Echoes of Home by M.L. Rayner

Echoes of Home by M.L. Rayner
The Lost Souls series – book 1
Published by Crane Publishing

📝 Review Note:
This review is provided as part of the Virtual Book Tour hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours, taking place 15-17 September. Please follow along with the Book Tour Schedule.

Thank you to M.L. Rayner, Crane Publishing and Zooloo’s Book Tours for including me on this book tour and for providing a copy of the digital edition of this ghost story to read and review.

As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.

About the book

After accepting a generous opportunity to start afresh, Leslie Wills, a young man from Stoke-on-Trent, eagerly begins his long-distance journey to the Scottish Highlands of Elphin, a settled village that sits huddled amongst the dominating mountains.

Its people are welcoming, and the beauty of the land is great. But deep within its Highland paths, a location rests hidden from the public’s eye.

A location which entices you to learn the truth of its troubled past. But once you bear witness to its sights and sounds, its presences will never allow you to forget.

Uncover the truth, journeying back to a forgotten time. With a plot full of secrets and suspicion that will leave you longing for answers.

Who is ML Rayner?

Born and bred in the county of Staffordshire. Matt is a keen reader of classical, horror and fantasy literature and enjoys writing in the style of traditional ghost stories.

During his working life, Matt joined the ambulance service in 2009, transporting critically ill patients all over the UK.

After writing his first novel, Matt now dedicates his time on future releases. His hobbies include genealogy and hiking, and he enjoys spending time with his wife, Emma, his children, and his family.

You can find out more and follow on social media:
Facebook @MLRayner, Instagram @m.l.rayner.author and also on
X (formerly Twitter)@M_L_Rayner

My Review

Echoes of Home by M.L. Rayner is the first book in the Lost Soul series, and it’s one of those stories that sneaks up on you in the very best way. I’ll be honest (as always) — this isn’t the type of book I would normally reach for. It sat firmly outside my comfort zone, but something about the cover image tugged at me. I couldn’t ignore the pull, and I’m so grateful I didn’t, because what I discovered inside was haunting, atmospheric, and completely unforgettable.

The village of Elphin captured me from the start. Rayner’s descriptive writing is so vivid and layered that I could see the mountains looming over the landscape, feel the hush of the mist, and sense the weight of memories carried in the land itself. The Highlands are shown in all their beauty, but also with a quiet unease — the perfect backdrop for a story that blends community, hope, and the chilling presence of secrets that refuse to stay hidden.

What I loved most was the slow build of tension. It begins gently — a new beginning, kind neighbours, the warmth of belonging — and then, piece by piece, that warmth gives way to something far more unsettling. The whispers of the past grow louder, shadows deepen, and you realise this is a place where history never rests. Rayner balances folklore, supernatural touches, and human fear so well that I found myself holding my breath, completely caught up in the unfolding mystery.

This book left me with that rare lingering sensation — the kind that makes you glance over your shoulder after finishing, still half-lost in its world. It’s beautifully written, rich in atmosphere, and every secret revealed drew me further under its spell.

For a story I might have passed over if I’d stuck to my usual comfort reads, Echoes of Home turned out to be a real gem. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to read and review it, and I know it’s a book that will stay with me for a long time. Haunting, lyrical, and utterly captivating — I can’t recommend it highly enough.

See About My Reviews and Review FAQ for full star rating explanations and review guidelines.

This review may also appear on my social media channels and selected book platforms. All links were correct at the time of publication.

DISCLOSURE: I received an advance or review copy of this book. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.
DISCLOSURE: I received a review copy of this book via NetGalley/Zooloo’s Book Tours. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.
DISCLOSURE: I purchased this book myself. As always, my thoughts are honest and my own.

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