Reviews

The Junction

'Alison Moore's 'The Junction' (2024) is among the best stories of hers I've read, which is saying a lot. With her trademark subtle style and glorious eye for detail, the story builds slowly and satisfyingly as Paul breaks down in the countryside and is invited in by a friendly, disarming stranger, Neville, to wait for a tow truck. As they share food and drink, infused with sloe berries (a fantastic ongoing joke throughout), their cosy intimacy increases and the story takes on the character of a modern fairytale.'
Giselle Leeb, Interzone #299

Eastmouth and Other Stories

'An eminently satisfying read from a master storyteller with a deliciously chilling imagination.'
Jackie Law, Never Imitate

The Retreat

'Moore is an extraordinarily good writer. Each of her five novels to date has been in its own way perfect: not a dud sentence in sight and with the slowly brewing tension deliberately understated... I loved this book, which is effective and disturbing to a far more potent degree than any number of more deliberate or dramatic haunted house stories. The only problem with being a Moore fan is that the moment you've finished reading one of her novels you're already looking forward to the next'
Nina Allan, The Spider's House

Sunny and the Wicked Lady

'The language and structure of the story are perfectly pitched to engage young readers whilst avoiding condescension. Indeed, there is plenty to entertain readers of all ages. The adventures related are enhanced by the wonderful illustrations. Along with the previous books in the series, this is a story of bravery and friendship that I highly recommend.'
Jackie Law, Never Imitate

Sunny and the Hotel Splendid

'A warm and witty story of friendship and acceptance. A plot and protagonists that will fire the imagination of readers whatever their age.'
Jackie Law, Never Imitate

Broad Moor

'Moore's story 'Broad Moor' manages to remain controlled and believable, yet punctuated by all the tropes of a horror film... Rich with symbolism and expert ambiguity, 'Broad Moor' provides an intriguing taster of this writer's boundlessly original imagination.'
Sam Pryce, Sabotage Reviews

Sunny and the Ghosts

'There is humour and kindness alongside the mischief and mystery. A delightful and satisfying read for any age.'
Jackie Law, Never Imitate

Missing

'Missing starts out as a spare and seemingly simple psychological drama. But stay with it and dig deeper, for beneath the surface lurk immensely satisfying hidden depths.'
Malcolm Forbes, The Sunday Herald

Death and the Seaside

'For the size of the work it packs a mighty, subversive punch.'
Jackie Law, Never Imitate

The Harvestman

'a story about fear, and the way that fear can pull danger down towards itself - which, in spite of the coolness of the style, imbues the story with impending doom.'
Elizabeth Baines

He Wants

‘The best novels are the ones that leave you with a sense of yearning, and in He Wants, Alison Moore proves her mastery of the medium.’
Lynsey May, The List

The Pre-War House and Other Stories

'showcases the evolution of a writer who refuses to dilute her stories with artificial light or sentimentality to make them more palatable. There’s really no need, when she knows how to make bleakness so thrillingly readable.'
Isabel Costello, The Literary Sofa

Small Animals

'Moore writes a pitch perfect tale of gathering unease, the situation moving from strange to distinctly disturbing... This quiet tale of creeping unease and reality shift is a superb example of what the short form is capable of.'
Peter Tennant, Black Static #32

The Lighthouse

‘A haunting and accomplished novel’
Katy Guest, The Independent on Sunday

When the Door Closed, It Was Dark

'A terrifically disorienting piece that hits a lot of the same buttons that Shirley Jackson used to... Her economical use of imagery cracks reality in just the right way, with jeweller’s precision... It’s one of the best short stories I’ve read this year.'
Michael Marano, Dead Reckonings