This is the fifth offering from Joseph Delaney from the Wardstone Chronicles. This series is going to evolve into a history of the County, were the main characters are based ,and, at the moment , there is no limit to the number of books to be written. This is by far one of the best in the series and shows how the author has settled into the storylines and characters. Once again we have the protagonist, Tom Ward, being sent out from the security of his masters home in Chippenden to stay for a short while with an ex-apprentice of his master to be hardened up... This is lieterally a painful lesson for Tom. However the atmosphere built by the author is astounding and you will almost feel you are walking the corridors of the dilapidated haunted old mill were he stays. It is here were Tom has to confront his drunken temporary new master, his wild ferocious dogs and the ghosts of the undead. This is only the start as the story takes us to confront the power of Water Witches, the Devils own daughter and ultimately even face the Devil himself. The settings are stunning and the authors skill takes you to these places. Most of the locations exist and the book becomes even more realistic if you have ever visted Lancashire, the County, Morecombe Bay and The Lake District. As usual the pace is swift and almost manic fom page one with the usual twists and turns and culminating in many questions that we will have to wait to find the answers for. It says on the back cover "Not to be read show more after dark" and, with this volume that is certainy true. One of the spookiest books so far this year. This is an author to be watched if you enjoy this genre of writing. A fine piece of writing with wonderful plots, characters and scene setting. show less