Kala follows a group of childhood friends in rural Ireland in the run up to the disappearance of one of their own, and their adult selves as that disappearance rears its head again with the discovery of a body.

From the start, the atmosphere of the fictional town of Kinslough is strongly present – Colin Walsh does a fantastic job of evoking this through the words of the page and keeping this throughout the book. It almost felt like I was there. The mystery from the start was intriguing and we were painted a clear picture of each of the characters (aside from one of the core group who is notably absent in present-day).

One part of the book that I did struggle with is that one of the point of views was written in second person, and only that point of view. It threw me out of the book each time and there didn’t seem to be any reason why this choice was made. I also found the second half of the book didn’t quite keep my attention the same way the start did and the resolution was hard to picture, even if it was a bit predictable. The violence is also upped a lot in the last few chapters, which is very different to the tone set at the start.

Overall, this was an interesting mystery, told in a compelling way across two timelines. I really enjoyed the very distinctive feel the book created through the setting and characterisation of the town. While the second half didn’t quite work for me, I know there’s many others who loved it.

The narrative shifts between past and present very effectively in this impressive debut by Colin Walsh. It's an incredibly skillful thriller in which friends Helen, Aoife, Mush, Aidan and Joe confront their past to discover the truth. Highly recommended.

‘Lose yourself’ is definitely the right tagline for this incredibly immersive Irish literary coming-of-age / mystery novel.

The plot follows two timelines representing the teenagerhood and adulthood respectively of the small group of main characters – Kala, Aiofe, Helen, Joe, Mush and Aidan (although we only see the alternating viewpoints of the adult Helen, Joe and Mush). Set in a small community, where all the characters and their families are closely interlinked, Colin Walsh cleverly plays with time and perspective throughout the narrative, to bind the friends closer in ways that even they aren’t aware of and increase the effects of mystery and the surreal nostalgia of childhood memories on the reader.

Slow-moving and slow-building though the story is, it didn’t take long at all to hook me in completely until I forgot I was reading a book at all. Which made the impact of the darker sides of the plot even more shocking when they hit. There are potential triggers in the form of addiction, mental illness, self-harm, sexual assault, animal cruelty and death, severe violence and torture – it’s hard to think of many areas of human darkness this story doesn’t touch upon as it explores the secrets of this ordinary small-town community. Yet I never felt that the darkness was all-consuming, as the light of friendship, loyalty, love, regular everyday kindness and understanding continued to shine through and strengthen characters and reader, to carry us through to a more hopeful ending.

This may be a story about finding out who you are and where you fit in the world, but the depth of storytelling here and the bonds I formed with the characters (whether I loved, pitied or disliked them) mean this one will stay with me for a long time, haunting my memories like the image of a girl on a bike, careening downhill, busy road ahead and hair whipping out behind, pedalling furiously to stay ahead of her friends.

This is a great story with well written characters who had me fully invested in Kinlough and Kala's disappearance. It kept me hooked and guessing until the end. I look forward o reading Colin Walsh's next novel.

This is a powerful, savage and creative novel from a very talented writer.

Three people who were very close friends when they were teenagers, revisit their childhood town. At the same time, the remains of one of the friends - Kala - are discovered fifteen years after she disappeared. Then two more girls vanish. The story looks at how these events may be linked and who is responsible for these abductions and murder.

But the story is really about the relationship between six friends. From their meeting as young children to a fateful day when something dreadful happened. The tale is told from each of their perspectives in such a personalised and detailed way that each section is distinct and the character's voice is easily identifiable with their quirks of speech and their view of the world. Brilliantly written, reminiscent of Donna Tartt: detailed, observant and visceral. The anxiety and introspection of the young people is the strength of this novel, how it is expressed in a vivid and graphic way.

The timelines are sometimes confusing as the narrator's mind fluidly flits between them in a way that probably most of us think, but not so clear to read. Despite this, the book is an intense and evocative read that starts slowly as a coming of age tale then quickly develops into a violent thriller. A story about friendship, belonging, accountability and resilience. A stunning read and a writer to watch out for in the future.

I really enjoyed this book. I found all the characters really compelling, and the eerie way that the history of the remote village in Ireland seems to keep repeating itself.

If you like your crime/horror character-driven, then I think this would really be up your street.

"Kala" by Colin Walsh presents a neutral narrative. The story follows a predictable trajectory without significant surprises. Characters lack depth, hindering emotional investment. The prose is serviceable but doesn't stand out. Walsh's novel might suit readers seeking a straightforward tale but doesn't leave a remarkable impact within its genre.

“Kala” is a story of six friends from a Irish town of Kinlough during a summer of 2003, with Kala Lanann – a girl who disappeared at the end of that summer – in the heart of the story. When fifteen years later three friends reunite, the body is found, and the secrets of the past and present are spilling out. In this tense, beautifully written literary thriller, the author presents us with three distinctive voices narrating the story, but despite not being a narrator herself, it is Kala’s voice that is the loudest. The book is a part thriller part coming of age story and it also talks about small town communities, connections between people, secrets lurking in the background and forgiveness. A striking, unforgiveable book.

A page turner if I ever did read one, I was absolutely blown about by this debut and very much look forward to Walsh's future works!

Kala follows a group of 6 friends who live in Kinlough, Ireland - opening with a jaw dropping scene to set the tone of the novel and quickly shifts to years later a time when the group find themselves back home all in Kinlough for the first time in years. At the centre of this group is Kala, who at some point unbeknownst to the reader yet has gone missing and no one knows what happened to her.

The story is told from multiple perspectives, those of the group of friends - we look at their present day lives, how they are estranged, navigating the unknown waters of being in the same vicinity again after so many years - yet also reflecting back on their days as teenagers when they were a close knit friendship circle. This fragmented narrative style, with events and timelines being regularly interweaved slowly allows the story to unravel, leaving cliff hangers at each point which will have you fully immersed in this dark, unsettling story. Walsh's lines are sharp, smart and will make you as the reader pause to take in this world he has created. Mixed in is also some Irish vernacular which was a stand out personally.

There are a number of mysteries ravelled into this story, some smaller ones yet also major ones - especially when it comes to Kala - when things come to a head, I was so flabbergasted that I couldn't read quick enough until I reached the end and found myself feeling absolutely dumbfounded that this is a debut novel.

All in all, I cannot recommend this one enough - yet as always, tread lightly as there are a number of TW's that come with a story that is on the darker side!

When Mush, Helen and Joe all find themselves back in their hometown of Kinlough (or in Mush's instance, he never left), they are haunted by memories of their intense friendship as teenagers and their relationship with Kala who disappeared when she was 15, leaving devastation and confusion in her wake. When a body is found on a building site and confirmed to be Kala, everything her friends thought they knew is thrown into the air and questions need to be answered.

This was brilliant reading for me. The story is so tight, and the writing superb - I loved how Colin Walsh was able to build this town of Kinlough which, during certain times of the year, is busy and rowdy due to heavy tourism but sleepy at other times. The feeling of the story is tense, and it has so much atmosphere and with the past storyline leading up to Halloween, this book has all the vibes you want for autumnal reading without being 'in your face' about it.

I loved the characters and how well we got to know them - mysterious but insecure ands vulnerable Kala, Helen who appears cold but is full of heart, Aidan the exact type of brash, vulgar teenager you see everywhere but is actually hiding a world of hurt and abuse inside of him, Joe who is handsome and successful in the eyes of others but is actually a coward and then Mush, sweet Mush who is kind and courageous, and loves fiercely.

This isn't a mystery book that is about the 'whodunnit' but it's more of a brilliant gaze at the town of Kinlough itself, how it's run and who really holds all the power and the money. It also looks at the intensity that is teenage friendship and first love - those hazy, mad days you can run around town with no expectations or responsibilities in a way you're never able to replicate as you get older and life changes you, hardens you.

The book also in a way explored misogyny from the expectations men and young boys may have on women in their lives, and the dangerous way of this thinking - as well as the type of slurs men will use to hurt and belittle the women in their lives. I absolutely loved the gentle friendship Mush had with the girls (both past and present) and the gorgeous picture of a young guy enjoying being around the softness and silliness of teenage girls and watching movies, doing hair etc without it being romantic or sexual. It was really nice.

I couldn't rip my eyes away from this story as we reached the conclusion and the reveals and everything broke my heart in a myriad of ways. I can't say I'm completely happy about some of the questions that remained by the ending but I just thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it.

Amazing book that I couldn't put down. Old friends are reunited for a wedding during which the mystery of their friend who went missing many years ago is slowly untangled. Totally gripping.

Kala weaves multiple POVs in past and present together as we uncover the truth of what happened to Kala when she went missing years before as well as threading through a growing sense of dread as it seems that history may be repeating itself.

At times, I did find it a little difficult to remember whose POV I was following as a couple of the characters seemed quite similar. This didn't really detract from my enjoyment but rather took me slightly out of the story as I was trying to grapple with who I was following,

I found the mysteries in this story to be really compelling. This is the kind of story which unfurls very slowly and the pieces take time to come together but it does it in a way that is satisfying and makes sure that you feel invested in the characters and at times want to scream at them to make different choices.

I could see this book being polarising because it is such a slow story but I thoroughly enjoyed the storytelling and was appropriately surprised by the reveals.

The narrative is fragmented, with events and timelines being regularly interweaved. It requires concentration. There plenty are smart lines, making me pause and even to note some down for continued appreciation. And there’s a good deal of Irish slang mixed in, some of it explained and some not. It all bubbles along for more than half the book with nothing much more than the fact that there are clearly some hidden truths here to even hint at the reason for Kala’s disappearance. But then an event happens, a further disappearance, and suddenly the pace picks up, things kick off.

There are a number of mysteries here, some small and obviously the major one concerning Kala. Not all will be resolved, some loose ends will remain. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing, I feel. In fact the only gripe I have is the fact that the pace and feel of the book was significantly disturbed by events in the second half, and not in a good way. To me it felt unbalanced, it didn’t quite work. But even so, it’s a book I enjoyed and I think plenty of other readers will too.

What a corker, even for a 65 year old. We were all teens once and this book brings back a lot of uncomfortable memories and yet warm and cozy thoughts that yes even though I feel generations apart I also feel that I could have been there with the characters in this book as they were so real.
This is a book, a story that will bite you then hold you and for me make me want to read the next page then yes the next page until you either collapse or get to the last page.
Ok I have not told you much about plot or storyline but that means you just need to buy the book and read it yourself.
I can safely say you will not want to put this book down until the last page.
I just reviewed Kala by Colin Walsh. #Kala #NetGalley

A beautiful coming of age story as a group of old friends reunited for a wedding have to finally confront what happened to their friend who’s remains have been found and the secrets and lies that have been held for too long. As the truth spirals out of control it seems the murderer may be closer to home than anyone could have imagined and no one will ever be the same. A great read.

This book kept me up late into the night, desperate to know what happened. The multiple narrators’ voices serve to create a woven narrative, each with their own perspective of what happened to Kala years before when they were teenagers together in the Irish town of Kinlough. Helen, Mush and Joe carry their own guilt for what happened even as none of them know the whole story. At times violent and disturbing, the novel shows the dark underside of a thriving tourist town with the drama of a thriller but also with huge insight and compassion.

A heart-pounding roller-coaster ride of suspense that grabs you from the first page and doesn't let go until the end. Great little book.

Read this is one sitting to findout what would happen. Flows well and written brilliantly. Highly recommend.

#NetGalley #Kala
With thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy.

Colin Walsh writes urgently and vivaciously through the voices of three distinct characters to tell the tale of disappearances, disloyalty and friends reconnecting in this thriller-esque coming-of-age story.
For a debut novel, this is a masterclass in characterisation particularly. Though the story meanders and can feel lengthy at times, the characters formed are vivid and fully formed. Some in flashback, some in the present day and some in both - none feel anything other than real and engaging. So much so that the lingering book hangover is more a perpetual wondering about what Joe, Mush and Helen are doing now. What adds to this further is the beauty of his prose and images he distills of each character through clever, realistic description - accessible to all, yet with a lilting beauty of poetic prose.

With proficiency, Walsh gives honest voice to the protagonist triad of teenagers Mush, Joe and Helen. Whilst both exploring, in it's darker tones, the ferocity, unashamed selfishness and vulnerability of teen life, he also constructs a story that shifts gears through their ever-changing allegiances.
The book follows two timelines, both exposing the rural Irish town's dark substructure which thrives on the group of men doing whatever it takes in their desire to protect their secrets, and their lucrative interests.
The crux of the story is built around the disappearance of the evocative Kala in 1993. But as we jump timelines the real mystery evolves as the three are dragged back to a harsh reality as Kala’s human remains are found in the woods...
Add to this the trauma of Mush’s teenage twin cousins, Marie and Donna, vanishing and Walsh's storytelling settles into a gait which is twisting, enthralling and hugely entertaining. This is a book which packs a punch, and isn't afraid to let go of it's reader's hand to really throw them into the world of Kinlough and all it's catastrophes.

think that this will be a book that people will want to read in one sitting - I couldn’t put it down (which makes work really inconvenient!).

Three friends reunite after many years. Mush has stayed in Kinlough, Joe has become a famous singer, and Helen has been working as a journalist in Canada. As teenagers, they hung around in a group of six, until one of its most popular members (Kala) goes missing. It seems that her disappearance has had a huge effect on all of her friends since then. Helen comes home for a wedding and during this time, remains are found in a hold-all. And they’re Kala.

Mush helps his mother run a coffee shop and is, I think, the most likeable character. He wants to pick up friendships where they were left off after Joe and Helen had left. I can’t help but think that Helen uses this as a way to get him to help her look into the disappearance of Kala.

This isn’t just about Kala though. It’s a book that looks at all of these characters and their lives. They all have issues of one kind or another, whether these issues are caused by Kala’s disappearance, their family lives or something more - the town itself has a violent undercurrent.

It’s beautifully written: the snatches of scenes from childhood are idyllic, the interactions of the characters range from funny to sad to menacing. Do these characters really know one another, and who can they trust? There are a lot of lies to uncover!

I will be very keen to read whatever Colin Walsh writes next - he’s definitely one to watch!