Shaun Hutson, Lucy's Child

Shaun Hutson, Lucy's Child - "There is no love lost between the two sisters, and the tense atmosphere is strained further by Lucy's repeated references to Beth's inability to bear children. It's a touchy subject, but Lucy likes nothing better than to pick at an open wound. She knows how much it hurts Beth's psychiatrist husband, Simon, too; and Lucy likes to hurt people. Perhaps that's why she carries a knife. But Beth thought having Lucy to stay was a nightmare, she soon realises that having her gone is much, much worse.

A tragic accident takes her away, but leaves a legacy behind, Lucy's child. And Beth's only chance at motherhood. But there are forces abroad that cannot permit what Beth sees as her right. Forces that will stop at nothing to prevent Beth from getting what she wants".

First published in 1995 by Little, Brown & Company, this 372 page blend of psychological horror and edge-of-the-seat thriller is completely gripping from the first page onwards. The character of Beth Parker is well-established and easy to sympathise with. Hutson has trained his pen to create an atmosphere of tension and constant suspense, as you wait for the truth to unveil itself. The novel is one of the most packed with sex, out of all of Hutson's work. Lucy is flirtatious and erotic in her dominating manner. The pace of the novel soon picks up, as Beth's life slowly turns for the worse. The side plot with the lunatic Karen Gregson, who cut out both her kids eyes and fed them to her dog, keeps the story racing ahead with its bitter tension.

The story comes to a dramatic ending, but a lot of questions of "why?" are left in the air. Hutson uses the premises of the unlimited ability of the supernatural to clear up all the loose ends, which is a little sloppy. The possession is never really explained, nor is Lucy's motive behind the whole event.

All in all, the novel is well-written and entertaining. One of Hutson's better books, and well worth a read.