Gothic Book Series Comes Alive with Gin Tasting at Accrington DOME
A unique literary experience is arriving in Accrington next month, as the gothic thriller book series Series of Silence is brought to life through a special event combining live readings, ghostly tales, and gin tasting. The Accrington DOME will host a one-night-only takeover on Thursday, March 26, offering a free evening that blends chilling storytelling with the flavors of Moorside Craft Gin, the official spirit of the series.
An Immersive Evening of Fiction and Flavor
The event starts at 6pm and transforms the DOME into an extension of Moorside House, the real Victorian manor in Lancashire where the stories are set and where the authors live and write. Co-author Heath Groves will read spine-tingling extracts from the first two books, The Silence We Hide and The Silence We Share, sharing how a home invasion, a cursed basalt statue, and a century of secrets evolved into a ten-book gothic saga.
Guests will have the opportunity to ask questions, get their copies signed, and explore how the fiction intertwines with the real house, its history, and the broader Moorside universe. The evening also highlights Moorside Craft Gin, a London dry gin distilled in Lancashire with juniper, bright citrus, and a lingering liquorice-and-cinnamon finish, created in collaboration with Brindle Distillery as the official pour of the series.
Sample the Gin and Step into History
Attendees can sample the gin, purchase bottles on the night, and pair it with the books for a complete read by candlelight, sip by gin experience. Set in and around Moorside House in Altham, Accrington, the Series of Silence weaves real history, including the childhood home of suffragist Lydia Becker, into a modern gothic thriller about family, guilt, and a house that refuses to let go.
The event coincides with a special exhibition on Lydia Becker's life and legacy, allowing visitors to transition from the pages of the novels into the actual history that shaped them. Only 30 places are available for this 18+ event, and while tickets are free, they must be reserved in advance via Eventbrite.
Author Insights and Future Plans
Speaking ahead of the event, author Heath Groves expressed excitement about connecting with readers. It's always fantastic to meet readers face-to-face and hear their thoughts about the story and the characters, he said. Being able to discuss the inspiration behind the Series of Silence and share that experience makes it even more special. The Moorside Craft Gin was a massive hit at Oswaldtwistle Mills, so we're really looking forward to bringing that same atmosphere and flavour to Accrington DOME.
Groves also noted upcoming plans, including more book reading and gin tasting events at independent bookshops from London to Edinburgh, as well as participation in five gin festivals in the coming months.
