Heart of darkness ... Heart of man.

The story starts slowly, comfortably, ordinary: end of term, the summer holidays ahead, two friends, Sid and Ashley, very different but both bullied at school. And a teacher, Max, concerned at the report of a missing boy. But the tranquility quickly becomes uncomfortable as other children's bodies are discovered, mutilated, apparently attacked by an unknown animal. The tension in the writing rises as the children's fear increases in their woods, and Max, the teacher, befriends the mother of a missing child. There is an excellent blend of normal, childish hope and exuberance combined with the sinister which makes this book feel very teal.

This is the first of the Northern Michigan Asylum novels that this reader has encountered and is now a series firmly on the to be sought out list. The paranormal advertisers not intrusive but added a slight creepiness, the characterisation was very nicely done and, even though a couple of threads were left unanswered, the ending was satisfying. Alan Carlson, who narrated, have a fine lerformance, his reading clear, well modulated but unintrusive, without over emphasis designed to rouse the listener to greater emotion, letting the text itself do that. His background approach somehow made what was being said all the more dramatic. Very good.

From the gentle openings to the tempestuous finale, this book maintained my interest and involvement. Well written and we'll read, this was a most enjoyable book. My thanks to the rights holder of Ray Doll Bones, who, at my request freely gifted me with a complimentary copy via Audiobook Boom. Recommended even to those who enjoy murder mysteries but are usually somewhat wary of the inclusion of the paranormal, and I will certainly be looking out for more by J.R.Ericson

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