Member Reviews

Its Halloween and everyone is entitled to ONE GOOD SCARY STORY.
Look no further and grab this book which is not just TRICKY but also a TREAT to all your horror aficionados out there.

House on Haunted Hill meets Haunting of Hill House in this scary story about a house or shall I say Manor, no no not Bly Manor but ASHBURY MANOR.
Which makes me wonder are all the MANORS inhabited largely by banshees and ghosts more than people? Are they all HAUNTED?

This book took me to the yesteryears and I remembered my childhood where we group of curious and horror fan teenagers used to give dares to each other to go to the areas which were isolated and eerie and rumoured to be haunted at 12 a.m during the summer holidays. Loved the NOSTALGIC REVERIE while reading this book.

So this book is about our enigmatic female protagonist, BEATRIX GREENE (a spiritual medium and psychic) who is approached by a scientist , James to accompany her to ASHBURY MANOR (which is believed to be haunted due to a gruesome murder which took place) and assess for real whether it is haunted or not. Beatrix is chaperoned by her childhood friend Harry, a horror story author, Mr.Doyle and an American photographer, Amanda Reynolds. They are all supposed to spend a night in the manor while Beatrix performs a seance.

I LOVED THE BOOK!
IT is ATMOSPHERIC, SPOOKY, EERIE and RIVETING.

THIS BOOK WILL LURE YOU IN INSTANTLY!

BUT ALSO MAKE YOU LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER.
So lets get a little OLD SCHOOL, shall we? Switch off those lights, set up your CANDELABRAs, light those candles and pour yourself some sherry and start reading!


Thankyou NEtGalley and Serial Box for sending me an e ARC in exchange for an honest and SPOOKED review.

Was this review helpful?

This is a perfect gothic haunted house story for Halloween! It is fast paced and a definite quick read with no dull moments. It reminded me a lot of "The Haunting of Hill House," but I feel like this one might be a little spookier with more supernatural occurrences.

I have noticed that I have read some so-called haunted books that have had no scare factor to them, but this book is not one of them. There were a few scenes that were pretty intense.

This book reads a lot like a short novel whereas it jumps to different events with little to no transition. I don't mind that, but there were a few times I had to read segments over since I feel like I missed something.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for my honest review!!!

Was this review helpful?

Have you ever read a fantastic ghost story in one day? Well I did. It grabbed me right from the beginning, the tired semi-professional spiritualist medium Beatrix Greene eking out a living with her friend/chaperone Harry Smythe, aiding the bereaved by pretending to make contact with their deceased relatives. And in comes James Walker (Lord Ashbury) offering her to conduct a seance in his ancestral home which he has not visited in years for unexplained reasons with an American spiritualist photographer on hand also, to record any apparitions or images. It is a recipe for a delightful read on a rainy night and not a chapter goes by that does not titillate the reader. I stopped doing things I needed to do just to get to the end of the book! I highly recommend this to lovers of things that go bump in the night and many thanks to the trio of authors Rachel Hawkins, Ash Parsons and Vicky Alvear Shecter and Serial Box and of course Net Galley for a wonderful chilling read.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to the publisher, authors and Netgalley for an e-arc in exchange for a honest review!
———
Beatrix Greene is a spiritual medium who offers her services to clients who crave for some contact or closure with their departed loved ones. Unlike her competitors, Beatrix is famous for relaying empathy in her work without all the show and pomp that mediums displayed during Victorian England. However she is also a fraud just like the others and does not believe in ghosts.

At a time when finances are tight, Beatrix gets a lucrative offer from Dr. Walker, a scientist known to tarnish reputations of spiritual mediums. Nevertheless, Dr. Walker challenges Beatrix to perform a seance and conclude whether Ashbury Manor is truly haunted or not following the history of a mother who killed one of her two sons before slashing her own throat. Beatrix takes up the offer and faces the consequences of the most evil journey one can imagine.

Let me start off by saying this book has gratuitous gore so definitely not for the fainthearted! But if you can get past that, this book is unique in many ways! First, the book is written by 3 women authors with each author penning one chapter. Yet the writing is not choppy at all. Secondly, the chapters are called episodes and the whole book is called Season 1. Perhaps a sequel is in order? Thirdly, this is a feminist horror novel where the women rule! You go, ladies! And lastly, my favorite...the ending is not your usual ending of mundane mutilations (although there is plenty of that) but lot of positive messages. I won’t get too specific but messages like good/confidence can outdo any type of evil. So even though I read the most gory novel this year, the positive messages in the end left me in good spirits (pun intended). 5 stars!

Was this review helpful?

Beatrix poses as a medium, but she is not, she is just playing with people's feelings for money. When James is asking her to come to the infamously haunted Ashbury Manor she will find dark secrets that are buried deep into the house.
It is a great ghost/romance story, I enjoyed the characters but did not like the ending much, I was thinking at something else.
Thank you Netgalley for this opportunity.

Was this review helpful?

This book is separated into a Season with 8 episodes like in a tv season. I can totally see each of these as a tv episode.
***May contain spoilers***(trying to sum as tight as possible)
We start with Beatrix Greene, medium, working with a client but she is more a mentalist in her thinking. She can read people and know what to tell them. She gets drawn in by a Houdini-esque character who is debunking all the mediums in town.
Come to find out this Mr. Walker is actually looking for a real medium to help determine if a manor is actually haunted. He gathers a photographer and novelist as well to have a seance in the manor and some creepy occurrences start.
Beatrix may have more abilities than she realized. The house will not let them leave and is not what it seems. It is way more than it seems with the spirits of centuries of sacrifices trapped beneath it. Will they find a way to escape or die trying?!
So this book is labeled as historical fiction, horror and romance. Thank you for adding romance. I mean in near death experiences there's always a little hanky panky. I appreciate that, lol.
This book is perfect for Halloween and it is coming out this week! It was unique in that 3 authors wrote the different episodes as you will find at the beginning of each as they are titled. I think they did well that you couldn't tell that 3 people were carrying the story through.

Tw: There was some graphic death, suicide, demon type stuffs.

Thank you Net Galley and Serial Box for the ARC copy for my honest voluntary review.

Was this review helpful?

A nice quick, spooky read for your Halloween reading pleasure! This one was entertaining, engaging, and quick. While some parts seemed rushed, overall I enjoyed that it wasn't overly drawn out. I also enjoyed that the chapters were more "episodes". Definitely recommend!

Was this review helpful?

The story seemed rush but there were some creepy moments in Beatrix's life. All in all, I found it a little too hard to believe. Still , I think this is a great October/Halloween read.

Was this review helpful?

The Haunting of Beatrix Greene is a quick read and kept me engaged. I liked the buildup of this story, and the overall atmosphere of the book screamed eerie. It had all the elements of a good horror story: Ghosts, wispy whispers, a creepy basement with hidden passages, strange paintings on the walls, and possession. Blum House would have a ball with this book!

Now about those romance scenes. There weren’t many, and with the way the story was set up, I knew it was going to be there. But it’s the placement of the scenes that nags my brain. Maybe it’s just me and my common sense, but I can’t picture myself knowing that I’m in a haunted house, where the walls are literally closing in, but I want to rip off your clothes and make love by the fireplace. That’s just odd.

As quick as the story was, I don’t think it needed to be dragged out. The authors came to tell a story, and they completed it without breaking 50 pages.

Was this review helpful?

Beatrix Greene is living a lie. She has made a life for herself as a psychic medium, but is really just giving out readings based on her on intuition.
James Walker uses science to break down the supernatural art of psychics, while hoping to find some truth in it. With a promise of a large sum, James lures Beatrix to Ashbury House, hoping she can coax out its ghosts, or be exposed.
Ashbury House has bigger plans for James and Beatrix. The house is alive with evil and wants to devour them.

The Haunting Of Beatrix Greene is written as one episode, in several parts. Each part is alternately written by Hawkins, Parson and Schecter. I thought it would be like reading a story told through the icebreaker game of " Suddenly Stories", where each writer would have to continue the story but with their own crazy twist and style. I was honestly glad that didn't happen. Instead each writer continued the story fluidly, but each bringing their own bit to the table. Hawkins set up the story and introduces the characters. Parsons makes the scenery come to life, bringing the spooky and gore with it. Schecter instills the fear and the history of the house. Together they tell a great ghost story.

The real twist of the story happens quickly, but sets the tone for the rest of it. That big reveal is important to the history of the house, which is really what the story is. Beatrix is just a conduit for the ghosts of the house, and has to feel the evil.

I really enjoyed this spooky story. It brought Victorian England to life with amazing imagery. Ghosts can linger in the shadows of gas lighting a lot better then our modern day LEDs. Slamming doors, secret basement staircases and flying objects always help with a ghosty vibe as well.
I finished this in a morning, since it's is a short book, or episode. I really hope for more episodes to come quickly, since I am now hooked on Beatrix Greene.

Was this review helpful?

This was quite the spooky, atmospheric read for October! I’m so happy I picked this one up! Along with the creepy storyline, it’s a quick read, so I felt like we jumped right into the scary stuff, which made it quite a fun read!

Beatrix Greene is the kind of spiritual medium that doesn’t actually believe in ghosts, nor does she actually connect with the other side. Instead, she feels that she can read people well, and provide them with what they want to hear to feel consoled about their loss. When James propositions her to spend one night in Ashbury Manor to decide if there is or is not a ghost, she agrees, knowing that he is setting her up to expose her as a fraud. James though seems to have other motives for the request of her assistance, and as they enter the house, they will soon realize that they have made a terrible mistake.

I thought the writing of this story was perfect. There was a dark, gory history of the location, and the details and descriptions brought the right amount of spine-tingles for me!

The characters were full of interesting quirks and personalities. Some have secrets, while others are exactly who they seem to be. I liked Beatrix and James’ connection to each other. Both are struggling to keep something from the other but finding that their secrets may not be able to stay hidden.

This was definitely a horror story, there are gory details, and creepy, evil things happening. It was likely my spookiest read this year. I would have liked it to be a bit longer just because I was so interested in the story, and I wanted to see more of the characters.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one! It’s spooky and filled with creepy details and happenings that kept me turning the pages as fast as possible so I could find out what was happening!

I was provided a gifted copy of this book for free. I am leaving my review voluntarily.

Was this review helpful?

As the days grow shorter, the nights longer and darker, a chilly nip in the air leads us to....ghost stories. While this one might be a little too long to be told around a campfire, it is definitely a ghostly goodie! With a trio of powerful authors, how could it be anything except great!?!

Beatrix Greene makes her living as a medium, setting a scene and "communicating" with a client's long, lost..... She has made a name for herself as a spiritual guide, even though her strongest gift is as a talented actress. Beatrix would love to be rich and not have to worry about where her next dollar will come from, so when an offer that includes a substantial sum of money comes her way, she leaps before she looks. James Walker is a scientist, he does not believe in ghosts, but something is haunting his ancestral home, Ashbury Manor. Beatrix has been hired to rid the home of the restless spirits.

I have always loved horror stories that include a haunted mansion as one of the cast of characters. Ever since I read The Shining, I've looked at homes differently. Ashbury Manor is definitely haunted and definitely does not appreciate Beatrix and James trying to clear out the old ghosts. These two are joined by a small group of witnesses but all of them will regret their lack of preparation for what will become a night of horrors.

The story includes some romance building between Beatrix and James and some side information that will help the story. The story itself is part of a podcast called Serial Box. I am just intrigued enough by this story to go check out the rest of the series. If you don't hear from me in a couple of weeks....come looking....the house may have acquired another ghost!

Was this review helpful?

Wow. I devoured this book! This was such a perfect read for spooky October. I was really drawn into our main character, Beatrix Greene, and her journey of self discovery was so different than other novels that I was truly engaged. Throw in some witty friends, a slow-burn romance, and some truly effed up ghosts, I could not stop reading, and finished this book within 24 hours. The layout leads me to believe there will be more to come from these three talented authors, and I can't wait!

4.5 stars!

Was this review helpful?

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I was drawn to request The Haunting of Beatrix Greene due to Rachel Hawkins being listed as one of the contributors, an author I am familiar with from Twitter, although I have yet to read one of her books. I was not aware until I did some research that this book was not only a serial, but would be primarily featured, at least initially on an app called “Serial Box,” which sounds like the type I’ve avoided due to my issues with episodic stories, with exception of entire collections. However, even with that in mind, I still felt this was a fun story, although I don’t know if I’d have consumed it in its primary format.

While the story is written by three authors, and not in sequence, I like that the sections flow well into each other, so it can work whether you read each episode on its own or binge them all at all. If I had not been told at the beginning of each episode who the author was, I would not have know different people wrote different parts.

I liked the way the story puts a twist on the fake medium concept by having something mysterious happen when Beatrix is hired. There’s also a lovely sweet romance between Beatrix and James as events unfold.

It’s rather too short to go into any real depth, however, for the projected format, it is well suited. Whether this is worth trying is down to your interest in investing money in an app (although they offer the first episode free and offer both individual episode and season pass options; price indicated above is for the season pass). However, there appears to also be plans for a traditional ebook release early next year.

Was this review helpful?

The Haunting Of Beatrix Greene is a short story of fantasy, ghosts, evil demons , and physics. Set in the Victorian England a man of science hires a medium to slay the evil that penetrates his family home. Neither one knowing the evil that is in store for them. I enjoyed this book immensely and highly recommend it. Thank you to Netgalley and Serial Box for my honest review

Was this review helpful?

A faux medium trying to earn a living meets a man looking to answer questions about his past. When James Walker asks medium Beatrix Greene to come to Ashbury Manor and see if she can discover any ghosts, she thinks it will be easy. Light a few candles, say a few comforting lies, earn a lot of money. But things go downhill fast when Beatrix, James, and a few others arrive at Ashbury Manor, home to a gruesome murder-suicide. It soon becomes clear to the group that ghosts are the least of their problems, and they are not guaranteed to survive the night.

"The Haunting of Beatrix Greene" is more a case of "The Haunting of Ashbury Manor". A house of horrors, death, and darkness, it is instantly obvious that no one with any sense would stay there overnight, and no medium or psychic is needed to tell you the place is haunted. So naturally, our little band stays to see if they can talk to ghosts. It's a generally fast-paced story, and once we get to Ashbury Manor the action is non-stop with more horror movie effects than you can shake a stick at. There are no real surprises or twists to the plot, but that isn't really the point here. It's not about guessing the 'who' or 'why' of the tale, it's about choices. Easy choices, scary choices, self-sacrificing choices. The reader hits a point in the book where they realize they aren't sure what choice the characters will make, and to me (not a fan of heavy horror stories) that was when the true brilliance of the writers and their story was revealed.

Definitely a story horror fans will love, but perhaps not a book to be read in the dark.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

Wow, this was excellent. The writing was stellar, and the characters were well developed. The atmosphere was an amazing balance of horror, mystery, and romance. I thought it was very creepy and cinematic. I started reading it late at night, but I gave up until daylight because I'm a scaredy-cat, and I didn't want to give myself nightmares. For all its gothic, dark ambiance, it was also a story of tortured family history, transgenerational trauma and finding the strength to break away from past experiences. The romance was powerful, without explicit scenes. I thought Beatrix and James had a lot of chemistry and a solid emotional connection. I haven't read something like this in a while, and I think it's a perfect Halloween read.

Was this review helpful?

Appropriately creepy as to the ghost story part, but not at all historically evocative. The chapters were called ‘episodes,’ which seemed about right. It read like a TV miniseries, with otherwise completely modern people dressed in crinolines and top hats, pretending to be old-timey. It WAS fun and spooky, but I’d have liked it better if it had abandoned the consent that it was historical and just set it in the modern age.

Was this review helpful?

I heard this was similar to Sherlock Holmes, so I was excited to read this book. As much as I enjoyed this. I was equally disappointed. The situations in this book, and the reactions of the characters were confounding.

Was this review helpful?

I loved this book and it was the perfect read in October. I haven’t read a story like this in a long time and it was a perfect Victorian gothic ghost story.

Was this review helpful?