Oak Seer

by Graham Higson (Illustrator)

Where blood from the past spills into the present

Jack Briscoe has two passions: woodwork and womanizing. Stricken by a curse, his ability to work — and his sexual prowess — are cruelly torn away and visions from the past invade his soul and threaten to take over his life.

But far away some ancient magic, with its roots stretching back hundreds of years, has been set in play.

Is an ancient oak carving of a monstrous artefact the key? Or is it his ruthless enemy, determined to use its power against him?

When the paranormal malevolence attacks his friends he must act, travelling to Scotland where yet a present day adversary awaits him, along with the haunting memory of a girl in a white dress, as he attempts to exorcise the past.

But maybe it’s the past that is exorcising him ...

Its easy style will have you turning the pages whilst muttering, ‘Just one more chapter...’ woodwytch

... realistic characters and disturbing subject matter make this a memorable story. Ezra T. Gray

286 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 15, 2013

About the author

GRAHAM HIGSON lives in an outlying Pennine village and shares this blustery environment with a growing collection of books, a workshop piled high with offcuts of oak, his understanding wife and one mean mortgage. His two grown-up children are among his best friends.

Having written professionally for over 40 years (when he was at school, he says)), Oak Seer: A Supernatural Mystery was the first of his published novels, followed by Flither Lass, his historical novel set during WW1, and his How Much For a Little Screw? series of fictionalised memoirs

He lists his hobbies as swimming, reading, watching lots of screen drama, helping to republish the novels of Leo Walmsley, and searching for that elusive moment of self-discovery.

Reviews

[Adrienne Woods · Rating 5 out of 5]

Graham asked me to do a review for him for Oak Seer. I finished it and I have to say, this is something different. Just looking at the cover, I wouldn’t have picked it up, but I promise you the content and the story is completely out of this world. It’s a smart written novel, with a good pace and really well developed characters. I don’t want to give the story away, I think the blurb said enough, entice enough, and I promise you won’t be disappointed.

The end didn’t left me wondering or that I expected more from this, and that is what I like about a novel. It should be rounded off, not leaving the reader hanging in the air, and it should want you to pick something else from this author and Oak Seer definitely did that for me.
Well done Graham. I really liked this

Good luck Graham with Oak Seer and I wish you all the best with your writing career.
Grab your copy now.

[Sophie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oak Seer is exciting, thrilling and mysterious. The characters are so vivid and lifelike I feel as if I know them. Taking you through the intriguing world of psychometry and the supernatural, it is fast paced and daring.
An excellent first book. The first of many I hope as I for one would love to read more Briscoe adventures.

[Julie Haigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This isn't one of my normal genres; I downloaded this book because I know the author personally and so I was interested (and nosy!) to read his book. This is a good length-not too long or too short, well-written-not too brief and not filled with too many unnecessary details. Chapters are just the right length. This book is quite multi-faceted: You have Relationships, Crime Intrigue, Psychometry, (I hadn't heard of this before but it is a known phenomena as I found when I looked it up), History and you get to learn about wood processes eg. Fuming (among many others). I certainly felt I had learnt something at the end of reading this novel, not just read a story. My partner works in engineering patternmaking and in this book there were many things about wood that even I hadn't heard of before. I liked the historical chapters in the book. The writing flowed well from one era to another, it didn't feel disjointed at any point. Congratulations on your book Graham, I would read more.

[Annette Rothery · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a highly enjoyable read. It was one of those "I'll just read another chapter" books where you come up for air 4 chapters later. I really felt that I knew the main characters and even the peripheral ones are very memorable - having their own quirks.


Unlike many books this story carries to the very last page - no last chapter fizzle that can leave the reader feeling rather deflated - after a fast paced story. And Oak Seer certainly is fast paced, with high tension and mystery, laced with humour and warmth.


If you like mystery with a dash of adventure, a touch of the supernatural without wandering into the totally unbelievable, I strongly suggest that you give this book a try. I don't think that you'll be disappointed - I certainly wasn't.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the story and I really loved the characters. This is anot like anything I've ever read before and parts of it caused even my eyebrows to raise! It's an easy read and the author doesn't bog you down with useless details. I like the world he created. Once I had started reading I couldn't put it down, it pulls you through to the end.

[Eleanor Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

At times a very engaging, easy read, at others complex and difficult to follow. The episodes of psychometry were handled better than some of the other time jumps which took place in the story – these latter occasionally leaving the plot hanging, fragmented, flailing about for the next section of story to anchor to.
I thought Oak Seer had a lot of potential, and was excited to read it, but poor structure and an unfinished feeling to the weave of the character dynamics and plot, left me feeling unsatisfied.
The author has a unique voice and can deliver quick pace and intrigue at times; I hope he continues to develop these talents. A good first novel.

[Serena Cairns · Rating 4 out of 5]

Warning: Graham Higson's novel, OAK SEER, is responsible for me burning the midnight oil and waking up with heavy bags under my eyes. If you're low on fuel or concerned about your appearance, don't read this book. If, on the other hand, you enjoy a fast-paced supernatural thriller, this might just be for you. Its easy style will have you turning the pages whilst muttering, "Just one more chapter...". First novel? More, please.