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debtat2's review against another edition
4.0
Annie Phillips husband passed away leaving her widowed at a young age and it wasn’t until after loosing her husband that she discovered she was pregnant with her late husbands baby.
As she struggles to come to terms with her loss and a few months has passed Annie’s sister Sarah arranges for her to take a break and get away from it all in a cottage in Anglesey.
The cottage and countryside sound idilicc but when Annie reaches the cottage something about the place just doesn’t seem right and it certainly doesn’t feel very welcoming.
It’s not until she gets to the cottage that she finds out she is a psychic.
Whilst settling in she comes across a wooden box, a box that was never meant to be found. As she opens the box it starts unraveling truths about the neighbours that she really doesn’t want to know!
She gets woken in the night by a vengeful spirit that wants to tell her all the secrets surrounding the cottage and this spirit makes it very clear it does not want Annie there.
Now she knows that the cottage is haunted by a malevolent spirit Annie decides to look into the cottages history and the local folk law and legends to try to help her work out what the spirit wants.
Now she has opened the box and she has started digging into the mystery surrounding the cottage causing it to be haunted she has to see it through to the end to make the haunting stop and to protect herself and unborn baby.
The descriptions in the book are at times breathtaking and you can see the cottage and surrounding countryside in your mind’s eye.
If you like ghost stories and different folk law you will love this book
This book will be released on 29th September 2017
As she struggles to come to terms with her loss and a few months has passed Annie’s sister Sarah arranges for her to take a break and get away from it all in a cottage in Anglesey.
The cottage and countryside sound idilicc but when Annie reaches the cottage something about the place just doesn’t seem right and it certainly doesn’t feel very welcoming.
It’s not until she gets to the cottage that she finds out she is a psychic.
Whilst settling in she comes across a wooden box, a box that was never meant to be found. As she opens the box it starts unraveling truths about the neighbours that she really doesn’t want to know!
She gets woken in the night by a vengeful spirit that wants to tell her all the secrets surrounding the cottage and this spirit makes it very clear it does not want Annie there.
Now she knows that the cottage is haunted by a malevolent spirit Annie decides to look into the cottages history and the local folk law and legends to try to help her work out what the spirit wants.
Now she has opened the box and she has started digging into the mystery surrounding the cottage causing it to be haunted she has to see it through to the end to make the haunting stop and to protect herself and unborn baby.
The descriptions in the book are at times breathtaking and you can see the cottage and surrounding countryside in your mind’s eye.
If you like ghost stories and different folk law you will love this book
This book will be released on 29th September 2017
mpr2000's review
4.0
This is a tense thriller, in which our main character Annie Philips needs to take care of her pregnancy and accept the death of her husband, too much for anyone, let me say. So she decided to take a few weeks to relax in a little village... Of course that's where all her problems start, when a dark presence will start hunting her dreams.
This has been a very interesting read, with paranormal scenes and some twisted surprises. I read it with one stand, I have to admit I was quite absorbed with the plot and I hope we will see more of our character, she has some hidden surprises!
Ready for a trip to the past?
This has been a very interesting read, with paranormal scenes and some twisted surprises. I read it with one stand, I have to admit I was quite absorbed with the plot and I hope we will see more of our character, she has some hidden surprises!
Ready for a trip to the past?
kirkw1972's review
3.0
This is a quick and easy to read ghost story. I enjoyed the first 2 thirds as Annie uncovers not one but two ghosts in the holiday home she is staying in after the death of her husband and sets about uncovering the mysterious circumstances of both disappearances.
I liked Annie and the secondary characters for the most part are well defined. There were one or two bits around the accomplices to events that I can;t say without spoiling the story that left me a bit unsatisfied. I'd have liked more detail and maybe a bit of comeuppance for it all.
It's not a deep ghost story but that's ok as not every story needs a thousand layers to it. This has a simple premise - ghost follows Annie around until she solves the crime, occasionally coming to her in dreams and telling her what happens when she's not quick enough to get the answers.
The final chunk of the book feels like an add on to boost the word count and would have worked better for me as a short story or the introduction of a second book as it looks like Annie is about to embark on a career as a medium. It just didn't work for me as it had no real links to any of the rest of the book. It wasn't horrible I just think it wasn't necessary.
Overall not a bad book and I did like the general story.
Free arc from netgalley
I liked Annie and the secondary characters for the most part are well defined. There were one or two bits around the accomplices to events that I can;t say without spoiling the story that left me a bit unsatisfied. I'd have liked more detail and maybe a bit of comeuppance for it all.
It's not a deep ghost story but that's ok as not every story needs a thousand layers to it. This has a simple premise - ghost follows Annie around until she solves the crime, occasionally coming to her in dreams and telling her what happens when she's not quick enough to get the answers.
The final chunk of the book feels like an add on to boost the word count and would have worked better for me as a short story or the introduction of a second book as it looks like Annie is about to embark on a career as a medium. It just didn't work for me as it had no real links to any of the rest of the book. It wasn't horrible I just think it wasn't necessary.
Overall not a bad book and I did like the general story.
Free arc from netgalley
noveldeelights's review
Annie is a young widow who discovered she was pregnant after her husband died in an accident. Overcome by guilt for various reasons, her sister convinces Annie to go away for a break to a lovely cottage in Anglesey. Unfortunately, Annie’s arrival stirs up all sorts of things and there’s no chance of getting some peace and quiet. But even when she finally leaves the cottage, the worst isn’t over yet.
I didn’t particularly get the feeling from the book description that this story would involve paranormal / supernatural events, which aren’t usually my thing. Unless it involves the Winchester brothers. If I had known, I may not have picked it up and that would have been a bit of a shame. At its base, this is really an intriguing mystery and I do so enjoy trying to solve a mystery. The opening chapter really sets the tone. It made me sink just that little bit deeper into my warm, comfortable blanket and wish I hadn’t started reading this at night. Even though at that point, I was thinking we were dealing with an unreliable narrator who was seeing things due to the overwhelming grief over her husband’s death, it nevertheless made me turn up the lights just that little bit more.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot but don’t let the paranormal vibe put you off or you’d miss out on quite an entertaining read. It’s all rather deliciously creepy! While I enjoyed the way it was written, it did somehow feel out of place with the time period, maybe a tad stilted for the year 2009, but I really enjoyed how the author managed to combine the paranormal with crime fiction. I also loved the setting and the various characters we were introduced to and of course, the investigation they find themselves in.
Overall, this is a quick read, perfect for the cold, winter nights! The ending seems to suggest there may be a follow-up at some point too so if you’re into your paranormal suspense stories, you may want to give this a go.
I didn’t particularly get the feeling from the book description that this story would involve paranormal / supernatural events, which aren’t usually my thing. Unless it involves the Winchester brothers. If I had known, I may not have picked it up and that would have been a bit of a shame. At its base, this is really an intriguing mystery and I do so enjoy trying to solve a mystery. The opening chapter really sets the tone. It made me sink just that little bit deeper into my warm, comfortable blanket and wish I hadn’t started reading this at night. Even though at that point, I was thinking we were dealing with an unreliable narrator who was seeing things due to the overwhelming grief over her husband’s death, it nevertheless made me turn up the lights just that little bit more.
I don’t want to reveal too much about the plot but don’t let the paranormal vibe put you off or you’d miss out on quite an entertaining read. It’s all rather deliciously creepy! While I enjoyed the way it was written, it did somehow feel out of place with the time period, maybe a tad stilted for the year 2009, but I really enjoyed how the author managed to combine the paranormal with crime fiction. I also loved the setting and the various characters we were introduced to and of course, the investigation they find themselves in.
Overall, this is a quick read, perfect for the cold, winter nights! The ending seems to suggest there may be a follow-up at some point too so if you’re into your paranormal suspense stories, you may want to give this a go.
ljwrites85's review
3.0
The book opens with Annie in a dark place emotionally. She’s suffering from depression and taking antidepressants after the death of her husband and subsequently finding out she’s pregnant. Her sister suggest she should take a break and journey to a little cottage in Anglesey. When she arrives at the cottage strange things start happening to her.
I received this ARC via Netgalley and it’s been on my tbr for a few months now and I thought I’d read it because I wanted something a little spooky to get me into the Halloween spirit. It kind of reminded me of Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt (anyone remember that show?) but in a bit of cheesy way rather than a scary way.
It was a quick and easy read but it lacked any suspense or tension until I got about 50% to 60% of the way in. The only reason I read so far in was the element of mystery, like who was this ghost and why was it picking on Annie?
I really did feel for Annie but I felt like she was believed far too easily about the ghost, which obviously didn’t know the rules of how to haunt someone, because at one point it showed up in the middle of the day! And I also didn’t find it particularly terrifying either.
The ending felt like it was tacked on at the end like an afterthought, as if the author wanted to do a certain amount of words so she decided to stick a few chapters on the end.
Overall a promising debut novel but I just wanted more scariness.
I received this ARC via Netgalley and it’s been on my tbr for a few months now and I thought I’d read it because I wanted something a little spooky to get me into the Halloween spirit. It kind of reminded me of Ghost Whisperer with Jennifer Love Hewitt (anyone remember that show?) but in a bit of cheesy way rather than a scary way.
It was a quick and easy read but it lacked any suspense or tension until I got about 50% to 60% of the way in. The only reason I read so far in was the element of mystery, like who was this ghost and why was it picking on Annie?
I really did feel for Annie but I felt like she was believed far too easily about the ghost, which obviously didn’t know the rules of how to haunt someone, because at one point it showed up in the middle of the day! And I also didn’t find it particularly terrifying either.
The ending felt like it was tacked on at the end like an afterthought, as if the author wanted to do a certain amount of words so she decided to stick a few chapters on the end.
Overall a promising debut novel but I just wanted more scariness.
steph1rothwell's review
4.0
I would like to thanks the publisher for the copy received.
I’ve always enjoyed paranormal fiction, sometimes I’m disappointed but I’m happy to say that Lay Me To Rest was one that worked for me and I am thrilled that it looks like there will be at least one more book.
Annie has gone to Wales for a few weeks holiday. The farm cottage she is to stay in was recommended by a friend of her sister. Newly widowed and pregnant with her first child she is looking forward to spending a few days on her own before her sister arrives. But straight away she senses a threat. And it is not one from the living. Whilst some of the occurences seem almost poltergeist they are not the only strange things to happen. The spirits are not just in the cottage, they follow her and seem to want to her help. Even though she has never believed in ghosts she knows that there is something wrong and tries to work out what has happened in the past and how she can be left alone. As well as the paranormal activity there is also a disappearance and Annie’s attempts to rebuild her life.
I liked Annie, she was finding it difficult to deal with decisions she had made in the past and was struggling to move on after the death of her husband. I could only admire her will, coping with what was happening in the cottage and knowing that she had to be strong for her unborn child. Many of the other characters were also likeable and just how I imagine them to be in a rural setting.
I was a little confused when the events in Wales were resolved earlier than expected, but life continued to be unusual for Annie when she was back home. This part of the storyline was if anything more sinister than earlier in the book and left me in anticipation for what was to come.
Strong characters, plenty of ghosts and a cracking storyline, I can’t wait to read more.
I’ve always enjoyed paranormal fiction, sometimes I’m disappointed but I’m happy to say that Lay Me To Rest was one that worked for me and I am thrilled that it looks like there will be at least one more book.
Annie has gone to Wales for a few weeks holiday. The farm cottage she is to stay in was recommended by a friend of her sister. Newly widowed and pregnant with her first child she is looking forward to spending a few days on her own before her sister arrives. But straight away she senses a threat. And it is not one from the living. Whilst some of the occurences seem almost poltergeist they are not the only strange things to happen. The spirits are not just in the cottage, they follow her and seem to want to her help. Even though she has never believed in ghosts she knows that there is something wrong and tries to work out what has happened in the past and how she can be left alone. As well as the paranormal activity there is also a disappearance and Annie’s attempts to rebuild her life.
I liked Annie, she was finding it difficult to deal with decisions she had made in the past and was struggling to move on after the death of her husband. I could only admire her will, coping with what was happening in the cottage and knowing that she had to be strong for her unborn child. Many of the other characters were also likeable and just how I imagine them to be in a rural setting.
I was a little confused when the events in Wales were resolved earlier than expected, but life continued to be unusual for Annie when she was back home. This part of the storyline was if anything more sinister than earlier in the book and left me in anticipation for what was to come.
Strong characters, plenty of ghosts and a cracking storyline, I can’t wait to read more.
bookdarling1987's review
I was given a copy of Lay Me to Rest by E.A. Clark through Negalley for an honest review. I am a woman who loves to read, I have taken to anything that has an interesting concept and eat it up. I enjoyed this story but I can’t say I loved it. Creepy concept and an awesome character in Annie but it didn’t catch my attention like I wish it did. Annie is taking a break from life because her husband has died. But a peaceful vacation turns into a creepy few days and a murder mystery that must be solved for Annie to get peace. The pace of the story starts off slow for me once it gets going though it does keep you connected. Personally, it reminded me of an episode of Ghost Whisperer and I couldn’t fall in love with it, but I did like it.
wellwortharead's review
3.0
Annie is struggling to come to grips with her status as newly widowed. She is about to become a single mom and grieving not only the loss of her husband but the fact that he will never know the child he so desperately wanted.
Her sister suggests a change of scenery may help lift her from her depression. So off she goes for a stay in what is meant to be a peaceful little cottage in the country. That peace and quiet is short lived when it becomes apparent that more than one ghost inhabits this property and is seeking the closure and justice they never got in life.
This was not really a story I would have expected to find in the horror section, but it was a fairish paranormal mystery.
I received an advance copy for review.
Her sister suggests a change of scenery may help lift her from her depression. So off she goes for a stay in what is meant to be a peaceful little cottage in the country. That peace and quiet is short lived when it becomes apparent that more than one ghost inhabits this property and is seeking the closure and justice they never got in life.
This was not really a story I would have expected to find in the horror section, but it was a fairish paranormal mystery.
I received an advance copy for review.
karlou's review
4.0
I was really looking forward to Lay Me To Rest after reading the blurb but somehow missed that this is a ghost story as well as a mystery. Thankfully I loved it and read the whole book in less than a day. Opening with a decidedly spooky prologue, this really is a chilling paranormal psychological thriller. When Annie Philips goes to stay in a remote cottage in North Wales she is looking for a relaxing retreat following the devastating death of her husband. She is also six months pregnant and terrified about bringing up a child alone. At first the cottage looks to be the ideal place for her to relax and begin to look forward after suffering such a devastating tragedy. However, before long it seems that somebody really doesn't want Annie there...
As a sceptic about all things supernatural, I had to put my prejudices aside but with such an involving plot that was actually very easy. I was intrigued to discover just what - or who - was creating the terrifying disturbances. Although set in 2009 there's something timeless about Lay Me To Rest; it has the petrified yet inquisitive protagonist - who may or may not be an unreliable narrator, supporting characters with their own dark secrets, a mysterious box, visits from beyond the grave, and the mild mannered Reverend Evans and his wife, Nia who are called in to perform an exorcism. and who turn out to be a wealth of knowledge on all things paranormal and who facilitate Annie's communication with the spirit world.
The mystery when it is solved isn't altogether surprising but that really didn't matter, it's the engrossing storytelling that pulls the reader in here. If I had to criticise anything it would be the ending which I think may divide opinions. Although I understand the need to set the scene for the next book in the series, it could be argued that there's almost too much of the next story here. Perhaps it would have been better to have finished a bit sooner with just the hint of more to come as I did feel the concluding chapters meant that delicious feeling of unease, where I would have jumped at the slightest noise, faded a little. However, this really is a minor gripe and I am delighted at the prospect of reading a sequel with further ghostly encounters.
Telling ghost stories is a Christmas tradition, and Lay Me To Rest has all the elements of a dark and unnerving tale with its themes of birth and death, past and future, retribution and forgiveness. Curl up on the sofa, light a few candles and enjoy being spooked by this engaging and poignant book this festive season!
As a sceptic about all things supernatural, I had to put my prejudices aside but with such an involving plot that was actually very easy. I was intrigued to discover just what - or who - was creating the terrifying disturbances. Although set in 2009 there's something timeless about Lay Me To Rest; it has the petrified yet inquisitive protagonist - who may or may not be an unreliable narrator, supporting characters with their own dark secrets, a mysterious box, visits from beyond the grave, and the mild mannered Reverend Evans and his wife, Nia who are called in to perform an exorcism. and who turn out to be a wealth of knowledge on all things paranormal and who facilitate Annie's communication with the spirit world.
The mystery when it is solved isn't altogether surprising but that really didn't matter, it's the engrossing storytelling that pulls the reader in here. If I had to criticise anything it would be the ending which I think may divide opinions. Although I understand the need to set the scene for the next book in the series, it could be argued that there's almost too much of the next story here. Perhaps it would have been better to have finished a bit sooner with just the hint of more to come as I did feel the concluding chapters meant that delicious feeling of unease, where I would have jumped at the slightest noise, faded a little. However, this really is a minor gripe and I am delighted at the prospect of reading a sequel with further ghostly encounters.
Telling ghost stories is a Christmas tradition, and Lay Me To Rest has all the elements of a dark and unnerving tale with its themes of birth and death, past and future, retribution and forgiveness. Curl up on the sofa, light a few candles and enjoy being spooked by this engaging and poignant book this festive season!