Jane's Reviews > The Clearing

A pretty good follow-up to book 1. I wish there had been more Tannahill Khan, but the overall vibe is creepy and tense. I had to put the book down a few times. I'm not sure why Khan was sidelined - so we can see Laughton as a strong capable woman without him? But unfortunately she showed a too stupid to live side. She is followed and frightened, then blithely seems to forget all about that as she continues to be followed - and threatened.

The author successfully misled me in one of the major plot points, but there is another "coincidence" plot point that I found a bit of a cheat. But the author does successfully explain away why two people who suffered trauma and changed their names are still in the area where they are known.

I enjoyed the Forest of Dean setting, as my only other experience with it is in the Harry Potter books and movies. The book contains some revolting graphic violence. The mythical Cinderman is a looming presence, but at no point did I think it was real and behind the disappearances (perhaps because of Laughton's no nonsense scientific investigation).

Overall, The Clearing kept me reading. I missed Kahn, and many of the plot points don't bear close scrutiny, but the overall vibe was compelling. I look forward to book three (hopefully, with more Tannahill Khan in it).

I read an advance reader copy of The Clearing from Netgalley.