Apart from the obvious title link, the book engages personal memories for those who know the fells.  Indeed, apart from swarees into northern Scotland and Manila, the main plot of the book takes part in Lakeland revolving around local small town journalist, Ben Foxley and his attempts to trace a repeat killer.  Although Michael admits he used a certain amount of licence with his locations, the ability to conjour up my own imagery for some of the scenes worked well for me.  Without giving the game away, it was interesting to have images of Dale Head in my mind and in the concluding scenes just having AW's Pictorial Book 6 open on the appropriate pages really helped consolidate the experience.  I found the book strangely enticing despite the fact that the murderer was revealed early on.  I have to say, although the plot was less than original, it was a really great read and I ended up reading it in three sittings - I haven't done that for a long while.  I guess if the book had been set in the Swiss Alps I would've been less engaged, but knowing the terrain really created a fabulous sense of place.  I guess for the members of this club the book is an absolute recommendation and in this respect would make an excellent gift for any hill goer.  On one note however, it might just make you turn around on lonesome walks on mountain tops and certainly make you eye people with clip-boards in a whole new light especially if you tell them you're a member of Friends of the Earth..... I'll let you read it to find out why!  And please, don't have nightmares!!

BAA Rating:  [5 / 5]

 The Fell Walker by Michael Wood is published by Pen Press Publishers Ltd., 2006.  The book is 357 pages.  Available from Amazon for £7.99.  Follow the link below for a link to Pen Press's review and a link to Amazon there:
(www.penpress.net)

The Fell Walker Reviewed in The Lost Sheep

Competition to win a signed copy of The Fell Walker by Michael Wood

Apart from those who are regular visitors to the OFC, some may have been enticed here by the promise of a competition to win a copy of Michael Wood's excellent book as outlined in The Lost Sheep issue 7.  If you would like the chance to be entered into a draw to win the book then all you have to do is answer the following question:

Q: In the book, apart from the Lake District, which other locations are used to set the scene in the book?


Send your answer to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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