Published by Gallery/Saga Press Genres: Fiction, Gothic, Mystery, suspense
Format: ARC, eBook
What a great book to read during this time of year. When it gets dark sooner, is chilly, damp and you can smell wood smoke in the air” Jennifer McMahon is quite skilled at writing something-is-not-quite-right books. You know, the creepy ones, the ones you read that leave you with the little hairs standing up on the back of your neck, wondering just what she has up her sleeve.
Don’t confuse The Children on the Hill with the children of the corn. This isn’t horror although some horrific things have happened in this book!
1978 -Violet (VI) and her brother, Eric live in Vermont with their grandmother who is a renowned Psychiatrist. One day she brings home a young girl named Iris. She doesn’t speak at first and she appears uneasy and fearful. The children, especially Violent try to draw her out and include her in their club – the Monster hunting club. They have also written a journal about monsters, how to detect them, what to do with them, because as they know – monsters are everywhere.
2019 -Lizzy Shelley, is the host of Monsters Among Us, a popular podcast. is traveling to Vermont where a young girl has been taken. Lizzy has made a career out of hunting monsters. She knows monsters are real – her sister is one.
Again, this isn’t horror, nor is it scary – but it does have a sense of dread, of tension, and unease. It will have readers wondering and trying to figure things out. I especially enjoyed the journal entries of the kids, the talk of monsters, I thought it was a very nice touch and really added to the story. Speaking of the story, this book goes back and forth between 1978 and 2019. Each time readers are given more info and more food for thought. I have been a fan since I read The Winter People, it remains a favorite. McMahon is a go to author for me and I found this one to be enjoyable as well. Perfect for long fall nights, curled up with a blanket, candles lit.
Fans of McMahon will not be disappointed.
Thank you to Gallery/Scout Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.