- Alice J. Black
FACING THE TORMENT Release Week: The Leak of Madness

The Leak of Madness was released in 2018 and marked the first installment of the Soul Seekers Series. It’s so hard to believe we’re almost at the end! Facing the Torment will be arriving on the 6th of August and I can’t wait to share it with you all but for now, I thought it would be interesting to take a
look back on some of the characters from the series and their take on everything that happened.
The Leak of Madness was the start of it all, but it wasn’t the first novella written. As I delved further into the series and got to thinking about Peyton as a character, I knew she needed a backstory, one that would help the readers understand who she is and where she’s come from. This is her beginning story. So now, we’re taking a look at The Leak of Madness and the events that transpired the night at the Manor House…
If you haven’t picked up your copy yet, it’ll just take a few clicks. Become absorbed in Peyton’s first story, here.
“I can’t believe it’s been a year already!” Theresa gushed, looking around the table. Candles flicked
in the centre casting the room in a warm, dim glow. “It’s just a shame our Olivia can’t be here to
celebrate this with us.”
“Don’t worry, Aunt T, we’ve got something planned with her too.” Pete flashed a winning smile. He
took a sip of his beer and set it down on the table.
Jessica patted him on the leg, gazing at him with utter adoration. “That’s right. She’s treating us to
an afternoon tea down at the new place that just opened. I’ve heard good things about it.”
“Prim and proper, just like her.” Jim smiled, shaking his head knowingly.
“I just can’t believe Peyton is making her work. Tonight of all nights.” Theresa groaned, her mouth
turning down in a grimace. “It’s ridiculous.”
“Come on, Theresa,” Jim admonished. “It wasn’t so long ago that you were calling Peyton a waster
for not doing anything with her life. She’s really pulled it together.”
“But did it have to be tonight?” She pouted.
For a minute the table was silent. Each of them knew what the other was thinking. The night of the
wedding at the Manor House. The odd behaviour. The disruption in the middle of the night. The fire.
“Do you remember that night?” Jim asked, pushing his palms together in a steeple. His voice was
quiet, thick with reverie.