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Scarecrow
Jack and his dad are runaways. Jack’s father recently turned whistleblower, revealing the truth about the illicit dealings of some powerful people. Realising that he and Jack might be in danger, Dad drives them to a remote shooting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, where they intend to lay low. In the cornfield beside the lodge stands a scarecrow. When Jack witnesses something incredible, he begins to realise that it is no ordinary scarecrow – it is alive, hungry and fuelled by rage. And when Dad’s enemies begin to converge on the lodge, the scarecrow might just turn out to be Jack’s best hope of survival.
288 pages, Paperback
Published October 5, 2017
2 people are currently reading
147 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 25, 2017
5 Words: Family, honour, friendship, protection, tradition.
Right from the start, the very tone of the writing sets the scene and starts building the spooky atmosphere. I loved the sense of foreboding.
Coming to the characters, I loved Philbert, the scarecrow. I loved his humour, how he accepted his lot and got on with it. And he was creepy. They're something about scarecrows and dolls and mannequins that creep me right out, and Philbert was no exception. But he was strangely loveable, and with his gruff accent reminding me a lot of my dad, I loved reading about him. Even though he was so dark. And rather murderous.
While the story was a little spooky, mostly due to the atmosphere (but also Philbert because scarecrow), it was also action-filled. The lack of technology gives the story a timeless feel, but is explained in such a way as to make it not only believable, but natural. I loved how Jack hated not having any of his gadgets and lamented the loss of his mobile phone. It starts slowly, and then builds and builds, and I could not put it down.
This was a great read, fast paced and gripping. I enjoyed it myself immensely.
Visit my blog for five reasons Danny Weston set Scarecrow in Scotland...
Right from the start, the very tone of the writing sets the scene and starts building the spooky atmosphere. I loved the sense of foreboding.
Coming to the characters, I loved Philbert, the scarecrow. I loved his humour, how he accepted his lot and got on with it. And he was creepy. They're something about scarecrows and dolls and mannequins that creep me right out, and Philbert was no exception. But he was strangely loveable, and with his gruff accent reminding me a lot of my dad, I loved reading about him. Even though he was so dark. And rather murderous.
While the story was a little spooky, mostly due to the atmosphere (but also Philbert because scarecrow), it was also action-filled. The lack of technology gives the story a timeless feel, but is explained in such a way as to make it not only believable, but natural. I loved how Jack hated not having any of his gadgets and lamented the loss of his mobile phone. It starts slowly, and then builds and builds, and I could not put it down.
This was a great read, fast paced and gripping. I enjoyed it myself immensely.
Visit my blog for five reasons Danny Weston set Scarecrow in Scotland...
March 14, 2018
I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book as looking at the cover made it seem as if it was going to be a horror novel and I really do not like horror. The novel was creepy but not scary which I liked as scary books are not my thing, however, some people may be disappointed if they pick up the book expecting a scary story.
Jack and his father have to escape from London after Jack's dad discovers something at work and leaks it to the newspapers. The escape to rural Scotland and Jack discovers that Philbert the scarecrow is alive. Philbert is quite a creepy character but also as a caring nature as he helps Jack. I really liked the idea behind this story and it is unlike anything else that I have read.
I liked the characters in this book particularly Philbert. I also felt that the author portrayed a realistic father/son relationship which is quite rare in YA novels. The relationship wasn't perfect and they had a few disagreements but this made it feel real as it wasn't perfect but you could clearly see the bond between the two characters.
Overall I thought that this was a good read. I would be interested to try more books from the author in the future.
Jack and his father have to escape from London after Jack's dad discovers something at work and leaks it to the newspapers. The escape to rural Scotland and Jack discovers that Philbert the scarecrow is alive. Philbert is quite a creepy character but also as a caring nature as he helps Jack. I really liked the idea behind this story and it is unlike anything else that I have read.
I liked the characters in this book particularly Philbert. I also felt that the author portrayed a realistic father/son relationship which is quite rare in YA novels. The relationship wasn't perfect and they had a few disagreements but this made it feel real as it wasn't perfect but you could clearly see the bond between the two characters.
Overall I thought that this was a good read. I would be interested to try more books from the author in the future.
October 28, 2017
3.5 stars
Scarecrow is a book that I very kindly received a copy of for review, I’m not sure if I ever would have come across it otherwise. It wasn’t as scary as I had hoped it would be but I did enjoy it. The cover is also gorgeous and super creepy!
Jack and his Dad are on the run, Jack doesn’t really know why but one morning his Dad puts him in the car, tells him to leave his phone behind and drives them to Scotland, to a remote village where they cannot be found. It doesn’t take long before Jack notices something strange about the old scarecrow in the field near their cottage and from there things take many twists and turns.
I’m going to split this review into what I really liked about the book and what I didn’t love so much.
I liked…
- The relationship between Jack and his Dad. It had its ups and downs but it felt like a real relationship between a teenage boy and his Dad. Also VERY nice to read a story where the parents have split but the child has stayed with their father.
- Rhona – I thought she was fab and although I can’t put my finger on it there was just something I liked about her.
- The story was interesting enough and the characters as a whole were great.
- Philbert – badass.
What was okay…
-The book doesn’t shy away from the fact that Jack has to take medication for some kind of illness but it doesn’t really say exactly what it is other than alluding to it being a mental illness. I’d have really liked this to be more specific.
- This book is NOT scary (maybe to younger readers it will be though). Once Jack peels back a few layers of Philbert he really isn’t at all the scary scarecrow I had hoped would terrify me.
- I thought there were some bits towards the end where the plot just seemed a bit much for the book. The reason they had to run away was quite complicated and towards the end it just took over the excitement of the plot to me.
Overall I liked this book and would recommend to younger readers. Jack is a fantastic MC and I really warmed to him.
A big thank you to the lovely Harriet at Anderson Press for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
Scarecrow is a book that I very kindly received a copy of for review, I’m not sure if I ever would have come across it otherwise. It wasn’t as scary as I had hoped it would be but I did enjoy it. The cover is also gorgeous and super creepy!
Jack and his Dad are on the run, Jack doesn’t really know why but one morning his Dad puts him in the car, tells him to leave his phone behind and drives them to Scotland, to a remote village where they cannot be found. It doesn’t take long before Jack notices something strange about the old scarecrow in the field near their cottage and from there things take many twists and turns.
I’m going to split this review into what I really liked about the book and what I didn’t love so much.
I liked…
- The relationship between Jack and his Dad. It had its ups and downs but it felt like a real relationship between a teenage boy and his Dad. Also VERY nice to read a story where the parents have split but the child has stayed with their father.
- Rhona – I thought she was fab and although I can’t put my finger on it there was just something I liked about her.
- The story was interesting enough and the characters as a whole were great.
- Philbert – badass.
What was okay…
-The book doesn’t shy away from the fact that Jack has to take medication for some kind of illness but it doesn’t really say exactly what it is other than alluding to it being a mental illness. I’d have really liked this to be more specific.
- This book is NOT scary (maybe to younger readers it will be though). Once Jack peels back a few layers of Philbert he really isn’t at all the scary scarecrow I had hoped would terrify me.
- I thought there were some bits towards the end where the plot just seemed a bit much for the book. The reason they had to run away was quite complicated and towards the end it just took over the excitement of the plot to me.
Overall I liked this book and would recommend to younger readers. Jack is a fantastic MC and I really warmed to him.
A big thank you to the lovely Harriet at Anderson Press for my copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
June 12, 2022
Scarecrow by Danny Weston.
Jack and his dad are runaways. Jack’s father recently turned whistleblower, revealing the truth about the illicit dealings of some powerful people. Realising that he and Jack might be in danger, Dad drives them to a remote shooting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, where they intend to lay low.
A really good read. I did enjoy this book. Great story and characters. I loved the cover. 4*.
Jack and his dad are runaways. Jack’s father recently turned whistleblower, revealing the truth about the illicit dealings of some powerful people. Realising that he and Jack might be in danger, Dad drives them to a remote shooting lodge in the Scottish Highlands, where they intend to lay low.
A really good read. I did enjoy this book. Great story and characters. I loved the cover. 4*.
October 3, 2018
Det er simpelthen en super dejlig og vildt spændende halloween bog! Amen nu har jeg aldrig 😊
September 30, 2017
Inevitably it seems, scarecrows that come to life are usually portrayed as sinister and evil and at first this seems to be the case with Philbert. However as troubled Jack gets to know him it becomes apparent that he is not as black as he’s painted, he's not quite ‘scarecrow in Wizard of Oz’ inoffensive, but he is just trying to protect his farmer family. An excellent, spooky story for older children who enjoy being scared, without too much emphasis on blood and gore but with a few shocks and adrenaline spike moments that really get your heart racing.
September 9, 2019
I am in two minds about Scarecrow, with the thriller and psychological elements feeling much stronger than the horror parts. Alas, the book isn’t what I thought it would be, with a slow middle section dragging the narrative down somewhat.
I bought this at the Young Adult Literature Convention in London this summer, being attracted by the effective front cover that conveyed an image of true horror. However, I would describe this novel less as a children’s horror book than a thriller with horror elements. The titular scarecrow is certainly a menacing figure in the early stages of the novel, but this goes upon interacting with the main character. He is revealed to be more of a protector with a hunger for live animals than a monster that will haunt the protagonist and subsequently forms a friendship with him. Whilst I do understand the author’s reasoning for doing so, preferring to highlight other forms of evil, the middle section suffers from a real lack of action or urgency and lacks the horror that I was hoping for from this, even if the target audience is younger than my own.
The other form of evil is that of humanity and human greed. I think that this is a much more successful element than the use of the scarecrow because readers, children and adult alike, will be able to recognise this in everyday society from the most influential. Jack’s Dad has been forced out of the city after whistleblowing on the dodgy dealings of those who work in his bank – including some powerful people. This adds to the feeling of paranoia the characters feel in this small village and comes to a head in an exciting climax where the protagonists are trapped in the cottage with those who want to hurt them. If I had one tiny issue, it was that the hitmen are represented a bit too extreme, threatening to hurt children with a belt and not showing more than one dimension. The characterization of the turncoat who outed Jack’s father as the whistleblower was far more interesting to read, presenting several conflicting feelings at once.
Another element that the book does highlight is the mental health of young people. Jack is on medication at the start of the novel but deliberately doesn’t take it when he arrives in the remote Scottish village. The feeling of shame he has, particularly when his Dad explains this fact to strangers, is quite understandable and it is an element that I haven’t come across very often in literature for young people. I feel that presenting it is a good way to break the taboo, especially when it is stated in the way it is. I’m not sure that using the mental health of the protagonist to send readers a red herring that Jack has been thinking up the living scarecrow was as clever an idea as it appeared, so I was glad that this was quickly disproved. As a protagonist, Jack feels like a real person, as in the way he processes and presents so many questions to readers that can’t reply, and in the prominence of anger and other negative emotions just as much as his mental strength. I feel that it is him, rather than the scarecrow, who is the most realized character in the novel.
Scarecrow is a decent enough read if one was to consider it is a thriller, if a bit light on characterisation, but is a smudged attempt at horror, if that is what the author was going for. The scarecrow fails to really take off and a slow middle section drags the plot down somewhat, with a better final third, in which the author studies human evil and the lengths people will go to in order to save their skins, feeling like more of a success.
I bought this at the Young Adult Literature Convention in London this summer, being attracted by the effective front cover that conveyed an image of true horror. However, I would describe this novel less as a children’s horror book than a thriller with horror elements. The titular scarecrow is certainly a menacing figure in the early stages of the novel, but this goes upon interacting with the main character. He is revealed to be more of a protector with a hunger for live animals than a monster that will haunt the protagonist and subsequently forms a friendship with him. Whilst I do understand the author’s reasoning for doing so, preferring to highlight other forms of evil, the middle section suffers from a real lack of action or urgency and lacks the horror that I was hoping for from this, even if the target audience is younger than my own.
The other form of evil is that of humanity and human greed. I think that this is a much more successful element than the use of the scarecrow because readers, children and adult alike, will be able to recognise this in everyday society from the most influential. Jack’s Dad has been forced out of the city after whistleblowing on the dodgy dealings of those who work in his bank – including some powerful people. This adds to the feeling of paranoia the characters feel in this small village and comes to a head in an exciting climax where the protagonists are trapped in the cottage with those who want to hurt them. If I had one tiny issue, it was that the hitmen are represented a bit too extreme, threatening to hurt children with a belt and not showing more than one dimension. The characterization of the turncoat who outed Jack’s father as the whistleblower was far more interesting to read, presenting several conflicting feelings at once.
Another element that the book does highlight is the mental health of young people. Jack is on medication at the start of the novel but deliberately doesn’t take it when he arrives in the remote Scottish village. The feeling of shame he has, particularly when his Dad explains this fact to strangers, is quite understandable and it is an element that I haven’t come across very often in literature for young people. I feel that presenting it is a good way to break the taboo, especially when it is stated in the way it is. I’m not sure that using the mental health of the protagonist to send readers a red herring that Jack has been thinking up the living scarecrow was as clever an idea as it appeared, so I was glad that this was quickly disproved. As a protagonist, Jack feels like a real person, as in the way he processes and presents so many questions to readers that can’t reply, and in the prominence of anger and other negative emotions just as much as his mental strength. I feel that it is him, rather than the scarecrow, who is the most realized character in the novel.
Scarecrow is a decent enough read if one was to consider it is a thriller, if a bit light on characterisation, but is a smudged attempt at horror, if that is what the author was going for. The scarecrow fails to really take off and a slow middle section drags the plot down somewhat, with a better final third, in which the author studies human evil and the lengths people will go to in order to save their skins, feeling like more of a success.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 19, 2019
Found this book in my local library and the cover jumped out at me first of all, I’ve always been a fan of living scarecrows in fiction (something that there isn’t enough of in my opinion). so when I also noticed that this book is by Danny Weston that was enough for me. I discovered the author last year when I read The Haunting Of Jessop Rise (for which I have also reviewed here on Goodreads) and I loved it and knew I would want to check out other works by him. I’m glad I picked this one up. It’s not horror in the strictest sense but it is a great story which reminded me a little bit of A Monster Calls, another great book. Scarecrow reminded me that when it comes to friends, trust has to be earned and those who earn it wear it with pride while those who squander it pay the ultimate price.
August 25, 2021
Scarecrow truly is a fantastic read!
Now, I made the fortunate decision to judge this book based on its cover and little else and I clearly made the right decision.
The book's good. The characters are likeable, even the few that are there for a page or two give off a certain charm that's easy to enjoy. Characters aside, the writing's good. The pacing is great and ultimately the book has a great ending compared to some books out there that might choke at the last second.
If you enjoy a good read and a creepy cover then this one's for you.
Now, I made the fortunate decision to judge this book based on its cover and little else and I clearly made the right decision.
The book's good. The characters are likeable, even the few that are there for a page or two give off a certain charm that's easy to enjoy. Characters aside, the writing's good. The pacing is great and ultimately the book has a great ending compared to some books out there that might choke at the last second.
If you enjoy a good read and a creepy cover then this one's for you.
April 21, 2019
Thoroughly enjoyable YA/children's tale involving a boy whisked away to a remote Highlands village as his father seeks to hide from those he has blown the whistle on in his city bank job. More magical realism than horror, it is a fun tale and you do genuinely care for the characters as the events unfold.
March 3, 2018
A quick, easy read but not very original and not a horror like I was expecting.
April 1, 2018
feel good teen story
October 28, 2018
Super god historie! Min eneste kommentar skulle dog være, at jeg nok havde håbet på en lidt mere.... mystisk/ magisk afslutning :) udover det, kanon persongalleri! ^^
September 23, 2019
I met Danny Weston at a YA Literary Festival and I don’t think I’d have bought the book otherwise. He was really interesting and that made me look again at Scarecrow. The cover is pretty creepy and the blurb definitely suggested it wasn’t the sort of thing I’d like - too scary.
In actual fact, after the initial meeting between Jack and Philbert, I was slightly disappointed that he wasn’t more scary, or, at the very least, grumpier. The book is aimed at a younger audience than the YA fiction I normally go for, but that didn’t stop it being surprisingly violent and a real page turner. It didn’t take me longer than two or three hours to read and I consider it time well-spent.
In actual fact, after the initial meeting between Jack and Philbert, I was slightly disappointed that he wasn’t more scary, or, at the very least, grumpier. The book is aimed at a younger audience than the YA fiction I normally go for, but that didn’t stop it being surprisingly violent and a real page turner. It didn’t take me longer than two or three hours to read and I consider it time well-spent.
September 18, 2017
Great exciting story for older children & teens, atmospheric, scary, gruesome in places. Nicely developed characters & a happy ending....sort of!
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September 29, 2017I know that it used to be common practice to treat pacing in novels as if you were pushing a boulder up a hill. Slow going at first, then you peak about halfway through and race to the finish.
I'm over this pacing model.
So while this was a slow burn, I found myself drifting off. In fact, it took me a week to finally finish this. I cleaned instead of reading. The whole bit where they overcame the bad guys was too convenient. The story lacked depth. And the ending left me incoherent with rage I don't even understand because honestly I should not relate to a creepy-ass scarecrow who's first instinct is to murder.
I'm over this pacing model.
So while this was a slow burn, I found myself drifting off. In fact, it took me a week to finally finish this. I cleaned instead of reading. The whole bit where they overcame the bad guys was too convenient. The story lacked depth. And the ending left me incoherent with rage I don't even understand because honestly I should not relate to a creepy-ass scarecrow who's first instinct is to murder.
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