Book Review - The Folcroft Ghosts by Darcy Coates

 

When their mother suffered an accident, Tara and her brother, Kyle, were sent to live with their estranged grandparents. May and Peter Folcroft seemed like the perfect grandparents. Their house is quaint and its hidden in the base of the mountains. 

They noticed that strange things keep happening. Furniture keeps moving around and there are figures in the fog. Tara and Kyle believe that the house might be haunted. A brutal storm cuts down their only line of communication into the outside world. 

May becomes obsessive with them and rarely lets them out of her sight. They try to pretend that they are a happy family. But, when they discover a locked room and a forgotten journal, they know they need to escape.

I read quite a few of the author's books and found this book to be enjoyable. It had a very creepy quality to it. The twist was interesting but, it was hinted at. I liked that they included a few short stories by the author that were interesting to read. I wished that they were fleshed out a bit more into their own novels. If the author released a collection of short stories, I would definitely read them because she seems to have a knack for writing creepy stories.

Book Review - House of Secrets (House of Shadows #2) by Darcy Coates

 

Sophie and Joseph barely managed to escape from Northwood. However, their happiness is short-lived when they realized the beast survived and has attached itself to Elise. Garrett writes to the couple and begs for their assistance. They travel to Kensington, an abandoned mansion that overlooks a dead town.

The abandoned house's original owner dedicated her life to researching the Grimlock. The group is hoping that she left behind some clues to defeat the monster that inhibits Elise. As the group begins to peruse the reading material left behind, they notice something dangerous in the air. Their carriage left and it has left them trapped in the house. Will they be able to survive the house or will it consume them?

The book was an interesting read. I felt like the book was a bit slow and there wasn't much going on. Sophie spent most of the book reflecting on how Joseph feels about her. I didn't feel that there were many spooky or scary elements to this novel.  The book felt more like a romantic read than a ghost story. I wasn't fond of this series and I am glad it is over. I am still looking forward to reading her other books.

Book Review - House of Shadows (House of Shadows, #1) by Darcy Coates

 

Sophie has grown up in a privileged world. However, that all changes when a disaster bankrupts her family. As Sophie tries to come terms with news, an unexpected solution appears. A wealthy stranger, Mr. Argenton, asks for her hand in marriage. Sophie knows if she marries Mr. Argenton it will save her family's fortune and from scandal. Sophie is torn because she knows she will have to leave her family and live in Northwood, a vast and dark mansion that is hours away from civilization.

She struggles with her new life as the mistress of the cold and desolate mansion. Her new relatives are distant and cold, while Mr. Argenton is keeping secrets. Sophie feels that there is something wrong with the house and it feels unnatural.

She hears a piano play during the middle of the night but, no one in the house plays. The house drips blood from the ceiling and she feels a dark and cold presence. Sophie begins to learn that the house is haunted and the house doesn't like intruders.

Sophie feels trapped at Northwood and she is desperate to escape. She wants to leave but, she is unable to leave Mr. Argenton behind. She finds herself drawn to him and suspects he feels the same way about her. However, she knows that the secrets that Mr. Argenton keep might cost her life.

I have quite a few of the author's novels and I have enjoyed them. This book is part of a series and it was an interesting read. However, I had a hard time liking Sophie. I felt like the character was weak and pathetic and she turns hysterical over everything. When Sophie finally grew a backbone, it was unrealistic and out of character for her. I thought it was unrealistic how quickly Sophie fell in love with Mr. Argenton when they mostly kept their distance and she knew he was keeping secrets.  I didn't understand why Sophie kept the odd behaviors of her husband's family a secret when he was nothing but understanding towards her.

Book Review - Hunted by Darcy Coates

 

Eileen is a twenty-two-year old who decided she wanted to embark on more challenges in life. She decides to hike the remote Ashlough Forest alone. After not returning any calls from family and friends, they reported her as missing. Five days later, her camera is found in a river and it contains weird photos that were taken around her disappearance.

Chris is heartbroken over his sister's disappearance. He wants to believe that she is still alive. However, when the police abandons their search, he and his four friends decided to make their own search party. They decide to stray from the hiking trails to find clues on Eileen's disappearance. While searching the mountain range, they discover find disturbing evidence that they might not be alone in the forest and that Eileen's disappearance was no accident.

I have read quite a few books by the author and this is one is quite different from her normal ghost stories. I found that this book is more of a thriller with death involved. While, I did enjoy the novel I found that book was longer and then necessary and the culprit was very easy to guess. I didn't care for most of the characters in the novel and found them to be trite. I think I might stick with her ghost stories.

Book Review - Voices in the Snow (Black Winter, #1) by Darcy Coates

 

 

Clare remembers being out in the cold and being surrounded by snow. She remembers seeing abandoned cars and toys scattered among the road. She recalls seeing dark shapes in the snow and being afraid. And then she doesn't remember anything afterwards.

Clare wakes up in a strange gothic home. She has no recollection on how she got there. The stranger tells her that she was in a car accident and he found her in the snow. Clare feels unsafe and wants to leave but, there is a vicious snowstorm trapping them in the house.

The stranger seems kind but, Clare doesn't know if she can trust him. He told her that they are alone but, she keeps seeing and hearing things. She feels that something is watching them in the woods.  She feels that she is being hunted and she is on edge. She fears that she might not be safe anywhere.

This novel is a departure from her normal horror house stories. Personally, I like her haunted houses stories more. This book is beginning of the series and it looks like you will need to read all the stories to get the full story. The book had creepy elements but, I felt like something was still missing. The characters didn't seem believable. I am not sure I would read the other books from this series.

Book Review - The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates

 

The Carrow House is the most haunted in the state and Remy is the tour guide for it. People are superstitious about the house but, Remy hasn't seen any proof of paranormal activity. A guest from her tour offers to host her and six other people in a two-week-long stay to document and research the paranormal activity at the house. Remy is excited about the opportunity because she always wanted to experience the sightings first hand.

On the first day there, the guests experience their first ghost encounter.  They are excited and can't wait to see more. However, a storm moves in and cuts off all contact with the outside world. Things quickly turn sinister when doors are opening on their own, ghostly apparitions are making more frequent appearances, and their seances go wrong. The spirit medium that is hired to assist with the seances, keeps night walking in a trance. When one of the guests dies under strange circumstances, they fear that the ghost of the original homeowner might be among them. However, the homeowner was a renowned serial killer. Will they be able to escape before it's too late?

I have read quite a few books by the author and I really enjoyed this novel. I thought it was equal amounts of spooky and creepy. I believe she borrowed elements from H.H. Holmes's story.  There were a few predictable moments as this book follows the same structure as her other haunted story novels. However, I still enjoyed reading the book and look forward to reading her other books.

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Book Review - Craven Manor by Darcy Coates

 

Daniel is down on his luck and he is desperate for a job. He is willing to take any job to be able to afford food and rent. Someone slides a note under his door offering him a job as a groundskeeper at an old crumbling estate. The job offers him free housing and food along with a generous salary. He feels like the job is too good to be true.

When he arrives at Craven Manor, he feels like he might have been a victim of a prank. The mansion is dilapidated and its front door is wide open. The house is covered in leaves and cobwebs and it's apparent that no one has lived there in a long time. When he turns to leave, he finds an envelope with his name on it. There is a note offering him the job and it contains money with the promise of more if he accepts the job.

Daniel accepts the job because his only other option is to be homeless. He moves into the groundskeeper's cottage and tries to do his job. He tries to ignore all the strange occurrences and focuses on getting his job done. However, he feels that something is wrong deep in bones especially when there is a candle flickering in the abandoned tower window. He feels that Craven Manor is hiding a terrible secret but, can he survive it?

I enjoyed this novel. I like for the first time, a character isn't oblivious that something is wrong. Unfortunately, I feel for Daniel because he is stuck in a tough spot.  However, I didn't like that Daniel kept caring for a person who didn't even have his best interest at heart. I understand that Daniel was at a low point and that person was there for him but, it seems that everything that person did was motivated by greed. Daniel realized that this person was motivated by greed but, still tries to be positive and caring towards that person. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to reading other books by the author

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Haunting of Rookward House by Darcy Coates

 

 

Guy is going through a tough time and had to move back home with his mother. He decides to thank his mother for taking him back in by cleaning up her attic. While cleaning her attic, he finds a deed for a house. He decides that he will clean and update the house and he will be able to sell it for a profit. He figured it would be a great opportunity for him and his mother.

When Guy visits Rookward House, he feels like he is being watched. However, Rookward House doesn't have any neighbors within its vicinity. The locals claim that the house is haunted but, Guy doesn't believe in ghost stories. He decides to spend a week at the crumbling estate to do repairs.  He figured nothing can go wrong during his weeklong stay. However, there is a reason why the mansion has stayed empty for years. There is something buried deep within the walls that's yearning to be free. Almost forty years ago, a woman tormented the family that lived in Rookward house. Her ghost clings to the house and now that Guy moved into her house, she has no intention of letting him go.

I enjoyed reading this story but, I felt like the ghost story was very predictable. This book along with her other works follows the same basic format. I didn't feel like there was a lot of spookiness to this book but, maybe shock/creepy factor. I did feel like the novel was a bit lackluster compared to the other books I read from her. Overall, I am still a fan of her novels and look forward to reading her other books.

  **Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The House Next Door by Darcy Coates

 

Jo lives near a haunted house. She suspected something is wrong with the house since no one stays there long. Recently a family fled during the middle of the night and left all their belongings in the house. Animals including her cats avoid going near the house. Once Jo saw someone pacing through the upstairs room but, no one was living there at the time.

Anna recently bought the house next door. Jo is curious about her new neighbor and decides to reach out to Anna. Jo didn't expect to become friends with Anna but, she is excited to have a friend. However, the Marwick House has become active again with the arrival of its new occupant. Will Anna and Jo be able to get out of the house alive? Will they be able to figure out what is haunting the house?

This was my third book by the author and I enjoyed it. The book isn't really scary but, suspenseful. I found the book to be well written and engaging. As I was reading the book (stupidly late at night and in the dark) I could imagine being inside the dark and creepy house. I felt like the story took a while to build and there wasn't much of a "haunting".  I can't say this was my favorite book but, I am still interested in reading her other novels.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**

Book Review - The Haunting of Ashburn House by Darcy Coates

 

 

 In the small town of Ipson, everyone knows about the Ashburn House. There are rumors that the old owner, Edith went mad and that the house is haunted by ghosts. The ghost stories hint at a cruel supernatural being that dwells near the house. When Edith dies, Adrienne inherited the house. She is beyond ecstatic at her good fortune as she is in dire need of a new home. She has no money and has nowhere to go. Adrienne looks at the house as a chance to start over.

Adrienne notices that there are strange messages scratched into the walls. When she leaves a room, the furniture moves around. And when the night falls, something is lurking in the darkness. When exploring the area around the house, Adrienne finds a grave in the forest. The grave has a vague headstone but, it hints at a dark secret. As Adrienne tries to unravel the mystery behind the grave, she discovers that something is hunting her and it won't stop until it gets its prey.

 This was my first novel by the author and now I am hooked! The story was suspenseful and an entertaining read. I did feel that the novel progressed very slowly with many frivolous details. The story had a few predictable elements along with a few twists. I enjoyed reading the parts with her cat, Wolfgang.

**Disclosure -  This post may contain affiliate links which means I earn advertising and/or referral fees if you purchase an item through my link. Please note, there will be no extra charges to you. Thank you for your support.**