“In any case, baby evil is more beautiful than grown-up good.”

This book is just plain crazy. An inspector goes to a remote village to investigate strange goings on. Is it witchcraft of some sort of supernatural chicanery? Is it a cult? And is it wise to investigate any of these things so close to the Midsummer celebrations? Hmmm...

Creepy kids, creepy church leader, and, well, creepy everyone! Lots of sexual overtones too! The reason I didn't rate this higher is that the author gets very carried away with the language of the book - much too over-the-top and flowery! The material is crazy enough, the words didn't need to be so overwhelming! I did like the twist at the end though. Good one! ( )

A Pagan-Christianity Crime-Mystery that was the basis for the 1973 movie "The Wicker Man". All the elements that were in the movie are in the book, but nothing like the movie. There is the barkeep's temptress daughter, there is a weird thing with rabbits, there are sex orgies, there are pagan rites, but in the book they are used to almost comic elements in shaking up the Inspector who comes to the village (not on an island) because of a murder. The opening sentence of the book is fabulous, but sets the tone for more how the movie turned out rather than this fairly straightforward British crime mystery. Those seeking to read the "book version" of the famed cult movie will either not finish the book or be disappointed. However, if you take it for what it is, a late 60s mystery that can be humorous and strange, you may rather enjoy it. While the original press is hard to find, and expensive, record label Finders Keepers reprinted a version exactly like the original with its beautiful cover art. Written by actor/playwright David Pinner. ( )