The Torments by Michael J Malone BLOG TOUR #TheTorments @michaelJmalone1 @OrendaBooks #AnnieJacksonMysteries #BookReview

 

Hiding from the world in her little white cottage on the shores of a loch, Annie Jackson is fighting to come to terms with the world of the murmurs, a curse that has haunted female members of her family for centuries.

 While she is within the ancient, heavy stone of the old dwelling, the voices merely buzz, but the moment she steps outside the door they clamour to torment her all over again, bringing with them shocking visions of imminent deaths.

 Into this oasis comes her adoptive mother, Mandy McEvoy, begging for Annie’s help. Mandy’s nephew Damien has gone missing, after dropping off his four-year old son at his mother’s home.

 Unable to refuse, but terrified to leave her sanctuary, Annie, with the help of her brother Lewis, is drawn in to a secretive, seductive world that will have her question everything she holds dear, while Lewis’ life may be changed forever…

 The second book in the critically acclaimed Annie Jackson Mysteries series, The Torments is both a contemporary gothic thriller and a spellbinding mystery that deeps deep into a past that should, perhaps, remain undisturbed…

The Torments by Michael J Malone was published on 12 September 2024 by Orenda Books and is the second in the Annie Jackson Mysteries. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour 

The Torments is an absolutely stunning read, it's a clever and intense mix of chilling terror, psychological tension, myths, legend and witchcraft. 

Malone introduced his readers to Annie Jackson in the first book of this series; The Murmurs. Annie has a gift, but to her, it is a curse. She experiences what are known as murmurs, that is, she can tell if someone that she meets is about to die. It doesn't happen when she meets everyone, but when it does, it's very disturbing. For Annie, these are the torments; they never let up and have changed her life. 

After being exposed to the public eye in a high profile case some time ago, Annie now lives in isolation, in a cottage away from everyone. She does work part time in a coffee shop, but hates being recognised. 

When Annie finds out that her cousin has gone missing, she knows that despite her misgivings, she has to help. Damien has had a chequered past, with spells in prison, but his mother is convinced that something is amiss. Since he became a father, Damien has turned over a new leaf, there's no way that he would just up and leave, and abandon his little son. 

Annie and her twin brother Lewis will do their best to search for Damien, they feel that they owe it to their adoptive Mother and her sister.  Annie's fears and anxieties quickly come true as they find themselves smack bang in the middle of eerie and murderous events, things that will explain to both of them more about their earlier life and just how Annie gained the curse that is the torments. 

Cleverly interwoven into the events of the present day is the story of Sylvia and Ben, dating back to the 1950s when they were school children. This is a dark story that does not hold back, with shocking details of cultish behaviour from people who are some of the most respected people in society. At first, it's difficult to understand how this fits in with Annie and Lewis' quest, but slowly and surely, the author beautifully exposes the truth. 

A chilling, beautifully written story that will haunt the reader, with characters who range from the most evil,  to those who have been ignored for years, but only want the truth to be exposed. It's an absolute triumph. I loved it. 

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. 

He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. 

Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish Association of Writers. 

His dark psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and is currently in production for the screen, and five powerful standalone thrillers followed suit. 

The Murmurs, first in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series, was published to critical acclaim in 2023. 

A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber & Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. 

Michael lives in Ayr, where he also works as a hypnotherapist.

X @michaelJmalone1

Instagram @1michaeljmalone