‘Haverscroft’ by S.A. Harris is a brilliant ghost story that chilled me to the bone. We meet Kate Kealing, a woman worn down by life’s burdens, as she moves to the remote ‘Haverscroft’ in a bid to salvage her marriage to Mark. With her husband constantly absent for work in London, it is up to Kate to navigate the oppressive damp chill of her new home, and the less than welcoming locals. The previous occupant of the house, Mrs Havers, is a cantankerous old woman who prickles at her interactions with Kate but seems compelled to confide in her. The house’s secrets keep threatening to overwhelm Kate, and she becomes increasingly convinced the house itself means to harm her children. As Kate begins to unravel the mysteries of the house, the action builds to a devastating climax.
This is an incredible achievement for a debut novel, and I cannot wait to read more from this author. She crafts sentences with the precision of a surgeon. This book reminds me of the best ghost stories passed down to you as a child. I grew up in a chilly, old house, and my sister and I would constantly tense at the creaks and groans the house exhaled depending on the weather. Sash windows rattled in their frames, and in bad storms, it felt as if they would surrender to the horrors of a British winter. If you are looking for an atmospheric thrill, then this book is for you. Snuggle under a warm blanket, and make sure the doors are locked.
Salt Publishing is responsible for this book’s availability, and Clear Copy UK cannot recommend them enough as an independent publisher. I was introduced to Salt a couple of years ago when I attended a Creative Writing course in Bristol: their output is niche and diverse.
Throughout the last twelve months, books have provided a sanctuary from the noise of the outside world. Independent publishers and book shops like Max Minerva’s in Bristol helped me feel connected and listened to in a way that large chains cannot.