Winterbay Abbey

How it reads

Winterbay Abbey is historical fiction (historical gothic, specifically), and its dominant mood is eerie. It's atmospheric and uncanny, with a sense that something is wrong. The pace is moderate — neither a page-turner nor a slow burn — so it holds up whether you read it in long sittings or short ones.

It's set in a rural setting, in the historical past, told in the third person, staying close to one character. Its central concerns are secrets, faith and family. In weight it sits in the middle: substantial without being heavy going.

It stands alone, so there's nothing else you need to read first or after. The ending is left open, for you to argue about. At 246 pages it's a quick read. It's a hidden gem — known to relatively few readers.