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Dark Tides
When Claire Cooper was eight years old her mother mysteriously vanished during Hop-tu-naa, the Manx Halloween. At fourteen, Claire is still struggling to come to terms with her disappearance when she's befriended by a group of five teenagers who mark every Hop-tu-naa by performing dares. But Claire's arrival begins to alter the group's dynamic until one year a prank goes terribly wrong, changing all their futures and tearing the friends apart.
Six years later, one of the friends is killed on Hop-tu-naa in an apparent accident. But Claire, now a police officer, has her doubts. Is a single footprint found near the body a deliberate taunt?
As another Hop-tu-naa dawns, bringing with it another death and another footprint, Claire becomes convinced that somebody is seeking vengeance. But who? And which of the friends might be next? If she's to stop a killer and unlock the dark secrets of her past, Claire must confront her deepest fears, before it's too late.
The author of the bestselling SAFE HOUSE returns to the Isle of Man with a thriller that will keep you up all night.
Six years later, one of the friends is killed on Hop-tu-naa in an apparent accident. But Claire, now a police officer, has her doubts. Is a single footprint found near the body a deliberate taunt?
As another Hop-tu-naa dawns, bringing with it another death and another footprint, Claire becomes convinced that somebody is seeking vengeance. But who? And which of the friends might be next? If she's to stop a killer and unlock the dark secrets of her past, Claire must confront her deepest fears, before it's too late.
The author of the bestselling SAFE HOUSE returns to the Isle of Man with a thriller that will keep you up all night.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published October 14, 2014
36 people are currently reading
629 people want to read
About the author
Chris Ewan
26 books289 followersWriting as C.M. Ewan, my latest thriller is A WINDOW BREAKS.
I'm also the author of the popular GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO ... series of mysteries about globetrotting crime writer and thief-for-hire, Charlie Howard. The series has been praised as "crime writing at its best" (Sydney Morning Herald) and a "delightful series" (The Seattle Times) and comprises THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO AMSTERDAM (winner of the Long Barn Books First Novel Award), THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO PARIS, THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO VEGAS, THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO VENICE and THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO BERLIN.
To download your FREE copy of THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO MURDER, simply visit my website www.chrisewan.com and enter your email details.
I love to hear from readers and always respond to every email I receive.
You can contact me via:
my website www.chrisewan.com
on Twitter @chrisewan
or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisewanauthor
My critically acclaimed standalone thrillers include the major bestseller SAFE HOUSE (which has sold more than 500,000 copies in the UK and was shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award), DEAD LINE, DARK TIDES (an Observer "Thriller of the Month") and LONG TIME LOST (a "masterful thriller" The Independent). I'm also the author of the Kindle Single story SCARLETT POINT which, like many of my thrillers, is set on the Isle of Man.
I was born in Taunton in 1976 and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in American Studies with a minor in Canadian Literature, then later trained as a lawyer. After an eleven-year spell living on the Isle of Man, I now live in Somerset, England with my wife and two children, where I write full time.
I'm also the author of the popular GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO ... series of mysteries about globetrotting crime writer and thief-for-hire, Charlie Howard. The series has been praised as "crime writing at its best" (Sydney Morning Herald) and a "delightful series" (The Seattle Times) and comprises THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO AMSTERDAM (winner of the Long Barn Books First Novel Award), THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO PARIS, THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO VEGAS, THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO VENICE and THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO BERLIN.
To download your FREE copy of THE GOOD THIEF'S GUIDE TO MURDER, simply visit my website www.chrisewan.com and enter your email details.
I love to hear from readers and always respond to every email I receive.
You can contact me via:
my website www.chrisewan.com
on Twitter @chrisewan
or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/chrisewanauthor
My critically acclaimed standalone thrillers include the major bestseller SAFE HOUSE (which has sold more than 500,000 copies in the UK and was shortlisted for the Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award), DEAD LINE, DARK TIDES (an Observer "Thriller of the Month") and LONG TIME LOST (a "masterful thriller" The Independent). I'm also the author of the Kindle Single story SCARLETT POINT which, like many of my thrillers, is set on the Isle of Man.
I was born in Taunton in 1976 and graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in American Studies with a minor in Canadian Literature, then later trained as a lawyer. After an eleven-year spell living on the Isle of Man, I now live in Somerset, England with my wife and two children, where I write full time.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
January 29, 2019
Want to see more from me? Check out my youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfer...
When Claire Cooper was 8 years old, her mother disappeared on Hop-tu-naa, the Manx equivalent of Halloween. Claire has always had her suspicions about what happened to her mother so 10 years later, she and 5 of her friends take part in a dare on Hop-tu-naa that ends terribly. Year after year, this dare keeps coming back to haunt the 5 friends.
The story is told in two timelines, the past and the present which I thought was very well done. I loved how the prologue of the book eventually shows up again further along in the story. It was interesting to see the story progress over the 20 years it takes place in. The killer is quite predictable from about 1/3 into the story so that was a bit disappointing to me. I really liked Claire as a main character and thought her actions and choices were very relatable. I also really enjoyed reading some chapters from the killer's perspective, it definitely brought a spooky feeling while reading. I loved the mystery behind what happened to Claire's mother and definitely didn't figure it out by the end so that was a positive for me.
Overall, it was entertaining but not anything overly memorable in my opinion.
When Claire Cooper was 8 years old, her mother disappeared on Hop-tu-naa, the Manx equivalent of Halloween. Claire has always had her suspicions about what happened to her mother so 10 years later, she and 5 of her friends take part in a dare on Hop-tu-naa that ends terribly. Year after year, this dare keeps coming back to haunt the 5 friends.
The story is told in two timelines, the past and the present which I thought was very well done. I loved how the prologue of the book eventually shows up again further along in the story. It was interesting to see the story progress over the 20 years it takes place in. The killer is quite predictable from about 1/3 into the story so that was a bit disappointing to me. I really liked Claire as a main character and thought her actions and choices were very relatable. I also really enjoyed reading some chapters from the killer's perspective, it definitely brought a spooky feeling while reading. I loved the mystery behind what happened to Claire's mother and definitely didn't figure it out by the end so that was a positive for me.
Overall, it was entertaining but not anything overly memorable in my opinion.
August 17, 2019
This is kind of a weird rating for me... I enjoyed the hell out of this book even though I thought it was super-predictable and I totally guessed the ending. I literally read it in two sittings, just couldn't put it down. I guess I'm just a sucker for this particular trope: a group of people terrorized for a mistake/accident/(or in this case) "prank" gone wrong. Who witnessed their horrible deed? Is it an outsider wreaking revenge or is it...one of them? What can I say? I Know What You Did Last Summer was one of my favorite books in junior high, and the intrinsic goodness of that premise never goes out of style.
October 31, 2014
This is one of those books that begin near the end and teases you with just enough information to make you want to turn the pages to find out how it all started. The prologue is our first introduction to Claire Cooper - on the night of 31 October 2014 – the night of Hop-tu-naa, the Manx equivalent of Halloween. This night, 31 October, has particular significance throughout the book as events occur on this same date over a period of nearly 20 years. We then jump back several years to where the real story begins.
Claire Cooper’s life changed on 31 October 1995 when she was 8 years old. That was the night that her mother disappeared after taking Claire and their flickering turnip lantern for the door to door Hop-tu-naa activities. Her father was left broken and every aspect of Claire’s life has been deeply affected by the loss of her mother. Claire has always had her suspicions as to who she believes is responsible for her mother’s disappearance but has never been able to prove it. As a teenager, she gets involved with a group of friends who take it in turns each Hop-tu-naa to choose a dare, however one time things go horribly wrong and the consequences affect them all – year upon year.
This was the first book I have read by Chris Ewan but it certainly won’t be the last. The story has an original timeline – mostly being set on one recurring day and night, and this combined with the details of Hop-tu-naa folklore work perfectly. Claire, the main character, was extremely well written and convincing – she wasn’t perfect and made her share of mistakes but this added to the believability factor. The plot twists and twisted characters make this an engrossing read and I now don’t have any fingernails left! I loved the author's easy to read style and even though the timeline changes from year to year this doesn’t spoil the pace or flow of the story. The narration is from Claire’s point of view which allows her the opportunity to keep her own secrets about events, however adding the killer’s chilling and anonymous voice to the story brings an extra element of suspense. I have never been to the Isle of Man but the author’s detailed knowledge and description of the landscape brought it to life and I had a vivid image in my mind of its bleak headlands and misty woodlands.
Having checked on my Kindle I do have Safe House to read which I bought some time ago. I shall certainly be bumping that one up the reading list and if Safe House is as good as this one, I will be adding Mr Ewan to my list of ‘must read’ crime authors.
Claire Cooper’s life changed on 31 October 1995 when she was 8 years old. That was the night that her mother disappeared after taking Claire and their flickering turnip lantern for the door to door Hop-tu-naa activities. Her father was left broken and every aspect of Claire’s life has been deeply affected by the loss of her mother. Claire has always had her suspicions as to who she believes is responsible for her mother’s disappearance but has never been able to prove it. As a teenager, she gets involved with a group of friends who take it in turns each Hop-tu-naa to choose a dare, however one time things go horribly wrong and the consequences affect them all – year upon year.
This was the first book I have read by Chris Ewan but it certainly won’t be the last. The story has an original timeline – mostly being set on one recurring day and night, and this combined with the details of Hop-tu-naa folklore work perfectly. Claire, the main character, was extremely well written and convincing – she wasn’t perfect and made her share of mistakes but this added to the believability factor. The plot twists and twisted characters make this an engrossing read and I now don’t have any fingernails left! I loved the author's easy to read style and even though the timeline changes from year to year this doesn’t spoil the pace or flow of the story. The narration is from Claire’s point of view which allows her the opportunity to keep her own secrets about events, however adding the killer’s chilling and anonymous voice to the story brings an extra element of suspense. I have never been to the Isle of Man but the author’s detailed knowledge and description of the landscape brought it to life and I had a vivid image in my mind of its bleak headlands and misty woodlands.
Having checked on my Kindle I do have Safe House to read which I bought some time ago. I shall certainly be bumping that one up the reading list and if Safe House is as good as this one, I will be adding Mr Ewan to my list of ‘must read’ crime authors.
October 7, 2014
I’ve been a fan of Mr Ewan’s thrillers since Safe House – particularly because he always brings something different to the table with each new novel so you know you are in for a treat (or a trick?) every time, you are just not sure what kind of treat it might be..
In the case of “Dark Tides” the treat was this – one of my favourite types of story (past events invading current happenings) done with this authors particular style, using some terrifically drawn characters facing some terrifying circumstances, all wrapped up in an often scary package – perfect Halloween reading.
Pretty perfectly constructed, we go between past and present to paint a picture of the things that have shaped Claire Cooper – losing her Mother at a young age, growing up fairly insular and isolated but finally finding some really good friends. Sometimes however, friendship can be harmful and this group of eclectic and impulsive characters may not be the best thing for Claire. As events spiral out of control and she faces down a killer, it is compelling stuff and you will be hooked.
I VERY much enjoyed finding out more about the Manx version of Halloween, with all its similarites yet with a deep and imaginative mythology that lent itself brilliantly to the tale being told, giving a perfect backdrop to the often creepy and haunting events. Each of the characters has a heart and a voice all their own, Claire is especially likeable even as she does some rather idiotic things. There are not TOO many male authors who can pull off such an authentic female voice but Chris Ewan is one of them, she is someone you will want to follow along with and will root for all the way.
The mystery element is also intelligently done – ok, so the author did not manage to “trick” me but there were some fascinating insights into a heart full of darkness and an exellent flow to the proceedings, one of those books that keeps you up in the night and leaves you bleary eyed the next morning. I loved it – my favourite so far without a doubt and most definitely Highly Recommended.
I will be part of the Dark Tides Blog Tour on the 28th October when you will find a guest post from the author. And on Halloween itself keep an eye out, there may be a treat in store. No tricks. I promise…
In the case of “Dark Tides” the treat was this – one of my favourite types of story (past events invading current happenings) done with this authors particular style, using some terrifically drawn characters facing some terrifying circumstances, all wrapped up in an often scary package – perfect Halloween reading.
Pretty perfectly constructed, we go between past and present to paint a picture of the things that have shaped Claire Cooper – losing her Mother at a young age, growing up fairly insular and isolated but finally finding some really good friends. Sometimes however, friendship can be harmful and this group of eclectic and impulsive characters may not be the best thing for Claire. As events spiral out of control and she faces down a killer, it is compelling stuff and you will be hooked.
I VERY much enjoyed finding out more about the Manx version of Halloween, with all its similarites yet with a deep and imaginative mythology that lent itself brilliantly to the tale being told, giving a perfect backdrop to the often creepy and haunting events. Each of the characters has a heart and a voice all their own, Claire is especially likeable even as she does some rather idiotic things. There are not TOO many male authors who can pull off such an authentic female voice but Chris Ewan is one of them, she is someone you will want to follow along with and will root for all the way.
The mystery element is also intelligently done – ok, so the author did not manage to “trick” me but there were some fascinating insights into a heart full of darkness and an exellent flow to the proceedings, one of those books that keeps you up in the night and leaves you bleary eyed the next morning. I loved it – my favourite so far without a doubt and most definitely Highly Recommended.
I will be part of the Dark Tides Blog Tour on the 28th October when you will find a guest post from the author. And on Halloween itself keep an eye out, there may be a treat in store. No tricks. I promise…
July 21, 2018
DNF @ 43%. I really wanted to get through this because it talks a lot about Manx Halloween which I find pretty interesting, but I was incredibly bored. There was nothing very thrilling about this thriller. Anyway, I'm doing an unhaul and I was tired of this sitting on my shelf.
2 stars for the Manx Halloween stuff, though in my honest opinion, it was pretty sparse.
2 stars for the Manx Halloween stuff, though in my honest opinion, it was pretty sparse.
September 26, 2014
Dark Tides – A Dark Manx Thriller
Chris Ewan with Dark Tides introduces us to some of the darker aspects of Manx folklore and spins it in to a wonderful thriller. Anyone that knows anything about the Isle of Man knows that some of its folklore can be quite dark but nothing can compete with Hop-tu-naa, the Manx Halloween. Ewan has woven a wonderful thriller in to the night of Hop-tu-naa drawing out the darkest of evil spirits.
Claire Cooper’s mother goes missing presumed dead on 31st October 1995 when she returns Claire home and heads back to her employer Edward Caine in the big house with his ill son. Little did she know that the date would hang heavy in her family for years after. As she gets older she hangs out with her teenage friends on Hop-tu-naa and they take part in various dares every year. One year those dares go one step to far but it would be that dare that would have repecutions over the years eventually coming full circle to Claire.
After university Claire is a member of the Manx police and is working when one of her teenage pals is killed in a car crash. The following two years another one of those pals she used to do the dares with is killed and she thinks she knows who is behind it. Unfortunately there is no proof and what proof there is points in a different direction. It is only when Claire and her childhood boyfriend are the last ones standing do things start to become clear and then it is a race against time to save lives and more importantly save her own life.
There are some wonderful twists and turns in this thriller and the use of the Hop-tu-naa brings the ultimate twist. As a reader you are pleading that Claire can remain safe but deep down you know she is the ultimate target even though you know it is coming you are not prepared for what happens. Chris Ewan uses a deep and well researched knowledge of Manx folklore and weaves it wonderfully in to the story. The only regret is that the book comes to an end but it is worth every minute that you spend reading it!
Chris Ewan with Dark Tides introduces us to some of the darker aspects of Manx folklore and spins it in to a wonderful thriller. Anyone that knows anything about the Isle of Man knows that some of its folklore can be quite dark but nothing can compete with Hop-tu-naa, the Manx Halloween. Ewan has woven a wonderful thriller in to the night of Hop-tu-naa drawing out the darkest of evil spirits.
Claire Cooper’s mother goes missing presumed dead on 31st October 1995 when she returns Claire home and heads back to her employer Edward Caine in the big house with his ill son. Little did she know that the date would hang heavy in her family for years after. As she gets older she hangs out with her teenage friends on Hop-tu-naa and they take part in various dares every year. One year those dares go one step to far but it would be that dare that would have repecutions over the years eventually coming full circle to Claire.
After university Claire is a member of the Manx police and is working when one of her teenage pals is killed in a car crash. The following two years another one of those pals she used to do the dares with is killed and she thinks she knows who is behind it. Unfortunately there is no proof and what proof there is points in a different direction. It is only when Claire and her childhood boyfriend are the last ones standing do things start to become clear and then it is a race against time to save lives and more importantly save her own life.
There are some wonderful twists and turns in this thriller and the use of the Hop-tu-naa brings the ultimate twist. As a reader you are pleading that Claire can remain safe but deep down you know she is the ultimate target even though you know it is coming you are not prepared for what happens. Chris Ewan uses a deep and well researched knowledge of Manx folklore and weaves it wonderfully in to the story. The only regret is that the book comes to an end but it is worth every minute that you spend reading it!
July 21, 2019
One night, six friends one deadly dare.
I really Loved reading this thriller, it was something so very different from all the other thrillers that I ever read.
Much of this book is set in the landscape of Isle of Man.
Claire is just eight-years old when her mother mysteriously vanishes during Hop-tu-naa, the Manx Halloween. The police thought Claire's mother must have just left her and her dad. Claire got the impression that maybe her Mum had killed herself and that she done it somewhere, or in some way, so that her body had never been found, or her identity wouldn't be known. Claire's dad thinks his wife is dead.
At fourteen, Claire is in a group with five friends who every Hop-tu-naa perform dares. One dare goes terribly wrong and Mark ends up in prison.
Six years later Claire was a completely different person she was a police officer and visits Mark in prison. Mark was the only one in prison,but none of the five friends could bare to discuss what they had done, and yet none of them could pretend they hadn't been part of what happened.
Expect the Chris Ewan to blow you away with the twist in Dark Tides. What I liked about Chris Ewan's writing is that he creates characters that grip you making you love them all in a special kind of way, he certainly pulls the readers in wanting to know more about the characters and what happens to them as the story unfolds.. As for me count me in as I will be reading Chris Ewan's next novel.
October 9, 2014
Having never read anything by Chris Ewan before I was drawn to this book on Netgalley because of it's cover and very exciting sounding premise. From the book's haunting and chilling opening to a fantastic finale it was a gripping read that lived up to the 'keep you up all night' line on the back, stupidly starting this book late one night found me still reading a couple of hours later... always the sign of a good book.
Given the book is set around Halloween it is perfect for reading at that time. The opening had an almost horror film type feel to it, at times you almost want to look away as you know nothing good is coming yet it's impossible to look away because you just want to read on. Ending on a cliffhanger the Prologue takes us back in time to when Claire, who is somewhat timid and a bit of a loner is invited out by a popular girl called Rachel who introduces her to a group of friends who partake in dares on Hop-tu-naa.
Claire has an element of mystery surrounding her, especially about her past which is explored further as the book flits seamlessly between time periods. Taking us further back in time we learn more about Claire and her family as her mother disappeared during Hop-tu-naa. I found this worked quite well and added to the overall tension of this book, the blurb gives bits away yet the book still has plenty of shocks and twists that will keep your brain ticking leaving you with questions that require immediate answers making this a read in a couple of sittings book. Six years after a terrible incident when one of the dares goes wrong and one of the friends is murdered, the killer leaving just a footprint. Another year brings another death... Who is carrying out the killings and why? Claire, now a police officer is determined to find out.
I also love that the book was set on the Isle of Man. When you read a book set in a place you have never been and finish it feeling like you have, that speaks volumes at the talent of the author to bring that setting to life and make it feel almost as if you are a part of the story. The whole book has an incredible atmosphere, eery and chilling in places it's definitely one to read at night to add to the overall creepiness of it.
I loved the premise of the story and am so glad it was executed as well as it was. This is a thriller in every sense of the word. It's both original and exciting which given the crowdedness of the genre and the sometimes repetitive nature of its books is fantastic. For most of is Halloween is a time for sweets, trick or treating or scary movies yet for the characters here the movie becomes real as Claire faces a battle to prevent further deaths, including her own. I have no trouble recommending this book and will be hoping to read the author's previous work whilst keeping an eager eye out for what's to come from him in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for the NetGalley review copy.
Given the book is set around Halloween it is perfect for reading at that time. The opening had an almost horror film type feel to it, at times you almost want to look away as you know nothing good is coming yet it's impossible to look away because you just want to read on. Ending on a cliffhanger the Prologue takes us back in time to when Claire, who is somewhat timid and a bit of a loner is invited out by a popular girl called Rachel who introduces her to a group of friends who partake in dares on Hop-tu-naa.
Claire has an element of mystery surrounding her, especially about her past which is explored further as the book flits seamlessly between time periods. Taking us further back in time we learn more about Claire and her family as her mother disappeared during Hop-tu-naa. I found this worked quite well and added to the overall tension of this book, the blurb gives bits away yet the book still has plenty of shocks and twists that will keep your brain ticking leaving you with questions that require immediate answers making this a read in a couple of sittings book. Six years after a terrible incident when one of the dares goes wrong and one of the friends is murdered, the killer leaving just a footprint. Another year brings another death... Who is carrying out the killings and why? Claire, now a police officer is determined to find out.
I also love that the book was set on the Isle of Man. When you read a book set in a place you have never been and finish it feeling like you have, that speaks volumes at the talent of the author to bring that setting to life and make it feel almost as if you are a part of the story. The whole book has an incredible atmosphere, eery and chilling in places it's definitely one to read at night to add to the overall creepiness of it.
I loved the premise of the story and am so glad it was executed as well as it was. This is a thriller in every sense of the word. It's both original and exciting which given the crowdedness of the genre and the sometimes repetitive nature of its books is fantastic. For most of is Halloween is a time for sweets, trick or treating or scary movies yet for the characters here the movie becomes real as Claire faces a battle to prevent further deaths, including her own. I have no trouble recommending this book and will be hoping to read the author's previous work whilst keeping an eager eye out for what's to come from him in the future.
Thanks to the publisher for the NetGalley review copy.
November 29, 2014
There were a few formatting issues in the copy I had for review which slightly affected my enjoyment of the book. This will be resolved in the final copies.
This book starts with events at Hop-tu-naa, which is the Manx Halloween. Claire loses her mum when she vanishes on this night after taking her door to door around the neighbourhood.
She then goes around with a group of friends who dare each other on Hop-tu-naa and this has terrible ramifications for them all.
She becomes a police officer and one of her friends is killed on the same evening. Can she stop this killer? She thinks she knows who is responsible- but the evidence seems to suggest she is wrong.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
This book starts with events at Hop-tu-naa, which is the Manx Halloween. Claire loses her mum when she vanishes on this night after taking her door to door around the neighbourhood.
She then goes around with a group of friends who dare each other on Hop-tu-naa and this has terrible ramifications for them all.
She becomes a police officer and one of her friends is killed on the same evening. Can she stop this killer? She thinks she knows who is responsible- but the evidence seems to suggest she is wrong.
With many thanks to the publisher and Net Galley for a copy of this book.
February 2, 2015
Un thriller muy interesante que engancha desde la primera página, aunque los primeros capítulos de la Claire adolescente me han parecido más flojos. Menos mal que enseguida el libro ha recuperado el ritmo y no he querido dejarlo hasta llegar al final.
January 6, 2019
I liked this but I thought it was kind of easy to guess the murder.
We were being lead to believe in a fairly obvious way that it was one character but it wasn't hard to guess that it was actually going to be a different character.
*spoilers below*
I liked the Claire/Mark storyline and was quite disappointed when that turned into nothing, it kept with me for the rest of the book so I was never really invested in the Claire/David relationship.
But maybe that's just because Mark is a bad boy and honestly, who doesn't like them?!
We were being lead to believe in a fairly obvious way that it was one character but it wasn't hard to guess that it was actually going to be a different character.
*spoilers below*
I liked the Claire/Mark storyline and was quite disappointed when that turned into nothing, it kept with me for the rest of the book so I was never really invested in the Claire/David relationship.
But maybe that's just because Mark is a bad boy and honestly, who doesn't like them?!
November 7, 2019
Very scary
November 26, 2014
I’m a confirmed fan of Chris Ewan’s crime writing to date and Dark Tides does not disappoint! Beginning with one of the creepiest opening chapters it has ever been my pleasure to read- lone female Claire Cooper- a scary deserted cottage- Halloween 2014 (or Hop-tu-naa as it is dubbed on the Isle of Man) and the scene is set for a slowly escalating tension filled read. Cleverly, throughout the course of book Ewan takes us through a succession of Halloween nights, flipping backwards and forwards between timelines. Consequently, we trace the events in Claire’s life from her younger years, and the traumatic events that have followed her over each Halloween, beginning with the unsolved disappearance of her mother, possibly at the hands of her sinister employer Edward Caine, who I kept picturing as Mr Burns from The Simpsons (insert Homer Simpson shudder here) and his equally weird son Morgan. Following the disappearance of her mother on that fateful Halloween night, Claire grows up slightly introverted until her acceptance by the ‘cool’ gang comprising of Rachel, Callum, David, Mark and Scott, whose increasingly dangerous Hop-tu-naa stunts over the years prove to be their undoing. Particularly when in a dangerous prank they turn their attentions on Edward Caine to avenge Claire’s mother’s disappearance, which ends in extreme violence and find themselves in a killer’s sights…
Thanks to the skilful manipulation and presentation of each timeline, culminating in the present day with Claire now employed as a police officer, Ewan never loses the reader’s concentration. So many authors fall at the first hurdle with time shifts, either confusing when the action is taking place, or not placing enough points of interest in each timeline to hold the reader’s interest. I positively relished entering each different Halloween so see who would perish next, and loved the disparate and, at times, wonderfully gruesome ways in which Claire’s cohorts are despatched to the other side. Equally, the identity of the avenging angel is well-concealed and a few of my theories fell by the wayside as the book progressed, as Ewan twists the plot into another direction and chain of guilt.
Another real strength of the book is the control of the characterisation, and I liked the way that the gradual ageing of the characters was completely authentic as they progressed from impulsive teenagers to twenty-somethings, with the inherent responsibilities or foolhardy actions that many of us experience in our journey from teenage years to adulthood. Claire is wonderfully understated as a central character but her incredible ordinariness is a continual pull for our emotional engagement with her right the way through the book. You find yourself genuinely rooting for her as she balances the demands of her professional life with the haunting demons of her past. As her circle of friends decreases, these vying tensions in her life come to the fore, ratcheting up our fears on her behalf, while she attempts to identify the killer.
I must confess that my only knowledge of the Isle of Man has pretty much been accrued from watching coverage of the TT Race and reading Ewan’s previous books, and to be honest I love the way that Ewan employs his setting as an additional creepy character in the book. The locations of each Halloween prank are beautifully sinister and darkly realised, and I loved the sense of menace that he attributes to the more desolate areas of the island, in much the same way as Peter May’s atmospheric rendition of the Hebrides. Top tip. Don’t go and live on an island. It’s dangerous. (Well, if crime writers are to be believed!)
So I’m pleased to report that Ewan has come up trumps again following the equally compelling Safe House and Dead Line. Dark Tides is tense, engaging, spooky and at times purely terrifying. A nice little chiller- thriller for the long winter nights. Recommended.
Thanks to the skilful manipulation and presentation of each timeline, culminating in the present day with Claire now employed as a police officer, Ewan never loses the reader’s concentration. So many authors fall at the first hurdle with time shifts, either confusing when the action is taking place, or not placing enough points of interest in each timeline to hold the reader’s interest. I positively relished entering each different Halloween so see who would perish next, and loved the disparate and, at times, wonderfully gruesome ways in which Claire’s cohorts are despatched to the other side. Equally, the identity of the avenging angel is well-concealed and a few of my theories fell by the wayside as the book progressed, as Ewan twists the plot into another direction and chain of guilt.
Another real strength of the book is the control of the characterisation, and I liked the way that the gradual ageing of the characters was completely authentic as they progressed from impulsive teenagers to twenty-somethings, with the inherent responsibilities or foolhardy actions that many of us experience in our journey from teenage years to adulthood. Claire is wonderfully understated as a central character but her incredible ordinariness is a continual pull for our emotional engagement with her right the way through the book. You find yourself genuinely rooting for her as she balances the demands of her professional life with the haunting demons of her past. As her circle of friends decreases, these vying tensions in her life come to the fore, ratcheting up our fears on her behalf, while she attempts to identify the killer.
I must confess that my only knowledge of the Isle of Man has pretty much been accrued from watching coverage of the TT Race and reading Ewan’s previous books, and to be honest I love the way that Ewan employs his setting as an additional creepy character in the book. The locations of each Halloween prank are beautifully sinister and darkly realised, and I loved the sense of menace that he attributes to the more desolate areas of the island, in much the same way as Peter May’s atmospheric rendition of the Hebrides. Top tip. Don’t go and live on an island. It’s dangerous. (Well, if crime writers are to be believed!)
So I’m pleased to report that Ewan has come up trumps again following the equally compelling Safe House and Dead Line. Dark Tides is tense, engaging, spooky and at times purely terrifying. A nice little chiller- thriller for the long winter nights. Recommended.
May 14, 2015
Thriller set in the Isle of Man (Cre’n raad ren oo roie Hop-tu-naa*)
Hop-tu-naa (pronounced hop-two-nay) is a Celtic festival on 31st October, celebrated in the Isle of Man and pre-dates Halloween. It is also the original celebration of New Year’s Eve. Every year, children will dress up and carry carved turnip lanterns, which are actually swedes or known as moots by the Manx people. The english translation means “this is the night”; or “Fright Night” as some people call it….
Claire Cooper is 14, and is invited by a fellow schoolgirl, Rachel, to join her and 4 others in a regular 31st October – Hop-tu-naa – “Dare”. The first escapade is harmless enough: the young people drive to a remote part of the island, hide themselves in a remote woodland, stand with eyes closed, no peaking allowed, and just accept what happens (if anything). As she is apprehensively positioned, a hand brushes across Claire’s chest and a frisson of dread mixed with exhilaration electrify her. She is now committed to the annual Dare. Each year thereafter one of the group suggests another dare on the same date.
Claire’s Mother has recently disappeared, just like that. There is no trace of her, despite extensive police investigations. She regularly worked at the big mansion – a Hammer House of Horror – owned by Edward Caine, a man with reptilean features, eyes that were ‘round and bulging. Amphibian, somehow’, and a peremptory manner that left little Claire in no doubt that he was a bad man – but bad enough to have killed her Mother? Living with him – and kept at home – is his sickly son, Morgan, who seems desperate for friends but is protected from outside influences by his overbearing Father. Morgan, too, lost his Mother as she fell from an indoor balcony, in an accident.
One ‘dare’ suggested for the evening of 31st October 2005 is that the group enters the Caine house, and leaves a footprint facing the door in the ash of the hearth. A footprint pointing to the fireplace indicates a new arrival, but one pointing to the door suggests a death will occur soon thereafter. The group knows about Claire’s suspicions, and in an attempt to freak the householder out, Mark and David suggest settling old scores on Claire’s behalf. But the dare goes horribly wrong and the group individuals all have to pick up the pieces of their lives over the coming years.
Claire decides to join the Manx Constabulary and does well for herself but always in the back of her mind is the dreadful event in 2005. Then, members of the original group start to die in mysterious circumstances and after two deaths Claire has picked up the mantle of Nancy Drew and is on the case.
So, who is targeting the individuals? It is clearly someone out for vengeance. It is also someone who comes to be depicted as flawed (obviously), there are mentions that the person has an addiction, and has an obsessive personality; there are also short chapters where a voice (a voice seemingly in the perpetrator’s head) reflects on events, but all these factors really don’t add up as a motivating, psychological drive for a killing spree. The plot bowls along, it is a very readable book but at times feels a little loose in plot construction. The wealth of descriptions can feel a little like padding, inviting skim reading.
The book really does bring the Isle of Man to life as the characters travel around the island, past cute names like Tholt-y-Will. And find out about the Moddey Dhoo (the phantom black dog) at Peel Castle – and do remember to say hello to the Little People when driving over the Fairy Bridge in the South….
* Cre’n raad ren oo roie Hop-tu-naa is from the Manx Hop-Tu-Naa song meaning: “where did you run to? Hop-tu-naa”
This review first appeared on our blog: http://www.tripfiction.com/thriller-s...
Hop-tu-naa (pronounced hop-two-nay) is a Celtic festival on 31st October, celebrated in the Isle of Man and pre-dates Halloween. It is also the original celebration of New Year’s Eve. Every year, children will dress up and carry carved turnip lanterns, which are actually swedes or known as moots by the Manx people. The english translation means “this is the night”; or “Fright Night” as some people call it….
Claire Cooper is 14, and is invited by a fellow schoolgirl, Rachel, to join her and 4 others in a regular 31st October – Hop-tu-naa – “Dare”. The first escapade is harmless enough: the young people drive to a remote part of the island, hide themselves in a remote woodland, stand with eyes closed, no peaking allowed, and just accept what happens (if anything). As she is apprehensively positioned, a hand brushes across Claire’s chest and a frisson of dread mixed with exhilaration electrify her. She is now committed to the annual Dare. Each year thereafter one of the group suggests another dare on the same date.
Claire’s Mother has recently disappeared, just like that. There is no trace of her, despite extensive police investigations. She regularly worked at the big mansion – a Hammer House of Horror – owned by Edward Caine, a man with reptilean features, eyes that were ‘round and bulging. Amphibian, somehow’, and a peremptory manner that left little Claire in no doubt that he was a bad man – but bad enough to have killed her Mother? Living with him – and kept at home – is his sickly son, Morgan, who seems desperate for friends but is protected from outside influences by his overbearing Father. Morgan, too, lost his Mother as she fell from an indoor balcony, in an accident.
One ‘dare’ suggested for the evening of 31st October 2005 is that the group enters the Caine house, and leaves a footprint facing the door in the ash of the hearth. A footprint pointing to the fireplace indicates a new arrival, but one pointing to the door suggests a death will occur soon thereafter. The group knows about Claire’s suspicions, and in an attempt to freak the householder out, Mark and David suggest settling old scores on Claire’s behalf. But the dare goes horribly wrong and the group individuals all have to pick up the pieces of their lives over the coming years.
Claire decides to join the Manx Constabulary and does well for herself but always in the back of her mind is the dreadful event in 2005. Then, members of the original group start to die in mysterious circumstances and after two deaths Claire has picked up the mantle of Nancy Drew and is on the case.
So, who is targeting the individuals? It is clearly someone out for vengeance. It is also someone who comes to be depicted as flawed (obviously), there are mentions that the person has an addiction, and has an obsessive personality; there are also short chapters where a voice (a voice seemingly in the perpetrator’s head) reflects on events, but all these factors really don’t add up as a motivating, psychological drive for a killing spree. The plot bowls along, it is a very readable book but at times feels a little loose in plot construction. The wealth of descriptions can feel a little like padding, inviting skim reading.
The book really does bring the Isle of Man to life as the characters travel around the island, past cute names like Tholt-y-Will. And find out about the Moddey Dhoo (the phantom black dog) at Peel Castle – and do remember to say hello to the Little People when driving over the Fairy Bridge in the South….
* Cre’n raad ren oo roie Hop-tu-naa is from the Manx Hop-Tu-Naa song meaning: “where did you run to? Hop-tu-naa”
This review first appeared on our blog: http://www.tripfiction.com/thriller-s...
October 24, 2022
Why has this been sitting on my shelf unread for years. It was absolutely fantastic. Set on the Isle of Man during the Manx version of Halloween called Hop Tu Naa. One year something bad happens and therein every 31st October after. Dark, gripping an absolute perfect thriller for this time of year crying out for a TV drama. Would give it more than 5 stars if I could!
July 11, 2015
For the locations of the book, please visit - Dark Tides booktrail
Dare you dance during Hop-tu-Naa, the Manx Halloween? Dare you anger the spirits?
The Isle of Man is awash with folklore and a history like no other. Take Hop-tu-naa for example, a Celtic festival which takes place on 31st October like Halloween although this festival dates back much earlier. The name pronounced Hop two nay – translates as This is the Night…..
The phase of the year when the veil between our world and the spirit word is said to be tissue thin
This is indeed the night that spirits return to the island and spook the inhabitants who live there. This was the night Claire’s mother’s died. The house she was working in at the time of her death has always appeared as a haunted and chilling presence on the island. Owner Edward Caine is as eerie as his home –
The house frightened me. It always had. Perhaps the effect should have been worse in the dark of Hop-tu-naa but the truth is I could have been standing in front of the Caine mansion on a bright and warm summers day and I’d still have experienced the same penetrating chill…
Many years later and Claire is playing a game of dare -the dares over the years have grown ever more dangerous. What once started as a dare to drive to drive out to woodland and wait to see what happened next leads to the idea that they should go up to the Caine house and leave a footprint leading away from the house (in Manx folklore this has bad connotations) The dare does not end well.
Now the dare hangs over the entire island as those involved seem to be dying at an alarming rate….And the words of the Hop-tu-naa song continue to haunt….
‘…..Jinny the with flew over the house,
To fetch the stick ,
To lather the mouse…’
Who is behind the Hop-tu-naa? And what will come of it? Dare you risk finding out?
October 24, 2019
Claire Cooper is eight years old when one Hop-tu-naa ( the Manx Halloween ) her mother goes missing. Ten years later Claire and her friends take part in a dare for Hop-tu-naa which goes very wrong.
First time for me to read a book by this author and I enjoyed it. The book appealed to me as the story is set at Hop-tu-naa which is the Halloween custom on the Isle of Man. Each part of the story is set either around or on October 31st. I didn't know anything about the Isle of Man or its customs so did find that part of the book interesting.
The story was quite compelling and did hold my interest. It has Agatha Christie vibes where the characters are killed off one by one, each on Hop-tu-naa. The story does have a few twists and turns. The story was a little predictable with one of the reveals.
I would read more by this author and enjoyed the fact that this story was set around Halloween. I found the book just ok but enjoyed it in parts.
First time for me to read a book by this author and I enjoyed it. The book appealed to me as the story is set at Hop-tu-naa which is the Halloween custom on the Isle of Man. Each part of the story is set either around or on October 31st. I didn't know anything about the Isle of Man or its customs so did find that part of the book interesting.
The story was quite compelling and did hold my interest. It has Agatha Christie vibes where the characters are killed off one by one, each on Hop-tu-naa. The story does have a few twists and turns. The story was a little predictable with one of the reveals.
I would read more by this author and enjoyed the fact that this story was set around Halloween. I found the book just ok but enjoyed it in parts.
June 15, 2018
This is the first book I’ve read that takes place on the Isle of Man, and I appreciated what the setting added to the story. This thriller primarily takes place over the course of several Halloweens (Hop-tu-Naa), beginning with the one where Claire’s mother mysteriously disappears. Did she run away from her difficult life? Or did her creepy old employer do her in? Claire is sure it was old Mr. Caine, but the repercussions from one disastrous night are making her doubt herself. And now that she is a police officer, can she solve her own crime before all of her friends are killed?
I haven’t read any other Chris Ewan books, but I wouldn’t hesitate to add him to my list!
I haven’t read any other Chris Ewan books, but I wouldn’t hesitate to add him to my list!
November 25, 2019
First book from this author... almost was a DNF. Too many time jumps, it gets confusing. A lot of wasted words and description’s that were unnecessary and took away from the story in such an aspect that you forgot what you were reading about. Was there potential for this story yes. Saw the price tag on this book and I’m glad I found it at the dollar store and not an actual book store. Characters don’t have any real back ground, some troubled some looking for an adrenaline rush. Claire is the main character in the book who’s mom disappears mysteriously on Halloween night. Pretty predictable as to who is responsible, nothing grand about the consequences the group suffers.
Want to read
January 17, 2015I could not read my ARC copy due to entire sentences having no punctuation or spacing all the way through, impossible to read. Have requested another copy.
March 16, 2015
On 31 oct every year we check in with Clair Cooper, in 1995 she loses her Mother, which is never found , and haunts her all her life
October 26, 2016
Good thriller to read in October!
November 19, 2024
📚🧸🎃🥾NOVEL THOUGHTS🥾🎃🧸📚
This may be an older book but the mystery will never go out of style. The story will keep the reader turning pages and speculating whodunit.
This book takes place in on the Isle of Man and the fact that this is an isolated island with a small population where everyone knows each other, serves the story well.
Claire and 5 friends celebrate the Manx tradition of Hop-tu-naa on October 31st by having a one person selecting a dare for the other friends to do but on one year, the dare will cause terrible harm to Edward Caine who is the richest man on the island. His son Morgan, who suffers from a debilitating disease, has been kept from playing with others presumably because his illness makes him susceptible to infection and for a while, Claire's mother took care of Edward and Morgan until one Hop-tu-naa after taking Claire out trick or treating, she never returned from a shift at the Caine's estate. This has always tormented Claire and she's never been able to let go its memory. So now years later, after playing the dare game, things go terribly wrong and one of the group is charged with assault and will spend time in jail. Wanting to serve her community and maybe try to find out what happened to her mother, Claire joins the police force. Over the next 3 years, strange things happen to end the life of one of Claire's friends who have participated in this dare game and always near the body is a strange clue, a single footprint which Claire always notices but never shares with the investigation. (The reader learns about the symbolism in the Manx folklore regarding the footprint and it is chilling!)
The story starts out with Claire meeting these friends when she is a teenager and then gets into their adult lives as the chapters are labeled October 31st and the year. As the first murder is about to happen, there is suddenly a second voice mysteriously sharing their thoughts as they are approaching the murder about to be committed. Whenever this voice resurfaces, the reader knows another body is going to be discovered. It is an intriguing way to handle this part of the book.
I liked the book all the way through and while I understood what Claire's bitterness towards Edward was, for me it got a little confusing at times. It's not until the end of the book does the author put all the pieces of that together.
This may be an older book but the mystery will never go out of style. The story will keep the reader turning pages and speculating whodunit.
This book takes place in on the Isle of Man and the fact that this is an isolated island with a small population where everyone knows each other, serves the story well.
Claire and 5 friends celebrate the Manx tradition of Hop-tu-naa on October 31st by having a one person selecting a dare for the other friends to do but on one year, the dare will cause terrible harm to Edward Caine who is the richest man on the island. His son Morgan, who suffers from a debilitating disease, has been kept from playing with others presumably because his illness makes him susceptible to infection and for a while, Claire's mother took care of Edward and Morgan until one Hop-tu-naa after taking Claire out trick or treating, she never returned from a shift at the Caine's estate. This has always tormented Claire and she's never been able to let go its memory. So now years later, after playing the dare game, things go terribly wrong and one of the group is charged with assault and will spend time in jail. Wanting to serve her community and maybe try to find out what happened to her mother, Claire joins the police force. Over the next 3 years, strange things happen to end the life of one of Claire's friends who have participated in this dare game and always near the body is a strange clue, a single footprint which Claire always notices but never shares with the investigation. (The reader learns about the symbolism in the Manx folklore regarding the footprint and it is chilling!)
The story starts out with Claire meeting these friends when she is a teenager and then gets into their adult lives as the chapters are labeled October 31st and the year. As the first murder is about to happen, there is suddenly a second voice mysteriously sharing their thoughts as they are approaching the murder about to be committed. Whenever this voice resurfaces, the reader knows another body is going to be discovered. It is an intriguing way to handle this part of the book.
I liked the book all the way through and while I understood what Claire's bitterness towards Edward was, for me it got a little confusing at times. It's not until the end of the book does the author put all the pieces of that together.
October 12, 2018
Plot summary: The book follows our main character, Claire Cooper, socially isolated with a deceased mother, as she falls into the wrong group of 'friends' one year on the night of Hop-tu-naa. The events on one particular evening of Hop-tu-naa, lead to one character being imprisoned, another in hospital, and for everyone else, their lives are never the same again. Each Hop-tu-naa afterwards, sees something worse happening than the year before. In trying to prevent such events happening, Claire digs deeper, but doesn't like what she finds, including the truth about her mother's death.
Dark Tides by Chris Ewan is the most perfect Halloween/October read for so many reasons. But let me tell you about just a few of them;
1. The events in this book always take place on the 31st October, on the Manx version of Halloween, Hop-tu-naa. The book spans across roughly one and a half decades - so that's a lot of 31st Octobers!
2. Not so much in the second half of the book, but in the first half we get all the halloween/hop-tu-naa vibes. I'm talking masks, creating costumes, messing around in the woods, and not forgetting carving the turnip lanterns!
3. Hop-tu-naa is very similar to Halloween, with minor differences in how the holiday is celebrated. For example, instead of 'trick or treating', children sing creepy songs at people's doorsteps. However, the origins and significance of Hop-tu-naa is different, and quite interesting to learn about.
4. We have a serial killer - known as the Halloween killer; much to the frustration of the locals because hello! It's Hop-tu-naa, not Halloween *face palms*
5. The book is actually just quite haunting and creepy in general, although it's not a horror. It's a very strong thriller.
I really enjoyed reading this book, although I did guess who the serial killer was going to be.
Dark Tides by Chris Ewan is the most perfect Halloween/October read for so many reasons. But let me tell you about just a few of them;
1. The events in this book always take place on the 31st October, on the Manx version of Halloween, Hop-tu-naa. The book spans across roughly one and a half decades - so that's a lot of 31st Octobers!
2. Not so much in the second half of the book, but in the first half we get all the halloween/hop-tu-naa vibes. I'm talking masks, creating costumes, messing around in the woods, and not forgetting carving the turnip lanterns!
3. Hop-tu-naa is very similar to Halloween, with minor differences in how the holiday is celebrated. For example, instead of 'trick or treating', children sing creepy songs at people's doorsteps. However, the origins and significance of Hop-tu-naa is different, and quite interesting to learn about.
4. We have a serial killer - known as the Halloween killer; much to the frustration of the locals because hello! It's Hop-tu-naa, not Halloween *face palms*
5. The book is actually just quite haunting and creepy in general, although it's not a horror. It's a very strong thriller.
I really enjoyed reading this book, although I did guess who the serial killer was going to be.
September 18, 2019
I hadn't heard of Chris Ewan before, and had simply pulled this book off my Mum's bookshelf because I liked the look of the cover.
The narrative was a bit simple for me, and I would say that barring some of the graphic content of the story the writing was felt to be aimed more at a young adult audience. In fact, part way into reading it as the crux of the story revealed itself I found myself thinking 'this is a version of the "teen horror" movie 'I Know What You Did Last Summer''. So the story and composition were, for me, nothing special, but something certainly encouraged me to read on. I felt Ewan did waffle on a bit, and throughout I was editing his work by cutting out unnecessary sentences. Yet it was easy to read and flowed nicely. I also didn't build a great connection to his characters, but in the end I did find that I cared what happened to them, particularly the central narrator (Claire) who guides the story, and this is essential particularly in a crime-drama.
The ending was satisfying and certainly gripping. I had to read the last three chapters in one sitting because Ewan does a marvellous job firstly of revealing, then driving Claire out of her immediate peril, and then wrapping things up. I had guessed the "killer" by the middle of the book, but they were one of three suspects in my mind so it certainly wasn't obvious. Equally Ewan does a good job of leaving some further believable reveals to the end, and as I say I was rooting for Claire.
I would recommend this to anyone I know who doesn't mind a little bit of gore, and who is after a lightish read in terms of narrative complexity. I wouldn't choose to read another novel by Ewan because his writing is a bit too simplistic for my taste, but I did enjoy this novel to an extent.
The narrative was a bit simple for me, and I would say that barring some of the graphic content of the story the writing was felt to be aimed more at a young adult audience. In fact, part way into reading it as the crux of the story revealed itself I found myself thinking 'this is a version of the "teen horror" movie 'I Know What You Did Last Summer''. So the story and composition were, for me, nothing special, but something certainly encouraged me to read on. I felt Ewan did waffle on a bit, and throughout I was editing his work by cutting out unnecessary sentences. Yet it was easy to read and flowed nicely. I also didn't build a great connection to his characters, but in the end I did find that I cared what happened to them, particularly the central narrator (Claire) who guides the story, and this is essential particularly in a crime-drama.
The ending was satisfying and certainly gripping. I had to read the last three chapters in one sitting because Ewan does a marvellous job firstly of revealing, then driving Claire out of her immediate peril, and then wrapping things up. I had guessed the "killer" by the middle of the book, but they were one of three suspects in my mind so it certainly wasn't obvious. Equally Ewan does a good job of leaving some further believable reveals to the end, and as I say I was rooting for Claire.
I would recommend this to anyone I know who doesn't mind a little bit of gore, and who is after a lightish read in terms of narrative complexity. I wouldn't choose to read another novel by Ewan because his writing is a bit too simplistic for my taste, but I did enjoy this novel to an extent.
October 11, 2022
This is a suspense novel. Yes there's mystery, and a bit of thriller, but this is really about the suspense.
The Isle of Man has some dark folklore, especially around Hop-tu-naa, the Manx Halloween. Little Claire Cooper, 8 years old, goes out with her mom on Hop-tu-naa, including a visit to her employer Edward Caine. When she drops Claire off at home and returns to Edward Caine's house, she is never seen again.
As Claire grows older the disappearance of her mother grows to have a bigger and bigger influence on her life, never more so than on Hop-tu-naa. She now has a group of friends, who challenge each other to a dare every year on Hop-tu-naa. When the prank goes horribly out of control one year, their lives are shattered and they are bound by a secret that will follow them through the years.
Claire is now a young adult, a police officer, who is called to the scene of an accident on the night of Hop-tu-naa. One of her friends is dead, left with a sign that makes Claire think that this was no accident, but revenge for the secret from all of those years ago. And year after year, another friend ends up dying on Hop-tu-naa. Can Claire catch the killer before he finishes his revenge?
This is a classic "hidden secret coming back to haunt them" story. In all honesty, it is not that difficult to figure out who the culprit is, the craft in this book is Mr. Ewan's ability to ratchet up the suspense, the tension year after year as time begins to run out for Claire.
The Isle of Man has some dark folklore, especially around Hop-tu-naa, the Manx Halloween. Little Claire Cooper, 8 years old, goes out with her mom on Hop-tu-naa, including a visit to her employer Edward Caine. When she drops Claire off at home and returns to Edward Caine's house, she is never seen again.
As Claire grows older the disappearance of her mother grows to have a bigger and bigger influence on her life, never more so than on Hop-tu-naa. She now has a group of friends, who challenge each other to a dare every year on Hop-tu-naa. When the prank goes horribly out of control one year, their lives are shattered and they are bound by a secret that will follow them through the years.
Claire is now a young adult, a police officer, who is called to the scene of an accident on the night of Hop-tu-naa. One of her friends is dead, left with a sign that makes Claire think that this was no accident, but revenge for the secret from all of those years ago. And year after year, another friend ends up dying on Hop-tu-naa. Can Claire catch the killer before he finishes his revenge?
This is a classic "hidden secret coming back to haunt them" story. In all honesty, it is not that difficult to figure out who the culprit is, the craft in this book is Mr. Ewan's ability to ratchet up the suspense, the tension year after year as time begins to run out for Claire.
October 19, 2017
Hop-tu- Naa is the Manx Halloween. Kind of. It is actually the celebration of Celtic New Year on the Isle of Man and predates Halloween. Turnips feature heavily, with regional variations in the carvings.
Claire Cooper isn't a Hop-tu-Naa fan. When she was eight she dressed as a witch and swung her turnip lantern, calling on various houses. She sang the traditional songs alongside her mother, unaware it was the last evening they would spend together. The next morning Claire's mother had disappeared.
An odd and isolated teenager,Claire grabs the hand of friendship offered by a group of her peers. She joins in reluctantly with their Hop-tu-Naa night of dares until things go too far. The consequences of that night continue through the tears, until Claire and co are forced to confront what they unleashed.
The darkness of late October coupled with the fog, rain and storms heighten the atmosphere of claustrophobia and suspense. The sea boils and rages as all involved suspect one another of doing bad things and generally being bad eggs.
Solid and well-paced with skillful cranking of suspense.
Claire Cooper isn't a Hop-tu-Naa fan. When she was eight she dressed as a witch and swung her turnip lantern, calling on various houses. She sang the traditional songs alongside her mother, unaware it was the last evening they would spend together. The next morning Claire's mother had disappeared.
An odd and isolated teenager,Claire grabs the hand of friendship offered by a group of her peers. She joins in reluctantly with their Hop-tu-Naa night of dares until things go too far. The consequences of that night continue through the tears, until Claire and co are forced to confront what they unleashed.
The darkness of late October coupled with the fog, rain and storms heighten the atmosphere of claustrophobia and suspense. The sea boils and rages as all involved suspect one another of doing bad things and generally being bad eggs.
Solid and well-paced with skillful cranking of suspense.
September 28, 2017
This was a perfect, scary Halloween story!
Claire lives through a series of traumatic events, all taking place on Hop-tu-naa (pre-Halloween festivity celebrated on the Isle of Mann), and then the bodies start to pile up - year after year. Who is the killer? There's no one left!
This is a thriller mystery with a different excellent setting every year: a spooky forest, an old mansion, a group of caves on the sea, a deserted youth camp, etc. The plot and setting are the best points - the characters are okay, but only a few are remarkable.
Read this in October!
PG-13 for some violence, language, sexual situations/innuendos
Claire lives through a series of traumatic events, all taking place on Hop-tu-naa (pre-Halloween festivity celebrated on the Isle of Mann), and then the bodies start to pile up - year after year. Who is the killer? There's no one left!
This is a thriller mystery with a different excellent setting every year: a spooky forest, an old mansion, a group of caves on the sea, a deserted youth camp, etc. The plot and setting are the best points - the characters are okay, but only a few are remarkable.
Read this in October!
PG-13 for some violence, language, sexual situations/innuendos
October 17, 2017
Set on the Isle of Man. Initially, I thought it was going to be a teen drama/romance. The plot did the temporal jumping thing every chapter. I hate this kind of thing because it's so disorienting.
Eventually got into it but seemed slow and occasionally not that believable. Found out heaps about Hop Tu Naa (like a Celtic Haloween celebration)...
Hop-tu-Naa,
My mother's gone away,
And she wont be back until the morning.
Jinnie the Witch flew over the house,
To fetch the stick to lather the mouse.
Hop-tu-Naa
My mother's gone away
And she wont be back until the morning
Hop-tu-Naa, Traa-la-laa.
Eventually got into it but seemed slow and occasionally not that believable. Found out heaps about Hop Tu Naa (like a Celtic Haloween celebration)...
Hop-tu-Naa,
My mother's gone away,
And she wont be back until the morning.
Jinnie the Witch flew over the house,
To fetch the stick to lather the mouse.
Hop-tu-Naa
My mother's gone away
And she wont be back until the morning
Hop-tu-Naa, Traa-la-laa.
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