Gloam

Jack Mackay’s debut is a thoroughly chilling Gothic thriller that makes excellent use of the tropes of the genre while introducing some very distinct and memorable terrors. The setting is a creaky old house on an island accessible only via a causeway and completely cut off when the tide comes in. Moving in are Gwen, her young brother Roger and twin siblings Hazel and Hester, plus their stepfather, Henry. The house belonged to their grandmother, now dead, as is their mother, and without them, The House feels very different: dark, haunted even. There’s enough in their new home to scare the children – and they each have a particular fear – but the most terrifying monster of all is introduced by well-meaning Henry. Esme Laverne is beautiful, organised and seemingly very fond of children; Henry appoints her as a babysitter to mind them all when he is at work. Gwen immediately feels that there’s more to Esme than it seems. She is right, and the more is cruel, malicious, and very threatening. The truth turns out to be even worse than Gwen suspected. Esme is truly monstrous and able to harness the children’s worst fears to get what she wants. As a vile black mould envelops the house the terror mounts, slowly and then suddenly. Mackay manages pace and narrative very well indeed and makes the most of all the opportunities to frighten readers, while also exploring feelings of grief and family relationships. The full cast of characters are as well described and as solid as The House, but Gwen is particularly well-drawn. An excellent debut.

Read our Q&A interview with Jack Mackay.