The Haunted Vale: A Cretan Gothic Tale

'' Cold wind penetrated her, making her shiver. Nonetheless, she stood her ground, leaning on her oaken stick. All of a sudden, a tiny silhouette appeared on one of the paths, walking in her direction. Turning around, she saw that there were figures in all of the paths. ''

"The Haunted Vale" is a modular novel of Cretan folk horror, comprising short stories set primarily in the fictional village of Velanidochori and the wider community of Velanidia in an isolated region of the White Mountains of Chania, on the island of Crete, Greece. In this small, insular rural community, narratives pertaining to individuals residing in the present era are presented, alongside accounts of those who inhabited the area ninety years ago. The novel juxtaposes the real and the imaginary, weaving together a tapestry of contrasting elements. It portrays the harsh reality of the refugees of the Asia Minor Catastrophe, racism, poverty, love and loneliness, alongside the fantastical: ghosts, fairies, ancient spells, a war between witches and an old curse that plagues three powerful and historical families, while the dark and dramatic description of Cretan nature reflects the sometimes grim human condition.