W. C. Ryan

A gripping and atmospheric murder mystery set in a haunted house - And Then There Were None meets The Woman in Black.

A Gripping Murder Mystery Set in a Haunted House

A House of Ghosts

A gripping mystery with a classic feel: And Then There Were None meets The Silent Companions Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives. At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons who were lost in the conflict. But as his guests begin to arrive, it gradually becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends on the island, the guests will find themselves trapped. Soon one of their number will die. For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . . . An unrelentingly gripping mystery packed with twists and turns, A House of Ghosts is the perfect chilling read this winter. 'Almost unbearably creepy and beautifully written' Liz Nugent, bestseller author of LYING IN WAIT 'A splendid tale of wartime skullduggery, featuring both kinds of spooks - perfect fireside reading' Mick Herron, CWA Gold Dagger Award Winning author of DEAD LIONS 'Hugely enjoyable, A House of Ghosts has the bones of a taut thriller wrapped up in the gorgeous romance of its ghostly island setting' Jane Casey 'Perfect for a dark and stormy evening: a truly creepy and ingenious ghost story and murder mystery with an irresistible setting' Ragnar Jonasson 'A thoroughly enjoyable novel that seemed to combine all my favourite things - history, crime, entertainingly spiky romance and an eerily evocative setting. An absolute treat' Elly Griffiths 'Spooks, spies, seances, things that go bump in the night - A House of Ghosts has it all. A tremendously enjoyable, ingeniously-plotted take on the haunted house mystery. Best read before dark!' Tammy Cohen 'An atmospheric, hugely entertaining mystery that offers all the pleasures of a classic ghost story - with an appealing dash of romance. William Ryan is a wonderful storyteller and A House of Ghosts will keep you up reading (and shivering) deep into the night' Antonia Hodgson

The perfect ghostly golden age mystery

Cheri McElroy

This was advertised as a gothic ghost story. It’s not. It’s more of a mystery in the style of Agatha Christie. Character development isn’t the point, the plot and atmosphere are. And for what it was, I enjoyed it.

Katharina Hoffmann

A House of Ghosts was nearly everything I wanted it to be.

Two things drew me to this book:
1. Its absolutely stunning cover
2. The description on the back talking about a spiritualist gathering that takes place at Blackwater Abbey on an island off the Devon coast. Lord Highmount has arranged a gathering to contact his two sons who got lost in the conflict of WW I. When a storm descends on the island, the guests find themselves trapped. Soon one of their number will die.

The story is set in 1917 and mainly told from the perspectives of two characters; Donovan and Kate who both work for the British Intelligence.
I really liked its historical vibe, it was very charming and eerie at the same time. The mood of the book is fantastic and perfect for autumn or winter. There is a storm, a murder, actual ghosts, it was great fun!

Not every character in this book was fleshed out but that didn't spoil the read for me as I found myself more interested in the protagonists' emotions and backgrounds anyway.
I wish it would have had a little more grit and blood and pure angst but the book still had me guessing about the murderer until the very end.

A House of Ghosts is enjoyable, moody, mysterious and a nice read for a rainy night/ evening best spend at home with a cuppa and a warm blanket.

Finalist for the Irish Book Award for Crime Fiction Book of the Year, a Classic Cozy Big-House Mystery Haunted by the Specters of World War One—For Readers of Agatha Christie and Simone St. James Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives. At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, armaments manufacturer Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons, both of whom died at the front. Among the guests, two have been secretly dispatched from the intelligence service: Kate Cartwright, a friend of the family who lost her beloved brother at the Somme and who, in the realm of the spiritual, has her own special gift; and the mysterious Captain Donovan, recently returned from Europe. Top secret plans for weapons developed by Lord Highmount’s company have turned up in Berlin, and there is reason to believe enemy spies will be in attendance. As the guests arrive, it becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends, they find themselves trapped on the island. Soon one of their number will die. For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . . . . An unrelenting, gripping mystery, packed with twists and turns and a kindling of romance, A House of Ghosts is the perfect cold-weather read.

shellybn

This book has an interesting premise, but I expected the ghosts to be of the frightening variety, and they were merely of the lurking around and watch what happens variety. The mystery was intriguing, but the romance was predictable. I don't know if this is the first book in a series, but it read like it. It was entertaining, but not enthralling.

A House of Ghosts A Gripping Murder Mystery Set in a Haunted House

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