cover image The Thing in the Close

The Thing in the Close

Jeffrey E. Barlough. Gresham & Doyle, $14.95 trade paper (272p) ISBN 978-0-9787634-6-6

Barlough sets his charming but slightly haphazard 10th Western Lights fantasy mystery (after Where the Time Goes) in the small town of Bogminster on America’s western edge, cut off from the rest of the world by glaciation that has covered much of the Northern Hemisphere. Father Seamus Maconchy of St. Dunstan’s Catholic church has arranged three exhibition games of “bat ball”—a new sport he invented with his longtime pal, vicar Tom Bentloe of Snod’s End—in order to promote the game and raise funds for each of their parishes. Meanwhile, there is something emerging from the old mausoleum and wandering the close, something that sends a chill down the spines of those it passes. Into these events literally tumbles hot air balloon pilot and physics professor Jedediah Clutterbuck, who seems to be from long-lost England. What is not readily apparent amid the excitement, dread, and wonder is that there is indeed a mystery afoot, which only comes to light toward the story’s end. Still, lovers of English country tales with a fantasy twist will be delighted by this. (Dec.)