The blurb on Netgalley mentions “a ghost story around a campfire” as being the start of this story, but instead I think it begins with the mysterious disappearances, children and families going missing never to be seen again. Although the ghost story is mentioned very briefly at the start of the book, around a campfire, this is not the focus of the story. This is not a ghost story, in fact I would go so far as to say that this is not even a paranormal story…. this is a monster story.
The book is written using multiple perspectives across several different timeframes (2015, 2002 and 2014 along with some news clippings from the 1950’s), meaning that there is a need to concentrate at read every detail in order to try and piece together what is going on. We meet our main characters; Gary, James, Tom, Matt, Tim and his father Mr Stevens as they are about to start on a walk across Rutland moor, where there have been a number of unexplained disappearances. The boys and Mr Stevens spend the first night around a campfire talking about ghosts and local folklore, with the emphasis on the story of a local witch. The preceding nights lead to two boys disappearing and the revelation to those surviving that they are not alone on the moor, and there is something hunting them.
I am not going to lie, but the blurb focusing on the introducing on folklore and suggesting a link between the story and the disappearances is what sold the book to me. Around the 30% mark you are told the solution to what is going on (although not in a lot of detail as to actually what it is). It becomes descriptive in nature and suddenly most of the tension that had been created in the opening 30% disappears, as we have a face for the monster and we have already been told through the jumps through time who it is that survives to the end. This means that the horror element relies purely on gore, which is something that I don’t particularly like in my horror as I tend to be more scared by paranormal or psychological aspects. It was at this point that I nearly gave up on the book, however I decided to press on and I am glad I did.
Once you leave the flashbacks told from the perspective of a character who has some knowledge of the creature on the moor, the story picks up again and gives a flash of some of the psychological repercussions of the events on the moor (and those leading up to it) with great effect. I also think that the way that the book ended was satisfactory and does not leave any room for a sequel. This does not mean that I would not read any more from Sam Haysom, I did enjoy this book it just wasn’t the story I was expecting.
In terms of Sam’s writing style, he makes effective use of news articles throughout the book, and the fact that the jumps through time and perspectives were relatively flawless meant that, although I had to pay attention to when we were and who was talking, there was a level of continuity throughout that meant that the flow of the book was not disrupted at chapter changes. His characters are well though out, although there was not a lot of time for character growth on the pages on the book, as we do not see the intervening events between the timelines (although some are hinted at). Therefore, we spend the majority of time with the characters as 15 year olds, it can take a bit of getting used to. The plot moves as a cracking pace, although in the middle it slows considerably. It is well thought out, and although there are no real surprises, it does keep your attention. I wish that the creepiness that was established so early on in the story had been maintained throughout the book.
I would recommend for those who enjoy Stephen King novels, although if you prefer your horror psychological you probably won’t find this to be the scare you think it will. But definitely a good read and an author I will pick up again.
No comments:
Post a Comment