The Night Guests: a haunting gothic story which a young woman questions her own sanity

The Night Guests by Marina Scott is a haunting gothic story which has the one young woman questioning what is truly going on. It is 1903 in Omaha, Nebraska and Nina Wilson is drowning in debt and disgrace after the sudden death of her father. Once a part of Omaha’s high society, she struggles as her engagement has been broken off, the family’s estate is in desperate need of repair and her mother is consumed with grief. In an attempt to help her mother move on, Nina invites Leroy Marshall, a mysterious medium, into their home. However, Leroy leaves Nina deeply unsettled with his brand of charisma, both alluring and repellent. One he arrives, something seems to happen in the house. Something from another world and now refuses to leave. Now Nina is in a fight she doesn’t know how to fight or that she has a power no one expects.

The Night Guests was an option for Amazon’s First Reads in October and while I am not a gothic story fan, I was intrigued by the premises. Were there really unwanted guests in the house or is someone playing with Nina’s mental health? That is the question that hovers in the reader’s mind for most of the book until the final act. It is a slow burn that keeps readers guessing as the action heats up. There are plenty of shocking moments and jaw dropping events. The Night Guests reminded me of the films The Haunting (1999) and The House of Haunted Hill (1959 and 1999). It was spooky and the atmosphere descriptions were very vivid and I could see this book being made into a movie. Overall, I enjoyed this story and I closed the book with one single word “Wow!” If you enjoy haunting gothic stories, I highly recommend The Night Guests. 

The Night Guests is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Guest in Room 120: a bit of mystery, history, romance and haunting

 he Guest in Room 120 by Sara Ackerman is a story of the mysterious death of Jane Stanford, co-founder of Stanford University. 1905, Jane Stanford is a woman with an iron will and has her share of enemies. After an attempted poisoning attempt in her San Francisco mansion. With medical advice for warmer climates, she flees to Honolulu with two companions to the new Moana Hotel. On the island, Iliahi Baldwin is a young girl working at the hotel as she takes care of her younger brothers. She forms an unlikely friendship with the intimidating Jane Stanford and witnesses events that would expose the truth. 2005, Zoe Finch is a bestselling author who attends a writer’s conference at the Moana Hotel. She soon begins to experience mysterious dreams and events which puts her on the path to discover the shocking events which occurred at the hotel one hundred years ago. 

I did not know anything about Jane Stanford before reading this story. I knew she and her husband created the university to honor their late son. I was intrigued as her death remains a mystery to this day. From the opening chapter to the final page, I was pulled into a story that was a bit of mystery, history, romance and a haunting without being overbearing or too much of one over the others. The story is told from the perspective of all three women as readers see the events leading to Jane’s death, the immediate aftermath and the experiences which lead Zoe to investigate. The haunting aspect was not scary or terrifying. I enjoyed reading about the island in 1905. Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this story. It is a story of betrayal, secrets and a death that echoes and connects three women across time. I highly recommend The Guest in Room 120. 

The Guest in Room 120 is available in hardcover, paperback, eBook and audiobook

The Haven: a gothic suspense thriller

The Haven is the second book in the Outer Banks series by Nicola Marsh. The Haven has been a refuge for many; however, for Rylee it has been a sheltered life. While she loves her father, John, and her grandmother, Leah, she wonders about life outside of her home. When an opportunity to work at the Arcania, a wellness retreat near her home, Rylee is excited but Leah isn’t thrilled. Rylee is also on a journey to search for the mother who left suddenly when she was a newborn with long buried family secrets ready to be uncovered. What Leah is hiding is that decades earlier, she arrived at The Haven and got a job at the nearby Arcania. However, horrors she witnessed there sent her running. As Rylee’s fascination with finding her mother and the Arcania grows, Leah believes Rylee is now in harm’s way. How far will Leah go to protect her family? 

OMG! What a story! As I began the book, I was curious how the Haven could be related to the Arcania, the story we see in The Retreat (2023). Although you do not need to read The Retreat first to enjoy The Haven, I would highly recommend it. As Rylee begins to subvert her grandmother’s control and truly begins her search for answers, the gates open and the story begins a twisted tale of suspense, thrills, and turns of events you won’t see coming! I love how Rylee finds her courage and stands up for herself as she demands answers. And the ending! Are there plans for a third book? Oh, I hope so! With the haunting setting and unexplained happenings, this story will draw you in until the final page. I highly recommend The Haven as well as the first book, The Retreat. If you enjoy gothic suspense thrillers, you cannot miss the Outer Banks series! 

The Haven will be available on October 31, 2023 in paperback and eBook

Nocturne: one young woman and a mysterious benefactor who will change her life forever

Nocturne by Alyssa Wees is a haunting story about one young woman and a mysterious benefactor which changes her life. Grace Dragotta grew up in Chicago’s Little Sicily and dreamed of becoming a ballerina. After losing her family, she finds herself orphaned and without a home. She chooses the North Ballet Company as her home and begins to imagine her life center stage. As the Great Depression is in full swing, Grace becomes the company’s new prima ballerina. Soon she attracts the attention of the mysterious and secretive Master La Rosa as her personal patron and she will learn the world is far greater than she ever realized. Who is Master La Rosa? What does he want from Grace? As she begins to learn about her patron, she discovers there is another way to find the excellence she desires. 

I don’t know anything about ballet but Nocturne has it all. It has a mysterious patron a la The Phantom of the Opera, a deal a la Beauty and the Beast and a mix of legends and myths woven into a magical story. As I started the story, it was hard to get into it; however, once I truly sat down to read the story opened up and I couldn’t put it down. The story flowed from the pages and would not let me go. I needed to find out who Master La Rosa was, who his equally mysterious assistant, Mr. Russo was and what role did Grace play within the mystery. It was beautifully lyrical with hauntingly detailed imagery. The beautiful cover drew me in and the story kept me there until the very last page. I highly recommend Nocturne. 

Nocturne is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

The Hacienda: a haunting thriller and supernatural mystery

The Hacienda by Isabel Cañas is a supernatural suspense story set in the aftermath of the Mexican War of Independence (1810-1821) in a remote village, a sinister haunted house and a young woman left to defend herself. After her father is executed and her home destroyed, Beatriz is left at the mercy of family. When Don Rodolfo Solórzano proposes, she immediately says yes. The promise of a home and security for her and her mother is too good to pass up despite the circulating rumors about his first wife’s death. However, Hacienda San Isidro is not the sanctuary she was hoping for and while Rodolfo works in the capital, she is plagued with visions and voices at night. Despite her concerns being brushed aside, she knows something is wrong with the house. Beatriz turns to a young priest, Padre Andres, who is familiar with the house and its history, for help. Together, can they fight the malevolent spirit and return peace to Hacienda San Isidro? 

Billed as Mexican Gothic (2020) meets Rebecca (1938), which I have not yet read either, The Hacienda is a haunting thriller which hooks the readers on a journey of a supernatural mystery that leaves them gasping for breath! As I read, I was reminded of Shirley Jackson’s The House on Haunted Hill (1959), as the house is a character in itself. After reading the author’s notes, I can see why I got that vibe as Ms.Cañas was paying homage to Shirley Jackson who was known for her horror and mystery stories. While I am not usually a fan of horror stories, The Hacienda is a mix of gothic horror with historical commentary of what people will be to gain and keep power. It is a story of resilience and resistance. I cheered for Beatriz and Andres as they battled this evil spirit and turned each page with anticipation. Ms. Cañas created such a mood and atmosphere that it was hard to put down! I highly recommend The Hacienda. 

The Hacienda is hardcover, eBook, and audiobook

No More Words: dark family secrets, haunting memories and a path to the truth

No More Words is the first book in the No More Words series by Kerry Lonsdale. Fourteen years ago, Olivia Carson’s younger sister, Lily, ran away. Forced to choose between abortion or adoption, she ran, never to return. But once a year, Lily sends Olivia a letter and a picture of her son, Josh. Until one day Josh himself appears on Olivia’s doorstep. He’s alone and terrified. An accident has left Josh with language difficulties that makes it difficult for him to communicate. But as a prolific artist, Olivia discovers he can “speak” through his art. As she tries to decipher what happened to Lily, doors that have been long shut on the past have been opening. Each step brings her closer to the truth and threatens everything she thought she knew about her family. 

Kerry Lonsdale is known for deeply emotional dramas with no easy path to move forward. No More Words is a drama filled with family secrets and suspense. From the opening chapter, this story grabs hold of the reader and takes them on a roller coaster of the past, present and secrets that could threaten everything including one’s own life. Olivia is a deeply wounded woman who is haunted by the events surrounding her sister’s disappearance. Secrets, lies, and manipulation twist this story that Olivia doesn’t know who to trust. She knows one thing for sure, Lily is in danger and she needs to find her fast! No More Words is filled with twists and turns that don't let up until the very end. I look forward to reading the rest of the series. I highly recommend No More Words! 

No More Words is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

The End of Temperance Dare: a haunting gothic mystery

The End of Temperance Dare by Wendy Webb is a haunting story of intrigue, secrets and revenge. After suddenly losing her job at a local newspaper, Eleanor Harper decides to apply for the director position at Cliffside Manor, a renowned artist retreat, as Penelope Dare decides to step down and retire. She knows nothing of the manor’s past as a tuberculosis sanatorium. After years as a crime reporter, she hopes that the artist retreat atmosphere will bring the peace she needs. She is quite surprised when she is selected for the position but ready for the challenge. When she arrives on a fog-filled morning, Eleanor can’t shake a sense of impending doom and as the artists arrive, she begins to suspect that her predecessor chose this group of individuals with a certain purpose in mind. As strange and chilling events begin to unfold, the sins of the pasts are revealed, Eleanor must fight to save the artists and herself from evil forces. Will they make it out alive? 

The End of Temperance Dare is a gothic novel with many twists and turns. As I read, I was reminded of Henry James’ 1898 novella, The Turning of the Screw and Nicole Kidman’s 2001 movie The Others with a sprinkle of Supernatural (2005-2020) vibes. When events are unfolding and strange occurrences catch the residents unaware, I kept asking myself who or what is behind it all? Was it one of the caretakers on the grounds? I had my suspicions about a few. Or was there an evil spirit with a deadly game to play? The beginning was a bit slow for me but the gothic vibe was evident from the very beginning but a few chapters in and the story burst open and kept me glued to the page. I usually don’t read gothic novels but this story was intriguing and gripping. Ms. Webb developed mood, atmosphere and mystery brilliantly. I am intrigued to read Ms. Webb’s other works. I highly, highly recommend The End of Temperance Dare. 

The End of Temperance Dare is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook

Breaking the Silence: a story of twists and turns

Breaking the Silence by Diane Chamberlain is a story of secrets and the links that connect us.  Laura Brandon made a promise to her dying father. With his last breath, he desperately made her promise to visit an elderly woman, a woman she had never met before. In fact, she hadn’t even heard of her before. Sarah Tolley is a woman who suffers from Alzheimer’s and only the distant past remains as vivid as ever. Laura sees visiting Sarah as a small sacrifice to honor her beloved father. But her husband, Ray, doesn’t want her to go, claiming Sarah wouldn’t know if she came at all and certainty her father wouldn’t either but Laura insists. Keeping her promise results in another death. Ray commits suicide while she is gone visiting Sarah and their five-year old daughter, Emma, is home to witness it. Now Emma refuses to talk about it, actually she refuses to talk at all. Desperate and filled with guilt, Laura contacts the only person who may help. A man she has only met once. A man who doesn’t know he is Emma’s birth father. Will she be able to break Emma’s silence and discover the link between her father and Sarah? 

Ms. Chamberlain weaves stories of intrigue and inspiration. Breaking the Silence is no exception. It is a page turner, dealing with heavy topics such as suicide, Alzheimer’s, trauma and psychiatric treatments of the 1950s, this book does not hold back. From the opening pages, you are hooked to discover the link between Laura’s father and Sarah and why she hadn’t heard of this woman before. The reason behind Emma’s silence seems pretty straightforward and even takes a backseat to Laura’s mission to find out who Sarah is to her father. Having read a few of Ms. Chamberlain’s books before, she heavily researches for her stories so when someone says something out of place or wrong, keep it in mind it may be the character's ignorance rather than the author’s mistake. I have read many reviews that point out mistakes but I feel they fail to realize that 1) the book takes place in the year 2000, when many people still didn’t know a lot about Alzheimer’s, 2) that errors in the character’s statements are necessarily an author’s mistakes but a flaw in the characters’ understanding or 3) the error is a plot point or misdirection. Overall, I enjoyed Breaking the Silence and would highly recommend it. 

Breaking the Silence is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook. 

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Songbirds: the story of the people who are unseen

Songbirds by Christy Lefteri is the story behind the headlines. Nisha Jayakody is living on the island of Cyprus, far from her native Sri Lanka. Though she longs to return home to her own daughter, she knows that working as a nanny and maid for Petra Loizides, a wealthy widow, is helping her earn enough to support her daughter back home. Yiannis is a poacher, trapping the tiny protected songbirds that stop in Cyprus as they migrate each year from Africa to Europe, to sell them on the black market. He dreams of finding a new way of life and marrying Nisha. One night, after tucking Petra’s daughter, Aliki into bed, Nisha goes out on a mysterious errand and disappears. Despite Petra’s concern, the police refuse to pursue the case, so she and Yiannis take matters into their own hands. Petra learns the darker side of a migrant’s life where impossible choices leave them vulnerable and trapped, and realized how little she knew Nisha, the woman who helped her through her darkest days. Will Nisha be found? Where did she go?

After reading and loving Christy Lefteri’s book, The Beekeeper of Aleppo, I eagerly took the chance to read Songbirds. Inspired by the real disappearance of domestic workers in Cyprus, Songbirds is a moving and deeply empathetic story of the human stories beyond the headlines. With tenderness and beauty I expect from Ms. Lefteri, Songbirds is a haunting story of those who live on the outside of our daily lives. I thoroughly enjoyed Petra as she discovered how little she showed her appreciation for Nisha and desperately searched for her. She would not stop until she found Nisha. Ms. Lefteri’s descriptions move between beautifully lyrical and disturbingly descriptive, especially as she describes how Yiannis captures the birds and prepares them for market. It is a mystery that will keep the reader guessing. At its worst, it is a story of prejudice, racism and misogyny. However, in the end, at its best,  it is a story of the fight for truth and justice for all who live in our midst, not just the ones society deems are worthy. I highly recommend Songbirds. 

Songbirds is available in hardcover, eBook, and audiobook. 

Favorite: a haunting story

Favorite by Karen McQuestion is a thriller young adult novel in which no one and nothing is what it seems. On her 11th birthday, 16-year-old Angie Favorite’s mother disappeared without a trace. Five years later, Angie is abducted from a mall parking lot. She narrowly escapes and her attacker is arrested but takes his life in jail before he can answer for his crime. When Lillian, the attacker’s mother, contacts Angie, begging forgiveness on her son’s behalf and offers any help Angie may need. She agrees to meet Lillian. When she arrives at the woman’s massive estate, she can’t help feeling uneasy and unable to shake the feelings of foreboding. Something is not right and despite her urges and warnings, no one is listening to Angie. Can she finally figure out what’s wrong before it’s too late?

Favorite was an easy read, fast paced as the reader is taken on a journey with many twists and turns. I was able to finish the story in one day as I could not put it down. Every time I tried to find a good stopping point, something would happen to fuel my interest to find out what happens. I did not see the ending coming! There were hits and misses with the characters. I enjoyed Angie who acted and behaved as someone who has been through a traumatic event. Her family, despite being concerned for her when she was in the hospital, seemed to focus on their own desires as Angie raises her concerns. While I enjoyed the book, I feel the target audience of young adults may enjoy it more. I recommend Favorite. 

Favorite is available in paperback, eBook, and audiobook.

The Flip: a haunting new novel

The Flip by Michael Phillip Cash is a ghost thriller about a young married couple who flip old houses. Their latest house has them on their toes. Julie and Brad are currently renovating the Hemmings House, an old Victorian house which sat vacated for years. Julie fell in love with the house instantly while Brad had his reservations. While work beings, strange occurrences begin to happen as they tear down walls and unlock the houses secrets. The house is haunted by Tessa and Gerald whose stories are told as new discoveries are found in the house and how they came to haunt it. Tessa and Gerald make mention of The Sentinels, an entity that is never really explained who or what they were. With each discovery, Julie and Brad make surprising discoveries about the house’s history.

My first impressions of the book is that I didn’t like the double spaced lines of the text. I’m not sure it was done for style but it was distracting. Also, the chapters start on the left page rather than the right. It seemed odd to be as every book I’ve read started on the right side page. I loved the character of Brad and really didn’t like Julie. I didn’t see how they could be attracted to each other but opposites do attract by the end of the book with their shared experience in the house, they seemed a more compatible couple. I really can't say more about the book without revealing very important plot points. Overall, The Flip is a good ghost story that holds your attention. If you like ghost stories and haunts, this book is for you.

The Flip is available on Amazon for the Kindle for $0.99 and in paperback for $14.99