Blood Vintage. A Folk Horror Novel (Large Print Paperback, 16pt)

Blood Vintage is not the first book I've read by JF Penn, and it won't be the last. Her writing always keeps me on the edge of my seat, and Blood Vintage offers no less than a spine-chilling, hair-raising novel, which she is known for. In fact, I could not put it down last night until I found out how her main character, Rebecca, would escape the cultish vineyard, Standing Stone Cellars, centered in Somerset, England.

Looking for a new start in her life, Rebecca has been drawn to an award-winning winery where she seems to fit in their routine, quickly learning that their processing is much different than for other brands, although there are secrets that are not divulged. Eventually, Rebecca picks up some strange vibes. Most of the laborers are strictly disciplined and keep to themselves. There is a secret area that piques her interest as she notices a shadowy creature in that area. Then people start to disappear and the special holiday feast for the laborers in the secret area appeared to be a drunken orgy. As the oddities increase, Rebecca tries to decide whether she is in danger or merely misinterpreting what she senses. Ms. Penn has knack for writing a story arc that is easy to follow, to get the reader engrossed with the strong characters and vivid descriptions that appear as if a movie is being played out before your eyes. As usual, the story kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. I am always watching for the next book by this great author!

Nice, quick read. I loved the pagan history and superstitions weaved in. It was not remotely scary or even thrilling even though there was the very strong cult vibes. I was expecting a much darker, intense story. Ending kinda just left me feeling blah.

This was good and creepy. Rebecca goes searching for her sister at a vineyard and finds a community where her sister might have belong to so she stays and decides to stay and gets embraced by the community and makes friends even. But one by one they start disappearing and as she starts to investigate finds something unearthly.

Immersive and keeps you on the edge of your seat! You’ll never look at winery tours the same.

J F Penn never ceases to keep me enthralled while reading her books. Blood Vintage is another such book. As Rebecca seeks to find some peace and calm in her life, she comes to a small town and gets work at a local vineyard. At first, she finds the work and other workers agreeable. However, she thinks she sees a horned creature in the guarded section of the vineyard. As time goes by the holidays and feast days come around and Rebecca begins to suspect things are not as they should be. The Samhain holiday feast turns into an orgy, and she realizes that there is much to be frightened of. This book is released at the right time of this year as Samhain is the devil worshippers' version of Hallowe'en and it lives up to its reputation.

Blood Vintage is very well written as a folk horror. While the story begins with a young architect, Rebecca, who is looking to make a name for herself in her field, it soon turns into a need to hide out from her new found tormentors who are not happy with her project’s environmental destruction. Feeling that she needs to leave London for a while, she decides to try to find her sister who is missing. She goes to a quaint village where her sister was last seen and takes a job at a top award-winning winery. Shortly after her arrival something seems to be off and eventually build up to a sinister level. If you like super suspenseful stories which keep you oh the edge of your chair, this is perfect for you and I can highly recommend it. I read an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Cozy Horror or folk horror -- Blood Vintage fits the bill. The story is a perfect blending of atmospheric horror and mythic vibes in which a sister on the run seeks safe harbor at the last known location of her missing sister--Standing Stone Cellars. J. F. Penn layers the key story elements of a heroine's redemptive journey with enough chilling exclamations that punch up the swirly mix of horror and pagan/supernatural realism. I love an author's ability to pluck me out of my world and insert me into their story. Penn's careful pacing of the winemaking process imbued with dark, mysterious and seductive elements cause more than a shudder or two as the story builds to an emphatic close.

As usual with JF Penn books, the atmosphere in this piece of work is marvellous. It's creepy, and will make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. Once you start, you'll struggle to put this down. To hell with the housework! Well-written, full characterisations and a great storyline. Enjoy!