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Eynhallow
ORKNEY ISLANDS, 1797 – Agnes Tulloch feels a little cheated. This windswept place is not the island paradise her husband promised it to be when they wed. Now with four young children, she struggles to provide for her family while her husband grows increasingly distant.
When a stranger comes ashore to rent an abandoned cottage, Agnes and the other islanders are abuzz with curiosity. Who is this wealthy foreigner and why on earth would he come to Eynhallow? Her curiosity is soon replaced with vexation when her husband hires her out as cook and washerwoman, leaving Agnes with no say in the matter. Agnes begrudgingly befriends this aristocrat-in-exile, a mercurial scientist who toils night and day on some secret pursuit. Despite herself, she’s drawn to his dark, brooding charm. And who is this Byronic stranger sweeping Agnes off her feet? His name is Frankenstein and he’s come to this remote isle to fulfill a monstrous obligation.
When a stranger comes ashore to rent an abandoned cottage, Agnes and the other islanders are abuzz with curiosity. Who is this wealthy foreigner and why on earth would he come to Eynhallow? Her curiosity is soon replaced with vexation when her husband hires her out as cook and washerwoman, leaving Agnes with no say in the matter. Agnes begrudgingly befriends this aristocrat-in-exile, a mercurial scientist who toils night and day on some secret pursuit. Despite herself, she’s drawn to his dark, brooding charm. And who is this Byronic stranger sweeping Agnes off her feet? His name is Frankenstein and he’s come to this remote isle to fulfill a monstrous obligation.
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First published February 22, 2024
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About the author
Tim McGregor
40 books399 followersTim McGregor is an author living in Toronto with his wife and children. And a ghost. A really spiteful ghost.
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July 4, 2024
‘Death is a promise that cannot be made pretty.’
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a gripping read that effortlessly blends mystery and folklore into a thrilling narrative. Set on the hauntingly beautiful island of Eynhallow, the story immediately pulls you in with its atmospheric setting and intriguing premise. McGregor's writing is vivid and immersive, making the island almost a character in itself.
Essentially a retelling of Frankenstein, the plot revolves around Agnes and her lonely life on the isolated island with her husband and children. This is not the paradise she was promised by her older husband and she is miserable. So when a stranger comes to the island for a temporary visit, she is intrigued. The man, she learns, is Victor Frankenstein.
McGregor does a fantastic job of keeping the suspense high and the reader guessing. The characters are well developed, with enough depth and complexity to make them feel real and relatable. As the story unfolds, the intertwining of local legends and modern day mystery creates a rich tapestry that is both engaging and thought provoking.
What I particularly loved about Eynhallow is how it balances a fast paced plot with moments of reflection and beautiful prose. It's a book that makes you think, while also providing the kind of page turning excitement that makes it hard to put down. If you're a fan of Frankenstein and atmospheric horror with a touch of scifi, this book is definitely worth your time.
My Highest Recommendation!
If you’re looking for another Frankenstein retelling consider The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. I read this last year and enjoyed it immensely.
Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a gripping read that effortlessly blends mystery and folklore into a thrilling narrative. Set on the hauntingly beautiful island of Eynhallow, the story immediately pulls you in with its atmospheric setting and intriguing premise. McGregor's writing is vivid and immersive, making the island almost a character in itself.
Essentially a retelling of Frankenstein, the plot revolves around Agnes and her lonely life on the isolated island with her husband and children. This is not the paradise she was promised by her older husband and she is miserable. So when a stranger comes to the island for a temporary visit, she is intrigued. The man, she learns, is Victor Frankenstein.
McGregor does a fantastic job of keeping the suspense high and the reader guessing. The characters are well developed, with enough depth and complexity to make them feel real and relatable. As the story unfolds, the intertwining of local legends and modern day mystery creates a rich tapestry that is both engaging and thought provoking.
What I particularly loved about Eynhallow is how it balances a fast paced plot with moments of reflection and beautiful prose. It's a book that makes you think, while also providing the kind of page turning excitement that makes it hard to put down. If you're a fan of Frankenstein and atmospheric horror with a touch of scifi, this book is definitely worth your time.
My Highest Recommendation!
If you’re looking for another Frankenstein retelling consider The Dark Descent of Elizabeth Frankenstein. I read this last year and enjoyed it immensely.
February 15, 2025
Death, Where is Thy Sting?...
EYNHALLOW
by Tim McGregor
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. This novel is another take on the FRANKENSTEIN story with some interesting embellishments...
Orkney Islands, 1797...
A summer storm blew in over the island of Eynhallow, bringing pummeling rains...
There's no escape from the winds on Eynhallow. It never stops, but it toughens the soul...
Eynhallow is awash in mystery...
Norse Spirits are rumored to haunt the tiny island, and finfolk (fish creatures) are believed to crawl up onto the beach and become human...
Others say...
Trolls are hiding in the caves on the cliffs during the day but come out at night looking for something to eat...
According to the islanders...
The island teemed with ghosts, goblins, and monsters...
20 souls populated the island, and visitors were rare, but one day, the islanders saw a boat on the horizon...
The visitor was a foreigner here for the season. He'd leased a derelict house, abandoned for many years, to complete his research...
And to free himself from a curse...
Frankenstein was his name, and he had lifted the skirts of Mother Nature to know her secrets of the very primal spark of the universe...
Oh, Death, where is thy sting?...
This is a very atmospheric and interesting interpretation of Mary Shelley's novel FRANKENSTEIN.
It was, overall, a good story. My problem with this novel was its glacial pace. Nothing much happened until the last 25% of the book, and then it was great.
The writing was dark and gloomy, and if you're looking for a happy ending, keep looking. I personally don't need every story to end on a good note to deem it a good read.
I'm sorry to go against the tide here, but this is my honest assessment. This is a great author, and this is a good book, but I personally liked LURE by this author much better. This story needed some gas in the tank to pick up the pace a little.
EYNHALLOW
by Tim McGregor
No spoilers. 3 1/2 stars. This novel is another take on the FRANKENSTEIN story with some interesting embellishments...
Orkney Islands, 1797...
A summer storm blew in over the island of Eynhallow, bringing pummeling rains...
There's no escape from the winds on Eynhallow. It never stops, but it toughens the soul...
Eynhallow is awash in mystery...
Norse Spirits are rumored to haunt the tiny island, and finfolk (fish creatures) are believed to crawl up onto the beach and become human...
Others say...
Trolls are hiding in the caves on the cliffs during the day but come out at night looking for something to eat...
According to the islanders...
The island teemed with ghosts, goblins, and monsters...
20 souls populated the island, and visitors were rare, but one day, the islanders saw a boat on the horizon...
The visitor was a foreigner here for the season. He'd leased a derelict house, abandoned for many years, to complete his research...
And to free himself from a curse...
Frankenstein was his name, and he had lifted the skirts of Mother Nature to know her secrets of the very primal spark of the universe...
Oh, Death, where is thy sting?...
This is a very atmospheric and interesting interpretation of Mary Shelley's novel FRANKENSTEIN.
It was, overall, a good story. My problem with this novel was its glacial pace. Nothing much happened until the last 25% of the book, and then it was great.
The writing was dark and gloomy, and if you're looking for a happy ending, keep looking. I personally don't need every story to end on a good note to deem it a good read.
I'm sorry to go against the tide here, but this is my honest assessment. This is a great author, and this is a good book, but I personally liked LURE by this author much better. This story needed some gas in the tank to pick up the pace a little.
November 13, 2024
On a small, Scottish isolated island called Eynhallow resides a small community of only twenty hardworking people (including children) taking place at the end of the 18th century. Agnes Tulloch is one of those residents who accepts her lot in life and loves her three children more than anything but most of the time she feels cheated with life itself. The wind is brutal day in day out and the storms come out of nowhere leaving their too small cottage which is in ill repair damp, leaky and cold most days and the tedious, hard work is a never ending cycle.
One day a mysterious stranger arrives on the isle and stirs up gossip about why anyone would want to come live on Eynhallow especially in the old vacant cottage rumored to be haunted for many, many years. Superstitions and folklore are abundant during those times so the residents are somewhat fearful as well as curious about why an aristocrat would want to move to their lonely isle. Meanwhile, Mr. Tulloch hires poor Agnes out as a housekeeper and in those days the wives must always abide by their husbands wishes.
The dark, brooding stranger is rude, arrogant and unfriendly as well but he is interesting and accepts Agnes in a way that she has always been denied and they quickly become friendly and enjoy one another's company although Agnes wonders why the man named Victor Frankenstein is so unhappy and why he won't reveal to her the type of work that he performs in the room he keeps locked day and night. Someone has been threatening and harming Victor and he won't tell Agnes who or why this person is after him until the day she comes across this dangerous and terrifying person and is fearful for own her life as well as Victor's and she will then make a decision that will change everything she had ever known or believed for the worse when she suddenly finds herself trapped in a living nightmare that she can never wake up from or find an escape back to her old life.
This was the most amazing, horror book that I will remember for a very long time! The beautiful, atmospheric writing and storytelling were so mesmerizing that I didn't want the story to end. The book begins slow and steady giving lovely and thoughtful detailed descriptions of the island and the colorful lives of the characters. Some may say this was a retelling but I considered this book an original and brilliant piece of work. The last thirty percent of the story had my pulse racing and I was holding my breath but I never expected to feel an ache in my heart by the time I was finished reading. This book was very dark, dismal, raw, unexpected, entertaining and realistically told with it's atmospheric and historical edge that will appeal to almost every single, horror reader.
I must add this was not a long book yet it captured all the substance and quality content of a novel that was three hundred pages or more but without all the silly filler words and phrases that can be so unnecessary and annoying in many books. You won't find any excessive drama although one may wish the story could have lasted longer because Agnes's story will stay with you for a long time as well as some of the other characters. Eerily sinister and the horror will creep up on you slowly and steadily and when it finally hits it may be shock to your psyche as it was to me.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Tim McGregor's other books since I have been so enchanted by this author's writing! I hope that my hearfelt words will encourage other readers to pick this book up and begin a wondrous and horrific journey to the desolate island of EYNHALLOW which is actually still in existence.
I want to thank the publisher "RDS Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this tale of madness and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING AND MESMERIZING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
One day a mysterious stranger arrives on the isle and stirs up gossip about why anyone would want to come live on Eynhallow especially in the old vacant cottage rumored to be haunted for many, many years. Superstitions and folklore are abundant during those times so the residents are somewhat fearful as well as curious about why an aristocrat would want to move to their lonely isle. Meanwhile, Mr. Tulloch hires poor Agnes out as a housekeeper and in those days the wives must always abide by their husbands wishes.
The dark, brooding stranger is rude, arrogant and unfriendly as well but he is interesting and accepts Agnes in a way that she has always been denied and they quickly become friendly and enjoy one another's company although Agnes wonders why the man named Victor Frankenstein is so unhappy and why he won't reveal to her the type of work that he performs in the room he keeps locked day and night. Someone has been threatening and harming Victor and he won't tell Agnes who or why this person is after him until the day she comes across this dangerous and terrifying person and is fearful for own her life as well as Victor's and she will then make a decision that will change everything she had ever known or believed for the worse when she suddenly finds herself trapped in a living nightmare that she can never wake up from or find an escape back to her old life.
This was the most amazing, horror book that I will remember for a very long time! The beautiful, atmospheric writing and storytelling were so mesmerizing that I didn't want the story to end. The book begins slow and steady giving lovely and thoughtful detailed descriptions of the island and the colorful lives of the characters. Some may say this was a retelling but I considered this book an original and brilliant piece of work. The last thirty percent of the story had my pulse racing and I was holding my breath but I never expected to feel an ache in my heart by the time I was finished reading. This book was very dark, dismal, raw, unexpected, entertaining and realistically told with it's atmospheric and historical edge that will appeal to almost every single, horror reader.
I must add this was not a long book yet it captured all the substance and quality content of a novel that was three hundred pages or more but without all the silly filler words and phrases that can be so unnecessary and annoying in many books. You won't find any excessive drama although one may wish the story could have lasted longer because Agnes's story will stay with you for a long time as well as some of the other characters. Eerily sinister and the horror will creep up on you slowly and steadily and when it finally hits it may be shock to your psyche as it was to me.
I cannot recommend this book highly enough and wish I could give it more than 5 stars and I am most definitely looking forward to reading more of Tim McGregor's other books since I have been so enchanted by this author's writing! I hope that my hearfelt words will encourage other readers to pick this book up and begin a wondrous and horrific journey to the desolate island of EYNHALLOW which is actually still in existence.
I want to thank the publisher "RDS Publishing" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this tale of madness and any thoughts or opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!
I have given a rating of 5 COMPLETELY CAPTIVATING AND MESMERIZING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!
September 23, 2025
I adored this story. Eynhallow is a darkly-creative, visceral and heart-breaking. I read it with equal parts horror and empathy. Oh, my heart...
This book first came on my radar after seeing a few trusted Book Friends' glowing reviews. I really didn't look into it too deeply, I just took their word for it.
Holy moly, am I glad that I did. It's set on Eynhallow, year 1797, in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland. This is a desolate, and extremely remote location, with only a handful of families roughing out a life there.
As an island resident myself, I understand the challenges, but during this time period, I cannot even imagine. There's no ferry schedule to count on when you need an escape...
I listened the audiobook, and the narration by Angela Ness, a Scottish voice actor, brought incredible authenticity to it. The main character is Agnes Tulloch, and I truly felt like she was telling me her story.
I am not going to say anything about the events of the book. I feel it is best to go in knowing as little as possible and just let it all envelope you.
I found it so easy to become fully immersed in the story. The atmosphere is rich, and honestly, quite bleak. I felt everything Agnes went through over the course of the story. The ups-and-downs, the emotional roller coaster that often felt close to derailment. I felt it.
This is the 2nd-novella that I've read from Tim McGregor, and it's also the 2nd 5-star rating. His quality of writing, the attention to detail in his storytelling, his ability to channel emotion through the narrative, it's just top notch.
I would absolutely recommend this to any Horror lover, but in particular my atmosphere girlies, fans of Classic Horror and Historical Horror lovers. You know who you are.
This book first came on my radar after seeing a few trusted Book Friends' glowing reviews. I really didn't look into it too deeply, I just took their word for it.
Holy moly, am I glad that I did. It's set on Eynhallow, year 1797, in the Orkney Islands off the coast of Scotland. This is a desolate, and extremely remote location, with only a handful of families roughing out a life there.
As an island resident myself, I understand the challenges, but during this time period, I cannot even imagine. There's no ferry schedule to count on when you need an escape...
I listened the audiobook, and the narration by Angela Ness, a Scottish voice actor, brought incredible authenticity to it. The main character is Agnes Tulloch, and I truly felt like she was telling me her story.
I am not going to say anything about the events of the book. I feel it is best to go in knowing as little as possible and just let it all envelope you.
I found it so easy to become fully immersed in the story. The atmosphere is rich, and honestly, quite bleak. I felt everything Agnes went through over the course of the story. The ups-and-downs, the emotional roller coaster that often felt close to derailment. I felt it.
This is the 2nd-novella that I've read from Tim McGregor, and it's also the 2nd 5-star rating. His quality of writing, the attention to detail in his storytelling, his ability to channel emotion through the narrative, it's just top notch.
I would absolutely recommend this to any Horror lover, but in particular my atmosphere girlies, fans of Classic Horror and Historical Horror lovers. You know who you are.
January 22, 2024
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Genre: Horror + Literary Fiction + Retelling
Tim McGregor's Eynhallow is a gothic horror literary work that takes place in the Orkney Islands in the year 1797. It tells the story of Agnes Tulloch, a woman who lives on a remote island and feels trapped in a marriage with an abusive husband who does not treat her well. After the arrival of a mysterious stranger on the island, her life undergoes a major transformation.
First and foremost, I would like to recommend that you do not read any further into the synopsis than what I have shared with you here. Allow everything to remain a mystery in order to keep the shock factor intact. This book was my choice for a reason. Because it fulfilled all of the types of tropes that I enjoy. The first is that the entire atmosphere takes place on a remote island with a very small population. The second is the arrival of a mysterious person who will make things so interesting.
The narrative is told from Agnes' point of view, and through her eyes, we, as readers, can see her current life with her husband, children, and the other people who are on the island. We also get to see how things take a different turn when this stranger arrives. The book is very intense and has a very atmospheric feel to it. The author has done such an amazing job with the gothic atmosphere.
As a retelling, the story is fantastic. The entire experience was enjoyable to me. The pace is steady and just right for my aesthetic preferences. The writing is absolutely stunning. There were times when I had the impression that I was the main character and that I was literally sitting there on the island, feeling completely cut off from the rest of the world. This was outstanding in every way. I wholeheartedly endorse it to each and every reader. It is without a doubt that I will continue to read more of Tim McGregor's work.
I would like to express my gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
Genre: Horror + Literary Fiction + Retelling
Tim McGregor's Eynhallow is a gothic horror literary work that takes place in the Orkney Islands in the year 1797. It tells the story of Agnes Tulloch, a woman who lives on a remote island and feels trapped in a marriage with an abusive husband who does not treat her well. After the arrival of a mysterious stranger on the island, her life undergoes a major transformation.
First and foremost, I would like to recommend that you do not read any further into the synopsis than what I have shared with you here. Allow everything to remain a mystery in order to keep the shock factor intact. This book was my choice for a reason. Because it fulfilled all of the types of tropes that I enjoy. The first is that the entire atmosphere takes place on a remote island with a very small population. The second is the arrival of a mysterious person who will make things so interesting.
The narrative is told from Agnes' point of view, and through her eyes, we, as readers, can see her current life with her husband, children, and the other people who are on the island. We also get to see how things take a different turn when this stranger arrives. The book is very intense and has a very atmospheric feel to it. The author has done such an amazing job with the gothic atmosphere.
As a retelling, the story is fantastic. The entire experience was enjoyable to me. The pace is steady and just right for my aesthetic preferences. The writing is absolutely stunning. There were times when I had the impression that I was the main character and that I was literally sitting there on the island, feeling completely cut off from the rest of the world. This was outstanding in every way. I wholeheartedly endorse it to each and every reader. It is without a doubt that I will continue to read more of Tim McGregor's work.
I would like to express my gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an advanced reader copy of this book.
June 20, 2025
A melancholic, beautifully written, atmospheric Frankenstein retelling. I finished this in one sitting, although I almost had to take a break, as it featured one of the most upsetting birthing sequences I’ve ever read.
January 29, 2025
Title/Author: Eynhallow by Tim McGregor
Page Count: 178 pages
Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press
Format: eBook
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Hearts Strange & Dreadful, Taboo in Four Colors, Lure, Wasps in the Ice Cream
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978194787...
Release Date: Feb. 2024
General Genre: Gothic, Lit fic, Horror
Sub-Genre/Themes: Island living, rural communities, domestic violence, marriage, parenthood, friendship, "a stranger comes to town", infidelity, romance, science fiction, monsters, transformations
Writing Style: immersive, compelling, character-driven
What You Need to Know: A woman on an island in a very small community, is trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage with kids. A stranger comes to town and moves into the abandoned cottage nearby. Agnes's husband sells his wife's cooking & cleaning to the newcomer. The two form an unexpected alliance.
My Reading Experience: Wow! I heard so much buzz about this book last year and it made me look forward to finally getting alone with this highly anticipated book. It's everything I expected and more. I have come to be a high fan of Tim's work. I loved Hearts Strange and Dreadful, Taboo in Four Colors, Lure, and Wasps in the Ice Cream. His wheelhouse is a relaxed, comfortable storytelling style with a lot for readers to cling to--the emotional investment is always very high. He writes compelling, authentic characters.
This book is no exception. I was immediately drawn into the life of Agness and her horrible, violent marriage.
The stakes are so high!
How will she survive this situation?
I love the setup, the stranger coming to the island, the friendships Agnes makes with another woman on the island, and also the newcomer. I enjoyed the suspense Tim creates with the conflicts he introduced.. So many unexpected developments! There was one part I thought could/should have been cut, I didn't think it added anything to the story and it felt...unnecessarily cruel. Other than that, this was a flawless, enjoyable reading experience.
Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans of horror with heart. Readers will invest immediately in Agnes's life as she navigates the violence in her home, her obligations and duties, her motherhood instincts, and her heart. I had no idea where this was going to go and I went along for the ride. Tim McGregor is an imaginative and talented storyteller
Comps: Obviously, Frankenstein, Our Hideous Progeny, and Elizabeth Frankenstein
Page Count: 178 pages
Publisher: Raw Dog Screaming Press
Format: eBook
Other Books I Enjoyed by This Author: Hearts Strange & Dreadful, Taboo in Four Colors, Lure, Wasps in the Ice Cream
Affiliate Link: https://bookshop.org/a/7576/978194787...
Release Date: Feb. 2024
General Genre: Gothic, Lit fic, Horror
Sub-Genre/Themes: Island living, rural communities, domestic violence, marriage, parenthood, friendship, "a stranger comes to town", infidelity, romance, science fiction, monsters, transformations
Writing Style: immersive, compelling, character-driven
What You Need to Know: A woman on an island in a very small community, is trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage with kids. A stranger comes to town and moves into the abandoned cottage nearby. Agnes's husband sells his wife's cooking & cleaning to the newcomer. The two form an unexpected alliance.
My Reading Experience: Wow! I heard so much buzz about this book last year and it made me look forward to finally getting alone with this highly anticipated book. It's everything I expected and more. I have come to be a high fan of Tim's work. I loved Hearts Strange and Dreadful, Taboo in Four Colors, Lure, and Wasps in the Ice Cream. His wheelhouse is a relaxed, comfortable storytelling style with a lot for readers to cling to--the emotional investment is always very high. He writes compelling, authentic characters.
This book is no exception. I was immediately drawn into the life of Agness and her horrible, violent marriage.
The stakes are so high!
How will she survive this situation?
I love the setup, the stranger coming to the island, the friendships Agnes makes with another woman on the island, and also the newcomer. I enjoyed the suspense Tim creates with the conflicts he introduced.. So many unexpected developments! There was one part I thought could/should have been cut, I didn't think it added anything to the story and it felt...unnecessarily cruel. Other than that, this was a flawless, enjoyable reading experience.
Final Recommendation: Perfect for fans of horror with heart. Readers will invest immediately in Agnes's life as she navigates the violence in her home, her obligations and duties, her motherhood instincts, and her heart. I had no idea where this was going to go and I went along for the ride. Tim McGregor is an imaginative and talented storyteller
Comps: Obviously, Frankenstein, Our Hideous Progeny, and Elizabeth Frankenstein
April 13, 2024
In 1797, only four families inhabit Eynhallow island. Agnes has never fit in with the clannish residents. She lives a lonely existence. Abused by her husband, and worn out from caring for four needy children, she has little to look forward to in her life. That changes when a stranger arrives on the island, and she is forced to provide him with a daily meal. And though Agnes is soon drawn into an odd companionship, it's clear to all who live there that evil has come to the island . . .
It's best not to know any more about this novel. Let its gloomy and atmospheric spell wash over you, and catch you unawares.
It's best not to know any more about this novel. Let its gloomy and atmospheric spell wash over you, and catch you unawares.
May 3, 2024
This Frankenstein retelling was EVERYTHING. The atmosphere, the setting, the writing… all of it was simply amazing! This retelling is set in 1797, on a small isolated Scottish island called Eynhallow. It’s inhabited by a handful of residents until stranger comes ashore to rent an abandoned cottage. Our protagonist Agnes is forced to befriend him after her husband hires her out as his washerwoman and cook. And then weird and creepy stuff starts happening of course. All of the characters felt so real, even the island itself held such a presence in the story. I can’t think of one single thing I did not like about this book. 5 stars.
Read
February 22, 2024I absolutely LOVED this novel! Prior to reading, I hadn’t heard of Eynhallow, but I’ve researched it since and found the mystery that surrounds the place fascinating. However, I chose not to research it until I finished the novel as I didn't want it to spoil my enjoyment.
So, back to the story...
Both setting and storytelling are superb. I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Utterly compelling!
Of all the classic Gothic tales, Frankenstein is my favourite, so the author had me in the palm of his hand. I also love the fact that Agnes occasionally addresses the audience, i.e. the reader. It works so well. I felt I was in the room with her.
The author paints a vivid picture right throughout the book. I was right there on the island, and the ending is faultless. This book is so visual, so immersive. I really want to visit Eynhallow.
My thanks to the author and publisher for granting me the opportunity to cast my eyes over the tale at an early stage. I can't wait to see this release, and I'm adding it straight to my Top Reads of 2023 Shelf..
So, back to the story...
Both setting and storytelling are superb. I genuinely couldn’t put it down. Utterly compelling!
Of all the classic Gothic tales, Frankenstein is my favourite, so the author had me in the palm of his hand. I also love the fact that Agnes occasionally addresses the audience, i.e. the reader. It works so well. I felt I was in the room with her.
The author paints a vivid picture right throughout the book. I was right there on the island, and the ending is faultless. This book is so visual, so immersive. I really want to visit Eynhallow.
My thanks to the author and publisher for granting me the opportunity to cast my eyes over the tale at an early stage. I can't wait to see this release, and I'm adding it straight to my Top Reads of 2023 Shelf..
November 24, 2023
Huge thanks to Netgalley, Raw Dog Screaming Press and Tim McGregor for this eARC!
Eynhallow, Scotland.
A small, desolate, currently uninhabited island off the northern coast of Scotland. A place, according to Google, that has a folklore surrounding it that suggests the Finfolk, shapeshifting mer-people, reside their during the summer months.
Which, if you read Tim’s prior novella, ‘Lure,’ would have you wondering if these two are interconnected at all. But I’ll leave it at that.
Why I did bring that up, is to highlight the magic that Tim has captured in my imagination twice now. The first time was by crafting a cinematic, fairy tale with ‘Lure,’ a novella about a vengeful mermaid. Mermaids are a topic of story I struggle with and Tim had me rapt from page one and never let go.
Which gave me confidence going into this one. Why? Because I find Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus’ to be a slog to get through. Bits and pieces captured me unequivocally and have always stayed with me, but much like many of the older classics, my brain struggles to be whisked away, instead begging for them to be reduced to short stories instead of novels. I know, for some, that sounds blasphemous, but that’s how this readers brain works.
So, that brings us to ‘Eynhallow.’ A novella which has a very engaging synopsis, until the very last line – ‘His name is Frankenstein and he’s come to this remote isle to fulfill a monstrous obligation.’ That had my hackles up slightly. I trust that with Tim’s work I’ll get a stunning story and phenomenal prose, but when the name Frankenstein rings out, I was worried about how my reading brain would approach the subject.
What I liked: Set at the end of the 1790’s, we follow 29-year-old, Agnes Tulloch, wife, mother and, by default, the island’s midwife. She has no formal training in the practice, but after having four successful births and a few unsuccessful ones herself, she’s the go-to when a baby is arriving. Her life is hard, rough and cracks have appeared in her tolerance. She’s tall and very strong. And she was essentially forced into marrying her husband, who is almost twenty years older than her.
Her life is set and she goes about her day as normal. That is, until this strange visitor arrives. Victor Frankenstein. Those who were born on the island detest those from abroad, and so because of this, none of the islanders want to have anything to do with him. Agnes herself, is not from the island, born on the mainland and only moving her once wed to her husband, so Agnes’ husband hires her out to this stranger. She’ll bring him some food and keep his place clean.
At first things are fine, but as she learns more about Victor and the two develop a connection, life begins to change. McGregor does a wonderful job of making Agnes one of the best characters you’ll ever read. I mentioned her age previously, as throughout, you’d think she is twice that, her soul older and her will ironclad. She cares deeply for her children, and her submissiveness to her husband and his drunken abuse slowly dissolves, her internal strength growing as she sees a potential for her and her children.
The island itself plays a prominent role, its shores and undulations making for a perfect place for these families to be island-bound and artificially stranded. The currents are rough and sailing across isn’t without peril.
McGregor’s masterful prose shines through here. Every single sentence is a highlight and told through a razor sharp sense for a cinematic experience. I read at night, and all day, while at work, I was longing to return to Agnes and Eynhallow, wanting to see who the strange creature was the lurked on the periphery and just how Agnes would get out of this life she so desperately wants to leave.
The final quarter of this story is heartbreakingly bleak. Events have happened and Agnes has to watch her former life from afar. It was soul crushing to witness how time forgets her and she forgets everything else. Her kids, their names, those who used to live on the island and how she’ll haunt its shores forever more.
What I didn’t like: In all honestly, I found this novel perfect. Having finished it late last night and now writing this review up first thing, I struggle to pinpoint something to share with you that you may not like. I would tend to lean toward the obvious, this isn’t a rollercoaster paced novel, it’s more of a casual meander across an island and back, so if you’re looking for non-stop action and cliffhangers galore, this won’t be the novel for you.
Why you should buy this: Tim McGregor has knocked this one out of the park and once again he’s thrown my own reading prejudices in my face.
From start to finish, Agnes bleeds from the pages and you’re going to be rooting for her and holding your breath time and time again as she navigates the harsh life she’s been forced into. Fans of Shelley’s work will really enjoy this ‘side story’ of Frankenstein’s quest to create life from death and the last quarter is a great think-piece exploring the ramifications of what this would mean, were he successful.
Just an outstanding novel and one that I think will elevate McGregor into that next level of world-renowned writers. Right where he belongs.
Eynhallow, Scotland.
A small, desolate, currently uninhabited island off the northern coast of Scotland. A place, according to Google, that has a folklore surrounding it that suggests the Finfolk, shapeshifting mer-people, reside their during the summer months.
Which, if you read Tim’s prior novella, ‘Lure,’ would have you wondering if these two are interconnected at all. But I’ll leave it at that.
Why I did bring that up, is to highlight the magic that Tim has captured in my imagination twice now. The first time was by crafting a cinematic, fairy tale with ‘Lure,’ a novella about a vengeful mermaid. Mermaids are a topic of story I struggle with and Tim had me rapt from page one and never let go.
Which gave me confidence going into this one. Why? Because I find Shelley’s ‘Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus’ to be a slog to get through. Bits and pieces captured me unequivocally and have always stayed with me, but much like many of the older classics, my brain struggles to be whisked away, instead begging for them to be reduced to short stories instead of novels. I know, for some, that sounds blasphemous, but that’s how this readers brain works.
So, that brings us to ‘Eynhallow.’ A novella which has a very engaging synopsis, until the very last line – ‘His name is Frankenstein and he’s come to this remote isle to fulfill a monstrous obligation.’ That had my hackles up slightly. I trust that with Tim’s work I’ll get a stunning story and phenomenal prose, but when the name Frankenstein rings out, I was worried about how my reading brain would approach the subject.
What I liked: Set at the end of the 1790’s, we follow 29-year-old, Agnes Tulloch, wife, mother and, by default, the island’s midwife. She has no formal training in the practice, but after having four successful births and a few unsuccessful ones herself, she’s the go-to when a baby is arriving. Her life is hard, rough and cracks have appeared in her tolerance. She’s tall and very strong. And she was essentially forced into marrying her husband, who is almost twenty years older than her.
Her life is set and she goes about her day as normal. That is, until this strange visitor arrives. Victor Frankenstein. Those who were born on the island detest those from abroad, and so because of this, none of the islanders want to have anything to do with him. Agnes herself, is not from the island, born on the mainland and only moving her once wed to her husband, so Agnes’ husband hires her out to this stranger. She’ll bring him some food and keep his place clean.
At first things are fine, but as she learns more about Victor and the two develop a connection, life begins to change. McGregor does a wonderful job of making Agnes one of the best characters you’ll ever read. I mentioned her age previously, as throughout, you’d think she is twice that, her soul older and her will ironclad. She cares deeply for her children, and her submissiveness to her husband and his drunken abuse slowly dissolves, her internal strength growing as she sees a potential for her and her children.
The island itself plays a prominent role, its shores and undulations making for a perfect place for these families to be island-bound and artificially stranded. The currents are rough and sailing across isn’t without peril.
McGregor’s masterful prose shines through here. Every single sentence is a highlight and told through a razor sharp sense for a cinematic experience. I read at night, and all day, while at work, I was longing to return to Agnes and Eynhallow, wanting to see who the strange creature was the lurked on the periphery and just how Agnes would get out of this life she so desperately wants to leave.
The final quarter of this story is heartbreakingly bleak. Events have happened and Agnes has to watch her former life from afar. It was soul crushing to witness how time forgets her and she forgets everything else. Her kids, their names, those who used to live on the island and how she’ll haunt its shores forever more.
What I didn’t like: In all honestly, I found this novel perfect. Having finished it late last night and now writing this review up first thing, I struggle to pinpoint something to share with you that you may not like. I would tend to lean toward the obvious, this isn’t a rollercoaster paced novel, it’s more of a casual meander across an island and back, so if you’re looking for non-stop action and cliffhangers galore, this won’t be the novel for you.
Why you should buy this: Tim McGregor has knocked this one out of the park and once again he’s thrown my own reading prejudices in my face.
From start to finish, Agnes bleeds from the pages and you’re going to be rooting for her and holding your breath time and time again as she navigates the harsh life she’s been forced into. Fans of Shelley’s work will really enjoy this ‘side story’ of Frankenstein’s quest to create life from death and the last quarter is a great think-piece exploring the ramifications of what this would mean, were he successful.
Just an outstanding novel and one that I think will elevate McGregor into that next level of world-renowned writers. Right where he belongs.
January 17, 2025
4.25⭐️
This novel has so many of the elements that I love in a book. Historical fiction
Gothic
Folk horror
Scottish moors & Orkney Isles
Remote island
Isolation & loneliness
Abusive relationships
Heroine facing adversity
Curiosities & oddities
Delicious atmosphere
Lyrical prose
Monsters & supernatural
Seriously, it has all of the things! Read this!!
This novel has so many of the elements that I love in a book. Historical fiction
Gothic
Folk horror
Scottish moors & Orkney Isles
Remote island
Isolation & loneliness
Abusive relationships
Heroine facing adversity
Curiosities & oddities
Delicious atmosphere
Lyrical prose
Monsters & supernatural
Seriously, it has all of the things! Read this!!
October 6, 2024
A story about what happened when Victor Frankenstein travelled to the Orkneys and attempted to construct a mate for his monster. AKA the horror of being a woman: no choices, no autonomy, and presumptively under the control of and let down by every man in your life.
Honestly though, this is a well written and evocative tale, if ultimately sad and horrifying.
Honestly though, this is a well written and evocative tale, if ultimately sad and horrifying.
April 6, 2024
WHAT AN ENDING!!
I did not see any of that coming, at all!!
This book was an absolutely glorious experience!
I did not see any of that coming, at all!!
This book was an absolutely glorious experience!
January 14, 2024
I quite simply, don’t think I can properly put together the words to express how exquisite this book is. Generally, I live in the world of extreme horror and as a result, I find literary horror hard to get into. I gravitate towards books with lots of action and fast-paced plot as a general rule.
Eynhallow, is not any of that. Yet somehow, this might very well be one of my all-time favourite reads. I’m already a fan of McGregor’s writing but I am just absolutely blow away by this book. I’ve never been quite so invested in a character as I was with Agnes. I took my time reading this as I did not want to have to finish it and thus let go.
This re-telling was incredibly harrowing. A melancholy read throughout. You get to know the MC Agnes in such an intimate way, you almost feel like you are her. McGregor captures the extreme horrors of existence in such beautiful prose. Quite literally one of the most enchanting, engrossing stories I’ve ever read. What he’s done here is nothing short of perfection. I cannot find a fault.
Throughout I had no idea where McGregor was taking this story and as a result I was surprised the whole way through. All the twists and turns post climax had me fully engaged until the last work. A masterpiece you need to read immediately. Look of for you February 22nd, you do not want to miss this.
Eynhallow, is not any of that. Yet somehow, this might very well be one of my all-time favourite reads. I’m already a fan of McGregor’s writing but I am just absolutely blow away by this book. I’ve never been quite so invested in a character as I was with Agnes. I took my time reading this as I did not want to have to finish it and thus let go.
This re-telling was incredibly harrowing. A melancholy read throughout. You get to know the MC Agnes in such an intimate way, you almost feel like you are her. McGregor captures the extreme horrors of existence in such beautiful prose. Quite literally one of the most enchanting, engrossing stories I’ve ever read. What he’s done here is nothing short of perfection. I cannot find a fault.
Throughout I had no idea where McGregor was taking this story and as a result I was surprised the whole way through. All the twists and turns post climax had me fully engaged until the last work. A masterpiece you need to read immediately. Look of for you February 22nd, you do not want to miss this.
May 15, 2025
“How entitled is the man who can treat another soul like a tool to be employed and then discarded when it breaks?” -Agnes
What if you take a snapshot of a scene in a classic book and write a story around it? Keeping true to the original, yet expanding and not adulterating it. This is what Eynhallow has done with Frankenstein, and it is a blessing for those of us who can never get enough of this classic. Here we have a story on an intersecting timeline that picks up on Frankenstein's story from a different POV and presents a "what-if" scenario without altering the original.
All I will say on the plot is it follows Agnes and her family on the small island of Eynhallow when the stories collide. This presents a special experience for the reader, knowing what is happening from the original timeline while the characters are trying to figure it all out. We know what is happening but the characters are talking about possible ghosts, trolls, or ogres. Their ignorance adds an extra level of tension and excitement. You have the advantage over the folk of Eynhallow, they know not what lurks in their midst, but if you know Shelley's Modern Prometheus, then you are aware of the lengths the monster with go to make his creator a miserable wretch.
The story telling is just amazing in Eynhallow, with a bleak and desolate setting creating a somber mood throughout. Life and times are hard on a windy island in Northern Scotland in 1797, and being a woman means raising the kids, taking care of the house and the meals while having no say in how the household is run. It truly is a window into a difficult life. Incredible characters, with heartache, fortitude and fear on every page.
Is it necessary to have read Frankenstein in order to enjoy Eynhallow? Absolutely not, but it certainly will enhance the experience, but I strongly encourage you to read Frankenstein if you haven't anyway. Find out who the horrible monster really is.
What if you take a snapshot of a scene in a classic book and write a story around it? Keeping true to the original, yet expanding and not adulterating it. This is what Eynhallow has done with Frankenstein, and it is a blessing for those of us who can never get enough of this classic. Here we have a story on an intersecting timeline that picks up on Frankenstein's story from a different POV and presents a "what-if" scenario without altering the original.
All I will say on the plot is it follows Agnes and her family on the small island of Eynhallow when the stories collide. This presents a special experience for the reader, knowing what is happening from the original timeline while the characters are trying to figure it all out. We know what is happening but the characters are talking about possible ghosts, trolls, or ogres. Their ignorance adds an extra level of tension and excitement. You have the advantage over the folk of Eynhallow, they know not what lurks in their midst, but if you know Shelley's Modern Prometheus, then you are aware of the lengths the monster with go to make his creator a miserable wretch.
The story telling is just amazing in Eynhallow, with a bleak and desolate setting creating a somber mood throughout. Life and times are hard on a windy island in Northern Scotland in 1797, and being a woman means raising the kids, taking care of the house and the meals while having no say in how the household is run. It truly is a window into a difficult life. Incredible characters, with heartache, fortitude and fear on every page.
Is it necessary to have read Frankenstein in order to enjoy Eynhallow? Absolutely not, but it certainly will enhance the experience, but I strongly encourage you to read Frankenstein if you haven't anyway. Find out who the horrible monster really is.
March 13, 2024
I’ve read some good books lately, but it’s been a while since I’ve gotten excited, like really excited over a read. What do you think you’re gonna get when you pick up this novel? This is 178 pages of pure magic. I need more, so much more!
Agnes, oh dear Agnes. This is really her story, even if it’s a retelling. What a human to experience. It takes a LOT to make me shed a tear, and it happened thrice! This woman…you feel her struggles, her grief and the weight on her shoulders. You also feel the love she has for her children and her dearest friend. The events that unfold in this story will pull hard and leave you reeling. It is amazing what a person can endure.
I can also finally brag that I learned a hand full of new words! It’s been ages!! A thought provoking, educational read that is also insanely entertaining!
This may be a very personal opinion, but Tim McGregor can write a woman’s perspective beautifully.
There are a few triggers for this read: infant death, maternal death, domestic abuse.
Agnes, oh dear Agnes. This is really her story, even if it’s a retelling. What a human to experience. It takes a LOT to make me shed a tear, and it happened thrice! This woman…you feel her struggles, her grief and the weight on her shoulders. You also feel the love she has for her children and her dearest friend. The events that unfold in this story will pull hard and leave you reeling. It is amazing what a person can endure.
I can also finally brag that I learned a hand full of new words! It’s been ages!! A thought provoking, educational read that is also insanely entertaining!
This may be a very personal opinion, but Tim McGregor can write a woman’s perspective beautifully.
There are a few triggers for this read: infant death, maternal death, domestic abuse.
September 14, 2024
I had to sit on this one a little bit because the first 75% was 5 stars but the end was kind of rough for me… I know that was the intention but as a mom it just hurt a little bit and was kind of gross to read I just didn’t feel good reading it. I don’t know if that makes it better or worse but I settled on 4 because I just really didn’t like the ending, like I said even though that was the intention.
I few amazing things about this book, even though it was written by a man he wrote the main female character perfect, how she was as a mom, just everything. Which makes me think he probably pays close attention to his wife and how she is as a mother. I just loved his portrayal and the conversations I just don’t know how to feel about the ending.
I few amazing things about this book, even though it was written by a man he wrote the main female character perfect, how she was as a mom, just everything. Which makes me think he probably pays close attention to his wife and how she is as a mother. I just loved his portrayal and the conversations I just don’t know how to feel about the ending.
January 28, 2024
This was the perfect Frankenstein retelling for me! I loved the atmosphere and the writing! I think this story portrayed how being a woman in the 1700s was a true horrorshow. I personally didn't need the last 20-30 pages but I was very happy how it ended and understand why it was there. 4.5 stars! I recommend if you love the Mary Shelley classic!
More of my thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlTNA...
Thank you! Netgalley for this arc!
More of my thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlTNA...
Thank you! Netgalley for this arc!
October 27, 2024
I was rather bored in the beginning, but the last about 30% was worthy of the extra star to make it 4 instead of 3.
March 5, 2024
The island of Eynhallow—which is part of the Orkney archipelago in north Scotland—is now uninhabited. However, in 1797 (the time-period of this book), there was a small conclave of superstitious and xenophobic farmers. In the book, Eynhallow, life is hard on this windy rock, where four families (20 people) live in squalor and deprivation. They believe that spirits, trolls, goblins, and finfolk (fish creatures) roam the island, cause much of their suffering. Such a desolate and lonely place is just the right setting for a horror novel, and Tim McGregor has delivered us a literary marvel.
I don’t want to give too much away, but here is a synopsis. Agnes Turloch is an outsider to the island. Mr. Turloch is an abusive drunk who expects his wife to take care of the family and his sexual desires. She has had seven pregnancies, of which only four have survived. He tries to make her feel grateful that he chose to marry someone like her: tall, physically strong, and hardened by the lack of love and cruelty. When a stranger moves to the island, Agnes soon has someone who is also an outsider; a man who adds a new and exciting dimension to her existence. What is he there for? To tell more would ruin the story.
There is nothing that I can say against this book. It is well paced and well written. The horrors that people inflict on Agnes are emotional, physical, and mental. Much is taken from her, but little is given. This is the first time in a long while where I have read every single word of a book.
On Tim McGregor’s author profile on Goodreads, he states that, he lives with, “A really spiteful ghost.” This may be why he writes so well about the ones that inhabit the land—and people—of Eynhallow. I will be on the lookout for more books written by Tim McGregor.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
I don’t want to give too much away, but here is a synopsis. Agnes Turloch is an outsider to the island. Mr. Turloch is an abusive drunk who expects his wife to take care of the family and his sexual desires. She has had seven pregnancies, of which only four have survived. He tries to make her feel grateful that he chose to marry someone like her: tall, physically strong, and hardened by the lack of love and cruelty. When a stranger moves to the island, Agnes soon has someone who is also an outsider; a man who adds a new and exciting dimension to her existence. What is he there for? To tell more would ruin the story.
There is nothing that I can say against this book. It is well paced and well written. The horrors that people inflict on Agnes are emotional, physical, and mental. Much is taken from her, but little is given. This is the first time in a long while where I have read every single word of a book.
On Tim McGregor’s author profile on Goodreads, he states that, he lives with, “A really spiteful ghost.” This may be why he writes so well about the ones that inhabit the land—and people—of Eynhallow. I will be on the lookout for more books written by Tim McGregor.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 16, 2024
Two things I like, Tim McGregor and Frankenstein, I devoured this is one sitting and it was absolutley PERFECT, a gothic horror with a lot of heart, the writing was syrupy, dreamlike and atmospheric, a melancholy meander that adds to the Shelley lore
October 6, 2025
wow wow wow I adored this.
Eynhallow is an extremely atmospheric and melancholic read for fans of Frankenstein.
The year is 1797 on the small island of Eynhallow where the few families that reside there know everyone and everything. Agnes is part of one such family. Once upon a time, Agnes' husband, a man much older than her, wooed her with promises of a picturesque Island paradise, a loving relationship, and a warm home. Yet, Agnes finds herself living a life that is anything but. Cramped in a small home with four young children and an unloving husband, Agnes feels like she was cheated out of the life she always dreamt of. Which explains why she often loses track of time, watching the distant waves roll by, waiting for someone — anyone — to carry her away. Soon, the arrival of a mysterious Dr. Frankenstein will change Agnes' life forever.
The island setting was captured vividly throughout the writing. I could feel the cold, dreary weather, hear the distant crashing of waves, and experience the claustrophobia through the pages. Agnes' story captured me instantly. I found it so easy to connect with her and sympathize with her situation. She is incredibly strong-willed, determined to stand up for herself, and willing to do anything for her children. Agnes quickly became one of my favorite protagonists from what I've read this year.
With the arrival of Frankenstein comes a little bit of hope for Agnes. At first outraged at being pawned off by her husband to cook and clean for the mysterious foreign visitor, Agnes soon begins to develop a friendship with the stranger and starts feeling optimistic for the first time in ..a long time. Yet, she doesn't know the true depth of the doctor's work and the consequences it might hold for her if she gets involved. This is a story that will have you guessing until the very end which way the author will take things.
As for the horror aspects...this was crazy. This has one of the most horrific, gruesome, heartbreaking birth scenes I've ever read. Definitely be advised if the topic is something you are sensitive to.
This was brutal, bleak, and crushed me in so many different ways. I think Agnes' story is one that will stick with me forever. Highly recommend, especially to Frankenstein fans, but also to anyone seeking an emotional horror read that will chill you to the bone.
Eynhallow is an extremely atmospheric and melancholic read for fans of Frankenstein.
The year is 1797 on the small island of Eynhallow where the few families that reside there know everyone and everything. Agnes is part of one such family. Once upon a time, Agnes' husband, a man much older than her, wooed her with promises of a picturesque Island paradise, a loving relationship, and a warm home. Yet, Agnes finds herself living a life that is anything but. Cramped in a small home with four young children and an unloving husband, Agnes feels like she was cheated out of the life she always dreamt of. Which explains why she often loses track of time, watching the distant waves roll by, waiting for someone — anyone — to carry her away. Soon, the arrival of a mysterious Dr. Frankenstein will change Agnes' life forever.
The island setting was captured vividly throughout the writing. I could feel the cold, dreary weather, hear the distant crashing of waves, and experience the claustrophobia through the pages. Agnes' story captured me instantly. I found it so easy to connect with her and sympathize with her situation. She is incredibly strong-willed, determined to stand up for herself, and willing to do anything for her children. Agnes quickly became one of my favorite protagonists from what I've read this year.
With the arrival of Frankenstein comes a little bit of hope for Agnes. At first outraged at being pawned off by her husband to cook and clean for the mysterious foreign visitor, Agnes soon begins to develop a friendship with the stranger and starts feeling optimistic for the first time in ..a long time. Yet, she doesn't know the true depth of the doctor's work and the consequences it might hold for her if she gets involved. This is a story that will have you guessing until the very end which way the author will take things.
As for the horror aspects...this was crazy. This has one of the most horrific, gruesome, heartbreaking birth scenes I've ever read. Definitely be advised if the topic is something you are sensitive to.
This was brutal, bleak, and crushed me in so many different ways. I think Agnes' story is one that will stick with me forever. Highly recommend, especially to Frankenstein fans, but also to anyone seeking an emotional horror read that will chill you to the bone.
February 28, 2024
Author Tim McGregor's "Eynhallow" is an excellent addition to Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein". McGregor takes a small part of Victor Frankenstein's flight away from Geneva, and expands and fills in some details, while creating a new, sympathetic protagonist in Agnes Tulloch.
McGregor takes us to 1797 on the Orkney Islands. Agnes is a wife and mother of four children. She cares deeply for her children, but does not have the resources or support to feed or care for them adequately. Her husband Robert is emotionally and physically abusive, drinks all their money up and pays the lively children little attention when home except to yell at them.
Agnes has no friends amongst the small number of families on the island, except for Katie, also a mother of several children. Katie and Agnes kid each other, and find what humour they can in their lives, which are full of hardship and toil. The other people of the island look at Agnes with a mixture of fear and revulsion; she is a very tall, powerful woman, easily a head taller than Robert. She's been ostracised and reviled since puberty, when she shot up, painfully, and her stepmother was happy to get rid of her as fast as possible to Tulloch.
Things change when a wealthy stranger arrives on the island, with numerous boxes and trunks, and rents the only empty cottage on the island. Robert quickly sees his advantage, and forces Agnes to cook and clean for the man for money. Agnes is unhappy, as she's already struggling to keep her own home, but has no choice but to agree.
She quickly finds the stranger to be somewhat mercurial, obviously privileged, and not always cognizant of how his requests could be interpreted (e.g., asking Agnes to pose for him). She learns his name is Victor Frankenstein, that he seems to be running away from something, even while he works hard daily on something secret. At the same time, both Agnes and Katie begin seeing a giant on the island....
I don't want to say much more, as the story is excellent, and gave me a better appreciation for Mary Shelley's original, though I still think Vic and Monster are annoying and terrible people. I loved the choice of making Agnes the point of view character, which allows McGregor to 1) really show the remoteness of the Orkneys, and the hardscrabble lives of the few inhabiting the place, and 2) slowly reveal Vic's project, and surprise those unfamiliar with the classic.
McGregor builds atmosphere beautifully; one can hear the wind blowing in from the ocean, feel the biting, salty air, and experience the isolation, and Agnes' cramped, small home and her desperate wish for something better. And then really feel the horror that Agnes experiences when she finally realizes what Vic and the Monster are about.
And the ending is so bleak and sad. Wonderful!
Thank you to Netgalley and to RDS Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
McGregor takes us to 1797 on the Orkney Islands. Agnes is a wife and mother of four children. She cares deeply for her children, but does not have the resources or support to feed or care for them adequately. Her husband Robert is emotionally and physically abusive, drinks all their money up and pays the lively children little attention when home except to yell at them.
Agnes has no friends amongst the small number of families on the island, except for Katie, also a mother of several children. Katie and Agnes kid each other, and find what humour they can in their lives, which are full of hardship and toil. The other people of the island look at Agnes with a mixture of fear and revulsion; she is a very tall, powerful woman, easily a head taller than Robert. She's been ostracised and reviled since puberty, when she shot up, painfully, and her stepmother was happy to get rid of her as fast as possible to Tulloch.
Things change when a wealthy stranger arrives on the island, with numerous boxes and trunks, and rents the only empty cottage on the island. Robert quickly sees his advantage, and forces Agnes to cook and clean for the man for money. Agnes is unhappy, as she's already struggling to keep her own home, but has no choice but to agree.
She quickly finds the stranger to be somewhat mercurial, obviously privileged, and not always cognizant of how his requests could be interpreted (e.g., asking Agnes to pose for him). She learns his name is Victor Frankenstein, that he seems to be running away from something, even while he works hard daily on something secret. At the same time, both Agnes and Katie begin seeing a giant on the island....
I don't want to say much more, as the story is excellent, and gave me a better appreciation for Mary Shelley's original, though I still think Vic and Monster are annoying and terrible people. I loved the choice of making Agnes the point of view character, which allows McGregor to 1) really show the remoteness of the Orkneys, and the hardscrabble lives of the few inhabiting the place, and 2) slowly reveal Vic's project, and surprise those unfamiliar with the classic.
McGregor builds atmosphere beautifully; one can hear the wind blowing in from the ocean, feel the biting, salty air, and experience the isolation, and Agnes' cramped, small home and her desperate wish for something better. And then really feel the horror that Agnes experiences when she finally realizes what Vic and the Monster are about.
And the ending is so bleak and sad. Wonderful!
Thank you to Netgalley and to RDS Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my review.
March 24, 2024
Beautifully written and densely atmospheric tale of the harrowing doings on a largely desolate island. Expands nicely on the Frankenstein mythos. Gothic. Vivid. Wonderful. An outstanding read.
February 19, 2025
The easiest five star rating I’m going to give this year.
This was phenomenal, and the best praise I can give it is that I wish I’d written it. I’m a huge fan of McGregor, but this books is so unlike his work, so beautiful, elegant, unsettling that it sounds nothing like his voice - which is another compliment.
This has now projected itself into my favourite books of all time, just everything about it was special - it’s in my opinion a modern classic, such ingenuity, vision, scope, horror, loss, grief, the utter despair of wanting to belong… I can’t really get my thoughts out, but it’s incredible…a must read!
I’ll forever be recommending this book!
This was phenomenal, and the best praise I can give it is that I wish I’d written it. I’m a huge fan of McGregor, but this books is so unlike his work, so beautiful, elegant, unsettling that it sounds nothing like his voice - which is another compliment.
This has now projected itself into my favourite books of all time, just everything about it was special - it’s in my opinion a modern classic, such ingenuity, vision, scope, horror, loss, grief, the utter despair of wanting to belong… I can’t really get my thoughts out, but it’s incredible…a must read!
I’ll forever be recommending this book!
October 10, 2024
A cozy, feminist, and atmospheric horror?! This is what I live for! The setting of Eynhallow is claustrophobic, eerie but beautiful at the same time. I love the talk of superstitions around trolls, fae, and a haunted cottage on the cliffs. Agnes is an amazing character. She is strong willed and caring. The women hold everything together in this little village.
The very beginning of this book sets the tone for the men and how they treat women. I was ready to take her husband down after the first few pages. 😂
This progresses slowly but in a beautiful way. The end is heartbreaking but also empowering. I love Frankenstein retellings so much, and this did not disappoint. A perfect cozy gothic horror read for autumn! Pick it up!
The very beginning of this book sets the tone for the men and how they treat women. I was ready to take her husband down after the first few pages. 😂
This progresses slowly but in a beautiful way. The end is heartbreaking but also empowering. I love Frankenstein retellings so much, and this did not disappoint. A perfect cozy gothic horror read for autumn! Pick it up!
February 8, 2024
Wow, I don't even know how to begin describing my thoughts about this book but I should start by saying I immediately want to read all of Tim McGregor's other books.
Knowing this was a Frankenstein retelling, I had a general inkling on where things were headed. They did indeed take the turn I expected but somehow it was all even more twisted, darker, and heartbreaking than I could have imagined. The story follows Agnes, a mother of 4 residing on Eynhallow (population 20). She's stuck in a loveless marriage with a sorry excuse of a husband, and her mundane uneventful life takes a turn for what initially appears to be excitement when a mysterious stranger, Frankenstein, shows up. Bringing the town's population to whopping 21, his arrival also brings a sense of unease and strange sightings to the residents of Eynhallow.
Agnes is tasked with bringing meals to Victor and the two start building a friendship that turns into...more. In ways you expect and in ways that will horrify you. The writing style in this book was fantastic, it was so easy to read, funny and witty, and still conveyed so many emotions. You really feel like you are Agnes as you read this. The setting was amazing. Gloomy, eerie, mysterious, and weirdly cozy.
I would maybe knock off half a star because there were a few instances of repetition (something would be explained, an observation would be made and then rehashed a few pages later as new knowledge). Rounding up to a 5 because I'm a sucker for a good Frankenstein retelling and this one nailed the horrors and twisted nature of the original!
Thank you to RDS Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC!
Knowing this was a Frankenstein retelling, I had a general inkling on where things were headed. They did indeed take the turn I expected but somehow it was all even more twisted, darker, and heartbreaking than I could have imagined. The story follows Agnes, a mother of 4 residing on Eynhallow (population 20). She's stuck in a loveless marriage with a sorry excuse of a husband, and her mundane uneventful life takes a turn for what initially appears to be excitement when a mysterious stranger, Frankenstein, shows up. Bringing the town's population to whopping 21, his arrival also brings a sense of unease and strange sightings to the residents of Eynhallow.
Agnes is tasked with bringing meals to Victor and the two start building a friendship that turns into...more. In ways you expect and in ways that will horrify you. The writing style in this book was fantastic, it was so easy to read, funny and witty, and still conveyed so many emotions. You really feel like you are Agnes as you read this. The setting was amazing. Gloomy, eerie, mysterious, and weirdly cozy.
I would maybe knock off half a star because there were a few instances of repetition (something would be explained, an observation would be made and then rehashed a few pages later as new knowledge). Rounding up to a 5 because I'm a sucker for a good Frankenstein retelling and this one nailed the horrors and twisted nature of the original!
Thank you to RDS Publishing and Netgalley for the eARC!
May 2, 2025
Eynhollow is one of the many uninhabited islands of the Orkneys in Scotland, currently home to gulls, puffins, and other aquatic life. It's also the remote setting for this historical gothic tale that tore my heart out and stomped on it into teeny, tiny bits, and then reanimated it so my heart could continue hurting.
The tale is told completely from the perspective of Agnes, a young mother of four young children, the eldest only 12, stuck in a loveless marriage to an abusive man. Like many girls born without means, she is married off against her will, and tasked with the grueling work of house and hearth without a say in the fortunes of it. To add insult to misfortune, Agnes is also unusually tall, a giantess who towers over her husband and the fifteen other islanders outside of her small family. She is isolated, an outsider, and a freak, stuck in a dreary life.
All of Agnes' circumstances change, suddenly, when a stranger from the continent arrives, to rent one of the abandoned crofts. Agnes is tasked by her husband to provide food and housekeeping to the man, and this greedy assignment will irrevocably alter everyone's life on the island. For the stranger is not just an ordinary individual, but one bent on a secret task: to make good on a promise that will have deadly consequences.
My spoiler-y thoughts:
What a masterful story! 5 stars all the way.
The tale is told completely from the perspective of Agnes, a young mother of four young children, the eldest only 12, stuck in a loveless marriage to an abusive man. Like many girls born without means, she is married off against her will, and tasked with the grueling work of house and hearth without a say in the fortunes of it. To add insult to misfortune, Agnes is also unusually tall, a giantess who towers over her husband and the fifteen other islanders outside of her small family. She is isolated, an outsider, and a freak, stuck in a dreary life.
All of Agnes' circumstances change, suddenly, when a stranger from the continent arrives, to rent one of the abandoned crofts. Agnes is tasked by her husband to provide food and housekeeping to the man, and this greedy assignment will irrevocably alter everyone's life on the island. For the stranger is not just an ordinary individual, but one bent on a secret task: to make good on a promise that will have deadly consequences.
My spoiler-y thoughts:
What a masterful story! 5 stars all the way.
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