Until Death

Neighborhood Nightmares #2

by London Clarke

In this haunting tale of supernatural suspense, love will be tested, secrets will unravel, and the dead will speak.

Hope Hendriks thought she had hit rock bottom when her husband took his own life, leaving her broke and homeless. Hoping for a fresh start, she takes a new job in Tennessee, moving into a run-down rental property in a lake community. Still mourning the loss of a man she seemingly never knew, Hope is confronted by a host of alarming and inexplicable occurrences that suggest her deceased husband may still be with her.

Down on his luck and living with a volatile girlfriend, Reed Sewall finds his new neighbor intriguing. More than once, she’s asked him to check the house for home invaders, and although he has no expectations beyond friendship, his attachment to her grows. Even so, she’s a grieving widow, and he’s a battered boyfriend—not a great recipe for a relationship.

As Hope seeks to uncover the mystery of her husband’s life and death, the supernatural activity within her home intensifies, and neighbors whisper tales of a family who met tragic ends within its walls. Reed soon finds himself pulled into Hope’s perilous quest for answers, and a horrifying force set in motion long ago threatens to pull both down in death’s grip.

Until Death is a haunting exploration of the ties that bind us even in death and questions whether love can conquer all when faced with unspeakable evil.

Genres: Horror, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery, Fiction

318 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2023

Reviews

[Luvtoread (Trying to catch up) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope Hendricks is a newly grieving widow struggling to find answers to her husband's sudden and unexpected death that has left her reeling in sorrow and anger. Hope keeps discovering things about her husband that prove he wasn't the man he had led her to believe he was while keeping many secrets and lies that have now left her homeless and in severe debt. She moves into a undesirable rental home that has been vacant for quite some time but it was very cheap so Hope couldn't pass it up since she needed a place to live very quickly or possibly end up living in her old beaten down car. All the details of this house are shrouded in mystery since the family who once lived there decades ago all died by mysterious means within several months of one another. Hope knows some of the house history but she doesn't believe in ghosts or the supernatural so she isn't bothered by the thought of it being haunted as so many others seem to believe about the stories but which she will soon find out.

The first night Hope sees a woman in her bedroom closet but she disappears almost immediately and she keeps hearing noises and footsteps throughout the house. She runs to her neighbor (Reed) who checks out the house and of course no-one is inside, yet Hope is still quite shaken. Each day that passes bring more spooky and eerie disturbances where Reed is called to search the house over and over and Hope is beginning to think she's beginning to lose her mind. She also has nightly dreams in which her husband is coming to visit and be with her in these dreams that feel wonderful even though she's frightened by other things that go bump in the night. Soon the dreams take a dark turn when the following mornings Hope will find words carved into her body that she can't remember happening in her sleep and doesn't understand why her gentle husband would hurt her that way although the messages he is sending her in her dreams seem to want her to join him in the afterlife so they can be together for eternity. Nothing about the bizarre occurrences make any sense to Hope so she starts investigating on her own about the lives of the family who once lived in the house and wishes she never heard of this house of horrors.

Hope must get out of the house and with Reed's help they make a plan that backfires almost immediately and Hope knows now the house won't let her leave and tonight she will become another unwilling victim of so many untold horrors that have been secreted within it's walls.


This is truly a very spooky and entertaining haunted house story. The eerie atmosphere if the house is perfect for the chills and thrills that start almost immediately which I loved. So many haunted house stories make you wait a long time before any action begins to play out but not this book! Every chapter is filled with scares and creepiness jumping out unexpectedly (so much fun) where I couldn't turn the pages quickly enough. The combination of Hope's obsession over her deceased husband visiting her at night and the ugliness of the history of the family who once lived in the house made the hauntings easy to imagine happening. This book was so enjoyable with a contemporary spooky setting instead of the dark gothic styles that I'm so used to reading. I quickly became a fan of this author (London Clarke) after reading her last book "The Neighbor" which I highly, highly recommend to all horror readers so I had big expectations for this book which it certainly didn't disappoint. I can't wait to see what this terrific horror writer comes out with next since I will be impatiently waiting at the front of the line.


I want to thank the publisher "Booksgosocial" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this digital edition and any thoughts or opinions are mine alone!


 I have given this terrifying book a rating of 4 FURIOUSLY FRIGHTENING 🌟🌟🌟🌟 STARS!!

[Dessi · Rating 4 out of 5]

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☠️ A haunted house thriller to make you gasp out loud.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing this title in exchange for an honest review!

"Until death" (2023) by London Clarke is a dual POV horror-thriller novel about grief, love, and houses with scars. Hope Hendriks, our main protagonist, is trying to start a new life and move on from the shadow of her husband’s death by suicide, along with everything it dredged up about their lives. The last thing she expects when she moves into a shabby rental is having to deal with people getting into her house… because that’s the only explanation she has for the things that start happening. Then her husband starts showing up in her sleep and, despite her anger at him, Hope looks forward to it every night. Until, with the help of her neighbour Reed, she begins to question if the presence in her house is really her husband, or something else.

I really enjoyed the plot of this one! It felt very cinematic and had twists I didn’t think were obvious from the start. Overall fast-paced; I just wanted to keep going to find out what was happening. It even had some jump scares!

I liked both Hope and Reed, but I could have done without the romantic subplot and fade-to-black scene. It feels jarring and inauthentic to me for a character to want to have sex right after something unsettling just happened to them. I also thought it was way too soon for Reed to think that he *loved* Hope at the point that he did. They hardly know each other! I wish the characters had formed a connection that hinted at more towards the end, but that’s all. We don’t need romance in every genre!

I also liked all the secondary characters, especially Deanna.

There was a subplot of intimate partner violence towards Reed, our male protagonist. I was wary of how that could go, but I thought was handled with sensitivity, providing representation for IPV towards men and the different ways that might look like in a compassionate way. I’m glad the author didn’t listen to their betas about how to handle Porscha!

On the other hand, it was said that characters “committed suicide” - this is still a common way of referring to it, so it’s only natural that characters would use it, but it’s important to keep in mind that it has negative connotations, as it implies the person committed a crime. It’s suggested to say that characters “died by suicide” instead, so it would have been nice to see at least one character use that phrasing.

Two small things that bothered me:
- The story was set in 2011, and I don’t know why. I don’t think it’d make any difference if it was set today.
- Some of the dialogue felt stilted, like the letter at the end.

Give it a read if you’re looking for a creepy haunted house story!

cws: suicide, self-harm, addiction, death, domestic violence

[Penny Hay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This, for me, is her best yet. As a pre publication reader I’m lucky to be able to enjoy her books before others get the chance.
This one is a perfect combination of the supernatural, romance and mystery. Characters to believe in and invest in what happens to them. Edge of the seat, holding your breath moments abound.
The setting is clearly somewhere she knows, which adds to the atmosphere of the book.
I would thoroughly recommend this to all who love the gothic/supernatural genre

[Josette Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love books about haunted houses. This one fit the bill. It seemed as though the house was alive and watching Hope. The author captured those feelings of terror that Hope felt when strange occurrences began happening in the house. I believe that if these situations began while I was staying in a house, I would probably get put. As more and more things began to happen, you could feel Hope losing her grip on reality. Meeting Reed was a good thing for Hope. The author touched on some very touchy subjects and was able to write these situations with great care. A must read book for people that like great combinations of subjects to read.

[Brenda Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

With twist and turns this dark mystery covers some unimaginable issues, with a HEA ending.

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I love how realistic the characters are and how great the mystery is. I would highly reccomend this book! Special Thank You to the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read a copy prior to publication.

[Emma Oldham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant as I've found all her books. Can't put them down

[Melina]

This book grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept it till the very end. Hope has moved to Kings Lake, TN from California after her husband commits suicide. Hope wants to make a fresh start, but there are strange things happening in the home she has rented. She reaches out to her neighbor, Reed, who has some issues of his own with is relationship with his girlfriend. This was a well written story that flowed well. This wasn’t just a “ghost” story. There were real relationship issues addressed in this book, ones that you sometimes do not think about or consider but do happen. The character Hope is well rounded. I like how the author portrays characters with real flaws. Hope not only deals with a “supernatural” element in her home, but after doing some digging, she realizes there are human threats as well. Again, tis was a well written story that I finished in a little over one day.

[Elaine Stock · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story about a young woman, grieving over the tragic death of her husband, struggles through the expected waves of lows and despair... and then some totally unexpected spooky stuff when she moves to a different state and into a house of horrors. If you enjoy creepy-crawly, suspenseful reads, definitely devour Until Death. London Clarke's novels are my to-go-to books for such an escape!

[_booknerd.4ever_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading this book. To think it was based on true events is astounding and really creepy. The story was good and once I started reading I couldn’t put it down; however, it didn’t wow me. There were twist and turns I didn’t see coming that kept me reading til the end. Very suspenseful and kept me wondering if I was losing my mind!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book.

[Debbie Stapleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love haunted house stories and this is a good one, with a high creep factor. I enjoyed the characters and the spooky setting and the story kept me entertained. This is an author I'm putting on my watch list. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the pre-publication copy.

[Jamie Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

This woman is living my worst nightmare. Her husband is dead and she is uncovering all of his lies and secrets. Now that he is gone she is forced to live in a creepy dilapidated house
There is everything here: Paranormal romance, the history of a creepy house, relatable troubles, and drama.
Absolutely read this one.

[Hailee Vandale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looooveee it

Wow. I loved everything about this book. There's never a lull in London's writing. She always keeps you on your toes.

[Jennifer Layte · Rating 4 out of 5]

This type of book is not my genre, and it gets gory enough at it will probably never be, but London Clarke’s writing is such that in spite of that, I’d probably read another one of hers.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hope Hendriks has moved to Tennessee as she has been a widow for six months. She has a cousin who has helped her to get a job. Hope is renting a run-down house in a lake community. She is still in mourning. She can’t believe that her husband killed himself. Trying to get back on her feet, she unpacks only her clothes. She screams when she sees a woman in the closet. She asks her neighbor Reed to check her house. He comes over and finds nothing. That night she hears a crash. When se goes to investigate, she finds a box of nails had fallen off and landed on the floor. She doesn’t understand how that could happen. Strange, impossible things happen in the house scaring her. The only thing that helps her is her neighbor that lives with his girlfriend in the house behind her house. As time passes, she is invited to dinner with Reed and his girlfriend to the neighbors who live across the street (in front of her house). Reed’s girlfriend has a temper that explodes at Hope and Reed. She charges out from dinner.Hope doesn’t know what to say or do. When she finds out that her dead husband was involved with his brother who gamble beyond his means and in debt “way over his head.” She doesn’t know why her dead husband never told her.

The story captivated me and I found it difficult to stop reading. In the novel, the author has written characters that are realistic even though some are flawed. Supernatural events drain and confuse Hope. There is a sense of evil around Hope and continual tragic events that occur in the past and present time.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Luvsbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another sinister and engaging masterpiece by London Clarke. As always, there are surprises and chills that kept me reading – even (shhh!) – during my workday. I simply could not put this book down. This is a story of betrayal and sadness, of a house hiding many evil secrets, and of a woman on the brink of sanity. And I cannot forget to mention the super, creepy mannequins! I loved the hidden layers in this book, the history behind the seemingly haunted house, and for me, the spirit of Hope that abounds. There is a mystery to figure out, see if you can, before the explosive conclusion! London has once again hit it out of the park, and I am looking forward to whatever her imaginative mind dreams up next!

I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book with every promise to rate it honestly. The opinions expressed here are solely my own.

[vlm · Rating 4 out of 5]

Okay. I like nightlights. I jump at strange noises. So why do I read horror novels? Because I would miss truly great books like Until Death. Wow! Just a truly amazing read filled all the elements of creepy horror novel. This was so good. Admittedly, a book has to be terrible for me to say it wasn't good, but seriously. Husband commits suicide. You move into a run-down rental and strange occurrences begin. It could be her imagination, but she asks her neighbor to check things out just to make sure. This is the beginning of the quest to uncover what is going on who or what might be behind it. This is a great read. Loved every detail. First book by this author, but will definitely look for more. You won't be disappointed by Until Death.

Thanks to NetGalley and Carfax Abbey Publishing for an e-arc in exchange for an unbiased review.

[Hannah Behler · Rating 5 out of 5]

This. Book. Has. Everything.

Until Death is a must read. London Clarke has a unique writing style that is raw and real. Until Death completely showcases what a supernatural suspense novel should be. To me, this is her best work yet. I love a book that can keep me on my toes and keep me turning page after page. Did I mention this book has everything? Suspense, horror, sadness, love, creepy mannequins.. I was on a rollercoaster of emotions- right along with Hope and Reed (the main characters). I also love that the characters in this book aren’t typical. They are flawed. Their lives aren’t what you would want. Their “love story” isn’t perfect. Get ready for haunting twists and turns and an end you won’t see coming.

[Lyndi (mibookobsession) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope is forced to move to a new town after her husband committed suicide leaving her broke and penniless. But her new house has a history and when strange things start happening, she starts to lose her grasp on reality. A new friendship with her neighbor Reed seems to help, but he's suffering troubles in his own home.
This whole book has an undertone of menace as the house took on a life of its own. This book is full of surprising twists and paranormal surprises with a little bit of mystery and romance... and of course the creepy mannequins lol!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Lynda Brooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I Could Not Put This Book Down

If you love haunted house stories, you will love this novel. It’s kind of a modern-day gothic horror novel. Everything Hope Hendricks believed she knew about her husband seems to be wrong, and she has been left a near penniless widow who happens to lease a “haunted” house; however, it’s not haunted in all the ways you might think. And then there is Reed, her sexy neighbor who is haunted in a different way. And then there is their pasts that haunt them both. I just happened upon this book, and it’s one of the best I’ve read in a while, especially if you like horror and suspense.

[Tabatha Slagle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. This was great. Some common occurances but far more unique qualities in this book. I loved the dual storyline. I loved the paranormal aspects. There's definitely an opportunity for a storyline of the family that lived in the house before Hope. Nothing felt forced, and I think things were tied up nicely. I'm glad that Olivier had his true nature shown at the end. I wavered between him being a bad guy and a good guy. The letter he left for Hope definitely made me tear up. Will definitely read this one again.

[Louise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hope moves into a new home and meets Reed. Hope believes she sees her dead husband while Reed's love relationship is strained. The chapters switch between Hope and Reed, giving readers both sides of the story as they interact and live their personal lives. Therefore, the story follows how both characters handle their situation and their connection over time as they experience what they believe is the paranormal in their homes.


I received a free copy and am leaving a review voluntarily.
Thank you to Hidden Gems Books and author.

[Antigone Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wrll Done

A young woman, broke and betrayed after the apparent suicide of her husband, moves to a shoddy rental. The house has a dark history and strange happenings trouble and scare her. Luckily her hunky neighbor is there to help. But as things get darker she must confront evil supernatural and human.

This was a riveting read. The main characters are lijable. The supernatural elements are werll done. The domestic violence subplot was handled with sensitivity and believabiliy. Satisfying story.

[Julie R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reading! So many plot twists and turns

Hope a young grieving widow moves to be by her cousin. The house she rented is not only haunted it's evil! Hope hears noises, weird smells, things go missing.... She's dreaming of her dead husband in dreams so real it feel like he's really there. Then there's Reed the kind hot guy next door whose girlfriend is off her rocker. The Hopes brother in law starts contacting her, nice at first but then obsessed with a watch her husband had. The story gets turned on it's head and I couldn't read it fast enough!

[Tina Goldberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Net Galley for providing this ARC ebook.

Its never too soon to start the season off with a tight haunted house mystery. This one will not disappoint. Enjoy the wild ride.

In this haunting tale of supernatural suspense, love will be tested, secrets will unravel, and the dead will speak.

Newly widowed, broke, and needing to restart her life, Hope moves from CA to TN into a small home that is haunted by evil spirits. Will she be able to survive?

[William (Mr. Bill) Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Until Death: another Nightmare of a Neighborhood

I really enjoyed this book! It has everything you ever want in a series called, "Neighborhood Nightmares"! From a technical standpoint, the characters in 'Until Death' are well-designed with logical placement in the story. The creepy factor in 'Until Death' is a solid 10/10. As I read more books by writer London Clarke, the more I like her style. - Mr.Bill

[Diana Ramirez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heart Pounding Read

At the beginning of reading the book, I felt sad for the heroine love’s death and her heartfelt sadness, then it got scary with paranormal hap-pings that I found my self scared at night reading that I would have to stop and continue the next day . It was about sadness, paranormal, abuse, and love. It was a roller coaster ride.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully atmospheric and creepy, starts with a bang and keeps going strong all the way through. Is it the house itself? Ghosts or demons? A more rational explanation? I spent the whole book guessing and changing my mind. The end felt a little rushed but tied it all up nicely.

[Lynn craycroft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Something for everybody.

Paranormal, mystery and romance laced with reasonably real feeling characters….This was a pretty fulfilling read. I did feel, however, the last chapter seemed like the author couldn’t determine the best way to say “Fini.”

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was really unbelievable and overly dramatic. A lot of really messed up people! The haunting part was confusing and not really that scary. Then there was a crime story on top of that, evil relatives, toxic girlfriend and other problems. It just did not work for me.