What do you think?
Rate this book
The Burrowhead Mysteries #1
When the Dead Come Calling: The Burrowhead Mysteries: A Scottish Book Trust 2020 Great Scottish Novel
In the first of the Burrowhead Mysteries, an atmospheric murder investigation unearths the brutal history of a village where no one is innocent.
When psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found murdered in the playground of the sleepy northern village of Burrowhead, DI Strachan and her team of local police investigate, exposing a maelstrom of racism, misogyny and homophobia simmering beneath the surface of the village.
Shaken by the revelations and beginning to doubt her relationship with her husband, DI Strachan discovers something lurking in the history of Burrowhead, while someone (or something) equally threatening is hiding in the strange and haunted cave beneath the cliffs...
When psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found murdered in the playground of the sleepy northern village of Burrowhead, DI Strachan and her team of local police investigate, exposing a maelstrom of racism, misogyny and homophobia simmering beneath the surface of the village.
Shaken by the revelations and beginning to doubt her relationship with her husband, DI Strachan discovers something lurking in the history of Burrowhead, while someone (or something) equally threatening is hiding in the strange and haunted cave beneath the cliffs...
Kindle Edition
Published December 12, 2019
24 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Helen Sedgwick
17 books76 followersHelen Sedgwick is the author of The Comet Seekers (Harvill Secker, 2016) and The Growing Season (Harvill Secker, 2017).
Helen has an MLitt in Creative Writing from Glasgow University and has won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award. Her debut novel has been published in seven countries including the UK, US and Canada, and was selected as one of the best books of 2016 by The Herald and Glamour. She is represented by Cathryn Summerhayes of Curtis Brown.
As a literary editor, Helen has worked as the managing director of Cargo Publishing and managing editor of Gutter, and she founded Wildland Literary Editors in 2012. Before that, Helen was a research physicist with a PhD in Physics from Edinburgh University.
Helen has an MLitt in Creative Writing from Glasgow University and has won a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Award. Her debut novel has been published in seven countries including the UK, US and Canada, and was selected as one of the best books of 2016 by The Herald and Glamour. She is represented by Cathryn Summerhayes of Curtis Brown.
As a literary editor, Helen has worked as the managing director of Cargo Publishing and managing editor of Gutter, and she founded Wildland Literary Editors in 2012. Before that, Helen was a research physicist with a PhD in Physics from Edinburgh University.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
November 25, 2019
Helen Sedgwick's first in The Burrowhead Mysteries series is an off kilter crime read where little becomes clear for quite some time, this makes it an unusual read and one that might put off some readers, although this approach feels fresh, and perhaps more authentic and realistic of true life police investigations. Set in a northern coastal village, Burrowhead, its local police station has managed to survive the sweeping budget cuts and station closures, although the police station is in a poor and dilapidated state. This echoes the rundown state of the area, a downturn and depression experienced by the villagers, there are few opportunities, breeding bitterness and resentment amongst the inhabitants, particularly the young. More worrying is the ominous, brooding atmosphere of the place, a village deeply embedded in fear, ghosts, layers of guilt, violence, racism and hate. Where the bodies are pushing their way out of the earth, just like the emergent secret historical horrors and evil buried in the ground.
DI Georgie Strachan makes her way early in the morning to the playground where the gruesomely murdered body of Dr Alexis Cosse, a psychotherapist, has been found. His gay partner, PC Simon Hunter, is griefstricken, plagued by thoughts that Alexis was seeing someone else, Simon's personal connection disqualifies him from the police investigation. People are being sent threatening racist notes, and the owner of the local Spar, Pamali, is under attack and experiencing vandalism, and homophobia is common. Georgie finds herself with few leads, relying on the local knowledge of PC Trish Mackie, who is supporting a local lad being bullied, Andy, now doing work experience at the station. With her marriage to Fergus under pressure, Georgie has to deal with a second murder, that of a cabbie, and just who is harbouring hidden in the cave?
This is not your usual crime read, but it is one that I become completely engrossed in. I would not wish to read many books like this one, but on a occasional basis, it is an excellent crime read with its strong hints of the supernatural, its Menhir that so obsesses Fergus, intent on setting up a local archaeological group. Burrowhead has an unpalatable historical past, and in the present, few of the villagers are likeable. Sedgewick adroitly portrays a village infected by the political poison that infects Britain with its divisive issue of Brexit, and the picture is despairingly ugly. This is a compulsive read, dark, bleak but so gripping. I am interested to see where Sedgewick moves the series next. Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for an ARC.
DI Georgie Strachan makes her way early in the morning to the playground where the gruesomely murdered body of Dr Alexis Cosse, a psychotherapist, has been found. His gay partner, PC Simon Hunter, is griefstricken, plagued by thoughts that Alexis was seeing someone else, Simon's personal connection disqualifies him from the police investigation. People are being sent threatening racist notes, and the owner of the local Spar, Pamali, is under attack and experiencing vandalism, and homophobia is common. Georgie finds herself with few leads, relying on the local knowledge of PC Trish Mackie, who is supporting a local lad being bullied, Andy, now doing work experience at the station. With her marriage to Fergus under pressure, Georgie has to deal with a second murder, that of a cabbie, and just who is harbouring hidden in the cave?
This is not your usual crime read, but it is one that I become completely engrossed in. I would not wish to read many books like this one, but on a occasional basis, it is an excellent crime read with its strong hints of the supernatural, its Menhir that so obsesses Fergus, intent on setting up a local archaeological group. Burrowhead has an unpalatable historical past, and in the present, few of the villagers are likeable. Sedgewick adroitly portrays a village infected by the political poison that infects Britain with its divisive issue of Brexit, and the picture is despairingly ugly. This is a compulsive read, dark, bleak but so gripping. I am interested to see where Sedgewick moves the series next. Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for an ARC.
November 24, 2021
I received a gifted copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via Lovebookstours as part of the book tour.
When the dead comes calling is a gripping new, explosive series by Helen Sedgwick.
Someone is hiding away in a cave at the very beginning of this book. We don't know who they are or why they're there but it pulls you in straight away to the story and sets a fantastic setting for the book.
Dr Alexis Crosses body is discovered in a playground- stabbed to death, multiple times. We then meet DI Georgie Strachan who desperately tries to find out what and why this occurred, especially since some of her other open cases/investigations could possibly be linked to this murder.
I loved Georgies character and enjoyed the other POVs within the book too.
This book is certainly a promising start to a new series. This book was steady paced and I loved the reactions and developments of the characters as the story unfolded.
Definitely worth a read!
When the dead comes calling is a gripping new, explosive series by Helen Sedgwick.
Someone is hiding away in a cave at the very beginning of this book. We don't know who they are or why they're there but it pulls you in straight away to the story and sets a fantastic setting for the book.
Dr Alexis Crosses body is discovered in a playground- stabbed to death, multiple times. We then meet DI Georgie Strachan who desperately tries to find out what and why this occurred, especially since some of her other open cases/investigations could possibly be linked to this murder.
I loved Georgies character and enjoyed the other POVs within the book too.
This book is certainly a promising start to a new series. This book was steady paced and I loved the reactions and developments of the characters as the story unfolded.
Definitely worth a read!
May 23, 2020
My first book by
Helen Sedgwick
took me a little by surprise and it was a cracking read.
When the Dead Come Calling marks the first in a new series featuring DI Georgie Strachan and her team based in Burrowhead, a tiny northern coastal village in England. In this compelling opening instalment, somebody is hiding in a cave and this immediately sets the scene. There is no hint as to their identity or purpose but instead the scene concentrates on the person's impressions of their surroundings. The reader then gets to meet Georgie when she investigates after psychotherapist Dr Alexis Cosse is found dead in the local playground having been stabbed several times. Short-handed as one of her officers, PC Simon Hunter has a personal connection with the deceased and dealing with a spate of other crimes which may or may not be connected, Georgie has a lot on as she tries to piece together what is happening in her adopted town.
This first book in what promises to be a marvellous series certainly caused some ripples for me! Immediately, my curiosity was triggered and the novel was quite hypnotic and spellbinding in its deliverance. All of the pertinent points were well covered, as I would expect in a crime mystery novel: the investigation itself, suspects, diversions and the solution, but When the Dead Come Calling was like no other crime novel I've read. The telling of this mystery put heavy emphasis on the characters’ reactions. I welcomed the constantly changing point of view as it allowed me a broader perspective and different reactions to the various happenings and developments. The village of Burrowhead was portrayed as an isolated, prejudiced community, which may not be everyone's cup of tea but was a great fit for this story. With both its unpalatable history and it present challenges, few of the villagers were likeable people. However, the plot itself was fascinating and with a comfortable pace there was certainly no room for tedium or boredom.
Helen Sedgwick is an excellent storyteller and this bold book marks a uniqueness in its genre. I am immensely keen for more stories from the dark and cold Village of Burrowhead.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Oneworld Publications/ Point Blank via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
When the Dead Come Calling marks the first in a new series featuring DI Georgie Strachan and her team based in Burrowhead, a tiny northern coastal village in England. In this compelling opening instalment, somebody is hiding in a cave and this immediately sets the scene. There is no hint as to their identity or purpose but instead the scene concentrates on the person's impressions of their surroundings. The reader then gets to meet Georgie when she investigates after psychotherapist Dr Alexis Cosse is found dead in the local playground having been stabbed several times. Short-handed as one of her officers, PC Simon Hunter has a personal connection with the deceased and dealing with a spate of other crimes which may or may not be connected, Georgie has a lot on as she tries to piece together what is happening in her adopted town.
This first book in what promises to be a marvellous series certainly caused some ripples for me! Immediately, my curiosity was triggered and the novel was quite hypnotic and spellbinding in its deliverance. All of the pertinent points were well covered, as I would expect in a crime mystery novel: the investigation itself, suspects, diversions and the solution, but When the Dead Come Calling was like no other crime novel I've read. The telling of this mystery put heavy emphasis on the characters’ reactions. I welcomed the constantly changing point of view as it allowed me a broader perspective and different reactions to the various happenings and developments. The village of Burrowhead was portrayed as an isolated, prejudiced community, which may not be everyone's cup of tea but was a great fit for this story. With both its unpalatable history and it present challenges, few of the villagers were likeable people. However, the plot itself was fascinating and with a comfortable pace there was certainly no room for tedium or boredom.
Helen Sedgwick is an excellent storyteller and this bold book marks a uniqueness in its genre. I am immensely keen for more stories from the dark and cold Village of Burrowhead.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Oneworld Publications/ Point Blank via NetGalley and this review is my unbiased opinion.
November 8, 2019
I adored The Comet Seekers but whilst I enjoyed this atmospheric, haunting novel it didn't really have the same impact for me. The writing is beautiful, the plotting is clever and relevant and it is at times very spooky so it will be spot on for many readers.
This is definitely a reader issue not a writer issue, sometimes you just don't engage fully with a narrative because of other things, in this case I genuinely believe it's because I'm world weary of the way we are treating each other in this Brexit Trump era. Helen Sedgwick has an insightful and realistic outlook on that in this story but I think I didn't want to hear it anymore. Even if it is important.
So right writer wrong novel for me just now. Although I LOVED the descriptive sense of place very much indeed. Looking forward to more in the future.
This is definitely a reader issue not a writer issue, sometimes you just don't engage fully with a narrative because of other things, in this case I genuinely believe it's because I'm world weary of the way we are treating each other in this Brexit Trump era. Helen Sedgwick has an insightful and realistic outlook on that in this story but I think I didn't want to hear it anymore. Even if it is important.
So right writer wrong novel for me just now. Although I LOVED the descriptive sense of place very much indeed. Looking forward to more in the future.
December 7, 2019
I would like to thank Netgalley and Oneworld Publications for an advance copy of When the Dead Come Calling, a crime novel set in a small seaside village somewhere in England, featuring DI Georgie Strachan.
When psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found murdered in the local playground Georgie and her team swing into action but nothing is quite as it seems in Burrowhead.
I found When the Dead Come Calling strangely compelling despite it not being what I expected, a fact based police procedural, or that it contains many elements I normally don’t like. I should say upfront that I suspect that it will hold a fascination for some readers like me, but will repel an equal number with its ambiguity and nebulousness. I will also say that the novel bears close reading as these traits can easily lead to something being missed.
The novel opens with a character hiding in a cave and it sets the scene. There is no hint of why this person is there, except they are afraid, and no hint of their identity. Instead it concentrates on their reactions to and impressions of their surroundings. It then turns to Georgie and her reaction to the murder, a mad scramble out of bed and references to the unknown Simon. The reader is already lost trying to figure out what is going on. Personally I found my curiosity aroused and the way the novel is told almost hypnotic. It is difficult to describe because all the salient points are covered, investigation, suspects, diversions and solution but it is like no other crime novel I have read. It is more like a stream of consciousness narrative where the characters’ reactions are foremost, but like real life much of it is amorphous and difficult to pin down. The constantly changing point of view gives the reader a broader perspective and different reactions to events. Normally I find this distracting and annoying but it held me spellbound.
The novel is extremely atmospheric with constant mentions of the weather, surrounding and especially the clouds. I’m not particularly hot on metaphors but even I can see that the weather reflects a wider take on events. The bit of the novel I wasn’t so keen on was Georgie’s sense of unease about a deeper evil seeping out of the soil. It adds to the brooding atmosphere but don’t ask me to believe in ancient evil - the villagers are nasty enough without blaming otherworldly forces.
The village of Burrowhead doesn’t come out of the novel well, being portrayed as an isolated, prejudiced community with their own ways, straight out of an old horror movie. Are there places like that?
I was glad to have read this novel as I always like to try something a bit different and, as I said, I found it fascinating. It has novelty value for me and I would probably read a follow up but I wouldn’t want to read this kind of novel every day of the week as it’s quite taxing and I don’t quite know what to make of it.
When psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found murdered in the local playground Georgie and her team swing into action but nothing is quite as it seems in Burrowhead.
I found When the Dead Come Calling strangely compelling despite it not being what I expected, a fact based police procedural, or that it contains many elements I normally don’t like. I should say upfront that I suspect that it will hold a fascination for some readers like me, but will repel an equal number with its ambiguity and nebulousness. I will also say that the novel bears close reading as these traits can easily lead to something being missed.
The novel opens with a character hiding in a cave and it sets the scene. There is no hint of why this person is there, except they are afraid, and no hint of their identity. Instead it concentrates on their reactions to and impressions of their surroundings. It then turns to Georgie and her reaction to the murder, a mad scramble out of bed and references to the unknown Simon. The reader is already lost trying to figure out what is going on. Personally I found my curiosity aroused and the way the novel is told almost hypnotic. It is difficult to describe because all the salient points are covered, investigation, suspects, diversions and solution but it is like no other crime novel I have read. It is more like a stream of consciousness narrative where the characters’ reactions are foremost, but like real life much of it is amorphous and difficult to pin down. The constantly changing point of view gives the reader a broader perspective and different reactions to events. Normally I find this distracting and annoying but it held me spellbound.
The novel is extremely atmospheric with constant mentions of the weather, surrounding and especially the clouds. I’m not particularly hot on metaphors but even I can see that the weather reflects a wider take on events. The bit of the novel I wasn’t so keen on was Georgie’s sense of unease about a deeper evil seeping out of the soil. It adds to the brooding atmosphere but don’t ask me to believe in ancient evil - the villagers are nasty enough without blaming otherworldly forces.
The village of Burrowhead doesn’t come out of the novel well, being portrayed as an isolated, prejudiced community with their own ways, straight out of an old horror movie. Are there places like that?
I was glad to have read this novel as I always like to try something a bit different and, as I said, I found it fascinating. It has novelty value for me and I would probably read a follow up but I wouldn’t want to read this kind of novel every day of the week as it’s quite taxing and I don’t quite know what to make of it.
December 8, 2019
When the Dead Come Calling is an intriguing read, like no crime novel I’ve read before, and I’m grateful to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication in March 2020.
Set in the northern coastal town of Burrowhead, we get to see a dark underbelly to a seemingly rural idyll. Secrets abound, and there’s a small-town mentality to the characters in this that is both understandable but also scary.
The style is unusual for a crime novel, and may not be to everyone’s tastes.
At the start of the novel we learn of the discovery of a body in the local playground. It is that of a local doctor. His body is discovered by a local police officer, who also happens to be his boyfriend. A note is discovered near his body suggesting that racism could be a factor in this crime.
As I imagine to be common in a police case, details are not immediately forthcoming. We spend what seems like a lot of time trying to work out what is going on, and when another body is discovered to try and establish the links.
What struck me most while reading was that everyone seemed to be harbouring some kind of secret. I don’t want to give away details that affect the reading, but this is definitely a read that becomes more engaging as we learn more about those involved.
Throughout the story I was struck by the references to the past of the village, and the beliefs that seemed to shape the attitudes of those currently living there. I am still unclear as to how some of the references to the Others are linked, but I understand this is the first in a series so we may get answers further in the future.
Set in the northern coastal town of Burrowhead, we get to see a dark underbelly to a seemingly rural idyll. Secrets abound, and there’s a small-town mentality to the characters in this that is both understandable but also scary.
The style is unusual for a crime novel, and may not be to everyone’s tastes.
At the start of the novel we learn of the discovery of a body in the local playground. It is that of a local doctor. His body is discovered by a local police officer, who also happens to be his boyfriend. A note is discovered near his body suggesting that racism could be a factor in this crime.
As I imagine to be common in a police case, details are not immediately forthcoming. We spend what seems like a lot of time trying to work out what is going on, and when another body is discovered to try and establish the links.
What struck me most while reading was that everyone seemed to be harbouring some kind of secret. I don’t want to give away details that affect the reading, but this is definitely a read that becomes more engaging as we learn more about those involved.
Throughout the story I was struck by the references to the past of the village, and the beliefs that seemed to shape the attitudes of those currently living there. I am still unclear as to how some of the references to the Others are linked, but I understand this is the first in a series so we may get answers further in the future.
January 13, 2020
I hadn’t read the authors previous books so had no idea what to expect. Almost straight away I was impressed by the description of the local area. The old superstitions, the poverty, unemployment. A town that still had a police station because it had been forgotten about. This town almost had a character of its own, it is that well described. I spent a lot of time when reading it trying to work out where it could be. I failed at placing it, but I imagine there are many communities like Burrowhead in the UK.
The police team are the main characters. I feel that I will get to appreciate them more as I get to know them. I did discover quite a lot about Georgie, the senior officer, but the one I liked most was Trish. I liked her devotion to Uncle Walt and her willingness to help Andy. A tough childhood but she didn’t let it beat her.
For me, the investigation wasn’t the main focus in the novel. Instead it was the different characters, their lives and how they dealt with living in a community that wasn’t always welcoming and the legends and superstitions that became increasingly fascinating.
An intriguing read by an author who I will read again.
The police team are the main characters. I feel that I will get to appreciate them more as I get to know them. I did discover quite a lot about Georgie, the senior officer, but the one I liked most was Trish. I liked her devotion to Uncle Walt and her willingness to help Andy. A tough childhood but she didn’t let it beat her.
For me, the investigation wasn’t the main focus in the novel. Instead it was the different characters, their lives and how they dealt with living in a community that wasn’t always welcoming and the legends and superstitions that became increasingly fascinating.
An intriguing read by an author who I will read again.
Read
April 3, 2020When psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found murdered at the Burrowhead playground, local DI Georgie along with her Constable Trish start investigating the case. PC Simon is the one who found the body, and he’s also the dead doctor’s boyfriend, so naturally Georgie wants him far from the investigation. Using Trish’s local knowledge about the village, Georgie starts digging into the case and finds herself some new evidence pointing to buried secrets, and haunting ghost stories from the village’s old ruined church and the surrounding woods.
George’s husband Fergus is very keen on setting up an archaeological society in the village following the village’s varied history and works on building a network with the local village people. This creates tension between the couple and puts Georgie off whenever she gets home all tired and exhausted from the never-ending case.
Then there’s the racist notes from the local kids who have nothing to do, no proper jobs at the village. Old people who believe in ghosts and spend their days watching other people’s lives.
Then we get a glimpse of someone hiding or trapped in the caves somewhere. It’s not very clear until very late in the book but it creeps the hell out just reading it now and then between the chapters.
The description of the village is dark and gloomy, raining all the time and the weather is probably cloudy and cold all day. There’s constant attention to the clouds and the color of the sky and it’s surprising how it affects the premise of the book.
Reading this book felt like the stories I use to hear from my old Nan when younger. Only her stories were never scarier and creepier like Helen Sedgwick’s! I simply loved reading this book. It’s a chunky piece of book, this one and the descriptions are so much everywhere but I loved it. I loved knowing more about the village, it’s past, the people and even the ghost stories. I just can’t resist wanting more and more of it. Soon it became an addiction as I’d been reading the book for a week now.
Georgie’s investigation is old school, fact-based police work which depends on the forensic and other tech resources from outsources. This simply lags the process and a lot of things happen in between, that are unprecedented and unstoppable at the same time. Helen Sedgwick is a master storyteller and I can’t believe this is the first time I’m reading hers. Bold and descriptive, this books sets a uniqueness to its genre and words can’t describe the way she left the book hanging for the readers to wait for more stories from the dark and cold Village of Burrowhead. I’m so grateful for my proof copy of the book, thanks to Point Blank publishers. All opinions are solely mine and in now way biased.
George’s husband Fergus is very keen on setting up an archaeological society in the village following the village’s varied history and works on building a network with the local village people. This creates tension between the couple and puts Georgie off whenever she gets home all tired and exhausted from the never-ending case.
Then there’s the racist notes from the local kids who have nothing to do, no proper jobs at the village. Old people who believe in ghosts and spend their days watching other people’s lives.
Then we get a glimpse of someone hiding or trapped in the caves somewhere. It’s not very clear until very late in the book but it creeps the hell out just reading it now and then between the chapters.
The description of the village is dark and gloomy, raining all the time and the weather is probably cloudy and cold all day. There’s constant attention to the clouds and the color of the sky and it’s surprising how it affects the premise of the book.
Reading this book felt like the stories I use to hear from my old Nan when younger. Only her stories were never scarier and creepier like Helen Sedgwick’s! I simply loved reading this book. It’s a chunky piece of book, this one and the descriptions are so much everywhere but I loved it. I loved knowing more about the village, it’s past, the people and even the ghost stories. I just can’t resist wanting more and more of it. Soon it became an addiction as I’d been reading the book for a week now.
Georgie’s investigation is old school, fact-based police work which depends on the forensic and other tech resources from outsources. This simply lags the process and a lot of things happen in between, that are unprecedented and unstoppable at the same time. Helen Sedgwick is a master storyteller and I can’t believe this is the first time I’m reading hers. Bold and descriptive, this books sets a uniqueness to its genre and words can’t describe the way she left the book hanging for the readers to wait for more stories from the dark and cold Village of Burrowhead. I’m so grateful for my proof copy of the book, thanks to Point Blank publishers. All opinions are solely mine and in now way biased.
November 27, 2021
This is the first book in the Burrowhead Mysteries series and I am so glad there is going to be more !
This book is set in a northern village on the coast , the police station isn't one with a lot of money and they have limited supplies but still DI Georgie Strachan, PC Simon Hunter and PC Trish Mackie do the best they can to keep the village safe. When psychotherapist Alexis is found murdered in a playground, they are not prepared for what they are going to uncover. What was a little picturesque coastal village is soon turned into a village where no one is innocent like they seemed and a dark cloud hangs over them.
The book is brilliantly written , the author has created an atmosphere that perfectly suits the mood in the story. There is so much to uncover and try to work out that it easily keeps you going back for more. I loved the local police force they were great to read about and interesting to see their approaches to different circumstances. I can't wait to see more of them in the series!
This book is set in a northern village on the coast , the police station isn't one with a lot of money and they have limited supplies but still DI Georgie Strachan, PC Simon Hunter and PC Trish Mackie do the best they can to keep the village safe. When psychotherapist Alexis is found murdered in a playground, they are not prepared for what they are going to uncover. What was a little picturesque coastal village is soon turned into a village where no one is innocent like they seemed and a dark cloud hangs over them.
The book is brilliantly written , the author has created an atmosphere that perfectly suits the mood in the story. There is so much to uncover and try to work out that it easily keeps you going back for more. I loved the local police force they were great to read about and interesting to see their approaches to different circumstances. I can't wait to see more of them in the series!
January 8, 2020
Many thanks to Anne Cater for my stop on this blog tour. And, to Point Blank Books for my gifted copy in exchange of an honest review.
Where do I start to review such a story? After reading the synopsis I had figured the story to be a police procedural uncovering the truth behind the murder of Alexis Cosse. And, yes this is what we get, but it's written in a style that draws you into the tale. It haunts you from within and entices you with its poetic words. Helen Sedgwick certainly knows how to engage the reader into a mysterious story.
I found I couldn't just pick this book up and read a few chapters here and there in between doing chores. I had to invest time into reading this to fully immerse myself into the storyline and understand what was going on. There were a few times which I wasn't sure what was happening and had to re-read to make sense. But, this just shows the intelligence and difference of the writing style.
The characters in this story are definitely that, characters. And because we are so engrossed in the story, these characters become a part of our lives for a while. It's like they don't leave you when you put the book down.
I think special mention needs to go to the village in the book, Burrowhead. The way Sedgwick describes the village and it's surroundings in the eerie style of hers. Burrowhead becomes a character in itself. There was something evil and not quite nice about the village, and the people who inhabit it seemed to have an underlying malice about them.
The investigation into the murder of Alexis Cosse digs up a wealth of hatred that is simmering in the village. It seems everyone has some malevolent traits within them. Like the weather in Burrowhead which seems to be always dark and eerie, this is the whole tone of the book. This of course is not a negative point because I always say the darker and grittier a story of murder the better.
If you're looking for a nice cozy murder mystery then look elsewhere. If you want something that's more special and unique; a story that after you've read the last page will stay with you because it's seeped into your soul. Then When The Dead Come Calling is the book for you.
https://honestmamreader.wordpress.com...
Where do I start to review such a story? After reading the synopsis I had figured the story to be a police procedural uncovering the truth behind the murder of Alexis Cosse. And, yes this is what we get, but it's written in a style that draws you into the tale. It haunts you from within and entices you with its poetic words. Helen Sedgwick certainly knows how to engage the reader into a mysterious story.
I found I couldn't just pick this book up and read a few chapters here and there in between doing chores. I had to invest time into reading this to fully immerse myself into the storyline and understand what was going on. There were a few times which I wasn't sure what was happening and had to re-read to make sense. But, this just shows the intelligence and difference of the writing style.
The characters in this story are definitely that, characters. And because we are so engrossed in the story, these characters become a part of our lives for a while. It's like they don't leave you when you put the book down.
I think special mention needs to go to the village in the book, Burrowhead. The way Sedgwick describes the village and it's surroundings in the eerie style of hers. Burrowhead becomes a character in itself. There was something evil and not quite nice about the village, and the people who inhabit it seemed to have an underlying malice about them.
The investigation into the murder of Alexis Cosse digs up a wealth of hatred that is simmering in the village. It seems everyone has some malevolent traits within them. Like the weather in Burrowhead which seems to be always dark and eerie, this is the whole tone of the book. This of course is not a negative point because I always say the darker and grittier a story of murder the better.
If you're looking for a nice cozy murder mystery then look elsewhere. If you want something that's more special and unique; a story that after you've read the last page will stay with you because it's seeped into your soul. Then When The Dead Come Calling is the book for you.
https://honestmamreader.wordpress.com...
September 26, 2022
In the town of Burrowhead, something dark is brewing as the body of a local man is found stabbed to death in the playground and policewoman Georgie 's investigation into the crime begin to uncover a whole lot of ugliness hiding not so deep within the town inhabitants from homophobia to racism. On top of that, the long ago memories of the town seem to be haunting the ground and a sinister feeling is strong and ready to devour.
I listened to this book on audiobook and as a creepy, dark read it certainly hit the spot.
This book starts off with a bang with the discovery of the body of local psychiatrist Alexis by his policeman boyfriend Simon, and we are introduced to the small Burrowhead police team quickly from head honch Georgie, petite but fierce Trish, heartbroken Simon and forensics man Cal. As is typical of most crime books, we learn that there's many a thing going on in everyone's lives to make the case feel personal as Georgie battles with childhood memories, and struggled in her marriage and Trish cares for an elderly uncle battling dementia.
There's a lot going on this book in terms of town history, and it feels like a starter book that we are only on the tip of the iceberg so to speak. I definitely feel intrigued by what will happen in the final two books and how everything will come about - though I think I will pair them with a lighter read as I found this one just quite bleak and depressing as it was just dark in atmosphere and the ill feeling from the villages such as the racist attacks was just heavy at times as well.
I listened to this book on audiobook and as a creepy, dark read it certainly hit the spot.
This book starts off with a bang with the discovery of the body of local psychiatrist Alexis by his policeman boyfriend Simon, and we are introduced to the small Burrowhead police team quickly from head honch Georgie, petite but fierce Trish, heartbroken Simon and forensics man Cal. As is typical of most crime books, we learn that there's many a thing going on in everyone's lives to make the case feel personal as Georgie battles with childhood memories, and struggled in her marriage and Trish cares for an elderly uncle battling dementia.
There's a lot going on this book in terms of town history, and it feels like a starter book that we are only on the tip of the iceberg so to speak. I definitely feel intrigued by what will happen in the final two books and how everything will come about - though I think I will pair them with a lighter read as I found this one just quite bleak and depressing as it was just dark in atmosphere and the ill feeling from the villages such as the racist attacks was just heavy at times as well.
January 14, 2020
When the publishers say this is atmospheric, believe me they are not kidding.
Set in a small village community, a body is found at a children’s playground. Dr Alexis Cosse, a psychotherapist, has been stabbed and left for dead. But who would kill him in such a small community?
Georgie is a police officer and with her colleagues Trish and Simon, they try to find out what happened. But, Simon was in love with Alexis, so there is a conflict here.
It seems everyone in this community has something to hide, a brutal father that beats his son, racist attacks on Pami, the local storekeeper, homophobia and now murder.
There are chapters told from the perspective of someone or something in a cave too, which give this a creepy feel. From the very start there’s a feeling of oppression, as though there’s someone watching just out of sight. Does someone know about the murders or will the community protect itself and keep it’s dark secrets hidden??
Great characters, beautifully descriptive and a truly menacing, almost stifling atmosphere, utterly compelling.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
Set in a small village community, a body is found at a children’s playground. Dr Alexis Cosse, a psychotherapist, has been stabbed and left for dead. But who would kill him in such a small community?
Georgie is a police officer and with her colleagues Trish and Simon, they try to find out what happened. But, Simon was in love with Alexis, so there is a conflict here.
It seems everyone in this community has something to hide, a brutal father that beats his son, racist attacks on Pami, the local storekeeper, homophobia and now murder.
There are chapters told from the perspective of someone or something in a cave too, which give this a creepy feel. From the very start there’s a feeling of oppression, as though there’s someone watching just out of sight. Does someone know about the murders or will the community protect itself and keep it’s dark secrets hidden??
Great characters, beautifully descriptive and a truly menacing, almost stifling atmosphere, utterly compelling.
Thank you to Anne Cater and Random Things Tours for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour, for the promotional materials and a free copy of the book. This is my honest, unbiased review.
January 20, 2020
I'm grateful to the publisher for a free advance copy of When the Dead Come Calling to consider for review.
What a find this was! One of the great privileges of book blogging is being sent books you might not have noticed, might not have picked up, and finding they are so RIGHT. This story of death and the past rising to engulf a remote seaside town was simply compelling - haunting, sad, atmospheric and at times simply terrifying. While firmly a here-and-now crime mystery, in its depiction of isolated Burrowhead it approaches folk horror, and all while delivering an incising commentary on the state of modern England.
DI Georgie Strachan heads a tiny police presence - four officers - in the town of Burrowhead. Anomaly layers on anomaly. It's the sort of rural outpost that isn't supposed to exist anymore - Georgie is reluctant to ask for repairs in case the higher ups notice the place and shut it down. She herself is an incomer, a Black woman with an accent - what is she even doing there? And her husband Fergus - what's his game? made redundant when the nuclear plant closed, he potters about, trying to establish a local archaeological society, communing with the stones in the wood, seeking a connection with "our history".
When psychotherapist Dr Alexis Cosse is found dead in the children's playground (he's another incomer, having just got his citizenship) George takes on the investigation, with little outside support. It takes a couple of days before she even gets a response from Headquarters and they grudgingly dispatch only DS Frazer to help out. Resented by the rest of the team, Frazer seeks to make his mark but feels a palpable hostility, a watchingness, from the villagers. Meanwhile, Pamali at the Spar, Crosse, and even Georgie herself have been receiving racist hate mail...
Sedgwick spins an elaborate tale here, deftly weaving together the town's recent past, its older secrets and the its current state of isolation to produce a claustrophobic, pressured atmosphere. Bad things have happened in Burrowhead: things everyone knows about, but doesn't discuss. There is a sense of belonging among the inhabitants, of shared history and a kind of stubborn pride, but it's also a sense of complicity, of shamed refusal to own what has been done. England in little, perhaps. The town is palpably out there - a hard place to find, almost a world of its own. There's a sense of closing in in the circling birds, the patrol boats, the military carriers moving out on the seas. early in the book we are given a description of the town, with its three roads, meeting in a triangular green. We're told where each road goes - they all fizzle out somewhere in the countryside, leading to a blighted farm, an abandoned church, that playground. Where are the roads that lead out of - or into - the village, I wondered?
Within this little arena, the village looks to its own. Ancient grudges fester. Wrongs are tolerated, resentments nurtured. The little rituals that have maintained peace seem to go awry. There are moments of pathos, sad memories explored and Uncle Walt, an elderly man becoming confused, goes walking in his dressing gown. Perhaps he knows something, if anyone would listen?
Oh, and there;'s someone hiding in a cave under cliffs too - a cave haunted by the tragic dead off three centuries, and maybe more...
Through all this, Georgie seeks connections, facets, answers. Sedgwick tells us a little about her history - about what racist violence has done to her on another continent. She is, as it were, primed to see the signs, but has she missed something under her nose? Certainly she and Fergus seem to be at odds - as George gets ever deeper into the case, Fergus begins to splurge money on metal detectors, drones, and other high tech paraphernalia, becomes obsessed with standing stones, cup and ring markings and other signs of the past. But is it a past Georgie can share?
Simply a splendid, stunning opening to a detective series, Dalziel and Pascoe crossed with The Wicker Man but better than that. I think this is bound to be a hit of 2020 and I look forward to more from Helen Sedgwick.
What a find this was! One of the great privileges of book blogging is being sent books you might not have noticed, might not have picked up, and finding they are so RIGHT. This story of death and the past rising to engulf a remote seaside town was simply compelling - haunting, sad, atmospheric and at times simply terrifying. While firmly a here-and-now crime mystery, in its depiction of isolated Burrowhead it approaches folk horror, and all while delivering an incising commentary on the state of modern England.
DI Georgie Strachan heads a tiny police presence - four officers - in the town of Burrowhead. Anomaly layers on anomaly. It's the sort of rural outpost that isn't supposed to exist anymore - Georgie is reluctant to ask for repairs in case the higher ups notice the place and shut it down. She herself is an incomer, a Black woman with an accent - what is she even doing there? And her husband Fergus - what's his game? made redundant when the nuclear plant closed, he potters about, trying to establish a local archaeological society, communing with the stones in the wood, seeking a connection with "our history".
When psychotherapist Dr Alexis Cosse is found dead in the children's playground (he's another incomer, having just got his citizenship) George takes on the investigation, with little outside support. It takes a couple of days before she even gets a response from Headquarters and they grudgingly dispatch only DS Frazer to help out. Resented by the rest of the team, Frazer seeks to make his mark but feels a palpable hostility, a watchingness, from the villagers. Meanwhile, Pamali at the Spar, Crosse, and even Georgie herself have been receiving racist hate mail...
Sedgwick spins an elaborate tale here, deftly weaving together the town's recent past, its older secrets and the its current state of isolation to produce a claustrophobic, pressured atmosphere. Bad things have happened in Burrowhead: things everyone knows about, but doesn't discuss. There is a sense of belonging among the inhabitants, of shared history and a kind of stubborn pride, but it's also a sense of complicity, of shamed refusal to own what has been done. England in little, perhaps. The town is palpably out there - a hard place to find, almost a world of its own. There's a sense of closing in in the circling birds, the patrol boats, the military carriers moving out on the seas. early in the book we are given a description of the town, with its three roads, meeting in a triangular green. We're told where each road goes - they all fizzle out somewhere in the countryside, leading to a blighted farm, an abandoned church, that playground. Where are the roads that lead out of - or into - the village, I wondered?
Within this little arena, the village looks to its own. Ancient grudges fester. Wrongs are tolerated, resentments nurtured. The little rituals that have maintained peace seem to go awry. There are moments of pathos, sad memories explored and Uncle Walt, an elderly man becoming confused, goes walking in his dressing gown. Perhaps he knows something, if anyone would listen?
Oh, and there;'s someone hiding in a cave under cliffs too - a cave haunted by the tragic dead off three centuries, and maybe more...
Through all this, Georgie seeks connections, facets, answers. Sedgwick tells us a little about her history - about what racist violence has done to her on another continent. She is, as it were, primed to see the signs, but has she missed something under her nose? Certainly she and Fergus seem to be at odds - as George gets ever deeper into the case, Fergus begins to splurge money on metal detectors, drones, and other high tech paraphernalia, becomes obsessed with standing stones, cup and ring markings and other signs of the past. But is it a past Georgie can share?
Simply a splendid, stunning opening to a detective series, Dalziel and Pascoe crossed with The Wicker Man but better than that. I think this is bound to be a hit of 2020 and I look forward to more from Helen Sedgwick.
November 22, 2021
I guess because I'm not getting my quarterly trips to Scotland in this year, I am gravitating to stories set in the land of the thistle. In fact, this is my second Scottish mystery this month. I enjoyed the plot of this one; it's set in a small town with a couple of police officers without much experience with serious crime. When the town therapist is murdered, they are forced to look more closely at their little town and just what might be lurking there. Several more folks go missing before they get a handle on what is haunting the town.
I liked the mix of real world mystery with a bit of Celtic town lore (frankly I would have liked a little more of that!). The truth of what was really going on in town was hard to read because it just strikes so close to home with the news of the day. People can just be terrible to one another and that is at the core of this story.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for access to a copy. All opinions above are my own.
I liked the mix of real world mystery with a bit of Celtic town lore (frankly I would have liked a little more of that!). The truth of what was really going on in town was hard to read because it just strikes so close to home with the news of the day. People can just be terrible to one another and that is at the core of this story.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for access to a copy. All opinions above are my own.
January 19, 2020
This is one of those novels that is just a joy to read. Yes, the subject matter is dark and at times unnerving but before I go into that can I just say how much I loved Helen’s writing. She writes absolutely beautifully, visually building location, story and characters so skilfully that you actually feel you are there, watching over the shoulder as the terrifying events unfold.
When discussing writing When The Dead Come Calling, Helen talks about false memory syndrome and I admit that I find it an intriguing subject. In this novel we discover a village paralysed by the past; an evil that has been lurking beneath the surface but refuses to be forgotten. Memories play a vital part of the plot and there are some things that just can’t be forgotten but, how real are the things we think happened, or does our memory play tricks on us?
Georgie Strachan is such a unique character. She has backstory and we do gradually learn much about her as the story progresses. I liked her very much. She was very, very human and to see such a caring, kind individual amongst such a dark story line was refreshing and created an amazing contrast, that I believe made this novel stand out. This is a great technique and really highlighted the atmosphere.
This novel captures everything that I love about stories. I felt completely immersed into the story and couldn’t wait to get back to it whenever ‘real life’ pulled me away. It made me feel so many emotions: fear, sadness, empathy and the joy of entering a different world for just a few hours. That along with the writing – it is the kind of writing that makes you slow down just to enjoy the sentence structure, the descriptions as events unfold, leading you by the hand to the very heart of the story. I absolutely adore her writing style and will definitely seek out her previous titles. I was sad to finish When The Dead Come Calling, it had me gripped throughout and I believe that there is room for many more tales featuring Georgie Strachan. Questions have been left unanswered and that, after reading such an engaging tale, is only a good thing, as it tells me there is definitely more to come. This is certain to be one of my top reads of 2020.
When discussing writing When The Dead Come Calling, Helen talks about false memory syndrome and I admit that I find it an intriguing subject. In this novel we discover a village paralysed by the past; an evil that has been lurking beneath the surface but refuses to be forgotten. Memories play a vital part of the plot and there are some things that just can’t be forgotten but, how real are the things we think happened, or does our memory play tricks on us?
Georgie Strachan is such a unique character. She has backstory and we do gradually learn much about her as the story progresses. I liked her very much. She was very, very human and to see such a caring, kind individual amongst such a dark story line was refreshing and created an amazing contrast, that I believe made this novel stand out. This is a great technique and really highlighted the atmosphere.
This novel captures everything that I love about stories. I felt completely immersed into the story and couldn’t wait to get back to it whenever ‘real life’ pulled me away. It made me feel so many emotions: fear, sadness, empathy and the joy of entering a different world for just a few hours. That along with the writing – it is the kind of writing that makes you slow down just to enjoy the sentence structure, the descriptions as events unfold, leading you by the hand to the very heart of the story. I absolutely adore her writing style and will definitely seek out her previous titles. I was sad to finish When The Dead Come Calling, it had me gripped throughout and I believe that there is room for many more tales featuring Georgie Strachan. Questions have been left unanswered and that, after reading such an engaging tale, is only a good thing, as it tells me there is definitely more to come. This is certain to be one of my top reads of 2020.
February 19, 2020
This was an unexpectedly dark and claustrophobic read. Sedgwick describes Burrowhead and its accompanying countryside with such raw intensity that you feel pulled into the novel. It's cold and dark, full of menace and danger. Very well written, and genuinely with a few twists and turns I didn't even consider whilst reading it.
The premise of 'otherness' is portrayed throughout, whether it's racism, homophobia, misogny etc. But there is also an underlying menace of something more supernatural. Although Sedgwick hints on this quite a bit, it's never really explained leaving the reader to second-guess. A little more of a definitive explanation/answer would have made this a much more satisfactory conclusion.
I sincerely hope there will be further explorations to Burrowhead.
An advanced reader copy was kindly given by the publisher via Netgalley
The premise of 'otherness' is portrayed throughout, whether it's racism, homophobia, misogny etc. But there is also an underlying menace of something more supernatural. Although Sedgwick hints on this quite a bit, it's never really explained leaving the reader to second-guess. A little more of a definitive explanation/answer would have made this a much more satisfactory conclusion.
I sincerely hope there will be further explorations to Burrowhead.
An advanced reader copy was kindly given by the publisher via Netgalley
April 24, 2022
When The Dead Come Calling will suck you in from the get go. This mysterious thriller is chilling and definitely left me feeling uneasy. It's thought provoking and the way the author tells the story will have you captivated and wanting to know what happens next. This book is the first in a new series from Helen Sedgwick. I definitely would recommend this book, but if you get spooked easily, make sure you it during the day.
January 11, 2020
When The Dead Come Calling is the first book of a new crime series, The Burrowhead Mysteries, set in a small village on the north England coast. Despite its small size, Burrowhead does have its own police station led by DI Georgie Strachan. The village is shocked by the brutal murder of psychotherapist Dr Alexis Cosse, partner of one of the other police officers at the station, and as Georgie begins to investigate his murder, long hidden secrets come to light.
When The Dead Come Calling is not a fast paced, action packed crime novel. Rather, the story unwinds slowly but in a way which captures the attention. Helen Sedgwick has captured perfectly the brooding atmosphere of the run down village, with the wild sea and dark skies echoing the darkness of the crimes. On the face of it, Burrowhead seems to be a sleepy town, a quiet backwater, but there are hidden depths and secrets to be uncovered, so many secrets going back over the years. As the investigation continues, Georgie discovers deep-seated racism, homophobia, historic abuse and villagers protecting their own.
For me, it was the the characters who made the story. Georgie was quite fascinating and made me wonder why she felt so drawn to Burrowhead but also why she has clearly been a restless spirit with a need to move on every now and then. Her husband Fergus doesn't seem to be the kind of person Georgie would be with and I'd love to know more about their back story as a couple. Then there's young Alan, living with a violent father, given a chance to do work experience at the police station. Alan was a character I really felt for. So much potential but little opportunity to improve himself. Local shopkeeper Pamali was another excellent character, the focus of some of the racist behaviour in the small town and her calm demeanour really drew me to her. And then there's the mysterious first person in a cave by the shore. Who was that? What were they actually seeing? And what was their significance to the story. All these characters really combined into a fascinating cast for the book.
When The Dead Come Calling is a beautifully written, intelligent crime novel which certainly kept me guessing. I'll look forward to a return visit to Burrowhead to see what happens next to these compelling characters in this intriguing location.
When The Dead Come Calling is not a fast paced, action packed crime novel. Rather, the story unwinds slowly but in a way which captures the attention. Helen Sedgwick has captured perfectly the brooding atmosphere of the run down village, with the wild sea and dark skies echoing the darkness of the crimes. On the face of it, Burrowhead seems to be a sleepy town, a quiet backwater, but there are hidden depths and secrets to be uncovered, so many secrets going back over the years. As the investigation continues, Georgie discovers deep-seated racism, homophobia, historic abuse and villagers protecting their own.
For me, it was the the characters who made the story. Georgie was quite fascinating and made me wonder why she felt so drawn to Burrowhead but also why she has clearly been a restless spirit with a need to move on every now and then. Her husband Fergus doesn't seem to be the kind of person Georgie would be with and I'd love to know more about their back story as a couple. Then there's young Alan, living with a violent father, given a chance to do work experience at the police station. Alan was a character I really felt for. So much potential but little opportunity to improve himself. Local shopkeeper Pamali was another excellent character, the focus of some of the racist behaviour in the small town and her calm demeanour really drew me to her. And then there's the mysterious first person in a cave by the shore. Who was that? What were they actually seeing? And what was their significance to the story. All these characters really combined into a fascinating cast for the book.
When The Dead Come Calling is a beautifully written, intelligent crime novel which certainly kept me guessing. I'll look forward to a return visit to Burrowhead to see what happens next to these compelling characters in this intriguing location.
April 23, 2020
As others have said, brilliantly atmospheric! Gripping throughout, and I loved the creepy supernatural/fantasy elements that are weaved throughout. Can't wait for the next one!
December 4, 2021
This was an incredibly absorbing, unsettling, atmospheric mystery/police procedural! I literally felt like I was walking along with DI Strachan and the other characters, the description of the desolate village of Burrowhead and the surrounding wilderness was so good. There were lots of twists and turns and unexpected suspects and I was kept thinking all the way through to the end! If you like creepy yet cerebral police procedurals, you should read this book! Thanks to Lovebookstours for inviting me on this wild ride!
November 12, 2021
When The Dead Come Calling is a mysterious detective thriller that is unlike anything I have ever read before. It's haunting and elusive, not quite giving you the full story but luring you in with small details to build up your anticipation.
The crime is investigated by our lead character DI Strachan alongside another narrative of an unknown person hiding in a cave, making the reading experience feel like you're under hypnosis as you drift about the village, getting pieces of information here and there as if watching it unfold as a voyeur.
Part of me really loved the ambiguity of the story, slowly revealing snippets of information and clues to what's really going on as it focuses more on building up an uneasy atmosphere. But it did also mean that I struggled to see what was going on, so it did take me a while to really engage with the story and its characters. When it does start to come together, however, I did enjoy the story that finally unfolds.
Descriptive and full of metaphors, you can really get a sense of the setting and gloomy weather which heightens the mystery even more, but readers who like to get to the point may find that this does slow down the story's pace. For me, the finale certainly makes up for a slower start, though, and I would definitely be interested to get to know these characters more in-depth.
The crime is investigated by our lead character DI Strachan alongside another narrative of an unknown person hiding in a cave, making the reading experience feel like you're under hypnosis as you drift about the village, getting pieces of information here and there as if watching it unfold as a voyeur.
Part of me really loved the ambiguity of the story, slowly revealing snippets of information and clues to what's really going on as it focuses more on building up an uneasy atmosphere. But it did also mean that I struggled to see what was going on, so it did take me a while to really engage with the story and its characters. When it does start to come together, however, I did enjoy the story that finally unfolds.
Descriptive and full of metaphors, you can really get a sense of the setting and gloomy weather which heightens the mystery even more, but readers who like to get to the point may find that this does slow down the story's pace. For me, the finale certainly makes up for a slower start, though, and I would definitely be interested to get to know these characters more in-depth.
September 15, 2022
Disclosure - I was gifted this book in exchange for an honest review by Love Book Tours
Georgie Strachen is a DI in the small village of Burrowhead. One morning she attends a crime scene to discover Dr Cosse, a psychotherapist, was stabbed to death in the Burrowhead playground; his body first being discovered by his partner Simon. Underneath Dr Cosse's body a post-it note with a message is found containing a racially motivated threat.
Following on from this a number of other threats and attacks are carried out, and the bigotry and Xenophobia that seems to be enveloping Burrowhead just might be more deep rooted than Georgie could have ever imagined.
The ominous feeling of this book was set from the get go, with the first chapter being from the perspective of an unknown character describing their surroundings in one of the caves on the coast of Burrowhead. This was a great hook from the get go, as this unknown character reappears in chapters throughout the book, always in the cave, and it's not until almost the end that you figure out who it is and how they tie in to the story.
Something that really stuck out to me throughout the book was how well the description of the weather gave that feeling of foreboding throughout the entire book, really setting the tone for the entire story.
I especially found the narrative surrounding Uncle Walt interesting. Although his words and actions seem like those of a man who is no longer of sound mind, his character for me almost provided a supernatural element to the story, and I hope the mystery surrounding The Others will be explored more in the second book to this series.
Georgie Strachen is a DI in the small village of Burrowhead. One morning she attends a crime scene to discover Dr Cosse, a psychotherapist, was stabbed to death in the Burrowhead playground; his body first being discovered by his partner Simon. Underneath Dr Cosse's body a post-it note with a message is found containing a racially motivated threat.
Following on from this a number of other threats and attacks are carried out, and the bigotry and Xenophobia that seems to be enveloping Burrowhead just might be more deep rooted than Georgie could have ever imagined.
The ominous feeling of this book was set from the get go, with the first chapter being from the perspective of an unknown character describing their surroundings in one of the caves on the coast of Burrowhead. This was a great hook from the get go, as this unknown character reappears in chapters throughout the book, always in the cave, and it's not until almost the end that you figure out who it is and how they tie in to the story.
Something that really stuck out to me throughout the book was how well the description of the weather gave that feeling of foreboding throughout the entire book, really setting the tone for the entire story.
I especially found the narrative surrounding Uncle Walt interesting. Although his words and actions seem like those of a man who is no longer of sound mind, his character for me almost provided a supernatural element to the story, and I hope the mystery surrounding The Others will be explored more in the second book to this series.
September 5, 2021
I hated this. It has a good atmosphere, but the writing is irritating, it's far too long and self indulgent, and it's a classic 'bury your gays'. It also overall feels like white liberal hand wringing, which is just boring.
Its heart is in the right place: it's a thinly veiled rant against the tilt towards extremism in the UK. It's set in a small and isolated remote Scottish community where racism, homophobia, xenophobia and misogyny are rife, to the dismay of the main character, who is a female mixed race 'outsider'.
The plotting is uneven and overly complicated. The best thing about the novel is the setting and the spooky atmosphere, but for my taste this is overdone. My main problem, really, is the writing. The characters use each others' names all the time, which is a personal bugbear of mine. It's written in present tense, which is tough to pull off, and this is a far from successful attempt. Just a big fat nope all round.
Its heart is in the right place: it's a thinly veiled rant against the tilt towards extremism in the UK. It's set in a small and isolated remote Scottish community where racism, homophobia, xenophobia and misogyny are rife, to the dismay of the main character, who is a female mixed race 'outsider'.
The plotting is uneven and overly complicated. The best thing about the novel is the setting and the spooky atmosphere, but for my taste this is overdone. My main problem, really, is the writing. The characters use each others' names all the time, which is a personal bugbear of mine. It's written in present tense, which is tough to pull off, and this is a far from successful attempt. Just a big fat nope all round.
October 15, 2019
Beautifully written, beguiling and mysterious, the sort of book that would reward a second (and third) read. A twisty plot with an undercurrent of supernatural malevolence that ticked all my boxes - great place setting in remote, wind blasted Burrowhead - a moving domestic subplot between Georgie and Fergus - confidently sketched characters (the reader has to work a little here with multiple points of view and nothing spelt out for you, but personally, I don’t mind that) - satisfying whodunnit and an ending that leaves you wanting more.
August 29, 2022
I really couldn’t get into this book at all. I couldn’t make out if it was supposed to be a crime thriller or a horror and ultimately felt stranded in between. Totally unsatisfying ending. Unfortunately I didn’t enjoy this one at all.
Read on BorrowBox.
Read on BorrowBox.
August 27, 2020
Listened to when I have migraines. An engaging crime set in Northern England village. Hate themes emerge.
August 12, 2020
Long, rambling and confused - really annoying.
January 4, 2021
Some good writing I thought, but overly complex with plot lines hard to follow and not always credible. Mystic/historic elements not well integrated with current events.
January 8, 2020
My thanks to Oneworld Publications/Point Blank for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘When the Dead Come Calling’ by Helen Sedgwick in exchange for an honest review. It is already available as an ebook and will be published in hardback and audiobook on 9 January.
This is the first in her Burrowhead Mystery series set in the quiet northern village of Burrowhead close to the coast.
When the body of psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found in the Burrowhead playground, the case is investigated by DI Georgie Strachan and her small local team. It quickly becomes clear that there is an undercurrent of racism, misogyny and homophobia lurking beneath the surface of the village. Then another body is found and this becomes an increasingly complex case with links to the village’s history.
This was a layered narrative very much like the landscape around Burrowhead itself. Georgie’s husband, Fergus, is fascinated by archeology and the history of the land and becomes quite distracted by this research.
Georgie and Fergus had moved to Burrowhead some years previously and have “become familiar fixtures of the village but are not quite from the village either”. Yet Georgie’s background and even her accent remains a mystery to the villagers. We are told: “She’s not from here though, that much they know. Brown-skinned. Tight dark curls. But originally? Well, where Georgie became Georgie is a mystery no one has been able to solve.” This gives her very much an Outsider status that becomes more evident when the darker aspects of the crimes emerge.
The following paragraph summed up Georgie’s response well for me. “If it was all racism she’d know how to fight back, if it was all misogyny, if it was all from one person, even a group, but this–violence used against a local girl, a gay man, threats and vandalism, racism, murder–is it every kind of otherness they hate? And it’s not just now, is it, it hasn’t just started, it’s historic, it’s endemic.”
With its emphasis upon characterisation, social issues (including Brexit), local history, and the role of the landscape brought to mind Susan Hill’s Simon Serrailler series. So it’s very much what I would class as a literary crime novel rather than a more straightforward whodunnit or police procedural.
Its macabre title highlights another aspect that I found very compelling as elements of folk horror were woven throughout the narrative. While remaining ambiguous and understated, they provided another layer and some quite creepy moments. Tales of haunted churches, coffins rising through the graveyard soil, rituals, whispers of sacrifice and the ‘Others’, who were known to the ancestors, all add to this.
Overall, an atmospheric work of crime fiction and I am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series and learning more about Burrowhead and its mysteries.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
This is the first in her Burrowhead Mystery series set in the quiet northern village of Burrowhead close to the coast.
When the body of psychotherapist Alexis Cosse is found in the Burrowhead playground, the case is investigated by DI Georgie Strachan and her small local team. It quickly becomes clear that there is an undercurrent of racism, misogyny and homophobia lurking beneath the surface of the village. Then another body is found and this becomes an increasingly complex case with links to the village’s history.
This was a layered narrative very much like the landscape around Burrowhead itself. Georgie’s husband, Fergus, is fascinated by archeology and the history of the land and becomes quite distracted by this research.
Georgie and Fergus had moved to Burrowhead some years previously and have “become familiar fixtures of the village but are not quite from the village either”. Yet Georgie’s background and even her accent remains a mystery to the villagers. We are told: “She’s not from here though, that much they know. Brown-skinned. Tight dark curls. But originally? Well, where Georgie became Georgie is a mystery no one has been able to solve.” This gives her very much an Outsider status that becomes more evident when the darker aspects of the crimes emerge.
The following paragraph summed up Georgie’s response well for me. “If it was all racism she’d know how to fight back, if it was all misogyny, if it was all from one person, even a group, but this–violence used against a local girl, a gay man, threats and vandalism, racism, murder–is it every kind of otherness they hate? And it’s not just now, is it, it hasn’t just started, it’s historic, it’s endemic.”
With its emphasis upon characterisation, social issues (including Brexit), local history, and the role of the landscape brought to mind Susan Hill’s Simon Serrailler series. So it’s very much what I would class as a literary crime novel rather than a more straightforward whodunnit or police procedural.
Its macabre title highlights another aspect that I found very compelling as elements of folk horror were woven throughout the narrative. While remaining ambiguous and understated, they provided another layer and some quite creepy moments. Tales of haunted churches, coffins rising through the graveyard soil, rituals, whispers of sacrifice and the ‘Others’, who were known to the ancestors, all add to this.
Overall, an atmospheric work of crime fiction and I am very much looking forward to reading the next in the series and learning more about Burrowhead and its mysteries.
4.5 stars rounded up to 5.
January 15, 2020
When The Dead Come Calling, Helen Sedgwick’s first foray into crime fiction, blends the atmospheric and haunting writing found in her previous novels with the conventions of the classic police procedural. The result is an unusual but engrossing literary mystery that speaks to contemporary issues of racism, xenophobia and the fear of the unknown.
Set in the sleepy northern village of Burrowhead, the novel opens with the discovery of the body of psychologist Alexis Cosse. Alexis, a Greek national who had recently been given his leave to remain in the UK, had been in a relationship with PC Simon Hunter, one of Burrowhead’s small police force. Tasked with solving the murder, Simon’s boss, DI Georgie Strachen, is struck by the brutality of the apparently motiveless killing. Who would want to harm Alexis enough to kill him? But when a racist note is discovered in Alexis’ flat, and a second body is found, it becomes apparent that a brutal history lies beneath Burrowhead’s apparently calm surface.
Switching perspectives between Georgie, her DS on the case Trish, PC Simon Hunter, Georgie’s amateur archaeologist husband Fergus, and members of the village community, When The Dead Come Calling is a slow-burning novel that takes its time to establish a keen sense of place and people. Gradually layering up each perspective, the novel is initially ambiguous as each character appears to have an ulterior motive or hidden agenda. This nebulousness may grate with readers who prefer their crime fiction hard-hitting and fast-paced but I found the style compelling, as each page revealed just a slither more of the picture Sedgwick so effectively paints.
The novel touches on some very contemporary themes, casting a lens onto an apparently quiet and docile community divided by poverty and simmering with undercurrents of racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Sedgwick does an excellent job of addressing the root causes behind the headlines we so often see in the papers, creating characters and situations that, if not sympathetic, are poignantly and worryingly real. It makes for very uncomfortable reading at times as Sedgwick refuses to tear her gaze away from the faultlines that divide supposedly welcoming communities, and tear neighbours, families, friends, and even lovers, asunder.
I wasn’t quite as engaged with the sub-plot involving Georgie’s personal doubts about her marriage to her husband Fergus. Whilst Georgie’s unease in her previously comfortable marriage mirrors the discomfort she begins to feel amongst the residents of Burrowhead, furthering her sense of otherness, this aspect of the book didn’t quite resonate with me and Fergus’ chapters sometimes felt as if they were jarring me away from the pull of the main plot. This, however, may well be a personal preference. Fergus is a whimsical dreamer of a character – and he was so brilliantly portrayed on the page, that his selfish obliviousness really raised my hackles!
A mention must also go to atmospheric writing. Sedgwick creates a real sense of place, portraying Burrowhead as a desolate and isolated community clinging onto the cliff edge in a ragged post-industrial landscape. The supernatural undercurrents, a series of shifting links to both the village’s Celtic past and recent tragic history, serve to underscore this, creating an powerfully haunting atmosphere that permeates the page.
When The Dead Come Calling isn’t your usual police procedural. If you like to keep your police procedurals pacy, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re open to reading a compelling and atmospheric mystery that unravels at a saunter not a gallop, you’ll find a well plotted contemporary crime novel that rewards patient and considered reading with beautiful writing, well-rounded characters and an twisty, unsettling payoff at the end.
NB: This review first appeared on my blog, The Shelf of Unread Books, at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Set in the sleepy northern village of Burrowhead, the novel opens with the discovery of the body of psychologist Alexis Cosse. Alexis, a Greek national who had recently been given his leave to remain in the UK, had been in a relationship with PC Simon Hunter, one of Burrowhead’s small police force. Tasked with solving the murder, Simon’s boss, DI Georgie Strachen, is struck by the brutality of the apparently motiveless killing. Who would want to harm Alexis enough to kill him? But when a racist note is discovered in Alexis’ flat, and a second body is found, it becomes apparent that a brutal history lies beneath Burrowhead’s apparently calm surface.
Switching perspectives between Georgie, her DS on the case Trish, PC Simon Hunter, Georgie’s amateur archaeologist husband Fergus, and members of the village community, When The Dead Come Calling is a slow-burning novel that takes its time to establish a keen sense of place and people. Gradually layering up each perspective, the novel is initially ambiguous as each character appears to have an ulterior motive or hidden agenda. This nebulousness may grate with readers who prefer their crime fiction hard-hitting and fast-paced but I found the style compelling, as each page revealed just a slither more of the picture Sedgwick so effectively paints.
The novel touches on some very contemporary themes, casting a lens onto an apparently quiet and docile community divided by poverty and simmering with undercurrents of racism, misogyny, and homophobia. Sedgwick does an excellent job of addressing the root causes behind the headlines we so often see in the papers, creating characters and situations that, if not sympathetic, are poignantly and worryingly real. It makes for very uncomfortable reading at times as Sedgwick refuses to tear her gaze away from the faultlines that divide supposedly welcoming communities, and tear neighbours, families, friends, and even lovers, asunder.
I wasn’t quite as engaged with the sub-plot involving Georgie’s personal doubts about her marriage to her husband Fergus. Whilst Georgie’s unease in her previously comfortable marriage mirrors the discomfort she begins to feel amongst the residents of Burrowhead, furthering her sense of otherness, this aspect of the book didn’t quite resonate with me and Fergus’ chapters sometimes felt as if they were jarring me away from the pull of the main plot. This, however, may well be a personal preference. Fergus is a whimsical dreamer of a character – and he was so brilliantly portrayed on the page, that his selfish obliviousness really raised my hackles!
A mention must also go to atmospheric writing. Sedgwick creates a real sense of place, portraying Burrowhead as a desolate and isolated community clinging onto the cliff edge in a ragged post-industrial landscape. The supernatural undercurrents, a series of shifting links to both the village’s Celtic past and recent tragic history, serve to underscore this, creating an powerfully haunting atmosphere that permeates the page.
When The Dead Come Calling isn’t your usual police procedural. If you like to keep your police procedurals pacy, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re open to reading a compelling and atmospheric mystery that unravels at a saunter not a gallop, you’ll find a well plotted contemporary crime novel that rewards patient and considered reading with beautiful writing, well-rounded characters and an twisty, unsettling payoff at the end.
NB: This review first appeared on my blog, The Shelf of Unread Books, at https://theshelfofunreadbooks.wordpre... as part of the blog tour for the book. My thanks go to the publisher for providing a copy of the book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews