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3.7 AVERAGE
3.7 AVERAGE
fast-paced
I still can’t believe this book was a debut. It’s writing with such poise and amazing talent. This is one of the best books I have read so far in 2025. This book is told in the unique format of police interviews/transcripts.
Coram House draws readers into a compelling mystery that skillfully intertwines past and present, uncovering the hidden darkness of a former orphanage once run by the church. Set within the eerie remains of the now-deserted institution, Seybolt explores the inner lives of characters still haunted by their childhood experiences. The story follows Alex, who takes on the emotionally charged task of ghostwriting for a lawyer representing former residents in a lawsuit against the church. This premise becomes a powerful vehicle for unraveling the disturbing history of Coram House—a place once seen as a sanctuary, now steeped in pain and abandonment. Through unsettling depositions and testimonies, Alex uncovers a grim reality of abuse and neglect. The tension builds as the possibility of a child's death by drowning emerges, along with the mystery of a boy who may never have existed at all. This uncertainty adds depth and suspense, raising thought-provoking questions about memory, truth, and the narratives—personal or collective—that shape our understanding of the past.
I love that there were characters that you rooted for and characters that gave you the creeps. There are characters you wanted more of and some characters you couldn’t wait till they got off the page. I am going to highly recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a whodunnit.
Coram House draws readers into a compelling mystery that skillfully intertwines past and present, uncovering the hidden darkness of a former orphanage once run by the church. Set within the eerie remains of the now-deserted institution, Seybolt explores the inner lives of characters still haunted by their childhood experiences. The story follows Alex, who takes on the emotionally charged task of ghostwriting for a lawyer representing former residents in a lawsuit against the church. This premise becomes a powerful vehicle for unraveling the disturbing history of Coram House—a place once seen as a sanctuary, now steeped in pain and abandonment. Through unsettling depositions and testimonies, Alex uncovers a grim reality of abuse and neglect. The tension builds as the possibility of a child's death by drowning emerges, along with the mystery of a boy who may never have existed at all. This uncertainty adds depth and suspense, raising thought-provoking questions about memory, truth, and the narratives—personal or collective—that shape our understanding of the past.
I love that there were characters that you rooted for and characters that gave you the creeps. There are characters you wanted more of and some characters you couldn’t wait till they got off the page. I am going to highly recommend this book to anyone who’s looking for a whodunnit.
By all accounts, Coram House wasn't a nice place to live. As an orphanage, in charge of taking care of children, it left much to be desired. There was talk of a pedophile priest, and nuns who dealt out the cruelest of punishments. Now, as the building is about to be transformed into condominiums, Alex Kelly is hired as a ghost writer to write a book about the building and its history. Alex quickly zeroes in on one event, the possible deliberate drowning of a little boy called Tommy. Those in charge have always refuted the claims but as Alex digs deeper, she becomes convinced that Tommy definitely existed and that he was murdered.
As a true crime author, Alex Kelly is supposed to piece together all the pieces of the puzzle of what may, or may not, have happened at Coram House way back when. But Alex doesn't really come across as reliable. Her last book was a complete disaster, she drinks way too much, and she has a tendency to become rather obsessed which makes her lose sight of the bigger picture.
'Coram House' is one those books that is filled to the brim with unlikeable characters. So when someone is found dead, anyone's name could be on the list of potential killers. Especially as the victim had a rather dark past. But they've been living in this community for decades. Why would someone suddenly set out for revenge? And who? Could Alex's life possibly be in danger if she happens to get too close to the truth?
Well, apparently not. Herein lies a niggle that I had. The story would have been a lot more tense if danger lurked around every corner Alex walked into. As it is, she is allowed to go on her merry way and dig as deep as she likes, while someone else is cleaning house and not at all bothered by her investigation. Of the good though, I never would have figured out the identity of the killer and the reveal was both shocking to me, and also heartbreaking.
However, niggle number two. I would have preferred the story to have centred primarily around the events from the past. I would have liked the opportunity to read more transcripts, hear more stories from those who were there, as harrowing as they may have been. I found myself fully invested into the search of this boy called Tommy, who may or may not have existed, and everything that was happening in the present felt like a distraction to me.
Despite those niggles, I did enjoy 'Coram House'. There's always something rather addictive and compelling about true crime stories and this one is no different. However, I do feel that the author missed out on some real potential here.
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
It's a good thriller to read at the beach or while traveling. Here are my favorite things: an author still grieving accepts to write a book as a ghostwriter, she not only will have to deal with her personal issues, but also investigate the story behind this house that used to be an orphanage where horrible things happened to children. she gets to interview some of the survivors.
It has a lot of plot twists; I didn't love the resolution (the reveal ), but I liked the character arc and how she goes from distraught to controlling a lot of things.
It has a lot of plot twists; I didn't love the resolution (the reveal ), but I liked the character arc and how she goes from distraught to controlling a lot of things.
Crime writer Alex Kelley has taken a new job ghostwriting a story about Coram House orphanage with a past. Her husband passed away from cancer, the medical bills are piling up, and she needs to get away. So, she takes a job writing for a lawyer that worked on the lawsuit of the orphans of Coram House.
This is a very dark twisty read. I loved it!
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
A mystery/thriller fiction read that is based on a true story.....count me in. I really enjoyed this debut by Seybolt, and I will definitely be checking more out from her in the future. I loved that this mystery had a backdrop of an orphanage in Burlington, Vermont with three timelines. I thought the characters were fairly well developed, and I was interested in how the plot progressed. I was not a huge fan of the ending (and I'm not sure how closely the book follows the actual case to know if this is how the story ended in real life or if the author took some liberties with the ending). If you are a fan of true crime, then definitely check this one out!
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Thank you to Atria Books, the author, and NetGalley for this eARC.
Coram House follows Alex, a young, widowed writer who takes on a ghostwriting project about the grim history of a long-closed orphanage in Vermont. As she settles into the small town and begins her research, she uncovers disturbing accounts of life inside Coram House: stories of abuse, neglect, and even the alleged murders of children. As Alex uncovers the truth, more carnage unfolds.
Coram House follows Alex, a young, widowed writer who takes on a ghostwriting project about the grim history of a long-closed orphanage in Vermont. As she settles into the small town and begins her research, she uncovers disturbing accounts of life inside Coram House: stories of abuse, neglect, and even the alleged murders of children. As Alex uncovers the truth, more carnage unfolds.
What struck me most was how cold and suffocating this novel felt. Even though I read it during a sunny weekend in April, the writing transported me into the frozen world of Vermont winter. That atmosphere is so well crafted.
This fictionalized take on St. Joseph’s Orphanage, a real place with a tragic legacy, feels like a powerful tribute to the people who’ve worked to hold institutions accountable for historic abuse.
As a longtime thriller fan, I was hooked instantly. The blend of true crime and fiction hits that perfect nerve. I wouldn’t be surprised if Coram House becomes a favorite for readers of the genre. It’s an atmospheric, chilling debut!
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
“The past is never dead. It’s not even past.”
Coram House is about Alex Kelley-a widowed true crime writer who signs on to ghost write the story of Coram House, a since closed Catholic orphanage with a back story of abuse, scandal, and tragedy, Alex becomes determined to solve the mystery of a young boy who “disappeared.” Some say he drowned. Others say he ran away. It’s like he never existed. While Alex investigates, witnesses suddenly start dropping like flies. Alex must finish her manuscript and solve the mystery and hope she is not next.
I was transfixed by this book and became so invested in Coram House’s back story, much like Alex. Also like Alex, I tried so hard to predict the ending and did not see the twist coming at the end. This was a great mystery/thriller that had me at the edge of my seat.
Coram House is about Alex Kelley-a widowed true crime writer who signs on to ghost write the story of Coram House, a since closed Catholic orphanage with a back story of abuse, scandal, and tragedy, Alex becomes determined to solve the mystery of a young boy who “disappeared.” Some say he drowned. Others say he ran away. It’s like he never existed. While Alex investigates, witnesses suddenly start dropping like flies. Alex must finish her manuscript and solve the mystery and hope she is not next.
I was transfixed by this book and became so invested in Coram House’s back story, much like Alex. Also like Alex, I tried so hard to predict the ending and did not see the twist coming at the end. This was a great mystery/thriller that had me at the edge of my seat.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
#CoramHouse by #BaileySeybolt leaves you cold. It makes you crave a hot drink, a blanket, a roaring fire. The cold creeps in under your skin. You share the pain with Alex and through every page, it pulls you in. I read this novel in two days. I couldn't put it down.
Coram House is published on April 24, 2025
Coram House is published on April 24, 2025
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death