Dark Matter, A Ghost Story PDF

Dark Matter is a spellbinding read – the subtly unsettling, understated ghost story MR James might have written had he visited the Arctic (GUARDIAN)

Told in the increasingly fearful words of Jack as he writes in his journal, this is a blood-curdling ghost story, evocative not just of icy northern wastes but of a mind as trapped, it turns in on itself (DAILY MAIL)

Paver has created a tale of terror and beauty, and wonder. Mission accomplished: at last, a story that makes you check that you’ve locked all the doors and leaves you very thankful for the electric light. In a world of CGI-induced chills, a good old-fashioned ghost story can still clutch at the heart (FINANCIAL TIMES)

Paver is the mistress of suspense, and the strangeness that humans can suffer from when exposed to the Arctic wilderness is brilliantly exploited in this period piece (THE TIMES)

Deeply affecting tale of mental and physical isolation (SUNDAY TIMES)

The ultimate test of a good ghost story is, surely, whether you feel panicked reading it in bed at midnight; two-thirds through, I found myself suddenly afraid to look out of the windows, so I’ll call it a success (OBSERVER)

Dark Matter is terrific….(a) wild beast that grabs you by the neck (THE TIMES)

The very best ghost stories usually concern the predicaments of the living rather than the return of the dead. It’s a point appreciated by Michelle Paver, whose haunting new novella so cleverly illustrates how it is fear, rather than death, which is the great leveller (THE LADY)

Neither (Susan) Hill nor Paver allows any doubt. Their ghosts seem real enough. Paver’s is, I think, the more disturbing her vision of an eternally dark world of snow and fear, the more convincing her pattern of mood and suggestion, the more satisfying (GLASGOW SUNDAY HERALD)

Dark Matter is brilliant. Imagine Jack London meets Stephen King. The novel virtually defines a new genre: literary creepy. I loved it

It’s an elegantly told tale with a vivid sense of place – and it’s deeply scary

Disquieting and poignant in equal measure, Paver’s novel reminds us that fear of the dark is the oldest fear of all. An ideal read for long winter evenings (IRISH EXAMINER)

This gripping ghost story has moments of horror and beauty (SUNDAY TELEGRAPH)

An atmospheric ghost story that would give Susan Hill a run for her money (INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY)

More than just a ghost story, this is an exquisitely told psychological thriller. Unputdownable! (WOMAN’S WEEKLY)

Ghost stories don’t frighten me much, but this one did. Quite a lot, actually … Chilling in every respect.

Dark Matter builds suspense brilliantly … As well as a ghost story, it’s a great portrayal of Svalbard and the experience of spending a winter in the Arctic (ADVENTURE TRAVEL)

Evocative, chilling, and superbly unsettling, it is very good indeed. (BOOKSELLER)

Paver’s descriptions of the topography are marvelously vivid and add to the sense of menace that suffuses the story (SUNDAY TIMES)

A chilling period piece, Dark Matter, cunningly illustrates how fear, rather than death, is the great equalizer. (INDEPENDENT)

More than just a ghost story, this is an exquisitely told psychological thriller. Unputdownable! (WOMANS WEEKLY)

A genuinely terrifying tale … I cannot recommend this novel enough, especially in these dark nights; you will certainly get more than you bargained for. I did. (SAVIDGE READS Book Blog)

Ghost stories don’t frighten me much, but this one did. Quite a lot, actually … Chilling in every respect.

Dark Matter builds suspense brilliantly … As well as a ghost story, it’s a great portrayal of Svalbard and the experience of spending a winter in the Arctic. (ADVENTURE TRAVEL)

A genuinely suspenseful and really quite chilling tale (TIMES HIGHER EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT)