A review by perrywolfecastle
Mrs. McGilvery by Colin Gibson

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

This book does a lot of things well. Children trying to understand their terror, the divisiveness of their parents to something they can’t see, and how an adult can rationalize away the things that terrify their children. The setting and tone hit the nail on the head showing the poverty of a working class council estate in the 1960s’ in its last days butting up against the move to demolition and the tower blocks of the late 60s’ and 70s’ we see today.
The only thing I wasn’t taken with, which I believe was the same for many, was the ending/epilogue. I wouldn’t call it bad, nor would I argue it needs to be happy. It felt a little too abrupt and underdeveloped. Twisty for the sake of a twist.
I wouldn’t let that put you off, though. It’s still a rather good read.