Anything Gothic travel literature is always a buy for me. I loved the setting and the setup. It reminded me of other stories, but definitely brought its own aspects to the table. I really enjoyed this novella it was short and brisk, but detailed enough to make me feel enveloped in the story. It reminded me of "Nothing but Blackened Teeth," but in an Irish light. I'm looking forward to the next book in this series and would definitely read anything Krall writes next. There were just so many aspects this novella got right that I felt were lacking in Nothing but Blackened Teeth. The layers in the plot and characters were much more developed, although I would have liked more of the lore, maybe that will be included in the next book?

I wouldn't recommend it for my students just because it felt a little more adult than something I would keep in my classroom, but it would pair nicely with Rebecca or a viewing of The Orphanage.

Description
After surviving an inexplicable supernatural event, Mary, a young woman from New Jersey is crippled by anxiety and phobias. But it isn’t until a few years later when her best friend Ashlinn is to be married at a lavish mansion in Ireland, that the mystery begins to unravel. Will Mary unlock the secrets of Corvus Hall before it’s too late? Hold onto to your seatbelt! The phantoms are coming! Corvus Hall was written in homage to Daphne DuMaurier’s Rebecca with a modern and surprising twist. If you love authentic ghost or haunted house stories, this contemporary novella is for you!

My Review
Corvus Hall starts off with an excerpt from an Edgar Allen Poe novel. So if you are a fan of his writings then you know this is going to be a good book. it's the type of novel that pulls you in from the beginning..

The main character Mary finds herself not too worried about the impending hurricane like maybe she should have been when she falls asleep. Awakened gently but insistently she walks over to the window and opens it. This sounds like a harmless act right? Don't be fooled. Krall takes you on a suspenseful ride that is thrilling and frightening.

The characters in this novel are well-crafted and believable. I received this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. Thank you, because this is one of those books I will save to read again and again.

From the very first page, the story drags you in. You find yourself in a peculiar situation that leaves you confused and a little scared. You feel like you are standing right there with the main character and you can feel everything she must be feeling, like anxiety and stress. The characters were creepy but intriguing. The writing was beautiful, very concise and descriptive at the same time.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves mystery novels that keep you guessing until the last second and the supernatural.

Circus Hall is a creepy thriller with interesting characters. The writing was a bit off for me, but the story was interesting enough for me to keep me reading. Overall a great book.

Well written, atmospheric and engaging: this was a very pleasant read.
I liked the plot, the setting and how the writer keeps the tension high.
The characters are well written and fleshed out.
I look forward to reading other books by this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

haunt, mystery, supernatural, Ireland, suspense, gothic-horror

From the descriptive scenery to people and the exceptional characters, it is decidedly eerie in every sense throughout this fascinating book. The plot draws you in and holds you in place until you've finished it! The publisher's blurb is a nice hook, but doesn't really convey the intensity of the suspense. I loved it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Black Calyx Books via NetGalley.

Mary O'Brien always had a sense of foreboding, something watching her, like something would happen. She travels do Ireland for her best friend's wedding, and her foreboding, haunting dreams start to become a reality when she meet's Nigel, a ghostly, thin character who is best friends with a murder of crows. Finding out the estate where she is living/the wedding is held, used to be an orphanage where many children suffered, everything starts to come together to a captivating climax.

Very well written, very atmospheric - I felt like I was there in Ireland. For me, it was more eery than scary, but I thoroughly enjoyed.