A review by jamieleepilk
Idle Grounds by Krystelle Bamford

challenging dark funny mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Thank you so much for the proof copy Hutchinson & Heinemann.  

"In short, it's hard to be sad about someone being dead when they were never really alive in the first place." 

Well that was a ride. 
I know the phrase "unlike anything I've ever read" gets thrown around a lot but seriously, I don't think I've read anything like this before. 
I've never read a book that's so sinister and unsettling but also incredibly but darkly funny. 
Krystelle truly writes towards her own language and style that creates such a unique and weird setting that you can't help but be drawn in. With the foreword comparing the family to the Romanovs I was hooked instantly.     Bamford deals with dark subjects really well, with her dark whimsical style I thought the two wouldn't mesh but they do and if anything it adds to the unsettling nature of the novel. 
For most of the novel you're not too sure what's going on but I had total faith on whatever ride Krystelle was taking me on.  
I am obsessed with how she describes the forest, to the point it almost feels like an additional character with its own motivations.

UK Release 17/04/25