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wunkymatts's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is such a a treat! It's set in one of my favourite places on earth, The seaside town of Whitby in Yorkshire, although it never actually says the name of the town, which seems extra thrilling. A bit like the word 'Cornwall' doesn't appear in Rebecca. In my head the story moved through the streets of my beloved Whitby.
The tension build wonderfully. The whole booked simmered and then, as you get towards the end, it completely overtakes you. There is an ambiguity there that works well with ghosts stories and the balance is maintained perfectly throughout. The characters are all brilliantly formed and keep you guessing. The next time someone asks me to recommend a spooky book it will be this one.
The tension build wonderfully. The whole booked simmered and then, as you get towards the end, it completely overtakes you. There is an ambiguity there that works well with ghosts stories and the balance is maintained perfectly throughout. The characters are all brilliantly formed and keep you guessing. The next time someone asks me to recommend a spooky book it will be this one.
lbaireid's review against another edition
3.0
I was really enjoying this book until the end - the ending was weak and felt unfinished. the POV also changed so rapidly throughout the book it felt messy sometimes. still enjoyed the story
mlgrove's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Very slow to get going with the plot.
dawnb2403's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
alittlemixofvix's review against another edition
3.0
I was really wrapped up in the mystery of the house and was concerned for Nell. I've rated it 3 stars due to the ending and the fact I still have some confusion over things.
I really felt for Nell, but had no idea why she would stay with Chris - he really didn't seem worth it. I also enjoyed learning more about Evie and Kim and wish they'd been more present in the story. The atmosphere was great and I really felt the presence of the house.
I don't know if I was meant to feel sorry for Maude, but I just thought she was a spoilt brat. I felt with all the build up, the ending was a bit of a let-down and there was a lot of things left unanswered for me - with Nell, Chris, Evie, and more. I had to keep flicking back and forth to see if I could check things too.
Overall, I'm not sure. I would recommend it as the mystery really built up and the atmosphere felt so spooky - but it was just the ending and some missing details that detracted from that feeling of satisfaction you can get at the end of a mystery. I did enjoy Amanda's writing so would read other books by her.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from Readers First and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
I really felt for Nell, but had no idea why she would stay with Chris - he really didn't seem worth it. I also enjoyed learning more about Evie and Kim and wish they'd been more present in the story. The atmosphere was great and I really felt the presence of the house.
I don't know if I was meant to feel sorry for Maude, but I just thought she was a spoilt brat. I felt with all the build up, the ending was a bit of a let-down and there was a lot of things left unanswered for me - with Nell, Chris, Evie, and more. I had to keep flicking back and forth to see if I could check things too.
Overall, I'm not sure. I would recommend it as the mystery really built up and the atmosphere felt so spooky - but it was just the ending and some missing details that detracted from that feeling of satisfaction you can get at the end of a mystery. I did enjoy Amanda's writing so would read other books by her.
*I received a complimentary copy of the book from Readers First and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
nixmouse's review against another edition
3.0
The Hiding Place is essentially a family drama within a haunted house setting. It’s a slow burn story, the everyday ups and downs of family life gradually taking a sinister turn as inexplicable things start happening in the house, and there are mysterious and ominous interactions with various neighbours. One of the main themes of the book is motherhood, the difficulties of being a step parent, and the desire to have a child of your own. The setting is creepy and unsettling as strange signs and objects are discovered in the house and its disturbing history is slowly revealed. At times the attempt to build tension falls a little flat as the narrative switches between different character perspectives frequently and it can be confusing. Overall I enjoyed it but I felt that the portrayal of the mother/daughter relationships work better than the ghostly elements of the story.
kazza27's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Tracy Fenton for my invitation to the tour and to Zaffre books for my copy of the book via NetGalley.
I have been reading alot of creepy, ghostly books lately and this one is all of that from the outset!
Nell returns to the seaside town where she grew up with her husband Chris and stepdaughter Maude. They have rented Elder House which is at the top of the cliff and as soon as Nell enters the house she doesn’t like it at all. The smell and the feeling that she has about it.
Nell goes exploring and ends up falling and then meeting her neighbour who recognises her name as a local one. Nell is visiting because of a family party invitation but you know that she is not happy to be here.
It is also apparent that something big has happened to Maude, she is not allowed unsupervised on the internet and Chris keeps asking Nell if she seems ok. Nell is also worried about Chris he seems distracted and she also has her own worries.
I really enjoyed the pace of the book we slowly begin to uncover the life that Nell and Chris have back home and that Nell is very successful in her own right. She meets Carolyn and her daughter Evie who live in a cottage below Elder House and Carolyn remembers Nell from school but Nell doesn’t really remember her. Then they discover something about the house that really ramps up the suspense and tension.
There is something about this story that is unnerving and unexplained and this keeps you reading. I love creepy books set in seaside towns and even in summer with the fog it is so atmospheric and eerie. I remember holidays to Scarborough as a child when the sea mist would be like a blanket across the bay.
This is a great story, unexplained footsteps, banging doors, and missing items all add to the trepidation of this book. Perfect reading for autumn evenings by the fire.
I have been reading alot of creepy, ghostly books lately and this one is all of that from the outset!
Nell returns to the seaside town where she grew up with her husband Chris and stepdaughter Maude. They have rented Elder House which is at the top of the cliff and as soon as Nell enters the house she doesn’t like it at all. The smell and the feeling that she has about it.
Nell goes exploring and ends up falling and then meeting her neighbour who recognises her name as a local one. Nell is visiting because of a family party invitation but you know that she is not happy to be here.
It is also apparent that something big has happened to Maude, she is not allowed unsupervised on the internet and Chris keeps asking Nell if she seems ok. Nell is also worried about Chris he seems distracted and she also has her own worries.
I really enjoyed the pace of the book we slowly begin to uncover the life that Nell and Chris have back home and that Nell is very successful in her own right. She meets Carolyn and her daughter Evie who live in a cottage below Elder House and Carolyn remembers Nell from school but Nell doesn’t really remember her. Then they discover something about the house that really ramps up the suspense and tension.
There is something about this story that is unnerving and unexplained and this keeps you reading. I love creepy books set in seaside towns and even in summer with the fog it is so atmospheric and eerie. I remember holidays to Scarborough as a child when the sea mist would be like a blanket across the bay.
This is a great story, unexplained footsteps, banging doors, and missing items all add to the trepidation of this book. Perfect reading for autumn evenings by the fire.
leemac027's review against another edition
4.0
I've not read a ghost story for many many years and this one kept me glued to the pages.
A young family has rented holiday house in a coastal village, the house is very old and has been empty for a while. The family is also getting to grips with their own relationships with each other. Nell has married Chris who already had a daughter, Maude (12 going on 25) and things are bit testy.
Nell has a bad feeling about the house, she can't quite put her finger on it and - oh - was that a noise? Footsteps?? No one is there.
Maude on the other hand loves the house and its oddness. The house holds many secrets and they make a strange discovery that is a catalyst for a series of weird events that seem to be escalating.
Goose bumpy!
A young family has rented holiday house in a coastal village, the house is very old and has been empty for a while. The family is also getting to grips with their own relationships with each other. Nell has married Chris who already had a daughter, Maude (12 going on 25) and things are bit testy.
Nell has a bad feeling about the house, she can't quite put her finger on it and - oh - was that a noise? Footsteps?? No one is there.
Maude on the other hand loves the house and its oddness. The house holds many secrets and they make a strange discovery that is a catalyst for a series of weird events that seem to be escalating.
Goose bumpy!
ciarag01's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75