1885

The Haunting of Hadlow House #6

by Amy Cross

Many years ago, a terrible tragedy struck the new owners of Hadlow House. Those dark rooms have stood empty ever since, but now fresh blood is about to arrive.

Edward thought that by moving to the other side of the world, he could forget about Hadlow House forever. Following a shocking accident, however, he and his family are forced to confront the past. With little money and no prospects, Edward finds himself faced with only one real option.

As soon as they arrive back at the house, Edward and Elsa discover that something is horribly wrong. What once seemed like a fitting act of respect now threatens to spill out and bring fresh horror. Can Edward finally face the truth about his family, or will he make the same awful mistake as those who came before him?

1885 is the sixth book in the Haunting of Hadlow House series, which tells the story of one haunted house over the centuries from its construction to the present day. All the lives, all the souls, all the tragedies... and all the ghosts. Readers are advised to start with the first book in the series.

Genres: Horror, Paranormal

179 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 25, 2023

About the author

Amy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edward Demeter is returning from India to Hadlow House together with his young wife Lucy and their two children. He is injured, because he was shot by an Indian fanatic. Somehow the family doesn't find ease in their new home. What about Elsa, his former friend in his days of youth? Is she really dead? What about the other ghosts in the house? Captivating story with eerie elements and the right amount of tension to keep you reading. Highly recommended series!

[John Morris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not every ghost is the result of a death!

The Hadlow House body count continues to grow exponentially and, at this rate, they will soon exceed the local populace. Amy Cross has created a dark and menacing series that stretches across the generations of one family - Hadlow House's family. Although not always related by blood the inhabitants of the House are still it's "family" . No matter how far and wide family members may travel the House's malign influence will always draw them back into its murderous embrace. A deliciously dark and spooky tale.

[Jeffrey Caston · Rating 4 out of 5]

This sixth book in the series continues the story, using the Demeter family as the driving force behind the narrative, but we have a different plot structure compared to the prior books. There are little threads and references to the prior books. It was a decent story. But it lacked some of the creepiness and ghost vibes compared to the prior installments. It wasn't really until really past the 65% mark that it got creepy, and in some ways by that point I felt like it was too late.

But at the same time, I can appreciate that this one was not really formulaic. I also liked the sibling bond between the children, Albert and Caroline. That too created a different dynamic that made me realize this wasn't going to be the same old same old.

There were a few places, particularly toward the end where I felt like the POV shifted into head-hopping. I find that sometimes mildly bothersome, but not a huge issue.

So overall I liked this one. I look forward to the next book in the series where we enter the 20th Century.

[Lizzie McNally · Rating 3 out of 5]

good series

[Letícia Peregrino · Rating 2 out of 5]

Three things this series has in abundance: dead mothers, cannibalism and deranged old ladies.

We are back with Edward from the previous book and this time he is returning to Hadlow House with his wife and children. What could possibly go wrong?

I left the last book not caring much for Edward but this one sealed his place as one of my least favorite characters in the series so far 😵‍💫.

Next stop is book 7... hopefully it'll be better than this one.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series!

I love this series! I have loved every book and I'm excited to read the rest of the series, especially the last few set in the 20th and 21st centuries

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think there are any characters to like in this series. It's horrible to witness the way women are treated, most under the thumb of men. I was interested in the Empire history with India and how awful its people were treated...no wonder there was resentment in the face of such arrogance.

This was another gruesome instalment concerning Hadlow House and its hapless residents; will the cycle ever end?

Fast-paced with a twist or two.

Worth reading.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

1885 is the 6th book in the Hadlow House series and while book 5 was more of a return to form for the series’ potential, book 6 backslides a bit again. About 50 years have passed since that tragic night that decimated the Demeter family. Son Edward has returned from his time in India with his young wife and two young children. As you can imagine, nothing good comes of it.

The Hadlow House series assumes a certain level of expectation around generational layers of ghosts and hauntings but, this leans more into the gothic (although that would be appropriate considering when it takes place). Alas, there is little gothic or ghostly imagery that stands out: previous hauntings are mostly walk-on guest appearances, and some of the action is muddled (if it wasn’t a ghost in the kitchen, then who was tossing the pots and how could the wife not seem them, or if it was a ghost…why?).

[Josh · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is consistently entertaining and spooky and has been an absolute delight to read. The saga of Hadlow House continues with 1885, weaving together all new characters and some familiar spectral favorites into a fast-paced haunted house tale.

However, with this installment, Cross adds a new spin with the focus landing even more on the human aspect rather than the spiritual character. I’m continually impressed by how Cross brings something new and different to the table with this series. When you have this many books in a series, it’s often difficult for authors to provide something new and fresh, but still hold onto the core tale. But Cross continues to make it happen.

[Rodney Wiedrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great continuation of this series. It seems that anyone who escapes the house always comes back and finds their doom. Edward failed to heed his sisters warning and winds up having an accident. Lucy decides to take him back to England and to his home at Hadlow House. She thinks that it is a grand home, but it really isn't it is just a house out in the woods. Everything starts to go wrong after the first night in the house when they start to feel the spirits of the ghosts that are still there. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

[Sam Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Stars

This one was fun. It tied up alot of the issues I had with 1837 and brought some rough new horrors to the series. I was stressed for Albert and Caroline and sad for Edward after everything he’d been through. The twist genuinely got me and I was so icked by the dining room antics.

Glad we’ve started seeing all the ghosts again and the conversation with Oliver was very eerie and ripe with foreshadowing of what’s to come. I’m excited to get into the 20th century with the wars and changing technology.

There’s just entirely too much cannibalism in this series though.

[Rosie Fernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s not great

I think this was my last favorite in the series so far. There were a few typos that really bothered me. Had to read and reread some lines just to make sure it wasn’t me. I loved that Sophie came back to help her brother by taking him away from the house. Sad about Caroline and Edward, though.

[Nikki Crum · Rating 5 out of 5]

amazing series so far

I really enjoy the story line the only thing is the little mistypes such as characters names are wrong even though from reading you can clearly see who the author really meant.

[Gayelynn Lohman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome read

The series are a great read. It will pull you in from the start until the very end it has some twist and turns and will not expect, but I always can’t wait to get to the next book.

[Meowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is chilling, some unexpected twists and horrific details that all tie in well with the previous books. But for the love of all that is holy hire a better editor. Mixed up character names, misspelled or incorrect words…

[Christine Dunne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I am looking forward with a sense of dread to Hadlow house book seven. I have been living here in the shadow of a tropical storm and these books help me pass the time. Thank you Amy cross for being a great writer.

[Adam Stanhope · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really amazing book series, amy cross writes in a way that keeps you gripped and wanted to read more.
The history of the house gets darker and darker and is the house really alive and wanted to keep people from getting out

[Cheri Schaefer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very intense and interesting!

Really enjoyed this storyline and characters. Had to read in one sitting it held my attention so tightly! I'm very much enjoying this series. Can't wait to see where the next book leads!

[Jimmy Harker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frankly, every book in this series has been 5 stars

[JLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needed someone who knows how to edit a book

The story is great starting from book one, my only complaint is the editing that was done or maybe not done.

[bobbie mckeever · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great haunted house

This series just gets better with each book. A must read for haunted house fans. The ghosts are always there waiting.

[Antisha L. Meisner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another good one!

Love this one just as much as the others books in the series. I could not put it down nor wanted to put it down.

[jennifer cecil · Rating 3 out of 5]

The horror at Hadlow House continues.

[Sherry S · Rating 4 out of 5]

typos

These stories are pretty good. The problem comes from typos and the wrong names being used in the story. Seems as if no proofing has taken place

[Annemarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Due to misfortune, Edward finds himself back at Hadlow House, only this time with his wife and children. It is not the ghosts, but the living, who threaten the wellbeing of Edward and his family.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

This story got to me. And it wasn't because of the ghosts! I can't wait to read the next one.

[Rose Haskins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly

So many ghosts, but not all the bad are ghosts, or are they. You have to really feel for the family.

[María Maldonado · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow....this was so messed up

[Sherri · Rating 2 out of 5]

The plot is interesting in all of these books, but someone needs a dang proofreader. It seems to be getting worse as I progress through the series…

[brii | brii (three months behind...) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5