Title/Author: Eynhallow by Tim McGregor

Page Count: 178 pages

Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press

Format: eBook

Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Hearts Strange & Dreadful, Taboo in Four Colors, Lure, Wasps in the Ice Cream

Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/9781947879676

Release Date: Feb. 2024

General Genre: Gothic, Lit fic, Horror

Sub-Genre/Themes: Island living, rural communities, domestic violence, marriage, parenthood, friendship, "a stranger comes to town", infidelity, romance, science fiction, monsters, transformations

Writing Style: immersive, compelling, character-driven

What You Need to Know: A woman on an island in a very small community, is trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage with kids. A stranger comes to town and moves into the abandoned cottage nearby. Agnes's husband sells his wife's cooking & cleaning to the newcomer. The two form an unexpected alliance.

My Reading Experience: Wow! I heard so much buzz about this book last year and it made me look forward to finally getting alone with this highly anticipated book. It's everything I expected and more. I have come to be a high fan of Tim's work. I loved Hearts Strange and Dreadful, Taboo in Four Colors, Lure, and Wasps in the Ice Cream. His wheelhouse is a relaxed, comfortable storytelling style with a lot for readers to cling to--the emotional investment is always very high. He writes compelling, authentic characters.
This book is no exception. I was immediately drawn into the life of Agness and her horrible, violent marriage.
The stakes are so high!
How will she survive this situation?
I love the setup, the stranger coming to the island, the friendships Agnes makes with another woman on the island, and also the newcomer. I enjoyed the suspense Tim creates with the conflicts he introduced.. So many unexpected developments! There was one part I thought could/should have been cut, I didn't think it added anything to the story and it felt...unnecessarily cruel. Other than that, this was a flawless, enjoyable reading experience.

Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans of horror with heart. Readers will invest immediately in Agnes's life as she navigates the violence in her home, her obligations and duties, her motherhood instincts, and her heart. I had no idea where this was going to go and I went along for the ride. Tim McGregor is an imaginative and talented storyteller

Comps: Obviously, Frankenstein, Our Hideous Progeny, and Elizabeth Frankenstein

I'm a huge fan of Frankenstein, so I was eager to dig into a story that expands on a portion of the novel. Having a female narrator adds a fresh perspective to the novel Frankenstein, which is lacking in much of a female perspective (at least explicitly on the page). I really felt for Agnes, and it highlighted what an insufferable jerk Victor Frankenstein is. This novel is a great fit for those who are drawn in by setting - the prose really captures the isolated, windswept, brutal landscape of the outer Scottish isles. A very interesting companion to Frankenstein!

Wow! This was just wow!

You're heart goes out to Agnes while she's struggling with motherhood and being wife, and then to top it all off a mysterious man comes along!

The writing was phenomenal! The book had me hooked!

This book destroyed me! Agnes is written with such depth, humanity, and empathy-- I was desperately rooting for her even as her circumstances grew more and more bleak. This is such a powerful accompaniment to the classic FRANKENSTEIN-- it fills in the blanks of the original story while brilliantly making a villain of the titular doctor (or making his already extant villainy more latent). Heartbreaking and scary as hell.

Such an atmospheric fall read! The first 75% was action=packed and funny, a little bit of a dark humor but not deeply terrifying. Just perfect for spooky season. The last 25% was sad and didn't really match the tone of the rest of the book. Yes, it was poignant, but the ending is the only thing holding me back from giving this 5 stars. Sad that it took me so long to get around to this one!

Hauntingly moving, horrifically raw, and heart-wrenching! I'm so glad I went in blind, the way the story unfolds and the subtle way the truth creeps into the light makes for one hell of a creepy read. McGregor knows how to stitch together a monstrosity of a good book. Each and every character, each scene, and even the goat has so much detail it draws you in and just makes you feel like you are there hearing the waves crash upon the craggy rocks. The fear of the trolls and haunts are so palpable you will sleep with the lights on. McGregor has written with such exceptional detail and depth that Mary Shelley herself would be proud.

A very good new spin on the classic story. Loved the direction the plot went and interesting characters

Our protagonist is Agnes, she lives on a remote island with her four children and her abusive older husband.
She spends her days struggling to provide for her family.
Until one day a mysterious stranger arrives on the island and Agnes's life changes forever.
This is more than a retelling of Frankenstein, this book is what gothic horror dreams are made of, it's derelict, moody, gruesome and heartbreaking.
I absolutely loved Lure by Tim, it was one of my favourite reads of 2023 and he's done it again! This was a fantastic read and I will be purchasing a physical copy when it's released because I loved it so much.

"**Eynhallow**" by Tim McGregor is an absolutely mesmerizing novel that combines hauntingly beautiful prose with an intricately woven, immersive plot. McGregor’s atmospheric storytelling and rich character development create a gripping and unforgettable reading experience. This book is a standout in its genre, offering a captivating blend of mystery and enchantment.

This book was SO good! I was hooked. The prose, the gothic vibes, the plot, all of it was perfect. Many years ago I tried to read Frankenstein but got bored (I know, I know). Apparently this is a fairly faithful retelling so I’m going to give it some time to recede into my memory and then pick up the OG again.
Agnes is a beaten down housewife. Her husband is awful, her children constantly need her and she is isolated on an island with people who view her as an outsider. One day a stranger appears and Agnes becomes spellbound but at the same time, rumors of a monster terrorizing the island, start to swirl. Should Agnes be suspicious of this stranger? What is he always doing up there in that locked room at the back of his house? And why does he always come out smelling so badly and covered in blood?

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a great atmospheric gothic horror novella revisiting the story of Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein but with a unique take on the tale. The characters are compelling and the historical setting is well-rendered with the Orkney Islands landscape an embodiment of a character itself. The conclusion was really strong and perfectly executed. This might be short novel but there is so much packed into it and not a word or scene unwasted. A highly recommend read for fans of atmospheric historical fiction, gothic horror, strong characters and a new twist on a classic story.

"Eynhallow" by Tim McGregor is a captivating gothic horror set in the Orkney Islands of 1797. Agnes Tulloch, feeling trapped in a harsh environment, struggles to care for her family as her husband grows distant. When a mysterious stranger rents a nearby cottage, Agnes is forced to work for him. The stranger, who is revealed to be Frankenstein, draws Agnes in with his dark charm and secretive mission.

With rich atmosphere and compelling characters, this novel masterfully blends historical and horror elements, making "Eynhallow" a must-read for fans of gothic fiction and literary retellings.

First and foremost, thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I had such high expectations from recommendations on tiktok and unfortunately the writing just was not for me. Its a very slow paced beginning and with my ADHD I just couldnt make it past the 45% mark. I may try to come back to it some other time but for now its a DNF for me. But again, thank you so much for the opportunity.

A creepy retelling of the Frankenstein story where the doctor and the monster clash, and a wife and mother is pulled into the middle with heartbreaking results.

This Frankenstein retelling was EVERYTHING. The atmosphere, the setting, the writing… all of it was simply amazing! This retelling is set in 1797, on a small isolated Scottish island called Eynhallow. It’s inhabited by a handful of residents until stranger comes ashore to rent an abandoned cottage. Our protagonist Agnes is forced to befriend him after her husband hires her out as his washerwoman and cook. And then weird and creepy stuff starts happening of course. All of the characters felt so real, even the island itself held such a presence in the story. I can’t think of one single thing I did not like about this book. 5 stars.

Book Review: Eynhallow by Tim McGregor

Rating: 5 Stars

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a captivating tale set in the Orkney Islands in 1797, following the story of Agnes Tulloch, a woman struggling to make ends meet for her family on a windswept island that falls short of the paradise she was promised. When a mysterious stranger, Victor Frankenstein, arrives on the island and forms an unexpected connection with Agnes, a series of dark and intriguing events unfold.

McGregor's novel offers a fresh and enthralling twist on the classic Frankenstein narrative. The writing is exquisite, drawing readers into the atmospheric and gothic setting of Eynhallow, which serves as a character in its own right. The pacing of the story is impeccable, keeping readers engaged from start to finish.

One of the strongest aspects of Eynhallow is its well-developed and fascinating characters. Agnes Tulloch is a relatable protagonist whose struggles and complexities resonate with readers. The enigmatic Frankenstein adds a layer of mystery and tension to the narrative, making for a truly compelling read.

As a reader who appreciates a well-crafted story, I was thoroughly impressed by McGregor's attention to detail and his ability to weave a chilling and tension filled tale. From the eerie depths of the Frankenstein myth to the captivating allure of historical fiction, this novel is a literary gem that promises to transport readers to the barren windswept shores of Eynhallow.

In conclusion, Eynhallow deserves all five stars. From its captivating cover to its gripping storyline, McGregor's novel is a standout piece of fiction that will linger in the minds of readers long after they turn the final page. I wholeheartedly recommend diving into the world of Eynhallow - it's an experience you won't soon forget.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley’s iconic Frankenstein has been retold and reimagined numerous times, but Tim McGregor’s eerie new horror novel Eynhallow tells an untold part of Victor Frankenstein’s story: what happens on the Orkney isles where he seeks solitude to create a mate for his cursed creature? Eynhallow tells that story from the point of view of Agnes Tulloch, a villager on the inhospitable island whose life revolves around her duties as mother to four children and as wife to her abusive husband Robert. Agnes’ life is small, staunched and without much joy save the connection she has with her children and her friend Katie. When Frankenstein, a stranger and a foreigner, comes to the island and resides in the croft on the hill doing his mysterious work, Agnes is contracted to serve him. A begrudging friendship grows between Agnes and Victor, but a frightening specter torments her new friend and the villagers, and Agnes fears that Victor’s work will bring destruction down on all their heads. McGregor’s novel captures Frankenstein’s depiction of how closely life and death are intertwined, centered on the lives of women trying to survive birth, motherhood, the violence of men and being utterly human in an inhumane world.

This is a lovely and tragic take on Frankenstein that focuses on the doctor's attempts to give the creature a wife and companion. Set on a tiny island in the Orkneys, McGregor deftly creates rich characters and a desperate and fearful culture. The mostly brutal life on the island is upended by the arrival of Frankenstein and the creature, who stays primarily hidden until the very end. A few things may seem predictable: the cheerful pregnant woman whose previous deliveries have been easy; the disassociation the protagonist feels moving between her home and family and Frankenstein's house, and her eventual fate, but they're handled so well they don't feel like worn-out tropes. This is horror told with grace, making the horrible all the more so because it is surrounded by beauty and opportunity, a hopeful feeling that lasts and lasts until it finally fails.

Thank you to Netgalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for allowing me to read and review Time McGregor’s Eynhallow. I loved the cover and read a little bit about this book, but the description does not do the book justice. Eynhallow takes place on a sparsely populated fishing island (part of the Orkney Islands) off the coast of Scottland. I really liked the narrator Agnes and felt for her as she lives with her older husband and children. The first quarter of the book, we learn about her daily life on Eynhallow, her family, and how she manages her responsibilities as a wife and mother. McGregor does great work creating a sympathetic character while also emphasizing the lack of voice that women had on this island in the late 18th century. For example, Agnes rarely refers to her husband as “Rob”, but frequently calls him Mr. Tulloch. We also learn about Agnes’ first love, and how she had to abandon him for an arranged marriage with Mr. Tulloch. Most of the women in this book are resigned to being mothers and wives, who also frequently experience either death of children or death in childbirth. McGregor paints a misty and mysterious image of the island, giving the book both a gothic and folk horror feel. Agnes and her children talk about trolls and the ghost of a bride who supposedly inhabits the island. Later, a mysterious European arrives on this isolated and homogenous island causing a lot of gossip and talk. The first half of the novel was not quite what I expected, but with Agnes’ detailed descriptions of the landscape, the visitor’s ramshackle house, and sightings of a mysterious figure on the island at night, McGregor is able to enhance the eerie and gothic setting of the novel. The novel really picks up in the last quarter, where some of Agnes’ decisions lead to an eventful ending to the book. I won’t give it away, but this is a creative retelling of the Frankenstein story. Although at times, I wondered when the horror would happen, the slow burn of the first half to 3/4s of the book are worth the wait for the ending. I’m looking forward to reading more from Tim McGregor since this book transported me to the island, and he was able to create a realistic and gothic atmosphere that also demonstrated folk horror themes.

A Frankenstein retelling set on a remote Scottish island filled with atmosphere and foreboding. The changeable weather and desolate landscape made the harsh conditions seem unlivable for the residents, add in the mysterious stranger that comes to stay and you've got yourself one hell of a gothic horror. Agnes was a gorgeous character who had a hard life and a hint of promise in her friendship with Victor is dashed in the worst possible way. It was sad and harrowing and I loved how the story completely unraveled towards the climax. A must read for any horror or Frankenstein fan.