I went into this book relatively cold, not having read any of the predecessors in the series. It certainly delivered in the way you’d expect: ghastly scenes of violence and maggoty grossness, a satisfying story arc, likable characters (well, except for one.)

But two things really stood out. You know how suspense narratives sometimes have a scene where a character is trapped in some way, then figures out a way to escape, and the prose details their slow, plodding struggle towards freedom, and the whole time you know it ain’t going to work out, which notches up the tension even more? This book has a great example of that technique and I’ll remember that scene for the rest of my life.

Also, Boote is a master of interiority. He really drops you deep in the heads of his characters and lets you settle down for a while. You become these people.

If you’re not a fan of extreme stuff (it’s not my main bag), then tread carefully. But if you like high-tension storytelling, this is a book to watch out for.