I’ve been reading books by Chantelle Atkins for quite a long while now. It can’t have escaped your attention that I’m a big fan of her style. She’s a wonderful observer of human nature. Her characters are full of emotion, while her descriptions are beautiful.
This story is centred on a secretive community, mysterious goings-on, folklore, old magik and friendship. It’s one of those stories that drags you in, kicking and screaming.
Because you just HAVE to know.
I originally read (and loved) Black Hare Valley when it was serialised on Substack, so when I heard it was to be released as the first part of a series, I was beyond excited. I’ve since learned that this book will be the first in a five-part story, which means a lot more reading to look forward to.
Before you get my thoughts,
Here’s the description,
Black Hare Valley
Troublemakers not welcome. Secrets must not be revealed. The past must stay buried and the missing will be forgotten.
Wannabe reporter Jaime is new in town and desperate to be accepted but when she spies local hooligan Jesse Archer being arrested she cannot resist following the story.
Jesse leads her to the bookshop where mild Paddy Finnis hangs out with his spiky friend, Willow Harrison. When sweet-natured Ralph Maxwell turns up too, Jaime wonders if she has found new friends.
Jesse is hiding secrets under secrets however and when Paddy vanishes in the night, the group close ranks to investigate his disappearance.
Why is Jesse being blackmailed by the fearsome Sergeant Mayfield? Why does the Vicar Roberts stalk Willow’s nervous mother? And is Mayor Margaret Sumner, their friend or their foe?
Black Hare Valley is a sacred place where terrible things happen and then everyone forgets.
The book is available now.
My thoughts. No spoilers.
One of my favourite stories of recent times was The Day the Earth Turned, a four-part series by Chantelle Atkins. I’ve been a follower of her work for some time, and a new book is always an event.
You can find my reviews of those stories here.
But we’re not talking about them here. This time, we have part one of what will be a five-part series, set in a strange village, one which hides a dark secret.
It’s hard to write a review of part one without giving too much away. So I’ll focus on the people and the place for a while.
There’s Jamie, new to Black Hare Valley, returning to her stepfather’s roots. She’s the inquisitive one who finds a group of teenagers to bond with. Then things start to happen.
There’s Jesse, the local troublemaker and bane of the policeman’s life.
Paddy, Ralph and Willow make up the rest of the gang.
Against them are the Mayor, the teacher, and a selection of locals, including their parents, some of whom are obviously villains, others whose motivation is more ambiguous.
They are all solid characters, well drawn, and so real. As is the location, the description is so vivid that all you need to do is close your eyes to be there, with them. And then there is the atmosphere. It’s obvious from the start that something isn’t quite right.
When Paddy goes missing, it all starts to get very intense as the truth of what’s really going on in Black Hare Valley is revealed, piece by piece. Some people seem indifferent to the missing boy, as if they know what’s going on, while Jaimie and her new friends search for answers. There are forces at work, rooted in the old ways; the explanation for Paddy’s disappearance, when it comes, is mind-blowing.
As we learn more, battle lines get drawn, people take sides and the tension increases dramatically. There are shocks and twists galore; the ending is a spine-chilling masterclass in atmospheric writing.
I’ve said it before with this author’s work. Her stories stay with you. The characters and situations all feel real. Any of them would make a great TV drama; this one is no exception.
These books are far better than a lot of the formulaic, derivative and rehashed stories that seem to be everywhere.
Is this the end of the story? I’m glad to repeat that it’s not. Part two will be along soon.
The question is, will five parts be enough?
Highly recommended.
About the Author.
Chantelle Atkins was born and raised in Dorset, England and still resides there now with her husband, four children and multiple pets. She is addicted to reading, writing and music and writes for both the young adult and adult genres. Her fiction is described as gritty, edgy and compelling.
Her debut Young Adult novel The Mess Of Me deals with eating disorders, self-harm, fractured families and first love.
Her second novel, The Boy With The Thorn In His Side follows the musical journey of a young boy attempting to escape his brutal home life and has now been developed into a 5 book series.
She is also the author of This Is Nowhere and award-winning dystopian, The Tree Of Rebels, plus a collection of short stories related to her novels called Bird People and Other Stories.
The award-winning Elliot Pie’s Guide To Human Nature was released in October 2018.
YA novel A Song For Bill Robinson was released in December 2019 and is the first in a trilogy, followed by Emily’s Baby and The Search For Summer in 2021.
In 2022 she released another collection: The Old Friend – A Collection of Tales and Poems and the first in the supernatural YA series, Hangman’s Revenge, which was co-written with Sim Alec Sansford.
Chantelle has had multiple articles about writing published by Author’s Publish magazine and runs her own Community Interest Company – Chasing Driftwood Writing Group.
Links:
Website/blog : https://chantelleatkins.com/
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/chantelleatkinswriter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Chanatkins
Pinterest: https://uk.pinterest.com/chantelleatkins/
https://www.instagram.com/chantelleatkinswriter/
Email Newsletter Sign Up: http://eepurl.com/bVVbGD
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chantelleatkinswriter/
Amazon Link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Chantelle-Atkins/e/B00J7ACVCY/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
Books;
The Mess Of Me
The Boy With The Thorn In His Side – series
Bird People and Other Stories
This Is Nowhere
The Tree Of Rebels
Elliot Pie’s Guide To Human Nature
A Song For Bill Robinson
Emily’s Baby
The Search For Summer
The Old Friend – A Collection of Tales and Poems
Hangman’s Revenge
Project Pandora
Days End
The Day The Earth Turned – series
At Night we Played in the Road
The Mess of Us.
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