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Amongst The Mists
It was the most anticipated summer break of their young lives.
For Bran Lampshire, that summer of 1986 would be far different. The lure of a wilderness adventure sends him and his friends on a troublesome journey that would see them far from home and into the isolated shadows of the Sleathton Estate. In a forgotten land where nature thrives, an unexplained mist settles upon the shaded grounds. And stories were told of events so chilling, they were forcibly buried over time.
Lose yourself beneath the endless trees. And discover that legends are sometimes so much more than ghost stories.
For Bran Lampshire, that summer of 1986 would be far different. The lure of a wilderness adventure sends him and his friends on a troublesome journey that would see them far from home and into the isolated shadows of the Sleathton Estate. In a forgotten land where nature thrives, an unexplained mist settles upon the shaded grounds. And stories were told of events so chilling, they were forcibly buried over time.
Lose yourself beneath the endless trees. And discover that legends are sometimes so much more than ghost stories.
391 pages, Paperback
Published October 6, 2021
29 people are currently reading
473 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Rayner
8 books231 followersBorn and bred in the county of Staffordshire. Matt is a keen reader of classical, horror and fantasy literature and enjoys writing in the style of traditional ghost stories. During his working life, Matt joined the ambulance service in 2009, transporting critically ill patients all over the UK. After writing his first novel, Matt now dedicates his time on future releases. His hobbies include genealogy and hiking, and he enjoys spending time with his wife, Emma, his children, and his family.
https://www.facebook.com/MLRayner
https://www.facebook.com/MLRayner
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
October 17, 2021
Bran and his friend Marcus are going on an adventurous trek from their town of Bonhil Dale into the wilderness surrounding the mysterious Sleathton Estate. Marcus has planned a 9-day hike and decides to also bring along Jack, an odd new boy in town, much to Bran’s displeasure. The three boys hike into the woods and meet an old man, Gregory, who takes them to his house for the night. When one of the boys disappears, Gregory begins to tell a story of children disappearing in the swamps and mists of the forest. Blended into the novel in separate chapters is the story of a missing girl, Olivia, who is chasing a ghostly voice through the same forest.
Amongst the Mists is a clever mix of paranormal and horror fiction with a heavy dose of folklore and sprinklings of the crime/thriller genre. M.L. Rayner perfectly blends ghostly figures, mythical creatures, and mysterious characters into a hair-raising but clever tale. The mystery will keep you guessing until the end, and the cliffhangers between chapters raise the alarm level even more. The fates of the children collide and the ending is surprising and unexpected. The author’s note at the end is not to be missed as he tells of myths and legends that influenced this book. Fans of horror and the paranormal, bring your imagination and a flashlight, and be prepared for some terror, because we are about to travel into the Mists.
I received a free copy of this book via Zooloo’s Book Tours. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
Amongst the Mists is a clever mix of paranormal and horror fiction with a heavy dose of folklore and sprinklings of the crime/thriller genre. M.L. Rayner perfectly blends ghostly figures, mythical creatures, and mysterious characters into a hair-raising but clever tale. The mystery will keep you guessing until the end, and the cliffhangers between chapters raise the alarm level even more. The fates of the children collide and the ending is surprising and unexpected. The author’s note at the end is not to be missed as he tells of myths and legends that influenced this book. Fans of horror and the paranormal, bring your imagination and a flashlight, and be prepared for some terror, because we are about to travel into the Mists.
I received a free copy of this book via Zooloo’s Book Tours. My review is voluntary and my opinions are my own.
October 28, 2021
M L Rayner's second novel is a very atmospheric chiller & tells the story of three young boys who head out on an adventure deep into the woodlands.
The setting for the story is beautifully brought to life & all the characters are well developed. However, I found the plot that unfolded in the second half of the story less gripping than the first half. It's still full of atmosphere, but I much prefered the author's first novel, Echoes of Home, to this one.
The setting for the story is beautifully brought to life & all the characters are well developed. However, I found the plot that unfolded in the second half of the story less gripping than the first half. It's still full of atmosphere, but I much prefered the author's first novel, Echoes of Home, to this one.
July 28, 2022
Seen this book mentioned multiple times and the premise sounded interesting, so in I went! And very glad I did.
'Haunting' might be a good way of describing it, and not because it's a ghost story. The writing is superb, the setting very atmospheric and creepy, and you are immediately drawn into the world M.L. Rayner has created and an ending I didn't expect or see coming.
When three boys decide to go on a camping adventure, they are completely unaware of the legends surrounding their chosen destination. Soon, they get lost in the woods, see things that may or may not be real. A man who lives nearby tries to help them find their way out, but soon, all four become lost. Then the man starts telling them about the legends and the boys realise they may never reach home again...
A great story with an amazing setting, one can really feel the boys' claustrophobia and fear as they try and find a way out and the eeriness that hangs over the seemingly endless woods!
'Haunting' might be a good way of describing it, and not because it's a ghost story. The writing is superb, the setting very atmospheric and creepy, and you are immediately drawn into the world M.L. Rayner has created and an ending I didn't expect or see coming.
When three boys decide to go on a camping adventure, they are completely unaware of the legends surrounding their chosen destination. Soon, they get lost in the woods, see things that may or may not be real. A man who lives nearby tries to help them find their way out, but soon, all four become lost. Then the man starts telling them about the legends and the boys realise they may never reach home again...
A great story with an amazing setting, one can really feel the boys' claustrophobia and fear as they try and find a way out and the eeriness that hangs over the seemingly endless woods!
October 14, 2021
Not being an avid fan of ‘ghostly’ books it is very different for me as a reader when I do read the occasional book from this genre
This book tells the story of 3 lads who decide to go on a holiday adventure with a tent, dried food and their combined imaginations but not expecting for one minute what is about to befall them as they get further and further into the wild forgotten woodlands near the Sleathon Estate, here they meet an old timer, Gregory, who tells a story of missing children from the past and why he lives in an abandoned village……as the story progresses it gets more chilling and spooky and is quite a tense read tbh by the finish
A good narrative and a typically ( am guessing ) ghostlyfied ending finished the book, for something not my usual read I enjoyed it and also enjoyed the authors inspiration notes for the story at the end
8/10
4 Stars
This book tells the story of 3 lads who decide to go on a holiday adventure with a tent, dried food and their combined imaginations but not expecting for one minute what is about to befall them as they get further and further into the wild forgotten woodlands near the Sleathon Estate, here they meet an old timer, Gregory, who tells a story of missing children from the past and why he lives in an abandoned village……as the story progresses it gets more chilling and spooky and is quite a tense read tbh by the finish
A good narrative and a typically ( am guessing ) ghostlyfied ending finished the book, for something not my usual read I enjoyed it and also enjoyed the authors inspiration notes for the story at the end
8/10
4 Stars
October 13, 2021
This is the first book I’ve read by this amazing author and it will not be the last. This one was right up my street and has left a stamp on my brain. An exceptional coming of age adventure.
I could imagine this as a film, a summer adventure filled with a build up of crazy twists and turns. This is everything I would not want to experience even if I had two of my best ones with me. The friendship of the lads is one to respect and feel warmth for.
You don’t expect to meet Olivia and you don’t expect Gregory to play the character he does. The way the characters are introduced is nerve racking and exciting. The author does an exceptional job at not over powering you with suspense and terror and actually provides you with the perfect amount.
For me a book that sucks you in from different perspectives creates something magical for me whilst reading so I adored this. For a paranormal horror style read this was remarkable. One perfect just in time for Halloween so get adding it onto your TBR.
I could imagine this as a film, a summer adventure filled with a build up of crazy twists and turns. This is everything I would not want to experience even if I had two of my best ones with me. The friendship of the lads is one to respect and feel warmth for.
You don’t expect to meet Olivia and you don’t expect Gregory to play the character he does. The way the characters are introduced is nerve racking and exciting. The author does an exceptional job at not over powering you with suspense and terror and actually provides you with the perfect amount.
For me a book that sucks you in from different perspectives creates something magical for me whilst reading so I adored this. For a paranormal horror style read this was remarkable. One perfect just in time for Halloween so get adding it onto your TBR.
October 13, 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐
Such an eerie book!! It kept at a brilliant pace,not too slow and not rushed. It's was so creepy. It kept me interested through out. And omg the twist!!! 🙈🙈 A few times i found it difficult to figure out what was real and what wasn't. It was brilliant!
Such an eerie book!! It kept at a brilliant pace,not too slow and not rushed. It's was so creepy. It kept me interested through out. And omg the twist!!! 🙈🙈 A few times i found it difficult to figure out what was real and what wasn't. It was brilliant!
June 12, 2023
A beautifully written coming-of-age tale of wilderness adventure and the horrors that hide, watching from the shadows. Written like a classic ghost story, Rayner weaves his story with descriptive and, at times, lyrical prose. He places the reader squarely in the story. You aren't a bystander in the adventures of Bran, Marcus and Jack, you're right there with them. The twist is one I never saw coming, and again in the epilogue the story closes out with a big revelation that brings everything full circle. Highly recommend for fans of classic horror!
May 9, 2022
This is such a wonderfully atmospheric story. Starts off with three boys setting off on a summertime adventure to explore the woods around their town by taking a bicycle camping trip that Marcus planned. Which is something that definitely used to be a thing that happened in the 80s. Marcus invites his best friend Bran, who is one of those people that is full of hot air, and a new boy, Jack. Bran is very mean to Jack because he seems to be differently abled and Bran uses language that was more common of the times. I love a great coming of age story and this is definitely that.
January 20, 2023
More questions than answers!
It starts with a childhood adventure, featuring three friends hiking/cycling through an isolated forest. Now what kind of parent would let their 14 year old child go off on a wild camping trip, lasting for days, I dread to think. That said, the boys do indeed set off and come across a forgotten village, one not marked on their map. There they meet a strange old man, a man with dark secrets. Is he a friend or foe? A parallel story runs through this plot, one concerning a lost little girl named Olivia. She is also wandering through the same mysterious and sinister landscape as the boys. The two plotlines merge as the full horror of their joint plight is revealed at the conclusion of the story. Well worth a read!
It starts with a childhood adventure, featuring three friends hiking/cycling through an isolated forest. Now what kind of parent would let their 14 year old child go off on a wild camping trip, lasting for days, I dread to think. That said, the boys do indeed set off and come across a forgotten village, one not marked on their map. There they meet a strange old man, a man with dark secrets. Is he a friend or foe? A parallel story runs through this plot, one concerning a lost little girl named Olivia. She is also wandering through the same mysterious and sinister landscape as the boys. The two plotlines merge as the full horror of their joint plight is revealed at the conclusion of the story. Well worth a read!
July 29, 2022
I don't read too many coming of age books (I assume this book could be classified as COA), because I'm getting old and have a hard time (sometimes) relating to young adults. With that being said, I enjoyed this book much more than I expected.
This author was a new-to-me from FB's BOH group, so I figured why not?
A few kiddos take off on their bikes and go on a camping adventure that ends up changing their lives forever.
The story was great, the ending tho... Maybe it didn't end the way I wanted. Maybe I wanted more details, but the journey getting to the end was incredible
This author was a new-to-me from FB's BOH group, so I figured why not?
A few kiddos take off on their bikes and go on a camping adventure that ends up changing their lives forever.
The story was great, the ending tho... Maybe it didn't end the way I wanted. Maybe I wanted more details, but the journey getting to the end was incredible
April 15, 2022
It is hard to put into words how I feel about this book. It blew me away. In a form reminiscent of Stand by Me, M.L. Rayner takes his readers to a creepy forest with mystic things that live “amongst the mists” of the swamp. A trio of boys are set for a summer time adventure but find themselves stuck in a nightmare fighting the eerie voices calling to them.
The atmosphere is astounding, it raises the hairs on your arms and prickles the skin with goosebumps. It drags you in and under the spell of the swamp. You become emotionally entangled with the characters in a way that breaks your heart at the book’s conclusion. If you weren’t afraid of the woods before, you will be when you finish this beautiful work!
The atmosphere is astounding, it raises the hairs on your arms and prickles the skin with goosebumps. It drags you in and under the spell of the swamp. You become emotionally entangled with the characters in a way that breaks your heart at the book’s conclusion. If you weren’t afraid of the woods before, you will be when you finish this beautiful work!
October 9, 2021
As a first time reader of Matt Rayner this is a great introduction to his writing. A page turner that keeps you gripped as you follow the young trio on their coming of age summer adventure with eerie twists. The jump back to the second story line keeps the narrative moving well. I’ll definitely be looking of for more by this author.
October 17, 2021
Ohhh how I loved this book ! Everything about it from the cover to the blurb made me want to read it immediately !
This book has so much depth too it and has so much to keep your mind on it and keep you reading on ! In this book we meet Brian Lampshire , he is a great character that is wonderful to follow in the book, he should be having the best summer of his life however it turns out very far from that for him and his friends! I don't want to say much about the storyline as it will ruin it , but if you love 'ghost' books then this will be right up your street !
Overall the book was a brilliant read , intriguing, fascinating, hard to put down and brilliantly written, it gets you hooked right until the very last word !
This book has so much depth too it and has so much to keep your mind on it and keep you reading on ! In this book we meet Brian Lampshire , he is a great character that is wonderful to follow in the book, he should be having the best summer of his life however it turns out very far from that for him and his friends! I don't want to say much about the storyline as it will ruin it , but if you love 'ghost' books then this will be right up your street !
Overall the book was a brilliant read , intriguing, fascinating, hard to put down and brilliantly written, it gets you hooked right until the very last word !
October 10, 2021
Set in the eighties, a trio of youngsters embark on a cross country bicycling trip for an adventurous journey in the wilderness. When one of them gets injured in a fall, help arrives in the form of a strange, old man wielding an axe. Claiming to be a local with a cottage nearby, he offers them refuge for the night. The next morning, one of the boys goes missing. The house is covered in paintings of trees, and horror stories are exchanged about urban legends and myths of children disappearing in the woods. Is there something in the forest, or is the mist a cover to a portal? Are the stories just stories, or is there more truth to the missing children than what is revealed to the reader?
Amongst The Mists is eerie for its atmospheric writing, displayed by ML Rayner's prowess in classical horror. The reader is transported to the shadows to Sleathton Estate, hunkered beneath the mist, and lost among the abundance of trees. Aside of the supernatural element, Rayner creates an ambience of spookiness with his setting - overnight camping trips replete with scary stories narrated over a bonfire. With a number of such tales exchanged between the characters, the reader is completely immersed in a haunted environment, trying to discern between story, legend and reality. Swamps, mists, abandoned villages, thriving nature, and lack of civilization balance the cheery banter and jibes between the three boys. A very engaging book with a lot of twists that keep the reader hooked on every page.
Amongst The Mists is eerie for its atmospheric writing, displayed by ML Rayner's prowess in classical horror. The reader is transported to the shadows to Sleathton Estate, hunkered beneath the mist, and lost among the abundance of trees. Aside of the supernatural element, Rayner creates an ambience of spookiness with his setting - overnight camping trips replete with scary stories narrated over a bonfire. With a number of such tales exchanged between the characters, the reader is completely immersed in a haunted environment, trying to discern between story, legend and reality. Swamps, mists, abandoned villages, thriving nature, and lack of civilization balance the cheery banter and jibes between the three boys. A very engaging book with a lot of twists that keep the reader hooked on every page.
October 11, 2021
Amongst the Mist is completely different to anything I have read before, to be perfectly honest I don’t usually pick up a horror/ ghost story type book but something about this compelled me to give it a go and I am pleased that I did venture out of my comfort zone as despite a few initial reservations I did enjoy the book and will definitely read more of Raynor’s work.
This tells the twisty tale of three boys; Bran, Marcus and Jack who as boys do go off on a big adventure, but their joyful adventure into the wild goes all wrong when something happens. An event that takes everything they knew and what we know out and twists it into unimaginable places.
I liked how the book is laid out, with the breaks between chapters where we follow little Olivia, but who is this scared little girl and what in the hell has she got to do with anything? Well, that will be telling, what I will say is that she may shatter your heart into a thousand pieces with her innocence and her fear.
This will have the hairs standing on end it’s creepy, chilling, shocking, the temperature with drop and you feel every haunting uneasy emotion as the boys and Olivia creep beneath your defences and pull you into their shadowy and darkened world where all is not as it seems. You will feel the chills, the wind whistling and little bumps of the house settling in the night will have you on edge.
I can tell you another thing, you will seriously think twice about going into the woods alone – I take my dogs through the woods for their walks and despite knowing them like the back of my hand, I did a few times look over my shoulder after reading this. You can’t help it, this is one of those books which creeps into your mind.
Amongst the Mist is a darkly absorbing, gripping and utterly terrifying, but as with most ghost stories it’s not so much what happens that can creep you out it’s how it impacts your mind and your imagination, that you will think of what happened in the book long after finishing reading and still have you looking over your shoulder.
Rayner is an unbelievably gifted author, the way he swirls mistiness and mystery around the reader is amazing, you feel every chill and every fear as though you were right there in those woods too.
Overall, if you’re wanting something a little different, something to make you jump and keep you hooked then this is the book to try – just don’t read it at night 😉
This tells the twisty tale of three boys; Bran, Marcus and Jack who as boys do go off on a big adventure, but their joyful adventure into the wild goes all wrong when something happens. An event that takes everything they knew and what we know out and twists it into unimaginable places.
I liked how the book is laid out, with the breaks between chapters where we follow little Olivia, but who is this scared little girl and what in the hell has she got to do with anything? Well, that will be telling, what I will say is that she may shatter your heart into a thousand pieces with her innocence and her fear.
This will have the hairs standing on end it’s creepy, chilling, shocking, the temperature with drop and you feel every haunting uneasy emotion as the boys and Olivia creep beneath your defences and pull you into their shadowy and darkened world where all is not as it seems. You will feel the chills, the wind whistling and little bumps of the house settling in the night will have you on edge.
I can tell you another thing, you will seriously think twice about going into the woods alone – I take my dogs through the woods for their walks and despite knowing them like the back of my hand, I did a few times look over my shoulder after reading this. You can’t help it, this is one of those books which creeps into your mind.
Amongst the Mist is a darkly absorbing, gripping and utterly terrifying, but as with most ghost stories it’s not so much what happens that can creep you out it’s how it impacts your mind and your imagination, that you will think of what happened in the book long after finishing reading and still have you looking over your shoulder.
Rayner is an unbelievably gifted author, the way he swirls mistiness and mystery around the reader is amazing, you feel every chill and every fear as though you were right there in those woods too.
Overall, if you’re wanting something a little different, something to make you jump and keep you hooked then this is the book to try – just don’t read it at night 😉
September 6, 2021
I wasn’t sure what to think of this book. I tend to stay away from paranormal/ghost stories. Not because they’re scary, but because they frustrate me that certain laws and rules of nature are upheld, so to speak, and others are not. But having said that I loved this book. I liked the coming of age aspect of this book, as well as the paranormal idea of swamps and mists and things that go bump in the night.
This book was extremely well written, with jumps between characters providing perfect cliffhangers, definitely enough to keep me reading.
This book was extremely well written, with jumps between characters providing perfect cliffhangers, definitely enough to keep me reading.
September 29, 2021
MLRayner's second book is as eerie and atmospheric as the first. If you love a good ghost story then this book delivers. Twists and turns, great characters and a well written story that sucks you in and keeps you hooked. 5* from me.
October 12, 2021
This is the second book I have read by this author & it didn’t disappoint.
Summer 1986 & Bran, with some friends, is about to embark on an adventure he couldn’t have predicted.
Endless trees, swamps, mists & frightening legends - what more could you want?
This book has a coming of age aspect & I would say the author has too.
Very well written, plenty of scares, cliffhangers & a brilliant ending.
Well done Mr Rayner. Recommended.
Summer 1986 & Bran, with some friends, is about to embark on an adventure he couldn’t have predicted.
Endless trees, swamps, mists & frightening legends - what more could you want?
This book has a coming of age aspect & I would say the author has too.
Very well written, plenty of scares, cliffhangers & a brilliant ending.
Well done Mr Rayner. Recommended.
October 11, 2021
When I reviewed "Echoes of Home", I hoped there would be more to come from M.L. Rayner - I was right to hope, and I thoroughly enjoyed this book. "Amongst the Mists" has all the atmosphere of "Echoes of Home" and is just as spine-chilling, but I found this one to be far more immersive. There's a great plot, great writing, solid characters. It's a great book - just don't make any plans that will interrupt your reading!
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to zooloosbooktours
This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion. My thanks to zooloosbooktours
September 28, 2021
So beautifully written! Hard to believe this is only this author's second book!!!
As the story progressed, I found myself so enthralled, I didn't want to put it down. The characters were so "real" and lovable, I became invested in their story and safety. I won't spoil, but ohhh... Olivia. Their coming-of-age adventure reminded me of Stand By Me.
The story rolled on like the mists, revealing secrets, exposing the darkness and confusion to a degree. There were a few really creepy moments for me, one of which prevented me from drifting to sleep. That doesn't happen for me so often, I'm a bit horror desensitized. In the end, it left me thinking... I got questions, but it works for this book.
The same as his first book Echoes of Home, it had such an atmosphere and a lovely dream-like quality about it.
As the story progressed, I found myself so enthralled, I didn't want to put it down. The characters were so "real" and lovable, I became invested in their story and safety. I won't spoil, but ohhh... Olivia. Their coming-of-age adventure reminded me of Stand By Me.
The story rolled on like the mists, revealing secrets, exposing the darkness and confusion to a degree. There were a few really creepy moments for me, one of which prevented me from drifting to sleep. That doesn't happen for me so often, I'm a bit horror desensitized. In the end, it left me thinking... I got questions, but it works for this book.
The same as his first book Echoes of Home, it had such an atmosphere and a lovely dream-like quality about it.
October 29, 2021
Spooky
I love when a surprise ending is a surprise but leaves the possibility of a continuation. Jack could find himself in hot water like when he was a young boy on an adventure with two buddies. Hot water? Well, maybe filthy swamp water! Setting out on a bicycling adventure with Bran and Marcus gave the boys more than they bargained for and they find themselves in the middle of a ghost story with an untold ending.
I loved the element of surprise and mystery in the telling of this spooky tale. The week of Halloween was a great time to read it!
I love when a surprise ending is a surprise but leaves the possibility of a continuation. Jack could find himself in hot water like when he was a young boy on an adventure with two buddies. Hot water? Well, maybe filthy swamp water! Setting out on a bicycling adventure with Bran and Marcus gave the boys more than they bargained for and they find themselves in the middle of a ghost story with an untold ending.
I loved the element of surprise and mystery in the telling of this spooky tale. The week of Halloween was a great time to read it!
July 30, 2022
An eerie adventure!
A great, fun read! I love the way this tale was woven between the main characters and the tormented. Totally recommend!
A great, fun read! I love the way this tale was woven between the main characters and the tormented. Totally recommend!
May 8, 2023
Oh My Gosh!!
Ok....this is my first read of this author and wow! I'm definitely going to be looking out for more to come.....however......I will need to intersperse them with some light and fluffy books 🤣
So, this is your classic 80's horror style plot, with a group of young friends heading off for a break of a lifetime. They are lured by something different and head off to the wilderness of the forests of the Sleathton Estate. I mean I'm already on edge! And you just know before we get there that it's going to be a dark one!
This took me back to my youth when I loved to read Stephen King... I loved that spooked, look over my shoulder kind of creepiness to a book - so this really brought back some great memories and feelings.
There is a slow build to the full darkness that follows and the writing style was just perfect and left me having to race through it as I was totally spooked (a great feeling...but I'm getting older and definitely ran up those stairs to bed after reading late!)
The characters were totally relatable but not all likeable. I actually don't mind unlikable characters because there's usually a reason ...and I spent most of the time cheerleading Bran for the one to 'have a misfortune' 🤣 (is that terrible?)
I was completely immersed into this straight away. The setting was so well presented and the atmosphere was brilliantly described - I felt every chill, mist and fear along with our friends!
A perfect spine chiller and a must read if you love horror - I'm off to find a nice, safe, fluffy next read ....but will be back for more of this soon!!
Ok....this is my first read of this author and wow! I'm definitely going to be looking out for more to come.....however......I will need to intersperse them with some light and fluffy books 🤣
So, this is your classic 80's horror style plot, with a group of young friends heading off for a break of a lifetime. They are lured by something different and head off to the wilderness of the forests of the Sleathton Estate. I mean I'm already on edge! And you just know before we get there that it's going to be a dark one!
This took me back to my youth when I loved to read Stephen King... I loved that spooked, look over my shoulder kind of creepiness to a book - so this really brought back some great memories and feelings.
There is a slow build to the full darkness that follows and the writing style was just perfect and left me having to race through it as I was totally spooked (a great feeling...but I'm getting older and definitely ran up those stairs to bed after reading late!)
The characters were totally relatable but not all likeable. I actually don't mind unlikable characters because there's usually a reason ...and I spent most of the time cheerleading Bran for the one to 'have a misfortune' 🤣 (is that terrible?)
I was completely immersed into this straight away. The setting was so well presented and the atmosphere was brilliantly described - I felt every chill, mist and fear along with our friends!
A perfect spine chiller and a must read if you love horror - I'm off to find a nice, safe, fluffy next read ....but will be back for more of this soon!!
August 4, 2025
Book 15 of the indie brawl
Usually I write reviews when the book is fresh in my head but I read this at the start of my honeymoon and didn't write any reviews while I was away so it won't be as specific as my normal thoughts because I've read 5 books since this one. Also I am writing this with jet lag and only an hour of sleep.
This book is about 3 (preteen?) boys who head off on a solo camping trip to a remote area of forest where there just so happens to be something supernatural going on.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this for a few reasons: the first is that coming of age horror is one of my favorite subgenres, the second is that I love a 'lost in the woods/character VS nature' books but having a supernatural element is even better, BUT the little blurb on the front is written so weirdly. "Legends are sometimes so much more than ghost stories" just sounds dumb to me. It would have been way more concise if it said "Some legends are more than ghost stories". I know I shouldn't get hung up on that quote, but it isn't even written that stupidly in the actual story so idk why we would lead with that on the front cover. Otherwise, I think the cover design is great!
I feel like a broken record when I say that this book had a great concept but it missed the mark, for me. This book has 2 storylines going on. One is a girl getting lost in the woods after she follows a voice (pretty sure this starts in the prologue), and the other is the 3 boys heading out on their camping trip. I think the parts with just the girl were a little bit better of a spooky story. I think to make a great 'lost in the woods' story, it's important to focus on the general exhaustion, hunger, thirst, fear, disorientation and natural obstacles like mosquitoes, leeches, etc that come from being in a boggy woods. The supernatural portion should just be the icing on the cake. This book had more atmosphere in the parts with just the lost girl than the other parts - more atmosphere is always better! I still haven't found a book that does lost in the woods better than Adam Nevill's, The Ritual, but Stephen King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is definitely in second place.
The characters had a good start. We have 3 boys on the cusp of their teenage years. Bran and Marcus are long time friends who are starting to grow apart. You can tell that Bran feels he's outgrowing Marcus as a friend and they've become very different people. Jack is the autistic new kid (actually I can't remember if he's autistic or just not very smart/mentally delayed - can't remember) and Marcus invites him because he's nice but Bran wants nothing to do with him. This set us up for some really interesting dynamics. The banter is fun and feels very real in the beginning of their journey. The problem is that I there weren't strong character arcs. There is another man that they meet in the woods and he could have been more interesting but he basically just lays the exposition dump on them when the plot needs it. Towards the end, I was annoyed with every single character.
As good as the start was with the characters and the general premise, this book dragged and felt awfully repetitive. There were some reveals that I liked, but it wasn't enough to improve my general experience.
This is how I would have made the story better:
Usually I write reviews when the book is fresh in my head but I read this at the start of my honeymoon and didn't write any reviews while I was away so it won't be as specific as my normal thoughts because I've read 5 books since this one. Also I am writing this with jet lag and only an hour of sleep.
This book is about 3 (preteen?) boys who head off on a solo camping trip to a remote area of forest where there just so happens to be something supernatural going on.
I wasn't sure what to expect going into this for a few reasons: the first is that coming of age horror is one of my favorite subgenres, the second is that I love a 'lost in the woods/character VS nature' books but having a supernatural element is even better, BUT the little blurb on the front is written so weirdly. "Legends are sometimes so much more than ghost stories" just sounds dumb to me. It would have been way more concise if it said "Some legends are more than ghost stories". I know I shouldn't get hung up on that quote, but it isn't even written that stupidly in the actual story so idk why we would lead with that on the front cover. Otherwise, I think the cover design is great!
I feel like a broken record when I say that this book had a great concept but it missed the mark, for me. This book has 2 storylines going on. One is a girl getting lost in the woods after she follows a voice (pretty sure this starts in the prologue), and the other is the 3 boys heading out on their camping trip. I think the parts with just the girl were a little bit better of a spooky story. I think to make a great 'lost in the woods' story, it's important to focus on the general exhaustion, hunger, thirst, fear, disorientation and natural obstacles like mosquitoes, leeches, etc that come from being in a boggy woods. The supernatural portion should just be the icing on the cake. This book had more atmosphere in the parts with just the lost girl than the other parts - more atmosphere is always better! I still haven't found a book that does lost in the woods better than Adam Nevill's, The Ritual, but Stephen King's The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon is definitely in second place.
The characters had a good start. We have 3 boys on the cusp of their teenage years. Bran and Marcus are long time friends who are starting to grow apart. You can tell that Bran feels he's outgrowing Marcus as a friend and they've become very different people. Jack is the autistic new kid (actually I can't remember if he's autistic or just not very smart/mentally delayed - can't remember) and Marcus invites him because he's nice but Bran wants nothing to do with him. This set us up for some really interesting dynamics. The banter is fun and feels very real in the beginning of their journey. The problem is that I there weren't strong character arcs. There is another man that they meet in the woods and he could have been more interesting but he basically just lays the exposition dump on them when the plot needs it. Towards the end, I was annoyed with every single character.
As good as the start was with the characters and the general premise, this book dragged and felt awfully repetitive. There were some reveals that I liked, but it wasn't enough to improve my general experience.
This is how I would have made the story better:
September 20, 2021
I was fortunate in being asked receive an ARC for Amongst the Mists, the first book I've read by this author.
I've not really been one to read ghost stories, probably as I'm not a believer in the paranormal etc. This had me hooked and I believe it's a genre I may read more.
When 3 young boys set off on a summer adventure, no one could have anticipated the eerily frightening journey ahead for the boys. The story was well written. Plenty of twists and turns and a great ending.
I would recommend this book. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
I've not really been one to read ghost stories, probably as I'm not a believer in the paranormal etc. This had me hooked and I believe it's a genre I may read more.
When 3 young boys set off on a summer adventure, no one could have anticipated the eerily frightening journey ahead for the boys. The story was well written. Plenty of twists and turns and a great ending.
I would recommend this book. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
September 17, 2021
A great paranormal story kept me interested throughout. The stories of different characters being told along side each other makes for great reading. I would recommend reading this book.
September 17, 2021
This was a brilliantly written book. I thoroughly enjoyed it. Good strong characters
April 3, 2022
A Ghost Story Infused with Unsettling Horror
Given how much I enjoyed his debut novel–Echoes of Home–I was interested to read this one. Although I don’t usually read books with adolescent characters as the lead, knowing the book was also a ghost story, I had to dive in.
The story follows three young boys on a summer camping adventure. I found myself pulled back to childhood, fondly remembering the freedom to hop on my bicycle and ride for hours with my friends to the foothills where we’d tell tales of the banshee and bigfoot–scaring ourselves as we rode home at nightfall. This connection kept me immersed as a reader.
Each time I thought I might have figured out the mystery surrounding the missing children, Rayner sent me down another twisted path through the forest alongside the children and in fear for their lives.
I was pleased that Rayner held to the gothic-styled undertones in his writing which offered a subtle way to balance out the horror, giving me time to immerse myself in the setting of the book and allowing my own sense of dread to ease.
Rayner has created another wonderful book with a fantastic cast of characters. The additional information at the end of the book as to what inspired the story and his own research was an added surprise. I shall be reading more of his books.
Given how much I enjoyed his debut novel–Echoes of Home–I was interested to read this one. Although I don’t usually read books with adolescent characters as the lead, knowing the book was also a ghost story, I had to dive in.
The story follows three young boys on a summer camping adventure. I found myself pulled back to childhood, fondly remembering the freedom to hop on my bicycle and ride for hours with my friends to the foothills where we’d tell tales of the banshee and bigfoot–scaring ourselves as we rode home at nightfall. This connection kept me immersed as a reader.
Each time I thought I might have figured out the mystery surrounding the missing children, Rayner sent me down another twisted path through the forest alongside the children and in fear for their lives.
I was pleased that Rayner held to the gothic-styled undertones in his writing which offered a subtle way to balance out the horror, giving me time to immerse myself in the setting of the book and allowing my own sense of dread to ease.
Rayner has created another wonderful book with a fantastic cast of characters. The additional information at the end of the book as to what inspired the story and his own research was an added surprise. I shall be reading more of his books.
October 16, 2021
Amongst The mist by M.L. Rayner.
It was the most anticipated summer break of their young lives.
For Bran Lampshire, that summer of 1986 would be far different. The lure of a wilderness adventure sends him and his friends on a troublesome journey that would see them far from home and into the isolated shadows of the Sleathton Estate. In a forgotten land where nature thrives, an unexplained mist settles upon the shaded grounds. And stories were told of events so chilling, they were forcibly buried over time.
An eerie ghostly read. Great story and characters. I loved Bran Jack and Marcus were good plus Gregory and Olivia. It was hard at times as I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. Plus it's the same with the characters. I loved the cover it was creepy. Well written. 5*.
It was the most anticipated summer break of their young lives.
For Bran Lampshire, that summer of 1986 would be far different. The lure of a wilderness adventure sends him and his friends on a troublesome journey that would see them far from home and into the isolated shadows of the Sleathton Estate. In a forgotten land where nature thrives, an unexplained mist settles upon the shaded grounds. And stories were told of events so chilling, they were forcibly buried over time.
An eerie ghostly read. Great story and characters. I loved Bran Jack and Marcus were good plus Gregory and Olivia. It was hard at times as I wasn't sure what was real and what wasn't. Plus it's the same with the characters. I loved the cover it was creepy. Well written. 5*.
October 18, 2021
Rayner’s debut book Echoes of Home was a great ghostly tale that grabbed the attention of many. This only added pressure to that awkward second book at hitting that standard again. How could you follow the desperate feeling of isolation that the first book did so well? Well, with Amongst The Mists (in my opinion) he’s done it…
This book is more of a coming-of-age tale. Set in the mid-80s, it follows three boys exploring how their friendship can be strong at one point and strained a few minutes later. I was a child of a similar age to these boys in the period the book is set and so it resonated with me. Bran, Marcus and Jack live in a world that is mundane, but it’s a time before kids were locked away from the dangers of the world, and parents allowed them to be free. The boys take full advantage of the unknown risks of the world, and decide to take on a journey of exploration around the vast wilderness just a bike ride away from their homes.
This is a little like Stand By Me in the way an unlikely bond forms between the boys, how friendship is built on winding each other up, but as the mist comes down the vulnerability is there for all to see. Then the strange guy Gregory enters their world and suddenly nothing is the same again.
It would’ve been very easy for Rayner to follow Echoes of Home with a similar book, following a successful blueprint that has clearly worked, however with this book he’s taken a chance. He’s pushed himself further and grown as an author. This was a bold move, but one that has paid off.
This is a great book, and as hard as it is just nudged past his debut as my favourite of his books. Grab a copy now… before the mist comes down.
This book is more of a coming-of-age tale. Set in the mid-80s, it follows three boys exploring how their friendship can be strong at one point and strained a few minutes later. I was a child of a similar age to these boys in the period the book is set and so it resonated with me. Bran, Marcus and Jack live in a world that is mundane, but it’s a time before kids were locked away from the dangers of the world, and parents allowed them to be free. The boys take full advantage of the unknown risks of the world, and decide to take on a journey of exploration around the vast wilderness just a bike ride away from their homes.
This is a little like Stand By Me in the way an unlikely bond forms between the boys, how friendship is built on winding each other up, but as the mist comes down the vulnerability is there for all to see. Then the strange guy Gregory enters their world and suddenly nothing is the same again.
It would’ve been very easy for Rayner to follow Echoes of Home with a similar book, following a successful blueprint that has clearly worked, however with this book he’s taken a chance. He’s pushed himself further and grown as an author. This was a bold move, but one that has paid off.
This is a great book, and as hard as it is just nudged past his debut as my favourite of his books. Grab a copy now… before the mist comes down.
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