What do you think?
Rate this book
Ravens Gathering
As she let her gaze drift around her, she saw that there were more birds. Perhaps a dozen or so, perched among the trees that stood on the edge of the clearing. And yet more were arriving, swooping down through the gap overhead and landing on branches that overlooked them. The birds weren’t threatening, yet the sight of them all coming together in this dark and isolated spot was unnerving. Tanya reached a hand out towards Martin, and was relieved to feel him take it. She felt him move in behind her. After the uncertainty she’d experienced with him in a similar position only a few moments ago, she recognised the irony of her reaction. His closeness offered security.
“You know what they are, don’t you?”
A stranger’s arrival in a small village coincides with a tragic accident. For the Gates family in particular it’s more than a coincidence, but their unease increases following a brutal attack. As tensions rise, a dark past returns to haunt them and others, while newcomers to the village are drawn into a mystery with terrifying consequences. And no one can explain why the ravens are gathering.
Ravens Gathering twists and turns as the truth is gradually exposed in a gripping thriller with a supernatural edge to it.
“You know what they are, don’t you?”
A stranger’s arrival in a small village coincides with a tragic accident. For the Gates family in particular it’s more than a coincidence, but their unease increases following a brutal attack. As tensions rise, a dark past returns to haunt them and others, while newcomers to the village are drawn into a mystery with terrifying consequences. And no one can explain why the ravens are gathering.
Ravens Gathering twists and turns as the truth is gradually exposed in a gripping thriller with a supernatural edge to it.
390 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2012
5 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Graeme Cumming
4 books18 followersGraeme Cumming lives in Robin Hood country, and has spent most of his life immersed in fiction – books, TV, movies – turning to writing his own during his early teens.
With his interests in story-telling sparked by an excessive amount of time sitting in front of a black and white television, his tastes are varied. Influences ranged from the Irwin Allen shows (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, etc.) to ITC series (The Saint, The Champions, Randall and Hopkirk (deceased) and so many more), so the common theme was action and adventure, but crossed into territories including horror, fantasy and science fiction as well as crime and espionage.
This diverse interest in fiction continued with his reading and his discovery of the magical world of cinema. As a result, his stories don’t always fall into a specific genre, but will always maintain the style of a thriller.
When not writing, Graeme is an enthusiastic sailor (and, by default, swimmer), and enjoys off-road cycling and walking. He is past President and Education Director at Sheffield Speakers Club. Oh yes, and he reads (a lot) and loves the cinema.
With his interests in story-telling sparked by an excessive amount of time sitting in front of a black and white television, his tastes are varied. Influences ranged from the Irwin Allen shows (Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Lost in Space, etc.) to ITC series (The Saint, The Champions, Randall and Hopkirk (deceased) and so many more), so the common theme was action and adventure, but crossed into territories including horror, fantasy and science fiction as well as crime and espionage.
This diverse interest in fiction continued with his reading and his discovery of the magical world of cinema. As a result, his stories don’t always fall into a specific genre, but will always maintain the style of a thriller.
When not writing, Graeme is an enthusiastic sailor (and, by default, swimmer), and enjoys off-road cycling and walking. He is past President and Education Director at Sheffield Speakers Club. Oh yes, and he reads (a lot) and loves the cinema.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
January 8, 2017
Ravens Gathering starts off very steady with a dark and eerie feel to it. That darkness and eeriness continues through out.
Set in a small village you get that small community feel where everyone knows everyone’s business and strangers are not always welcomed. Through Ian’s arrival in the village we get to meet a lot of the residents as well as find out more about the area and the strange goings on with in it.
I have to admit it did feel like there was a bit of a struggle between genres in the story. The majority does read a lot like a horror/supernatural one but there are definite parts that felt more like a crime novel. I do like all these genres but it did slightly distract me as at times it did throw me.
The gatherings of the ravens had a very Hitchcock’s The Birds feel to it. It was quite creepy when they started to gather and unlike the characters, I would not have been hanging around!
There are a few gruesome parts in the story but it mainly has a mystery and suspense feel to it. The reader knows there is something very dark within the village which leads to a build up of tension waiting to find out exactly what it is. When you do find out it is certainly worth the wait.
Overall Ravens Gathering is a steady and enjoyable read. Definitely one for readers who like the darker genres.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
Set in a small village you get that small community feel where everyone knows everyone’s business and strangers are not always welcomed. Through Ian’s arrival in the village we get to meet a lot of the residents as well as find out more about the area and the strange goings on with in it.
I have to admit it did feel like there was a bit of a struggle between genres in the story. The majority does read a lot like a horror/supernatural one but there are definite parts that felt more like a crime novel. I do like all these genres but it did slightly distract me as at times it did throw me.
The gatherings of the ravens had a very Hitchcock’s The Birds feel to it. It was quite creepy when they started to gather and unlike the characters, I would not have been hanging around!
There are a few gruesome parts in the story but it mainly has a mystery and suspense feel to it. The reader knows there is something very dark within the village which leads to a build up of tension waiting to find out exactly what it is. When you do find out it is certainly worth the wait.
Overall Ravens Gathering is a steady and enjoyable read. Definitely one for readers who like the darker genres.
My thanks to the author for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
June 30, 2017
For me, to get all the stars in my review ratings a book has to do one of two things -be totally unputdownable or to surprise the hell out of me!! Ravens Gathering has the enviable honour of doing BOTH of those things! I couldn’t put this book down! I read the first 40% in one sitting then life got in the way and I had to stop reading for a day but that first session really built up the tension for me. I have to say though that it left me wondering where on earth the author was going with the storyline. There was such a menacing undertone but I couldn’t work out WHY!! There were a lot of characters to get to know which was why I wanted to keep reading so I could get them all straight in my head. Most of them were pretty unlikable and seemed to be hiding a multitude of secrets but I do have to say that I loved Tanya from the moment I met her! Her character was built up perfectly without becoming too much of a cliché and, although as a woman I should probably have disliked her actions and attitude intensely, I had a soft spot for her recognising the vulnerability hidden behind her motivation.
Then I read from 40% to the end! WTF?! I saw all the clues but had missed them big time and I was left speechless (yes I know, hard to believe!!). The last few chapters were dark, shocking and full of some very violent and disturbing scenes so do be warned!!! This author has one brilliantly warped imagination!! Mostly though, things aren’t implicitly described which I think is scarier as you tend to conjure up your own worst nightmares instead!
There is a visual feel to the village setting of this novel that inspired me to draw comparisons with a few films, mainly Straw Dogs and The Wicker Man (one of my favourite films-the 1973 version with Edward Woodward still scares the hell out of me!!) and I had to laugh as my first thought when the village pub was entered was also The Slaughtered Lamb from An American Werewolf in London which is mentioned by one of the characters later on.
I absolutely loved Ravens Gathering and am desperate to see if the village will be revisited by the author in any future books. I would like to just say that it’s very difficult to pigeon hole this novel into any particular genre so I would like to see Graeme Cumming branching out into something a little bit more commercial now he has published his all important, personal first book. He has an engaging writing style that is able to conjure up such visions with just a few choice phrases (I loved chapter 14 in part 4 so much I had to reread it-such an evocative observation) so I would love to see him reaching a wider audience bringing him the commercial success and recognition that he deserves.
Highly recommended by me!
Then I read from 40% to the end! WTF?! I saw all the clues but had missed them big time and I was left speechless (yes I know, hard to believe!!). The last few chapters were dark, shocking and full of some very violent and disturbing scenes so do be warned!!! This author has one brilliantly warped imagination!! Mostly though, things aren’t implicitly described which I think is scarier as you tend to conjure up your own worst nightmares instead!
There is a visual feel to the village setting of this novel that inspired me to draw comparisons with a few films, mainly Straw Dogs and The Wicker Man (one of my favourite films-the 1973 version with Edward Woodward still scares the hell out of me!!) and I had to laugh as my first thought when the village pub was entered was also The Slaughtered Lamb from An American Werewolf in London which is mentioned by one of the characters later on.
I absolutely loved Ravens Gathering and am desperate to see if the village will be revisited by the author in any future books. I would like to just say that it’s very difficult to pigeon hole this novel into any particular genre so I would like to see Graeme Cumming branching out into something a little bit more commercial now he has published his all important, personal first book. He has an engaging writing style that is able to conjure up such visions with just a few choice phrases (I loved chapter 14 in part 4 so much I had to reread it-such an evocative observation) so I would love to see him reaching a wider audience bringing him the commercial success and recognition that he deserves.
Highly recommended by me!
September 27, 2015
Ravens Gathering caught my eye with both title and cover; a mystery suggested, merely hinting at dark overtones but with little to place the book immediately within a predictable genre. That set the tone, as the story is neither trite nor predictable.
I seldom read thrillers and am not attracted to modern tales of horror. This one, however, is listed largely under fantasy.
The book opens with images that will be recognised by any adult who had a nightmare as a child… then takes you into a different kind of nightmare… an accident that could happen anywhere, to anyone. Or so it seems.
Martin’s arrival in the village is noticed. As an outsider of a mere fifteen years standing in my own village, I can say with confidence that the attitude of the villagers is perfectly portrayed… a nice blend of suspicion, appraisal and curiosity.
There is a history, a family history… and the reader is kept guessing at the secrets and skeletons in the family closet.
It is not long before disturbing things begin to occur under the shadow of tree and night… yet none of this is explicit, leaving much for the imagination to play with before the plot begins to be teased apart, little by little.
The setting of Raven’s Gathering is well drawn without too much detail, allowing the reader to fill in the gaps rather than having everything laid out mindlessly before them. The era is accurately portrayed and familiar. The book draws you in, almost in spite of yourself; most of the characters are not, for the most part, particularly likeable, but they are real and recognisable… these are people we meet every day and the writer has drawn heavily on his own experience.
You get the feeling that you could deduce much about the author himself from the way his characters are portrayed. This may be the one area that does not appeal to some. Coming from a business background, I recognise the techniques used by Ian and his wife. While they are pertinent to the characters, there is perhaps a little too much emphasis on their detail, though not enough to spoil the flow of the story… and they do provide an interesting secondary puzzle for the interested reader to pick apart.
The dialogue is well written and realistic, the formatting good and the story eerily enticing. The point of view from which the story is told shifts several times… and while I know that some dislike such shifts, to me it only adds depth and gives an edge to the suspense.
For me, the most impressive thing about Raven’s Gathering is the way that tension is allowed to build, quietly but steadily, against an apparently mundane backdrop. Financial difficulties, fractured families and fragile relationships are set against the foil of the small doings of everyday life and gossip in an English village. There is a restraint in the writing that is, to my mind, far better at creating real suspense than the current fashion for blood and gore poured over a page. The very normality of the setting stands in stark contrast to the darker psychological and supernatural elements of the story. It is believable… and all the more effective for that.
My only real criticism is the lack of a paperback version.
Graeme Cumming’s debut novel is a very British thriller and well worth reading.
I seldom read thrillers and am not attracted to modern tales of horror. This one, however, is listed largely under fantasy.
The book opens with images that will be recognised by any adult who had a nightmare as a child… then takes you into a different kind of nightmare… an accident that could happen anywhere, to anyone. Or so it seems.
Martin’s arrival in the village is noticed. As an outsider of a mere fifteen years standing in my own village, I can say with confidence that the attitude of the villagers is perfectly portrayed… a nice blend of suspicion, appraisal and curiosity.
There is a history, a family history… and the reader is kept guessing at the secrets and skeletons in the family closet.
It is not long before disturbing things begin to occur under the shadow of tree and night… yet none of this is explicit, leaving much for the imagination to play with before the plot begins to be teased apart, little by little.
The setting of Raven’s Gathering is well drawn without too much detail, allowing the reader to fill in the gaps rather than having everything laid out mindlessly before them. The era is accurately portrayed and familiar. The book draws you in, almost in spite of yourself; most of the characters are not, for the most part, particularly likeable, but they are real and recognisable… these are people we meet every day and the writer has drawn heavily on his own experience.
You get the feeling that you could deduce much about the author himself from the way his characters are portrayed. This may be the one area that does not appeal to some. Coming from a business background, I recognise the techniques used by Ian and his wife. While they are pertinent to the characters, there is perhaps a little too much emphasis on their detail, though not enough to spoil the flow of the story… and they do provide an interesting secondary puzzle for the interested reader to pick apart.
The dialogue is well written and realistic, the formatting good and the story eerily enticing. The point of view from which the story is told shifts several times… and while I know that some dislike such shifts, to me it only adds depth and gives an edge to the suspense.
For me, the most impressive thing about Raven’s Gathering is the way that tension is allowed to build, quietly but steadily, against an apparently mundane backdrop. Financial difficulties, fractured families and fragile relationships are set against the foil of the small doings of everyday life and gossip in an English village. There is a restraint in the writing that is, to my mind, far better at creating real suspense than the current fashion for blood and gore poured over a page. The very normality of the setting stands in stark contrast to the darker psychological and supernatural elements of the story. It is believable… and all the more effective for that.
My only real criticism is the lack of a paperback version.
Graeme Cumming’s debut novel is a very British thriller and well worth reading.
April 21, 2016
My rating 4 stars.
https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/201...
This is a very ambitious first novel, and on the whole Graeme Cumming does a fantastic job, creating a novel which is both highly imaginative, and unusual in many respects. The dialogue is believable, as is the detail in the various innocuous, homely settings: the pub, the farms, and this close knit English village.
Ravens Gathering does a shape shift through several different genres, embracing fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, police procedural, thriller, and horror.
The main character Martin Gates returns to this community, his home after a long time abroad. Martin’s reappearance is not welcomed with open arms by his family, in fact they appear to view his reappearance as something to avoid rather than embrace. To begin with Martin is a difficult character to engage with. His character is somewhat obtuse, but there are reasons for this, which become apparent as we read the book and realise why he is the way he is. We do get a sense of his outrage about being so unloved and uncared for by his family, and yet to begin with we have no idea why this the case. We can only speculate, but there’s no way that our speculations will be correct.
Equally, Tanya, and Ian aren’t particularly appealing either, and neither are Martin’s family. The further we get into the book it seems more and more likely that everyone in Ravens Gathering are flawed in some unique and individual way. The key words that initially come to mind are: selfish, shady, desperate for sexual diversions, or damaged in some way.
The story unfolds slowly with a considerable amount of detail, making events more real. Shocking and disturbing revelations in the latter part of the novel don’t come as a complete surprise given the underlying sense of a community where something is terribly amiss. Nevertheless I had no idea of what was coming, and the shock factor of what did surprised, and appalled me in equal measure. This is a novel where you can’t help but go WTF!!!!!
The characters for the most part are not particularly lovable which initially distances the reader from them but that’s not meant as a criticism, in fact under the circumstances having read the story one realises why this is the case.
The bad guy is about as horrible, wicked, and debauched a villain as you can get.
This is a very complicated story that remains in your psyche for some time afterwards. It winds its way stretching the believability of the fantastical elements to the max, edging the story to its conclusion.
My recommendation: Definitely an author to watch out for, a well written, confident debut. Read if you like mysterious thrillers with a fantastical, but deeply shocking element.
https://kyrosmagica.wordpress.com/201...
This is a very ambitious first novel, and on the whole Graeme Cumming does a fantastic job, creating a novel which is both highly imaginative, and unusual in many respects. The dialogue is believable, as is the detail in the various innocuous, homely settings: the pub, the farms, and this close knit English village.
Ravens Gathering does a shape shift through several different genres, embracing fantasy, mystery, sci-fi, police procedural, thriller, and horror.
The main character Martin Gates returns to this community, his home after a long time abroad. Martin’s reappearance is not welcomed with open arms by his family, in fact they appear to view his reappearance as something to avoid rather than embrace. To begin with Martin is a difficult character to engage with. His character is somewhat obtuse, but there are reasons for this, which become apparent as we read the book and realise why he is the way he is. We do get a sense of his outrage about being so unloved and uncared for by his family, and yet to begin with we have no idea why this the case. We can only speculate, but there’s no way that our speculations will be correct.
Equally, Tanya, and Ian aren’t particularly appealing either, and neither are Martin’s family. The further we get into the book it seems more and more likely that everyone in Ravens Gathering are flawed in some unique and individual way. The key words that initially come to mind are: selfish, shady, desperate for sexual diversions, or damaged in some way.
The story unfolds slowly with a considerable amount of detail, making events more real. Shocking and disturbing revelations in the latter part of the novel don’t come as a complete surprise given the underlying sense of a community where something is terribly amiss. Nevertheless I had no idea of what was coming, and the shock factor of what did surprised, and appalled me in equal measure. This is a novel where you can’t help but go WTF!!!!!
The characters for the most part are not particularly lovable which initially distances the reader from them but that’s not meant as a criticism, in fact under the circumstances having read the story one realises why this is the case.
The bad guy is about as horrible, wicked, and debauched a villain as you can get.
This is a very complicated story that remains in your psyche for some time afterwards. It winds its way stretching the believability of the fantastical elements to the max, edging the story to its conclusion.
My recommendation: Definitely an author to watch out for, a well written, confident debut. Read if you like mysterious thrillers with a fantastical, but deeply shocking element.
August 27, 2020
I went into this book blind, by this I mean I didn't read the synopsis immediately prior to starting it so I was unsure what to expect. From a dark, eerie and very creepy start, it took me on a journey that I found myself very quickly wrapped up in.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say I really enjoyed it as it crossed genres. A mix of suspense, family secrets a little fantasy and a sense of an underlying ominous sense of something nasty lurking around the edges.
The main character is Martin Gates, he has returned to his childhood home after being away for many years. He hasn't been in touch with his family in all this time. So his arrival is tinged with a sense of nervousness and also apprehension. Returning to a village community I would expect to see something along the lines of being asked how you are, or its been a while but no. Not in this village. Strangers are met with a silence and wariness that borders on being almost hostile. The only spirit is found in the pub in a bottle, a pub that falls silent when unknown people enter.
The author built up such a sense of foreboding and an air of suspense with this story as I was unsure what was actually happening and what route the story would take. But through this, I was still hooked on the atmospherics, the mistrust, the strange occurrences and too many coincidences. It was further into the story that I began to see how the various threads were gradually linked together. It led me to a story that was dark, secretive, mysterious and quite creepy.
This was such a good book to read as I really enjoyed the suspense that was woven through along with the eerie atmosphere. As I read, I was aware that there were many things that were unknown to me, but the author did a fantastic job of gradually filling in the gaps and also putting back on the right track when I was caught out by the red herrings.
A wonderful book that is a mix of things but one that absolutely captured my attention so that I read it over two sittings. A book that ticked many boxes for me and one that I would definitely recommend.
This is the first book I have read by this author and I have to say I really enjoyed it as it crossed genres. A mix of suspense, family secrets a little fantasy and a sense of an underlying ominous sense of something nasty lurking around the edges.
The main character is Martin Gates, he has returned to his childhood home after being away for many years. He hasn't been in touch with his family in all this time. So his arrival is tinged with a sense of nervousness and also apprehension. Returning to a village community I would expect to see something along the lines of being asked how you are, or its been a while but no. Not in this village. Strangers are met with a silence and wariness that borders on being almost hostile. The only spirit is found in the pub in a bottle, a pub that falls silent when unknown people enter.
The author built up such a sense of foreboding and an air of suspense with this story as I was unsure what was actually happening and what route the story would take. But through this, I was still hooked on the atmospherics, the mistrust, the strange occurrences and too many coincidences. It was further into the story that I began to see how the various threads were gradually linked together. It led me to a story that was dark, secretive, mysterious and quite creepy.
This was such a good book to read as I really enjoyed the suspense that was woven through along with the eerie atmosphere. As I read, I was aware that there were many things that were unknown to me, but the author did a fantastic job of gradually filling in the gaps and also putting back on the right track when I was caught out by the red herrings.
A wonderful book that is a mix of things but one that absolutely captured my attention so that I read it over two sittings. A book that ticked many boxes for me and one that I would definitely recommend.
September 19, 2018
That prologue and that opening chapter sent the chills straight down my spine and I just knew what a treat I would be in for. This book had it to a tee! It did flit between the supernatural and spine-tingly scares to disturbing and the dark to a crime mystery at times, so you need do need to concentrate on this book, but I found time just flew by as I was turning page after page.
The book is set in a village where everyone knows everyone and outsiders, well pack your bags and scaddle please you just are not welcome here! The characters are flawed, and you see just how much by the reappearance of Martin Gates, on a day where there has been such turbulence (I was eating my lunch at the time – do not eat when reading my word of advice!).
This book is definitely in my OMG, jaw drop list because even though you think you know what is going on within the odd little community, actually you don’t. Passages in your head mean one thing, and it is only, later on, you realise they mean something completely different. Near the end of the book, it becomes darker as it ramps up and becomes slightly disturbing and sinister. The end, well not even going to talk about it, read it to find out! The tension in this book builds and to read at night, a windy night like I always do, was not the done thing! It plays on your imagination, and boy my imagination ran riot with this book.
I have always loved reading books from multiple points of view, which this book does, as you get a whole better experience learning about the community and the individual and what they perceive. I love little insights into their mind as you never quite know what to expect.
I absolutely loved this book and I fully expect to see more from Graeme with his writing style you could get lost in the book so easily.
Just remember when Raven’s gather RUN!
The book is set in a village where everyone knows everyone and outsiders, well pack your bags and scaddle please you just are not welcome here! The characters are flawed, and you see just how much by the reappearance of Martin Gates, on a day where there has been such turbulence (I was eating my lunch at the time – do not eat when reading my word of advice!).
This book is definitely in my OMG, jaw drop list because even though you think you know what is going on within the odd little community, actually you don’t. Passages in your head mean one thing, and it is only, later on, you realise they mean something completely different. Near the end of the book, it becomes darker as it ramps up and becomes slightly disturbing and sinister. The end, well not even going to talk about it, read it to find out! The tension in this book builds and to read at night, a windy night like I always do, was not the done thing! It plays on your imagination, and boy my imagination ran riot with this book.
I have always loved reading books from multiple points of view, which this book does, as you get a whole better experience learning about the community and the individual and what they perceive. I love little insights into their mind as you never quite know what to expect.
I absolutely loved this book and I fully expect to see more from Graeme with his writing style you could get lost in the book so easily.
Just remember when Raven’s gather RUN!
August 7, 2018
Wow! This book feels like a horror / supernatural but I think it was crime fiction in places.
There was a lovely dark eerie feeling throughout and it made me uncomfortable (in a good way).
Telling the story via a number of different characters was very clever. The author played around with tension using this technique and it worked.
Loved the dark secrets buried within the characters and I never felt far away from evil.
Really enjoyable read!
This author needs to write crime fiction!
There was a lovely dark eerie feeling throughout and it made me uncomfortable (in a good way).
Telling the story via a number of different characters was very clever. The author played around with tension using this technique and it worked.
Loved the dark secrets buried within the characters and I never felt far away from evil.
Really enjoyable read!
This author needs to write crime fiction!
May 19, 2014
I really enjoyed Ravens Gathering. Graeme Cumming captures perfectly life in a close-nit hamlet. When one of their own returns, strange things start to happen and it is the newcomer and outsiders that shoulder the blame, at least at first.
From the insular outlook, mistrust of outsiders and the ongoing friction between locals; everything has an air of authenticity about it. History weighs heavily on all, and it’s only during the second half of the book that you truly begin to understand why.
While the writing style is straightforward, Cumming likes to play tricks on his readers, meaning passages you thought you understood are revealed to have a different meaning later on. If, like me, you enjoy piecing a story together as you read and having your initial expectations confounded, you’ll enjoy Ravens Gathering.
From the insular outlook, mistrust of outsiders and the ongoing friction between locals; everything has an air of authenticity about it. History weighs heavily on all, and it’s only during the second half of the book that you truly begin to understand why.
While the writing style is straightforward, Cumming likes to play tricks on his readers, meaning passages you thought you understood are revealed to have a different meaning later on. If, like me, you enjoy piecing a story together as you read and having your initial expectations confounded, you’ll enjoy Ravens Gathering.
September 7, 2016
I enjoyed Ravens Gathering. It`s village setting was brilliantly bang on reality. The opening was something we can all understand, having childhood nightmares. The twists and turns had me stop and think a few times, with a "Oh my god," whisper. When it all worked out it was a horrific thought that this was who the villain really was. I enjoyed this book very much and would recommend it.
October 18, 2018
“ And they lapsed into an uncomfortable silence, neither knowing what to say to the other. Neither knowing what they should do. Until the cawing began. It didn't last long, only a few seconds. But the sound tore through them like slashing blades. Terrified, they looked across at the ravens, in time to see them rise from their perches and, in the effortless way that birds do, soar above the trees, then wheel away and disappear from view.
For a few moments, they watched the treetops, waiting for the birds to come back into sight. When they didn't, the two men felt the tension begin to ebb away, started to hope that it had all been a matter of their imaginations running wild.
The hope was short-lived.
"Hello Dad." ”
Ravens Gathering is set in the 1980s, and before I start my review, I'm going to make some brazen '80s references to help readers decide if they should embark on this tale, or not. So, if you are channelling your inner Mary Whitehouse, Mavis Wilton or Adrian Mole, (i.e. if you are easily offended, have delicate sensibilities, or are a touch on the young side), you'll probably want to read something else, if you wish to preserve and nurture your innocence!
Fortunately (or, possibly, disturbingly), I am none of those things, and I was excited to read 'Ravens Gathering', based a personal recommendation from my friend. It sounded like a dark and macabre read, right up my street, and perfect for my seasonal spooky reading list.
The first chapter sets the scene effectively; it's a horrifying dream, experienced by a child. There is a sense of coercion and ritual; an unusual and dark rhythm with which to begin. I was already sitting in the camp of those who compare this to 'The Wicker Man'.
The story then shifts to a rural Nottinghamshire village called Ravens Gathering, in the 1980s. I am from South Yorkshire, and so already, the location spoke to me. I felt like I could already know this village; friendly enough, but under the surface, insular and suspicious of strangers.
Martin Gates, whose family live in the village, makes a sudden, and apparently unwelcome, appearance in Ravens Gathering, after having spent a long time abroad. He soon attracts the attention of Tanya McLean, and afterwards, her husband Ian. They have lived in Ravens Gathering for some time, but are still considered outsiders. Martin moves into their farmhouse, as he has nowhere else to stay, and it is an arrangement which seems to suit them all. To begin with...
It is easy to make assumptions about the characters, and to suspect who is behind the gruesome occurrences which have recently started happening. The characters are well described and I could visualise them, and everything going on around them, but I can't say that I particularly liked any of them, apart from Claire. I am sure this is intentional on the part of the author, as he holds a lot back for the final third of the book. It's full of energy and is fast paced; indeed positive and negative energies are explored at some length; the destructive and divisive effects of the negative, and the reconstructive and redemptive powers of the positive.
The writing style seems to be straightforward. You could easily be lulled into thinking that you are being shown and told everything, but you would be mistaken. The plot takes so many twists and turns, that you almost meet yourself coming back.
There are so many mysteries to be solved here, and there are subtle clues placed strategically. I needed to go back and forth in the book to check what I could have missed!
Essentially though, what I took from it in the end, was the importance of family and community. A feeling of belonging. And this I wasn't expecting; the mysteries, the ominous build up, the horror, the unsettling experiences, and yet, somehow, I ended up with a warm feeling.
For a few moments, they watched the treetops, waiting for the birds to come back into sight. When they didn't, the two men felt the tension begin to ebb away, started to hope that it had all been a matter of their imaginations running wild.
The hope was short-lived.
"Hello Dad." ”
Ravens Gathering is set in the 1980s, and before I start my review, I'm going to make some brazen '80s references to help readers decide if they should embark on this tale, or not. So, if you are channelling your inner Mary Whitehouse, Mavis Wilton or Adrian Mole, (i.e. if you are easily offended, have delicate sensibilities, or are a touch on the young side), you'll probably want to read something else, if you wish to preserve and nurture your innocence!
Fortunately (or, possibly, disturbingly), I am none of those things, and I was excited to read 'Ravens Gathering', based a personal recommendation from my friend. It sounded like a dark and macabre read, right up my street, and perfect for my seasonal spooky reading list.
The first chapter sets the scene effectively; it's a horrifying dream, experienced by a child. There is a sense of coercion and ritual; an unusual and dark rhythm with which to begin. I was already sitting in the camp of those who compare this to 'The Wicker Man'.
The story then shifts to a rural Nottinghamshire village called Ravens Gathering, in the 1980s. I am from South Yorkshire, and so already, the location spoke to me. I felt like I could already know this village; friendly enough, but under the surface, insular and suspicious of strangers.
Martin Gates, whose family live in the village, makes a sudden, and apparently unwelcome, appearance in Ravens Gathering, after having spent a long time abroad. He soon attracts the attention of Tanya McLean, and afterwards, her husband Ian. They have lived in Ravens Gathering for some time, but are still considered outsiders. Martin moves into their farmhouse, as he has nowhere else to stay, and it is an arrangement which seems to suit them all. To begin with...
It is easy to make assumptions about the characters, and to suspect who is behind the gruesome occurrences which have recently started happening. The characters are well described and I could visualise them, and everything going on around them, but I can't say that I particularly liked any of them, apart from Claire. I am sure this is intentional on the part of the author, as he holds a lot back for the final third of the book. It's full of energy and is fast paced; indeed positive and negative energies are explored at some length; the destructive and divisive effects of the negative, and the reconstructive and redemptive powers of the positive.
The writing style seems to be straightforward. You could easily be lulled into thinking that you are being shown and told everything, but you would be mistaken. The plot takes so many twists and turns, that you almost meet yourself coming back.
There are so many mysteries to be solved here, and there are subtle clues placed strategically. I needed to go back and forth in the book to check what I could have missed!
Essentially though, what I took from it in the end, was the importance of family and community. A feeling of belonging. And this I wasn't expecting; the mysteries, the ominous build up, the horror, the unsettling experiences, and yet, somehow, I ended up with a warm feeling.
October 3, 2018
This novel was unlike anything I’ve read before, although it had elements of other books and movies I have loved in the past. At the beginning it made me think of The Wicker Man, then there was a part that brought to mind The Midwich Cuckoos by John Wyndham (one of my favourite authors ever). There was another scene later that gave me a flashback to Straw Dogs, but at the same time this book is something completely unique.
I was totally gripped from the beginning, with intrigue, interest, but mostly a creeping and unsettling tension that bloomed to full on horror as the book progressed, but for most of the book I could not tell you why I was so very unsettled. The tension was insidious and all encompassing, but there was nothing overtly horrifying about the story to begin. This was why it reminded me of The Wicker Man, I think.
The plot was very twisty and confusing, but this was obviously deliberately done. I had no idea what was happening or who was trustworthy and who wasn’t, which made certain events in the book all the more unexpected and shocking when they came. A couple of times I had to go back and reread a couple of chapters after happenings further on had totally spun previous events on their head in the light of the new information. In fact, I think I need to reread the whole book now I know how it ends, so I can hoover up all the clues that I clearly missed the first time around. It is really cleverly structured; it’s not often I am so completely bamboozled by a book as I was by this one. I bet Graeme is really good at crosswords, although I think his brain might be a slightly scary place to be sometimes!
This book has elements of crime, horror, fantasy and the supernatural. In places it is very twisted and explicitly violent, but everything was done in support of the story and not gratuitously. The writing reminded me in a positive way of some of Stephen King’s work, and there can’t really be higher praise than that, since I believe King is pretty much a genius.
This book isn’t going to be for everyone, but for anyone who likes a creepy, Gothic horror of a novel with a supernatural twist, this is a must read.
I was totally gripped from the beginning, with intrigue, interest, but mostly a creeping and unsettling tension that bloomed to full on horror as the book progressed, but for most of the book I could not tell you why I was so very unsettled. The tension was insidious and all encompassing, but there was nothing overtly horrifying about the story to begin. This was why it reminded me of The Wicker Man, I think.
The plot was very twisty and confusing, but this was obviously deliberately done. I had no idea what was happening or who was trustworthy and who wasn’t, which made certain events in the book all the more unexpected and shocking when they came. A couple of times I had to go back and reread a couple of chapters after happenings further on had totally spun previous events on their head in the light of the new information. In fact, I think I need to reread the whole book now I know how it ends, so I can hoover up all the clues that I clearly missed the first time around. It is really cleverly structured; it’s not often I am so completely bamboozled by a book as I was by this one. I bet Graeme is really good at crosswords, although I think his brain might be a slightly scary place to be sometimes!
This book has elements of crime, horror, fantasy and the supernatural. In places it is very twisted and explicitly violent, but everything was done in support of the story and not gratuitously. The writing reminded me in a positive way of some of Stephen King’s work, and there can’t really be higher praise than that, since I believe King is pretty much a genius.
This book isn’t going to be for everyone, but for anyone who likes a creepy, Gothic horror of a novel with a supernatural twist, this is a must read.
January 28, 2019
Martin Gates suffers from a recurring nightmare. In the dream his 8-year old self is awoken by the call of the drums. He follows the sound to a clearing in the woods in his home village where he is confronted by a horrific and traumatic sight. Unfortunately, Martin is never able to identify the source of his horror. He has experienced the dreams, on and off, throughout his life but recently they have become more and more frequent. Martin feels he is being called back to his home village.
Martin travels home and is not given a hero’s welcome by either the people of the village or his own family. In fact, he is actively rejected by his family who do not want to see him. His unexpected arrival coincides with a terrible accident by a physically disabled member of the community and he becomes a suspect in the case.
Martin meets Tanya, the attractive but bored and resentful wife of an older man who bought one of the local farms and is building houses to sell on the land. Tanya invites Martin to stay in their guest accommodation. Martin’s presence in their home has the unfortunate result of drawing the unhappy couple into his investigation into the source of his dreams and the reason he felt compelled to return to his home town.
Martin is not the only recent arrival in the village. Someone far more evil has arrived and he is determined to carry out his own agenda and make the villagers suffer as much as possible.
I loved this book of just over 500 pages. I thought this was a well-written, entertaining and unique storyline and I was impressed that I did not get bored or skip pages throughout my reading of this book.
Martin is an interesting character and the author certainly leads the readers on a bit of a song and dance before revealing Martin’s more admirable character traits. I grew to like Martin more and more as the book progressed. Tanya was a spoiled and silly woman but, when the chips were down, she responded most sensibly and showed loyalty and love for her estranged husband.
This book is not for people who are sensitive as there are parts of this story that are very brutal and almost depraved. All in, I thought this was an excellent read and would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good horror story.
Martin travels home and is not given a hero’s welcome by either the people of the village or his own family. In fact, he is actively rejected by his family who do not want to see him. His unexpected arrival coincides with a terrible accident by a physically disabled member of the community and he becomes a suspect in the case.
Martin meets Tanya, the attractive but bored and resentful wife of an older man who bought one of the local farms and is building houses to sell on the land. Tanya invites Martin to stay in their guest accommodation. Martin’s presence in their home has the unfortunate result of drawing the unhappy couple into his investigation into the source of his dreams and the reason he felt compelled to return to his home town.
Martin is not the only recent arrival in the village. Someone far more evil has arrived and he is determined to carry out his own agenda and make the villagers suffer as much as possible.
I loved this book of just over 500 pages. I thought this was a well-written, entertaining and unique storyline and I was impressed that I did not get bored or skip pages throughout my reading of this book.
Martin is an interesting character and the author certainly leads the readers on a bit of a song and dance before revealing Martin’s more admirable character traits. I grew to like Martin more and more as the book progressed. Tanya was a spoiled and silly woman but, when the chips were down, she responded most sensibly and showed loyalty and love for her estranged husband.
This book is not for people who are sensitive as there are parts of this story that are very brutal and almost depraved. All in, I thought this was an excellent read and would recommend this book to readers who enjoy a good horror story.
September 19, 2018
This is a highly engaging and extremely well written mystery novel. We are introduced to a myriad of characters that all dwell within Raven's Gathering, a small "village" in the UK where the population is small and the closeness among the people begins to get downright awkward.
An estranged ex-village member, Martin Gates, returns to Raven's Gathering and things start to get weird. People are unruly attacking one another with harsh comments, animals and people are coming up hurt or killed, and there's even a stolen military bomb to top off all the excitement.
Martin is an interesting and provocative character that has you sucked in from the very beginning. He sweeps into town like a long-lost ghost, and is treating as such by his own family who just want him to leave. He comes back with a plan in mind, but until it's revealed you have no idea what you're involved in. With his family having disowned him and nowhere to stay while he is in town "visiting", he sets himself up in the home of Tanya and Ian McLean. They are not your average village dwellers and moved there only a few years ago from the city.
They are as captivated by Martin's unique appeal as the villagers are appalled by it. As the mystery continues to develop, disturbing twists and surprising turns will keep you turning page after page.
The Raven's are certainly gathering ... but what for? Just wait and find out!
An estranged ex-village member, Martin Gates, returns to Raven's Gathering and things start to get weird. People are unruly attacking one another with harsh comments, animals and people are coming up hurt or killed, and there's even a stolen military bomb to top off all the excitement.
Martin is an interesting and provocative character that has you sucked in from the very beginning. He sweeps into town like a long-lost ghost, and is treating as such by his own family who just want him to leave. He comes back with a plan in mind, but until it's revealed you have no idea what you're involved in. With his family having disowned him and nowhere to stay while he is in town "visiting", he sets himself up in the home of Tanya and Ian McLean. They are not your average village dwellers and moved there only a few years ago from the city.
They are as captivated by Martin's unique appeal as the villagers are appalled by it. As the mystery continues to develop, disturbing twists and surprising turns will keep you turning page after page.
The Raven's are certainly gathering ... but what for? Just wait and find out!
September 20, 2018
The first thing that drew me to Graeme's book was the cover, it's rather eerie and totally fitting for this book!
When the birds descend you know nothing good is going to happen....and you'd be right. Ravens Gathering isn't my usual read but the blurb (and cover) grabbed me and it didn't let me go until I finished the very last page. Now make sure you set aside time to read this because you will NOT be putting it down, disconnect the phone, feed the family and then lock yourself away! Graeme pulled me into his world, he wove a web so 'real' that I didn't want to leave (well maybe for the birds). His detail, description and characters left me wanting more and more.... please say there will be more?!?
I really don't want to give too much away as I want you to go into this book wanting and needing to know what the next page will hold, and trust me it won't disappoint!
Highly recommend and very easily a 5 golden apples read for me :)
When the birds descend you know nothing good is going to happen....and you'd be right. Ravens Gathering isn't my usual read but the blurb (and cover) grabbed me and it didn't let me go until I finished the very last page. Now make sure you set aside time to read this because you will NOT be putting it down, disconnect the phone, feed the family and then lock yourself away! Graeme pulled me into his world, he wove a web so 'real' that I didn't want to leave (well maybe for the birds). His detail, description and characters left me wanting more and more.... please say there will be more?!?
I really don't want to give too much away as I want you to go into this book wanting and needing to know what the next page will hold, and trust me it won't disappoint!
Highly recommend and very easily a 5 golden apples read for me :)
August 25, 2018
Martin has returned home. Home to a place that is now very different. We don’t know why he left but get the feeling that it was under rather a cloud. On his return his father sends his brother over to the pub to make sure that they don’t give him a room for the night- they have told him that their house is already full. He comes across Tanya who has guest accomodation. They take a walk into the woods and see the ravens gathering- the name of the village. What does it mean? Peter working on the land saw a few ravens and before he know it despite him being so very careful the tractor he had been driving a few minutes ago literally ploughs over him. This has the feel of a dark read from the outset. Hitchcock’s The Birds easily comes to mind for those who remember it(the book even mentions this) A slightly horror, dark, sci-fi read with a touch of mystery and crime- a book that truly crosses the genres. A village that you get the feeling everyone knows everyone else’s business and nothing but nothing goes unnoticed. The descriptions from the outset put you well into the scenes, this is very well written and exceptionally so for a first novel- I was stunned that it is Graeme’s first novel. A very different read, one that I think would suit more people than one genre alone. I didn’t see where this was going and once into it , I really enjoyed it and wanted to know more. A very different read, a very interesting one.
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blog
For more reviews please see my blog http://nickibookblog.blog
February 7, 2018
I have to say that this book was quite a ride. After a fairly comfortable start, with clues about what was to come gently dropped and barely noticed, the entire book changed direction shortly after the halfway mark, everything became very uncomfortable indeed, and I found myself clinging on for dear life but totally committed to the story. So, what exactly was it? Yes, it is a thriller – undoubtedly it could be described as a psychological thriller if you close one eye and ignore a few other key elements. There’s police procedural here too, really well done, with a clever shift of viewpoint and focus. There’s horror too – yes, I know I don’t “do” horror, but it crept up on me. What’s more there’s a touch of science fiction too, and a whole lot of that supernatural stuff that I don’t usually touch with a bargepole. So what was it? Heavens above, I have no idea – but I do know how very much I enjoyed it.
Let’s take a step back for a moment into the more comfortable territory, nearer the start. We could almost be in Emmerdale – the pub, the post office, the church, vicarage, graveyard, the new houses being built, the outsiders like Ian and Tanya finding it difficult to be accepted. The character establishment is absolutely excellent, and their proliferation no problem at all, as we’re introduced, get the views of others, and feel that this is a community, a group of individuals, that we’re really getting to know. And then comes the stranger – who isn’t a stranger at all, but causes fear to so many, and for no apparent reason. It’s not fear he arouses in Tanya – but that’s a whole other thread of the story, and so well done.
The story isn’t told from a single viewpoint, and that’s really cleverly done – sometimes shifts like that make a reader uncomfortable, but that’s exactly what you’re meant to be. Very cleverly, the author cranks up the tension – using those shifts of viewpoint – but you never really feel you’re being manipulated. If you reach a certain point in this book and you’re still invested in the story – and I defy you not to be – then all the strange twists that come thereafter will carry you forward, and you won’t want to put the book down before it ends (and I speak from experience).
This isn’t a book for the faint-hearted – there’s absolute evil here, and some shocking scenes, but there’s kindness and goodness too, and that balance is well maintained. The tension and suspense is sometimes unbearable – but it doesn’t stop the author focusing on the finer detail, making sure you have the full picture, before things are ramped up another few notches, and then a few more. If I have a criticism, it’s of that very attention to descriptive detail – every scene is lingered over, creating a photograph, maybe a film set, when you’d sometimes like to get back to the action. But that slow exposition really works – without it, that atmosphere created might be just a little too much, and the shocks more lacking in explosive impact.
My reading hasn’t always been on the lighter side – in my younger days I did have a flirtation with early Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert. Had they lived in Nottinghamshire, this is a book any of them could have written, and been proud of. When I walked out this afternoon, I felt very uneasy seeing the dark shadows of birds in the trees – and that feeling isn’t going to go away any time soon. Quite an experience – and a thoroughly excellent read.
Let’s take a step back for a moment into the more comfortable territory, nearer the start. We could almost be in Emmerdale – the pub, the post office, the church, vicarage, graveyard, the new houses being built, the outsiders like Ian and Tanya finding it difficult to be accepted. The character establishment is absolutely excellent, and their proliferation no problem at all, as we’re introduced, get the views of others, and feel that this is a community, a group of individuals, that we’re really getting to know. And then comes the stranger – who isn’t a stranger at all, but causes fear to so many, and for no apparent reason. It’s not fear he arouses in Tanya – but that’s a whole other thread of the story, and so well done.
The story isn’t told from a single viewpoint, and that’s really cleverly done – sometimes shifts like that make a reader uncomfortable, but that’s exactly what you’re meant to be. Very cleverly, the author cranks up the tension – using those shifts of viewpoint – but you never really feel you’re being manipulated. If you reach a certain point in this book and you’re still invested in the story – and I defy you not to be – then all the strange twists that come thereafter will carry you forward, and you won’t want to put the book down before it ends (and I speak from experience).
This isn’t a book for the faint-hearted – there’s absolute evil here, and some shocking scenes, but there’s kindness and goodness too, and that balance is well maintained. The tension and suspense is sometimes unbearable – but it doesn’t stop the author focusing on the finer detail, making sure you have the full picture, before things are ramped up another few notches, and then a few more. If I have a criticism, it’s of that very attention to descriptive detail – every scene is lingered over, creating a photograph, maybe a film set, when you’d sometimes like to get back to the action. But that slow exposition really works – without it, that atmosphere created might be just a little too much, and the shocks more lacking in explosive impact.
My reading hasn’t always been on the lighter side – in my younger days I did have a flirtation with early Stephen King, Dean Koontz, James Herbert. Had they lived in Nottinghamshire, this is a book any of them could have written, and been proud of. When I walked out this afternoon, I felt very uneasy seeing the dark shadows of birds in the trees – and that feeling isn’t going to go away any time soon. Quite an experience – and a thoroughly excellent read.
May 4, 2014
Although this book sets off at a rather sedate pace, right from the start the reader knows there's something a bit eerie and weird going on, and that beneath the seemly normal facade of everyday life, something more sinister is lurking just beneath the surface.
Set against the backdrop of Ravens Gathering, a village and small farming community in the north of England, the opening and early chapters set the scene for a gripping story of unanswered questions, family tensions, past suicides, and possibly even murder and the supernatural; the arrival of an apparent stranger to the village turning out to be the unexpected return of a villager's son after fifteen years without a word of contact raises as many questions as it answers. The author teases the reader with further clues and snippets of information as the book goes on, slowly drawing together the many different strands of the story to a thrilling and unexpected conclusion.
There were a couple of times towards the end of the book when events overtook me somewhat and I thought the pace could have been slowed down just a little. There were a couple of scenes and instances where a little more background research would have added a tad more authenticity, but overall, these minor concerns weren't enough to spoil my enjoyment in any way, and the author did a good job in using realistic dialogue and the characterisation to drive the story forward.
One of the things I especially liked was that the paranormal and supernatural elements were for the most part, only ever hinted at for much of the time, allowing the reader to really engage with the characters and what was happening rather than having to suspend disbelief right from the offset; by the time anything supernatural or 'other worldly' was overtly introduced, the author had already laid the foundations sufficiently well for the reader to accept them as a natural and essential progression of the story. I also liked the way the author tied up some of the loose ends, but still left more than enough scope for a sequel. Despite a few minor issues, an ambitious and well written book, and definitely one that I would recommend. Would I read any sequels? Absolutely yes!
Set against the backdrop of Ravens Gathering, a village and small farming community in the north of England, the opening and early chapters set the scene for a gripping story of unanswered questions, family tensions, past suicides, and possibly even murder and the supernatural; the arrival of an apparent stranger to the village turning out to be the unexpected return of a villager's son after fifteen years without a word of contact raises as many questions as it answers. The author teases the reader with further clues and snippets of information as the book goes on, slowly drawing together the many different strands of the story to a thrilling and unexpected conclusion.
There were a couple of times towards the end of the book when events overtook me somewhat and I thought the pace could have been slowed down just a little. There were a couple of scenes and instances where a little more background research would have added a tad more authenticity, but overall, these minor concerns weren't enough to spoil my enjoyment in any way, and the author did a good job in using realistic dialogue and the characterisation to drive the story forward.
One of the things I especially liked was that the paranormal and supernatural elements were for the most part, only ever hinted at for much of the time, allowing the reader to really engage with the characters and what was happening rather than having to suspend disbelief right from the offset; by the time anything supernatural or 'other worldly' was overtly introduced, the author had already laid the foundations sufficiently well for the reader to accept them as a natural and essential progression of the story. I also liked the way the author tied up some of the loose ends, but still left more than enough scope for a sequel. Despite a few minor issues, an ambitious and well written book, and definitely one that I would recommend. Would I read any sequels? Absolutely yes!
February 12, 2018
I purchased this book through a blogging community where I occasionally feature author spotlights. Graeme’s band came up and I purchased the book with an intention to do just that for him. My caveat here is I don’t just do that for anyone. If the books not up to scratch then I tend not to run the spotlight. Besides I’d read it before approaching Graeme just to make sure it was something I wanted to do.
Ravens Gathering is a brilliant example of treading across genres with an explosion of tension erupting from psychological thriller and downright horror. Mixed perspectives ride well and add value to the story arc. Granted this can be confusing to some, but if you’re a crafty reader it all sits in place and drives the tension onwards.
The opening grabs a familiar scene in terms of rural communities that often see outsiders as alien. Ian and Tanya are just that and find it difficult to fit in. Once the dynamics are set a stranger arrives, although perhaps that is the wrong word. There is a sense of previous making it seem like there’s nothing strange at all. An unspoken reticence and portent of doom which propagate inside the community. Ravens probably don’t help! Mind you Hitchcock’s The Birds lands previous in my psyche there!
If you don’t like horror and outright evil antagonists then this might not be the read for you. Don’t buy it and leave bad reviews because it doesn’t fit your own reading genre. If you like King or Lumley then this is well worth exploring.
Oh, and if you decide to relocate to a rustic community, might be better to pass this one up. It might put you off. For more info on this writer my spotlight is here.
https://fictionisfood.com/2017/09/12/...
Good if you want to catch some words directly from the author too. Not sure you want to shake his hand though, behind the pleasant facade lurks a terrible mind that might just write you into something and then just as easily write you back out again.
Ravens Gathering is a brilliant example of treading across genres with an explosion of tension erupting from psychological thriller and downright horror. Mixed perspectives ride well and add value to the story arc. Granted this can be confusing to some, but if you’re a crafty reader it all sits in place and drives the tension onwards.
The opening grabs a familiar scene in terms of rural communities that often see outsiders as alien. Ian and Tanya are just that and find it difficult to fit in. Once the dynamics are set a stranger arrives, although perhaps that is the wrong word. There is a sense of previous making it seem like there’s nothing strange at all. An unspoken reticence and portent of doom which propagate inside the community. Ravens probably don’t help! Mind you Hitchcock’s The Birds lands previous in my psyche there!
If you don’t like horror and outright evil antagonists then this might not be the read for you. Don’t buy it and leave bad reviews because it doesn’t fit your own reading genre. If you like King or Lumley then this is well worth exploring.
Oh, and if you decide to relocate to a rustic community, might be better to pass this one up. It might put you off. For more info on this writer my spotlight is here.
https://fictionisfood.com/2017/09/12/...
Good if you want to catch some words directly from the author too. Not sure you want to shake his hand though, behind the pleasant facade lurks a terrible mind that might just write you into something and then just as easily write you back out again.
March 16, 2017
Review of ‘Ravens Gathering by Graeme Cumming.
Do you have any idea of what is the epitome of evil? What are the most disgusting and degrading things which one human can inflict on another?
In an insignificant backwater village in north Nottinghamshire, generations of shame bubble below the surface till the return of a prodigal son.
Will his presence bring release or destruction? Is he for good or evil? What will the clash between locals and incomers force to the surface and can his family accept his return after so many years?
This book is a mystery. The characters oscillate between hero and villain with every turn of the story line as the suspense builds to a shattering climax.
I wanted to read this book at one sitting but as with many of us, life gets in the way and jobs have to be done. Because of time away from the story, I found my attitude to the protagonists fluctuating depending what had come up in the last chapters I had read. This added to the suspense.
This is a cracker of a story of ordinary people with dark secrets and how they distort their lives. I enjoyed every turn of the page and if there had been any more tension woven into the narrative I would have had to read it standing up.
For the first book by a new author, this bodes well for what he will write in the future. I am really looking forward to his next.
Do you have any idea of what is the epitome of evil? What are the most disgusting and degrading things which one human can inflict on another?
In an insignificant backwater village in north Nottinghamshire, generations of shame bubble below the surface till the return of a prodigal son.
Will his presence bring release or destruction? Is he for good or evil? What will the clash between locals and incomers force to the surface and can his family accept his return after so many years?
This book is a mystery. The characters oscillate between hero and villain with every turn of the story line as the suspense builds to a shattering climax.
I wanted to read this book at one sitting but as with many of us, life gets in the way and jobs have to be done. Because of time away from the story, I found my attitude to the protagonists fluctuating depending what had come up in the last chapters I had read. This added to the suspense.
This is a cracker of a story of ordinary people with dark secrets and how they distort their lives. I enjoyed every turn of the page and if there had been any more tension woven into the narrative I would have had to read it standing up.
For the first book by a new author, this bodes well for what he will write in the future. I am really looking forward to his next.
February 24, 2015
“Ravens Gathering” by Graeme Cumming is a dark and creepy piece of horror and mystery writing. Setting off with an understated but ever present tension and sense of doom I felt exciting unease from the start, waiting for the inevitable to happen. Just what you want from a horror novel All the while the ravens are gathering, a threat that increases the element of suspense.
A stranger arrives and his presence serves to show us the deep undercurrents in the village, distrust, unease and friction and how the dynamics get in motion soon after.
The plot is complex and twisted, so I will say no more on that matter to avoid spoilers, only that the writing is very intense and creates suspense worthy of a Hitchcock screenplay. This is a gripping and well plotted novel that should gain popularity amongst fans of the genre.
A stranger arrives and his presence serves to show us the deep undercurrents in the village, distrust, unease and friction and how the dynamics get in motion soon after.
The plot is complex and twisted, so I will say no more on that matter to avoid spoilers, only that the writing is very intense and creates suspense worthy of a Hitchcock screenplay. This is a gripping and well plotted novel that should gain popularity amongst fans of the genre.
March 3, 2015
When I pick a book at random for my Bird Title Project, there's always a tense moment when I start reading. Will it be a decent read, or so awful I can't finish the first chapter? Luckily Ravens Gathering turned out to be quite good. It's a creepy story of strange happenings when the wandering Martin Gates returns to his village after years abroad. People seem to blame him for the slew of accidents and unrest that begin as soon as he shows up. The first 70% of the book is tense and disorienting (in a good way), with ambiguous characters and a wonderfully delineated setting. When the author reveals what's actually going on in the last part of the book, it's a bit far-fetched, but not silly enough to spoil the story. I'm glad I ran across this one while browsing kindle unlimited selections for birdy titles.
**3.5 stars**
**3.5 stars**
January 25, 2018
Firstly, not my usual choice of genre to read, but after meeting the author recently felt inspired to give it a go and I really enjoyed it! I'll admit that I enjoyed the early parts of the book more than the latter but this is again down to it not being my genre. It is well written, easy to understand/keep pace with and the short chapters made me want to go for just one more! This could have easily been written by Stephen King, but it wasn't, so well done Graeme and keep up the good work!
August 15, 2013
As a new author Graeme Cumming has successfully achieved what most new authors don't - an enjoyable read. Ravens Gathering takes the reader through a series of small mysteries, all perfectly plausible, with well defined characters making the ending a beautifully crafted conclusion.
A book we recommend to others. We are waiting now for his next novel.
A book we recommend to others. We are waiting now for his next novel.
March 22, 2014
Ravens Gathering is a well thought out and undertaken novel. It had me glued to it early on and my desire to see how it could possibly unfold kept me reading avidly. Without spoiling any of the surprise I shall merely say that this is an excellent first novel, full of interesting plot turns and I look forward to more from Graeme Cumming in the near future. Thank you Graeme for an excellent read.
April 13, 2017
Ravens Gathering starts steady but introduced a few gory incidents that gets attention. The book slowly grabs and takes over leaving you guessing what is about to unfold but moves and changes making you want to keep reading. It doesn't prepare you for what actually unfolds in the later parts of the story! I really enjoyed this book and hope the next one is available soon.
March 31, 2013
A must read book, from the first page I was drawn into this dark and mysterious story, I couldn't put the book down. some parts weren't my type of reading but it all came clear in the end. I have recommended this book to my friends.
September 13, 2013
Very interesting....hard to put down, but being a mom I don't have a lot of spare time...but was half-way through and just couldn't stop after that. Loved the ending...love how the author kept you wanting to read more and more. LOVE THE BOOK!!! A must read
August 26, 2017
It was a good story - Secrets - a town of secrets... and a gathering of Ravens
September 22, 2018
Ravens Gathering is definitely a thinker. It is absolutely not what I expected, and whilst it isn't the type of book I would normally pick up, I'm so pleased that I did as I really enjoyed it!
The story centres around the return of Martin Gates who has returned to his home village after fifteen years away, much to the horror of his family. His return coincides with a tragic accident and a strange gathering of ravens. As tensions rise and reach breaking point, villagers both new and old are drawn in to the mysterious happenings.
Ravens Gathering defies classification in terms of genre, it's a bit of a thriller/crime/horror/sci fi hybrid. The premise of the story is what attracted me to the novel, and it is very well executed by the author. Initially I found myself a little frustrated as I wanted more to happen, but I never once considered not reading on, as I was so entranced by the story. Little hints were drip fed enticingly throughout the narrative which compelled me to read on and before long I found that even when I wasn't reading I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on!
I do wish that I had been reading from a paperback instead of an eBook, as I would have appreciated the ease of flipping back to fact check in a book! The author is a slippery customer and likes to play with the reader. Just when you think that you know something about a character, or you attribute a certain chapter to a particular character, all of a sudden everything you thought you knew is on it's head and you have to completely re-assess! It's all part of the fun of the novel though and it's a great device for keeping the reader both interested and on their toes.
I can't review this book without mentioning the ending. It was...…..crazy. It was beyond anything I could have dreamt up, and it was horrifyingly disturbing. I actually had nightmares after reading. It was however very fitting with the themes and the overall feel of the book and it served to show the sheer level of evil at play versus humanity.
Ravens Gathering feels so much more than just a stand alone novel, it feels like a gateway. Having read the novel, I feel as if I've just entered another realm and I'm standing on the threshold where there is so much more to discover. The story is tied up enough for it to have a satisfying end, but I am fascinated by how much further the author could go with his idea. Certain elements are explained enough to explain the novel, but I have so many more unanswered questions. I will definitely be looking out for more by Graeme Cumming and I'll be fervently hoping that there will be a continuation of the story started in Ravens Gathering. It is very deserving of a prequel at the very least, if not further installments!
The story centres around the return of Martin Gates who has returned to his home village after fifteen years away, much to the horror of his family. His return coincides with a tragic accident and a strange gathering of ravens. As tensions rise and reach breaking point, villagers both new and old are drawn in to the mysterious happenings.
Ravens Gathering defies classification in terms of genre, it's a bit of a thriller/crime/horror/sci fi hybrid. The premise of the story is what attracted me to the novel, and it is very well executed by the author. Initially I found myself a little frustrated as I wanted more to happen, but I never once considered not reading on, as I was so entranced by the story. Little hints were drip fed enticingly throughout the narrative which compelled me to read on and before long I found that even when I wasn't reading I was trying to figure out what the heck was going on!
I do wish that I had been reading from a paperback instead of an eBook, as I would have appreciated the ease of flipping back to fact check in a book! The author is a slippery customer and likes to play with the reader. Just when you think that you know something about a character, or you attribute a certain chapter to a particular character, all of a sudden everything you thought you knew is on it's head and you have to completely re-assess! It's all part of the fun of the novel though and it's a great device for keeping the reader both interested and on their toes.
I can't review this book without mentioning the ending. It was...…..crazy. It was beyond anything I could have dreamt up, and it was horrifyingly disturbing. I actually had nightmares after reading. It was however very fitting with the themes and the overall feel of the book and it served to show the sheer level of evil at play versus humanity.
Ravens Gathering feels so much more than just a stand alone novel, it feels like a gateway. Having read the novel, I feel as if I've just entered another realm and I'm standing on the threshold where there is so much more to discover. The story is tied up enough for it to have a satisfying end, but I am fascinated by how much further the author could go with his idea. Certain elements are explained enough to explain the novel, but I have so many more unanswered questions. I will definitely be looking out for more by Graeme Cumming and I'll be fervently hoping that there will be a continuation of the story started in Ravens Gathering. It is very deserving of a prequel at the very least, if not further installments!
September 23, 2018
My Review of Ravens Gathering by Graeme Cumming.
I read Ravens Gathering in just over two days as it was hard to put down. I enjoyed the fast-paced and gripping storyline, also the chapter sizes are good, even if you want to read it in parts. I was captivated by the way the return of a long-traveled son called Martin and the appearance of a flock of Ravens set the tone of some horrible acts and village scandals. More than that this book keeps you guessing and the clever way it does this is head jumping from character to character throughout different chapters, with each character’s thoughts throwing another’s actions into question. By the time I got to the end, even my cats seemed confused to exactly who was behind village destruction.
The story itself follows Martin as he returns to the village to reconnect with his family, however, they are not that happy to see him and tries to block his attempts to stick around. But when Martin meets Tanya, he sees his chance to let her flirty ways gain him a bed for the night. But after a murder, a brutal accident and all fingers pointing his way. how can he leave? Is he really behind such horrible acts or is it the raven lurking in the woods? Maybe something even darker? You’ll have to read this book to find out.
I found Tanya and Ian’s characters very intriguing because they both seemed to lack something in their relationship towards each other, yet deep down they both felt as if they wanted the same thing, love companionship, and closeness. But because of the difference in their actions and personality, it seemed they more accepted their life together instead of really felt emotionally connected.
I also like the supernatural dreamlike feel to some parts of this story, it felt at times as if Martin was stuck in a nightmare trying to get his soul. I thought this was well written and showed a lot more to Martin’s personality as well as at times made you really feel for him, but there were also times when you don’t want to like him all. This contrast in personality made Martin a well-developed character.
The end was very surprising and unexpected, but not at all disappointing…In fact, I liked the ending and wished for more… Would there be a return of the Ravens? Who knows. But this is well worth a read if you like: thrillers with a supernatural twist and a lot of mystery driven by the many interesting and different characters
I read Ravens Gathering in just over two days as it was hard to put down. I enjoyed the fast-paced and gripping storyline, also the chapter sizes are good, even if you want to read it in parts. I was captivated by the way the return of a long-traveled son called Martin and the appearance of a flock of Ravens set the tone of some horrible acts and village scandals. More than that this book keeps you guessing and the clever way it does this is head jumping from character to character throughout different chapters, with each character’s thoughts throwing another’s actions into question. By the time I got to the end, even my cats seemed confused to exactly who was behind village destruction.
The story itself follows Martin as he returns to the village to reconnect with his family, however, they are not that happy to see him and tries to block his attempts to stick around. But when Martin meets Tanya, he sees his chance to let her flirty ways gain him a bed for the night. But after a murder, a brutal accident and all fingers pointing his way. how can he leave? Is he really behind such horrible acts or is it the raven lurking in the woods? Maybe something even darker? You’ll have to read this book to find out.
I found Tanya and Ian’s characters very intriguing because they both seemed to lack something in their relationship towards each other, yet deep down they both felt as if they wanted the same thing, love companionship, and closeness. But because of the difference in their actions and personality, it seemed they more accepted their life together instead of really felt emotionally connected.
I also like the supernatural dreamlike feel to some parts of this story, it felt at times as if Martin was stuck in a nightmare trying to get his soul. I thought this was well written and showed a lot more to Martin’s personality as well as at times made you really feel for him, but there were also times when you don’t want to like him all. This contrast in personality made Martin a well-developed character.
The end was very surprising and unexpected, but not at all disappointing…In fact, I liked the ending and wished for more… Would there be a return of the Ravens? Who knows. But this is well worth a read if you like: thrillers with a supernatural twist and a lot of mystery driven by the many interesting and different characters
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews