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catrad's review against another edition
4.0
This tale is a rather elegant ghost story set in the sixties, with several different areas of focus - oh, how to explain without giving away spoilers?! Well, I shan't. I'll just say that I really enjoyed this novella and found it a little different to most standard ghost stories I've read in the past.
I thought that the start of the book seemed to jump around a bit and I found it a bit of a struggle to stay focused on it. I did read this over the course of a few days and I have to say that my brain wasn't begging me to pick it up again at any opportunity, like with some books. Having said that though, the second half of the book seemed to settle down and I enjoyed it a lot more. I particularly liked the character of Eva, a rather eccentric little girl with a lot of personality, who was very well written.
Overall, this is a great little novella, certainly worthy of a read if you enjoy ghost stories or tales of a supernatural flavour.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free e-copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, all opinions are my own.
I thought that the start of the book seemed to jump around a bit and I found it a bit of a struggle to stay focused on it. I did read this over the course of a few days and I have to say that my brain wasn't begging me to pick it up again at any opportunity, like with some books. Having said that though, the second half of the book seemed to settle down and I enjoyed it a lot more. I particularly liked the character of Eva, a rather eccentric little girl with a lot of personality, who was very well written.
Overall, this is a great little novella, certainly worthy of a read if you enjoy ghost stories or tales of a supernatural flavour.
Disclaimer: I was provided with a free e-copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. However, all opinions are my own.
snackintosh's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
writingwwolves's review against another edition
4.0
It was a three star up until the end, I much preferred You by Briscoe but this book was hauntingly beautiful. I finished it thinking of Blue Diary by Alice Hoffman. I wish more of the story had been from Eva's perspective, but just like with You the ending contained plot twists I really didn't expect. Apart from Freddie, I worked that out quite soon into the book.
xosirenox's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
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
2.0
caitsidhe's review against another edition
4.0
The trouble with reading a LOT of stories of this sort is that you so quickly become hard to enthrall and surprise. Touched didn't manage the latter, but did manage the former.
I felt the ending was a little unsatisfying, ultimately, but it was only the last ten pages. The rest was gloriously creepy. Exactly the sort of 'ghost story' I like - one where you are never sure if the evil comes from an inhuman outside force or the heroines own mind.
I felt the ending was a little unsatisfying, ultimately, but it was only the last ten pages. The rest was gloriously creepy. Exactly the sort of 'ghost story' I like - one where you are never sure if the evil comes from an inhuman outside force or the heroines own mind.
sharonleavy's review
3.0
RATING: 3.5
A Hammer Novella.
Perhaps it is not always the strange ones who are strange.
1963. Rowena Crale has moved from London to the small sleepy village of Crowsley Beck with her husband and five children. The cottage they are renovating doesn't seem to want them there - the walls refuse to budge, strange patches of damp keep appearing, and there are rancid smells. When some of the family members start hearing strange voices and noises, Rowena decides to investigate.
Daughter Evangeline is to be sent to a school for troubled children in September, while daughter Jennifer is model-like and fawned over by the villagers. Evangeline's strange habits are the norm to her parents, who are not overly concerned when she disappears for weeks on end. When the same fate befalls Jennifer, however, panic ensues. Is there something paranormal at work or is it something a little closer to home, and much more sinister?
I really liked this book. It was creepy, atmospheric, and while it didn't give me the willies as much as something like The Woman In Black, it did succeed in building tension and making me doubt people and possibilities. I found Rowena an interesting character, but I would have loved a little more insight into what went on in Evangeline's mind.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
A Hammer Novella.
Perhaps it is not always the strange ones who are strange.
1963. Rowena Crale has moved from London to the small sleepy village of Crowsley Beck with her husband and five children. The cottage they are renovating doesn't seem to want them there - the walls refuse to budge, strange patches of damp keep appearing, and there are rancid smells. When some of the family members start hearing strange voices and noises, Rowena decides to investigate.
Daughter Evangeline is to be sent to a school for troubled children in September, while daughter Jennifer is model-like and fawned over by the villagers. Evangeline's strange habits are the norm to her parents, who are not overly concerned when she disappears for weeks on end. When the same fate befalls Jennifer, however, panic ensues. Is there something paranormal at work or is it something a little closer to home, and much more sinister?
I really liked this book. It was creepy, atmospheric, and while it didn't give me the willies as much as something like The Woman In Black, it did succeed in building tension and making me doubt people and possibilities. I found Rowena an interesting character, but I would have loved a little more insight into what went on in Evangeline's mind.
Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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