If you want a flavorful genre pastiche with a touch of mystery and the bizarre, but don't have the time for something to drawn out or demanding, Patrick Todoroff's newest novella is for you. It's got lots of heart, a strong voice, and enough eeriness to satisfy anyone's pre-Halloween cravings. But it's a bit more like quick candy than fine chocolate: not bad at all, just not quite excellent either.
The story's told by young Declan Flood, who goes out drowsing for treasure with is best mate and only "family," Padraig "Paddy" O'Doule. The setting is nebulously medieval Irish (Todoroff explains in a note that it's a "fictional, mythical place that exists nowhere save my precarious imagination"), and the poor are hard pressed to get by. But these two orphans strike it rich when they find a precious locket, just what the local stingy pawnbroker might pay them well for. But it turns out the treasure has a dark secret, with a vengeful spirit to boot, and enough trouble to make even a hedonist scamp believe in things unseen and forces beyond him.
The characterization and setting is the richest asset this small book affords a reader. Declan's winsome yet worldly wise voice puts one in mind of Mark Twain or O'Henry. I found the thick Irish brogue fun on the whole, even if it at times the narrative felt more in love with its own sound than the story. Your enjoyment will vary based on your appreciation for such an accent.
The mystery itself was well-developed, and the supernatural elements well mixed to make it more than a simple ghost story. However, for some reason, I could not loose myself in the plot completely. Perhaps it was the lack of stakes for so long; until halfway through I couldn't appreciate the story as much more than a scenic travelogue.
Once the tension did go up my appreciation grew, but there were still moments where the story felt uneven, a lumpy confection that needed more chewing than might first appear. Some story elements appeared crammed in toward the end, and some of the earlier setup petered out underwhelmingly. Still, the mystery and intrigue never overcame the soul of the piece, which shone. I just wish it had been a bit more filled out all the way around.
Finally, there's an attempt at "splitting the middle" in terms of language that I think the author should have avoided. While perhaps in keeping with the Irish tone, the use of different spellings for certain strong profanities (sparing as they were) did not deaden their use for me. Instead they fairly leapt off the page, forcing me to pay more attention rather than less, taking me out of the narrative.
None of my complaints are deal breakers, as the story ended on a high (if abrupt) note. I found the Epilogue unnecessary, but then, I usually do. If you're looking for an Irish-style ghost story, one with a touch of spiritual awakening, The Barrow Lover is a treat. Just don't be tricked into thinking it's more than it is.
This review is also posted at Goodreads and Amazon. I received an advance eBook copy from the author in exchange for a review. Cover design and art were by Michal Oracz. The book is currently available from Amazon Digital Services as a Paperback ($6.29) and eBook ($3.99).
