Written In My Own Heart's Blood by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 8.2.25

Finished: 16.2.25

5 stars

An Echo In The Bone by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 18.1.25

Finished: 8.2.25

5 stars

The Mist In The Mirror by Susan Hill

Started: 11.1.25

Finished: 17.1.25

Paperback

The Solitude Of Thomas Cave by Georgina Harding

Started: 23.4.22

Finished: 26.4.22

Started: 2.1.25

Finished: 5.1.25

5 stars - top ten

Dark Matter by Michelle Paver

Started: 16.1.15

Finished: 18.1.15

Started: 13.1.19

Finished: 15.1.19

Started: 31.12.24

Finished: 1.1.25

Paperback

What can I say? Love it. Favourite book!

2015 Review: Now then, this is what I call a ghost story!! Beginning in 1937, a group of scientists set sail for Northern Norway, far into the Arctic, to study the biology and geology of the area, and to perform a meteorological survey. Two of the five drop out early on, but the remaining three make it to the bay where they will set up camp for a year, along with a pack of huskies.

As the story progresses (written as Jack's journal), we learn of the history of the area, particularly of the trappers and miners who had previously lived and worked there. The captain of the boat which had taken them to the bay had been reluctant to go all the way there to begin with; he'd hinted that something sinister had happened there in the past, and it later transpires that a miner was murdered there.

A few weeks into their stay, two of the three scientists have to leave, and the third, Jack Miller, stoically offers to stay on alone to continue with the survey. He has always been a loner, so being on his own (albeit with a pack of dogs) doesn't worry him at first. However, as time passes, and with the Arctic winter (24 hour darkness) looming, he becomes more and more unsettled. His journal entries become more paranoid and erratic, and he even admits that his neat handwriting has become a scrawl. He experiences feelings of terror and dread, and sightings of what, he soon realises, must be the ghost of the miner.

The author describes the bay - Gruhuken - so expertly that I felt I knew exactly what it looked like. I can't quite comprehend the idea of months of perpetual darkness, but again, it was described in such detail that I could understand the effect it had on Jack. After days of sitting in the cabin with the lamps lit, conscious of the blackness outside the uncovered windows but also aware of how visible he was, Jack frantically tacked blankets over them all. And then found himself constantly lifting back his improvised curtains to peer outside, just in case.

The 'ghost' sightings were actually quite few and far between, but it was the overall sense of isolation and unease, and that fear of what might be out there, in the darkness, that made this book such a good ghost story, in my opinion. I feel that this genre definitely benefits from a 'less is more' approach - the suggestion of something sinister is far more powerful than a full-blown description of the ghost or paranormal activity.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, even more so because it meets two of the criteria of my 2015 reading aims - it's a ghost story, set in Norway! I'd definitely recommend it if you like a bit of an eerie tale.

The Ascent Of Rum Doodle by W. E. Bowman

Started: 16.8.24

Finished: 17.8.24

5 stars - top ten

Dark Matter

Started: 13.1.19
Finished: 15.1.19

I read this book a few years ago and it quickly became my favourite ghost story. I decided to read it again, just to see if it was as good as I remembered - I'm happy to say, it is!

Set in 1937, it follows a small group of academics who are embarking on an Arctic Expedition. The book is told from the viewpoint of Jack, written in the style of his journal about the trip. Due to illness and injury, the five-man team quickly becomes three, and then three become one - Jack volunteers to remain in the isolated bay where they have set up camp, to continue the scientific experiments alone. However, the 'polar night' is approaching - the months and months of continuous darkness, and the frozen sea which will mean that he has no way of escape. He has a pack of huskies for company, but otherwise he is totally alone... or is he?

This has pretty much everything I want in a ghost story. The era is just right, no internet and mobile phones to connect you to anywhere in the world - if you're alone, then you're really alone. Plus Jack has that very British 'stiff-upper-lip', no-nonsense approach to his situation, although as time passes, the reader wonders just how reliable his account is. Yes, there is a ghost present, and yes, Jack does describe what it looks like, but it's still vague enough to be creepy. Far more terrifying than the ghost though, is the overwhelming feeling of isolation and claustrophobia. Imagine being trapped on a secluded bay, unable to escape, being battered by violent storms, in total darkness day and night, knowing that there is 'something' out there, something malevolent, that means you harm?

I can't recommend this book enough if you want to read a really excellent ghost story. Preferably on a dark, foggy, winter's night, curled up in your favourite armchair, with just the reading lamp on, and a mug of hot chocolate. Just don't look out of the window......

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Started: 13.6.2015

Finished: 24.6.2015

Kindle

5 stars - Top ten!

I first read this book back in 2009, and I wrote at the time (on an old blog) that it hadn't really gripped me, and I only wanted to finish it so that I could read something else. What was wrong with me?!

Second time around, I loved it! Claire Randall is a 20th century nurse who travels back in time through a stone circle to 18th century Scotland, where she is taken in by the Clan Mackenzie, who initially think she is an English spy. Her nursing credentials eventually earn her some respect, but the more senior members of the clan can never fully shake off their suspicion and doubt. Mourning for the husband she has left behind 'in the future', Frank, Claire is shocked to encounter a man who looks just like him; she comes to realise it is Frank's ancestor, Captain Jonathan 'Black Jack' Randall - 'black' refers to the colour of his soul. Captain Randall wants the Clan Mackenzie to hand Claire over to the British Army - the only way to avoid this is if she marries one of them, and with little choice in the matter, she is married to a young man called Jamie, who himself is wanted by Captain Randall, for personal reasons (Black Jack is a sadistic homosexual, it turns out) and also because he is a fugitive from the British Army.

This is a really great novel, with well-rounded characters, most of whom are very likeable. I'm usually happy to read a book and use my imagination to picture the characters, but in this case I'd just watched the first series of Outlander on Amazon Prime. However, I didn't mind that at all, as I thought the series was perfectly cast, and it really helped to picture each character as they were in the series, especially Claire and Jamie.

I was very tempted to read book 2, Dragonfly In Amber, straight away, but I've decided to pace myself and try and read some more of my 'real' books, as opposed to Kindle books first.