The Wayward Girls

A long time ago (many moons) in the 1970s, I saw a news report on the Enfield haunting, I think it was on a programme called Nationwide which was the 70s version of The One Show (and infinitely better). It absolutely scared the bejesus out of me and gave me nightmares, so much so my mum confiscated my Usborne Book of Ghosts and my Encyclopaedia of Unexplained Mysteries because she thought they were the reason, nothing to do at all with the medication I was taking at the time which was later withdrawn due it's hallucinogenic effects on children under 12 years old.

The above was the first thing I thought of when I started reading this book and when I reach the authors notes at the end, there it is, mentioned briefly and clearly an influence on this novel story
Can't really say anything else without giving the plot away but If you like supernatural mysteries then this is for you. It reminded me, in style, of Neil Spring's Ghost Hunters or The Watchers. Excellent first novel by the author.

In the 1970s, a bohemian family move into an old farmhouse. Shunned by the locals who consider them outsiders, the mother struggles with bringing up five children with an absent partner. This is made particularly difficult when the two adolescent daughters seemingly start attracting an otherworldly presence, especially when the press and a team of paranormal researchers become interested.

In the present day, Lucy, the younger daughter visits her mother after she experiences seeing a ghostly girl in the garden of her nursing home. Despite Lucy's reservations, she is pushed by her mother to meet with a new group of paranormal researchers who are determined to get to the bottom of what happened at the house.

The dual narrative works really well and makes this a gripping storyline. Just when you want to find out what happens next, the narrative viewpoint shifts. It also keeps you guessing until the end. The author builds up the creepy atmosphere in the house particularly during the investigations. I also thought the characters were very well written, especially the two girls who are very different. A really good spooky autumn read.