Escaping from her drab life in post-war Manchester, Eleanor Barfield questions her instincts when she first sets eyes on Tarnside Hall. Brooding over its secrets, the home of Dr Levens stands remote and forbidding on the Coniston Fells, warning Eleanor to come no further.
An exciting new job and luxurious living prove too much of a temptation: Eleanor embarks on her role as the doctor’s secretary.
Winter closes in. The shadows of Tarnside Hall decide it’s time to play with the new arrival.
I received a copy of this novel in return for an honest review
I love a good creepy story, I especially like a Gothic creepy story. This was an okay creepy story, not the best but not horrible. The back drop of Tarnside Hall, scary outside, luxurious interior, did the trick, where it was off putting because as you read you knew something was wrong, but just couldn't put your finger on it. The writing wasn't bad, but VERY British. The story had all the right components; house keeper, check. Creepy house, check. Woman leaving her life behind to go live somewhere she's never been before, check. Isolation, check. Old man warning you to leave at once, check.
The reason this is getting 3.5/5 is because it felt a little too much like The Haunting of Hill House for me, the main character is named Eleanor, she gets hired by a doctor to come and be his secretary in an isolated old mansion where awful things begin to happen. Maybe if the author had changed the MC's name or made who she was working for NOT a doctor that would have been better, like if he were simply a rich business man.
This is short novella, so it felt a bit rushed, it could have done so much better if it had been longer. I was a little confused at the end whether there was an actual ghost or just some crazy people, which was actually appealing. The epilogue was also a little confusing. However I did enjoy reading this and if you want a little something disturbing right in time for Halloween then you should read this, preferably in the dark.
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