This is a Gothic Scottish ghost story!

Edwina learns that she has inherited a castle and it's estate. It's haunted, she moves in.

I liked the story, although slow at times.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Tantor Audio for an audio ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Edie is shocked to discover she’s inherited a Scottish castle. She and her teenage daughter are dismayed to see the castle is in serious disrepair, but they have a bigger problem, the castle is haunted. Very haunted and mother and daughter set out to find out why their ancestors have been trapped there, perhaps if they can find out why, their spirits can be set free. This is a thoroughly enjoyable modern gothic novel. Highly recommended

Thank you to @shannonmorganauthor @kensingtonbooks & @tantoraudio for the #gifted physical & #audio #ARC of #TheLonelyHours

I LOVED Her Little Flowers last year, so I was thrilled to get my hands on the latest by #ShannonMorgan! And I loved it even more!

The Lonely Hours had an incredible #gothic feel. For readers who love the #supernatural or #paranormal, there are #ghosts galore – each with their own tragic story.

Our MC Edie inherits a centuries-old castle in #Scotland located on a remote island from a relative she didn’t even know existed. She now owns the Maundrell Estate. Edie is very skeptical, but her daughter Neve is more than excited for the both of them & pressures her mom into visiting “their” #castle & staying for a short period of time.

Edie & Neve have ghostly encounters on their very first night at Maundrell Estate, but oddly, neither of them are really scared of the ghosts. As their stay continues, they learn the local lore surrounding the estate such as the bloody waters of the Loch, the witch in the well and cursed family diamond, the Maundrell Red, that has been missing for decades. They also begin to uncover the tragic history of the Maundrell family (Edie’s family), which includes the fact that every member of the family died on October 31st – Samhain. With Samhain only days away, Edie & Neve are in a race against time to not become the next victims of the Maundrell curse.

I was so enthralled by this incredibly atmospheric & deeply tragic story. There was a creepy vibe throughout the book that kept my stomach in knots, but I couldn’t stop reading. More than anything, at its core, this story was so heartbreaking regarding the fates of the Maundrell family.

I really enjoyed the alternating timelines between the past & present. That really brought it home. The worldbuilding, local legend, take on mental health & family trauma were all done so well. Morgan is 2-for-2 with me & can’t wait to see what’s next!

4.50 Stars & highly recommended!

In The Lonely Hours is a gothic horror story set in a remote castle in Scotland during Samhain. We follow Edie and her daughter, Neve, who move into the castle and find that it’s haunted by many ghosts!

This book was spooky, really atmospheric, and would be a great read for anyone who likes historical horror! This would be perfect to read or listen to around the autumn or Halloween season! I listened to the audio book and enjoyed my time. I rated this book 4 🌟🌟🌟🌟!

Thank you @netgalley and @tantoraudio for an advanced copy! 🖤

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.
What an excellent audiobook. I loved the creepy setting at the castle in Scotland. Perfect narration. Well written and held my interest.
I loved the two separate timelines and both were easy to follow along with.
How can you not love an audiobook with a creepy haunted castle?

IN THE LONELY HOURS was a great story, it's filled with secrets and a ton of creepiness which is up my alley. I like the dual timelines, it helped with the overall pace of the book. Highly recommend!

"the dead have always been restless here"

On a remote Scottish island, in an ancient and beautiful castle, lies a horde of ghosts and tales of a priceless gem that has cursed the Maundrell family for generations. When the castle is passed to descendant Edwina—Edie—she is left to untangle the secrets of her unknown family’s past before the curse gets her and her daughter too.

In the Lonely Hours displays a touching portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship with Edie and Neve who work together to unlock the secrets of the Maundrell family and of Edie’s mysterious past. They’re annoying at times but Neve is fifteen, so, you know… To be expected, probably.

Readers weave though a past and present timeline which helps to gain more knowledge and insight in to the family. The past timeline is packed with drama from very dysfunctional family dynamics. It’s a bit of a slow start with a lot of background and history of the island but Morgan managed to keep my attention through her compelling characters and the lush, sprawling descriptions of the land. The plot became convoluted at times with a full cast of characters, ghosts, witches, etc; it was a lot to keep straight.

This novel provides the gothic horror vibes that one would want in a story like this: old arched entrances; ornate and elaborate structures; winding ivy; a dark, mysterious well… I loved this oppressive castle! I wanna visit! I would consider this to be a very cozy, gothic horror and would recommend it for readers wanting to expand into the horror genre but maybe don’t know where to start or for readers of Darcy Coates.

And though it’s not all narrated in a Scottish accent (mostly English) I was worried to listen. I often times have difficulty understanding most Scottish accents (sorry, friends across the pond!) but I really enjoyed this narration by Siobhan Waring. Some of the words were difficult to understand though that’s likely due to my own lacking and unfamiliarity with Scottish territory rather than the narration. With all of that said, I think the narration was incredibly captivating and added another layer of not only believability but enjoyability.

Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! Available this Tuesday, 07/23/2024! *Quotes are pulled from an advanced reader copy and are subject to change prior to publication*

The narration in this book cannot be beat. I mean the little whispers, the creaking, and the echoes were so perfect! I was listening while removing wallpaper from a bedroom we are remodeling and I kept stopping to just be in the moment. Most audiobooks do not do that to me.
The story is fun too! I loved the mythology and history. I LOVED our ghosts. I cried over the autistic man. Although at first I imagined him with down syndrome.
I had a blast listening to this one. I loved the story too.