Sophie’s world is shattered when disaster bankrupts her family. She’s still reeling from the news when she’s offered an unexpected solution: Mr Argenton, a wealthy stranger, asks for her hand in marriage.
Marrying Mr Argenton will restore her family’s fortunes and save them from scandal, but condemns Sophie to a life in Northwood, a vast and unnaturally dark mansion situated hours from … from civilisation.
Sophie struggles to adjust to her new position as mistress over the desolate house. Mr Argenton’s relatives are cold, and Mr Argenton himself is keeping secrets. Even worse, the house is more than it seems.
Mr Argenton’s young cousin, Elise, draws terrifying images. Doors slam. Inhuman figures slink through the forest surrounding the house. A piano plays in the middle of the night. Blood drips from the ceilings.
Sophie is inevitably pulled towards the terrifying truth: Northwood’s ancient halls are haunted by the family’s long-dead ancestors. The malevolent spirits—produced by grisly deaths—resent her intrusion into their home.
Trapped in Northwood and desperate for an escape, Sophie’s fate is further complicated as she finds herself irrevocably drawn to the tall, dark-eyed man she married. She suspects her feelings are returned, but Mr Argenton is hiding the truth about the house—and his secrets are so dangerous that they might just be unforgivable.
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The House of Shadows is a regency gothic story what brings to light, or I should say illuminates the dark places between life and the supernatural. I really loved this story for its atmosphere, its ease to read and the enjoyable plot line that the author expertly wove together.
Sophie is a young woman, living with her father and taking care of her siblings (after her mother’s death) when a virtual stranger asks for her hand in marriage. Knowing this is the best way to save her family from destitute she agrees to marry Joseph and movie to his isolated estate. Once there she meets his strange family and starts to feel there is more to Joseph and this house then she is being told. This is where the mystery begins.
“Does he whisper to you too?”
The main characters: Sophie, Rose, Joseph, and Elise are all well fleshed out, even a bit disturbed at times. The story is very much in the grey and that only increase the feeling the story provides. There are moments of foreboding, mystery, and uncertain truths as well as sweet moments and love.
“…the house, huge and foreboding, with its shadows so heavy that she could almost inhale the.”
The house itself really plays a major role in the story, and that adds to the gothic feel. Because this is a regency (I do not know what time period exactly, but I suspect mid to late 1800’s) there is a clean romance with in. The marriage is arranged and there are a few kisses so I would recommend this story for readers 12 and up. It is not scary (for me at least) but does have that great moody ghost story aspect to it.
“I had hoped you would accept my company and help. During the morning by the lake, I dreamed you might even forgive me. I had never presumed to hope for love.”
I think this is a perfect read for around the campfire, on a rainy day or just when you want to get into that Halloween mood. I cannot wait to read then next book in this duet because I want more! 4.25 stars.
Wow! Awesome gothic haunting!
As always I am impressed by author, Darcy Coates as she weaves these atmospheric ghost/haunted stories! This story was no exception as this time the author transports the reader into a gothic mystery surrounded by a creepy haunting!
A little back story for you readers.
Sophie Hemlock along with her father experience a tragedy which takes the business into bankruptcy. There is a way to get the business back on its feet, but Sophie is not happy when her father tells her what has to take place for that to happen. Sophie is stunned to learn that a rich man “Mr. Argenton” wants to marry her and by him marrying her then he will bring the business out of its state of financial ruin!
Since Sophie really doesn’t have that much choice or say in the matter she accepts the offer because it is the only way to save her father’s business. After the marriage, Mr. Argenton whisks her away to his mansion, a/k/a Northwood to oversee the homestead with him. When she arrives, she is met by Mr. Argenton’s family who are anything but friendly and when she sets her eyes upon the mansion, she wonders what she has got herself into as it is in mighty need of repair along with having a foreboding look to it.
As Sophie tries to become accustomed to her new home, she finds that all is not what it seems and when she wanders the halls of the old mansion, she learns that some doors are forbidden to enter especially the “red door” as no one is allowed to enter that room. It is off limits to even wander down the hallway leading to it and by no means is that room to be opened!
The more Sophie tries to learn what is going on in the house the more she is swayed by the family to finding out anything, but when she starts to hear haunting piano music along with slamming doors, whispers, and feels the creepiness of the mansion seeping into her bones is when she becomes worried about her safety along with wondering what secrets her new husband is keeping from her.
What is going on in the mansion? Who or what is behind the “red door”? What secrets are the family and husband keeping from Sophie? What is haunting the hallways of the mansion? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!
This book was a page turner and as with any Darcy Coates novel a very atmospheric read. The haunting of the mansion seeps into your mind as you slowly work you way through the book and the characters feel real enough that you find yourself feeling the same dread and worry that the character Sophie is experiencing.
When you read about the haunting tune of the piano playing you can hear the tinkling of the piano keys in your mind. The author literally brings the visual aspects of the book into focus as you read the story. I loved the gothic story setting as it made the book more haunting and spooky!
There is a sequel to the story which I will be reading shortly as there is sort of cliff hanger at the end which will require me to continue on with the story and I am curious to know how the story will end. Giving this book five “haunting” stars!
I’ve seen a lot of haunting type movies but this book paired with its sequel provided me with one of the best reads. As I read them, I saw a movie playing in my mind.
Loved it! This is the first book in a series that is a gothic horror story. Haven’t read this type of book in a while but thoroughly enjoyed it. Poor Sophie doesn’t know what she has gotten herself into when she agrees to marry Mr Argenton and moves to his estate. Bangs knocks scary drawing and inhuman
shadows. Northwood is not what she was expecting nor is his family. looking forward to reading more in this series.
This must have been one of her early books, as it couldn’t seem to make up its mind whether to be a horror novel or a bodice-ripper romance. It had an unusual premise, but it kept lapsing into corny, romantic cliches. Fun for a beach read.
Excellent gothic horror novel with page-turning appeal. I love everything by this author.
A really different haunted house story. Until you find out what is actually happening, you’d never guess. Keeps you reading so you know. But then, it keeps you in greater suspense as it comes to a climax.
This story definitely needed to be a bit longer. Perhaps to flesh out the romance a bit more. And if love wasn’t a factor in the story then I wouldn’t have cared…but it is so I needed it to be a bit meatier. Although at no point, did the story scare me ( even though I was hoping for it) the descriptions were really good. The epilogue definitely had me wanting to read the next installment.
All of her books are amazing. I devour them!
I really enjoyed these two books together. I became so attached to Sophie and Joseph. I love truly haunting stories. The tension between the two getting married before they know one another and the guilt he has for bringing Sophie into his family angst was so real. Great book. I’m always sad when I see stories end when I get so attached to the characters. They may still be stuck in my head…..
Love her Books! Excellent writing and i have read just about all of them. She has a way of capturing your mind and taking it to a whole new world.
To start I should confess I read this in one night. I purchased it after reading another of Coates’ books in one night. She does a good job on character development for the main characters. So that’s good, it kept my interest. Without spoiling anything, my only qualm is the protagonist’s stupidity in one particular matter is frustrating. With that said, I’m sure I’ll be reading the next book…
Very entertaining. Not the greatest book but was an interesting story and had interesting characters.