I'd seen the Daniel Radcliffe version of the film but not read the book. As it was October and I was feeling in the mood for things that go bump in the night, I decided to give it a go. I enjoyed it but felt it took a while to get going. Once it did it was good.

It is atmospheric and claustrophobic especially once the main character reaches the house trapped there by the upcoming water that floods the causeway and we know he can't escape. The woman in black who he sees is particularly unsettling and I think what I loved about the book was the description of the transference of her deep and inconsolable grief and hatred.

It's a fast read and I'm gald I finally read it. I wouldn't say I was terrified by it, but it was certainly pretty unpleasant and I loved the end of the book more than the one in the film.