Set in northwestern England during an unnaturally cold thirteenth century winter this starts out as historical fiction but delves soon into fantasy. Told from the viewpoint of Hob, a young apprentice we meet Molly, an Irish healer and musician, her granddaughter Nemain and her lover Jack. As they begin their journey across the Penne Mountains , hurrying to beat a blizzard, they soon feel they are being stalked by some unseen evil. Stopping first at a monastery, then an inn and finally a castle it becomes clear that an unknown creature is following them and they must defeat it or die.

This is a page turner, I was going to read a few chapters before bed and the next thing I knew the sun was up and I had finished a superb fantasy. Rich in historical detail with characters that you will remember long after you finish the book I cannot recommend this highly enough. While both novels easily work as stand alones if you have not yet read The Wicked I suggest reading Something Red first to enhance some of the surpises that come along. This series is a keeper and I cannot wait for more. ~~ Stephanie L Bannon