Reviews

Horror at the Haunted House by Peg Kehret

corncobwebs's review

A ghost story with a real ghost who turns out to more more helpful than harmful. The real danger comes from crooked people. I liked that I learned about Wedgwood pottery in this book - "Fairylustre" is a real thing, and it's gorgeous. The villains in the book are trying to steal a valuable collection of Wedgwood, and the ghost is trying to warn Ellen so she can stop them. There are also the remains of the ghost's dead infant son in a Wedgwood urn, and the ghost wants Ellen to reunite the remains with her body. The inclusion of cremated infant remains is a pretty gruesome detail, so of course I loved it - and it made this book stand out to me. I always remember the books with dead babies - like [b:The Red Room Riddle: A Ghost Story|875972|The Red Room Riddle A Ghost Story|Scott Corbett|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1395534376s/875972.jpg|861318], which includes a description of a tapestry that depicts the slaughter of the innocents.

The ghost parts were pretty good towards the beginning, but then Ellen starts to get used to the ghost which kind of ruined the ghost story aspect of the story for me. The ghost even starts saying that it wants to be Ellen's friend, which was too corny. But the climax was great, where Ellen is trying to get away from the Wedgwood thieves after they discover she knows what they're up to. They're about to burn her alive (!) but then the ghost appears as a horrifically decayed version of itself and scares them away. The only thing that really didn't make sense to me was how Ellen returned to the scene of her near-death experience the very next night - I would think she'd be all PTSD about that place and thus never want to go back.

Not my favorite ghost story, but a decent one to recommend around Halloween.

katewrites's review

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

It took me a few tries to really get into Horror at the Haunted House. The story was not moving as swiftly as I would like. Or else it was because I was trying to read the book too late at night. Then I reached a point in the story and the rest of the book flew by. 

Nearly all the characters are fun characters to read about. The main character, Ellen, gets understandably annoyed with her younger brother, Corey. He does talk a lot. The annoyance never reaches the point of antagonism, though. Despite the annoyance, Ellen and Corey continue to get along. 

Ellen and Corey’s relationship with their parents and grandparents is also strong. Had Ellen told them about the ghost she encounters, they would have surely tried to help. But she doesn’t tell them, and that is where the story really picks up. With the ghost. 

manwithanagenda's review

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

A supernatural mystery involving Wedgewood pottery, a living museum of executions, and a ghost who won't stop bothering our lead.

Ellen and Corey

Next: 'Danger at the Fair'

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