Somewhere between sensuality and horror lurks the Gothic prose of Kiernan. It's definitely on the purple side, and often breaks the rules of grammar and syntax, but it holds together like an enchantment.

The novella is the perfect length for Kiernan: she can dazzle and swoop, whilst developing her characters and plots more than in her shorts and yet, without tiring herself or us.

As always, plot progresses at a languorous pace, and is hinted at rather than stated. Conflict is subtle and menacing, arising as a result of dialogue and social interaction in most cases. I'm reminded, in the specificity and tension of the dialogue, of Pulp Fiction, even though the comparison seems absurd. The actual supernatural element, whilst omnipresent, is understated. I think this works very well. The menace is low-level but seething. All through the novella you can sense something is going on, and it's only hinted at in most places.

This is definitely one to read, and one of Kiernan's best works yet.