Having never read any Susan Hill before and only having seen the play based on A Woman in Black at the theatre, I was not sure what to expect. I suppose I should have expected some kind of supernatural element because of A Woman in Black but this story starts as a story of loss and grief, told with authentic emotion that it was still somewhat of a surprise when the unexpected happened despite a particular tone of foreboding. Her writing is at times poetic and at other times so simple, yet this simplicity allows the tension to build. I read this book in a single day and I know I will be reading more since I have A Woman in Black on my bedside table!