Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this book :)

I was very excited for this based on the premise, a feminine perspective of a moment in Frankenstein. And I feel in some ways, it did over-deliver on plot and emotion. I was not prepared for how involved the narrator would truly be (without specific spoilers of the ending in case anyone reads this!) and how shattered it would leave me. This is, though, the brilliance of Mary Shelley's original work; it has a bit of everything—horror, absurdity, suspense, romance, philosophy—and this book did that justice. I was expecting more of a tepidly written Mary Shelley fanfiction situation.

I was concerned that the female narrator, Agnes, would lack in terms of character arc and be a little more passive since the draw and center of the story is Victor and the creature. But I was pleasantly surprised at how she is, while not only a fascinating unreliable narrator, a whole person who experiences an entire life cycle in a relatively short novel. By which I mean, I got a vivid picture of who Agnes is in any given circumstance, not just something like "Well this happened. On to the next chapter." I am unsure of how I feel about Victor's characterization here though; I wish we got more of him after the climax near the end, but I understand why he disappears in that moment.

And I just realized that Agnes' very name, "lamb," is rather fitting for her arc, depending on how you perceive her plot. Overall, an excellent addition to the Frankenstein canon.

Agnes is married off to an older man and lives on a tiny island in Scotland. Her husband is a jerk and living conditions are less than ideal (even for 1797). Still, Agnes loves her children and seems to make the best of her situation. A stranger arrives to the island and Agnes starts questioning all she has come to accept.

What I liked- I fell in love with Agnes. She worked hard and loved her children. The first part of the book is Agnes going through her day, her children, her work and few neighbors. I would read a whole book of nothing but her puttering. I could smell the peat burning in the fire and feel the sting of salt water in the air.

When the stranger appears, the story shifts to first person dialog of Agnes telling her tale. It's helpful as the story goes on but it was a different mood than the first part of the book.

Highly recommend for anyone looking for a unique, gothic, moody, story.



Thank you RDS and NetGalley for the eARC!

Posted on Goodreads:

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’m going to have to find extra time to read this author’s whole catalogue because he has yet to miss.

Last year I read Lure which in turn became one of my top 10 of 2023. So when I saw this arc on netgalley, I hit that request button so fast and by luck I got it.

Eynhallow is a gothic horror Frankenstein retelling that checks all the boxes. Agnes is a daydreamer who was married off to a man almost twice her age and chucked to the near desolate island of Eynhallow where only four families lives. She spends her days caring for her four children and keeping the household running.

Then, a new stranger arrives. And he’s set to reside in one of the most haunted, decrepit homes on the island. Strange things begin to happen, noises can be heard, a towering creature is seen lurking at night and Frankenstein’s secrecy and behavior becomes more concerning.

Agnes gets told by her husband to cook and clean for Mr. Frankenstein and what begins as indifference blossoms into a respectful friendship and into something more. Agnes is trapped in the middle of Frankenstein’s dilemma and then trapped permanently.

This story is gut wrenching and beautiful. McGregor is so good at writing women. And this is one of the best Frankenstein retellings I’ve read.

I can’t wait to read more of his work.

Thank you netgalley, raw dog screaming press and author for the opportunity to read an early copy of this story.

"Death is a promise that can not be made beautiful."

Eynhallow is a retelling of Frankenstein from the view of a woman who gets pulled into the throng of Dr. Frankenstein. I found Agnes to be a very human character which made for beautiful juxtaposition to the horror of this book. Are you ready to meet the ghost of Eynhallow?

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Horror + Literary Fiction + Retelling

Tim McGregor's Eynhallow is a gothic horror literary work that takes place in the Orkney Islands in the year 1797. It tells the story of Agnes Tulloch, a woman who lives on a remote island and feels trapped in a marriage with an abusive husband who does not treat her well. After the arrival of a mysterious stranger on the island, her life undergoes a major transformation.

First and foremost, I would like to recommend that you do not read any further into the synopsis than what I have shared with you here. Allow everything to remain a mystery in order to keep the shock factor intact. This book was my choice for a reason. Because it fulfilled all of the types of tropes that I enjoy. The first is that the entire atmosphere takes place on a remote island with a very small population. The second is the arrival of a mysterious person who will make things so interesting.

The narrative is told from Agnes' point of view, and through her eyes, we, as readers, can see her current life with her husband, children, and the other people who are on the island. We also get to see how things take a different turn when this stranger arrives. The book is very intense and has a very atmospheric feel to it. The author has done such an amazing job with the gothic atmosphere.

As a retelling, the story is fantastic. The entire experience was enjoyable to me. The pace is steady and just right for my aesthetic preferences. The writing is absolutely stunning. There were times when I had the impression that I was the main character and that I was literally sitting there on the island, feeling completely cut off from the rest of the world. This was outstanding in every way. I wholeheartedly endorse it to each and every reader. It is without a doubt that I will continue to read more of Tim McGregor's work.

I would like to express my gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.

(I received this book from the editor and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review)

I most of the time opt not to read the complete synopsis but to get an overall feeling of what the book is about -fearful of mild spoilers-, so this one is definitely my fault, because had I read the whole thing, my reaction to the name of the stranger would have been a very different one. Sadly, the moment I read Victor Frankenstein, after being very intrigued about the monstruous possibilities lurking in the island… the rest of the book felt completely flat. There was no more mystery, no more intrigue. I really liked Agnes as a main character; her voice was interesting and showed a unique point of view towards a story we all know. It could not improve the overall sensation of numbness though.

On the other hand, I would have loved to know beforehand that Eynhallow is a real place with a real mystery, I think it really adds something to the story.

When I trust an author, I'll often dive into one of their books without reading the synopsis. In the instance of Eynhallow, I highly recommend doing the same. There's a reveal around 20% of the way into the book that left my jaw hanging and completely changed the scope of the story. Will the information(given in the synopsis) draw more readers? Probably. But for my money, there's nothing like a moment in a story that hits that way.
Minor issue aside, nobody writes historical horror quite like Tim McGregor. Years after first reading Hearts Strange and Dreadful, I still think about it, and in Eynhallow, McGregor captures the strong female protagonist without walking the same footsteps. Agnes Tulloch is written with tremendous pathos and a dry with that makes every page a pleasure. We get wrapped up in her life, and that of her children, to the extent that when McGregor shifts the expectations, we're strewn among the wreckage.

Like Tim Lucas’ incredible, The Book of Renfield, Tim McGregor takes on Mary Shelley’s classic Frankenstein. This is a wonderful novel of obsession and hubris run wild. Where McGregor veers from the tone of Shelley’s novel is the organic feminism that emerges from the viewpoint of a freakishly tall woman married to an abusive man. The living on Eynhallow is hand to mouth but the nights are endless bouts of violence and sexual coercion. Agnes is an enlightened woman living in a sewer.

It’s a great setup for when a stranger appears among them and events lead Agnes and Victor Frankenstein together. I won’t say much more - wouldn’t want to spoil the fun.

This is one of those books that sticks in my head. The imagery, and the sense of impending doom and the inevitable... I feel jealous of anyone who hasn’t read it.

I LOVED this book. It was such a creepy concept and was executed perfectly. It was a novel idea to me and I really enjoyed reading it! I highly recommend this book and will be reading more from this author in the future!

While there has been a significant amount of time since I’ve read Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein (approximately 7-8 years), Tim McGregor’s Eynhallow manages to capture some of the same magic of its basis. A retelling of the Prometheus of horror, McGregor’s novella is focused on a unique perspective, one of Agnes Tulloch, a housewife living on the remote Eynhallow island in 1797. Stating that conditions for women were bleak at that time would be a very underwhelming statement; by her late twenties, Anges spends her days caring for her four children, attempting to keep the peace with her oaf of a husband, and doing her best to provide for her family in such a remote location. Agnes is already deemed an outsider for multiple reasons since she is not a native islander and, more obviously, due to her large physical stature. While Agnes’ worldview is limited, all that she knows will be irrevocably changed by the arrival of a newcomer to the small island, Victor Frankenstein.

I would argue that McGregor takes a big swing here, writing a Frankenstein retelling from the feminine perspective, and I would also argue that the result is ultimately a homerun. From the very first few passages of this novella, Agnes is established as a well thought-out and layered woman, one who wishes for more beyond the standards of what she is given. I found myself growing to care for her quite a bit in such a short span of time, feeling angry for every transgression caused by her husband or the other island dwellers. More to the point, I wanted more for Agnes than the life she led, which seemed to align with her own desires, for better or worse.

The island itself generates a feeling of "otherness” with only a few families inhabiting its grounds. This seclusion is ironically inclusive, as the natives of the island hold deeply negative feelings towards outsiders, such as Frankenstein and Agnes. In this own “other” way, they spark a friendship of sorts after Agnes’ husband hires her out to cook and clean for Victor. This kinship is something that tumbles into something much more sinister once the reasons behind Victor’s arrival become clear.

Perhaps the most notable characteristic of Agnes’ story is that of tragedy. McGregor had me in the palm of his hand, hoping against all hope that things would take a turn for the better for Agnes despite my knowledge of the tale of Frankenstein and how the Orkney Islands fit into this very story. Suffice it to say, the conclusion of Eynhallow is one of devastating proportions. While the horror aspects are saved for the later part of this novella, the creeping dread seems to grow with each page as life on Eynhallow becomes bleaker. This claustrophobic atmosphere and elusive sense of terror lends itself to Agnes’ desperation to flee the island and her abusive husband using whatever means possible. Once the bloodshed starts, the horror becomes unrelenting with not an ounce of hope in sight.

Tim McGregor’s revisitation of Frankenstein with his novella, Eynhallow, oozes with Gothic dread and catastrophic conclusions only made possible by the strength of his main character, Agnes Tulloch. The proverbial perfect storm is created when two outsiders find common ground, a seemingly harmless instance. Yet in the hands of seclusion and scientific madness, terror thrives on the island of Eynhallow.

The pacing of this book was a bit odd to me, felt too slow and drawn out in some parts and too rushed through in others.
I didn't realise until I had finished the book that Eynhallow is a real place, and the legends/folklore mentioned in the book were not the authors creation. I wish I had known this from the beginning as it changes the way I view the story and adds an additional layer. By placing this classic story in a real setting which has its own mysterious past and fitting them together McGregor has crafted a new twisted history and explanation for the abandonment of Eynhallow, which definitely makes me appreciate the story a little more.
Overall an enjoyable read, perfect to curl up with on a rainy night.

An easy but engaging read, I enjoyed the descriptions of the ocean and life on the island. The "relationship" felt a little rushed, and thus implausible that Agnes believed in the stranger so easily. I read many reviews staying that the ending was extremely sad. I didn't feel sadness, though I can't quite describe what it made me feel.

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor follows the story of Agnes, a woman stuck on the small island of Eynhallow. One day a mysterious stranger comes to the island much to the dismay of the other islanders, however Agnes seeks to know this man better. This story is an excellent gothic tale and reimagines elements from Frankenstein. I would recommend this if you like stories such as Dracula and Frankenstein. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The description of the book seemed interesting, so I wanted to check the story out. Unfortunately, I have since lost my initial interest in the story. I may try and find a physical copy to add the my library when it is released, though, because I think my readers could like it!

This made me emotional. Was not at all what I expected but this was extremely well written, perfectly moody and the ending was just sad. The main character felt very real and the author's beautiful writing transported me straight to the island of Eynhallow.

This did read more like a typical historical fiction with a touch of horror before transforming into full blown horror at the last 30% or so. By that point I was already in love with the characters and the island, that I almost wish it stayed as a historical drama. Though, it did make the ending feel more heartbreaking.

This is one of those works of fiction that I will be thinking randomly from time to time, and I'm not mad at that.

This was a very interesting read and perfect for the spooky season. You don’t need to have read the source material to enjoy it, and going blind (or at least without knowing spoilers and major twists for this book) will provide you with a great experience. I had never heard about Eynhallow before, but I’m glad I learnt about the place after reading the book. It helped in sedimenting the experience.

The author does a great job exploring the gothic ambiance and the characters’ personalities, though I’d have enjoyed reading more about Agnes and Victor’s relationship. I absolutely adored the ending and how the author described Agnes’ feelings and thoughts as everything was happening around her.

A big thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this arc.

Agnes Tulloch is unhappy. Her husband is a drunk and abusive, and the island they live on is anything but the paradise she was promised before they wed. In fact, Eynhallow only houses four families, and most of them are judgemental and stuck up. Agnes only has one friend and between raising her four children and her chores, she rarely has time for even her. All of this seems to change when a foreigner arrives on Eynhallow and Agnes's husband volunteers her as a cook and cleaning lady for the gentleman. But what is this stranger really doing on Eynhallow?

I went into Eynhallow completely blind. I didn't read the synopsis or any other reviews. From the start, I knew I would like this dark and broody novel, and once the name Frankenstein appeared I knew I was hooked. It is a captivating read that made me feel angry, mournful, and elated at the same time. I was rooting for Agnes from the start. I know how it is to be a tall and awkward person in a world full of petite women. Not only that, but her love for her children was something I could connect to. If only it wasn't for her scumbag of a husband...but I guess we do need a villain, don't we? Or maybe more than just one? You'll have to read Eynhallow yourself to figure out what this gothic horror book has in store!

I love Tim McGregor's writing-it’s consistently intriguing and incredibly addictive. I can never put his stories down! Eynhallow consumed me right from page one. I could’ve read a 500 page novel about these characters. It’s best to go into this one blind because the twists are what makes it so great.

I was expecting to really like this title, and on paper it's the kind of dark, tragic story that's right up my alley, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me. I think it might be a case of 'right story, wrong execution'; in particular I really struggled to connect with the narrative voice, which despite being in first person present read very dry and detached, with a blunt, staccato style of prose that really wasn't to my tastes. As a consequence, even the most horrific and/or emotionally charged moments failed to land for me, and despite the escalating events of the back half of the book I found myself less and less invested. This felt particularly troublesome as the title is marketed as gothic, but the method of delivery meant any sense of atmosphere was completely lacking for me.

However, I'm definitely in the minority so far in not liking this, so ymmv. It may simply be a matter of mismatched stylistic preferences.

Thank you to RDS Publishing and NetGalley for the eARC!

Once again, Tim McGregor captivates readers with his ability to craft stories that evoke intense emotions, leaving no room for respite.

Agnes, married to a widower much older than she living on the island of Eynhallow, is a mother of four young children and is abnormally tall. One fateful day, an enigmatic stranger arrives on the island. He leases a decrepit house, and through a chain of exceedingly unfortunate events, becomes inexorably entwined with Agnes and the island.

No spoilers here, but the 'reveal' in the book had me gasping! 👀 Give me a 🤌🏼 monster retelling, and I'm totally hooked. Let's go!

The characters, even the ones not in the spotlight, are meticulously crafted, and the island has its own distinctive personality–which kinda exudes an air of darkness, gloom, despair, and all those not-so-pleasant words. But hey, at least it's got a certain edgy charm to it. Also, my favorite character is Daisy.

I'm not exactly sure how I feel about this book, except that I absolutely love it. However, it's also got me feeling a little down and kind of bummed out. The pacing is maybe a bit faster than medium, there's no unnecessary exposition, and the dialogue is punchy–made me giggle several times. But, I’m just so sad *cries in wants a happy ending*.

I strongly encourage readers to check any TWs because the author does not hold back; all the kinds of assault, violence involving children, fertility and birth trauma, and lots of other things to make your eyeballs sweat.