What do you think?
Rate this book
The Other Woman
After the death of his young wife, Annika, Chester Lane is forced to pick up the pieces and start anew.
Trouble is, some of the pieces don't appear to fit.
There was much more to Chester's late wife than met the eye; her short life had been a troubled one, filled with frightening oddities—some of which may have had a hand in her untimely death.
Perishing under horrifying and mysterious circumstances, Annika's absence casts a long shadow across Chester's life. Hungry for answers in the wake of her death, he starts asking questions better left unasked.
How did his beloved meet her end? Why does the smell of her signature perfume begin to turn up everywhere in the weeks after her passing? Who is the shadowed figure that stalks around his home and peers into his windows as the sun sets? Has his wife truly returned from the dead, or is he being haunted by a dark presence from her terrifying past?
The deeper Chester digs into Annika's past, the closer he gets to unearthing a true nightmare—a nightmare that had been set in motion long before they'd said, 'I do'.
THE OTHER WOMAN is a tale of supernatural horror and mystery by Ambrose Ibsen, the author of THE HAUNTING OF BEACON HILL and ASYLUM.
Trouble is, some of the pieces don't appear to fit.
There was much more to Chester's late wife than met the eye; her short life had been a troubled one, filled with frightening oddities—some of which may have had a hand in her untimely death.
Perishing under horrifying and mysterious circumstances, Annika's absence casts a long shadow across Chester's life. Hungry for answers in the wake of her death, he starts asking questions better left unasked.
How did his beloved meet her end? Why does the smell of her signature perfume begin to turn up everywhere in the weeks after her passing? Who is the shadowed figure that stalks around his home and peers into his windows as the sun sets? Has his wife truly returned from the dead, or is he being haunted by a dark presence from her terrifying past?
The deeper Chester digs into Annika's past, the closer he gets to unearthing a true nightmare—a nightmare that had been set in motion long before they'd said, 'I do'.
THE OTHER WOMAN is a tale of supernatural horror and mystery by Ambrose Ibsen, the author of THE HAUNTING OF BEACON HILL and ASYLUM.
- GenresHorror
226 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
54 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Ibsen
61 books665 followersOnce upon a time, a young Ambrose Ibsen discovered a collection of ghost stories on his father's bookshelf. He was never the same again.
Apart from horror fiction, he enjoys good coffee, brewed strong.
Apart from horror fiction, he enjoys good coffee, brewed strong.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 4, 2025
DNF at 32%. I just could not jive with this story. It had a very slow pace that continued to drag on, with no foreseeable end in sight. And even with the occasional element that grabbed my attention, ie what was found inside Annika's body, my focus waned. The style was written in a very classic manner, which, along with the pacing, further increased the difficulty of sticking with. Nothing was done badly and the author is not only talented, but also put a good deal of work into this book. But, I think it is meant for a very specific audience, which I, unfortunately, am not a part of. Fans of older ghost stories will probably have a good experience here, but, for anyone else, I don't foresee a similar experience.
October 29, 2023
That was so good! It was really great reading an Ambrose Ibsen again. I’m sorry to read there were difficulties with you or yours! Loyal fan
RTC
RTC
August 12, 2024
The bibliography of Ambrose Ibsen is like a museum where all the exhibitions are produced by IKEA. It's janky and simple, but also comforting and reliable.
October 7, 2024
I had a good time with this :)
It was a fast read with a fun GASP moment.
I felt like my uncle was telling me a cozy spooky story.
It was a little fuzzy for a second, but very fun. Not super memorable I don’t think, but enjoyable!
It was a fast read with a fun GASP moment.
I felt like my uncle was telling me a cozy spooky story.
It was a little fuzzy for a second, but very fun. Not super memorable I don’t think, but enjoyable!
November 10, 2024
it was a weird kind of horror but i liked a lot! gonna try to check some more work by this author
December 21, 2024
I do really enjoy Ambrose Ibsen, but this is no one of my favorites of his books. Truthfully I can't even say why. Just for some reason I didn't really click with this story. I didn't particularly get into it until it was almost over. I also can't point out anything that I really did not enjoy. Maybe I found the pacing a little slow or something? Not sure. I will say for on a good note that the twist was actually really good.
The set up of this book is actually really cool, and well executed. It is narrated by the main character as he is telling you his story, at points even digressing to tell you about how he looks back at the situations now or how he missed that particular detail at the time. He is telling the story of how when he was young his wife mysteriously died. He has to deal with the grief of that until he realizes there is actually a mystery to it that he needs to get to the bottom of, because now his life may be on the line. So he turns to his father-in-law who may have at least some of the answers to what is going on.
The first quarter and the last quarter of the book I, frankly, would have rated 4 stars. The middle half was the fucking problem. Whole heartedly I would have given that 2 stars. I just kept think "Lets just get though this shit so I can get onto my next book". Then the last quarter started and I was fully back in in. That is why I rated it in the middle with 3 stars. I really wish I could tell you what it was about the middle I didn't enjoy so I could point out who it will work for.
Overall I definatly don't hate this book. I'm not mad that I read it. I am glad its over though. I will continue to Read Ambrose Ibsen, even though he is a bit of a hit or miss author for me. But, damn, when he hits he hits so good! (I say while looking at the Beaconing Dead series). So for those who are reading this review because they are looking for recommendations I will say; If you like Ambrose Ibsen's writing give this a shot, if you have not enjoyed him up to this point go ahead and give this one a miss.
The set up of this book is actually really cool, and well executed. It is narrated by the main character as he is telling you his story, at points even digressing to tell you about how he looks back at the situations now or how he missed that particular detail at the time. He is telling the story of how when he was young his wife mysteriously died. He has to deal with the grief of that until he realizes there is actually a mystery to it that he needs to get to the bottom of, because now his life may be on the line. So he turns to his father-in-law who may have at least some of the answers to what is going on.
The first quarter and the last quarter of the book I, frankly, would have rated 4 stars. The middle half was the fucking problem. Whole heartedly I would have given that 2 stars. I just kept think "Lets just get though this shit so I can get onto my next book". Then the last quarter started and I was fully back in in. That is why I rated it in the middle with 3 stars. I really wish I could tell you what it was about the middle I didn't enjoy so I could point out who it will work for.
Overall I definatly don't hate this book. I'm not mad that I read it. I am glad its over though. I will continue to Read Ambrose Ibsen, even though he is a bit of a hit or miss author for me. But, damn, when he hits he hits so good! (I say while looking at the Beaconing Dead series). So for those who are reading this review because they are looking for recommendations I will say; If you like Ambrose Ibsen's writing give this a shot, if you have not enjoyed him up to this point go ahead and give this one a miss.
April 1, 2025
Some cool and mildly creepy imagery, but this is very, very, very over-written. I considered dnf'ing because the writing style kept on taking me out of the story, but then that bug became a feature and I started delighting in it.
Like this is 1st person pov and, yeah, he's a teacher or whatever, but he's also talking about his wife dying under weird/paranormal circumstances. And I'm listening to him say things like:
"there could be no return to ordinary life after such a fright"
"not long after returning from the ER that morning i made a careful study of the doors and windows none of which bore the least sign of forced entry"
"the possibility that my late wife really had somehow paid me a visit the night previous."
Obviously this is well-written, but is it written well for the story it's trying to tell? *emoji shrug*
Like this is 1st person pov and, yeah, he's a teacher or whatever, but he's also talking about his wife dying under weird/paranormal circumstances. And I'm listening to him say things like:
"there could be no return to ordinary life after such a fright"
"not long after returning from the ER that morning i made a careful study of the doors and windows none of which bore the least sign of forced entry"
"the possibility that my late wife really had somehow paid me a visit the night previous."
Obviously this is well-written, but is it written well for the story it's trying to tell? *emoji shrug*
March 31, 2024
"The Other Woman" by Ambrose Ibsen receives a 5-star rating from me. Although horror is not my usual writing genre, I adore a well-crafted scary tale, and Ibsen's work does not fall short. The theme of loss is skillfully woven into this eerie narrative of haunting and possession. As a big fan of Ambrose Ibsen, I found this novel to be another page-turner that I struggled to put down.
May 12, 2024
This story is really unique. I love that we don't know if we are afraid of a ghost, a monster, collective hallucination, or a combo of all three! The twist at the end was absolutely wonderful. I gasped out loud! I was not expecting such a twist. Definitely pick up this book, 100% worth the read and absolutely perfect for October and to get you in the spooky mood!
February 12, 2025
Being a big Ambrose Ibsen fan, I hate having to give one of his books such a low rating.
Unfortunately this book just doesn't read like his others. Not only is it in more of a classical type writing style, but the journal entry set up and slow pacing made this one super hard to get into for me. I ended up DNFing at the 79 page mark.
Unfortunately this book just doesn't read like his others. Not only is it in more of a classical type writing style, but the journal entry set up and slow pacing made this one super hard to get into for me. I ended up DNFing at the 79 page mark.
October 7, 2023
Another great read by Ambrose Ibsen. A story that kept me glued with interesting characters and an intriguing plot, I couldn't help but turn the page. And the plot twist was one I definitely didn't see coming!
Read
October 16, 2023Like all of his books that I have read so far, they draw me in and keep me waning more. I intend to read all his book, they are always good. This book, was great. It had international chilling weirdness, and a pretty spooky story line.
September 24, 2023
This had some genuinely frightening moments.
October 17, 2023
Enjoyed the storyline but felt the writing was pretentious even though the protagonist is an English professor.
January 29, 2024
Entertaining!
An easy read, not one of Ibsen's best, I'd put this one lower on the totem pole, but I was able to finish in about a week.
An easy read, not one of Ibsen's best, I'd put this one lower on the totem pole, but I was able to finish in about a week.
September 25, 2024
great pacing with a lackluster ending. favorite Ibsen to date
October 22, 2024
I had zero idea where this was going the entire time. Was on the edge of my seat and when the twist happened, my jaw dropped. Loved it so much!!!
February 2, 2025
This did not read like a book by this author for me dnf
March 14, 2025
Fan of the author
I continually have the desire to read more of Ibsen’s books. They are not predictable and I enjoy his writing style. another great read
I continually have the desire to read more of Ibsen’s books. They are not predictable and I enjoy his writing style. another great read
April 24, 2025
Absolutely obsessed with this book! Hooked from the beginning. The ending I didn’t see coming
March 31, 2024
Another outstanding novel from Ambrose Ibsen. Loved this book. Cleverly crafted and woven together this story was hard to put down.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews