Wretched by M.L. Rayner

Wretched by M.L. Rayner
The Lost Souls series – book 2
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 18-24 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 gripping story to read and review.

As always, this review reflects my honest thoughts.

About the book

In the wake of abandoning his land during the Highland Famine, Peter Daily struggles to accept the hauntings that have plagued his past. Attempting to flee his torments, he travels far to his childhood refuge on the Scottish Isle of Lismore, a small island cut off by high cliffs and churning waters. But escaping one’s past is never as simple as it first seems.

When the darkness descends, Daily is tormented by the memories he longs to suppress, forcing him to relive the horrors suffered by those he has cruelly wronged.

In current times, Leslie Wills seeks to uncover the truth. Driven by his connection, he delves into the past, determined to expose the shadows that cling to him.

One thing is certain. No matter where you try to hide, fear will always find you.

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

Wretched by M.L. Rayner, the second book in the Lost Soul series, is every bit as haunting and immersive as Echoes of Home — and perhaps even darker. Once again, I stepped outside of my usual comfort zone, but this series has quickly shown me why it’s worth taking that leap. Rayner has a gift for blending history, folklore, and human frailty into a story that lingers.

This time, we move between two timelines: the past, where Peter Daily abandons his land during the Highland Famine, fleeing to the Isle of Lismore only to find himself tormented by guilt and memories that refuse to fade; and the present, where Leslie Wills continues his search for truth, determined to uncover the shadows that cling to him. Both threads are woven together with such precision that each revelation tightens the suspense and deepens the sense of unease.

The Isle of Lismore is described with incredible detail — isolated, battered by the sea, and cut off by high cliffs and dangerous waters. I could feel the weight of the island’s solitude, and that sense of being trapped made Peter’s torment all the more chilling. It’s the perfect stage for a story that asks whether we can ever truly escape our past.

What I found especially powerful here was how the haunting doesn’t just come from supernatural presences, but from guilt, memory, and the consequences of cruelty. The horror feels rooted in human weakness, which makes it all the more believable. The darkness that follows Peter, and the truths Leslie is determined to uncover, both pulled me in completely.

Wretched is beautifully written, atmospheric, and deeply unsettling. It left me feeling breathless at times, the tension creeping in with every turn of the page. As a continuation of the Lost Soul series, it’s an exceptional follow-up — richer, more chilling, and impossible to put down.

Haunting, powerful, and unforgettable — Wretched proves that fear, no matter how far you run, will always find you.

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.

#MLRayner #Wretched #TheLostSoulsSeries #CranePublishing #ZooloosBookTours
#bookreview #booktour

MoMoBookDiary