I had placed this contemporary Gothic novel on my mental to-read list when it was first issued as a limited edition hardback by the specialist Tartarus Press. The initial reviews were promising, and the Wicker-man-like plot premise seemed intriguing - a group of Catholic pilgrims on a retreat in a desolate part of the North-Western English coast where arcane pagan rituals (possibly) survive. The book collector in me is now busily kicking himself for not snapping the book up before it became a mainstream bestseller and a Costa prizewinner.

Now that I've got my hands on a copy (in paperback, alas) I can console myself that it was worth the wait. Yes, this is as good as it has been made out to be, although possibly not for the reasons you were told.

Some reviews have praised the novel's characterisation. I beg to differ. I thought most of the characters remained two-dimensional, despite having rich material worth developing. The dialogue, at times, struck me as too simplistic. The descriptions are altogether more successful. The bleak atmosphere of the Lancashire coast is evoked in prose of lyrical beauty which never ceases to delight. Then again, it must be admitted that to gain effect, Hurley resorts to all the tropes in the Gothic/horror manual, including decaying houses, a preponderance of inclement weather, secret rooms, threatening locals, hints of witchcraft, religious mania... the works.

Where the novel really scores is in its mastery of storytelling. This is the type of superbly paced book which grabs you by the throat from the very first pages, makes you skip meals, keeps you awake at night and then haunts your dreams when you finally switch off the bedside lamp - I read this over the course of a feverish weekend. The really scary parts are few and far between, but the novel is permeated with an uncanny sense of dread which sends shivers down the spine and is hard to dismiss. Days after you finish the book, when its spell starts to wear off, you will start to realise that there were aspects of the story which were not satisfactorily explained, that plot elements which seemed important led nowhere and that the ending was, to be honest, anti-climactic. Strangely, you don't feel this whilst you're immersed in the novel.

Finally, this being a novel about Catholic pilgrims, allow me some comments from the perspective of a Catholic reader. As a fan of classic Gothic literature, with their anti-Catholic sentiment, I was neither surprised nor particularly offended at the negative portrayal of some of the religious characters (primarily Father Wilfred and the narrator's mother or "Mummer", to use her rather sinister petname). What were harder to digest where the suggestions of blasphemous rituals. From the reviews I've read, the novel seemed to leave "secular" readers cold. This leads me to believe that people of a more "religious" bent will likely find certain scenes more shocking (or, if you wish, more effective) - impressionable readers, be prepared. On a more positive note, this novel raises some profound and interesting themes - for instance, should faith lead us to expect or arrogantly "demand" miracles, or should it conversely help us accept with serenity the negative aspects of life? This is a question which the novel explores but leaves unresolved, although it does suggest that convenient short-cuts might have adverse long-term consequences.

To sum up, then, "The Loney" has its share of flaws, but it is an impressively addictive, classy, Gothic page-turner. And even if we don't admit it, we all love page-turners, don't we? ( )

Not my usual read, but I was drawn to the cover and the description, although I ended up being a little disappointed by it. Mostly the story of a boy, his mute older brother, his religious mother and their church friends, going on a religious retreat in the hope of curing the brother. There's flashbacks to the boys earlier days as an altar boy for the previous priest who, according to the boys mother, did everything right unlike the new modern priest with his new fangled ways, and there's a couple of flash forwards to the current day where the boy and his brother are adults and life is different for them. It took a *really* long time to get to the 'point' where these stories converge. If you like an awful lot of religion, belief, masses, etc being described then you'll like this - I'm not a fan. I never found it scary - although the 'scary' characters were fine, but I've seen those sorts of things done so much better - I briefly thought longingly of Margaret Mahy's The Tricksters, where the weird ominous characters infiltrating a family are actually creepy and interesting. Admittedly I didn't really like most of the characters in this, although that's possibly how it's meant to be, the 'new' priest was possibly the most likable of the lot.
Most of the book is about building the characters, I guess, but there's just soooo much where nothing really happens (except religion!) that when you don't like most of the characters, it drags. The ending was the only bit really where anything happened, and it was...fine. A bit of a letdown but fine. WHat I liked most about the book at all was the scene setting, the scenery, the description, - I could picture the area and the atmosphereand the general damp grey miserableness of their temporary home and the run down landscapes surrounding it. I'm not sure I've been to the exact part of the UK it took place, but I know the type, and I've been to plenty, and it was brilliantly evocative. I know others call it gothic and creepy and so on, but it just made me think of some slightly rubbish holidays I've been on when you can't afford to go anywhere half decent, but there's a cheap place to rent in a quiet place in the countryside when you just make the best of it because sometimes it just rains all week and the fog never lifts and that's just what you get...admittedly there was a lot less religious overtones to my rubbish holidays so they were just gloomy english weather!
So overall - great cover, good potential, slow and meandering but a bit of a nothingy story with unlikable 'good religious folk'. Not really for me. ( )

The Loney is a desolate strip of coastline where there is a shrine. Tonto our narrator along with his mummer, father and members of their church go every year with the hopes of a miracle for Hanny. Hanny is Tonto's brother and he cannot speak.

I really enjoyed this book and I think I have now acquired a liking for folk horror. This story is full of atmosphere which is creepy beyond belief.

The Loney is a strange little place with it's superstitions and ways. This was described with so much detail I could easily visualise such a place. The characters that dwell there and some of the events that took place reminded so much of The Wicker Man. I love books like this that have tiny communities with their own ways, creepy goings on and old traditions.

I did feel however there were certain events that left questions,three is particular for me. To say would spoil if you haven't read the book. My biggest is about the cellar at the end. I'm not totally sure what did go on and would have liked that event explained a bit more.

I really enjoyed this book and it's perfect for the spooky time of year. A good horror tale doesn't always have to have ghosts and monsters just strange farmers in a remote setting. ( )

I'm a little ambivalent about the ending. I'm not sure it is big enough for the whole edifice that has been constructed underneath it. It seems a little too simple. This, after all, is a work of fiction so like all things to do with religion and faith it's all made up stories so it becomes less than profound for me. Just as other fiction about faith. Others will surely see differently. I wish I could join them at times. All the Roman Catholic ritual is certainly creepy enough especially in the 21st century. That these things survive is a wonder in itself.

After all of that I found the last 100 pages pretty much as thrilling as anything I've read recently. The atmosphere was most excellent and the characters well drawn and believable. Father Bernard seemed particularly 3 dimensional. And of course there is still plenty of weirdness.

Tartarus Press taking another big chance at a new and exciting author. ( )

I found myself just wishing for the end of this book. At the beginning, you learn that Andrew grows up to be able to speak. It just takes the author a long time and a very non-plausible way for this to happen. At 13 hrs, there are other things to read. ( )