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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
Disappointing. The plot is weak and unoriginal. Writing average at best.
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is just something special about reading a book by Darcy Coates for me. Her writing doesn’t stand out above her peers in style or clever self expression. Neither the stories as a whole nor the separate pieces which make up those stories are groundbreaking. She writes good, classical ghost stories. Any experienced horror reader will see every twist and turn coming from a mile away. And yet... they are so thoroughly enjoyable each and every time. Picking one up is like seeing an old friend after a few years absence.
The protagonist of the story, Daniel, is down on his luck. He’s a young man, living in his cousins apartment, and jobless. He was recently homeless and is fearful of returning to that situation. Daniel gets an odd job offer to be the caretaker of Craven Manor. When he shows up, all the normal triggers and troupes occur for a classical haunted house story.
Like I said, it’s very hard to figure out exactly why Darcy Coates’ books are so enjoyable. In a way, they shouldn’t be. And yet, they are.
I especially enjoyed her protagonist, Daniel, and the arc his character takes as he settles into becoming the caretaker of the proverbial haunted mansion. It seems like every haunted mansion has a caretaker, and Ms Coates’ story goes a way into describe how they might get those intrepid caretakers.
This is also the first time I have ever seen Ms Coates write a male protagonist. Women often have trouble writing believable male characters, as men have trouble writing women. But, Ms Coates is clearly talented enough where this is not a problem for her in the least.
I took a star off for two reasons. Firstly, Coates, possibly trying to break her own mold a bit, added some fantasy elements to this haunted house tale. At times, I felt like I might be reading a pitch she had for a comic book or graphical novel, rather than a straight prose work. At times, I thought it worked great. However, other times it came off as slightly cartoon-ish. It didn’t always seem to work.
Secondly, Coates spent a lot less time on building the atmosphere of her haunted abode. She usually does that well, but it can be tedious if you read a lot of these. (“Yes, yes. We get it. It looks haunted because it is haunted!”) Personally, I enjoy a slow burn and the build up. I thought, by getting into the action of the ghosts so early, she took away some of the creepy factor. Again, at times it read like the pitch for a graphic novel, where a lot of the atmosphere would be handled by the art. However, in prose form, it just made the book less scary.
All in all though, this was yet another enjoyable read from Darcy Coates. I speak of her books often with people who enjoy scary books. She knows what she’s doing. I can’t wait for her next!
The protagonist of the story, Daniel, is down on his luck. He’s a young man, living in his cousins apartment, and jobless. He was recently homeless and is fearful of returning to that situation. Daniel gets an odd job offer to be the caretaker of Craven Manor. When he shows up, all the normal triggers and troupes occur for a classical haunted house story.
Like I said, it’s very hard to figure out exactly why Darcy Coates’ books are so enjoyable. In a way, they shouldn’t be. And yet, they are.
I especially enjoyed her protagonist, Daniel, and the arc his character takes as he settles into becoming the caretaker of the proverbial haunted mansion. It seems like every haunted mansion has a caretaker, and Ms Coates’ story goes a way into describe how they might get those intrepid caretakers.
This is also the first time I have ever seen Ms Coates write a male protagonist. Women often have trouble writing believable male characters, as men have trouble writing women. But, Ms Coates is clearly talented enough where this is not a problem for her in the least.
I took a star off for two reasons. Firstly, Coates, possibly trying to break her own mold a bit, added some fantasy elements to this haunted house tale. At times, I felt like I might be reading a pitch she had for a comic book or graphical novel, rather than a straight prose work. At times, I thought it worked great. However, other times it came off as slightly cartoon-ish. It didn’t always seem to work.
Secondly, Coates spent a lot less time on building the atmosphere of her haunted abode. She usually does that well, but it can be tedious if you read a lot of these. (“Yes, yes. We get it. It looks haunted because it is haunted!”) Personally, I enjoy a slow burn and the build up. I thought, by getting into the action of the ghosts so early, she took away some of the creepy factor. Again, at times it read like the pitch for a graphic novel, where a lot of the atmosphere would be handled by the art. However, in prose form, it just made the book less scary.
All in all though, this was yet another enjoyable read from Darcy Coates. I speak of her books often with people who enjoy scary books. She knows what she’s doing. I can’t wait for her next!
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoy this author! Just good scary fun. This story has all the great Gothic elements. There is a spooky house, mysterious letters, crows, a sickly looking cat, ghosts, mysterious deaths, and a creepy tower with "something" hiding there. There are a few gory elements, but what I love the most is that there is almost no swearing in the book. The protagonist is a nice guy named Daniel whom the reader can easily identify with. He's smart, kind and one you hope will succeed. I also like that the reader is discovering the mystery along with Daniel. Looking forward to reading more by this author.
I keep looking back on my time reading this book, which was only 4 days, and thinking how much I enjoyed it. I was eager to pop in my headphones and listen at every chance I got. When I was on my way to pick up the kids, outside grilling dinner, and even on my short walks with the dog. It was hard to put down. That is why it got a 5. It is not a book without flaws, but my overall experience with the story was exceptional.
This Haunted Mansion style reading was full of dark horror elements, while somehow keeping the story light with the well-written characters and the mystery surrounding them. It had a limited ensemble cast of interesting characters that perfectly fit in the tale. They have dynamic relationships that show depth while not making the story behind those relationships too complex. The author doesn't spend a lot of time describing the town surrounding Craven manor, instead putting all of its focus on the star of the show; the Manor and its grounds. This was such an important direction to take to ensure that the book pulls in the reader and keeps them engrossed. (I want to note that I this is the first of Darcy Coates' books I have picked up, but I am eager for the next.)
The book lets you think you know every twist and turn that is going to come, but then spins you around at the last moment to reveal the truth you weren't expecting. I read a lot of horror books and this one is definitely on the lighter side while not detracting from the core horror elements. For fans of gothic/haunted mansion/ghost stories, this is a fantastic option.
This Haunted Mansion style reading was full of dark horror elements, while somehow keeping the story light with the well-written characters and the mystery surrounding them. It had a limited ensemble cast of interesting characters that perfectly fit in the tale. They have dynamic relationships that show depth while not making the story behind those relationships too complex. The author doesn't spend a lot of time describing the town surrounding Craven manor, instead putting all of its focus on the star of the show; the Manor and its grounds. This was such an important direction to take to ensure that the book pulls in the reader and keeps them engrossed. (I want to note that I this is the first of Darcy Coates' books I have picked up, but I am eager for the next.)
The book lets you think you know every twist and turn that is going to come, but then spins you around at the last moment to reveal the truth you weren't expecting. I read a lot of horror books and this one is definitely on the lighter side while not detracting from the core horror elements. For fans of gothic/haunted mansion/ghost stories, this is a fantastic option.
This was a good book. Perfect for a quick read for spooky season
4/5 ⭐️ This was my first Darcy Coates novel and it lived up to my expectations in every way. Just the right amount of supernatural/horror, some action, and a hint of friendship building between the MC and entities in the manor. I found myself growing fond of the characters, especially Daniel. I did like the story line and the twist, and thought it was well written. There were some tidbits of the story that I felt were just a little bit far fetched, but the ending was perfect and overall a good read. Will be adding more of her work to my TBR.
I enjoyed this book and it was a fast read. I liked the twists and turns and never quite knowing who to trust. This will definitely be a re-read in the fall.
I think out of all the Darcy Coates book. This one is my least favorite but doesn’t mean it wasn’t good.
I liked the storyline but it felt rushed through out the book and I didn’t like Eliza. I did like the ending of the book it did tie up the story pretty well.
I liked the storyline but it felt rushed through out the book and I didn’t like Eliza. I did like the ending of the book it did tie up the story pretty well.