An ancient English omen. A lonely boy. And a friendship that was never supposed to exist.
For centuries, travellers on England's old country lanes have whispered about the Black Dog - an enormous shadow said to appear when death or misfortune draws near.
In Yorkshire, they call him Padfoot.
When Adam first sees the great black dog watching from the edge of his village, he should be terrified.
Instead, Padfoot makes him laugh.
Soon shutters are moving without wind, signs are turning by themselves, buckets are developing opinions, and an increasingly suspicious village is searching for explanations. But Adam sees something others do not.
Padfoot is not hunting him.
He is keeping pace.
As autumn darkens into winter, an unlikely friendship grows between a lonely boy and the supernatural creature generations have been taught to fear. Together they discover laughter in frightening places, companionship in loneliness, and a strange truth hidden beneath centuries of English Black Dog folklore.
Because perhaps an omen does not bring death.
Perhaps sometimes it simply refuses to let anyone face it alone.
The Padfoot is a darkly beautiful reimagining of the English Black Dog legend, blending British folklore, gothic fantasy, supernatural mystery, humour and emotional storytelling. Set among ancient lanes, hedgerows and an old English village, it is a story of friendship, mortality, grief, belonging and redemption - and of two lost souls who discover that being seen can change everything.
Perfect for readers who love folklore retellings, atmospheric gothic fiction, supernatural legends, emotional fantasy and haunting stories with heart.
Some shadows are not following you. They are walking beside you.