Published: Nov. 29, 2011
Words: 68,404 (approximate)
Language: English
ISBN: 9781465767134

Short description

An isolated Welsh island seems the perfect escape: however, on Ynys Diawl four visitors face a night of horror and madness. If they don't work together then none of them will live to see the light of day. Phil Rickman, on BBC Radio Wales' Phil The Shelf literary programme, likened it to "The Wicker Man in Wales".

Extended description

An isolated Welsh island seemed like the perfect escape for a convict on the run, a jilted woman, and a policeman seeking a quiet life. When the surly locals turn to murderous violence the three visitors are forced on the run together, trying to stay one step ahead of their increasingly insane pursuers.

The bad news keeps coming. There are too many to fight. There is no escape from the island. And the worst storm in years has just begun. They can only run and hide as they face a night of horror and madness. If they don't work together then none of them will live to see the light of day.

Phil Rickman, on BBC Radio Wales' Phil The Shelf literary programme, likened it to "The Wicker Man in Wales". The writer Bec Zugor summed it up as: "This will do, for visiting remote islands, what Jaws did for swimming in the sea."

This tense survival horror novel is a homage to decades of nasty villains, scary predicaments, and bloody books and films.

Tags

horror, wales, madness, xenophobia, islands, murderers, rural thriller

Available ebook reading formats

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Videos

Turner promo
Promo video for Turner (1980's style!)

My Aberystwyth University Book Festival talk
Video of the talk I gave about Turner - see http://karldrinkwater.blogspot.com/2011/12/talking-about-turner.html

Reviews

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Review by: Jennifer Ricketts on April 18, 2013 :
As a huge fan of the horror genre, books and movies alike, I liked this book but didn't love it. All different kinds of horror appeals to me from ghosts and zombies to demons and supernatural psycho killers (Jason Vorhees anyone?). Goriness doesn't bother me, and while there are some gory moments, it didn't make me ill or want to stop reading. The killers are, after all, dangerous and unhinged. I can't do the torture porn kind of horror (think of The Human Centipede, which I will never ever see!). Luckily, there isn't that kind of torture, so if you're worried about that, you need not be.

This book had a lot of potential, but it fell a bit short. Not enough to where I didn't enjoy the story - on the contrary, I was quite caught up in the terror and action. The Welsh terms and places were difficult for me to keep up with as I am unfamiliar with all of it. I had a difficult time picturing the scenes where the action was taking place. Though I experienced some difficulty, what was most important to me was how creepy the island was described to be as well as the island's residents.

There wasn't much chance to connect with the characters, although you have to remember that in the horror genre, you usually aren't supposed to connect with the characters - it's accepted and known most of the characters will die. Many times in horror, I even find myself rooting for some of the characters to die, especially if they're particularly annoying or just awful people. What makes this story so scary is not knowing which characters will die or if they even will, and of course their desperate attempts to stay alive by running away, hiding, and fighting off the killers.

I felt like I was in the story, trying to escape from the evil surrounding the island, wondering what I would do if I found myself in this situation, and how successful would I be fighting for my life. That's what made this novel so scary for me - living the fear and terror right along with the characters. I kept thinking to myself why would anyone want to go there? Especially by yourself? Although who would think about crazy things happening to you like this? My questions kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next.

The story is amazingly terrifying, and I found myself in for a big surprise once I began to realize what was going on. There's more to this story than what you think there is as you begin reading - I ended up shocked and pleased with the way the author incorporated more than just crazy, isolated island inhabitants. There are other evils lurking, and just wait until you find out what those evils turn out to be! So while I wasn't completely satisfied with this novel, I did like it enough to keep turning the pages to find out how it would end, and the ending was definitely phenomenally done.

I received a copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.
(reviewed long after purchase)

Review by: J Morgan on March 09, 2013 :
I read Turner each night in bed and on a few occasions I almost poo'd the bed. I found it scary with a great story. Right up to the last couple of pages I was on edge wondering if the nightmare was going to start again, to Chris. I certainly gave my heart a good workout. Would love to read a follow up with Chris returning to conquer his nightmares or someone else's story from the island.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

Review by: Bec Zugor on March 01, 2012 :
I really enjoyed this gripping horror tale. I had to keep turning the page to find out what would happen to each character, and there was a nice amount of splatter.

As each scene unfolded, I could easily imagine watching it on a big screen. It would make a great film.

This will do, for visiting remote islands, what Jaws did for swimming in the sea.
(reviewed within a month of purchase)

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