The Howling by Michael J Malone

I am delighted to share my review of The Howling by Michael J Malone. This is the third in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series, after The Murmurs and The Torments. Big thanks to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me and I read from my own bought paperback copy (sad that the spine graphics don't align with the previous two books, wanted the set to match on my shelf!)

The Blurb

Two men, centuries apart, dream of being a wolf.

One is burned at the stake.

Another is locked in a psychiatric hospital for most of his life.

And Annie Jackson is about to find out why…

Vowing once more to remove herself from society, Annie is living alone in her little cottage by the shores of a loch. But when an old enemy – now locked up in a high-security hospital – comes calling, begging her to find the son that she was forced to give up at the age of seventeen, Annie is tempted out of seclusion.

The missing boy holds the key to ending Annie's curse, and he may be the only chance that both she and Lewis have of real happiness.

Annie and Lewis begin an investigation that takes them back to the past, a time etched in Scottish folklore, a period of history that may just be repeating itself. And what they uncover could destroy not just some of the most powerful people in the country, who will stop at nothing to protect their wealth and their secrets, but also Annie's life, and everything she holds dear…

My Review

Annie is trying to live a quiet life, away from people, in her little cottage where the murmurs are quiet. But when a distant relation, someone for whom Annie holds no love, asks for Annie's help finding the son she was forced to give up years ago, Annie accepts, because finding him is finding a cure for her condition. Aided by Lewis, she begins an enquiry which leads them down a very dangerous path...

It's great to have Annie and Lewis back! I love their relationship and how fiercely protective they are of each other. They are both keen to end Annie's curse and are willing to do whatever they need to to do so. But alongside this, we have a second storyline set in 1707 where we meet Andra and his family. This book, as well as giving us an exciting contemporary mystery, also explores the witch trials and legends of otherworldly creatures. I love the gothic horror feel to this series - curses, poisons, witches, wolves. 

Andra's storyline is horrific but I loved learning a little bit about Scotland's witch trials. The modern day storyline is twisty and dark, and Annie and Lewis learn some powerful secrets about some powerful people. We also have an additional storyline about a young boy who dreams of wolves. Eventually these two story strands weave together reaching an explosive denouement full of risk and danger - I was holding my breath! 

The Howling is beautifully written, evocative, full of danger and darkness, with a real sense of otherness. Annie is such an intriguing and engaging main character. I think it might be my favourite Annie Jackson novel so far.

The Author

Michael Malone is a prize-winning poet and author who was born and brought up in the heart of Burns’ country. He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines

throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. Blood Tears, his bestselling debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize from the Scottish

Association of Writers. His dark psychological thriller, A Suitable Lie, was a number-one bestseller, and is currently in production for the screen, and five powerful standalone

thrillers followed suit. The Murmurs and The Torments, the earlier books in the Annie Jackson Mysteries series, were published to critical acclaim in 2023 and 2024. A former Regional Sales Manager (Faber) he has also worked as an IFA and a bookseller. Michael lives in Ayr, where he also works as a hypnotherapist.