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Rowan's Well: : a gripping psychological thriller with a killer twist
If you like psychological thrillers with page-turning suspense and shocking twists, you’ll love this. What readers are saying about Rowan’s ‘A sophisticated, compelling thriller’ ‘I couldn’t put it down’ ‘Gripping to the last page’ ‘Extraordinary and uncompromising’ ‘Compelling family drama that wouldn't be out of place as a BBC drama’ ‘Had me in its thrilling spell’ ‘Highly recommend!’ Who's the one person you'd trust with your life? Your husband? Your best friend? Your father? Think again… Mark Strachan has good looks, doting wife, great job, loyal best friend... and a hidden flaw that goes to his very core. A deep secret he’ll wreck lives to protect. At Rowan’s Well, a house full of secrets on North Yorkshire’s rugged cliffs, Mark will force his family, and best friend Will, to face the consequences of trusting a man like him. Mark is about to change all their lives forever. He’s going to commit a crime so shocking there’ll be no going back. Unless someone can stop him. Winner of CHILL WITH A BOOK READERS' AWARD
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 29, 2013
19 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
C.J. Harter
3 books25 followersCJ Harter loves “What if…” and “Let’s pretend…”. Let’s pretend I live on a wild coast overlooking the North Sea... What if that guy walks to the end of this jetty and…
When she’s not in her world of make-believe, CJ works with volunteers to deliver poetry reading and discussion sessions in care homes for older people. Previously she’s been a community worker with deaf people, run befriending services for older people, managed home care services and worked in public libraries. She’s also found time to raise two children and a dog. And somewhere along the way she picked up a degree in literature and philosophy.
“Rowan’s Well” is CJ’s first novel, and won’t be her last. Look out for her second book "Fitful Head" coming soon .
www.facebook.com/cjharterbooks
When she’s not in her world of make-believe, CJ works with volunteers to deliver poetry reading and discussion sessions in care homes for older people. Previously she’s been a community worker with deaf people, run befriending services for older people, managed home care services and worked in public libraries. She’s also found time to raise two children and a dog. And somewhere along the way she picked up a degree in literature and philosophy.
“Rowan’s Well” is CJ’s first novel, and won’t be her last. Look out for her second book "Fitful Head" coming soon .
www.facebook.com/cjharterbooks
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
December 4, 2015
This is the story of Mark Stracham a man who we first meet while he is at University and he meets the young man who is to become his best friend, Will Cooper. The reader will soon discern that Mark is not a nice guy but in the claustrophobic relationships that the boys have, Will doesn’t see it. The stories of university life in the 80s certainly felt authentic as did the night of the Ouija board which was a huge talking point during this era. While at university the boys meet twins Elouise and Olivia and they soon make a tight foursome.
This is a book about a terrible event which has a huge impact on all four of the characters in different way and just as importantly the bonds that have tied them together. I’ll be honest, when the author contacted me to see if I would consider reading Rowan’s Well; “A psychological thriller involving a terrible crime committed within a family, it shows how damage inflicted on one generation can be played out on the next.” I was however, pleasantly surprised by the depth to this story. This is no glib badly treated child turning into a monster, instead as we work through the different years we see how the boy turns into a man and perhaps we get a glimpse of why.
The main setting of this book is one of a big holiday home by the sea and not only is this brought to life by the descriptions but by the vivid atmosphere created when the family, Will and Olivia and latterly their children and Mark and Elouise along with the twins mother and her toy boy. Mark proves to be a loving uncle and both men live successful lives but there is a darkness not far beneath the surface so I felt I could never quite relax even when the picture painted is one of seemingly domestic bliss.
Although we are working towards one event this isn’t a book about just this one, there are many other incidents that are fairly disturbing. The layers of this tale are engagingly added in this tale that spans from 1981 to 2004 in a rich yet disturbing description of days and events that put together tell a far bigger story. The reader is given signposts as to how close we are ‘before’ and latterly ‘after’ but with the story inching its way first towards a date and then past, notice is needed of where you are in the story, This device has the downside of giving the reader tantalising snatches of sub-plots, some of which we never get a resolution on but I do like an author who trusts the reader to join the dots and if that means I’m left wanting to know a little bit more, I can live with that.
Discerning readers will notice that I’ve written a review that tells you very little about the book so to conclude – this is a book well worth reading, the writing is engaging and feels authentic. The characters are complex and believable and the event is shocking and has massive consequences for all the characters.
I recommend Rowan’s Well for lovers of psychological thrillers who enjoy a psychological element that is slowly revealed through captivating storytelling.
This is a book about a terrible event which has a huge impact on all four of the characters in different way and just as importantly the bonds that have tied them together. I’ll be honest, when the author contacted me to see if I would consider reading Rowan’s Well; “A psychological thriller involving a terrible crime committed within a family, it shows how damage inflicted on one generation can be played out on the next.” I was however, pleasantly surprised by the depth to this story. This is no glib badly treated child turning into a monster, instead as we work through the different years we see how the boy turns into a man and perhaps we get a glimpse of why.
The main setting of this book is one of a big holiday home by the sea and not only is this brought to life by the descriptions but by the vivid atmosphere created when the family, Will and Olivia and latterly their children and Mark and Elouise along with the twins mother and her toy boy. Mark proves to be a loving uncle and both men live successful lives but there is a darkness not far beneath the surface so I felt I could never quite relax even when the picture painted is one of seemingly domestic bliss.
Although we are working towards one event this isn’t a book about just this one, there are many other incidents that are fairly disturbing. The layers of this tale are engagingly added in this tale that spans from 1981 to 2004 in a rich yet disturbing description of days and events that put together tell a far bigger story. The reader is given signposts as to how close we are ‘before’ and latterly ‘after’ but with the story inching its way first towards a date and then past, notice is needed of where you are in the story, This device has the downside of giving the reader tantalising snatches of sub-plots, some of which we never get a resolution on but I do like an author who trusts the reader to join the dots and if that means I’m left wanting to know a little bit more, I can live with that.
Discerning readers will notice that I’ve written a review that tells you very little about the book so to conclude – this is a book well worth reading, the writing is engaging and feels authentic. The characters are complex and believable and the event is shocking and has massive consequences for all the characters.
I recommend Rowan’s Well for lovers of psychological thrillers who enjoy a psychological element that is slowly revealed through captivating storytelling.
December 13, 2013
I took a punt on buying this and was rewarded in spades - this is a great read!
The story features Mark Strachan - psychologically scarred by his emotionally traumatic childhood. Mark meets Will Cooper at university and they strike up a close, almost claustrophobic, friendship. They soon meet their future wives, who happen to be twin sisters and the story unfolds from there. As things develop, the grey areas between family loyalty, love, and abject hate are exposed. Strachan's overpowering, sometimes violent persona is a constant presence throughout. His manipulative influence over Will, and others, manifests itself in strange and thought-provoking ways.
The book is very well-written. Although there are violent scenes, Harter avoids the temptation to descend into shock tactics. The events are certainly disturbing, but they are intelligently revealed and portrayed.
I found the characters all too convincing - there could be many Strachans amongst us! The book has a sense of authencity about it from the scenes of domestic bliss to the cathartic events that form the novel's backbone. It is well worth reading.
The story features Mark Strachan - psychologically scarred by his emotionally traumatic childhood. Mark meets Will Cooper at university and they strike up a close, almost claustrophobic, friendship. They soon meet their future wives, who happen to be twin sisters and the story unfolds from there. As things develop, the grey areas between family loyalty, love, and abject hate are exposed. Strachan's overpowering, sometimes violent persona is a constant presence throughout. His manipulative influence over Will, and others, manifests itself in strange and thought-provoking ways.
The book is very well-written. Although there are violent scenes, Harter avoids the temptation to descend into shock tactics. The events are certainly disturbing, but they are intelligently revealed and portrayed.
I found the characters all too convincing - there could be many Strachans amongst us! The book has a sense of authencity about it from the scenes of domestic bliss to the cathartic events that form the novel's backbone. It is well worth reading.
January 23, 2016
This book is about Mark Strachan, whose life is mapped through the chapters leading to one very significant day. Mark and William meet at university, a number of adverse situations, in which Mark seems complicit casts a shadow over his true character, until the day his actions change everything, not just for Mark but for William as well as the sisters they married.
I found this novel initially slow to get into but the more I read about Mark and his interaction with others, the more drawn and invested I became in Rowan's Well. The story is told not just from Mark's point of view but from the point of view of William, Olivia and Eloise, so you get a wide view if how Mark is perceived.
Mark is damaged from a young age but the subsequent events in his life lead to difficult questions about this secretive and relatively closed off individual who is complex and mired in contradiction.
A truly haunting and captivating read about a difficult character.
I found this novel initially slow to get into but the more I read about Mark and his interaction with others, the more drawn and invested I became in Rowan's Well. The story is told not just from Mark's point of view but from the point of view of William, Olivia and Eloise, so you get a wide view if how Mark is perceived.
Mark is damaged from a young age but the subsequent events in his life lead to difficult questions about this secretive and relatively closed off individual who is complex and mired in contradiction.
A truly haunting and captivating read about a difficult character.
January 21, 2016
(Originally posted on www.segnalibro.co.uk on 19th January 2016)
Before Christmas, I was introduced to a lovely lady who is from my local area and she gifted me her book to read and review. It has been sat on my Kindle waiting patiently to be read (as well as the many others on my TBR list). I finally managed to get cracking, not least because our mutual friend Nichola implored me to get a move on because she had recently finished and needed to talk about it! So I did. The first word that sprung to mind when I finished it was “Wow”. I’m still reeling from this deeply psychological, beautifully written book but I hope I can make sense of my reaction in writing this review.
Rowan’s Well tells the story of Mark Strachan, who is emotionally scarred by a neglectful childhood but finds, firstly, a best friend in his university buddy William, and the love of his life, Eloise. However, following a series of events, the depths of Mark’s psychological damage is brought to light in the most tragic and traumatic way possible, leaving his extended family all but destroyed.
There is a sense of inevitable doom from the off, as Harter heads her chapters in terms of how long before/after the pinnacle event of the book (although it is quite a way into the book before this event occurs). The opening chapter is set in what seems to be some kind of institution/psychologist’s officers as Mark tells a story from his childhood with a very ominous ending. The omniscient narrator tells Mark’s story initially, but as the story develops and more key characters are introduced, Harter gives us snippets of the story from the eyes of one of the other principal characters. This is a brilliant tactic by Harter to keep the sympathies of the reader switching from character to character. Also the concentration of narrative from Mark’s point of view affords the reader conflicting emotions towards him, no matter what he does.
Throughout the novel, Harter enhances each scene with some beautiful imagery and gorgeously depicted scenes of the countryside and the coastline with a large dose of pathetic fallacy as the weather almost becomes another ominous character, poised to drive forward the imminent event that will change the lives irrevocably of this family. Harter uses every literary device available to her to make the reader unsure of what is going to happen but at the same time, certain that it is going to be a life-changing event (and not in a good way) when it comes.
For me, personally, and my fab friend Nichola, when it did come, I was absolutely floored. Nothing can prepare the reader for the course of this story. However, after the “event”, wild horses couldn’t have made me put the Kindle down! I was up way past my bedtime, knowing full well that I had at least a good hour’s reading time ahead of me, and I didn’t care! I needed to finish this book.
This book takes the road less travelled, looking at the actions and reactions of a family who have all the best intentions but who cannot account for the warped rationality of someone who has not had the loving, caring upbringing that they have had and does not understand love. The principal characters, in particular, Mark, William, Eloise and Olivia (Eloise’s twin and William’s wife) are all victims and the reader is shown this by the timeline to which Harter has written the story. The “event” itself is not overdramatised. Indeed, it is only when described by the other characters retrospectively and by Mark, in particular, that the reader is truly given an emotional recounting of the moment that effectively ruins the lives of all involved. One particular character’s description had me in tears.
Harter has written an astounding first novel. The clues are all there as she builds up to the pinnacle and the analysis of what this means for everyone involved in the final part of the book. It is so very difficult to review this book to make any potential readers understand how clever this book is without giving away any of it’s secrets but this is going to be another one of those books that I will be imploring all my friends to read.
I remember when I was at university and we studied Affinity by Sarah Waters. My tutor kept asking us where we were up to with reading it and said “I wish I was where you are up to with this book, before you know what happens, because you can’t un-know the secret.” That’s how I feel about this book. It genuinely is one of the cleverest books I’ve read in a long time in terms of how the reader is guided to consider the characters in a particular way without having their judgement completely clouded by an event that would, if printed as news, generate reactions of pure hatred towards the perpetrator of such events.
Of course, this is a work of fiction but the emotional rollercoaster that Harter takes you on and, more importantly, the way she writes about it, gives the reader a way, not to rationalise, but to sympathise with each and every character, no matter what the have done. The ending reminded me a little of the end of The Awakening by Kate Chopin in some ways (although that could just be me!) but it is a powerful ending which gives the reader some sense of closure in a way. This book will stay with me, and my friend Nichola, for a very long time and as Nichola said “moral of the story is cuddle your kids”. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree!
Before Christmas, I was introduced to a lovely lady who is from my local area and she gifted me her book to read and review. It has been sat on my Kindle waiting patiently to be read (as well as the many others on my TBR list). I finally managed to get cracking, not least because our mutual friend Nichola implored me to get a move on because she had recently finished and needed to talk about it! So I did. The first word that sprung to mind when I finished it was “Wow”. I’m still reeling from this deeply psychological, beautifully written book but I hope I can make sense of my reaction in writing this review.
Rowan’s Well tells the story of Mark Strachan, who is emotionally scarred by a neglectful childhood but finds, firstly, a best friend in his university buddy William, and the love of his life, Eloise. However, following a series of events, the depths of Mark’s psychological damage is brought to light in the most tragic and traumatic way possible, leaving his extended family all but destroyed.
There is a sense of inevitable doom from the off, as Harter heads her chapters in terms of how long before/after the pinnacle event of the book (although it is quite a way into the book before this event occurs). The opening chapter is set in what seems to be some kind of institution/psychologist’s officers as Mark tells a story from his childhood with a very ominous ending. The omniscient narrator tells Mark’s story initially, but as the story develops and more key characters are introduced, Harter gives us snippets of the story from the eyes of one of the other principal characters. This is a brilliant tactic by Harter to keep the sympathies of the reader switching from character to character. Also the concentration of narrative from Mark’s point of view affords the reader conflicting emotions towards him, no matter what he does.
Throughout the novel, Harter enhances each scene with some beautiful imagery and gorgeously depicted scenes of the countryside and the coastline with a large dose of pathetic fallacy as the weather almost becomes another ominous character, poised to drive forward the imminent event that will change the lives irrevocably of this family. Harter uses every literary device available to her to make the reader unsure of what is going to happen but at the same time, certain that it is going to be a life-changing event (and not in a good way) when it comes.
For me, personally, and my fab friend Nichola, when it did come, I was absolutely floored. Nothing can prepare the reader for the course of this story. However, after the “event”, wild horses couldn’t have made me put the Kindle down! I was up way past my bedtime, knowing full well that I had at least a good hour’s reading time ahead of me, and I didn’t care! I needed to finish this book.
This book takes the road less travelled, looking at the actions and reactions of a family who have all the best intentions but who cannot account for the warped rationality of someone who has not had the loving, caring upbringing that they have had and does not understand love. The principal characters, in particular, Mark, William, Eloise and Olivia (Eloise’s twin and William’s wife) are all victims and the reader is shown this by the timeline to which Harter has written the story. The “event” itself is not overdramatised. Indeed, it is only when described by the other characters retrospectively and by Mark, in particular, that the reader is truly given an emotional recounting of the moment that effectively ruins the lives of all involved. One particular character’s description had me in tears.
Harter has written an astounding first novel. The clues are all there as she builds up to the pinnacle and the analysis of what this means for everyone involved in the final part of the book. It is so very difficult to review this book to make any potential readers understand how clever this book is without giving away any of it’s secrets but this is going to be another one of those books that I will be imploring all my friends to read.
I remember when I was at university and we studied Affinity by Sarah Waters. My tutor kept asking us where we were up to with reading it and said “I wish I was where you are up to with this book, before you know what happens, because you can’t un-know the secret.” That’s how I feel about this book. It genuinely is one of the cleverest books I’ve read in a long time in terms of how the reader is guided to consider the characters in a particular way without having their judgement completely clouded by an event that would, if printed as news, generate reactions of pure hatred towards the perpetrator of such events.
Of course, this is a work of fiction but the emotional rollercoaster that Harter takes you on and, more importantly, the way she writes about it, gives the reader a way, not to rationalise, but to sympathise with each and every character, no matter what the have done. The ending reminded me a little of the end of The Awakening by Kate Chopin in some ways (although that could just be me!) but it is a powerful ending which gives the reader some sense of closure in a way. This book will stay with me, and my friend Nichola, for a very long time and as Nichola said “moral of the story is cuddle your kids”. Yes, I wholeheartedly agree!
April 11, 2018
This is a story about friendship, love, upbringing, loyalty and so much more. We follow two young men, Matt and Will, from their first meeting at university, through their marriages to twin sisters, and beyond. The tale that unfolds is at times heart-breaking but never boring. The writing is beautiful and the story totally gripping. I stayed up far beyond my bedtime to finish this. It’s that kind of book and I heartily recommend it.
December 28, 2015
Maybe this is not typical Christmas time reading fare but it is truly a book not be missed.
The really disturbing feature of C.J. Harter's "Rowan's Well" is its inevitable countdown to an incident that is so tragic that it ranks alongside ancient mythology as a tale of the strangest retribution, chaos and insanity
Without publishing spoilers here there is an indication within the book's first few lines that Mark Strachan's life has not been one of sweetness and light despite having a close friend in Will Cooper whom he meets as a student and the twin sisters they marry.
C.J. has written a book with savage echoes and reflections. It is written in an interactive style that is very difficult to leave; as in unputdownable and yet there were times when I simply did not want to find out where we were heading, the climax and focal point of the narrative though led up to so gradually is an almost throw away incident of such intensity that I had to read the chapter several times.
This is a dark tale of suspicion and regret, of family relationships and their inevitable destinies told in both flashback and flashforwards. Over riding the action is the haunting shadow or Rowan's Well, the house on the cliff overlooking an idyllic summer beach, a place of childhood dreams and the most catastrophic of tragedies and the survivors' consequences.
Not an easy read as it does bring up so many of our human flaws, weaknesses and inabilities to cope with daily life and the cards we are dealt; it is however a book so magnificently focussed in its purpose that will stay with the reader long after the devastating last page is turned
The really disturbing feature of C.J. Harter's "Rowan's Well" is its inevitable countdown to an incident that is so tragic that it ranks alongside ancient mythology as a tale of the strangest retribution, chaos and insanity
Without publishing spoilers here there is an indication within the book's first few lines that Mark Strachan's life has not been one of sweetness and light despite having a close friend in Will Cooper whom he meets as a student and the twin sisters they marry.
C.J. has written a book with savage echoes and reflections. It is written in an interactive style that is very difficult to leave; as in unputdownable and yet there were times when I simply did not want to find out where we were heading, the climax and focal point of the narrative though led up to so gradually is an almost throw away incident of such intensity that I had to read the chapter several times.
This is a dark tale of suspicion and regret, of family relationships and their inevitable destinies told in both flashback and flashforwards. Over riding the action is the haunting shadow or Rowan's Well, the house on the cliff overlooking an idyllic summer beach, a place of childhood dreams and the most catastrophic of tragedies and the survivors' consequences.
Not an easy read as it does bring up so many of our human flaws, weaknesses and inabilities to cope with daily life and the cards we are dealt; it is however a book so magnificently focussed in its purpose that will stay with the reader long after the devastating last page is turned
March 28, 2014
What a gripping read. I was hooked in the first chapter. A dark compelling book that touches on the darkest side of a person's psyche. Some of the content is uncomfortable and very upsetting, but C. J. Harter has made an excellent attempt to look deep into a profoundly damaged mind. Vivid descriptions, realistic relationships, dialogue that is so natural, and a storyline that pulls you in. Really enjoyed it and looking forward to more work by this author
July 29, 2020
A very well-written book about a family who endures an unspeakable tragedy and the person who is responsible for it all. It deeply explores the question of just how well we know the people in our lives and whether we would be able to spot the red flags of a psychopath.
I loved that the reader is made to sympathize with Mark, even though he is basically the villain of the story. I loved reading about his friendship with Will. I love how the events of the book lead him to make a difficult, even unthinkable, decision at the end.
What I would have liked more of was a deeper glimpse of his childhood. We know from the very first chapter that he has something of a distant relationship with his mother. I wanted to see more of that while I was reading the book. I think it would have made his motivation for doing what he did a little more clear. Well, not clear, necessarily, because the book clearly states why he did it. Maybe a little more understandable? If it's even possible to understand something like that.
I also felt like it lost momentum a little in the second half. Once you finally find out what the tragic event is, the drive to keep reading diminishes somewhat. It didn't stop me from finishing, however, because I love deep character studies, so getting into all those emotions was fascinating for me. I just, like I said before, wish there had been more about his childhood. I want to know all there is to know about him.
Overall a very good, very though-provoking book. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
I loved that the reader is made to sympathize with Mark, even though he is basically the villain of the story. I loved reading about his friendship with Will. I love how the events of the book lead him to make a difficult, even unthinkable, decision at the end.
What I would have liked more of was a deeper glimpse of his childhood. We know from the very first chapter that he has something of a distant relationship with his mother. I wanted to see more of that while I was reading the book. I think it would have made his motivation for doing what he did a little more clear. Well, not clear, necessarily, because the book clearly states why he did it. Maybe a little more understandable? If it's even possible to understand something like that.
I also felt like it lost momentum a little in the second half. Once you finally find out what the tragic event is, the drive to keep reading diminishes somewhat. It didn't stop me from finishing, however, because I love deep character studies, so getting into all those emotions was fascinating for me. I just, like I said before, wish there had been more about his childhood. I want to know all there is to know about him.
Overall a very good, very though-provoking book. I will definitely be reading more from this author.
September 23, 2017
So to begin we’re not actually beginning at the beginning, but sometime closer to the end of the story, it is ten years after, although what the after is we don’t know. Mark Strachan is telling a story while ‘looking out of the window at the upper floors of the high-security wing opposite’ about an event when he was young to someone whose part in this story we don’t know. His story is vivid and packs a punch almost straight away-I could tell this character had issues and was very likely to be telling of something that had played a part in something he had done (hence the ‘after’) or the person he had become.
We are shot back to twelve years before where Mark is starting in boarding school, noticibly without any of the parental support other have. I think books like this hit me hardest, with characters that would be so different if they had a family who showed them the love they so craved, and Mark is a character I’ll probably be adding to my ‘best of’ list come the end of the year. Luckily, he falls in quickly with the lovely Will, and you get the impression that they’ll both have each other’s backs. We’re shown a lot of how the boys get on and interact, and I really enjoyed both the banter and light/ dark humour. Then things happen, and one fateful night we see Mark saving Will, but at the cost of another lad’s life.
Mark is an interesting character, where Will is an open book, we constantly wonder whether secretly all the bad luck that piles up in stacks around Mark, is actually his own doing. When I say bad luck, there are a number of events that take place over their lives, most involving expanses of water, that are so real, you feel the fear, the panic, that comes with being trapped under water. (There are a number of these, and you do wonder why they choose to stay anywhere near water!!)
The outstanding imagery also left me in no doubt that this was to be a beautiful read (I was to be correct!) Actually, I have to admit here that I can sometimes have to force myself not to skim over imagery, but I couldn’t even consider that here, it was second to none, powerful and vivid and amazing.
We are told there’s something in his eyes that make people nervous, yet the author is pretty excellent at showing us Mark’s point of view, making us worry that all the bad luck that befalls him ISN’T because of him. This is an interesting book because it has a hint of all the light horror stories I read as a teen (I know, you’d never know, would you?!) and it had me hooked.
There is the added dimension of his home life, where we wonder about his mother, and see him gravitate towards Will’s family. The jump comes when both him and Will fall for two women who are twins, and so we know they’re bound together for life. So begins a chapter in Will’s life where he truly has someone to love. I have to admit I read through this somewhat impatiently, and sometimes was confused, in particular as to their family dynamic, which I didn’t find so clear, waiting for something bad to happen, and when it did, when we found out what Mark did, we were placed in a scenario of having to find out if it was intentional, planned. To get Marks viewpoint throughout this, while looking at the prison system and seeing the differing opinions of Mark on the outside and through the prison employee’s eyes, was excellent. Actually it was Mark’s time in prison I enjoyed the most as Mark tried to communicate what had led him to this point, his horrendous past and I really empathised (special mention for Fitz, who broke my heart) and noticed that he was possibly the most human bad guy I have read to date. I read this book as I would watch a film, and the last scenes played out perfectly, with my heart in my throat. If I am to find any issues with this, it’s the descriptions of the timeline, I think I’d have rather to have just been given the dates as opposed to this ‘x years before or after, ‘ but, saying that it probably won’t bother most, I also found some parts a little confusing, but more seasoned readers of this genre will figure it out! I would highly recommend this book.
Ratine: 4.5/5
We are shot back to twelve years before where Mark is starting in boarding school, noticibly without any of the parental support other have. I think books like this hit me hardest, with characters that would be so different if they had a family who showed them the love they so craved, and Mark is a character I’ll probably be adding to my ‘best of’ list come the end of the year. Luckily, he falls in quickly with the lovely Will, and you get the impression that they’ll both have each other’s backs. We’re shown a lot of how the boys get on and interact, and I really enjoyed both the banter and light/ dark humour. Then things happen, and one fateful night we see Mark saving Will, but at the cost of another lad’s life.
Mark is an interesting character, where Will is an open book, we constantly wonder whether secretly all the bad luck that piles up in stacks around Mark, is actually his own doing. When I say bad luck, there are a number of events that take place over their lives, most involving expanses of water, that are so real, you feel the fear, the panic, that comes with being trapped under water. (There are a number of these, and you do wonder why they choose to stay anywhere near water!!)
The outstanding imagery also left me in no doubt that this was to be a beautiful read (I was to be correct!) Actually, I have to admit here that I can sometimes have to force myself not to skim over imagery, but I couldn’t even consider that here, it was second to none, powerful and vivid and amazing.
We are told there’s something in his eyes that make people nervous, yet the author is pretty excellent at showing us Mark’s point of view, making us worry that all the bad luck that befalls him ISN’T because of him. This is an interesting book because it has a hint of all the light horror stories I read as a teen (I know, you’d never know, would you?!) and it had me hooked.
There is the added dimension of his home life, where we wonder about his mother, and see him gravitate towards Will’s family. The jump comes when both him and Will fall for two women who are twins, and so we know they’re bound together for life. So begins a chapter in Will’s life where he truly has someone to love. I have to admit I read through this somewhat impatiently, and sometimes was confused, in particular as to their family dynamic, which I didn’t find so clear, waiting for something bad to happen, and when it did, when we found out what Mark did, we were placed in a scenario of having to find out if it was intentional, planned. To get Marks viewpoint throughout this, while looking at the prison system and seeing the differing opinions of Mark on the outside and through the prison employee’s eyes, was excellent. Actually it was Mark’s time in prison I enjoyed the most as Mark tried to communicate what had led him to this point, his horrendous past and I really empathised (special mention for Fitz, who broke my heart) and noticed that he was possibly the most human bad guy I have read to date. I read this book as I would watch a film, and the last scenes played out perfectly, with my heart in my throat. If I am to find any issues with this, it’s the descriptions of the timeline, I think I’d have rather to have just been given the dates as opposed to this ‘x years before or after, ‘ but, saying that it probably won’t bother most, I also found some parts a little confusing, but more seasoned readers of this genre will figure it out! I would highly recommend this book.
Ratine: 4.5/5
June 13, 2018
Is Mark Strachan a guy who's had a tough hand dealt in life? Or a sociopath?
"Rowan's Well" follows the story of Mark and Will from when they become roommates in college to when Mark commits a shocking, unforgivable crime, and everyone has to pick up the pieces afterwards. It's a thriller-cum-family-drama, with flashbacks to Mark's childhood in between the story of college-age and adult Mark, Will, and the sisters they marry.
The flashback structure works well to heighten the tension and underline the uncertainty about Mark's character that is the center of the book: neither the reader, nor his wife, nor his best friend Will, nor, for that matter, Mark himself, can ever be entirely certain whether he's a villain or a victim--or rather, where his victimhood ends and his villainy begins. Rejected by his parents and bullied at school, Mark goes through a repeated cycle of driving away and even killing those closest to him. Warning: "Rowan's Well" has some pretty upsetting crimes in it, all committed by Mark. We see Mark as a creepy monster. But we also see him as a person struggling and failing to deal with their difficult past. The human drama plus the flashback structure builds the story to a high pitch of tension that comes--spoiler alert!--to an ambiguous ending.
"Rowan's Well" probably won't be for every reader, but for someone looking for a smart, thoughtful British thriller, it is well worth reading.
"Rowan's Well" follows the story of Mark and Will from when they become roommates in college to when Mark commits a shocking, unforgivable crime, and everyone has to pick up the pieces afterwards. It's a thriller-cum-family-drama, with flashbacks to Mark's childhood in between the story of college-age and adult Mark, Will, and the sisters they marry.
The flashback structure works well to heighten the tension and underline the uncertainty about Mark's character that is the center of the book: neither the reader, nor his wife, nor his best friend Will, nor, for that matter, Mark himself, can ever be entirely certain whether he's a villain or a victim--or rather, where his victimhood ends and his villainy begins. Rejected by his parents and bullied at school, Mark goes through a repeated cycle of driving away and even killing those closest to him. Warning: "Rowan's Well" has some pretty upsetting crimes in it, all committed by Mark. We see Mark as a creepy monster. But we also see him as a person struggling and failing to deal with their difficult past. The human drama plus the flashback structure builds the story to a high pitch of tension that comes--spoiler alert!--to an ambiguous ending.
"Rowan's Well" probably won't be for every reader, but for someone looking for a smart, thoughtful British thriller, it is well worth reading.
June 1, 2017
This is a story of friendship and family and the pull between the two. I really enjoyed the narrative of this Author and found the characters not only well rounded but believable and in many ways relatable. Mark and Will, thrown together at University, become friends quickly, a friendship that lasts a lifetime. The Author gives, Mark, who has sociopathic tendencies, shaped by his childhood, a personality that is chilling but also understandable. The book is a slow suspenseful build to the climax. However, I would have liked to have seen some more twists in the story and found myself personally guessing the ending. At times I found the introduction of new characters a little confusing in terms of the dialogue and who was talking to who. I would definitely recommend the book, it is well written, full of suspense and deeply chilling. The scariest thing for me personally is I could see this happening in real life.
May 26, 2017
This book tells a quietly suspenseful story of a friendship that grows into family, a tale spanning from university years to parenthood. One character challenges this happy narrative time and again: Mark.
The author offers compelling insight of the sociopathic mind with the character Mark. Unlike other media depictions of sociopaths as strategic villains, the author carefully crafts Mark as a man whose lack of empathy plays out in dark, very possible, ways.
William, his best friend, doesn't seem to realize when he's being manipulated. William isn't weak - he's just loyal and couldn't fathom that Mark could be quite as cold hearted as he sometimes seems to be.
The story builds to a crescendo I both suspected and feared. The last third was an unpredictable journey to a dark but satisfying ending.
The author offers compelling insight of the sociopathic mind with the character Mark. Unlike other media depictions of sociopaths as strategic villains, the author carefully crafts Mark as a man whose lack of empathy plays out in dark, very possible, ways.
William, his best friend, doesn't seem to realize when he's being manipulated. William isn't weak - he's just loyal and couldn't fathom that Mark could be quite as cold hearted as he sometimes seems to be.
The story builds to a crescendo I both suspected and feared. The last third was an unpredictable journey to a dark but satisfying ending.
May 12, 2017
What's more important, the friend you met at university or your family?
How deep can a trauma be buried and what happens when it finally breaks through?
What damage can this long hidden trauma do to your mind, your friends, your family and your life?
Want to know?
Read the book, you won't regret it. Highly recommended.
How deep can a trauma be buried and what happens when it finally breaks through?
What damage can this long hidden trauma do to your mind, your friends, your family and your life?
Want to know?
Read the book, you won't regret it. Highly recommended.
July 13, 2017
Rowan's Well by C J Harter has received a Chill with a Book Readers' Award.
www.chillwithabook.com
"A really really excellent book I thoroughly enjoyed it."
"A great story."
"Well written showing how problems in childhood can escalate into adulthood."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
www.chillwithabook.com
"A really really excellent book I thoroughly enjoyed it."
"A great story."
"Well written showing how problems in childhood can escalate into adulthood."
Pauline Barclay
Founder of Chill with a Book Awards
September 17, 2018
Mark - his life, from difficult childhood to uneasy adulthood. Do the events from his youth reflect the way he behaves as an adult? why does he have such difficulty making friends although William whom he meets at University manages to remain his friend throughout it all.
Well written and thought provoking in places but doesn't really answer the questions leaving you to decide for yourself
Well written and thought provoking in places but doesn't really answer the questions leaving you to decide for yourself
February 5, 2018
An interesting read that delves into the friendship of two young men starting university and follows through to their midlife. One male has had a lonely childhood and the other comes from a large, loving family, which brings them more differences than the reader might consider. And one wonders if this friendship becomes the most important relationship in their lives to their detriment through marriage and life crisis.
May 11, 2018
Amazing Book Amazing Author
No spoilers here. Definitely worth reading yourself. Amazing plot, completely believable characters. Will definitely recommend to family friends and fellow readers.
No spoilers here. Definitely worth reading yourself. Amazing plot, completely believable characters. Will definitely recommend to family friends and fellow readers.
September 26, 2018
A Great Book!
I loved this book. It was so full of emotion and sorrow. I felt the pain of the characters. The story was moving and sad. I am glad to have read this book. It is different in a good way!
I loved this book. It was so full of emotion and sorrow. I felt the pain of the characters. The story was moving and sad. I am glad to have read this book. It is different in a good way!
May 12, 2018
Kept me up!
Love this book! It is a dark and psychological look into the lifelong effects of being unloved and nutured as a child.
Love this book! It is a dark and psychological look into the lifelong effects of being unloved and nutured as a child.
July 2, 2018
Excellent
This book is so good it keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. I just could not wait to finish it
This book is so good it keeps you enthralled from beginning to end. I just could not wait to finish it
June 18, 2017
I came across C J Harter through Twitter and this book cover intrigued me. I initially thought Cornwall and Poldark, but I was very wrong. It is a contemporary story following the close relationship between two friends as they progress through life, love and anguish. Sections of high emotion are so well written you almost feel part of the group. The characters are brought to life through a series of events as we move from school days, to boys meet girls and family life, all with an under current of darkness. The chapter headings move you through time towards the fateful day that sees family loyalties tested to the limit. I found this to be a real page turner, an excellent read.
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