Published by Flame Tree Press on September 6, 2018
Genres: Horror
Pages: 256
Amazon UK
Goodreads
Also by this author: The Sorrows, Old Order, The Nightmare Girl, Savage Species, Wolf Land, The Dark Game, House of Skin, Dust Devils, The Raven, Blood Country
When David Caine, a celebrated skeptic of the supernatural, is invited by an old friend to spend a month in “the most haunted house in Virginia,” he believes the case will be like any other. But the Alexander House is different. Built by a 1700s land baron to contain the madness and depravity of his eldest son, the house is plagued by shadows of the past and the lingering taint of bloodshed. David is haunted, as well. For twenty-two years ago, he turned away the woman he loved, and she took her life in sorrow. And David suspects she’s followed him to the Alexander House. FLAME TREE PRESS is the new fiction imprint of Flame Tree Publishing. Launching in 2018 the list brings together brilliant new authors and the more established; the award winners, and exciting, original voices.
OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG
O…M…G…
Ok, I think that I have got that out of my system! Maybe not… this book chilled me to the core.
Do me a huge favour, do not read this in bed late at night…do not read on your own, in fact, go and find a hot sunny patch and stay there until you finish it, I am being deadly serious! I was reading it at home in bed late at night, the boy is away and the little one is asleep, then I heard something. Through the walls, I could hear my little one talking in her sleep, great just as I come to a bit in the book which freaked me out to do with a little girl!!!!!!!!!!!
Before I go on to what I loved about the book, I had one gripe (sorry not a good choice of word there!) with it, and it was the first ending we get (I will explain this in a moment!) I thought it some things were just not explained clearly…or maybe I was reading too quickly to take it in. I was not clear on a couple of things but I didn’t let it dampen my review.
So let me tell you what I did love about the book…
EVERYTHING
This book was freaky and creepy and at times damn right
So, we open David Caine, a non-believer asked by a friend to stay in the house, not just any house but Alexander House and prove that the supernatural exists to make his friend’s wife happy (and rich!). David and his friend Chris, have a grief that weighs heavily on them both, a death of someone dear to them, Anna. David never properly grieved for her, and always felt he owed something back to her. Her story playing a part in this story in more ways that one.
He moves into the house for a month, and he is there to write his book. For a while, he does not go upstairs to the second floor (I don’t blame him) and all the while his subconscious is ridiculing him
The worst was meeting the Shelby’s, god what a messed up family completely but two quite cute kids. The family is terrifying and when you get to the end of the book and you realise how messed up they really, and it rocks you to the core.
It was also an interesting subplot to discuss a previous investigator, Weir, who apparently died in the house while writing about it. Reading his diary alongside David’s experience. There are so many characters in this book, but my gosh they all played a part in this story, and I loved Jessica and Ivy!
So a quick note about my comment to the first ending, well once we get over the ending of the book, you breathe a sigh of relief. Wait a minute…. just a minute…BAM it is over! You are left with an ending which just blind sighted me, and there was no fricking relief. I closed the book and thank god I had to rush out the door as I was meeting friends because I could not process it. I still don’t think I can!
So, yes I thoroughly recommend this book, it is a hair-tingling book and my god I want to jump right back into another of Jonathan’s book if this introduction was anything to go by! Wowee!!!!!!
Rumour has it that there is another tour coming up for one of his books…so fingers crossed I shall see you then.
Thank you so much to Anne at Random Things tours, Flame Tree Press and the author Jonathan Janz for a copy of this book in return for my honest and unbiased review*
If you enjoyed my review or any of my other reviews, please share it on Twitter, Facebook, anywhere for other people to enjoy or if you fancy a chat stick a comment below. Thanks for stopping by! ♥
About Jonathan Janz
Jonathan Janz is the author of more than a dozen novels and numerous short stories.
His work has been championed by authors like Joe R. Lansdale, Jack Ketchum, and Brian Keene; he has also been lauded by Publishers Weekly, the Library Journal, and the School Library Journal.
His novel Children of the Dark was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Horror Book of the Year.
Jonathan’s main interests are his wonderful wife and his three amazing children.
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
I love the cover, and the enthusiasm you have is contagious. I don’t know if I can handle a truly messed up family right now, but I’ll keep it on the back burner!
Ha ha thank you! It really was an OMG book at times. thanks for the compliment! I do try when I find these books to convey as much enthusiasm as I can. Your comment has made my day thank you x
I love the cover, it’s so awesome. Your review was amazing. This book is my JAMMM. I’m so getting it ?
Aw *blush* thank you!!! I really hope you enjoy it!! Look forward to hearing your thoughts ?
I’m sure I will 🙂