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The Weejee Man
A nerve-shredding slice of rural horror for fans of Adam Nevill and Andrew Michael Hurley.
Forced by his publisher to deliver a fresh manuscript by the end of the year, author Rick Rooney retreats to a secluded cottage in the West of Ireland in search of inspiration.
After a night of dabbling with a spirit board at the local pub, strange events begin to unfold at the cottage, while a menacing figure lurks in the trees outside.
When Rick digs deeper into the area’s dark history, he makes a chilling discovery about a local family, a devastating fire, and a centuries-old curse. Has Rick disturbed an ancient evil, and who, or what, is stalking him now?
Some souls should never be summoned...
Forced by his publisher to deliver a fresh manuscript by the end of the year, author Rick Rooney retreats to a secluded cottage in the West of Ireland in search of inspiration.
After a night of dabbling with a spirit board at the local pub, strange events begin to unfold at the cottage, while a menacing figure lurks in the trees outside.
When Rick digs deeper into the area’s dark history, he makes a chilling discovery about a local family, a devastating fire, and a centuries-old curse. Has Rick disturbed an ancient evil, and who, or what, is stalking him now?
Some souls should never be summoned...
248 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 15, 2023
500 people are currently reading
1144 people want to read
About the author
NP Cunniffe
2 books38 followersNP Cunniffe was born in the West of Ireland, surrounded by dark forests, fairy hills and deep, mysterious lakes. He won a young writers scholarship to the Winchester Writers' Festival in 2017 and was longlisted for the Bath Novel Award in 2020. When the pandemic hit, he self-published a novelette, The Wake: An Irish Ghost Story, in August 2020, selling over 500 copies by the end of that year. He holds an MA in Writing the Modern World from the University of East Anglia (UEA), Norwich. The Weejee Man is his first novella.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
January 26, 2024
Atmospheric and creepy!
An author, suffering from writer's block, decides to take a sabbatical in rural Ireland, near the village in which he grew up. He rents a remote and isolated cottage in an attempt to stimulate his creative skills. On the first night of his sojourn he walks to the nearest pub for refreshment and is persuaded by three locals to join them in a "game" of ouija action. From that night onwards he is plagued by terrifying visions and ghostly apparitions. He still managers to complete his manuscript, although it now resembles the ramblings of someone in the throes of a mental breakdown. This story is a dark thriller, a mixture of Irish folklore, fairies, historical curses and suicide. Well worth a read!
An author, suffering from writer's block, decides to take a sabbatical in rural Ireland, near the village in which he grew up. He rents a remote and isolated cottage in an attempt to stimulate his creative skills. On the first night of his sojourn he walks to the nearest pub for refreshment and is persuaded by three locals to join them in a "game" of ouija action. From that night onwards he is plagued by terrifying visions and ghostly apparitions. He still managers to complete his manuscript, although it now resembles the ramblings of someone in the throes of a mental breakdown. This story is a dark thriller, a mixture of Irish folklore, fairies, historical curses and suicide. Well worth a read!
September 27, 2025
Ricky, I've Been Waiting...
Just Let Us In
THE WEEJEE MAN
by NP Cunniffe
3 1/2 stars. Writer Rick Rooney was found unconscious in a graveyard with extensive injuries. He was carrying a journal...
Did the journal contain a bestselling novel at last?
It all started in the graveyard on the Eve of Samhain. It was autumn, and the roads were wet...
Rick was suffering a writer's block, so his editor forced him to take a week-long vacation to gather his thoughts...
The graveyard was hidden behind a tower and an abbey in a quiet corner of Ireland...
He'd rented Black Lake cottage, a cozy one bedroom with a peat fireplace...
Later...
Knowing it wasn't wise to walk the roads at night on the Eve of Samhain as It was the one night of the year the dead walked among the living...
But, walk he did, about 20 minutes to the pub for supper. As he sat beside the fire, he heard some men talking about a weejee board...
An old man, Mick...
... recognized Rick and asked him to join him and his two nephews in the back room to consult an old weejee board...
Rick asked the men to...
... choose a spirit to make contact with, then he warned them to remain in the room afterward until the session was properly shut down...
But...
When the spirit of a man they knew, Jim Harrow, came forth, Mick and his nephews fled the room, leaving the spirit adrift...
Later...
Rick got a phone call. The caller said: Ricky, I've been waiting. Just let us in...
This story started off with a really great hook. It was atmospheric and very creepy. Unfortunately, the ending was too long and convoluted.
Not a bad story, just missed the 4-star rating with its conclusion.
Just Let Us In
THE WEEJEE MAN
by NP Cunniffe
3 1/2 stars. Writer Rick Rooney was found unconscious in a graveyard with extensive injuries. He was carrying a journal...
Did the journal contain a bestselling novel at last?
It all started in the graveyard on the Eve of Samhain. It was autumn, and the roads were wet...
Rick was suffering a writer's block, so his editor forced him to take a week-long vacation to gather his thoughts...
The graveyard was hidden behind a tower and an abbey in a quiet corner of Ireland...
He'd rented Black Lake cottage, a cozy one bedroom with a peat fireplace...
Later...
Knowing it wasn't wise to walk the roads at night on the Eve of Samhain as It was the one night of the year the dead walked among the living...
But, walk he did, about 20 minutes to the pub for supper. As he sat beside the fire, he heard some men talking about a weejee board...
An old man, Mick...
... recognized Rick and asked him to join him and his two nephews in the back room to consult an old weejee board...
Rick asked the men to...
... choose a spirit to make contact with, then he warned them to remain in the room afterward until the session was properly shut down...
But...
When the spirit of a man they knew, Jim Harrow, came forth, Mick and his nephews fled the room, leaving the spirit adrift...
Later...
Rick got a phone call. The caller said: Ricky, I've been waiting. Just let us in...
This story started off with a really great hook. It was atmospheric and very creepy. Unfortunately, the ending was too long and convoluted.
Not a bad story, just missed the 4-star rating with its conclusion.
April 6, 2025
A writer is fighting writers block by going back to the place he grew up. There he comes across the legend of a man being obsessed with a ouija board and all of a sudden history seems to be repeating. Rick is drawn into a world full of eerie moments and mysteries. What about the fairies? Who really is Brian his neighbor? The story is interestingly plotted but has some minor logic flaws in my opinion. You'll go into a roller coaster ride full of spooky moments and horror. The denouement is a bit grim. The cover is absolutely outstanding. Summing everything up a really recommended modern read featuring the Ouija board.
July 5, 2024
Rick Rooney is a formerly best-selling horror author who has been struggling to produce his latest novel. At the recommendation of his editor and with the encouragement of his girlfriend Rachel, Rick decides to escape London for rural Ireland, in fact returning to the very county where he grew up. The cottage Rachel has rented for him sits on the allegedly bottomless, and ominously named, Black Lake, outside of the village of Castlestrange. Looking for a bite to eat on his first night in town, Rick heads to the local inn where he finds a lot more than a hearty stew to chew on after some local men goad him into a session with an antique spirit board.
The Weejee Man is what I would call a cozy horror tale, dripping with atmosphere and tried and true horror tropes. This isn't the book to pick up if you want groundbreaking, mind-bending horror, because it's about as straightforward a story as it gets, retreading the well worn and creaky floorboards of many a ghostly tale before it. Despite some clumsy transitions and unanswered questions, I had a pleasantly spooky time and especially liked the mix of fairy lore and ghost story. I will definitely pick up more work by the author. And if you are a seasonal reader like me, I would recommend picking this one up around Halloween or farther into the darker seasons of the year.
The Weejee Man is what I would call a cozy horror tale, dripping with atmosphere and tried and true horror tropes. This isn't the book to pick up if you want groundbreaking, mind-bending horror, because it's about as straightforward a story as it gets, retreading the well worn and creaky floorboards of many a ghostly tale before it. Despite some clumsy transitions and unanswered questions, I had a pleasantly spooky time and especially liked the mix of fairy lore and ghost story. I will definitely pick up more work by the author. And if you are a seasonal reader like me, I would recommend picking this one up around Halloween or farther into the darker seasons of the year.
January 28, 2024
This is an absolute creep fest of a book set in a small Irish village. When an author rents a small cabin by a lake for a vacation of sorts he's going to be forced into a supernatural nightmare that he might never recover from.
Rick, our protagonist, goes to a pub and meets some locals. The men decide to play around with an old antique ouija board after a few drinks and what they unleash is horrific.
This book combines some great folk horror with Irish legends concerning fairie children and the local lore of a man who supposedly haunts the town. A man who burned his home with himself and his family trapped inside in the 30s.
When Rick starts seeing a terrifying man everywhere and children playing who seem to ignore him, he slowly starts unraveling. And what he discovers are things that cannot be.
But of course there are more secrets to uncover about Rick. And those revelations near the end are heart breaking and terrible.
This is an emotional, frightening, and mystery fueled horror story and I highly recommend it.
Rick, our protagonist, goes to a pub and meets some locals. The men decide to play around with an old antique ouija board after a few drinks and what they unleash is horrific.
This book combines some great folk horror with Irish legends concerning fairie children and the local lore of a man who supposedly haunts the town. A man who burned his home with himself and his family trapped inside in the 30s.
When Rick starts seeing a terrifying man everywhere and children playing who seem to ignore him, he slowly starts unraveling. And what he discovers are things that cannot be.
But of course there are more secrets to uncover about Rick. And those revelations near the end are heart breaking and terrible.
This is an emotional, frightening, and mystery fueled horror story and I highly recommend it.
January 22, 2024
It's a fast-paced book that reads quickly, thanks to the short chapters and mixed media (narrative/letters/phone calls/emails).
My main beef with the text is that it contains too many tropes that don't work well/combine in such a short story. From spirits summoned by Ouija boards to ghosts, fairy folk, curses, and an unreliable narrator, there's a glimpse of everything, but it doesn't feel very deep.
Overall, I really enjoyed the read. While the book may not be a breakthrough in literature, it stands as a solid horror story worth checking out.
P.S - it's definitely not an Irish Blair witch though! It's a disservice for the book to market it like this.
My main beef with the text is that it contains too many tropes that don't work well/combine in such a short story. From spirits summoned by Ouija boards to ghosts, fairy folk, curses, and an unreliable narrator, there's a glimpse of everything, but it doesn't feel very deep.
Overall, I really enjoyed the read. While the book may not be a breakthrough in literature, it stands as a solid horror story worth checking out.
P.S - it's definitely not an Irish Blair witch though! It's a disservice for the book to market it like this.
December 31, 2023
Note: I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review.
The Weejee Man is a novella that delivers a terrifying dose of Irish horror. The story follows Rick Rooney, a struggling author who rents a cottage in the countryside to work on his next book. However, he soon finds himself in a nightmare of supernatural events, haunted by a mysterious figure and a dark curse.
Cunniffe creates a gripping atmosphere of dread and suspense, using vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue. The setting of rural Ireland is well-researched and adds to the authenticity and creepiness of the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, especially Rick, who is a sympathetic protagonist with a flawed but likable personality.
The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns. The horror elements are original and effective, blending folklore, history, and occultism. The ending is satisfying and left me with a lasting impression.
The Weejee Man is highly recommended to fans of horror, especially those who enjoy stories with a strong sense of place and a touch of the paranormal. It is a short but very enjoyable read that really didn't disappoint.
4⭐ Recommended.
The Weejee Man is a novella that delivers a terrifying dose of Irish horror. The story follows Rick Rooney, a struggling author who rents a cottage in the countryside to work on his next book. However, he soon finds himself in a nightmare of supernatural events, haunted by a mysterious figure and a dark curse.
Cunniffe creates a gripping atmosphere of dread and suspense, using vivid descriptions and realistic dialogue. The setting of rural Ireland is well-researched and adds to the authenticity and creepiness of the story. The characters are well-developed and relatable, especially Rick, who is a sympathetic protagonist with a flawed but likable personality.
The plot is fast-paced and engaging, with plenty of twists and turns. The horror elements are original and effective, blending folklore, history, and occultism. The ending is satisfying and left me with a lasting impression.
The Weejee Man is highly recommended to fans of horror, especially those who enjoy stories with a strong sense of place and a touch of the paranormal. It is a short but very enjoyable read that really didn't disappoint.
4⭐ Recommended.
January 6, 2024
Read this in under 24 hours
A great little spooky read
I love anything to do with ouija boards as they fascinate me. So this book was ideal, perfect amount of horror, creepiness and lots of tension building.
I loved how it was from the MC POV throughout and liked how the author incorporated the emails so it was as if we were reading what Ricks publisher was reading.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
A great little spooky read
I love anything to do with ouija boards as they fascinate me. So this book was ideal, perfect amount of horror, creepiness and lots of tension building.
I loved how it was from the MC POV throughout and liked how the author incorporated the emails so it was as if we were reading what Ricks publisher was reading.
Thank you to Netgalley for a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
February 10, 2025
I found it funny that I ended up reading two back-to-back books with the same vibe. Both have a main character who is a writer, the events start on Halloween night, and they share a similar writing style (with the main character leaving notes to the editor about removing certain words and so on). They also touch on some form of addiction.
That’s probably one of the reasons why I’m gliding through this book so quickly.
As for what I think about the book... honestly, I don’t know 😅 It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. I do like that it’s more straightforward with the story compared to the previous book, but it felt like something was missing it was anticlimactic.
And the ending? I just don’t get it.
When Rick got hurt and Brian got all emotional, thinking Rick might die (or something like that), I really thought, “Oh, maybe Rick is Brian’s son.” But apparently, that’s not the case?
I don’t know, the ending completely lost me. Let me Google it and get back to you 😅
Okay, I’m back after Googling, and... I found nothing 😂
So yeah, if you’ve read this book, please let me know what was going on at the end. Obviously, I’m marking this review as containing spoilers.
EDITED since I don't know what is wrong with the comment section 🙄
To the author
First off, thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it! 😊
I totally get that they all had to die because they messed with the board. I guess I was just more confused about who they saw standing in front of them. If I remember correctly, Pierce said, "Oh my god, it's you!" or something along those lines? It seemed like he recognized whoever was coming to kill him, which doesn’t really make sense. If it was the spirit of Jim, how would he know what he looked like? 🤔
Alas, it was an okay story to read. I did like the part where we found out that the wife/girlfriend was dead all along, that was a great twist! 😁
Thanks again for taking the time to respond! It’s always interesting to hear an author’s perspective on their own work.
That’s probably one of the reasons why I’m gliding through this book so quickly.
As for what I think about the book... honestly, I don’t know 😅 It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. I do like that it’s more straightforward with the story compared to the previous book, but it felt like something was missing it was anticlimactic.
And the ending? I just don’t get it.
When Rick got hurt and Brian got all emotional, thinking Rick might die (or something like that), I really thought, “Oh, maybe Rick is Brian’s son.” But apparently, that’s not the case?
I don’t know, the ending completely lost me. Let me Google it and get back to you 😅
Okay, I’m back after Googling, and... I found nothing 😂
So yeah, if you’ve read this book, please let me know what was going on at the end. Obviously, I’m marking this review as containing spoilers.
EDITED since I don't know what is wrong with the comment section 🙄
To the author
First off, thank you for your reply, I really appreciate it! 😊
I totally get that they all had to die because they messed with the board. I guess I was just more confused about who they saw standing in front of them. If I remember correctly, Pierce said, "Oh my god, it's you!" or something along those lines? It seemed like he recognized whoever was coming to kill him, which doesn’t really make sense. If it was the spirit of Jim, how would he know what he looked like? 🤔
Alas, it was an okay story to read. I did like the part where we found out that the wife/girlfriend was dead all along, that was a great twist! 😁
Thanks again for taking the time to respond! It’s always interesting to hear an author’s perspective on their own work.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 11, 2024
The Weejee man follows Rick on a secluded writers retreat in Ireland. He uses a Ouija board with locals at the pub, and soon things escalate. He researches the history of the area to discover what darkness he has unleashed.
Unfortunately, I think I'm in the minority here as I didn't really enjoy the book. Whilst the premise was promising, and I generally like the use of emails and other media to make the story more immersive and realistic, I found it very difficult to 'get into' the book, stay interested or invested. I found the writing style a bit odd and unrealistic for emails, and the 'notes to editor' felt really distracting as the majority of the book is Rick's thoughts/experience in first person. I also felt it was quite reductive to repeatedly discuss different spellings/pronunciation of ouija, and it got annoying fast. It was a quick read and set up a good unreliable/questioning atmosphere. I think this was one of those books that just wasn't for me. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.
Unfortunately, I think I'm in the minority here as I didn't really enjoy the book. Whilst the premise was promising, and I generally like the use of emails and other media to make the story more immersive and realistic, I found it very difficult to 'get into' the book, stay interested or invested. I found the writing style a bit odd and unrealistic for emails, and the 'notes to editor' felt really distracting as the majority of the book is Rick's thoughts/experience in first person. I also felt it was quite reductive to repeatedly discuss different spellings/pronunciation of ouija, and it got annoying fast. It was a quick read and set up a good unreliable/questioning atmosphere. I think this was one of those books that just wasn't for me. Thank you to netgalley for the arc.
November 1, 2024
Yes, I finished it on 10/31 - it’s windy and the house is settling…or is something else making that thump in the back hall and startling the dogs? This book is the scariest I’ve read in a while!
January 20, 2025
This was hard to put down!
The story follows Rick and the author, who has been struggling to write for the last twelve months. He decides to try a digital detox and returns to his hometown to escape the busy London life.
While he is in Ireland, he goes into the local and meets a group of men, who persuade him to try out an ouiji board.
After playing with the board, strange events begin to occur, some which can not be explained away.
The chapters vary from Rick's point of view to emails sent by his publisher and letters sent from Mrs Harrow dated from the 1930s. The author did this extremely well and was able to maintain the flow throughout the book.
At certain points, I was unsure if Rick was hallucinating or if he was being hazed by the locals, I really did not see the ending coming at all. The twist at the end really put the cherry on top for me.
As a fan of horror, I really enjoyed this. It kept me captivated and had me thinking about it when I had to put it down!
I will definitely be looking at more works from this author.
The story follows Rick and the author, who has been struggling to write for the last twelve months. He decides to try a digital detox and returns to his hometown to escape the busy London life.
While he is in Ireland, he goes into the local and meets a group of men, who persuade him to try out an ouiji board.
After playing with the board, strange events begin to occur, some which can not be explained away.
The chapters vary from Rick's point of view to emails sent by his publisher and letters sent from Mrs Harrow dated from the 1930s. The author did this extremely well and was able to maintain the flow throughout the book.
At certain points, I was unsure if Rick was hallucinating or if he was being hazed by the locals, I really did not see the ending coming at all. The twist at the end really put the cherry on top for me.
As a fan of horror, I really enjoyed this. It kept me captivated and had me thinking about it when I had to put it down!
I will definitely be looking at more works from this author.
February 19, 2025
I really enjoyed the atmospheric eeriness of this book. It kept me guessing the entire time—was everything happening due to the main character’s mental state, or was something paranormal at play? Even when I wasn’t reading, I found myself thinking about it.
For the most part, I loved the writing; it kept me hooked, and I especially appreciated the use of different formats—letters, emails, and journal entries—to move the story forward. However, the emails felt somewhat unnatural, not quite how people actually write, though it didn’t take away from the overall experience.
By the end, things felt a bit too ambiguous, and I wish certain aspects had been explained more clearly. But as a whole, I really liked this book!
For the most part, I loved the writing; it kept me hooked, and I especially appreciated the use of different formats—letters, emails, and journal entries—to move the story forward. However, the emails felt somewhat unnatural, not quite how people actually write, though it didn’t take away from the overall experience.
By the end, things felt a bit too ambiguous, and I wish certain aspects had been explained more clearly. But as a whole, I really liked this book!
April 3, 2024
3.5⭐️
A creepy, atmospheric, fast-paced read. I zipped through this short book/novella as the plot intrigued me.
A creepy, atmospheric, fast-paced read. I zipped through this short book/novella as the plot intrigued me.
October 29, 2024
🫣
It's a bit of a fright fest, mystery and history. A good read 😊. When I first read weejee man I thought of Glasgow 🤣.
It's a bit of a fright fest, mystery and history. A good read 😊. When I first read weejee man I thought of Glasgow 🤣.
May 13, 2024
Irish folklore, ghosts, and fairies make up the perfect combination for a horror book. It is so atmospheric and would actually be a great fall or winter read if you’re a mood reader. It’s chilly, foggy, and just moody. I loved seeing fairies in a more sinister light too!
I may be in the minority but I found the setting to be more cozy than spooky. I didn’t find this to be overly scary but I really enjoyed the story. The pacing was perfect and the story kept me guessing until the very end.
Overall I thought this book was well-written with excellent character development. I would definitely read more from this author!
I may be in the minority but I found the setting to be more cozy than spooky. I didn’t find this to be overly scary but I really enjoyed the story. The pacing was perfect and the story kept me guessing until the very end.
Overall I thought this book was well-written with excellent character development. I would definitely read more from this author!
July 11, 2024
July 2024
Kindle edition
That was a bit creepy. Number one thing I will never touch. Bounces between Rick, Pierce and Anne/Maud for the letters. Brian was suspicious. I couldn't tell if he was protective or clingy. I didn't like Pierce, the ending didn't surprise me. Went pretty quickly, easy to get into. Arson, fires, suicide and drowning. Mostly made sense when the truth about Rachel comes out.
Kindle edition
That was a bit creepy. Number one thing I will never touch. Bounces between Rick, Pierce and Anne/Maud for the letters. Brian was suspicious. I couldn't tell if he was protective or clingy. I didn't like Pierce, the ending didn't surprise me. Went pretty quickly, easy to get into. Arson, fires, suicide and drowning. Mostly made sense when the truth about Rachel comes out.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 31, 2024
Creepy!
Very creepy book, good twists,and aspects of Irish folklore. Very good characters, natural or otherwise. Engaging from the beginning. Appropriate format.
Very creepy book, good twists,and aspects of Irish folklore. Very good characters, natural or otherwise. Engaging from the beginning. Appropriate format.
August 7, 2024
Amazing book
This is so good book. Couldn't put it down. Very creepy and scary especially at end. This book is so written well. For sure one of my fav books!!
This is so good book. Couldn't put it down. Very creepy and scary especially at end. This book is so written well. For sure one of my fav books!!
June 7, 2024
A fun slow burn, with most of the horror off the page. If you’re into folklore and don’t mind if it’s a touch cozy, this is for you. I’m not normally a cozy fan, but this one leaned just enough into the scares to make it well done.
May 30, 2024
Was a nice little read. Enjoyed the story and the twist, would have liked more spooky things to happen but, all in all I liked this one!
June 30, 2024
This is an excellent very creepy read.
A mash up of Irish folk horror and old school horror, the story is very creepy and fast paced, delivering a surprising and great ending.
This was very atmospheric too - little Irish village, and I loved the sense of place.
Definitely recommend THE WEEJEE MAN
A mash up of Irish folk horror and old school horror, the story is very creepy and fast paced, delivering a surprising and great ending.
This was very atmospheric too - little Irish village, and I loved the sense of place.
Definitely recommend THE WEEJEE MAN
April 29, 2025
A nice little slice of Irish folk horror that delivers an excellent twist in the tale. A quick, entertaining read.
March 6, 2024
I can tell the author worked really hard on this book and at times it's very well written and I wanted to get to the bottom of this Irish mystery but at times I became very confused. I was disappointed that there were no true scares at all except for the last few pages but the mystery kept me going. The letters sent in the 30s were my absolute favourite thing and I think this book could have been better if it was longer and as a book sold as an Irish folk horror: contain more lore.
July 7, 2024
This was a fun novella to read!
Many creep factors with a twist at the end that I probably should have seen coming, but didn't. An easy read thanks to how the story is written, combining first person perspective, emails and 999 call logs.
Definitely recommend if you want something short and spooky to read!
Many creep factors with a twist at the end that I probably should have seen coming, but didn't. An easy read thanks to how the story is written, combining first person perspective, emails and 999 call logs.
Definitely recommend if you want something short and spooky to read!
January 5, 2024
Disclosure: I read an electronic copy of this through NetGalley
I do love a book that keeps you guessing and hits you with unexpected twists. This was very much the case with The Weejee Man.
It's thriller/horror/folklore and mystery all rolled into one. The protagonist is an author up against a deadline that he cannot be bothered to meet. He heads back to his hometown in Ireland to write in solitude and then things begin to unravel after he gets embroiled in an Ouija session in the local pub..
There are fairies, Ouija boards, mysterious deaths, intruders and a scary burnt ghost. Honestly a veritable smorgasbord of ghouls, genres and subjects and in no when messy when reading it.
We feel for and relate to the main character throughout - and with the clever use of emails from the publisher combined with the whole experience of the main character being relayed through his journals - it unfolds before us very fluidly. Therefore, it's kind of a found footage book.
Really enjoyable, fast paced and as I said, some great twistts and reveals at the end. Nicely played, NP Cunnife!
I do love a book that keeps you guessing and hits you with unexpected twists. This was very much the case with The Weejee Man.
It's thriller/horror/folklore and mystery all rolled into one. The protagonist is an author up against a deadline that he cannot be bothered to meet. He heads back to his hometown in Ireland to write in solitude and then things begin to unravel after he gets embroiled in an Ouija session in the local pub..
There are fairies, Ouija boards, mysterious deaths, intruders and a scary burnt ghost. Honestly a veritable smorgasbord of ghouls, genres and subjects and in no when messy when reading it.
We feel for and relate to the main character throughout - and with the clever use of emails from the publisher combined with the whole experience of the main character being relayed through his journals - it unfolds before us very fluidly. Therefore, it's kind of a found footage book.
Really enjoyable, fast paced and as I said, some great twistts and reveals at the end. Nicely played, NP Cunnife!
January 29, 2024
The premise of this book really grabbed me as I have been reading more and more horror lately. However, this book failed to capture my imagination at all. An author, suffering writer's block, comes back to Ireland to his home village to try and restart his career. He is a strange individual, with a cranky persona and a girlfriend called Rachel to whom he is neither pleasant nor agreeable. The story meanders along with us having no idea why he is in his home village, why he is doing a ditigal detox and honestly I wasn't really interested in finding out. Rick (the writer) has his first night having a pint in the Village pub and 3 locals then practically bully him into partaking in a session with a ouija board??! It was too random.
There was so many descriptive paragraphs about the village, the smells, the lake, I began to skim read over these paragraphs just to get to the storyline again. I am Irish, and I am aware of the old beliefs of fairies, etc. but this really wasn't enough to keep me invested in the story. Too rambling, not enough actual story or back story, too slow and vague about what was actually going on, I gave up at 55%.
There was so many descriptive paragraphs about the village, the smells, the lake, I began to skim read over these paragraphs just to get to the storyline again. I am Irish, and I am aware of the old beliefs of fairies, etc. but this really wasn't enough to keep me invested in the story. Too rambling, not enough actual story or back story, too slow and vague about what was actually going on, I gave up at 55%.
April 16, 2024
Meh, it was ok. The horror doesn’t really seem to have much of a foundation. Dude plays with a Ouija board one time and then immediately is terrified he’s haunted by the Devil? It just seemed like the author rushed to get to the scary bits, and in doing so made the lead up to the scary bits seem unrealistic. The way it was written was also a bit off. It’s supposed to be kind of a posthumous manuscript deal, published after the author has died and with editorial notes. But again, it seems like the author kind of forgot that during the main story action and only added a few editorial bits at the beginning and end. The purported work emails are just action with an email address and signature framing device - no one puts lines of dialogue and exposition in an email to their boss. I feel like the mismanaged email correspondences are a missed opportunity for the author to ‘show instead of tell’ the plot progression and the scary, supernatural things that were happening. Good concept, just a little rushed and execution is unpolished.
June 19, 2024
Not a bad story overall! Pretty damn good plot, great character development and an ending that would play well on a screen. Gripping, thrilling and a solid story.
July 1, 2024
Eh....that's about all I have on it.
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