The Lodge 🦌

By Chris Coppel.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

The Lodge is a gripping thriller set in the remote hills of the Scottish Highlands, where a hunting lodge becomes the centre of a chilling mystery.

During the Christmas holidays, a young constable named Andrew is called to investigate an accidental death at the lodge, but a growing blizzard traps him and the guests inside.

As the storm rages on, an unsettling and terrifying ordeal begins to unfold. The hunted animals, once prey, now possess souls that refuse to rest and seek vengeful retribution on their hunters.

Will the hunters become the hunted?

The concept of the animals fighting back against their captors was what initially drew me to this book, and it kept me hooked throughout. As the story progressed, I found myself increasingly siding with the animals, especially as their revenge became more brutal and savage.

However, while the premise was strong, the execution felt rushed towards the end. It was clear where the story was heading, but the twist came a little too quickly, leaving me with the sense that two more chapters might have been needed to fully build up the suspense and the stakes. It felt like the lead-up to the pivotal moment was cut short, which left me wanting a bit more development in the narrative.

That being said, the atmosphere of the snowbound lodge was well done, and the growing tension was palpable. I also have to give a special mention to the reference to Skipton, my hometown – it was such a pleasant surprise to see it mentioned, and a surprise to hear that our local town hall and Pizza Express are well known!

Overall, The Lodge is an interesting read with a great concept, but it could have benefited from a bit more build-up to its climactic moments. A solid 3.5 stars, with plenty to think about long after finishing.

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