I read Matt Wesolowski’s eponymous first book in the Six Stories series earlier this year and was THOROUGHLY impressed: a fantastic dose of thrilling chills as well as an in depth look at the complex dynamics of a group of teens. This time, in Changeling (which is actually the third book in the series, don’t make the same mistake I did - pick up Hydra first, which I’ll be reading and reviewing soon!) we get the similar format of podcast-style narrative, creeping horror and social issues - if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it, eh?
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I started reading this one in bed on my own at 9.30pm at night - big mistake, HUGE. The hinted-at supernatural horror stuff occurs at the beginning of the book, so there I was tucked up in bed, convinced I could hear tapping on the walls and see ‘bad piggy’ out the corner of my eye. But then honestly, the true horror of the story kicks in later, when Wesolowski goes down a darker path - domestic abuse. I appreciated that in his author’s note, Wesolowski mentions the research he did as well as provides phone numbers and websites for support for those suffering various forms of domestic abuse.
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I wouldn’t say it’s just used as a plot device either. The book serves as a comment on the way men dismiss their ex-girlfriend’s as ‘psycho’ to hide their own controlling and manipulative tendencies - and how disposed society is to believe their word over the woman’s. Wesolowski’s day job is working with children with additional needs, and his sensitivity to the topic shows with the character of Miss Rice.
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Usually when a book has a mystery element I like to just enjoy the ride rather than trying to guess what happened, but Changeling really got the cogs in my brain turning and I actually ended up figuring out what happened - but this didn’t hamper my enjoyment of the last few pages at all, and I found it a very satisfying conclusion!