Industry Reviews
Dark Matter is a spellbinding read - the kind of 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 you've locked all the doors, and leaves you very thankful indeed 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 -- Jeffrey Deaver
It's an elegantly told tale with a vivid sense of place - and it's deeply scary -- Lesley Glaister
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 -- Richard Madeley
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. -- Sarah Broadhurst * BOOKSELLER *
This gripping ghost story has moments of horror and beauty * SUNDAY TELEGRAPH *
Paver's descriptions of the topography are marvellously vivid and add to the sense of menace that suffuses the story -- Joan Smith * SUNDAY TIMES *
An atmospheric ghost story that would give Susan Hill a run for her money * INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY *
A chilling period piece, Dark Matter cunningly illustrates how fear, rather than death, is the great equaliser. * 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. -- Richard Madeley
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 *
