This US set horror-thriller takes place in Nowhere, a verdant valley that is fairly inaccessible to most unless they know the lie of the land. Years ago, a famous movie star, Leaf Winham, lived in the valley – in Nowhere House – which he had built as a refuge to hide himself away from his fans. One day however, the house goes up in flames which brings people to the area and dark secrets are uncovered. In the present, Nowhere is rumoured to be a refuge for runaway children – a place where adults are shunned... This fable-like tale has something of Peter Pan about it (there’s even a crocodile roaming about the place), but despite all the heat it tries to generate, it left me cold. I think the author was aiming for a Stephen King-like vibe, but King’s novels always feel rooted in the real world – despite the fantastical elements. ‘Nowhere Burning’ tips far too much into “dark fairytale” territory for my liking. RM

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