In this one there's a lot of fish, some drums, some beer, a lot of whisky, dancing, some good weather, some bad weather, weird noises in the night and some Spaniards - among other things.
I've had a love affair with the Isle of Skye for many years. If we hadn't come to Newfoundland, we might well have ended up on the same stretch of coastline described in this novella, a windswept shore near Dunvegan Castle.
This novella has been a long time in the making. The basic idea came to me way back in 1991, but it took me a long, long time before I felt that my writing was up to the needs of the story. Then, last year, it all finally came together.
No limbs, no limbs, no head, no head, left arm gone, left leg gone, no legs, no head.
A door is open, and something is coming through. It's just a matter of when — and what.
This story isn't really about me.
On the Isle of Skye, near the community of Dunvegan, sits a rustic old one-bedroom home, waiting for a new tenant. It seems like the perfect opportunity for Jim Greenwood to escape the hectic London city life—a place to move on from tragedy.
This is the story of a house.
As he tries to settle into country life, Jim is tormented by mysterious soot marks left throughout the house while he sleeps, cryptic e-mails from unknown senders, and hundreds of hand-drawn stick-figure drawings etched in a perfect pattern on the cottage's cellar walls.
Stay. Beth needs you.
Jim begins losing control, drinking excessively, shaking to an uncontrollable beat in his head, trying to decipher what may or may not be a code—or a warning.
No limbs, no limbs, no head, no head, left arm gone, left leg gone, no legs, no head.
The door is open, and something is coming through. It's just a matter of when — and what.
With Tormentor William Meikle has crafted a genuine classic Haunted House story that excels in so many different ways. - The Ginger Nuts of Horror
William Meikle writes haunted fiction at its best. - Examiner.com
Hugely entertaining and stands at the top of the list of haunted house stories in my book. - Horror Reviews For You
Tormentor is delicately-paced, atmospheric and wields a hefty and surprising emotional punch throughout its narrative, and should be considered an iconic version of a venerable (and often cliched) Horror fiction scenario; a classic that all future Haunted House titles should be measured against. - SciFi and Fantasy Reviewer
There's some proper scary stuff going on in these passages, the author utilising the creepiness of the concept to its full potential. The denoument, when the explanation for the strange events is discovered, is eminently satisfying. - Anthony Watson's DARK MUSINGS
Sense of place, strong characterisation and unfolding mystery are all masterfully managed. - Gary Fry
William Meikle mixes love lost and ghostly hauntings better than anyone I have ever read. He is a master of his craft. Buy this book, gift this book. Recommend this book to others. - Mommacat
