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Scottish Horror Fiction: A Haunting Journey into the Supernatural
Scotland, a land steeped in ancient folklore and rich history, has long been a fertile ground for tales of horror. From the mist-covered Highlands to the dark alleyways of Edinburgh, Scottish horror fiction has captivated readers with its chilling tales and haunting imagery. One of the most iconic figures in Scottish horror literature is Robert Louis Stevenson, author of the classic novella “Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.” This timeless tale of duality and the nature of evil has enthralled readers for generations, and its influence on the genre cannot be overstated. Stevenson’s masterful storytelling and vivid descriptions of the dark side of human nature have set the…
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Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Okay, so I really don’t understand Gillian Flynn’s hype train. I stayed away from Gone Girl because of the hype. Sharp Objects missed the mark. The narrative, the characterisation, the connotations. I just disliked the writing style. There’s something about the writing that doesn’t click for me. I appreciate the talent of the author, but it wasn’t something I’d scream about. Oh man, so many things failed to hit the mark in Sharp Objects. The connection between self-harming and being a promiscuous loner, both bothered me. It just seemed disrespectful to me. Her mental illness seemed to be the primary focus of the story right away, it shouldn’t of…
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The Collector by Anne Mette Hancock
The Collector is typical of the Nordic noir genre – chilling, intelligent and wholly captivating. Perfect dialogue, haunting imagery, and difficult topics. A mysterious blurb. It ticks all the crime junky boxes. It makes my heartbeat and my nerves jangle. The cover makes me imagine scenes from some of my favourite scandi dramas. All of this combines to make The Collector a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery. It will keep you guessing until the very end. Plus, the writing is sharp and engaging. One sentence is all it took to fall into the pages of the story. The characters are so down to earth, so relatable, people…
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Daphne by Josh Malerman
Daphne hits you hard and fast right from the beginning. Put on your Nikes and get ready for the most exciting run of your life! The start of the story is a bit slow, and I felt that it was let down slightly by the pace. I had heard so many great things about Malerman’s work and I wanted to give it the best chance. Midway through it really started gaining momentum and I was all in. the seatbelt was engaged, and I braced my hands on the dashboard, expecting to get my head caved in at any moment. Kit Lamb and her friends are having a sleepover, and what’s…
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Death of a Bookseller by Alice Slater
Death of a Bookseller is something new. It has a killer premise. The story was impactful with a deep plot that evokes emotion on every page. Slater constantly stokes the flames of mystery. Well, wasn’t this one an anvil to the head? I love a fantastic crime story and Death of a Bookseller didn’t disappoint. The aura of obsession, jealousy and pain are never far from the pages. It’s like a shadow, preparing to swallow you whole, consume you as you consume it. A full circle of darkness. Okay, So Roach (real name Brogan), works in Spines, a bookstore in Walthamstow. The images my mind conjured up is nothing short…
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Arch-Conspirator by Veronica Roth
Arch-Conspirator was a quick and enjoyable read. Veronica Roth was a new author for me, but I found myself really enjoying her writing style – the storytelling and dialogue felt refreshing and with purpose, not a word was wasted. An Antigone retelling in a sci-fi dystopian world – the pages flew by as I was entranced by the worldbuilding. If you’ve enjoyed the original tale of Antigone, then I think you’re going to enjoy Roth’s reimagining. There’s the same feminist, control and conquer themes but with a sci-fi twist. The character development is well researched and imagined, it was really outstanding considering the low page count. The dystopian world was…
