A deceptively simple coming of age story that deals with several different kinds of love and loss. Full of delicious spookiness, the author takes us on an unexpected journey of discovery as twins Caitlin and Madeline begin to grow up and perhaps grow apart. A beautiful read. ( )

Do not be fooled by the tame cover- this is a horror fantasy novel that would give S. King a run for his money!
Twins Maddy and Caitlin have just moved into a castle in a country town in Ireland after their mother has married its owner. They are told that the village of Ballyfrann and the people who live there are different but how different is what they are yet to discover. Also living in the castle with them is Mamo - a great aunt to the owner who seems to be a natural herbalist but she is up all night and wanders the castle grounds popping up when you least expect it.
Maddy and Caitlin attend the local school and one day at lunchtime Caitlin befriends a local 20-something called Von who works at the local pub. She is soon besotted by him and Maddy can only watch from the sidelines as he seems to take control of her twin sister.
Meanwhile in the background there is the question of who murdered 5 girls from that area in the last 20 years? Maddy can't help but think that maybe Von is involved.

Be prepared: this has a very gory ending with certain characters having to get over ( or perform) some terrible activities. For those who like their witchcraft and horror very dark and bloody. I suspect that this is the first in a series. I just wish the cover had hinted at how dark the book really is. ( )