The Midwives

Duncan Ralston is an author I’ve been reading for a while now, mixed results but enough potential to merit an interest each time. From the good to the mediocre to the horrendously disturbing to the recent overbloated Ghostland, there has been plenty of entertaining value, but it’s always such a pleasure to witness an author finally come into his own, finally reach all the promise of previous works and so on…finally write something as good as Midwives. This was actually a book I first found on GR, the cover is difficult not to notice, in fact it’s the most strikingly terrifying female with scissors image since the movie Us posters. So when the book showed up on Netgalley, I requested it immediately and read it shortly after and…wow. Very good, very good indeed. Something of a proper genre epic, actually. The basic premise of witches in a small town (in this case to maximize the isolation) a small island is familiar enough, but Ralston really develops the story so well, from character building to cranking up the claustrophobic atmosphere…it’s so well done. In fact, what makes it work so nicely is the dramatic writing, the mother/son relationship at the center of it all is as messed up as any Psycho style scenario. Mind you, genre fans need not be afraid, while this is definitely a work of literary frights, there’s plenty of guts and gore and…well, afterbirth for the toughest most discerning fans. There’s a serial killer too. There’s a lot going on. The main protagonist is an author (I do like stories featuring authors) who comes back to the small insular island community he’s originally from to avoid a serial killer who has recently sprung himself free and might be coming after him. And you know what they say…you can’t go back to the small creepy island and a largely looming exceptionally creepy mother figure again…or something like that. So at any rate, you don’t need a plot summary, I read it without one and was all the more pleased with the plot’s twists and turns for it. Check it out for yourself. This is Ralston at his best with a novel that took nearly three decades and tons of rewrites to finally become the author’s magnum opus to date. And yes, it’s on the longer side, but (unlike Ghostland) it’s actually well worth the time and you get a lot for the page count. Quite possibly the best witch story since Grimm fairy tales. Let’s hear it for a scary folk tale every ounce as creepy as its awesome cover. Now go read the book. Recommended. Thanks Netgalley.

The Midwives by Duncan Ralston is a rip-roaring read from the very first page when we meet Rosalee staggering through the streets having just given birth to her son, Stephen. It then cuts to true crime writer Martin Savage who is on a book tour with his book Witch Hunter about a delusional murderer who kills pregnant women and their babies. Martin's testimony helped put the Witch Hunter away and the murderer has sworn revenge.
As Martin is signing books, he receives a call that the Witch Hunter has escaped and in fear of his life, Martin returns to his childhood home in Barrows Bay, believing he will be safe.
But things are not what they seem in Barrows Bay! The place holds terrifying and grisly secrets and is run by a group of women called The Midwives who hold thrall over everyone on the island. The Midwives are not just a group of elderly ladies, but something much darker, more evil than anyone could ever imagine.
I absolutely loved this story and read it through in just two days. The author manages to keep you on your toes throughout the entire story, forcing you to wonder how Martin will overcome not just the evil hunting him down in Barrows Bay, but also the Witch Hunter himself who is closing in.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable story and I will certainly be looking to read the author's other books.
Highly recommended!

The Midwives, by Duncan Ralston, centers around true crime writer Martin Savage, who is on the run from a dangerous serial killer. Him and his ex-girlfriend Sheila Tanner are forced to flee from the city in order to get away from the "Witch Hunter", one of Martin's former book subjects. The only safe place is Martin's birthplace; an island by the name of Barrows Bay. He had no intentions to ever return to his childhood home, which is filled with dreadful secrets and also inhabits his mother and her weird elderly midwife friends. Something isn't quite right with these midwives and the fact that they are the only ones delivering babies on the island.

Let me ask you a question. Have you ever read a book by Duncan Ralston? I personally have not. But after reading The Midwives, this will surely change. This book is handsdown one of the best horror books I've ever read. And as a huge horror fan that say a lot.

I simply loved everything about the book. From the mysterious island, the creepy midwives, and the seemingly way too happy people inhabiting it. I loved the various fairy tale references, and of course, the Stephen King ones too. I even got a bit of a Castle Rock vibe from it. The book is so well done, I couldn't stop reading it.

The protagonist Martin, is someone you have to get used to. At first I really didn't like him, but as the story continues you get a feel for what he's been through and you will give the poor guy a break. I simply love Sheila. The way she interacts with him is hilarious.

I could go on and on, but just buy the book and see for yourself!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Shadow Work Publishing for the review copy!

5 out of 5 stars (can I give more?)

I will start by saying that I really, REALLY enjoyed this book. I am honest and tough in my opinions and this book was an unexpected surprise in it's quality. I am a fan of modern-women-lead-earth-religion-sacrifice themes (think Tryon's "Harvest Home") and picked this one due to the them and to see how it was intertwined with of all things a serial killer investigation. The author hit the mark intertwining two detailed sub-plots with numerous characters, yet there was no confusion and all trails led to the conclusion, which was for me satisfactory. There were numerous characters, but never confusion on who was who because all characters were well-developed to the extent I almost felt like I knew them. There were a few scenes that were very graphic (not for the squeamish), but wasn't gratuitous and made a point you were meant to receive. Very well written and had what I call "depth" of plot and character. I will read more by this author.

This book started out a little slow but it quickly picked up and pulled me right in. I loved the creepy feeling the book gave me.

I got this book from NetGalley for a honest review
First of all, thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC for this book. The Midwives is a horror book that is absolutely amazing. I loved it. 5 out of 5 stars. Highly recommend it. We follow true crime writer Martin Savage and forensic phycologist Sheila Tanner when James Barclay - aka the Witch Hunter, the subject of Martin’s latest book and insane serial killer who has something against Martin - escapes and is determined to kill them both. Martin and Sheila themselves flee to Martins to Barrow’s Bay, which is the island where Martin grew up. They stay with Martin’s mother Ruby and aunt Norma, who raised him. However, Barrow’s Bay is not what it seems to be, and especially the Midwives who birth every baby on the island. There are a lot of secrets that are uncovered on this island.
This is my first horror book that I’ve read, and I’m pleasantly surprised. It is incredibly creepy, but not overboard. It’s incredibly addicting, to the point that I was reading this book in the middle of the night. And did not get nightmares, surprisingly. I loved every second of this book. I highly recommend it. If you want to get into horror, this is the book to start with, as it’s absolutely perfect. Or you want a good creepy book, as it’s very creepy. I won’t look at midwives the same ever again. Thank you for ruining them for me.

THE MIDWIVES, by Duncan Ralston, is a novel that had just about everything you could want in a horror book, and then some. This one honestly had me jumping at the sound of scissors snapping together, at times!

We start with Martin Savage, a true crime writer, who is promoting his latest book when news of an escaped prisoner reaches him. James Barclay--the man whom Martin based his best-selling book "THE WITCH HUNTER" on-- is out, and his last words were a direct threat on Martin's life. Martin's ex-girlfriend, Shelia, is also involved, as she was the psychologist to the mass murderer.

". . . The true monsters of this world were flesh and blood--men and women who struggled against the darkness in their own hearts and all too often gave into temptation . . . "

In an effort to stay low until Barclay is recaptured, Martin and Shelia journey to his small island hometown--a place that Martin has tried to forget ever since he left with his "Aunt" at a young age.

The mysteries of the island, and the Midwives who deliver all the residents' children, are deep and multi-leveled. Ruby, Martin's Mother, is the "head" Midwife, as it turns out.

". . . A piece of you was always here on the island. Sooner or later, it pulls you back."

Ralston drags you right into this story, where you have to wonder if anything is what it seems, and effortlessly draws you along for the ride. Nothing feels rushed or hurried; rather, everything unfolds at a slow yet steady pace, giving the reader pieces to the puzzle bit by bit. Every character felt essential to this story, and every scene contained some kind of hidden meaning.

"It's not paranoia if someone is literally out to get me."

Everything in the town, from its old-fashioned values, to the closeness of the neighbors, shows you that something is most definitely different here . . . whispering to you with a sinister vibe. So much of what impressed me here wasn't in what was shown, but in how it was.

This novel is one of the best I've had the pleasure of reading this year. I simply can't give it higher praise than that. If you love your horror with intense characters, emotions, mystery, and gore, then you need to pick up a copy of this book.

Highly recommended.

I was super skeptical about starting this book but was honestly surprised by it. It was alot more complex then I anticipated. There was no shortage of suspense, gore, humor and even a little romance. As much as I was probably not supposed to like her, I really loved Ruby. I just couldn't help but to fall under her glamour just like the townspeople had for ages.

One thing I know for certain is my next child will not be delivered by a midwife!! Lol! If you are looking for your next creepy read I highly recommend giving Midwives a chance.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Summary- The serial killer James Barclay has escaped prison and has promised to “leave a trail of blood” leading to Martin Savage, the true crime novelist who wrote about Barclay, and Sheila Tanner, the criminal psychologist who testified during his trial.
After one of Martin’s friends is brutally murdered, Martin and Sheila decide to hide out in Martins island home town of Barrows Bay. Martin remembers very little of the small community since he left there at only 5 years old and he has never discussed it before.
Barrows Bay is a quirky village with a long history of using midwives to deliver babies since there are no medical facilities on the island. Martins own mother Ruby is the head of the midwives and all of them are elderly and mysterious. One of them is even blind.
This is a hard review to write without giving spoilers but Duncan does a great job with characters and setting. I could picture myself traveling on the island with Martin and Sheila. The town folk give Barrows Bay a New England vibe of homeyness. During the story Martin does a few things that I don’t think normal people would do and I was starting to question the realness of his character, however as you read the entire book and learn his history, what he did makes sense.
So, Martin and Sheila escape from a serial killer to the small island but little do they know, Barclay was the least of there worries and the island and the midwives are not what they seem.

The story: a true crime writer on the run from an escaped (and very determined) serial killer flees along with his on-again-off-again girlfriend to the tiny island town of Barrows Bay where he lived for the first few years of his life. The problem is…there are things after him on that tiny island that make old Mr. Serial Killer look tame by comparison. There’s a reason he only lived there for a few years.

This book is part crime thriller, part supernatural horror. Martin Savage, the protagonist, is an alcoholic womanizer with commitment issues and a sorry outlook on life. I found it difficult to like him, but maybe that’s the way the author intended. I liked his lady friend Sheila much more, and I greatly like Aunt Norma, although I wish she’d gotten a little more page time. Like, why has she really shouldered this burden of hers for so long without complaint? What’s going on in her head?

The minor villain, Jimmy Barclay: serial killer is bad enough, but the old biddies that rule Barrows Bay are really sort of terrifying. Cranky old ladies are scary enough in real life. These Midwife grannies will invade your mind, control your body, oh, and….um…steal your babies. Don’t ask me what they do with the babies after they steal them (spoilers). They’ll stop at nothing to get what they want and mow down anyone who tries to get in their way. And their ways of mowing people down are downright sick and twisted. So when Martin Savage ends up in the unfortunate position of having Barclay and the Midwives both clamoring to rip his head off at once, well, it’s definitely a bad place to be.

The nitty gritty: there are a few editing errors here, mostly overlook-able although by the time I had read about how “the cherry” of Clarabelle’s cigarette lit up her weathered face for the third time in a few pages, I was rolling my eyes a bit, and there were a few too many references to full song titles and band names (just say Dolly Parton was on the radio or they were listening to heavy metal, I really don’t need to know the exact song and artist someone is listening to every time music is mentioned). On the plus side, there are several Stephen King references to be found, including a bookstore called The Constant Reader, but I’ll leave you to find the others yourself. I like the history of the island community and how the Midwives came to be just as much as the main storyline.

All in all, I liked this book. There were times when I lost myself in it a bit and time flew while I was immersed in the story, and that’s always a good sign. I give it four stars out of five and will definitely be reading some more of Mr. Ralston’s work. So if evil old ladies with mind control powers, hallucinogenic tea, and killer knitting needles sound like a good old time to you, definitely check this book out.

This review was posted to NetGalley, Amazon, Goodreads, Instagram, and my personal blog.

The Midwives was an engaging book for sure, part crime thriller, part supernatural horror. I really liked Sheila and Aunt Norma, although I wish Aunt Norma did get a bit more page time. It was fascinating reading about the history of the island community and how the Midwives came to be, even if it's fair to say the Midwives aren't the nicest of people. For Stephen King fans, there's also a few references to his works here and there.

Anyway, The Midwives is a complex novel with a fair share of gore, action and suspense and certainly worth the read.

4.5 STARS

A killer on the loose. A writer on the run. A town plagued by an ancient evil.

True crime writer Martin Savage and forensic psychologist Sheila Tanner are on the run from an escaped murderer with a deadly grudge against them. Hoping to lay low until the prisoner is recaptured, Martin and Sheila flee to the town Martin left when he was a boy, after his mother was locked away in a psychiatric facility.

At first glace, Barrows Bay seems peaceful. Idyllic even. However, cracks beneath the shiny veneered surface begin to reveal themselves to the newcomers the longer they stay. . .

.
.
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This was definitely a wild ride! I really wish that I had more free time last week to sit down and devour this one because I was HOOKED. Unfortunately, I had to instead read this in small chunks between work and COVID19 life. Ugh!

THE MIDWIVES had everything I wanted in a horror novel: creepy evil entities that rule a small town wearing the faces of ANCIENT looking midwives that can't possibly still be alive after serving the community for 250+ years? Check. A cast of super unlikable yet sympathetic characters? Check. Just enough gore, fast paced adventure and twists to keep me on the edge of my seat? Check and check.

Seriously, you need to pick this one up for your #halloweeninmay reading pleasure!

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for my review copy. THE MIDWIVES is out now!

If they ever make this book into a movie, I will not be able to watch it....it's too scary. A well known author must hide from a serial killer. He decides to go "home", the island community where he was born. The island is small, isolated from the outside community and home to some very suspicious characters. Duncan Ralston has developed a community and populated it with some very well defined people who all seem to be a little, or a lot, off. The book has a very spooky visual quality to the writing that definitely left me jumping at any noise and reading some pages through my fingers. Yes, I'm one of those, I love a good spooky, scary book but also react quickly. My husband says he can tell it's a good book by watching me read it. He says this one was good!!!!