Wakenhyrst

Superstition, folklore, religion, nature spirits, dreams, mania, guilt, demons, possession, Jesus, Satan, and depictions of the End Times - all of these elements swirl together in the murky backstory of a decades-old murder. It appears that Edmund Algernon Montague Stearne committed a murder by a notably odd method, witnessed only by his daughter Maud. What led to this killing? Mere madness? Religious mania? Or was he trying to destroy a witch? Is it possible that his actions were rational responses to true supernatural influences? This is Maud's tale, revealing her father's character and history as she tells the story of her coming of age, and her evolving relationship with her father during those years. But this isn't simply a bildungsroman - it's a thriller and a horror story, deliciously gothic and creepy, and with plenty of homages to classic tales of terror.Surely Edmund's name gives a nod to the wilderness horror of [b:Algernon Blackwood 17675395 Algernon Blackwood Algernon Blackwood https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1364864833l/17675395.SY75.jpg 24679132] (for here we have the ever-present fen, dangerous, untamable and full of pre-Christian magical energy), and [a:M.R. James 2995925 M.R. James https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1254798756p2/2995925.jpg]'s tales of medieval clerical treasures that bring more curse than fortune (an unexpected find in an old church - initially a great academic opportunity, but eventually a source of relentless haunting).I was also strongly reminded of [b:The Turn of the Screw 12948 The Turn of the Screw Henry James https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1567172392l/12948.SY75.jpg 990886] and sections of [b:Fingersmith 8913370 Fingersmith Sarah Waters https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1545241494l/8913370.SY75.jpg 1014113], which both present a girl trapped in an ancient pile of a house, with an undercurrent of sexuality that is repressed to the point of perversion. The former also lends its “supernatural events or unreliable narrator” elements, and the latter its juxtaposition of academic master and confined assistant.Finally, this certainly echoes [b:The Thirteenth Tale 40440 The Thirteenth Tale Diane Setterfield https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1346267826l/40440.SX50.jpg 849453], with its aged dame finally divulging unguessed family secrets to an inquiring outsider, against the backdrop of a creepy manse that may or may not have some supernatural inhabitants.Over and above the wonderfully gothic feel and the compelling mystery, this was un-put-down-able because Maud is so engaging and sympathetic. When she starts waking up to the adult world around her and trying to navigate using the paltry freedoms she's allowed, we can't help rooting for her.