Long Lankin

‘Long Lankin’ is a traditional tale from Northumberland which is cleverly reworked in this retelling. Cora and her little sister Mimi are sent to stay with their reclusive Aunt Ida in Guerdon Hall, where they meet up with local boys Roger and Peter. The claustrophobic old house, an overriding sense of evil and clues that the children discover suggest that old legends are not dead and contain elements of the truth. All the children, particularly the youngest Mimi, are in grave danger. This narrative is largely told through the eyes of Roger and Cora who give the reader a real sense of what life was like in the 1950s in a small village. Although the story takes a little getting into, it is worth persevering with as the tension builds up slowly to a terrifying conclusion. The relationship between the children is nicely developed and there are some good cameos from long time villagers, who all have something to add to the plot. A good alternative to vampire stories.