The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor

The book opens with a rather gruesome prologue – someone has taken a decapitated head from the woods and sealed it shut in a bag.

The book then flicks between 2016 and 1986 in first person, through the eyes of Eddie.

In 2016, Eddie is reflecting on the past and reacting as it reopens in his current life. In 1986, we’re following Eddie as the events unfold.

All the time your brain is churning over that prologue and trying to work out the connection – who is the girl?

The plot is wonderfully jumpy, never letting you spend too long in either era and casting suspicion in every direction. The concept is also hauntingly good, it really does keep those hairs on the back of your neck standing permanently. I was honestly spooked the majority of the way through this story, as I wasn’t sure if it was just people playing pranks or if there was a supernatural presence seeping its way into this plot.

Whilst you get to know Eddie the most, there are so may characters in this plot that are intriguing. The presence of Mr Halloran is felt the entire way through the book, and Tudor has really perfected this character, because you can’t seem to trust him but yet he shows only kindness towards Eddie.

Tudor was also cunning with what I believed were background characters, and then *TWIST* you find out they’re more important than you thought!

The ending was so blimming obvious and yet I hadn’t guessed it, I was so mad at myself!

There is no doubt that fans of psychological thrillers will want to add this to their bookshelves, as it sits well with the greats.

I’m also not particularly sure what I was expecting when I opened this book, but it surprised me in ways I wasn’t anticipating. It wasn’t as scary or gruesome as I think I’d bigged it up to be, instead it was exactly what I wanted – twisty, pacy and full of suspicious characters!

Perfect to read this October in the build up to Halloween!

The Chalk Man is out in paperback and eBook and is published by Penguin.

Until next time, Chloé x