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Twisted Pike
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Expected 1 Oct 26Their arrival could mean the end of everything...The remote, isolated village of Withered Hill is rocked by unexpected visitors, a film crew hoping to make a low-budget horror movie.
Despite the villagers' misgivings, the small crew insists on staying, desiring to put their plans for the film Twisted Pike into action.
They are not in Withered Hill by accident. But they are not there to make a film. They are there to destroy this cursed place, and all who live there.
The reverberations of their attempts will be felt across the nation, and by the ancient gods who exist beneath the ground, waiting for their chance to rise once again
An utterly bewitching folk horror novel of apocalyptic proportions from the author of Withered Hill. Perfect for fans of Andrew Michael Hurley and A.M. Shine.
Despite the villagers' misgivings, the small crew insists on staying, desiring to put their plans for the film Twisted Pike into action.
They are not in Withered Hill by accident. But they are not there to make a film. They are there to destroy this cursed place, and all who live there.
The reverberations of their attempts will be felt across the nation, and by the ancient gods who exist beneath the ground, waiting for their chance to rise once again
An utterly bewitching folk horror novel of apocalyptic proportions from the author of Withered Hill. Perfect for fans of Andrew Michael Hurley and A.M. Shine.
359 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication October 1, 2026
About the author
David Barnett
165 books197 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
September 12, 2026
Withered Hill is just as creepy as when we last left it. Everything is working like clockwork until a trio of filmmakers show up, wanting to make a horror movie using the town as a backdrop. Or are they? Lots of ulterior motives are abound.
The atmosphere is just fantastic, and I loved revisiting the town, as well as trying to see how it all tied together with the previous three novels. It definitely gave answers and had a satisfying conclusion, albeit a little over the top.
I would be curious to see if there was another book after this, showing the fallout. I would love to continue to visit this universe, but I also would feel content if it ended with Twisted Pike.
If atmospheric novels filled with a ton of folklore are your cup of tea, then definitely give these books a go. I would strongly recommend reading Withered Hill first, followed by Scuttler’s Cove and Scratch Moss to get the best reading experience. At a minimum, definitely read Withered Hill prior to this one but the others can be read in any order.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
The atmosphere is just fantastic, and I loved revisiting the town, as well as trying to see how it all tied together with the previous three novels. It definitely gave answers and had a satisfying conclusion, albeit a little over the top.
I would be curious to see if there was another book after this, showing the fallout. I would love to continue to visit this universe, but I also would feel content if it ended with Twisted Pike.
If atmospheric novels filled with a ton of folklore are your cup of tea, then definitely give these books a go. I would strongly recommend reading Withered Hill first, followed by Scuttler’s Cove and Scratch Moss to get the best reading experience. At a minimum, definitely read Withered Hill prior to this one but the others can be read in any order.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Canelo for an ARC of Twisted Pike via NetGalley.
I have read and very much enjoyed David Barnett's entire anthology with Withered Hill being my favorite so when I saw Twisted Pike would be a return to Withered Hill I couldn't wait to start reading. I'm sad to say this book didn't quite measure up to the others for me...it was missing the spooky, unsettling vibe and the mind-bending twists I have come to expect. I also thought the characters felt a bit flat. Overall, definitely still worth reading if you have enjoyed the previous books, but just not quite the finale I was hoping for.
3.5 stars
I have read and very much enjoyed David Barnett's entire anthology with Withered Hill being my favorite so when I saw Twisted Pike would be a return to Withered Hill I couldn't wait to start reading. I'm sad to say this book didn't quite measure up to the others for me...it was missing the spooky, unsettling vibe and the mind-bending twists I have come to expect. I also thought the characters felt a bit flat. Overall, definitely still worth reading if you have enjoyed the previous books, but just not quite the finale I was hoping for.
3.5 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for the eARC in exchange for an honest review! ♡
Twisted Pike has the exact kind of malice I want from folk horror.
What I loved most was the sense of scale. The story begins with people making choices that feel practical, even clever, while underneath them sits this enooooormous ancient machinery of myth, ritual and consequence. Barnett never lets the folklore become decorative. It feels like the whole world has been built around shit nobody living fully understands anymore.
There is also a delicious arrogance to the human side of it: the persistent belief that if we can identify the rules, name the danger, film it, study it, expose it, then suuuurely we can control it! Extremely cute of us.
The atmosphere is thick without becoming sluggish, the mythology feels old, and there is a constant dread about how this is going to end.
This is exactly what I want from folk horror: mud, gods, consequences, and the creeping suspicion that modernity is only a thin layer of paint.
Absolutely loved it!!
Twisted Pike has the exact kind of malice I want from folk horror.
What I loved most was the sense of scale. The story begins with people making choices that feel practical, even clever, while underneath them sits this enooooormous ancient machinery of myth, ritual and consequence. Barnett never lets the folklore become decorative. It feels like the whole world has been built around shit nobody living fully understands anymore.
There is also a delicious arrogance to the human side of it: the persistent belief that if we can identify the rules, name the danger, film it, study it, expose it, then suuuurely we can control it! Extremely cute of us.
The atmosphere is thick without becoming sluggish, the mythology feels old, and there is a constant dread about how this is going to end.
This is exactly what I want from folk horror: mud, gods, consequences, and the creeping suspicion that modernity is only a thin layer of paint.
Absolutely loved it!!
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September 17, 2026Rtc
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Some of the other reviews stated that they worried this couldn't really be considered standalone because it may be confusing to read without having read the three previous semi-connected novels (Withered Hill, Scuttler's Cove, and Scratch Moss). As someone new to the Withered Hill Universe I can assuage you of that notion, I enjoyed this thoroughly with no prior knowledge of the world in which it occurs, the only section that could be strengthened by that knowledge is the very end, but even then, I understood what was occurring. I found this enjoyable and now must figure out how to get my library to get their hands on the other three books so I can read them. While certain aspects of this book have shown me what happens in the others, I now want the full story on all three, to more fully immerse myself in Barnett's world. I recommend this to fans of folk horror, The Wicker Man, and horror movies.
A small indie film crew is hoping to make a low-budget horror movie. Maddie, the actress, has recently dropped out of school to pursue her dreams, which she has kept from her family, including her father who is in hospice with cancer. Oli, the cameraman, is up for a good time, especially one including a woman and a bed, as long as it keeps him from thinking of his tragic past. Rob, the brains and the money behind the whole thing, has kept from his crew that they don't actually have permission to film in Withered Hill, and that he has personal reasons for choosing it as their filming location. When they arrive, the locals are certainly colorful but allow the crew to stay and film their movie. Now he just needs to come up with a plot.
Staying in Withered Hill is great inspiration for that however, and the stories the townspeople tell of their festivals, traditions, and the forest God Owd Hob, quickly become the movie itself. As Maddie becomes entangled with the town, Oli spends more and more time in the woods, and Rob begins searching for answers to his secret mission, the townspeople are watching. One specifically, Catherine Baldwin, a woman central to the traditions of the town, takes an interest in their work, and begins to truly wonder for the first time about what she wants from her life. As Rob and Catherine become closer, he must attempt to keep his aspirations secret, even as she shares many truths about herself and Withered Hill. The actions that occur in this story affect the nation, and the ancient gods it holds.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
A small indie film crew is hoping to make a low-budget horror movie. Maddie, the actress, has recently dropped out of school to pursue her dreams, which she has kept from her family, including her father who is in hospice with cancer. Oli, the cameraman, is up for a good time, especially one including a woman and a bed, as long as it keeps him from thinking of his tragic past. Rob, the brains and the money behind the whole thing, has kept from his crew that they don't actually have permission to film in Withered Hill, and that he has personal reasons for choosing it as their filming location. When they arrive, the locals are certainly colorful but allow the crew to stay and film their movie. Now he just needs to come up with a plot.
Staying in Withered Hill is great inspiration for that however, and the stories the townspeople tell of their festivals, traditions, and the forest God Owd Hob, quickly become the movie itself. As Maddie becomes entangled with the town, Oli spends more and more time in the woods, and Rob begins searching for answers to his secret mission, the townspeople are watching. One specifically, Catherine Baldwin, a woman central to the traditions of the town, takes an interest in their work, and begins to truly wonder for the first time about what she wants from her life. As Rob and Catherine become closer, he must attempt to keep his aspirations secret, even as she shares many truths about herself and Withered Hill. The actions that occur in this story affect the nation, and the ancient gods it holds.
Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this novel.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Withered Hill, the first in David Barnett's folk horror series, introduced us to a mysterious isolated village deep in the woods – a place with secrets, rituals, and some skeletons buried deep in its grounds. The revelations came thick and fast, and the ramifications were far-reaching. Now, after detours to the Cornish farming town of Scuttler's Cove and the Northern mining community of Scratch Moss, the books have come full circle – and taken us back to the place it all started.
A filmmaker, Rob, recruits troubled Oli as a cameraman and Maddie, a young woman struggling with her father's health issues, to travel to Withered Hill with him to make a horror film – Twisted Pike. The locals are as surprised as Rob is when they're allowed into the usually secretive village to film, and as the year's festivities are coming to a head, it seems that they've picked the right time to come. Rob, however, has ulterior motives for choosing this location to suit – unbeknownst to him, however, he isn't the only one with his own reasons for wanting to go there.
The previous books have been tied together almost with end-credit scenes, a final chapter or two that adds to the lore and makes these isolated villages more connected than we may think. Twisted Pike goes a lot further than this, however, with an explosive finale that brings the secrets out in the open and that may have devastating effects. The author states this is an end to the series, but in many ways it feels like it opens many more doors, despite feeling pretty satisfying a climax in and of itself.
I've been a big fan of what Barnett has referred to as the 'Withered Hill Quartet', and Twisted Pike comes so close to fully sticking the landing. It's a fast, twisty book with secrets revealed regularly – some surprising, some a little more predictable – and some very short chapters make it a breezy read. There are elements I found quite standard for folk horror, although others were more unique, and there were aspects I didn't love – one of Maddie's reveals in particular felt a little gross. Overall, though, I think fans of the series so far will find a lot to enjoy here, and I really liked seeing the previous books all brought together here.
A filmmaker, Rob, recruits troubled Oli as a cameraman and Maddie, a young woman struggling with her father's health issues, to travel to Withered Hill with him to make a horror film – Twisted Pike. The locals are as surprised as Rob is when they're allowed into the usually secretive village to film, and as the year's festivities are coming to a head, it seems that they've picked the right time to come. Rob, however, has ulterior motives for choosing this location to suit – unbeknownst to him, however, he isn't the only one with his own reasons for wanting to go there.
The previous books have been tied together almost with end-credit scenes, a final chapter or two that adds to the lore and makes these isolated villages more connected than we may think. Twisted Pike goes a lot further than this, however, with an explosive finale that brings the secrets out in the open and that may have devastating effects. The author states this is an end to the series, but in many ways it feels like it opens many more doors, despite feeling pretty satisfying a climax in and of itself.
I've been a big fan of what Barnett has referred to as the 'Withered Hill Quartet', and Twisted Pike comes so close to fully sticking the landing. It's a fast, twisty book with secrets revealed regularly – some surprising, some a little more predictable – and some very short chapters make it a breezy read. There are elements I found quite standard for folk horror, although others were more unique, and there were aspects I didn't love – one of Maddie's reveals in particular felt a little gross. Overall, though, I think fans of the series so far will find a lot to enjoy here, and I really liked seeing the previous books all brought together here.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twisted Pike by David Barnett brings everything full circle when the close-knit community of Withered Hill finds themselves playing host to a small film crew who are hoping to make the next coming of The Wicker Man in their idyllic village.
Will the outsiders disrupt the villagers' way of life and bring down hundreds of years of tradition, or will the amateur film crew find themselves way over their heads?
Previously, the novels in Barnett's series only overlapped slightly, so reading order didn't matter much. Twisted Pike, however, is a direct sequel to Withered Hill, and I'd recommend reading that first before approaching this one due to the number of revelations within the first few pages which may baffle readers otherwise.
Barnett does a great job of building up an eerie atmosphere early on and the unsettling imagery was attention-grabbing.
I certainly found my second visit to Withered Hill much more palatable than my first, which didn't click as much as I would have liked. There was more character development this time around, and most of the lingering questions I had previously were answered in a conclusive and satisfactory manner.
The plot itself ticked along nicely with a few curveballs thrown in for good measure.
Overall, I found it to be a solid page-turner and think fans of the series will be delighted with it.
With thanks to Canelo for the ARC.
Will the outsiders disrupt the villagers' way of life and bring down hundreds of years of tradition, or will the amateur film crew find themselves way over their heads?
Previously, the novels in Barnett's series only overlapped slightly, so reading order didn't matter much. Twisted Pike, however, is a direct sequel to Withered Hill, and I'd recommend reading that first before approaching this one due to the number of revelations within the first few pages which may baffle readers otherwise.
Barnett does a great job of building up an eerie atmosphere early on and the unsettling imagery was attention-grabbing.
I certainly found my second visit to Withered Hill much more palatable than my first, which didn't click as much as I would have liked. There was more character development this time around, and most of the lingering questions I had previously were answered in a conclusive and satisfactory manner.
The plot itself ticked along nicely with a few curveballs thrown in for good measure.
Overall, I found it to be a solid page-turner and think fans of the series will be delighted with it.
With thanks to Canelo for the ARC.
September 14, 2026
This review is for an ARC copy received from the publisher through NetGalley.
A small film crew with plan on making a folk horror film have come to the small, isolated Lancashire community of Withered Hill to make their movie. Though some of the villagers are against it, they're allowed to stay and see all that goes on in the town. The trio of filmmakers don't really know what's in store for them. But one of them has a secret - he knows more about Withered Hill than he let on, and he has designs of his own.
David Barnett returns to Withered Hill a few years after the last adventure there, with three filmmakers both poised to become victims of the village's ancient ways and to upset the balance there on their own terms. While the story started out in familiar territory, the true nature of what was going on from all angles comes out in bits and pieces, and frequently went in unexpected directions. The story even tied together the whole universe he created across his series of folk horror novels.
A small film crew with plan on making a folk horror film have come to the small, isolated Lancashire community of Withered Hill to make their movie. Though some of the villagers are against it, they're allowed to stay and see all that goes on in the town. The trio of filmmakers don't really know what's in store for them. But one of them has a secret - he knows more about Withered Hill than he let on, and he has designs of his own.
David Barnett returns to Withered Hill a few years after the last adventure there, with three filmmakers both poised to become victims of the village's ancient ways and to upset the balance there on their own terms. While the story started out in familiar territory, the true nature of what was going on from all angles comes out in bits and pieces, and frequently went in unexpected directions. The story even tied together the whole universe he created across his series of folk horror novels.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twisted Pike had me hooked! This was such a dark, creepy, and unsettling read, with the kind of atmosphere that makes you feel like something is seriously wrong even when you can’t quite put your finger on what it is. I loved the tension and the way the story kept pulling me deeper and making me question what was really happening.
David Barnett did a great job keeping the suspense moving, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what was coming next. There were definitely moments that made me uncomfortable in the best way, and I loved how twisted things became as the story unfolded.
Dark, suspenseful, disturbing, and completely addictive. This was exactly the kind of messed-up thriller I love getting lost in. Definitely one I’d recommend to readers who like their suspense with a darker edge!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
David Barnett did a great job keeping the suspense moving, and I found myself constantly wanting to know what was coming next. There were definitely moments that made me uncomfortable in the best way, and I loved how twisted things became as the story unfolded.
Dark, suspenseful, disturbing, and completely addictive. This was exactly the kind of messed-up thriller I love getting lost in. Definitely one I’d recommend to readers who like their suspense with a darker edge!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It took a little bit to pick up momentum, but by the end of the book I was ready to read another hundred or more pages.
This is billed as the last of a quartet of novels existing in the same universe. I have read all of them, but not recently. Withered Hill is the only one you have to read, and you don’t lose much if you haven’t read Scratch Moss and/or Scuttler’s Cove yet.
Horror-wise, It’s more unsettling and creepy than scary. A couple of instances of very mild body horror.
As all the best horror stories do, it confronts many issues we grapple with today. What do we sacrifice for a good life? Why? What is a good life, and what is it worth? How much do we shape our higher powers after ourselves—and what terrible things happen if we do?
I’ll be thinking about the ending a lot.
This is billed as the last of a quartet of novels existing in the same universe. I have read all of them, but not recently. Withered Hill is the only one you have to read, and you don’t lose much if you haven’t read Scratch Moss and/or Scuttler’s Cove yet.
Horror-wise, It’s more unsettling and creepy than scary. A couple of instances of very mild body horror.
As all the best horror stories do, it confronts many issues we grapple with today. What do we sacrifice for a good life? Why? What is a good life, and what is it worth? How much do we shape our higher powers after ourselves—and what terrible things happen if we do?
I’ll be thinking about the ending a lot.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Twisted Pike is a new folk horror book in the Whitered Hill universe.
I already loved Scuttler's Cove and Scratch Moss although I haven't yet read Withered Hill itself. But this book gives enough information about what is going on in that creepy little village.
Barnett has a way of describing the atmosphere to a point that it is very unnerving, but still you can't stop reading because he is such a master storyteller.
Beside the folklore there is also attention for the psychological side of the villagers: Why do they do what they do? Is it all worth it for the "greater good"? Why can't they see the other side of the story? And what about the consequences? Do they even think about what they are doing to the outsiders?
I hope there will be another book in the Withered Hill universe!
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
I already loved Scuttler's Cove and Scratch Moss although I haven't yet read Withered Hill itself. But this book gives enough information about what is going on in that creepy little village.
Barnett has a way of describing the atmosphere to a point that it is very unnerving, but still you can't stop reading because he is such a master storyteller.
Beside the folklore there is also attention for the psychological side of the villagers: Why do they do what they do? Is it all worth it for the "greater good"? Why can't they see the other side of the story? And what about the consequences? Do they even think about what they are doing to the outsiders?
I hope there will be another book in the Withered Hill universe!
Thank you NetGalley and Canelo for the digital ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Twisted Pike 4.5/5
David Barnett.. A King of Folklore!
I have enjoyed reading books by David Barnett and Twisted Pike certainly delivered another great folklore story with plenty of ties from his previous books. We start out with a small group trying to make a horror movie which dives deep in uncovering secrets of the location and what is happening in this town. Twisted Pike created great visuals and was a perfectly paced story with a good variety of twists and turns with plenty of back stories to keep you on edge and guessing. The conclusion of the book was really satisfying and left no stone unturned.
Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy!
David Barnett.. A King of Folklore!
I have enjoyed reading books by David Barnett and Twisted Pike certainly delivered another great folklore story with plenty of ties from his previous books. We start out with a small group trying to make a horror movie which dives deep in uncovering secrets of the location and what is happening in this town. Twisted Pike created great visuals and was a perfectly paced story with a good variety of twists and turns with plenty of back stories to keep you on edge and guessing. The conclusion of the book was really satisfying and left no stone unturned.
Thanks to Netgalley for the early copy!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy!
Love love loved it! I’m a huge fan of David Barnett and adored Withered Hill, Scuttlers Cove and Scratch Moss.
Twisted Pike sees a return to the beautiful and brutal Withered Hill and the characters there. Bringing Rob, Oli and Maddie together there to film a horror film, based on the mystery and belief system of Withered Hill community.
I absolutely loved it, I wanted more after the first visit, it does absolutely have shades of Wicker Man to it, and it references it within the text, the feeling of unravelling in a strange place with disturbing customs.
More please!!!
Love love loved it! I’m a huge fan of David Barnett and adored Withered Hill, Scuttlers Cove and Scratch Moss.
Twisted Pike sees a return to the beautiful and brutal Withered Hill and the characters there. Bringing Rob, Oli and Maddie together there to film a horror film, based on the mystery and belief system of Withered Hill community.
I absolutely loved it, I wanted more after the first visit, it does absolutely have shades of Wicker Man to it, and it references it within the text, the feeling of unravelling in a strange place with disturbing customs.
More please!!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I'd say it was good to be back in Withered Hill, but it's a sinister place, that you don't really want to go to.
It has tons of atmosphere, or I still have residual memories of the last book, and some of the same characters... So you just slot back in and wait for the action.
I got a sense of creeping dread as to what was to come.
I thought anything and everything was creepy.
Great tension builder, and good pacing.
It was a pleasure to see it through to the end.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
It has tons of atmosphere, or I still have residual memories of the last book, and some of the same characters... So you just slot back in and wait for the action.
I got a sense of creeping dread as to what was to come.
I thought anything and everything was creepy.
Great tension builder, and good pacing.
It was a pleasure to see it through to the end.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Ohhhhh that was so good!!! A phenomenal end to the series, tying a lot of threads together in an extremely satisfying way. I could never have predicted that ending! Barnett did a great job of returning to Withered Hill, where it all started, and yet telling a fresh new story.
A brilliant folk horror with folklore very much at its heart.
As for the author's note at the end, do I want more books in this world? Absolutely!!! So many questions answered, so many more asked!
A brilliant folk horror with folklore very much at its heart.
As for the author's note at the end, do I want more books in this world? Absolutely!!! So many questions answered, so many more asked!
September 17, 2026
Advanced copy from Net Galley.
Not as entertaining as Withered Hill or Scuttler’s Cove. Characters weren’t as developed or particularly engaging. There was an Avenger’s like crossover at the end, with characters from the other stories which seems like it will lead onto another book, but the author said he doesn’t know if there will be one? Odd considering the build up. The chapter titles felt like they were draft titles that hadn’t been deleted, and some of them were pretty cringey.
Not as entertaining as Withered Hill or Scuttler’s Cove. Characters weren’t as developed or particularly engaging. There was an Avenger’s like crossover at the end, with characters from the other stories which seems like it will lead onto another book, but the author said he doesn’t know if there will be one? Odd considering the build up. The chapter titles felt like they were draft titles that hadn’t been deleted, and some of them were pretty cringey.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Another "must read" folk horror novel by David Barnett. I'm hooked on his compelling writing and the atmospheric scenes he creates. Once again the characters are fully fleshed out and each have unique background stories. I loved entering the familiar world I previously encountered in Withered Hill while anticipating what new weirdness awaited me. May I also say the book covers are superb.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Never was I more chuffed than when I received an e-arc of my most anticipated book this year. (Thank you NetGalley)
And thank you, David for writing this wonderful quartet of folk horror- goodness- I will never look at quaint, English towns the same 🐇
This was an excellent and satisfying ending to one of my favourite books
I’m so jealous of everyone who has yet to discover a these
And thank you, David for writing this wonderful quartet of folk horror- goodness- I will never look at quaint, English towns the same 🐇
This was an excellent and satisfying ending to one of my favourite books
I’m so jealous of everyone who has yet to discover a these
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Received from NetGalley - I thoroughly enjoyed the Withered Hill universe and this was a somewhat worthy conclusion of the series. But, I don’t want it to be over, so much more to explore. I would give the overall series a 4.5, some of the best folk horror I’ve ever read.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Man, what a return to Withered Hill! Barnett -who is hopefully not finished here- swings big and delivers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amazing! Review to come shortly!
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