When does a gift become a curse?
Meg has a gift. She can change lives. But when tragedy strikes in childhood she vows never to use it again.
Now an adult, she is living in Cornwall; a place where the elements themselves have a life of their own. When they call she refuses to listen, fearful of the dark places where her gift can lead.
But the dead will not be silenced. They are stronger than her. And now they have chosen she is powerless to escape…
It's my pleasure to be hosting the blog tour for The Night Visitor by Patrick Redmond today. Many thanks to the author, Manatee Books and Tracy Fenton for inviting me and for my digital copy of the novel.
I knew that The Night Visitor was going to be a haunting read but what I didn't expect was just how emotional a book this would be. From the start, I was touched by Meg's story which begins when she is just a young girl. The first indication of her gift is chilling but is also really quite poignant and it's the response to her innocent disclosures which are more upsetting. The early chapters of the novel follow part of her childhood and it's not an easy one despite her close and loving relationships with her mother and sister. I defy anybody not to fall in love with the young Meg; she is feisty and courageous in the face of cruel bullying from her peers and adults who should know better but it's when tragedy strikes that my heart really went out to her. The change in this previously spirited child is just heartbreaking but it does help to explain why the adult Meg becomes a very different woman to the open-hearted child she once was.
The present-day chapters see Meg staying in Cornwall and having turned her back on her spiritual abilities, she is a successful and driven lawyer. However, it's immediately obvious that she is in Cornwall on an enforced sabbatical although she isn't really taking the break she clearly needs and is working as hard as ever. She is a mystery to the locals; not unfriendly but not approachable either as she guards her emotions fiercely. Despite her reticence, she does begin to strike up a tentative friendship with her next-door neighbour, Dan but it gradually transpires that he isn't the only one seeking her attention.
Meg's early encounters with the spirit world are rather benign but there's an increasing sense of dread to the proceedings here and as the book progresses it becomes very creepy indeed. There are definitely some parts of the book that I would recommend reading with the lights on if you are of a nervous disposition! Some of the revelations are truly disturbing but never feel gratuitous and are handled with a moving sensitivity. The historical elements are vividly evoked as are the descriptions of the Cornish coast - as well as being an engrossing mystery, this is also a beautifully written book.
There were scenes where I was moved to tears and others that set my pulse racing but the author well understands the need for light and shade in books like this and there are also several light-hearted moments, especially between Meg and Dan. Patrick Redmond has written a multi-layered novel here which incorporates a dark ghost story, a tense psychological thriller and a heartrending examination of love, fear, guilt and forgiveness. I was drawn into the story from the first page and was both unsettled and captivated by this hugely enjoyable book. Highly recommended!
The Night Visitor by Patrick Redmond is published by Manatee Books and can be purchased from Amazon UK and Amazon US.
Don't miss the other stops on the blog tour, details are below.
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