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The Great Orme: A Locked Room Mystery
Zachary Llewellyn and his six best friends hide a terrible secret - they’re all killers. As teenagers, he led them to mete out justice in the wilds of North-Wales under the watch of the Great Orme. Years later, their grizzly brand of retribution has followed them into their new lives away from the Great Orme.
But the dead urge Zac to confess their crimes and the Great Orme wills it. And so, he summons the six back to the Great Orme, to persuade them to give up everything.
When one of the six starts killing again, they won't stop until Zac backs down. Zac must find out who the killer is and stop them if they are all to escape from the guilt and ghosts of their past.
But the dead urge Zac to confess their crimes and the Great Orme wills it. And so, he summons the six back to the Great Orme, to persuade them to give up everything.
When one of the six starts killing again, they won't stop until Zac backs down. Zac must find out who the killer is and stop them if they are all to escape from the guilt and ghosts of their past.
- GenresCrime
338 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 17, 2024
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Paul D. Coombs
6 books3 followersPaul D Coombs is an author of stories mired in either one or all of the strange, the Gothic, the dark, and the beautifully tragic. He lives on a rock, floating in space where he inhabits a small clutch of islands known as the United Kingdom. Born in Cardiff, Wales, he now lives in the splendid and sepulchral North West of England.
His stories have appeared in anthologies and magazines, many of which can be found in his collection of short stories - For Strangers Only.
His novel, The Great Orme - is his dark, gothic psychological thriller - a tale of betrayal and paranoia as a group of friends confront violent secrets from their past, was released in October 2024 by Northodox Press.
His stories have appeared in anthologies and magazines, many of which can be found in his collection of short stories - For Strangers Only.
His novel, The Great Orme - is his dark, gothic psychological thriller - a tale of betrayal and paranoia as a group of friends confront violent secrets from their past, was released in October 2024 by Northodox Press.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
April 27, 2025
Well that was an incredible read! Emotionally charged, dark, traumatic and laden with some of the most intense atmosphere to compliment the powerful, sublime writing that combines the very best of coastal gothic, supernatural thriller and exceedingly tense locked room mystery; perfect for fans of writers like Gemma Amor.
The story revolves around one man's desire - Zac - to finally confess for the murders he and his friends committed as teenagers and he summons them all to return home under the gaze of The Great Orme headland in Wales and join his confession. But not everyone wants to lose everything they have built and someone is still out there killing..
There are twists, turns and revelations galore and the killings just keep mounting up. It's a bloodbath at times, but also a perfectly toned psychological thriller which looks deeply into the human psyche and asks intense questions surrounding morality. For whilst they are past murderers, they are murderers of abusers and depraved criminals (content warnings apply). There's a lot of ambiguity to unpack, but eventually things spiral far out of control as devastating truths roll out.
The writing is beautiful - I include some quotes below - and the chemistry between characters shows the skilled hand of the author who has carefully crafted every line of the story. There's a justifiable argument it is drawn out for a bit too long in the final third, but at that point, it is a theatre of tension whipping by so fast, it is easily forgivable. What I also love is the power of the setting - an old house under The Great Orme itself - ramps up as the story progresses. Weather intensifies and the old house creaks and groans with every revelation.
This really was an unexpected gem and really deserves a wider audience who love dark, morally grey themes, that blur the lines between psychological crime, literary fiction and gothic horror.
The author has such unique voice to his writing and I look forward to discovering more of his works.
If I ever visit North Wales, I'm not sure I could have the courage to look 'The Great Orme' in the eye though..
Selected quotes:
"I wonder if we are the children of the Great Orme, our blood and bones merely ink and pens for the sea serpent to write its history?"
"You always stared at the sea, and I wonder if you've been staring at it so long it's drowned you deep inside and ended up washing away all feeling."
The story revolves around one man's desire - Zac - to finally confess for the murders he and his friends committed as teenagers and he summons them all to return home under the gaze of The Great Orme headland in Wales and join his confession. But not everyone wants to lose everything they have built and someone is still out there killing..
There are twists, turns and revelations galore and the killings just keep mounting up. It's a bloodbath at times, but also a perfectly toned psychological thriller which looks deeply into the human psyche and asks intense questions surrounding morality. For whilst they are past murderers, they are murderers of abusers and depraved criminals (content warnings apply). There's a lot of ambiguity to unpack, but eventually things spiral far out of control as devastating truths roll out.
The writing is beautiful - I include some quotes below - and the chemistry between characters shows the skilled hand of the author who has carefully crafted every line of the story. There's a justifiable argument it is drawn out for a bit too long in the final third, but at that point, it is a theatre of tension whipping by so fast, it is easily forgivable. What I also love is the power of the setting - an old house under The Great Orme itself - ramps up as the story progresses. Weather intensifies and the old house creaks and groans with every revelation.
This really was an unexpected gem and really deserves a wider audience who love dark, morally grey themes, that blur the lines between psychological crime, literary fiction and gothic horror.
The author has such unique voice to his writing and I look forward to discovering more of his works.
If I ever visit North Wales, I'm not sure I could have the courage to look 'The Great Orme' in the eye though..
Selected quotes:
"I wonder if we are the children of the Great Orme, our blood and bones merely ink and pens for the sea serpent to write its history?"
"You always stared at the sea, and I wonder if you've been staring at it so long it's drowned you deep inside and ended up washing away all feeling."
November 17, 2024
Zac messages his old gang asking them to return to Llandudno. He wants them to confess to the murders they all took part in as teenagers. But then the killings start again. This was a gripping and tense thriller that felt claustrophobic with the Great Orme looming over all. Some great twists and shockers.
October 19, 2024
Supposing, when you were younger, you and your friends saw what you believed was a great act of cruelty, and decided to mete out your own brand of justice. And further suppose that, as you all get a little older, your friends find themselves in difficult situations and turn to you for advice, advice which inevitably leads to death. What then, do you suppose, would happen if you told your friends that it is time for you all to face up to the consequences of your past actions?
That is exactly the situation Zachary Llewellyn finds himself in, in The Great Orme.
I loved this book, which is set in Llandudno. The Great Orme features extensively, and why not, it is a brooding presence in the town.
There is a sense of menace throughout the story. Some clever plot twists and shocking revelations make this a sinister but very gripping read.
That is exactly the situation Zachary Llewellyn finds himself in, in The Great Orme.
I loved this book, which is set in Llandudno. The Great Orme features extensively, and why not, it is a brooding presence in the town.
There is a sense of menace throughout the story. Some clever plot twists and shocking revelations make this a sinister but very gripping read.
June 25, 2025
Well written and a good overall concept (hence the score) but ultimately not really my kind of thing. Sometimes it's a crime thriller, other times its a ghost story. I felt it got a little greedy with the number of seriously flawed characters until shock lost all meaning in the second half. A minor complaint for what is an otherwise we'll polished novel.
December 8, 2024
Or: Seven Go Mad in Llandudno.
Paul Coombs is very definitely a fan of Agatha Christie, and The Great Orme bears several nods and homages to the great crime writer, not least of which is the presence of the poison thallium. Indeed The Great Orme could, if you squint, be a dark and twisted cousin to And Then There Were None. The book's subtitle here is "A Locked Room Mystery," which while misleading, does show Coombs's intent.
Plot-wise, the premise is fairly simple: Zac Llewellyn has called his childhood friends to his house to convince them all that they should confess to the murders they committed years ago. One of his friends however, has decided that this is not a good idea and is willing to murder again to ensure that Zac stays silent. Once all the group is in situ at Zac's place, the arguments really begin in earnest.
Told in first person, almost entirely from Zac's perspective, you quickly get the idea that Zac is a few spanners short of a full toolbox. He used to be the leader of the gang but now, haunted by guilt, ghosts, and loneliness, he soon realises that he cannot control his old friends. He rambles, seeing things, and while he's certain that the spirit of The Great Orme (the bleak hillside over Llandudno) is driving him on, it's clear his friends see things very differently.
With one foot tentatively in the supernatural camp (and those illustrations of goats bookending the text are downright creepy) and the other firmly in the whodunnit field, while Chekhov's Gun literally spins on the surface of Zac's dilapidated dining table, the pace sometimes feels a bit out. Reactions to revelations, to gunshots, sometimes feel a bit forced and over-dramatic, though you could argue that this is as much down to Zac's telling of events as to anything else. He certainly isn't a relaible narrator. He's supposed to be a policeman - but you get the feeling he's probably been on medical leave for a while now, even if that isn't stated.
Handily, there is even scope for a sequel, which would have an intriguing premise of its own...
Paul Coombs is very definitely a fan of Agatha Christie, and The Great Orme bears several nods and homages to the great crime writer, not least of which is the presence of the poison thallium. Indeed The Great Orme could, if you squint, be a dark and twisted cousin to And Then There Were None. The book's subtitle here is "A Locked Room Mystery," which while misleading, does show Coombs's intent.
Plot-wise, the premise is fairly simple: Zac Llewellyn has called his childhood friends to his house to convince them all that they should confess to the murders they committed years ago. One of his friends however, has decided that this is not a good idea and is willing to murder again to ensure that Zac stays silent. Once all the group is in situ at Zac's place, the arguments really begin in earnest.
Told in first person, almost entirely from Zac's perspective, you quickly get the idea that Zac is a few spanners short of a full toolbox. He used to be the leader of the gang but now, haunted by guilt, ghosts, and loneliness, he soon realises that he cannot control his old friends. He rambles, seeing things, and while he's certain that the spirit of The Great Orme (the bleak hillside over Llandudno) is driving him on, it's clear his friends see things very differently.
With one foot tentatively in the supernatural camp (and those illustrations of goats bookending the text are downright creepy) and the other firmly in the whodunnit field, while Chekhov's Gun literally spins on the surface of Zac's dilapidated dining table, the pace sometimes feels a bit out. Reactions to revelations, to gunshots, sometimes feel a bit forced and over-dramatic, though you could argue that this is as much down to Zac's telling of events as to anything else. He certainly isn't a relaible narrator. He's supposed to be a policeman - but you get the feeling he's probably been on medical leave for a while now, even if that isn't stated.
Handily, there is even scope for a sequel, which would have an intriguing premise of its own...
July 20, 2025
It has taken me a long time to get to this book, I’m not sure why - the ominous cover or just the sense of foreboding that emanates from the blurb - who knows? I do know, that I’m pleased that it eventually struggled to the top of my tbr.
Zachary Llewellyn is a killer, as are his group of friends. They meted out their own brand of justice when they were teenagers but guilt has been eating away at Zac, & he needs to confess. He persuades his friends to return to the Great Orme, the scene of the crime, in order for them all to come clean, but one of them won’t. They will kill again to prevent the original crime coming to light.
This was a great read - ghostly, gothic & very atmospheric. If you enjoy a locked room mystery with a difference, then read this.
Zachary Llewellyn is a killer, as are his group of friends. They meted out their own brand of justice when they were teenagers but guilt has been eating away at Zac, & he needs to confess. He persuades his friends to return to the Great Orme, the scene of the crime, in order for them all to come clean, but one of them won’t. They will kill again to prevent the original crime coming to light.
This was a great read - ghostly, gothic & very atmospheric. If you enjoy a locked room mystery with a difference, then read this.
December 31, 2024
4,5* stars
I’ve read the author’s works before (a short fiction collection For Strangers Only), so I was intrigued when a new title came out. The Great Orme is D Coombs’ debut novel, a dark, twisted philological thriller/murder mystery, set in a coastal Welsh town of Llandudno.
The story is told in the first person by Zachary Llewellyn, a young police officer who, together with his six best friends, committed a terrible murder. Many years have passed since, but Zac is still haunted by the ghosts of his past. His mental health deteriorates rapidly, consumed by the dreams and visions of the victims who urge him to confess. Zac is eager to do so and persuade his friends, including his wife, Orla. He gathers all of them in his old house, but none of them are ready to give up their lives for justice. To make matters worse, one of the six starts to kill again to stop Zac from confessing.
The story is blend of classical “locked-room mystery” a-la Agatha Christie with physiological horror. Sensitive readers should be aware of a few graphic scenes.
Zac is not a reliable narrator. Struggling with depression and still suffering from break-up with Orla, he’s clearly not fit for the job. He can’t even distinguish a dead body from a very much alive person.
Manipulative and prudent, Zac used to be a leader of the group. His friends were easily led by him, committing crimes without questioning his authority. Zac didn’t get his hands dirty even once. However now, he feels fully responsible for every single victim.
Slowly, he realises he lost his influence, and his friends are more concerned about saving their own skin rather than following their former leader and accepting punishment.
The plot is full of turns, revealing how low a human being can fall, how quickly wrong can be twisted into right, the moral lines are blurred, and each murder has its justification. The pace slows down in places, but it fits the narrative perfectly.
The friends are gradually sliding into insanity too, turning on each other. The premises – the old house, the Great Orme, a Sea Serpent in ancient Norse, a limestone cliff above the sea, the storm, lashing the small town – even the surroundings act like characters in this drama. Zac’s supernatural experience, his addiction to the Great Orme, adds to the atmosphere of insanity and danger.
I give this novel 4,5 stars because of the side characters’ back story. They also appeared to be murderers. Taking into consideration the size of Llandudno, there should be more unconvinced murderers than anywhere else in the country.
I recommend this read to everyone who enjoys dark thrillers, slow-paced thrillers and physiological horror with folklore elements. The book can be read as a standalone, although the author left some room for a sequel.
I’ve read the author’s works before (a short fiction collection For Strangers Only), so I was intrigued when a new title came out. The Great Orme is D Coombs’ debut novel, a dark, twisted philological thriller/murder mystery, set in a coastal Welsh town of Llandudno.
The story is told in the first person by Zachary Llewellyn, a young police officer who, together with his six best friends, committed a terrible murder. Many years have passed since, but Zac is still haunted by the ghosts of his past. His mental health deteriorates rapidly, consumed by the dreams and visions of the victims who urge him to confess. Zac is eager to do so and persuade his friends, including his wife, Orla. He gathers all of them in his old house, but none of them are ready to give up their lives for justice. To make matters worse, one of the six starts to kill again to stop Zac from confessing.
The story is blend of classical “locked-room mystery” a-la Agatha Christie with physiological horror. Sensitive readers should be aware of a few graphic scenes.
Zac is not a reliable narrator. Struggling with depression and still suffering from break-up with Orla, he’s clearly not fit for the job. He can’t even distinguish a dead body from a very much alive person.
Manipulative and prudent, Zac used to be a leader of the group. His friends were easily led by him, committing crimes without questioning his authority. Zac didn’t get his hands dirty even once. However now, he feels fully responsible for every single victim.
Slowly, he realises he lost his influence, and his friends are more concerned about saving their own skin rather than following their former leader and accepting punishment.
The plot is full of turns, revealing how low a human being can fall, how quickly wrong can be twisted into right, the moral lines are blurred, and each murder has its justification. The pace slows down in places, but it fits the narrative perfectly.
The friends are gradually sliding into insanity too, turning on each other. The premises – the old house, the Great Orme, a Sea Serpent in ancient Norse, a limestone cliff above the sea, the storm, lashing the small town – even the surroundings act like characters in this drama. Zac’s supernatural experience, his addiction to the Great Orme, adds to the atmosphere of insanity and danger.
I give this novel 4,5 stars because of the side characters’ back story. They also appeared to be murderers. Taking into consideration the size of Llandudno, there should be more unconvinced murderers than anywhere else in the country.
I recommend this read to everyone who enjoys dark thrillers, slow-paced thrillers and physiological horror with folklore elements. The book can be read as a standalone, although the author left some room for a sequel.
October 25, 2024
4.5* for a sinister and menacing read.
Old murderous secrets between friends come back to haunt them when defacto group leader Zachary Llewellyn, haunted by the past, comes to the realisation that all must confess to escape the guilt and ghosts that have come to dominate their lives.
The story and setting of ‘The Great Orme’ is claustrophobic and with a heavy weight of danger, threat and fear that sits on the shoulders of our characters and on us as readers. Its slow pace at the start effectively builds the dread and shows the startling unravelling of the group, quickly showing us that despite their protestations, their lives may not be going as well as they say.
Zac is presented as a pseudo Charles Manson type - never got his hands dirty but certainly helped the others in the decisions they made although not truly charming enough to make me really believe he held that power. However, he is also clearly shown to be a broken man as well as possessing a dark underside that I can't quite put my finger on. It's unnerving to read as you're constantly questioning yourself about his personality, power, motivations and ultimate end goal.
And those decisions and murders we read about definitely blur the moral lines as well. Nothing is truly as clear cut as to merely say, confess. This murky moral ambiguity made sure I never truly quite knew where I stood. On the one hand you feel a sense of potential supernatural power, and the setting is pushed to heighten that feeling but also it could just be the weight of guilt manifesting itself. Either way all of these story, setting and character elements were combined effectively to create an oppressive atmosphere and delivered a highly readable and highly recommended mystery/psychological thriller/horror.
Thank you to Northodox Press for a paperback copy of "The Great Orme" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
Old murderous secrets between friends come back to haunt them when defacto group leader Zachary Llewellyn, haunted by the past, comes to the realisation that all must confess to escape the guilt and ghosts that have come to dominate their lives.
The story and setting of ‘The Great Orme’ is claustrophobic and with a heavy weight of danger, threat and fear that sits on the shoulders of our characters and on us as readers. Its slow pace at the start effectively builds the dread and shows the startling unravelling of the group, quickly showing us that despite their protestations, their lives may not be going as well as they say.
Zac is presented as a pseudo Charles Manson type - never got his hands dirty but certainly helped the others in the decisions they made although not truly charming enough to make me really believe he held that power. However, he is also clearly shown to be a broken man as well as possessing a dark underside that I can't quite put my finger on. It's unnerving to read as you're constantly questioning yourself about his personality, power, motivations and ultimate end goal.
And those decisions and murders we read about definitely blur the moral lines as well. Nothing is truly as clear cut as to merely say, confess. This murky moral ambiguity made sure I never truly quite knew where I stood. On the one hand you feel a sense of potential supernatural power, and the setting is pushed to heighten that feeling but also it could just be the weight of guilt manifesting itself. Either way all of these story, setting and character elements were combined effectively to create an oppressive atmosphere and delivered a highly readable and highly recommended mystery/psychological thriller/horror.
Thank you to Northodox Press for a paperback copy of "The Great Orme" in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.
October 26, 2024
Atmosphere and suspense on every page.
Paul Coombs' debut novel is not to be missed. A must-read for fans of crime and horror.
In their youth, Zachary Llewellyn and his six best friends commit murder - an act of retribution and justice. After time, the friends grow up and drift apart, but the killing doesn't stop there.
Haunted by the ghosts of their victims, Zac can no longer cope with the guilt he bears. He plans to confess, not just his sins, also those of his childhood friends. But he cannot confess alone, all seven must confess to their crimes. In an attempt to make them see that confession is the only way to be free of the past, Zac invites his friends to spend the weekend at his old home, to plead his case and convince each one of them to confess. One by one they arrive with partners in tow. But one of Zac's guests is not who they seem. One of the is the mysterious Leveller, hell-bent on stopping the confession not matter what the cost.
Paul Coombs perfectly crafts a tale of atmosphere, paranoia, mystery and suspense, with wonderfully intelligent twists and turns. Hauntingly beautiful from start to finish.
I can't wait to see what Paul will write next.
Paul Coombs' debut novel is not to be missed. A must-read for fans of crime and horror.
In their youth, Zachary Llewellyn and his six best friends commit murder - an act of retribution and justice. After time, the friends grow up and drift apart, but the killing doesn't stop there.
Haunted by the ghosts of their victims, Zac can no longer cope with the guilt he bears. He plans to confess, not just his sins, also those of his childhood friends. But he cannot confess alone, all seven must confess to their crimes. In an attempt to make them see that confession is the only way to be free of the past, Zac invites his friends to spend the weekend at his old home, to plead his case and convince each one of them to confess. One by one they arrive with partners in tow. But one of Zac's guests is not who they seem. One of the is the mysterious Leveller, hell-bent on stopping the confession not matter what the cost.
Paul Coombs perfectly crafts a tale of atmosphere, paranoia, mystery and suspense, with wonderfully intelligent twists and turns. Hauntingly beautiful from start to finish.
I can't wait to see what Paul will write next.
December 1, 2024
Zachary Llewellyn and his six best friends hide a terrible secret - they’re all killers. As teenagers, he led them to mete out justice in the wilds of North Wales under the watch of the Great Orme. Years later, their grizzly brand of retribution has followed them into their new lives, but when the dead urge Zac to confess their crimes and the power of the Great Orme wills it. And so, he summons the six to return to Llandudno, to persuade them to confess their crimes and give up everything. However, when one of the six starts killing again, they won’t stop until Zac backs down. Zac must find out who the killer is and stop them if they are all to escape from the guilt and ghosts of their past.
With the outstanding Great Orme located fairly locally to me, this was a title that instantly grabbed my attention when I heard of its release. The descriptions of the scenic landscapes of the Orme and the surrounding Llandudno landmarks sung to me from the page, the familiarity of the locations showing the vast knowledge the author has of the local area.
The tension is peaked from the offset and remains a constant throughout, the story unfolding in a clever, fast-paced, descriptive format. I really enjoyed the way the way we are introduced to each character, how they retell their gruesome crimes, giving the reader all of the necessary background. The conversational aspect of this dialogue between the characters provides all the details, planting clues along the way as to who is obstructing the confession in this mystery.
Of course I’m not going to give any spoilers but know this is a book that lets you think you have it all figured out, before quickly adding in yet another twist to consider. The creation of a tense, suspicious and paranoid atmosphere, makes this a locked-room thriller that you don’t want to miss!
With the outstanding Great Orme located fairly locally to me, this was a title that instantly grabbed my attention when I heard of its release. The descriptions of the scenic landscapes of the Orme and the surrounding Llandudno landmarks sung to me from the page, the familiarity of the locations showing the vast knowledge the author has of the local area.
The tension is peaked from the offset and remains a constant throughout, the story unfolding in a clever, fast-paced, descriptive format. I really enjoyed the way the way we are introduced to each character, how they retell their gruesome crimes, giving the reader all of the necessary background. The conversational aspect of this dialogue between the characters provides all the details, planting clues along the way as to who is obstructing the confession in this mystery.
Of course I’m not going to give any spoilers but know this is a book that lets you think you have it all figured out, before quickly adding in yet another twist to consider. The creation of a tense, suspicious and paranoid atmosphere, makes this a locked-room thriller that you don’t want to miss!
October 27, 2024
The Great Orme blew my mind! It has all the ingredients of the genres that I love and whilst it is described as a locked room mystery it is so much more!
Read the blurb and trust me when I say I have never read anything like it and that's a huge compliment. I have read a lot of books!
Paul D Coombs has written something really masterfully clever and special and is easily one of my top reads ever!
The Great Orme will appeal to many, with its combination of folklore, murder and horror that delivers an atmospheric, superbly twisty, tense, pacy story.
Its an emotionally charged read as the seven friends face their pasts and the ghosts that haunt them. If they confess would it lay the ghosts to rest? Will all the murders stop?
No spoilers from me and I highly recommend you buy this book. Its that good I brought the paperback and was so engrossed I brought it on kindle too so I could carry on reading late into the night without keeping my OH awake.
Excited to read more from this author
Read the blurb and trust me when I say I have never read anything like it and that's a huge compliment. I have read a lot of books!
Paul D Coombs has written something really masterfully clever and special and is easily one of my top reads ever!
The Great Orme will appeal to many, with its combination of folklore, murder and horror that delivers an atmospheric, superbly twisty, tense, pacy story.
Its an emotionally charged read as the seven friends face their pasts and the ghosts that haunt them. If they confess would it lay the ghosts to rest? Will all the murders stop?
No spoilers from me and I highly recommend you buy this book. Its that good I brought the paperback and was so engrossed I brought it on kindle too so I could carry on reading late into the night without keeping my OH awake.
Excited to read more from this author
November 5, 2024
It's not often I'm surprised by a book, but I love it when one comes along that's not your usual read.
Zach is haunted by the ghosts of his past and believes his only salvation lies in convincing his childhood friends to confess to all the murders they committed under his direction... And with that, this book takes the reader on a wild ride of mystery, death, retribution, death, guilt, and death.
Paul Coombs creates the perfect atmosphere in this book. You could almost believe you'd see The Great Orme for yourself if you look out the window. His cast are a fantastic bunch of complex characters that provoke a whole range of emotions, and to say the plot is propulsive is an understatement. This is one of those books that you can't put down, and if you have to put it down, you can't wait to get back to it.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was thoroughly delighted by what I found. The twists keep on coming, the tension ratchets up with every chapter, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying. I highly recommend this book.
Zach is haunted by the ghosts of his past and believes his only salvation lies in convincing his childhood friends to confess to all the murders they committed under his direction... And with that, this book takes the reader on a wild ride of mystery, death, retribution, death, guilt, and death.
Paul Coombs creates the perfect atmosphere in this book. You could almost believe you'd see The Great Orme for yourself if you look out the window. His cast are a fantastic bunch of complex characters that provoke a whole range of emotions, and to say the plot is propulsive is an understatement. This is one of those books that you can't put down, and if you have to put it down, you can't wait to get back to it.
I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I was thoroughly delighted by what I found. The twists keep on coming, the tension ratchets up with every chapter, and the ending is thoroughly satisfying. I highly recommend this book.
September 22, 2025
Coombs does something wonderful with this book. He was able to find the interstice where whodunnit thriller and Gothic horror meet, all the while weaving his words to feel equal parts Max Porter prose-poetry and Arthur Miller's All My Sons. This is to say that Coombs wrote something truly unique and so, so enjoyable to read.
My only qualms with The Great Orme are that a few flashbacks seem a little too forced and contrived to fit one core conceit of the novel and there are a noticeable amount of errors in the text which could have been picked up in editing. Perhaps my three stars feels too harsh for how much I liked this book but, at this time, it feels right.
I can't speak much to the plot, for fear of giving away not just too much, but anything at all - and this is rather important for a whodunnit - but I will reiterate that this is a must read book for any fans of the genres or authors that I mentioned earlier. I am thankful that I was fortunate enough to snag a signed copy from Chester Waterstones and I will definitely be keeping an eye for more of Coombs' work.
My only qualms with The Great Orme are that a few flashbacks seem a little too forced and contrived to fit one core conceit of the novel and there are a noticeable amount of errors in the text which could have been picked up in editing. Perhaps my three stars feels too harsh for how much I liked this book but, at this time, it feels right.
I can't speak much to the plot, for fear of giving away not just too much, but anything at all - and this is rather important for a whodunnit - but I will reiterate that this is a must read book for any fans of the genres or authors that I mentioned earlier. I am thankful that I was fortunate enough to snag a signed copy from Chester Waterstones and I will definitely be keeping an eye for more of Coombs' work.
August 12, 2025
This is a dark, psychological mystery, set in a Llandudno overshadowed by the landmark the Great Orme, which the vikings saw as a sea serpent. The action asks ethical questions about which murders, if any, are justified. The perpetrators are literally haunted by the ghosts they have created.
It is described as a “locked room mystery” and it follows the conventions of something like And Then There Were None, also reminding me a little of It Part 2 and Secret History, but altogether it also unlike anything I have read before, full of violence and fear as well as intellectual and philosophical elements.
The characters are all memorable, realistic and, to some extent, sympathetic. The stories within the story are all as gripping as the whole. There are magical realist elements, which might be real supernatural phenomena or they might be due to the narrator’s state of mind. All those questions are left up in the air.
It’s a complex, satisfying, unnerving read and I loved it!
It is described as a “locked room mystery” and it follows the conventions of something like And Then There Were None, also reminding me a little of It Part 2 and Secret History, but altogether it also unlike anything I have read before, full of violence and fear as well as intellectual and philosophical elements.
The characters are all memorable, realistic and, to some extent, sympathetic. The stories within the story are all as gripping as the whole. There are magical realist elements, which might be real supernatural phenomena or they might be due to the narrator’s state of mind. All those questions are left up in the air.
It’s a complex, satisfying, unnerving read and I loved it!
January 27, 2025
Paul D. Coombs’ The Great Orme is a chilling and atmospheric locked-room mystery that explores guilt, justice, and the lingering shadows of past sins. The story centres on Zachary Llewellyn and his six childhood friends, who share a dark secret: as teenagers, they enacted their own brand of justice in the wilds of North Wales. Years later, haunted by guilt and the voices of their victims, Zac gathers the group back at the eerie Great Orme to confront their crimes.
Coombs masterfully builds tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where mistrust festers and old wounds resurface. The re-emergence of a killer among the group adds an edge of danger, as Zac races to unmask them before more blood is spilled.
The Great Orme itself feels like a character, its haunting presence amplifying the story’s suspense.
Coombs masterfully builds tension, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere where mistrust festers and old wounds resurface. The re-emergence of a killer among the group adds an edge of danger, as Zac races to unmask them before more blood is spilled.
The Great Orme itself feels like a character, its haunting presence amplifying the story’s suspense.
January 17, 2025
As soon as I started this book I was immediately sucked in by the beautiful writing. A man wants confessions from childhood friends and summons them back to the old house, and the Great Orme. History starts to repeat itself, and hell happens in a big way when they're all gathered together. There were so many moving parts, and people, to this story but I never found it confusing. Once the action starts, it doesn't let up. I loved this book, and while I dearly love an ambiguous ending (albeit a good one), I need to know what happens. Please?
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