Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

A bleak retelling of the infamous Frankenstein with a rich narrative and an imersive backdrop.

Thank you NetGalley and RDS Publishing for this ARC!

The books falls into multiple categories for me.
- historical fiction
- horror
- touch of romance??

I loved this retelling of Frankenstein. It really made you feel for the “monsters” that he created and make them likable. It also was interesting to see it as a woman’s take in the 1700s.

Quick read and very interesting.

5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Eynhallow

Agnes Tulloch lives on the island of Eynhallow, a harsh landscape surrounded by crashing waves and cold bitter winds. Eynhallow, the holy isle, is not an exciting place to live until a newcomer rows to shore. His name is Victor Frankenstein and he plans to rent the haunted manor on the hill for the summer so that he might work on his experiments in solitude. Agnes, a simple wife of the island, is rented out by her abusive husband as a cleaning woman and a cook to the noble Frankenstein, unaware her life would be forever changed by that one transaction.

Eynhallow was a haunting narrative of a woman scorned - of a woman who has been beaten down by her husband, her community, and her religious ideology - Agnes Tulloch was a giant trapped in a world that forced her to feel small.

Historical fiction is not my forte but I was hooked by the blurb for the book and the mention of Frankenstein. While Eynhallow is definitely a book involving Frankenstein, it isn't Frankenstein's story, it's so much more. The prose was poetic, the setting desolate, and by the end it was truly heartbreaking.

Eynhallow has earned my first five star review of the year. While it is slow to warm, not really picking up until a little over a quarter of the way through the novel - once Eynhallow hits it's stride, it hits it's stride running. If you can stick with the historical setting and the prose, you're in for a solid read.

Thank you to NetGalley, RDS Publishing, and Tim McGregor for allowing me to read an ARC copy of this novel.

I have been given this arc in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!

”I am not a keen observer of ghost tales or stories of haunted abodes. They pass the time on dreary winter nights, I suppose.”

The story of Eynhallow opens on the island home to a very small community of people, everyone knowing each other and their business.

Agnes Tulloch is a woman just trying to focus on raising her family and forget the past she left behind when she was arranged to marry a widow. The man treats her with condescension and disrespect, constantly questioning her and her abilities.
One day, just as things were seeming to get dull on the little island, a newcomer floats ashore. He doesn’t tell his curious neighbours much about himself, just that he’s rented the haunted cottage that lies abandoned. When Agnes is volunteered to be the man’s carer, she begins to uncover secrets about this man. Starting with his name, Victor Frankenstein.

”Cruelty. It blooms behind closed doors like mold, thriving in places where sunlight doesn’t reach. It festers in the clenched jaw until it rots a molar.”

I am mostly conflicted with how I want to rate this book. I felt like I was captivated for the most part, but there were some things that just nagged me as I was reading.

I walked away from this book really enjoying the ambience of the story, though I wish it would’ve been even darker, if I’m being completely honest. I wish there was some fog/mist. For example, I wish the “ghosts” on the island were more woven in, instead of just being a figure we kind of run into occasionally. I wish they were more fleshed out and me (as the reader) really felt the horror the characters experience when they come across these things.

Another gripe for me is that I feel this story would’ve benefitted more if it was told from the third person. We would’ve gotten to experience more of the island, the people, the general feel. I think, as the audience, we missed out on a lot of potential in the setting. I also felt like I didn’t connect with Agnes as a character as it was told in first person. Maybe this relationship would’ve improved if it had been written from a different perspective.

I think I am one of the few who this book didn’t stand out for, but that’s a fantastic thing! I wish I was part of the majority!

I have never read any books by this author but was drawn to this book because of the historical horror and retelling of one of the most classic sci-fi horror books, Frankenstein. I loved that this took place on the island of Eynhallow which is now completely abandoned and that this story tied in this fact to the story. I'm a sucker for body horror and this did NOT disappoint. Full review to be released closer to pub date, but this is definitely one to watch in the horror community.

<i>I am some profane Eve betrothed to this corrupt Adam</i>

I loved this book. Tim McGregor deliveries a delicious (and grotesque) version of Frankenstein in this new novel. This is wonderful for readers looking for a unforgiving world that takes place during 1797 on Orkney Islands. The island only has a small population and the inhabitants are tight knitted, but what happens when a man visits carrying copious amounts of wooden crates and his last name is Frankenstein? It doesn't help the island is already plagued by tales of orges and ghost, but what is this mad man doing in the old ruins? Definitely a must read in 2024.

In 1797 on the Orkney Isle of Eynhallow, married mother of four Agnes Tulloch struggles to make ends meet. A “giantess” since youth, Agnes towers over her small community, nearly all of whom view her as a freak and an outsider. The result is a sad, lonely, and difficult existence, a far cry from the ideal promised by her husband, a temperamental and distant man 14 years her senior.

Agnes endures to get along, subjugating herself in the face of matrimonial strife, a victim of circumstance and time period without choices or prospects, each day mundane and unrelenting until a stranger comes ashore and settles into a deserted croft — one of several area ruins historied with gruesomely violent legend and lore. Hired out to clean and cook for the newcomer, Agnes resentfully complies, befriending the wealthy scientist who feverishly works away at some mysterious pursuit. This charming, dark, and brooding aristocrat’s name? Victor Frankenstein, someone potentially dangerous, heartless, and careless beneath his captivating veneer.

Oozing tension and melancholy, this novel immerses the reader in an atmospheric and utterly enthralling account of personal struggle and bodily autonomy brought to life through smooth and enchanting prose. Agnes’s powerful narrative voice pulls no punches, seamlessly conveying horror and devastation coupled with truly terrifying and heartbreaking moments, weaving a riveting tale worthy of a spot on any Gothic horror lover’s favorites shelf. Pristine, elegant, and gruesome; eerie, bewitching, and gut-wrenching; Eynhallow is a harrowing and haunting story that not only does its much-lauded predecessor justice, but enhances it.

And what’s more, Eynhallow is a real place actually abandoned in 1841. Unreachable for 364 days per year, ruin-strewn and awash in historical riddles and mythical legends, it’s a destination rife with mystery and tailor-made for horror!

Thank you to NetGalley and RDS Publishing/Raw Dog Screaming Press for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

This was the perfect Frankenstein retelling for me! I loved the atmosphere and the writing! I think this story portrayed how being a woman in the 1700s was a true horrorshow. I personally didn't need the last 20-30 pages but I was very happy how it ended and understand why it was there. 4.5 stars! I recommend if you love the Mary Shelley classic!
More of my thoughts here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlTNAkallfI&t=1203s&ab_channel=KatrinaBrown

Thank you! Netgalley for this arc!

I really enjoyed this book. The story line was good, and I liked the Frankenstein angle. Was a fast read as I found it hard to put down. would definitely read more from Tim McGregor. Thank you NetGalley!

“I have lifted the skirts of Mother Nature and glimpsed her secrets.”

Tim McGregor’s novel takes place on the Orkney Islands in Scotland. Agnes Tulloch has married a widower and lives with him and a very small community on Eynhallow. They have four young children and as isolated as they are soon things change when a stranger come to live there. He has rented the abandoned cottage and comes from wealth. He requests Agnes’s husband for a person to cook and clean for him. Agnes has no choice and begins to discover the truth behind the stranger known as Frankenstein.

I loved this book. I have always been huge fan of Mary Shelley’s original work so this was story I knew I would enjoy. The character of Agnes is something else. She is strong and despite her upbringing and current circumstances, she shines out from the rest in this book.

The imagery was vivid, as I read on I could practically feel myself being there alongside Agnes. The surroundings and despair that is felt is chilling and depressing. The challenges Agnes faces were many and her triumphant moments were small but gave her hope when she found herself drowning.

When the events begin to escalate after the arrival of the stranger the atmosphere becomes rippled with dread. The reader can’t help but empathise with Agnes but also feel her fury.

Overall I enjoyed this novel and definitely recommend it if you’ve read the original works.

Wow! What a book. I haven't read Frankenstein, so I wasn't sure what to expect (or what references I would miss out on). However, once I got into this one, I was hooked. The main character, Agnes, is a tragic and sympathetic lead whose internal conflicts lead to an incredible story and the kind of romance that Hallmark dreams about. This is an early contender for my book of the year, and I will not stop raving about it to anyone who will listen. Hot dog, books like this are why I read horror.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early. Frankenstein is not only one of my favorite horror stories, but one of my favorite classics in general. It was a real treat to get a woman’s perspective on not only the time period but the events leading up to Victor Frankenstein attempting to create a mate for his monster. Thank you to this author for giving the women agency not often seen in the classics.

At only 178 pages, this one packed a punch. I wouldn’t consider this a Frankenstein retelling so much as a Frankenstein sequel, taking place in the same universe as Mary Shelley’s classic.

This is my first book from this author and I was immediately impressed with how atmospheric his writing is - I felt myself being pulled along in the daily life of the MC as she struggled and survived on the remote isle of Eynhallow.

I will admit that I wasn’t fully invested in this story until the “mysterious stranger” showed up on the island. BUT, this meant that I felt the islanders excitement right along with them and I didn’t put this book down after that point. I needed to know more about this exotic man with the funny last name. When that “funny” name turned out to be Frankenstein….. game over.

I think Shelley would be proud of this heart-breaking exploration of what it means to be human, and this isn’t a book I will soon forget. Check this one out if you like old-school horror, remote islands, and mad scientists!

**Thank you to NetGalley and Raw Dog Screaming Press for the eARC of this devastating title!**

Eynhallow by Tim McGregor is a tale of domestic struggles, curiosity, and monsters set in the isolated and windy Orkney Islands.

Content Warnings:
Domestic abuse, pregnancy, stillbirth, death of a child, blood, suicide, medical trauma, and murder.

Let’s dive in!

My Thoughts on Eynhallow by Tim McGregor –
With only four families residing on the island of Eynhallow, this tiny community gets by, but just barely. Agnes, our main character, is living what she tries to convince herself is a good life; she has a husband, a roof over her head, and children to watch over while she cares for their home. However, readers will very quickly see the darkness that hides behind closed doors.

One day, a boat is spotted approaching the island. The islanders are curious to learn that a man is coming to live in one of the abandoned cottages for the season. Immediately perturbing the residents with his appearance and personality, the newcomer isn’t welcomed at all, let alone welcomed with open arms. When Agnes’ husband volunteers her to take food to and clean for this man, she is beyond angry that her husband made another decision for her. But over time, she gets to know the strange man and her time with him changes everything.

Absolutely boiling over with drama and tension, this story focuses on both real-world horror and sci-fi horror, blending them perfectly together. The author is very skilled at creating a killer atmospheric setting! You’ll feel like you’re sitting right there with the main character whether that’s near the warm fire, out shivering in the cold, or getting hit by the wind and mist from the sea.

Speaking of what this book makes you feel – my gosh, SO many scenes here had my blood boiling. I’ve never hated a character so quickly! I won’t say who, so readers can find that out for themselves. But let me tell you, I was so ready for something unfortunate to happen to that character immediately.

On the flip side of that, I was so ready to rage on behalf of Agnes! The author does such an amazing job getting readers into this character’s head. You can’t help but feel close to her while also feeling protective of her very early on. That feeling only grows watching what happens to her throughout the rest of the tale.

There was also a focus on pregnancy and birth had me ready to throw up. I just had a baby just shy of four months ago and I am very thankful I didn’t read this before then! The author doesn’t shy away from the horrific things that can happen, as he writes so perfectly; “Every woman skates the razor’s edge when she brings life into this world.”

Then there’s the sci-fi elements that were so mysterious! I enjoyed not knowing what was really going on. Of course, with the names of the characters, you can guess at what’s happening, but the answers are kept hidden until the perfect time!

My Favorite Passages from Eynhallow –
The storm has left the island wet and sopping, but the morning is bright and blue. The wind, which normally blows brisk, is reduced to a gentle waft. There is no escape from the wind on Eynhallow. It never ceases, even on gentle summer days.

Eynhallow is awash in mystery, and the legends often contradict one another.

A public flaying is in the air, so I slip out of the conversation before blood is spilt. The foreign gent and his audacious absence from Sunday worship is like cream to hungry cats. The islanders will dine on this subject for days to come. I have no desire to participate in the bloodbath, having been on the receiving end of it in the past. What confounds me is this need to cut someone to ribbons for their faults and sins, believing the contrast will highlight the cutter’s own superior nature. Making oneself taller by standing on another is an ugly play in my opinion.

I probe her belly with my fingers. It is hard, the skin stretched firm, but I feel nothing irregular. “Anything out of the usual?”
“Oh, I don’t know. What’s usual when comes to this?”

Cradled in his arms were the bones of his dead wife. A ghastly scene, to be sure. Out in the yard lay a massive hole under the marble headstone. Had the man gone mad and exhumed his dead wife or did the bride claw her way out of the grave to plant the kiss of death on her husband?

The doors to both inner rooms are closed. The first opens to a completely barren space save for a pile of books in the corner. I snoop through each book but not one volume is written in English. How vexing. I could murder someone for a new book to read.

Death is a promise that cannot be made pretty.

Sundown bruises the clouds purple and the last of the gulls call out over the sound of the surf. The sliver of moon is even thinner tonight, but it provides enough light for my pilgrimage to the burial ground.

My thoughts shatter like eggs dropped to the floor, and I cannot decide on a course of action. Do I flee or stay?

My Final Thoughts on Eynhallow –
Horror fans, this read is such an intense and bleak one! Covering so much ground while we follow a character just trying to survive her day-to-day life, readers will never know what terror or tragedy is coming next.

This was just...weird. I was super invested from the start—the first chapter is great, the voice is great. Then it just dragged. I had forgotten what the book was about and didn't get any hints from the opening chapters, so I had to reread the synopsis. Also, the writing quickly turned repetitive, and at one point I put it down and couldn't bring myself to pick it back up. It's not bad, just not engaging in the way I'd hoped.

First of all, thanks to Raw Dog Screaming Press and Netgalley for letting me read an eARC of Eynhallow by Tim McGregor. I absolutely loved reading this novel, which is an excellent retelling of Frankenstein that centers the story around a woman on the island of Eynhallow named Agnes. The worldbuilding and characters are exceptionally well written and breathe life into this gothic horror story. The single most vital part of this novel is how it takes its time with the characters and describes life on the desolate island before any mention or hint of the monster appears. It makes you invested in and care about what happens to Agnes before she becomes entagled with the stranger that comes to stay on the island. If you are a fan of gothic horror, this is a must-read.

Eynhallow is the first book I’ve requested and been approved for on @netgalley and, not to brag, but damn, I chose well.

My copy of Wasps in the Ice Cream may have scowled at me from my bookshelf as I requested @timmcgregor1 newest book before finishing it. But I couldn’t pass up a chance to dive into Eynhallow once I saw the cover and read the synopsis on @goodreads

I was instantly and completely behind the main character, Agnes. I found myself feeling her emotions so deeply because the writing and character relationships are written in such a genuine way. I don’t know if it’s because @daylafm and I have been chatting about Slewfoot, but Agnes was giving me some intense Abitha vibes and I was thoroughly pleased with this.

I really enjoyed the mystery behind the stranger arriving to Eynhallow. The events that follow are paced so well I didn’t want to stop reading. Every page of this book and every detail included are intentional and have purpose.

I don’t want to include too many specifics because I really think you should go in blind if you’re looking to pick this one up.

A great first read of the year and now the bar has been set! Endless thanks to @netgalley and @rdspress for the advanced digital copy in exchange for an honest review.

Also a huge thanks to @timmcgregor1 for writing such a stellar book.

4.5⭐️

Agnes is a resident of Eynhallow, a desolate and bleak isle off the northern coast of Scotland. She has a hard life and can barely feed the four children she has crammed into her tiny two-room cottage, let alone her ungrateful drunken husband. One day as she stares longingly out onto the black waves, a stranger comes calling- a scientist by the name of Victor Frankenstein- and for this tiny four-family island community a stranger means nothing but trouble. The community is suddenly abuzz with gossip of what this out of place character can be doing in such a barren and lonely part of the world. Frankenstein is not suited to life in Eynhallow and finds himself in need of someone to help keep his house habitable and food on the table. As Agnes works in his cottage, a bond forms between them and Frankenstein finds himself fascinated and charmed with her. But something else has arrived on the island with Frankenstein- something huge and malformed that stalks the shores at night and has the locals afraid and telling stories. As Agnes gets drawn into Frankenstein's world, she finds her traditional Christian values at odds with the dark and unholy practices going on, and she must make a choice that will change her life forever. Set in 1797 this rich and satisfying adaptation of the Frankenstein story is dark and atmospheric, and readers will find it hard to put it down.

Wow, what a read! Totally captivating! I loved, loved, loved this book!

The author takes us back to 1797 as we revisit the story of Frankenstein. Eynhallow is told through the POV of Agnes, a married mother of four who was dragged to the isolated island of Eynhallow to live with her much older spouse. Agnes is shunned by many on the island because she is an outsider as well as unusually tall and strong. She is devoted to her family and friends and acts as the island’s unofficial midwife. Her life is a bit mundane with most days keeping the same routine and her loveless marriage to a weak man is tiresome. Enter Victor Frankenstein. Victor is smart, mysterious, and most importantly finds Agnes interesting. As their relationship progresses, Agnes begins to picture a new life for herself and even dreams of happiness. But Victor is full of secrets. Why did he come to the island and what is haunting him? As the truth is revealed, Agnes is both horror-stuck and heartbroken. She is left transformed and grieving the life she once had.

The entire book has an overwhelming feeling of melancholy, the desolate island, Agnes’s monotonous life and the harsh weather. I was totally immersed in the story and felt a heaviness while reading it. I loved how the author weaved old legends of Eynhallow into the story. The glimmer of hope I felt when Agnes imagined the possibly of being happy only made her circumstances even more devastating to read. The ending left me satisfied and utterly heartbroken. I will be pondering this book for a long time. Highest of recommendations!

Thanks Tim McGregor, NetGalley and RDS Publishing for the copy of this splentacular novel.

Do you love Frankenstein? Do you want more? I just finished Eynhallow, by Tim McGregor, and I’m floored. Frankenstein in a way you’ve probably never seen it. Compelling, heartbreaking, and a fresh look on old horror. A classic revisited, and expanded on in a way that’s wholly new to me, with characters I got incredibly attached to, and an ending that was art. Agnes is everything a strong woman should be, a pillar for a community that shunned her. Victor is entirely the mysterious, dark, sultry character, and an incredible temptation for Agnes. Solid 5/5, which is no shock, since all of his other work is.