Matt Blake: House of Horrors

What would you do if the place meant to protect you was hiding a terrible past? When journalist Matt Blake moved into a new house in East London with his young daughter, he was looking for a new beginning. What he found was a nightmare: the house had recently been home to the E17 Nightstalker, a violent criminal who had terrorised the neighbourhood.

As strange events began to unfold, Blake’s journalistic instinct took over – but so did fear and paranoia. In Hearth of Darkness, he investigates the chilling true story of the murderer who lived there before, and the way trauma seeps into the walls of a house – and your mind.

Part true crime, part psychological thriller, part memoir of fatherhood and fear, this is a razor-sharp meditation on danger, obsession and what it means to feel unsafe – in your own home. For fans of investigative writing, domestic noir, and the horrors that lurk behind closed doors.

This event will be chaired by Dr Alice Haylett Bryan. Alice is a lecturer in film history, specialising in horror. Her research explores how stories of fear, trauma and survival mirror the societies that produce them. Thoughtful and insightful, she brings academic rigour and empathy to her conversations.

Please note: this event lasts for one hour, followed by an opportunity to purchase the book upstairs in The Clearing and have it signed by the author

FIND OUT MORE

Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.