THE BLACKHOUSE by Carole Johnstone
DEBUT NOVEL - 3 STARS
Published Date: 4 August 2022

I was excited to receive an ARC of this DEBUT novel. The summary was intriguing, location descriptions were atmospheric. After a slow start, things pick up but didn't keep my interest. I enjoyed the writing style and the Scottish dialogue between characters was witty and sharp. The protagonist, Maggie, I did not like. As for other characters, Kelly Campbell was my favourite, sharp-tongued and fun, she made me smile! As for the storyline I was confused, I may need to re-read.

I WANT TO THANK NETGALLEY FOR THE OPPORTUNITY OF READING AN ADVANCED COPY OF THIS BOOK FOR AN HONEST REPLY

This is an atmospheric book that draws you into the depths of the Scottish island. The isolation and clannishness seeps out of the book and it's no surprise that the village is awash with secrets. I sometimes found Maggie quite irritating and the romanctic element was unbelievable and perhaps superfluous but It's an unusual and surprising theme and that's what kept me reading it . I really wanted to know the answers to the many questions. No spoilers - but it's a good read.

Another one I could not put down and devoured in one sitting. I absolutely recommend this book. Be ready for an afternoon or evening of completely neglecting any chores as this one will have you hooked within the first chapter.

It was a bit hard for me to get into the book first. Felt a bit long to be exact but I kept on. Maybe it's me and not the book. I loved how the end culminated though. The end was satisfying. The built up was good, the element of atmosphere was well used in accordance to the plot.

Carole Johnstone's first book, Mirrorland, was an excellent read so I was excited to read The Blackhouse. It's an original and very atmospheric story set in a remote Hebridean community, to which Maggie returns, having previously visited - in very unusual circumstances - as a child. The younger Maggie had believed and announced to all and sundry that she had lived a previous life as a man named Andrew MacNeil from the island of Kilmeray - a belief nurtured and supported by her troubled mother.

Returning to the island as an adult after her mother's death, hoping to uncover the truth, Maggie finds herself unwelcome by many. There are old secrets casting a long shadow over this community...

Johnstone is an excellent writer and beautifully conveys a rather dark and unsettling atmosphere. There are a lot of characters with somewhat similar names (that's the Hebrides for you) and this was my only issue as I did struggle to remember who was who. Despite this the story drew me in and will, I think, stay in my memory.

Great story, very atmospheric, good characters and kept you guessing. Went on bit too long. Disappointing ending.

The remote island of Kilmery is connected by a causeway to Lewis and Harris and has a closely guarded and protected secret which glues some of its inhabitants to this remote and wild place. Maggie Mackay has had nightmares all her life, believing she can 'see' darkness. At the age of five, Maggie announces that in the village of Blairmore a local man is murdered which provokes a media storm bringing a circus of a film crew to the Outer Hebrides but achieves no answers. Now aged 25, Maggie returns to Kilmery and the village of Blairmore to see if she can prove her beliefs of over twenty years ago are actually true. However, as she gets closer to the truth danger is all around her.

Fist of all, the superbly atmospheric descriptions took me right back to this stunningly beautiful area. If you add in the history, mythology and the superstitions, especially the idea that this may be a Thin Place, then you have a compelling read. It makes the most superb backdrop to a clever plot combined with excellent writing that takes you on a journey with several cliffhangers along the route. Maggie is a fascinating central character to go on that journey with as her emotions range from raw to acceptance and everything in between. How residents react to her is equally fascinating as these vary from aggressive and resistant to the welcoming and warm. Chuck in some wild weather which frequently changes from soft and gentle to stormy which leads to an oppressive and claustrophobic read. As Maggie gathers some useful nuggets of information and digs up some truths we veer into the positively gothic, ghostly and spooky. It becomes mysterious, strange and unsettling as we encounter secrets, guilt and the desire for atonement. I really like the ending which feels right.

My only negative is that there an an abundance of characters to get your head around but it's worth the effort as the novel is chock full of atmosphere.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Harper Collins/Harper Fiction for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.

I struggled with the majority of this book.
I just could not get all that interested in it.
I can't say for sure if it was the book by itself, or the book and my high expectations having read Mirrorland.
I pushed through, because I really did want to know the How's and whys of the story.
The final quarter of the book had me gripped though, all the secrets and lies and explanations tumbling out.
We could call it a slow burner, or just say it took me a while to warm to it.

Well written and strong on its setting of the Western Isles of Scotland, this story is ideal for fans of atmospheric and philosophical thrillers. With thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy in exchange for an independent review.

This is a story about grief and sorrow.

When Maggie was five years old, she announced that someone in the remote village of Blairmore in the Outer Hebrides had murdered a local man. She believed that she had once been that man called Andrew MacNeil. He died, drowned and when woke up, he was she, Maggie.

Now, Maggie is determined to discover what really happened and what the villagers are hiding. But everyone has secrets, and some are deadly. As she gets closer to the horrifying truth, Maggie’s own life is in danger.
Maggie lost her job, fiance, and her mum. And in all that, herself. And yet, she finally understands that it’s never too late. Because the end is never the end. There will always, always be time. To love, to forgive. To live.

Poetic and full of dark atmosphere.

This book is gripping from start to end. It didn't end up the way I thought it would but the ending and truth of it all was so well done. If I could recommend reading one book this year it would be this one.

This was dark, gothic, chilling and I loved it. Well written storyline with characters that were well developed and really helped add an extra layer to the story/atmosphere.. It was twisty and unpredictable and completely gripping, I could not put it down.