BOOK REVIEW: YVETTE FIELDING’S ‘THE HOUSE IN THE WOODS’

Yvette Fielding started her career in the world of children’s television — which included a stint as one of Blue Peter’s youngest ever presenters — but it seems the world of the paranormal has defined much of her life since the cult series, Most Haunted, began airing in 2002.

The paranormal show is still going strong today, and undeniably, Fielding has made a mark on the study of all things spooky. Travelling across some of the most haunted sites in not just the UK, but the world, Fielding has gathered some of the most convincing and compelling paranormal activity on film. Yet her talent lies not just with her studies of the afterlife, she has taken to writing too — and her fans are loving it.

This week sees the release of Fielding’s book, The House In The Woods (though this isn’t Fielding’s first delve into fiction writing — she released the much-loved Archie The Ghost Hunter in 2019). Published by Andersen Press, The House In The Woods is a full length novel that follows on the trail of three children/central characters: Clovis, Eve and Tom. The story is one of scary adventure, but filled with remarkable warmth and at times, humour.

So, what’s it about?

Three school friends visit a haunted house and use a Ouija board for some Halloween fun — but the fun soon turns to fear when they realise that the ghost they have contacted has followed them home. So begins a creepy story in which we see the trio so scared and unsure of what to do that they have to enlist the help of Eve’s Uncle, a great character who luckily knows a lot about the strange and unusual things of the world. I won’t place any spoilers here, but the story evolves into a highly addictive read in which the ending is sure to satisfy Fielding’s audience.

The House In The Woods is a beautifully written story of paranormal adventure. It is clear when reading it that Fielding has used her many years of experience to flavour the novel, giving it a creepy and authentic feel. The characters feel very real and likeable, and Fielding has obviously found a talent in weaving tales that are bound to keep fans of Most Haunted very happy.