Compelling narrative, Growing Dread & Thrilling moments

Rating 5/5

“This is not how we do things in Scratch Moss” say the characters in David Barnett’s third instalment of what seems to be an interconnected folk horror series.

Compelling storytelling, expansive lore, Scratch Moss continues to uphold Barnett’s status as one of my favourite horror authors.

In this tale we see Joe returning to his hometown, Scratch Moss for the funeral of his father; a murderer in his eyes, a hero to the locals of this former mining town. As he catches up with old friends and family members, memories of his childhood begin to return unbidden by him, memories of an evil that blighted their community for centuries and has once more returned to claim its due.

Much like its predecessors, Withered Hill and Scuttler’s Cove, Barnett’s strength lies heavily on his ability to create a sense of place. I felt the choice to base events within a town whose wealth stems from the mines worked perfectly for a story like Scratch Moss, establishing the connection to community very clearly. The history and traditions surrounding Scratch Moss through its five separate timelines gave readers a sense of mystery behind the horror bound to this town. Red Clogs is portrayed as a variation of the devil but as we learn its ‘birth’ stems from something larger and older, something forgotten and tied to the earth, offering up a growing sense of dread that culminates into a few unexpected moments. I don’t think I’ll ever get over the grisly fate of Joe’s mother or the children ‘chosen’ for the thing beneath the mines.

Considering the books I’ve already digested this spooky month, Scratch Moss has been my most high tension read. I look forward to getting a hold of his latest release, Twisted Pike.  After such a thrilling conclusion to Scratch Moss I highly anticipate more is install for Barnett’s readers.