Wychwood

George Mann made a name for himself with his steampunk-y/pulp-y fantasy adventures set in Victorian England and Jazz Age New York. This new novel is a bit of a change: a mystery with supernatural overtones, set in contemporary Britain. While the story--despite the magical elements--may be more grounded than Mann's other series, the main characters are as likable and compelling as I've come to expect from him. I want to spend more time with them, learning more about them and seeing their lives develop. The murders also make for fascinating reading. While not actually based in ancient British mythology, they feel like they are. The stories that Mann creates behind the murders are fascinating, and the murders themselves are chilling and gruesome. Overall, this is a great start to a new series, and I look forward to the next book (which, according to interviews I've read, is already in the works).

I enjoyed this latest book by Mann. It isn't every day that you read one novel which has two stories in it (well yes I know there are other novels like that, but this was my first). The plot is engaging and the scenes are just right. Despite the fact that Elspeth's constant involvement in an investigation was not realistic, it still was acceptable the way it was presented, and it's a crime fiction, so why the heck not. The arcane wasn't explained at the end, but as with all mysterious things, people tend to sweep things like that under the rug. Still, Mann could have explained it a bit. I gave it 4 out of 5.

Overall a good mystery story with characters I cared about from the start. I have a soft spot for the Cotswolds, so any story set there will get my interest. I just wish the storytelling had been crafted more carefully and with more attention to the paces and turns of a great mystery/thriller.

Leaves you wonders what was real and what wasn't.

A decent mystery. Not a supernatural thriller although there are possibilities. Niether my wife or I guessed right on who-done-it, but the answer was a good one. A good read.

I absolutely adored this book. After doing a little bit of research on the author, George Mann, I realize that this was a fit made in wherever perfect fits are made. The guy worked on Dr. Who and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle comics! I have to admit, I am a wee bit in awe of him. I enjoyed George Mann's writing style. I couldn't put this book down and overslept because of that (but, that is neither here nor there). I didn't feel like it was a chore to get to the end and, to be honest, some novels feel that way because of a lack in plot or character development. But, in Wychwood, I felt mostly fulfilled at the end. I say mostly because I feel like I'm still going to close my eyes at night and see some of the images Wychwood delivers to readers. I imagine that's also a positive. Mystery readers will delight in the story telling abilities displayed on the pages. There is an eerie realness in the characters and the need to either like or dislike them is strong.

Elspeth, a female journalist who came back to her childhood home from London after losing her boyfriend and job during the same week. On her way to her mom's, she stuck in traffic, only to find out it's because of a body found in the woods behind her mom's house. Being a reporter, Elspbeth hops the fence to see what there was to see and because she recognized the murder scene from a book, she starts to help Peter Shaw, a childhood friend and now cop, on the murder, and those that follow. The book description made it look as if it was a supernatural event, which got my attention, and thus disappointment when I found out the story was not supernatural in content, but instead a murder investigation with a supernatural understory. No twists in the story, the descriptions were good, not too gory, and for those over 16 years who enjoy murder mysteries, it would make for a steady read. Because it was a steady read, with no quickening action, and the plot pretty cut and dry, I can only give this book 2 stars. It was an OK of a read, but wouldn't actively recommend it.

This was a real yawner ! Dull characters boring plot Wont try this author again ..... sorry

I don't usually leave reviews on items on Amazon, but I cannot give enough praise for this book (and its sequel Hallowdene)! If you like a spooky mystery set in a quiet small town with a past, set in the English countryside, with fun characters to read, then you will absolutely devour this book!

Okay, this is not a review. When the book arrived in this mornings mail I was very excited to see that gorgeous cover. However I was very disappointed to see this new cover art so I thought I’d post a picture so you’re not caught by surprise - like I was 🤨

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. A serial killer tale but with added paganism and ritual thrown in to the mix. Set in rural Oxfordshire, it tells of a series of murders committed by someone basing their crimes on the ancient Saxon myth of the Carrion King. The book is alive with interesting characters, from Elspeth and Peter through to a supporting cast of fascinating people who are vividly brought to life by the authors excellent writing. I was kept guessing right up to the end as to the identity of the culprit. Always a good thing in a crime novel. I also loved the description of the Wychwood, a tract of ancient woodland where much of the action takes place. Dark and brooding, almost a character in itself. So realistically drawn I felt I was actually there. The ending seems to be paving the way for a series of books featuring the same characters and location. I certainly hope for many more. Highly recommended!

This is not my usual genre, but I was interested to see how the folklore/myth elements were woven into the thriller angle. The tale held my attention and the descriptions of the countryside was almost poetic. However, I noticed a number of errors, which threw me out of the story and should have been picked up at the editing/proof reading stages. Also, the story is good and builds to a climax, but the last few chapters seem lacking even though they are tense, and I was left with a sense of anti-climax, hence the loss of a star. I will definitely remember several elements of the story!

I came to love George Mann's writing via his much loved Newbury and Hobbes Investigations series, which are set in a 'parallel universe' Steampunk Victorian world. However this new book is very different from the pure adventure/fantasy entertainment that these 'rollicking tales' give the reader. Wychwood feels somehow closer to our universe and reality and has a more ''grownup' feel to it. It is basically an investigation into a series of bizarre murders in rural Oxfordshire and is a mixture odd occult elements and police procedural, which is all tied together by the aid of an amateur female sleuth who grew up in the area. It might be thought by some that the combination of magical elements and policing procedure has been totally co-opted by the wonderful Rivers of London series written by Ben Arronovitch, but this is a far cry from that wonderful series and darker in feel, though shaping up to be equally good. I am greatly looking forward to reading the next in the series John Pullin, (Oriondruid).