Set on the windswept Scottish isle of Altnaharra in 1921, the story follows a cult known as the Family, led by a man named Uncle. He governs a small group of children and women with a belief system centered on a massive sea serpent and the approaching end of the world. Two girls, Eve and Dinah, compete for the role of the Adder, the chosen one who will survive the coming ritual. When a local butcher discovers seven bodies arranged in a circle, the narrative shifts between the build-up to the massacre and the aftermath years later.
Fans of gothic horror and historical crime read this for its focus on isolation and psychological manipulation. It targets those who prioritize atmosphere and unreliable narrators over straightforward linear plots. The reader walks away with a detailed understanding of how shared delusions take root in closed environments. It offers a study of the lengths people go to for belonging, concluding with several sharp reversals that challenge the initial reality of the murders and the motivations behind the Family’s rituals.
Balanced in tone; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Curious Generalist. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2018
- Language
- EN
