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Mistletoe
Leah Hamilton is looking for a new life following the tragic deaths of her husband and son. Determined to bury her grief in hard work, and desperate to escape Christmas and the pitying looks of her colleagues, she rushes through the purchase of a run-down Yorkshire farmhouse, arriving just as the snow shrouds her new home.
It may look like a Christmas card, but it's soon clear it's not just the house needing renovation; the land is in bad heart too. And Leah's mind starts playing tricks on her: she hears a child playing in the snow, but although there are snowballs, there are no footprints. Is this the ghost of her son, returned to her? She starts having visions of the farm's former occupants - the young widow and her son, the cousin who's wooing her, the maid who shares her secrets and the handsome labourer who's hanged for the murder of a child, a murder he didn't commit.
Is Leah strong enough to lay the increasingly malevolent ghosts and find a way to move on? Or will her ashes end up scattered over the now-covered fields?
It may look like a Christmas card, but it's soon clear it's not just the house needing renovation; the land is in bad heart too. And Leah's mind starts playing tricks on her: she hears a child playing in the snow, but although there are snowballs, there are no footprints. Is this the ghost of her son, returned to her? She starts having visions of the farm's former occupants - the young widow and her son, the cousin who's wooing her, the maid who shares her secrets and the handsome labourer who's hanged for the murder of a child, a murder he didn't commit.
Is Leah strong enough to lay the increasingly malevolent ghosts and find a way to move on? Or will her ashes end up scattered over the now-covered fields?
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2019
23 people are currently reading
1626 people want to read
About the author
Alison Littlewood
121 books170 followersAlison Littlewood was raised in Penistone, South Yorkshire, and went on to attend the University of Northumbria at Newcastle (now Northumbria University). Originally she planned to study graphic design, but “missed the words too much” and switched to a joint English and History degree. She followed a career in marketing before developing her love of writing fiction.
Her first book, A Cold Season (2011), was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club and described as ‘perfect reading for a dark winter’s night.’
Alison's latest novel is The Crow Garden (2017), is a tale of obsession set amidst Victorian asylums and séance rooms.
You can find her living with her partner Fergus in deepest Yorkshire, England, in a house of creaking doors and crooked walls. She loves exploring the hills and dales with her two hugely enthusiastic Dalmatians and has a penchant for books on folklore and weird history, Earl Grey tea and semicolons.
She is on Twitter as @Ali__L
Her first book, A Cold Season (2011), was selected for the Richard and Judy Book Club and described as ‘perfect reading for a dark winter’s night.’
Alison's latest novel is The Crow Garden (2017), is a tale of obsession set amidst Victorian asylums and séance rooms.
You can find her living with her partner Fergus in deepest Yorkshire, England, in a house of creaking doors and crooked walls. She loves exploring the hills and dales with her two hugely enthusiastic Dalmatians and has a penchant for books on folklore and weird history, Earl Grey tea and semicolons.
She is on Twitter as @Ali__L
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
October 5, 2019
3.5 stars rounded up to 4
All Leah wanted to do was escape the events that lead up to Christmas. She had just lost her husband and son. Maitland Farm in Yorkshire is remote and isolated. Its been empty for years. Its run down and needs a lot of work done to make it habitable. No one has ever managed to stay there long. Leah lived in Manchester. She decides to buy the farm and rushes the sale through. The farm used to belong to her ancestors. Cut off by snow, strange things start to happen. She hears voices and children's laughter. She also sees shadowy type figures in the mirror. She even hears a snowball that's been thrown at the door.
5his is the type of book I would like to read sitting in a big armchair beside the coal fire on a cold dark night. It's an atmospheric read. A book for either Christmas or Halloween. The book definitely has a creepy feel to it. Theres no way I would stay in an isolated house on my own. I will not look at mistletoe in the same way again either. Leah gets a glimpse of how former residents lived through Victorian times. There is also a murder to solve. There are a few twists in this well written ghost story. A must read for fans of eerie ghost stories.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Alison Littlewood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
All Leah wanted to do was escape the events that lead up to Christmas. She had just lost her husband and son. Maitland Farm in Yorkshire is remote and isolated. Its been empty for years. Its run down and needs a lot of work done to make it habitable. No one has ever managed to stay there long. Leah lived in Manchester. She decides to buy the farm and rushes the sale through. The farm used to belong to her ancestors. Cut off by snow, strange things start to happen. She hears voices and children's laughter. She also sees shadowy type figures in the mirror. She even hears a snowball that's been thrown at the door.
5his is the type of book I would like to read sitting in a big armchair beside the coal fire on a cold dark night. It's an atmospheric read. A book for either Christmas or Halloween. The book definitely has a creepy feel to it. Theres no way I would stay in an isolated house on my own. I will not look at mistletoe in the same way again either. Leah gets a glimpse of how former residents lived through Victorian times. There is also a murder to solve. There are a few twists in this well written ghost story. A must read for fans of eerie ghost stories.
I would like to thank NetGalley, Quercus Books and the author Alison Littlewood for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 26, 2020
Leah has just lost her husband Josh & son Finn she is looking to move on in her life& buys Maitland Farm, she is so excited about the place but things turn pear shaped when ghosts of the past & visions she is having start to be real.
She is trying to get on with Christmas but without her family its impossible, this was an errie sometimes spooky read that gets you in but by the end i had had enough, i am not saying that it wasnt beautifully written just was sick of hearing about snow being everywhere, it did have its moments though in parts but just didn't grab me right to the end thus 3 stars.
She is trying to get on with Christmas but without her family its impossible, this was an errie sometimes spooky read that gets you in but by the end i had had enough, i am not saying that it wasnt beautifully written just was sick of hearing about snow being everywhere, it did have its moments though in parts but just didn't grab me right to the end thus 3 stars.
November 19, 2021
Something of a Christmas ghost story. There are very few characters. The primary character is Leah and her point of view makes up the novel. Leah has recently lost her son and husband and is still coping with her grief. They had been looking at a farmhouse to purchase which coincidentally used to be in Leah’s family over a hundred years ago. After her loss Leah sells up and purchases the remote farmhouse, which is on the Yorkshire Moors. It is rapidly approaching Christmas and there is snow on the ground.
The farm and house are old and there is an orchard with lots of mistletoe on the trees and Littlewood finds lots of ways to describe snow:
“The snow was constantly changing: now rose-tinted or grey, now golden or lavender, made new with every dawn or noon or evening and yet just as cold.”
The haunting starts almost as soon as she arrives and consists of Leah suddenly finds herself in the past watching scenes from long ago when her ancestors ran the farm. She discovers some rather sinister history which begins to play out. There are a few surly locals and another local farm where Leah gets to know the occupants a little: their ancestors were also local.
It’s pretty gothic, the plot is obviously unbelievable, but Littlewood makes good use of the natural world. As ghost stories go it’s ok, good for a dark winter night and Littlewood weaves in some folklore elements as well.
The farm and house are old and there is an orchard with lots of mistletoe on the trees and Littlewood finds lots of ways to describe snow:
“The snow was constantly changing: now rose-tinted or grey, now golden or lavender, made new with every dawn or noon or evening and yet just as cold.”
The haunting starts almost as soon as she arrives and consists of Leah suddenly finds herself in the past watching scenes from long ago when her ancestors ran the farm. She discovers some rather sinister history which begins to play out. There are a few surly locals and another local farm where Leah gets to know the occupants a little: their ancestors were also local.
It’s pretty gothic, the plot is obviously unbelievable, but Littlewood makes good use of the natural world. As ghost stories go it’s ok, good for a dark winter night and Littlewood weaves in some folklore elements as well.
December 3, 2019
3.5 stars.
I wouldn't describe the story as scary, but I did definitely had the prickly back of the neck sensation--like when one has the feeling someone is watching them...
I wouldn't describe the story as scary, but I did definitely had the prickly back of the neck sensation--like when one has the feeling someone is watching them...
November 13, 2019
Alison Littlewood’s previous novels, particularly The Hidden People and The Crow Garden, show her mastery of what one could call “neo-Victorian” fiction. Besides successfully evoking the atmosphere of the era, these novels reference the popular genres of the time, particularly the “Gothic” and “sensation” novels of Wilkie Collins and others.
Littlewood’s latest book, Mistletoe, appears at first to be quite a different proposition – an atmospheric ghost story set over the Christmas period in modern-day, rural Yorkshire. Then again, the custom of telling ghost stories around the fire during the festive season is a long-established one. It hardly needs reminding that Dickens’ Christmas books – such as A Christmas Carol and The Chimes – are seasonal supernatural tales. Mistletoe taps into this rich tradition.
The initial chapters of the novel introduce us to young widow Leah Hamilton. Having just lost her husband and son, Leah feels she must honour a project her late husband had been planning – that of acquiring and converting a farm in remote, rural Yorkshire which might actually have belonged to Leah’s ancestors.
Leah wants to avoid the stress of a city Christmas: “the gaudy shop windows, the ever-repeating chirp of carols, the cheerfulness of her colleagues that faded when they saw her watching…” She rushes through the move from Manchester to Yorkshire, even though Maitland Farm still needs a lot of hard work for it to be made comfortably habitable. Leah arrives to a scene of picture-postcard (or should I say Christmas card?) prettiness: fields covered in snow and a sense of expectation “hidden in the spaces between snowflakes, almost visible through their flicker and dance”. Quite soon, however, Leah discovers that the house harbours dark secrets. Barely into the second chapter, she must face unexplained happenings such as snowballs thrown by invisible figures, disembodied voices, strange visions and upsetting discoveries.
In its first part, Mistletoe presents us with many typical “haunted house” tropes: the “naïve” city dweller who relocates to the country; the overeager estate agent; the pangs of ‘buyer’s guilt’; restless spirits awakened by new residents; neighbours who clearly know more about the house’s past than they are willing to let on.
Once the scene is set, however, the novel comes into its own and reveals some pleasant surprises. Firstly, although subtitled “A Ghost Story”, Mistletoe is more of a time-slip novel. As the barrier between past and present crumbles, Leah starts having increasingly detailed visions related to heinous deeds connected to the house. The book retains its supernatural bent, but the scenes set in the past take us into the realm of uncanny historical fiction at which Littlewood excels.
Another distinctive feature of the novel is that it weaves into its plot strong elements of folklore, particularly plant lore related to Christmas. The “mistletoe” of the title, of course, features heavily, but there are also references to holly and ivy, and other seasonal traditions such as wassailing. In other words, Christmas and its customs are not simply a convenient “frame” for the story but play a central role in the novel.
Because of its plot, Mistletoe is best savoured opposite a fireplace on a long winter’s night, preferably accompanied by hot punch and mince pies. However, its delightful brand of spookiness ensures that, like Dickens’ seasonal novels, it can be enjoyed all the year round.
For the full review including an (early) playlist of carols and folksongs for Christmas, head to:
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
Littlewood’s latest book, Mistletoe, appears at first to be quite a different proposition – an atmospheric ghost story set over the Christmas period in modern-day, rural Yorkshire. Then again, the custom of telling ghost stories around the fire during the festive season is a long-established one. It hardly needs reminding that Dickens’ Christmas books – such as A Christmas Carol and The Chimes – are seasonal supernatural tales. Mistletoe taps into this rich tradition.
The initial chapters of the novel introduce us to young widow Leah Hamilton. Having just lost her husband and son, Leah feels she must honour a project her late husband had been planning – that of acquiring and converting a farm in remote, rural Yorkshire which might actually have belonged to Leah’s ancestors.
Leah wants to avoid the stress of a city Christmas: “the gaudy shop windows, the ever-repeating chirp of carols, the cheerfulness of her colleagues that faded when they saw her watching…” She rushes through the move from Manchester to Yorkshire, even though Maitland Farm still needs a lot of hard work for it to be made comfortably habitable. Leah arrives to a scene of picture-postcard (or should I say Christmas card?) prettiness: fields covered in snow and a sense of expectation “hidden in the spaces between snowflakes, almost visible through their flicker and dance”. Quite soon, however, Leah discovers that the house harbours dark secrets. Barely into the second chapter, she must face unexplained happenings such as snowballs thrown by invisible figures, disembodied voices, strange visions and upsetting discoveries.
In its first part, Mistletoe presents us with many typical “haunted house” tropes: the “naïve” city dweller who relocates to the country; the overeager estate agent; the pangs of ‘buyer’s guilt’; restless spirits awakened by new residents; neighbours who clearly know more about the house’s past than they are willing to let on.
Once the scene is set, however, the novel comes into its own and reveals some pleasant surprises. Firstly, although subtitled “A Ghost Story”, Mistletoe is more of a time-slip novel. As the barrier between past and present crumbles, Leah starts having increasingly detailed visions related to heinous deeds connected to the house. The book retains its supernatural bent, but the scenes set in the past take us into the realm of uncanny historical fiction at which Littlewood excels.
Another distinctive feature of the novel is that it weaves into its plot strong elements of folklore, particularly plant lore related to Christmas. The “mistletoe” of the title, of course, features heavily, but there are also references to holly and ivy, and other seasonal traditions such as wassailing. In other words, Christmas and its customs are not simply a convenient “frame” for the story but play a central role in the novel.
Because of its plot, Mistletoe is best savoured opposite a fireplace on a long winter’s night, preferably accompanied by hot punch and mince pies. However, its delightful brand of spookiness ensures that, like Dickens’ seasonal novels, it can be enjoyed all the year round.
For the full review including an (early) playlist of carols and folksongs for Christmas, head to:
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
March 15, 2021
"Mistletoe" was a book I had set my sights on at the end of last year, but only just picked it up recently. Still, it was wonderfully evocative of a freezing cold winter which made it even more cosy reading it at this time of year.
Leah Maitland has made an offer on a dilapidated farmhouse in Yorkshire, and after the death of her husband and son she thinks the project of restoring it will take her mind of her grief. Added to which, the farm is called "Maitland" and Leah knows it is her duty to carry on the legacy of her family.
But arriving somewhere this cut off and isolated just before Christmas wasn't a wise idea, because Leah starts to hear and see things that she believes must be telling her the story of the farm - terrible, frightening and sad things. Is she going mad, or is she in danger?
I agree that this is very atmospheric and had me gripped, but there was something lacking that sadly just didn't do it for me. I think toward the end in my opinion it became a bit silly and fantastical and didn't end the way it should've.
Leah Maitland has made an offer on a dilapidated farmhouse in Yorkshire, and after the death of her husband and son she thinks the project of restoring it will take her mind of her grief. Added to which, the farm is called "Maitland" and Leah knows it is her duty to carry on the legacy of her family.
But arriving somewhere this cut off and isolated just before Christmas wasn't a wise idea, because Leah starts to hear and see things that she believes must be telling her the story of the farm - terrible, frightening and sad things. Is she going mad, or is she in danger?
I agree that this is very atmospheric and had me gripped, but there was something lacking that sadly just didn't do it for me. I think toward the end in my opinion it became a bit silly and fantastical and didn't end the way it should've.
December 30, 2021
Mistletoe follows the story of Leah who, having lost her husband and her son under tragic circumstances, moves alone into the country house they had bought together and is preparing to spend her first Christmas there. She gradually sees weird things happening and regularly has inexplicable blackouts sending her to another time, witnessing the lives of past people. Maybe the reason is the unruly and unwanted mistletoe growth?
What you see is what you get; Mistletoe is a Christmas-themed ghost story that deals with concepts like the loss of loved ones, pain, letting go, starting anew, finding comfort. It is really well-written and my only point of critique would be that it is extremely slow-paced, bordering on tedious. It can be a great read if you slow-paced doesn't bother you.
What you see is what you get; Mistletoe is a Christmas-themed ghost story that deals with concepts like the loss of loved ones, pain, letting go, starting anew, finding comfort. It is really well-written and my only point of critique would be that it is extremely slow-paced, bordering on tedious. It can be a great read if you slow-paced doesn't bother you.
October 4, 2019
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
Maitland Farm is an isolated and remote farm in Yorkshire that has been empty for years and fallen into disrepair. None of the previous occupants of the farm ever lasted very long, nothing would grow in the fields, the orchard doesn’t bear fruit, something feels ‘off’ about the farm and it has passed from owner to owner. After the devastating deaths of her son and her husband, Leah purchases the farm and moves from the city of Manchester to the quiet village and secluded farm.
It is late in December when Leah rushes through the sale to get away from Christmas, the lights, the trees, the presents, the music and the general hustle and bustle that the season brings. Escaping the festivities that should be enjoyed by families and swapping them for isolation as she has lost hers and is now alone.
Not long after her arrival, Leah starts hearing things, a child laughing, a snowball thrown against the front door. Small and innocuous things, that while unsettling for her are explainable. But then, she starts to see echoes of the past. Glimpses of what has come before on the farm many years ago, like she is slipping back in time, watching snippets of past events from the lives of those who once lived there as they unfold.
Maitland Farm is centuries old and has accrued a history that is ingrained into the very foundations of the house and the soil. It is a place with mysteries to unravel, secrets to reveal and stories to tell. It is like the past is restless, stirring and close. The boundaries between the past and the present are thin and the laws of time are pliable on the farm.
As the farm starts to exert more of an influence over Leah the past starts to become more solid, bleeding into and overlapping the present. As the events of the past play out and with Leah as their audience the visions become more real and the ghosts gain in power reaching out from the past to impact the present.
The setting in Mistletoe is sublime. Firstly, the area is rife with folklore, myth, superstitions and traditions. The secluded Maitland Farm and the closed and small surrounding community who aren’t keen on outsiders and who look after their own. Secondly, Mistletoe takes place deep in the throes of winter and the wintry weather creates a very vivid setting. The constant snow that covers the area in a blanket of brilliant white and the chill of the season. You can feel the cold emanating from off the pages and there is some evocative imagery on display with the snow-covered landscape.
As a character Leah is likeable, you feel for and sympathise for her. Maitland Farm is very much a character of the book to go along with the human characters too and it is far more than just a setting and the place where the story takes place. Maitland Farm is derelict, run-down, has seen better days and it is broken, as is Leah. You could say that both Leah and Maitland Farm are looking to lay the past to rest and, that by fixing up the farm, by repairing it, she is repairing herself too. Moving on, putting the pain of her loss behind her, not forgetting her heart, the two people that were here world but allowing the grief to settle, to keep its place in her memories forever and move forward with a fresh start.
Although set in modern times there is a gothic feel to Mistletoe. There are no jump scares featured and, instead, Littlewood uses plenty of subtle scares throughout the narrative to build the tension, creep you out and unnerve you. The subtle scares are highly effective and along with the ominous air surrounding events on the farm, the isolation of Leah and the winter setting combine to create an atmospheric and haunting story that has a lingering unease to it.
Mistletoe is a terrific ghost story and one that would make for ideal reading on those cold, dark and lonesome winter nights. I also think that it would make for a tremendous festive TV mini-series.
Maitland Farm is an isolated and remote farm in Yorkshire that has been empty for years and fallen into disrepair. None of the previous occupants of the farm ever lasted very long, nothing would grow in the fields, the orchard doesn’t bear fruit, something feels ‘off’ about the farm and it has passed from owner to owner. After the devastating deaths of her son and her husband, Leah purchases the farm and moves from the city of Manchester to the quiet village and secluded farm.
It is late in December when Leah rushes through the sale to get away from Christmas, the lights, the trees, the presents, the music and the general hustle and bustle that the season brings. Escaping the festivities that should be enjoyed by families and swapping them for isolation as she has lost hers and is now alone.
Not long after her arrival, Leah starts hearing things, a child laughing, a snowball thrown against the front door. Small and innocuous things, that while unsettling for her are explainable. But then, she starts to see echoes of the past. Glimpses of what has come before on the farm many years ago, like she is slipping back in time, watching snippets of past events from the lives of those who once lived there as they unfold.
Maitland Farm is centuries old and has accrued a history that is ingrained into the very foundations of the house and the soil. It is a place with mysteries to unravel, secrets to reveal and stories to tell. It is like the past is restless, stirring and close. The boundaries between the past and the present are thin and the laws of time are pliable on the farm.
As the farm starts to exert more of an influence over Leah the past starts to become more solid, bleeding into and overlapping the present. As the events of the past play out and with Leah as their audience the visions become more real and the ghosts gain in power reaching out from the past to impact the present.
The setting in Mistletoe is sublime. Firstly, the area is rife with folklore, myth, superstitions and traditions. The secluded Maitland Farm and the closed and small surrounding community who aren’t keen on outsiders and who look after their own. Secondly, Mistletoe takes place deep in the throes of winter and the wintry weather creates a very vivid setting. The constant snow that covers the area in a blanket of brilliant white and the chill of the season. You can feel the cold emanating from off the pages and there is some evocative imagery on display with the snow-covered landscape.
As a character Leah is likeable, you feel for and sympathise for her. Maitland Farm is very much a character of the book to go along with the human characters too and it is far more than just a setting and the place where the story takes place. Maitland Farm is derelict, run-down, has seen better days and it is broken, as is Leah. You could say that both Leah and Maitland Farm are looking to lay the past to rest and, that by fixing up the farm, by repairing it, she is repairing herself too. Moving on, putting the pain of her loss behind her, not forgetting her heart, the two people that were here world but allowing the grief to settle, to keep its place in her memories forever and move forward with a fresh start.
Although set in modern times there is a gothic feel to Mistletoe. There are no jump scares featured and, instead, Littlewood uses plenty of subtle scares throughout the narrative to build the tension, creep you out and unnerve you. The subtle scares are highly effective and along with the ominous air surrounding events on the farm, the isolation of Leah and the winter setting combine to create an atmospheric and haunting story that has a lingering unease to it.
Mistletoe is a terrific ghost story and one that would make for ideal reading on those cold, dark and lonesome winter nights. I also think that it would make for a tremendous festive TV mini-series.
October 1, 2019
A beautifully written and deeply atmospheric and chilly ghost story and timeslip novel. I read it in one day, a rare thing for me, but I could not put it down. Mysterious and sad, disturbing and enchanting. The perfect read for these longer nights. Review to follow shortly on For Winter Nights.
September 25, 2020
This starts out pretty depressing. Leah has bought a house her husband wanted, but the husband and children are dead. The first chapter doesn't reveal how that happened, but focuses on Leah and her internal processing of her grief.
The writing in this one is poetic, just beautiful. The early plot progression reminds me of Stephen King. Mysterious voices, snowballs thrown by invisible entities, mysterious visions, etc. A strange toy found in the barn adds a creepy factor.
Leah meets her closest neighbours, a divorced woman and her son, as well as a brother, and starts to feel like she can make new friends now who don't remind her of her previous life. Only other things do keep reminding her. A child's shape on the wall, the sound of a boy's laughter. Is it the ghost of her lost son or the spirit of a child who was killed on the property generations ago?
To make things more disturbing, Leah starts having visions when she touches objects that have some connection to the past. Not her past, but that of the house itself. About halfway through we learn what happened to her family and the mistletoe begins to feature strongly. The orchard is dying, but the mistletoe somehow keeps creeping into the house.
Lots of ghostly happenings in this one. The time slips are well done and there's an unexpected twist near the end.
The writing in this one is poetic, just beautiful. The early plot progression reminds me of Stephen King. Mysterious voices, snowballs thrown by invisible entities, mysterious visions, etc. A strange toy found in the barn adds a creepy factor.
Leah meets her closest neighbours, a divorced woman and her son, as well as a brother, and starts to feel like she can make new friends now who don't remind her of her previous life. Only other things do keep reminding her. A child's shape on the wall, the sound of a boy's laughter. Is it the ghost of her lost son or the spirit of a child who was killed on the property generations ago?
To make things more disturbing, Leah starts having visions when she touches objects that have some connection to the past. Not her past, but that of the house itself. About halfway through we learn what happened to her family and the mistletoe begins to feature strongly. The orchard is dying, but the mistletoe somehow keeps creeping into the house.
Lots of ghostly happenings in this one. The time slips are well done and there's an unexpected twist near the end.
December 9, 2020
Mistletoe is a very atmospheric read; the locale and the farmhouse are almost characters in their own right and highly evocative of the snowswept landscape where the ghostly happenings occur. I liked how the folklore and plantlore are woven into the story as well as the descriptions of the timeslips, which were really well-written. However, I didn't connect very much with main character Leah and some parts of the book were too long and felt a little repetitive. The ending didn't really seem to flow from the rest of the book but was okay.
December 3, 2019
3.5 stars
October 5, 2019
I received this book in exchange for an honest review from netgalley.
This book is a perfect read for a chilly, cold, winter evening.
The characters are likeable and there are secrets to unfold within Leah's time at the house she buys after she looses her son and husband.
This book was more of a time slip thriller with a ghost story within it to me, but I really enjoyed it and wanted to know what would happen next.
The descriptive language used made the book come to life and gave the story a chilling edge to it.
I loved how the story progresses and unfolds in relation to the house and its ghosts.
A clever tale I really enjoyed. Perfect for a winter read.
This book is a perfect read for a chilly, cold, winter evening.
The characters are likeable and there are secrets to unfold within Leah's time at the house she buys after she looses her son and husband.
This book was more of a time slip thriller with a ghost story within it to me, but I really enjoyed it and wanted to know what would happen next.
The descriptive language used made the book come to life and gave the story a chilling edge to it.
I loved how the story progresses and unfolds in relation to the house and its ghosts.
A clever tale I really enjoyed. Perfect for a winter read.
January 9, 2020
This is a chilling, Christmas-set ghost story that is very much in the vein of the great ghost stories of old, by the likes of M.R. James, Charles Dickens and others. Set mostly in and around an isolated old farm in the Yorkshire countryside, this beautifully written story sacrifices jump scares and gore in favour of a more subtle, deeply penetrating kind of horror, one that slows creeps up on you and sends shivers down your spine. It's the perfect read for a dark, cold winter's night.
October 10, 2019
Review will also be posted on, my Blog (https://kbbookreviews867789450.wordpr...), and on twitter @BookreviewsKb
Mistletoe by Alison Littlewood is a suspenseful winter read with the addition of perfectly entwined Gothic elements.
In Mistletoe we follow the main character, Leah, as she moves to a dilapidated and rundown farm, that was previously owned by her family (ancestors), following the death of her son and her husband. She moves there in the hope that she can renew, rebuild and refresh the farmhouse over Christmas and the New-Year while simultaneously using this project to move past the tragedy of her loss. However, upon moving in she starts to hear voices, see people and watch clips of what seems to be the past and finds herself entangled in a mystery that haunts her farmland. She manages to befriend a local family and hopes that they will help to shed light on the past occurrences of the farm, but they are incredibly reluctant to do so, and she ultimately ends up worrying for their son and tries to push them away. Instead she opts to handle the situation herself and finds it increasingly difficult as her house begins to slowly fill with mistletoe, her land slowly dies and the visions become more frequent. As she tries to sift through the mystery and the old items she finds on the farm (from creepy dolls to wrapped up mistletoe), she realises she may be closer to this than she originally thought.
Mistletoe is an interesting read, though it takes a lot of influence from traditional horror, it does bring a fresh perspective on them and I was definitely interested in the story. Littlewood is a master at creating suspense in this book, she cleverly combines the objects and the events to keep the reader in a constant state of curiosity and suspense by giving them just enough information that you think you know what is going to happen, only to surprise them with an unexpected. shocking and horrific event. Moreover, Littlewood did not shy away from using multiple horror and gothic elements that are seemingly irrelevant and unexpected initially, instead she masterfully combines and entwines them into the larger story until you realise how key each of them are.
Interestingly enough Littlewood's use of traditional horror elements (such as the use of a creepy doll, abandoned lonely house, and ghostly figures) does not feel like traditional horror at all. Instead it feels completely fresh and new, something I believe is difficult to find in horror-at least for me! This is because of how she uses them (skip the end of this paragraph if you want to avoid minor spoilers) as Littlewood clearly did her research and used a variety of Cultural references, beliefs and superstitions to use the full potential of these objects. For example, the initial discovery of the creepy doll initially appears to set up for it being possessed or alive- a common horror storyline- but this is not the case, instead it goes much deeper and much creepier as the doll itself is a burial doll. This already has creepy connotations and is key in setting up suspense and a much more in depth story. Furthermore, Littlewood's use of mistletoe in itself draws from several cultural sources ranging from Ancient Greece, with possible links with Norse mythology, to the Romans and to Victorian England- each of which have beliefs ranging from fertility, to murder/poison, to eternal love. I love symbolism and this was some of the most in-depth use of it I have seen - I thought it was amazing and it added wonderfully to the suspense in the book! This was extraordinarily unique.
(Spoiler Free from here onwards) Furthermore, I love gothic novels (which if you've seen my classic rec's then this will not surprise you) and Mistletoe does not disappoint in this regard. This book is the perfect winter Gothic read with ideas of isolation, horror, grief, and the landscape, and death all contributing to it. The scene (the farmland/farmhouse) is the perfect type of gothic setting with a vast, open land that is isolated, dilapidated and dying - all of which adds to the suspense of the story. The added impact of the winter setting and snowfall crates a drastic sense of obscurity, which adds to the horror, and also creates the sense of a beautiful haunting.
The characters of this story are interesting, well developed and easy to connect with, particularly Leah. Leah's character is complex, interesting and emotional. She is easy to connect with and feel for, and her grief is heart-breaking, particularly as you learn more about the deaths (this is not a massive part of the novel but rather is added in scenes where it will have the most effect and is done in a careful and clever way that adds to the reader's suspense and emotional connection to the characters). However, my only issue with the novel was the difficulty to feel the end impact of some of the built up suspense - which was unfortunately due to Leah's character. Leah appears to have a very accepting sort of demeanour about some elements of the hauntings which makes it difficult to actually feel scared for her, or in general- I know this is in part due to her grief and at times does make sense but there are times where it falls a little flat (this is only at minor times though). However, there are times where she destroys things to stop what is happening or rushes to see a noise/help someone and is in general despair- at times like these you definitely can feel the impact of the suspense that has been built, and IT DELIVERS, there are times where she destroys things to stop what is happening or rushes to see a noise/help someone - at times like these you definitely can feel the impact of the suspense that has been built, and it delivers. Moreover, there are times where Leah has had enough, or is determined to end what is happening on her own - this creates a wonderful sense of suspense that really delivers as she begins to face the demons of her farm.
The ending to Mistletoe was also clever and one I did not expect. Though a little convoluted it is definitely an unexpected and shocking ending where you question whether the book will end with the characters alive or dead! The novels resolution is interesting and satisfying, though it is left slightly open, it leaves you with the sense of wanting to know what happens even just a little in the future, you still want to follow the story even though the horror has seemingly come to its conclusion.
Littlewood very cleverly and creatively weaves the past and present together in this novel and uses multiple elements of traditional horror in refreshingly new ways. I enjoyed reading Mistletoe and plan to do so again on a cold wintery night to appreciate its full effect. Mistletoe is a wonderful tale of loss, grief, selfishness and life and I would definitely recommend adding this to you winter TBR pile!
Personally, I would say to read this on a winter’s night in order to enjoy the full effects of the story-a perfect read for by the fire! Maybe you too can enjoy some mistletoe (though perhaps more in the decorative or romantic sense).
*I received an advance digital copy from #netgalley @QuercusBooks @JoFletcherBook in exchange for an honest review*
Mistletoe by Alison Littlewood is a suspenseful winter read with the addition of perfectly entwined Gothic elements.
In Mistletoe we follow the main character, Leah, as she moves to a dilapidated and rundown farm, that was previously owned by her family (ancestors), following the death of her son and her husband. She moves there in the hope that she can renew, rebuild and refresh the farmhouse over Christmas and the New-Year while simultaneously using this project to move past the tragedy of her loss. However, upon moving in she starts to hear voices, see people and watch clips of what seems to be the past and finds herself entangled in a mystery that haunts her farmland. She manages to befriend a local family and hopes that they will help to shed light on the past occurrences of the farm, but they are incredibly reluctant to do so, and she ultimately ends up worrying for their son and tries to push them away. Instead she opts to handle the situation herself and finds it increasingly difficult as her house begins to slowly fill with mistletoe, her land slowly dies and the visions become more frequent. As she tries to sift through the mystery and the old items she finds on the farm (from creepy dolls to wrapped up mistletoe), she realises she may be closer to this than she originally thought.
Mistletoe is an interesting read, though it takes a lot of influence from traditional horror, it does bring a fresh perspective on them and I was definitely interested in the story. Littlewood is a master at creating suspense in this book, she cleverly combines the objects and the events to keep the reader in a constant state of curiosity and suspense by giving them just enough information that you think you know what is going to happen, only to surprise them with an unexpected. shocking and horrific event. Moreover, Littlewood did not shy away from using multiple horror and gothic elements that are seemingly irrelevant and unexpected initially, instead she masterfully combines and entwines them into the larger story until you realise how key each of them are.
Interestingly enough Littlewood's use of traditional horror elements (such as the use of a creepy doll, abandoned lonely house, and ghostly figures) does not feel like traditional horror at all. Instead it feels completely fresh and new, something I believe is difficult to find in horror-at least for me! This is because of how she uses them (skip the end of this paragraph if you want to avoid minor spoilers) as Littlewood clearly did her research and used a variety of Cultural references, beliefs and superstitions to use the full potential of these objects. For example, the initial discovery of the creepy doll initially appears to set up for it being possessed or alive- a common horror storyline- but this is not the case, instead it goes much deeper and much creepier as the doll itself is a burial doll. This already has creepy connotations and is key in setting up suspense and a much more in depth story. Furthermore, Littlewood's use of mistletoe in itself draws from several cultural sources ranging from Ancient Greece, with possible links with Norse mythology, to the Romans and to Victorian England- each of which have beliefs ranging from fertility, to murder/poison, to eternal love. I love symbolism and this was some of the most in-depth use of it I have seen - I thought it was amazing and it added wonderfully to the suspense in the book! This was extraordinarily unique.
(Spoiler Free from here onwards) Furthermore, I love gothic novels (which if you've seen my classic rec's then this will not surprise you) and Mistletoe does not disappoint in this regard. This book is the perfect winter Gothic read with ideas of isolation, horror, grief, and the landscape, and death all contributing to it. The scene (the farmland/farmhouse) is the perfect type of gothic setting with a vast, open land that is isolated, dilapidated and dying - all of which adds to the suspense of the story. The added impact of the winter setting and snowfall crates a drastic sense of obscurity, which adds to the horror, and also creates the sense of a beautiful haunting.
The characters of this story are interesting, well developed and easy to connect with, particularly Leah. Leah's character is complex, interesting and emotional. She is easy to connect with and feel for, and her grief is heart-breaking, particularly as you learn more about the deaths (this is not a massive part of the novel but rather is added in scenes where it will have the most effect and is done in a careful and clever way that adds to the reader's suspense and emotional connection to the characters). However, my only issue with the novel was the difficulty to feel the end impact of some of the built up suspense - which was unfortunately due to Leah's character. Leah appears to have a very accepting sort of demeanour about some elements of the hauntings which makes it difficult to actually feel scared for her, or in general- I know this is in part due to her grief and at times does make sense but there are times where it falls a little flat (this is only at minor times though). However, there are times where she destroys things to stop what is happening or rushes to see a noise/help someone and is in general despair- at times like these you definitely can feel the impact of the suspense that has been built, and IT DELIVERS, there are times where she destroys things to stop what is happening or rushes to see a noise/help someone - at times like these you definitely can feel the impact of the suspense that has been built, and it delivers. Moreover, there are times where Leah has had enough, or is determined to end what is happening on her own - this creates a wonderful sense of suspense that really delivers as she begins to face the demons of her farm.
The ending to Mistletoe was also clever and one I did not expect. Though a little convoluted it is definitely an unexpected and shocking ending where you question whether the book will end with the characters alive or dead! The novels resolution is interesting and satisfying, though it is left slightly open, it leaves you with the sense of wanting to know what happens even just a little in the future, you still want to follow the story even though the horror has seemingly come to its conclusion.
Littlewood very cleverly and creatively weaves the past and present together in this novel and uses multiple elements of traditional horror in refreshingly new ways. I enjoyed reading Mistletoe and plan to do so again on a cold wintery night to appreciate its full effect. Mistletoe is a wonderful tale of loss, grief, selfishness and life and I would definitely recommend adding this to you winter TBR pile!
Personally, I would say to read this on a winter’s night in order to enjoy the full effects of the story-a perfect read for by the fire! Maybe you too can enjoy some mistletoe (though perhaps more in the decorative or romantic sense).
*I received an advance digital copy from #netgalley @QuercusBooks @JoFletcherBook in exchange for an honest review*
December 10, 2020
Leah buys Maitland Farm after losing her husband and son. The farm did belong to Leah's ancestors and as she settles in the ghosts of the past start to appear.
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to read an atmospheric Christmas book and this one did the trick.
I story takes place mostly on the farm. Covered in snow and isolated the story has that closed in feel. The author I felt did a really good job making the story atmospheric with her descriptions.
The story also has a ghostly feel to it. Rather than a creepy tale, it's more of a time slip. Leah sees the past play out and finds out what really happened on the farm. Again I think the author did this really well.
The story did have a couple of twists in the plot which made the book interesting.
I enjoyed this book and would read more by this author. Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book, although I'm really late doing so.
I really enjoyed this book. I wanted to read an atmospheric Christmas book and this one did the trick.
I story takes place mostly on the farm. Covered in snow and isolated the story has that closed in feel. The author I felt did a really good job making the story atmospheric with her descriptions.
The story also has a ghostly feel to it. Rather than a creepy tale, it's more of a time slip. Leah sees the past play out and finds out what really happened on the farm. Again I think the author did this really well.
The story did have a couple of twists in the plot which made the book interesting.
I enjoyed this book and would read more by this author. Thank you to the publisher via Netgalley for the opportunity to read the book, although I'm really late doing so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 9, 2019
After the deaths of her husband and son, Leah moves away from her life and to the house that was supposed to house the three of them. The Maitland Farm is supposed to be peaceful and a means for her to leave a more quiet life. Instead, soon she'll start having strange visions. And the farm's past is slowly coming back to life.
Mistletoe had a very interesting description. Unfortunately, the writing style felt to grasp my interest. It was slow, highly descriptive of the main character's thoughts and feelings, and it failed to invoke feeling to me as a reader. It also felt like it was dragging on in a very slow pace. As a result, I failed to enjoy this story altogether.
Mistletoe had a very interesting description. Unfortunately, the writing style felt to grasp my interest. It was slow, highly descriptive of the main character's thoughts and feelings, and it failed to invoke feeling to me as a reader. It also felt like it was dragging on in a very slow pace. As a result, I failed to enjoy this story altogether.
October 9, 2019
++ DISCLAIMER – I received an advanced reading copy of this book from the publishers and NetGalley in return for an honest, unbiased review. My thanks to Quercus for allowing me to read and review this book. ++
Following the tragic death of her son and husband, Leah Hamilton buys and moves into a dilapidated Yorkshire farmhouse, her plan being to renovate and sell on the property as a way to work through her grief. Unfortunately, the ghosts of Maitland Farm seem to have other ideas, and soon she finds herself getting drawn into a tragic mystery of the past.
As you might expect pretty much the entire narrative is told through the eyes of Leah herself, and the author has really done an excellent job of bringing the character to life. Leah’s underpinning grief leads her down paths that would normally seem irrational but which in context make absolutely perfect sense. At first, she wonders if the ghostly goings-on are somehow connected to the ghosts of her son or husband. Even after it becomes clear there’s more sinister behind her mysterious visitors, she still clings desperately to the hope that she might somehow be able to call forth her son’s ghost. However, this same fixation also gives her strength to push through the fear that might otherwise cause her to abandon the haunted farmhouse once and for all.
The isolated setting of a run-down old farm gives the narrative something of a claustrophobic feel. Even though the protagonist is only a short walk from her nearest neighbours, and only a slightly longer walk from the nearby village, the reader is definitely left with the feeling that Leah is on her own, a helpless observer of the story unfolding around her despite her best efforts. Indeed, as the narrative enters its final act she even goes as far as pushing away those same welcoming neighbours, very much against their objections.
This is a remarkably well written modern ghost story, eschewing jump scares and slasher tropes in favour of the gentler, more traditional elements of a classic English ghost story. It’s the sort of story best read while snuggled into a big, comfy chair, wrapped in the fluffiest of blankets and enjoying the warmth of a roaring log fire on a cold winter night. Just remember to close the curtains tight before you settle in.
Following the tragic death of her son and husband, Leah Hamilton buys and moves into a dilapidated Yorkshire farmhouse, her plan being to renovate and sell on the property as a way to work through her grief. Unfortunately, the ghosts of Maitland Farm seem to have other ideas, and soon she finds herself getting drawn into a tragic mystery of the past.
As you might expect pretty much the entire narrative is told through the eyes of Leah herself, and the author has really done an excellent job of bringing the character to life. Leah’s underpinning grief leads her down paths that would normally seem irrational but which in context make absolutely perfect sense. At first, she wonders if the ghostly goings-on are somehow connected to the ghosts of her son or husband. Even after it becomes clear there’s more sinister behind her mysterious visitors, she still clings desperately to the hope that she might somehow be able to call forth her son’s ghost. However, this same fixation also gives her strength to push through the fear that might otherwise cause her to abandon the haunted farmhouse once and for all.
The isolated setting of a run-down old farm gives the narrative something of a claustrophobic feel. Even though the protagonist is only a short walk from her nearest neighbours, and only a slightly longer walk from the nearby village, the reader is definitely left with the feeling that Leah is on her own, a helpless observer of the story unfolding around her despite her best efforts. Indeed, as the narrative enters its final act she even goes as far as pushing away those same welcoming neighbours, very much against their objections.
This is a remarkably well written modern ghost story, eschewing jump scares and slasher tropes in favour of the gentler, more traditional elements of a classic English ghost story. It’s the sort of story best read while snuggled into a big, comfy chair, wrapped in the fluffiest of blankets and enjoying the warmth of a roaring log fire on a cold winter night. Just remember to close the curtains tight before you settle in.
October 21, 2019
Struggling to cope with the tragic loss of her husband and son, Leah moves to Maitland Farm. Her husband found the listing and dreamed of living there and Leah, who shares ancestry with the farm, decides to make it a reality. But as she arrives at the run-down Yorkshire farmhouse, snow shrouds her new home. While it might look like a Christmas card, it’s soon clear it's not just the house that needs renovation: the land is in bad heart, too. As Leah sets to work, she begins to see visions of the farm's former occupants - and of the dark secrets that lie at the heart of Maitland Farm.
I have been a fan of Alison’s since her first novel, an accomplished writer who can apparently turn her hand to not only different styles of horror but different time periods too, making it all seem easy. She does the same here, slipping from the present day back a hundred years or more, the seams blended so well it takes you a while to realise what’s happening. Maitland Farm - and her ancestors - are well described and the sequences with the unfortunate lady of the house take on a sad tinge, which is cleverly maintained. Leah is beautifully written, a grounded character so consumed by grief she’s open to supernatural persuasion, which starts small - did that really happen? - and then becomes something much more scary. With a great little supporting cast (the family over the next field), an isolated location (perhaps 90% of the book is in and around the farm), the ability to make mistletoe frightening and a measured pace, this is an excellent read and I would highly recommend it.
I have been a fan of Alison’s since her first novel, an accomplished writer who can apparently turn her hand to not only different styles of horror but different time periods too, making it all seem easy. She does the same here, slipping from the present day back a hundred years or more, the seams blended so well it takes you a while to realise what’s happening. Maitland Farm - and her ancestors - are well described and the sequences with the unfortunate lady of the house take on a sad tinge, which is cleverly maintained. Leah is beautifully written, a grounded character so consumed by grief she’s open to supernatural persuasion, which starts small - did that really happen? - and then becomes something much more scary. With a great little supporting cast (the family over the next field), an isolated location (perhaps 90% of the book is in and around the farm), the ability to make mistletoe frightening and a measured pace, this is an excellent read and I would highly recommend it.
December 23, 2019
I was poised ready to buy this one but was lucky enough to win a copy in a Quercus giveaway. Win, win!
Josh and Leah Hamilton (nee Maitland) had intended to buy the Maitland farm together as a family home for themselves and their son, Finn. Josh had joked about buying back the old homestead and it was true that members of Leah’s family had once owned the land several generations before. But then Finn dies and, wracked by grief, Josh takes his own life, Leah goes ahead with the purchase. People tell her she is mad but she sees it both as a new start and a way to honour her lost family.
Once she has moved in just a few weeks before Christmas, however, a neglected farm house in the wilds of Yorkshire doesn’t seem quite as attractive to her as it once did. And after a trespassing child from a neighbouring farm unearths a bedraggled effigy in her barn Leah begins to see and hear things that make her doubt her sanity.
The sense of place with its snowy, windswept, hills are artfully captured, as is the growing sense of dread. Many of the folk horror tropes come into play as folklore combines with the magical and the supernatural. Time-slippage also adds a sense of gothic horror and Littlewood combines all of these in a fast moving novel that I read in one sitting (a 2am finish!)
Though Littlewood does not shy away from macabre scenes, Mistletoe plays far more on the imagination. That sense of creeping chills that comes from every good Christmas ghost story. Well worth a read!
Josh and Leah Hamilton (nee Maitland) had intended to buy the Maitland farm together as a family home for themselves and their son, Finn. Josh had joked about buying back the old homestead and it was true that members of Leah’s family had once owned the land several generations before. But then Finn dies and, wracked by grief, Josh takes his own life, Leah goes ahead with the purchase. People tell her she is mad but she sees it both as a new start and a way to honour her lost family.
Once she has moved in just a few weeks before Christmas, however, a neglected farm house in the wilds of Yorkshire doesn’t seem quite as attractive to her as it once did. And after a trespassing child from a neighbouring farm unearths a bedraggled effigy in her barn Leah begins to see and hear things that make her doubt her sanity.
The sense of place with its snowy, windswept, hills are artfully captured, as is the growing sense of dread. Many of the folk horror tropes come into play as folklore combines with the magical and the supernatural. Time-slippage also adds a sense of gothic horror and Littlewood combines all of these in a fast moving novel that I read in one sitting (a 2am finish!)
Though Littlewood does not shy away from macabre scenes, Mistletoe plays far more on the imagination. That sense of creeping chills that comes from every good Christmas ghost story. Well worth a read!
March 15, 2020
“Mistletoe” by Alison Littlewood is a wintery themed ghost story that, although doesn’t shock, does have a spine tingling feel, which if read pre Christmas, on a snowy, dark evening, could easily give you the creeps.
Palpable grief is the main factor in this novel, with the main protagonist escaping from the emotions of losing her husband and son suddenly. Therefore to some people this may be a trigger but it was sympathetically written and was the main backdrop for the ghostly story to have a base.
It does progress very slowly but i did enjoy the slow atmospheric pace as it built up to the denouement. I particularly enjoyed the insights to the past history of the house using the ‘ghost apparition scenes’ and was a different way to show the events rather than having two different timelines which is much more common.
A decent story that I enjoyed very much and I would recommend to readers wanting a quick, eerie, gothic feel read, that really does have you thinking about the rooms your standing in!!
3.5 stars
Palpable grief is the main factor in this novel, with the main protagonist escaping from the emotions of losing her husband and son suddenly. Therefore to some people this may be a trigger but it was sympathetically written and was the main backdrop for the ghostly story to have a base.
It does progress very slowly but i did enjoy the slow atmospheric pace as it built up to the denouement. I particularly enjoyed the insights to the past history of the house using the ‘ghost apparition scenes’ and was a different way to show the events rather than having two different timelines which is much more common.
A decent story that I enjoyed very much and I would recommend to readers wanting a quick, eerie, gothic feel read, that really does have you thinking about the rooms your standing in!!
3.5 stars
January 25, 2023
Leah has moved to a old farm house to start to rebuild her life after the death of her husband and son. Leah finds out she is not alone and so she starts to find out from the ghosts that haunt the house, the story of the house, the deaths, lies and the betrayals.
It’s a well written story, very atmospheric and it’s a good story. It’s just not my type of story I read for enjoyment. It made me want to turn the pages and find out what happens but mainly I wanted to finish it as it unsettled me and I don’t want to read stories that unsettle me when I’m trying to nod off at night. Don’t let the 3stars put you off. If you like ghost stories then you will like this one. I’m just a scaredy cat!
It’s a well written story, very atmospheric and it’s a good story. It’s just not my type of story I read for enjoyment. It made me want to turn the pages and find out what happens but mainly I wanted to finish it as it unsettled me and I don’t want to read stories that unsettle me when I’m trying to nod off at night. Don’t let the 3stars put you off. If you like ghost stories then you will like this one. I’m just a scaredy cat!
October 16, 2019
3.95🌟
A satisfyingly atmospheric, creepy tale perfect for Christmas. A very fast read that flows easily and pulls you in. I found this quite unsettling as my son shares the main characters son's name. This almost put me off at the beginning, tbh, but I continued and sort of fuzzied the name out when I read it. That was a strange coping mechanism that I had to adopt and it detracted a certain amount from the story for me but that was 100% personal and nothing to do with the book/writing.
A satisfyingly atmospheric, creepy tale perfect for Christmas. A very fast read that flows easily and pulls you in. I found this quite unsettling as my son shares the main characters son's name. This almost put me off at the beginning, tbh, but I continued and sort of fuzzied the name out when I read it. That was a strange coping mechanism that I had to adopt and it detracted a certain amount from the story for me but that was 100% personal and nothing to do with the book/writing.
February 10, 2020
A very nice festive ghost story; as usual, Ali writes extremely tightly with interesting characters and a well-designed narrative. The atmosphere is first rate, the flashback scenes are disturbing, giving a slice of rather heinous peoples' designs, and the ending gives a neat double twist.
The only criticism I would have is the slow nature of the plot; there is little action and it is rather cerebral.
The only criticism I would have is the slow nature of the plot; there is little action and it is rather cerebral.
November 23, 2021
Festive in a spooky way
Filled with excellently chilly descriptions of snowy landscapes and uncanny goings on, this is a spooky tale of the actions of the past leaving a sinister impression on a long-abandoned farm. Leah's trying to restart her life after two tragedies, but her ancestral home seems to have other ideas.
Filled with excellently chilly descriptions of snowy landscapes and uncanny goings on, this is a spooky tale of the actions of the past leaving a sinister impression on a long-abandoned farm. Leah's trying to restart her life after two tragedies, but her ancestral home seems to have other ideas.
April 12, 2020
I had high hopes for this book but I’m sorry...giggling ghosts and floating boys? Big no. #DNF
December 30, 2019
A fantastic seasonal ghost story with added gothic mystery
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
Full review - https://www.runalongtheshelves.net/bl...
September 11, 2025
An okay ghost story, but I lost interest midway- all the claustrophobia and descriptions of snow were ultimately boring.
December 29, 2021
After a tragedy, Leah looks for a way to move forward and buys a farm house to renovate in the middle of nowhere, but strange things start happening as soon as she arrives.
This book is incredibly atmospheric. Every chapter describes the snow and the cold, winter, the season. The strong sense of place makes this story the perfect read for the wintertime. It's strange and creepy yet still has a logic to the supernatural aspects of it. It's about being haunted, both by ghosts and by grief, tying the two things together into a captivating story.
This book is incredibly atmospheric. Every chapter describes the snow and the cold, winter, the season. The strong sense of place makes this story the perfect read for the wintertime. It's strange and creepy yet still has a logic to the supernatural aspects of it. It's about being haunted, both by ghosts and by grief, tying the two things together into a captivating story.
November 12, 2019
A Christmas ghost story for timeslip fans.
Following the loss of her son and husband, Leah Hamilton escapes to a remote Yorkshire farmstead. Cut off by snow strange things start to happen.
Littlewood sets up the premise in the first chapter, with the Who, What and Where (the How and Why come later). She also tantalises with the suspicion of the supernatural. The plot develops at an appropriate pace and all is wrapped up very neatly in the denouement.
The plant folklore was welcome and in keeping with the genre. In fact, mistletoe makes such a strong appearance, that it is a character in its own right.
I have two main issues with Mistletoe.
Firstly, bearing in mind the book’s title and subject matter, and the beautiful cover, it exhibits a disappointing lack of the most basic of research on the plant. Verbs such as ‘creeping’ and ‘twining’ to describe its growth, suggest the author is confusing mistletoe – which bifurcates to form clumps – with ivy. Mistletoe doesn’t have roots, but holdfasts/suckers and a haustorium. Ok, I get that ‘roots’ is more readily understood than ‘haustorium’ and that it can be used as an umbrella term. All of this I was prepared to overlook, but the phrase ‘mistletoe that was male and the female together’ is plain wrong. Mistletoe is dioecious, this means the male and the female flowering parts are on separate plants.
The second issue concerns the portrayal of Leah’s grief over the death of her son: ‘It had been months ago and yet it felt like yesterday’. A woman has lost her son, and yet the character believes her sorrow should have been wrapped up in a matter of months!
Mistletoe fails to deliver on the spinetingling atmosphere promised in the back cover blurb. If you are looking for a properly scary Christmas ghost story in the tradition of M R James, go elsewhere. Mistletoe will likely appeal to fans of The Timetraveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger).
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the advance review copy.
Following the loss of her son and husband, Leah Hamilton escapes to a remote Yorkshire farmstead. Cut off by snow strange things start to happen.
Littlewood sets up the premise in the first chapter, with the Who, What and Where (the How and Why come later). She also tantalises with the suspicion of the supernatural. The plot develops at an appropriate pace and all is wrapped up very neatly in the denouement.
The plant folklore was welcome and in keeping with the genre. In fact, mistletoe makes such a strong appearance, that it is a character in its own right.
I have two main issues with Mistletoe.
Firstly, bearing in mind the book’s title and subject matter, and the beautiful cover, it exhibits a disappointing lack of the most basic of research on the plant. Verbs such as ‘creeping’ and ‘twining’ to describe its growth, suggest the author is confusing mistletoe – which bifurcates to form clumps – with ivy. Mistletoe doesn’t have roots, but holdfasts/suckers and a haustorium. Ok, I get that ‘roots’ is more readily understood than ‘haustorium’ and that it can be used as an umbrella term. All of this I was prepared to overlook, but the phrase ‘mistletoe that was male and the female together’ is plain wrong. Mistletoe is dioecious, this means the male and the female flowering parts are on separate plants.
The second issue concerns the portrayal of Leah’s grief over the death of her son: ‘It had been months ago and yet it felt like yesterday’. A woman has lost her son, and yet the character believes her sorrow should have been wrapped up in a matter of months!
Mistletoe fails to deliver on the spinetingling atmosphere promised in the back cover blurb. If you are looking for a properly scary Christmas ghost story in the tradition of M R James, go elsewhere. Mistletoe will likely appeal to fans of The Timetraveler’s Wife (Audrey Niffenegger).
Thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the advance review copy.
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