Le refuge

by Niki Valentine

A peine arrivés dans les Highlands écossaises pour célébrer leur anniversaire de mariage, Susie et Martin fuient leur luxueux hôtel. Pour se retrouver et partager une aventure, le couple a décidé de passer une nuit à la dure dans un refuge en pleine nature. Un violent orage se déchaîne et ils se retrouvent bloqués pendant plusieurs jours, à des kilomètres de tout, complètement isolés.
Comme leur innocentes chamailleries dégénèrent rapidement en violentes disputent, Susie commence à sentir qu’ils ne sont pas vraiment seuls… Une mystérieuse présence semble prendre possession du couple.
Sans aucun moyen de s’échapper, Susie et Martin s’efforcent de rester sains d’ »esprit tandis que le refuge se transforme en prison – et que leurs pensées deviennent peu à peu meurtrières…

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Paranormal, Fiction, Horror Thriller, Mystery, Crime

283 pages, Paperback

First published October 13, 2011

About the author

Niki Valentine is an award-winning writer who, as Nicola Monaghan, has been published internationally to huge acclaim. She has also published a number of stories and articles in anthologies and magazines. Niki worked for many years in the City of London, and now lives in Nottingham with her husband.

Reviews

[Carole Tyrrell · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a real disappointment. From its cover and the accompanying blurb I was expecting a good spooky supernatural read. Instead what I got was a very slow paced psychological thriller. At times it had the definite feel of someone wading through treacle whilst wearing diver’s boots.
The Haunting is set in the Scottish Highlands near Fort William. Susie and Martin, a middle-aged professional couple are on holiday. Martin decides that they will spend a couple of days and nights staying at a local bothy in the middle of nowhere. He’d stayed there as a child on a family holiday and wants to re-visit it. They set off with a gas stove, torches and provisions to last them during their brief visit, arrive, and settle in.
Then bad weather sets in immediately and they’re trapped there with each other. And something else.
At first they seemed to be a content couple but, marooned in a wilderness, Susie has time, a lot of time, to reflect on her marriage. It seems to have been in trouble for some time; she regrets not having children and replays memories of a nasty weekend with Martin. Susie does a lot of this and eventually it feels like navel gazing as I’d certainly be a bit more proactive in the bothy situation. Martin appears to be a bully and has taken them on this trip down memory lane with only limited supplies and no back-up plan. But we never hear his viewpoint.
Then strange things begin to happen as Susie feels haunted by a presence within the bothy that seems to want to get up close and personal. She wants, and chooses, to see it as the ghost of an old, dead lover. The camping gas stove and their mobiles disappear and reappear with each accusing the other but, as their food supplies dwindle, they seem content to stay there. Martin goes foraging for leaves and berries and Susie soon begins to feel light-headed and prone to even more fantasies and memories. Martin also seems to be playing psychological games and eventually, very eventually it’s finally revealed what happened on that long-ago family holiday and I found myself almost screaming at the page ’And you wanted to go back there when you knew what awaited you?’ This provides the meaning to the book’s title.
The ending and climax were almost laughable and it seemed to just peter out as if the author, having dragged the reader there at last, had no idea of how to end it.
This book really was slow and I felt that if it was shortened by at least 25% then the pace would be greatly improved and there would be some tension. Susie’s endless internal monologues replaced
real action and I found myself thinking ‘Why are you both prepared to stay there and possibly starve to death?’ It felt like a book that didn’t quite know what it was and so included an element of the paranormal which didn’t convince, a thriller and a psychological study of a bad marriage.
Not a book for anyone looking for a good, chilling supernatural tale as you would be disappointed.
I’m not sure if it would work as a thriller due to its sedate pace.

[Karin Muller · Rating 1 out of 5]

What would you expect when you read on the cover of a book “They wanted a Honeymoon adventure. They found a place of nightmares. A guaranteed Halloween hit! “? If you’re anything like me, you’d expect a book you definitely don’t want to read alone in bed. Shouldn’t a horror book pull you in? Making you a bit reluctant to read on but you just can’t wait to know how it’ll end at the same time? The Haunted, I’m sorry to say, didn’t have that pull. On the contrary, it was a painful read for all the wrong reasons.

The story in a nutshell: Martin and Sue leave their luxury hotel with romantic thoughts of spending a night together in an abandoned bothy in the Scottish Highlands. When a storm strikes, they find themselves stranded in the hut, completely isolated and with no way of escape. They’re desperately trying to hold on to their sanity while their thoughts turn murderous.

The problem with this book is the indecisiveness of the writer. She sells a horror story, but it reads like a story about a marriage gone bad. There is nothing romantic about the relationship of Sue and Martin. If anything is horror in this book, it is the marriage. If Niki Valentine would have left out the one scene which could have been described as horror, the book would have been just that. A book about a far from happy marriage.

Her main character, Sue, is as indecisive as her creator, alternating between romantic and or loving feelings - that just don’t add up if you get to know more about her marriage - and resentment towards her husband. Because of that it’s hard to believe in her sincerity. You just want to slap her for not listening to her instincts. But that’s not all: the story simply unfolds too slow. Somewhere in the middle of the book I caught myself thinking: this could have been one hell of a short story, because truly, the idea of the story is great! But someone should be brave enough to tell the author that sometimes deleting is best. A good editor, who points out the contradictions wouldn’t hurt the story either. If you want to read about a marriage gone sour, please, be my guest and read and learn. But if you want a good horror story, one which makes you reluctant to walk your dog after midnight, you better refrain from this one.

[Anwesh Ganguli · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when you go for an adventure outing in the middle of nowhere. More specifically, in a super secluded Scottish Highland, where there is not a shred of civilazation within acres.
Martin and Susie, a married couple goes for a second honeymoon and decides that they should visit a certain bothy(a Scottish, small hut or cottage used for housing farm labours or as a mountain/jungle refuge) which Martin visited way back with his parents and he wants for him and his wife to spend a weekend there. The place is so secluded that it isn't even marked in the map. They reach there by memory. At first the things were pretty good, bonfire, ready to eat food from the cans, ghost stories, steamy sex. A perfect getaway smack dab in the middle of the wilderness.

However, soon Susie starts noticing that they are not quite alone, a sinister vibe, a malevolent presence that keeps its presence felt. Then things went even worse. Both the people start behaving different from what they did when they reached there. They keep fighting and bickering. They start getting mentally disturbed each in their own way. Do they live to go back to civilization or they become a part if that bothy in wilderness, that is the story all about. There were ugly and sinister revelations made by both of them, in various kinds of ways.

The story started off really good, creating a perfect premise, it was well written, however in between the pace dropped and it really felt like it was getting dragged. Although maybe to make the reader understand the intensity of the situation, the detailed style of writing was warranted. We do get that something was amiss and something fishy was happening. Describing those moments the thought process of the characters went on and on. The real fun begins from Chapter 20, in my opinion. Author picks up the pace and takes us to the climax of the book. Which was disappointing. It left some parts of the story unexplained. I could tell more, but that could be a spoiler. All in all the ending could have been way better.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to say this book was a major disappointment. I was expecting more supernatural elements. Martin was a vile character. Why on earth Susie stayed with him is beyond me. Susie was an annoying character too. First of all not wanting to stay at the bothy. Then not wanting to leave . Because she thought her dead teenaged boyfriend had come back to her, at long last.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (good)



I was open minded about this book. I saw all the mixes reviews and was curious as to my own thoughts.

I get why people dislike it but also those who enjoy it.


The majority of the book was not horror or even thriller. I guess if anything it was drama/romance but very light on it. It felt a bit slow but not a chore to read as it did hold my attention and I was interested but ohh gosh it was misleading as being a horror story. Very misleading.

The last few chapters it's a thriller I would say, but still not a horror. It's not what I was expecting at all based on the cover, title of this and the description of what the story was about.


I was going to give this 2 stars (just ok) but the ending made up for it to a degree and I give it 3 stars. (good).


I recommend if you aren't expecting much and not expecting it to be horror. (Tho if anything, it's psychological 'horror'). I don't highly recommend it. I do recommend you keep an open mind to what the story is and decide which side of the fence you side with.

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martin and Sue have been married 10 years and decide to take a break in the Highlands. For years Martin has wanted Sue to go hillwalking and stay the night in an old bothy located in the middle of nowhere. He tells her it will be a romantic adventure and leaving the luxury of their hotel they set off armed with enough food, clothes etc for a one or two night stay.
Sue isn't keen on the idea, she feels troubled at the thought of it but can't put her finger on what is bothering her but to please her husband she goes. Bad weather hits and they find themselves stranded with no means of escape until the weather settles. At first it seems like an adventure indeed but soon the normal arguments couples have turn to something worse with violent thoughts and murder in mind. Sue has the sensation that a presence not of this world is there and controlling both their thoughts and actions. Martin laughs it off being the "sensible" party in the relationship.
With supplies quickly depleting and objects mysteriously disappearing can they keep it together and return home unscathed?
The blurb describes it as a read that will chill you to the bone and I am afraid it didn't do this to me. It was a psychological thriller in the loosest of terms, both characters I didn't warm to. Martin is a bully and Sue way too spineless for my liking but a reasonable read all the same.

[Ni · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you wonder about the dark peaty side of the Scottish Highlands then this book is for you. If you like happy romances in mountainous settings then stay away. This literary psychological thriller earns its place as a page turner through its intelligent writing and detailed main characters. Niki almost pulls off the laid back husband Martin who suggests a couple of days in a crofter's hut as an adventure. Niki's literery persona takes a bleak view of human nature so trouble inevitably looms. We watch through Susie's eyes as events become increasingly uncanny fuelled by isolation, hunger and lack of sleep. Martin and Susie's deep traumas constantly threaten to be disastrously acted out. Niki achieves a claustrophobic mood reminiscent of films made entirely in a phone box. Blair Witch, Hamlet, and possibly Macbeth and Frankenstein are drawn in as cultural references. A thoroughly well written novel. I withold one star because the setting feels a tiny bit like a film set [is there an element of parody in the lightning strikes?] because Martin's personality shift stretches my credulity and because the male characters don't exactly endear themselves to me.

[Selene · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually really enjoyed this book. I didn't think I would at the beginning as I couldn't see where the haunting set in, but from about half way through I couldn't put it down! There were several things that drove me mad - if it had been me I think I would have done anything to get away (that's coz I'm stupid and impatient) rather than hang around in the bothy too long. I also couldn't understand why no one had sent a helicopter out for them. But on the whole I enjoyed it.

[Jess Twibey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Chapter two had the word susie nearly 50 times, it was driving me crazy, add to that the couple are annoying and self centred and just pitiful, I only managed like 5 or 6 chapters before giving up on the book before I gave up on life.

[Michael Mckean · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent horror, though got a little repetitive. The descriptions of the 'man' and the 'presence' had me on the edge of my seat!

[Hannah · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was quite odd, and I couldn't get into it. SO, as much as I hate giving up on a book, I had to after about 4 chapters because I wasn't enjoying it.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable thriller. Its not going to change your life, but if you're after an entertaining read give it a go!

[Lizzie · Rating 2 out of 5]

It could have been 100 pages shorter. Parts were great but others not so much.

[Lu Wilson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Warning contains spoilers. [return]I love a good ghost story, however this was not it! The story was not at all scary or even slightly spooky. It didn't make a lot of sense at times and certain details did not seem to have been thoroughly thought out. For example, towards the end, when Sue was in hospital, the nurse was adamant that the brothy did not exist, yet this was not mentioned again. Did it not exist or not? Ending the story stating that it did not would have given it a twist and added some of the spooky detail that was lacking. There were also many occasions when Sue and/or Martin could have left the brothy but chose not to. How can you be terrified of a place, but still stay there when there are chances to leave? Especially if you fear for your life and don't trust the person you are with. This leads me onto the fact that the characters were not at all likeable and I could not relate to them. Maybe this was the author's intention, as you were immediately made to feel dislike towards Martin. But Sue was worse as she was so contradictive and I could not imagine many people putting themselves in this situation with somebody. Yes there are (unfortunately) lots of people in the world who are in abusive relationships, whether physical or not. Yet this was not an abusive relationship per say. Yes Martin had verbally and physically abused Sue once in the past, and she seemed to just block it out and carry on as if nothing had happened. But what was unbelievable was the fact that she was married to a man who bullied her, but she didn't want to 'rock the boat' and ask for a divorce because it was an inconvenience and would disrupt their lives. Afterall who would have the sofa? Or the fridge? It seemed that she was more concerned about splitting assets and finding a new flat than she was of the bullying and belittling she put up with on a daily basis. I wanted to slap some sense into her! I found that the more I continued with the book, the more I disliked both characters and the story as a whole. I only continued reading under the hope that it would improve. I therefore couldn't recommend this book to anyone.

[whatemsreadingx · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had incredibly high hopes for this book, I deliberately kept it to read during my October horror/thriller reads and after reading the blurb I thought I'd made the right decision... I was mistaken.

As a book marketed as a horror, paranormal and spooky I expected this book to be something that made me want to sleep with the light on, what I actually got was something I can only describe as like walking through treacle.

The book itself was very slow to start and didn't feature much in the way of plot, we were quickly introduced to our main characters, Martin and Susie, through their sniping and nit picking with each other - which was boring to read.

As I read deeper into the book I built an intense dislike for both of our main characters, nothing about them was likeable. For the entirety of the book we were simply treated to them sniping at each other as they both "felt the effects" of the supposed paranormal being that was with them in the bothy...

The blurb describes how we will be chilled to the bone, and sadly that didn't happen for me. Our paranormal being was never present enough to have an impact, he was like a passing shadow and didn't bring anything to the story.

As for the plot, it was completely non-existent and the ending did nothing to round off the novel, except leave us with more questions than answers and a burning desire to never pick up this book again.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Slight spoilers
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This was an odd little book. I can see that a lot of other reviewers really didn't like it, but I think that comes down to expectations - i.e. do you want an out and out supernatural horror, or a psychological thriller?

There is the suggestion of supernatural activity, but it's strongly implied that this is all in the protagonist's head, and whilst her husband is certainly emotionally and mentally abusive, again it's left rather ambiguous as to whether he's really plotting to kill her as she comes to believe in the latter portion of the book, since the story is told through her eyes and she's obviously becoming more and more mentally unbalanced as things progress.

I didn't find this an edge of your seat kind of thing, it was fairly predictable and I honestly didn't get much sense of menace from it, but it was a quick and easy read. Not overly good or bad, just average.

[Gemma · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I saw the cover and expected 'a place of nightmares' and a haunting I was very let down. This is more of a psychological story and not a thriller in any way. Susie and Martin are terrible characters. Martin is the abusive husband who you will hate from the very beginning and Susie lets him get away with everything for fear of him. There is hardly any 'haunting' going on and it lacks the terror that should come with it, instead making it into some sort of sensual action that Susie weirdly enjoys. It also gets very repetitive with the same things being said over and over and I'm actually surprised I made it to the end of the book. If you're expecting a thrilling read of ghosts and hauntings then you're in the wrong place and will be disappointed. The only good thing about it is how it ends.

[R.A. Goli · Rating 2 out of 5]

Below average. The blurb and cover gave the impression it would be spooky/horror but it was a fairly uneventful tale about a wife (who doesn’t trust her husband due to a mysterious past incident), and husband being stuck in a bothy (shack) in the middle of nowhere and how they fight over every little comment or action and how the wife fantasises about having sex with a ghost.

Neither of the characters were likeable, but the wife was particularly annoying. The pacing of the story is slow, nothing much happens, and the ending was predictable and pretty silly.

[Clare Parry · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this book as part of a travelling book group I am in from the blurb it looked good, I was disappointed It started and finished well but parts in the middle left a lot to be desired I give it a 2 mainly because at times it was slow and boring sue was spineless and Martin a bully but who won in the end

[Maria Morrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading a lot of reviews about it not being what they expected I was reluctant to finish it. However I am glad I did. I may not have been about ghosts or spirits but it did grip me right to the end. I really enjoyed it.

[Eunice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow, but worth the read.

The language and the prose are so clear that you can barely tell that this story is narrated at a slow pace. The storyline is so engaging and you will be hooked till the end.

[Michael John Paul McManus · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Haunted was a novel that kept me guessing up to the last chapter. Niki Valentine is a good story teller and kept the action moving along nicely. Is the bothy that Susie and Martin decide to stay in in the middle of nowhere haunted. Or is it all in their minds? A good read indeed.

[Carmen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, hubby kept saying to read it so I did in just 2 days..I couldn't put it down...very different than I normally read ..give it a try..

[Gina · Rating 1 out of 5]

An unlikable main character and an unconvincing plot made for an unsatisfying read.

[Hosein · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good book to waste time!

[Jo Taylor · Rating 1 out of 5]

Was not impressed thought would have more paranormal reference

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read strange twist at the end

[Amber · Rating 1 out of 5]

Lumbering and tedious, this book would have faired so much better as a short story. A horror it was not, a yawnfest most definitely. Will not be reading anything else by this author.

[Neil Jenkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

The first book in a long while I have not been able to finish. The main characters were joyless and pathetic and I just couldn't care less what happened to them

[Tania · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an okay read.
It felt quite repetitive which, for me, took away the sinister intention of the situation and environment.
I thought 403 pages was too long.