Book Review: BOGGANMOR

by | Jan 30, 2025 | Book Reviews, Reviews, The Horror Review News | 0 comments

Bogganmor
Mark N. Drake
Aethos Publications (February 4, 2025)
Reviewed by Andrew Byers

Mark N. Drake returns to the foreboding and wonderfully atmospheric Darkisle in Bogganmor, the fifth installment in the Glennison Darkisle Cases series. Once again, Jack Glennison, Drake’s hardboiled 1920s-era private investigator, takes center stage as he delves into the island’s increasingly entangled mysteries of the occult, cosmic horror—specifically the Cthulhu Mythos—and human frailty.

This time, Drake weaves a multi-layered narrative that builds on the threads of previous entries, giving longtime readers a satisfying continuation while remaining accessible to new ones. Though this is the fifth book in the series (I have read and reviewed all the previous entries), I suspect it would be extremely approachable even for readers entirely new to the series. This is probably my favorite book in the series after the first one. The novel opens with Jack confronting the unresolved mysteries of his expulsion from university, a shameful chapter of his past that has haunted him for years (and been alluded to in several previous books in the series). As expected, this personal dilemma intersects with a more significant, darker threat, which is, of course, to be found on Darkisle in the marshes on the northern edge of the island. Thus, a seemingly innocuous inquiry by Jack’s alma mater to retrieve a stolen book spirals into a chilling confrontation with the titular Bogganmor, an entity tied to one of Darkisle’s most sinister legends.

The strength of Bogganmor lies in its deft balance of mystery, action, and mythos-building. Darkisle is a place where the Cthulhu Mythos collides with folk magic and horror, as well as pulpy shenanigans involving dueling sorcerers and secret societies. Drake has a rare ability to create an intricate and believable world while maintaining brisk pacing and palpable tension. Jack Glennison continues to shine as a protagonist—daring but thoughtful, a detective who refuses to let fear overtake his duty to seek the truth. His relationship with his secretary/assistant Josine and budding romantic partner Bea is further developed here, adding depth and emotional stakes to the story.

Readers familiar with Darkisle will be thrilled to see how Drake deepens his exploration of the island’s malevolent history, drawing in new horrors while expanding on existing ones. The Church of the Celestial Shadow, one of the aforementioned secret societies, remains a menacing force, and their ties to Bogganmor highlight Drake’s skill in seamlessly blending elements of the Cthulhu Mythos with his original creations. We even have the first elements from Robert W. Chambers’ King in Yellow Mythos here, which I hope we will see developed much further in the future. As always, the supernatural entities are portrayed as alien and incomprehensible rather than conventionally monstrous, amplifying the cosmic horror at the heart of the series.

Drake’s prose remains as sharp and precise as ever, with a meticulous attention to detail that brings the 1920s setting vividly to life. He is especially adept at crafting suspenseful scenes where the line between rationality and madness blurs. The titular Bogganmor is a perfect example of this: its nature is left just ambiguous enough to be terrifying, and its influence on the characters is as psychological as it is physical.

One of the novel’s standout achievements is its handling of Jack’s personal arc. The revelations about his past not only deepen his character but also tie into the broader themes of the series—guilt, redemption, and the cost of knowledge. It’s satisfying to see Drake beginning to resolve threads that have been teased since The Gathering of Shadows, while also introducing tantalizing new ones for future installments.

Bogganmor is both a compelling addition to the Glennison Darkisle Cases and a showcase of Drake’s mastery of the Lovecraftian genre. With its strong characters, eerie setting, and gripping plot, it’s a must-read for fans of cosmic horror and occult mysteries. As always, I would probably recommend starting with The Gathering of Shadows if you’re new to the series, but longtime readers will find plenty to enjoy here. Highly recommended.

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