House of Shadows by Gower, Iris (2010) Hardcover

by Iris Gower

An atmospheric mystery from Wales’ best-loved author - The Second World War is over. Artist Riana Evans falls in love with a dilapidated mansion in Wales, despite its rumoured ghosts, and is delighted when its elderly, eccentric owner sells it to her for a pittance. The ‘ghosts’ prove good for business – inspiring her paintings in an almost supernatural way and providing welcome atmosphere at a series of profitable ghost-spotting weekends. But it soon becomes clear that there’s someone – or something – who’ll do anything to make sure Riana never discovers the secrets the house hides . . .

Genres: Gothic

Hardcover

First published August 1, 2010

About the author

Iris Gower (b. 1935) was a Swansea-based novelist. Her historical romances are all set within Swansea and Gower in South Wales.

Iris (real name Iris Davies) was born in Mumbles and lived in Derwen Fawr, a part of Sketty, Swansea. She had four adult children, though her husband of 48 years, Tudor Davies, died on 15 April 2002 after suffering a major stroke. She later lived with a partner, Peter.

She was one of the top-selling authors in the country, and was awarded an MA in Creative Writing by Cardiff University, as well as an Honorary Fellowship at the University of Wales, Swansea. She wrote and published around 40 books including 26 novels.

Gower died at Singleton Hospital, Swansea on 20 July, 2010. She was 75 years old.

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my own opinions….some people may agree or may not agree…but please be mindful we are all able to rate our likes/dislikes.

All ratings are out of FIVE ⭐️’s

Storyline ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Characters ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Overall ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I really enjoyed this book, the story kept me gripped.

[Charybdis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too silly.

[Julie]

Did not finish. Thin plot, poorly drawn characters, got bored.

[Katie King · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found myself wanting to finish the book and find out the ending, but it’s not a book I would recommend to a others. I thought it was predicable and the characters didn’t have much to them. I liked the setting and the atmosphere but the descriptions were brief and overall needed much more depth.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A ghostly story line and characters. Enjoyable.

[Tizmehr · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not sure why I even sat and read all the way through this book.

[Mrs E Humphreys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started off well but turned out to be a damp squib

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a gripping story with so many twists it kept me hooked to the end.
I couldn’t put the book down.
It would make an amazing film.

[Mary Brewer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story with a few twists along the way easy read for those who want something light hearted

[Rosalyn Green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Haven’t read an Iris Gower for years & this was in true style a book that you could take on holiday, a pick up & put down enjoyable experience.

[Anne-marie Owen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story. Easy reading. Had me interested to the end

[Kendall · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good creepy read, listening to a creepy read is even better. House of Shadows certainly had elements of both. Yes, it was very predictable but the spooky factor was still there. It is one of those books that is not out and out blood and gore but has those subtle undertones of creepiness.

I loved the mysterious old woman whom Riana befriends. She was the highlight of the book for me. Her comings and goings, her desire to have her husband's name cleared of horrible charges all made her quite interesting. Riana was a little too over the top for my liking. She certainly had no problems speaking her mind. I love the ghost hunting weekends and the quirky people that showed up in the hopes of running into one.

The story was a bit complicated at times and didn't always flow smoothly, at least in my opinion. The narrator did a grand job of bringing it to life. Not the best ghostly mystery that I have read but certainly one that is worth a listen.

[Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Iris Gower presents us with a novel that is part cozy, part romance, part historical and part good old ghost story. It is set in Wales just after the end of WW II and is based on an existing historic home (http://www.walesonline.co.uk/showbiz-...). It is a light but enjoyable story. The characters are engaging and there are a number of mysteries. Not all loose ends are tied up but that took little away from the story and may have been because it was her last novel. I am not big on romances but I am tempted to check out more from this author as a relaxing guilty pleasure. Recommended for those who are not overly critical. Three and half stars may be right but I am rounding up.

I listened to the Audible version. Minor nit - the narration was fine but was light on good Welsh accents.

[Andrea Myers · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overall this story was a bit of a shoulder shrug. It wasn’t terrible, but weeks on I remember very little of it that stood out as being overly interesting either. The haunting itself was totally uninspired with nothing ground-breaking or even remotely different from many short stories I’ve read over the years dealing with in house ghosts and mysteries. Some of the characters were fleetingly interesting but were never fully fleshed out to make way for the limp romance between Riana and an America Soldier. Riana’s paintings sounded delightful however and I enjoyed reading the descriptions and envisioning what the ethereal representations looked like in the flesh but there was little else to make me remember the tale with fondness.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually avoid books that sound a bit spooky but I bought the audio of this one & really enjoyed listening to it! I loved Beatrice, if only because I couldn't quite figure her out. I think I would have been as confused about who to trust as Riana was - quite twisty & turny with characters constantly changing direction.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this story, had me gripped from page 1 a real page turner for me. I liked the plot about the missing plans and how it all tied in together at the end. Think I will read another book by this author.

[Laura · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had all the elements I usually like in a book. Sadly I found it both predictable and far-fetched and the characters were not developed well at all. A disappointment.

[Sylvia Mort · Rating 5 out of 5]

always amazing reads

[Kara Fogle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the best gothic-esque ghost story but very intriguing!! Many reviews called it predictable but I did not find that absolutely true!! Enjoyable read!!

[Leanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good old-fashioned ghost story. Predictable but still enjoyable.

[Gloria Mitchell · Rating 3 out of 5]

A totally different story to what i thought it would be although i enjoyed this book