The Mechanics' Institute Review 2018: 15: Short Stories (The Mechanics' Institute Review: Short Stories) Paperback – Import, 25 September 2018

It feels a little premature to leave a great review for a book I haven't completely read. But such are those pieces I have read that my confidence in the rest of this collection of short stories is pretty high, sure that it will live up to a standard set by Jane Roberts, Ian Critchley and David Martin, all contributors. Jane's story, the peculiarly titled Our Lady, the Sheela Na Gig, feels like a Jon McGregor-written Wicker Man, all dark nature and claustrophobic community. It's filmic and packs a huge atmospheric punch into such a short space.Glance through the book and read first lines: you'll be arrested by so many stories that it's hard to know where to turn next. This is one I'll be carrying around with me and dipping into for a while to come, and is a terrific discovery.