Good Boy

In the shadowed lanes of a small English town, Margie Jones, a widow and former psychiatric nurse, finds herself drawn into a web of supernatural horror and communal suspicion. The disappearance of young Andy Hoyle casts a pall over the community, and the neglected Square, a once-vibrant field now shrouded in darkness, becomes the focal point of Margie’s growing unease. One evening, she encounters Jim Howarth, a regular figure in the area, who is seen digging a grave for his beloved dog, Riot. Jim’s deformed hand and his cryptic references to a malevolent presence known as the boggart hint at a deeper, more sinister reality lurking beneath the town’s surface.

As Margie delves deeper into Jim’s story, she learns of his childhood trauma and the heroic acts of Riot, a dog he believes to be a reincarnated guardian against the boggart. Jim’s nightly patrols with Riot have been a silent vigil, a duty born of personal loss and a desperate need to protect the children of the town. However, the strain of this solitary battle takes its toll, and Jim’s relationship with Katherine, his girlfriend, disintegrates as she leaves for London, unable to bear the weight of his secret. Margie, moved by Jim’s story and the tragic fate of Riot, offers her support, though Jim insists on completing the burial alone, a final act of personal sacrifice.

The next morning, Margie’s world is further upended when she receives an envelope from Jim, containing a mysterious note and a photograph. As she grapples with the implications of Jim’s revelations and the unexplained disappearance of Andy Hoyle, Margie finds solace in adopting a new puppy, Trouble, a symbol of hope and renewal amidst the pervasive gloom. Her decision to take in the puppy reflects a broader theme of finding companionship and purpose in the face of overwhelming darkness and loss.

'Good Boy' is a haunting exploration of duty, sacrifice, and the enduring power of love and companionship in the face of unspeakable evil. Through Margie and Jim’s intertwined narratives, Neil McRobert weaves a tapestry of supernatural horror and human resilience, inviting readers to confront their own fears and the unseen forces that shape our lives. The novel’s atmospheric tension and richly drawn characters make it a compelling and thought-provoking read, one that lingers long after the final page is turned.