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bibliophilebookclub's review against another edition
5.0
“We’re beneath different trees this series, but our feet are sounding against the same darkness and once again we’re facing our fears head-on.”
If ever a quote summed up the experience of reading Matt Wesolowski’s books, this chiller from Changeling is perfect.
I had been dying to read Changeling ever since I saw the beautiful cover on Twitter a few months back, and let’s face it, being a superfan means I have literally NO PATIENCE when it comes to waiting for these things. So huge thanks to both Karen and Matt for letting me read an early copy.
Reader, it does not disappoint.
In Changeling, Scott King is back investigating again. This time it is the disappearance of Alfie Marsden from his father’s car in the Wentshire Forest Pass on Christmas Eve 1988. Alfie disappeared without a trace and was officially declared dead seven years and three months after he disappeared. Scott sets out with his usual investigative zeal in search of answers.
I read Changeling over the course of today, making notes as I went, which I never do. And even with these notes, I still feel like I can’t do this book the justice it deserves.
Changeling is by far, my most favourite of the Six Stories books, and I love them all, I mean I REALLY love them. So just know I am not saying that lightly. Changeling got under my skin in a way the others didn’t.
The tension and sense of menace is there from the outset. It builds steadily, rolling like waves in a storm, until it crashes around your consciousness and leaves you almost breathless. Hidden and implied horror help to make Changeling a thoroughly bracing read, leaving the reader more than a little unsettled in its wake.
Much like the Changeling in old folklore, this book itself goes through a metamorphosis. But the author does this slowly, almost imperceptibly, and it creeps up on you gradually that what you are reading is a little different to what you started reading.
I PROMISE I will do a more in-depth review, but for now, know this;
Changeling is an intense, dark and utterly absorbing book. The pages crackle with tension, the characters have real depth and the writing is truly stunning.
Matt Wesolowski has to be one of the most imaginiative and talented young writers out there at the moment. His ability to make his writing current in terms of style, while still managing to write the perfect kind of crime/horror/psychological thriller mash-up, astounds me more with every book of his I read.
Highly, highly recommended.
Always.
If ever a quote summed up the experience of reading Matt Wesolowski’s books, this chiller from Changeling is perfect.
I had been dying to read Changeling ever since I saw the beautiful cover on Twitter a few months back, and let’s face it, being a superfan means I have literally NO PATIENCE when it comes to waiting for these things. So huge thanks to both Karen and Matt for letting me read an early copy.
Reader, it does not disappoint.
In Changeling, Scott King is back investigating again. This time it is the disappearance of Alfie Marsden from his father’s car in the Wentshire Forest Pass on Christmas Eve 1988. Alfie disappeared without a trace and was officially declared dead seven years and three months after he disappeared. Scott sets out with his usual investigative zeal in search of answers.
I read Changeling over the course of today, making notes as I went, which I never do. And even with these notes, I still feel like I can’t do this book the justice it deserves.
Changeling is by far, my most favourite of the Six Stories books, and I love them all, I mean I REALLY love them. So just know I am not saying that lightly. Changeling got under my skin in a way the others didn’t.
The tension and sense of menace is there from the outset. It builds steadily, rolling like waves in a storm, until it crashes around your consciousness and leaves you almost breathless. Hidden and implied horror help to make Changeling a thoroughly bracing read, leaving the reader more than a little unsettled in its wake.
Much like the Changeling in old folklore, this book itself goes through a metamorphosis. But the author does this slowly, almost imperceptibly, and it creeps up on you gradually that what you are reading is a little different to what you started reading.
I PROMISE I will do a more in-depth review, but for now, know this;
Changeling is an intense, dark and utterly absorbing book. The pages crackle with tension, the characters have real depth and the writing is truly stunning.
Matt Wesolowski has to be one of the most imaginiative and talented young writers out there at the moment. His ability to make his writing current in terms of style, while still managing to write the perfect kind of crime/horror/psychological thriller mash-up, astounds me more with every book of his I read.
Highly, highly recommended.
Always.
zoer03's review against another edition
5.0
This is intensely creepy, chilling and haunting. Matt has created the most atmospheric and sinister series I have ever come across, especially as there’s elements of superstition and the supernatural which feed into the case which (Scott King) studies and this also has a personal element too. I won’t spoil anymore of this fabulous book all I will say is please please please grab a copy of this and the rest of the books because like me you will be hooked.
astarions_bhaal_babe's review against another edition
4.0
A monster has to practice becoming a monster.
This is the best book in the series, in my opinion.
I must admit it didn't take me long to understand where the plot was headed, but I enjoyed it nonetheless.
Matt Wesolowski is slowly crawling his way into my reader heart and I'm not even worried about it.
selenajournal's review against another edition
5.0
WOW. Review to come but this was astounding done.
annareadsthis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
6 stars, perfection
helgamharb's review against another edition
4.0
Some stories beg to be told.
It's been thirty years since seven year old Alfie Marsden disappeared near Wentshire Forest, never to be seen again.
A forest full of ghosts, haunted by the Faeries and Witches.
Did the forest swallow little Alfie? Did someone take him on that fateful night? Did he run away? Why?
In Six stories produced by Scott King, we will have a chance to look back at the case through six different perspectives.
warkyboy's review against another edition
5.0
It is unusual for a book series to improve as it continues, and yet the ‘Six Stories’ series manages to do just that - and with great aplomb.
Once again, we are treated to a podcast transcript about a historical crime - this time, the unsolved disappearance of a young boy. The boy vanished from the back of his car one Christmas Eve, whilst his father looked under the bonnet of said automobile. Of course, the vehicle just so happened to be parked beside a ”cursed” forest where rumours abound about a witch who snatches children.
There are plenty of creepy moments here - unexplained knocking; the apparent appearance of a wizened old hag; strange predictions of a mysterious psychic - and the supernatural is never all that far away. There are definite ‘Blair Witch’ vibes in this tale and Wesolowski again manages to create a highly atmospheric tale with some genuinely shocking twists and turns near the end.
I have read the first three books in this series in just three days, which speaks volumes about the compulsive nature of the storytelling. Wesolowski’s writing is fun and fluid, and I cannot recommend this series enough to those who enjoy good quality crime and horror fiction.
I already have book four primed and ready to read tonight. I cannot wait!
Once again, we are treated to a podcast transcript about a historical crime - this time, the unsolved disappearance of a young boy. The boy vanished from the back of his car one Christmas Eve, whilst his father looked under the bonnet of said automobile. Of course, the vehicle just so happened to be parked beside a ”cursed” forest where rumours abound about a witch who snatches children.
There are plenty of creepy moments here - unexplained knocking; the apparent appearance of a wizened old hag; strange predictions of a mysterious psychic - and the supernatural is never all that far away. There are definite ‘Blair Witch’ vibes in this tale and Wesolowski again manages to create a highly atmospheric tale with some genuinely shocking twists and turns near the end.
I have read the first three books in this series in just three days, which speaks volumes about the compulsive nature of the storytelling. Wesolowski’s writing is fun and fluid, and I cannot recommend this series enough to those who enjoy good quality crime and horror fiction.
I already have book four primed and ready to read tonight. I cannot wait!
chrissie57's review against another edition
5.0
I discovered this book by mistake. I have always liked the old tales of Changelings and I wanted to try some of the modern fiction available based around them; when I got this home and looked at it properly I thought I had picked up a standard crime novel. All ends well, though, because the title has more in common with the old legends than might appear at first and Changelingis probably the best book I have read all year.
The basic story is outlined in most of the other reviews - little boy vanishes from a broken down car driven by his father and is never seen again. Said father is racked with guilt and never ceases to search for his son, even after he is declared legally dead. Mixed up with all this are eerie stories about the ancient woodland by which the boy has apparently been swallowed up. We follow the efforts of podcaster Scott King to get to grips with what actually happened to Alfie Marsden on his podcast Six Storiesafter receiving a letter claiming to know what happened.
This book has everything - crime, horror and human psychology. Neither the crime nor the horror are exactly what you believe them to be, but that did not stop me lying awake unable to sleep at one point because I foolishly read a chapter just before bed. It had further interest to me because I grew up in the area the story is set in, although I was unsure why the author chose that locale.
After I had finished the book, I realised I had made a second mistake; the book is part of a series about Scott King and his podcast and Changelinggives away some pretty important information. However, I shall be reading the other books regardless of that, this is a truly excellent author.
The basic story is outlined in most of the other reviews - little boy vanishes from a broken down car driven by his father and is never seen again. Said father is racked with guilt and never ceases to search for his son, even after he is declared legally dead. Mixed up with all this are eerie stories about the ancient woodland by which the boy has apparently been swallowed up. We follow the efforts of podcaster Scott King to get to grips with what actually happened to Alfie Marsden on his podcast Six Storiesafter receiving a letter claiming to know what happened.
This book has everything - crime, horror and human psychology. Neither the crime nor the horror are exactly what you believe them to be, but that did not stop me lying awake unable to sleep at one point because I foolishly read a chapter just before bed. It had further interest to me because I grew up in the area the story is set in, although I was unsure why the author chose that locale.
After I had finished the book, I realised I had made a second mistake; the book is part of a series about Scott King and his podcast and Changelinggives away some pretty important information. However, I shall be reading the other books regardless of that, this is a truly excellent author.