Fellside

Jess Moulson wakes up in a hospital to learn she faces murder charges after a fire in her apartment building. She has no memory of the incident but accepts her guilt and receives a sentence at Fellside, a maximum security women's prison in Yorkshire. Inside Fellside's walls, Jess encounters a complex web of power dynamics between inmates and staff. She also begins experiencing what may be supernatural occurrences involving a young boy's ghost, leading her to question the truth about her crime and conviction. The novel combines elements of psychological suspense, supernatural horror, and prison drama while exploring questions of guilt, redemption, and the nature of reality. Through multiple perspectives and timelines, it examines how trauma and isolation can reshape one's understanding of both past and present. The story tackles themes of addiction, justice, and the unreliability of memory, while blurring lines between the physical and metaphysical realms. It raises questions about what constitutes reality when viewed through the lens of guilt and grief.

Readers describe Fellside as a slow-burning ghost story that differs significantly from Carey's previous work "The Girl With All the Gifts." Readers highlighted: - The complex moral questions and ethical dilemmas - Strong character development, particularly the protagonist Jess - The unique blend of prison drama and supernatural elements - Clear, vivid writing style Common criticisms: - Pacing issues, especially in the middle sections - Too much focus on prison politics vs. supernatural elements - The ending left some plot threads unresolved - Several readers found it difficult to connect with the characters Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (15,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (500+ reviews) LibraryThing: 3.8/5 (300+ ratings) One reader noted: "The prison scenes were gripping but the ghost story felt underdeveloped." Another wrote: "Complex and uncomfortable in the best way - forces you to question right and wrong."

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🔖 M.R. Carey wrote Fellside after the success of his bestseller The Girl with All the Gifts, but chose to explore a completely different genre - a supernatural thriller set in a women's prison. 🏰 Fellside is a maximum security prison located in Yorkshire, England, and while fictional, was inspired by real-life HMP Wakefield, known as "Monster Mansion" for housing some of Britain's most dangerous criminals. 💭 The author extensively researched prison life and drug addiction recovery programs to create authentic details for the story, including consulting with former inmates and prison staff. 👻 The ghost story elements in Fellside were influenced by Henry James's The Turn of the Screw, particularly in how it leaves readers questioning whether supernatural events are real or psychological manifestations. ✍️ M.R. Carey is actually a pen name for Mike Carey, who has written extensively for both Marvel and DC Comics, including runs on X-Men and Lucifer.