Accept this book for what it is and avoid judging it by more sophisticated modern criteria and it turns out to be an enjoyable if far-fetched tale of haunting and possession. During a weekend visit to an old school friend’s home, and seen through his sceptical eyes, Buffer, Lord Whittenham, is confronted with rather more than he bargained for. A strange and unsettling atmosphere amongst the family unit, a strange and unsettling child, plus strange and unsettling behaviour from his old friend, leaves Buffer more than a little puzzled and eager to get away. But before that can happen, things become even more unsettling. Definitely not a spine-chiller, or even particularly frightening, the novel has some merit in its description of mental illness and is a cleverly paced story of the supernatural in an English middle class environment.

This is a difficult read, for my taste. Arnold, college roommate of Lord Whittenham, have a chance encounter at a train station. A ghostly tale ensues, with plenty of first person narrative and well-deserved criticism for each character.