Robert Bloch

Robert Bloch was an American author of crime, horror, and science fiction who remains one of the most influential figures in the history of psychological horror. His novel Psycho, published in 1959, introduced the character of Norman Bates, a seemingly mild-mannered motel keeper harbouring a terrifying secret, and became one of the most famous horror novels ever written. The book was adapted by Alfred Hitchcock into his legendary 1960 film, which transformed cinema and popular culture forever with its shocking narrative twists and its unforgettable shower scene. Bloch was inspired by the real-life crimes of Ed Gein, a Wisconsin murderer whose case horrified America, but he transformed the raw material of true crime into a work of psychological fiction that explored the darkest corners of the human mind with intelligence, craft, and an unsettling understanding of how madness can hide behind a mask of normality. Over a career spanning more than six decades, Bloch wrote hundreds of short stories and more than thirty novels, winning the Hugo Award, the World Fantasy Award, and numerous other honours. He was a protégé of H.P. Lovecraft and became a master storyteller in his own right, influencing generations of horror writers. Psycho is available as an audiobook, offering listeners the chance to experience the original novel that inspired one of the greatest films ever made, in all its disturbing, masterfully crafted psychological terror.