Joe Pasquale

Joe Pasquale | Caffeine Nights Books

Joe Pasquale is one of Britain's best-loved comedians — and one of its most surprising horror authors. His Caffeine Nights titles are unlike anything else in the genre: illustrated horror short story collections that are as darkly funny as they are genuinely unsettling, written with the instinct of a performer who understands timing, tension, and the fine line between laughter and dread.

The Books

Deadknobs & Doomsticks is the collection that started it all — a series of illustrated horror short stories that subvert expectations at every turn. Pasquale's voice is unmistakable: warm, mischievous, and capable of wrong-footing you completely just when you think you know where a story is going. A second volume, Deadknobs & Doomsticks 2: Tales from the Lockdown, was also published and found dark humour and genuine horror in equal measure in stories written during the pandemic. Watch this space for news on future editions of both volumes.

What to Expect

These are not straightforward horror collections. Pasquale's books occupy a unique space — part comedy, part chiller, entirely original. They are perfect for readers who want something that defies easy categorisation, and for horror fans who appreciate a writer willing to take risks with tone and form.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Joe Pasquale's fiction actually scary?
Yes — despite the comedic elements, the Deadknobs & Doomsticks collections contain genuinely unsettling stories. The humour and the horror work together rather than against each other, which is what makes them so distinctive.

Is Deadknobs & Doomsticks 2 available to buy?
Volume 2 is currently out of print. Sign up to the Caffeine Nights newsletter to be the first to hear about any future editions of both volumes.