Lykewise - by Darren Simpson (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

A fantastically chilling Young Teen Lit tale of sinister cursed mirrors and a boy who must unmask a shape-shifting threat before it is too late!

"Simpson's writing evokes that of Stephen King... Folk horror at its finest." --Kirkus Reviews

Dunn Caulkner is no stranger to scary stories. The village of Harrowmere is plagued by danger and the unexplained: foggy boglands, eerie wraithlights and the terrifying legend of Grasping Jack. So how could Dunn ever have known that the darkest threat of all would come from a looking glass?

No one questions the arrival of a travelling salesman practically giving away his mirrors. Nor do Dunn and his friends think there's any harm in toying with a mirror ritual said to reveal your true self. For what could be dangerous about a reflection?

But then the attacks and disappearances begin, and Dunn finally grasps how very wrong he was. To save his friends and his town, he'll need to uncover the identity of the malevolent imposter hiding in plain sight before his time runs out for good...

Tense, twisty, and deliciously unsettling, Lykewise is a hair-raising adventure that offers an inventive take on the imposter horror genre and will leave readers' hearts pounding. It is the perfect spooky read for fans of the uncanny and readers aged 12-15, including fans of Small Spaces and Lockwood & Co.

Review Quotes

"This is everything I could ask for from a middle-grade horror... Sophisticated, spooky, and smart."
--Jack Mackay, author of Gloam

"This eerie work of genius proves why Darren Simpson is the king of middle-grade horror!"
--Elle McNicoll, author of A Kind of Spark

"I can't imagine a better mid-grade chiller than Lykewise. The writing is elegant and beautifully judged, the atmosphere gloriously creepy. It's also thoughtful and clever, stimulating the mind as well as the hair follicles on the back of your neck."
--Anthony McGowan

"Dripping with dread, LYKEWISE had me reminiscing about the old Hammer films I loved in my youth, and the occult tales of Dennis Wheatley. If you're in search of foggy, fen-bound frights, look no further."
--Curtis Jobling

"Great, creepy, occasionally downright nasty, and perfect for budding horror fans. Darren Simpson is fast becoming the new king of middle-grade horror!"
--Alastair Chisholm

"Perfect for fans of the Aveline Jones series, Lykewise will leave you thinking twice before you look in the mirror."
--Scope for Imagination

About the Author

Darren Simpson is the critically acclaimed author of Scavengers, The Memory Thieves, Furthermoor and Thirst. His award-winning books have been translated into several languages and he's been nominated twice for the prestigious Carnegie Medal. He also once won a budgie at school. Darren lives with his wife and sons in Nottingham and loves long walks with headphones, playing the drums and reading in bed on rainy Sunday mornings.