Himself by Jess Kidd - Fiction - Paperback
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Title:
Himself
Condition: BRAND NEW
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9781782118480
Overview:
Mulderrig is a place where the sea keeps its own counsel and the wind carries old stories long after the last lantern has burned out. In the forest, a teenage girl is brutally murdered, a crime that leaves behind a baby who somehow survives and becomes a whisper that won’t die. Fast forward to 1976, when a mysterious and disarmingly charming young man returns to the remote coastal village, drawn by whispers of the child and the mother who supposedly abandoned him at a Dublin orphanage. With the unlikely partnership of the village’s most eccentric resident, he unsettles the town’s carefully buried memories, forcing everyone to confront the ghosts they pretend to ignore. Jess Kidd’s Himself blends gothic atmosphere with sharp, modern wit and a quiet, aching humanity. It’s a suspenseful, character-driven mystery that uses place—the peat-smoked air, the weather-worn cottages, the shoreline—as a living force in the unraveling of truth. A spellbinding, page-turning read that rewards patience with emotional depth, moral complexity, and a haunting sense of inevitability.
What Makes This Book Stand Out:
Himself distinguishes itself by weaving folklore and memory into a gripping crime narrative rather than delivering a straightforward whodunit. Kidd’s voice balances lyrical, almost incantatory prose with concrete, atmospheric detail, letting Mulderrig feel like a character in its own right. The dual timelines create a slow-burn tension where every hint about the mother, the abandoned child, and the mysterious man adds another layer of consequence. The village’s oddball residents—each with their own secrets and loyalties—give the story warmth and wit, while the plot never loses its dark, propulsive core. Readers who crave literary mystery with mythic resonance will find the pacing deeply satisfying, the revelations well earned, and the ending both haunting and hopeful.
Who This Book Is Perfect For:
This novel is ideal for adult readers and mature readers of modern gothic and literary thrillers who enjoy a strong sense of place, intricate character work, and supernatural undertones without heavy paranormal shocks. It will appeal to fans of atmospheric mysteries, coastal-set tales, and books that blend folklore with crime. Gift buyers seeking a standout, single-book reading experience—especially for BookTok and Bookish social audiences—will find it a perfect fit. If you love immersive worlds, morally complex choices, and a story that lingers after the last page, this is the one to add to a bookshelf or a thoughtful gift bundle.
Key Highlights:
- A moody, coastal Gothic mystery with folklore-infused storytelling
- Dual timelines that gradually reveal buried truths
- Charmingly unreliable yet memorable protagonist and a cast of eccentric locals
- Vivid sense of place: Mulderrig’s seas, fog, and weather as narrative forces
- Standalone, self-contained story with literary depth and suspense
- Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven thrillers and myths
- Beautiful paperback edition ready for gifting or collecting
About the Author:
Jess Kidd is a British author celebrated for her atmospheric, folklore-informed fiction that blends mystery with myth. In her work, ordinary places become extraordinary through memory, legends, and the consequences of long-buried secrets. Her narrative approach emphasizes mood, character, and a quietly unsettling sense of wonder, inviting readers to examine what stories communities tell—and what they choose to forget. With a distinctive voice that marries lyrical prose to tightly wound plots, Kidd crafts novels that linger in the imagination long after the final page is turned. Himself showcases her signature blend of gothic resonance and human-scale emotion, making her a standout voice in contemporary literary mystery.
Why You’ll Love This Book:
If you crave a single, immersive read that feels both timeless and immediate, Himself delivers. It invites you into a village where every corner hums with memory and every character carries a private history worth uncovering. The suspense arises from moral choices and the weight of family legacy as much as from plot twists, giving the reader a rewarding, emotionally resonant experience. The combination of dark adventure, folklore ambience, and a powerful sense of place makes this paperback an ideal gift, a compelling pick for BookTok conversations, and a welcome addition to any collector’s shelf seeking something distinctively atmospheric and unforgettable.
Please Note: The individual books included in this listing will be dispatched as per the original UK ISBN and UK edition cover image shown in the image.
