Good Spirits by B K Borison

Good Spirits by B.K. Borison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 384

Publisher - HQ

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

He’s the Ghost of Christmas Past. She’s not exactly Scrooge.

Ghost of Christmas Past Nolan Callahan intends to spend this holiday haunting like every other—get in, get out, return to his otherwise aimless existence as a ghost awaiting the afterlife. But when he’s faced with Harriet York, the sweetest assignment he’s ever had, he suddenly finds himself wishing for a future.

Harriet York has no idea why she’s being haunted. She’s a good person—or, at least, she tries to be. A people pleaser to her core, she always does what’s expected of her. But as she and Nolan begin to examine her past, they discover there are threads that bind them together— and realize there might be more to moving on than expected.

With the deadline of Christmas Eve fast approaching, will they find the key to their futures in each other’s pasts? Or will they stay firmly in the present, indulging in their unexpected, spirited connection?

Filled with magic, mayhem, and cozy holiday charm


My Review

Duo character point of view, meet Harriet, people pleaser living a very quiet life and always doing what it takes to keep the peace even if it means she misses out. The last person you would expect to be getting a visit from the ghost of Christmas past, enter Nolan. Nolan also isn't what you would expect for a ghost from the Christmas past. Easy on the eye, bit grumpy, it is his job to take Harriet back to her past and get her to the stage she needs for the next ghost. And scene!

So this is a very different take on a Christmas carol, how do you even get a job as a ghost (with head offices and everything) let alone as the festive spook! As the two spend time together, navigating Harriet's memories, trying to figure out why she has been selected and what these memories mean they find themselves drawn to each. Feelings growing, times getting closer to Nolan having to get the goal of his haunting of Harriet and Harriet trying to understand and navigate Nolan, her memories, why her and her life/choices.

This is a cutesy festive read, I liked Harriet, she is a total people pleaser bless her and as we explore her life and past we understand how she is the way she is. She loves Christmas, candy canes, old beautiful things (she works in an antique shop) and the absolute opposite of who you would expect the ghost of Christmas past targeting.

I liked the way she reacted to him, I absolutely could see that being me, how do I know you are real you could be some mad burglar, she cracks me up. Nolan is a bit of a mystery I think we all enjoyed unravelling and finding more about him. As well as the wee work visits like an actual job as a ghost/Christmas past, love it and woulda liked to see more snippets from there.

Lil bit of romance, pinch of spice, lots of festiveness - first time reading this author and I would absolutely read her again. I did this as a buddy read with Niamh (tiktok) and would absolutely do another buddy read for sure. 4/5 for me this time, if you just want a read that has a wee bit of everything and Christmas centred and ghosty, this one is for you!

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The Ripper of Whitechapel by Yvette Fielding

The Ripper of Whitechapel by Yvette Fielding
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3 days

Pages - 256

Publisher -

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

When the ghosts of two young children start to haunt a local school, trainee ghost hunters Eve, Clovis and Tom are invited to help investigate the case. But before long they realise there is more to this haunting than they first realised. Could it be that the ghost children are victims of Jack the Ripper? And is the evil Ripper of Whitechapel about to unleash a new campaign of terror from beyond the grave?


My Review

A thin book and my first by this author however I believe it is part of a series, yes it is book two of a series. I don't think I missed out having not read book one as it does bring you up to speed with the characters and a wee bit of back story. Basically two children's ghosts are at the local school, trio Eve, Clovis and Tom are in training, ghost hunting with Eve's uncle who is a pro at it. They not only find the children but something far more darker and terrible, dun dun dun, the ghost of Jak the Ripper who Rufus (Eve's uncle) has encountered before.

Rufus is connected to an organisation that deals with the supernatural and a different plane of reality which I loved. It kind of reminded me of the people in the Mayfair witches who kept a history of the witches and ghosts. The two worlds and how easy it is for things to cross over, the different types of ghosts and of course Jack the Ripper is always going to be a big pull. He has always had mystery, horror and fear surrounding him and now he is a ghost with the ability to hurt humans, freaky for sure.

The only think I would say, the characters are young, it is a young adult book but some of their behaviours are really quite young, the parental/family issues especially for one of the characters. Then they are quite mature in other aspects but then very young in others. Give me anything with ghosts and I will be delighted, add a baddy like Jack in, sold. It jumped around a little but I did love any of the ghost stuff so for me it is a 3/5. This is my first time reading this author, I would absolutely read her other books!

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The Spirit Engineer by A J West

The Spirit Engineer by A.J. West
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 4 days

Pages - 299

Publisher - Duckworth

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Belfast, 1914. Two years after the sinking of the Titanic, high society has become obsessed with spiritualism in the form of seances that attempt to contact the spirits of loved ones lost at sea.

William is a man of science and a sceptic, but one night with everyone sat around the circle something happens that places doubt in his heart and a seed of obsession in his mind. Could the spirits truly be communicating with him or is this one of Kathleen’s parlour tricks gone too far?

This early 20th century gothic set in Northern Ireland contains all the mystery and intrigue one might expect from a Sarah Waters novel. Deftly plotted with echoes of The Woman in Black, readers will be thrilled to discover West’s chilling prose.

Based on the true story of William Jackson Crawford and famed medium Kathleen Goligher, and with a cast of characters that include Arthur Conan Doyle and Harry Houdini, The Spirit Engineer conjures a haunting tale that will keep readers guessing until the very end.



My Review

William Jackson Crawford, married to Elizabeth and father to three children. Elizabeth still grieves her brother who died on the Titanic and is very spiritual. William is a scientist, one thing leads to another and William gets exposed to the medium Kathleen Golighter. In a twist of events William becomes The Spirit Engineer trying to debunk the seances and spiritual happenings. Everything is seemingly going well, fame, fortune and paid to debunk William finds himself going from scathing sceptic to questioning is the phenomenon real?

Well, I can't say there is many likeable characters, William is actually someone who many a time I wanted to slap and would use the phrase insufferable. The book has death and even a wee shock or two along the way, well I was shocked.

I don't know anything about the real life people featured in the book so I don't know how accurate events/characters are in the book nor their likeness. Was I interested? yes absolutely but I really struggled to like the characters.

The book opens with a dark scene and then takes us back, I completely forgot about that and did immerse in the book, not knowing where it would go. Short chapters and I did enjoy the seances and ghost/haunty parts but I can't say I loved the book, 3/5. It was my first time reading this author, would I read them again, yeah sure.

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The Amityville Horror 2 by John G Jones

The Amityville Horror II by John G. Jones
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Warner

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

George and Kathy Lutz flee their demon-plagued home only to face renewed terrors


My Review

If you have read or seen the movies you know what the story is about, this book picks up where the first book leaves off. Kathy, George and the kids flee Amityville house leaving all their possessions/belongings and pretty much everything they own in attempts to flee the evil entity. Sadly they soon find that no matter where they go evil is following them.

The only thing I would say I found different from the movies etc well from what I remember the book goes into them doing the book and the promotion for it. How things go, how they are received by the general public, interviewing hosts and what is happening to the rest of their family whilst they travel.

Perfect book for candles, dark night, blanket & a quiet freaky night in. I think most people have an interest in this story and if you enjoy freaky/supernatural tales then whether you believe this to be a true story or not you will enjoy it. 4/5 from us for this one.

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The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 5 days

Pages - 315

Publisher - Bantam Books

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Time taken to read - 4 days

Pages - 385

Publisher -

Source - I think this was a competition win

Blurb from Goodreads

28 Days of Terror in a House Possessed by Evil Spirits

In December 1975, the Lutz family moved into their dream home, the same home where Ronald DeFeo had murdered his parents, brothers and sisters just one year earlier.

The psychic phenomena that followed created the most terrifying experience the Lutz family had ever encountered, forcing them to flee the house in 28 days, convinced that it was possessed by evil spirits.

Their fantastic story, never before disclosed in full detail, makes for an unforgettable book with all the shocks and gripping suspense of The Exorcist, The Omen or Rosemary's Baby, but with one vital difference...the story is true.


My Review


I don't think there is anyone from my generation who doesn't know about this famous house/story. The house was a scene of horror anyway after a whole family minus the eldest son was murdered in their home, mum, dad and kids, Ronald Defoe junior was the oldest son and only survivor later convicted of the murders. The house was then bought at a steal price by the Lutz family who only lasted 28 days before fleeing in fear leaving all their belongings.

Amityville is thought to be one of the most haunted houses. Anson met with the Lutz and wrote this story based on their experiences. For me the fact it was a murder site of a whole family, how the Lutz report it affected them and what they experience makes it a bit more freaky.

The book also goes over the experiences from the priest from when he went into the house, how he was affected afterward and even when calling/reaching out to the Lutz by telephone. I think when religion is brought into it and affected as these individuals were it gives me the heebies.

The story is reported as true and there have been a few written about it and interviews with the Lutz, it is reported when asked Anson would never answer whether he believed it or not. The story also went on to have a few movies, also creepy (I haven't seen them all). Absolutely creepy whether you believe or not it is worth a read 4/5.

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The Shining by Stephen King

The Shining by Stephen King
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over a few months

Pages - 659

Publisher - Hodder & Stoughton

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

Jack Torrance's new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he'll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote...and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.



My Review

This is a re read, I haven't read it since I was a kid. I love the movie (Kubrick version only recently seen the other one) and as I was back home I wanted to read it again. There is so much I forgot about the book like actually don't even remember reading but it has been a long time.

You get a bit of history on the Overlook, I really wish we would get a more indepth backstory though as the darkness is so fascinating especially the hold it can have over people. So for anyone not familiar with it Jack Torrance, his wife Wendy and little boy head to the Overlook hotel for Jack's new job, caretaker over the winter, isolated just the three of them. Jack is a recovering alcoholic, when in the grip of booze he lost a lot and has been making it up to Wendy and Danny since. The Overlook is more than just a hotel it is home to a darkness that can influence the people who spend time there and when the people are special, like little Danny the hotel and its spirits want him.

The book features dark themes, King's books always do, not just the supernatural but the evil and darkness within humans. We also have the good too, lengths some people will go to to protect others. We learn about the Shining and how extraordinary little Danny is and the more time he and his family are in the hotel the more creepy things happen.

The thing with King is he creates creepy, atmospheric books that creeps you out, baddies that are terrifying because they aren't always of our world but some are and equally as scary. The Shining is a classic, I loved it when I was younger and I think it still holds up all these years later, 5/5 for me. If you really want to creep yourself out, read it when staying in a hotel, every time I visit one, the corridors, no matter how it is decorated I always envision The Overlook.

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A Toast to the Old Stones: A Tale from Kinloch by Denzil Meyrick

A Toast to the Old Stones: A Tale from Kinloch by Denzil Meyrick
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out as able over 4 days

Pages - 160

Publisher - Polygon

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads

It's 1968, and the fishermen of Kinloch are preparing to celebrate the old New Year on the twelfth of January. The annual pilgrimage to the Auld Stones is a tradition that goes back beyond memory, and young Hamish, first mate on the Girl Maggie, is chuffed that he’s been invited to this exclusive gathering – usually reserved for the most senior members of Kinloch's fishing community.

Meanwhile, it appears that the new owners of the Firdale Hotel are intent upon turning their customers teetotal, such is the exorbitant price they are charging for whisky. Wily skipper Sandy Hoynes comes up with a plan to deliver the spirit to the thirsty villagers at a price they can afford through his connections with a local still-man.

But when the Revenue are tipped off, it looks as though Hoynes and Hamish’s mercy mission might run aground. Can the power of the Auld Stones come to their rescue, and is the reappearance of a face from Hoynes' past a sign for good or ill?




My Review

It is the 1960's, location is Kinloch, Scotland, the fishermen are preparing to celebrate and keep old traditions. To be invited along with the fishermen on such a "quest" is an honour not bestowed to many. Add into that a wee sneaky additional "mission" getting some bootleg whiskey into the hands of the locals whilst trying to avoid the authorities!

I loved reading about young Hamish, after reading the Daley series and we get wee bits of Hamish I am always wanting more, his back story, he is an interesting character. We get a bit more of that in this book. A book that looks at traditions, the livelihood of the locals, the perils of the sea (and trying to get some booze sneaked across the waters). Old stories/ghosts/history of the people/traditions - Scottish dialect, it was just a nice break from reality across the waters and time.

I hadn't realised this was book two so have just bought and downloaded the first "A Large Measure of Snow". You can absolutely read this as a standalone as I have, I love Hamish and his "gift" so reading about him as a youngster, his mentor/people and why Kinloch is a special wee place. As we have come to expect and know from Meyrick we also have a few chuckles along the way and being a bit spooked, it was just a perfect blend I thought! Looking forward to reading book one and hopefully we may see a third? 4.5/5 for us this time.

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Faithless by Hunter Shea

Today is my turn on the blog tour for Faithless by author Hunter Shea, organised by Random Things Tours.

About the author

Hunter Shea is the product of a misspent childhood watching scary movies, reading forbidden books and wishing Bigfoot was real. He’s the author of over 17 books, including 'The Jersey Devil'and 'We Are Always Watching'. Hunter’s novels can even be found on display at the International Cryptozoology Museum.

Faithless is available to buy now, treebook or ebook - click HERE for Amazon UK. For my stop I have my review, enjoy.

Faithless by Hunter Shea
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 3.5 days

Pages - 256

Publisher - FlameTreePress

Source - ARC

Blurb from Goodreads


How do you survive hearing your family being brutally murdered over the phone? For Father Raul Figeuroa, all faith and hope are lost. Turning away from the priesthood behind, he retreats to his aunt's empty farmhouse in upstate New York, hoping to drink himself to oblivion. But he's not alone in the house. Something is trying to reach out to him. Or is he losing his grip on reality? When his childhood friend Felix comes to visit, things take a darker turn. The deeper they dig into the mystery, the closer they get to hell literally breaking loose.


My Review

Aw man poor Father Raul, horrendous drive home in the rain, car trouble, on the phone to his wife and kids when he hears them brutally attacked. Sprints for home, car abandoned, it is too late and life for Raul will never be the same. Lost faith, lost the will to live he heads to his aunt's farmhouse on a mission of self destruction. In a haze of booze, self pity and medication Raul starts to notice things happening in the house. He can't blame his new house crasher, a cat that seems to know the place well but he can't remember his aunt having one. Things start to go "bump in the night" which you could blame on the drink/drugs.......until he starts to hear his family. Why would they follow him to the farm and what do they want from him?

I feel so so sorry for Raul, hearing your family being killed on the phone and being able to do nothing about it. That would break anyone but a man of the cloth, ooft. The story starts with the murder then we have a descent into addiction/oblivion, loss of reality and then the presence of his loved ones. On one hand you would be happy to know they are there but also freaked out especially being Raul, a priest so devout then losing all faith. Poor guy is emotionally wrought, then torn over the thought he failed them, he is a bit of a wee scone.

The book builds up slowly, setting the scene, a wee character here and there and just when you think you have it worked out Shea yanks the rug. It is different and the pace changes, it has its spooky moments, tension, shady characters and no surprised but I LOVED the cat!

I am struggling to read just now, concentration is all over the place but short chapters and a story that took me out of my own woes and into Raul's horror, 4/5 for me this time.

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You are invited by Sarah A Denzil

You Are Invited by Sarah A. Denzil
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 257

Publisher -

Source - Netgalley and bought a hardback copy

Blurb from Goodreads

When Cath receives her invitation to The Event - a monetized retreat for social media influencers - she can't believe her luck. Irene Jobert is the most famous influencer in the world, and now Cath will be one of the five participants chosen to stay with Irene in a renovated Transylvanian monastery.

The catch? Their every move will be live-streamed to millions of people around the world. Patrons pay for constant access to their favourite social media stars: Irene, the model; Nathan, the gamer; Jules, the blogger; Daniel, the fitness guru; and Cath, the writer.

Nestled halfway up a mountain, the five are isolated, with nothing but the internet to connect them to the world. That is until eagle-eyed live-stream followers all around the globe notice a sixth participant. A dark figure lurking in the background.

They thought they were alone. Perhaps they were wrong.


My Review

An opportunity of a lifetime for author Cath when she is invited to a retreat to a renovated monastery in Transylvania. Along with other influencers with the ultimate influencer Irene Jobert and a few hand selected others. Cath is quiet in comparison, doesn't have as many followers and is a bit of an introvert. They get sponsored to perform tasks, they have camera's all around and ones on their person to upload anything good. Before long it appears they are not alone, the fans are watching everything and the pressure is mounting.

The group are being watched, trying to get used to each other, everything is exposed and then things turn a bit creepy and spooky. It is a bit of a social experiment type story in the middle of a secluded and spooky location. A back story of a massacre of nuns and query some malevolent spirit still resides there, help is miles away.

Spooky, creepy, bitchy, shocking - a wee blend of some of the best elements in a story. I wasn't sure where the whole thing was going to be honest and couldn't have guessed. It made for interesting reading and a page turner because I HAD TO KNOW! 4/5 for me this time, this was my first time reading this author, it won't be my last.

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The Burning Girls by C J Tudor Blog Tour

Today is my turn and final stop on the blog tour for The Burning Girls by C J Tudor, enjoy my review (non spoiler as always).

The Burning Girls by C.J. Tudor
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 304

Publisher - Penguin

Source - Netgalley & bought a copy

Blurb from Goodreads

An unconventional vicar moves to a remote corner of the English countryside, only to discover a community haunted by death and disappearances both past and present--and intent on keeping its dark secrets--in this explosive, unsettling thriller from acclaimed author C. J. Tudor.

Welcome to Chapel Croft. Five hundred years ago, eight protestant martyrs were burned at the stake here. Thirty years ago, two teenage girls disappeared without a trace. And two months ago, the vicar of the local parish killed himself.

Reverend Jack Brooks, a single parent with a fourteen-year-old daughter and a heavy conscience, arrives in the village hoping to make a fresh start and find some peace. Instead, Jack finds a town mired in secrecy and a strange welcome package: an old exorcism kit and a note quoting scripture. "But there is nothing covered up that will not be revealed and hidden that will not be known."

The more Jack and daughter Flo get acquainted with the town and its strange denizens, the deeper they are drawn into their rifts, mysteries, and suspicions. And when Flo is troubled by strange sightings in the old chapel, it becomes apparent that there are ghosts here that refuse to be laid to rest.

But uncovering the truth can be deadly in a village where everyone has something to protect, everyone has links with the village's bloody past, and no one trusts an outsider.




My Review

I have read and enjoyed a few of Tudors books (only just realised there are a couple I still have to get) and this one is no different. Jack is a priest and been moved to a small town Chapel Croft with the teen daughter. The town welcomes them with a weird package, an exorcism kit (noone admits to sending) and some of the parishioner's are weird, rude or a bit creepy (not all of them). The town has a history , martyrs were burned hundreds of years ago, they like their tradition oh and two young girls disappeared 30 years ago but didn't ever get much of an investigation. Father Jack (I keep thinking of Father Ted when I read the name lol) is intrigued and can't help but get involved in the towns business but every village has it's secrets and some people will do anything do protect them.


So as well as all of that and some shady characters, we have weird bumps in the night, ghostly apparitions that surely cannot be true. The town has a dark and bloody history, people aren't exactly what they seem. Family, love, ghosts, spooky, freaky, darkness, murder, death - I do love the tales/characters Tudor creates.


The book has lots interwoven, small town bitchy characters/shade/bullying/mystery/intrigue, the burning girls history and what it means to the town. A new priest trying to integrate into the new position without all the facts of why they have been relocated or their predecessor. Supernatural elements, teen angst, darker and deeper levels of shade from humanity - it has so so much in one book.

Undertones and echoes of Stephen King, small town, characters to love and hate, history, town ghosts/legends and some shady shady darkness, a creeping sense of unease as you delve further into the story, fabulous, 4/5 for me this time.

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The Apparition Phase by Will Maclean

The Apparition Phase by Will Maclean
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 416

Publisher - William Heinemann

Source - Review Copy

Blurb from Goodreads

An atmospheric and stunning literary debut, reminiscent of the gothic suspense of Shirley Jackson and the ghost stories of MR James

Tim and Abi have always been different from their peers. Precociously bright, they spend their evenings in their parents’ attic discussing the macabre and unexplained, zealously rereading books on folklore, hauntings and the supernatural. In particular, they are obsessed with photographs of ghostly apparitions and the mix of terror and delight they provoke in their otherwise boring and safe childhoods.

But when Tim and Abi decide to fake a photo of a ghost to frighten an unpopular school friend, they set in motion a deadly and terrifying chain of events that neither of them could have predicted, and are forced to confront the possibility that what began as a callous prank might well have taken on a malevolent life of its own.



My Review

We open with two teenagers obsessed with ghosts and all thing macabre, so the kids decide to make a ghost photo and it has long standing consequences. Abi and Tim are pretty happy being in each others company and are pretty different and weird. The photo marks the beginning of huge changes and the story takes place over years, Tim into adulthood with spooky and eerie happenings.

For me, the story could almost be three separate ones, the kids and their upbringing, the event that changes everything for Tim, the personal and emotive journey then a heavy focus with the supernatural, haunted "house" seances. Throughout them all we have some fabulous freaky spine tingling moments. I love how so much started with a "prank" mock up photo and the message of how dangerous it can be to tangle with the unknown.

I would LOVE this to be a movie - some of the scenes echoes the old school horror/ghosts movies, creepy creepy, Vincent Price type. I would have loved a more in-depth look at the later characters that turn up, the seances, the history. It may have been my fave section of the book, give me a creepy place with anything spooky and BAM I am hooked. For a debut, with the spooky creepy parts I loved, there are emotive, personal parts to it that was ok but I wanted more of the spook. I think some people will love the other aspects of the book, who doesn't like different themes throughout a book but I would have enjoyed more of the ghostlike creepy stuff. I did enjoy this and would like to see more from this author, 3/5 for me this time.

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The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Pages - 246

Publisher - Penguin Classics

Source - Bought

Blurb from Goodreads

THE INSPIRATION FOR THE NEW NETFLIX SERIES DEBUTING THIS HALLOWE'EN

The best-known of Shirley Jackson's novels and a major inspiration for writers like Neil Gaiman and Stephen King, The Haunting of Hill House is a chilling story of the power of fear.

Four seekers have arrived at the rambling old pile known as Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of psychic phenomena; Theodora, his lovely assistant; Luke, the future inheritor of the estate; and Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman with a dark past. As they begin to cope with horrifying occurrences beyond their control or understanding, they cannot possibly know what lies ahead. For Hill House is gathering its powers - and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. Twice filmed as The Haunting, and the inspiration for a new 10-part Netflix series, The Haunting of Hill House is a powerful work of slow-burning psychological horror



My Review

This is a well love book by many and it is a new series on Netflix, kinda wish I had watched that then read this. Absolutely a slow burner, perfect for lying reading curled up on the couch, candle light and just absorbing. It is very sedate pace but has wee creepy elements to it and it builds as it goes.

I can't say I liked any of the characters that much and some of it read a wee bit soap opera type, personality flaws, issues. Some of their interactions with each other are just so weird, is it the effect the house is having on them or just who they are?

Defo worth reading, like I said so many people loved it. I liked the eerie aspect but that was really the only parts and to see where it was going. Feel a wee bit like I missed something, 3/5 for me.

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The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor

The Anatomy of Ghosts by Andrew Taylor
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - in and out over 5 days

Pages - 469

Publisher - Michael Joseph

Source - Waterstones buy

Blurb from Goodreads

1786, Jerusalem College, Cambridge. The ghost of murdered Sylvia Whichcote has been sighted prowling the grounds by Frank Oldershaw, a disturbed fellow commoner. When his anxious mother employs John Holdsworth, author of The Anatomy of Ghosts- a stinging account of why ghosts are mere delusion - to investigate the sighting, the uneasy status quo at Jerusalem is rapidly torn apart. Holdsworth grows to realise that the sinister Holy Ghost Club governs the privileged life at Jerusalem with a rigour far more effective than anything the Master, Dr. Carbury, could muster. And when Holdsworth finds himself haunted - not only by the ghost of his dead wife, Maria, but also Elinor, the very-much-alive Master's wife - his fate is sealed. He must unravel the circumstances surrounding Sylvia's death ... or the hauntings will continue.



My Review

The opening chapter is a bit weird, it is Jesus, his apostles and an offering of a pure young lady awaiting a chosen apostle. The time in the 1786s so I had no idea what was going on, however as the book goes on you start to understand what the chat is.

John Holdsworth is hired by a very wealthy woman to investigate what is happening to her son. He is as college and has become unhinged after seeing a ghost. John is hired after he wrote a book "The Anatomy of Ghosts" penned after he lost his son and his wife spent their money on a medium desperate to connect with her lost child. John doesn't believe in ghosts and that is what the good lady needs, John is in financial straits and over a barrel so reluctantly he goes.

What follows is a view into some very entitled folk, secrets within the college and a young man whose mental health is suffering and is volatile. I took a bit to settle into the book it goes at a sedate pace, the writing isn't the issue but I took a while to get what was happening and why it was relevant. A lot of the characters are pretty pompous and I felt for John who has already lost so much and now has to go ghost chasing. I think he was the only character I had any kind of feeling toward and mostly that was sympathy for what he had endured. 3/5 for me this time, this was my first time reading this author, if I came across his works I would give me another go.

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House of Skin by Jonathan Janz Blog Tour

Today is my turn on the blog tour for House of Skin, please check out the other stops as we all offer different content.




About the author:




Jonathan Janz grew up between a dark forestand a graveyard, which explains everything. Brian Keene named his debut novel The Sorrows "the best horror novel of 2012." The LibraryJournal deemed his follow-up, House of Skin,"reminiscent of ShirleyJackson's The Haunting of Hill House and Peter Straub's Ghost Story" Since then Jonathan's work has been lauded by writers like Jack Ketchum, Edward Lee, Tim Waggoner, Bryan Smith,and Ronald Kelly. Novels like The Nightmare Girl, Wolf Land, Savage Species,and Dust Devils prompted Thunderstorm Books to sign Jonathan to an eleven-book deal and to give him his own imprint, Jonathan Janz's Shadow Side. His novel Children of the Dark received a starred review in Booklist and was chosen by their board as one of the Top Ten Horror Books of the Year (August2015-September2016). Children of the Dark will soon be translated into German and has been championed by the Library Journal, the School Library Journal,and Cemetery Dance. In early 2017, his novel Exorcist Falls was released to critical acclaim. Jonathan's primary interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children,and though he realizes that every author's wife and children are wonderful and amazing, in this case the cliché happens to be true. You can learn more about Janz at www.jonathanjanz.com.

House of Skin by Jonathan Janz
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 312

Publisher - Flame Tree Press

Source - Review Copy

Blurb from Goodreads

All it needs to live again is fresh blood!



Myles Carver is dead. But his estate, Watermere, lives on, waiting for a new Carver to move in. Myles’s wife, Annabel, is dead too, but she is also waiting, lying in her grave in the woods. For nearly half a century she was responsible for a nightmarish reign of terror, and she’s not prepared to stop now. She is hungry to live again…and her unsuspecting nephew, Paul, will be the key.



Julia Merrow has a secret almost as dark as Watermere’s. But when she and Paul fall in love they think their problems might be over. How can they know what Fate—and Annabel—have in store for them? Who could imagine that what was once a moldering corpse in a forest grave is growing stronger every day, eager to take her rightful place amongst the horrors of Watermere?


My Review

When Paul Carver inherits the estate of Watermere he is set for life, estate, money and finally the chance to write the book he has always wanted and escape his mundane life. A family he knew nothing about, his uncle Myles now dead everything is his. The book will be written,, the dead won't rest and Paul will find out why his family was so hated in this wee town.

If you think back to old school horror, the black and white movies on at the weekend in the 80s, hammer horror, haunted houses with eerie back stories you get the feel for House of Skin. We have a duo timeline, current day with Paul and the past with his uncle and the beautiful Annabel. Coveted by many, she is stunning, beautiful a force to be reckoned with, fierce, dark and deadly, Watermere was Annabel's home and Annabel isn't ready to let go.

There is a lot of spooky hair raising scenes, some subtle and as the book progresses the levels of chilling darkness rise. There is also a lot of sex, sexual undertones, obsession, haunting, abuse, some really dark elements of humanity. I think fans of horror will eat this up especially if you like books combined with sex, flips in and out of duo timelines and a building tension, 3.5/5 for me. I have read this author before and will read him again. I think a prequel to this book would be epic and have reached out to the author about it. I think there is so much of this, the past, that would be amazing to explore and uncover it would give readers tons of insight into these characters, I so hope he pens it, fingers crossed.

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Amazing Grace by Kim Nash

Amazing Grace by Kim Nash
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 257

Publisher - Hera Books

Source - NetGalley

Blurb from Goodreads

She’s taking her life back, one step at a time…

Grace thought she had it all. Living in the beautiful village of Little Ollington, along with head teacher husband Mark and gorgeous son, Archie, she devoted herself to being the perfect mum and the perfect wife, her little family giving her everything she ever wanted.

Until that fateful day when she walked in on Mark kissing his secretary - and her perfect life fell apart.

Now she's a single mum to Archie, trying to find her way in life and keep things together for his sake. Saturday nights consist of a Chinese takeaway eaten in front of the TV clad in greying pyjamas, and she can’t remember the last time she had a kiss from anyone aside from her dog, Becks…

Grace’s life needs a shake up – fast. So when gorgeous gardener Vinnie turns up on her doorstep, his twinkling eyes suggesting that he might be interested in more than just her conifers, she might just have found the answer to her prayers. But as Grace falls deeper for Vinnie, ten-year-old Archie fears that his mum finding love means she’ll never reconcile with the dad he loves.

So when ex-husband Mark begs her for another chance, telling her he’s changed from the man that broke her heart, Grace finds herself with an impossible dilemma. Should she take back Mark and reunite the family that Archie loves? Or risk it all for a new chance of happiness?

A funny, feel good romance about finding your own path and changing your life for the better – readers of Cathy Bramley, Jill Mansell and Josie Silver will love this uplifting read.


My Review

Meet Grace, working single mum to Archie and focusing on life getting back to "normal" after separating from husband Mark. Moving house, getting her ducks together and keeping focused on her boy and dog. Thankfully best friend Monica is on hand to help Grace focus on her, a new look, dipping back into the world of dating we follow Grace on a journey of self discovery and personal growth. In among all of this we hear wee snippets from Grace's mum who passed away but is overseeing Grace's life/struggles/choices/disasters and journey.

This is a debut although it really doesn't read like one. Grace is one of those characters I think any reader can relate to, we all have those self doubts, that moron ex, grief, loss and if we are lucky a few good eggs in our lives. This book draws you into Grace's world, everything that is important to her and the importance of including our own happiness in the things that are important to us.

There are some laugh out loud moments, oh how I cringed for her but did howl, bless Grace she is a wee chop. Family is everything to her and this allows for her ex husband to maximize his manipulative deplorable behaviour, I honestly wanted to smash his melt in at a few points. The passages from Grace's mother, for anyone who has lost a parent will struggle to get through some of them with a dry eye. Even for those lucky enough to still have their parents I think the passages are written so well you would need a heart of stone not to be touched.

The book takes you on a bit of a rollercoaster ride, infused with laugh out loud feel good with more than a few tender moments to kick you in the feels. Grace is a very human character and some of her choices/thought processes will resonate with some readers and others shouting no guuuuuuuurl. A fab step into the world of writing and I look forward to see what Nash will be bringing next, 4/5 for me this time.

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Ghosts by Nick Conroy Blog tour

Today is the final stop and closing the blog tour for Ghosts by Nick Conroy, a tour organised by Kelly at #LoveBooksGroupTours




I was also on the Bookstagram tour for this book also and got some night shots, check them out HERE.





Blurb:
Every poem in GHOSTS touches on the theme in some way, whether it be overtly as in the title poem, or more succinctly, as in Dragonfly – in which the poet explores ephemeral elements of his perception of his mother. Nick Conroy’s words touch the heart of his subject matter, and the reader’s emotions at the same time. Nick is currently studying for a Master’s in English at the University of Hull. Poetry has always been at the centre of his passion as a writer, and since childhood he’s enjoyed spoken word. He moved to Hull in 2014, with an understanding that the city is still revered for its poets. He senses something haunting and intoxicating about Hull, and the community of writing that it holds in high regard. Hull, in its turn, is beginning to hold Nick himself in high regard and he is fast becoming wellknown as one of the region’s bright young Spoken Word talents.

You can buy the book in paperback or kindle format from Amazon HERE.




About the Author:
Nick Conroy is a student at the University of Hull. He studied Philosophy with Creative Writing and is now starting a Master's degree in English, with a focus on Creative Writing.
Nick, who is originally from Kent, has been a Hull resident for around five years. "It's here in Hull that my poetry has moved on leaps-and-bounds, and I continue to shape my style, and my voice, with influences I've been introduced to in this City."
Nick loves performance poetry and has also been involved with the Contains Strong Language festival for the last two years, performing pieces for BBC Humberside.

You can find Nick on Twitter

@Nick_Conroy

You can read more about Nick on Wild Pressed website HERE.

Publisher on Twitter:

@Wildpressed

For my stop on the tour I have my review, enjoy.


Ghosts by Nick Conroy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - In and out over 3 days

Pages - 48

Publisher - Wild Pressed Books

Source - Review copy

Blurb from Goodreads

Every poem in GHOSTS touches on the theme in some way, whether it be overtly as in the title poem, or more succinctly, as in Dragonfly - in which the poet explores ephemeral elements of his perception of his mother.

Nick Conroy's words touch the heart of his subject matter, and the reader's emotions at the same time, involving family, identity - and potential or actual loss.

This is a strong, cohesive collection of poems, containing a hard grit which meets a fluid, powerful movement of language to create waves of recognition and understanding. The topics and themes are covered honestly, and with refreshing vulnerability in the language used. In each poem there is something of a journey - involving lostness, a seeking and in the end an acceptance of the events described.

Nick Conroy's paged poetry is like the written musical score of his live performance, which has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Nick is currently studying for a Master's in English at the University of Hull. Poetry has always been at the centre of his passion as a writer, and since childhood he's enjoyed spoken word.

He moved to Hull in 2014, with an understanding that the city is still revered for its poets. He senses something haunting and intoxicating about Hull, and the community of writing that it holds in high regard.


My Review

Nineteen powerful poems packed into this tiny wee book. Each have ghost themed or mentioned in some description. Some poems are really short at just over half a page, others have verses spread across a few pages.

Poetry is something I used to love as a child/teen and fell away from as an adult, I agreed to this book because of the overall theme. The cover also had a wee pull for me which was why I wanted to bookstagram it, it looked great in so many settings.

I think, for me, I got the most from this by dipping in and out and soaking up one poem at a time with a break in between in. For each reader I think some of the poems will be quite deep and intense depending on how you take them. For example "Grappling with Ghosts" has likely came from the authors own person experience or situation or something that sparked that creation. Yet for me it evoked a memory from my past and made me ponder on a particular relationship I hadn't thought of in a long long time.

I think that is the thing with poetry, it can be very personal, for the author producing it and for the reader consuming it. Some of the poems left no deep impression other that to smile that a young man has created something like these and others caught me off guard by evoking either an emotive response and or memories. I wasn't expecting anything like that when I picked this up, maybe it is time I went back to reading poetry again. A very different type of read for me but I did enjoy it as a break from the norm and a different kind of escapism. If you enjoy poetry or even if you don't normally read it I would say check it out and would love to hear your thoughts, 3/5 for me this time. This is my first time reading this authors works I would be interested in seeing what else he has to offer.

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Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell

Frozen Charlotte by Alex Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 368

Publisher - Stripes Publishing

Source - Amazon

Blurb from Goodreads

We're waiting for you to come and play. Dunvegan School for Girls has been closed for many years. Converted into a family home, the teachers and students are long gone. But they left something behind...Sophie arrives at the old schoolhouse to spend the summer with her cousins. Brooding Cameron with his scarred hand, strange Lilias with a fear of bones and Piper, who seems just a bit too good to be true. And then there's her other cousin. The girl with a room full of antique dolls. The girl that shouldn't be there. The girl that died.


My Review

After a life changing encounter Sophie heads to visit her cousins and stay at the old school house. Lilias is the youngest and emotionally up and down, Cameron is bordering on rude/aggressive but Piper is lovely and welcoming. With Sophie having to face her own grief a change of scenery could but the perfect choice. The more time Sophie spends there the more eerie things become, Lilias is worried about the old dolls and the damage they can cause, Cameron is becoming more hostile and Piper seems the only one she can talk to. But everything is not what it seems and secrets have a way of coming out.

This is my first time reading this author and it won't be my last. We kick off with a ghostly encounter or is it just a fluke in circumstances. We meet Sophie's family and as we get to know them we discover just how bizarre things are at the old school house. It has a past, it is linked to the dolls and the youngest member of the family is terrified. We learn along with Sophie about her cousins, those on this earth and the one in the spirit world.

Secrets, ghosts, supernatural, friendship, family and a whole lot of spookiness is central to the book. Lots of different threads and I sank into it quickly. We get small snippets of the frozen Charlotte story at the beginning of each chapter, I liked that and hadn't heard it before. The supernatural aspect I found captivating and scary dolls isn't something that has been done lots (well in the books/movies I have read). A great wee read and I look forward to the next book, 4/5 for me this time.

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This House Is Haunted by John Boyne

This House is Haunted by John Boyne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 1 day

Pages - 304

Publisher - Doubleday

Source - Gift from SS in a book group

Blurb from Goodreads

1867. Eliza Caine arrives in Norfolk to take up her position as governess at Gaudlin Hall on a dark and chilling night. As she makes her way across the station platform, a pair of invisible hands push her from behind into the path of an approaching train. She is only saved by the vigilance of a passing doctor.

When she finally arrives, shaken, at the hall she is greeted by the two children in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There are no parents, no adults at all, and no one to represent her mysterious employer. The children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room, a second terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong.

From the moment she rises the following morning, her every step seems dogged by a malign presence which lives within Gaudlin’s walls. Eliza realises that if she and the children are to survive its violent attentions, she must first uncover the hall’s long-buried secrets and confront the demons of its past…



My Review

Eliza takes a job as a child carer in Norfolk, she has an unsettling encounter almost from the moment she reaches the place. As she gets to the house things get weirder and more unsettling, the children are a delight so why can they not keep a nanny? Her first night she has a terrifying encounter and as the days progress there are more bumps in the night. With a wall of silence to her questions, strange reactions from the villagers and fearing for her safety, Eliza decides she will find out, one way or another, exactly what happened to those before her and what is terrifying her at her new home.

A bit of a slow build with this one, we know quickly things aren't right and there is a bit of spookiness going on. Some of the scenes are really well done however some of Eliza's behaviour and choices irritated me. I loved the children and as we get the reveal of that which has passed things start to make sense. Some took a while to come to fruition however I did enjoy the book and got a wee bit creeped with some of the scenes.

I do enjoy Boyne's work and whilst I liked this, I didn't love it. Enjoyable and put me in the mood for reading more of the same. I will read this author again as after reading his newest book I loved it so much I bought a few from his back catalogue. 3/5 for me this time.

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The Ghosts of Sleath by James Herbert

The Ghosts Of Sleath by James Herbert
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - on and off over 4 days

Pages - 400

Publisher - Harper Collins

Source - Bookshop

Blurb from Goodreads

Psychic investigator David Ash delves into the mysterious events terrorizing the community of Sleath, and as each dark secret is unveiled, evil forces are unleashed, and Ash fears for his own sanity as well as that of the village people.



My Review

This is the second book in a trilogy, I would advise reading the first as you get a better idea of who Ash is and why he behaves as he does. David Ash works for the Psychical Research Institute with Kate McCarrick, unlike many in the field David is a skeptic, despite his own experiences and works to disprove rather than prove hauntings. This book sees him go to Sleath, a small town with an increase in weird episodes and violence among the towns folk. Ash finds himself failing to explain it all away and his own past being addressed.

The theme is darker in this one, extreme violence, abuse, sexual abuse, hauntings, rituals you name it Herbert covers it. It is certainly one of his more spookier books and now I have read the first two I have re bought the third to re read as I didn't love it and think it was my lack of background on the character and themes in this book and the previous.

Ash is so unlucky and the fact he is so focused on disproving hauntings I think says a lot about what happens to his character and all that befalls him. He is complex and this book gives us a bit more of his history helping to understand why he is the way he is. The chapters are short, the atmosphere is eerie and pulls you in pretty much from the get go. A perfect October read although as with some of the themes readers should be cautious incase of upset. If you aren't easily triggered and like a dark, supernatural read with complex characters and a ghost or two you will love this book, 4/5 for me this time.

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The Fire Child by S K Tremayne

The Fire Child by S.K. Tremayne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Time taken to read - 2 days

Publisher - Harper Collins

Pages - 400

Blurb from Goodreads

When Rachel marries dark, handsome David, everything seems to fall into place. Swept from single life in London to the beautiful Carnhallow House in Cornwall, she gains wealth, love, and an affectionate stepson, Jamie.

But then Jamie’s behaviour changes, and Rachel’s perfect life begins to unravel. He makes disturbing predictions, claiming to be haunted by the spectre of his late mother – David’s previous wife. Is this Jamie’s way of punishing Rachel, or is he far more traumatized than she thought?

As Rachel starts digging into the past, she begins to grow suspicious of her husband. Why is he so reluctant to discuss Jamie’s outbursts? And what exactly happened to cause his ex-wife’s untimely death, less than two years ago? As summer slips away and December looms, Rachel begins to fear there might be truth in Jamie’s words:

‘You will be dead by Christmas.’


My Review

We start 178 days before Christmas, Rachel is a new wife, moved to be with the man she loves and his son Jamie. Young Jamie is troubled, his mother died and as Rachel spends more time with him his behaviour becomes even more worriesome. Jamie appears to be haunted by his mother and making scary predictions that Rachel fears are coming true. The most recent "You will be dead by Christmas", Rachels husband doesn't want to know so Rachel starts to dig into Jamies claims and their past. Some things are best left alone but Rachel is scared, lonely and the more she digs the more her husband pulls away from her, is Rachel really in danger?

This is Tremaynes second book and I actually prefered this one to the first. It has the same eery spooky under currents of the Ice Twins but I felt this one draws you in from the offset. The chapters vary in length but are all relatively short which I quite like in a book. Each chapter has a photograph at the beginning of the chapter of the settings of the book which is a relatively nice touch, I have the hardback version but assume all formats will have this.

The characters are well drawn, the little boys behaviour fluctuates from affection and acceptance of Rachel to withdrawn and preocupation of her demise or his mothers ghost. Rachel is a bit unreliable as a person, she begins relatively strong but as she gets spooked her behaviour becomes somewhat questionable. The book deals with some tough issues, death, mental health, violence, loss, love, acceptance, ghosts, martial issues to name just a few. I think if you take the story as it is you will really enjoy it, creepy, dark and eery with a bit of suspension of reality required. 3/5 for me this time, I would read this authors work again, thanks to Harper Collins for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.

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