"The story was fantastical to the point of being absurd . . ." a line from page 139 of House of Shadows

That line from the book really is descriptive of the entire book, more or less. There's a classic Gothic setup -- young woman comes to mysterious, creepy, isolated mansion with a rather stereotypical cast. Settings like that take me back to my youth watching Dark Shadows and reading the paperback novels based on the series.

In this case, a young woman whose family faces financial ruin agrees to marry a gaunt, pale, mysterious man who is willing to pay off the family's financial obligations. His home is a massive mansion in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by ominous woods.

As the book goes along, eventually the horror is not subtle. Annoyingly, the book ends with a teaser for the next book in the series. I really don't think I'll bother. I did sail right through this one, and rather enjoyed it, but I can't take this kind of stuff too seriously. Some of it was just unbelievable even if you took out the supernatural element. ( )

Probably the best book by Ms. Coates that I've read, thus far. Case in point...I'm usually such a slow reader that it takes me at least a week to finish a book that I love. This one took me four days.

Had the perfect blend of romance, horror, and creepiness. I didn't get any sense of insta-love from Sophie and Joseph (though of course, the book is on the shorter side so things had to move quickly), and thought their romance progression was cute, and natural. Some great, and crazy history with the house in question. House itself was very eerie, written in a way that you could easily imagine yourself in it. Lots of blood and gore. Plenty of action, and hardly a slow moment to be found after the first couple chapters. Also, lots of twists and turns.

This book is written primarily in Sophie's POV in 3rd person, with a sprinkling of chapters from other POVs.

Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series, and already have it downloaded onto my Kindle. ( )

Probably the best book by Ms. Coates that I've read, thus far. Case in point...I'm usually such a slow reader that it takes me at least a week to finish a book that I love. This one took me four days.

Had the perfect blend of romance, horror, and creepiness. I didn't get any sense of insta-love from Sophie and Joseph (though of course, the book is on the shorter side so things had to move quickly), and thought their romance progression was cute, and natural. Some great, and crazy history with the house in question. House itself was very eerie, written in a way that you could easily imagine yourself in it. Lots of blood and gore. Plenty of action, and hardly a slow moment to be found after the first couple chapters. Also, lots of twists and turns.

This book is written primarily in Sophie's POV in 3rd person, with a sprinkling of chapters from other POVs.

Definitely looking forward to the next book in this series, and already have it downloaded onto my Kindle. ( )

I didn’t care for the following in love part just cause he started to be affectionate. He literally married her to make her a sacrifice. I liked the gothic elements, and how the family was cursed because there ancestor made a deal with a devil. ( )

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!

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