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The Glennison Darkisle Cases #2
Those Under The Hill
It's May 1922, eight months after events during his first visit to Darkisle shook Jack Glennison's world. Now he's being pulled back there to find out what happened to a young boy who disappeared from the family farm. But any hopes Jack had that this might be a regular missing person case soon evaporate in the unseasonal heat of a Darkisle spring. Why haven't the boy's parents raised the alarm? What is the source of their unexplained wealth? And what links the uncanny events that have happened recently on nearby Slee Top hill?
As Jack's investigation takes him across the island, he realises that if he thought he knew just what Darkisle could throw at him, he was sadly mistaken. For Darkisle holds more ancient magical secrets than he ever expected. And some secrets are best left buried.
This second book in the Glennison Darkisle Cases delves deeper into the hostile Lovecraftian world of Darkisle, where nothing is quite as it seems....
What readers are saying about this
“I eagerly look forward to future entries in the series.”
“Looking forward to further adventures.”
“Can't wait to read whatever is next. Write quickly, Mr. Drake, please.”
“Looking forward to more… good stuff!”
“I look forward to more in the series.”
As Jack's investigation takes him across the island, he realises that if he thought he knew just what Darkisle could throw at him, he was sadly mistaken. For Darkisle holds more ancient magical secrets than he ever expected. And some secrets are best left buried.
This second book in the Glennison Darkisle Cases delves deeper into the hostile Lovecraftian world of Darkisle, where nothing is quite as it seems....
What readers are saying about this
“I eagerly look forward to future entries in the series.”
“Looking forward to further adventures.”
“Can't wait to read whatever is next. Write quickly, Mr. Drake, please.”
“Looking forward to more… good stuff!”
“I look forward to more in the series.”
239 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 7, 2021
3 people are currently reading
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 14, 2021
It’s May, 1922 and six months after Jack Glennison first experienced unearthly goings-on on the island of Darkisle, he is called back to investigate a missing boy, Daniel Penby. As he begins to make discreet enquiries in Darkisle, it starts to become horribly apparent that this is not a straightforward case, again…
Here we are, back on Darkisle and, within a couple of paragraphs, immersed into another thoroughly entertaining and gripping Jack Glennison case. Those Under The Hill is the second outing for Glennison and it certainly reads as a standalone novel. However, when a series is this good, I highly recommend reading the first book, The Gathering of Shadows.
Jack Glennison is a more than capable lead to this series and, in this second story, while still personable and engaging, he has a little more vulnerability and depth in his depiction. Drake really considered the impact of that first excursion to Darkisle, and how that would have affected his development as a main character. The measured writing and tighter plot structure of Those Under The Hill demonstrates thoughtful progression of both Glennison and the nature of Darkisle, consequently showcasing Drake’s evolution as a writer.
The Penby case has all the ingredients to draw the reader in; parents acting strangely, unnatural deaths, remote farmsteads, a few dead-ends and the ever-increasing, creeping dread that something appallingly monstrous and, supernatural, is at the heart of Daniel’s disappearance. Drake is excellent at pacing and building the tension to fever pitch before throwing the reader either off the scent, or in another direction completely, which is what happens when Glennison finally discovers who the ‘watcher’ of Slee Top is. The reader is also never really too sure quite how blameless or involved, Daniel’s parents, Peter and Alice, are.
Darkisle is atmospheric, gloomy despite the unseasonable weather, and inhabited with a cast of sullen, sinister characters who are all well-observed without veering into caricature. Drake writes with knowing confidence on the near mythical landscape of the Island and this authorly reassurance makes it immediately familiar and absorbing to the reader.
As before, there are subtle nodding references to Lovecraft but, towards the last third of the novel, I felt heavily reminded of H. G. Wells; Those Under The Hill veers more into science fiction/horror territory than before, and does not hold back, although events are kept the right side of credibility. One of the reasons that the plot does not feel too far-fetched is the balancing contrast between the action and the period setting. The early 1920s are wonderfully evoked with a wealth of understated detail that completely transports the reader to the era.
Those Under The Hill is a real treat for fans of the genre; accomplished, engrossing and excellently written. Highly recommended.
Here we are, back on Darkisle and, within a couple of paragraphs, immersed into another thoroughly entertaining and gripping Jack Glennison case. Those Under The Hill is the second outing for Glennison and it certainly reads as a standalone novel. However, when a series is this good, I highly recommend reading the first book, The Gathering of Shadows.
Jack Glennison is a more than capable lead to this series and, in this second story, while still personable and engaging, he has a little more vulnerability and depth in his depiction. Drake really considered the impact of that first excursion to Darkisle, and how that would have affected his development as a main character. The measured writing and tighter plot structure of Those Under The Hill demonstrates thoughtful progression of both Glennison and the nature of Darkisle, consequently showcasing Drake’s evolution as a writer.
The Penby case has all the ingredients to draw the reader in; parents acting strangely, unnatural deaths, remote farmsteads, a few dead-ends and the ever-increasing, creeping dread that something appallingly monstrous and, supernatural, is at the heart of Daniel’s disappearance. Drake is excellent at pacing and building the tension to fever pitch before throwing the reader either off the scent, or in another direction completely, which is what happens when Glennison finally discovers who the ‘watcher’ of Slee Top is. The reader is also never really too sure quite how blameless or involved, Daniel’s parents, Peter and Alice, are.
Darkisle is atmospheric, gloomy despite the unseasonable weather, and inhabited with a cast of sullen, sinister characters who are all well-observed without veering into caricature. Drake writes with knowing confidence on the near mythical landscape of the Island and this authorly reassurance makes it immediately familiar and absorbing to the reader.
As before, there are subtle nodding references to Lovecraft but, towards the last third of the novel, I felt heavily reminded of H. G. Wells; Those Under The Hill veers more into science fiction/horror territory than before, and does not hold back, although events are kept the right side of credibility. One of the reasons that the plot does not feel too far-fetched is the balancing contrast between the action and the period setting. The early 1920s are wonderfully evoked with a wealth of understated detail that completely transports the reader to the era.
Those Under The Hill is a real treat for fans of the genre; accomplished, engrossing and excellently written. Highly recommended.
May 26, 2021
Going to Darkisle had shaken Jack Glennison’s world. Eight months later in May 1922, Jack is called back to find a missing boy. It’s uncommonly warm for May, the boy’s parents haven’t raised any alarms that he’s missing, and the family is unexpectedly wealthy. Nearby Slee Top Hill has odd occurrences, and apparently, Darkisle isn’t done with Jack.
Those Under the Hill is the second in the Glennison Darkisle series, after The Gathering of Shadows. If you read that one, awesome. You know we’re in for some cosmic horror. If not, go grab that one, then this one. Don’t worry, it’ll still be here waiting for you. We do have a summary of significant events in the prologue, but it’s more fun to read the book for yourself.
Oddities occurred on Darkisle before the boy went missing and his father forbade his mother from mentioning it. Freak lightning storms on Slee Top Hill that was golden in color without clouds, a pair of men supposedly killed by lightning with nothing but goo on the inside that evaporated on autopsy, and odd symbols everywhere. Jack was disconcerted before, but wholly unprepared for what he’d find on going back. From the start, hearing “folk remedies” about the boy’s grandfather gives me pause, even though the locals say it’s not witchcraft. This is a world where cosmic horror exists, so it’s not just some herbal remedies for colds. Jack delves deep into the old Darkic language and geography, which gives rise to investigating where the boy might have gone. We also meet Charles Deverby that was referenced in the first novel and get his side of the story.
I really enjoyed Jack’s investigations into the language, myths, and changing of place names over time. It’s something linguists do with modern languages a lot, and adds a realistic touch to Jack’s search. Once we get an idea of what is really happening at about the halfway mark, it becomes a race to try to find the boy and avoid the cult. As with many cosmic horror novels, it isn’t what we think it is and doesn’t end the way we hope it would. Darkisle has too many secrets lying in wait, after all, and the epilogue gives a hook for the next novel in the series.
Those Under the Hill is the second in the Glennison Darkisle series, after The Gathering of Shadows. If you read that one, awesome. You know we’re in for some cosmic horror. If not, go grab that one, then this one. Don’t worry, it’ll still be here waiting for you. We do have a summary of significant events in the prologue, but it’s more fun to read the book for yourself.
Oddities occurred on Darkisle before the boy went missing and his father forbade his mother from mentioning it. Freak lightning storms on Slee Top Hill that was golden in color without clouds, a pair of men supposedly killed by lightning with nothing but goo on the inside that evaporated on autopsy, and odd symbols everywhere. Jack was disconcerted before, but wholly unprepared for what he’d find on going back. From the start, hearing “folk remedies” about the boy’s grandfather gives me pause, even though the locals say it’s not witchcraft. This is a world where cosmic horror exists, so it’s not just some herbal remedies for colds. Jack delves deep into the old Darkic language and geography, which gives rise to investigating where the boy might have gone. We also meet Charles Deverby that was referenced in the first novel and get his side of the story.
I really enjoyed Jack’s investigations into the language, myths, and changing of place names over time. It’s something linguists do with modern languages a lot, and adds a realistic touch to Jack’s search. Once we get an idea of what is really happening at about the halfway mark, it becomes a race to try to find the boy and avoid the cult. As with many cosmic horror novels, it isn’t what we think it is and doesn’t end the way we hope it would. Darkisle has too many secrets lying in wait, after all, and the epilogue gives a hook for the next novel in the series.
April 21, 2021
Those Under The Hill is the second book in the Glennison Darkisle Cases written by Mark N Drake. I already had the pleasure to review the first book, and was excited when he authored me the second one.
In this book private detective Jack Glennison gets send to Darkisle yet again. This time he is meant to find a boy that has been missing for several weeks. Of course this being Darkisle it’s not a straightforward search and rescue.
I really enjoy Mark’s writing. It is entertaining, riveting and he sure knows how to spin a tale. Again, I was invested in the story from the start.
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
In this book private detective Jack Glennison gets send to Darkisle yet again. This time he is meant to find a boy that has been missing for several weeks. Of course this being Darkisle it’s not a straightforward search and rescue.
I really enjoy Mark’s writing. It is entertaining, riveting and he sure knows how to spin a tale. Again, I was invested in the story from the start.
Thank you to the author for the review copy!
July 19, 2022
Another exciting adventure
Jack Glennison is back on Darkisle, fighting mysterious serpent creatures an others. He is called to investigate the disappearance of a local boy, and is pulled into the mysterious situations that can only happen on Darkisle, the strange island in the Irish Sea. Jack finds allies can be enemies and enemies can be friends. Mark N. Drake once again mixes the paranormal with a British thriller set after World War I, in a well-written and fast-paced novel.
Jack Glennison is back on Darkisle, fighting mysterious serpent creatures an others. He is called to investigate the disappearance of a local boy, and is pulled into the mysterious situations that can only happen on Darkisle, the strange island in the Irish Sea. Jack finds allies can be enemies and enemies can be friends. Mark N. Drake once again mixes the paranormal with a British thriller set after World War I, in a well-written and fast-paced novel.
May 9, 2021
If Jack thought Darkisle was in his rear view mirror, he thought wrong. A missing child presents Jack's latest challenge, with mysterious parents that didn't report that their child was gone. With his usual determination, Jack faces down both men and monsters as he follows the clues. A page-turning mystery that draws you into the mysterious world that exists within the pages. A brilliant follow up to book one and I hope to see a book three in the future!
January 4, 2024
Hey all! This was a quite worthy sequel to its predecessor and I feel very lucky to have gotten a DRC for this one. The drama and tension has amped up. Thanks so much to Mark, and cheers!
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews