Over the Lights and Over the Houses by Tom Halford
A Review by Micaela Carcamo
Over the Lights and Over the Houses by Tom Halford is the forthcoming novel published by Porcupine’s Quill in September 2026. We follow Nicky’s story in reuniting with his sister and facing their ghosts from the past, present, and future. The siblings have to face the consequences of unresolved pain as they learn to connect again with one another. Nicky shares his story with us as we follow along a surreal yet thrilling journey into escaping unhealed wounds, in the midst of Christmas lights and eggnog. This novel, roughly inspired by The Anomalous Flying Man Event: An Oral History by Renny Kearney, blends unsettling feelings and dark pasts with humor and irony throughout the pages. Will they finally let go of their past angers and ghosts to be free?
“This is Nick. Coming to Toronto. Leaving now.” I hang up. Toss the bag in the back of the truck. Then I honk the horn twice as we leave. Touton is looking at me through the dim light. He’s chewing on a chicken ball, and he must be thinking that we’ve lost our minds.” (Halford)
Through remarkable storytelling and fast-paced narration, we get to experience Christmas magic and heartfelt moments with the characters. We learn about who they are and what has got them to where they stand today. Each character fills a role for our narrator as he goes back to a place of truth and release. With mentors, friends, past lovers, enemies, and more, we immerse into Nicky’s wild ride of a day-to-day life. Each character is there for a reason that will be revealed and help put all the puzzle pieces of Nicky’s story together.
Renny, Nicky’s sister, has her own story. As she reunites with her brother and is forced to deal with their pasts, she starts to become a new and improved person. Through Nicky’s eyes, everything is possible, and in absurd ways it can all feel like a laugh. Communicating is not their strong suit, but they find their own ways to share and support each other even with Nicky’s weird quirks and sometimes blunt humor.
The writing within the story is such a simple, well-thought-through craft. With humour and darkness hovering through it all, it never failed to shock me and made me laugh out loud. Chapters that flew by, wanting to know more, fully absorbed by the story, every word choice and joke within made me appreciate the beauty of storytelling that truly serves the story and its plot.
As the story goes on, through deceiving moments, unreal truths, and heartbreaking ones, we come to love and cherish these characters just like Nicky does. In unexpected ways, we find ourselves lost in the story without a clue of what will come next. One thing is for sure: Nicky will manage to work his way around anything, even if we can’t clearly see the truth. Not until he is ready to share it with us anyway.
“You never worry about remembering stuff when you’re happy, and you haven’t ever known anything else but happiness.” (Halford)
I invite you to join Nicky’s journey in the midst of Christmas magic and his funky ways through life. In his mistakes, joys, and thrilling adventures, you too will come to love his story as much as I did.
About the Author
Tom Halford lives in Corner Brook, Newfoundland, with his wife and children. He works as a scholar and teacher at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, and is actively involved in coaching youth soccer in his community.
About the Reviewer
Micaela Carcamo is a writer and editor in her 4th year at Sheridan College for Creative Writing and Publishing. She is currently an Intern at River Street Writing. In the past, she was the Prose Editor for B222 Journal and has previously worked as an editorial intern for Grafos y Maquinaciones S.A.C. in Peru, where she was born and raised. You can find her at @readbymicaela.
Book Details
Publisher : The Porcupine’s Quill
Publication date : Sept. 1 2026
Language : English
ISBN-10 : 1774222094
ISBN-13 : 978-1774222096