Monastery Series 9: a Book Review
We are nearly there, dear readers! This is our two-part finale of the mystery thriller series Monastery. While our group of makeshift detectives have gone through some serious challenges in the previous instalments, this one takes them to new heights. Yes, I didn‘t think that was possible either and yet here we are. But that’s enough of me talking, I’ll let the story speak for itself. Let’s dive back in!
Plot
We pick up right where we left off in the last part. David and Henry are on their way to confront Francis in order to get Rocky back. To no one’s surprise, Francis is not playing around this time. He is willing to kill David so he can get the key to his father’s money. As if that wasn’t bad enough, he’s also holding Nicole hostage.
Speaking of hostages, they’re not the only ones at peril. Rick, who is now a full-on Francis’s sidekick has Thomas and Alfie. It’s not a great way for our protagonists to start the grand finale, that’s for sure. We also have a secondary storyline of Nana Beth, who feels she has had enough of this world. Despite her granddaughters’ protests, she is resigned that her time has come.
Nana Beth’s character is an interesting tool to portray one’s outlook on death. The entire aspect of death is a huge theme of the story, considering Albert narrates it from beyond the grave. Nana Beth knows she has lived a fulfilling life with her soulmate and is meeting death on her terms and with grace. It also adds a bit of breathing room during all the chaos.
A lot of the story in this instalment takes place during the double hostage situation. This is not the first time we genuinely worry about the gang’s safety but the first time we’re facing the threat head-on. After all, this is the end, and anything could happen.
It doesn’t mean we don’t get some interesting character exploration. After all, it’s a question we’ve been asking – why do both Francis and Rick act the way that they do? I found that fascinating because the narrative makes it clear that their actions cannot be excused in any way. Despite that though, their dialogues explain how they justify their actions to themselves. It’s so unsettling to stare into the psyches of deeply messed-up people. We know family can be difficult, but Francis’s hatred is on a whole other level.
Fred continues to be the unexpected underdog as he shows up to save David and Nicole. He even ends up taking a bullet for his cousin. I do wonder if we will get some sort of a conclusion to the love triangle mess. I know, I know – it’s not a priority right now but colour me curious.
As for our head detective Thomas, he is not afraid to challenge Rick on his crap, even if that means he gets a head wound. But ultimately, that is not how they escape – Madam Witch happens to come to the rescue. Some could argue that apart from the Monastery werewolf (a completely normal thing within the universe), this has been the first proper face-to-face instance with a supernatural being. Let’s just say I would not want to be Rick right now.
Once Thomas rescues David from joining Fred in the Shot and Tortured Men Department, the group ensues on a car chase as Francis tries to finish the job. This sequence had me on my toes and I could not help but cheer when they managed to escape. The joy makes Martin’s kidnapping shortly after sting even harder. We know that Francis is not afraid to stoop lower if that’s even possible. I am genuinely scared of what is going to happen when the group faces him again. One can only hope that they’re all going to make it out okay.
We end the instalment with a bit of a bittersweet note as we witness Cassandra suffocating Nana Beth, with her permission of course, so that she could meet Pop Dennis in the afterlife. I found it to be a heartbreaking but beautiful moment and a fitting end to the episode.
Overall thoughts
A lot has already been said, but this part of Monastery was easily the most spine-tingling tense one yet. It kept me entertained in the best possible way and it made me realise just how much I care for each and every member of the gang. I can only hope that one day they can heal both their physical and emotional scars from this whole ordeal. Provided that they all make it, of course.
With the next instalment being the last one, I realised that we’re still nowhere near discovering what exactly happened to Albert. The story is now about so much more than that but considering how it was the catalyst event for everything, we have to find out the truth, right? Right? We will see…
(5 / 5)
More thoughts from the author:
1. Something that happens a lot throughout the episode is David and Thomas trying to rationalise why Francis and Rick are acting the way they are, all while being held hostage. How do you find the balance in putting in that character development/revelation while still keeping the tension?
Simple – I work the tension into the development and revelations. Or, I use those developments and revelations to further escalate the tension. Francis revealing the motives behind his actions leads to David rebuffing his arguments, which leads to more and more back-and-forth and doesn’t stop till somebody gets shot in the gut. While Thomas realising the role Rick played in the death of a loved one leads to a heated confrontation, which nearly ends with a child getting their throat slashed. That’s the beauty of story serving story – everything comes together, and everyone goes apeshit.
2. Your take on death and the afterlife in this story is quite beautiful in a bittersweet way, as portrayed by Nana Beth. What inspired you to take this angle and does it ever get uncomfortable writing about death in general?
Never – it’s a most soothing experience. Truth is, I never met my grandfather – he died the year before I was born. So, to use the character of Albert to put a witty, spiritual, and bittersweet spin on my grandfather’s own tale, based on everything that’s been handed down to me through the years of what his life was like, is almost spiritual. I choose to believe some of Albert’s voice, humour and musings come directly from my grandfather. A few of the other characters who pass away in this book series are modelled after people who have sadly also passed in the real world, so I like to think I’m honouring their memory by addressing both their lives and potential afterlives – my way of ensuring they go on.
3. Lastly, this is the instalment where we see quite a display of supernatural when Madam Witch saves Thomas and Alfie from Rick. It’s kind of implied that she knew they needed help the whole time but was waiting for the right moment. Is it possible that she knows exactly how everything will play out and the second part of the finale will feature even more supernatural as the gang go to save Martin?
To the first part of that question – yes, it is heavily implied that Madam Witch knows everything, especially from the chessboard and pieces at her place. The last episode will feature a great deal of Madam Witch (from the very first scene in the teaser) and we will even scratch out an unanswered question that namechecks her…
As for the second part, while we will see more supernatural occurrences and the gang will rush to save Martin, the two will not intersect – the rescue party will be very grounded in reality. Well, as realistic as the folks in Monastery can get.
Amazon insert:
Book Reviews
Barrowbeck: The History of a Cursed Valley
“All this would be theirs, he said. The gods wanted nothing in return. Only that the marsh-folk – or the valley-folk now – should always remember that they were custodians here.
No.
Servants.”
After the acclaimed Starve Acre and its film adaptation, Andrew Michael Hurley extends his exploration of place with Barrowbeck, a collection of short stories published in October 2024. This new folk horror work charts the unsettling history of a town nestled in a secluded Yorkshire-Lancashire valley. From the first footsteps on its soil to a disquieting glimpse into 2041, Barrowbeck’s 13 tales trace a chilling narrative of time and place, where the past and future intertwine with eerie consequences.
- For centuries, the inhabitants of Barrowbeck, a remote valley on the Yorkshire-Lancashire border, have lived uneasily with forces beyond their reckoning
- They raise their families, work the land, and do their best to welcome those who come seeking respite
- But there is a darkness that runs through the village as persistently as the river
Last update on 2025-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Plot.
The initial, undated story, “First Footing,” sets the stage: a band of survivors, their village destroyed, seek sanctuary guided by their deity, Arfon, along a mysterious river. They eventually discover an untouched valley, destined to become Barrowbeck. Following this are twelve time-stamped tales that chronicle the valley’s unsettling evolution. From the haunting melodies of spectral choirs to the bizarre creation of seed-born babies and a girl possessed by the river’s essence, these stories reveal a place steeped in the strange and uncanny.
Highlights.
Hurley’s signature strength lies in crafting folk horror deeply rooted in place, and Barrowbeck is no exception. The opening chapter’s immersive descriptions of the woods and river establish a rich foundation. This is then meticulously layered upon in each subsequent story. As Barrowbeck evolves, we are drawn into its very fabric, witnessing the gradual emergence of road names, family homesteads, and sacred spaces. The setting itself seems to breathe and expand, mirroring the town’s growth with palpable presence.
Hurley’s skill extends beyond the setting, encompassing the intricate development of Barrowbeck’s people. The collection demonstrates a striking commitment to familial continuity, inviting readers to trace the subtle genealogies woven through recurring names. This depth of world-building adds a compelling layer of realism to the fantastical tales.
- An atmospheric and unsettling story of the depths of grief found in an ancient farm in northern England—now a major motion picture starring Matt Smith and Morfydd Clark
- The worst thing possible has happened
- Richard and Juliette Willoughby’s son, Ewan, has died suddenly at the age of five
Last update on 2025-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Drawbacks.
Though billed as folk horror, Barrowbeck leans more towards the fantastical, presenting strange occurrences rather than outright scares. Hurley’s commendable effort to adapt his writing style to each time period creates a strong sense of place. However, this approach backfires in the early chapters, notably the first, which echoes the dense prose of Tolkien’s The Silmarillion. This stylistic choice risks alienating readers seeking a horror experience, potentially leading to early abandonment.
The Final Take.
I hate to say it but I was disappointed in Barrowbeck. After Starve Acre and The Lonely, I had high expectations of Hurley as a folk horror author, but this missed the mark. That being said some of the later stories were at least interesting if only for their strangeness.
(2 / 5)
Imagine feeling powerless. Imagine feeling alone and scared. Imagine having everyone blame you for something that isn’t your fault. And then, imagine someone gave you a book that could give you your power back.
That is the story told in Witchcraft For Wayward Girls.
As a warning, this book deals with heavy issues like child SA, teenage pregnancy and forced adoptions. My review will, by necessity, touch lightly on those topics.
The story
Released in January, Witchcraft For Wayward Girls is the story of a girl named Fern. At fifteen, she’s pregnant and unmarried. Her father takes her to a Home for girls in her situation. The plan is simple. She’s to have her baby, give it up for adoption, then go home and move on with her life.
But that’s not how things work out.
When visiting a mobile library, Fern is given a book of witchcraft. She and her friends try one of the spells, and it works. Soon they find themselves doing amazing things like flying in the air and seeking revenge on those who abused them. But magic has a price. And it’s a high one.
What worked
Witchcraft For Wayward Girls was infuriating in the best way possible. From the first few pages, you can feel your blood boiling at the injustice of the situation. It starts with Fern’s father, abandoning her at the Home and just gets worse from there. It’s impossible not to be angry at him, at the boy who impregnated Fern, at the doctors. Pretty much everyone who’s not one of the pregnant girls is unfair and horrible at least some of the time.
It’s astounding how much one can desire vengeance against a person who technically doesn’t exist.
- “Superb
- a perfect horror for our imperfect age
- ” – The New York TimesAN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES AND USA TODAY BESTSELLERThere’s power in a book…They call them wayward girls
Last update on 2025-02-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I also appreciated the depth of detail in the story. This is something that can be said about all Hendrix books. Witchcraft For Wayward Girls is set in Florida in the summer. And you can feel the sticky, damp heat on every page. You can feel what it must be like to be pregnant in that heat without air conditioning, swimming pools or salt. Even reading this book in chilly Western PA during January, I felt the heat and smelled the wet air.
The best thing about Witchcraft For Wayward Girls, though, is its honesty. This book deals with some hard topics. Well, one hard topic. Teenage pregnancy happens for a lot of reasons. None of them are pleasant to think about. Some are worse than others. And yes, at least one girl in this book is pregnant because she was being abused.
But even the girls who got pregnant through voluntary activities are mistreated in a very realistic way. In each situation, the girls are expected to upend their entire lives. They’re miles from home and treated like they’re the only ones responsible for their current situation. They are treated like foolish children who have truly messed up, while at the same time expecting them to shoulder the burden of women while letting the boys who impregnated them continue to be boys. It’s sick, and it’s all too real.
And it’s exactly this sort of powerlessness that makes witchcraft so appealing. There is a reason why witchcraft tends to be practiced by women and men who are not straight white men. We tend to be women, queer and people of color. We tend to come from poverty. We find ourselves in a world where we have little to no power over our own lives, so we make it for ourselves. Witchcraft For Wayward Girls understands this. And it is that understanding that will make this story so enduring.
Witchcraft For Wayward Girls is another in a long list of fantastic horror from Hendrix. It’s eloquent, inspiring and passionate. If it’s the first book you read by Hendrix I can almost guarantee it won’t be the last.
(5 / 5)
Book Reviews
My Best Friend’s Exorcism: Experience the 80’s, demons and all.
“By the power of Phil Collins, I rebuke you!”
Yeh, okay. I did the thing everyone tells you not to do.
I WATCHED THE MOVIE FIRST!
And I have regrets. But in my defense, when I impulse-watched My Best Friend’s Exorcism, I didn’t realize it was based on a book by the great Grady Hendrix. If you haven’t seen the film I would recommend reading Zeth’s review of it here.
But I am here to talk about the book.
- Hendrix, Grady (Author)
- English (Publication Language)
Last update on 2025-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Plot.
My Best Friend’s Exorcism, published in 2016, is a campy 80’s nostalgia-driven take on the possession horror genre. In the opening chapters, we meet fourth-grader Abby. She loves ET: The Extra-Terrestrial, roller-skating and, it seems, any song in the top 10 charts. When the new weird kid, Gretchen, shows up to Abby’s roller-skating party, the two bond and so begins a life-long friendship.
Fast forward to high school in the year 1988. Abby and Gretchen, along with the other half of their girl group, Margaret and Glee, decide to try LSD. Not entirely sure if the stuff is working or if they’re just high on the moment, Gretchen takes off at a run, deciding to skinny dip in the inlet behind Margaret’s house. The girls run after her but when they get to the dock, Gretchen is gone. The frantic search through the woods yields nothing, and Gretchen’s reappearance marks a chilling transformation. As Gretchen’s behavior becomes increasingly erratic and disturbing, Abby suspects something far more sinister than teenage rebellion. Over the course of a terrifying year, Abby must confront the possibility that her best friend is possessed, testing the limits of their friendship and forcing her to face unimaginable horrors to save Gretchen’s soul.
Highlights.
I’m an 80’s baby and this book was like a walk through my childhood. From the landline telephones to the overly zealous hair sprayed hair. A particular highlight for me was the frequent mention of bands, songs, and lyrics. This book triggered nostalgia for me in a big way. I admit that Phil Collins has been in rotation on my playlist since I finished the opening chapter.
Another aspect of My Best Friend’s Exorcism that needs to be noted is the way Hendrix has given his own spin on the ending. The typical possession horror usually ends with the exorcist making a breakthrough with his beliefs and casting out the demon, spirit, or devil (depending on what you’re reading/ watching) This story though does something different and I won’t reveal how because spoilers, but it was a really uplifting and hopeful way to end a book without getting all spiritual.
Drawbacks.
In order to maintain authenticity to the setting and time period, Hendrix has included the not-so-nice aspects of the 80’s. So, there are some racial slurs, and homophobic and non-inclusive language in My Best Friend’s Exorcism. I know this was part of the era and I get why he’s included this, but it didn’t sit well with me. But perhaps that was the point, to remind people that the 80’s was not all neon spandex and high pony tales.
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Elsie Fisher, Amiah Miller, Rachel Ogechi Kanu (Actors)
- Damon Thomas (Director) – Jenna Lamia (Writer) – Lindsay Williams (Producer)
Last update on 2025-02-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Final Take.
I know you’ve heard it before, the book is better than the movie. This statement has become a bit of a cliche but in the case of My Best Friend’s Exorcism, there has never been a truer statement spoken. This book was a joy to read, it was a camp, body horror, demonic rollercoaster. But at its core, it is the story of two girls whose friendship withstands the devil.
(4.5 / 5)
