Oein DeBhairduin, Helena Grimes. Skein Press, (156p) ISBN: 9781915017079. Ghost Stories, read 30/07/25, Paperback ★★★★☆

Twiggy Woman

I’d had this collection for a while now as I was sent it for a prepublication review but I just could never get into it which I know was a me thing because as soon as I was able to give this time I shot through it, devouring each story and then having to go back to check language and meaning.

Twiggy Woman is a collection of stories from the oral tradition of Irish Travellers, the stories to be told round a communal fire, whilst working, father to son, mother to daughter.

From the very disturbing story about a disembodied eye watching over a newly wed, all the way through these stories delve into the psyche of a very specific culture and its people’s interactions between themselves, outsiders, and the supernatural.

Always creepy and verging on the horrific at times I enjoyed all the stories in this collection, not a weak one amongst them though some were definitely stronger than others.

I also enjoyed how Oein DeBhairduin brought memories of his own childhood into the storytelling and gave the idea that a lot of these stories were told to children as a learning tool, e.g. don’t do this or this could happen to you.

The whole was wonderfully supported with creepy and haunting illustrations from Helena Grimes.

Once again apologies for the lateness of this review, it wasn’t you it was me.