Every great story starts somewhere.
For FRESH INK, that story begins with The Hill in the Dark Grove, a hauntingly beautiful debut that blurs the line between gothic mystery and literary fiction.
Set in a remote rural community where folklore and grief entwine, the novel follows a young woman returning home after her mother’s death — only to uncover that the forest surrounding her childhood house seems to hold its own memories. Part ghost story, part psychological study, The Hill in the Dark Grove is a powerful exploration of legacy, love, and the shadows that shape us.
It’s a book that lingers — perfect for readers who crave atmosphere, exquisite prose, and the discovery of a remarkable new voice.
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Why this book? Why now?
Because FRESH INK celebrates beginnings — the thrill of discovering an author before the world does.
Our inaugural pick embodies everything we believe in:
✨ a distinctive voice
✨ a story that stays with you
✨ a collectable edition made to be treasured
A haunting new voice in literary fiction
In the shadow of the Welsh hills, where mist clings to the heather and stories are carved into the stone, The Hill in the Dark Grove unfolds a tale of love, loss and the unquiet past.
Carwyn and Rhian, sheep-farmers on land passed down for generations, struggle against the slow, relentless erosion of their world — by time, by progress, and by something older still, stirring beneath the soil.
Liam Higginson’s debut is part folk horror, part love story, part lament — written with a poet’s ear and a storyteller’s heart. It explores how landscape holds memory, how myth seeps into everyday life, and how love persists even when the earth itself seems to shift against it.
Exclusive FRESH INK Edition
Every FRESH INK release is designed to be as collectable as it is unforgettable:
- Signed and numbered first edition
- Exclusive head and tail bands with ribbon
- Accompanied by author insights and behind-the-scenes materials
- Only available to FRESH INK subscribers
A new beginning for collectors
The Hill in the Dark Grove marks the launch of FRESH INK — Goldsboro Books’ celebration of debut fiction.
Discover tomorrow’s literary voices today, in exclusive editions made to be treasured.
📦 Join FRESH INK now and be among the first to hold Liam Higginson’s extraordinary debut in your hands.
Critical Praise
“A sumptuously written, dark meditation on aging, obsolescence, and the brutalizing march of time and progress.”
— Paul Tremblay, New York Times bestselling author
“Evocative and deftly done … haunted by the sheer vastness of time and landscape.”
— *Kiran Millwood Hargrave, author of The Mercies
“Liam Higginson is a new talent in Welsh storytelling … the novel holds the reader in its arms.”
— *Joshua Jones, author of Local Fires
“Powerful, inventive and gripping to the very end.”
— *Ian McGuire, author of The North Water
