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House of Haunts
In 1823, Josiah Hale built his family a grand home in the sultry heat and blinding glare of the Deep South.
It wasn’t long before the shadows crept in.
Now, two hundred years later, this grand home stands forlorn, abandoned, blank windows reflecting only darkness.
Some houses carry lasting impressions of those who have lived and died there.
Some places still bear the scars of past tragedies.
Some buildings are heavy with the spirits of the dead.
Hale House outweighs them all.
But wait.
The front gate is creaking slowly open, welcoming, beckoning, luring you in…
You have been invited.
Come tour the most haunted location in the world.
Come visit our House of Haunts.
23 rooms. 23 ghosts. 23 stories.
Will you survive them all?
It wasn’t long before the shadows crept in.
Now, two hundred years later, this grand home stands forlorn, abandoned, blank windows reflecting only darkness.
Some houses carry lasting impressions of those who have lived and died there.
Some places still bear the scars of past tragedies.
Some buildings are heavy with the spirits of the dead.
Hale House outweighs them all.
But wait.
The front gate is creaking slowly open, welcoming, beckoning, luring you in…
You have been invited.
Come tour the most haunted location in the world.
Come visit our House of Haunts.
23 rooms. 23 ghosts. 23 stories.
Will you survive them all?
390 pages, Paperback
Published October 13, 2023
28 people are currently reading
158 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
October 14, 2023
What a gloriously gothic concept for an anthology. A tour around a haunted mansion? Meeting the horrors that each room contains before fleeing in fear? Where do I sign up? Each terrifying tale is eerie, creepy and devilishly dark, spanning across the years that Hale House has graced us with its ominous presence. I loved the variety in each ghostly yarn and the overall presentation of this anthology with its illustrations and welcomes. I often feel like fantasy fans get all the cool stuff like maps but this time it’s the horror fans turn!! My top three stories were Seeking Ruin by Jeremy Megargee (I felt exhausted after that one!), Roses and Worms by Joe DeRouen and I Can’t Miss You If You Never Leave by Caitlin Marceau.
February 4, 2024
(Disclaimer: I wrote one of the stories in this anthology. The title is "My Fairlady" and it was a lot of fun)
Anyway, I FINALLY got time to read this awesome anthology and all the stories about the other rooms and places on the grounds and I have to say WOW. I can't believe I got to be in the company of so many incredible authors and just WOWWWW. The vast array of writing styles and types of haunted stories spanning a range of years was top tier.
Some had me crying, others had me laughing, and others dazzled me with surreal weirdness.
Even if I hadn't contributed a story (mine takes place in the garage), I'd still immediately say, "YES, PLEASE!" to a shared-world anthology taking place in a haunted house. The concept was pulled off better than I expected, and I can't wait for the next one, Hospital of Haunts.
Anyway, I FINALLY got time to read this awesome anthology and all the stories about the other rooms and places on the grounds and I have to say WOW. I can't believe I got to be in the company of so many incredible authors and just WOWWWW. The vast array of writing styles and types of haunted stories spanning a range of years was top tier.
Some had me crying, others had me laughing, and others dazzled me with surreal weirdness.
Even if I hadn't contributed a story (mine takes place in the garage), I'd still immediately say, "YES, PLEASE!" to a shared-world anthology taking place in a haunted house. The concept was pulled off better than I expected, and I can't wait for the next one, Hospital of Haunts.
October 14, 2023
"It couldn’t be true, what the old women had said. The land couldn’t be cursed, couldn’t be evil, couldn’t be home to an ancient malevolence that the native peoples of the land had possessed the intelligence to stay well away from. It just couldn’t."
This was such a unique and fun read. A collection of short stories all about the same haunted house, each story takes place in a different time spanning over hundreds of years. There are 23 stories in total, one for each of the rooms in the house.
I haven't ever read a collection of stories like this and I was definitely not disappointed.
A perfect read for spooky season.
This was such a unique and fun read. A collection of short stories all about the same haunted house, each story takes place in a different time spanning over hundreds of years. There are 23 stories in total, one for each of the rooms in the house.
I haven't ever read a collection of stories like this and I was definitely not disappointed.
A perfect read for spooky season.
October 19, 2024
Wow! What an amazing concept: 23 stories, each about a different room; 23 rooms, each with its own haunting! All in one haunted mansion in the Deep South. With stories by so many talented authors, such as Jo Kaplan, Caitlin Marceau, Christy Aldridge, Mercedes M. Yardley, Ronald Kelly, Jay Bower, Clay McLeod Chapman, Gage Greenwood – the list goes on and on! There’s so much talent here, my head is ready to explode: it’s rare to find so many good stories in one volume, and ghost stories at that! The editor has done a wonderful job, coordinating everything to produce an impressive work about a single theme, an anthology about the history of a single location: the Hale House, built two centuries ago by Joshiah Hale and gone through so many different hands throughout the years!
The anthology is, no doubt about it, a true beast. There are maps; there are illustrations; there are short welcomes as we go from floor to floor or reach the grounds. The vast majority of the stories are satisfyingly long, there are no duds at all, most of them become very emotional, somewhat gothic and dark, but all of them twisty, unpredictable, and with great atmosphere. I really enjoyed the writing and the flow of all the stories, but, without further ado, here are my personal highlights:
Clay McLeod Chapman’s “Rug Burns” takes place in the mansion’s Trophy Room in 1910, has an interesting premise that blends a couple’s issues with the theme of animal hunting, and ends explosively. Gage Greenwood’s story “Spiraling Upward,” takes place in one of the bathrooms, in 1995, and aces it with a ghost story that brings mental issues into contact with the supernatural in an extremely poignant way. Caitlin Marceau’s “I Can’t Miss You if You Never Leave” is a very harsh take on the mother-daughter relationship, with a ghost story driving the story to its disturbing resolution. Christy Aldridge’s “Inherited” focuses on the Treehouse in 1993, but ends up being such an unsettling story, surely the greatest ending in the book and the kind of tale that will stay with me for some time. The opening story, Ronald Kelly’s “Save Me a Spot on the Old Porch Swing” takes the porch as its setting in 1930, offering a very sad, nostalgic tale about a boy and his grandmother.
These are just a few of these awesome stories; but it would be unfair not to mention Josh Malerman’s introduction, a delight that will surely whet your appetite for what’s to come!
This is a great book to have on your shelves!
The anthology is, no doubt about it, a true beast. There are maps; there are illustrations; there are short welcomes as we go from floor to floor or reach the grounds. The vast majority of the stories are satisfyingly long, there are no duds at all, most of them become very emotional, somewhat gothic and dark, but all of them twisty, unpredictable, and with great atmosphere. I really enjoyed the writing and the flow of all the stories, but, without further ado, here are my personal highlights:
Clay McLeod Chapman’s “Rug Burns” takes place in the mansion’s Trophy Room in 1910, has an interesting premise that blends a couple’s issues with the theme of animal hunting, and ends explosively. Gage Greenwood’s story “Spiraling Upward,” takes place in one of the bathrooms, in 1995, and aces it with a ghost story that brings mental issues into contact with the supernatural in an extremely poignant way. Caitlin Marceau’s “I Can’t Miss You if You Never Leave” is a very harsh take on the mother-daughter relationship, with a ghost story driving the story to its disturbing resolution. Christy Aldridge’s “Inherited” focuses on the Treehouse in 1993, but ends up being such an unsettling story, surely the greatest ending in the book and the kind of tale that will stay with me for some time. The opening story, Ronald Kelly’s “Save Me a Spot on the Old Porch Swing” takes the porch as its setting in 1930, offering a very sad, nostalgic tale about a boy and his grandmother.
These are just a few of these awesome stories; but it would be unfair not to mention Josh Malerman’s introduction, a delight that will surely whet your appetite for what’s to come!
This is a great book to have on your shelves!
January 3, 2024
In 1823, Josiah Hale built his family a grand home in the sultry heat and blinding glare of the Deep South.
It wasn’t long before the shadows crept in. Now, two hundred years later, this grand home stands forlorn, abandoned, blank windows reflecting only darkness.
Some houses carry lasting impressions of those who have lived and died there.
Some places still bear the scars of past tragedies.
Some buildings are heavy with the spirits of the dead.
Hale House outweighs them all.
But wait.
The front gate is creaking slowly open, welcoming, beckoning, luring you in…
You have been invited.
🐾
House of Haunts is a riveting compilation of 23 horror stories penned by various authors and edited by Heather Daughrity.
The 23 stories are all interconnected by a haunted mansion and spans centuries. I was captivated by this innovative concept, which allowed each author to shine individually while creating a cohesive, serialized reading experience. The inclusion of a mansion layout enriched the narrative, inviting readers to envision traversing its eerie rooms. Additionally, the stories' chronological diversity offered intriguing variations in tone and theme.
As a fan of horror short stories, I found immense enjoyment in each tale within this collection, despite my reluctance to watch horror movies. The anthology masterfully combines suspense, atmosphere, and diverse storytelling, making it a must-read for genre enthusiasts.
🐾
Rated 9.5/10
Melina L. 🐾
It wasn’t long before the shadows crept in. Now, two hundred years later, this grand home stands forlorn, abandoned, blank windows reflecting only darkness.
Some houses carry lasting impressions of those who have lived and died there.
Some places still bear the scars of past tragedies.
Some buildings are heavy with the spirits of the dead.
Hale House outweighs them all.
But wait.
The front gate is creaking slowly open, welcoming, beckoning, luring you in…
You have been invited.
🐾
House of Haunts is a riveting compilation of 23 horror stories penned by various authors and edited by Heather Daughrity.
The 23 stories are all interconnected by a haunted mansion and spans centuries. I was captivated by this innovative concept, which allowed each author to shine individually while creating a cohesive, serialized reading experience. The inclusion of a mansion layout enriched the narrative, inviting readers to envision traversing its eerie rooms. Additionally, the stories' chronological diversity offered intriguing variations in tone and theme.
As a fan of horror short stories, I found immense enjoyment in each tale within this collection, despite my reluctance to watch horror movies. The anthology masterfully combines suspense, atmosphere, and diverse storytelling, making it a must-read for genre enthusiasts.
🐾
Rated 9.5/10
Melina L. 🐾
September 6, 2024
I'm going to start this off by being up front about why I bought this book: I met an author in 2023 who asked if they could use my name in a story. At this time, I made it a goal to have an author use my name in a story and kill me somehow. Weird, probably, but I like horror so it's also fitting I guess? Said author let me know it was done, and I immediately bought this book without knowing anything about it. Having said that, this doesn't sway my view on the book, however I may love one story just a bit more than the others.
This collection of stories by 23 authors all focus around the mansion Hale House and its grounds. Each author writes a story that is set in a specific area, and the stories are broken up in sections. The part that I really found appealing is, if you pay attention, you'll see overlap with some of the stories until you get to the conclusion The Life and Death of Josiah Hale, which is about the origins of the house. Is every situation an explanation for, or give an explanation of, the haunts that take place in that area of the house? Nope, but that doesn't leave the reader wanting in a way that feels like a dissatisfaction. Not every character is what they seem either, and there were a few moments that I was impressed the author twisted their story in a way that not every good person is safe or bad person gets what's coming to them. If you're the type of reader who wants the innocents to end on a safe note, there's some stories that may not be for you.
I'm not one who can sit and read a collection of stories in one go, so it did take me awhile to finish, but that is not an indication of quality at all. This collection is good. Like really really good. There were a few that I didn't find as engaging personally, but that in no way means I disliked them. Rarely do I find a collection just solid like this one is. It's also gave me quite a few new authors to check out that I haven't heard of before, which I always find is a good thing, as long as I don't pay attention to my already large pile of titles I still need to read.
I've heard Heather Daughrity is working on another collection similar to this, just with a different setting, so will absolutely be keeping an eye out for things yet to come.
Read if you like: haunts/paranormal/curses, spooky fall reads, diverse story styles, horror collections
And another fan girl squealed thank you to Mercedes M. Yardley. I can never explain how excited I was when I finally was able to purchase this book and read your story. It was a core memory moment and also soothed what I didn't know I had: internal sad little kid me who never saw their name in or on anything like other kids.
This collection of stories by 23 authors all focus around the mansion Hale House and its grounds. Each author writes a story that is set in a specific area, and the stories are broken up in sections. The part that I really found appealing is, if you pay attention, you'll see overlap with some of the stories until you get to the conclusion The Life and Death of Josiah Hale, which is about the origins of the house. Is every situation an explanation for, or give an explanation of, the haunts that take place in that area of the house? Nope, but that doesn't leave the reader wanting in a way that feels like a dissatisfaction. Not every character is what they seem either, and there were a few moments that I was impressed the author twisted their story in a way that not every good person is safe or bad person gets what's coming to them. If you're the type of reader who wants the innocents to end on a safe note, there's some stories that may not be for you.
I'm not one who can sit and read a collection of stories in one go, so it did take me awhile to finish, but that is not an indication of quality at all. This collection is good. Like really really good. There were a few that I didn't find as engaging personally, but that in no way means I disliked them. Rarely do I find a collection just solid like this one is. It's also gave me quite a few new authors to check out that I haven't heard of before, which I always find is a good thing, as long as I don't pay attention to my already large pile of titles I still need to read.
I've heard Heather Daughrity is working on another collection similar to this, just with a different setting, so will absolutely be keeping an eye out for things yet to come.
Read if you like: haunts/paranormal/curses, spooky fall reads, diverse story styles, horror collections
And another fan girl squealed thank you to Mercedes M. Yardley. I can never explain how excited I was when I finally was able to purchase this book and read your story. It was a core memory moment and also soothed what I didn't know I had: internal sad little kid me who never saw their name in or on anything like other kids.
September 21, 2024
This has been on my to-do list for awhile.
I have so so so many regrets right now.
The biggest one is not reading this sooner.
This was so fucked up, and I don't mean that in a extreme splatter kind of way, I mean that in, each of these stories are, fucked up, emotional and drove straight into my soul.
Like guys I bought this with money, not an ARC read, not I got it on super sale and took a chance, I'd pay for this again in a heartbeat.
It has some very familiar names in here as well lol
Jay Bower
DE McCluskey
Gage Greenwood
And a awesome af foreward from Josh Malerman
And I've found some new ones, that I need to find their other work immediately
Some of these stories were horrifyingly sad, I actually cried a little bit after finishing two of them and I don't cry for anything, like hey chopped my arm off? Nbd, but two of these...oof
I'm not saying which, you gotta find out on your own lol
My favorite was hard to choose, I mean hard, splitting hairs maybe even, but I narrowed it down to two.
One is a familiar to me author DE McCluskey, Death in C Major.
Real quick, what the fuck?? I have ALOT of feelings about this one.
My second favorite and by second I mean it's actually tied with DE, is a new to me author
Simon Bleaken A flicker of candlelight, and if I tell you why I loved it, it will literally spoil it so, just trust me, ✨✨✨✨✨
I loved this entire idea, this was even better then a collection of stories, every story was a different room in the house, with its own little horror and back story, and I couldnt wait to get to the next room.
I'm so mad at myself that I waited this long guys.
And now I have to wait for the next one 😭😭😭 and they've announced a third.
The next is hospitals!! Can you imagine the stories that are gonna come out of that one?
Also I just noticed this one is available on KU, what better reason to go try it.
This is 5/5 Stars for me, I just don't know how I could rate it any other way.
House of Haunts
23 Rooms
23 Ghosts
23 Stories
Edited by Heather Daughrity
I have so so so many regrets right now.
The biggest one is not reading this sooner.
This was so fucked up, and I don't mean that in a extreme splatter kind of way, I mean that in, each of these stories are, fucked up, emotional and drove straight into my soul.
Like guys I bought this with money, not an ARC read, not I got it on super sale and took a chance, I'd pay for this again in a heartbeat.
It has some very familiar names in here as well lol
Jay Bower
DE McCluskey
Gage Greenwood
And a awesome af foreward from Josh Malerman
And I've found some new ones, that I need to find their other work immediately
Some of these stories were horrifyingly sad, I actually cried a little bit after finishing two of them and I don't cry for anything, like hey chopped my arm off? Nbd, but two of these...oof
I'm not saying which, you gotta find out on your own lol
My favorite was hard to choose, I mean hard, splitting hairs maybe even, but I narrowed it down to two.
One is a familiar to me author DE McCluskey, Death in C Major.
Real quick, what the fuck?? I have ALOT of feelings about this one.
My second favorite and by second I mean it's actually tied with DE, is a new to me author
Simon Bleaken A flicker of candlelight, and if I tell you why I loved it, it will literally spoil it so, just trust me, ✨✨✨✨✨
I loved this entire idea, this was even better then a collection of stories, every story was a different room in the house, with its own little horror and back story, and I couldnt wait to get to the next room.
I'm so mad at myself that I waited this long guys.
And now I have to wait for the next one 😭😭😭 and they've announced a third.
The next is hospitals!! Can you imagine the stories that are gonna come out of that one?
Also I just noticed this one is available on KU, what better reason to go try it.
This is 5/5 Stars for me, I just don't know how I could rate it any other way.
House of Haunts
23 Rooms
23 Ghosts
23 Stories
Edited by Heather Daughrity
July 26, 2024
I absolutely love the premise of this anthology - a haunted mansion, every room haunted by its own unique ghost and story. I enjoyed every single story, which is quite a feat in an anthology this large. Two stories in particular have stuck with me: Seeking Ruin by Jeremy Megargee and Spiraling Upward by Gage Greenwood. It has been about a week since I read both stories and I'm still thinking about them. 4.25 stars
Save Me a Spot on the Old Porch Swing by Ronald Kelly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love Historically by Justin Holley ⭐⭐⭐.5
Seeking Ruin by Jeremy Megargee ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suppertime With the Lord by Mer Whinery ⭐⭐⭐.75
The Living Library of Hale House by Samantha Underhill ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Murder Masque by Joshua Lloyd Fox ⭐⭐⭐.5
Roses and Worms by Joe DeRouen ⭐⭐⭐
Bluebells in the Rug by Jo Kaplan ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spiraling Upward by Gage Greenwood ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rug Burns by Clay McLeod Chapman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Death in C Major by D.E. McCluskey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Opening Move by J-F. Dubeau ⭐⭐⭐
Inez by Jennifer Anne Gordon ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
A Flicker of Candlelight by Simon Bleaken ⭐⭐⭐.75
The Cursed Coin of Hale House by Jay Bower ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The House Takes by Marie Lanza ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
My Fairlady by Brooklyn Ann ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I Can't Miss You if You Never Leave by Caitlin Marceau ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Inherited by Christy Aldridge ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
A Tree and A Life by Joe Scipione ���⭐⭐.25
The Bleeding Garden by William J. Donahue ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Apparitions and Starshine Gods by Mercedes M. Yardley ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life and Death of Joshua Hale by Heather Daughrity ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Save Me a Spot on the Old Porch Swing by Ronald Kelly ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Love Historically by Justin Holley ⭐⭐⭐.5
Seeking Ruin by Jeremy Megargee ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Suppertime With the Lord by Mer Whinery ⭐⭐⭐.75
The Living Library of Hale House by Samantha Underhill ⭐⭐⭐.25
The Murder Masque by Joshua Lloyd Fox ⭐⭐⭐.5
Roses and Worms by Joe DeRouen ⭐⭐⭐
Bluebells in the Rug by Jo Kaplan ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Spiraling Upward by Gage Greenwood ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Rug Burns by Clay McLeod Chapman ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Death in C Major by D.E. McCluskey ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Opening Move by J-F. Dubeau ⭐⭐⭐
Inez by Jennifer Anne Gordon ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
A Flicker of Candlelight by Simon Bleaken ⭐⭐⭐.75
The Cursed Coin of Hale House by Jay Bower ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The House Takes by Marie Lanza ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
My Fairlady by Brooklyn Ann ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I Can't Miss You if You Never Leave by Caitlin Marceau ⭐⭐⭐⭐.75
Inherited by Christy Aldridge ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
A Tree and A Life by Joe Scipione ���⭐⭐.25
The Bleeding Garden by William J. Donahue ⭐⭐⭐⭐.25
Apparitions and Starshine Gods by Mercedes M. Yardley ⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Life and Death of Joshua Hale by Heather Daughrity ⭐⭐⭐⭐
November 5, 2023
The Review
These were some compelling and thrilling horror reads. Immediately I was struck by how unique and original each story was, and yet how cohesive the narrative was overall as each story fed the overall theme of this haunted mansion. The haunting atmosphere of each story and the tension that mounted at such an even pace in each story made this a gripping read.
The heart of this narrative rested in the variety of different stories that each tale provided, as well as the detail that went into them. The way each story found itself in a different era of storytelling, from 19th-century gothic horror to modern tales of loss in the age of the pandemic, made the reader feel connected to the authors of these stories and yet wonderfully lost in the characters and their own plights at the same time.
The Verdict
Remarkable, entertaining, and heartfelt all at once, “House of Haunts” is a must-read modern-day horror anthology. The twists and turns each story provided, and the overall story of this powerfully haunted home and the spirits that have left their mark on its walls and the heart of this mansion made the anthology feel alive and buzzing.
These were some compelling and thrilling horror reads. Immediately I was struck by how unique and original each story was, and yet how cohesive the narrative was overall as each story fed the overall theme of this haunted mansion. The haunting atmosphere of each story and the tension that mounted at such an even pace in each story made this a gripping read.
The heart of this narrative rested in the variety of different stories that each tale provided, as well as the detail that went into them. The way each story found itself in a different era of storytelling, from 19th-century gothic horror to modern tales of loss in the age of the pandemic, made the reader feel connected to the authors of these stories and yet wonderfully lost in the characters and their own plights at the same time.
The Verdict
Remarkable, entertaining, and heartfelt all at once, “House of Haunts” is a must-read modern-day horror anthology. The twists and turns each story provided, and the overall story of this powerfully haunted home and the spirits that have left their mark on its walls and the heart of this mansion made the anthology feel alive and buzzing.
December 9, 2023
REVIEWED: House of Haunts
EDITED BY: Heather Daughrity
PUBLISHED: Parlor Ghost Press (Oct., 2023)
Love this well-executed anthology themed around a palatial ol’ haunted house in the Deep South: this is Hale House, with 23 rooms, and each author tells a creepy tale about one of the rooms. Tremendous execution, filled with stories that are fun, frightening, and wildly entertaining. The stories run a mix of ghosts and ghouls and revenging spirits, all different voices and writing styles and visions of dark imagination. Some of my personal favorites are “Bluebells in the Rug” by Jo Kaplan
“Apparitions and Starshine Gods” by Mercedes M. Yardley; “Rug Burns” by Clay Mcleod Chapman; “The Living Library of Hale House” by Samantha Underhill; “I Can’t Miss You If You Never Leave” by Caitlin Marceau (AKA “best story title” award); “The Bleeding Garden” by William J. Donahue; and “The Life and Death of Josiah Hale” by the editor herself.
Hoping for House of Haunts 2!
Five out of Five stars
EDITED BY: Heather Daughrity
PUBLISHED: Parlor Ghost Press (Oct., 2023)
Love this well-executed anthology themed around a palatial ol’ haunted house in the Deep South: this is Hale House, with 23 rooms, and each author tells a creepy tale about one of the rooms. Tremendous execution, filled with stories that are fun, frightening, and wildly entertaining. The stories run a mix of ghosts and ghouls and revenging spirits, all different voices and writing styles and visions of dark imagination. Some of my personal favorites are “Bluebells in the Rug” by Jo Kaplan
“Apparitions and Starshine Gods” by Mercedes M. Yardley; “Rug Burns” by Clay Mcleod Chapman; “The Living Library of Hale House” by Samantha Underhill; “I Can’t Miss You If You Never Leave” by Caitlin Marceau (AKA “best story title” award); “The Bleeding Garden” by William J. Donahue; and “The Life and Death of Josiah Hale” by the editor herself.
Hoping for House of Haunts 2!
Five out of Five stars
November 6, 2023
I love a good anthology and the premise of this one drew me in immediately A spooky old mansion in the Deep South, each room haunted by its own ghost, what could be better. Then I saw that the list of authors included Clay McLeod Chapman and Jo Kaplan with many other new to me talents to discover. I became more and more excited.
This book is a delight in so many ways. There are maps for the layout of the house and we systematically enter each of the 24 rooms where we encounter malevolent spirits and learn their stories. I love it. Is the ground cursed? What is going on here? I don’t know but I can’t wait to find out and so far each story has been scarier than the last. So far I’m loving it and am so glad I saved it to finish on the spookiest night of the year!
This book is a delight in so many ways. There are maps for the layout of the house and we systematically enter each of the 24 rooms where we encounter malevolent spirits and learn their stories. I love it. Is the ground cursed? What is going on here? I don’t know but I can’t wait to find out and so far each story has been scarier than the last. So far I’m loving it and am so glad I saved it to finish on the spookiest night of the year!
November 21, 2023
I've never read a short story collection quite like this one with each author doing a story involving a certain room / location in one very haunted mansion.
I really enjoyed pretty much all the stories in this collection, which doesn't happen too often with short story collections. Quite a few took me by surprise with twists and spooky turns I wasn't expecting.
I know I sure wouldn't want to mess with the ghost of Hale House after reading their sad and creepy stories.
I'd recommend giving this one a read if your a paranormal or haunted house fan. Also a perfect creepy read for Halloween season.
Also a big thank you to the author and editor Heather Daughrity for the ARC copy of House Of
I really enjoyed pretty much all the stories in this collection, which doesn't happen too often with short story collections. Quite a few took me by surprise with twists and spooky turns I wasn't expecting.
I know I sure wouldn't want to mess with the ghost of Hale House after reading their sad and creepy stories.
I'd recommend giving this one a read if your a paranormal or haunted house fan. Also a perfect creepy read for Halloween season.
Also a big thank you to the author and editor Heather Daughrity for the ARC copy of House Of
December 26, 2023
A brilliant book of stories where each nook and cranny of hail house gets their haunted tale told. Hail house is supposed to be packed with ghostly apparations from a horrible past and then the book House of haunts we get to hear those stories it is written by one of my favorite horror authors Heather Doherty from the front porch the trophy room the music room in every other room you could think of in a rich person‘s house all gets their story told in this book what a brilliant idea and it even more brilliant story I absolutely loved it and highly recommend it! Please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
March 3, 2024
House of Haunts by Heather Daughrity is a collection of suspenseful ghost stories. It is like a haunted theme house park but only for the adults. Each story is darker than the one before it. Mystery draws one in and then it has one on the edge right before the ultimate scare. This anthology of horror tales is the baby of Stephen King and R.L. Stine's books. The writing styles are perfect for chills and thrills. The dark atmosphere is a definite welcome. Do not read this book late at night all alone...
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
January 7, 2024
It’s phenomenal.
Outstanding premise, fascinating stories!! Floors in this house are scary.
I love the look of this book. I love the feel of this while I was reading it. All of the art is incredibly tailored.
The stories are each incredibly individual yet are so cohesive.
There’s even a map of the house to look at which to me makes this book absolutely breathtaking above and beyond.
I love when authors can create magic! Literally, horrific magic as a team! This is it!
Outstanding premise, fascinating stories!! Floors in this house are scary.
I love the look of this book. I love the feel of this while I was reading it. All of the art is incredibly tailored.
The stories are each incredibly individual yet are so cohesive.
There’s even a map of the house to look at which to me makes this book absolutely breathtaking above and beyond.
I love when authors can create magic! Literally, horrific magic as a team! This is it!
April 21, 2024
Great book, well set out and nicely themed. Not all stories work, but that's how it goes with anthologies.
Some highlights: Simon Bleaken provides a very satisfying, well-rounded tale, perfectly paced. Definitely a writer to investigate further.
Some lowpoints: Sorry, I get he's the husband of Heather and all that, but Joshua Loyd Fox is just not a good writer. Maybe I'm jaded after reading his book (pro tip - it's crap, don't!)
Anyway, overall, well worth your time...
Some highlights: Simon Bleaken provides a very satisfying, well-rounded tale, perfectly paced. Definitely a writer to investigate further.
Some lowpoints: Sorry, I get he's the husband of Heather and all that, but Joshua Loyd Fox is just not a good writer. Maybe I'm jaded after reading his book (pro tip - it's crap, don't!)
Anyway, overall, well worth your time...
February 26, 2025
A very cool idea...to take a place and put a story in every room and corner, to link them together through time. I love the maps. I love the intros to each area.
Like all anthologies, this one has stories I liked, stories I loved, and ones that missed the mark for me, but it does have something for everyone. From cute ghost stories, to gritty and dark, to creepy.
Like all anthologies, this one has stories I liked, stories I loved, and ones that missed the mark for me, but it does have something for everyone. From cute ghost stories, to gritty and dark, to creepy.
September 30, 2025
Finally gotten around to reading the first book in this wonderful collection. I love how this collection is like a tour of different things like hospitals, hotels and soon to be highways. I don’t have a favorite story in this collection as I think all 23 stories are each unique and haunting. A definite must read for the spooky season!
February 6, 2024
One house. Many stories. I would consider this cozy horror. Nothing too scary. There were a few shake-ups that I loved like; Seeking Ruin by Jeremy Megargee, Spiraling Upward by Gage Greenwood, and Inez by Jennifer Anne Gordon. But in general just traditional ghost stories.
July 16, 2024
Welcome to Hale House, home of ghosts and nightmares. With each author focusing on a different room, Hale House comes to life through each individual voice. I liked the tour aspect; being led through each area to each room, and really enjoyed the stories. I can't wait for the next one!
October 19, 2024
The introduction to each part of the house and the final tale, The Life and Death of Josiah Hale were fun but the standout stories for me were Seeking Ruin, Bluebells in the Rug, Rug Burns, and My Fairlady.
July 2, 2024
I really enjoyed reading this. It really felt like I was getting to tour the house and each room has a different story in time, a different ghost and author but they all tie in together.
March 10, 2025
4.5-4.75 stars
One of the best anthologies I’ve read. Clever premise and interconnection of stories
One of the best anthologies I’ve read. Clever premise and interconnection of stories
December 18, 2024
Ambitious volume by Daughrity, who plans an entire series of "Haunts" book.....her seonc in the collection, "Hospital of Haunts", is already out.
The premise? A mansion with 23 rooms - each room with its own ghost.
I especially enjoyed the afterward/foreward between floors.
Most enjoyable stores for me were "I Can't Miss you if You Never Leave", and"My Fairlady"....although surely there is something for everyoner in this collection...
Jeff Mc
The premise? A mansion with 23 rooms - each room with its own ghost.
I especially enjoyed the afterward/foreward between floors.
Most enjoyable stores for me were "I Can't Miss you if You Never Leave", and"My Fairlady"....although surely there is something for everyoner in this collection...
Jeff Mc
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