Hi all!
Today I am back with another Mark Towse book review. Earlier this month, I was given the opportunity to read his most popular work: Nana. I also got to interview the talented author himself (click here). A big thank you to Mark for sending me a copy of Hope Wharf. I love working with him and at this point, I’ll check out anything he publishes. Without further ado, lets get into it!
THE PLOT
Hope Wharf is an idyllic town, surrounded by crystal blue waters and home to approximately two hundred residents, including best friends Ryan and Zac. There’s only one road in and one road out, and the locals like it that way, happy to cater to the tourists during the holiday season. It sounds perfect, but there’s a catch. The last time a local allegedly tried to leave town, they were found on the side of the road with mist coming out of every orifice. Tourists can come and go as they please, but it’s forbidden for locals to leave, and from an early age, children are told about what happens if they try. Ryan and Zac are keen to uncover the town’s secrets, arranging a midnight stroll down Mulville Road, to test the rumours out for themselves.
THE CHARACTERS
Zac and Ryan are the protagonists of the story. They are two best friends, eager to learn the truth about their strange town and its rumours. Zac is more spirited and impulsive. Ryan is more cautious and calculated. They compliment one another perfectly. I’ve mentioned this before, but I feel like Mark Towse is especially gifted at switching from a child’s perspective, to an adults. He captured an innocent friendship between two boys that brought back a lot of nostalgia. It reminded me of a time when the summers felt endless and nothing else mattered. We also get some insight into the late Tommy Nicholls, who disappeared from Hope Wharf years ago, in the prologue. As this is a spoiler-free review, I won’t divulge what happens, but needless to say, there was an interesting plot twist!
THE WRITING STYLE
I would definitely classify this story as a horror. It felt like Midnight Mass meets The Mist. I’m a huge fan of the strange town trope. It’s a setting I cannot get enough of. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I appreciate when an author shows, rather than tells us what is going on. We weren’t spoon-fed the information, but slowly given seeds of thought to make up our own minds. My only criticism is I would have loved more. Maybe Mark can revisit this world someday, expanding on some of the different characters and their backstories. I am such a fan of Mark’s writing style. His dialogue is witty, his descriptions on point and his storytelling, excellent.
STAR RATING
I gave it 4/5 stars. It was really enjoyable and the best kind of creepy.
Once again, a huge thank you to Mark for giving me such a great opportunity. I hope you liked my review. Please order a copy here. Don’t forget to leave reviews on Amazon and Goodreads!
Thank you for reading
Peace & Love xoxo