Book clubs in York

I received a preview copy of this engrossing thriller which I thought would interest you as it takes place in the North York Moors. Eddie is a humble, homeless man who lives in the moors, choosing to live among nature and animals rather than endure the cruelty of humans. He comes upon the body of a murdered young woman and reluctantly decides to bury her. Searching for tools in a nearby farmhouse, he meets Ada, a feisty widow who convinces him to report it to the authorities. Together they embark on a mission to discover the identity of the young woman, a pursuit that unwittingly brings them towards a collision course with political corruption, murder, and betrayal. The presence of a deeply entrenched mole within their group of confidants keeps the reader guessing their identity until the shocking finale. I couldn't put it down.

A collection of Ligotti’s fiction, predominantly concerned with corporate horror. I would liken it to the TV series Severance in tone and theme only. Not conventional horror - gore and monsters don’t seem to interest Ligotti.

A collection of Ligotti’s fiction, predominantly concerned with corporate horror. I would liken it to the TV series Severance in tone and theme only. Not conventional horror - gore and monsters don’t seem to interest Ligotti.

One online review stated, “it’s the distinctive Japanese sensibilities, in slow-paced almost no-sight-to-end kind of storytelling that’s worked its magic on me. The simplicity in the language, interspersed with musical poetry… makes falling in love with the generously beautiful and uncomplicated so easy. Why do some relationships have to be troublesome? And why are the best so hard to have?” I’ve read it twice and each time it reminded me of Howards End and that crucial human need for deep connections to colour life’s daily grey. It’s a tender story of love that defied differences, the typical and social norms — but without much drama, frills or pretentiousness. Simple, beautiful, poetic, poignant, but with so much hope.

A dreamily atmospheric book about a pair of married psychical researchers who move into a reputedly haunted house in order to prove or disprove the local stories. The subtlety of the hauntings; the slow trickle of information that the wife receives without being aware—-because how many of us imagine that our most fleeting thoughts might be whispered into our subconscious by someone we can neither see with our eyes or hear with our ears? And the husband, desperately jealous of his wife’s off the charts psychic gifts and unable to perform sexually, suddenly finds himself sexually attracted to his wife again. Is it just the new environment? Is it some sort of physical, hormonal change in him? Is it an eighteen year old boy who was desperately in love with his young stepmother? No clear answers come as the tension between the couple and the intensity of the haunting build. The author’s extensive reading in early 20th century spiritualist literature adds an overlay of the scientifically presented romanticism of the time, and the changes in light and shadow throughout the day are almost a character themselves. A book so good that after having bought and read the paperback to death, I sought out and bought the hardcover.

Beautifully written, can re read and enjoy every time.