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The Hunting Ground
When Elliott and his brother, Ben, move into old and crumbling Glebe House they don't expect to find themselves sharing it with ghosts.
But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past — and of a terrible tragedy. A mysterious woman talks to the dead. And evil lurks in the East Wing — a hideous labyrinth of passageways devised by a truly twisted mind.
Can Elliott and his family escape the clutches of Glebe House? Or will they be trapped in the maze of corridors, forever hunted by the dead?
Winner of the Calderdale Award
Reviews
'Beautifully written and truly chilling ghost story set in a creepy mansion and featuring lost children, fearsome hunters and echoing nursery rhymes ... I liked the creepiness and the tension, which ratchets up and
up until its almost unbearable.' The Bookbag
'McNish is one of our most talented thriller writers, with an ability to make your spine crawl and your heart pound with his stylish pared down prose.' Amanda Craig, The Times
'The Hunting Ground follows all the directions laid down by writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Ambrose Bierce, but McNish makes them all his own. This is a beautifully written and truly disturbing ghost story. Enjoy and shiver.' South China Morning Post
'A masterly sense of revelation make this a seriously chilling read.' Jake Hope, The Bookseller
'A gripping and inventive ghost story for older readers in which the tension builds through apprehension, to dread and finally outright terror. This book will have readers looking over their shoulders for a long time after the last page is finished.' Booktrust
But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past — and of a terrible tragedy. A mysterious woman talks to the dead. And evil lurks in the East Wing — a hideous labyrinth of passageways devised by a truly twisted mind.
Can Elliott and his family escape the clutches of Glebe House? Or will they be trapped in the maze of corridors, forever hunted by the dead?
Winner of the Calderdale Award
Reviews
'Beautifully written and truly chilling ghost story set in a creepy mansion and featuring lost children, fearsome hunters and echoing nursery rhymes ... I liked the creepiness and the tension, which ratchets up and
up until its almost unbearable.' The Bookbag
'McNish is one of our most talented thriller writers, with an ability to make your spine crawl and your heart pound with his stylish pared down prose.' Amanda Craig, The Times
'The Hunting Ground follows all the directions laid down by writers like Edgar Allan Poe and Ambrose Bierce, but McNish makes them all his own. This is a beautifully written and truly disturbing ghost story. Enjoy and shiver.' South China Morning Post
'A masterly sense of revelation make this a seriously chilling read.' Jake Hope, The Bookseller
'A gripping and inventive ghost story for older readers in which the tension builds through apprehension, to dread and finally outright terror. This book will have readers looking over their shoulders for a long time after the last page is finished.' Booktrust
274 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2011
18 people are currently reading
2749 people want to read
About the author
Cliff McNish
41 books252 followersI was born in Sunderland, a city in the north-east of England.
I don’t recall too much about my first 8 years of life other than I loved being outdoors especially in the woods near our house. I came home every night covered in scratches.
My first real book memory is being given C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew by my English teacher, Mrs Baldwin. I loved that, and all the other Narnia books.
So how did I become an author?
As a parent I was used to making up short and funny stories for my daughter, Rachel. When she was about ten, however, she wanted a story about a really, really nasty witch. This time I put pen to paper and what started off as a tiny scrap of an idea got bigger and bigger and BIGGER. It became The Doomspell.
After I finished it, I continued my love affair with fantasy by creating The Silver Sequence which I still think is probably my best and definitely my most original work. Following that, I tried to scare everyone half to death with a couple of ghost novels – Breathe and The Hunting Ground.
I could tell you more about myself, but the truth is that perhaps the biggest gift we can give anyone is our imagination and everything important I have to offer you about that is in the novels.
I don’t recall too much about my first 8 years of life other than I loved being outdoors especially in the woods near our house. I came home every night covered in scratches.
My first real book memory is being given C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew by my English teacher, Mrs Baldwin. I loved that, and all the other Narnia books.
So how did I become an author?
As a parent I was used to making up short and funny stories for my daughter, Rachel. When she was about ten, however, she wanted a story about a really, really nasty witch. This time I put pen to paper and what started off as a tiny scrap of an idea got bigger and bigger and BIGGER. It became The Doomspell.
After I finished it, I continued my love affair with fantasy by creating The Silver Sequence which I still think is probably my best and definitely my most original work. Following that, I tried to scare everyone half to death with a couple of ghost novels – Breathe and The Hunting Ground.
I could tell you more about myself, but the truth is that perhaps the biggest gift we can give anyone is our imagination and everything important I have to offer you about that is in the novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
July 24, 2013
I give this book 3.5 stars.
The book started of quite well, with Eve at the beginning, When she was dragging her doll around on the floor.
But after reading few more chapters in the book, i found the book wasn't scary at all really.
The only thing i didn't really like was when they were reading the dairy of Theo Stark, i did at first, but then when they found more of the dairy pages, it didn't seem like a dairy anymore it started turning into a first person perspective.
But this was a great read.
The book started of quite well, with Eve at the beginning, When she was dragging her doll around on the floor.
But after reading few more chapters in the book, i found the book wasn't scary at all really.
The only thing i didn't really like was when they were reading the dairy of Theo Stark, i did at first, but then when they found more of the dairy pages, it didn't seem like a dairy anymore it started turning into a first person perspective.
But this was a great read.
March 29, 2011
When Elliott and his brother, Ben, move into the old and crumbling Glebe House they don't expect to find themselves sharing it with ghosts. But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past - and of a terrible tragedy. A mysterious woman talks to the dead. And evil lurks in the East Wing - a hideous labyrinth of passageways devised by a truly twisted mind. Can Elliott and his family escape the clutches of Glebe House? Or will they be trapped in the maze of corridors, forever hunted by the dead?
The Hunting Ground had me hooked from the moment I picked it up. The Hunting Ground is a fantastical, fast paced thriller with a touch supernatural. Definitely everything I wanted. I kept me engrossed and left me wanting more and the end of each chapter. It had twists and turns and the detail was thrilling. It kept me on the tips of my toes throughout the whole two hours it took me to devour this book.
This hunting ground follows the story of Brothers Elliott and Ben, in which they have moved to the, daunting and terrifying Glebe House, but it also incorporates a lot of the history of the house, portrayed through the diary of a boy named Theo Stark. The brothers are drawn to the East Wing of Glebe house, home to dangerous and Death loving ghost Cullayn.
The book is perfectly written, with chapter filled with horror and ghosts only to find the next chapter a lot less intense and so to calm you down and stop you looking behind you, scared to your wits expecting to see Cullayn with a musket.
The book is set both in modern times and in the past. The diary of Theo Stark is a story within the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s mysterious and dangerous. The edginess of it gives you thrill to the darkness that awaits Ben and Elliott.
The book has a fantastic plot line. It keeps the thrill the whole way through with surprises awaiting you in each chapter. The story slots together one part at a time, like a jigsaw completing and when it’s finished, boy, it is worth it.
I would have to say the last couple of chapters were tantalizing. They were sending shivers through my body, keeping me alert and awake. They were full to the brim with action and ghosts. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which Janey and Elliott are running throughout the east wing and they finally arrive in the hidden room. It is such a clever idea to have Theo in the tapestry and it is so immense when the ghosts pull their forces together to finally destroy Cullayn.
My favourite character is definitely Eve. She is so innocent and childlike yet so deadly. She had multiple personalities, and is under the influence of Cullayn, and even though she questions herself she follows him, until, surprisingly she strikes the final blow. She was killed young and is a mature woman in a Childs body still with the desires of a child.
Janey is an interesting one. Very deceiving, yet so fragile and as clear a glass to see through. I think she is the one character I felt for a lot. She lost the one she loved, became influenced by the one she hates, and nearly gets killed multiple times.
Cullayn is totally evil, but hey, everybody loves a good villain, and boy did he do his job. Sly and twisted Cullayn portrays the perfect supernatural evil being, and he plays the part perfectly. Of course he dies (Good over Evil) but thanks to him I had a fantastic time reading McNish’s new novel.
At around 320 pages McNish’s novel has everything I wanted. It was intense; edgy dangerous, filled with supernatural beings and of course the spot of romance. If followed a fantastic plot and was beautifully written. I am glad to say this is McNish’s best novel yet and I hope to god he has more to come.
The Hunting Ground had me hooked from the moment I picked it up. The Hunting Ground is a fantastical, fast paced thriller with a touch supernatural. Definitely everything I wanted. I kept me engrossed and left me wanting more and the end of each chapter. It had twists and turns and the detail was thrilling. It kept me on the tips of my toes throughout the whole two hours it took me to devour this book.
This hunting ground follows the story of Brothers Elliott and Ben, in which they have moved to the, daunting and terrifying Glebe House, but it also incorporates a lot of the history of the house, portrayed through the diary of a boy named Theo Stark. The brothers are drawn to the East Wing of Glebe house, home to dangerous and Death loving ghost Cullayn.
The book is perfectly written, with chapter filled with horror and ghosts only to find the next chapter a lot less intense and so to calm you down and stop you looking behind you, scared to your wits expecting to see Cullayn with a musket.
The book is set both in modern times and in the past. The diary of Theo Stark is a story within the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s mysterious and dangerous. The edginess of it gives you thrill to the darkness that awaits Ben and Elliott.
The book has a fantastic plot line. It keeps the thrill the whole way through with surprises awaiting you in each chapter. The story slots together one part at a time, like a jigsaw completing and when it’s finished, boy, it is worth it.
I would have to say the last couple of chapters were tantalizing. They were sending shivers through my body, keeping me alert and awake. They were full to the brim with action and ghosts. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which Janey and Elliott are running throughout the east wing and they finally arrive in the hidden room. It is such a clever idea to have Theo in the tapestry and it is so immense when the ghosts pull their forces together to finally destroy Cullayn.
My favourite character is definitely Eve. She is so innocent and childlike yet so deadly. She had multiple personalities, and is under the influence of Cullayn, and even though she questions herself she follows him, until, surprisingly she strikes the final blow. She was killed young and is a mature woman in a Childs body still with the desires of a child.
Janey is an interesting one. Very deceiving, yet so fragile and as clear a glass to see through. I think she is the one character I felt for a lot. She lost the one she loved, became influenced by the one she hates, and nearly gets killed multiple times.
Cullayn is totally evil, but hey, everybody loves a good villain, and boy did he do his job. Sly and twisted Cullayn portrays the perfect supernatural evil being, and he plays the part perfectly. Of course he dies (Good over Evil) but thanks to him I had a fantastic time reading McNish’s new novel.
At around 320 pages McNish’s novel has everything I wanted. It was intense; edgy dangerous, filled with supernatural beings and of course the spot of romance. If followed a fantastic plot and was beautifully written. I am glad to say this is McNish’s best novel yet and I hope to god he has more to come.
August 4, 2016
This is a young teenage ghost novel that I think would suit an age range of around 12-14. The book starts off well and delves straight into a creepy scene with no slow build up. Tension is created right from the beginning and I actually found the start of the book quite unnerving. What can be more scary than small Victorian ghost girls that drag their dolls behind them, leaning over you in the middle of the night? Still gives me chills thinking about it...
The end of the book is also quite dramatic with the baddie getting his comeuppance. However, I have only given the book two stars as the middle portion of the book let it down considerably in my opinion. I found that this part of the plot went around in circles and did not progress as quickly as I would have liked. I think that the author was trying to create a slow building tension, but because the start of the book delved straight into the action, the slow part jarred with the rest of the book and actually seemed boring rather than creating atmosphere.
I also would have liked a fuller flushed out back story about Cullayn, as we are introduced to him and have to accept what he is doing without knowing what drove him to hunting. As he is the most interesting character I feel it would have benefited the plot to further explain his motives etc.
The part of the book that did make me want to keep reading was the diary of Theo. I liked the personal relationship this created with the reader, and the diary is what created empathy for the characters.
Overall not the worst ghost book I've read, but not the best either. It sits in the middle of the scale, and I would have rated it higher if I had just read the beginning and the end.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Groun...
The end of the book is also quite dramatic with the baddie getting his comeuppance. However, I have only given the book two stars as the middle portion of the book let it down considerably in my opinion. I found that this part of the plot went around in circles and did not progress as quickly as I would have liked. I think that the author was trying to create a slow building tension, but because the start of the book delved straight into the action, the slow part jarred with the rest of the book and actually seemed boring rather than creating atmosphere.
I also would have liked a fuller flushed out back story about Cullayn, as we are introduced to him and have to accept what he is doing without knowing what drove him to hunting. As he is the most interesting character I feel it would have benefited the plot to further explain his motives etc.
The part of the book that did make me want to keep reading was the diary of Theo. I liked the personal relationship this created with the reader, and the diary is what created empathy for the characters.
Overall not the worst ghost book I've read, but not the best either. It sits in the middle of the scale, and I would have rated it higher if I had just read the beginning and the end.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Hunting-Groun...
February 1, 2018
A bit less of the explaining and the book would be even better...
June 11, 2011
I haven’t read a ghost story in a while, so I thought a young adult book wouldn’t be too scary of a re-introduction to ghost stories. However, The Hunting Ground is quite creepy for a kids book! I guess that’s why it says “Not for younger readers” on the back of the book!
I found the book to start very well, with tension building immediately. I certainly felt a little wary when I put the book down and turned off the light… If anything had made a sound shortly after I’d put the book down, I’d have jumped out of my skin! However, I thought the story faltered a little in the middle and I began to lose a little interest. Thankfully, the pace quickened again in the final third of the book and I found myself racing through it.
Only one thing really bugged me about the book and that was the diary sections. They find pages of a diary belonging to Theo (a boy who once lived at Glebe House) and the diary entries are dotted about the book as and when they are found. Theo’s diary started off being written like a diary would be, but then the writing started to read more like a story would. It was almost as it the story was actually shifting to the first person perspective, rather than reading a diary entry.
All in all, The Hunting Ground is an enjoyable (if slightly scary!) book and is definitely one to give a go.
I found the book to start very well, with tension building immediately. I certainly felt a little wary when I put the book down and turned off the light… If anything had made a sound shortly after I’d put the book down, I’d have jumped out of my skin! However, I thought the story faltered a little in the middle and I began to lose a little interest. Thankfully, the pace quickened again in the final third of the book and I found myself racing through it.
Only one thing really bugged me about the book and that was the diary sections. They find pages of a diary belonging to Theo (a boy who once lived at Glebe House) and the diary entries are dotted about the book as and when they are found. Theo’s diary started off being written like a diary would be, but then the writing started to read more like a story would. It was almost as it the story was actually shifting to the first person perspective, rather than reading a diary entry.
All in all, The Hunting Ground is an enjoyable (if slightly scary!) book and is definitely one to give a go.
July 29, 2014
Chilling and really haunting.
When the characters are kids.. it's really hard not to get goosebumps, that's for sure.
The plot is surely well thought of. The characters have a mind of their own.
I like the twists and turns. I just have a love-hate relationship when it comes to the cheesy parts.
All in all, still a scary, yet really interesting and intense book.
When the characters are kids.. it's really hard not to get goosebumps, that's for sure.
The plot is surely well thought of. The characters have a mind of their own.
I like the twists and turns. I just have a love-hate relationship when it comes to the cheesy parts.
All in all, still a scary, yet really interesting and intense book.
June 8, 2018
The Hunting Ground
*A novel by Cliff McNish*
This is a horror/thriller novel targeted towards a YA audience and as per as it's official description it gives a quite a lot of chills and thrills. I think it's a little bit more gory than Goosebumps books but comes nowhere near Stephen King novels but it's definitely worth a quick read. The characters are minimum, the story is straightforward and easy to follow, there's a victim's diary in the haunted house (nowadays, horror stories just can't be made without those) and your regular children ghosts, possession, hidden passages and strange noises. Even though all these factors an be seen in other horror/thriller books I found the book extremely peculiar in an entertaining sense. Of course, this was an enjoyable read and kept me hooked for the first half. I mostly looked forwardDiary 'Theo's Diary' as it provides a first hand experience of a chilling tale. The author this portrayed the layout of the house in-depth due to which you just can't help jumping into the actual haunting atmosphere. The character development of Ben, Dad and Elliot is gradual but crystal clear. The ending was certainly overwhelming and very much satisfactory. It was really amazing and terrifying to read about the 'Hunting Ground' and the 'Hunting methods' of the past owner of the house. These descriptions and images are really gory, violent and somewhat disturbing, apart from this there's nothing explicit in the book. (If you don't read those alphabetical rhymes). The Janey twist added another entertaining plotline to the story. It is amusing how characters react with ghosts as well as each other. The book demonstrates a variety of positive messages in the end as well so it's definitely worth reading. What I didn't like the most about the book is it's silliness or a bit of immature writing. Some events in the story are practically and virtually impossible. Also the ghosts of young children fighting an elder ghost is not very relatable and feels clumsy. Apart from this, there's the choice of weapons given to Elliot which is disturbing. The primary villain ghost Cullayn is created very well. His appearance, thought process, traits are horrifying and easily scare younger readers. I even loved 'Theo's sacrifice and his flashback edition throughout the book. Recommended to younger readers. Nice Reading!
*A novel by Cliff McNish*
This is a horror/thriller novel targeted towards a YA audience and as per as it's official description it gives a quite a lot of chills and thrills. I think it's a little bit more gory than Goosebumps books but comes nowhere near Stephen King novels but it's definitely worth a quick read. The characters are minimum, the story is straightforward and easy to follow, there's a victim's diary in the haunted house (nowadays, horror stories just can't be made without those) and your regular children ghosts, possession, hidden passages and strange noises. Even though all these factors an be seen in other horror/thriller books I found the book extremely peculiar in an entertaining sense. Of course, this was an enjoyable read and kept me hooked for the first half. I mostly looked forwardDiary 'Theo's Diary' as it provides a first hand experience of a chilling tale. The author this portrayed the layout of the house in-depth due to which you just can't help jumping into the actual haunting atmosphere. The character development of Ben, Dad and Elliot is gradual but crystal clear. The ending was certainly overwhelming and very much satisfactory. It was really amazing and terrifying to read about the 'Hunting Ground' and the 'Hunting methods' of the past owner of the house. These descriptions and images are really gory, violent and somewhat disturbing, apart from this there's nothing explicit in the book. (If you don't read those alphabetical rhymes). The Janey twist added another entertaining plotline to the story. It is amusing how characters react with ghosts as well as each other. The book demonstrates a variety of positive messages in the end as well so it's definitely worth reading. What I didn't like the most about the book is it's silliness or a bit of immature writing. Some events in the story are practically and virtually impossible. Also the ghosts of young children fighting an elder ghost is not very relatable and feels clumsy. Apart from this, there's the choice of weapons given to Elliot which is disturbing. The primary villain ghost Cullayn is created very well. His appearance, thought process, traits are horrifying and easily scare younger readers. I even loved 'Theo's sacrifice and his flashback edition throughout the book. Recommended to younger readers. Nice Reading!
July 12, 2017
A lesson in how NOT to write a ghost story...
Despite throwing heaps of information on the reader at the beginning, I still had to endure it all through the climax. What should have been a thrilling and exciting "hunt" was constantly interrupted by diaries explaining this, and old ladies explaining that... Hell, even the antagonist, Cullayn, started explaining when he should have been hunting! And for all his explaining, he was the most under-cooked villain I've ever seen. Does he even say why he loves hunting and killing children? Was he a paedophile in disguise? So infuriating!
Less is more, horror writers. Stop explaining and start scaring!
Despite throwing heaps of information on the reader at the beginning, I still had to endure it all through the climax. What should have been a thrilling and exciting "hunt" was constantly interrupted by diaries explaining this, and old ladies explaining that... Hell, even the antagonist, Cullayn, started explaining when he should have been hunting! And for all his explaining, he was the most under-cooked villain I've ever seen. Does he even say why he loves hunting and killing children? Was he a paedophile in disguise? So infuriating!
Less is more, horror writers. Stop explaining and start scaring!
August 3, 2021
Meh. It wasn't very exciting or scary, and could have been executed better.
April 20, 2025
Great ghost story, really enjoyed this 👏👌
April 19, 2020
I was gripped from the first line. ‘Dead things can sound alive when they choose’.
Cliff McNish’s descriptive writing keeps you gripped.
Cliff McNish’s descriptive writing keeps you gripped.
January 28, 2018
This was a Goodreads giveaway win.
WOW! This book is the definition of unputdownable! I was so enthralled and afraid, I had to read it in one day or I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night!
Elliott and his brother Ben, with their father, move into an old creepy house. This is the norm for them, as their father's job is to rehab old homes for resale. This home is filled with paintings of the original owner, a hunter, pictured with his prey in every picture. Never the same animal twice, and always with varying weapons. Just adding to the eeriness of the house.
Elliott is used to hearing creepy sounds and they generally lull him to sleep, but when trying to sleep in this house, he hears something different. Sounding like something being dragged across the floor, he's unsure of what to think of it. This leads to all kinds of horrifying discoveries throughout the house, from a ghost child to freaky diary entries.
I'm not necessarily a fan of horror books, though I am a fan of horror movies, and this made me both never want to read anything from this author again AND want to read everything he has written. I'm just not sure if I could handle it!
WOW! This book is the definition of unputdownable! I was so enthralled and afraid, I had to read it in one day or I wouldn't have been able to sleep at night!
Elliott and his brother Ben, with their father, move into an old creepy house. This is the norm for them, as their father's job is to rehab old homes for resale. This home is filled with paintings of the original owner, a hunter, pictured with his prey in every picture. Never the same animal twice, and always with varying weapons. Just adding to the eeriness of the house.
Elliott is used to hearing creepy sounds and they generally lull him to sleep, but when trying to sleep in this house, he hears something different. Sounding like something being dragged across the floor, he's unsure of what to think of it. This leads to all kinds of horrifying discoveries throughout the house, from a ghost child to freaky diary entries.
I'm not necessarily a fan of horror books, though I am a fan of horror movies, and this made me both never want to read anything from this author again AND want to read everything he has written. I'm just not sure if I could handle it!
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June 29, 2023A creepy mansion with a tragic past not quite buried and an evil presence in the corridors… Cliff McNish tells a classic ghost story which proves that some things never fail to send chills down the spine, and sometimes, traditional ghost stories work best.
When siblings, Ben and Elliott, move into an old estate, they don’t expect their sleep to be disturbed by strange noises, nor the corridors to be filled with creepy paintings of the previous owner standing over the corpses of hunted animals.
They find a diary written by a girl who lived in the house several generations earlier. She describes her conversations with a mysterious girl who could apparently talk to ghosts – and there is a hint that the ghost of the former occupant of the house isn’t a friendly one. Then there’s the forbidden, labyrinthine East Wing, which seems to have caught Ben’s attention. It isn’t long before the ghosts reveal themselves, and the hunting game begins…
Tense and scary, The Hunting Ground is a fantastic ghost story that keeps you on edge throughout, wanting to find out what happens yet scared to turn the page and face each new horror. The title pretty much gives away the plot, yet knowing immediately that Elliott and Ben are going to be hunted by a psychotic ghost doesn’t compromise the narrative tension in the slightest. The ghosts are sinister and the spooky atmosphere is well-crafted. The gothic trope of a supposedly safe and secure place, the home, as being transformed into a place of terror, works extremely well. The inclusion of the diary entries builds tension as the narrative shifts from a ghost story to a tense thriller as the new hunting game begins again.
I’ve not read any of McNish’s work before, but when I met him at Lancaster Litfest (and got this particular book signed), I was interested on his thoughts on the Gothic in Young Adult fiction. For McNish, the Gothic is about what scares us, and he writes for the ‘monsters’ – and I’d definitely say he does a good job!
When siblings, Ben and Elliott, move into an old estate, they don’t expect their sleep to be disturbed by strange noises, nor the corridors to be filled with creepy paintings of the previous owner standing over the corpses of hunted animals.
They find a diary written by a girl who lived in the house several generations earlier. She describes her conversations with a mysterious girl who could apparently talk to ghosts – and there is a hint that the ghost of the former occupant of the house isn’t a friendly one. Then there’s the forbidden, labyrinthine East Wing, which seems to have caught Ben’s attention. It isn’t long before the ghosts reveal themselves, and the hunting game begins…
Tense and scary, The Hunting Ground is a fantastic ghost story that keeps you on edge throughout, wanting to find out what happens yet scared to turn the page and face each new horror. The title pretty much gives away the plot, yet knowing immediately that Elliott and Ben are going to be hunted by a psychotic ghost doesn’t compromise the narrative tension in the slightest. The ghosts are sinister and the spooky atmosphere is well-crafted. The gothic trope of a supposedly safe and secure place, the home, as being transformed into a place of terror, works extremely well. The inclusion of the diary entries builds tension as the narrative shifts from a ghost story to a tense thriller as the new hunting game begins again.
I’ve not read any of McNish’s work before, but when I met him at Lancaster Litfest (and got this particular book signed), I was interested on his thoughts on the Gothic in Young Adult fiction. For McNish, the Gothic is about what scares us, and he writes for the ‘monsters’ – and I’d definitely say he does a good job!
April 3, 2012
I read this in a day, because I started it on the way to work, continued on the way home and snuck away to finish it before dinner so that I would be able to comfortably go to bed. This is not a book for the very young (and I wouldn’t recommend it at bedtime, either!). It’s no gory horror, but it is excruciatingly tense. Cliff McNish is a skilful craftsman who knows how to manipulate the tension level and keep you guessing – there is a mystery element to this novel as well.
As the blurb shows, the novel focuses on the two boys whose father has been engaged to develop the house. Things happen that they can’t (or won’t) explain, and then they find pages of an old diary which make them curious about the house’s history even while they’re starting to actually fear there may be real ghosts. The family is characterised skilfully, and it is easy to root for them, although at the beginning you may find yourself willing them to leave the house before things get worse. But of course, they don’t know they’re in a ghost story so don’t believe they’re in real danger initially!
As with all good gothic and ghost stories, the setting really is a character in this novel. Twisting corridors, forbidden areas, creepy paintings (way beyond ‘normal’ creepy paintings, by the way) all contribute to the rising fear. There is a real sense of restriction, of being trapped and controlled by the house, which contrasts strongly with the paintings on the walls, showing outdoor scenes of hunting, and with the expansive grounds.
In all, this is a strong ghostly thriller that will definitely have you over-analysing every little sound in the dark.
As the blurb shows, the novel focuses on the two boys whose father has been engaged to develop the house. Things happen that they can’t (or won’t) explain, and then they find pages of an old diary which make them curious about the house’s history even while they’re starting to actually fear there may be real ghosts. The family is characterised skilfully, and it is easy to root for them, although at the beginning you may find yourself willing them to leave the house before things get worse. But of course, they don’t know they’re in a ghost story so don’t believe they’re in real danger initially!
As with all good gothic and ghost stories, the setting really is a character in this novel. Twisting corridors, forbidden areas, creepy paintings (way beyond ‘normal’ creepy paintings, by the way) all contribute to the rising fear. There is a real sense of restriction, of being trapped and controlled by the house, which contrasts strongly with the paintings on the walls, showing outdoor scenes of hunting, and with the expansive grounds.
In all, this is a strong ghostly thriller that will definitely have you over-analysing every little sound in the dark.
June 4, 2017
This book was creepy. It wasn't that scary, no. But the dark atmosphere of the book lingers like a dark cloud above it's reader's head, even long after you've read the book. The way the writer depicted and wrote the story seems normal enough while you're reading, but before you know it, once you get sucked into the world of Elliott and Ben, you'll most definitely feel it--a slight chill in the back of your bones, that someone's-watching-me feeling creeping in.
I found myself inexplicably drawn onto the book while reading it. There were also times when I found myself unsettled after a few scenes and I'd have to put the book down and look around, almost expecting something to appear out of nowhere. It was disturbing and thrilling from the very first page up to the last. And the characters were complex. I most definitely found myself interested with Cullayn, with his obsession with hunting, his paintings, etcetera. I hated him, yes. But I also wanted to know why he ended up like that. A madman can't become a madman without a reason, can they?
Overall, this book was a great read. I'm honestly thankful that the book caught my eye awhile ago at the bookstore, and just like with The Society of S; I knew I could trust my instincts with this one. It was a thrilling page turner, alright.
And I'm really starting to love this horror genre. [4.5 Stars]
I found myself inexplicably drawn onto the book while reading it. There were also times when I found myself unsettled after a few scenes and I'd have to put the book down and look around, almost expecting something to appear out of nowhere. It was disturbing and thrilling from the very first page up to the last. And the characters were complex. I most definitely found myself interested with Cullayn, with his obsession with hunting, his paintings, etcetera. I hated him, yes. But I also wanted to know why he ended up like that. A madman can't become a madman without a reason, can they?
Overall, this book was a great read. I'm honestly thankful that the book caught my eye awhile ago at the bookstore, and just like with The Society of S; I knew I could trust my instincts with this one. It was a thrilling page turner, alright.
And I'm really starting to love this horror genre. [4.5 Stars]
October 24, 2015
I’m not a fan of ghost stories but I couldn’t resist this and I’m so glad I didn’t. The Hunting Ground is creepy and disturbing for all the right reasons. I was so engrossed in the story I forgot pretty much everything around me.
The Hunting Ground has a split narration; most of the story follows Elliott and his younger brother as they unravel the mystery of Glebe House but one of their clues is the diary of a young boy called Theo whose family were the last occupants at Glebe House in the 1960s. The diary takes up a big chunk of the book and to begin with I wasn’t convinced. That said it actually worked really well, particularly in adding to Eve’s character.
The story never loses its intensity – you’re pretty much at the edge of your seat from page one and it doesn’t let up till the very end. The idea with behind the paintings only enhances the disturbing nature of the book.
I would have picked a slightly different ending in regards to certain character’s choices but is this is the standard of YA Horror then I’m most certainly reading more books of the genre.
The Hunting Ground has a split narration; most of the story follows Elliott and his younger brother as they unravel the mystery of Glebe House but one of their clues is the diary of a young boy called Theo whose family were the last occupants at Glebe House in the 1960s. The diary takes up a big chunk of the book and to begin with I wasn’t convinced. That said it actually worked really well, particularly in adding to Eve’s character.
The story never loses its intensity – you’re pretty much at the edge of your seat from page one and it doesn’t let up till the very end. The idea with behind the paintings only enhances the disturbing nature of the book.
I would have picked a slightly different ending in regards to certain character’s choices but is this is the standard of YA Horror then I’m most certainly reading more books of the genre.
January 24, 2013
OK SO FIRST OF ALL I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I HATE HORROR AND THRILLER NOVELS BECAUSE THEY SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME!
BUT I FORTUNATELY READ THIS ONE AND REALLY ENJOYED IT! :D
so the setting was great, a bit cliche,(seeing how everyone goes for the haunted, gothic, eerily beautiful mansion,) but nonetheless great.
the characters were great too and I loved the way they were protrayed. the ghosts were freaking scary at first but upon finding out about their intentions, i started to warm up to them.
of course, in every scary story, you have the parents that don't listen when their children tell them there is something in the closet, and they ignore the children, but the children end up being right and everyone nearly dies.. (that was a typefull ;D)
i liked the dialogue in this story, i think it was done exceptionally well and I also enjoyed the suspense, although I nearly did almost pee my pants on so many occasions..hhaha
overall I thought this was a good story and I'm glad I went out of my comfort zone and discovered it! ^^
BUT I FORTUNATELY READ THIS ONE AND REALLY ENJOYED IT! :D
so the setting was great, a bit cliche,(seeing how everyone goes for the haunted, gothic, eerily beautiful mansion,) but nonetheless great.
the characters were great too and I loved the way they were protrayed. the ghosts were freaking scary at first but upon finding out about their intentions, i started to warm up to them.
of course, in every scary story, you have the parents that don't listen when their children tell them there is something in the closet, and they ignore the children, but the children end up being right and everyone nearly dies.. (that was a typefull ;D)
i liked the dialogue in this story, i think it was done exceptionally well and I also enjoyed the suspense, although I nearly did almost pee my pants on so many occasions..hhaha
overall I thought this was a good story and I'm glad I went out of my comfort zone and discovered it! ^^
April 6, 2013
Another chiller from Cliff McNish - although a young adult author his books are as scary as any adult ones I have read. In this, two brothers are tormented by the ghost of a young girl almost immediately after they arrive at Glebe House, which their dad has been commissioned to renovate. The secret seems to lie in the East Wing and in the old lady who wanders the grounds in a dress covered in wilting flowers. Increasingly, the younger boy Ben becomes obsessed with the portraits of the former master of the house while his brother Elliot battles to keep him safe. McNish is an accomplished author but at times the book seemed to forget its narrative structure, since there were so many viewpoints adopted. At least a third is told through the diary of a previous child resident of Glebe House - Theo - but McNish's writing style here is more akin to first-person narrative as certain stylistic prose tendencies crept in. However, this book kept me reading till 2am which is a good sign! Recommended if you like chillers and thrillers.
November 19, 2014
It started off very well and kept me hanging on, wanting to learn more, however, about three quarters of the way in, it just became 'silly' for me anyway. I found it difficult to imagine the hunting ground or the baddie but I found the ghosts and the clairvoyant unrealistic in their behaviours and abilities which ruined it for me. I don't want to ruin it for anyone else so i won't say what they did, but it felt like two types of genres merging. The first half, a great, spooky story, then more like a fantasy and I don't like those types of books.
I liked the main character, Elliot and the relationship with his brother, Ben. I liked a lot of threads within the story, but it was just the last quarter I found myself rushing through it to see if it became 'spooky' again - it didn't.
I have no doubt this author is a great writer, but this first outing for me was a tad disappointing.
Of course, this is my own opinion and I wish him all the joys of life. Fare play to him for writing so many. x
I liked the main character, Elliot and the relationship with his brother, Ben. I liked a lot of threads within the story, but it was just the last quarter I found myself rushing through it to see if it became 'spooky' again - it didn't.
I have no doubt this author is a great writer, but this first outing for me was a tad disappointing.
Of course, this is my own opinion and I wish him all the joys of life. Fare play to him for writing so many. x
October 1, 2014
This is a great ghost story with a bit of a difference. The ghosts of children are still hanging around wanting vengeance on the man who killed them. He's an evil dude, with a twisted bent for hunting. But who will be the hunted and who will do the hunting?
July 14, 2022
Got my hand on a copy from a secondhand bookstore and got it based on the cover.
I started this a bit skeptical, but I LOVED It!!
Unlike most books It didn’t have a long build up for something to happen.
From the first pages this book had me. It was a hard one to put down.
I love ghost stories and creepy haunted houses.
The fact that the big scares happen in a dark maze where every turn of each hall look exactly the same. And the thought of not finding your way out is scary to me. (Panic mode!)
And not to forget about the whole house being filled with creepy hunting pictures of the original owner. SPOILER: He did not just hunt animals.
The only part that did bother me a bit was the Diary entries that didn't read a s a diary but as a person just telling a story.
So, if you love a good ghost/haunted house read this one delivers.
I started this a bit skeptical, but I LOVED It!!
Unlike most books It didn’t have a long build up for something to happen.
From the first pages this book had me. It was a hard one to put down.
I love ghost stories and creepy haunted houses.
The fact that the big scares happen in a dark maze where every turn of each hall look exactly the same. And the thought of not finding your way out is scary to me. (Panic mode!)
And not to forget about the whole house being filled with creepy hunting pictures of the original owner. SPOILER: He did not just hunt animals.
The only part that did bother me a bit was the Diary entries that didn't read a s a diary but as a person just telling a story.
So, if you love a good ghost/haunted house read this one delivers.
April 19, 2019
A solid 3.5 stars.
I’m not the target audience here so I don’t know if my opinion on this book counts for much. But I’ll still share it. For one, I liked the characters in the book. Elliot, Ben, everyone really. Even the villain. They were interesting in their own ways. The story was more creepy than scary I’d say. It all felt a little too convenient at times but it is for a younger audience so I might just be a little too picky there.
Overall, it was a pretty good horror read. I’ve never properly delved into the genre but I think this would be a good exploratory book for young readers.
I’m not the target audience here so I don’t know if my opinion on this book counts for much. But I’ll still share it. For one, I liked the characters in the book. Elliot, Ben, everyone really. Even the villain. They were interesting in their own ways. The story was more creepy than scary I’d say. It all felt a little too convenient at times but it is for a younger audience so I might just be a little too picky there.
Overall, it was a pretty good horror read. I’ve never properly delved into the genre but I think this would be a good exploratory book for young readers.
August 27, 2019
While I have no problem with a book written for much younger people, I had a very hard time with this book. It just seemed to really drag in the middle so that by the time I got to the end, I just didn't care anymore. I'm not sure that a younger reader would really enjoy it more than I did.
With some novels, especially ghost stories, written for younger people, I get excited to see how the story pans out without the usual adult topics & themes. That didn't happen here. A big dud for me. Disappointing.
With some novels, especially ghost stories, written for younger people, I get excited to see how the story pans out without the usual adult topics & themes. That didn't happen here. A big dud for me. Disappointing.
July 17, 2021
1.75/5
I never usually pick up thrillers, especially not teenage.
I’m easily scared but instead of being scared I found myself laughing and cringing most of the time.
The story itself seems to have potential, just the execution was not it. Everything was told rather than showed and it all went just too easily for the characters. The story didn’t flow and the whole journal thing at first interesting, became forced towards the end.
I never usually pick up thrillers, especially not teenage.
I’m easily scared but instead of being scared I found myself laughing and cringing most of the time.
The story itself seems to have potential, just the execution was not it. Everything was told rather than showed and it all went just too easily for the characters. The story didn’t flow and the whole journal thing at first interesting, became forced towards the end.
January 29, 2025
Elliot and his brother move into Glebe house not expecting to share it with ghosts.
I picked this book up at book group as part of our Halloween reads. The cover picture is perfect and shows a rambling old house. This book is for teenagers and had I have been about 12 years old myself I would have loved it. I couldn’t get spooked by it as it was very mild but again had I have been back in my teenage years then maybe I would have enjoyed this book better.
I picked this book up at book group as part of our Halloween reads. The cover picture is perfect and shows a rambling old house. This book is for teenagers and had I have been about 12 years old myself I would have loved it. I couldn’t get spooked by it as it was very mild but again had I have been back in my teenage years then maybe I would have enjoyed this book better.
February 5, 2017
I really liked it. The use of the journal in the novel made me crave a story solely from Theo's point of view but I also really liked the way McNish blended the two stories together. It wasn't until I reached the end of the book that I realised he was also the Author of one of my childhood favourites Breathe. Overall the novel was well written and I really enjoyed it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 9, 2021
Its been a while since i've read this so don't put to much weight on this review. I remember i liked the beginning of the book, but after awhile I kinda read it just to get to the point. Remember the end was a little bit dissapointing, but overall a ok read. Although i would say it is more of a teenage/ young adult book
May 17, 2022
I have not read a thriller/ghost story in forever!!! I honestly just stopped liking them, which is really strange as I love horror/supernatural movies and shows.
But I guess I was just reading the wrong books, bc I consumed this book so ridiculously quickly, and I think it’s safe to say I’m into this genre again :)
But I guess I was just reading the wrong books, bc I consumed this book so ridiculously quickly, and I think it’s safe to say I’m into this genre again :)
September 24, 2019
This book was a quick horror story. I found it interesting and spooky. I could even say it was heavy at some points and had some nice plot twists.I would recommend it for October. I think more people should read it.
August 14, 2017
very predictable! That's all.
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