BOOK REVIEW: ​THE MOOR BY SAM HAYSOM

BOOK REVIEW: THE MOOR BY SAM HAYSOM

7/6/2018

BY TONY JONES

“A school camping trip takes a terrifying turn for the worst”

Set in the southern moorlands of the Devonshire area of England, “The Moor” opens with a 1951 newspaper clipping recounting the mysterious disappearance of two children from Rutmoor. Throughout the novel further clippings are interspersed between chapters which flip between 2015 and 2002 where the majority of the action is set. The clippings give shrouded clues of the direction in which the story heads, also reporting the unprovoked killings of pets and small animals which have been ritualistically mutilated. Initially, all this chopping and changing in the story is a tad distracting, however, once you get the hang of the style and multiple points of view over the two time periods, the novel gets easier to follow. The larger sections are set in 2002 when the friends are young teenagers, with the 2015 part picking up the same characters thirteen years later. If you do struggle with the opening, make sure you stick with it, as it is well worth it.

In the summer of 2002, a group of 13-year-old boys go on a camping trip in Rutmoor National Park, accompanied by the newest member of their friendship group, Tim, and his dad who is a skilled hill walker. They set out to navigate their way across the park, taking in all the different peaks which is a popular local outdoor activity. However, Rutmoor has a reputation for both unpredictable weather and strange disappearances, which Mr Stevens reveals during campfire stories during their first night in the wild, scaring the boys. Local folklore stories are aplenty, all claiming these vanishings are caused by the ghost of a beautiful red-haired witch found hanged nearby in the early 19th century, murdered by suspicious locals. The following morning, Gary, the joker of the group is missing from his tent, along with all his belongings. There is no mobile phone service, they are miles away from help, the group begin to argue, and their problems are just beginning. But for the reader the fun is just beginning.

Does everyone survive? The author keeps this cleverly shrouded and the reader guessing as the plot in the main 2002 storyline unfolds and quickly picks up pace, culminating with a dramatic conclusion thirteen years later which ties both strands together. Haysom builds tension with lots of nice touches, such as a severed rabbit foot outside one of the tents. Is this someone playing a prank or has one of the group got ulterior motives? You’re never quite sure, but as the rain begins to lash down, every broken tree looks threatening to the frightened boys. An animal skull is much more terrifying as the author nods towards “The Blair Witch Project” and other familiar horror landmarks.

The multiple points of view between Gary, James, Tom, Matt, and Tim works particularly well and the boys are convincing and likable characters, with their banter natural and entertaining. Ranging from the clown Gary, who always takes the joke too far, or the sporty and confident Tom, to the overweight James. Tim is the socially awkward and introverted new member of the friendship group, who has issues that are revealed as the book develops.

Sam Haysom does a fine job of making the most of a terrific natural setting and in many ways Rutmoor National Park is the star of the book. It’s incredibly well drawn, and through the eyes of these teenagers you’ll feel the rain, mist and wind whistling through their tents with them. Welcome to England everyone! The initial nods to the 19th century witch were a little too obvious and I was delighted to see the author take the story in a different direction. Also, because it was set in 2002, mobile phones had not yet become advanced enough to play a significant part of the story which I really liked.

“The Moor” will undoubtedly remind you of lots of other novels and films, but it has enough going for it to stand nicely on its two feet and it was an impressive debut novel and a fine read.

Tony Jones