Haunted World - Theresa Cheung

Paranormal expert Theresa Cheung shares 101 of the most mysterious and spooky true stories of hauntings from around the world together with the latest afterlife science and research, providing fascinating insight into our never-ending love affair with ghosts.

Belief in ghosts is surprisingly common worldwide. Mysterious glowing orbs, unexplained chills, things that literally go bump in the night: signs of paranormal activity have reportedly surged during the pandemic. As have specialist investigators, organised ghost hunts, eerie podcasts, TV shows and reports of everyday hauntings.

Sharing the details of some well-known and particularly mysterious hauntings together with some less-well-known tales and personal stories from her readers and listeners, Theresa explores these ghostly encounters through four categories of hauntings: residual, poltergeist, inhuman and intelligent.

With an introduction to modern parapsychology, a look at the latest science that digs deeper into our never-ending love affair with ghosts, psychic-themed self-help advice and ghost hunting tips, Haunted World is a timely and entertaining journey through the thrilling world of afterlife research.

 

What did I think?

This is a great book to read as the nights get darker and the spooky season approaches.  Let's just say I'm glad I read it during the day as I was creeped out enough, thank you very much.  It's a great book for dipping in and out of but I read it cover to cover as I couldn't put it down.

In this spooky virtual tour of 101 paranormal events from around the world, Theresa Cheung both captivated and chilled me with these ghostly tales.  There were some I had heard of but most of them were new to me.  I loved how each story is written concisely but often directing the reader to do some further research on the internet.  I would have read the book a lot quicker if I hadn't been googling to see the creepy photos. 

The book is split into four parts: residual, poltergeist, inhuman and intelligent.  Residual hauntings is the largest part as it's the most common type of haunting, that of past events playing on a loop, such as reports of the sighting of two young princes in the Tower of London.  The scariest haunting is that of the poltergeist that can move objects and people, but is often faked.  Equally scary perhaps (for me, at least) are the inhuman hauntings; things like dolls, paintings or other inanimate items.  I was particularly interested in the intelligent hauntings which suggest a level of consciousness remains when a person has died.

Whatever your interest or belief in ghosts, this is a very interesting and informative book.  It has a good spread of stories from around the world, although there are a few geographical bloopers that might annoy readers from Pontefract and Vancouver.  

Haunted World is chilling, goosebumpy read that both enlightens and entertains the reader and I highly recommend it for Hallowe'en reading.

I chose to read the paperback I received from Tandem Collective as part of a TikTok mailout and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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What Hides in the Cupboards - Cassondra Windwalker

Following a traumatic accident, ceramic artist Hesper Dunn trades life in Chicago for the enchanted deserts of New Mexico. But not all is quaint, and it’s far from what it seems. There’s a mystery buried deep in the heart of her new home.

Love, guilt, and grief demand that Hesper remain within the haunted pueblo. To free herself, she must free the trapped spirits…but the creatures lurking in the shadows are not what they appear. Hesper dares to wade through the murky fog of tragedy to uncover the truth. A truth that will be harder to handle than she ever dared imagine.

 

What did I think?

I've been a fan of Cassondra Windwalker's writing since I read her unforgettable novel, Idle Hands, so I was delighted to get the chance to read an early copy of her latest novel, What Hides in the Cupboards.  

You never know what to expect with a Cassondra Windwalker novel so I am purposefully keeping my review brief to avoid spoilers.  You know from the cover that this is going to be a creepy novel but it's so very clever and also unexpectedly moving.

I loved the main character, Hesper and really felt her pain as she struggles to deal with her own demons as well as the spooky young boy who haunts her new house.  I was completely riveted as I raced through the pages to uncover who or what the boy is and I had an actual gasp out loud and a lump in my throat at the end.

The writing is absolutely exquisite and I often had to stop reading for just a moment to fully appreciate the breathtaking perfection of the words.  It's a book that both creeped me out and broke my heart - I loved it!    

Many thanks to Cassondra Windwalker for sending me a digital ARC to read and review; this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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Lockwood & Co. - Jonathan Stroud

'The Screaming Staircase?' Lockwood edged forward in his chair. 'Please, Mr Fairfax, tell us more.'

For more than fifty years, Britain has been terrorised by an epidemic of murderous ghosts. A number of Psychic Investigations Agencies have sprung up to destroy them - with mixed results . . .

Lucy Carlyle, a talented young agent, arrives in London hoping to begin a shining new chapter in her career. Instead she finds herself joining Lockwood & Co., the most ramshackle agency in the city, whose ineptitude is matched only by the charisma of its owner.

But Lockwood & Co. have one last chance for redemption. All they have to do is spend the night in one of the most haunted houses in England . . . and come out alive.

The first book in an amazingly addictive, binge-worthy series, this is an electrifying, witty and brilliantly spooky thriller, perfect for fans of Rivers of London and Good Omens.

 

What did I think?

Wow!  I absolutely loved this book.  It is aimed at 11 year olds and above so everyone from children to adults will enjoy this fabulous book.

I noticed Lockwood & Co. among the new shows on Netflix but I wanted to read the book before watching it as the book is almost always better.  If the series is even half as good as the book, it’ll be fantastic.

It’s told from the perspective of Lucy Carlyle, who hails from my native North East of England, although Lucy’s England is filled with ghosts and hauntings that only children can eliminate.  Lucy is looking for a job that will put her psychic talent to good use, but every interview ends in disappointment as soon as the subject of her previous employment comes up.  Anthony Lockwood is more interested in Lucy’s present than her past and Lucy finally secures a position as the third member of the Lockwood & Co. team.

Lockwood reminds me of Sherlock Holmes with his almost indifferent nature and you think he’s not listening but he doesn’t miss anything.  George may be always thinking of his next sweet treat but he’s very shrewd and would lay his life on the line for Lockwood.  Lucy has the most intriguing talent as she can feel what the ghost feels so she is led more by her feelings and intuition than with her head.  Lucy is the newest member of the team so she’s still finding her place in this entertaining trio.

The story is told in five parts that contain their own separate storyline but they all link together and flow beautifully from one to the next.  There are a number of mysteries to solve and I was as riveted with this book as I usually am with adult mystery, crime and thriller novels.  I loved the excerpts from newspapers that appear at the start of some of the chapters, it really makes the reader feel as if they’re gathering clues along with Lockwood & Co.

Brilliantly written, perfectly plotted and highly entertaining, Lockwood & Co. thrilled, frightened and delighted me.  I loved it and I definitely want to read more of this wonderfully creepy series.

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BLOG TOUR: A House of Ghosts - W.C. Ryan

Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives.

At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons who were lost in the conflict. But as his guests begin to arrive, it gradually becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends on the island, the guests will find themselves trapped. Soon one of their number will die.

For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . . .

A gripping and atmospheric mystery packed with twists and turns,

A House of Ghosts is the perfect chilling read.

What did I think?

I saw William Ryan at the Spirits in the Material World panel at Newcastle Noir 2019 and was riveted by his conversation and his amazing Irish accent.   As I'm partial to a bit of supernatural spookiness I promptly added him to my 'must read' list, so when I saw that A House of Ghosts was being published, I was chomping at the bit to read it.  I read it over the course of 24 hours and could quite easily have read it in one sitting if I didn't have to eat or sleep.

Firstly, I have to mention the eye-catching and mesmerising cover of A House of Ghosts.  The screen doesn't do it justice as the gold foiling on the paperback catches the light and kept tempting me to touch it, which I couldn't help myself doing.  Book strokers of the world unite!  When I could finally tear my eyes away from the cover, I was delighted to find a map in the front of the book.  I'm a bit of map geek so I love things like this; it really helps to set the scene, although it's not necessary to keep referring to it throughout the book.

With the first world war raging across Europe, many young men were destined never to return home.  Officially 'missing in action', families would never know when or how many of their loved ones died.  Lord Highmount sent two sons off to war and neither returned so he arranges a seance in the hope that one or both of his sons will make contact.  With a variety of psychics and mediums called to attend, you have to wonder if any of them are genuine or are they up to their famous tricks of manipulating the grief-stricken?  Two guests are on a secret mission to find out.

This haunting gothic tale has all the hallmarks of a marvellous whodunnit by Agatha Christie with the dark brooding setting of a Daphne du Maurier novel.  I loved the dynamic between the two main characters of Kate and Donovan and I was very intrigued by what I liked to refer to as Kate's magic mirror.  At the heart of the story is the harrowing effect of war, both on those who experienced it at the front line and those left behind at home.  I can't even begin to imagine what it must have been like for so many young men to never return home, often wiping out the youths from whole families and villages.  I recall my Grandad saying that he was only one of two young men who returned to their village in Wales at the end of World War II, then he promptly upped sticks and moved to the North East leaving only one young man in the village - I bet he was popular with the ladies!

I really enjoyed A House of Ghosts, it has so many threads running through it to keep me intrigued and they all tie up nicely at the end.  It has all the makings of a classic novel and one that will definitely go on the 'to read again' list; I'm already planning to chill my bones with another visit to Blackwater Abbey on a dark winter's night in the not too distant future.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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About the author:

W. C. Ryan is a pseudonym for William Ryan, author of The Constant Soldier and the Korolev series of historical crime novels. His books have been shortlisted for numerous awards including the Theakston Crime Novel of the Year Award, the CWA Historical Dagger and the Ireland AM Irish Crime Novel of the Year Award and have been translated into over a dozen languages. William is married and lives in west London.

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The Uninvited - J.A. Baker

A fragile woman. An unwelcome intruder. A house full of secrets

Faye and her husband Hugh have had a traumatic year. Wanting to start again, the couple decides to buy a large rundown property, Cross House in a village in North Yorkshire, hoping to leave the past behind them.

However, the tranquillity is soon ruined when Faye begins to awake, every night, to the sound of somebody creeping around the bedroom. She tries to explain it to Hugh, frightened for the safety of their children Aiden and Poppy, but Hugh dismisses her claims, thinking she is heading for another breakdown.

But when Faye discovers some diaries that contain secrets about the family that lived in the house before them, she starts to wonder if the intruder might be closer to home than she first thought.

Obsessed with finding answers, Faye is determined to learn about the Wentworth family, a fractured family with a tragic past.

And when she discovers that Hilary Wentworth fell to her death down the stairs in Cross House, Faye realises she is in mortal danger…

What did I think?

I consider myself a fan of J.A. Baker so I was really excited to read her new book, The Uninvited, and I was certainly not disappointed.  In fact, I think The Uninvited is on par with her amazing debut, Undercurrent.

Faye and her husband, Hugh, are looking for a fresh start and get quite a bargain when they purchase an old house...although they also get more than they bargained for.  Faye is woken in the night with the feeling that somebody is in the house but Hugh thinks that the stress she has been under is making her imagine things.  When Faye's daughter Poppy also starts talking about a night visitor, Faye's nerves reach absolute breaking point and she is determined to find out who is tormenting her family.  To find out what is happening at Cross House, Faye must look to the past and discover the secrets of the Wentworth family who lived there before her.

I loved the story of the Wentworths and Faye's investigation into the family's past.  I was completely riveted as she unearthed every skeleton in their closet but also worried that the night visitor might do anything to keep some secrets firmly buried.  The tension was ramped up as every page was turned and I even held my breath at times in anticipation of the inevitable collision of past and present.

From the thrilling prologue to the heart-stopping conclusion and all the creepiness in between, The Uninvited had me on the edge of my seat with all the hairs on the back of my neck standing to attention.  What a spooky, creepy book this is!  I didn't expect to be so creeped out but it really made me feel as if I should be sleeping with the light on after reading it and listening out for bumps in the night.  The Uninvited is another excellent book from J.A. Baker and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

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BLOG TOUR: House of Spines - Michael J. Malone

Ran McGhie's world has been turned upside down. A young, lonely and frustrated writer, and suffering from mental-health problems, he discovers that his long-dead mother was related to one of Glasgow's oldest merchant families. Not only that, but Ran has inherited Newton Hall, a vast mansion that belonged to his great-uncle, who appears to have been watching from afar as his estranged great-nephew has grown up. Entering his new-found home, he finds that Great-Uncle Fitzpatrick has turned it into a temple to the written word - the perfect place for poet Ran. But everything is not as it seems. As he explores the Hall's endless corridors, Ran's grasp on reality appears to be loosening. And then he comes across an ancient lift; and in that lift a mirror. And in the mirror... the reflection of a woman... 

A terrifying psychological thriller with more than a hint of the Gothic, House of Spines is a love letter to the power of books, and an exploration of how lust and betrayal can be deadly...

What did I think?

I could not contain my excitement when I heard that Michael J. Malone had written a new book; his previous book, A Suitable Lie, was one of my Top 20 Books of 2016 and I'm still recommending it to people, almost 12 months on.  Michael J. Malone is clearly a natural storyteller and incredibly versatile author as House of Spines is so different from A Suitable Lie.  Where one is raw and emotional, another is dark and gothic but both are linked by the psychological thriller genre as Michael J. Malone certainly knows how to get inside a reader's head and under their skin.  House of Spines is as goosebump-inducing as it sounds and, although the spines in the title refer to books rather than skeletons, there are one or two skeletons preparing to leap out of Ran's closet (ghost-train style).

Ranald McGhie thinks he's alone in the world after the death of his parents but, unbeknown to him, his mother had a living family of which she never spoke.  Ran finds out that he had a Great-Uncle when he is bequeathed a house in his will, but it's not just any old house: Newton Hall - a mansion with a gorgeous swimming pool, a library that turned me green with envy and a haunted lift.  Yes, a haunted lift...or so it would seem.  Ran has a history of mental health problems and he meddles with his medication so you're never quite sure how much is real and how much is in his head.

I love books where you want to know as much about the past as the present, although this isn't a traditional dual-storyline type of book, rather a past that refuses to let go of the present.  I wanted to know as much about Great-Uncle Alexander and his love for Jennie, the servant girl, as I did about Ran in the present day.  Ran's interactions with his newly found cousins, Marcus and Rebecca, had me seething with anger: Marcus is so dastardly and Rebecca so bitchy that they would go to any lengths to get Ran to sell the house to developers so they would get a share of the proceeds, but just how far will they go?

Alexander's love for books is a common theme throughout and the vivid description of his library made me feel as if I had jumped inside the book and seen it for myself.  Alexander's other great love was Jennie and their story continues to haunt me long after I finished House of Spines; leaving me considering whether it was unrequited love or true love.  There are always two sides to every story and I really didn't know which one was true.  Apparently, true love never dies but perhaps it haunts you forever!

Cleverly written to be either a ghost story or one man's struggle with mental health, House of Spines is another exceptional book from Michael J. Malone.  I read most of it with goosebumps on my arms and the hairs standing up on the back of my neck, as I loved the ghostly gothic feel.  House of Spines is a spine-tingling multi-genre novel that absolutely anyone and everyone will enjoy; it's a psychological thriller mixed with a gothic horror and I loved every single page of it.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

My rating:

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About the author:

Michael Malone was born and brought up in the heart of Burns' country, just a stone's throw from the great man's cottage in Ayr. Well, a stone thrown by a catapult, maybe.

He has published over 200 poems in literary magazines throughout the UK, including New Writing Scotland, Poetry Scotland and Markings. His career as a poet has also included a (very) brief stint as the Poet-In-Residence for an adult gift shop. Don't ask.

BLOOD TEARS, his debut novel won the Pitlochry Prize (judge:Alex Gray) from the Scottish Association of Writers and when it was published he added a "J" to his name to differentiate it from the work of his talented U.S. namesake.

He is a regular reviewer for the hugely popular crime fiction website www.crimesquad.com and his blog, May Contain Nuts can be found at http://mickmal1.blogspot.com/

He can be found on twitter - @michaelJmalone1

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