Review: Ghost Tide by Jim Cockin

Ghost Tide is a gripping, ghostly adventure that held me absolutely enthralled throughout with its eerie atmosphere, sense of foreboding and chilling occurrences.

Fourteen-year-old Charlie does not want to leave his friends in London behind during the Christmas holidays, but his mum is working nights and his dad is working abroad.  So Charlie finds himself sent to stay with his Uncle Patrick and his daughter, Ariel, in the coastal town of Dunstrand in East Anglia.

Charlie arrives at the isolated, run-down Darkwater House to discover that there is no wi-fi access, but there is laughter from an empty room.  Deciding to explore the beach, Charlie finds a strange locked brass box, a box that a stranger in an antiques shop warns him is dangerous.  But before he can heed this advice and throw the box back into the sea, the box is opened … and something sinister escapes …

And so begins a chilling, spine-tingling mystery as the two cousins unite in their quest to stop a terrifying presence from wreaking havoc on the local community as it seeks something it has lost.  Can they discover what has been freed from the ‘box of souls’?  Will they be able to re-capture what should never have been released before harm comes to others?  I absolutely loved the coastal, wintery setting, the perfectly-gauged building of tension, the ever-increasing danger as the children become more isolated and the revelation of secrets that made this a real page-turner that frequently sent shivers down my spine. 

This story starts with an intriguing prologue which is blended into the mystery brilliantly as clues are uncovered by two daring and determined children.  I loved learning more about the history of Dunstrand and visiting its museum, antiques shop and lighthouse giving a real sense of time and place.  I really enjoy spooky, supernatural stories that bring frissons of fear:  the ominous happenings, the terrifying presence and the real sense of peril and threat certainly make this a scary read – but not too scary for readers of 9+.

There is initially friction between Charlie and Ariel as neither really wants to be in Darkwater House.  Ariel is grieving the loss of her mother which is causing her to lash out at her father.  This makes Charlie feel uncomfortable, especially as Ariel does not hide that she doesn’t want him there.  However, their shared ability to sense the supernatural brings them together and helps them to work as a team with determination, strength and courage when battling the presence that has been released from the ancient box.  

A strikingly spine-chilling, mesmerising ghostly tale, guaranteed to bring shivers of delight and fright to young readers of 9+.

Thank you to the Jim Cockin and Eye Books for sending me an early copy of Ghost Tide in exchange for my honest opinion.