Dive into the shadowy, captivating world of Six Stories, where mysteries unravel through the voices of those who lived them! Matt Wesolowski’s groundbreaking mystery-thriller series blends true-crime podcast vibes with chilling psychological depth, inviting readers to piece together the truth alongside investigative journalist Scott King. With its innovative storytelling and haunting atmosphere, Six Stories transforms cold cases into gripping narratives that linger long after the final page.
Unlike traditional whodunits, this series challenges you to question perception itself, as each book unfolds through six unique perspectives. Set against the eerie backdrop of rural England, Six Stories is perfect for fans of Serial, Gillian Flynn, or anyone craving a mystery that’s as thought-provoking as it is thrilling.
How Six Stories Began
Matt Wesolowski, a Newcastle-upon-Tyne author and English tutor, kicked off his writing career in horror before crafting Six Stories, his debut thriller published by Orenda Books in 2016. Inspired by the runaway success of the Serial podcast, Wesolowski envisioned a novel that mirrored its investigative allure but with a fictional twist. The result was a genre-bending series centered on Scott King, a masked journalist whose podcast probes unsolved cases, earning a cult following for its raw, immersive storytelling.
Wesolowski’s knack for weaving social commentary with suspense stems from his work with young people in care, grounding his narratives in real human struggles. His unique podcast format and atmospheric settings, like the foreboding Scarclaw Fell, quickly made Six Stories a bestseller across the USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.
The Heart of Six Stories
The series spans six books, each tackling a distinct cold case through Scott King’s podcast. The first, Six Stories (2016), investigates the 1997 death of teenager Tom Jeffries at Scarclaw Fell. Was it misadventure or murder? Six interviewees, from friends to locals, offer conflicting accounts, blurring truth with folklore like the sinister Nanna Wrack. Hydra (2017) dives into the Macleod Massacre, where Arla Macleod killed her family, exploring online vigilantism and black-eyed children myths.
Changeling (2018) unravels the disappearance of a boy in Wentshire Forest, tackling coercive control, while Beast (2019) probes a influencer’s murder, blending social media culture with supernatural dread. Themes of perception, memory, and subjectivity run deep, with each perspective shifting the narrative kaleidoscope. Wesolowski’s prose, paired with rural noir settings, creates an unsettling yet addictive vibe, challenging readers to judge the truth themselves.
The series’ podcast structure sets it apart, mimicking real true-crime formats while layering in horror and psychological insights. Fans praise its character-driven storytelling and Wesolowski’s ability to balance eerie folklore with raw human emotion, making each book a standalone yet cohesive thrill.
Why Six Stories Resonates
Six Stories has carved a niche in the mystery-thriller genre, earning accolades like the Amazon Publishing Award for Best Independent Voice for Beast in 2020. Its innovative format has drawn comparisons to Agatha Christie for the digital age, with a Hollywood studio snapping up film rights. Readers and critics adore its refusal to spoon-feed answers, sparking lively discussions online about who to trust and why.
Beyond entertainment, the series tackles timely issues—social media’s dark side, class divides, and the unreliability of memory—making it resonate with a wide audience. Its cult status grows as fans discover its blend of cerebral mystery and spine-chilling atmosphere, cementing Wesolowski as a fresh voice in crime fiction.
- Publication Years: 2016–2021
- Books: Six (Six Stories, Hydra, Changeling, Beast, Deity, Demon)
- Awards: Beast won Best Independent Voice (2020); Changeling longlisted for Theakston Crime Novel of the Year (2019)
Ready to unravel a mystery where truth is never what it seems? Grab Six Stories and step into Wesolowski’s chilling, mind-bending world today!