Received as a BookMooch.

The central theme of this novel is how wounds of the past have the ability to affect the present. Nick, a Newcastle teacher, is the central character but much of the plot revolves around his 101 year old grandfather, Geordie. Geordie is dying of cancer and is deeply disturbed by memories of his time in the WWI trenches, in particular that he killed his brother there. Nick is deeply attached to his grandfather but is also suffering difficulties closer to home. Nick, his pregnant wife, stepson and son have recently moved into a Victorian house which seems to be haunted by the apparition of a young girl who was once suspected of killing her younger brother. On top of this, Nick's daughter from his first marriage has come to spend some of the summer holidays with them which seems to only inflame his stepson's, Gareth, jealousy and aggression towards his baby brother. This in many respects is the 'modern' dysfunctional family.

The only time that the narrative seems to really come to life is when Barker plunges into the legacy of guilt that Geordie suffered because of his traumatic experiences in the trenches, his confused relationship with his brother and simply the fact that he had survived when so many others had not. He does not have an easy death either, 'I am in hell,' are his dying words.

Overall Barker has created a disturbing tale which has glimpses of the power and passion that she has brought to previous pieces of work. However, its execution rather lets it down meaning that it feels contrived and lacking in something truly vital.

Going out as a Brucie Bonus. I hope that you haven't already read it. Enjoy!

Thank you for this extra book! I look forward to reading it.