When Bobby Gaston walks into a diner and orders a beer with his breakfast, he can’t quite remember why he needs the fortification. While he wants to remember, he’s pretty sure he doesn’t want to know what happened. He strikes up a conversation with the cute little waitress, Sheila, who offers him a ride back to the house on Normandy Road where he claims his ghost-hunter friends are sleeping after … after a night of exploration in the spooky old mansion.
Only, Bobby knows his friends aren’t just sleeping. He inherited the house from his grandfather, and while his memory is hazy, his unerring knowledge that something evil lurks inside makes him hesitate. But with the spunky and impetuous Sheila by his side, the darkness doesn’t seem so bad… until she leaves him hanging.
Bobby is left with two options: turn tail and run, or face his personal demons while fighting against the evil that waits for him.
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I was browsing the titles this publisher had for readers to grab and review, the blurb pulled me in, and I honestly expected something a little different. But what I got I really enjoyed and there was nothing at all I did not enjoy about this short novella, and author’s writing style. It’s a short story that can be read quickly but in all honesty I feel like this author is another good example of how to ‘pack a punch’, with little word count, and give a satisfying ending…that leaves you wanting more. We follow the story of Bobby and his ancestor’s links to a house that’s been abandoned, and he now has inherited. The story starts right in the middle of the action, and we also meet Shelia when he has breakfast at the cafe. I’m not one for spoilers, so I won’t give away the plot but here’s what I enjoyed.
The Plot- drew me in from just about three pages, readers are in the dark just like Bobby and so we start to follow and learn things as he does. I don’t like giving spoilers so I won’t say anything about it but the plot moved quickly, there were a few sprinklings of information about the links he and Shelia have to the house, but not enough for you to be able to guess what’s coming. I really liked this, as it was not a predictable plot for me, the author did a brilliant job at giving just enough away, so when it comes to the ‘climax’ you have that ‘ah-ha! Okay!!’ Feeling. I also found it interesting, and really did not want to put the book down, the author did a good job at the storytelling part.
To me as a reader this felt like a mystery/thriller read how the author built the plot up to a climax, I was on the edge of my seat a bit, thinking ‘what’s happening?’ ‘ Why did that happen all those years ago?’ etc. But just as quickly as she brings the heat in the plot, the author she switched gears. That’s when all the occult and paranormal stuff came in. I love the occult, paranormal and all ‘unusual’ things so I enjoyed the blend of this with the ‘beat’ of a mystery or thriller read. This was unexpected for me.
Characters- The characters are YA in their early twenties, normally I can’t really dig characters this young sometimes, being in my late thirties I find it hard sometimes. I never found that with this novella. I feel this could be as the author did a fantastic job with creating and developing the story, I never had a hard time really relating to, enraging with, or even believing the motives of the YA aged characters. I liked them though, Bobby is a typical young man, a bit cheeky and thought with his d**k at times about Shelia… but it was all very fitting given his age! And her being what I assumed and felt to be a very pretty young lady herself.
Overall, from me as a first time reader of this author I had a five star reading experience, as the way it ended, she could easily write more and I would love her too. I would for sure read more by this author. I found Haunted to be an engaging, fast paced, enjoyable, spooky novella. Great read, I recommend for all those who like mystery, paranormal, thriller, and a bit of ‘who-dun-it’ themed books! I hope she writes another one soon!