Scottish author James ‘J.D.’ Oswald’s beautifully constructed novel Broken Ghosts begins when a young girl named Phoebe, still grieving from the loss of her parents in a freak accident in Scotland, relocates to rural Aberystwyth with her rather eccentric uncle and aunt. Adapting to this new country life whilst dealing with her loss proves to be difficult – but things take an upturn when she finds a friend in the mysterious Gwyneth, a barefooted girl who seems to only exist within the confines of the forest.

While everybody else is sceptical of the friendship – or Gwyneth’s very existence – the bond between the two grows, and Gwyneth shows Phoebe just what sort of powers the forest possesses. With the story bouncing between the events of 1985 and her unscheduled return in 2023, the forest holds a secret – one which could have consequences to Phoebe herself when revealed. Yet revealed it must be.

Oswald’s vivid description of village life in west Wales really sets the backdrop as the dreamscape unfolds, and although it crosses several timelines the action is very easy to follow. Broken Ghosts is the perfect story for those incoming autumn evenings.