Rachel Bower’s debut novel, It Comes from the River, is an evocative and haunting tale woven with the folklore of Northern England. With a narrative steeped in darkness and mysticism, this story of three women caught in a web of violence, resilience, and hope is both unforgettable and deeply unsettling.

The novel introduces Alex, Lauren, and Nancy—three women whose lives are each shaped by personal turmoil and external pressures. Alex is struggling to hold her family together amidst her husband’s increasing dissatisfaction, while Lauren, seeking a fresh start, hopes her new relationship will offer some reprieve. Nancy, in contrast, is coping with her son’s decision to place her in a care home, longing for the companionship of her lost dog and dreaming of escape. But the sense of unease that threads through their lives is rooted in something far more sinister.

From the river it comes. To the river it always returns. There’s a dark, elusive force lurking in the water and at the edges of their realities—something both ancient and terrifying. As the women’s worlds begin to unravel, they feel the presence of this creature drawing closer, revealing the threads that bind them together and the harsh truths they must confront in order to break free.

Bower’s writing is an exquisite blend of lyricism and gritty realism. Her prose lingers in the mind, conjuring a palpable sense of dread and tension, while the folklore and mystery of the novel add layers of complexity to the plot. The atmospheric, almost otherworldly presence of the creature creates a constant undercurrent of menace, making the story feel both timeless and urgently modern.

What sets It Comes from the River apart is its seamless fusion of the supernatural and the deeply human. The tale not only delves into the psychological struggles of its characters but also highlights the power of women when they come together in the face of overwhelming darkness. It is a gripping, immersive read that will leave you questioning what lies just beneath the surface, both in the water and within ourselves.

This is unlike anything I’ve read before. Rachel Bower has created a truly original story that is as mysterious as it is poignant.

Read more at The Secret Book Review

Drawn in by the synopsis, but this is not at all as described. I appreciate the style this author was aiming for with the staccato fever dream stream of consciousness but I didn't enjoy it at all.
A depressing, uncomfortable read.

Because of the mention of the creature, I thought would be a feminist tale with a folk horror element to it. Instead, we got an overwritten, bleak, trauma/misery porn where three women are victimized by a cruel and abusive man.

This isn’t an enjoyable read: it’s infuriating, heartbreaking, and grim. Maybe I’ve read too many books like this but I’m sick to death of these disempowering books about horrible things happening to women.

The pretentious and overwrought writing style didn’t really work for me. The three MCs felt like stereotypes more than real humans with their identifier primarily being how the man was abusing them. The creature was underutilized, not adding an element of anything other than confusion to the narrative.

I liked the Northumbria setting and Nancy’s development but I came away from this book feeling despondent and slightly ill.

I was privileged to have my request to read this book accepted through NetGalley. Thanks for letting me give this a try, Bloomsbury.

NOTE: This book doesn’t exist on Goodreads. Since Goodreads took away the ability for users to add books a few years ago, I raised a ticket and will update this page when I can add a Goodreads review.