Name: The Haunting of Blackwood House
ISBN: 9781728220147

Darcy Coates

"As the daughter of spiritualists, Mara's childhood was filled with séances and scam mediums. Now she's ready to start over with her fiancé, Neil...but her past isn't going to let her go so easily. When Mara and Neil purchase Blackwood House, a derelict property outside of town, they were warned about strange occurrences in the crumbling old building. Doors open by themselves, voices whisper in the night, bloody handprints appear on the walls, and cold spots linger in the basement, where the house's original owner was murdered. But Maura's convinced she can't possibly be in danger because ghosts aren't real...are they?"--

The Haunting of Blackwood House

When Guy finds the deed to a house in his mother's attic, it seems like an incredible stroke of luck. Sure, the building hasn't been inhabited in forty years, but Guy is convinced he can clean it up and sell it. He'd be crazy to turn down free money. Right?The house is hours from any other habitation, but he can't escape the feeling that he's being watched. Still, he decides to camp in the crumbling mansion while he does repairs. Surely nothing too bad can happen in the space of a week.But there's a reason no one lives in Rookward House, and the dilapidated rooms aren't as empty as they seem...

The Haunting of Rookward House

Sarah Sammis

The setting of the house and the way the vines have so thoroughly invaded the outside reminded me of how Hill House is shown in the Netflix adaptation. I'm also reminded of the creeping willows of The Hollow Places by T. Kingfisher (2020).

The abandoned stone house, covered in vines, along a wild river, though, also brings to mind a familiar and very real landscape. It also happens to be one near where the author lives. Back in 1990 I spent two weeks backpacking in winter along the Hawkesbury River. On a canoeing part of the adventure we stopped for lunch at an abandoned orchard with a stone house covered in vines that might as well have been Rookward House.

http://pussreboots.com/blog/2021/comm...

0033CC - privileged rural maze

Heather shane

Maybe it’s because I listened to the audiobook and did not care for the reader. I just wasn’t as captivated by this story as I have been with her others. It has some spooky parts that were fun but the main character- I just didn’t feel attached to him , he was so helpless.

"Could you survive a week in a haunted house?" Mara is the daughter of spiritualists. Her childhood was filled with seances, scam mediums and talk of ghostly presences. When Mara finally left her family's home, she vowed she would never allow superstition or false religion into her life again. Now she's ready to start over with her fiance, Neil, in a world based on rationality and facts. But her past isn't ready to let her go just yet. Mara and Neil purchase Blackwood House, a derelict property outside of town. They're warned about strange occurrences in the crumbling building. Doors open by themselves, voices whisper in the night, bloody handprints appear on the walls, and cold spots linger in the basement, where the house's original owner was murdered. But Blackwood was dirt-cheap and came with a large plot of overgrown land. Mara loves her new home, and disregards the warnings. Because ghosts aren't real... ...are they?"

Elizabeth Neill

This story had me hooked from the very start and I could hardly put it down. Mara had me feeling everything she was feeling and I loved it. I am a sucker for a haunted house story and I am glad I picked you this one. I also fell in love with Neil and his mother even though we really didn't see her until close to the end. The twist and turns had me on the edge of my sit, it kept had me guessing which I loved. I will be picking up more of from Darcy Coates and I already have the next book picked out.

Ruth Parker 

Parts of this book spooked me, but I found it less scary than other books from this author. I got a bit bored at times and I really feel like this could be much shorter.

Rachel Schommer

** spoiler alert **
           ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5


After spending 18 years with charlatans who trick people and steal their money, Mara has broken free of her parents and is making a life for herself with her partner, Neil. After scrimping and saving she's able to purchase her very own house - the first thing that is really wholly hers, so when noises and visions start slowly creeping in she isn't quick to admit there might be something going on. There most definitely has to be a rational explanation.. 

Ghosts don't exist, right? Right?! Because if they do, she might just have to reevaluate her feelings about her childhood. 

I've read a few other of Darcy Coates books recently and this one is my favorite. I like this back-story best and the little bit of romance she threw in this one with Mara and Neil. Also, Neil..we gotta talk about what an awesome guy he is. Swoon! Blackwood had a sweet ending. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, but I'm a sucker for a happy ending!

The Haunting of Blackwood House

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