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3.53 AVERAGE
3.53 AVERAGE
Brilliant historical crime novel by an exceptional author - and read by an exceptional narrator - this book cast a spell over me from start to finish.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
I must admit, this was not the easiest book for me to read. I don't think it is because of the book itself though, it is rather that I had my mind wander off way too easily, so I gave it the star rating it should have instead of how much I enjoyed it - which would probably have been 3 or 4 stars instead of 5, but I think that would not have been fair.
The overal atmosphere in this book was great. There were ghosts and suspence, combined with a typical social structure for the era. Think ghost-whodunnit with a hint of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs. I also think it brought across the horrors of WW1 in a real way, without them becoming too vivid. (As a reference: I got horrid nightmares from 'Nothing New in the West', which I luckily did not get from this book, but the references to the war came over just as real)
The outcome ... was one I could and, I believe, should have expected, but somehow I was put on the wrong path all the time. Which is exactly how I like books like these.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
The overal atmosphere in this book was great. There were ghosts and suspence, combined with a typical social structure for the era. Think ghost-whodunnit with a hint of Downton Abbey and Upstairs Downstairs. I also think it brought across the horrors of WW1 in a real way, without them becoming too vivid. (As a reference: I got horrid nightmares from 'Nothing New in the West', which I luckily did not get from this book, but the references to the war came over just as real)
The outcome ... was one I could and, I believe, should have expected, but somehow I was put on the wrong path all the time. Which is exactly how I like books like these.
I received a free copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
This book was about more than just ghosts. A group of people are invited to a house on a secluded island. They're all told the purpose of gathering is to hold a seance for sons who have died in the war (WWI). Of course, a storm prevents people getting on or off the island.
What makes the story interesting is that the spiritualists are fakes, yet there are those in the party who really do see ghosts, but they keep it quiet. And then, there's the mystery walking around the secret passageways.
What makes the story interesting is that the spiritualists are fakes, yet there are those in the party who really do see ghosts, but they keep it quiet. And then, there's the mystery walking around the secret passageways.
🎧Audiobook Review🎧
Truly, I enjoyed this book. BUT. I would have enjoyed it more if there were a better range in narrator's voice. Okay, I get it... it's a ghostly secret intelligence tale so lots of whispering involved. However, you don't have you drop your voice so low that I have to toggle the volume up to hear and then have to bring it back down. I got so sick of it that I just ignored the bits I couldn't hear which means that I am probably missing quite a few bits of the story. I may have enjoyed it better on print.
<i>A House of Ghosts</i> has all the potentials for a great read for me. A sensitive* codebreaker turn spy protagonist with a whodunit (locked down "house") flavour and a freezing chill of spectral presence. Quite an interesting mix in this novel. I could see potential for his protagnist and her love interest as a serial and would be interested if there were more. I think it's a stand alone though. The showdown at the end was great although the ending of the book itself was rather abrupt. And aside from all the bits I've missed, a highly entertaining read.
Truly, I enjoyed this book. BUT. I would have enjoyed it more if there were a better range in narrator's voice. Okay, I get it... it's a ghostly secret intelligence tale so lots of whispering involved. However, you don't have you drop your voice so low that I have to toggle the volume up to hear and then have to bring it back down. I got so sick of it that I just ignored the bits I couldn't hear which means that I am probably missing quite a few bits of the story. I may have enjoyed it better on print.
<i>A House of Ghosts</i> has all the potentials for a great read for me. A sensitive* codebreaker turn spy protagonist with a whodunit (locked down "house") flavour and a freezing chill of spectral presence. Quite an interesting mix in this novel. I could see potential for his protagnist and her love interest as a serial and would be interested if there were more. I think it's a stand alone though. The showdown at the end was great although the ending of the book itself was rather abrupt. And aside from all the bits I've missed, a highly entertaining read.
A House of Ghosts by W.C. Ryan is an intoxicating mix of World War 1 espionage thriller and deliciously creepy ghost story. I loved the combination of the two genres and thought it worked very well here. It made for an atmospheric read that had all the elements of a chilling ghost story, but with the twists and turns of a murder mystery and espionage thriller.
Lord Highmount arranges a spiritualist gathering at the isolated and foreboding Blackwater Abbey, hoping that contact can be made with his two sons who were killed during the war. The abbey has a dark past and a reputation for being haunted, so Lord Highmount has high hopes that spiritualists Count Orlov and Madame Feda will be able to bring forth the spirits of his sons.
But some of the guests have more on their minds than raising the dead, including Kate Cartwright and Mr Donovan, who have been recruited by the mysterious Mr C to ensure Lord Highmount remains safe. But Donovan is not all he seems and Kate is harbouring a secret that could put her own safety at risk. As a storm rages over Blackwater Abbey, cutting the island off from all civilisation, tensions rise and secrets start to be revealed.
With their lives in danger and the ghosts of Blackwater Abbey beginning to make their presence felt, Lord Highmount and his guests find themselves trapped and with no place to go. With emotions already running high, the grief, fear and turmoil the characters are feeling bubbles up to the surface and threatens to spill over as séances are undertaken and more secrets brought out into the open.
What follows is a beautifully written and chilling ghost story that’s the perfect read for this time of year. A perfect blend of atmospheric ghost story, murder mystery and espionage thriller, A House of Ghosts is an immensely readable and enjoyable story that will keep you turning pages long into the night. Filled to the brim with suspense and surprises throughout, this is a book I would highly recommend.
Lord Highmount arranges a spiritualist gathering at the isolated and foreboding Blackwater Abbey, hoping that contact can be made with his two sons who were killed during the war. The abbey has a dark past and a reputation for being haunted, so Lord Highmount has high hopes that spiritualists Count Orlov and Madame Feda will be able to bring forth the spirits of his sons.
But some of the guests have more on their minds than raising the dead, including Kate Cartwright and Mr Donovan, who have been recruited by the mysterious Mr C to ensure Lord Highmount remains safe. But Donovan is not all he seems and Kate is harbouring a secret that could put her own safety at risk. As a storm rages over Blackwater Abbey, cutting the island off from all civilisation, tensions rise and secrets start to be revealed.
With their lives in danger and the ghosts of Blackwater Abbey beginning to make their presence felt, Lord Highmount and his guests find themselves trapped and with no place to go. With emotions already running high, the grief, fear and turmoil the characters are feeling bubbles up to the surface and threatens to spill over as séances are undertaken and more secrets brought out into the open.
What follows is a beautifully written and chilling ghost story that’s the perfect read for this time of year. A perfect blend of atmospheric ghost story, murder mystery and espionage thriller, A House of Ghosts is an immensely readable and enjoyable story that will keep you turning pages long into the night. Filled to the brim with suspense and surprises throughout, this is a book I would highly recommend.
slow-paced
Enjoyable for a light read as the winter draws in - ghosts & spies.
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
2.5 stars* This was a long slog to read. Although the storyline has plenty promise, I felt there was too much build up and mix of genre.
adventurous
dark
informative
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated