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Haigh Hall: a manor encircled by patrollable wall, acres of (contested) property outside the wall, a dark forest nearby. the snow is falling, the fog is rolling, the wind is blowing; there are prehistoric beasties prowling outside the wall, a vengeful ghost prowling inside the manor, inexplicable footprints in the snow inbetween. there are mysteries to be solved! and a malevolent neighbor to be stymied. and a marvelous floating vehicle flying about, with a second ghost aboard. Atmosphere reigns supreme in all of the vaguely Dickensian, ultimately uncategorizable Western Lights novels; perhaps this one most of all, as we are mainly confined to one setting. all of the novels are standalones, although this one does connect lightly with the excellent Strange Cargo (which details the creation of flying machines). as always, Barlough writes in a style so old-fashioned that it moves beyond stylistic affectation into genuine pastiche. best read when it's bracingly cold outside and cozily warm inside. a mid-level entry in the series, but still thoroughly enjoyable.

3.5 stars