Wicked Jenny - (Cautionary Tale Novel) by Matt Hilton

About the Book

"In 1988, thirteen-year-old Andy Miller and his friends witness the attack on classmate Poppy and the murder of her sister, leading to a suspect's suicide and unresolved guilt; decades later, as Carl's body is discovered by the same water, the friends face haunting memories and a possible vengeful Poppy seeking retribution."--

Book Synopsis

This eerie tale sees a group of men haunted by one traumatic event from their childhood. They thought they'd moved on . . . but someone - or something - won't let them!

1988: Thirteen-year-old Andy Miller and his friends - Carl, Brian, Johnny and Gavin - become witnesses to the vicious attack of their classmate, Poppy, and the brutal murder of her sister at a flooded railway line they call the frog ponds. They lead the police to a suspect, a vulnerable older boy whose differences single him out. But when he commits suicide, his guilt is never proven. And the crime goes unpunished, until . . .

Now: Carl's body is found beside the same body of water - and the lives of the four remaining friends start to unravel. Is the hag-like woman terrorizing their every waking moment really a grown-up Poppy hellbent on revenge? Or something else . . . something steeped in childhood nightmares? Something determined to reveal the truth and punish the wicked.

For those who love spooky fairy tales with a twist - this first in a new series will not disappoint!

Review Quotes

Folk horror meets psycho thriller in this grim tale of murder, madness and slithering things in dark, hidden places-- "Paul Finch, Sunday Times bestselling author of All the Devils Are Here"

Spooky-- "Booklist"

Trust Matt Hilton . . . to come up with some nice twists-- "Booklist on The Girl in the Smoke"

Completely apocalyptic . . . With characters who are truly mad, bad, and dangerous-- "Kirkus Reviewson Death Pact"

Fans of British author Hilton know what to expect: a tightly wound tale with doses of dry limey humor on the way to a finale of gut-clutching violence-- "Booklist on Death Pact"

Hilton doesn't let the breakneck pacing or plot zigzags preclude in-depth characterizations. Lisa Unger fans will want to check this out-- "Publishers Weekly on The Girl in the Smoke"

Hilton grabs readers from the outset of this superior standalone thriller-- "Publishers Weekly on The Girl in the Smoke"