The Tan Yards

Set against the backdrop of 1980s Dublin, The Tan Yards by Robert E. Kearns weaves a haunting narrative of tradition, tension, and retribution.

In a forgotten tract of land known as the Tan Yards, (a relic of a former village's extinct tanning trade), local youths gather each October to build a Halloween bonfire; a ritual that binds their community in primal celebration.

Amidst the flickering flames and fleeting alliances, the story unveils the dark legacy of the Prizeman family, whose brutish presence looms large over the neighborhood. When Victor Prizeman, a volatile and feared outsider, stakes his claim to light the sacred fire, a quiet rebellion brews.

Lending vivid nostalgia with a chilling undercurrent, the story spirals into a gripping confrontation, revealing a terrible secret buried in the embers of the past—one that echoes a century-old mystery hidden beneath the Tan Yards’ soil.

A masterful blend of coming-of-age drama and subtle horror, this gripping tale will linger long after the fire dies out.

Now with a Five Star review from Readers' Favorite: Kearns's writing flows beautifully, with vivid imagery that truly brings the haunting landscape to life. It encourages me to think about the effects of history and the darker sides of tradition.