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Lost Soul #1
Echoes of Home: A Ghost Story
After accepting a generous opportunity to start afresh, Leslie Wills, a young man from Stoke-on-Trent, eagerly begins his long-distance journey to the Scottish Highlands of Elphin, a settled village that sits huddled amongst the dominating mountains. Its people are welcoming, and the beauty of the land is great. But deep within its Highland paths, a location rests hidden from the public’s eye. A location which entices you to learn the truth of its troubled past. But once you bear witness to its sights and sounds, its presences will never allow you to forget.
Uncover the truth, Journeying back to a forgotten time. With a plot full of secrets and suspicion that will leave you longing for answers.
Uncover the truth, Journeying back to a forgotten time. With a plot full of secrets and suspicion that will leave you longing for answers.
270 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2021
128 people are currently reading
1219 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Rayner
8 books231 followersBorn and bred in the county of Staffordshire. Matt is a keen reader of classical, horror and fantasy literature and enjoys writing in the style of traditional ghost stories. During his working life, Matt joined the ambulance service in 2009, transporting critically ill patients all over the UK. After writing his first novel, Matt now dedicates his time on future releases. His hobbies include genealogy and hiking, and he enjoys spending time with his wife, Emma, his children, and his family.
https://www.facebook.com/MLRayner
https://www.facebook.com/MLRayner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 237 reviews
May 14, 2021
What a read! The frame story has its weaknesses but when Les Mills, the main character, moves to Elphin Cottage and meets Michael Coull the tale becomes really good. Especially the inset story on the Ferrell Family and their dire destiny is very moving. What a historical tale of famine, a cruel landowner and a tragic twist. I liked the way the shadows of the past came haunting present people. Or the moment when Les finds Daily's personal accounts. This is a damn good haunting ghost story with some great moments and fine literary devices. Here the story works best. The chilling moments are set in the past and in the present. The atmosphere is creepy and the read a true page turner. Very atmospheric novel set in Scotland, highly recommended!
July 1, 2021
A ghost story should have certain ingredients to make it a good meal for an avid reader of scary stories. I love a good ghost story - one that puts a chill in your bones. Echoes of Home: A Ghost Story met some of the points on my checklist.
Leslie Wills has just suffered the loss of his parents. He both loved and railed against them. His family suffered through poverty, causing his older brothers to leave the family as soon as they came of age. They never looked back. Poor Leslie was left behind to take care of his parents. After his father drank himself to death, his mother suffers a heart attack. Leslie, alone despite calls to his brothers, tends to the funeral. Within a short time, Leslie understandably, shows signs of depression. After hearing a few sounds that make him feel like he’s going insane, his oldest brother Jonathan shows up and offers him the opportunity to start over. Jonathan recently purchased a house - Elphin Cottage - in the Scottish Highlands. Leslie jumps at the chance. Coming to Elphin will definitely change Leslie’s future, but he will have to deal with the past before he can truly focus on his new life.
Raynor’s story includes quite a few ghost story elements I like: a fragile narrator, a spooky house and a dilapidated cottage with a dark history, a craggy neighbor with the long memory of the past, an isolated setting surrounded by an unsettling atmosphere, and of course the required ghostly sightings and mysterious sounds. The recipe is a good one. I liked the setting and how Raynor creates the ambience necessary for a ghost story. While it isn’t a super scary story, there are definite scenes that made me nervous. In particular, there’s a scene where Leslie finds himself in a forest and another inside Elphin Cottage as he looks out a window that made me uneasy. Great descriptions of action, Leslie’s fearful thoughts and the setting blend together to create some moody scenes. The mysterious events aren’t so mysterious since they are explained pretty easily by Leslie’s new friend, Coull. Raynor has done some good research to lay the foundation for a heart wrenching ghost story tied to the Highland famine in the 1860s. I definitely enjoyed the historical elements since they added quality to the ghosts.
While there are elements to like in this story, I did debate with myself on some parts that detracted from the overall enjoyment. There are some awkward sections of writing. Almost like the author was trying too hard to find new ways to say things. The sentences made sense but a word or two would just feel off. Like he was using a thesaurus to find just the right word for the situation and he picked one that was close but still not right. While I thought his research was good and gave substance to the ghost story, I did feel that the villain of the piece didn’t really match what I’ve read of the time period and how certain members of society would have had to deal with the events of the famine. The villain’s reaction to the tragedy and dire circumstances made sense but the details of the situation didn’t. Raynor includes necessary foreshadowing but almost a bit too heavy handed so that I was able to guess some things that were revealed in the end, making the reveal less exciting or riveting. I could see how Leslie’s past made him a perfect candidate to help the ghosts but it would have been nice to see this connection on a deeper level. There are unnecessary scenes that have no bearing on the ghost story or too much time is spent describing irrelevant things. One aspect at the end is glossed over so quickly that it did feel unrealistic. I had already guessed this mystery because of the foreshadowing but I did wish for Leslie to react more to the news.
It is an entertaining ghost story. Not scary but there are some fun scenes. The historical aspect is good and definitely adds to the piece. All in all, a nice way to spend an hour.
Leslie Wills has just suffered the loss of his parents. He both loved and railed against them. His family suffered through poverty, causing his older brothers to leave the family as soon as they came of age. They never looked back. Poor Leslie was left behind to take care of his parents. After his father drank himself to death, his mother suffers a heart attack. Leslie, alone despite calls to his brothers, tends to the funeral. Within a short time, Leslie understandably, shows signs of depression. After hearing a few sounds that make him feel like he’s going insane, his oldest brother Jonathan shows up and offers him the opportunity to start over. Jonathan recently purchased a house - Elphin Cottage - in the Scottish Highlands. Leslie jumps at the chance. Coming to Elphin will definitely change Leslie’s future, but he will have to deal with the past before he can truly focus on his new life.
Raynor’s story includes quite a few ghost story elements I like: a fragile narrator, a spooky house and a dilapidated cottage with a dark history, a craggy neighbor with the long memory of the past, an isolated setting surrounded by an unsettling atmosphere, and of course the required ghostly sightings and mysterious sounds. The recipe is a good one. I liked the setting and how Raynor creates the ambience necessary for a ghost story. While it isn’t a super scary story, there are definite scenes that made me nervous. In particular, there’s a scene where Leslie finds himself in a forest and another inside Elphin Cottage as he looks out a window that made me uneasy. Great descriptions of action, Leslie’s fearful thoughts and the setting blend together to create some moody scenes. The mysterious events aren’t so mysterious since they are explained pretty easily by Leslie’s new friend, Coull. Raynor has done some good research to lay the foundation for a heart wrenching ghost story tied to the Highland famine in the 1860s. I definitely enjoyed the historical elements since they added quality to the ghosts.
While there are elements to like in this story, I did debate with myself on some parts that detracted from the overall enjoyment. There are some awkward sections of writing. Almost like the author was trying too hard to find new ways to say things. The sentences made sense but a word or two would just feel off. Like he was using a thesaurus to find just the right word for the situation and he picked one that was close but still not right. While I thought his research was good and gave substance to the ghost story, I did feel that the villain of the piece didn’t really match what I’ve read of the time period and how certain members of society would have had to deal with the events of the famine. The villain’s reaction to the tragedy and dire circumstances made sense but the details of the situation didn’t. Raynor includes necessary foreshadowing but almost a bit too heavy handed so that I was able to guess some things that were revealed in the end, making the reveal less exciting or riveting. I could see how Leslie’s past made him a perfect candidate to help the ghosts but it would have been nice to see this connection on a deeper level. There are unnecessary scenes that have no bearing on the ghost story or too much time is spent describing irrelevant things. One aspect at the end is glossed over so quickly that it did feel unrealistic. I had already guessed this mystery because of the foreshadowing but I did wish for Leslie to react more to the news.
It is an entertaining ghost story. Not scary but there are some fun scenes. The historical aspect is good and definitely adds to the piece. All in all, a nice way to spend an hour.
January 7, 2021
Ghost stories are not really a genre I go to but when the chance came to read this book I started it with an open mind, and was glad I did
Leslie Wills, Stoke on Trent, only 1 of 5 remaining children at home when his Mum passes, he has no idea what life will bring now and in fact is happy if it brings nothing....however life comes calling via 1 of his brothers, now a property developer who offers him, free, Elphin cottage in the Scottish Highlands...without any hesitation he goes, wondering what he will find
He finds remote Scotland, its beautiful landscape and secretive folk, Elphin Cottage is more ‘out on a limb’ than he expected and he soon finds out the cottage and the one opposite, Clais cottage, have a history, a dark history and it looks like he is going to become a part of it!
An unlikely friendship evolves with Coulls, an old farmer and between them they are determined to put right the wrongs of the past
Fascinatingly told in the present and including lots of interesting ( and at times upsetting ) history of the famines alongside really good descriptive narrative I did really enjoy this book, it wasn’t far fetched but a good tale of the past now affecting the present day
Reading the acknowledgements made it even better knowing the ‘cast’ had been named from his ancestors and Elphin and the cottage actually exist and the author spent time there as a teenager, the thrill of being an author came through in this acknowledgments and I really look forward to reading more from him ( this was his debut book )
It has to be a 10/10 5 Stars because it was a great read and I enjoyed a genre I expected not to 🤗
Leslie Wills, Stoke on Trent, only 1 of 5 remaining children at home when his Mum passes, he has no idea what life will bring now and in fact is happy if it brings nothing....however life comes calling via 1 of his brothers, now a property developer who offers him, free, Elphin cottage in the Scottish Highlands...without any hesitation he goes, wondering what he will find
He finds remote Scotland, its beautiful landscape and secretive folk, Elphin Cottage is more ‘out on a limb’ than he expected and he soon finds out the cottage and the one opposite, Clais cottage, have a history, a dark history and it looks like he is going to become a part of it!
An unlikely friendship evolves with Coulls, an old farmer and between them they are determined to put right the wrongs of the past
Fascinatingly told in the present and including lots of interesting ( and at times upsetting ) history of the famines alongside really good descriptive narrative I did really enjoy this book, it wasn’t far fetched but a good tale of the past now affecting the present day
Reading the acknowledgements made it even better knowing the ‘cast’ had been named from his ancestors and Elphin and the cottage actually exist and the author spent time there as a teenager, the thrill of being an author came through in this acknowledgments and I really look forward to reading more from him ( this was his debut book )
It has to be a 10/10 5 Stars because it was a great read and I enjoyed a genre I expected not to 🤗
June 20, 2021
Echoes of Home is an intriguing Ghost Story about an abandoned cottage and the secrets it keeps. Les Wills has just finished burying his mother when his brother Jonathan arrives, late, and bearing the gift of a new start for Les at Elphin Cottage, a home in the Scottish Highlands. When Les finally travels to this out of the way place, strange things begin to happen, and he sets out to solve their mystery.
This captivating story is set mainly in the Scottish Highlands, although Les, the main character, doesn't arrive there until about 20% into the book. There were times when I felt the pace was slow in the first half of the book, but after reading the story in its entirety, everything fit together and made perfect sense, and the pace itself was just right.
I am not a fan of horror and do not review it, and I would categorize this as paranormal, but not horror. It is also historical fiction, as the Great Famine of 1845- 1849 and the Highland Famine of 1846 - 1856 were very real and greatly impacted this story. Another theme in this book is solitude, and the story drips with palpable solitude, including Les's solitude, ghostly solitude, and that of Clais Cottage and its surroundings. This is very well done by M.L. Rayner. The impact that class differences had on the poor leaves no doubt as to the evil that comes from thinking oneself above others. The character Michael Coull serves as an ending to some of the solitude in this story. He is also a connection to the land and the teller of its stories.
As I am descended from Appalachian settlers arriving in America from Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales, this type of tale reminds me of mountain stories I've heard, told in almost musical fashion, of ghosts or mythical creatures who haunt the Smokies. I can definitely feel a musical rhythm in this Scottish tale.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story as well as fans of historical fiction and Scottish history. I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
I have rated this 4.5 stars, rounded up to five on sites that do not have a half-star option.
This captivating story is set mainly in the Scottish Highlands, although Les, the main character, doesn't arrive there until about 20% into the book. There were times when I felt the pace was slow in the first half of the book, but after reading the story in its entirety, everything fit together and made perfect sense, and the pace itself was just right.
I am not a fan of horror and do not review it, and I would categorize this as paranormal, but not horror. It is also historical fiction, as the Great Famine of 1845- 1849 and the Highland Famine of 1846 - 1856 were very real and greatly impacted this story. Another theme in this book is solitude, and the story drips with palpable solitude, including Les's solitude, ghostly solitude, and that of Clais Cottage and its surroundings. This is very well done by M.L. Rayner. The impact that class differences had on the poor leaves no doubt as to the evil that comes from thinking oneself above others. The character Michael Coull serves as an ending to some of the solitude in this story. He is also a connection to the land and the teller of its stories.
As I am descended from Appalachian settlers arriving in America from Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales, this type of tale reminds me of mountain stories I've heard, told in almost musical fashion, of ghosts or mythical creatures who haunt the Smokies. I can definitely feel a musical rhythm in this Scottish tale.
I would highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good ghost story as well as fans of historical fiction and Scottish history. I downloaded a copy of this book on Kindle Unlimited, where subscribers can read it for free.
I have rated this 4.5 stars, rounded up to five on sites that do not have a half-star option.
July 8, 2021
This story had a slow start, but I am glad that I stuck with it. It is a ghost story that takes place in the Scottish Highlands. The author did a very good job of describing the scenery. I felt as if I was standing there taking in the beautiful surroundings. Once the story drew me in, I was glued! The story was easy to follow and very believable if you believe in spirits that linger here with unfinished business. While reading this, I experienced a few moments of goosebumps and a few creepy chills along my spine!
May 20, 2021
I have to confess that about 1/4 of the way into this novel I almost gave up on it. The story was quite pedestrian, but I was so pleased that I kept going. Once the main character arrived at an old cottage in the Scottish Highlands the story really hit its stride & was very enjoyable.
When Leslie Wills is generously given a house he moves to Scotland & is soon trying to seek out answers to strange happens that he cannot explain. I found his character very believable. In most ghost stories (in books, film & TV) when odd things happen a character will rarely question it & just carry on with life. Wills questions things right from the start & that helped ground his character in reality for me.
When Wills finds himself in a pub during a snow storm he is told the story of a village tragedy by a local man. This sounds like a horror cliche, but the author tells the tale so well that I couldn't fail to be gripped.
M L Rayner creates a highly atmospheric ghost story in this impressive debut novel. It is quite gothic in style (even M L Rayner echoes M R James in name) & I very much look forward to reading future books from this promising new talent.
When Leslie Wills is generously given a house he moves to Scotland & is soon trying to seek out answers to strange happens that he cannot explain. I found his character very believable. In most ghost stories (in books, film & TV) when odd things happen a character will rarely question it & just carry on with life. Wills questions things right from the start & that helped ground his character in reality for me.
When Wills finds himself in a pub during a snow storm he is told the story of a village tragedy by a local man. This sounds like a horror cliche, but the author tells the tale so well that I couldn't fail to be gripped.
M L Rayner creates a highly atmospheric ghost story in this impressive debut novel. It is quite gothic in style (even M L Rayner echoes M R James in name) & I very much look forward to reading future books from this promising new talent.
February 21, 2024
I know I keep saying this, but I do not like haunted house stories, and yet I keep picking them up for one reason or another. Here it was picked for me by from the BoH indie brawl intention list by a random number generator, so I really started with no expectations.
Rayner managed to really suck me in by making me care about Leslie, there's just something so endearing about him, and his isolation and I got invested almost right away. The isolation aspect both in regard to the character's life and in regard to the settings were really well done. The writing style was very pleasant, and the story flowed really nicely.
More of a 4.25 than an actual 4.
Rayner managed to really suck me in by making me care about Leslie, there's just something so endearing about him, and his isolation and I got invested almost right away. The isolation aspect both in regard to the character's life and in regard to the settings were really well done. The writing style was very pleasant, and the story flowed really nicely.
More of a 4.25 than an actual 4.
April 11, 2024
I've not been picking them well for me here lately. Nothing...ever...happens it was so boring. 😭😭😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 12, 2024
This was the perfect atmospheric winter ghost story in an isolated location.
A man inherits a house and decides to move there and start over. It is a very small town where they all know everyone’s secrets and past.
He starts to see things that should not be there and hear weird noises. Is he going insane or is the place haunted?
It is beautifully written and it reads like a classic ghost story with a great story line that connects the past and the present unraveling the secrets of this place and its dark history.
A man inherits a house and decides to move there and start over. It is a very small town where they all know everyone’s secrets and past.
He starts to see things that should not be there and hear weird noises. Is he going insane or is the place haunted?
It is beautifully written and it reads like a classic ghost story with a great story line that connects the past and the present unraveling the secrets of this place and its dark history.
January 28, 2023
A classic ghost story!
An amazing tale of sorrow, guilt and finally, redemption. A troubled man living a sad and lonely life in his childhood home, situated in a run down area of a depressed English town. With his parents dead and his siblings long gone his life seems destined to become a source of sorrow and loneliness. Then, out of the blue, comes an opportunity to relocate to the beautiful and remote Scottish Highlands. In the harsh winter weather he forges a new life for himself and an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly old Highlander. Strange happenings, pleading voices, mysterious lights and ghostly spectres plague his sleep. His new found friend tells him something of the history of his cottage and the tragic events that took place there in the 19th century. This was a sad tale but one beautifully told amidst the spectacular Scottish landscape. A thoughtful tale that will stay with me for some time to come.
An amazing tale of sorrow, guilt and finally, redemption. A troubled man living a sad and lonely life in his childhood home, situated in a run down area of a depressed English town. With his parents dead and his siblings long gone his life seems destined to become a source of sorrow and loneliness. Then, out of the blue, comes an opportunity to relocate to the beautiful and remote Scottish Highlands. In the harsh winter weather he forges a new life for himself and an unlikely friendship with a curmudgeonly old Highlander. Strange happenings, pleading voices, mysterious lights and ghostly spectres plague his sleep. His new found friend tells him something of the history of his cottage and the tragic events that took place there in the 19th century. This was a sad tale but one beautifully told amidst the spectacular Scottish landscape. A thoughtful tale that will stay with me for some time to come.
April 13, 2021
An atmospheric ghostly tale of Leslie Wills and his experiences in the Scottish Highlands of Elphin. This is my first read of M L Rayner and hopefully not the last. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about the Scottish Highlands and what made it really special is the inspiration M L Rayner had in creating this tale of horror. Rayner's narration and unique language positively enhanced my experience of Echoes of Home, and made it exceptionally captivating.
February 1, 2021
I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down.
After the death of his mother, a young man accepts the offer to live in a cottage in the beautiful Highlands countryside. Strange things begin to happen, causing him to investigate the mysterious past.
This is the kind of book you need a fire, a cozy blanket, a dark and snowy night, and a cup of hot cocoa. I usually read pretty quickly, but the absolute beauty of it forced me to slow down and absorb every word. The atmosphere just sucked me right in, absolutely lovely writing, mysterious, and legitimately freaky! I was so engrossed in this story that even the smallest sound made me jump a little, and that hasn't happened to me since The Exorcist.
"The sun was hidden behind a single cloud, shifting the atmosphere into a kind of pre-storm dreariness as a slight breeze gently tossed the fallen leaves in an unorganised pattern across the footpath." - so dreamy!
People who enjoy a good classic ghost story will like this one, such as Edgar Allan Poe, or Algernon Blackwood, or those just into freaky ghost stories like Winter People, Hell House, or The Elementals.
After the death of his mother, a young man accepts the offer to live in a cottage in the beautiful Highlands countryside. Strange things begin to happen, causing him to investigate the mysterious past.
This is the kind of book you need a fire, a cozy blanket, a dark and snowy night, and a cup of hot cocoa. I usually read pretty quickly, but the absolute beauty of it forced me to slow down and absorb every word. The atmosphere just sucked me right in, absolutely lovely writing, mysterious, and legitimately freaky! I was so engrossed in this story that even the smallest sound made me jump a little, and that hasn't happened to me since The Exorcist.
"The sun was hidden behind a single cloud, shifting the atmosphere into a kind of pre-storm dreariness as a slight breeze gently tossed the fallen leaves in an unorganised pattern across the footpath." - so dreamy!
People who enjoy a good classic ghost story will like this one, such as Edgar Allan Poe, or Algernon Blackwood, or those just into freaky ghost stories like Winter People, Hell House, or The Elementals.
May 24, 2021
Leslie wills gets left behind as the youngest son to take care of his parents. He's never left his family home, never found love. Then his mother dies leaving him all alone in the world.
One day his brother unexpectedly turns up offering him a cottage in Scotland. Leslie keenly accepts, keen to get away from Stoke and the house he's been chained to for so long.
When Leslie arrives at the cottage things are as they seem? There are some very strange goings on.
I don't think I have the vocabulary to do this book the justice it deserves. It is so beautifully almost poetically written. You become swept up in the narrative, you feel like you are sitting amongst the stark countryside, by the fire, in one of the comfy chairs, being told the story as its spoken. You can feel the chill breezes as they blow through, jump at the bangs of the doors.
The end brought a tear to my eye and the story behind the book is as heartbreaking.
This is one of the best books I have read so far this year and absolutely cannot wait to see what Matt does next.
One day his brother unexpectedly turns up offering him a cottage in Scotland. Leslie keenly accepts, keen to get away from Stoke and the house he's been chained to for so long.
When Leslie arrives at the cottage things are as they seem? There are some very strange goings on.
I don't think I have the vocabulary to do this book the justice it deserves. It is so beautifully almost poetically written. You become swept up in the narrative, you feel like you are sitting amongst the stark countryside, by the fire, in one of the comfy chairs, being told the story as its spoken. You can feel the chill breezes as they blow through, jump at the bangs of the doors.
The end brought a tear to my eye and the story behind the book is as heartbreaking.
This is one of the best books I have read so far this year and absolutely cannot wait to see what Matt does next.
April 14, 2021
I had high hopes for this one because of all the great reviews but was left disappointed overall. The pacing didnt drive a sense of tension or peril and the protagonist wasn't someone I'd been encouraged to care about, so I got to about half-way, when things started to happen, but wasnt engaged any more. There is a lot of unnecessary description (particularly about 'beverages') which doesn't drive the story along, so I ended up skimming sections.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2021
This truly gripping ghost story is one for the papers.
Not only is it beautifully written but you find yourself wanting more with each sentence you consume. The story and it’s characters are relatable, beautifully captured, chilling and damn right brilliant.
This creepy tale will have you sitting up til 3 in the morning not wanting to put it down, jumping to every small sound. If you want a story that’s packed full of different emotions. M L Rayner’s novel Echoes of Home is the one for you.
I’m a big reader, I love ghost stories and many other genres but this is like no other I’ve feasted my eyes upon before. From the writing style to the characters and even the scenery, M L Rayner has got it down to a T. With most books I struggle with finding myself bored.... hoping for the chapter to end so i can get more into the interesting parts of the story but NOT with this one. This book dives in straight away; giving you all the information you need and sends you on the path for adventure! And oh boy did I need it!
I hope to see more of Rayner’s books out soon. Such a refreshing new Author, Brilliant Novel!
February 3, 2021
A classic ghost story full of unexpected twists and charming characters…
I’m always excited to delve into a ghost story and Rayner’s debut novel checked off all the requirements. What I loved about this story is that the reader walks not only with the main character throughout his journey but alongside all of the characters. Rayner’s descriptive writing style allows you to feel the angst of the characters and the chills of Scotland’s Highlands.
This is one of those ghost stories I will enjoy reading again as I so enjoyed the story and the characters and I’m just not quite ready to leave the journey behind me. There is more to discover around the cottage and along the frozen pathways connecting the past and the present.
I’m always excited to delve into a ghost story and Rayner’s debut novel checked off all the requirements. What I loved about this story is that the reader walks not only with the main character throughout his journey but alongside all of the characters. Rayner’s descriptive writing style allows you to feel the angst of the characters and the chills of Scotland’s Highlands.
This is one of those ghost stories I will enjoy reading again as I so enjoyed the story and the characters and I’m just not quite ready to leave the journey behind me. There is more to discover around the cottage and along the frozen pathways connecting the past and the present.
January 11, 2024
Echoes of Home by M.L.Rayner captures perfectly what highland life is – desolate, haunting but with a heartbeat that beats life into its ancient lands.
I read Echoes of Home as part of a read along with the Indie Horror Book Club Discord.
The beautiful village of Elphin, located north-west of Ullapool, serves as the setting for Echoes of Home. During my teenage years, while staying in Sutherland, I frequently passed through this picturesque village. Like much of the far north, Elphin is renowned for its stunning scenery and wild weather. If you haven’t visited yet, the entirety of the NC500 is not only stunning but also a bit rugged.
Trying to find the right words to describe Echoes of Home is hard! This is a book that came completely out of nowhere for me. The themes discussed were hard hitting, it was a little like getting a paper cut that wouldn’t stop bleeding. Parental death, financial hardship, caring for sick parents and the story of the highland famine. It is taut, like a coiled spring. You’ll adore the setting, the author possessing all the skills in order to transport you right to the heart of the story.
Leslie Wills, a man from Stoke-On-Trent is down on his luck. His mother has just passed away after a long battle with illness and Leslie one of five children is the only one left to care for her. He didn’t have the opportunities that his siblings did to leave home and chase lucrative careers. But when his brother, Johnathan turns up after the funeral and offers him an out, Leslie gladly accepts. The only catch? It’s nine hours away in Scotland. Elphin to be exact. With nothing but wilderness and his thoughts for company.
‘The attention-seeking tapping bounced around the room once more. Again and again, the tapping continued as if on glass.’
Echoes of Home takes an ordinary horror trope and transforms it into something original. Rayner’s impressive writing makes this story impossible to put down.
‘This was unmistakably an image of Mr Coull’s past self.’
Being originally a Golspie girl, I am familiar with the Highland Clearances. An event that took place under the rule of The Duke of Sutherland. He also valued his land and the potential of how much money they could earn him. So, in favour of renting out fields to pasture he evicted his tenants far and wide and didn’t care a damn what happened to them. This is a similar portrayal to the events that took place in Echoes of Home.
Twist and turns that will smack you in the face. A ghost story with a real difference. It has heart and a real need to be heard.
I read Echoes of Home as part of a read along with the Indie Horror Book Club Discord.
The beautiful village of Elphin, located north-west of Ullapool, serves as the setting for Echoes of Home. During my teenage years, while staying in Sutherland, I frequently passed through this picturesque village. Like much of the far north, Elphin is renowned for its stunning scenery and wild weather. If you haven’t visited yet, the entirety of the NC500 is not only stunning but also a bit rugged.
Trying to find the right words to describe Echoes of Home is hard! This is a book that came completely out of nowhere for me. The themes discussed were hard hitting, it was a little like getting a paper cut that wouldn’t stop bleeding. Parental death, financial hardship, caring for sick parents and the story of the highland famine. It is taut, like a coiled spring. You’ll adore the setting, the author possessing all the skills in order to transport you right to the heart of the story.
Leslie Wills, a man from Stoke-On-Trent is down on his luck. His mother has just passed away after a long battle with illness and Leslie one of five children is the only one left to care for her. He didn’t have the opportunities that his siblings did to leave home and chase lucrative careers. But when his brother, Johnathan turns up after the funeral and offers him an out, Leslie gladly accepts. The only catch? It’s nine hours away in Scotland. Elphin to be exact. With nothing but wilderness and his thoughts for company.
‘The attention-seeking tapping bounced around the room once more. Again and again, the tapping continued as if on glass.’
Echoes of Home takes an ordinary horror trope and transforms it into something original. Rayner’s impressive writing makes this story impossible to put down.
‘This was unmistakably an image of Mr Coull’s past self.’
Being originally a Golspie girl, I am familiar with the Highland Clearances. An event that took place under the rule of The Duke of Sutherland. He also valued his land and the potential of how much money they could earn him. So, in favour of renting out fields to pasture he evicted his tenants far and wide and didn’t care a damn what happened to them. This is a similar portrayal to the events that took place in Echoes of Home.
Twist and turns that will smack you in the face. A ghost story with a real difference. It has heart and a real need to be heard.
May 27, 2021
A darkly chilling (atmospherically speaking) ghost story in a classic style, "Echoes of Home" is sure to give you plenty of spine shivers and have you jumping at unexpected noises late at night. The characters are relatable and well-formed, the plot is smooth and flows very well, and the writing is enjoyable. Here's hoping for more from M.L. Rayner!
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to zooloobookblog
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to zooloobookblog
February 26, 2024
I've had my eye on Echoes of Home for a while now. Rayner has such a distinct writing style that has shades of Poe and all the other gothic classics. The perfect voice to tell classic ghost stories... and that's what Echoes is. It's a ghost story, one that made me snuggle a little tighter than usual beneath the covers as I read.
I won't give much away, suffice to say that parts of this one touched me greatly, and when I saw the dedication at the end, well, it made me cry a little 💔 As an Irish person, whose roots go back for generations, The Great Famine is a particularly difficult part of my country's already troubled history. We learn about it in school. We research it as adults. It's very, very difficult not to be moved by something so deeply ingrained in our bones.
Rayner handled the story so tenderly. He showed so much respect to those lost. He understands. He has his own roots in our history, too.
Read this one, please, if you haven't already. A beautifully haunting homage to a very dark time in history.
I won't give much away, suffice to say that parts of this one touched me greatly, and when I saw the dedication at the end, well, it made me cry a little 💔 As an Irish person, whose roots go back for generations, The Great Famine is a particularly difficult part of my country's already troubled history. We learn about it in school. We research it as adults. It's very, very difficult not to be moved by something so deeply ingrained in our bones.
Rayner handled the story so tenderly. He showed so much respect to those lost. He understands. He has his own roots in our history, too.
Read this one, please, if you haven't already. A beautifully haunting homage to a very dark time in history.
June 16, 2024
This is such an atmospheric haunting tale. I love the way the scenery is described. It really captured the creepiness of the house and surrounding landscape.
The story follows Leslie Wills as he tries to start a fresh new life in Scotland after his mother dies. It is clear that Leslie has had a difficult life caring for his mother, abandoned by his older siblings and you want him to be able to have a chance at a better future. But you just know by the outset that life is not going to be so kind...
The writing is descriptive, captivating and at times moving. I liked the pacing, and the story held my attention. The back story of the house was dark and twisted, and I am absolutely here for it.
I highly recommend this book if you like hauntings and dark history.
The story follows Leslie Wills as he tries to start a fresh new life in Scotland after his mother dies. It is clear that Leslie has had a difficult life caring for his mother, abandoned by his older siblings and you want him to be able to have a chance at a better future. But you just know by the outset that life is not going to be so kind...
The writing is descriptive, captivating and at times moving. I liked the pacing, and the story held my attention. The back story of the house was dark and twisted, and I am absolutely here for it.
I highly recommend this book if you like hauntings and dark history.
December 19, 2020
Really struggled to stay focused when reading this book. Found myself thinking other things while reading then not knowing what I’d just read.
Some parts I thought were good but not enough to hold my concentration unfortunately.
Really wanted to love this book after seeing other reviews but it just wasn’t for me
Some parts I thought were good but not enough to hold my concentration unfortunately.
Really wanted to love this book after seeing other reviews but it just wasn’t for me
January 25, 2021
I enjoyed this debut novel and look forward to reading more of Matt's work. It was a little bit creepy and a little bit sad, with a bit of history thrown into the mix.
May 27, 2021
*I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book from the tour organiser.
An unusual tale that slowly builds up an atmosphere of tension and unease, ECHOES OF HOME by M.L. Rayner is a ghost story with an almost lyrical feel to it and is sure to please fans of this genre.
Now that his mother has passed away, Leslie Wills is the only one left in the house where he grew up, and it's been years since he has had contact with any of his siblings. Feeling lost and unsure, Leslie must now try to figure out what his future will look like, but when his brother unexpectedly gives him an opportunity to move to the Scottish Highlands, Leslie jumps at the chance for a change. While everything seems to be welcoming and beautiful at the beginning, it isn't long before things become very strange. There is a haunting past alive here and it doesn't want you to ever forget.
A classic ghost story, ECHOES OF HOME is the kind of book that you settle down with when you want to get cosy and lose yourself in a story for a while. The characters are interesting and the story is compelling, and its slow and steady pace suits the plotline as we begin to learn what has happened. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
An unusual tale that slowly builds up an atmosphere of tension and unease, ECHOES OF HOME by M.L. Rayner is a ghost story with an almost lyrical feel to it and is sure to please fans of this genre.
Now that his mother has passed away, Leslie Wills is the only one left in the house where he grew up, and it's been years since he has had contact with any of his siblings. Feeling lost and unsure, Leslie must now try to figure out what his future will look like, but when his brother unexpectedly gives him an opportunity to move to the Scottish Highlands, Leslie jumps at the chance for a change. While everything seems to be welcoming and beautiful at the beginning, it isn't long before things become very strange. There is a haunting past alive here and it doesn't want you to ever forget.
A classic ghost story, ECHOES OF HOME is the kind of book that you settle down with when you want to get cosy and lose yourself in a story for a while. The characters are interesting and the story is compelling, and its slow and steady pace suits the plotline as we begin to learn what has happened. Overall, I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author.
May 26, 2021
Echoes of Home by M.L. Rayner is a slow burn, descriptive, and captivating ghost story. I didn’t need this to be fast-paced. I was just as absorbed in the atmosphere this author created.
I love ghost stories, and honestly, the cover convinced me to check this book out. I’m so glad I did. This is such a gem.
I really enjoy the writing style. It’s poetic, in a way, with such beautiful descriptions. Every chapter adds a layer of unease, which just kept me reading and wanting more.
I loved Echoes of Home. Highly recommended!!
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours for the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
I love ghost stories, and honestly, the cover convinced me to check this book out. I’m so glad I did. This is such a gem.
I really enjoy the writing style. It’s poetic, in a way, with such beautiful descriptions. Every chapter adds a layer of unease, which just kept me reading and wanting more.
I loved Echoes of Home. Highly recommended!!
Thank you to Zooloo's Book Tours for the opportunity to honestly review this book on the blog tour. All opinions are my own and unbiased.
October 7, 2021
I’m not usually a fan of ghost stories, but I really got into this one. I read reviews that said the writing was old fashioned, and that put them off the book, but honestly, I wouldn’t expect a ghost story to be written any other way.
In the end though it was so much more than a ghost story, with random haunting, etc. it was about greed and selfishness, and ultimately it was about righting wrongs committed by other people in the name of greed.
In the end though it was so much more than a ghost story, with random haunting, etc. it was about greed and selfishness, and ultimately it was about righting wrongs committed by other people in the name of greed.
May 4, 2024
Great read.
This is a beautifully written historical ghost story. I found the characters likeable, the story engrossing, and the atmosphere rich and encompassing. But the prose in and of itself is my favorite thing about this one. Simply put, the prose is beautiful. And the narrator (I listened on Audible), Russ Bain, was phenomenal.
Four ghosties for this one: 👻👻👻👻
This is a beautifully written historical ghost story. I found the characters likeable, the story engrossing, and the atmosphere rich and encompassing. But the prose in and of itself is my favorite thing about this one. Simply put, the prose is beautiful. And the narrator (I listened on Audible), Russ Bain, was phenomenal.
Four ghosties for this one: 👻👻👻👻
February 2, 2022
This is incredibly hard to rate, in a nutshell I really enjoyed the story but did not like the writing at all.
It felt a bit over written/too wordy if that makes sense, which meant it didn't flow as well as it might, and I was left feeling it was all a little unnatural sounding with odd turns of phrases.
If you ignore the odd writing style the story itself had me intrigued from the outset, and I liked the main character.
This is a proper ghost story, an old fashioned story, and really engaging until the very end. I can’t say much about the plot as I won’t ruin it for anyone, however it is good.
This gets 3 stars, but is worth a 3.5 albeit for the story alone as the writing was a little grating at times and detracted from the overall effect of the story itself.
It felt a bit over written/too wordy if that makes sense, which meant it didn't flow as well as it might, and I was left feeling it was all a little unnatural sounding with odd turns of phrases.
If you ignore the odd writing style the story itself had me intrigued from the outset, and I liked the main character.
This is a proper ghost story, an old fashioned story, and really engaging until the very end. I can’t say much about the plot as I won’t ruin it for anyone, however it is good.
This gets 3 stars, but is worth a 3.5 albeit for the story alone as the writing was a little grating at times and detracted from the overall effect of the story itself.
June 3, 2024
This slow paced, haunting story flowed with effortless writing. It is what I would consider to be the perfect comfy ghost story. It is ominous and eerie and has a sense of dread throughout. You will learn silence to be something to fear.
The back story of the souls that suffered is just as captivating as the rest of the book itself, if not more. The cruelty is absolutely heart wrenching.
The ending was perfect. It’s is incredibly emotional along with some twists that I saw coming yet at the same time, threw me for a loop.
The back story of the souls that suffered is just as captivating as the rest of the book itself, if not more. The cruelty is absolutely heart wrenching.
The ending was perfect. It’s is incredibly emotional along with some twists that I saw coming yet at the same time, threw me for a loop.
December 29, 2020
Not my usual genre of reading but this story grips you from the beginning you can not tell you are in a ghost story until the end brilliant read look forward to more from this author
December 29, 2020
I read a very early version of this and it showed a lot of promise a great classic ghost story
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