The Binding Song by Elodie Harper

Mulholland Books | February 2018 | 304 pgs

Source: Library

Dr Janet Palmer is the new psychologist at HMP Halvergate prison. Leaving her London home and boyfriend behind, Janet wonders if her decision to move to Norfolk is right but she loves her job and is willing to give it a try. However, both the staff and the inmates pose a challenge to her. The former seems reserved and don't share much of the information with her while the latter, as most sex offenders inmates are, are either smirking behind her back or don't take her seriously. The worst of the lot is Michael Donovan; as Janet thinks he is both charming and dangerous at the same time. Most of the time, she doesn't really know what's on his mind and this put him on her unreliable list, what with his words and the way he put it. 

As much as these bother her, Janet is also intrigue by her predecessor, Dr John Helkin and the number of the inmates who had committed suicide within a short timeframe during his tenure. There isn't much information about Dr Helkin and the deceased inmates either so this left Janet very perplexed and curious. There are speculations that they must've taken drugs or legal highs which pushed them off the limits but the tests came out clear. And most disturbing of all is, there are talks about an eyeless woman who stalks the prison, driving the inmates to suicide. Janet is adamant in finding answers, no matter if they are supernatural or not and the more she digs into it, she soon finds out that there is more than meets the eye (pun intended). 

The Binding Song combines the elements of horror and suspense with a creepy, atmospheric setting, thus making this a very addictive read. The characterisations and the directions of the plot were great; and most of the time the story left me in doubts because I didn't know what to expect - a ghost story or unreliable characters? Janet was an interesting character and was troubled by the death of her twin sister years ago, as the reader will find out through snippets of their interactions in between chapters. Janet's friendship with the prison chaplain was the only happier moments among the dark and dreadful events happened at Halvergate. There was also mention of hypnotherapy and shared psychosis related to Janet's findings which I found both fascinating and scary at the same time, especially the latter meant as a form of malice and manipulation. Overall it was a good read and I'd recommend it if you don't mind bits of horror and some Greek mythology of demons and the likes. 

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