My Favourite Novel of 2016

I read 29 Fiction books in 2016. I loved so many of them, but have decided to give a shout out to my absolute favourite, Foxlowe by Eleanor Wasserberg! 

I had the joy and privilege of meeting the author Eleanor Wasserberg at a book event in Sheffield. She is incredible! She read from Foxlowe and despite me knowing exactly what was going to happen and when, I still got chills. Foxlowe is the author's debut novel and believe me when I say, it's sublime! In fact, don't take my word for it, grab yourself a copy and find out! 

                                                                 Foxlowe by Eleanor Wasserberg 

Green lives at Foxlowe with the family. It's not a conventional family but lost souls from all over, gathered together, blindly searching for something different, something more. The family has it's own rules, it's own ways and to be a part of the family requires blind obedience, a dedication of mind, body and spirit. 

This is a story of a cult, of brainwashing, of abuse, and the lasting effects it can have, especially on the children who grow up knowing nothing else. With chilling sentences like,

"The children are the easiest for the Bad to slip in to, they must be watched."

this harrowing story will break your heart, and chill you to the bone.

Dark, creepy and disturbing Foxlowe and it's inhabitants will haunt your thoughts for a long time after putting the book down.

                                    Her Husband's Lover 
                                        by Julia Crouch 

Utterly and absolutely brilliant!!

Louisa Williams needs to start her life over. Her children are gone, victims of the car accident that was caused by and that killed her husband Sam. She has suffered severe injuries, ones that took long months of rehabilitation to recover from, and scars that will stay with her forever.

Sam warned her not to try and leave him... but she never thought he'd harm the children!

And now, Sophie is making her life a misery. Sophie was Sam's girlfriend, she's pregnant with his child and wants the life she believes she is owned, the life she believes she would have had, if Sam had survived.

This book had me on the edge of my seat from the very first page. It got under my skin, had me guessing, and feeling so uncomfortable! I raced from page to page, chapter to chapter, desperate to find out if my inklings were right ( I'm not telling you if they were or not, you need to read it yourself before I divulge a single thing! )

My blood ran cold as the truth seeped off the pages and into my consciousness. Every time I had to put the book down - real life can annoyingly get in the way of reading time - I couldn't stop thinking about the story. Scenes would play over and over in my mind, and I'd start to imagine what could possibly be around the corner.

If you like psychological thrillers then this book is a must read. It's one that will haunt you for a long, long time!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Isbn: 9781472206671
Publisher: Headline
Publication date: January 26th 2017

                                                     Blog Tour
                               The Puppet Master by Abigail Osbourne 

Today is my stop on The Puppet Master blog tour and I'm delighted to share my thoughts on this marvellous and at times terrifying tale with you all. 
                                    
                                      Summary
Manipulated by fear and love…could you cut the strings and take back control?

Billie’s hiding from the world, believing it to be the only way to take control of her life as she lives in fear of the man who nearly destroyed her. But what she doesn’t realise that
she’s exactly where he wants her; isolated and afraid. A chance meeting with budding journalist Adam sparks a relationship that could free her from the terror that controls her. But will Adam be able to see the real Billie buried under her terror and pain?

Adam knows exactly who Billie is and is determined to expose her and get justice for the lives she ruined. But first, he needs to convince her to open up to him but as unwanted attraction and feelings blossom between them, Adam is forced to realise that all is not as it seems. Most of their lives have been unknowingly governed by the desires and needs of someone who considers himself their master. He has influenced and shaped them for years, meticulously weaving a web of lies and control around them. Can Billie and Adam survive the betrayals in store and cut the strings that bind them?

One thing is for sure. The master wants his puppets back – and he’ll do anything to keep them.

                                        Review 

I read The Puppet Master in one sitting, I foolishly thought I'd read the first chapter before bed and ended up staying up until the early hours devouring chapter after chapter until utterly exhausted - both physically and emotionally - I reached the last page. 

I love how the book switches from Billie's point of view to Adam's and then we also have the mystery and intrigue from the diary extracts that crop up occasionally. 

From the very first pages we can sense Billie's fear and pain. What we don't find out immediately is why she is afraid, the author makes us fall in love with her first, and then breaks our hearts as we delve into her tragic past. My heart raced as I found myself engulfed in an emotional battle. Frustration, fear, loathing, despair and heartache combined to make me want to step into the book and throttle a character or two! 

The Puppet Master will take you on a turbulent ride, with numerous twists and turns and will have you clinging to the edge of your seat. 

I feel I should warn of some triggers, rape and child abuse are part of this story and although nothing is too detailed or included unnecessarily, some people might find it difficult to read. 

A brilliantly written debut novel, I can't wait to read more from this author!

Information about the Book

Title: The Puppet Master
Author: Abigail Osborne
Genre: Adult Romance
Publisher: Self-Published

Format: Ebook and Paperback
Publication date: 30th August 2016

Goodreads Link

Amazon Link

Author Information

Abbie was born in the Lake District and has moved all around the UK since then until she met her husband at University. She lives with him and their two crazy cats in the West Midlands. She is a Needs Assessor for students with disabilities and has her own book reviewing blog called Many Books, Many Lives. Even though she did English Literature at University it wasn't until she started reviewing books that she realised how much she loved to write. The Puppet Master is her first novel but it certainly won't be her last.

You can follow her on @Abigail_Author or @MBequalsML.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

                                                      Foxlowe 
                                         by Eleanor Wasserberg

On stepping into this  book you will find yourself immersed in a gripping tale of family, of fear, of growing up the Floxlowe way... and it's repercussions. 

Green lives at Foxlowe with the family. It's not a conventional family but lost souls from all over, gathered together, blindly searching for something different, something more. The family has it's own rules, it's own ways and to be a part of the family requires obedience without question, a dedication of mind, body and spirit. 

We have the founders, Richard, Libby and Freya, then the adults and last and very much least, the children, Green, Blue and Toby, they are the ungrowns.

This a story of a cult, of brainwashing, of abuse, and the lasting effects it can have, especially on the children who grow up knowing nothing else. With chilling sentences like,
The children are the easiest for the Bad to slip in to. They must be watched. 
this harrowing story will break your heart, and chill you to the bone.

Dark, creepy and disturbing Foxlowe and it's inhabitants will haunt your thoughts for a long time after putting the book down.

One more thing,
the ending... I was not prepared at all! 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 

isbn: 9780008164089
publisher: Fourth Estate
publication date: June 2nd 2016

                                   
                                                           BLOG TOUR! 
                                      Random Acts of Unkindness by Jacqueline Ward 

I am delighted to start off the Blog Tour for this incredible book! Jacqueline Ward is a wonderful writer, who's characters jump off the page, grab you, and pull you into their story. This is a tale of motherhood, love and loss and will have you thinking about it long after you've finished reading. 


                               How far would you go to find your child?

This is the question that sets the tone for this addictive novel. DS Jan Pearce's teenage son Aiden is missing, presumed a runaway. Her ex-husband is of no help whatsoever, and her job is becoming more demanding by the day. On the search for evidence to bring to justice one of the biggest criminals that just happens to hide behind the facade of a philanthropist with the community's best interests at heart, she comes across another mystery... one that may just help her solve an unbelievably heinous crime that has gone undiscovered for decades! 


Warning! Do not pick up this book unless you have some time on your hands, because once you start reading, you won't want to put it down! 

I loved DS Pearce from the first page, she's gutsy, determined, and understandably falling apart, as she singlehandedly searches for her missing child. Despite making mistakes and a few questionable decisions along the way, I was on her side from the word go, and found myself wondering what I'd do in her shoes, how far would I be willing to go for my children? Random Acts of Unkindness had me gripped, desperate to read the next page, but fearful as to what I'd find.  

The parallels between Jan and Bessy Swains lives are brilliantly done, and hearing Bessy's story will break your heart into a million tiny pieces. Don't expect a straightforward whodunnit, but a rollercoaster of a ride, with incredible twists and turns. And a horrendous, nauseating crime that will horrify and shock you.  

I'm so glad that this is the first in a series, Jacqueline Ward has created a fascinating new character, and I can't wait to find out what case DS Jan Pearce gets involved next! 

Information about the Book
Title: Random Acts of Unkindness
Author: Jacqueline Ward
Release Date: 21st June 2016
Genre: Adult Crime/Thriller
Publisher: Kindle Press
Format: Ebook

Get your copy here: Amazon

                                                             Once Upon A Time
                                                             Red's Untold Tale 
                                                             by Wendy Toliver 

It's Wolfstime, the terrifying period around each full moon when everyone in Red's village must barricade themselves into their homes at night, to protect themselves from the giant, ferocious wolves that prowl through the surrounding forest. 

Red is now sixteen, still wearing her enchanted red cloak that her Granny gave her three years ago to protect her from the wolves. She's falling in love with Peter the blacksmiths son, helping Granny with her failing bakery business and dealing with the heinous wolves and the vicious mean girls in her school. 

Decisions need to be made, but will Red think with her heart or her head? Will she be able to do the right thing or will she succumb to same destiny as her parents, uncles and grandfather did? 


I'll begin by saying that I've only seen a few episodes of Once Upon A Time, so I am reviewing this book on it's own merit, not knowing anything of the character of Red in the show. 

I loved this fast paced tale. The dark and terrifying dreams that plague Red hint of more darkness to come ( and yes, I think I may need to watch the show now, I want to get to know Red a little more! ) and her romance with Peter is heartwarming and sweet. 

The fear of the wolves is palpable throughout, as is the disdain with which the villagers treat Granny. You can feel Red's frustration as she's torn between her love for Granny and her embarrassment as Granny is ridiculed time and time again for her warnings. 

Red is an amazing heroine, feisty, brave, a talented archer, with a heart of gold. I'm really hoping the author writes more of Red's Untold Tales, as there is so much more of her story left to be discovered! 


I received a copy of this book in return for an honest review.


isbn: 9781785653223
Publisher: Titan Books 
Publication date: July 1st 2016

                                Alice by Christina Henry

In a cell, in a mental hospital deep in the Old City there is a young woman named Alice. Her memories of her encounter with the Rabbit are blurred snippets that make little sense, all that really remains at the forefront of her memory is the terror and blood...

One night a terrible fire rages through the hospital, Alice and her cellmate next door manage to escape, however something dark and evil is also on the loose and it's hungry and on the hunt.

Alice needs to remember in order to be free, but will she survive finding out the truth? The rabbit is waiting for her, and so is the beast that is leaving carnage in it's wake.

                                                                 ********************************************

On stepping into this story, you will find yourself tumbling down a rabbit hole and landing in a dark and twisted place. Here there is evil lurking around every corner. Nothing is at is seems, and fear and horror reign.

If you are looking for a happy Alice in Wonderland retelling then you are most definitely in the wrong place! Trigger warning there are many rape scenes in this book, and they are, despite having their place in the story, very disturbing to read.

I loved following Alice and Hatcher through the creepy streets of the Old City, terrified at who or what they would encounter next ( so may characters from the original story but contorted into creatures that are hard to recognise.) But slowly and surely feeling more and more confident in Alice's strength and powers. Yes, this is a horror story, with murder, torture and violence on almost every page, but there is also a sense of finding oneself, of seeking out the truth regardless of the pain it might bring, and of finding friends who will stand with you, no matter what.

If you're a fan of horror then you're bound to love this book as much as I did, if not, proceed at your own risk! 

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

isbn: 9781785653308

Publisher: Titan Books 

Publication date: 28th June 2016

                             Random Acts of Unkindness by Jacqueline Ward

                                                      RELEASE DAY BLITZ 

Summary:
How far would you go to find your child?

DS Jan Pearce has a big problem. Her fifteen year old son, Aiden, is missing. Jan draws together the threads of missing person cases spanning fifty years and finds tragic connections and unsolved questions.

Bessy Swain, an elderly woman that Jan finds dead on her search for Aiden, and whose own son, Thomas, was also missing, may have the answers.

Jan uses Bessy's information and her own skills and instinct to track down the missing boys. But is it too late for Aiden?

Set in the North West of England, with the notorious Saddleworth Moor as a backdrop, Random Acts of Unkindness is a story about motherhood, love and loss and how families of missing people suffer the consequences of major crimes involving their loved ones.

Random Acts of Unkindness is the first in the DS Jan Pearce series of novels.

                                                       Information about the Book
                                                     
                                                        Title: Random Acts of Unkindness
                                                        Author: Jacqueline Ward
                                                        Release Date: 21st June 2016
                                                        Genre: Adult Crime/Thriller
                                                        Publisher: Kindle Press
                                                        Format: Ebook

Goodreads Link

Amazon Link

                                                         Author Information

Jacqueline Ward writes short stories, novels and screenplays. She has been writing seriously since 2007 and has had short stories published in anthologies and magazines. Jacqueline won Kindle Scout in 2016 and her crime novel, Random Acts of Unkindness, will be published by Amazon Publishing imprint Kindle Press. Her novel SmartYellowTM was published by Elsewhen Press in 2015 and was nominated for the Arthur C Clarke Award in 2016. Jacqueline is a Chartered psychologist who specializes in narrative psychology, gaining a PhD in narrative and storytelling in 2007. She lives in Oldham, near Manchester, with her partner and their dog.

Website: http://www.jacquelineward.co.uk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JacquiAnnC

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JACauthor/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8426429.Jacqueline_Ward

I will be taking part in the blog tour for Random Acts of Unkindness and posting my review on July 18th.

                      Fates and Furies by Lauren Groff 

Lotto and Mathilde marry young, this is their story. Beautifully described are their dreams, their struggles, their ambitions and their friendships. But Fates and Furies is a book of two halves, Fates is Lotto's story. Everything is from his point of view, his wants, his desires, his thoughts. And then we have Furies, Mathilde's version of the very same story. The same life but seen through her eyes, told by her soul. 

I must admit to faltering a little at the beginning, the story didn't grab me by the hand and make me disappear into it's narrative. However, I'm very glad I persevered, If I hadn't I'd have missed out on a wonderful novel full of drama, personality and heart. Yes, there were times I could have happily slapped a character or two, but that just acknowledges the sheer brilliance of the writer. They became more than fictional beings and made me angry, made me cry, made me want to step into the book and shake some sense into them. 

I read the second half of the book in one sitting. Mathilde made me feel more than I wanted to. I have realised that you don't have to love a character, you don't have to agree with them, and think the way they do; once you understand them, once you have heard their history and had a glimpse into their reasons why, then that is all you need to make you care.

Fates and Furies is an intriguing story that takes the reader on a remarkable, thrilling and original journey.

I received a copy of this book from goodreads in exchange for an honest review.


isbn: 97817851501142
Author: Lauren Groff
Publisher: William Heinemann London
Publication date: September 15th 2015

A Line is a Dot that went for a Walk illustrated by Jo Fernihough

                                                        This book is gorgeous! 

I am not a talented artist, in fact, I'd go as far as to say, I'm not very good at drawing at all. I worry about getting things wrong, about my attempts at creativity being laughable. However, A Line is a Dot that went for a Walk, allowed me to reconnect with my inner child, it reminded me what it was like to grab a pencil, pen, crayon and just draw.

The opening pages with the colour wheel made me want to reach for the tin of colouring pencils and include a rainbow of colours in my picture. I loved the imagination used on each page, the guidance,  draw a line... happily skipping, the freedom to just let go and have fun. 

A Line is a Dot that went for a Walk, is a key. A key that opens the part of you that is full of imagination and inspiration, full of freedom and colours, full of fun! 

From turning scribbles and shapes into a picture, to adding faces to eyebrows, this book is inspirational, and will encourage you to let your drawings fly!

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.


isbn: 9781910552162
Publisher: Michael O Mara Books
Published: 11th February 2016

Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt

                Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt 

The year is 1644. In a small town called Black Springs Katherine van Wyler is accused of witchcraft and duly found guilty. She is cruelly punished and sentenced to death. Fast forward to present day and Katherine is still walking the streets of Black Springs; wrapped in chains, eyes and mouth stitched closed, she haunts this cursed town, from which there is no escape. 

The story is told from four points of view. We have Tyler, a teenager who has had enough of the restrictions of living in a hexed community. Tyler's dad, Steve, a doctor who feels guilty for bringing his family to live in Black Springs and whose conscious doesn't allow him to agree with many of the town's ideals. Griselda, a broken woman who worships the witch out of fear. And Grim, who is in charge of surveillance, and keeping the town quarantined. 

The towns people are scared of the witch, and try at all costs to keep her existence a secret from the rest of the world.  They know that her eyes and mouth should never be opened, for that would bring about unimaginable peril. 

Hex is a terrifying book! Katherine has stayed with me and has wandered through my nightmares, trailing horror and destruction in her wake. As we get to know the characters and the story builds, so does the dread and fear. This is a fantasy horror story, that will chill you to the bone. 

However, it isn't just the supernatural aspect that gnawed away at me, that had me staring into the night with questions and fear racing through my mind. What I found more alarming were the human reactions, the mass hysteria that made people behave in an unforgivable way. When people who knew right from wrong turned a blind eye out of fear, when friends and neighbours lashed out at each other, instead of coming together against their common enemy. In out darkest hour are we all truly capable of evil? 


I received a copy of Hex from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.



isbn: 978144479215
Publisher: Hodder Books 
Published in the UK: 28th April 2016
This is a translation, written and previously published in Dutch.

Slenderman, Slenderman, Take This Child by Lee McGeorge

                                      Slenderman, Slenderman, Take This Child
                                                      by Lee McGeorge   

                                                       

Jemima Collins is twelve years old when she loses a parent in a tragic accident. She's heartbroken, feeling abandoned, alone... what she doesn't know is that a monster is watching her. As Slenderman slithers his way into Jemima's life, sanity and reason are slowly left behind. What ensues is disaster, destruction and death.

                                              ****************************

Imagine your worst nightmare, now combine it with the most grim and spine chilling horror movie you have ever seen and you still won't have reached the sheer terrifying heights of Slenderman, Slenderman, Take  This Child.

Lee McGeorge has introduced Slenderman to a mythos of  his own creating The Twelve of Darkness. By combining the legend with aspects of the occult he has created a story so dark and disturbing, you'll need to sleep with the lights on.

The one aspect of this story that I found too disturbing was the sexual element. It had it's place in the story, and I can understand why it was there, but I found certain pages very distressing to read. However, despite this I still found this book intriguing, a fascinating read. 

I received a copy of Slenderman, Slenderman, Take This Child from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Nod by Adrian Barnes

                    Nod by Adrian Barnes

As soon as I read the premise for 'Nod' I knew that I needed to read it. So, when I received a copy from Titan Books I was very excited and this book did not disappoint. 

Vancouver is the chosen city to play out this nightmare, but what we're seeing on a small scale is happening worldwide! 

One night, almost no one in the world falls asleep. The few that do, all share the same golden dream. This happens again the following night, and so the terror and panic begins. WHAT is happening to the world's population? HOW can it be fixed? 

After six day of sleep deprivation, psychosis will set in, and after four weeks, the body will die. Terrifying statistics, especially when this is happening to you! A bizarre new world emerges, one were law and order are absent, and chaos and fear reign. 

Paul, our narrator, is a writer, and he is one of the few that are still able to sleep. It's through his eyes that we see this new world, through him that we recoil from the inevitable madness and decay and tremble at the unavoidable fear that accompanies this new reality.


This isn't a lighthearted read, there is a darkness to this story. An honest look into the soul of mankind, into how quickly we can turn into a relentless pack, baying for blood but never really knowing why. If we can so rapidly lose our humanity, do we ever really own it to begin with, or is it just a front that we use to make ourselves more comfortable in our own skin, and to look better to others? One of the things I love about Nod is just how much it made me, and is still making me think. It also made me realise just how fragile our reality really is! 

Would I be a Paul, a Sleeper, drawn to the golden dream? Or would I be one of the masses, heading unavoidably towards madness and death? How would I fit into this apocalyptic world? 

I've never read anything like this before, fascinating, intriguing and more than a bit horrifying. An extraordinary authentic read that will have me returning to it time and time again. 

Oh, and if you have the opportunity to read the author's essay My Cancer is as Strange as my Fiction, then please do so. ( but make sure you prepare your heart first )


isbn: 9781783298228
publisher: Titan Books 
publication date: 15th September 2015 
( originally published in 2012 by Bluemoose books )

I received a copy from Titan Books in exchange for an honest review. 

The Sport of Kings by C.E.Morgan

      The Sport of Kings by C.E.Morgan

The Forges are one of the oldest and proudest families in Kentucky, John Henry's son decides to step away from family tradition and turn the family's crop farm into a horse breeding farm. Henry and his daughter Henrietta strive to breed the perfect horse, but Henrietta has to ask herself if this is the life she desires, or if there is something else she wants for herself. 

Enter Allmon Shaughnessy, and an African-American man fresh from prison, he has a magic touch with horses, but is damaged by his past. Together the three of them will strive to create a new future, one where their horse Hellsmouth, is a champion but while they are fighting to design perfection, their histories are snapping at their heels trying to bring them down. 

                                      *************************************

When I received an advance reader copy of this book I was unsure. Horse breeding and horse racing? Not my usual interests. HOWEVER, I couldn't have been more wrong! This is one of  most beautifully written books I have ever read.  Rich with description and content, The Sport of Kings is a Majestic Masterpiece. 

From the opening paragraph that see's Henry Morgan running away from his father through the corn fields, to the inevitable cataclysmic end, I was captivated. 

This is a novel that presents to us the circle of life, the struggles humans face in this world we have created and a story of those strong enough to attempt to step off the inexorable path the circumstances of their birth put them upon and strike out towards a future of their own choosing. 

Journeying through this book I could feel the dust from the barns on my skin, I could smell the hay, see  Hellmouth's sublime perfection, hear the hooves of the horses racing, and taste the rich warm whiskey on my tongue. Every moment invaded my senses, drawing me mind, body and soul into the adventure. 

I admit there are parts that are difficult to read, the racism, aggression, sheer nastiness and disregard for human life teared at my heart. But every moment of this journey with Henry, Henrietta and Allmon is worth the heartache. Nothing I write could ever do this book justice, so please read it and discover for yourself the intensity and beauty that is The Sport of Kings.


isbn: 9780007313266
publisher: 4th Estate Books 
publication date: 5 May 2016

The Little Friend

     The Little Friend by Donna Tartt

The prologue was a door opening, beckoning me into this fascinating story and within a few pages I was captivated. 

For me, The Little Friend has a dreamlike quality. The story progressed, in at times a slow dragging pace and at others raced so swiftly I could barely catch my breath.

Nine year old Robin Cleves is murdered, and with this tragedy our story begins. His sisters Allison and Harriet are but four years old and a baby at the time and they have no memory of that day. But for the adults things are very different and life becomes a before and after. 

This is not a whodunnit, Robins death is at the core of everything but this is Harriet's story. Harriet's feelings, emotions, troubles and thoughts. Harriet's misunderstandings, rebellions and adventures. Harriet's determination and courage. This is the story of how miscommunication, exaggeration and neglect, can bring about devastating consequences. 

Robin's death and the mystery surrounding it is tangible throughout, the consequences reaching far into the future, from Charlotte's breakdown to Harriet's emotional distance to her family and her need for knowledge, fact and the truth. 

The characters are rich in detail, personality and nature. From Grandma Edie and the aunts with their small town lives, to the Radcliffe's and their inevitable cycle of self destruction. 

Walking through the Cleve household I could feel the dust on my feet, the unbearable heat suffocating me, the piled up newspapers and clutter forcing me to try and remain calm as claustrophobia closed in on me. 

I loved every page of this book and would recommend it to anyone who loves a story with depth and detail, with sadness and despair, with heart and adventure, with soul. 



The Little Friend by Donna Tartt 
Published in 2002 by Bloomsbury publishing. 
isbn 9780747573647
I was given a copy of this book as a gift.

The Mermaids Singing

   The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid

Dr Tony Hill is a clinical psychologist, a profiler and with a serial  killer at large he is called in by the police who are desperate to apprehend this violent offender. 

This book will shock you, it will have you looking over your shoulder and double checking you've locked your doors at night! 

Dr Hill is a damaged man, fallible, but focused, determined, and a genius. As the story twists and turns, as the violence escalates and the fear felt by the community and the police becomes palpable my faith in Tony and detective inspector Carol Jordan grew. 

Told from the point of view of the different characters, you see humanity at it's worse but also at it's very best. The torture scenes are graphic, brutal, and incredibly unsettling but necessary to portray the depth of evil displayed by this killer. 

There were times that I HAD to put the book down and step away, as I could feel the evil seeping through the pages ( well, it felt like it, I had shivers running down my spine ). Brilliantly written, I am excited to read the rest of the books in this incredible series. 

I give The Mermaid Singing five stars ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ 
(the fact that it disturbed me on such a deep level was proof of the incredible gift the author has in telling a story ) 
isbn 978-0-00-813476-1
This edition was published in 2015 by Harper Collins
Originally published by Harper Collins in 1995
I won a copy of this book in a goodreads giveway .