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Wight Mischief
A stranger could light up his world...or drive him deeper into darkness.
Will thinks a camping trip with his friend-with-benefits Baz will be a fun break from his usual job as a personal trainer. But the trip turns into a rollercoaster ride as he meets author Marcus - and Marcus' mysterious guardian Leif.
Journalist Baz is supposed to be researching a book on ghosts, yet he seems curiously interested in secrets lying in the reclusive Marcus' past. But these are secrets that someone's determined they should let lie - and if they're not careful, Will and Baz could end up adding to the Island's ghostly population...
Will thinks a camping trip with his friend-with-benefits Baz will be a fun break from his usual job as a personal trainer. But the trip turns into a rollercoaster ride as he meets author Marcus - and Marcus' mysterious guardian Leif.
Journalist Baz is supposed to be researching a book on ghosts, yet he seems curiously interested in secrets lying in the reclusive Marcus' past. But these are secrets that someone's determined they should let lie - and if they're not careful, Will and Baz could end up adding to the Island's ghostly population...
221 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 8, 2011
About the author
J.L. Merrow
143 books1,300 followersJL Merrow is that rare beast, an English person who refuses to drink tea. She read Natural Sciences at Cambridge, where she learned many things, chief amongst which was that she never wanted to see the inside of a lab ever again. Her one regret is that she never mastered the ability of punting one-handed whilst holding a glass of champagne.
She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and the paranormal, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novella Muscling Through was a 2013 EPIC Award finalist, and her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy. Her novel Relief Valve is a finalist in the 2015 EPIC Awards.
JL Merrow is a member of the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.
Find JL Merrow online at: www.jlmerrow.com, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow
She writes across genres, with a preference for contemporary gay romance and the paranormal, and is frequently accused of humour. Her novella Muscling Through was a 2013 EPIC Award finalist, and her novel Slam! won the 2013 Rainbow Award for Best LGBT Romantic Comedy. Her novel Relief Valve is a finalist in the 2015 EPIC Awards.
JL Merrow is a member of the UK GLBTQ Fiction Meet organising team.
Find JL Merrow online at: www.jlmerrow.com, on Twitter as @jlmerrow, and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/jl.merrow
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 6, 2013
This book didn't work on any level for me. It isn't up to par with J.L. Merrow's other work I've read. In fact, it felt as if it were written by some other author.
The characterisation was one of the book's weakest points, with Will coming across as entirely too trusting, and having the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone (yes, I know I'm quoting Buffy, but it's too fitting here), Marcus came across as a man-child who couldn't see the truth if it hit him in the head, and as for the villain? He was such as a sorry excuse of a bad guy, I started feeling bad for him. The only remotely interesting character was Baz, and I hated him so much I wished a piano would fall on his head.
The MCs had zero chemistry and the sex scene fell flat (also, there was a totally redundant hand job scene toward the end.)
The paranormal element was ho hum and warranted no attention, not even in the end.
It was supposed to be a thriller but there was zero suspense even in the supposed 'action' scenes. The plot was weak, most of the time wandering aimlessly, gathering no sense of momentum whatsoever, until the story fizzled out and ended.
In a nutshell, I am at a loss as to why J.L. Merrow felt compelled to tell this story and in this manner. Disappointing.
The characterisation was one of the book's weakest points, with Will coming across as entirely too trusting, and having the emotional maturity of a blueberry scone (yes, I know I'm quoting Buffy, but it's too fitting here), Marcus came across as a man-child who couldn't see the truth if it hit him in the head, and as for the villain? He was such as a sorry excuse of a bad guy, I started feeling bad for him. The only remotely interesting character was Baz, and I hated him so much I wished a piano would fall on his head.
The MCs had zero chemistry and the sex scene fell flat (also, there was a totally redundant hand job scene toward the end.)
The paranormal element was ho hum and warranted no attention, not even in the end.
It was supposed to be a thriller but there was zero suspense even in the supposed 'action' scenes. The plot was weak, most of the time wandering aimlessly, gathering no sense of momentum whatsoever, until the story fizzled out and ended.
In a nutshell, I am at a loss as to why J.L. Merrow felt compelled to tell this story and in this manner. Disappointing.
April 30, 2014
I wanted to like it, I really did, but the stupidity of some of the characters was just too much to bear. The characters are painfully underdeveloped. The main characters felt like tropes. The villain so obvious he should have been wearing neon colors, twirling his mustache, and recruiting for the Evil League of Evil. It felt like there was no depth, no nuance, no substance to anyone.
The plot felt like bad melodrama. It felt artificial, and contrived, and I didn't buy into any of it. There was zero chemistry between the couple. None, nada, zip! I don't know why either of them was attracted to the other, and I just didn't care about anyone, or anything. I really like this author, but this was a miss for me.
The plot felt like bad melodrama. It felt artificial, and contrived, and I didn't buy into any of it. There was zero chemistry between the couple. None, nada, zip! I don't know why either of them was attracted to the other, and I just didn't care about anyone, or anything. I really like this author, but this was a miss for me.
September 4, 2018
I'm super late with this review - my apologies to the author and publisher.
The pairing in this book was a bit unusual - one a somewhat slow but super nice guy, and the other mysterious and vulnerable.
Will is visiting the Isle of Wight with his friend (I use the term loosely here, because I didn't like the guy - a self-absorbed user who didn't seem to care about Will much at all, but kept him by his side to warm the spot when nobody else was available) Baz, a wannabe journalist, helping to research a book on ghosts. Will is a nice guy - reliable, dependable, and slowly coming around to the fact that Baz isn't as good a friend as Will thought, and definitely not worthy of the shine Will's taken to him for years. He's intrigued by Marcus, whom he initially thinks a ghost (!!) when he first sees him on the beach below Marcus' mansion.
Marcus is a recluse author, orphaned after his parents' violent deaths as a teenager, and having been raised by his creepy controlling guardian, a family friend, he doesn't venture outside of his manor much. Born with albinism, he avoids the daylight as much as possible and only goes outside at night. Marcus has built some massive walls around his heart - partially mortared by his guardian's controlling manner.
The mystery/suspense was well done, even though it was clear to me early on who the villain was - I didn't mind; I enjoyed the journey to the final revelation (that was a bit of a shock) and dramatic climax.
The author's writing style just works for me, and there hasn't been a JL Merrow book yet that I didn't like. Vivid descriptions of the island transported me directly to the location - I could feel the moonlight on my face, I could smell the salty ocean breeze. It may be a small island, but it sure sounds like a spot worth visiting - tons of history set amidst a rocky, rugged landscape.
The romance is by design slow-burn but also fast - feelings develop quickly - as Marcus is torn between wanting to trust Will, wanting to experience what it would be like to be loved by a man such as Will, but also fearing his guardian and opening his heart to love.
I adored Will. I wanted him to be happy, and I feared for his safety as the plot progresses. I don't want to give too much away here. Just know that this is a lovely story, with wonderful MCs, and totally worth your time.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
The pairing in this book was a bit unusual - one a somewhat slow but super nice guy, and the other mysterious and vulnerable.
Will is visiting the Isle of Wight with his friend (I use the term loosely here, because I didn't like the guy - a self-absorbed user who didn't seem to care about Will much at all, but kept him by his side to warm the spot when nobody else was available) Baz, a wannabe journalist, helping to research a book on ghosts. Will is a nice guy - reliable, dependable, and slowly coming around to the fact that Baz isn't as good a friend as Will thought, and definitely not worthy of the shine Will's taken to him for years. He's intrigued by Marcus, whom he initially thinks a ghost (!!) when he first sees him on the beach below Marcus' mansion.
Marcus is a recluse author, orphaned after his parents' violent deaths as a teenager, and having been raised by his creepy controlling guardian, a family friend, he doesn't venture outside of his manor much. Born with albinism, he avoids the daylight as much as possible and only goes outside at night. Marcus has built some massive walls around his heart - partially mortared by his guardian's controlling manner.
The mystery/suspense was well done, even though it was clear to me early on who the villain was - I didn't mind; I enjoyed the journey to the final revelation (that was a bit of a shock) and dramatic climax.
The author's writing style just works for me, and there hasn't been a JL Merrow book yet that I didn't like. Vivid descriptions of the island transported me directly to the location - I could feel the moonlight on my face, I could smell the salty ocean breeze. It may be a small island, but it sure sounds like a spot worth visiting - tons of history set amidst a rocky, rugged landscape.
The romance is by design slow-burn but also fast - feelings develop quickly - as Marcus is torn between wanting to trust Will, wanting to experience what it would be like to be loved by a man such as Will, but also fearing his guardian and opening his heart to love.
I adored Will. I wanted him to be happy, and I feared for his safety as the plot progresses. I don't want to give too much away here. Just know that this is a lovely story, with wonderful MCs, and totally worth your time.
** I received a free copy of this book from its publisher in exchange for an honest review. **
September 12, 2014
J.L. Merrow's stories are hits and misses for me. Some I truly like, some I don't. Unfortunately, this falls in the latter category. My biggest issue with this one is how the two main characters, that are supposed to be "the couple", don't really have that many scenes together. Most of the story, Will spends his time with his friend, Baz. While Marcus is in his reclusive state, or in later scenes, with his guardian. So I don't really get the romance. Is it really there?!? How?!?
Also, it'll be nice if I like Baz when he's with Will, alas, I think Baz is a prick who uses Will for his own liking, even if he is Will's best friend (case in point when Will says that )... and I just dislike any scenes with him, which sadly is A LOT.
The the whole "mystery" with Marcus's past -- it is so clear for readers, who is behind the murder/suicide of his parents, once that murderer comes into the scene. The whole mystery becomes no mystery, and it feels like the plot is dragging on for the almost half of the book, in attempt, again, to keep our main couple apart.
On top of that, this is MY personal issue, I have a bit problem with the British English writing as well. I'm more familiar with American English. Again, this is my own fault rather than my opinion of the story, but it does reduce my comfort in reading.
Also, it'll be nice if I like Baz when he's with Will, alas, I think Baz is a prick who uses Will for his own liking, even if he is Will's best friend (case in point when Will says that )... and I just dislike any scenes with him, which sadly is A LOT.
The the whole "mystery" with Marcus's past -- it is so clear for readers, who is behind the murder/suicide of his parents, once that murderer comes into the scene. The whole mystery becomes no mystery, and it feels like the plot is dragging on for the almost half of the book, in attempt, again, to keep our main couple apart.
On top of that, this is MY personal issue, I have a bit problem with the British English writing as well. I'm more familiar with American English. Again, this is my own fault rather than my opinion of the story, but it does reduce my comfort in reading.
June 4, 2018
The Isle of Wight, an island of about 140,000 in the English Channel, is said to be the most haunted in the world, sometimes referred to as "Ghost Island" (thanks, Wikipedia!). Will and his best mate Baz are on a camping holiday on the Isle, where journalist Baz is doing research for his book about the hauntings. But their first night out, Will wanders onto a beach where he encounters perhaps Wight's biggest mystery - reclusive novelist Marcus Devereux swimming in the moonlight. Marcus' alabaster skin (due to his albinism) makes Will wonder if he is seeing one of Wight's ghosts.
Will is a nice guy, with an amazing physique due to his job as a physical trainer, but perhaps not the best judge of character. His mate Baz comes off as a manipulative jerk and user, and I dearly wanted to knock some sense into Will, but on the other hand, Will's accepting and kind nature work their way into Marcus' lonely heart. IMHO, Will and Marcus's relationship feels light on the romance without a lot of chemistry between the two.
There is a murder mystery here, but the villain is so obvious and cartoonish and the mystery is not so much solved as shuffled aside after the reveal of the killer, with little explained about the nature of Marcus' emotional dependence.
I finished this book being fascination with the Isle of Wight and its rich history of ghosts and hauntings, but the murder/mystery was too one-dimensional and romantic elements felt undeveloped. 3 stars.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
Will is a nice guy, with an amazing physique due to his job as a physical trainer, but perhaps not the best judge of character. His mate Baz comes off as a manipulative jerk and user, and I dearly wanted to knock some sense into Will, but on the other hand, Will's accepting and kind nature work their way into Marcus' lonely heart. IMHO, Will and Marcus's relationship feels light on the romance without a lot of chemistry between the two.
There is a murder mystery here, but the villain is so obvious and cartoonish and the mystery is not so much solved as shuffled aside after the reveal of the killer, with little explained about the nature of Marcus' emotional dependence.
I finished this book being fascination with the Isle of Wight and its rich history of ghosts and hauntings, but the murder/mystery was too one-dimensional and romantic elements felt undeveloped. 3 stars.
I received an ARC from Dreamspinner Press in exchange for an honest review.
Review also posted at Gay Book Reviews - check it out!
May 12, 2012
4.75 stars
Mmm, this was actually one of my favorites of this author's. For one, I didn't really understand why people were upset about the amount of time that the two MCs spend together. They actually saw each other quite a bit, unless it was in relation to the amount of time Will spends with his arrogant friend Baz, though that might because he's such an unlikeable character. Even though I wanted to hit him repeatedly, I still appreciated his role in the story (the same for Leif).
Once again the characterizations were spot on with an interesting evolution to watch. It was nice to see Will's affections change and to understand what blind loyalty can mean over time, which was the same issue with Marcus and Leif.
I think that the mystery wasn't very convoluted and difficult, which suits me more because I'm not actually a big fan of mysteries. Still, I enjoyed the fact that much of the novel passed before I really even started to guess that it would take the role it did.
Overall, I had a great time reading this one, loved the characters even though I hated some of them, and completely tore through it in just about 4 hours, which for a book not not so little size was pretty quick for me.
Mmm, this was actually one of my favorites of this author's. For one, I didn't really understand why people were upset about the amount of time that the two MCs spend together. They actually saw each other quite a bit, unless it was in relation to the amount of time Will spends with his arrogant friend Baz, though that might because he's such an unlikeable character. Even though I wanted to hit him repeatedly, I still appreciated his role in the story (the same for Leif).
Once again the characterizations were spot on with an interesting evolution to watch. It was nice to see Will's affections change and to understand what blind loyalty can mean over time, which was the same issue with Marcus and Leif.
I think that the mystery wasn't very convoluted and difficult, which suits me more because I'm not actually a big fan of mysteries. Still, I enjoyed the fact that much of the novel passed before I really even started to guess that it would take the role it did.
Overall, I had a great time reading this one, loved the characters even though I hated some of them, and completely tore through it in just about 4 hours, which for a book not not so little size was pretty quick for me.
September 27, 2013
I feel like 2 stars seams low, but really it was just okay.
First off either the attempted murder mystery need to be the main focus with a sub romance intertwined or a romance with a small mystery running through it.
What it did was a in your face here's the villain. No doubt, totally obvious. Then there is a romance that I wasn't feeling. Dude, the first time you saw him you thought he was dead and a ghost. I'm having a hard time believing he was 'dead hot'. Anyways there wasn't any character connection. Maybe since there was a whole 4 scenes they were in together??
This would almost be perfect for someone starting on he MM train and was still a little squeamish with the whole male-male loving train.
First off either the attempted murder mystery need to be the main focus with a sub romance intertwined or a romance with a small mystery running through it.
What it did was a in your face here's the villain. No doubt, totally obvious. Then there is a romance that I wasn't feeling. Dude, the first time you saw him you thought he was dead and a ghost. I'm having a hard time believing he was 'dead hot'. Anyways there wasn't any character connection. Maybe since there was a whole 4 scenes they were in together??
This would almost be perfect for someone starting on he MM train and was still a little squeamish with the whole male-male loving train.
Read
November 23, 2011Wight Mischief is a fun thriller with some cracking characters, all set on the beautiful Isle of Wight where Jamie grew up. You can really feel the affection for the setting through the prose, and I loved the way Jamie evokes the island.
I can understand some readers’ frustration that the main couple don’t get to spend all that much page time together. This is one of those books that I think I would characterise as thriller/mystery with a romance subplot, rather than a typical m/m romance. Will does spend more of the story with Baz, his rather arrogant, manipulative journalist friend. Personally, I loved Baz even though he was a real bastard at times, but I can understand why he’s a problematic character for others. A sense of humour goes a long way with me, though, and Baz has plenty of that.
Marcus is an intriguing character with a very unusual condition that keeps him housebound. To give more details would be spoilerish, but I was fascinated finding out more about him. He may not have very good social skills, due to lack of practice, but I could see why Will was attracted to him. Marcus has a kind, poetic soul and this shines through his awkwardness. Will himself is a thoroughly lovable hero – loyal to a fault, protective and generous. He is exactly the sort of man Marcus needs to help him find his way out of his predicament. That’s if Baz’s investigations don’t attract the attention of the Marcus’ creepy guardian Lief…
Disclaimer: I'm a good friend of Jamie's and I beta read this for her, so I can't claim to be unbiased.
I can understand some readers’ frustration that the main couple don’t get to spend all that much page time together. This is one of those books that I think I would characterise as thriller/mystery with a romance subplot, rather than a typical m/m romance. Will does spend more of the story with Baz, his rather arrogant, manipulative journalist friend. Personally, I loved Baz even though he was a real bastard at times, but I can understand why he’s a problematic character for others. A sense of humour goes a long way with me, though, and Baz has plenty of that.
Marcus is an intriguing character with a very unusual condition that keeps him housebound. To give more details would be spoilerish, but I was fascinated finding out more about him. He may not have very good social skills, due to lack of practice, but I could see why Will was attracted to him. Marcus has a kind, poetic soul and this shines through his awkwardness. Will himself is a thoroughly lovable hero – loyal to a fault, protective and generous. He is exactly the sort of man Marcus needs to help him find his way out of his predicament. That’s if Baz’s investigations don’t attract the attention of the Marcus’ creepy guardian Lief…
Disclaimer: I'm a good friend of Jamie's and I beta read this for her, so I can't claim to be unbiased.
September 10, 2018
I read Wight Mischief for the first time in 2013 and while I didn’t remember a lot of details, the imagery still was with me when the book came through the blog for its re-release. I really wanted to visit the Isle of Wight again through J.L. Merrow’s words and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.
Wight Mischief plays to J.L. Merrow’s strengths with vivid atmospheric imagery and characters who come to life on the pages. I had a real soft spot for Will throughout. Every reader knows the warm fuzzy feeling of connecting and rooting for a character with all their literary loving heart. Will was my dude. He was everything I love wrapped in a big, beautiful humble package. His unwavering loyalty and one sided crush on Baz frustrated me to no end, but I also understood it given their age and history.
Myself, I love a mystery and one with a paranormal bent is even better. The ghost hunting angle that came with Baz’s research set the scene for the tension that flows from start to finish. The research leads them to Marcus’s doorstep and the connection between Marcus and Will was obvious, but also not easy. Marcus is a successful author with a mysterious past and an overbearing caretaker who adds some delicious tension and a character I could love to hate.
The mystery evolves along with Marcus and Will’s relationship. I liked reading about Will’s change of affection from Baz to Marcus. It was refreshing and I was happy reading about Will’s happiness. Their relationship wasn’t without its angst but the angst wasn’t overdone considering everything else going on.
And there was a lot going on. Honestly if you are looking for full blown romance, you are going to be a little disappointed. Will and Marcus don’t have a ton of page time together, but the time they do have is intense and they do spend a lot of time pining for one another. That did make the end that much sweeter for me as their HEA was well earned.
Wight Mischief has characters to love, to hate and ones you want to throttle. There’s the mystery, the ghost stories and the Isle of Wight itself which is a character all on its own. I quite enjoy reading a story with all manner of elements and a mystery needs a lot of movement to keep the reader, well, mystified and engaged. Because there were the other elements in the story as well; the romance between Will and Marcus, the changing dynamics between Will and Baz, the new friendships made, etc., the mystery didn’t have to be overly complex and I’m glad it wasn’t. I wanted to read about it, but I didn’t want it to outshine Will and Marcus. In the end the balance worked for me as a mystery lover with bonus romance.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
Wight Mischief plays to J.L. Merrow’s strengths with vivid atmospheric imagery and characters who come to life on the pages. I had a real soft spot for Will throughout. Every reader knows the warm fuzzy feeling of connecting and rooting for a character with all their literary loving heart. Will was my dude. He was everything I love wrapped in a big, beautiful humble package. His unwavering loyalty and one sided crush on Baz frustrated me to no end, but I also understood it given their age and history.
Myself, I love a mystery and one with a paranormal bent is even better. The ghost hunting angle that came with Baz’s research set the scene for the tension that flows from start to finish. The research leads them to Marcus’s doorstep and the connection between Marcus and Will was obvious, but also not easy. Marcus is a successful author with a mysterious past and an overbearing caretaker who adds some delicious tension and a character I could love to hate.
The mystery evolves along with Marcus and Will’s relationship. I liked reading about Will’s change of affection from Baz to Marcus. It was refreshing and I was happy reading about Will’s happiness. Their relationship wasn’t without its angst but the angst wasn’t overdone considering everything else going on.
And there was a lot going on. Honestly if you are looking for full blown romance, you are going to be a little disappointed. Will and Marcus don’t have a ton of page time together, but the time they do have is intense and they do spend a lot of time pining for one another. That did make the end that much sweeter for me as their HEA was well earned.
Wight Mischief has characters to love, to hate and ones you want to throttle. There’s the mystery, the ghost stories and the Isle of Wight itself which is a character all on its own. I quite enjoy reading a story with all manner of elements and a mystery needs a lot of movement to keep the reader, well, mystified and engaged. Because there were the other elements in the story as well; the romance between Will and Marcus, the changing dynamics between Will and Baz, the new friendships made, etc., the mystery didn’t have to be overly complex and I’m glad it wasn’t. I wanted to read about it, but I didn’t want it to outshine Will and Marcus. In the end the balance worked for me as a mystery lover with bonus romance.
**a copy of this story was provided for an honest review**
December 1, 2018
This book really didn't do it for me. My biggest issue was that the two MCs spent so little time together on page that I had trouble seeing them as romantically involved. In absolute time, they spent minutes over the course of several days with each other, so I don't get how they bonded. Page wise, they spent more time interacting with other characters than they did with each other.
Furthermore, Marcus was a jerk. I understand that he had his reasons, but that didn't change that he was a jerk. I am 100% on board with characters that are jerks being redeemable (some of my favorite books involve this happening), but Marcus didn't get enough development for this to happen. All he got was a sad backstory that was supposed to make us forgive that he was a jerk, and I'm sorry, but that's not the way it works. Many horrible people have tragic backstories, and all that means is that they create more tragic backstories in the people they interact with. Marcus was mean. I didn't like him.
Something I didn't understand at all was whatever Marcus was going on about with
But it was still okay, I guess. I enjoyed other works by the author better.
Furthermore, Marcus was a jerk. I understand that he had his reasons, but that didn't change that he was a jerk. I am 100% on board with characters that are jerks being redeemable (some of my favorite books involve this happening), but Marcus didn't get enough development for this to happen. All he got was a sad backstory that was supposed to make us forgive that he was a jerk, and I'm sorry, but that's not the way it works. Many horrible people have tragic backstories, and all that means is that they create more tragic backstories in the people they interact with. Marcus was mean. I didn't like him.
Something I didn't understand at all was whatever Marcus was going on about with
But it was still okay, I guess. I enjoyed other works by the author better.
November 20, 2011
This review was originally published on my blog Joyfully Jay
Will Golding is taking a break from London, joining his long-time friend (and friend-with- benefits) Baz on a trip to the Isle of Wight so Baz can research a book on the island's ghosts. One night while walking along the beach, Will sees what he thinks is a ghost out in the water. However, it turns out to be reclusive author Marcus Devereux, who lives in an old fort on top of the cliffs.
Marcus is shy and nervous around people. He is self-conscious about his appearance and wary of the notoriety from his parent's murder/suicide years when he was 14. When Will stumbles upon him during a midnight swim, Marcus is terrified the man is seeking to expose him in some way or to dig into his past.
As Baz and Will travel around the island interviewing people about the ghost stories, it is increasingly clear more is going on than Baz is sharing. Questions keep leading back to Marcus and his family and his mysterious guardian. They ultimately meet Marcus, and while he is initially wary of both men, eventually he and Will become friends and develop a relationship once he is assured Will means him no harm.
However, someone out there definitely means Will and Baz harm as a series of unexplained accidents nearly cost them their lives. And Marcus' guardian Leif is clearly hiding something, along with attempting to manipulate and control Marcus and chase away Baz and Will.
Ok, that is all I can tell you about the plot without totally spoiling the suspense here, but it is beautifully done. Merrow feeds the reader just enough information to progress the mystery without ruining the suspense of the story. I was totally caught up in unraveling the motivations of both Baz and Leif, and trying to figure out what was really going on with Marcus' past.
There are so many other things done well here too. The descriptions of the Isle of Wight, from its scenery, to its landmarks, to the inhabitants, are so richly detailed I could completely visualize them in my mind. Merrow does a wonderful job evoking a place that is probably unfamiliar to most readers. The island is almost a character unto itself and I loved hearing the stories of smugglers and soldiers and all their ghostly haunts.
I also loved Will and Marcus together. The two fumble around each other rather adorably. They each are lacking confidence and not sure how to proceed, but their attraction to one another is strong. On the surface, the two men are quite different. Will is big and strong, outdoorsy and full of life. He is comfortable with people and generally with himself. Marcus is much more shy and reserved. He is small, socially awkward, and extremely self-conscious about his appearance. But they connect together so well. They share a love for the island and the wide open spaces. They both feel stifled in London and want to live someplace with fresh air and room to move. They are both sensitive and kind (Marcus' first impression not withstanding) and both know what it is like to be hampered by a physical limitation. My only small issue with the story is that I wanted more Marcus and Will time. They are the thread that carries the book along, but they actually share very little time together (especially compared to Will and Baz). It makes sense in the story that they have trouble being together a lot, but as a romance lover, I wanted to have their personal relationship explored more (and ok, maybe their physical one too).
There were lots of great secondary characters in the book. Baz plays a major role as Will's best friend and guide throughout their time at the island. He was an interesting guy. I could never really decide if I liked him or not. Baz is arrogant, a bit selfish, and definitely gets a lot more "benefits" from their friends-with-benefits relationship than Will does. But he also staunchly defends Will from criticism and it is clear that he cares about his friend. His arrogance is fairly harmless, more oblivious than mean spirited. And it is pretty clear that he is a good guy underneath.
The one who clearly isn't a good guy though is Marcus' guardian Leif. This guy is pure evil and I just wanted to pummel him every time he was mean to poor sweet Marcus! But he is not an over the top, mustache twirling villan. Instead he is manipulative, cold, and controlling as he seeks to hide his secrets and keep Marcus on a tight leash. I also liked Karen, the friend of Baz's beach hook up, and enjoyed her time with Will as she encouraged him with his relationship with Marcus.
One other small niggle. We do ultimately learn what is really going on with Leif, Marcus, and his family. However, I would have liked a little more detail and clarity here, just to fill in some of the gaps, especially regarding Baz his motivations.
Overall I thought this was a wonderful story - exciting, suspenseful, romantic, beautiful setting, and unusual plot. Definitely a recommended read.
Will Golding is taking a break from London, joining his long-time friend (and friend-with- benefits) Baz on a trip to the Isle of Wight so Baz can research a book on the island's ghosts. One night while walking along the beach, Will sees what he thinks is a ghost out in the water. However, it turns out to be reclusive author Marcus Devereux, who lives in an old fort on top of the cliffs.
Marcus is shy and nervous around people. He is self-conscious about his appearance and wary of the notoriety from his parent's murder/suicide years when he was 14. When Will stumbles upon him during a midnight swim, Marcus is terrified the man is seeking to expose him in some way or to dig into his past.
As Baz and Will travel around the island interviewing people about the ghost stories, it is increasingly clear more is going on than Baz is sharing. Questions keep leading back to Marcus and his family and his mysterious guardian. They ultimately meet Marcus, and while he is initially wary of both men, eventually he and Will become friends and develop a relationship once he is assured Will means him no harm.
However, someone out there definitely means Will and Baz harm as a series of unexplained accidents nearly cost them their lives. And Marcus' guardian Leif is clearly hiding something, along with attempting to manipulate and control Marcus and chase away Baz and Will.
Ok, that is all I can tell you about the plot without totally spoiling the suspense here, but it is beautifully done. Merrow feeds the reader just enough information to progress the mystery without ruining the suspense of the story. I was totally caught up in unraveling the motivations of both Baz and Leif, and trying to figure out what was really going on with Marcus' past.
There are so many other things done well here too. The descriptions of the Isle of Wight, from its scenery, to its landmarks, to the inhabitants, are so richly detailed I could completely visualize them in my mind. Merrow does a wonderful job evoking a place that is probably unfamiliar to most readers. The island is almost a character unto itself and I loved hearing the stories of smugglers and soldiers and all their ghostly haunts.
I also loved Will and Marcus together. The two fumble around each other rather adorably. They each are lacking confidence and not sure how to proceed, but their attraction to one another is strong. On the surface, the two men are quite different. Will is big and strong, outdoorsy and full of life. He is comfortable with people and generally with himself. Marcus is much more shy and reserved. He is small, socially awkward, and extremely self-conscious about his appearance. But they connect together so well. They share a love for the island and the wide open spaces. They both feel stifled in London and want to live someplace with fresh air and room to move. They are both sensitive and kind (Marcus' first impression not withstanding) and both know what it is like to be hampered by a physical limitation. My only small issue with the story is that I wanted more Marcus and Will time. They are the thread that carries the book along, but they actually share very little time together (especially compared to Will and Baz). It makes sense in the story that they have trouble being together a lot, but as a romance lover, I wanted to have their personal relationship explored more (and ok, maybe their physical one too).
There were lots of great secondary characters in the book. Baz plays a major role as Will's best friend and guide throughout their time at the island. He was an interesting guy. I could never really decide if I liked him or not. Baz is arrogant, a bit selfish, and definitely gets a lot more "benefits" from their friends-with-benefits relationship than Will does. But he also staunchly defends Will from criticism and it is clear that he cares about his friend. His arrogance is fairly harmless, more oblivious than mean spirited. And it is pretty clear that he is a good guy underneath.
The one who clearly isn't a good guy though is Marcus' guardian Leif. This guy is pure evil and I just wanted to pummel him every time he was mean to poor sweet Marcus! But he is not an over the top, mustache twirling villan. Instead he is manipulative, cold, and controlling as he seeks to hide his secrets and keep Marcus on a tight leash. I also liked Karen, the friend of Baz's beach hook up, and enjoyed her time with Will as she encouraged him with his relationship with Marcus.
One other small niggle. We do ultimately learn what is really going on with Leif, Marcus, and his family. However, I would have liked a little more detail and clarity here, just to fill in some of the gaps, especially regarding Baz his motivations.
Overall I thought this was a wonderful story - exciting, suspenseful, romantic, beautiful setting, and unusual plot. Definitely a recommended read.
November 20, 2021
This totally hit the spot for me and I loved it so much, I read it twice in a row! There were so many levels in this, typified by the main characters. Lovely Will and his rather shallow and selfish friend Baz provide the sane, daylight point of view on a camping holiday on The Isle of Wight, which is beautifully described. The other aspect of the story, redolent with Gothic Horror is providied by reclusive writer Marcus, his tragic past and sinister guardian. These two strands are brought together by journalist Baz's research into the island's ghostly history and more recent events involving Marcus' family tragedy and by Will, spotting a ghostly-looking Marcus during a nighttime swim. Personally, I loved the mix of prosaic and threatening, with a really well-drawn supporting cast and a central couple who were perfect for each other. A firm favourite of mine!
March 28, 2020
“A true relationship is having someone who accepts your past, supports your present, loves you and encourages your future.” ~ unknown
Will, of 'Wight Mischief' by J.L. Merrow, has been crushing on his best friend for years, but Baz is straight, although he doesn't hesitate to ask Will to pleasure him whenever he needs some relief. Even though there's no future in it for Will, he puts up with Baz because he is his best friend and he loves him, resigned to taking what little attention he can get. When Baz asks him to go on a research trip to the Isle of Wight for Baz's latest book about ghosts, Will happily agrees. When a beautiful man on the beach, Marcus, presents an opportunity to find love, Will has no clue that pursuing Marcus will be both difficult and dangerous.
Will and Baz decide it will be fun to make a camping trip out of their research project instead of staying in a hotel. While Baz is getting busy in their tent with a girl he just met, Will decides to search the area. Will ends up at a fence that encompasses a private beach. Will knows he is trespassing, but he is curious and continues on. When he sees the luminous figure of a naked man in the water, he is sure he is seeing a ghost. When the shape spots him, it disappears. Will runs back to the campsite telling Baz, who blows him off, that he's seen a real ghost. The next day, they begin their ghost-hunting. One of their stops is an ancient fort, some of which has been made into a residence where a famous but reclusive author lives. Baz talks his way into examining a tunnel that is on the property, purported to have spectral activity. When the owner, Marcus, of the residence comes into the room, Will sees that he's found his ghost. Marcus suffers from albinism. His white hair, odd eyes, and fair skin give him an otherworldly look.
Even though Marcus is distant, Will is strongly attracted to him and wants to get to know him better. When Marcus gives in to his desire for Will and tries to kiss him, Will is so shocked that he pulls away. In his mind, Will is being a gentleman, afraid to move too fast; Marcus sees his hesitation as rejection and is miserably self-deprecating as he reminds himself of what a freak he is and how no one could ever love him. Fortunately, it's not enough to discourage Will who goes back and shows Marcus what it feels like to be loved.
As their affection for each other grows, so does the mystery around Marcus’s parents’ death, his father killing his mother because he was jealous of her relationship with another man. Marcus's guardian, Leif, is upset that Marcus has invited Baz and Will into his home and sees Will as even more of a threat because of his possible influence on Marcus. When Will and Baz both have near-death experiences in the form of unexplained accidents, they begin to think that they aren't just coincidences.
This story felt like a gothic mystery with a romance threaded into it. The tension created by all the different twists and turns are similar to a roller-coaster as the tale winds its way to a climactic conclusion. The characters are wounded and capable all in one. Each one has their own baggage. I loved Will the most. He's sweet and considerate but I can't see what he ever saw in Baz who was selfish and arrogant. Marcus was mysterious and beautiful and oh so broken. If anyone needed love, it was Marcus and Will was there to provide it. Thanks, JL, for a very entertaining story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Will, of 'Wight Mischief' by J.L. Merrow, has been crushing on his best friend for years, but Baz is straight, although he doesn't hesitate to ask Will to pleasure him whenever he needs some relief. Even though there's no future in it for Will, he puts up with Baz because he is his best friend and he loves him, resigned to taking what little attention he can get. When Baz asks him to go on a research trip to the Isle of Wight for Baz's latest book about ghosts, Will happily agrees. When a beautiful man on the beach, Marcus, presents an opportunity to find love, Will has no clue that pursuing Marcus will be both difficult and dangerous.
Will and Baz decide it will be fun to make a camping trip out of their research project instead of staying in a hotel. While Baz is getting busy in their tent with a girl he just met, Will decides to search the area. Will ends up at a fence that encompasses a private beach. Will knows he is trespassing, but he is curious and continues on. When he sees the luminous figure of a naked man in the water, he is sure he is seeing a ghost. When the shape spots him, it disappears. Will runs back to the campsite telling Baz, who blows him off, that he's seen a real ghost. The next day, they begin their ghost-hunting. One of their stops is an ancient fort, some of which has been made into a residence where a famous but reclusive author lives. Baz talks his way into examining a tunnel that is on the property, purported to have spectral activity. When the owner, Marcus, of the residence comes into the room, Will sees that he's found his ghost. Marcus suffers from albinism. His white hair, odd eyes, and fair skin give him an otherworldly look.
Even though Marcus is distant, Will is strongly attracted to him and wants to get to know him better. When Marcus gives in to his desire for Will and tries to kiss him, Will is so shocked that he pulls away. In his mind, Will is being a gentleman, afraid to move too fast; Marcus sees his hesitation as rejection and is miserably self-deprecating as he reminds himself of what a freak he is and how no one could ever love him. Fortunately, it's not enough to discourage Will who goes back and shows Marcus what it feels like to be loved.
As their affection for each other grows, so does the mystery around Marcus’s parents’ death, his father killing his mother because he was jealous of her relationship with another man. Marcus's guardian, Leif, is upset that Marcus has invited Baz and Will into his home and sees Will as even more of a threat because of his possible influence on Marcus. When Will and Baz both have near-death experiences in the form of unexplained accidents, they begin to think that they aren't just coincidences.
This story felt like a gothic mystery with a romance threaded into it. The tension created by all the different twists and turns are similar to a roller-coaster as the tale winds its way to a climactic conclusion. The characters are wounded and capable all in one. Each one has their own baggage. I loved Will the most. He's sweet and considerate but I can't see what he ever saw in Baz who was selfish and arrogant. Marcus was mysterious and beautiful and oh so broken. If anyone needed love, it was Marcus and Will was there to provide it. Thanks, JL, for a very entertaining story that kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.
NOTE: This book was provided by the publisher for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
December 7, 2012
This was a mishmash of bad, good and annoying. Will goes on a vacation trip with his BFF and what the blurb describe as a friend with benefits. Let's be clear, it's more like a friend with one sided benefit. As in, Baz is basically a straight asshole who uses Will to occasionally get off when there's no females around and he doesn't reciprocate if you know what I mean. When that's not happening, Baz spends the time putting Will down for not being the intellectual giant the imagines he is.
Now this is not the main couple in the story, but we spend way too much time with Baz. Will finds himself fascinated by another author, Marcus who has a mysterious past and some interesting characteristics. This Marcus also has someone who basically dominates his life and pushes him around. So there we have it, our romantic pair are both people who've allowed someone to use them for years--not attractive qualities at all.
The best part of the book is when Will & Baz finally grow a pair, but as this happens fairly late in the book it's almost too little too late. And I really don't understand some of Marcus' action as wellWill, who is a very sweet character, and Marcus does have some nice moments together. I'm not sure why though the author chose to give them the shaft in terms of time in this book. If you're selling a romance story, then the main couple needs to be in the majority of the book. Disappointing.
Now this is not the main couple in the story, but we spend way too much time with Baz. Will finds himself fascinated by another author, Marcus who has a mysterious past and some interesting characteristics. This Marcus also has someone who basically dominates his life and pushes him around. So there we have it, our romantic pair are both people who've allowed someone to use them for years--not attractive qualities at all.
The best part of the book is when Will & Baz finally grow a pair, but as this happens fairly late in the book it's almost too little too late. And I really don't understand some of Marcus' action as wellWill, who is a very sweet character, and Marcus does have some nice moments together. I'm not sure why though the author chose to give them the shaft in terms of time in this book. If you're selling a romance story, then the main couple needs to be in the majority of the book. Disappointing.
May 28, 2018
Why this book is tagged as a “mystery” still blows my mind. The “bad guy” was so obvious that I don’t even know why the author didn’t just say “ Here is the bad guy but let’s all pretend we don’t know who is doing all the nasty things for majority of the book shall we?” Sigh. It’s like she didn’t even try.
Now to the characters, the only person who was marginally likeable was Will and even then, I believe he deserves a prize for being Captain Oblivious to Baz’s shenanigans. Speaking of which, Baz was a right bastard and I neither found him likeable, funny nor witty. He was a mean spirited & manipulative bastard and story would’ve been much better without him in it. Come to think of it, he had way too much page time for someone so insufferable.
As for Marcus, I believe the less I say about him, the better. I simply couldn’t understand his motives or his inconsistencies in attitude.
This book did not read as a romance to me and in my humble opinion it shouldn’t be shelved or tagged as such either. Yes, we got the impression that there were deeper feelings involved between Will and Marcus but , calling it a romance and believing in the “love” would be pushing it for me.
Overall, based on the blurb and my being familiar with JL Merrow’s work, I feel she’s squandered the opportunity for something great with this book. I KNOW she is a hell of a writer ordinarily, but this just didn’t go well...
*** Arc Graciously Provided By Publisher In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review ***
Now to the characters, the only person who was marginally likeable was Will and even then, I believe he deserves a prize for being Captain Oblivious to Baz’s shenanigans. Speaking of which, Baz was a right bastard and I neither found him likeable, funny nor witty. He was a mean spirited & manipulative bastard and story would’ve been much better without him in it. Come to think of it, he had way too much page time for someone so insufferable.
As for Marcus, I believe the less I say about him, the better. I simply couldn’t understand his motives or his inconsistencies in attitude.
This book did not read as a romance to me and in my humble opinion it shouldn’t be shelved or tagged as such either. Yes, we got the impression that there were deeper feelings involved between Will and Marcus but , calling it a romance and believing in the “love” would be pushing it for me.
Overall, based on the blurb and my being familiar with JL Merrow’s work, I feel she’s squandered the opportunity for something great with this book. I KNOW she is a hell of a writer ordinarily, but this just didn’t go well...
*** Arc Graciously Provided By Publisher In Exchange For An Honest, Unbiased Review ***
November 18, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. The MCs were fun and not typical. The supporting characters I wanted to smack. But that was good too, they were supposed to be smackable. The mystery was nothing, you'll figure it out as soon as it appears but the mystery isn't really the point either. The relationship between the two main characters and the wonderful SETTING makes this book. This book really captured the Isle of Wight for me and now I so want to visit.
March 3, 2013
I liked this one very much. Will is a bit unusual as hero, but so very likable. Marcus is vulnerable und mysterious. They make a real interesting pair. The crime/suspense plot was solid, not totally surprising, but riveting to read nonetheless.
November 18, 2011
Ridiculously fawking awesome read! If you haven't read it yet, what the hell are yeah waiting for?
October 21, 2012
I was kind of squirming through the first half, hating Baz, hating Leif, wondering why Marcus was such a wilt and couldn't Will do better? And then the second half flew by and it was all good.
November 13, 2018
This book kept me entertained. I think it was because I enjoy mysteries even when I can guess who had done the crime. I also enjoy a bit of paranormal, so adding both of these together made the book interesting.
Sure, there were things that didn't really work for me in the book. While I like mysteries, this one was a bit too easy to guess. I also thought there wasn't as much romance or chemistry between the two main characters as their could have been. Neither of these changed my rating too much though. My whole thing is whether I enjoyed the book while reading, and I did.
September 30, 2018
I liked the setting on the Isle of Wight, and the whole book is very atmospheric, I would love to visit Isle of Wight after reading this. But the book did not work as a mystery or as a romance in my opinion. The villain was a bit of a caricature, and the two MC's had not much chemistry or anything. That being said, I loved the whole "Brittishness" of the story.
March 23, 2020
Summer vacation mystery with a splash of romance.
Marcus is a reclusive writer with a tragic family history. Will agrees to a weeklong seaside vacation with his secret (straight) boyhood crush, Baz—who is researching haunted seaside venues for a new book.
Marcus and Will have chemistry, but can it survive dark hidden secrets and possible murder attempts?
Marcus is a reclusive writer with a tragic family history. Will agrees to a weeklong seaside vacation with his secret (straight) boyhood crush, Baz—who is researching haunted seaside venues for a new book.
Marcus and Will have chemistry, but can it survive dark hidden secrets and possible murder attempts?
May 11, 2023
2.5, it was eh. The villain was obvious, Baz, the "friend" was unlikable, the romance between Will and Marcus, blah. That is pretty much all i can say about it. Will and Marcus were supposed to be the love interest but really didn't spend too much time together. It had a lot of potential with the story-line but never went anywhere for me.
June 6, 2018
Loved Will, Baz was a Twat and Marcus needed a bloody good hug!
Great story, that keep me reading to find out more - needed more of Will and Marcus together and definitely wanted more from the Epilogue but overall a good book :)
Great story, that keep me reading to find out more - needed more of Will and Marcus together and definitely wanted more from the Epilogue but overall a good book :)
March 17, 2021
Really good
I’ve read so much crap lately and then found this and it was like a present for all my patience. Very well written and there aren’t tons of mistakes. The action is exciting and the characters are compelling. Highly recommend
I’ve read so much crap lately and then found this and it was like a present for all my patience. Very well written and there aren’t tons of mistakes. The action is exciting and the characters are compelling. Highly recommend
June 14, 2018
3.5 stars
September 8, 2018
While the plot was a bit Gothic and overdone, the romance between two lonely-for-different-reasons people was sweet enough to make it worthwhile
March 13, 2021
As always, nicely written, but I didn't enjoy it as much as the others.
July 3, 2021
3.75 stars
June 15, 2018
JL Merrow can write settings like no one else. I just adored the vivid scenic descriptions; it felt as I was right there with Will and Baz, journeying through the island in search of ghosties and uncovering even more than Will bargained for. There is a certain humor in the conversations that I truly appreciate, lending the story a lighthearted feel. But despite loving the location and feeling, like I was right there with Will, I was expecting more in certain areas and am still scratching my head about some things.
To start off with, if you are looking for a romance where your MCs get a lot of on-page time together, you may be disappointed. To me this was first and foremost a mystery with a dash and sprinkle of building romance. Will and Marcus have very little page time together, and what time they did have wasn’t something that really created the best foundation for me. Will and Baz were together more often.
Marcus has issues, without a doubt, and it becomes obvious why he doesn’t know how to interact socially and is paranoid of Will and Baz and everyone else. I understood the mental and emotional abuse aspect of his personality and was empathetic to what he had gone through. But as a romantic interest, I had trouble picturing it, and in all honesty ,the whole romantic portion of the plot just didn’t work for me. Though Will and Marcus are attracted to each other, the interaction is fairly minimal. They don’t even have real physical interaction until about eighty-percent through the book. And up until that point their shared time was usually Will being a nice guy and Marcus being paranoid and even mean; it was hard to see the chemistry. Once they do give in to the attraction, it all got a bit rushed from there, and the difference in pacing was a little jarring.
Baz’s character was an interesting and prominent part of the entire plot, and through Baz’s behavior and Will’s reaction the reader gets more of a feeling of Will’s overall personality and sympathizes with him. Baz was the catalyst for coming to the island, but his focus as a writer and journalist is what brought everything out to the open. Though I wouldn’t call Will a pushover, he also is not into confrontation. He is loyal to a fault, and Baz takes that for granted as well as has taken advantage of Will. Baz was someone who was richly developed and gave me lots of feelings. More often than not, I was cringing and shaking my head at his behavior and wishing Will would just see past the years of friendship to the person Baz truly was. He was brash and disrespectful to Will quite often. He was very self-involved and rarely took into account anyone else’s feelings, especially Will’s. Baz was out for Baz and what would benefit Baz. But, there were moments of true caring that popped through and allowed me to see beyond the self-centered friend he appeared to be through most of the book. Their relationship dynamic kept me absorbed and reading on, and I found it more complex and interesting than that of Will and Marcus, to be honest.
The mystery, while not surprising in its outcome, was fun to follow, mostly because of the different locations Baz and Will traveled to around the island. I figured out pretty quickly who was responsible and was interested in the reasons why and how everything would be revealed. Sadly, that is where the mystery let me down. It left a lot of unanswered questions as to the motivations and how everything happened, both in the past and the present. When everything ends, it’s clear that most of the information would never come to light. I know in real life sometimes the reason for the crime never gets exposed. I logically know monologues aren’t quite as common as I have grown used to in my fictional world, so it’s probably more realistic that the villain’s reasoning, methods and feelings were absent. But whether it’s realistic or not, I can’t help that it drives me nuts when I don’t know or don’t understand the motivations behind the actions of a good mystery. This one left a lot unanswered.
Despite the fact the romance didn’t really do it for me, and the mystery left more questions unanswered than I tend to prefer, there was still a lot of enjoyable qualities to Wight Mischief. I did appreciate the times with Will and Baz, and Will beginning to see himself and his worth, as well as the different locations and the process of uncovering clues in the big mystery. The eerie feeling of some of the ghost’s locations and the vivid descriptions were phenomenal. Not my favorite by this author but still a fun little read.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach
To start off with, if you are looking for a romance where your MCs get a lot of on-page time together, you may be disappointed. To me this was first and foremost a mystery with a dash and sprinkle of building romance. Will and Marcus have very little page time together, and what time they did have wasn’t something that really created the best foundation for me. Will and Baz were together more often.
Marcus has issues, without a doubt, and it becomes obvious why he doesn’t know how to interact socially and is paranoid of Will and Baz and everyone else. I understood the mental and emotional abuse aspect of his personality and was empathetic to what he had gone through. But as a romantic interest, I had trouble picturing it, and in all honesty ,the whole romantic portion of the plot just didn’t work for me. Though Will and Marcus are attracted to each other, the interaction is fairly minimal. They don’t even have real physical interaction until about eighty-percent through the book. And up until that point their shared time was usually Will being a nice guy and Marcus being paranoid and even mean; it was hard to see the chemistry. Once they do give in to the attraction, it all got a bit rushed from there, and the difference in pacing was a little jarring.
Baz’s character was an interesting and prominent part of the entire plot, and through Baz’s behavior and Will’s reaction the reader gets more of a feeling of Will’s overall personality and sympathizes with him. Baz was the catalyst for coming to the island, but his focus as a writer and journalist is what brought everything out to the open. Though I wouldn’t call Will a pushover, he also is not into confrontation. He is loyal to a fault, and Baz takes that for granted as well as has taken advantage of Will. Baz was someone who was richly developed and gave me lots of feelings. More often than not, I was cringing and shaking my head at his behavior and wishing Will would just see past the years of friendship to the person Baz truly was. He was brash and disrespectful to Will quite often. He was very self-involved and rarely took into account anyone else’s feelings, especially Will’s. Baz was out for Baz and what would benefit Baz. But, there were moments of true caring that popped through and allowed me to see beyond the self-centered friend he appeared to be through most of the book. Their relationship dynamic kept me absorbed and reading on, and I found it more complex and interesting than that of Will and Marcus, to be honest.
The mystery, while not surprising in its outcome, was fun to follow, mostly because of the different locations Baz and Will traveled to around the island. I figured out pretty quickly who was responsible and was interested in the reasons why and how everything would be revealed. Sadly, that is where the mystery let me down. It left a lot of unanswered questions as to the motivations and how everything happened, both in the past and the present. When everything ends, it’s clear that most of the information would never come to light. I know in real life sometimes the reason for the crime never gets exposed. I logically know monologues aren’t quite as common as I have grown used to in my fictional world, so it’s probably more realistic that the villain’s reasoning, methods and feelings were absent. But whether it’s realistic or not, I can’t help that it drives me nuts when I don’t know or don’t understand the motivations behind the actions of a good mystery. This one left a lot unanswered.
Despite the fact the romance didn’t really do it for me, and the mystery left more questions unanswered than I tend to prefer, there was still a lot of enjoyable qualities to Wight Mischief. I did appreciate the times with Will and Baz, and Will beginning to see himself and his worth, as well as the different locations and the process of uncovering clues in the big mystery. The eerie feeling of some of the ghost’s locations and the vivid descriptions were phenomenal. Not my favorite by this author but still a fun little read.
Reviewed by Lindsey for The Novel Approach
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