Title: Twisted Pike

Author: David Barnett

Release date: October 1st, 2026

*Huge thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a digital ARC of this one!*

I am decided late to the David Barnett game.

Only recently did I come across ‘Scratch Moss,’ his prior folklore horror novel, after friend and reviewer Tony Jones suggested I give it a go. I read that one and really enjoyed it and when this one was announced, I submitted a request and was elated to be approved far faster than normal.

Lately, my reading time has been stretched thin, so I was worried about getting this read prior to review date, but knowing I had two travel days within September, I was positive I’d manage to finish this up, and sure enough, I wrapped this up on my flight home just a few days ago.

One thing I’d noted about ‘Scratch Moss’ was that at the end, it referenced David’s prior book, ‘Scuttler’s Cove,’ and I knew that this one was set in the town of Withered Hill, which so happens to be the title of the first book in Barnett’s folklore ‘series.’ Buoyed by how I managed ‘Scratch Moss,’ I was confident that Barnett would set this book up in a way someone who’d not read ‘Withered Hill’ could maneuver through it comfortable and not feel lost or confused.

What I liked: The story follows Rob, Oli and Maddie, who’re heading to Withered Hill to film a horror movie. Rob’s the writer and director, Oli the cinematographer and Maddie’s the lead, the actress to bring Rob’s vision to life. Withered Hill is an isolated, off the map town, one people have fleetingly heard of but never visited, nor could they tell you how to get there.

Once they arrive, they’re initially met with hostility from the locals, before permission is granted for them to film there. Or so it seems.

In this case, Barnett is bringing the reader to a place he already has fully fleshed out, and because of that, everything feels real, vibrant and makes things all the more unsettling. Now, obviously if I’d read ‘Withered Hill,’ I’d be more aware of some of the locals and the rituals and going on’s, but even without that knowledge, I know there’s a whiff of nefarious in the air. Friendly to the face, plotting behind their backs. It’s almost palpable. And as Rob’s true reasons for being there begin to manifest, and Oli encounters what lives in the woods, there’s a growing sentiment to yell for them to get the hell out, to get away. But they can’t.

It’s as though they’re glamoured by Withered Hill and rightfully so. Friendly folks, good food, gorgeous country living. Things just feel good. Feel right. Even if the locals howl on about Owd Howb and how they worship the God in the trees.

The locals are great in this book. We get a variety of characters who all have different quirks and traits and when each one loops back around throughout the book, they each manage to change the tone and atmosphere of the story, while also adjusting the trajectory of the trio. Look, we know something bad’s gonna happen. When, where, we’re not totally sure, but we know it’s coming and as Barnett unravels things – which do run parallel to ‘Scratch Moss’ – everything is amplified and done so accordingly.

The final quarter is an exercise in cinematic folklore storytelling. I do wish I’d have read ‘Withered Hill’ prior, because I think that would’ve greatly upped the emotional impact of some of the town’s decisions and reactions when everything blasts into place, but it even so, it still worked well to grab me by the throat and have me racing through to the fantastic ending.

Before I conclude this part, I just want to add the epilogue, while a lot of fun, makes it so that there NEEDS to be a fifth book, another that does tie everything that’s happened together even more while also showing what takes place with what we learn. That’s all I can say about it to remain spoiler free, but there’s simply too many questions left that need to be answered to stop here.

What I didn’t like: So, there’s definitely some of the events/people in the ‘Withered Hill’ novel that would’ve been ideal for me to have already read, but that’s on me and though it didn’t change/effect my reading experience, I would suggest reading that first before diving into this one.

Moreso, the thing I didn’t connect with was the chapters that were told through the POV of some animals. It plays a role and is necessary for some key moments, but those chapters always felt like they slowed the momentum of the novel.

Why you should buy this: Over the two books I’ve read, Barnett has easily slotted himself in my reading brain as a master of folklore storytelling. We’ve had a glut of amazing folklore over the last decade and Barnett’s rank up there for me as some of the best that’ve come out.

If you’ve read the first three books – Withered Hill, Scuttler’s Cove & Scratch Moss – you’re going to be in for a big, big treat with how this one folds everything together while also telling us the story of ‘Twisted Pike’ through an outsiders lens. It’s propulsive, tense and dirty and for those reasons, this one captivated me just a bit more than ‘Scratch Moss,’ and that novel was fantastic.

Barnett’s created a stunning, sprawling world of old God’s, high stakes and for those reasons, you all need to be all over this one. Superb.