"Gallows Hill is cursed."
From the blurb: It's been more than a decade since Margot Hull last saw her childhood home. And she was young enough when she was sent away that she barely remembers its dark passageways and secret corners. But now she's returned to bury her parents who died in her childhood home from mysterious circumstances. She's also inherited Gallows Hill and the winery that is her family's legacy...along with all the dark secrets that lie buried beneath the crumbling estate. Secrets she was never told.
My thoughts: Margot should never have returned to Gallows Hill, not even for her parents' funeral. The name alone hints at its macabre past. And there are worse horrors hidden within. This book is seriously scary. From the ringing of the bells throughout the house, to the blood in the attic, to the reflection Margot keeps seeing in the mirror of her own corpse. And that's just the beginning! The house may be haunted, but what emerges from the tunnels beneath Gallows Hill is like a disturbing nightmare come to life. Coates does an amazing job of building suspense throughout the book, and creating an atmospheric and haunting setting. It gave me chills. And what an ending! I loved this one; it's a great October read.
Happy Reading!
Ooh! This sounds like the perfect spooky read for the season! :)
ReplyDeleteIt's a good scary October read for sure. :D
DeleteLove the haunted house vibes of this one. Adding to my TBR!
ReplyDeleteAnd there's more things to fear on Gallows Hill than just a few ghosts. I thought this one was creepy and fun.
DeleteIt does sound creepy! I just finished C. C. Warren's upcoming novel, Cross Roads, it had some creepy/cult vibes in it, but it was FABULOUS!
ReplyDeleteI'm going to have to look that one up! Thanks for the rec. :D
DeleteThis sounds delightfully scary. I haven't read a scary book in quite a while.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good time of year for one. :D
DeleteSeriously scary--it won't be for me! But it does sound very seasonal.
ReplyDeleteNot into scary haunted house books?
DeleteIt does sound spooky and probably just right for the season, but not for me, I think.
ReplyDeleteGhost stories like this one are not for everyone, that's for sure.
DeleteHi Lark, I really enjoyed The Haunting of Ashburn House so it's good to know that Gallows Hill is also very good. I have Craven Manor in my kindle so I am hoping to squeeze that one in for Oct.
ReplyDeleteI liked Craven Manor! It's another fun one...not as scary as this one though, but still good. :D
DeleteI haven't read this author but I do love the sound of this book!
ReplyDeleteCoates is good. She's written several ghost stories that I've really liked.
DeleteThis sounds good. Regine
ReplyDeletewww.rsrue.blogspot.com
It's a very fun and scary ghost story. :D
DeleteA good book for Halloween, it seems like. Great you finished it and were not scared off.
ReplyDeleteI don't really believe in ghosts irl, but I do think it's fun to read about them.
DeleteThis sounds too scary for me! I sometimes love haunted house books, but I think I've lost my nerve lately. :)
ReplyDeleteHaunted house books are my favorite kind of ghost story to read. Especially when they're scary! But it's one of the few scary things I still enjoy.
DeleteHa, yeah, I think it would scare the bejeebers out of me. Perfect for spooky season.
ReplyDeleteThere were some very scary scenes in it--lots of good tension.
DeleteHi Lark, how have you been. I finally updated my blog today. I'm off scary books these days - well horror anyways. I hope you have been well.
ReplyDeleteHi, Diane! Welcome back. It's good to hear from you. :D
DeleteThat sounds like creepy fun.
ReplyDeleteIt really is.
DeleteSounds too scary for me (lol) but what a perfect time for a spooky read. Even the cover is quite sinister!
ReplyDeleteI like a few thrills and chills this time of year. :D
DeleteOh this looks spooky and atmospheric and like such fun! Definitely a perfect read for this time of year.
ReplyDeleteIt is a great October read, that's for sure. :D
DeleteThis does sound scary and really good! I'm adding this to my wish list.
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a chance to read it. It's a good one!
DeleteI like the sound of this one. It's not often that a book actually scares me, but maybe this one would? I'm wondering about that ending. Endings can make or break a story for me. I'll see if I can get an audio copy. Wonderful review, Lark! :)
ReplyDeleteThe action in this one got so tense in the middle with night falling and nightmare creatures coming for Margot that it felt very scary...though not in the way that would give you nightmares or anything. And I was very satisfied with the ending. Coates' endings tend to be good ones; it's something I really like about her books.
DeleteI don't do too well with scary, tense plots. Glad to hear it was a good read for you.
ReplyDeleteI've liked most of the Darcy Coates ghost stories that I've read. She does a good job writing supernatural suspense.
DeleteWow, Gallows Hill sounds like the perfect seasonal read.
ReplyDeleteHaunted houses are my favorite kind of ghost story. :D
DeleteThis sounds spooky and atmospheric. Definitely fit for Halloween. ;)
ReplyDeleteIt's a very good book for Halloween!
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