Burnfield: The Trilogy

by M.D. Eyre

'History clings tight but it also kicks loose...'What links a religious massacre in the 16th Century, the suicide of a 1930s movie star and the murder of four boys in the summer of 1975?Michael Watson, a teacher nearing the end of his career, believes he has found the answer, a terrifying yet strangely seductive secret that could lead to the fulfilment of all he desires-or something infinitely worse.He lives in Burnfield, a small, obscure town situated in the north of England where nothing of much importance has ever really happened... or if it has no one has taken much notice.The local landowners, the Sinclairs, have resided there for centuries- reclusive, enigmatic, always keeping themselves to themselves, they own a house on the slopes of Burnfield's only memorable landmark, a large hill that looms over the town, a hill that Michael Watson believes to be central to what he has discovered about the town's shocking history.But is he right or are the conclusions he's drawn simply the delusional fantasies of a man who believes he is running out of time?This is a novel about the past and how the past impacts on the present in sometimes inexplicable and deadly ways.Burnfield...an English horror story.This novel is now available as a Book I The Book IIThe Book IIIBy M.D. Eyre, author of Tabnit Gisgo (a historical fiction novel), Fighting Talk, Phoney War and Action Stations, a school-based series set in the 1970s.

Genres: Thriller, Horror, Mystery

656 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 12, 2012

Reviews

[Wendy Unsworth · Rating 4 out of 5]

A terrible, inexplicable murder of schoolchildren shocks the community of Burnfield, but rather than the beginning of the horror this turns out to be just an ongoing chapter in the terrible history of Burnfield Hill. Michael Watson, teacher at Burnfield Comprehensive school, who knew the children and the one survivior of the attack, comes to know that this is something more than an isolated incident. As he uncovers more and more of the terrible history of The Hill he is horrified by what he discovers and yet can hardly believe.
The story of Burnfield hill spans the centuries; bringing in a variety of characters and their individual experiences.
I enjoyed Burnfield for its 'small town' story that had such a far reaching span through history and also a great feeling of thorough research and authenticity.

[Rob Jinkerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book! Its really intricate with lots of little stories/cases coming together to form one big "case". Essentially, the whole book is held together by what, in the book, are called 'The Watson Papers'. These are the papers/books/diaries of a Burnfield (the town in which the book is set) history teacher writing about the strange goings on in the town over the centuries, with an emphasis to the Burnfield Hill which is seemingly linked to all Watson discovers.

I found the first half of the book rather hard to get into. The book is very long, and feels longer as the first half is made up of many smaller stories with many characters. Each character is introduced to the reader as if they are the main character (many pages dedicated to the character etc) ands so we expect the character to play a lead part throughout the book, but instead they are forgotten about withing a few (long!) chapters. I can see why Eyre creates each character so precisely as it makes Watson's final revelation all the more believable, but these minor characters could take up less space.

However, the last half or so of the book, where we start to see some links to the individual cases, is gripping! Eyre really creates that "can't put it down" feeling.

So overall, a really good book, and must read for all Kindle users (its only available on Kindle!)

[Susan Flynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised by how well-written this book was,as I got it for free. It held my interest throughout with a sense of impending menace,but the ending fizzled out a bit . I would definitely read another book by this author,who shows true talent and a definite knack for story telling.

[Sue Bridehead (A Pseudonym) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to let this one go. I'm about 50% of the way through and only just now has something happened, but in past tense, via epistolary format. This writer can write--he has one stunner of a first person narrative chapter in the opening third of the book--but I feel like his editor did not do him justice by letting things proceed at such a slow pace.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

an interesting book

[Jenn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few too many info-dumps. Some editing would have cut it down and made it a better read.