Review of Wakenhyrst

Ask Michelle Anything

Graham writes…

I have just written for Goodreads a review of your wonderful book Wakenhyrst and thought you might like to read it, so here it is:

This novel combines gothic horror, ancient fenland folklore, and the social history of the fens. It also depicts very well how women in the early 20th century (as in many other periods too) were downtrodden and mistreated, how the “under classes” were, like the women, either ignored or badly treated, and how children had to behave impeccably or suffer the consequences.

It is very well written in thriller style, making you eager to turn the next page and find out what happens next. In doing so you also imbibe all that mixed factual material about the fens and mediaeval history.

The novel leaves you wondering throughout whether what is happening is the result of mental instability or if there really are demons working behind the scenes. When you finish you initially feel it is all down to the former. But then you may, like me, feel a slight flutter suggesting perhaps there was a little more to it after all.

A good read!

Michelle Replies…

Dear Graham, I’ve just got home and read your marvellous message.  Thank you SO much – not only for the brilliant review, but also for letting me know about it via your posting; that was really thoughtful, and I do appreciate it.  Most of all, though, I’m simply delighted that you enjoyed the book; and I’m particularly pleased that I managed to leave you with that “slight flutter” of doubt about demons, after you’d finished.  Thanks again.  With very best wishes, Michelle


Upcoming Live Events With Michelle

Incredible… Inspiring… In Person!

Only 51 days to grab your ticket!

Wimbledon Book Festival

October 17, 2025
Festival patron and Sunday Times bestselling author Michelle Paver will talk about her latest supernatural fiction in this live recording with Always Take Notes, a podcast for and about writers and writing.

Michelle will discuss her incredible career, from finding inspiration for Wolf Brother on Wimbledon Common to her latest novel Rainforest, which weaves Mayan culture with themes of obsession, gender and rebirth.

Only 54 days to grab your ticket!

The Witching Hour with Bridget Collins, Michelle Paver and Laura Shepherd-Robinson – Waterstones Canterbury

October 20, 2025

Join Bridget Collins, Michelle Paver and Laura Sheperd-Robinson as they discuss their stories in a brand new collection of ghostly tales called The Witching Hour.

In this dazzling collection of original haunted tales, thirteen bestselling and much-loved authors bring the old superstition of the witching hour to new and vivid life.
Transporting you from the smog of London to the freezing mists of Svalbard, from an Irish town riddled with rumour to a sinister English boarding school, these thirteen stories will serve as your spine tingling companion to the long hours of winter.
So curl up, light a candle, and wait for the clock to strike . . .
Only 59 days to grab your ticket!

Yeovil Literary Festival

October 25, 2025

An experience like no other. From a writer like no other...

Successfully published as an adult author, the Chronicles of Ancient Darkness (“Wolf Brother”) were her first books for younger readers, followed by her brilliant 5-part series set in the bronze age, Gods and Warriors. On the adult side, her first ghost story, Dark Matter, was a UK bestseller and won massive praise from reviewers and readers alike, as did her second ghost story, Thin Air.

Oxford Literary Festival 2026

March 29, 2026

The Oxford Literary Festival takes place in venues across central Oxford, such as Blackwell's bookshop, the Bodleian Library, the Sheldonian Theatre, the Weston Library, and Oxford colleges such as Christ Church and Worcester College. The festival includes international authors, journalists, intellectuals, historians, and poets.