The Wayward Girls: The perfect chilling read for dark winter nights Paperback – 10 Jun. 2021

My thanks to Bonnier Books U.K./Zaffre for an eARC via NetGalley of Amanda Mason’s ‘The Wayward Girls’ in exchange for an honest review.It was published on 5th September and I bought its audiobook edition narrated by Kristin Atherton to allow for an immersive experience.During the sweltering summer of 1976, Lucia (Loo/Lucy) and her sister Bianca (Bee) are living with their artistic parents and siblings on the isolated, rundown Iron Sike Farm. A series of strange noises and occurrences begin to disturb the family.Reports of the family’s experiences come to the attention of a Society dedicated to investigating paranormal phenomena and a team headed by Professor Michael Warren comes to the farm. His young assistant, Simon, makes a strong impression on fourteen-year old Bee.The story is told in two time periods. ‘Then’ is 1976 and follows the unfolding events at Iron Sike Farm while in the ‘Now’ chapters Lucy discovers that her mother, Cathy, has been approached by Nina Marshall, another paranormal investigator who is seeking to follow up on the ‘Iron Sike Farm Haunting’. Lucy is protective of her mother, who has dementia, and of the past that she feels is best left unexamined.This was an atmospheric novel that aside from its classic horror theme of a haunting and/or poltergeist explores various relationships in both timelines. It is a poignant coming-of-age tale with emphasis upon the bond between siblings.I found this an assured debut that slowly builds up a sense of dread. I was sitting on the edge of my seat for its final chapters and was glad that I was reading it in daylight. I may never look at a marble in the same way again.I certainly look forward to Amanda Mason’s future projects.4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

Amazing!!!!Thought it was brilliant. Felt so sorry for loo and bee especially loo. And their poor mum cathy, having to see what was happening and she couldn't do anything to help them.I loved how the professionals came in to try and help the family.What and unbelievable yet tragic end. One of those books where you try to figure out what's going on, and it always suprises you with the unexpected.Hard to put down, tried to get through it quick so I could find out how it ended. Really creepy! While reading this the slightest noise I heard made me jump!Brilliantly written! I love the then and now, and how the merged at the end. Thought that was clever.I will be looking out for more books from the author in the future. Best book I've read this year!

A thoroughly good read and a page turner. I must admit that the characters did get muddled up a bit.

This story moves between 2 different time periods - the summer of 1976 and the present day. In 1976 Cathy and Joe Corvino along with their 5 children move into Iron Sike Farm which is close to the Yorkshire Moors. Strange things started to happen in the house including knocking sounds. Paranormal Investigators arrive at the farm to carry out research. The 2 oldest Corvino girls, Loo (Lucia) and her sister, Bee (Bianca) are really the main focus of the story. Both Cathy and Joe are artistic. Joe used the barn at the farm as a makeshift art studio where he painted his pictures. He then started a job which took him away from home. Moving forward to the present day Cathy is now in a nursing home suffering from dementia. Loo (now known as Lucy) comes across emails on her mother's laptop from Nina, a Paranormal Investigator. She is the daughter of Simon who was one of the original investigators at Iron Sike Farm back in 1976. Simon is now deceased and Nina wants to continue with the investigation where he left off. I could almost visualise the eerie, isolated farmhouse in my mind. There were times when I found this story both sad and scary. It is advisable not to read it before bedtime. This is the perfect ghost story for the time of year with the dark evenings and Halloween fast approaching.

I really enjoyed this book. Or at least most of it. It's written really well and easy to absorb and I found myself stealing away to read the next few pages any time I got a moment to myself. I read it super quick (for me) in just under a week but the ending I found a bit disappointing. I got a bit lost and it didnt have the big climax I was waiting for. That being said it was the perfect way to wile a way a cold winters evening and some of the chapters genuinely gave me chills. I love a spooky mystery.

I don't read a lot of ghost books these days. This isn't what you'd call "serious literature", but it is seriously good book within its genre. For a first book, the multiple characters and dual times are handled very well. There is a sense that the main protagonist shifts from time to time, though Loo (Lucy, Lucia, and something, are effectively the centre of it what happens.It's certainly a page turner. It took me a few days to read and the last 80 or so pages were polished off in one sitting.I may be biased, in that I live in the area where the action takes place. Amanda went to school with me, though we are not in touch. Anyway, well done Amanda, it's a fine book. Great storytelling. More please!I am giving it five starts because I really enjoyed this well-written ghost story!

WOW! That was some story! The Wayward Girls is an all you can eat buffet of a book. This writer has a talent alright. I thought I knew how this book was going to end when I got to a certain point… Boy was I wrong. I love ghost stories although I'm never quite sure about ghost stories with a dual time line because it can get confusing. This writer has the dual time line down perfectly in this book. I found myself re reading passages because I wanted to soak up the words. I love stories where I feel like I'm watching them, it is why I love reading so much and why it will always be my passion- The Wayward Girls let me feel that boiling hot summer, experience the sadness and excitement and I hope I never treated my younger sister how Bee treated Loo because she was awful. I look forward to more by this author but now I think it's time for something lighthearted!

Very much like the Enville haunting, which did colour my view of the book. Well written, however I didn't really bond with any of the characters, however this is my opinion so please do not let my remarks stop you from reading this book. On the whole it was a very gripping & spooky read. Enjoy.