An isolated cottage…
After losing her job and boyfriend, Jan Hamlin is in desperate need of a fresh start. So she jumps at the chance to rent a secluded cottage on the edge of Coleshaw Woods.
 
A tap at the window…
Very quickly though, things take a dark turn. At night, Jan hears strange noises, and faint taps at the window. Something, or someone, is out there.
 
A forest that hides many secrets…
Jan refuses to be scared off. But whoever is outside isn’t going away, and it soon becomes clear that the nightmare is only just beginning…

My Review

If I said this was ridiculously far-fetched and silly, it would sound disrespectful as part of the story is about couples losing their babies. But that’s not what makes it comical at times.

There are some great reviews – 4 and 5 stars, but also some terrible ones, even some one stars. Though I understand the sentiment, I really enjoyed listening to the book while out walking. Providing the book is well-written – which it is – this is fiction so I don’t expect depressing reality or I’d be watching Eastenders. I don’t even mind that it’s far-fetched, so long as it’s entertaining. If it was a TV show I’d definitely watch it. I’d even help cast it!!

There are two seemingly separate threads which you just know will come together at the end, plus a number of twists. Jan Hamlin is renting Ivy Cottage at a peppercorn rent so she can take care of the house and the dog for Camille who is working away. But Jan keeps hearing noises in the garden. No-one believes her – of course they don’t, not even handsome Chris. The cottage is in the middle of nowhere surrounded by deep dark woods – why would anyone be scared? Even when her best friend Ruby comes to stay and reassure her, she scarpers first thing in the morning after a scary night. Some friend. Thanks a lot.

In the meantime, Ian and Emma have just lost their second baby though Mrs Nosy Neighbour swears she heard it cry when midwife Anne took it away in a Moses basket. At this point you know something fishy is going on (suspect the babies both survived – was Anne selling them to childless couples) or something even more sinister. And just when you thought it was all a bit silly, it got even sillier. But I don’t care. It was great fun in a strange sort of way.

Finally my favourite character was Tinder the dog. Even the name made me laugh. I visualise a scruffy looking shaggy Jack Russell with the ability to match-make.

Listened with Borrowbox.

About the Author

“Just a little bit about me. I live in England and have three children. I have always been a writer – from when I was at school, with poems and articles in the school magazine. In my teens I began writing short stories, a few radio plays and novels. I finally made it into the bestseller charts with Damaged in 2007 which I wrote under the pseudonym Cathy Glass. Since then I have had 45 books published, many of which have become international bestsellers.”