'The Virgin Mary Well'

The fifth story in Revenants & Maledictions by Peter Bell (Sarob 2018) is set on the Isle of Man, one of the author's favourite locations.

Unusually, this time Bell's erudite protagonist is not alone and the story is told in the third person. Norman is on holiday with his twelve-year-old daughter Alice, and the usual conflict between the generations occurs when Norman tries to plan their itinerary. Using an old map he tries to find an ancient well in a private wood. Alice, who has  been absorbing local legends, is not so sure that this is a good idea.

The 'Liannon-Shee', a kind of Manx mermaid or sprite, is notorious for luring men with her beauty then dragging them down her unholy well. When the pair see a young woman weeping in the wood they quietly leave, assuming she is unaware of their presence. Mysteries concerning a derelict house lead to a story that combines folklore with all-too-real wartime events. Is there a changeling in the woods?

I enjoyed this story, which has the feel of an old-time BBC ghost story. Here are the intelligent but incautious outsiders, the sometimes-helpful locals, the unusual but oddly parochial location. And the climax is distinctly unnerving.

So, I'm halfway through the running review! More tomorrow.