Review: Much more than a ghost story
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 11 12, 2013
For a long time now I have been looking for a book which is different to the usual YA/NA books I've been reading lately. This book was it! The moment I finished this book I had shivers down my spine, it was so good. It is the best book of this genre I have read in a long time.Annie is looking for somewhere to get away for a while after a traumatic experience. Her brother gives her the opportunity when he asks her to look after his farmhouse while he is away. Close to the farmhouse is an old mansion which she also keeps an eye on.Annie has the feeling that the house is haunted, and those feelings get even stronger after she finds an old diary in the mansion and starts reading it.The diary is written by Alice, a maid from 1886, who works for The Lord and Lady of the mansion. Lady Hannah takes a shine to Alice and looks after her until her untimely death. Lady Hannah's death is the catalyst which sets into motion a chain of events which leads from the 1800's to the present day, as Annie unfortunately discovers.This isn't just a ghost story, however. It is so much more. Throw in a police investigation into a missing girl, which turns into the hunt for a serial killer; a man from Annie's past who is out for revenge; a policeman who takes a shine to Annie; a phsychic who fears the worst; oh yes, and a killer who has his sights firmly set on Annie, and you get just a small idea of what this story involves! There are also mentions of a famous serial killer from many years ago.The author weaves the story between the 1800's and the present day so well that I had to constantly remind myself which was Annie and which was Alice. She also uses different POV's from the killer, phsychic and Annie's ex among others.This is a genuinely good story which really held my attention and had me wanting more. I honestly didn't realise where the author was going with things until I read it, and that is the best kind of book for me. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes murder mysteries and ghost stories. But even if you don't like those genres, give it a go. You may be pleasantly surprised.