It’s that time of year for the R.I.P. Challenge (1 September to 31 October), hosted by Estella’s Revenge, the aim being to read books in the categories of Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Dark Fantasy, Gothic, Horror, and Supernatural.

I wasn’t going to join in this year as I’ve been cutting back on the number of challenges. But the emphasis in R.I.P. is not on the word ‘challenge’, instead it is about coming together as a community and embracing the autumnal mood. I’ve also realised that the book I’m currently reading is one that easily fits into more than one of those categories. It’s The Taxidermist’s Daughter.

It’s set in 1912 in the Sussex salt marshes and is full of mystery, suspense with Gothic overtones and a menacing atmosphere.

Dead for all these long and many years. The smell of sulphur and the grave. The smell of rotting and unpreserved flesh. The darkening glass. They sullied the beauty of the place. Destroyed all that was wonderful and made it dark. (page 63)

Old sins have long shadows.

In the next few weeks I’ll probably read a few more books that fit into the categories. Looking at some of my TBRs I have Extraordinary People by Peter May (another book I’ve just started to read), The Blood Doctor by Barbara Vine, and The Tree of Hands by Ruth Rendell, to name but three.

So, I’ve decided that I shall join in, and for the time being I’ll be participating at the level of Peril the Third, which involves reading at least one book from the above categories. If I read more than I’ll move on to Peril the First, which involves reading at least four books from the above categories.