Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
4.5 stars.
Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn is an absolutely mesmerizing and downright spooky novel with supernatural elements. Part mystery, part ghost story, this story is incredibly fast paced with a unique storyline that has horror/suspense/paranormal aspects that fans of psychological thrillers will love.
Lucas Graham is a true crime author who desperately needs a best-seller that will revive his stalled career and hopefully save his failing marriage. When he receives a letter from convicted murderer and cult leader Jeffrey Halcomb offering him the exclusive story about the murder/suicides of ten of his followers, Lucas does not think twice before agreeing to Halcomb's terms. Lucas, along with his twelve year old daughter Jeanie, pack up and move across country to live in the house where the infamous deaths occurred thirty years earlier. Ghostly apparitions, unexplained sounds and eerie sightings begin immediately after their arrival and soon both Jeanie and Lucas experience extreme changes in their personality. Could there be a rational explanation for these bizarre occurrences? Or is the reason far more sinister than either Jeanie or Lucas could possibly imagine?
Lucas is on a tight deadline for his interviews with Halcomb and he immediately immerses himself in his writing project. After he runs into a dead end, he considers packing up and returning to New York, but surprisingly, Jeanie tries to talk him into staying. When a neighbor provides him with invaluable information about Halcomb and the other cult members, Lucas decides to take the book in a new direction. His once close relationship with Jeanie soon begins to suffer when Lucas becomes obsessed with the cult leader and the deaths of his followers.
Jeanie is also fascinated by the history of the house and her research leads to a surprising adulation of Jeffrey Halcomb. She is angry with Lucas for breaking his promises to her and her resentment over his neglect is relieved by her friendship with their new neighbor, Echo. Jeanie's avid interest in the occult takes a shocking turn after Echo confides stunning information that bolsters Jeanie's growing fixation with Halcomb. This leaves Jeanie susceptible to manipulation that could have devastating consequences.
The events from thirty years ago are exposed through a series of flashbacks that provide vital information about Halcomb and his followers. The months leading up to the mass suicides/murders are meticulously detailed and reveal how the charismatic leader exploits the weaknesses of those living on the fringes of society. These recollections show how the cult ingratiates themselves with Audra Snow, an emotionally fragile young woman who is estranged from her family. She invites them into her home and over the course of several months, she becomes a believer of their twisted ideology. The final months and days leading up to the murder/suicides are particularly poignant and it is absolutely heartbreaking when Audra's experiences with the cult are fully revealed.
Within These Walls is a suspense laden novel that is quite riveting. Ania Ahlborn expertly combines supernatural elements with an intriguing mystery and the resulting story is a spine tingling psychological thriller that thunders to a jaw-dropping and completely unexpected conclusion.
Within These Walls by Ania Ahlborn is an absolutely mesmerizing and downright spooky novel with supernatural elements. Part mystery, part ghost story, this story is incredibly fast paced with a unique storyline that has horror/suspense/paranormal aspects that fans of psychological thrillers will love.
Lucas Graham is a true crime author who desperately needs a best-seller that will revive his stalled career and hopefully save his failing marriage. When he receives a letter from convicted murderer and cult leader Jeffrey Halcomb offering him the exclusive story about the murder/suicides of ten of his followers, Lucas does not think twice before agreeing to Halcomb's terms. Lucas, along with his twelve year old daughter Jeanie, pack up and move across country to live in the house where the infamous deaths occurred thirty years earlier. Ghostly apparitions, unexplained sounds and eerie sightings begin immediately after their arrival and soon both Jeanie and Lucas experience extreme changes in their personality. Could there be a rational explanation for these bizarre occurrences? Or is the reason far more sinister than either Jeanie or Lucas could possibly imagine?
Lucas is on a tight deadline for his interviews with Halcomb and he immediately immerses himself in his writing project. After he runs into a dead end, he considers packing up and returning to New York, but surprisingly, Jeanie tries to talk him into staying. When a neighbor provides him with invaluable information about Halcomb and the other cult members, Lucas decides to take the book in a new direction. His once close relationship with Jeanie soon begins to suffer when Lucas becomes obsessed with the cult leader and the deaths of his followers.
Jeanie is also fascinated by the history of the house and her research leads to a surprising adulation of Jeffrey Halcomb. She is angry with Lucas for breaking his promises to her and her resentment over his neglect is relieved by her friendship with their new neighbor, Echo. Jeanie's avid interest in the occult takes a shocking turn after Echo confides stunning information that bolsters Jeanie's growing fixation with Halcomb. This leaves Jeanie susceptible to manipulation that could have devastating consequences.
The events from thirty years ago are exposed through a series of flashbacks that provide vital information about Halcomb and his followers. The months leading up to the mass suicides/murders are meticulously detailed and reveal how the charismatic leader exploits the weaknesses of those living on the fringes of society. These recollections show how the cult ingratiates themselves with Audra Snow, an emotionally fragile young woman who is estranged from her family. She invites them into her home and over the course of several months, she becomes a believer of their twisted ideology. The final months and days leading up to the murder/suicides are particularly poignant and it is absolutely heartbreaking when Audra's experiences with the cult are fully revealed.
Within These Walls is a suspense laden novel that is quite riveting. Ania Ahlborn expertly combines supernatural elements with an intriguing mystery and the resulting story is a spine tingling psychological thriller that thunders to a jaw-dropping and completely unexpected conclusion.
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
📚BOOK REVIEW‼️
Within These Walls • Ania Ahlborn
3/5 Overall
3.5/5 Writing Style
2/5 Thrill
👻Haunting
👨👩👧👧Cult
✍️Writer
🌌Multiple Realms
👥CHARACTERS👥
•The characters were soooo fun to follow! I enjoyed their growth and getting to know them.
✨PROS✨
•True crime feel
•Documentary style
•Flashbacks
•Shocking ending
❌CONS❌
•Multiple realms and time frames were confusing
•I felt lost alot
Overall, I didn’t mind the 3rd POV but felt confused a lot of the book.
Within These Walls • Ania Ahlborn
3/5 Overall
3.5/5 Writing Style
2/5 Thrill
👻Haunting
👨👩👧👧Cult
✍️Writer
🌌Multiple Realms
👥CHARACTERS👥
•The characters were soooo fun to follow! I enjoyed their growth and getting to know them.
✨PROS✨
•True crime feel
•Documentary style
•Flashbacks
•Shocking ending
❌CONS❌
•Multiple realms and time frames were confusing
•I felt lost alot
Overall, I didn’t mind the 3rd POV but felt confused a lot of the book.
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was my second book by Ania Ahlborn and my review is almost the same: I wanted more, but she writes unlikeable characters incredibly well. It's hard to rate because I liked the book, but it wasn't what I was expecting.
And by wanting more, I don't mean page count 🤣. This book was primarily about a cult and discovering its secrets from the charismatic leader who is in prison and has never publicly spoken about how he convinced his followers to commit mass suicide.
But the book also promised a house haunted by the souls of the cult victims. That's where I needed more. There were maybe half a dozen "creepy" scenes, I wish Ahlborn had tied the flashbacks in with what was "living in the walls."
3.75/5
And by wanting more, I don't mean page count 🤣. This book was primarily about a cult and discovering its secrets from the charismatic leader who is in prison and has never publicly spoken about how he convinced his followers to commit mass suicide.
But the book also promised a house haunted by the souls of the cult victims. That's where I needed more. There were maybe half a dozen "creepy" scenes, I wish Ahlborn had tied the flashbacks in with what was "living in the walls."
3.75/5
dark
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
What would you do to prove your faith? To prove how much your family means to you? For love and acceptance? In a world where we're all misunderstood in one way or another, we're all just looking for others like us that we fit in with. How far would you go to ensure your spot among that group? What would you be willing to do or give to feel completely and whole heartedly accepted...flaws and all? I don't know what to say about this book honestly, but it's beautifully written and just when you think you know what's happening, you have no idea what's coming next.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
I'm giving this 3 stars because the book was very well written and the story was interesting. But as a CF person I just couldn't care. This is definitely a story that would hit differently for someone who is a parent or plans to be I believe. There is a lot within that I think someone who has children could really resonate with and would also give the scare factor. I think that I am also far removed from how a child thinks that I couldn't really get on board with Jeanie's thought processes throughout either.