Pine

This was an enjoyable read, although quite creepy at times. The descriptive writing was very good, making it a very atmospheric read! A perfect read for this time of year.

I felt really sorry for Lauren, not just because of her lonely home life what with her father having his issues, but her school life too.

I did feel like the ending was a little rushed, leaving a few questions unanswered.

Thank you to Pigeonhole and Francine Toon for the chance to read this book.

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. The creeping dread was palpable: an isolated town populated by misfits and weirdos, where you can fell the mulch underfoot, smell the rot in Lauren's ramshackle house, shiver at the dreich Scottish weather and sympathised with this poor bullied child with the disinterested father. When a mysterious lady in white keeps appearing but no one can remember seeing her it just adds to the tension and the atmosphere.

As things start to escalate in the second half of the book, things take a turn. Mysteries are just easily discarded, which is unsatisfying (the constantly locked front room contains nothing of interest, and is just unlocked one day, meh; the mother's ghost is just hard for people to contemplate, so they forget, according to the mad old lady down the street who also sees her) and the denoument seems rushed. It all feels like a bit of a let down after the incredible, subtle effects created in the first half.

I'd probably give it 3.5* but rounded it up because I have so much good will from the incredible set up. I just wish it had just maintained that level to the end.

2.5 stars

This was.....fine.

As a atmospheric, moody, autumn read this hits the mark - the writing and setting really give a dark, cold and sparse feeling, however it really lacked in the pacing and plot.

The setup of the story was so slow and long that it felt like it took up over half the book, then there's a disappearance as a plot point then all of a sudden it's all wrapped up and ends. The ending is very rushed so felt unsatisfying.

I will say I absolutely love the cover!