Book Review: The Legend of Henry Petch: The Dark Side of Folklore by Sharon Bradshaw

The Legend of Henry Petch:

The Dark Side of Folklore
 By Sharon Bradshaw

Publication Date: 9th March 2025

Publisher: Independently Published

Page Length: 111 Pages

Genre: Folklore / Paranormal

A creepy tale of werewolves, the paranormal, and an obsessive love that endured across the centuries.

Ben is more interested in getting his hands on Elias Hepworth's fortune, along with the benefits of being a hippy in 1970, than heeding the warning left behind by legend and folklore. As he indulges in free love, and takes psychedelic drugs.

He doesn't believe in ghosts, and can't decide whether Henry Petch had the power to turn himself into a werewolf during the eighteen hundreds or was suffering from lycanthropy.

Nevertheless, when the Wolf moon appears in the sky above the Yorkshire dales, everyone else in the village of Leatham continues to follow the tradition of lighting a candle. So that Old Henry will go on his way, without harming them.

The Legend Of Henry Petch is Book 1 in The Dark Side Of Folklore series. It can also be read as a standalone novella.

The history of folklore is often found deeply-rooted in communities and small villages, with traditions that have been passed along the generations until no one is entirely sure how they started, just that they are to be followed. For Ben, lighting a candle in the window to ensure that Henry Petch passes by the house and doesn’t try to enter seems ridiculous. However, for his grandfather, Elias, it is a sacred duty that must be carried out without exception.

The house that Elias bought, but doesn’t live in, holds many family secrets, and there are many reasons why he does not want to venture near the house anymore. But Ben doesn’t believe in the ghost stories. He is not staying with his grandfather to learn about the legends surrounding the house, but rather to try to get his hands on some money, or wrangle his way into his grandfather’s will. He sees no reason to take any heed of what his grandfather says about Henry Petch, and the legend of his and his wife’s suffering. 

Prepare yourself for a chilling journey into the unknown with “The Legend of Henry Petch: The Dark Side of Folklore” by Sharon Bradshaw. This gripping tale of lycanthropy and malevolent spirits will not only send shivers down your spine, but will also captivate your imagination and hold you spellbound from start to finish.

There is certainly strife between Ben and his family. In the rise of the ‘flower power’ age, Ben has taken a less than conventional route with his life. He is unemployed and lives in a commune, squatting in a house with a group of people, often smoking whatever he can ‘borrow’ from those around him. His life is unstable, and his lack of responsibility, along with his tendency to take rather than work for what he wants, has earned him nothing but disrespect from his family. Ben didn’t want to take the trip to see his grandfather in the first place, let alone have his brother leave him there, with no way to return to the commune except by hitchhiking. Ben is certainly a flawed protagonist. He may be the leading voice in this novel, but he is certainly not an instantly likeable character. He is often rude and treats Elias with a complete lack of respect or appreciation. Despite the things he is told, he remains oblivious to the danger he may be in, choosing to ignore the warnings he is given. His standoffish demeanour makes it difficult for readers to sympathise with him, and it draws comparisons between him and the stories told about Henry in the past.

The contrast between Elias and Ben is striking. They come from different generations, but their upbringings are so different, they find it hard to talk to one another. Elias’s mind is beginning to fail him, but he holds on to vivid memories of being a soldier in the Second World War, as well as the routine and discipline that were expected of him. This makes it difficult for him to relate to Ben, who has had an easy life and tends to take it for granted. In comparison to Ben, Elias is a character you cannot help but love. Although he may be stuck in his ways, his kindness shines through, especially when contrasted with Ben’s rudeness. Elias often gives in to Ben’s demands, which highlights his gentle nature. The internal monologues of both characters provide insights into their thought processes, further emphasising their vastly different ways of thinking.

No one in the novel seems entirely sure of the truth behind Henry Petch’s story. Elias knows some of the story, but he cannot be sure of the consequences in the present for the actions of the past. He is genuinely concerned that the past may come back to haunt both himself and Ben. The chilling stories he shares with Ben in an effort to convey the seriousness of his worries are deeply unsettling.

While modern media often portrays werewolves and lycanthropy as a fairly light-hearted topic, Ms. Bradshaw offers a darker interpretation of this folklore. The people who believed they could transform into animals, or those who lost their minds to the concept, were incredibly dangerous, putting everyone around them at risk. Yet, how could one abandon a member of their family in their time of need? The tales of both Henry Petch and his wife, Anne, are not only terrifying but also heart-breaking. They illustrate the potential destruction caused by those suffering from lycanthropy, along with the unwavering belief that the person you once loved still resides within. This blend of fear and hope creates an unsettling feeling for the reader, leaving them uncertain about which characters might bring safety and which might pose a threat.

The setting of this novel is truly impeccable. The mix of the cold winter, in a quiet and close-knit community, forces the reader to feel the same distant welcome that Ben receives. This village appears abandoned by the outside world, enveloped in folklore about mysterious creatures that still roam the dales at night. This atmosphere evokes a profound sense of isolation and vulnerability. Prey is often weakest when alone, and the dark, cold environment creates an eerie feeling that not everything is right, keeping the reader on edge throughout the story.

This is not an overly long novel, but in no way does the story feel rushed. In such a short space of time, the reader develops strong feelings towards various characters and is subtly led into a feeling of unease. Even as the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and a shiver runs down your spine, you can’t stop reading, it is as if you are entranced by the words on the page in front of you. This is not a novel meant to be read over a long period of time, but one to be ravaged, consumed in its entirety, devoured in one sitting. The reader must do this before the spell wears off and they can finally step away from the story.

“The Legend of Henry Petch (The Dark Side of Folklore)” by Sharon Bradshaw is an unforgettable novel that brilliantly brings the supernatural to life. The author’s exceptional world-building ensures a gripping experience, while the palpable sense of foreboding keeps the reader on edge. This story will linger in your mind long after you’ve turned the last page.

Review by Ellie Yarde
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Sharon Bradshaw

Sharon Bradshaw is a Historical Fiction Author, Storyteller, and Poet. She lives in the United Kingdom with her family, and a large collection of books. 

Tradition and folklore have their roots in the tales told around the fire, thousands of years ago. Or beneath the stars on warm, summer nights. Tales which have been adapted across the years in their telling, and re-telling. Until possibly all that remains is a grain of truth from the original version. Often these were about real people like King Arthur, and the lives they led; their battles, and warriors; the women or men they loved, and the children. 

Sharon writes the 8th century Durstan series, which begins on Iona in 794 AD. You will find a brief History of the early medieval period in the prequel, A Druid's Magic. Written from the research she did into the time we used to call the Dark Ages. Followed by The Monk Who Cast A Spell, and Passion And The Monk which takes place on Lindisfarne. Durstan Of Iona, book 4, will be coming soon. 

Her first collection of faery stories, again based on folklore and tradition, has been published in The Woodcutter And The Faery Queen. She is also passionate about writing ghost stories. Those which are eerie, and make you want to check that you really are alone when it's almost dark. Eleven of which are in The Bookseller's Ghost, followed by Old Meg And The Fox, with others coming soon in 2024. Whilst you'll find her first collection of love poetry in: From Now 'til Then.

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