Book Review: 2:22: A Ghost Story by Danny Robins

By georgelthomas on 14 Mar 2025 • ( 3 )

Hi everyone! I hope you’re all well. Today is Friday, and it’s time for another review. Today, I’m reviewing the play 2:22: A Ghost Story by Danny Robins.

2:22: A Ghost Story was published in 2021 by Nick Hern Books and is 96 pages long.

The Plot
Set in a newly renovated house, the story centres around Jenny, who becomes convinced she and her husband live in a haunted house after hearing strange noises at 2:22 a.m. every night. Her husband, Sam, a staunch rationalist, dismisses her concerns as mere imagination.

The couple invites their friends, Lauren and Ben, over for dinner, and as the night progresses, they engage in a heated debate about the existence of the supernatural.

Characters
Jenny
Jenny is the emotional heart of the play. She is a deeply sympathetic character who, along with her husband, Sam, moves into a new house. Jenny believes a spirit who seems interested in their baby is haunting them. Her conviction about the haunting and her desperation for each of the others to trust what she’s saying make her relatable, even as her fear begins to spiral.

Sam
Sam, Jenny’s husband, is the sceptic of the group. His unyielding rationalism often comes across as dismissive and condescending. However, his perspective balances the narrative and raises valid questions about the nature of belief and perception.

Lauren
Lauren is a free-spirited, open-minded friend and old flame of Sam’s, who adds a refreshing perspective to the group dynamic. Her willingness to entertain Jenny’s fears contrasts sharply with Sam’s dismissiveness, adding a bit of tension to the story.

Ben
Ben, Lauren’s date, is disliked by Sam, possibly because Sam still holds some feelings for Lauren from their past relationship, which causes a bit of bickering. Ben is a believer in the paranormal and has experience in communicating with the dead, which also causes tension with Sam because Sam is of the opinion his wife is imagining the haunting.

Writing Style
Danny Robins’ writing is taut and purposeful, with every line of dialogue used only to advance the plot or the character dynamics. The language is naturalistic yet layered with subtext, allowing for little moments of humour, vulnerability, and existential dread. Robins’ knack for creating a sense of unease is particularly effective; he uses everyday settings and relatable experiences to ground the supernatural elements, making the episodes of spookiness more unsettling.

The pacing of the play is wonderfully done. The play, structured as a single evening set in one location, begins with a slow burn, allowing the characters’ dynamics and debates to take centre stage. As the clock ticks closer to 2:22, the tension becomes almost unbearable, culminating in a shocking and unforgettable climax.

All that being said, I did have one nitpicky criticism: about halfway through, I figured out the ending. The storyline is set up so that you’re not supposed to pick up on what’s happening until the end — but what are you gonna do?

Final Thoughts
2:22 – A Ghost Story is a thrilling, thought-provoking play that brilliantly balances paranormal intrigue with profound character drama. Danny Robins’ clever writing and pacing make it a standout piece.

Whether you’re a fan of ghost stories or merely enjoy a gripping psychological exploration, 2:22 will leave you on the edge of your seat.

I am giving 2:22 A Ghost Story a 7/10.

Have you read 2:22: A Ghost Story or seen it performed? What did you think?

Thank you, as ever, for stopping by to read my review. It means a lot.

Until next time,

George