Eynhallow by Tim McGregor | Book Review

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a tale of domestic struggles, curiosity, and monsters set in the isolated and windy Orkney Islands.

Content Warnings:
Domestic abuse, pregnancy, stillbirth, death of a child, blood, suicide, medical trauma, and murder.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Eynhallow by Tim McGregor –

With only four families residing on the island of Eynhallow, this tiny community gets by, but just barely. Agnes, our main character, is living what she tries to convince herself is a good life; she has a husband, a roof over her head, and children to watch over while she cares for their home. However, readers will very quickly see the darkness that hides behind closed doors.

One day, a boat is spotted approaching the island. The islanders are curious to learn that a man is coming to live in one of the abandoned cottages for the season. Immediately perturbing the residents with his appearance and personality, the newcomer isn’t welcomed at all, let alone welcomed with open arms. When Agnes’ husband volunteers her to take food to and clean for this man, she is beyond angry that her husband made another decision for her. But over time, she gets to know the strange man and her time with him changes everything.

Absolutely boiling over with drama and tension, this story focuses on both real-world horror and sci-fi horror, blending them perfectly together. The author is very skilled at creating a killer atmospheric setting! You’ll feel like you’re sitting right there with the main character whether that’s near the warm fire, out shivering in the cold, or getting hit by the wind and mist from the sea.

Speaking of what this book makes you feel – my gosh, SO many scenes here had my blood boiling. I’ve never hated a character so quickly! I won’t say who, so readers can find that out for themselves. But let me tell you, I was so ready for something unfortunate to happen to that character immediately.

On the flip side of that, I was so ready to rage on behalf of Agnes! The author does such an amazing job getting readers into this character’s head. You can’t help but feel close to her while also feeling protective of her very early on. That feeling only grows watching what happens to her throughout the rest of the tale.

There was also a focus on pregnancy and birth had me ready to throw up. I just had a baby just shy of four months ago and I am very thankful I didn’t read this before then! The author doesn’t shy away from the horrific things that can happen, as he writes so perfectly; “Every woman skates the razor’s edge when she brings life into this world.”

Then there’s the sci-fi elements that were so mysterious! I enjoyed not knowing what was really going on. Of course, with the names of the characters, you can guess at what’s happening, but the answers are kept hidden until the perfect time!

My Favorite Passages from Eynhallow –

The storm has left the island wet and sopping, but the morning is bright and blue. The wind, which normally blows brisk, is reduced to a gentle waft. There is no escape from the wind on Eynhallow. It never ceases, even on gentle summer days.

Eynhallow is awash in mystery, and the legends often contradict one another.

A public flaying is in the air, so I slip out of the conversation before blood is spilt. The foreign gent and his audacious absence from Sunday worship is like cream to hungry cats. The islanders will dine on this subject for days to come. I have no desire to participate in the bloodbath, having been on the receiving end of it in the past. What confounds me is this need to cut someone to ribbons for their faults and sins, believing the contrast will highlight the cutter’s own superior nature. Making oneself taller by standing on another is an ugly play in my opinion.

I probe her belly with my fingers. It is hard, the skin stretched firm, but I feel nothing irregular. “Anything out of the usual?”
“Oh, I don’t know. What’s usual when comes to this?”

Cradled in his arms were the bones of his dead wife. A ghastly scene, to be sure. Out in the yard lay a massive hole under the marble headstone. Had the man gone mad and exhumed his dead wife or did the bride claw her way out of the grave to plant the kiss of death on her husband?

The doors to both inner rooms are closed. The first opens to a completely barren space save for a pile of books in the corner. I snoop through each book but not one volume is written in English. How vexing. I could murder someone for a new book to read.

Death is a promise that cannot be made pretty.

Sundown bruises the clouds purple and the last of the gulls call out over the sound of the surf. The sliver of moon is even thinner tonight, but it provides enough light for my pilgrimage to the burial ground.

My thoughts shatter like eggs dropped to the floor, and I cannot decide on a course of action. Do I flee or stay?

My Final Thoughts on Eynhallow –

Horror fans, this read is such an intense and bleak one! Covering so much ground while we follow a character just trying to survive her day-to-day life, readers will never know what terror or tragedy is coming next.

Preorder your copy of Eynhallow by Tim McGregor today! This book releases on February 22nd, 2024 from Raw Dog Screaming Press.

Purchase your copy of Eynhallow