I pass that love to you. Hattie Jacks 2025