Book Review: ‘The Clearing: A Novel’ By Simon Toyne

Maddie Friar, 24, has vanished on the night of Midsummer’s Eve, in the woods around Cindertown, on the edge of the forest and her sister Adele is worried about her. She looks everywhere, calls everyone, and finally files a police report. When forensic specialist Laughton Rees hears about it, she decides to go investigate. It’s not the first person to have vanished in these woods over the years. There’s a local legend of a group called the Cinderman, dating back to the time of King Henry the VIII. She soon learns about strange things going on there, the local Sheriff is not happy to see her, and people in this area are quiet, and just want to be left alone. Laughton might just be pushing the wrong buttons, and will find herself in danger, and just what is the secret of The Clearing? A fun, creepy, psychological thriller, with a great character in Laughton, and a story you want to keep reading. This is the second novel in the series, and hopefully there are more.

You can pick up The Clearing in stores on Tuesday, July 11th from William Morrow.