mh_books's Reviews (1.12k)

adventurous funny lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated
dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Interesting memoir, especially as I was considering a move to Inishowen while reading (potential job offer there).  Also, I can relate to the central grief in the memoir.  So a bit of a coincidence all in all.

As I cannot afford to live in Inishowen I will have to find my own wild place in an urban setting, I guess.  
adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No
dark emotional funny mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Sally is a strangely compelling character that I felt I got to know intimately over the course of the novel.  
From the opening scene (when she puts her father's dead body out with the bins as requested) to the closing (which I won't disclose because of spoilers!) I was with her every step of the way. I delighted in every small triumph and was heartbroken at every misstep.   

The mystery of her family background is gradually revealed over the course of the book and is page-turning stuff.  It involves another character almost as compelling as Sally.  

There are strong themes of the importance of human connection in this book and what people will do to find it.  It also explores do we ever heal the traumas of our past.


I absolutely adored this book.  It would have gotten five stars except for some pacing issues.  I would have liked a further 20/30 pages at the end to expand on its conclusions.

I would recommend this as a book club/buddy read as there are some potential plot holes that would make very interesting discussion points.  However please note the trigger warnings for it!

Expand filter menu Content Warnings
hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

Loved it.  

Let's just say as a result of this book, I have identified some wildflowers in my local park, have worked out that a lot of the dawn chorus I hear each morning are wood pigeons, I will be going to a nature reserve this weekend on an organised wildflower identification trip, will be learning how to Identify and monitoring Ireland's Butterflies this May etc.

Anja gently and enthusiastically shows you all the Nature that is available to you at our own doorstep (assuming you live in Ireland that is ) with chapters on pretty much everything, seaside, Urban Nature, things to discover at night.  There are loads of tips at the end of the chapters on simple ways you can make yourself feel more connected.  Some of these would be great for solo, family and other ventures.

I would recommend this to anyone living in Ireland and anyone visiting who would like to spend some time among the natural scenery this island holds.  It is a resource that I will be dipping into again and again.  

adventurous dark lighthearted mysterious relaxing tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: No

Gosh that one had a bit of a convoluted ending!
adventurous dark mysterious relaxing tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

A classic 1970's Haunted House story in more ways than one.  Not too dissimilar to the Victorian kind except that it involves a lot more violence, scientific explanations, nudity, and sex.  

The characters are not as well written and rounded as Jackson, King or Marasco but the horror is very real and well done.  The pacing was kind of perfect too.


dark mysterious reflective tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: No
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

This book is only available to read in audio format and let’s say it’s a weird one to fall asleep to on more than one occasion.   

I can only describe it as if the author held up one of those funhouse mirrors,that distort you into funny shapes, and then pointed out the haunted house in the background and said “walk into it through the mirror, I dare you!” I mean who am I to say no :)


dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious relaxing sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
adventurous dark mysterious tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes