Wednesday 26 August 2020

The Haunted Lake by PJ Lynch

Jacob and his father are the only people who fish Lake Spetzia, which was formed when the river was dammed and their town was flooded. The villagers say the lake is haunted, but Jacob and his father don’t want to leave, because Jacob’s mother is buried in the cemetery below the water. As Jacob grows up, a village girl named Ellen falls in love with him, and he with her. 

But before they are married, Jacob disappears—lured underwater by the ghosts who inhabit the sunken village. Years go by, with Jacob held captive by the watery spirits and Ellen never giving up hope that she will find him, until a fateful night when Jacob sees the light of Ellen’s boat floating above. Can he break free and reach the surface? 

Masterful illustrations alive with achingly expressive characters and eerie underwater light bring readers into acclaimed creator P.J. Lynch’s rich world of love, loss, and hope.

PJ Lynch books are always amazing, whether he's written it himself or 'just' illustrated someone else's writing. His newest book is based on several true stories of villages flooded to create reservoirs. PJ's take is a bit spooky, very beautiful and extremely heartfelt.

Our young heroine has echoes of Jessi, who came across the sea, and like the heroine of that book she is strong, determined and knows her own mind. She really is the heroine of the piece, although the book sets you up to think it's Jacob.

PJ's illustrations are amazing; sunny and well lit above, creepy and eerie below, with shafts of light illuminating the buildings and schools of fish. It's amazing how PJ can build a mood so easily with what he draws.

Despite the heavily illustrated nature of this book, it's not for young children; the story is scary in some parts and the ending might puzzle them. This is one for the illustration fan in your life, for history buffs interested in lost villages, or those who love a sweet love story. The tone of this is almost like a fairytale, so you can add fairytale lovers to the list as well! Really, you could give this to almost anyone. I know I'll be buying several copies.

The Haunted Lake publishes on the 8th September, 2020 in America and on the 8th October, 2020 in the UK.

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