An unchanged Cornish coastal village dealing with the conflicts between tradition and 'incomers', and more ancient traditions and mythology in this excellent folk horror. Merrin is abandoning London life to return home following the death of her mother, catches with old acquantices and a different life. We also have a group of 'incomers' arriving to a new development for first time, their summer homes.

A vivid and evocative story of place, landscape, and tradition/mythology from more ancient times as Merrin becomes part of something out of her control. Good characterisation of the contrasts in people old and new, strong development and unveiling of the stories and hidden truths. Highly recommend and I will be reading Withered Hill, the author's previous book in this vein.

Thanks to NetGalley and Canelo for this copy of "Scuttler's Cove."

Author Barnett is now one of my favorite folk horror writers. He's delivered another spine-tingling, thrilling, dark story about legends older than time.

Merrin is returning to Scuttler's Cove in Cornwall for her mother's funeral. Merrin left when she was 18 and realizes that she didn't think or remember much about her childhood while she was gone and finds that strange.

Newly widowed Jen and her husband's group of friends have bought vacation properties in Scuttler's Cove. Jen still feels like an outsider and is uncomfortable with her sudden wealth.

But for some of the locals, the arrival of Merrin and Jen is the fulfillment of an ancient legend that will need to unfold.

Brilliant folk horror with a wee touch of Lovecraftian bite to it. Strong characterisation, atmospheric and with a real sense of both place and a vivid sense of the twisted traditions that keep Scuttler’s Cove as a vibrant - if somewhat worrying - community. After withered hill i was thrilled by the apparent “David Barnett Folk Horror Universe” we seem to be getting. Look forward to more, and seeing how any connections are made.

Scuttle's Cove
David Barnett

4.5 / 5

David Barnett does insidiously creeping, mounting dread so perfectly.
I loved the setting, and I thoroughly enjoyed following our characters journey through another incredible folk horror tale.

This is a slow burning, creepy one, folks. Don't sit on David's work. I think he's a talent with a very unique voice within the horror community.

4.5 / 5

I ended up DNF-ing this book around the 20% mark. It might have a really interesting story, but there were so many new characters that kept getting introduced without giving any time to know ~or care~ about any of them, that I couldn't get into it at all. I could have probably powered through more, but it was clear I wasn't enjoying it so I'll move on to something else.

An almost Lovecraftian folk horror set in Cornwall, this novel had a slow build up of creeping dread, beautifully done.

Building anticipation, creeping dread, rich world-building and character development, an amazing plot and subplots seamlessly told from multiple POVs, kept this reader guessing. Steeped in delicious, dark folklore, this was a 5 star hit for me. My first novel by David Barnett, it won’t be my last. The final third of this book gave me perpetual chills. I’ll admit, a time or two, I felt a bit of a slog getting through the robust history but it was me. Reading when I was more refreshed, more than paid off in the end. Themes of the old ways vs encroaching gentrification, the long reach of pagan roots, the longer reach of greed, and the delicate balance of life are explored with nuanced precision. Some authors don’t possess the finesse to pull off such compelling themes without preaching, but this one does. I thoroughly enjoyed the eerie trip through Scuttler’s Cove horror and my mind keeps returning to it, picking up additional threads. The title is brilliant.

Old gods and new monsters are buried at the heart of this inventive folk horror story. Barnett managed to craft a contemporary folk horror tale that still feels rooted to the old ways, even as those old ways are slipping away, or at the least changing. The story is a refreshingly dark tale that explores human greed and avarice, and, similar to most folk horror stories, how the new interceding or encroaching on the old is not always the right way of things.

This story jumps across multiple points of view, which was delightful. For the first two chapters we only followed two characters, alternating between them, and I was happy with that, and yet even happier when a new POV joined the mix in the fifth chapter. While we mostly stay in the present a few storylines take place in the past, in different times in the past, and moving across the various times and POVs was really skillful, dealing out enough information to keep you hooked while building more mystery. The two central characters were exciting and interesting, and for the most part they felt genuine. The ancillary characters were fun enough, though they all, from the townspeople to the Londoners, were a little one-note. This was fine, though, they all served their roles in the story, and they had enough going on that they were never boring, you just didn’t get as robust an interiority on many of them. Still, the whole cast of characters worked well together, and made the story more dynamic. The atmosphere was wonderful, as well as the world-building, capturing the small, tourist-town-that-resents-being-a-tourist-town vibes really well, reminding you the town is a character in this whole affair.

The writing itself was strong and consistent, pulling you into the narrative. It wasn’t colorful or purple, but rather direct prose that had convincing dialogue. The writing tone and style didn’t really change across the various characters, and it would have been nice to see the writing and tone be a little more reflective of the diverse POVs as we moved around, but even absent that it was consistently good. The plotting is the one place I had a little difficulty. Yes, there were some red herrings along with some forecasting, a lot of loose threads to wrap this mystery in. For the most part that was fine, though one particular thread didn’t feel necessary to me, but that’s fine, it seemed like an addendum, almost, a device to inject tension and sow doubt throughout the first two acts, as opposed to feeling like a natural occurrence in the world. More importantly, though, the plot just felt a little bit drawn out. It isn’t a long novel, and I was never bored with it, but the middle section did feel more drawn out than it needed to be. This is in part because it is building numerous layers onto its central mysteries, which I understand and appreciate, but still, it dragged a little. I wasn’t particularly surprised by any of the twists and reveals, but for the most part they felt earned and worked for the story. Even though I anticipated them I enjoyed the way they developed and were revealed.

Colorful characters, strong writing, and a unique and interesting idea that occasionally has too much plot to contend with but still manages to wrestle it all into a pretty tight story… This is a wonderful addition to the contemporary folk horror canon, it was a joy to read, and I look forward to reading more from the author!

I want to thank the author, the publisher Canelo, and Net Galley, who provided a complimentary eARC for review. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Fantastic, compelling and incredibly unique horror novel that kept me turning pages. The amount of gore wasn't overdone and the characters were all multi dimensional and interesting. Will definitely watch for more from this author.

3.5 stars.

I expected this to be scarier but I was filled with a sense of dread from start to finish. A terrifying folk horror with cult vibes that draws two young women together on the coast of Scuttler's Cove. Once in a generation, a ritual must be performed to ensure that renewal and prosperity continues for the town - a Daughter of the Soil and one touched by death.
Whilst this story didn't hit the stratosphere for me, the writing was impeccable and I'll definitely be reading more from this author. It was atmospheric and descriptive. Recommended for fans of Hereditary.

3 stars

This is by the author of the recent folk horror book WITHERED HILL, which I quite liked, so I was looking forward to this.

Merrin Moon returns to her home town of Scuttler’s Cove (why doesn’t anyone ever remark on what a truly hideous name this is, I wonder?) on the coast of Cornwall after the death of her mother. She hasn’t been back since her high school graduation and it seems she has forgotten much about growing up there and the town’s weird traditions (though she and her mother were not estranged.) So, yeah, none of that bodes well. If you see a big wicker effigy, I would suggest running, is all I’m saying.

Sue is a young woman who has just lost her brand new husband to a car accident. The couple and a group of his friends had all just purchased vacation houses in Scuttler’s Cove and they are all there to spend the summer.

But it seems like old haunts have also returned to Scuttler’s Cove. You have to come to this with a big ol’ helping of suspension of disbelief because, you know, OF COURSE toddlers have tattoos, and, yeah, it’s no big deal not to see your mom for 13 YEARS when you go to college a couple of hours away. I do enjoy folk horror like this but there were some problem here, plus there seemed to be a great big plot hole, unless I somehow missed something, which is certainly possible.

I really wanted to like it more. I’ll try another book by the author, but he really needs to tighten things up a bit.

4/5 Stars: Atmospheric Adventure with a Haunting Twist

David Barnett’s Scuttler’s Cove is a compelling blend of mystery and adventure, set against the evocative backdrop of a remote coastal town. Barnett’s descriptive writing brings the setting to life, making the cove itself feel like a character—haunting, mysterious, and full of secrets. The novel’s atmosphere is immersive, drawing readers into its windswept shores and shadowy cliffs with vivid imagery and a sense of impending danger.

The story follows a protagonist grappling with both personal demons and the mysteries of Scuttler’s Cove, making for a character-driven narrative that is as emotionally resonant as it is suspenseful. Barnett excels at creating characters who are flawed yet relatable, and their relationships add depth to the unfolding mystery.

The pacing is steady, though it occasionally lags in the middle, as the story takes time to unravel the layers of the cove’s secrets. However, the payoff is worth it, with a climax that is both unexpected and satisfying. The supernatural undertones are handled subtly, adding an eerie edge without overwhelming the realism of the story.

Scuttler’s Cove is an atmospheric and gripping read that combines adventure, mystery, and emotional depth. Fans of character-driven suspense with a touch of the macabre will find much to enjoy here.

This was an interesting ride and it definitely kept me entertained. I think my one complaint was with the characters who seemed very flat and the women just seemed very catty and one dimensional. It was a bit upsetting to see them all sniping at each other under "friendship".

One of the best books I've read all year, definitely in the top three! Unique folk horror with twists and turns you won't see coming. I enjoyed every page; it was perfectly creepy and unsettling with characters I loved to hate.

David Barnett’s brilliant folk horror novel, Withered Hill was one of my favorite reads of this year, so when I was gifted an arc by @canelo_co of his upcoming book, Scuttler’s Cove I was beyond excited. It was my first read of December and it did not disappoint.

This time Barnett takes the reader to Scuttler’s Cove, a quaint fishing village on the Cornish coast. A town almost forgotten by time and bound by centuries old traditions and rituals, it has been rediscovered and taken over by the wealthy as their summer seaside playground, much to the dismay of the locals. It is here that Merrin Moon returns after her mother’s death. A native of the cove, she finds the town is nearly unrecognizable and her memory of the years she spent here hazy, Merrin senses something is odd. Little does she know that an old ritual involving herself, an ancient apple tree and a cornish folk legend about to collide.

This book was fun. I loved the changing of the traditional rural folk horror setting to the coast. It made all the old folk horror tropes seem fresh again. Yes, there is the quaint village, but this time the old ways revolve around the sea and the land. Cornwall is steeped in mystery and tradition and easily lends itself to the genre. And the sea can be a powerful force.

Barnett adds a bit of comedic flair to this one that works really well. The dry wit afforded to the wealthy out of towners had me chuckling as I read. But don’t worry, while lighter in tone than Withered Hill this is still a horror novel. The clash of cultures sets up tension for the inevitable battle to come. An ancient entity is rising and must soon be appeased. And oh yeah, there are creepy crawlies galore in this one- swarms of and attacking from the land and sea. Neither are my favorite things and now who knows if I will ever go in the ocean again.

I am so happy I discovered Mr. Barnett this year. Withered Hill had a mastery of complex storytelling and this one is pure unadulterated disturbing fun! I’m always on the hunt for the pristine bit of folk horror and Mr. Barnett has delivered fun and quality folk horror twice

The cover and concept appealed to me. The description gave vibes of folk horror in a coastal village. Two women are recreating their lives after wrenching losses. Creepy things happen. Nearly everyone is keeping secrets.

For me, the pacing felt much too slow. There's a lot of repetition, including of unimportant details, and a load of spoon-feeding. There could have been more suspense if the author didn't tell so much about the history so often and refer to what was coming multiple times.

Overall, he created a great insular location and there's a sense of dread at key points. The book contains some weird and creative horror. I liked it enough to keep reading. I enjoyed the place, the lore, and all the nature weirdness.

Unfortunately, even the end slows to crawl with laborious backstory from multiple points of view to explain everything.

It kept my attention, but some of it was predictable. The gender roles, especially certain statements near the end, would have made more sense if it had been set a few decades in the past. These things are a matter of taste. Many readers appreciated the author's previous novel and will enjoy this one as well.

Thank you, Covelo, for the attractive e-ARC via NetGalley. These are my unbiased opinions.

I unfortunately had to DNF, at about the 50 pages mark. Nothing kept me interested, there was nothing notable about this book, all of it was just meh, no character was actually likeable, or smart.
Also, can we stop the trope of "hero asks question, people give vague non-answers, and hero just drops it:". What a boring, overdone trope, that ruins the tone of the whole book. I do not enjoy trickling information in this sense, make it more interesting, or at least have them be dumb enough to not even ask questions.

Dark, eerie, chilling, horrific, and oozing with unease, Scuttler's Cove is a wonderfully creepy folk horror book! I enjoyed the mystery, the tension, the dark secrets, the mounting danger! The sea, the land, the towns people, and an apple tree hold a centuries old secret. I do not read a lot of folk horror, but if David Barnett writes it, I will read it!

In the coastal town of Cornwell, an apple tree grows. Every so often the apples come early. The townspeople know what it means and what they must do. To ensure their way of life remains balanced, certain things need to happen. They follow the ancient ways, beliefs, gods, and traditions. They are an isolated and tight-knit community where, like Cheers, everyone knows your name. But outsiders have discovered the beautiful setting and town and are buying up homes as the townspeople struggle.

When Merrin Moon left town for college, she never imagined she would come back to Scutter's Cove. But her mother has passed away and Merrin returned to take care of her mother's funeral. Back in Scutter's cove, Merrin has been reacquainted with old friends, her mother's old friends, and those she knew growing up. Things she has forgotten are beginning to come back to her as the days progress.

Jen is a young widow whose husband died in a horrific accident. She is in town with her deceased husband's friends and has formed a friendship with Merrin. Jen is drawn to the town, the apple tree.

Holy Moly! This was a great fast read that both enticed and spooked me! As I mentioned, I loved the atmosphere, the unease, the isolation, the tension, the creepy vibe of the book. The ancient ways, the history, the characters, and the sea made for a thrilling reading experience. I had no idea where this book was going to take me, but I enjoyed the twist filled creepy ride! David Barnett nailed writing vivid descriptions. I could see everything playing out in my mind as I read. I enjoyed the writing, the well thought out plot, and the characters. While I rooted for some, there were others who gave me the creeps. I could see this being made into a movie.

Dark, horrific, eerie, and hard to put down!

folk horror girlies we are UP! 🦀 this is a book that sneaks up on you. you’re hooked before you even realize it, unable to stop turning the page. i want to be as vague as possible bc i feel like this is best experienced knowing very little about the plot— but if you’re looking for a beautifully written, tense horror tale with all the fishing village vibes, this is the one.

Scuttler’s Cove is an eerie, atmospheric novel folk horror novel from David Barnett. I have never read anything from this author but I definitely will after reading this! The basic premise involves two women, one returning to her childhood hometown and one recently widowed who is summering in the same time. Odd events start happening and the story just gets creepier as it goes on. The plot had my attention throughout and the cast of characters was great as well. I was also pretty surprised by a twist at the end. Definitely would recommend this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this eARC.