“The Witches Are Taking Us” in Exclusive Excerpt from New Illustrated Novel THE WITCHMASTER OF NORWAY, Written by Keith Foster with Artwork by Marco Fontanili, Now on Kickstarter from Invader!

If, like me, you have fond memories of reading Stephen King's Cycle of the Werewolf and being just as riveted by Bernie Wrightson's killer artwork as you were by the perilous prose from the Master of Horror, then you may want to add the new illustrated novel The Witchmaster of Norway to the top of your to-read pile.

"An illustrated mystery novel of witches and icy cosmic horror set in remote Northern Norway," The Witchmaster of Norway marks the novel debut from writer Keith Foster (Animals, Kodoja) and features more than a dozen enthralling illustrations by artist Marco Fontanili (Pentagram of Horror, Nosferatu: Behind the Horror and Death).

With The Witchmaster of Norway now available to support on Kickstarter from Invader (the renowned publisher behind Josh Ruben and Bri Tippetts' horror graphic novel Darla), we've been provided with an exclusive excerpt and amazing illustration from the chilling cosmic mystery novel to share with Daily Dead readers.

Featuring the ominous warning that "the witches are taking us," you can read our exclusive excerpt by clicking on Marco Fontanili's illustration of Gan Finn (the "childhood boogeyman" who lurked in the shadows of Vardøhus Fortress when journalist Mitchell Thomsen saw him as a frightened boy), or by visiting the following link:

• https://dailydead.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/Witchmaster-Excerpt-Chapter-Two.pdf

We also have the official synopsis, Kickstarter video, and a look at the book's eye-catching cover art. To learn more about The Witchmaster of Norway, be sure to visit Invader's website and the illustrated novel's official Kickstarter page!

"In the frozen shadows of Vardø, Norway—where the sun vanishes for a month and legends never sleep—journalist Mitchell Thomsen returns to confront a haunting from his past. Drawn by a childhood encounter with a mysterious phantom, he finds a desolate town gripped by darkness, strange visions, and a military presence that raises more questions than answers.

As he uncovers threads of a centuries-old witch trial through the writings of a Sami man named Arvid Poulsen, Mitchell’s reality begins to fracture. Visions plague him. Locals whisper of a cursed local drink of "akkevit" that either unlocks the truth ... or drives the drinker into the sea forever.

With the help of an old friend, a reclusive author, and a rare book dealer obsessed with the occult, Mitchell must navigate between history and horror to find the truth. But the deeper he digs, the closer he comes to uncovering a secret that’s been waiting in the dark... for him.

Where do stories end—and where do they begin again?"

Gan Finn Illustration by Marco Fontanili:

Cover Art: