David Sodergren’s The Haar is an atmospheric plunge into the eerie depths of Scottish folklore, layered with dread, defiance, and a surprisingly tender core. Set in the small fishing village of Witchaven, the story weaves a tapestry of horror and heartbreak, where the line between monstrosity and humanity blurs under the weight of the mist.
Muriel McAuley, an eighty-something widow, has lived in Witchaven all her life. Her quiet existence is disrupted when an American billionaire, Patrick Grant, swoops in with plans to demolish the village and build a golf resort. What follows is a battle between greed and grit, the living and the uncanny. And then comes the Haar a thick, creeping fog that rolls inland, bringing with it something ancient, something beyond reason.
Muriel’s fight to protect her home and dignity makes her one of the most memorable protagonists in recent horror fiction. She’s not just a frail old woman but a fiery, witty, and deeply human force of nature. When she discovers a mysterious dying creature on the shore, compassion overrides fear, and their unlikely bond becomes the story’s beating heart. It’s through this strange friendship that The Haar transcends simple horror and becomes something tragic and almost romantic in its melancholy beauty.
Sodergren crafts the atmosphere masterfully. You can practically taste the salt in the air, feel the damp chill of the fog clinging to your skin. The pacing is relentless yet intimate, grounding even the most grotesque scenes in genuine emotion. For readers who love folk horror tinged with humanity think The Wicker Man meets The Shape of Water this book delivers in spades.
While some readers may find parts of the story exaggerated or politically charged, there’s no denying the author’s ability to tap into primal fears and moral decay. Beneath the gore and madness lies a tale about belonging, love, and what it means to stand your ground when everything you cherish is threatened.
The Haar is romantic, deranged, and utterly engrossing. It’s a blood-soaked fairy tale that asks what we truly fear the monster in the mist, or the monsters wearing human faces.
⭐ Rating: 4.5/5
If you enjoy haunting, character-driven horror with an emotional bite, The Haar deserves a spot on your shelf.
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