What do you think?
Rate this book
The story of Jenny Greenteeth: By one who knew her
Niamh is studying in London when the boy she loves dies suddenly. She blames herself for his death and can find little relief from guilt, not with her friends, nor in drunken evenings with her landlady Vron. Her life begins to look up when she encounters a woman who lives alone on a north London canal. When her new friend demands that they go to war against all violent men, Niamh must ask herself whether she is ready for that fight.
David Renton is a historian and barrister. He writes for magazines and newspapers in Britain and the US including the London Review of Books, The Guardian, rs21 and Tempest. This is his first novel.
"A dark feminist fairytale - creepy as fuck!" Tina Baker, author of Call Me Mummy
“An intriguing, creepy, surprising re-imagining of Lancashire folklore. Niamh, the flawed heroine, has her life go from bad to worse when jealous feelings for a man she can't have, lead her into a world of abuse, male violence, and revenge. From a weak and helpless passenger, she transforms herself to some sort of dignity. With some sequences reminiscent of the Wicker Man, this tale twists and turns to the very last gasp. Read it during daylight. Perhaps while drinking a stiff whisky.” Tansy Hawksley
“Its dark atmosphere and engaging plot pulled me in completely. Full of twists and turns, this book is definitely worth your time." Alisa Sliteris
“It’s a clever reimagining of a folktale (origins in Lancashire) of a malevolent water hag. An intriguing and captivating image of the way society treats women, whilst simultaneously drawing on similarities in the past.” Cheryl Morgan-Muir
“A short and definitely dark and chilling story.” Lynda Checkley
“A dark and twisty read, and one I'll definitely be re-reading nearer to Halloween.” Stacey Hammond
“Revenge and justice seems big themes in this as the cycle of cruelty continues. As one women's take ends another's starts. It seems that Niamh's plight is destined to continue as she seeks justice for herself.” Nadine-Sue Sargent
“This is such a clever reamagining of a little known folktale. It's eerie and intriguing, and certainly packs quite the punch.” David Brockway
“After this read, I think I need ALL of the female rage fairytales pls. This book is perfect for spooky season, it’s creepy, heartbreaking and slightly terrifying. The plot was 10/10, my heart broke so many times for Niamh and how vulnerable she was. I loved how the ‘friendship’ between Jenny & Niamh developed and I love how all the historical aspects were weaved into the story.” Hannah Boyland
“A book not to read alone and at night. It is creepy, insidious and will worm its way into your soul and mind.” Alfred Nobile
David Renton is a historian and barrister. He writes for magazines and newspapers in Britain and the US including the London Review of Books, The Guardian, rs21 and Tempest. This is his first novel.
"A dark feminist fairytale - creepy as fuck!" Tina Baker, author of Call Me Mummy
“An intriguing, creepy, surprising re-imagining of Lancashire folklore. Niamh, the flawed heroine, has her life go from bad to worse when jealous feelings for a man she can't have, lead her into a world of abuse, male violence, and revenge. From a weak and helpless passenger, she transforms herself to some sort of dignity. With some sequences reminiscent of the Wicker Man, this tale twists and turns to the very last gasp. Read it during daylight. Perhaps while drinking a stiff whisky.” Tansy Hawksley
“Its dark atmosphere and engaging plot pulled me in completely. Full of twists and turns, this book is definitely worth your time." Alisa Sliteris
“It’s a clever reimagining of a folktale (origins in Lancashire) of a malevolent water hag. An intriguing and captivating image of the way society treats women, whilst simultaneously drawing on similarities in the past.” Cheryl Morgan-Muir
“A short and definitely dark and chilling story.” Lynda Checkley
“A dark and twisty read, and one I'll definitely be re-reading nearer to Halloween.” Stacey Hammond
“Revenge and justice seems big themes in this as the cycle of cruelty continues. As one women's take ends another's starts. It seems that Niamh's plight is destined to continue as she seeks justice for herself.” Nadine-Sue Sargent
“This is such a clever reamagining of a little known folktale. It's eerie and intriguing, and certainly packs quite the punch.” David Brockway
“After this read, I think I need ALL of the female rage fairytales pls. This book is perfect for spooky season, it’s creepy, heartbreaking and slightly terrifying. The plot was 10/10, my heart broke so many times for Niamh and how vulnerable she was. I loved how the ‘friendship’ between Jenny & Niamh developed and I love how all the historical aspects were weaved into the story.” Hannah Boyland
“A book not to read alone and at night. It is creepy, insidious and will worm its way into your soul and mind.” Alfred Nobile
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 29, 2025
1 person is currently reading
8 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 9, 2025
The Stor of Jenny Greenteeth is a gloomy, sombre feminist fairytale that's spine-chilling, creepy and sure to startle.
It's packed to the brim with great twists and turns, and it's dark atmosphere is prominent and disturbing.
At 234 pages, it's a fairly short read, but perfect for this time of year with spooky season just around the corner.
We follow Niamh, who suffers a tragic loss, and her friendship with a woman who lives alone on a London canal. It's not long before the new friend convinces Niamh to wage war against men. What follows is a complex, ragefilled campaign against males that's the stuff of nightmares.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, this is such a clever reamagining of a little known folktale. It's eerie and intriguing, and certainly packs quite the punch.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
It's packed to the brim with great twists and turns, and it's dark atmosphere is prominent and disturbing.
At 234 pages, it's a fairly short read, but perfect for this time of year with spooky season just around the corner.
We follow Niamh, who suffers a tragic loss, and her friendship with a woman who lives alone on a London canal. It's not long before the new friend convinces Niamh to wage war against men. What follows is a complex, ragefilled campaign against males that's the stuff of nightmares.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up to find out.
So all in all, this is such a clever reamagining of a little known folktale. It's eerie and intriguing, and certainly packs quite the punch.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
September 10, 2025
After this read, I think I need ALL of the female rage fairytales pls.
This book is perfect for spooky season, it’s creepy, heartbreaking and slightly terrifying. The plot was 10/10, my heart broke so many times for Niamh and how vulnerable she was. I loved how the ‘friendship’ between Jenny & Niamh developed and I love how all the historical aspects were weaved into the story.
This book is perfect for spooky season, it’s creepy, heartbreaking and slightly terrifying. The plot was 10/10, my heart broke so many times for Niamh and how vulnerable she was. I loved how the ‘friendship’ between Jenny & Niamh developed and I love how all the historical aspects were weaved into the story.
September 4, 2025
Please see my blog for full sensory review I was so excited for this and if you get a chance to check my Instagram account please do as I posted the day I receive this in the post and I read it that night as promised in my reel. This did not disappoint! I loved it! I’m a huge fan of folk tales and yes I can confirm that tagline on the back of the book is true.
I enjoyed the short sentences and found the dialogue bang on. The story starts in spring 2013, for myself this feels like just the other day. I found the writing fitted with the time and when the narrative is set. I love relatable every day objects in books for example here mentioning the use of the Oyster card whilst travelling around in London.
I am at university myself albeit as a mature so I enjoyed the main characters being students. This is a relatively short book and I don’t wish to reveal a plot. This is your ideal creepy read for spooky season, Samhain or Halloween I’ll be recommending far and wide!
I enjoyed the short sentences and found the dialogue bang on. The story starts in spring 2013, for myself this feels like just the other day. I found the writing fitted with the time and when the narrative is set. I love relatable every day objects in books for example here mentioning the use of the Oyster card whilst travelling around in London.
I am at university myself albeit as a mature so I enjoyed the main characters being students. This is a relatively short book and I don’t wish to reveal a plot. This is your ideal creepy read for spooky season, Samhain or Halloween I’ll be recommending far and wide!
September 2, 2025
March 2013 and Niamh is in a public house in London with Liam, Helen ‘Aitch’ and Jake. Niamh had one date with Liam and believes herself is in love with him but she thinks he has been spreading rumours about her. And now he seems to be with Aitch so when she sees them after leaving the pub she follows them.
Briefly, Niamh sees Aitch and Liam swimming in the river and a woman in black pulling Liam to his death and she runs away. Later she tells her landlady Vron that she had a dream that Liam died, but it wasn’t a dream. She later meets The woman again who tells her they must take revenge on cruel men!
This story is based on a folklore tale and is really quite a sad story. I felt quite sorry for Niamh who just seemed totally messed up and vulnerable. It’s a very strange story and I really didn’t know what to make of it. Quite a short and definitely dark and chilling story.
Briefly, Niamh sees Aitch and Liam swimming in the river and a woman in black pulling Liam to his death and she runs away. Later she tells her landlady Vron that she had a dream that Liam died, but it wasn’t a dream. She later meets The woman again who tells her they must take revenge on cruel men!
This story is based on a folklore tale and is really quite a sad story. I felt quite sorry for Niamh who just seemed totally messed up and vulnerable. It’s a very strange story and I really didn’t know what to make of it. Quite a short and definitely dark and chilling story.
August 14, 2025
As a child we were told to stay away from the water else Jenny Greenwitch would get us. It never occurred to me that the story was one that spread across cities but here we are!! Her name is Jenny Greenteeth in this but she lives by the river and can be summoned.
Niamh is a sad creature and seems quite lost. I felt sorry for her as she has been dealt a bad hand and the people around her are just toxic. People can be cruel and that theme runs throughout. Niamh's story gives us the history of Jenny as she seeks answers and vengeance.
Revenge and justice seems big themes in this as the cycle of cruelty continues. As one women's take ends another's starts. It seems that Niamh's plight is destined to continue as she seeks justice for herself.
Niamh is a sad creature and seems quite lost. I felt sorry for her as she has been dealt a bad hand and the people around her are just toxic. People can be cruel and that theme runs throughout. Niamh's story gives us the history of Jenny as she seeks answers and vengeance.
Revenge and justice seems big themes in this as the cycle of cruelty continues. As one women's take ends another's starts. It seems that Niamh's plight is destined to continue as she seeks justice for herself.
August 31, 2025
An intriguing, creepy, surprising re-imagining of Lancashire folklore. Niamh, the flawed heroine, has her life go from bad to worse when jealous feelings for a man she can't have, lead her into a world of abuse, male violence, and revenge. From a weak and helpless passenger, she transforms herself to some sort of dignity. With some sequences reminiscent of the Wicker Man, this tale twists and turns to the very last gasp. Read it during daylight. Perhaps while drinking a stiff whisky.
September 1, 2025
Who is Jenny Greenteeth? A ghost, a witch, or a woman seeking revenge?
For a long,dark, and cold autumn evenings,this short and creepy story is an ideal read. While some parts were a bit confusing, it stands out as the weirdest book I've ever encountered (and I love good weird book).
It's dark atmosphere and engaging plot pulled me in completely.
Full of twists and turns, this book definitely worth your time.
P.S The ending made me gasp 😱
For a long,dark, and cold autumn evenings,this short and creepy story is an ideal read. While some parts were a bit confusing, it stands out as the weirdest book I've ever encountered (and I love good weird book).
It's dark atmosphere and engaging plot pulled me in completely.
Full of twists and turns, this book definitely worth your time.
P.S The ending made me gasp 😱
September 7, 2025
An intriguing book based on Lancashire Folklore but set in North London. A short but intense novel set in the genre of Urban Horror. This to me is a Gothic tale. A genre I love.
Niamh, the flawed heroine, has her life go from bad to worse when jealous feelings for a man she can't have, lead her into a world of abuse, male violence, and revenge.
Lost in this world she meets Jenny, a dark and mysterious woman who pushes her in the direction of revenge. What will be the outcome? You will need to read this novel to find out.
To me Jenny is an intriguing character. Dark. mysterious. Never fully in the light but always in the reader's peripheral vision.
A book not to read alone and at night. It is creepy, insidious and will worm its way into your soul and mind.
Niamh, the flawed heroine, has her life go from bad to worse when jealous feelings for a man she can't have, lead her into a world of abuse, male violence, and revenge.
Lost in this world she meets Jenny, a dark and mysterious woman who pushes her in the direction of revenge. What will be the outcome? You will need to read this novel to find out.
To me Jenny is an intriguing character. Dark. mysterious. Never fully in the light but always in the reader's peripheral vision.
A book not to read alone and at night. It is creepy, insidious and will worm its way into your soul and mind.
September 10, 2025
This was an interesting read. I felt really sorry for Niamh; I think that all she wanted was to have some company and people who cared about her. What she found however were people who were ‘friends’ when it suited them.
I don’t think that she expected to see Jenny and even when she understood why she had seen her, I think it took her a little time to understand. It was interesting to read the dynamics between Niamh and Jenny and see how this developed. I also enjoyed the scenes with Niamh’s landlady who was an interesting character!
It was a very unique storyline which was enjoyable to read, I liked the writing style and I really wasn’t sure at any point where the book was heading which again I enjoyed.
I don’t think that she expected to see Jenny and even when she understood why she had seen her, I think it took her a little time to understand. It was interesting to read the dynamics between Niamh and Jenny and see how this developed. I also enjoyed the scenes with Niamh’s landlady who was an interesting character!
It was a very unique storyline which was enjoyable to read, I liked the writing style and I really wasn’t sure at any point where the book was heading which again I enjoyed.
September 15, 2025
Jenny Greenteeth, her name forever enshrined in folklore as a timely reminder to stay well away from the pond.
Renton's reimagining of Jenny's legend is a dark and twisty read, and one I'll definitely be re-reading nearer to Halloween.
Am I the only one who thought Niamh a little bit odd? One date and she thinks she's in love? That aside, it did set the tone for the story. An intriguing story of revenge and ruin.
Renton's reimagining of Jenny's legend is a dark and twisty read, and one I'll definitely be re-reading nearer to Halloween.
Am I the only one who thought Niamh a little bit odd? One date and she thinks she's in love? That aside, it did set the tone for the story. An intriguing story of revenge and ruin.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews