THE HAUNTED ISLE
The ostensible reason for Baz and Will's visit to the Isle of Wight—claimed to be the most haunted island in the world—in my new novel Wight Mischief is so that Baz can research a book on ghosts. He's after a bit of "local colour" to pad out his stories of ghostly carriages, ladies in blue, and spectral soldiers.
Carisbrooke Castle, one of the settings for Wight Mischief, which apparently houses more ghosts than you can shake a stick of Isle of Wight rock at.
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| No not this type of Isle of Wight rock. |
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| This type of Isle of Wight rock! |
Baz, it has to be said, doesn't actually believe in ghosts, but he knows a sensational subject when he sees one. Will is more prepared to keep an open mind—so much so that when he first sees Marcus skinny-dipping by moonlight, his initial reaction is to think him a ghost. (There may have been the odd beer or six involved!)
So why is the island so haunted? One theory puts it down to the conjunction of ley lines. For the uninitiated (i.e. me) ley lines are theoretical connections between places of historical, spiritual or geographical interest:
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| The Isle of Wight is down the bottom, appropriately enough next to no.13. |
Apparently ley lines, and their conjunctions, are considered by some to be magical "hot-spots" where you're likely to find all kinds of ghostly goings-on – it's similar to living on the Hellmouth like Buffy the Vampire Slayer (remember her?). Only with a rather less good-looking cast, and a LOT less sunshine.
So is the Isle of Wight really all that haunted?
Alas! Living there all my life until I went to university, and frequently visiting since, I have to confess I've yet to see a single spook. ;)
Further reading: http://www.ghostisland.com/
WIGHT MISCHIEF
BLURB:
A stranger could light up his world...or drive him deeper into darkness.
Will thinks a camping trip with his friend-with-benefits Baz will be a fun break from his usual job as a personal trainer. But the trip turns into a rollercoaster ride as he meets author Marcus - and Marcus' mysterious guardian Leif.
Journalist Baz is supposed to be researching a book on ghosts, yet he seems curiously interested in secrets lying in the reclusive Marcus' past. But these are secrets that someone's determined they should let lie - and if they're not careful, Will and Baz could end up adding to the Island's ghostly population...
Product Warnings: Contains perilous cliffs, elusive might-be ghosts, a secret tunnel, and skinny-dipping by moonlight.
Available now from Samhain and Amazon.
COMMENT TO WIN THE WIGHT:
Everyone who comments on any of my Wight Mischief blog posts will be entered into a prize draw for this sterling silver Isle of Wight charm (1" wide; I've put it on black cord but it could also be worn on a bracelet):
I’ll make the draw on 15th November, 9pm GMT, so you have until then to leave your comments
HJ
ReplyDeleteI loved this book! You have captured the essence of an English summer holiday (the sun could shine that much only on the IoW), and the dialgue is so spot on. I loved the way the different characters were revealed by their thought and preoccupations and by their actions. Really excellent.
Since this has been released I'm assuming it's waiting in my Samhain box since I pre-ordered. :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm not a believer in ghosts and I'm not sure about this fascination with places who claim to be the most haunted whatever. *shakes head* But hey, brings in the tourists. LOL
Looks like a lovely place, ghosts aside. Congrats on the new release. I'm looking forward to it.
I've never seen any ghosts on the IOW either, but I do remember a particularly grusome waxwork museum...
ReplyDeleteHope this does really well for you, hon. It's a great story!
HJ, great to hear you enjoyed it!
ReplyDeleteIt's not always sunny on the island, but when I think back to summers when I was a child, somehow I don't remember the rain, and that's the feeling I was trying to evoke. :D
Tam, let me know if it doesn't arrive safely! I think I like the ghost stories more because of the glimpse they give us into the past, than because of the "horror" aspects - there are often strong emotions linked with stories of hauntings.
Hope you enjoy the book! :D
Great to see pictures and a map of the island. It sounds really lovely. And the book was wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHi, Jo! Thanks for the good wishes - and for all your help with the book! :D
ReplyDeleteSadly the waxworks closed down at the beginning of 2010 - I wish I'd been warned, as I'd have gone back for one last visit! But yes, the designers of the exhibits did seem to glory in the gruesome. :)
Jayhjay, I think in some ways I appreciate the island far more now than I did when I lived there! Although having said that, it was a great place to grow up. We used to live on the beach in the summer!
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the book. :D
I've never been to the Isle of Wight, although I have seen in passing on the ferry from Portsmouth to France. Your book made it really come alive for me, and I think I shall have to pay it a visit some day, if only to see the giant pirate :).
ReplyDeleteI do like that pendant, and I really ought to get over to the Isle of Wight some time soon.
ReplyDeleteOh, thanks for the pictures and info - it will definitely round out my reading. Maybe I will get to it this weekend...
ReplyDeleteJen, if you go to Blackgang Chine make sure you climb the dinosaurs as well! ;D
ReplyDeleteGlad you enjoyed the book!