I liked this book but I respected it more than I liked it.

This is an example of the kind of story that's worth having the plot spoiled beforehand, just so you can focus on what actually makes it good: the creeping tension and evocative setting.

It also didn't help that I spent a large chunk of the book being reminded of Iain Banks brilliant first novel The Wasp Factory. It's not a totally fair comparison because the two books have slightly different styles but still, I couldn't help it and this book was never going to come out on top in that match up.