This book quite literally gave me the chills. It was incredibly atmospheric, to the point that I could feel the coldness of the setting as the author had described it. This book was unsettling, yet at the same time, hopeful. I appreciated the angle of giving voices to the missing children and having their stories be heard. I am an avid true crime enjoyer and feel as though this book touched on the ethics of that brand of journalism quite well. I'm excited to see what this author does next!

**Exploring the Haunting Mysteries of "Coram House" by Bailey Seybolt** Bailey Seybolt’s "Coram House" immerses readers in a captivating mystery that intricately weaves together the past and present, illuminating the dark secrets of a former church-run orphanage. Set against the backdrop of a now-abandoned institution, Seybolt invites us to delve into the psyche of the characters and the haunting echoes of their childhoods. The protagonist, Alex, accepts the challenging role of a ghostwriter for a lawyer representing former residents in a lawsuit against the church. This setup serves as a powerful narrative device, leading Alex—and the reader—on a journey through the traumatic history of Coram House, a place that was once a refuge but has now become a site of sorrow and neglect. As Alex sifts through depositions filled with disturbing accounts of abuse, the narrative unfolds with a gripping intensity. Each story reveals the harsh realities faced by children who were supposed to be protected. The revelation of at least one possible death by drowning adds a layer of suspense and intrigue, particularly the mysterious figure of a young boy who may or may not have existed. This ambiguity fuels the narrative, prompting readers to question the reliability of memory and the truth of the past. How much of our history is shaped by the stories we tell, whether through personal recollections or societal narratives? The book shines a light on the complexities of memory and trauma, encouraging readers to confront uncomfortable truths. One of the most poignant lines from the author's note resonates deeply: "The legacy of orphanages and residential schools has proven that power lies in controlling what is remembered." This statement encapsulates the core theme of "Coram House"—the struggle for truth in a system designed to suppress it. The historical context of the novel, loosely based on the real-life St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington, Vermont, which operated from 1854 to 1974, adds an additional layer of depth. By grounding the fictional narrative in historical events, Seybolt compels readers to reflect on the systemic issues related to child welfare and the societal tendency to forget or overlook the darker chapters of history. In exploring the stories of the former children of Coram House, Seybolt not only sheds light on past injustices but also invites readers to engage in a dialogue about accountability and healing. The fast-paced nature of the story ensures that readers remain captivated, eagerly turning pages to uncover the next twist in the mystery. Yet, it is the emotional weight of the narratives that lingers long after the book is closed. The intersection of personal and collective memory raises crucial questions about how we remember, who gets to tell their story, and how those stories shape our understanding of the world. In conclusion, "Coram House" is more than just a mystery novel; it is a poignant exploration of trauma, memory, and the legacies of institutions that have shaped countless lives. Bailey Seybolt masterfully crafts a narrative that is both thrilling and deeply reflective, urging readers to confront the uncomfortable truths that lie beneath the surface of forgotten histories. Through Alex's journey, we are reminded that the past, with all its complexities, is never truly behind us—it shapes our present and influences our future.


**Exploring the Shadows: A Reflection on "Coram House" by Bailey Seybolt** In "Coram House," Bailey Seybolt weaves an intriguing narrative that delves into the haunting past of a former church-run orphanage. This fast-paced mystery is not only a captivating read but also a poignant exploration of memory, trauma, and the legacies left behind by institutions like orphanages and residential schools. Central to the plot is Alex, a ghostwriter who takes on the task of documenting the depositions of former residents as part of a lawsuit against the church that once operated Coram House. Through Alex's investigation, the reader is drawn into a world of buried secrets, where the past refuses to stay silent. Seybolt's choice of setting—a dilapidated orphanage being redeveloped into condominiums—serves as a powerful metaphor for the struggle between progress and memory. As Alex sifts through the testimonies of the former children, he uncovers harrowing tales of abuse and neglect, including the chilling account of a young boy's possible drowning. The ambiguity surrounding the boy's existence adds an unsettling layer to the narrative, prompting readers to question the reliability of memory and the impact of trauma on individual lives. The line from the author's note, "The legacy of orphanages and residential schools has proven that power lies in controlling what is remembered," resonates deeply throughout the story, highlighting the struggle for truth in the face of institutional power. The stories recounted in "Coram House" are loosely based on the real history of St. Joseph's Orphanage in Burlington, Vermont, which operated for over a century. This connection to actual events amplifies the weight of Seybolt's narrative, as it reflects societal issues that persist today. The author skillfully intertwines fiction and history, compelling readers to confront uncomfortable truths about the past. By shedding light on the experiences of those who suffered in silence, Seybolt encourages a broader conversation about accountability and the importance of remembering. Moreover, the pacing of the novel keeps readers engaged, as Alex's journey unfolds with a sense of urgency. Each deposition reveals new layers of complexity, drawing the reader deeper into the mystery. Seybolt's writing is both evocative and accessible, making the novel an engaging read for those who enjoy mysteries intertwined with social commentary. Through Alex's eyes, we witness not only the horrors of childhood trauma but also the resilience of those who dare to speak out. In conclusion, "Coram House" by Bailey Seybolt is a compelling exploration of the interplay between memory and power. It serves as a reminder of the importance of confronting our pasts to ensure that the voices of the marginalized are heard and remembered. The book leaves readers with lingering questions about how societies reckon with their histories and the responsibilities that come with remembering. As we reflect on the stories within "Coram House," we are called to acknowledge the impact of forgotten histories and the necessity of giving voice to those who have been silenced.

I rated this book on Goodreads, but will summarize here!

This book is 3.5 stars for keeping me engaged from start to finish. Minus one random character, I found everyone super well written.

This book is perfect for fans of true crime and individuals who enjoyed The Keepers on Netflix.

I read (and was moved and horrified by) Ghosts of the Orphanage by Christine Kenneally last year and this novel is a good companion to that nonfiction account of the horrors the children of a Catholic orphanage in Vermont endured. I really felt it added to the intensity and understanding of the reading experience to have read the actual account of what went on at the orphanage. The novel is bleak and upsetting, but written with such an empathetic tone that it makes for quick reading. The mystery was intriguing, the story was engaging, and I thought the mixed media use of police transcripts added to the experience. Ifinished this novel feeling infuriated, so it feels odd to say I loved this book, but I did.

I must thank Atria for inviting me to read this book. It was definitely an unique experience and I very much enjoyed everything the book has to give. At times I was wondering that is this going to veer towards a more paranormal/supernatural direction? Irrespective of that, this was a truly good read and at times very dark. I recommend this one highly. (Rating - 4.75 out of 5 stars).

When Alex moves to upstate Vermont to be a ghostwriter, her life is in shambles. Will working on this new book, about abuses at a catholic convent, help or hurt? As she gets deeper into the story, she uncovers more secrets and more danger. I liked this book--it's a good mystery. I was hesitant because I really didn't want to read about sexual abusers in the Catholic church but that was not the focus of the story at all. There were lots of red herrings and maybe one too many (Xander? Not sure what that storyline added) and on the whole a good read.

intriguing, thrilling, exciting and so much more. this is my first read by this author and i loved what i read. i can't wait to read more!

fleshed-out characters. good plot to keep you flipping the pages. a story that is unputdownable in so many ways. complex twist.

Coram House is a well executed novel that takes place in Vermont. The FMC, Alex, is a struggling author who is attempting to redeem herself after her second novel didn’t do too well. After struggling with personal issues, Alex is propositioned with a story about an orphanage, Coram House. Can she uncover the truth about the traumatic experiences these children dealt with decades ago?

** Coram House focuses on the history of orphanages, such as St. Joseph's in Vermont.

This was one of the best books I've read in quite sometime. Thank you Bailey & NetGalley for an ARC.

I think the concept of this book was good, but it got lost in the details. The case itself and the mystery itself was interesting. There were a lot of plausible suspects and I thought the end twist was decent, though again, I didn't feel much towards it. The parts I liked the most were the interview transcripts. The way they were sprinkled throughout, dropping hints here and there in very subtle ways was well done. The author also had a pretty good sense of place, and you could feel the cold seeping in through the descriptions of the snow and ice.

Unfortunately, there were a lot of mundane scenes that ultimately didn't feel like they were helping to progress the story forward. They didn't really even let me get to know the main character who, if I'm being completely honest, was a bit of a bore. If I had felt more for her I think I wouldn't have minded the mundane parts, but ultimately I don't think I got to know her well enough to feel any particular way about her.

I think that if the suspense was cranked up a little bit more and the main character was less . . . meh, then Coram House could have been a very good story.

That being said, it was good. I think that mystery readers who like true crime documentaries, especially ones about the church, will enjoy this novel. Same with mystery readers who like their novels to have a strong seasonal setting.

Skillfully crafted, atmospheric thriller. I was drawn in immediately, and stayed hooked til the end.

Five amazing stars. This book was so well written and is like a walk into some creepy woods in the dark. It starts off with a basic mystery and then it twists and turns and drags you into the darkest of dark places. There are moments so sad and heart wrenching and then moments of pure fear and terror. The characters were well done and appropriate for their roles. This was a fantastically done book and I highly recommend it

I wanted to like this book so bad, but it fell flat for me. I did not like the story line much but I did enjoy the writing. Would be willing to try another book by this author

Loved this book and know it will be a hit Spring 2025. It's perfect for those that love dark, unreliable characters and moody settings. Will be highly recommending it.

Coram House was a good read. However, it began to fall flat for me and that made it a bit difficult for me to keep reading. I loved the interviews that were interwoven within the book as I feel like it gave us a sense of realness. But I felt like 70% of the book we were stuck in one place and it took a while for us to move forward. I did not expect the ending but I actually enjoyed how the author decided to bring everything together and tie up some loose ends!

Judging by how fast I read this, you can tell it sucked me right in!

Loved the journalist POV in this mystery as we were digging up old secrets from an orphanage. I was hooked from the beginning & just as concerned as Alex (our main character) when it came to what the heck happened on that boat with Tommy.

Very twisty at the end & kept me on my toes. I couldn’t wait to finish it.

I will be recommending this to friends when it is released!

I’ve been enjoying crime novels lately. Coram House is a debut novel in which a crime writer aims to solve an old murder. It was a well written book that I read in one day.

Alex is a true crime author who is going through tough times in both her professional and personal life: her last book got caught in a very controversial matter and she needs a break., while still mourning her husband's sudden death. She is, then, asked to ghostwrite a book about a cold case involving the mysterious disappearance of a young boy named Tommy, 50 years ago, at a Catholic orphanage called Coram House, in Vermont.
Alex goes on a journalistic journey investigation all the way to that orphanage in order to find out what really happened to Tommy. Meanwhile, she discovers more bodies, and the mystery surrounding that place and its former residents keeps increasing and, eventually, becomes life-threatening.

I'd say this is the typical wintery cold-case mystery investigation. The best part of it, in my opinion, is that we have a journalistic crime author (as opposed to the traditional detective/police officer investigator) and the book has some chapters written as interviews of people who used to live at or attend to the orphanage back in the day. Personally, those were my favourite chapters.
The cold and snowy setting/ambience also help the reader to get deeper into the heavy and eerie environment on which the orphanage is set at.
What's more, this author's descriptions of places, people and even the weather make the whole story even more atmospheric and sensorial, which I truly appreciated it.
I also need to say this story deals a lot with grief and sexual abuse of minors. In my opinion, it is done in a decent way. But be warned about this distressing content.

What I personally did not appreciate was the conclusion - it felt rushed and anticlimatic as opposed to what happens in the final 30% of the book.
Also, there are some chapters where the author's writing really bothered me: some analogies and metaphors used by the author made me roll my eyes a lot, and there were moments (mainly in some dialogues) where I really had trouble remembering that our main character is not younger than 20 years old.

All in all, even though I didn't particularly love Bailey Seybolt's writing, I was engaged enough with the plot as a whole and to the mystery all around Coram House, mostly due to the great cold atmosphere this book provides
I'd recommend this book to any readers who enjoy cold-case mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and to Atria Books for providing me with a free eARC of this novel in exchange for my honest opinion.

Grab your cozy reading socks, you're heading to Vermont to solve a cold case in the dead of winter.
Amazing to feel chilled to the bone as I read during a September heatwave! A page turner with a complicated, smart main character that I'm not ready to leave behind. Preorder this one for sure!
Thank you to Atria books and NetGalley for the ARC.

For fans of historical fiction & mysteries, this is literally the perfect book. With some paranormal vibes and a handful of untrustworthy characters, this book was deeply unsettling and kept me on my toes from the very first page. I loved Alex and her tenacity despite the obstacles that continued to plague her. I also loved the mixed media aspect and how we got a glimpse into the haunted past of Coram House. The interviews, the stories of the children who resided there and how the living functioned in adulthood was done expertly. Loved this book and I can absolutely see it becoming a bestseller upon its release.

Thank You for having sent me a ARC Copy for a honest review. I thought this story sounded super good so I had to get my hands on it. I love a good suspenseful thriller that involves trying to figure out the history behind a crime that was committed and never solved. Trying to figure it out yourself as you read and still not knowing who did it until the very end.
The main character Alex who is an Author, set off to write a new book and be a ghost writer for this story about an orphanage that had a boy go missing 50 years ago. They never found out what happened to him and the case remained unsolved. She set off to find out anything she could on this to help write her story as well as try to kinda solve the case on her own if she could. Then another tragic thing happens while there. She discovers a dead body while out by the lake. Who was this woman and who killed her?
This story definitely had me guessing until the very end and I was still shocked to find out who the true killer was!!
Def a great suspenseful thriller you will wanna check out!