Poppet - Upcoming Novel by Mo Hayder

I had the chance to read an early release copy of Poppet by Mo Hayder, which is number six in the Jack Caffery series and will be released on May 14, 2013. Fans of hardboiled detectives and  police procedural mysteries with a hint of the supernatural will adore this novel.

The story opens in a psychiatric hospital in England. The patients are terrified of a malevolent being called the Maude who sits on their chests while they sleep, like a succubus. At first the collective delusion is brushed off as mass hysteria, but then several patients die in questionable circumstances. Is there a supernatural being on the loose? Or is the culprit entirely human? Detective Jack Caffery is called in to investigate the mystery and find the truth.

If you have never read the previous Jack Caffery novels, you will be fine - first time readers like me can jump right in because the backstory is largely irrelevant. However, the main character, Jack Caffery, is not particularly sympathetic or engaging. He was unrealistic in that he seemed to know everything, with a gruff exterior and tragic past typical of the archetype of noir detective. Supporting characters were much more interesting and dynamic, especially one of the hospital administrators, AJ. However, Hayder excels at creating suspense and creepy atmosphere for her novel, as well as a gripping plot. She keeps you guessing throughout, and the actual villain of the piece will come as a complete surprise. Hayder creates a frightening, intriguing story with twists you won't see coming.