Pendle Fire is a thriller with a supernatural edge and at every turn you are left wondering who or what is causing all the violence. Is this myth from the past real or is there somethings else afoot?

The book follows two main characters PC Shaf and Johnny Malkin. They are both caught up and a whirlwind of violence and mystery and the deeper they go the more confusing it gets for them to separate the truth from fiction.

I’ve reviewed for the author previously and knew from the off that the direction I as a reader would go would be turned on its head.

The story line is very engrossing and tackles some difficult subjects such as grooming with some very detailed accounts at times and while it’s a hard subject to read about it added to the mystery of the tale..for me I was left undecided as to the true culprit(s) of the of the events that played out and I feel the author wrote it this way to engage with the reader..you decide the ending you believe.

I’m all about the flow of a book and the alternating perspectives worked well and kept things fresh adding suspense as the tale progressed.

Overall a fast paced dark and disturbing tale, well written with a decent page count makes this an easy read to get stuck into.

This book was a little out of my normal genre selection, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it!!
It was well written and thrilling from beginning to the end.

Great storyline with good strong characters. Very well written. I would recommend this book to anyone.

Johnny Malkin’s life is busy in Pendle. His lovely girlfriend, Kat, wants to start a home and family – something he had not even been considering.

Daphne Cooper is team leader of the Social Work Department and an insufferable officious egotist. She judges all work via her laptop careplan. Johnny is a conscientious Social Worker and his meetings with Daphne are the main source of his anxiety. Johnny has at least 42 cases of “at risk” children he cares about protecting.

There have been strange happenings around town but most are unverifiable. Johnny has been asked to look into two girls found in Aitken Wood who had been assaulted by a group of men.

DCI Ali is investigating grooming gangs in the area. PC Shaf Khan found the two girls in Aitken Wood and even saved one of the girls from drowning. The girls then changed their statement making serious allegations against Shaf. PC Khan had been an exemplary officer and now he is temporarily suspended.

All the talk says that somethings going to happen and Pendle’s going up in flames. What does it mean?

Three and a half star rating.
Part topical (gangs abusing young girls in northern towns) and part legends and witchcraft. Johnny, an overworked social worker and PC Shaf find themselves involved in the centre of the weird goings on and have to attempt to save the day. Set in and around the notorious Pendle Hill in Lancashire, this is a good, dark page turner with plenty of action and suspense to keep the reader intrigued with mystery and the mundane working seamlessly plus the very creepy Hobbledy Man who I hope will make another appearance soon!

tHOROUGHLLY ENJOYED THIS NOVEL WITH A DIFFERENCE. wELL WRITTEN AND ENIGMATIC. I COULDNT PUT IT DOWN.

DNF at 80%

Trigger Warnings include sexual assault, racism, sexism, homophobia, anti-Muslim statements, death of a dog, trafficking, grooming and despicable behaviour by despicable humans on drugged victims.

First, I want to point out that this book currently has a high proportion of 4 and 5 star reviews so please don’t just read my review and decide based on that alone that this book is not for you. I’d encourage you to read positive reviews as well and then decide for yourself if it’s the book for you or not.

I requested a review copy of Pendle Fire from NetGalley (thank you very much to NetGalley and Bloodhound Books for the opportunity) and I was looking forward to reading it, mostly because I wanted to know about the Hobbledy Man. I loved the sound of the centuries of urban legend coming to life, the question mark over the possibility of witchcraft and a potential apocalypse in the mix. It sounded really interesting and like my type of book. I was aware from the blurb that there’d be an investigation by a social worker into the alleged gang rape of two teenage girls so I expected my review would include trigger warnings for sexual assault.

However I feel like the book I read about in the blurb and the book I attempted to read over the past ten days were two different books. The blurb was accurate to a point but had it included any of the following information I would have known straight away this wasn’t the book for me:

The Racist, Sexist, Homophobic and Anti-Muslim Parts - There are so many instances throughout the book but I’m not going to quote any of the remarks. Basically you have one group against another group to the point of riots. The escalating riots are actually a large part of the book. I know this is real life and I concede that the author did a good job of showing the escalation of the violence but I’m not personally interested in reading about rioting misogynistic, racist, homophobic, anti [insert any religious belief here] idiots, or corrupt cops for that matter.

The Swearing - I can swear with the best of them but there’s swearing and then there’s utter disrespect. I don’t voluntarily spend time with anyone who calls anyone a c***. I don’t want to read about people who speak to people like that either. Maybe you don’t have a problem with that word but I really do and I’m unapologetic about my disgust surrounding its use. Had I not been trying to read this book to review it I would have stopped reading in chapter 2 when it first showed up and I certainly wouldn’t have still been reading for the subsequent seven (so my Kindle tells me) times it was used.

I tried to connect with the characters, especially the social worker, but none of the people in this story made me need to keep reading to find out what happened to them. Even now at 80% I don’t feel like I need to know how the story ends. It took me a lot longer than it probably should have to realise that there were two characters in the book with the same first name. Yesterday when I was explaining my frustration about this book to someone I couldn’t even remember the name the characters shared or which character one of them was in the book, both of which pointed out to me my lack of investment in this story.

Because this isn’t the sort of book that I’d have started had I known what I do now I can’t tell you how it measures up against others with similar themes. I do, however, want to be specific in telling you that I want to separate the behaviour of the characters in the book from its author. Just because I hated all of the racism, sexism, all the other isms and the disgusting actions of the deplorable characters in their book doesn’t mean that I think for a moment that any of these things should be thought of the author.

This book doesn’t make me want to automatically discount this author’s other books but should I come across another one I’ll be looking at more than the blurb before I decide if it’s for me or not.

Johnny Malkin is a social worker who cares about his clients but knows he cant save them all. Several tell him something is going to happen and the town wont be there any more. When he is told, he is The Chosen One it strikes fear into him and fails to accept and/or understand what it means.
A girl sees a tall, gangly figure in black holding a stick and moving like an insect on crutches. Soon other reported sightings are made.
When riots start, it seems to be part of a prophecy or the end coming for the town. Johnny struggles to work out his connection to these events and the relevance of the gangly figure aka The Hobbledy Man.
The scene in the woods was fantastic. I could feel the chill in the air and imagine the surroundings. I even felt too scared to look over my shoulder.
It is a real buzz when a reader gets that tingly feeling letting them know a book is going to be a cracker of a read. Pendleton Hill is one hell of a creepy place and I wouldnt recommend you go there.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to read a creepy mystery thriller, guaranteed to make you shiver on your seat. Watch out cause The Hobbledy Man is out there waiting for you.
A big thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of this book. I was very happy to provide an honest review in return.

This is the first book of Paul's I have read but it is a very interesting if strange book, which I did enjoy reading.

The book is a thriller, with a very strong hint of the supernatural as it includes talk of witches.

The story is a very dark thriller, which does cover some very tough subject matters, which some readers may find uncomfortable. including gang rape, racism and child grooming.

It is a very fast paced book, which kept me engrossed from start to finish and is so intriguing with all the mystery and folklore involved in the story.

I can highly recommend this book if you are after a thriller with a hint of the supernatural in it.

Who is the Hobbledy Man? Is he responsible for the outbreaks of violence sweeping across the country?

John Malkin is a social worker ... overworked, underpaid ... and way too many cases involving children.

Two teenage girls are found wandering in the woods. They speak of men picking them up and taking them away and after several hours released them. All the girls will say is that there is something coming to Pendle ... they see fire and flames destroying their small village.

It's enough to give John the willies ...especially when he hears practically the same thing from a boy he has followed for several years.

It gets even stranger when people start seeing a bent over man with a cane who is always in the shadows. And always following a sighting is violence in one way or another.

What is the Hobbledy Man? And what will it take to stop him?

Part mystery, part paranormal. part horror .... it's well-written with great character development. The reader may not want to read this one in the dark of the night. It's dark and disturbing and creepy as all get out.

Many thanks to the author / Bloodhound Books / Netgalley for the digital copy of PENDLE FIRE. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

5☆ Dark & Eerie... will get under your skin!

Pendle Fire is one of those books that literally gets under your skin.
It's creepy, eerie, chilling, made my hair stand on end all within the first few chapters.

This isn't an easy read it contains racism, drug abuse, sexual abuse, child grooming, child sex trafficking topics that some readers might find difficult.

I don't want to say too much about the plot as there is so much going on.
The stories weave together perfectly.
I loved the way Paul built up so much suspense and atmosphere.
It made me feel on edge I knew something was going to happen but didn't know when.

If this book was an audio book oh my gosh it would be perfect. I can just imagine the stormy weather brewing and the eerie noises and screams on Pendle Hill.
Just thinking about it give me chills!

The pace for Pendle Fire is perfect. It builds up ample of suspense and mystery!
I would say this book will definitely unease you and lull you into a false sense of security.
Nothing is quiet what it seems.

The children mention that the end is coming. We know there is supernatural stories from the past of witches and The  Hobbledy Man but could this be what they mean?

Johnny Malkin is a Social Worker. I thought he was a fantastic character. He really cared about his cases. Sometimes a lil too much. But you could really see how passionate he was about his job and always went above and beyond to protect.

Pendle Fire is a Dark, Sadistic, eerie, Crime  Thriller that will definitely get under your skin.
Paul had created a Memorable read.
One word of warning if your easily spooked like me.... don't read this at night!!

3.5 stars! This was quite different to what I usually read, but i was instantly fascinated by the blurb! An intriguing, dark story!

Pendle Fire starts off dark and only gets more chilling as the story goes on. This is the second book that I've read by Paul Southern, and it has already become apparent that he has a talent for crafting dark, thrilling stories with complex characters, and that he is unafraid to tackle difficult subjects. I'm keeping this review brief because I don't want to give away any part of this book, as this is definitely one of those thrillers that you should experience knowing as little as possible about what is going to happen.

Johnny Malkin is a great protagonist to follow, largely due to his strong work ethic and desire to connect more with the children he comes across while working as a social worker. Of course, his overworking does have negative effects on his personal life, but it's hard to fault someone with that much passion. Malkin is one of those characters that you can't help but feel connected to and become invested in his life.

Southern is a whiz at creating characters that are authentic and actually come across as real people, both good and bad. There are so many grey areas involved in people's actions, and Southern always seems to incorporate those ideas into his work extremely well. Before I picked up this book, I was also slightly skeptical about the supernatural addition to this story, but it was also what intrigued me so much about this book. I ended up really loving how this element successfully mixed myth with modern day life and created a unique but fascinating storyline.

One of my favorite aspects of this book was the bigger issues that framed the story, such as doing what is right versus doing what is easy, open-mindedness versus close-mindedness, and so many more incredibly relevant topics that I think we can all benefit from discussing more. Southern does a fantastic job of taking risks with his writing, and I love that; nothing seems to be off-limits, and he handles his subjects extremely well. I zoomed right through this book due to how suspenseful and well-written it was, and I found myself having a hard time putting this book down--I just wanted to keep reading and find out what would happen next.

Before I wrap up, I also just want to add this isn't a book for the fainthearted, so if difficult subjects aren't for you, this might not be for you. However, I still recommend anyone who wants a great, page-turning book pick this one up and give it a shot.

Overall, I've given Pendle Fire four stars! If you're looking for a dark, shocking thriller with a bit of a supernatural edge then look no further and pick up a copy of Pendle Fire.

There was plenty in this book that gave me the creeps but I also found it a really addictive read. It starts out dark in the prologue and continues on the same theme.

I was hooked by the storyline and Johnny was a great character, I don't know how I would have reacted being faced by the same things as him, he really is an unlucky character.

The book covers a lot of hard subjects ranging from sexual abuse, rape, grooming, racism and cults, they are all needed for the story to work but the book won't be for everyone due to the content.

A solid four stars from me - not one to read when you are home alone but definitely an author I will be looking out for in the future!

Well-written suspense! I was guessing what was going to happen next and was wrong several times. This book grabs you and doesn't let you go!

( 3.5 Stars )

A couple of years ago, author Paul Southern reached out to me with his book Daddy Dearest. I’m usually hesitant about thrillers I haven’t heard much about, but I was super impressed with the book and gave it 5/5 glasses of wine. Well, Southern is back with another thriller, Pendle Fire, and I’m thrilled to be a part of the Blog Blitz for its release!

Pendle Fire had a much different vibe to it, it was far more a supernatural thriller than what I was expecting; the basis of the book resting on a folklore legend about a creature that plagues the small town of Pendle unless a sacrifice is made in it’s honour.

There was an eerie resemblance to the whole Slender Man story that rose up a few years ago and also resulted in some awful and tragic situations. The allusion to a supernatural-like being that was going to wreak havoc on a town isn’t necessarily a new concept, but it never fails to creep me out and Southern created a pretty creepy legend with his take on it.

But the story reaches much further than just the supernatural. It touches on racism, child grooming, abuse and riots. As he did with Daddy Dearest, Southern has created a disturbing atmosphere to house his hero’s journey, so it’s not to be taken too lightly.

That said, there was a lot happening at once and a lot to follow and to me, that path wasn’t always crystal clear. I found a few things got a little muddy along the way as we followed John Malkin into the depths of the mystery of the Hobbledy Man and the forces that came into play as a result of it. I was also hoping to dive a bit more into the folklore of the Hobbledy Man and the Pendle Witches, which I think really just brushed the surface and could have been taken a step deeper. But the story itself kept me on my toes throughout it and I couldn’t anticipate the direction it would end in.

I enjoy Southern’s books and the way he’s able to take some disturbing situations and bring them into the light without being overly grotesque about it. He handles these things with such class, while still creating a cutting story. It’s a great combination and I look forward to reading what he comes out with next.

This book starts by plunging the reader straight back to the 1600s - into an age of superstition and witchcraft - as a young boy is sacrificed to save the world. And then it’s the present, and once again the Hobbledy Man is omnipresent, and must be stopped before he wreaks total havoc. Throughout the modern story there’s a sense of dread, of the supernatural, of things beyond our control. It is told by an overwhelmed social worker, Johnny, and Shaf, a policeman. Johnny is concerned about a disturbed addict in his care, Nathan, who’s warning that the legendary Hobbledy Man is back. Shaf, previously a highly commended officer, and now under suspicion of abuse, is increasingly concerned about what’s really happening. What is behind the sudden uprisings throughout the area? Has the world been plunged back into the dark, troubled times of the 1600s? Who is the mysterious cult? I really enjoyed the tension between the modern day and olde worlde superstition, legend and witchcraft. The book delves into a number of dark, uncomfortable themes – grooming, racism, child abuse. It is well-written and gripping. 3.5 out of 5 stars for me.

I enjoyed this story with the Pakistan and English interaction. There are some graphic scenes but they are not "extra" and fit right into the story. As John is deemed the "chosen" one and the Hobbledy Man plays an ever increasing role you will be quickly drawn into the story

Set in Pendle Hill we follow the story of Social worker Johnny Malkin who is assigned to the case of two Fourteen year old girls claiming to be victims of a gang rape. has the story unfolds he learns the whispers of witchcraft and child abuse go back to the middle ages.



This is the second book by Paul Southern that I have read and boy is it different to his first one, but different in a good way. The author brings us a story that talks about pedophile rings, grooming cults and a touch of supernatural.



Pendle Fire is one hell of a dark and twisted read which some readers may find disturbing due to the subject matter with some very uncomfortable scenes which will certainly make you cringe.



Not only do we have a gritty thriller but this story has plenty of history. I have to say that I couldn't put this book down I was desperate to know what was going to happen next. I take my hat off to the author for writing a story about uncomfortable subject matters making this a weird and engrossing read with an element of horror.



I liked the fact that the main character is a social worker he is a character you cannot help but like. The toughness of his job is portrayed throughout this story. what more can I say but if you are looking for something different this is the book for you. Which I highly recommend giving it 4 stars.



Thank you to Sarah Hardy for inviting me to take part in this fab blitz

Having read and enjoyed Paul Southern's novel, Daddy Dearest, I was excited to hear that he'd written another book.

Pendle Fire is a clever mix of ancient folklore, modern day life and sprinkled with just a hint of the supernatural.

There are several strands to the story line as we follow social worker, Johnny Malkin, who often asks himself "Did I miss something?", Constable Shaf Khan, who is tasked with investigating the claims made by the two young girls and then of course there's The Hobbledy Man.

Some readers may find certain aspects of the story make for uncomfortable reading. I thought that it was a brave move on the authors part to tackle racism, riots and grooming but sadly, these are topics that seem to regularly appear in the news and are a sign of the times in today's world. That said, I feel that the author dealt with them sensitively, it wasn't gratuitous and he'd clearly done his research, which for me made it a very realistic read, but it definietly won't be everyone's cup of tea.

If, like me, you like your fiction to be dark, unsettling and full of tension then Pendle Fire could be just the book for you.