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The Ghosts of The Tattered Crow
12 year-old Jake Shillingsworth's life as a serving boy in London's most notorious Inn, The Tattered Crow, is about to get a lot worse.
Recently Jake has felt unseen eyes watching in the Inn's vacant rooms, in the cellar and worst of all, the attic.
Is this feeling connected to the terrible, shuffling and scraping sounds he hears coming from above in the dead of night?
As Jake returns from one his odious masters errands, heís accosted by a strange man with a blood curdling story, of ghosts and revenge.
Now, as Halloween draws near, Jake must confront his terror and the dark presence which has taken over the Tattered Crow.
The Ghosts of the Tattered crow is a short story which is sure to unsettle and bewitch readers of all ages.
Recently Jake has felt unseen eyes watching in the Inn's vacant rooms, in the cellar and worst of all, the attic.
Is this feeling connected to the terrible, shuffling and scraping sounds he hears coming from above in the dead of night?
As Jake returns from one his odious masters errands, heís accosted by a strange man with a blood curdling story, of ghosts and revenge.
Now, as Halloween draws near, Jake must confront his terror and the dark presence which has taken over the Tattered Crow.
The Ghosts of the Tattered crow is a short story which is sure to unsettle and bewitch readers of all ages.
28 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 11, 2014
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 27, 2021
The Ghosts of The Tattered Crow
by Eldritch Black
I really liked this book! It's about a 12 year old boy that has a heart even when it comes to ghost. A story about ghosts, a murderer, greed, evil, and goodness! A great story!
by Eldritch Black
I really liked this book! It's about a 12 year old boy that has a heart even when it comes to ghost. A story about ghosts, a murderer, greed, evil, and goodness! A great story!
August 23, 2015
I liked this ghost story, I was pulled in right from the start. Hoping for Jake to be victorious. Cursing Silas for being the creep he is.
My only complaint is that it is over. A sequel would be lovely... Please Mr. Black?
My only complaint is that it is over. A sequel would be lovely... Please Mr. Black?
June 15, 2014
I liked this a lot. A historical ghost story with a twist. I would've liked it to be a bit longer, and I really would've liked some scene breaks, but overall I enjoyed it and would definitely read something else by this same author.
October 20, 2019
Here we have a fun little spooky tale, though it is rather on the predictable side.
As always, Hannibal Hills gives a fantastic performance with well-crafted voices, excellent vocal inflections, and perfect tempo shifts.
This is functionally a prequel to The Clockwork Magician, which I recently read and quite enjoyed.
Here we come back to 13-year-old Jake Shillingsworth for a short ghost story.
The author does a good job of building up suspense as he leads up to the final confrontation, and takes an interesting approach to some of the afterlife questions he answers.
However, this is one of those stories that I feel could have really benefited from a wild twist at the end. The kind of twist that completely re-frames the entire story and makes everything mean something different than we thought.
As it is, it's still a fun little tale, it just lacks that something extra to make it a great, memorable experience.
As always, Hannibal Hills gives a fantastic performance with well-crafted voices, excellent vocal inflections, and perfect tempo shifts.
This is functionally a prequel to The Clockwork Magician, which I recently read and quite enjoyed.
Here we come back to 13-year-old Jake Shillingsworth for a short ghost story.
The author does a good job of building up suspense as he leads up to the final confrontation, and takes an interesting approach to some of the afterlife questions he answers.
However, this is one of those stories that I feel could have really benefited from a wild twist at the end. The kind of twist that completely re-frames the entire story and makes everything mean something different than we thought.
As it is, it's still a fun little tale, it just lacks that something extra to make it a great, memorable experience.
October 22, 2019
I received this book for free. I am voluntarily posting this review and all opinions expressed herein are my own.
It is that time of year when I yearn to read more ghost stories and this quick read fits the bill. It's a prequel to "The Clockwork Magician." Set in a very creepy atmospheric Victorian London, the story immediately pulls you in. The main character, Jake Shillingsworth, is so well drawn that you empathize with him when Silas Grumble,straight out of a Charles Dickens, hurls insults at him and then you root for the clever way Jake manipulates Silas. Overall, this was a fun, spooky, quick, well-written story.
The narrator, Hannibal Hills, is one of my favorites. And he does not disappoint here. He does different voices for the various characters giving them each distinctive personalities, hits the spookiness factor perfectly and on point with the humor. He really brings the stories to life!
It is that time of year when I yearn to read more ghost stories and this quick read fits the bill. It's a prequel to "The Clockwork Magician." Set in a very creepy atmospheric Victorian London, the story immediately pulls you in. The main character, Jake Shillingsworth, is so well drawn that you empathize with him when Silas Grumble,straight out of a Charles Dickens, hurls insults at him and then you root for the clever way Jake manipulates Silas. Overall, this was a fun, spooky, quick, well-written story.
The narrator, Hannibal Hills, is one of my favorites. And he does not disappoint here. He does different voices for the various characters giving them each distinctive personalities, hits the spookiness factor perfectly and on point with the humor. He really brings the stories to life!
October 17, 2019
This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.
This short story is a prequel to The Clockwork Magician.
Jake Shillingsworth is slaving away the inn The Tattered Crow when disturbing noises are keeping his cruel master awake at night. A mysterious stranger tasks him with eliminating a ghost from the premises.
This is an atmospheric ghost story that will give you tingles, make you think and tug at your heartstrings a little. It is a perfect mood setter for Halloween and an introduction to the world and main character of The Cogwork Magician. This is a prequel so you do not need to have read it to enjoy this tale.
Hannibal Hills puts in another stirring performance.
It's well worth it to enjoy this story on its own or as the introduction to a fantasy London full of adventure and secrets.
This short story is a prequel to The Clockwork Magician.
Jake Shillingsworth is slaving away the inn The Tattered Crow when disturbing noises are keeping his cruel master awake at night. A mysterious stranger tasks him with eliminating a ghost from the premises.
This is an atmospheric ghost story that will give you tingles, make you think and tug at your heartstrings a little. It is a perfect mood setter for Halloween and an introduction to the world and main character of The Cogwork Magician. This is a prequel so you do not need to have read it to enjoy this tale.
Hannibal Hills puts in another stirring performance.
It's well worth it to enjoy this story on its own or as the introduction to a fantasy London full of adventure and secrets.
May 3, 2020
I received a free copy of this audiobook from the publisher, and so I am providing an honest review in response.
2.5 stars out of five.
Overall, this short ghost story was a fun, quick read written in the tradition of classic ghost stories (which I love). It's the kind of ghost story perfect for a young audience to read or listen to during October to feel a few chills and thrills.
However, I found it somewhat unremarkable. I liked it for what it was, but I was underwhelmed. It wasn't for me, and that is entirely okay.
2.5 stars out of five.
Overall, this short ghost story was a fun, quick read written in the tradition of classic ghost stories (which I love). It's the kind of ghost story perfect for a young audience to read or listen to during October to feel a few chills and thrills.
However, I found it somewhat unremarkable. I liked it for what it was, but I was underwhelmed. It wasn't for me, and that is entirely okay.
November 2, 2019
I listened to this book on Halloween, and what a treat it was! It was a short venture into the world presented, but I'd love to experience more by the author. Plenty of back story and mystery, perfect for the time of year.
Narration was great, I'd definitely listen to more by this narrator.
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Narration was great, I'd definitely listen to more by this narrator.
I received this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
November 14, 2019
I received this book for free at my request but the opinion is of my own. Jake is a set wrong boy who is not treated well than he is suddenly tasked with an interesting job that he has to complete before the end of Halloween. Killing a ghost shouldn’t be a problem right?
January 3, 2020
My review is based on the audiobook. This is a captivating short story. The narrator is one of my faves and is brilliant in bringing the story and characters to life with perfect pacing and easy to distinguish voices.
November 20, 2019
Audible Good old timey ghost story,brilliantly told by Hannibal Hills.I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.'
February 24, 2020
Far too short for my liking. A short-story about an inn. I was extremely disappointed when it ended.
October 21, 2014
The characters in this short story are so original and so real that I honestly thought they deserved to be the stars of a whole book series!
THE COVER ART: The image on the front is appropriate in its gloomy, foreboding mood. However, the composition of the elements was a bit peculiar. Instead of a close up view of the inn’s sign and the adjacent street lamp, I would have preferred a view of the building from a distance. As is, the image appears to be repetitive with the title and the sign both bearing the name of the shabby fictional establishment. In addition, there are 2 crows and 2 streetlamps at the center of the picture. But the dark shadows around the edges are perfect for the theme.
THE TEXT: Mr. Eldritch Black has a definite gift for weaving words together in a way that readers can form vivid mental images of whatever he describes. As mentioned above, I truly felt as if the characters were leaping off the pages. They were all so creative and realistic. The names were quite clever as well; they (the names) appear to be matching puns for each character’s original personality.
I delight in reading books that are set during this time-period
(presumably, the Victorian Era) in history and this one was no exception. As I read, I was reminded of Linda Buckley-Archer’s acclaimed “Gideon Trilogy.” I became so engrossed in THIS story by Mr. Black – “The Ghosts of the Tattered Crow” – with all its folklore and myth as well. There was an unforeseen twist near the end, but the conclusion itself seemed somewhat anticlimactic to me. Yet, the ending really was written as if the protagonist’s adventures were meant to be continued (as in a series). I really would have liked to see more drama and mystery unfold, and I am certain that this can be achieved by extending the plot. I felt as if the story was too short to do the masterfully fabricated characters justice. After creating such memorable people and places, they needed to be brought to their full potential. In summation, I enjoyed this short tale and I remain intrigued by this author’s work. I look forward to reading more of it.
THE COVER ART: The image on the front is appropriate in its gloomy, foreboding mood. However, the composition of the elements was a bit peculiar. Instead of a close up view of the inn’s sign and the adjacent street lamp, I would have preferred a view of the building from a distance. As is, the image appears to be repetitive with the title and the sign both bearing the name of the shabby fictional establishment. In addition, there are 2 crows and 2 streetlamps at the center of the picture. But the dark shadows around the edges are perfect for the theme.
THE TEXT: Mr. Eldritch Black has a definite gift for weaving words together in a way that readers can form vivid mental images of whatever he describes. As mentioned above, I truly felt as if the characters were leaping off the pages. They were all so creative and realistic. The names were quite clever as well; they (the names) appear to be matching puns for each character’s original personality.
I delight in reading books that are set during this time-period
(presumably, the Victorian Era) in history and this one was no exception. As I read, I was reminded of Linda Buckley-Archer’s acclaimed “Gideon Trilogy.” I became so engrossed in THIS story by Mr. Black – “The Ghosts of the Tattered Crow” – with all its folklore and myth as well. There was an unforeseen twist near the end, but the conclusion itself seemed somewhat anticlimactic to me. Yet, the ending really was written as if the protagonist’s adventures were meant to be continued (as in a series). I really would have liked to see more drama and mystery unfold, and I am certain that this can be achieved by extending the plot. I felt as if the story was too short to do the masterfully fabricated characters justice. After creating such memorable people and places, they needed to be brought to their full potential. In summation, I enjoyed this short tale and I remain intrigued by this author’s work. I look forward to reading more of it.
March 6, 2013
In the foul streets of old London town, The Tattered Crow inn has some eerie inhabitants. Ghosts dwell in the upper floors, and 12 year old serving boy Jake Shillingsworth is about to encounter them to carry out a heinous task. Armed with little more than a vial of liquid and a spyglass that allows him to see the spirits, Jake must enter the ghost’s realm on Halloween and seek revenge . . . or face death.
The Ghosts of the Tattered Crow, by Eldritch Black, is a short story and a fast read. The feel of old London, perhaps the Victorian ages (although a date is never given), comes across really well on the page, and it’s easy to imagine the squalid streets and even more filthy tavern as if you were really there.
It’s not a particularly creepy tale, nor one that will have the heart rate climbing, but it’s an entertaining story nonetheless. The climax and its resolution felt a bit underdone to me, I was hoping for something a bit more, but that doesn’t mean this was a bad read.
The feel of the tale spoke to me, the prose made the fictional world believable, and that’s what’ll draw me to read more books by this author.
The Ghosts of the Tattered Crow, by Eldritch Black, is a short story and a fast read. The feel of old London, perhaps the Victorian ages (although a date is never given), comes across really well on the page, and it’s easy to imagine the squalid streets and even more filthy tavern as if you were really there.
It’s not a particularly creepy tale, nor one that will have the heart rate climbing, but it’s an entertaining story nonetheless. The climax and its resolution felt a bit underdone to me, I was hoping for something a bit more, but that doesn’t mean this was a bad read.
The feel of the tale spoke to me, the prose made the fictional world believable, and that’s what’ll draw me to read more books by this author.
April 18, 2013
3.5 Rating -
The Ghosts of the Tattered Crow has a prevailing creepiness that mixes with a bit of curiosity that really keeps the reader invested in what’s happening. In 28 pages we get a story written with a wonderful amount of detail and emotion that keeps the pages turning. I was surprised that Eldritch really manage to capture the grit and grim of what I assume is a Victorian age London in so few pages. The ghosts are rather eerily and a bit sad, and the fact that they are apparently quite numerous makes the whole thing a bit unsettling. I love that each character clearly has its own personality and that Eldritch took the time to flesh out someone even though they’d only be present for a few pages.
I do wish that perhaps there had been more added to some aspects of the story but I found this to be well worth my time to read. I’ll be on the look out for more of Eldritch Black’s work from here on out.
The Ghosts of the Tattered Crow has a prevailing creepiness that mixes with a bit of curiosity that really keeps the reader invested in what’s happening. In 28 pages we get a story written with a wonderful amount of detail and emotion that keeps the pages turning. I was surprised that Eldritch really manage to capture the grit and grim of what I assume is a Victorian age London in so few pages. The ghosts are rather eerily and a bit sad, and the fact that they are apparently quite numerous makes the whole thing a bit unsettling. I love that each character clearly has its own personality and that Eldritch took the time to flesh out someone even though they’d only be present for a few pages.
I do wish that perhaps there had been more added to some aspects of the story but I found this to be well worth my time to read. I’ll be on the look out for more of Eldritch Black’s work from here on out.
July 12, 2013
This was my second of Eldritch Black's novels. I love to get lost in his ghostly, imaginative, unpredictable worlds, worlds with ghosts that do things ghosts have never done before, adding suspenseful shadows to their characters, worlds where the literary beauty of a world of ghost storytelling yore reverberates, yet decorates old spooky corners with new cobwebs. And I love the feeling of finishing a book and being left wanting more stories by the author.
I do not need to tell the modern ghost storytelling world to take heed of Black, for his prodigiously talented prose, and his love and dedication to his craft, will continue to whisper loudly to his growing readers that it is more than his unique, enjoyable ghosts that haunt.
Yours in literature,
J.G.C.
I do not need to tell the modern ghost storytelling world to take heed of Black, for his prodigiously talented prose, and his love and dedication to his craft, will continue to whisper loudly to his growing readers that it is more than his unique, enjoyable ghosts that haunt.
Yours in literature,
J.G.C.
May 20, 2013
I have to say, the only disappointment I had with this, was the fact I had not realised it was just a short story. That being said, it was a clever and unusual ghost story, and was an entertaining read. It would have been nice, perhaps, to have included it in some form of a collection, as it was very short. However, the author has also left room to bring back his ghosts and I would love to see a longer full novel, based on the characters he has created. A fun but old fashioned ghost story!
November 1, 2014
I enjoyed this short novel. It was well-written and ended on a cliff-hanger. This was exactly what I was looking for as a quick read for Halloween. I'm definitely interested in checking out other books by this author.
March 19, 2013
Ghosts of the Tattered Crow is a quick, fun, and spooky read, with atmosphere coming out the wazoo. Hero Jake proves himself clever and stalwart, and I look forward to reading more of his adventures.
November 8, 2014
It was short, but very sweet!!!I liked the story very much!
November 23, 2014
even for a short story this was short. I don't feel I'm in England at all. Maybe his longer works have more character build
February 28, 2015
The Ghosts of The Tattered Crow
Colorful and entertaining. Well flowing, edited & written short story, just right to get one into the Halloween spirit. Loved it!
Colorful and entertaining. Well flowing, edited & written short story, just right to get one into the Halloween spirit. Loved it!
August 23, 2016
Kindle version only wish this was a book though, the ending had so many ways it could have went. Very pleased with the Authors writing and look forward to his first printed book.
December 4, 2020
A fun 30 minute read. Fast moving with believable and well developed characters.
January 28, 2013
A quirky little short with some great characters and scenes. Very easy to read.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews