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The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall
Eventually, the past must give up its dead.
When William Garrett’s estranged father dies under mysterious circumstances—and makes a heinous accusation against him—Will must journey to a place that has haunted him since childhood, a place he vowed never to Ravenswood Hall.
But memories of the past are the least of Will’s troubles. Stories of murder and witchcraft hinder Will’s efforts to settle the estate and clear his name, and at the heart of it all is a Spanish painter named Lenora Laveau. Now a fixture of the crumbling hall, she claims to have witnessed Will’s father’s leap from the widow’s walk in the throes of lunacy. Rumors in town tell a darker tale, though—that she drove him to it.
As Will falls under Lenora’s spell and tragedy strikes those nearest to Ravenswood Hall, he becomes plagued by disembodied voices and visions of the dead. After encountering a spirit who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lenora, Will questions his sanity, believing that not even the talents of his beloved daughter Lottie, a spiritualist, can save him from following in his father’s footsteps. But when Lottie attempts to communicate with the dead, Will must stave off the past—and Lenora’s charms—or he’ll risk losing his daughter and his mind.
PRAISE FOR THE GHOST OF RAVENSWOOD HALL
“Enter through the gates of Ravenswood Hall, where a labyrinth of mysteries awaits. H.B. Diaz’s gothic novel is beautifully composed, brimming with fascinating secrets revealed through journals, letters, and doses of madness. From the top of the widow’s walk, down to the depths of the family crypt, haunted pasts slowly seep their way into a macabre truth, forever changing the Garrett family.”—Sara Tantlinger, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Devil’s Dreamland
"The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is a delightfully dark Gothic tale told in classical style. Brooding characters, a chillingly perfect setting, and mysteries around every corner, H.B. Diaz has crafted the perfect novel to read by a crackling fire as winter—and the frozen fingers of a ghostly past—takes hold."—Laurel Hightower, author of Crossroads and Below.
“Set in the icy grip of a Catskills winter, The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is steeped in gorgeous imagery and elegant prose true to the period. Diaz paints haunted characters in an immersive landscape of gothic horror with the chilling hues of death and mystery. The veil hiding Ravenswood secrets disintegrates in a slow burn to a satisfying end, revealing the rotten truth beneath.”—Red Lagoe, author of In Excess of Dark & Impulses of a Necrotic Heart
“Diaz wastes no time immersing you in the mysterious atmosphere of the titular character. Yes, you read that correctly. Ravenswood Hall is the setting, sure, but like all great gothic ghost stories, this cursed place is elevated to character status, thanks to its ubiquitous influence on the rest of the poor souls. Yet, their personalities and motives are not merely reactive to the monstrous old house; rather, they are intertwined, breathing the same death-filled air. Along with Diaz’s beautifully moody prose, the character work is what makes this book so evocative. And, speaking of characters, you may find yourself going mad in lockstep with Dr. William Garrett, the haunted protagonist. At the very least, a sense of deliriousness will blanket you like a ghastly shroud as you realize your inability to stop turning the page.”—Alex Ebenstein, author of Curse Corvus
When William Garrett’s estranged father dies under mysterious circumstances—and makes a heinous accusation against him—Will must journey to a place that has haunted him since childhood, a place he vowed never to Ravenswood Hall.
But memories of the past are the least of Will’s troubles. Stories of murder and witchcraft hinder Will’s efforts to settle the estate and clear his name, and at the heart of it all is a Spanish painter named Lenora Laveau. Now a fixture of the crumbling hall, she claims to have witnessed Will’s father’s leap from the widow’s walk in the throes of lunacy. Rumors in town tell a darker tale, though—that she drove him to it.
As Will falls under Lenora’s spell and tragedy strikes those nearest to Ravenswood Hall, he becomes plagued by disembodied voices and visions of the dead. After encountering a spirit who bears an uncanny resemblance to Lenora, Will questions his sanity, believing that not even the talents of his beloved daughter Lottie, a spiritualist, can save him from following in his father’s footsteps. But when Lottie attempts to communicate with the dead, Will must stave off the past—and Lenora’s charms—or he’ll risk losing his daughter and his mind.
PRAISE FOR THE GHOST OF RAVENSWOOD HALL
“Enter through the gates of Ravenswood Hall, where a labyrinth of mysteries awaits. H.B. Diaz’s gothic novel is beautifully composed, brimming with fascinating secrets revealed through journals, letters, and doses of madness. From the top of the widow’s walk, down to the depths of the family crypt, haunted pasts slowly seep their way into a macabre truth, forever changing the Garrett family.”—Sara Tantlinger, Bram Stoker Award-winning author of The Devil’s Dreamland
"The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is a delightfully dark Gothic tale told in classical style. Brooding characters, a chillingly perfect setting, and mysteries around every corner, H.B. Diaz has crafted the perfect novel to read by a crackling fire as winter—and the frozen fingers of a ghostly past—takes hold."—Laurel Hightower, author of Crossroads and Below.
“Set in the icy grip of a Catskills winter, The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is steeped in gorgeous imagery and elegant prose true to the period. Diaz paints haunted characters in an immersive landscape of gothic horror with the chilling hues of death and mystery. The veil hiding Ravenswood secrets disintegrates in a slow burn to a satisfying end, revealing the rotten truth beneath.”—Red Lagoe, author of In Excess of Dark & Impulses of a Necrotic Heart
“Diaz wastes no time immersing you in the mysterious atmosphere of the titular character. Yes, you read that correctly. Ravenswood Hall is the setting, sure, but like all great gothic ghost stories, this cursed place is elevated to character status, thanks to its ubiquitous influence on the rest of the poor souls. Yet, their personalities and motives are not merely reactive to the monstrous old house; rather, they are intertwined, breathing the same death-filled air. Along with Diaz’s beautifully moody prose, the character work is what makes this book so evocative. And, speaking of characters, you may find yourself going mad in lockstep with Dr. William Garrett, the haunted protagonist. At the very least, a sense of deliriousness will blanket you like a ghastly shroud as you realize your inability to stop turning the page.”—Alex Ebenstein, author of Curse Corvus
301 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 1, 2024
7 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
H.B. Diaz
9 books14 followersH.B. Diaz is a gothic horror/mystery writer and HWA member whose short stories have been featured in publications/productions from the likes of Flame Tree Press, The NoSleep Podcast, Ghost Orchid Press, and PseudoPod, among others. Her gothic novels, THE GHOST OF RAVENSWOOD HALL (Literary Wanderlust) and WILDEFELL (Cemetery Dance) are forthcoming in 2024. She lives in a historic (and likely haunted) East Coast town. Visit her on Goodreads, Twitter, Facebook (@HollyBDiaz), and Instagram (H.B. Diaz).
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 25, 2025
A classic gothic novel, this book has tortured characters bursting out of every page and horror seeping from the corners. It's set in the late 1800s, so really leans into the isolation and spooky tropes. I thought I'd figured out the ending, and was pleasantly surprised.
October 25, 2024
H.B. Diaz is a MASTER of her craft. This book fully immersed me in all things ooky and spooky. The ending truly unsettled me which is EXACTLY what a book like this should do.
April 1, 2024
H. B. Diaz writes an intriguing gothic tale with The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall
In The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall, the reader is introduced to Will, who learns of his father's death, and that it was not natural causes, and now he has to go to Havenswood Hall. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. H. B. Diaz has a great imagination. Will is a complex character, with a haunting and eerie backstory. His relationship with his father was, to say the least, strained. There is a mix of intrigue, chilling hauntings, and a hint of witchcraft. I like that no matter what is happening now, there is always a twist or something unexpected that comes to light. I love the interesting painter, Lenora, and how she is integral to the story line, and is multilayered, with secrets of her own. A harrowing story that comes to life, jumping off the pages. I have fast become a big fan of H. B. Diaz and look forward to reading more of this author's work. The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book to also write a review.
In The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall, the reader is introduced to Will, who learns of his father's death, and that it was not natural causes, and now he has to go to Havenswood Hall. I haven't read anything by this author before, and what a hidden gem. I enjoyed it so much, that I have now followed the author and look for more books to read. H. B. Diaz has a great imagination. Will is a complex character, with a haunting and eerie backstory. His relationship with his father was, to say the least, strained. There is a mix of intrigue, chilling hauntings, and a hint of witchcraft. I like that no matter what is happening now, there is always a twist or something unexpected that comes to light. I love the interesting painter, Lenora, and how she is integral to the story line, and is multilayered, with secrets of her own. A harrowing story that comes to life, jumping off the pages. I have fast become a big fan of H. B. Diaz and look forward to reading more of this author's work. The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I read this book to give my unbiased and honest review. Amy's Bookshelf Reviews recommends that anyone who reads this book to also write a review.
September 26, 2024
I wanted to love this, and it's not terribly written, but I've read too many Victorian ghost stories, Gothic romances, and nonfic about this time period. I'm one of those unfortunate readers who wants some basis of fact in their historical fiction. Some people don't care if there are inaccuracies or anachronisms, but not me. They stick out like a sore thumb and take me out of the story.
The twist can also be seen coming from the very beginning. I thought Diaz would pull a Wilkie Collins and have twist upon twist that would break my neck (like the Moonstone or the Lady in White, clear influences) but no, it's pretty straightforward. There's even a letter towards the end where a character flatly explains everything that happened.
I felt like Diaz also put a modern veneer on the story, which is typical of a lot of historical fiction and why I don't read it. I felt that the characters attitudes toward sex, death, social class, and daily etiquette were not very accurate to the time period. The most authentic character was Lottie, while the rest fell flat to me.
The twist can also be seen coming from the very beginning. I thought Diaz would pull a Wilkie Collins and have twist upon twist that would break my neck (like the Moonstone or the Lady in White, clear influences) but no, it's pretty straightforward. There's even a letter towards the end where a character flatly explains everything that happened.
I felt like Diaz also put a modern veneer on the story, which is typical of a lot of historical fiction and why I don't read it. I felt that the characters attitudes toward sex, death, social class, and daily etiquette were not very accurate to the time period. The most authentic character was Lottie, while the rest fell flat to me.
Read
January 10, 2024Diaz wastes no time immersing you in the mysterious atmosphere of the titular character. Yes, you read that correctly. Ravenswood Hall is the setting, sure, but like all great gothic ghost stories, this cursed place is elevated to character status, thanks to its ubiquitous influence on the rest of the poor souls. Yet, their personalities and motives are not merely reactive to the monstrous old house; rather, they are intertwined, breathing the same death-filled air. Along with Diaz’s beautifully moody prose, the character work is what makes this book so evocative. And, speaking of characters, you may find yourself going mad in lockstep with Dr. William Garrett, the haunted protagonist. At the very least, a sense of deliriousness will blanket you like a ghastly shroud as you realize your inability to stop turning the page.
January 8, 2024
Set in the icy grip of a Catskills winter, The Ghost of Ravenswood Hall is steeped in gorgeous imagery and elegant prose true to the period. Diaz paints haunted characters in an immersive landscape of gothic horror with the chilling hues of death and mystery. The veil hiding Ravenswood's secrets disintegrates in a slow burn to a satisfying end, revealing the rotten truth beneath.
January 9, 2024
THE GHOST OF RAVENWOOD HALL is a delightfully dark Gothic tale told in classical style. Brooding characters, a chillingly perfect setting, and mysteries around every corner, H.B. Diaz has crafted the perfect novel to read by a crackling fire as winter—and the frozen fingers of a ghostly past—takes hold.
Read
January 19, 2024A delightful addition to the horror Gothic canon! Diaz's writing is beautiful, and the in-depth exploration of these characters and the secrets they hold is done with such care. Fans of ghostly thrillers and classic Gothic literature will devour this one!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews