What do you think?
Rate this book
The Soul Fixer
Susan and Paul Carmichael’s world is devastated when a small-time burglar and drug addict, Eddie Hull, brutally murders their only child, young student Becky Carmichael.
Consumed by grief, they both struggle to come to terms with their tremendous loss. Their fragile relationship under mounting pressure, Susan begins to have dreams about her daughter. She is convinced these are not ordinary dreams; Becky is calling out to her for help. But this revelation only serves to drive a further wedge between the grieving couple.
In desperation, Susan trawls a number of so-called psychics, but is bitterly disappointed by charlatans and fraudsters. When she finally starts to accept that the dreams are a natural part of the grieving process, she is meets the mysterious Silas Blake.
He tells her things no one else knows about Becky. Tells her that Becky’s soul is trapped and cannot move on, and that there is an island in the Hebrides called Connalough Point where they will be able to help her. Paul is naturally sceptical, but agrees to go to the island for the sake of their marriage.
They discover Connalough Point is a very secretive place, and every precaution is taken to ensure no one outside learns about its existence. Here they meet Helen Blake, Silas’s wife, and the dour MacLeod brothers.
They also meet the soul fixer…
But slowly they discover the shocking secrets of Connalough Point, the real reasons they are there. With events spiralling down into deceit, terror and murder, it quickly becomes not only a battle for survival, but the steep path to a devastating truth...
Consumed by grief, they both struggle to come to terms with their tremendous loss. Their fragile relationship under mounting pressure, Susan begins to have dreams about her daughter. She is convinced these are not ordinary dreams; Becky is calling out to her for help. But this revelation only serves to drive a further wedge between the grieving couple.
In desperation, Susan trawls a number of so-called psychics, but is bitterly disappointed by charlatans and fraudsters. When she finally starts to accept that the dreams are a natural part of the grieving process, she is meets the mysterious Silas Blake.
He tells her things no one else knows about Becky. Tells her that Becky’s soul is trapped and cannot move on, and that there is an island in the Hebrides called Connalough Point where they will be able to help her. Paul is naturally sceptical, but agrees to go to the island for the sake of their marriage.
They discover Connalough Point is a very secretive place, and every precaution is taken to ensure no one outside learns about its existence. Here they meet Helen Blake, Silas’s wife, and the dour MacLeod brothers.
They also meet the soul fixer…
But slowly they discover the shocking secrets of Connalough Point, the real reasons they are there. With events spiralling down into deceit, terror and murder, it quickly becomes not only a battle for survival, but the steep path to a devastating truth...
228 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2013
59 people are currently reading
491 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Mitchell
23 books52 followersD. M. Mitchell has been compared to Ruth Rendell, Martina Cole, Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Linwood Barclay, Dickens and even the Bronte sisters! This wide array of writing styles is appropriate - though Mitchell is known for his psychological thrillers, he is determined that each of them will be different, so they might be set in different eras, may be straightforward thrillers or have a supernatural or horror twist, and he avoids like the plague the standard and unimaginative serial killer format! You'll find he uses different styles of writing to suit different types of books - it also keeps him from getting bored...
D. M. Mitchell was born into a small mining community in Yorkshire, England. His career advisor said he had two options - go down the mines or become a policeman. Being scared of the dark and never having much meat on his bones, he declined both and in his early years bounced like a pinball from job to job - warehouses, cinema projectionist, market trader, salesman - you get the picture. He sort of made a success of himself and now lives in a money-pit of a cottage in a tiny village in the cream tea heart of the South West of England.
His first remembered attempt at pushing the boundaries of creative writing was during a school lesson at the age of nine. Titled simply 'Rain' his proud masterpiece began with 'It started to rain' then there followed eight pages of nothing but the words 'pitter-patter', concluding with 'and then it stopped'. It was handed over and duly reviewed by his brick wall of a teacher, whose eyebrows flickered up and down ominously, his cheeks flushing bright red, before declaring it total rubbish. He tore it up into ribbons, showered him with his first, and no doubt only tickertape ceremony, and gave him a meaty slap around the head (they could do that sort of thing in 1967). He made him write 'I will not write stupid things for eight pages' for eight pages. Thus he learnt a number of valuable early lessons - the meaning of irony, writing is very subjective, everyone's a critic, and no-one likes a smart-arse.
He persevered, his first novel appearing in 1986 and disappearing into the attic the same year. It's still up there. Many manuscripts later he used to save the piles of rejection slips to paper his bare walls. So the adage is, keep at it, in these times of economic depression you'll soon have the house fully redecorated. Nowadays, writing is the one thing he feels totally comfortable with, except perhaps for a cup of Horlicks on a cold winter's night when the rain goes pitter-patter against the window panes (there it is again...).
Characterisation is an important and noticeable aspect of all Mitchell's novels. It allows him to be whoever he wants to be when he gets fed up of being himself, which is quite often. So too is a sense of mystery and the exploration of the darker side to humanity. There are always strong elements of a complex puzzle to be solved in a D M Mitchell novel, many disparate parts ultimately coming together, tragedy and comedy sitting side by side. As in life, nothing is as it first seems. He takes a keen interest in history, a thread which runs through his writing, whether it's the 1960s or 1970s, as in 'Max' and 'Pressure Cooker', or the Victorian 1880s, as in 'The House of the Wicked'.
His favourite novelists include Barry Unsworth, Thomas Hardy, John Steinbeck and Graham Swift. Top two favourite historical books: Culloden, by John Prebble and The Face of Battle by John Keegan. He also collects first edition novels and takes a keen interest in anything old, tatty and in need of love and restoration. His wife says he needs to get out more.
He has three grown children and also enjoys photography, painting and walking the Blackdown Hills with his wife and an overly excitable Border Terrier - or is that an overly-excitable wife and a Border Terrier... One of the two.
He'd like to thank his growing legion of fans for allowing him to practice being
D. M. Mitchell was born into a small mining community in Yorkshire, England. His career advisor said he had two options - go down the mines or become a policeman. Being scared of the dark and never having much meat on his bones, he declined both and in his early years bounced like a pinball from job to job - warehouses, cinema projectionist, market trader, salesman - you get the picture. He sort of made a success of himself and now lives in a money-pit of a cottage in a tiny village in the cream tea heart of the South West of England.
His first remembered attempt at pushing the boundaries of creative writing was during a school lesson at the age of nine. Titled simply 'Rain' his proud masterpiece began with 'It started to rain' then there followed eight pages of nothing but the words 'pitter-patter', concluding with 'and then it stopped'. It was handed over and duly reviewed by his brick wall of a teacher, whose eyebrows flickered up and down ominously, his cheeks flushing bright red, before declaring it total rubbish. He tore it up into ribbons, showered him with his first, and no doubt only tickertape ceremony, and gave him a meaty slap around the head (they could do that sort of thing in 1967). He made him write 'I will not write stupid things for eight pages' for eight pages. Thus he learnt a number of valuable early lessons - the meaning of irony, writing is very subjective, everyone's a critic, and no-one likes a smart-arse.
He persevered, his first novel appearing in 1986 and disappearing into the attic the same year. It's still up there. Many manuscripts later he used to save the piles of rejection slips to paper his bare walls. So the adage is, keep at it, in these times of economic depression you'll soon have the house fully redecorated. Nowadays, writing is the one thing he feels totally comfortable with, except perhaps for a cup of Horlicks on a cold winter's night when the rain goes pitter-patter against the window panes (there it is again...).
Characterisation is an important and noticeable aspect of all Mitchell's novels. It allows him to be whoever he wants to be when he gets fed up of being himself, which is quite often. So too is a sense of mystery and the exploration of the darker side to humanity. There are always strong elements of a complex puzzle to be solved in a D M Mitchell novel, many disparate parts ultimately coming together, tragedy and comedy sitting side by side. As in life, nothing is as it first seems. He takes a keen interest in history, a thread which runs through his writing, whether it's the 1960s or 1970s, as in 'Max' and 'Pressure Cooker', or the Victorian 1880s, as in 'The House of the Wicked'.
His favourite novelists include Barry Unsworth, Thomas Hardy, John Steinbeck and Graham Swift. Top two favourite historical books: Culloden, by John Prebble and The Face of Battle by John Keegan. He also collects first edition novels and takes a keen interest in anything old, tatty and in need of love and restoration. His wife says he needs to get out more.
He has three grown children and also enjoys photography, painting and walking the Blackdown Hills with his wife and an overly excitable Border Terrier - or is that an overly-excitable wife and a Border Terrier... One of the two.
He'd like to thank his growing legion of fans for allowing him to practice being
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
April 24, 2013
I am becoming a bit of a fan of this author. I have read and thoroughly enjoyed a fair few of his books. They have all been psychological thrillers but each has been very different in its own way.
What is consistent throughout all the books has been the quality of the writing. This book, like the others I have read, contains characters that are real, ones that you care about - like, hate, feel sorry for and the ones that you aren't too sure of...
The descriptive passages compliment the story perfectly and do not distract the reader away from the story which moves along at a cracking pace, little hints here and there as to where it is going leading nicely on to the fantastic ending.
I read the book all in one go in an evening - quite literally couldn't put it down.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the author's books now.
What is consistent throughout all the books has been the quality of the writing. This book, like the others I have read, contains characters that are real, ones that you care about - like, hate, feel sorry for and the ones that you aren't too sure of...
The descriptive passages compliment the story perfectly and do not distract the reader away from the story which moves along at a cracking pace, little hints here and there as to where it is going leading nicely on to the fantastic ending.
I read the book all in one go in an evening - quite literally couldn't put it down.
Looking forward to reading the rest of the author's books now.
November 6, 2013
Very poor plotting overall. It started well but dropped considerably in quality after the opening. Ending was flagged from well out and the extraneous supernatural aspects of the plot were, at times, a way for the author to get out of a bind!
I would be very reluctant to read another book by the same author. It is going into the 'Ignore' collection on my Kindle.
I would be very reluctant to read another book by the same author. It is going into the 'Ignore' collection on my Kindle.
August 14, 2013
This is the first book I've read by this author and it was great. About 80% through and I thought I knew WHAT was going to happen but I had to keep reading because I wanted to see HOW it happened. I was surprised. The last few chapters are explosive. Things keep changing up at a quick pace, not so quick that you cannot keep up but so quick that you breath starts catching in your throat. If you liked the movies Shutter Island and 6th Sense then you will like this book. It was an easy read in that I didn't have to keep a dictionary handy while reading it and it was very enjoyable. There are some characters in this book that are stuck in my head and I don't think they are going anywhere for awhile. I think that is what a good book is supposed to do. Good job Mr. Mitchell.
August 5, 2014
Plenty going for it: Good start, interesting end, a generous littering of unexpected twists throughout to keep me on my toes. Well written, with well drawn characters, too.
Occasionally, though, things did venture a little too far into the absurd and I just couldn't immerse myself in it fully.
Occasionally, though, things did venture a little too far into the absurd and I just couldn't immerse myself in it fully.
September 21, 2013
The description and creepy cover attracted me to this book. The "psychological thriller" label is very apt, as Susan's journey starts from a place of grief over her murdered daughter. At the ominous mention of Conolaugh Point, the reader knows that Susan's journey will turn into something unexpected, which it did. What she experiences at the island is indeed a horror thriller full of unpredictable twists and turns.
February 1, 2015
Great story with surprising ending.
This book has a lot of twists and turns, but totally engrossing. It needs to be made into a movie.
This book has a lot of twists and turns, but totally engrossing. It needs to be made into a movie.
February 13, 2015
Very easy to read.
November 7, 2018
Now in my top ten of authors I would recommend and endorse to all my reader friends.
A spine chilled take of greed, sociopaths and pure evil in the forms of human beings. I could not stop reading and was second guessing what was coming next only to be blown away by the twist in the tale. A must for all thriller and crime readers but also a good choice for a book club. Gripping and addictive.
A spine chilled take of greed, sociopaths and pure evil in the forms of human beings. I could not stop reading and was second guessing what was coming next only to be blown away by the twist in the tale. A must for all thriller and crime readers but also a good choice for a book club. Gripping and addictive.
March 12, 2022
Atmospheric
A woman is lured to an isolated island where she believes she will be able to connect to the spirit of her murdered daughter. But while she might find spiritual communion she will also find a demonic conspiracy and heartbreaking betrayal.
This is a good read. It is more atmospheric than suspenseful with some good twists. Satisfying ending.
A woman is lured to an isolated island where she believes she will be able to connect to the spirit of her murdered daughter. But while she might find spiritual communion she will also find a demonic conspiracy and heartbreaking betrayal.
This is a good read. It is more atmospheric than suspenseful with some good twists. Satisfying ending.
July 21, 2018
A great read
This psychology thriller captivated me from the first page. Well written and no clues until the last part of the novel. Terrific read and page turner. I complement the author for a great read. This was my first novel and looking forward to more.
This psychology thriller captivated me from the first page. Well written and no clues until the last part of the novel. Terrific read and page turner. I complement the author for a great read. This was my first novel and looking forward to more.
May 14, 2021
Another fantastic book by DM Mitchell! I am loving his work!
This is the third of his books I’ve read and it was yet again different from the previous two but just as intriguing and excellent!
Superb writing style, really felt drawn in to the story and the characters.
This is the third of his books I’ve read and it was yet again different from the previous two but just as intriguing and excellent!
Superb writing style, really felt drawn in to the story and the characters.
October 26, 2021
Susan is traumatised by the sudden and violent death of her daughter. Seeking spiritual and psychic support, she is persuaded to travel to a remote Scottish island where she meets some very creepy characters and where all is not as it appears.
November 11, 2023
I would watch this movie
Amazing delivery. I was so convinced of the case for delusion brought on by grief. Did not see the part Paul played. Completely blew me away. Extraordinary ending. Well done!
Amazing delivery. I was so convinced of the case for delusion brought on by grief. Did not see the part Paul played. Completely blew me away. Extraordinary ending. Well done!
May 10, 2017
very good
January 20, 2014
Another great book from D.M. Mitchell. After the shocking murder of their daughter, Susan and Paul Carmichael are trying to put their lives back together. Susan starts having dreams where the daughter is trying to reach her, and goes through the rounds of "psychics" with no good results. Then a stranger comes to her and tells her things about her daughter that no one else could know. The couple end up going to a secret island, where they hope to contact the daughter and get some peace of mind. But something is not right - the trip turns into a battle for survival. The twists and turns in this book make it a real page-turner. You'll never guess how this one is going to end.
August 18, 2013
I enjoyed this book quite a lot. The whole story revolves around Susan and Paul Carmichael whose only child, college aged daughter, Becky. Is brutaly murdered in her bed during a surprise visit home. Much of story is devoted to Susan's devistating grief, dreams of Becky & searching for a medium to contact her decised daughter.
April 8, 2015
Great read
This thriller kept me thoroughly entertained. I usually read multiple books at the same time but, just couldn't with this one. Just when I came close to thinking that I'd figured out something, another would be there until the first was revealed. The characters are wonderfully thought out as well as the story line. It's definitely worth reading again .
This thriller kept me thoroughly entertained. I usually read multiple books at the same time but, just couldn't with this one. Just when I came close to thinking that I'd figured out something, another would be there until the first was revealed. The characters are wonderfully thought out as well as the story line. It's definitely worth reading again .
September 7, 2014
A good read...
The Soul Fixer is a good story, especially read on a dreary, dismal day. Mr Mitchell is a great story teller, he unfolds an errie tale set in the Scottish out islands that draw you in among their ancient ruins and the lore that envelopes them. A good ghost story mixed in with some thrilling twist and turns. I will read more by this author.
The Soul Fixer is a good story, especially read on a dreary, dismal day. Mr Mitchell is a great story teller, he unfolds an errie tale set in the Scottish out islands that draw you in among their ancient ruins and the lore that envelopes them. A good ghost story mixed in with some thrilling twist and turns. I will read more by this author.
July 26, 2013
A great read full of twists and turns that kept me guessing up till the very end. This is the first novel I have read by this author and I highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for a new psychological/thriller.
November 6, 2013
A couple's young daughter is brutally murdered and the remorse and grief they feel is massive. Then a man suggests an island retreat, where they can heal and meet with a damaged young girl who can speak with their daughter's spirit.
Now, things get really creepy!
Now, things get really creepy!
March 1, 2014
This has been one of the best and most spell binding books I have read in awhile. Once I got started, I could not lay it down. Just when you think you've got it all figured out, there is yet to be another twist. I plan on reading more books by DM Mitchell.
November 21, 2013
What a tale this is! You are led through the story and given small, yet important clues. What is actually going on cannot even be guessed. There are a few errors, one in which the brother's names are mixed up, but nothing that makes it hard to follow.
January 29, 2016
This reminded me of a M. Night Shalamon movie. I was so focused on what was going on, on the island. That I totally missed the obvious. As with most British novels, I thought it plodded on at a slow pace, so it takes some time to get through, bit it was worth it in the end.
January 30, 2014
What a surprise ending! I sure didn't see that coming. "The Soul Fixer" is an extremely well written mystery/paranormal that had me transfixed to my kindle. Without reservation, I cam recommend this book.
February 9, 2014
I really enjoyed 'The a Soul Fixer'. There are many twists and turns and turns and twists. The ending was a total surprise and that makes for good reading. I will be reading more of D. M, Mitchell's books.
5 stars and easily recommended.
5 stars and easily recommended.
April 17, 2014
Kind of entertaining with a predictable ending. It's about a couple who has lost their teen daughter to murder who goes to an island to try to get through their grief and commune with her spirit. Not bad, not great. The book was free, so... LOL.
January 27, 2020
Grabs your attention!!
As with many British stories they just simmer along.
This book is hot from the start. The story has more twist and to keep you interested.
I would recommend that you read the book and enjoy as I did.
As with many British stories they just simmer along.
This book is hot from the start. The story has more twist and to keep you interested.
I would recommend that you read the book and enjoy as I did.
January 30, 2015
Solid plot
Book had strong steady pace.I liked the mix of paranormal and reality. Good strong ending that displays nice character development of the last one standing in this murder mystery.
Book had strong steady pace.I liked the mix of paranormal and reality. Good strong ending that displays nice character development of the last one standing in this murder mystery.
July 29, 2013
Really good. I was not able to guess the complete ending until I read it, which I enjoy. Had a nice little twist also.
August 4, 2013
loved it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews