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The Haunting of Maddy Clare
A woman of limited means and even less experience must confront a vengeful spirit in this haunting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel.
1920s England. Sarah Piper's lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist an obsessed ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis--rich, handsome, and scarred by World War I--has been summoned to investigate the spirit of the nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is said to haunt the barn where she committed suicide.
Maddy hated men in life, and she will not speak to them in death. But Sarah is unprepared to confront an angry ghost--real or imagined--on her own. She's even less prepared for the arrival of Alistair's associate, rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, also a veteran of the trenches, whose scars go deeper than Sarah can reach.
Soon, Sarah is caught up in a desperate struggle. For Maddy's ghost is no hoax--she's real, she's angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Now, Sarah and Matthew must discover who Maddy was, where she came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance--before she destroys them all....
1920s England. Sarah Piper's lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist an obsessed ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis--rich, handsome, and scarred by World War I--has been summoned to investigate the spirit of the nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is said to haunt the barn where she committed suicide.
Maddy hated men in life, and she will not speak to them in death. But Sarah is unprepared to confront an angry ghost--real or imagined--on her own. She's even less prepared for the arrival of Alistair's associate, rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, also a veteran of the trenches, whose scars go deeper than Sarah can reach.
Soon, Sarah is caught up in a desperate struggle. For Maddy's ghost is no hoax--she's real, she's angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Now, Sarah and Matthew must discover who Maddy was, where she came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance--before she destroys them all....
318 pages, Paperback
First published March 6, 2012
About the author
Simone St. James
11 books16.1k followersSimone St. James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Book of Cold Cases, The Sun Down Motel, The Broken Girls and The Haunting of Maddy Clare, which won two RITA awards from Romance Writers of America and an Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada. She wrote her first ghost story, about a haunted library, when she was in high school, and spent twenty years behind the scenes in the television business before leaving to write full-time. She lives outside Toronto, Canada with her husband and a spoiled cat.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 3,701 reviews
October 6, 2019
The Haunting of Maddy Clare is a 2012 Berkley publication.
Now, THIS is my kind of ghost story!!
Sarah Piper agrees to step in as a temporary assistant for Alistair Gellis, an independently wealthy war veteran, who spends his time hunting ghosts. He already has an assistant named Matthew Ryder, but the case they are called in to investigate requires a feminine touch. Why? Because the ghost in question, is Maddy Clare, a nineteen -year- old girl who committed suicide in a barn, and she really, really doesn’t like men.
As Sarah, Matt, and Alistair embark on their investigation, the mystery of Maddy’s haunting, and why she is so angry, only deepens, as Maddy’s power grows stronger. To vanquish her spirit, the ghost hunting trio must determine what is behind Maddy’s quest for vengeance so that her spirit can finally rest in peace.
This is the ghost story I’ve been looking for- for ages! I was beginning to think I'd never find one this good ever again.
The mystery is riveting, the characters troubled, flawed, and sympathetic. The story has all the elements a good, traditional ghost story should, with the themes I feel make a ghost story work- and is why I love reading them.
The twists and supernatural jolts are hardly subtle, but there a few surprises that snuck up on me, and really did send a chill down my spine. Good stuff!
The story is rounded out with a romantic element, and gives the main characters room to develop, while encouraging a connection between them and the reader. The shadows of world war one still hang heavily over England, which also gives the story a bit of poignancy and more depth that one might expect from a chiller.
The atmosphere is eerie and extremely intense, and the story is dark, and super scary. Naturally, this book is the perfect story for Halloween, but it could have the same optimum effect on any dark, cold winter night….
5 creepy, ghoulish stars!!
Now, THIS is my kind of ghost story!!
Sarah Piper agrees to step in as a temporary assistant for Alistair Gellis, an independently wealthy war veteran, who spends his time hunting ghosts. He already has an assistant named Matthew Ryder, but the case they are called in to investigate requires a feminine touch. Why? Because the ghost in question, is Maddy Clare, a nineteen -year- old girl who committed suicide in a barn, and she really, really doesn’t like men.
As Sarah, Matt, and Alistair embark on their investigation, the mystery of Maddy’s haunting, and why she is so angry, only deepens, as Maddy’s power grows stronger. To vanquish her spirit, the ghost hunting trio must determine what is behind Maddy’s quest for vengeance so that her spirit can finally rest in peace.
This is the ghost story I’ve been looking for- for ages! I was beginning to think I'd never find one this good ever again.
The mystery is riveting, the characters troubled, flawed, and sympathetic. The story has all the elements a good, traditional ghost story should, with the themes I feel make a ghost story work- and is why I love reading them.
The twists and supernatural jolts are hardly subtle, but there a few surprises that snuck up on me, and really did send a chill down my spine. Good stuff!
The story is rounded out with a romantic element, and gives the main characters room to develop, while encouraging a connection between them and the reader. The shadows of world war one still hang heavily over England, which also gives the story a bit of poignancy and more depth that one might expect from a chiller.
The atmosphere is eerie and extremely intense, and the story is dark, and super scary. Naturally, this book is the perfect story for Halloween, but it could have the same optimum effect on any dark, cold winter night….
5 creepy, ghoulish stars!!
October 5, 2020
This was so good and creepy and sad!
Dear, Maddy! You get your revenge girl!!
I just loved it. Just enough creepiness to make me happy!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
The barn was only a small distance behind the house, down a rough-worn path. The mist had not dissipated; it curled around my ankles and calves as I walked, and I was glad I had kept on my coat and hat against the chill. There was no sound but the scratch of my footsteps and the dripping of water from the trees. I longed to hear even a single birdsong, but none came.
*
Abruptly, the thumping stopped. A low sound cane from the window, the echo of an angry groan, deepened by a muffling gurgle. It could have been a voice, but was no voice any human had ever emitted. It gurgled wetly for a long moment, hissed, and was silent.
Dear, Maddy! You get your revenge girl!!
I began to shake. My giddiness was gone, and I was feeling the fear now, the fear of truly-without any sort of doubt-being in the presence of an undead soul. My God, she is actually here, actually listening to me.
There was a trickle of icy air on the back of my neck. I felt the hairs stand up like tiny pins, painful on my skin; a swift unearthly inhalation, choking and clogged.
And then she grabbed me.
I just loved it. Just enough creepiness to make me happy!
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
July 23, 2018
A hauntingly good book that delivers with chills, creepy scenes and mystery!
Alistair Gellis, a ghost hunter, has hired Sarah Piper from a temporary agency. Initially Sarah is concerned but finds she is also intrigued by the sense of adventure and the handsome man who proposes an eerie job description to her. Low on funds, and intrigued, Sarah finds that she cannot refuse the position as she needs the money. She isn't sure if ghosts even exist, but money is money, so she agrees to help him investigate the ghost of Maddy Clare.
Maddy Clare was a nineteen-year-old woman who committed suicide after regaining her memory. Years earlier, she showed up at the Clare home late one night covered in mud, traumatized, injured, and brutalized. She could not speak and eventually became a member of the household. She was frightened of men in life and is not too keen on them after death.
After her suicide, Maddy has been haunting the Clare barn. Mrs. Clare has hired Mr. Gellis to essentially get rid of Maddy's ghost but insists that a woman must go into the barn alone to ask Maddy to leave as Maddy does not like men. Sarah is frightened but agrees to enter the barn and finds that Maddy's angry and vengeance seeking ghost does indeed inhibit the barn.
Alistair, Sarah and Matthew (Alistair's other assistant) attempt to learn more about Maddy Clare's short, tragic life, her suicide and why she wants revenge. As Matthew and Sarah form a relationship, it becomes clear that Maddy's anger is increasing, her need for vengeance is intensifying and there may be those in town who know more than they are willing to admit.
I found this to be a very good ghost story. It has creepy moments but is not what I would scary. It is atmospheric at times. The story is full of suspicious townspeople, and those who want to keep the truth about Maddy a secret. I felt as though I was just as invested in finding the truth about Maddy Clare as the three ghost hunters. There are quite a few haunting scenes which help move the story along and draw the reader in. There is a sense of dread as night falls and birds take flight! Just what is it with crows and scary books? This book has a little bit of everything - paranormal elements, romance, suspense, mystery - and balances them all nicely.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
Alistair Gellis, a ghost hunter, has hired Sarah Piper from a temporary agency. Initially Sarah is concerned but finds she is also intrigued by the sense of adventure and the handsome man who proposes an eerie job description to her. Low on funds, and intrigued, Sarah finds that she cannot refuse the position as she needs the money. She isn't sure if ghosts even exist, but money is money, so she agrees to help him investigate the ghost of Maddy Clare.
Maddy Clare was a nineteen-year-old woman who committed suicide after regaining her memory. Years earlier, she showed up at the Clare home late one night covered in mud, traumatized, injured, and brutalized. She could not speak and eventually became a member of the household. She was frightened of men in life and is not too keen on them after death.
After her suicide, Maddy has been haunting the Clare barn. Mrs. Clare has hired Mr. Gellis to essentially get rid of Maddy's ghost but insists that a woman must go into the barn alone to ask Maddy to leave as Maddy does not like men. Sarah is frightened but agrees to enter the barn and finds that Maddy's angry and vengeance seeking ghost does indeed inhibit the barn.
Alistair, Sarah and Matthew (Alistair's other assistant) attempt to learn more about Maddy Clare's short, tragic life, her suicide and why she wants revenge. As Matthew and Sarah form a relationship, it becomes clear that Maddy's anger is increasing, her need for vengeance is intensifying and there may be those in town who know more than they are willing to admit.
I found this to be a very good ghost story. It has creepy moments but is not what I would scary. It is atmospheric at times. The story is full of suspicious townspeople, and those who want to keep the truth about Maddy a secret. I felt as though I was just as invested in finding the truth about Maddy Clare as the three ghost hunters. There are quite a few haunting scenes which help move the story along and draw the reader in. There is a sense of dread as night falls and birds take flight! Just what is it with crows and scary books? This book has a little bit of everything - paranormal elements, romance, suspense, mystery - and balances them all nicely.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookpost.com
October 16, 2022
3.75 ⭐️ for this “spooky season” read!
It’s 1920’s England, so this ghost story has the feeling of a more “traditional” haunting…
Sarah Piper is an orphan of limited means, so when the Temp Agency she is employed by, asks her to accept an assignment assisting Alistair Gellis, a ghost hunter, she really cannot turn down the money being offered-despite being a skeptic.
Allistair is usually assisted by his associate, Matthew Ryder, but Maddy Clare, is no ordinary ghost.
She is full of rage and vengeance and will only allow women to enter the barn where she died.
She had been a 19 year old, girl who arrived on the Clare’s doorstep, covered in mud and bruises, who had lost not only her memory of what had happened, but also her voice. But, she knew not to trust men.
Mrs. Clare had taken pity on her and hired her to be a maid.
When something triggers her memory of the traumatic night that brought her to the Clare’s doorstep, she commits suicide in the barn, leaving a note that says “I WILL get them”.
Now, Allister, Matthew and Sarah must discover what had happened on that tragic night, so that her soul can Rest In Peace.
I had been wanting to read some of Simone St. James’s earlier work, since reading and loving her most recent three: “The Broken Girls” 2018, “The Sun Down Motel” 2020 (MY FAVORITE) and “The Book of Cold Cases” 2022. All have been solid 4 and 5 star reads!
Review for “The Sun Down Motel”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for “The Broken Girls” : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for “The Book of Cold Cases” : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And, while this didn’t quite reach the 4 ⭐️ mark for me, it is because it had a pretty prevalent ROMANCE sub plot, which I don’t care for in my thrillers. Especially when they are “Open door”!
I am glad that this Uber talented author has veered away from that in recent work- and will probably stick with what comes next, rather than what came before, for that reason.
But, if you are looking for a good, old fashioned “haunting”…this one just might fit the bill!
AVAILABLE NOW
It’s 1920’s England, so this ghost story has the feeling of a more “traditional” haunting…
Sarah Piper is an orphan of limited means, so when the Temp Agency she is employed by, asks her to accept an assignment assisting Alistair Gellis, a ghost hunter, she really cannot turn down the money being offered-despite being a skeptic.
Allistair is usually assisted by his associate, Matthew Ryder, but Maddy Clare, is no ordinary ghost.
She is full of rage and vengeance and will only allow women to enter the barn where she died.
She had been a 19 year old, girl who arrived on the Clare’s doorstep, covered in mud and bruises, who had lost not only her memory of what had happened, but also her voice. But, she knew not to trust men.
Mrs. Clare had taken pity on her and hired her to be a maid.
When something triggers her memory of the traumatic night that brought her to the Clare’s doorstep, she commits suicide in the barn, leaving a note that says “I WILL get them”.
Now, Allister, Matthew and Sarah must discover what had happened on that tragic night, so that her soul can Rest In Peace.
I had been wanting to read some of Simone St. James’s earlier work, since reading and loving her most recent three: “The Broken Girls” 2018, “The Sun Down Motel” 2020 (MY FAVORITE) and “The Book of Cold Cases” 2022. All have been solid 4 and 5 star reads!
Review for “The Sun Down Motel”: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for “The Broken Girls” : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Review for “The Book of Cold Cases” : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
And, while this didn’t quite reach the 4 ⭐️ mark for me, it is because it had a pretty prevalent ROMANCE sub plot, which I don’t care for in my thrillers. Especially when they are “Open door”!
I am glad that this Uber talented author has veered away from that in recent work- and will probably stick with what comes next, rather than what came before, for that reason.
But, if you are looking for a good, old fashioned “haunting”…this one just might fit the bill!
AVAILABLE NOW
July 15, 2018
Full review up!!
Another great book by Simone St. James!!
I went into this book hoping that the writing was just as strong as The Broken Girls. I read that book earlier in the year and loved St. James's writing! And The Haunting of Maddy Clare was good as well!
The Haunting of Maddy Clare starts off with Alistair Gellis requesting help from a temp agency. Sarah Piper works for the agency and agrees to meet with Alistair. Alistair wants to hire Sarah because only a woman can communicate with the ghost. His assistant Matthew Ryder is away on personal business and he senses that's Sarah is sensitive.
Sarah learns that Alistair has been summoned to investigate a vengeful ghost that’s getting worse.
She is intrigued by the case and needs something more interesting in her lonely life so she decides to travel with Alistair to where the haunting is taking place. She's also broke so she agrees to go on this crazy adventure.
We find out that Maddy Clare is the vengeful ghost. Her death and life are much more complicated then Sarah and Alistair realize so the paranormal haunting is now turning into an investigation. They start to dive into the life of Maddy Clare and what happened to her when she was a 12-year-old girl and why she decided to hang herself in the barn 7 years later.
Matthew Ryder ends up coming back to the investigation and sparks ignite between Sarah and Matthew. Matthew and Alistair are also soldiers that have come back from the war.
The book’s setting is right after World War 1 and set in Britain. Simone St. James writing on the soldiers coming back from the WWI is well done! I felt connected to their struggles and trauma that they endured during the war. I also understood why they were so obsessed with death and finding meaning after death.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare has a nice amount of creepiness, suspense and touch of romance in the book. The romance is well done and if you're not into romance, you shouldn’t have issues with it. It’s not overwhelming since the main focus of the book is the investigation into Maddy and what happened to this angry spirit!!
Recommened to fans of suspense, historical fiction, gothic and mysteries!
I think even horror fans would like this book just because the writing on the haunting is well done and creepy!
Another great book by Simone St. James!!
I went into this book hoping that the writing was just as strong as The Broken Girls. I read that book earlier in the year and loved St. James's writing! And The Haunting of Maddy Clare was good as well!
The Haunting of Maddy Clare starts off with Alistair Gellis requesting help from a temp agency. Sarah Piper works for the agency and agrees to meet with Alistair. Alistair wants to hire Sarah because only a woman can communicate with the ghost. His assistant Matthew Ryder is away on personal business and he senses that's Sarah is sensitive.
Sarah learns that Alistair has been summoned to investigate a vengeful ghost that’s getting worse.
She is intrigued by the case and needs something more interesting in her lonely life so she decides to travel with Alistair to where the haunting is taking place. She's also broke so she agrees to go on this crazy adventure.
We find out that Maddy Clare is the vengeful ghost. Her death and life are much more complicated then Sarah and Alistair realize so the paranormal haunting is now turning into an investigation. They start to dive into the life of Maddy Clare and what happened to her when she was a 12-year-old girl and why she decided to hang herself in the barn 7 years later.
Matthew Ryder ends up coming back to the investigation and sparks ignite between Sarah and Matthew. Matthew and Alistair are also soldiers that have come back from the war.
The book’s setting is right after World War 1 and set in Britain. Simone St. James writing on the soldiers coming back from the WWI is well done! I felt connected to their struggles and trauma that they endured during the war. I also understood why they were so obsessed with death and finding meaning after death.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare has a nice amount of creepiness, suspense and touch of romance in the book. The romance is well done and if you're not into romance, you shouldn’t have issues with it. It’s not overwhelming since the main focus of the book is the investigation into Maddy and what happened to this angry spirit!!
Recommened to fans of suspense, historical fiction, gothic and mysteries!
I think even horror fans would like this book just because the writing on the haunting is well done and creepy!
October 11, 2019
Another wonderful story from Simone St. James! This was the perfect book for the Halloween season. I must thank my Goodreads friend, Julie, for writing such an amazing review for this that I immediately downloaded it and I was not disappointed.
Sarah is a young, poor woman living in London after WWI and getting by on temporary work. One day she is asked to assist Allistair Gellis, a professional ghost hunter, in exorcising the spirit of Maddy Clare from the barn in which she hung herself. The reason he needs her assistance is because Maddy Clare really, really dislikes men. Actually she hates them and she isn't afraid to show you just how far and how deep her loathing goes. Sarah, feeling as if she has no other options, joins Allistair and his other assistant Matthew Ryder in the quest to rid the Clare barn of her spirit.
Simone St. James is a master of atmosphere. While I wouldn't call this book scary, per se, it does have an underlying creepy tension and some hair raising moments. I think it's safe to say I'm a fan! 4 Spooky stars! 👻
Sarah is a young, poor woman living in London after WWI and getting by on temporary work. One day she is asked to assist Allistair Gellis, a professional ghost hunter, in exorcising the spirit of Maddy Clare from the barn in which she hung herself. The reason he needs her assistance is because Maddy Clare really, really dislikes men. Actually she hates them and she isn't afraid to show you just how far and how deep her loathing goes. Sarah, feeling as if she has no other options, joins Allistair and his other assistant Matthew Ryder in the quest to rid the Clare barn of her spirit.
Simone St. James is a master of atmosphere. While I wouldn't call this book scary, per se, it does have an underlying creepy tension and some hair raising moments. I think it's safe to say I'm a fan! 4 Spooky stars! 👻
November 7, 2016
Twenty-five-year-old Sarah Piper gets a call from the temporary agency that she works for. A male writer is requesting an assistant and he is asking for a female. Sarah is to meet him at a coffee house in Soho, London.
Sarah goes to the coffee house and meets Alistair Gellis, a young, handsome man. He tells her he documents ghosts. A vicar contacted Alistair recently because the vicar had tried to exorcise a ghost and failed. The ghost physically attacked him. It seems the ghost really dislikes men and doesn't want any men near it. So, since Alistair can't check the ghost out himself, he needs someone (a woman) to do it for him. And then he will write about it.
Sarah can't believe what this guy wants her to do, but he is dead serious. She is hard up for money, and does need the job, so she reluctantly agrees.
They go to Warringstoke to meet elderly Mrs. Clare, whose barn the ghost is haunting. The ghost is called Maddy (who was nineteen when she hung herself in the barn) and the old woman is tired and can't put up with this anymore and just wants Maddy to leave (it seems Maddy has been causing chaos). She wants Sarah to go out to the barn and tell Maddy to go. Mrs. Clare makes Alistair leave and go back to the inn he and Sarah were staying at. Then Sarah goes out to the barn with a camera and a recorder that Alistair gave her so she can document the meeting with the ghost. And she has an experience with Maddy...
This was a very spooky, atmospheric book. The scenes with the ghost Maddy were positively creepy. Sarah was a likable heroine. I also liked Alistair (cool, calm, polished, nice) and his friend Matthew, who is also interested in ghosts (dark, brash, scarred from the war.)
Another very enjoyable read by Simone St. James.
Sarah goes to the coffee house and meets Alistair Gellis, a young, handsome man. He tells her he documents ghosts. A vicar contacted Alistair recently because the vicar had tried to exorcise a ghost and failed. The ghost physically attacked him. It seems the ghost really dislikes men and doesn't want any men near it. So, since Alistair can't check the ghost out himself, he needs someone (a woman) to do it for him. And then he will write about it.
Sarah can't believe what this guy wants her to do, but he is dead serious. She is hard up for money, and does need the job, so she reluctantly agrees.
They go to Warringstoke to meet elderly Mrs. Clare, whose barn the ghost is haunting. The ghost is called Maddy (who was nineteen when she hung herself in the barn) and the old woman is tired and can't put up with this anymore and just wants Maddy to leave (it seems Maddy has been causing chaos). She wants Sarah to go out to the barn and tell Maddy to go. Mrs. Clare makes Alistair leave and go back to the inn he and Sarah were staying at. Then Sarah goes out to the barn with a camera and a recorder that Alistair gave her so she can document the meeting with the ghost. And she has an experience with Maddy...
This was a very spooky, atmospheric book. The scenes with the ghost Maddy were positively creepy. Sarah was a likable heroine. I also liked Alistair (cool, calm, polished, nice) and his friend Matthew, who is also interested in ghosts (dark, brash, scarred from the war.)
Another very enjoyable read by Simone St. James.
March 29, 2017
This book deserves a good review, however, I am too exhausted to write one. I just arrived back home from a two-day road trip covering a couple of thousand kilometers, and really need some sleep. The book was great.
Paranormal, combined with a romance and a haunting tale of an angry ghost. Not my usual genre, but a great diversion from the normal paths. I spent many hours riveted to this tale. Holding my breath, devoid of much-needed oxygen by involuntary choice, a subconscious act in overdrive, a helpless act of self-destruct! :-))
Yep, Maddy the mad maiden got to me; hit me in the stomach; ripped up any notion of sleep; made me dream of haunted barns, vulnerable innocent men in danger; and somewhere a romantic fling thrown into the mix. Revenge.
Maddy Clare was not only seriously mad, she was seriously getting even from her transitional zone between life and death, even though she committed suicide.
She was encapsulated in her own little planet, between departed world and her arrival at her final destination. She wasn't planning to reach that destination without a few heads rolling. What she could not verbalize, she could demonstrate. The picture for the small English village was a grim one, until the three ghost busters arrived shortly after WWI. The one wrote books about ghosts, the second one was his assistant, and the third was Sarah Pipers, a temp from an employment agency who desperately needed money and a job. The mix was on.
Somewhere in it, yours truly hanged out between the fast-paced lines of prose. I was hyper-excited and willing to give up a few years of my life to see what happens in the end. When sleep finally arrived, it hit me like an afterlife! A very welcome one at that. Closing the book was the second thrill. The tale itself, was another thrill beyond words!
Read it, if you dare ;-)
Paranormal, combined with a romance and a haunting tale of an angry ghost. Not my usual genre, but a great diversion from the normal paths. I spent many hours riveted to this tale. Holding my breath, devoid of much-needed oxygen by involuntary choice, a subconscious act in overdrive, a helpless act of self-destruct! :-))
Yep, Maddy the mad maiden got to me; hit me in the stomach; ripped up any notion of sleep; made me dream of haunted barns, vulnerable innocent men in danger; and somewhere a romantic fling thrown into the mix. Revenge.
Maddy Clare was not only seriously mad, she was seriously getting even from her transitional zone between life and death, even though she committed suicide.
She was encapsulated in her own little planet, between departed world and her arrival at her final destination. She wasn't planning to reach that destination without a few heads rolling. What she could not verbalize, she could demonstrate. The picture for the small English village was a grim one, until the three ghost busters arrived shortly after WWI. The one wrote books about ghosts, the second one was his assistant, and the third was Sarah Pipers, a temp from an employment agency who desperately needed money and a job. The mix was on.
Somewhere in it, yours truly hanged out between the fast-paced lines of prose. I was hyper-excited and willing to give up a few years of my life to see what happens in the end. When sleep finally arrived, it hit me like an afterlife! A very welcome one at that. Closing the book was the second thrill. The tale itself, was another thrill beyond words!
Read it, if you dare ;-)
October 29, 2019
"The Haunting of Maddy Clare" was a great Halloween read. This is a solid four-star ghost story with a side of romance, and my first but definitely not my last novel by Simone St. James. It takes place in England just after World War I. The ghost hunter and his assistant met in a care facility after being injured in the war. They're good people who both have physical and emotional scars. Sarah, an orphaned woman working in London as a temp, has been hired for this haunting because the ghost hates men. Sarah is smart and brave and rootable. This assignment will present her with much-needed challenges as well as love.
And then there's Maddy Clare, the ghost. One day she appeared at the Clare home, injured and unable to speak. Mrs. Clare kindly hired her. And one day Maddy Clare hung herself in the barn, and left a note that said I WILL GET THEM. Maddy's ghost is full of rage and vengeance. Simone St. James's story is full of eerie atmosphere and suspense. It's not scary, which is how I usually like my ghost stories, but Maddy Clare's spirit is so frightening to other characters and her behavior so menacing, she makes up for it. The trio of ghost hunters are very well-written. Once I was done I looked for the second in the series. It turns out this is not a series -- but it should be. I'm hoping for more because these characters are too good to be confined to just one book. There are many ghost stories the author could tell with these characters, and I hope to spend more time with them.
And then there's Maddy Clare, the ghost. One day she appeared at the Clare home, injured and unable to speak. Mrs. Clare kindly hired her. And one day Maddy Clare hung herself in the barn, and left a note that said I WILL GET THEM. Maddy's ghost is full of rage and vengeance. Simone St. James's story is full of eerie atmosphere and suspense. It's not scary, which is how I usually like my ghost stories, but Maddy Clare's spirit is so frightening to other characters and her behavior so menacing, she makes up for it. The trio of ghost hunters are very well-written. Once I was done I looked for the second in the series. It turns out this is not a series -- but it should be. I'm hoping for more because these characters are too good to be confined to just one book. There are many ghost stories the author could tell with these characters, and I hope to spend more time with them.
March 24, 2024
This is my second Simone St. James book. I intend to read at least 5 of her books back-to-back and I started with The Broken Girls (which I loved). I enjoyed the intricacies of the plotting in The Broken Girls more than Maddy Clare, but the characters were more enjoyable and developed in this book.
I sort of had things figured out in this one, which is fine--the focus was more on other aspects, and the murder mystery didn't start ramping until the last 30% or so
My favorite elements in this book are:
-The 1920 aesthetics
-The main character Sarah Piper
-The two male main characters, Alistair but especially Matthew
-The romance, oh my god...I loved it
-The backstories of all the characters, a real character-driven story
-Maddy Clare, our ghost, I loved her haunting...her abilities, and the whole story
-The paranormal investigation
-The murder mystery investigation
So yeah, this is a really good time. I docked a star because some of the hints and clues are dropped like breadcrumbs to gather and some are like bricks...I like when things are kept close to the vest
I sort of had things figured out in this one, which is fine--the focus was more on other aspects, and the murder mystery didn't start ramping until the last 30% or so
My favorite elements in this book are:
-The 1920 aesthetics
-The main character Sarah Piper
-The two male main characters, Alistair but especially Matthew
-The romance, oh my god...I loved it
-The backstories of all the characters, a real character-driven story
-Maddy Clare, our ghost, I loved her haunting...her abilities, and the whole story
-The paranormal investigation
-The murder mystery investigation
So yeah, this is a really good time. I docked a star because some of the hints and clues are dropped like breadcrumbs to gather and some are like bricks...I like when things are kept close to the vest
October 14, 2014
When Sarah accepts an interview thru a temp. agency, she had no idea it would lead to a job working for two handsome young men and encountering a revengeful ghost haunting an old barn. Set in post WWI England, the engaging beginning of this debut novel by Simone St. James combines some spooky thrills with a mystery to solve and a romance to enjoy. (if you enjoy romance)
The imperative need to unravel the past surrounding Maddy's sad and short life made for a fast read and entertaining ghost story. Well done debut!
October 24, 2018
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Imagine ghost hunting in the 1920s! A very meek girl needs a job at her temp agency and she goes to a meeting to discuss what this will entail at a coffee shop.
Her life changes from that point on! I loved this. You see Sarah getting stronger and more on point as a character with every sentence; more sure of herself and even her assignment and co-workers. That was great. Then you have her two companions, Alastair; the boss, and his usual assistant; Matthew.
To top it all off we have one knock you down and smack your face haunting. Maddy Clare. You think the people being haunted by her want results; well so does she.
She’s a taker. She’s a talker. And she’s a chooser. She chooses her players and then places them as she sees fit. She will have answers to her questions...Even if the living don’t quite understand them, yet.
This team could have made an excellent series but it was a great stand alone.
Each person is uniquely qualified in their own way through experiences and backgrounds you eventually learn and it adds to the character. I was stuck on this book until I was at the last.
My only dislike was a few encounters that were too detailed for me. But the chemistry was great. I just skipped the kibbles and bits.
Backing up this review somewhere .... ahem.
Imagine ghost hunting in the 1920s! A very meek girl needs a job at her temp agency and she goes to a meeting to discuss what this will entail at a coffee shop.
Her life changes from that point on! I loved this. You see Sarah getting stronger and more on point as a character with every sentence; more sure of herself and even her assignment and co-workers. That was great. Then you have her two companions, Alastair; the boss, and his usual assistant; Matthew.
To top it all off we have one knock you down and smack your face haunting. Maddy Clare. You think the people being haunted by her want results; well so does she.
She’s a taker. She’s a talker. And she’s a chooser. She chooses her players and then places them as she sees fit. She will have answers to her questions...Even if the living don’t quite understand them, yet.
This team could have made an excellent series but it was a great stand alone.
Each person is uniquely qualified in their own way through experiences and backgrounds you eventually learn and it adds to the character. I was stuck on this book until I was at the last.
My only dislike was a few encounters that were too detailed for me. But the chemistry was great. I just skipped the kibbles and bits.
Backing up this review somewhere .... ahem.
September 6, 2023
Maddy Clare is a poltergeist/ghost that's out for the men of the world.
Young Sarah gets in over her head in all areas of life and must solve the mystery of why Maddy won't "go into the light" before Maddy takes her rage out on them all.
My two biggest issues with this book were the abusive romance and the fact that this missed the opportunity to be creepier and more suspenseful. The mystery wasn't hard to figure out the main plot, with a few subplots to fill in the blanks.
Overall a 3.5-4 Star.
Young Sarah gets in over her head in all areas of life and must solve the mystery of why Maddy won't "go into the light" before Maddy takes her rage out on them all.
My two biggest issues with this book were the abusive romance and the fact that this missed the opportunity to be creepier and more suspenseful. The mystery wasn't hard to figure out the main plot, with a few subplots to fill in the blanks.
Overall a 3.5-4 Star.
September 9, 2021
I was not expecting this book to be as steamy as it was! I think Simone should just drop the horror and pick up romance writing lol because dang! Jk, I'd actually be sad if she gave up horror. But I do think she should give a try at writing a romance novel. Needless to say, she's an excellent writer! Her characters are always so personable and 3 dimensional. She also does a fantastic job at making her books feel very atmospheric and lush. Everything just feels so real and like you're right there with the characters.
However, I have to say that throwing the intense sex scenes into a horror novel, admittedly threw me off. Ive read horror books with romance in them before and enjoyed it. But something about this one didn't flow smoothly and was rather jarring.
I also felt that this one was missing something that the other book of hers that I read had.
But as always, I still loved the characters, the atmosphere and the plot. The plot was a little slower moving than normal. But I think that really built up the tension and added more to the eerie atmosphere. Although this wasn't my favorite, it's still a really good book and would recommend it!
However, I have to say that throwing the intense sex scenes into a horror novel, admittedly threw me off. Ive read horror books with romance in them before and enjoyed it. But something about this one didn't flow smoothly and was rather jarring.
I also felt that this one was missing something that the other book of hers that I read had.
But as always, I still loved the characters, the atmosphere and the plot. The plot was a little slower moving than normal. But I think that really built up the tension and added more to the eerie atmosphere. Although this wasn't my favorite, it's still a really good book and would recommend it!
January 6, 2023
This is my second book in a row by Simone St. James, and when I finished it, I went and ordered pretty much her entire backlog. Because I’ve never come across another author who writes standalone horror-romance.
Horrance? Romror? I’ll work on that and get back to you.
I’ve written before about how I don’t typically read scary stories (because nightmares) but for some reason, I can binge-read St. James and still sleep like a baby. I think it’s because of that blend of spooky and swoony I mentioned before. Something about the romance aspect of her plots acts as a ballast against the horror, and it makes it easier to digest.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare is one of those books that seamlessly blends the old with the new. It pays homage to some of the blockbusters in the genre while adding new twists and elements that make it easily stand on its own. Set in England during the 1920s, at a time when women were gaining previously unmatched independence, it does a fantastic job of tackling gender roles even as it examines a violent haunting.
The main character, Sarah, is contacted by a temp agency to interview for an open position. With a ghost hunter. Debonair and charming, Alistair quickly convinces Sarah to come with him to the countryside to investigate his latest supernatural case. And it has to be Sarah who acts as his eyes and ears because bad things happen to the men who attempt contact with the ghostly Maddy.
I immediately thought, “Right, something terrible happened to Maddy Clare when she was alive to make her hate men so much that she wants to kill them even from beyond the grave.” I was definitely right, but I by no means guessed all the twists and turns this story has to offer. And just because Maddy allows women into her barn, it doesn’t mean she’s nice to them. The first time Alistair sent Sarah in there with Maddy, I was white-knuckling my kindle.
On that note, if you think Alistair is the love interest because of the aforementioned charm, sorry, he’s not. That role falls to his gruff assistant, Matthew. Both men are veterans of the first World War, and I thought the way St. James handled their injuries (both physical and mental) was very well done.
But the most impressive part of this book is the fact that the mystery and romance hold equal complexity and intensity. I had to know what happened next with the investigation into Maddy’s background just as much as I had to know what happened with Sarah and Matthew. It made this an incredibly compelling book, and it’s no wonder I finished it in one sitting on a snowy Saturday.
I loved watching Sarah blossom from someone who questioned herself and erred on the side of caution and silence into a woman with her own agency who stood up for herself and others. Matthew’s character arc was just as compelling, as was Maddy’s and even Alistair’s. This is just an all-around good book, and I very much recommend it to anyone looking for something a little bit spooky and a little bit swoony at the same time.
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December 24, 2023
3 stars
short review for busy readers:
For a first novel, The Haunting of Maddy Clare is a fairly decent read. All the parts of gothic, ghostly suspense are there, plus a romantic subplot and a tiny whodunit. There are flaws, of course, which are a little too prominent to warrant more than 3 stars.
in detail:
The biggest problem is that it is uneven in a number of different ways.
One: the whodunit is fairly obvious (hardly any other suspects). There are also other plot flaws -- like some surprise event will happen every time our narrator gets two seconds of respite. You can almost time it.
Two: The narrator's (Sarah Piper) characterisation is a little wonky, in that St James keeps things we'd need to know about her hidden for too long. This makes it difficult to understand her opinion or motivations on occasion, which brings down the ability of the reader to like or understand her.
Three: the romantic subplot is going to be annoying or problematic for many readers. I personally really get the Sarah+Matthew dynamic, but it is one women today are taught to see as wrong, abusive and part of the terror of the pre-feminist past. It all happens too fast to be believable.
Oddly, I found the scenes between the two of them to actually be the best written and engaging part of the novel and I don't like romances or romantic subplots.
Four: Maddy the Ghost is just too nuts to really enjoy. And her backstory comes out too late.
Maddy's actions, babblings and explanations are confused and contradictory, which means we can't really piece together what exactly is going on a paranormal level. Ghosts you understand are far more compelling and terrifying than randomly violent or crazed ones. Here again, a smoother, more even approach would have helped.
I also personally didn't find the "scary" parts all too scary. There was a disconnect in there between Sarah's terror and the 'meh' on my part. Perhaps it was just me.
On the plus side, the writing flowed quite well and the novel was an easy, quick to read.
I think this one just needed to bake a bit longer.
short review for busy readers:
For a first novel, The Haunting of Maddy Clare is a fairly decent read. All the parts of gothic, ghostly suspense are there, plus a romantic subplot and a tiny whodunit. There are flaws, of course, which are a little too prominent to warrant more than 3 stars.
in detail:
The biggest problem is that it is uneven in a number of different ways.
One: the whodunit is fairly obvious (hardly any other suspects). There are also other plot flaws -- like some surprise event will happen every time our narrator gets two seconds of respite. You can almost time it.
Two: The narrator's (Sarah Piper) characterisation is a little wonky, in that St James keeps things we'd need to know about her hidden for too long. This makes it difficult to understand her opinion or motivations on occasion, which brings down the ability of the reader to like or understand her.
Three: the romantic subplot is going to be annoying or problematic for many readers. I personally really get the Sarah+Matthew dynamic, but it is one women today are taught to see as wrong, abusive and part of the terror of the pre-feminist past. It all happens too fast to be believable.
Oddly, I found the scenes between the two of them to actually be the best written and engaging part of the novel and I don't like romances or romantic subplots.
Four: Maddy the Ghost is just too nuts to really enjoy. And her backstory comes out too late.
Maddy's actions, babblings and explanations are confused and contradictory, which means we can't really piece together what exactly is going on a paranormal level. Ghosts you understand are far more compelling and terrifying than randomly violent or crazed ones. Here again, a smoother, more even approach would have helped.
I also personally didn't find the "scary" parts all too scary. There was a disconnect in there between Sarah's terror and the 'meh' on my part. Perhaps it was just me.
On the plus side, the writing flowed quite well and the novel was an easy, quick to read.
I think this one just needed to bake a bit longer.
February 11, 2022
Library read. I've loved Ms. St. James' most recent books. This is a hard stop at 36%
Nope. I'm looking forward. After this! I'm definitely not checking out the old shit. A generous 2 stars.
Nope. I'm looking forward. After this! I'm definitely not checking out the old shit. A generous 2 stars.
May 3, 2024
Once again, a Simone St. James book read in one sitting. My eyes are now blurry (did I forget to blink?), and I am surprised and disappointed to realize that I am back in the real world. A full review may follow at some point, but I loved this, ghost, romance, mystery and all.
October 1, 2017
The Haunting of Maddy Clare was just an ok read for me. I was somewhat disappointed for a couple of reasons, the first being that although there were a lot of ghost scenes in this book, they were not really all that creepy to me. I found the ghost scenes in An Inquiry into Love and Death to be creepier, even if there were fewer of them. The second thing I disliked was the insta-love/lust. I wasn't crazy about the romance in An Inquiry into Love and Death, but it was even worse here. The reason I had an issue with the romance so much in this book is because of the first romantic (really not romantic) encounter and how it was portrayed.
Even though I was disappointed in some things about this book, there are things I like about this author's writing style. Her story telling is excellent and I like the setting of the 1920s a lot. It's a nice departure from the Victorian and Regency era historicals that I've been reading, despite the fact that I feel at times the characters are a bit too modern in their morals for the setting. I like ghost stories so I may get around to reading more from this author. I do have a couple more of them on my to-read list.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
Even though I was disappointed in some things about this book, there are things I like about this author's writing style. Her story telling is excellent and I like the setting of the 1920s a lot. It's a nice departure from the Victorian and Regency era historicals that I've been reading, despite the fact that I feel at times the characters are a bit too modern in their morals for the setting. I like ghost stories so I may get around to reading more from this author. I do have a couple more of them on my to-read list.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
June 28, 2018
4.25 chilling stars!
My first encounter with Simone St. James was her book, The Broken Girls, which I read a few months back. I knew then that this was an author I needed to revisit, and now after reading The Haunting of Maddy Clare, it is official.… Simone St. James has definitely found a new fan.
I have been a fan of ghost stories since I was a kid. And I admire authors who take on the daunting task of writing those stories, as it seems like such a difficult genre to tackle. And after reading two of her books, I believe Simone St. James has perfected the art of writing a solid, well-rounded ghostly novel.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare takes place in England, after the Great War. Sarah Piper, a young woman trying to find jobs through a temp agency, suddenly finds herself working with two male ghost hunters in need of a female assistant. They are sent to the countryside to investigate the haunting of a family’s barn. Maddy Clare, a young servant girl who tragically committed suicide in the barn, is said to still be there… and wreaking havoc. Maddy’s ghost will not tolerate the presence of men, hence the need for Sarah’s help. But they all quickly realize they’re dealing with a situation that is most terrifying and their lives are about to be turned upside down.
Blending history, mystery, romance, passion, and all things spooky, St. James does a fantastic job giving the reader an all around good novel. The setting is well-described, capturing the fads/behaviors/lifestyles of that time period. And with intriguing characters and smooth writing, this book flows with ease keeping the reader engaged the entire time.
Highly recommend for anyone interested in historical fiction & the supernatural!
My first encounter with Simone St. James was her book, The Broken Girls, which I read a few months back. I knew then that this was an author I needed to revisit, and now after reading The Haunting of Maddy Clare, it is official.… Simone St. James has definitely found a new fan.
I have been a fan of ghost stories since I was a kid. And I admire authors who take on the daunting task of writing those stories, as it seems like such a difficult genre to tackle. And after reading two of her books, I believe Simone St. James has perfected the art of writing a solid, well-rounded ghostly novel.
The Haunting of Maddy Clare takes place in England, after the Great War. Sarah Piper, a young woman trying to find jobs through a temp agency, suddenly finds herself working with two male ghost hunters in need of a female assistant. They are sent to the countryside to investigate the haunting of a family’s barn. Maddy Clare, a young servant girl who tragically committed suicide in the barn, is said to still be there… and wreaking havoc. Maddy’s ghost will not tolerate the presence of men, hence the need for Sarah’s help. But they all quickly realize they’re dealing with a situation that is most terrifying and their lives are about to be turned upside down.
Blending history, mystery, romance, passion, and all things spooky, St. James does a fantastic job giving the reader an all around good novel. The setting is well-described, capturing the fads/behaviors/lifestyles of that time period. And with intriguing characters and smooth writing, this book flows with ease keeping the reader engaged the entire time.
Highly recommend for anyone interested in historical fiction & the supernatural!
November 2, 2020
I love her writing style, I just found the plot predictable, but still an enjoyable read.
April 27, 2013
An excellent ghost story with some truly terrifying moments. This is Simone St. James' first book, and I actually read her second book first before going back to this one. They are not connected, although they have a similar setting and sets of characters. Their similarity in no way detracted from my enjoyment of both books.
It is 1922, and 24-year old Sarah Piper leads a lonely, very threadbare existence. It is hinted that there was a traumatic event in her past, and as such, she seems to be going through the motions day by day, getting temporary jobs from her agency where she can find it, and barely making ends meet. She does feel a little sorry for herself but she does not get bogged down by her circumstance. Sarah gets a call at the beginning of the book from her agency, from a gentleman seeking an assistant. Said gentleman specifically asked for a woman, and initially, Sarah balks, thinking of experiences past of lecherous old men looking for very young, attractive girls of whom they can take advantage. Sarah is concerned about getting into that same situation, though she not does consider herself the type to be propositioned.
The gentleman in question is different from whom she had expected. Alistair is young, wealthy, and debonair, though clearly suffering from a scarred past from serving in the war. He specifically asks for a female because he is a ghost investigator, and the ghost he intends to investigate has a reputation for hating men. The family who hires him specifically asked that he bring a female assistant. Though dubious, Sarah accepts, because rent is two weeks past due.
The story very much picks up from there. The mystery of the ghost is terrifying and compelling. One feels the fear that Sarah goes through, and the strength of her character as she grows from a soft, scared, and thinking of herself as weak-willed, into a strong character capable of holding her own in the middle of a confusing and complex investigation with a malevolent ghost clearly out for blood. The ghost herself is a scary and unpredictable, but a very sympathetic character, especially once the reader learns of her past. It is easy, then, to understand her hatred and anger, and why she is haunting and wreaking havoc in this manner.
Again, as in her other mystery, I found the love interest to be rather unlikeable. Matthew is a prickly, touchy, standoffish character, albeit so because of his experiences in the war. I feel that "the war" has been used as such a crutch in these books, though. Oh, the man is an asshole who sleeps with women and discards them? It's not his fault. It's the war!!!!! That excuse only goes so far. There are plenty of ways to depict suffering and post-traumatic stress disorder without making a character into a massive douchebag.
It is 1922, and 24-year old Sarah Piper leads a lonely, very threadbare existence. It is hinted that there was a traumatic event in her past, and as such, she seems to be going through the motions day by day, getting temporary jobs from her agency where she can find it, and barely making ends meet. She does feel a little sorry for herself but she does not get bogged down by her circumstance. Sarah gets a call at the beginning of the book from her agency, from a gentleman seeking an assistant. Said gentleman specifically asked for a woman, and initially, Sarah balks, thinking of experiences past of lecherous old men looking for very young, attractive girls of whom they can take advantage. Sarah is concerned about getting into that same situation, though she not does consider herself the type to be propositioned.
The gentleman in question is different from whom she had expected. Alistair is young, wealthy, and debonair, though clearly suffering from a scarred past from serving in the war. He specifically asks for a female because he is a ghost investigator, and the ghost he intends to investigate has a reputation for hating men. The family who hires him specifically asked that he bring a female assistant. Though dubious, Sarah accepts, because rent is two weeks past due.
The story very much picks up from there. The mystery of the ghost is terrifying and compelling. One feels the fear that Sarah goes through, and the strength of her character as she grows from a soft, scared, and thinking of herself as weak-willed, into a strong character capable of holding her own in the middle of a confusing and complex investigation with a malevolent ghost clearly out for blood. The ghost herself is a scary and unpredictable, but a very sympathetic character, especially once the reader learns of her past. It is easy, then, to understand her hatred and anger, and why she is haunting and wreaking havoc in this manner.
Again, as in her other mystery, I found the love interest to be rather unlikeable. Matthew is a prickly, touchy, standoffish character, albeit so because of his experiences in the war. I feel that "the war" has been used as such a crutch in these books, though. Oh, the man is an asshole who sleeps with women and discards them? It's not his fault. It's the war!!!!! That excuse only goes so far. There are plenty of ways to depict suffering and post-traumatic stress disorder without making a character into a massive douchebag.
October 13, 2017
I had a hard time putting this story down. So as soon as I was done with work I got a glass of water and sank into this story.
This story is set after The Great War. Two of the main characters deal with shell shock, known today as PTSD. And shell shock is a major theme in this story. I liked that St. James put a face to a trauma that many people have to deal with everyday.
And yes there is a ghost in this story. But you need to read the book to find out what kind it is.
This story is set after The Great War. Two of the main characters deal with shell shock, known today as PTSD. And shell shock is a major theme in this story. I liked that St. James put a face to a trauma that many people have to deal with everyday.
And yes there is a ghost in this story. But you need to read the book to find out what kind it is.
November 9, 2023
Creepy Haunting!
Small backstory:
A ghost hunter, Alistair Gellis is in a pickle as his assistant Matthew Ryder is out of town and Alistair needs help on a ghost hunting adventure to the town of Waringstoke so he hires Sarah Piper from a temporary agency to help him. As luck would have it though Matthew Ryder does make an appearance at the last minute but it is decided that Sarah can just go along to be with them since Alistair is paying for her to be there.
When they get to Waringstoke and meet with the client Mrs. Clare, she tells them that she needs her barn to be cleansed of a ghost but when they try to do just that the ghost does not want to leave the barn as something is keeping her there and Alistair, Matthew, and Sarah will have to find out why the ghost is hanging around and what happened for the ghost to be haunting the barn. The mystery deepens when they all find out there is a lot more going on then everyone originally thought as the ghost of Maddy Clare is on a revenge rampage and they will need to find out what secrets are lying in wait for them in the town of Waringstoke!
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you find your curiosity piqued then go read this book!
Thoughts:
Wow! I loved this story!
The mystery of the haunting of Maddy Clare just slowy took shape the more I became involved in the story. The author slowly builds up the mystery and suspense of the story as she also unfolds of why there is a haunting. It takes awhile though for the haunting mystery to be solved but the atmospheric tones of the story just drew me right in to the book.
I also loved all the characters - the main characters of Alistair, Matthew and Sarah just meshed together and I felt at times that the story was wrapped within the gothic genre. The setting of the story is not too long after the first World War and you can feel the times of that era as things happen within the book.
Sometimes I felt that I was right there with the characters as things were happening and for an author to be able to pull you into their world where it feels like you are experiencing the feelings of the characters and the world they live in never ceases to amaze me. I tuned everything out while I was reading this story and was carted away to that time era.
The haunting itself also slowly builds up to a crescendo and the last 40% of the book I just could not put the book down!
I do have to say though there are a few steamy romance scenes dotted here and there within the story but other than that the story kept me held in suspense with lots of haunting mystery woven within. Another great book by this author and looking forward to reading more of her work! Giving this book five "Ghostly Suspense" stars!
Highly Recommend!
Small backstory:
A ghost hunter, Alistair Gellis is in a pickle as his assistant Matthew Ryder is out of town and Alistair needs help on a ghost hunting adventure to the town of Waringstoke so he hires Sarah Piper from a temporary agency to help him. As luck would have it though Matthew Ryder does make an appearance at the last minute but it is decided that Sarah can just go along to be with them since Alistair is paying for her to be there.
When they get to Waringstoke and meet with the client Mrs. Clare, she tells them that she needs her barn to be cleansed of a ghost but when they try to do just that the ghost does not want to leave the barn as something is keeping her there and Alistair, Matthew, and Sarah will have to find out why the ghost is hanging around and what happened for the ghost to be haunting the barn. The mystery deepens when they all find out there is a lot more going on then everyone originally thought as the ghost of Maddy Clare is on a revenge rampage and they will need to find out what secrets are lying in wait for them in the town of Waringstoke!
That is about all I can give out on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you find your curiosity piqued then go read this book!
Thoughts:
Wow! I loved this story!
The mystery of the haunting of Maddy Clare just slowy took shape the more I became involved in the story. The author slowly builds up the mystery and suspense of the story as she also unfolds of why there is a haunting. It takes awhile though for the haunting mystery to be solved but the atmospheric tones of the story just drew me right in to the book.
I also loved all the characters - the main characters of Alistair, Matthew and Sarah just meshed together and I felt at times that the story was wrapped within the gothic genre. The setting of the story is not too long after the first World War and you can feel the times of that era as things happen within the book.
Sometimes I felt that I was right there with the characters as things were happening and for an author to be able to pull you into their world where it feels like you are experiencing the feelings of the characters and the world they live in never ceases to amaze me. I tuned everything out while I was reading this story and was carted away to that time era.
The haunting itself also slowly builds up to a crescendo and the last 40% of the book I just could not put the book down!
I do have to say though there are a few steamy romance scenes dotted here and there within the story but other than that the story kept me held in suspense with lots of haunting mystery woven within. Another great book by this author and looking forward to reading more of her work! Giving this book five "Ghostly Suspense" stars!
Highly Recommend!
August 24, 2023
Thank you to Penguin Audio and Simone St. James for my copy of this book. The book is about Sarah, a woman who works for a temp agency in 1920s England. She is asked to assist an obsessed ghost hunter, Alistair, who is going to investigate the spirit of 19 year old maid Maddy Clare. She is haunting a barn where she committed suicide, and refuses to speak to men in both life and death.
Sarah has no idea what she is getting herself into, and is not prepared to confront an angry ghost. When Alistair’s associate Matthew arrives, she learns about how they were both in the war together and the trauma they brought back with them. Soon Sarah is caught up in the rage of Maddy’s ghost and as she tries to discover who she was and where she came from, she realizes she is in much deeper danger than she thought possible.
Thoughts: I am SO glad that I listened to this book on audio because OMG Maddy’s voice was SO CREEPY. The story was spooky and chilling and I loved it. I thought the premise was amazing and it was a classic Simone St. James. It is one of my new favorite by her, especially because it felt like a real ghost story.
I liked all three of the characters Sarah, Alistair, and Matthew. As always, there was romance in this book that was very predictable, but it’s just part of the formula for her books. It was so easy to imagine the scenes in this book, and her writing is always fantastic. It isn’t a thriller, but a creepy historical horror story that I loved! 5-stars!
Sarah has no idea what she is getting herself into, and is not prepared to confront an angry ghost. When Alistair’s associate Matthew arrives, she learns about how they were both in the war together and the trauma they brought back with them. Soon Sarah is caught up in the rage of Maddy’s ghost and as she tries to discover who she was and where she came from, she realizes she is in much deeper danger than she thought possible.
Thoughts: I am SO glad that I listened to this book on audio because OMG Maddy’s voice was SO CREEPY. The story was spooky and chilling and I loved it. I thought the premise was amazing and it was a classic Simone St. James. It is one of my new favorite by her, especially because it felt like a real ghost story.
I liked all three of the characters Sarah, Alistair, and Matthew. As always, there was romance in this book that was very predictable, but it’s just part of the formula for her books. It was so easy to imagine the scenes in this book, and her writing is always fantastic. It isn’t a thriller, but a creepy historical horror story that I loved! 5-stars!
March 27, 2012
3.5 Entertaining story for those who love ghost stories and mysterious happenings. Really liked the characters and there are plenty of creepy moments, especially the crows, they were particularly eerie. Especially because I have never gotten over seeing the birds when I was younger. Liked following the story to find out who Maddy really was and what had happened to her.
October 13, 2014
Sarah Piper lives a fairly private life in London during the 1920's. She soon receives a call from a temp agency requesting her assistance in working alongside Alistair Gellis, a traveling writer who has a deep interest in the supernatural. Sarah's life is soon flipped upside down when she is led to assist in helping an angry 'manifestation' to the other side.
Since Maddy Clare loathes the presence of men, Sarah is sent into the barn that she haunts alone. Sarah isn't well-equipped for what transpires and is shaken to the bone. Maddy promises that the hauntings and injuries will continue until her body can be found and it is Sarah that becomes her source of uncovering hidden truths.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The hauntings were perfectly creepy and I just couldn't put the book down for very long. There is a love story weaved through the pages in addition to the hauntings which kind of threw me off a bit because I like one or the other in a book. I have trouble getting into the love aspects in a haunting type of read but was pleased how well it worked for this book. It is Halloween month and I highly recommend this book to those who love a good ghost story.
Images courtesy of: www.simonestjames.com
September 22, 2017
Absolutely loved this in every way imaginable. It had just the right amount of creepiness and romance and I absolutely loved the historical setting.
Completely perfect for this time of year when I always love a good mystery mixed in with a good ghost story.
Completely perfect for this time of year when I always love a good mystery mixed in with a good ghost story.
November 7, 2015
Late one evening a distraught young girl covered in dirt, shows up at the door of an Old English manor. The compassionate family takes pity on her, takes her in and administers her medical attention. When the local police conducted an extensive search and turn up no information surrounding the missing girl, the generous family keeps her on as a maid. Mute and a bit teched she still managed to win the heart of the Mistress and housekeeper, however, the Lord of the manor never acknowledges that she exists.
After a time the Lord passes on and several years later they find that the young girl has hung herself in the barn. She now haunts and terrorizes the barn and on occasion the main house. When the Mistress of the house reaches her wits end she calls in a well know ghost hunter.
Very soon after their arrival, the ghost hunter and his assistants, find themselves faced with frightening, paranormal situations that they have never dealt with and are not, at all, prepared to handle. The angry ghost of Maddy Clair, makes it very clear that they must solve the mystery surrounding her forfeited life if they are to make it out of her demented realm with their lives.
A good book for October spookfest.
After a time the Lord passes on and several years later they find that the young girl has hung herself in the barn. She now haunts and terrorizes the barn and on occasion the main house. When the Mistress of the house reaches her wits end she calls in a well know ghost hunter.
Very soon after their arrival, the ghost hunter and his assistants, find themselves faced with frightening, paranormal situations that they have never dealt with and are not, at all, prepared to handle. The angry ghost of Maddy Clair, makes it very clear that they must solve the mystery surrounding her forfeited life if they are to make it out of her demented realm with their lives.
A good book for October spookfest.
November 2, 2022
4.5 stars - I am shocked this book is as popular as it is, but for me, this gave me exactly what I like. Mystery plot, speculative elements in the form of a haunting, and a strong romantic element. Throw in Simone St. James' always wonderful prose, and you have a very happy reader
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