Books matching: haunted past
100 result(s)
American Ghost: A Family's Haunted Past in the Desert Southwest by Hannah Nordhaus is a captivating exploration of the author's great great grandmother, Julia Schuster Staab. The book delves into Julia's mysterious life and death, intertwining personal and cultural history. Nordhaus meticulously investigates Julia's story through psychics, DNA tests, family journals, and visits to historical locations, creating a narrative that transcends a mere ghost story to become a profound journey of discovery and connection to the past.
Nordhaus skillfully weaves together the past and present, taking readers from Europe to the South West and back again. Through detailed research and captivating storytelling, she paints a vivid picture of Julia's struggles in a foreign land, while also reflecting on her own quest for identity and understanding. The book seamlessly combines elements of memoir, history, and journalism, offering a thought-provoking exploration of family legacy and the complexities of unraveling one's ancestry.
Julia Staab occupies a distant point on my father’s family tree—my paternal grandfather’s maternal grandmother. She came from Germany with her husband, Abraham, a Jewish dry goods merchant who made hi...- #2
Save:The Widow's House by Carol Goodman is a modern gothic novel that follows the story of Clare and Jess Martin as they move to the Hudson River valley to rejuvenate their marriage and careers. Taking on a caretaker's job at the eerie Riven House, they uncover dark secrets and encounter strange occurrences, leading Clare to question her sanity and reality. As the tension builds and past tragedies resurface, the couple's relationship and Clare's perception are put to the test, culminating in a suspenseful and atmospheric tale of ghosts, mysteries, and psychological suspense.
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Save:"Judas Child" by Carol O'Connell is a standalone mystery thriller that follows the story of a child trying to escape from her abductor. The plot is riveting, with a shocking twist at the end that keeps readers hooked into the night. The story unfolds in a small town where two children are abducted, leading to a complex investigation that delves into the past crimes of the community.
The writing style of Carol O'Connell is described as sharp, emotionally cutting, and engrossing. The characters are well-developed, evoking strong emotions in readers. The novel presents multiple points of view, adding depth to the plot and resulting in an ending that surprises and shocks readers.
The boy’s front wheel wobbled at the exact moment he braked to a dead stop. And then the child resigned himself to the short flight over the handlebars, all but shrugging in midair. The hard landing o... - #4
Save:"What the Night Knows" by Dean Koontz follows the story of John Calvino, a family man and police detective haunted by the brutal murder of his own family by a psychotic killer when he was just 14 years old. Now, twenty years later, similar murders start occurring in the neighborhood, leading John to question if the dead always stay dead and if his family is in danger once again. The plot weaves together supernatural elements, evil spirits, and a sense of impending danger that keeps the reader on edge throughout the book. The writing style is described as creepy, compelling, and filled with eerie twists that add to the suspense of the narrative.
Suddenly at noon, six days after the murders, birds flew to trees and sheltered roosts. As if their wings had lanced the sky, the rain fell close behind their flight. The long afternoon was as dim and... - #5
Save:The French Girl by Lexie Elliott is a psychological thriller that follows a group of friends who are brought back together after a decade when the body of a young woman, Severine, is found in a well at a French country site where they once stayed. The story unfolds as they are questioned by authorities, revealing fractured relationships, hidden secrets, and suspicions among the group. The narrative is driven by the main character Kate, haunted by Severine's ghostly presence, as she navigates through layers of deception and uncovers the truth about what happened that fateful evening 10 years ago.
The novel combines elements of mystery, psychological suspense, and ghostly phenomena, creating a tense atmosphere as the investigation into Severine's death unfolds. The writing style is engaging, with a mix of flashbacks to the past and present-day events, keeping readers intrigued as they try to piece together the puzzle of who killed Severine and why, while also exploring themes of guilt, friendship, and the consequences of past actions.
Looking back, the most striking thing is that she knew I didn’t like her and she didn’t care. That type of self-possession at the tender age of nineteen—well, it’s unnatural. Or French. She was very, ... - #6
Save:'The Shadows' by Alex North is a psychological thriller following Paul Adams, who returns to his hometown of Gritten Wood after 25 years due to his dying mother. The story revolves around a murder linked to a group of disturbed teenagers, with rumors of a copycat murderer on the loose. Told through the perspectives of Paul and Detective Amanda Beck, the book explores themes of lucid dreaming, past traumas, and chilling secrets hidden in the dark woods surrounding the town. The narrative weaves between past and present, building suspense with multiple twists, turns, and unexpected revelations, making it a compelling and eerie read.
The book's writing style is described as effortlessly creating a creepy vibe with short, digestible chapters that effectively alternate between past and present timelines. The author skillfully builds suspense and leaves readers hanging at the end of each chapter, keeping them engaged and intrigued throughout the story. The plot delves into themes of manipulation, nightmares turning into reality, and the vulnerability of young minds to believe in dark legends, offering a blend of horror, suspense, and mystery that captivates readers till the end.
On the day it began, Detective Amanda Beck was technically off work. She slept late. Having been woken in the early hours by the familiar nightmare, she clung to the thin threads of sleep for as long ... - #7
Save:'Will Haunt You' by Brian Kirk follows the story of Jesse Wheeler, a former guitarist of a heavy metal band, who becomes the protagonist in an elaborate scheme tailored to prey on his fears and resurrect the ghosts from his past. As Jesse reads a mysterious book, he draws the attention of a mysterious individual who forces him to play a game, leading him into a world of personalized terror. The narrative shifts into a surreal horror novel filled with bizarre imagery and events, blurring the lines between reality and nightmare. The writing style is described as strange, unusual, and constantly breaking the fourth wall, creating a dark and twisted atmosphere that emphasizes the ever-changing situation the main character finds himself in.
The book was the last thing on my mind when I got to the gig that night. Though something should have triggered my memory when I saw Solomon. The burn mark creeping up through the collar on his neck. ... - #8
Save:'The Divines' by Ellie Eaton is a coming of age story that revolves around Josephine, a former student of an elite girls' boarding school called St. John the Divine. The narrative alternates between Josephine's teenage years at the school and her adult life, reflecting on past events and how they have shaped her present. The story delves into themes of privilege, entitlement, self-discovery, and the consequences of one's actions, particularly during adolescence. Eaton's writing style captivates readers with a blend of mystery, introspection, and a focus on character development, drawing them into Josephine's journey of reflection and redemption.
My mother was Divine and her mother before that, which isn’t uncommon. Though that was at a time when being Divine meant something; it had cachet, as my mother still likes to brag; it opened doors, go... - #9
Save:'The Lantern' by Deborah Lawrenson is a gothic novel set in Provence, France, intertwining two stories - one of a modern couple, Eve and Dom, who move to a rambling old property with a dark past, and the other of Benedicte Lincel, a former occupant haunted by the secrets of the house. The narrative skillfully weaves suspense, mystery, and elements of romance, drawing parallels to classics like 'Rebecca' and 'Jane Eyre'. Lawrenson's evocative writing captures the sights, smells, and atmosphere of Provence, creating a rich and immersive reading experience that keeps readers engaged as they uncover the hidden truths of the past and present.
The book explores themes of love, secrets, suspicion, and the supernatural, as Eve delves into the mysteries surrounding Dom's enigmatic past, particularly his missing ex-wife Rachel. The narrative builds tension gradually, blending elements of gothic fiction with captivating storytelling, where characters grapple with their own fears and doubts while navigating the haunting presence of the old farmhouse and its dark history. Lawrenson skillfully merges past and present, offering a tale that is both atmospheric and suspenseful, leaving readers intrigued by the intertwining fates of the characters and the revelations that unfold throughout the narrative.
Down here, on the southern rim of the country, out of the mistral’s slipstream, the evening drops as viscous liquid: slow and heavy and silent. When we first arrived, the stifling sultriness made slee... - #10
Save:In a world where Hitler wins World War II, Yael, a Jewish survivor of medical experiments at a concentration camp, gains the ability to skinshift. She joins the resistance and is tasked with impersonating a female motorcycle racer to assassinate Hitler at a celebratory ball. The book alternates between Yael's past and present, focusing on her mission to overthrow the tyrannical rule of the Nazis and the Japanese. The plot is fast-paced, filled with twists and turns, and revolves around themes of identity, resilience, and the power to bring about change. The writing style is described as dark, hopeful, and suspenseful, with excellent characterization and a unique premise that blends alternate history with fantasy elements.
The sun was a low orange threat in the sky as Yael stepped out the flat door onto Luisen Street—an asphalt artery at the heart of the city once called Berlin. She’d lingered too long in the tattoo art...
