Rotherweird is, hands down, the most enigmatic books I have ever read. Set in two different timelines, Andrew Caldecott (Interview), sets-up life in the present day town of Rotherweird and the origins of the town back in the 1500s. Structurally, this provides readers with more information than many current day citizens because they refuse to study any general history before the 1800s and ANY history of Rotherweird period.
This is also where the mystery begins. There is a gap between the point of origin when the Queen orders the execution of ten very bright children, she decides are actually evil. However, Sir Robert is unable to go through with the order and instead sends them to the care of a father of two at Rotherweird Manor. And so, begins a terrifying tale. Without giving too much away, one of the ten children is quite off his rocker and takes horrific measures to control the group.
This leads to very cult behaviors where cross breeding of animals and humans begin to take place. It is contained to a nether world just underneath Rotherweird manor and life continues to go on until present day when a very rich, very eccentric man shows up and starts stirring up trouble.
At the present time Rotherweird has been cut off from the rest of England. It is not under any British rule. Outsiders are forbidden and Rotherweird’s citizens are not permitted to leave. A few local country-siders are permitted to sell their wares within the market but not to stay overnight. There are a couple of hired teachers permitted to stay but lately a couple have been fired or disappeared. This is especially true of the last history teacher that went digging into Rotherweird’s past.
When a new history teacher is hired and he is aided by other highly intelligent science teachers in picking up where the last left off, it becomes quite obvious that the past won’t stay buried much longer. And their new resident, an outsider which is never allowed, is part of the ominous collision between the present and past that is coming.
Caldecott writing style is both atmospheric and tangible all at once. I was definitely forced to pay more attention while reading as this was not a story that was going to come to me. It was much more of a show, not tell, read with multi-dimensional characters and two different settings, developing in two different timelines.
There were a couple of characters that were distinctly good or evil but more often than not they each had sympathizing and questionable qualities that kept them from being wholly one or the other (and don’t we all).
Up front it took time to separate the characters, as there were a lot of them given all at once. Additionally, the names weren’t of the simple variety. There was a reference guide up front, and I found myself referring to it quite often. However, once I did sort them out it was easy to keep track from there.
Rotherweird is a great read when you want to break out of the mold and take a step out of time. It provides a well assorted mix of supernatural mystery, sci-fi, graphic horror, gothic magic and historical fiction. This the first in a series that is sure to build on the many loose ends at the end of this first installment. Returning to the citizens of Rotherweird will surely be as wild a ride as the start.
Really great review, this one sounds interesting.
Thank you! It is very quintessentially British- and this is coming from a closet Anglophile- especially 90s/early 2000s. I don’t know how it will do here in the states. But I got it. It is funny because in the interview I did with the author asked him about how it would translate and he asked me what I thought and I equated it to Blur and Oasis (I love both- I know you weren’t supposed to but I do) and Blur to me didn’t make it here because they were quintessentially British where Oasis was more universal (no pun intended). If you didn’t get what Park Life was and were offended at Damon’s jibes at America… forget it. I got it and I didn’t care. That is a long response. Sorry lol.
I love Blur – been ages since I’ve listened to them, I must fix that. I get what you mean about Oasis appealing to a more general and universal audience and I love that they are still going strong even now.
YAY! Well they were. Until the brothers grim finally went kaboom, what a couple years ago? But they are both doing their own thing and it’s good stuff so I’m happy for them. Their documentary was amazing. Learning Liam got hit in the head with a hammer when he was a kid was the final piece of that puzzle LOL!
I always forget they split – I still think of both of them as Oasis. Hangs head in shame 😀
Don’t feel bad. Everyone in America thinks their career ended with What’s the Story Morning Glory lol
I have to say, I’m intrigued by it. I’m not sure if it’s for me though, glad you enjoyed it!
It definitely isn’t for everyone. There might be a sample on Amazon if you want to check it out. If you get into it, it is fun.
Your review was so well written as always Susan…and…as always, I’m adding this to my tbr
You are too kind. And I hope you love it!!!