What could be better than as October rolls in than an old fashioned ghost story? While it was a little bit formulaic, there's something comforting in a bit of predictable discomfort. Fun read.

I have been in the mood for a good ghost story for quite some time.

Unfortunately while this was okay, it wasn't a great book.

I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job of doing the voices. I think I enjoyed it more because of her.

That being said I felt a little like the author spoon-fed me a bit. For example, he hammers home the coldness of the tap water, mentioning it twice in a few chapters. I thought it odd at first, but then when he uses the character being burned by that same water due to the "ghost", I felt like the whole time he was attempting to build up to this moment, but the clues were so obvious it really was a huge letdown.

That was just one example.

I also figured out the big "reveal" long before the character did, so it was a frustrating read, waiting for her to clue in. I get she is young, but this is ridiculous.

It was a decent read, but not spooky enough due to everything being so blatantly obvious.

Excellent ghost story that is incredibly fulfilling.

This is a fun, gothic novel that reminds me of Bronte.

I am finally getting round to reviewing this title, just in time for Halloween! I first heard of This House Is Haunted, when Leanne (who sadly no longer blogs) reviewed it a year or two ago. I was really intrigued by the idea of the story – although I’m not the biggest fan of the horror genre, I do quite like the traditional ‘haunted house’ tale, especially with a historical setting. This House Is Haunted follows the story of Eliza Caine, a young woman who becomes governess to the children of Gaudlin Hall. From the moment she arrives, a strange force seems to be attempting to drive her away, by any means necessary.

Firstly, I really liked the tone of the book. I have read several books set in the 19th century that just didn’t seem to capture the essence of the era, with their use of more modern language and tone. Boyne writes in a manner that is fitting to the time period, a time when horror stories and tales of ghosts were becoming more popular through the distribution of penny dreadfuls. The inhabitants of the nearby village, as well as the few other employees of Gaudlin Hall, deny knowledge of any strange goings on, but it is clear there is something they are avoiding. A shocked glance, a sudden reluctance to associate with Eliza, a refusal to discuss the history of the Hall – it is clear that something unpleasant happened there.

Eliza’s backstory felt a little overused – a young woman who becomes a governess after a family tragedy, but as a character she was witty and brave, determined not to run away from Gaudlin Hall, even after multiple attempts on her life by paranormal forces. At first she is logical and cannot even consider the fact that there might be something supernatural at bay, but soon the evidence begins to stack up and she has no choice but to admit to herself that Gaudlin Hall is, in fact, haunted.

Whilst This House Is Haunted felt like a classic Gothic novel, with all the required elements: a large creepy house, a missing employer, young children who seem to know far more than they should, local villagers who avoid the new governess, these ultimately made it feel a little too clichéd. It also never quite reached the heights of horror or creepiness that I was expecting, which was quite a disappointment.

I received a copy of this book for free from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Originally posted on my former blog, Rinn Reads.

Creepy.
Slow.
OK.

This was a fun read - a real page turner. I could have finished it in a day or two if I hadn’t been so busy. John Boyle is becoming one of my favorite writers.

3.25/5 stars, the writing and story is all great but I’m a bit hung up with some decisions a key character makes in the ending although the ending overall is still worth those enigmatic decisions. There’s also a plot hole with the ending that’s hard to overlook. Still, an enjoyable read.

The perfect fall read.

3.5 written by my favorite author of all time, I wanted to enjoy more. Cute, weird, and cheesy