The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley

Well, this book definitely had me riveted! I looked forward to every chance to read it, and had to finish the last 150 pages in one sitting late into the night. It has that ghostly, eerie feel to it that gives you a slight chill and an uneasy feeling of dread.

Every Easter, 'Tonto' (as is his nickname, I don't recall ever finding out his real name) and his elder teenage brother Andrew (mainly known as Hanny) go with their parents, a priest (Father Wilfred)and a group of religious believers, on a pilgrimage to a coastal village near Lancaster, named by the locals as 'The Loney'. They stay in an old house called 'The Moorings'. Their main purpose there is to try to cure Hanny - he is mute and mentally impaired. When Father Wildred dies suddenly, an Irish priest Father Bernard takes his place and goes with them on the next pilgrimage. However, much has changed in the village. There are suspicious locals and disturbing incidents. What doesn't help the atmosphere both within the group and the feel of the book is the constant lashing of the rain, the mist and fog rolling over the fields and the beach. The feeling of unease stretches out from the characters themselves to make you feel rather uncomfortable. You dread what may happen next.

The only criticism I may have of the book, is that all this dread builds up but then seems to peter out. I was expecting something really bad to happen, but it never actually did - although there are enough chilling moments to make up for it! The locals are a menacing lot - I can't believe the family stayed in the awful house as long as they did. Tonto is a great narrator, his relationship with Hanny is moving, they have such a strong bond. The fact that Hanny is mute adds to the chill of the book. He is often stood staring and pointing, and we're left wondering for a few seconds what on earth he's seen or heard. The suspicious death of Father Wilfred was also a bit of a letdown for me - I found myself skim reading the chapter describing the moment fear overcame him and the loss of strength of his faith.

Overall however, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who wants to feel a little bit unsettled!