My book, "Death of Heaven", won the 2024 New York City Big Book Award for Horror. I also submitted it to this year's Readers' Favorite awards in September 2025 and received so far, a 5-star review from them.
I thought this might make a good Friday blog leading into Memorial Day weekend. You know, something to read? I'm not your usual sci-fi or horror author, if you want something different, well?
I've written before about the formation of Death of Heaven and how it came into being back in 2012, then I did a re-edit in 2014 with Ilene, a very good editor and wife of another very good author and friend, Kurt Giambastiani. and then re-released it. It was my second book that year, the first being my first ever collection of my published and unpublished short stories up to then (including the end of book novella, Andrew, which became the foundation of Death of Heaven.
Andrew, was originally written for my university intro to fiction class, then worked on over the years until finally it got published. It was a great experience, having read it in class and pretty much blowing away my class and professor with it. A complex story to base a very complex book on.
As for Andrew, it is also now available on Apple Books as an AI read audiobook. Always being on the bleeding edge of tech, I thought I'd give it a try. I may cancel it, I may not (probably will though).
I released my latest collection of published and unpublished short stories in 2020, in a second and third volume of my "Anthology of Evil" series, as: Anthology of Evil II Vol. I and Anthology of Evil II Vol. II The Unwritten.
As for the first of those two books...
Anthology of Evil II Vol. I is a collection of horror and science fiction short stories that delve into the darker aspects of humanity and the concept of evil. The book features a variety of narratives, each exploring different themes such as the consequences of technological advancements, the complexities of human relationships, and the moral dilemmas faced in extreme situations. Through stories like "Red Rain," "Expedition of the Arcturus," and "Simon’s Beautiful Thought," Murdock emphasizes the subtle manifestations of evil in everyday life, encouraging readers to reflect on the implications of their choices and the nature of good and evil. Overall, the anthology serves as a cautionary exploration of ambition, connection, and the duality of technology.
It also includes the poem from my award-winning WWI filmic poem and historical documentary (63 national and international film festival awards), "Pvt. Ravel's Bolero."
But today I'm writing here about my second fiction book from that sequel, I usually refer to as just, The Unwritten. I've also written about the creation of this book before (blog: I Had Far Too Much to Dream That Night...
The Unwritten is a horror anthology (more so a portmanteau) that delves into themes of fear, memory, and the unknown through a multi-part narrative. It follows Tom, who finds himself trapped in a cabin with a sinister woman named Alice and a malevolent shadow that feeds on fear. The story also explores the perspective of the shadow, born from the suffering in Hell, and two scientists whose experiment inadvertently opens a connection to this dark realm.
The Unwritten is a chilling horror story that explores themes of fear, memory, and the unknown. The narrative unfolds in three distinct parts, each offering a unique perspective on the unfolding events.
Part I - Tom: The story begins with Tom, a man bound and unconscious on a kitchen table. He awakens to find himself in a dilapidated cabin, the victim of a mysterious woman named Alice. Alice, a captivating yet terrifying figure, reveals her intention to "learn to love" Tom, but only after he's dead. Tom endures a brutal attack, being cauterized with a heated blade, and subsequently passes out.
Upon regaining consciousness, Tom finds himself alone in the cabin, his memories fragmented and his name a distant echo. He discovers a strange shadow lurking in the ceiling, which seems to feed on fear and disintegrate objects around him. As the shadow intensifies, Tom manages to free himself and escapes the cabin, encountering a monstrous man who is also attacked by the shadow. The man is killed, and the shadow disappears, leaving Tom alone in a silent, eerie cabin.
Part II - The Darkness: This part delves into the perspective of the shadow, a being born from the accumulated negative energy of souls in Hell. It describes the horrifying reality of Hell, a place of endless suffering and torment. The shadow, however, experiences a brief moment of freedom when it escapes Hell and enters the cabin, but is quickly pulled back. It grapples with the concept of "Out There," a place beyond Hell that it can only glimpse.
Part III - The Scientists: The story shifts to a scientific laboratory where two researchers, Cotanrz and Miuccia, are conducting a groundbreaking experiment involving pandimensional displacement and communication. They attempt to establish contact with beings in another universe, but their efforts are disrupted by an unknown energy source. The experiment goes awry, resulting in the death of one of the beings in the other universe.
The scientists are left bewildered and fearful, realizing they may have inadvertently opened a connection to a terrifying, unknown entity. They are forced to shut down the experiment and face the consequences of their actions before the High Council.
Part IV - Darkness Redux: The shadow, now back in Hell, is drawn back to the crack in the ceiling that led to the cabin. It yearns for the freedom and lightness it experienced in the other world, but is trapped in the suffocating reality of Hell. It witnesses a surge of souls, including some of the most notorious mass murderers in history, and is overwhelmed by the influx of energy.
Part V - Tom Redux: Tom, now alone in the cabin, attempts to escape. He discovers a hidden stairwell that descends into a dark, silent abyss. He ventures down the stairs, encountering strange inconsistencies and a sense of déjà vu. He realizes the stairs are leading him nowhere, and eventually decides to return to the cabin.
Part VI - The Scientists Redux: The Minister YashThiago, the head of Dimensional Research, informs the High Council of the incident. The AI, Artelect, reveals that the scientists have inadvertently tapped into Hell, a small but powerful pocket universe. The council is stunned and alarmed, realizing the potential consequences of their actions.
Part VII - Darkness Redux: The shadow, once again pulled through the crack in the ceiling, finds itself in the cabin. It is drawn to the beings in the cabin, who are now filled with a dark, violent energy. The shadow touches them, sharing its knowledge of Hell and triggering a bloody massacre.
Part VIII - Tom Redux: Tom returns to the cabin to find a scene of utter carnage. He realizes that the beings in the cabin have killed each other, and is left to ponder the horrifying events that have unfolded.
Part IX - The Scientists Redux: The scientists, with the help of Artelect, discover that the energy from Hell has created a feedback loop, causing a temporal anomaly. They realize that they have inadvertently opened a connection to Hell, and that the situation is far more dangerous than they initially thought.
Overall Significance: "The Unwritten" is a chilling exploration of the unknown and the consequences of pushing the boundaries of science and knowledge. It highlights the fragility of reality and the potential for chaos and destruction that lies beyond our understanding. The story serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the importance of respecting the mysteries of the universe.
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