RAGGED ALICE is an intriguing mystery novel with a supernatural/horror twist. It follows DCI Holly Craig, who has returned to her old hometown to investigate what, at first glance, seems to be a relatively straight forward hit-and-run case. As she starts investigating, however, it turns out to be something quite a bit more...

This is quite different to everything else of Powell's that I've read - I'm more used to his sci-fi novels. However, RAGGED ALICE is a very well-written supernatural crime/mystery. It works well as a novella, but I can certainly see how it might have been expanded into a full novel. I hope the author writes more in this genre (or turns this into a series of some kind).

Recommended.

I wish this story had been a bit longer and more fleshed out, as I felt there was more story to tell. Overall, a good premise.

This was a great short read for those looking for something in between those longer novels but it did feel as if there were somethings that could have had more detail and felt like they were missing something and could have been expounded upon.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Part ghost story, part police procedural, this is an interesting novella which didn't quite hit the mark for me. I thought that the characters were really strong, and the way in which local history becomes folklore was explored to some extent, but I just wanted more! The supernatural elements of the story (Holly's ability to see guilt, Mrs Phillips' ability to see ghosts, Sylvia's ability to see... something) were introduced, but not used nearly enough to drive the story, which was frustrating, as they were fascinating! A detective who can see guilt in people's eyes could create some really intense situations, but Holly doesn't really ever use this in the course of this investigation. There's some good creep factor, but again, it drops off as the story rushes to finish - I think this would have worked much better as a short novel, with space to build on the elements here. I liked everything individually, but it just didn't quite come together in such a short time.

I wanted to read this novella because I'd heard good things about the author's Ack-Ack Macaque series, and this didn't seem like a huge time investment. Plus I like paranormal detectives. And Wales.

Unfortunately, this book wasn't especially memorable. Holly Craig seemed like she should be an interesting character- she can see the stains of evil deeds past on people's souls! However, this ability really didn't come into play in any fashion that moved the plot forward. Holly likes to drink and is basically a female version of the burned-out police officer, which wasn't original enough for me on its own. I didn't care enough about Holly to want to learn more about her after it became evident that her supernatural ability wasn't going to be made useful.

The murders seemed like they should be grisly, but despite graphic descriptions I wasn't too moved. Holly didn't seem to be a very effective detective, and murders continued to happen while she half-heartedly followed leads that didn't pan out. Holly didn't have many resources, just people breathing down her neck wanting results. I've read police procedurals that get into the nuances and relationships of different law enforcement agencies in a more interesting manner.

And finally, the mystery's solution was kind of handed to Holly.

Also, randomly- there is an elderly lady character in the book whom I liked- a bit eccentric, a bit fey, and it turns out she can see ghosts. There was one passage in the book from her point of view. It consisted of her thinking back fondly on the days when she was a racy young thing, and how much she enjoyed playing the part of Chinese fingercuffs with two not-quite-gay sailors ala the movie Chasing Amy. It was weirdly graphic, had nothing to do with the plot, and I couldn't understand what it was doing in this book. I don't mind a graphic sex scene, but why out of the blue do we need one that's a memory of a very elderly woman that has absolutely no bearing on the rest of the story and that is different in tone than anything else in the book? It was jarring.

So, in short, this novella did not make me want to read more about Holly Craig or more by Gareth L. Powell.

In Gareth L. Powell's "Ragged Alice", DCI Holly Craig returns to the small Welsh coastal town of Pontyrhudd after 15 years, and investigates a series of murders tied to her own past and her mother's gruesome death.

A a near drowning as a teen left Holly with the very uncomfortable ability to see people's souls, and she will need this talent and more to survive the challenges ahead.

This was a great short, chilling mystery! I loved the Welsh setting. I will definitely be recommending it to readers who want an atmospheric, unusual procedural, although I did feel as though the ending was a little rushed.

Ragged Alice is a standalone novella by Gareth L. Powell, but don’t let its short length chase you off! This novella was a lot of fun to read, and I actually wish that I had read it sooner. And that it was part of a larger series.
Ragged Alice is a thriller novella, following DCI Holly Craig as she investigates a series of murders. The case ends up being a lot more personal than she was prepared for, leaving her to deal with a lot of unexpected twists and turns along the way.
Warnings: Ragged Alice is a thriller/detective series through and through. And that means that there is some more graphic content within it. In this case there are some graphic murders. (Additional spoiler warning here) To make it worse, one of the victims turns out to be pregnant. I know that this is a sensitive subject for some, so consider yourself warned.
Ragged Alice was a fun and quick read. Gareth L. Powell did a brilliant job of setting the scene in a very short period of time. Yet it all felt organic, and never once did I feel like I was being rushed along with the plot.
I honestly wouldn’t have minded if there had been more for me to read. I really enjoyed Holly’s character, and would love to see her investigations turned into a series. Then again, I can see why Powell would choose to leave it as a standalone. So I guess I’ll just be happy that I got a chance to read this novella.
The plot itself was fascinating. There were some perspective jumps, but not as many as expected. Yet those very jumps allowed for the plot to be pushed along, while also raising doubt and questions about what was actually happening. It was very well done.
I think my only complaint about the novella, and I do mean my only complaint, would be some confusion in the middle. A specific event happened to Holly, and now that I know the truth behind what was happening…that event makes less sense. I don’t want to say more than that, for sake of spoilers, but I will say that I no longer understand the motivation behind the antagonist at that moment.
But as far as complaints go, that is a relatively minor one. I enjoyed almost every other element in this novella. And it probably goes without saying that I read the entire thing in one sitting – and found myself wishing for more.
I’ll be honest with you; I had never read anything by Powell before this novella. But after having read Ragged Alice, I can honestly tell you that I’m sold. I love his writing style, and the way he builds up his stories. Clearly I’m going to have to go and check out more of his works.

Oh how I wish this book was longer because there is a lot to explore here that was fascinating, but the action just felt incredibly rushed, particularly the ending! This tells the story of Holly Craig, a DCI who must return to her home town to investigate a murder. Holly has a lot of history in the town and can also see the evil lurking in a person's soul, so naturally she is not thrilled at the prospect of a homecoming. The premise here is so intriguing but it just wasn't explored in enough depth here. Information was just dropped into the narrative with little or no preamble and then never discussed in any more detail. There is such potential here for this character and her ability that I just hope Powell re-visits this idea and gives it the time it deserves. Unfortunately for me here, the action was so truncated that I really didn't enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This made me incredibly homesick for Wales, which is a tribute to Powell’s art of invoking setting. I haven’t lived in Wales for over 15 yrs now and yet the sense of place and the way that the local mindset were presented, brought it all back to me sharply. I love mystery with a hint of the supernatural – Stephen King’s Bill Hodges series for example, or Phil Rickman’s Merrily Watkins series. Ragged Alice felt similar to the latter whilst still being very much its own thing. Holly was an interesting MC and her ability to scry the human soul was subtle and terrifying. I don’t find many books genuinely chilling but this one was exactly what I was looking for in that respect. A murder mystery with a touch of the paranormal and Folk Horror-esque setting. Really enjoyed it. Wish it had been longer.

If you're a fan of Y Gywll / Hinterland but wish it also featured ghosts, then holy crap, you need to read this. It is so fricking good - but so, so short! I wish this were 400 pages. I really, really hope there will be more of these. Seriously, S4C, I need a six-part Welsh-language adaptation of Ragged Alice, and I needed it yesterday. 5/5 stars, do want more, please.

2.5 stars -- I would try again with this author, but I don't think this one came together particularly well. A lot of good ideas, but it needed to be shorter/more focused, longer/more expansive, or have a better pay off in the ending. The atmosphere it painted was very well executed & I was intrigued by the characters (enough to finish the book), but it didn't work fully as a mystery nor as speculative fiction

Ragged Alice is a murder mystery with a supernatural twist, following a detective as she tries to solve a number of gruesome murders in her sleepy hometown. The book follows a whodunnit approach, revealing past ties from our protagonist and the shady dealings of the town’s past military base. It’s entertaining from start to finish, filled with strange townsfolk who see ghosts, speak strange premonitions, and are constantly up in everyone’s business.

I’m a huge fan of Powell and his writing continues to be top notch in this new direction from his typical fare. The supernatural elements stay on the periphery for most of the book, popping up when least expected and consistently furthering the mystery. The real strength of the book lie in the intimate character work with the protagonist. We get to know her well, slowly learning about her family’s past tragedies and her unexplained abilities to read people’s auras. Instead of focusing on her power, Powell focuses on what makes her tick, creating a personal connection that grows until the end. I’m always looking for that special kind of character piece, and this fits the bill.

As mysteries go, Ragged Alice is strong. The small town setting is played to masterful effect as these mysterious killings continue to spread. Connections are made and broken, suspects come and go, and in the end, the solution is both surprising and fascinating. Powell’s mastery of establishing setting is key, showing us the many little details of small town life and the surrounding area. We get to know the pubs and streets, the rundown houses and the ominous woods where tragedies happened so long ago. Coupled with his focus on creating strong characters, it makes for a book that feels personal.

As a quick note, I absolutely loved the character of Mrs. Phillips. She’s fun and hilarious, marching around this small town in gowns and high heels at the young age of ninety-two. We catch glimpses of her exotic past, filled with lovers, parties and zero regrets. I’m confident we’d be best friends if I ever got the chance to meet her.

In the end, Ragged Alice is a great mix of genres, giving us the suspense of a mystery, the fascination of a fantasy and the mild terror of the supernatural. Powell’s supreme writing is on display in every carefully crafted paragraph, giving us a story that’s enticing and entertaining until the very end.

Review will be published on 4/30: https://reviewsandrobots.com/2019/04/30/ragged-alice-book-review

.I rated this book highly, its a very fast and action packed story, I was creeping up to the final chapters still waiting for the ending, with anticipation growing as the remaining read counted got smaller and smaller.
As much as I enjoyed this I wish it had gone longer, firstly it was so good that I didnt want it to end, and secondly I really want more of Holly Craig as my superhero.
The only thing stopping this book from getting the 5 star rating was the hype around Hollys special ability, it was well explained, but she didn't really get to use it, or in any way that I noticed. I also felt this could have been explored a lot further and drawn out, there are many unanswered questions for me- this may be part of the appeal to the ending or a great set up to a series.
I hope it becomes a series, Holly has so far to go with her tenacity and abilities.

(Roni, you hiss, you already used this song lyric once! No repeats! Well you’re not the boss of me. I’m not afraid of god, and I’m not afraid of you. Get me.)

I’ve read some crazy things in my time, kids, but I’ve got some time-tested favorites. And when I read new stuff that taps into my tried-and-true favorite tropes? Take me out of the oven, kids, because I’m done. I’m ready.

So let’s talk RAGGED ALICE by Gareth L. Powell.


In the brand-new (vaguely fantastical horror) ghost story, DCI Holly Craig returns to her small home town to investigate a hit-and-run murder that quickly becomes a serial killing spree with ties back to her own mother’s murder. If that weren’t enough, the cover gives up the secret that Holly’s hiding from her coworkers: she can see the taint of wrong-doings on the souls of others. Over the course of her career enforcing the law, she’s learned to use her gift to press for a guilty confession or release an innocent man.

But will her power be enough to solve this case?

First off? Gotta hand it to Holly for not wholly relying on this ability of hers like a third leg. She uses to her advantage, surely, but she’s also on the hunt for actual clues to bring the wrong-doer to justice. There are rules, as an officer of the law, and she’s making sure to play by every one to ensure no one escapes justice. (Welcome to Litcast of Doom, we love a character that struggles and yet still works to make the world a better place!)

But oh man, you can see just how much this power weighs on her. The lives she couldn’t save, the death of her parents, the use of her mother as a ghost story around the bonfire of graduating students . . .

This novella grips you by the lapels and makes you watch it all unfold before you very eyes. Did I read this book in less than three hours? You bet your ass I did! I didn’t want this book haunting me in the dark, I’m not dumb.

Don’t let this book haunt you either, kids.

Check out the rest of the review with the podcast episode BETTER LEFT BURIED now available on iTunes, Spotify, and Awesound!

Ragged Alice by Gareth Powell, an interesting book. DCI Holly Craig is back in the village she grew up in and tried to get away from, investigating a series of murders. What she finds shocks and horrifies her and she begins to think there might be more than meets the eye.

I really enjoyed the setting of Ragged Alice: Powell captures certain Welsh phrases perfectly, and I couldn’t help but smile at the phrasing “Owen the meat” — and wonder how other readers will feel about that and whether they’ll “get it”. Maybe if you’re not raised knowing that the undertaker named Dafydd (David) should be known as “Dai the death” (pronounced “Die”), this world is a little too foreign, for all that it’s just Wales.

There’s a lot of familiarity, though. It’s basically a police procedural, really, except with a supernatural element: DCI Holly Craig can see people’s souls, and she knows when they’re carrying guilt around with them. She’s come home to Pontyrhudd through her work in the police, to investigate a simple-seeming hit and run accident. But one murder turns into two, and there’s some connection to the horrible death of Holly’s own mother…

It’s more or less predictable in plot, to my mind, and I’m not sure I really quite understand why the ritualistic deaths were required. The ending felt a little sudden/contrived, as well. It’s an enjoyable novella and I wouldn’t mind more in the same world, but apart from enjoying the setting a lot (more Welsh books, please!), it didn’t stick out for me especially.

Gareth Powell's new novella is a police procedural with a paranormal twist: DCI Holly Craig has the ability to see a person's soul, which comes in handy when you've got a string of grisly murders to solve, but not so much when you've got to return to the small coastal village you were only too happy to put behind you years before.

The author has created a strong character with the prerequisite flaws for a good detective; a troubled past which left her emotionally unavailable and a unique way of looking at problems. She's also got a detective sergeant with an untarnished soul and a reporter whose job is "literally to find shit out" to round out the cast, as well as a connection to the otherworld, if not the underworld.

I've got a review on SFRevu.com at http://www.sfrevu.com/php/Review-id.php?id=18525

DCI Holly Craig has a gift and a curse. On the one hand, her ability to sense the darkness inside people can make her job as a detective a little easier. She knows when people are lying. The problem is that she can never turn it off and, consequently, can’t really trust anyone. In Ragged Alice, Gareth L. Powell, Holly and her gift/curse return to the Welsh town of Pontyrhudd to escape a case gone wrong in London. As soon as she arrives, people start dying and Holly has to wonder if she made the wrong decision.

Ragged Alice is one of the fastest reads I think I’ve ever read. It clocks in at 208 pages, but I was done in less than two hours. Reading this book was almost like watching a TV show because the plot races along so quickly. It’s not even two days before one body turns into three, then more people are killed. With the exception of the first victim, the bodies are left in a terrifying state. This book is filled not so much with red herrings as it is with a blizzard of information as Holly and her detective sergeant Scott Fowler turn the town of Pontyrhudd inside out. Not only is there physical evidence and witness statements, Holly also has supernatural clues to deal with.

Because Ragged Alice is such a fast read, it sacrificed character development for everyone except for Holly. The mayor is a stereotype of a lecherous incumbent. The reporters are ciphers. The only characters that rise above the scrum of suspects, bystanders, and potential victims are the ones who have gifts similar to Holly’s. Mrs. Phillips is the best of these and I would have loved it if the book had been narrated from her perspective. The other thing that gets sacrificed in the rush to the end of the book is a strong conclusion. The ending of this book ties up the plot, but it’s more of a sparkler than a firework.

All that said, Ragged Alice was an interesting read because of its supernatural elements. I would have liked more of an exploration of them, but this book never slows down enough to explore much of anything. Readers who are looking for a quick, cinematic read might enjoy Ragged Alice. Readers who prefer more psychological depth or more fantasy in their mysteries should probably give this one a miss.