Book Synopsis:

Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives.

At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons who were lost in the conflict. But as his guests begin to arrive, it gradually becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends on the island, the guests will find themselves trapped. Soon one of their number will die.

For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . . .

A House Of Ghosts is available in all formats now. You can purchase your copy using the link below.

My Review:

A House Of Ghosts is a fantastically atmospheric, creepy story which is part ghost story and part mystery. It is the perfect story for those looking for a spooky Halloween read.

The story starts of slowly as we get to know the characters and their history better but soon gathers pace becoming a gripping read. Things start getting very intriguing as we discover the links between the guest and I found myself questioning all the supernatural events, wondering if there was more going on then I realised.

The growing storm battering the house throughout most of the story helps create a claustrophobic atmosphere which is made more creepy by the presence of some interesting ghosts which helped send a shiver down my spine and ensured I didn’t want to turn my light out at night!

The story is told mainly from the point of view of Kate and Donovan but is often added to with the story of one of the other guests which adds to the mystery element of the story as the reader soon realises things are very murky indeed. I found I enjoyed watching the story unfold and trying to work out what was actually happening. It was a story I struggled to put down at times as I wanted to find out what happens next and I’m excited to read more from this talented author. I hope that there will be another book with Kate and Donovan in as I thought they were great characters!

Huge thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me onto the blog tour and to Zaffre for my copy of this book via Netgalley.

About The Author:

William Ryan’s first novel in the Captain Korolev series, The Holy Thief, was shortlisted for a Crime Writer’s Association’s New Blood Dagger, a Barry Award, The Kerry Group Irish Fiction Award and The Theakstons Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year. The second in the series, The Bloody Meadow, was shortlisted for the Ireland AM Crime Novel of the Year and the third, The Twelfth Department, was also shortlisted for the Ireland AM Crime Novel of the Year as well as the CWA’s Historical Fiction Dagger and was a Guardian Crime Novel of the Year..
The Constant Soldier, William’s fourth novel was described as “subtle, suspenseful and superb” by The Daily Mail and shortlisted for the HWA’s Gold Crown and the CWA’s Steel Dagger.
William’s latest novel (as W.C. Ryan), A House of Ghosts, was published in October 2018.
William lectures on creative writing at City University and helps run the First Monday crime evenings. Visit http://www.william-ryan.com for more information.