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The Owlmen
THE OWLMEN - NEW FROM THE AUTHOR OF BESTSELLING OCCULT HORROR TRILOGY, FATHER OF LIES!
IF THEY SEE YOU THEY WILL COME FOR YOU...
Ellie Blake is recovering from a nervous breakdown. Deciding to move back to her northern roots, she and her psychiatrist husband buy Tanners Dell at auction - an old water mill in the moorland village of Bridesmoor.
However, there is disquiet in the village. Tanners Dell has a terrible secret, one so well guarded no one speaks its name. But in her search for meaning and very much alone, Ellie is drawn to traditional witchcraft and determined to pursue it. All her life she has been cowed. All her life she has apologised for her very existence. And witchcraft has opened a door she could never have imagined. Imbued with power and overawed with its magick, for the first time she feels she has come home, truly knows who she is.
Tanners Dell though, with its centuries old demonic history...well, it's a dangerous place for a novice...
A STAND-ALONE NOVEL, WHICH CAN ALSO BE READ AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE FATHER OF LIES TRILOGY.
IF THEY SEE YOU THEY WILL COME FOR YOU...
Ellie Blake is recovering from a nervous breakdown. Deciding to move back to her northern roots, she and her psychiatrist husband buy Tanners Dell at auction - an old water mill in the moorland village of Bridesmoor.
However, there is disquiet in the village. Tanners Dell has a terrible secret, one so well guarded no one speaks its name. But in her search for meaning and very much alone, Ellie is drawn to traditional witchcraft and determined to pursue it. All her life she has been cowed. All her life she has apologised for her very existence. And witchcraft has opened a door she could never have imagined. Imbued with power and overawed with its magick, for the first time she feels she has come home, truly knows who she is.
Tanners Dell though, with its centuries old demonic history...well, it's a dangerous place for a novice...
A STAND-ALONE NOVEL, WHICH CAN ALSO BE READ AS A FOLLOW-UP TO THE FATHER OF LIES TRILOGY.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 24, 2018
267 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 90 reviews
April 24, 2018
Sarah England is, in my opinion, one of occult horror's best writers. She knows how to take a situation and inject a massive dash of creepiness into it, chilling you to the very core. Suffice to say, I LOVED this book, it had me gripped from the very first page, which so few books tend to do nowadays, despite the hype that surrounds them. And it never lets up. Not once. Set once again in Tanners Dell, on the Yorkshire moors, this can be read as a standalone book or a follow-on to the brilliant Father of Lies trilogy (which if you haven't read yet... what are you waiting for?) It's frightening stuff because basically everything that happens is possible, as one of the main characters, Toby, discovers. Nowhere is safe and no one can be trusted. If you give in to fear, you give in to them, if they see you, they will find you, they'll hunt you down, and they're relentless. And, as we all know, it's so easy to give in to fear... Another triumph, from a writer who's up there in the hall of horror greats.
November 23, 2018
Enjoyable occult thriller/horror. Although it took me a while to get into this (at first I thought there weren't going be any characters I really cared about all that much), I did eventually warm to the MC, Ellie. I especially liked her personal journey into witchcraft. I would have liked to have read a bit more about what happened with her and Tom. Maybe there will be another installment and I will find out!
Suitable levels of creepiness and realism, plus I always enjoy reading stories set my in part part of the world. Only slight niggle (again) were some errors/typos including question marks in strange places, but not too distracting. I'd also expected a more dramatic ending, with more of a stand-off between certain characters but still satisfying enough.
Recommended.
Suitable levels of creepiness and realism, plus I always enjoy reading stories set my in part part of the world. Only slight niggle (again) were some errors/typos including question marks in strange places, but not too distracting. I'd also expected a more dramatic ending, with more of a stand-off between certain characters but still satisfying enough.
Recommended.
September 6, 2018
After suffering a mental breakdown, Ellie and her psychiatrist husband purchase Tanners Dell at auction. It's an old water-mill in the moorland village of Bridesmoor, close to her ancestral roots. While he works in the nearby village, she deals with the contractors as they renovate their new home.
The tale is atmospheric and full of creeptastic suspense that sent shivers down my spine. While, admittedly I didn't warm up to the characters, I did quickly slip into the tale with its secrets and ominous tones. Tanners Dell has a strange and disturbing history. Ellie spends long hours at home alone and as the renovations continue, some macabre events occur. The house, mill and lands have a demonic history that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. To gain control, Ellie soon dabbles in witchcraft and for the first time feels a sense of rightness. Changes in her husband's behavior compounded the situation and ramped up the fear factor.
The author spun a clever tale with twists, truths and chills that kept me listening into the wee hours. In the end, I came to care for Ellie and some secondary characters. Tanners Dell and the neighboring woods became a living, breathing personality and is a place I am quite content never to lay eyes upon! I really enjoyed the author's ability to conjure fear without the use of blood or gore. Throughout the story she wove in a mystery and treated us to other POVs. All worked brilliantly to create a plausible, yet terrifying tale. I cannot mention more for fear of spoilers, but know this is a tightly woven well-constructed plot that has me adding England to my must read list.
This was my first listen to Henrietta Meire and her tone, accent and grasp of Ellie were superb. Her narration only heightened the already macabre tale.
I later discovered, that while this is a standalone, it takes place in the same area as the Father of Lies trilogy and in fact some figures appear from those books. I for one will go back to read/listen. Horror at its finest, The Owlmen is one I would happily recommend to fans who enjoy an atmospheric tale. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
The tale is atmospheric and full of creeptastic suspense that sent shivers down my spine. While, admittedly I didn't warm up to the characters, I did quickly slip into the tale with its secrets and ominous tones. Tanners Dell has a strange and disturbing history. Ellie spends long hours at home alone and as the renovations continue, some macabre events occur. The house, mill and lands have a demonic history that will have the hairs on the back of your neck standing on end. To gain control, Ellie soon dabbles in witchcraft and for the first time feels a sense of rightness. Changes in her husband's behavior compounded the situation and ramped up the fear factor.
The author spun a clever tale with twists, truths and chills that kept me listening into the wee hours. In the end, I came to care for Ellie and some secondary characters. Tanners Dell and the neighboring woods became a living, breathing personality and is a place I am quite content never to lay eyes upon! I really enjoyed the author's ability to conjure fear without the use of blood or gore. Throughout the story she wove in a mystery and treated us to other POVs. All worked brilliantly to create a plausible, yet terrifying tale. I cannot mention more for fear of spoilers, but know this is a tightly woven well-constructed plot that has me adding England to my must read list.
This was my first listen to Henrietta Meire and her tone, accent and grasp of Ellie were superb. Her narration only heightened the already macabre tale.
I later discovered, that while this is a standalone, it takes place in the same area as the Father of Lies trilogy and in fact some figures appear from those books. I for one will go back to read/listen. Horror at its finest, The Owlmen is one I would happily recommend to fans who enjoy an atmospheric tale. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer
May 21, 2018
the owlmen by Sarah England.
IF THEY SEE YOU THEY WILL COME FOR YOU...
Ellie Blake is recovering from a mental breakdown. Deciding to move back to her northern roots, she and her psychiatrist husband buy Tanners Dell at auction - an old water mill in the moorland village of Bridesmoor.
However, there is disquiet in the village. Tanners Dell has a terrible secret, one so well guarded no one speaks its name. But in her search for meaning and very much alone, Ellie is drawn to traditional witchcraft and determined to pursue it. All her life she has been cowed. All her life she has apologised for her very existence. And witchcraft has opened a door she could never have imagined. Imbued with power and overawed with its magick, for the first time she feels she has come home, truly knows who she is.
Tanners Dell though, with its centuries old demonic history...well, it's a dangerous place for a novice...
an absolutely fantastic read. loved the story and the characters. very creepy and eerie. spooky too. it really did scare me. especially when the old woman tried to get Ellie to drown. creepy. Highly recommended. 5*.
IF THEY SEE YOU THEY WILL COME FOR YOU...
Ellie Blake is recovering from a mental breakdown. Deciding to move back to her northern roots, she and her psychiatrist husband buy Tanners Dell at auction - an old water mill in the moorland village of Bridesmoor.
However, there is disquiet in the village. Tanners Dell has a terrible secret, one so well guarded no one speaks its name. But in her search for meaning and very much alone, Ellie is drawn to traditional witchcraft and determined to pursue it. All her life she has been cowed. All her life she has apologised for her very existence. And witchcraft has opened a door she could never have imagined. Imbued with power and overawed with its magick, for the first time she feels she has come home, truly knows who she is.
Tanners Dell though, with its centuries old demonic history...well, it's a dangerous place for a novice...
an absolutely fantastic read. loved the story and the characters. very creepy and eerie. spooky too. it really did scare me. especially when the old woman tried to get Ellie to drown. creepy. Highly recommended. 5*.
May 20, 2018
The Owlmen takes us back to Tanners Dell, that spooky, yet atmosphere mill, in the light of a bright moon, the night brings a beauty that cannot be seen in daylight, but don’t be fooled, this is Tanners Dell, behind the walls there is history, deep down under the foundations, horrors occurred, stories that will make you wish you never laid eyes on the place, satanic rituals showing human depravity at its most worst. But do not let this put you off, this is Sarah England doing what she does best, and that is, transporting you, so you are standing mesmerised , on the sidelines , as the story unfolds all around you, then she builds up the suspense, until you think you can’t take any more. The past hasn’t quite finished at Tanners Dell, it has been dormant, but is now rearing its head once again , new tenants are moving in, Ellie and her partner Seb, looking forward to a slower pace of life up north, a complete change of scene for them.... and that’s all I am saying, The owlmen is a great follow on from the brilliant Father of Lies trilogy, just don’t forget to leave a light on!...
May 15, 2018
An atmospheric and creepy occult horror story about a young couple who buy Tanner’s Dell, a house with a sinister past, in the small village of Bridesmoor. They set about renovating it, leading to some strange and macabre happenings.
This book is a follow up to the author’s ‘Father of Lies’ trilogy which I haven’t as yet read. Even though I think The Owlmen works well as a stand-alone novel, I wish I had read the previous books first (I will be remedying this) so I knew more about the back story. Nevertheless, I found it a gripping tale of suspense with vibes of Dennis Wheatley. I loved the vivid and descriptive style of writing which drew me in instantly. There are some fascinating and intriguing characters, good as well as wicked! It’s fast paced with just the right amount of menace but not too much gory stuff. It’s quite spine tingling, too, so I definitely won’t be walking in the woods in the middle of the night any time soon! Not that I do......😜 🧙♀️👹
This book is a follow up to the author’s ‘Father of Lies’ trilogy which I haven’t as yet read. Even though I think The Owlmen works well as a stand-alone novel, I wish I had read the previous books first (I will be remedying this) so I knew more about the back story. Nevertheless, I found it a gripping tale of suspense with vibes of Dennis Wheatley. I loved the vivid and descriptive style of writing which drew me in instantly. There are some fascinating and intriguing characters, good as well as wicked! It’s fast paced with just the right amount of menace but not too much gory stuff. It’s quite spine tingling, too, so I definitely won’t be walking in the woods in the middle of the night any time soon! Not that I do......😜 🧙♀️👹
May 7, 2018
As always, this author shows her skill at creating a tense and atmospheric read. It can be read as a stand alone, but I feel would be better read after enjoying the Father of Lies trilogy.
Ellie believes she has found the perfect home at Tanners Dell, but as the renovations begin she experiences some strange and terrifying events. As things escalate she learns something about herself, a side to her personality she didn't know she had.
I was pleased to meet Toby again. I really liked his character in the FOL books and it seemed only right that he played the part he did in this book. His visions/night terror/psychic experiences were excellently written.
I've come to know what to expect from this author - tense suspenseful horror that doesn't need blood, guts and gore to scare you, just her excellent writing and her ability to put you inside her stories.
Highly recommended.
Ellie believes she has found the perfect home at Tanners Dell, but as the renovations begin she experiences some strange and terrifying events. As things escalate she learns something about herself, a side to her personality she didn't know she had.
I was pleased to meet Toby again. I really liked his character in the FOL books and it seemed only right that he played the part he did in this book. His visions/night terror/psychic experiences were excellently written.
I've come to know what to expect from this author - tense suspenseful horror that doesn't need blood, guts and gore to scare you, just her excellent writing and her ability to put you inside her stories.
Highly recommended.
April 30, 2018
I absolutely love Sarah England’s style of writing and also the occult is my favourite genre. This book follows on from The Father of Lies Trilogy although can be read as a stand-alone but the series is too good to miss and I would thoroughly recommend reading first. Read almost in one sitting I devoured every page and hope there is going to be another follow on from this.
May 2, 2018
I read the brilliant Father of Lies Trilogy and this book follows on but can be read as a stand alone. When I was young I read Dennis Wheatley and loved them, Sarah in my opinion has taken over as master of the occult, you are never sure if what is in your mindseye is real or imagined. It is seriously scary, spooky horror at it's best.
April 27, 2018
Cracking read!
Another unmissable read! I love this series.... hopefully there will be more?
Good old fashioned storytelling, with a creepy feeling throughout.
One never can tell, if it's real... or merely an illusion.
The only say to find out, is to read it!!
TTFN 😊enjoy.
Another unmissable read! I love this series.... hopefully there will be more?
Good old fashioned storytelling, with a creepy feeling throughout.
One never can tell, if it's real... or merely an illusion.
The only say to find out, is to read it!!
TTFN 😊enjoy.
June 24, 2022
I am back in Tanners Dell. After reading the fantastic five star trilogy The Father of Lies the story continues. Tony Harbour the disgraced policeman is still under psychic attack from the black witch Ida Dean. After seeking help from Harry Tate he is on a mission, the black witch must die. In the meantime Ellie and her husband are the new owners of the mill. Ellie is a loner and does not fit into the world of today so she starts to dabble in witchcraft. At last she feels that she has come home. The more she learns the more settled she becomes. But then she begins to have psychic attacks and terrifying visions she knows that she has to protect herself. This book does answer a lot of questions after I read the Magda the last book in the triology but it does not excite me as much as I was expecting. Still a creepy read and 4.5 stars for me.
Read
June 14, 2018Firstly I would like to thank Sarah for igniting my love of reading!
what can I say..WOW! This book had me gripped with each page that I turned, it was tense and boy was it creepy! Would love to see a film production of this stand alone novel.
Brilliant occult horror story and will be a story that stays with me.
Sarah is definetly an author, up there with the likes of Stephen King and James Herbert!!
what can I say..WOW! This book had me gripped with each page that I turned, it was tense and boy was it creepy! Would love to see a film production of this stand alone novel.
Brilliant occult horror story and will be a story that stays with me.
Sarah is definetly an author, up there with the likes of Stephen King and James Herbert!!
May 18, 2018
The Owlmen: If They See You They Will Come For You
By: S.E. England
5 out of 5 stars
The story The Owlmen: If They See You They Will Come For You by S.E. England is a thrilling horror/occult book. It is a story that had me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the final page. Ellie Blake and her husband purchase a water mill in the village of Bridesmoor. Even before they have moved in Ellie feels a pull and the need to visit the property. You begin to read about the strange occurrences that happen to Ellie and that this village has a dark history. Ellie begins to study and practice witchcraft. Just what is happening in Bridesmoor? Who or what is responsible? How much danger is Ellie in? This story is told from the POV of several characters. I liked that the story kept me on my toes and trying to figure out the truth of what was going on. The author has done a wonderful job in creating an amazing storyline and characters that I enjoyed reading about. This is a story that had chills going up and down my spine and goosebumps breaking out on my arms. This is a book I would highly recommend reading.
By: S.E. England
5 out of 5 stars
The story The Owlmen: If They See You They Will Come For You by S.E. England is a thrilling horror/occult book. It is a story that had me on the edge of my seat and I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the final page. Ellie Blake and her husband purchase a water mill in the village of Bridesmoor. Even before they have moved in Ellie feels a pull and the need to visit the property. You begin to read about the strange occurrences that happen to Ellie and that this village has a dark history. Ellie begins to study and practice witchcraft. Just what is happening in Bridesmoor? Who or what is responsible? How much danger is Ellie in? This story is told from the POV of several characters. I liked that the story kept me on my toes and trying to figure out the truth of what was going on. The author has done a wonderful job in creating an amazing storyline and characters that I enjoyed reading about. This is a story that had chills going up and down my spine and goosebumps breaking out on my arms. This is a book I would highly recommend reading.
May 1, 2018
Another unique page-turner
Once again the author has managed to produce a tale of inner torment and communial horror! The continuing saga of Tanner's Dell and the surrounding area is both gripping and gut-churning in it's pace and description, leaving the reader breathlessly wanting more. Easily readable, Sarah England's style of writing has and will continue to build a firm's fan-base. Well deserved.
Once again the author has managed to produce a tale of inner torment and communial horror! The continuing saga of Tanner's Dell and the surrounding area is both gripping and gut-churning in it's pace and description, leaving the reader breathlessly wanting more. Easily readable, Sarah England's style of writing has and will continue to build a firm's fan-base. Well deserved.
September 5, 2018
There is Something At work in my soul which I do not understand....Mary Shelley...Frankenstein
After a breakdown Ellie Blake and her husband Seb decide to leave London .They sell their home and furniture and buy a house at auction..They move to Tanners Dell, an old watermill in remote yet stunningly beautiful Bridesmoor..The house itself has a history dating back to the plague years..In Tanners Dell 91 year old Lydia is dying, her wish is to die peacefully...yet she is plagued by nightmares whilst on medication...she dreams of The Owlmen...that they are coming for her...Whilst the house is being done up in the autumn Ellie feels they are not alone here...and here in Tanners Dell it is not only the season's that are changing..With superstition and stories about witchcraft...Ellie...is growing in the old ways...For Ellie will need every ounce of strength in the weeks ahead...Evil lies in Tanners Dell...In this beautiful part of the world...there are dark forces..Bad souls...and Ellie will be forever changed by what is about to happen to her...This is my first dark horror in a long time...and in this story of a woman who believes in the good of man..there is a magic...A story that creeps up on you...winds it's way in...and jolts you when you stop for a moment...Dark...Chilling...and Devilishly good...
After a breakdown Ellie Blake and her husband Seb decide to leave London .They sell their home and furniture and buy a house at auction..They move to Tanners Dell, an old watermill in remote yet stunningly beautiful Bridesmoor..The house itself has a history dating back to the plague years..In Tanners Dell 91 year old Lydia is dying, her wish is to die peacefully...yet she is plagued by nightmares whilst on medication...she dreams of The Owlmen...that they are coming for her...Whilst the house is being done up in the autumn Ellie feels they are not alone here...and here in Tanners Dell it is not only the season's that are changing..With superstition and stories about witchcraft...Ellie...is growing in the old ways...For Ellie will need every ounce of strength in the weeks ahead...Evil lies in Tanners Dell...In this beautiful part of the world...there are dark forces..Bad souls...and Ellie will be forever changed by what is about to happen to her...This is my first dark horror in a long time...and in this story of a woman who believes in the good of man..there is a magic...A story that creeps up on you...winds it's way in...and jolts you when you stop for a moment...Dark...Chilling...and Devilishly good...
September 28, 2018
I love the Father of Lies series. This is part of that series even though it’s not listed that way. If your going to read this book you really need to read the Father of Lies trilogy first. That being said I liked this book, it just wasn’t as good as the original trilogy. It seemed a little rushed to me. It was good just not great.
July 2, 2024
The Owlmen is essentially book four of the Father of Lies trilogy, although you do not need to read this one as I think as book three finished the tale pretty cleanly and left me satisfied. That being said, The Owlmen does go a little deeper into things and although it's very good, I don't think that it was as AWESOME as Father of Lies (that's only because Sarah set the bar so high). Once again, if occult horror is your thing, as it is mine, definitely check this one out but be sure to read the trilogy first. 4/5
April 29, 2018
Creepy horror.
Another great book in the eerie Tanners Dell series, this one brings new blood to the Mill in the form of Ellie and her husband.
It’s well written and creepy, with good characters and a great atmospheric plot.
I read the book in just over a day and it lives up to its prequels offering little plot twists and guest appearances from previous characters.
If you enjoy a good horror, then this is the book for you.
Another great book in the eerie Tanners Dell series, this one brings new blood to the Mill in the form of Ellie and her husband.
It’s well written and creepy, with good characters and a great atmospheric plot.
I read the book in just over a day and it lives up to its prequels offering little plot twists and guest appearances from previous characters.
If you enjoy a good horror, then this is the book for you.
dnf
March 12, 2024Dnf at 20%
I might return to this, but the audiobook was just not the way to go for me.
The main character is rather neurotic (I mean, she did just go through a mental breakdown, but I found it rather frustrating following her erratic thoughts not making any sense and the narrator's voice made it even worse for me. Maybe if I stumble upon a physical copy I will try this again.
I might return to this, but the audiobook was just not the way to go for me.
The main character is rather neurotic (I mean, she did just go through a mental breakdown, but I found it rather frustrating following her erratic thoughts not making any sense and the narrator's voice made it even worse for me. Maybe if I stumble upon a physical copy I will try this again.
May 18, 2018
This was an intense, subtle, insidious read. I loved how it came to life and sucked you in for a wild ride that leaves you hanging on for dear life long after the book ends. It did get slightly frustrating with a large portion being taken up by Ellie's stewing thoughts, seemed to be just regurgitated paragraphs after a while. I adored Ellie by the end of the book, I internally cheered her on especially in the last few pages. Thank you so much for the opportunity to review this work, I loved it and will definitely read this authors other works!
April 8, 2020
Bloody terrifying! Once again Sarah England has managed to scare the living daylights out of me. Oh I would love to see these books made into movies!! Not for the faint hearted X
May 20, 2018
This book was very interesting. When I started reading it, I wasn't sure that I was going to like it, but that quickly changed. I ended upnstaying up late reading when I got near the end because I just had to finish it.
May 27, 2018
Yet another amazing read from Sarah England
From page one i was hooked, I loved each and every part of this. I found that It also tied up any loose ends for the father of lies series and like that i was sad to see it end. This is the type of book that makes you want to sleep with the light on and even though you get freaked out you cannot put it down. Roll on Sarah's next book...what an amazing author!!
From page one i was hooked, I loved each and every part of this. I found that It also tied up any loose ends for the father of lies series and like that i was sad to see it end. This is the type of book that makes you want to sleep with the light on and even though you get freaked out you cannot put it down. Roll on Sarah's next book...what an amazing author!!
May 9, 2018
5*****
Another brilliant read by an outstanding author. She never fails to deliver a good page turner and this was certainly no exception. Can't wait for the next!
Another brilliant read by an outstanding author. She never fails to deliver a good page turner and this was certainly no exception. Can't wait for the next!
August 30, 2018
Creepy supernatural thriller
I read and enjoyed the tanners Dell trilogy and this book is a follow up but could be read as a stand alone and I thought this book was even better.I loved Ellie and would like to read more about her and how she progresses in her witchcraft
I read and enjoyed the tanners Dell trilogy and this book is a follow up but could be read as a stand alone and I thought this book was even better.I loved Ellie and would like to read more about her and how she progresses in her witchcraft
August 21, 2018
I read "The Owlmen" without knowledge of the preceding trilogy, but that didn't hinder the creepiness at all. England makes wonderful use of the human brain's inability to tell the difference between reality and imagination. She expertly fades the line between the two - for both her characters and the reader. That is something I particularly appreciate in a good horror story.
This book works well as a standalone, although I feel that reading the trilogy about Tanners Dell first will add spice to "The Owlmen", because references to past events and the implications that the threat is by no means gone would pack a harder punch. If indeed you would want that, because the horrific nightmares that Ellie and Toby suffer are disturbing enough to give you some of your own!
This book works well as a standalone, although I feel that reading the trilogy about Tanners Dell first will add spice to "The Owlmen", because references to past events and the implications that the threat is by no means gone would pack a harder punch. If indeed you would want that, because the horrific nightmares that Ellie and Toby suffer are disturbing enough to give you some of your own!
November 8, 2018
Ok, I'm DNF'ing this, which is hard because I updated to the audio, which is good, but the story's just not. Apparently, it's the book after the trilogy (which I've not read) and had I known that, I would have started with the trilogy, but I can't now because the author spent pretty much the whole first 1/4 of the book telling me what happened in the previous books! She should have written a stand-alone book with new characters.
I'll probably try something else from S.E. England, but not for a while.
I'll probably try something else from S.E. England, but not for a while.
February 26, 2019
Excellent story
This is considered a stand alone novel in the "Father of Lies" trilogy universe, but to me it is the fourth book in this wonderfully, creepy series. These books are dark, gloomy, and written beautifully. I wonder why Ms. England is not more well known, and revered as a dark occult author. I really cared about the main characters and what happens to them. They are well fleshed out, and made real as we ride along knowing what, and why they feel and think. Read these books if you're a horror fan. Not full of gore and torture porn, these books are still full of horrific imagery, the creepy shit that creeps into your mind as you try and sleep at night. If you've read, and enjoyed The Exorcist, or Rosemary's Baby, then these books are right there with them in terms of story, and prose. Sarah England is a damn fine writer. I'll definitely be reading more of her work!
This is considered a stand alone novel in the "Father of Lies" trilogy universe, but to me it is the fourth book in this wonderfully, creepy series. These books are dark, gloomy, and written beautifully. I wonder why Ms. England is not more well known, and revered as a dark occult author. I really cared about the main characters and what happens to them. They are well fleshed out, and made real as we ride along knowing what, and why they feel and think. Read these books if you're a horror fan. Not full of gore and torture porn, these books are still full of horrific imagery, the creepy shit that creeps into your mind as you try and sleep at night. If you've read, and enjoyed The Exorcist, or Rosemary's Baby, then these books are right there with them in terms of story, and prose. Sarah England is a damn fine writer. I'll definitely be reading more of her work!
May 29, 2018
Wow - so I thought I could just tenderly pick my way through occult horror, seeing as I am an adult woman, but no. The author would have none of that, it turned out, and she had me reading all night because I was too scared to turn out the lights. Yeah. Really. This is a really intense read, all the ingredients for creepy horror goth is there right from the start: abandoned house, satanic rituals, a haunted village memory and young woman recovering from nervous breakdown. At first I was a little disturbed by the fact that SHE WILLINGLY MOVES IN TO THE PLACE OF THE BAD STUFF but that says more about how quickly I got absorbed than anything else. The parts with Ellies internal reasoning were a little long and felt repetetive, but as a whole the book was well spun. Weak of hearts, beware.
June 9, 2018
When I realised that Ellie and her husband Seb were going to buy Tanners Dell, my heart skipped a beat. After having read all of the Father of Lies books, I had a bad, bad feeling about what might happen to her in this setting.
However, this book surprised me and I liked that there was a change in Ellie...although the changes in her husband were a bit of a worry all the same and my heart was in my mouth multiple times.
This is a quite a complex book, with lots of subtle layers. I really enjoyed it, as I have all the other books by this author.
It is easy to read this book as a standalone but I would recommend reading the Father of Lies trilogy anyway, to get some more background.
4.5 stars from me.
However, this book surprised me and I liked that there was a change in Ellie...although the changes in her husband were a bit of a worry all the same and my heart was in my mouth multiple times.
This is a quite a complex book, with lots of subtle layers. I really enjoyed it, as I have all the other books by this author.
It is easy to read this book as a standalone but I would recommend reading the Father of Lies trilogy anyway, to get some more background.
4.5 stars from me.
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