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The Silence of Ghosts
Those who live in silence hear them best . . .
Dominic Lancaster hoped to prove himself to his family by excelling in the Navy during World War II. Instead he is wounded while serving as a gunner, and loses his leg. Still recovering from his wounds and the trauma of his amputation when the Blitz begins, Dominic finds himself shuffled off to the countryside by his family, along with his partially deaf sister, Octavia. The crumbling family estate on the shores of Ullswater is an old, much-neglected place that doesn’t seem to promise much in the way of happiness or recovery.
Something more than a friendship begins to flourish between Dominic and his nurse Rose in the late autumn of that English countryside, as he struggles to come to terms with his new life as an amputee. Another thing that seems to be flourishing is Octavia’s hearing.
As winter descends, sinister forces seem to be materializing around Octavia, who is hearing voices of children. After seeing things that no one else can see and hearing things that no one else can hear, Octavia is afflicted with a sickness that cannot be explained. With Octavia’s help, Dominic sets out to find the truth behind the voices that have haunted his sister. In doing so, he uncovers an even older, darker evil that threatens not only Octavia, but Rose and himself.
Jonathan Aycliffe delivers a disturbingly tense ghost story set in the middle of World War II during England’s darkest hour, demonstrating that some fears are timeless . . .
Dominic Lancaster hoped to prove himself to his family by excelling in the Navy during World War II. Instead he is wounded while serving as a gunner, and loses his leg. Still recovering from his wounds and the trauma of his amputation when the Blitz begins, Dominic finds himself shuffled off to the countryside by his family, along with his partially deaf sister, Octavia. The crumbling family estate on the shores of Ullswater is an old, much-neglected place that doesn’t seem to promise much in the way of happiness or recovery.
Something more than a friendship begins to flourish between Dominic and his nurse Rose in the late autumn of that English countryside, as he struggles to come to terms with his new life as an amputee. Another thing that seems to be flourishing is Octavia’s hearing.
As winter descends, sinister forces seem to be materializing around Octavia, who is hearing voices of children. After seeing things that no one else can see and hearing things that no one else can hear, Octavia is afflicted with a sickness that cannot be explained. With Octavia’s help, Dominic sets out to find the truth behind the voices that have haunted his sister. In doing so, he uncovers an even older, darker evil that threatens not only Octavia, but Rose and himself.
Jonathan Aycliffe delivers a disturbingly tense ghost story set in the middle of World War II during England’s darkest hour, demonstrating that some fears are timeless . . .
192 pages, Hardcover
First published October 17, 2013
55 people are currently reading
1814 people want to read
About the author
Jonathan Aycliffe
15 books261 followersaka Daniel Easterman
Jonathan Aycliffe (Denis M. MacEoin) was born in Belfast in 1949. He studied English, Persian, Arabic and Islamic studies at the universities of Dublin, Edinburgh and Cambridge, and lectured at the universities of Fez in Morocco and Newcastle upon Tyne. The author of several successful full-length ghost stories, he lives in the north of England with his wife, homeopath and health writer, Beth MacEoin. He also writes as Daniel Easterman, under which name he has penned nine bestselling novels.
Jonathan Aycliffe (Denis M. MacEoin) was born in Belfast in 1949. He studied English, Persian, Arabic and Islamic studies at the universities of Dublin, Edinburgh and Cambridge, and lectured at the universities of Fez in Morocco and Newcastle upon Tyne. The author of several successful full-length ghost stories, he lives in the north of England with his wife, homeopath and health writer, Beth MacEoin. He also writes as Daniel Easterman, under which name he has penned nine bestselling novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 165 reviews
August 31, 2024
A Slow Cooker.
The story has its moments.
In one of the largest chapters in my history (4 hours 50 minutes), the author piles the most important information in the story into this chapter.
I’m reading a book about ghosts. And the book seems so real and relatable to the reader that she has no interest whatsoever in hearing, there is no such thing as ghosts.
Because she believes in them.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The story has its moments.
In one of the largest chapters in my history (4 hours 50 minutes), the author piles the most important information in the story into this chapter.
I’m reading a book about ghosts. And the book seems so real and relatable to the reader that she has no interest whatsoever in hearing, there is no such thing as ghosts.
Because she believes in them.
Five stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
May 30, 2023
This is a small book, but so hard for me to get into, that it took many days to get through it. A haunted house story is usually my favorite, but this one had so many unnecessary details, that I found myself skimming to finally finish it. The author created one delightful character in the young, deaf girl, Octavia. It's too bad that the main character, her brother Dominic, is such an obtuse, self-involved, pitiful twit that he couldn't see what was happening until it was too late.
April 13, 2016
The story in itself is interesting and I love that the book is written in a diary form. But it's never scary, never even chilly to read or not even a tiny bit suspenseful. It's just a ghost story that lacks the horror, which is unfortunate since I really hoped to read something that would chill my blood. But alas, perhaps next horror book will do that. Also, I was a bit disappointed with the ending; "that's it? Is this how it going to end?" Perhaps I just wanted a more horrific ending...lol
Thank you Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
Thank you Edelweiss for providing me with a free copy for an honest review!
July 9, 2017
There aren't many truly scary books nowadays. They are mostly about aliens or vampires, so it's lovely to find a genuinely creepy book. This was terrifying. Just what I wanted. It was also incredibly sad and mournful and I can't stop thinking about it now it's over. It's just what I wanted, a scary story about a scary house and scary ghosts told in a relatable and eloquent way. Mr Aycliffe is on my TBR list now.
July 18, 2020
I listened to the audio book. It's read by Roger Clark and he does such a great job! The story was good and interesting enough but I wish it had been a little shorter. I liked the characters, I enjoyed the time and setting. This is the first thing I've read by this author and based on this book, I would read or listen to more by him.
August 1, 2023
The Silence Of Ghosts
By Jonathan Wycliffe
This is a excellently crafted ghost novel that happens around WWII. Just outside of London in one of the many homes of a wealthy family, stands a house that holds many secrets. A veteran missing part of his leg due to the war and his deaf sister are sent there by their parents. Not to keep them safe but more because they are deficient and imperfect specimens.
While the brother and sister are there, the deaf sister starts hearing whispers from spirits. But that is just the beginning!
Really enjoyed this one!
By Jonathan Wycliffe
This is a excellently crafted ghost novel that happens around WWII. Just outside of London in one of the many homes of a wealthy family, stands a house that holds many secrets. A veteran missing part of his leg due to the war and his deaf sister are sent there by their parents. Not to keep them safe but more because they are deficient and imperfect specimens.
While the brother and sister are there, the deaf sister starts hearing whispers from spirits. But that is just the beginning!
Really enjoyed this one!
June 3, 2015
I'll make it quite clear at the outset: I am a fan of Jonathan Aycliffe's ghost stories. I've stuck with them since the NAOMI'S ROOM made its stunning debut back in 1991, and was delighted to be able to publish a limited edition of THE TALISMAN in 1999. I've felt however, that there had been a slight drop-off in quality with his last book, A GARDEN LOST IN TIME, and was thrilled, therefore, by the news that THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS was to appear after a longish hiatus while the author was engaged on other things.
Children are a regular feature in Aycliffe's plots, and THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS has its fair share - all of them affected in some way by the horrible past events at Hallinhag House, a remote property near Ullswater in the English Lake District, found to be owned by Charles Lancaster following the death of his uncle Dominic. I'm writing nothing of the plot here - it's a fairly simple one, and the book is a quick read, as is usual with Aycliffe.
I will, however, express disappointment that THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS does seem to be an exercise of 'going through the motions'of writing a ghost novel. The hauntings themselves - even though the haunters have a nastiness - don't really frighten, or raise the hairs on the back of the neck. And there are implausibilities to cope with, too: in one scene Ullswater has frozen overnight sufficient to enable a group of people to cross the ice on foot . . . but temperatures the following morning are high enough that the ice has thawed. Those who know the Lake District and Ullswater will cringe at the improbability (nay, impossbility) of this taking place!
Sadly, too, the novel suffers from editorial neglect. The opening pages are jumpy, and the novel struggles to really get going and grip the reader - there are too many repetitions, too many mixed tenses for comfort.
Having said all that, there is still a certain charm here. I'd just hoped for more from an Aycliffe revival.
Children are a regular feature in Aycliffe's plots, and THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS has its fair share - all of them affected in some way by the horrible past events at Hallinhag House, a remote property near Ullswater in the English Lake District, found to be owned by Charles Lancaster following the death of his uncle Dominic. I'm writing nothing of the plot here - it's a fairly simple one, and the book is a quick read, as is usual with Aycliffe.
I will, however, express disappointment that THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS does seem to be an exercise of 'going through the motions'of writing a ghost novel. The hauntings themselves - even though the haunters have a nastiness - don't really frighten, or raise the hairs on the back of the neck. And there are implausibilities to cope with, too: in one scene Ullswater has frozen overnight sufficient to enable a group of people to cross the ice on foot . . . but temperatures the following morning are high enough that the ice has thawed. Those who know the Lake District and Ullswater will cringe at the improbability (nay, impossbility) of this taking place!
Sadly, too, the novel suffers from editorial neglect. The opening pages are jumpy, and the novel struggles to really get going and grip the reader - there are too many repetitions, too many mixed tenses for comfort.
Having said all that, there is still a certain charm here. I'd just hoped for more from an Aycliffe revival.
August 3, 2017
An old fashioned, very English ghost story. It is set during WW2 and Downton Abbey kept coming to mind. The characters and settings are stiff upper lip types dealing in Port with a large holiday mansion which is haunted. I kept picturing Hugh Grant as the main character.
The story flows and the hauntings are explained as the characters delve into their families secrets and the history of the house. It does have a good atmosphere and there are a couple of good scenes which are creepy, menacing and full of dread but there isn't enough of them.
It did make a change from reading gritty urban English horror. It is a good solid tale but is not scary enough. It was all a bit restrained. The writing style is the opposite of descriptive, compact and too the point. I felt like I was touching the surface and a more detailed and deeper story was bubbling underneath.
This is the author's latest book and was published in 2013, 9 years after his last novel. I have his first book, Naomi's Room which is considered to be one of his best, sitting on my shelf and I look forward to reading it.
The story flows and the hauntings are explained as the characters delve into their families secrets and the history of the house. It does have a good atmosphere and there are a couple of good scenes which are creepy, menacing and full of dread but there isn't enough of them.
It did make a change from reading gritty urban English horror. It is a good solid tale but is not scary enough. It was all a bit restrained. The writing style is the opposite of descriptive, compact and too the point. I felt like I was touching the surface and a more detailed and deeper story was bubbling underneath.
This is the author's latest book and was published in 2013, 9 years after his last novel. I have his first book, Naomi's Room which is considered to be one of his best, sitting on my shelf and I look forward to reading it.
February 12, 2018
This is the weakest among all the books I have read so far from this author.
It is a ghost story, as usual, but without punch, there are scarcely scary scenes and when you finally gets its cue, it's barely that. The storyline seems to be not profited enough, flat characters and even plods (it is a 190 pages book). In the end all is tied enough to bestow a decent end, cyclic story of sad, human mistakes, but just a plain story.
It is a ghost story, as usual, but without punch, there are scarcely scary scenes and when you finally gets its cue, it's barely that. The storyline seems to be not profited enough, flat characters and even plods (it is a 190 pages book). In the end all is tied enough to bestow a decent end, cyclic story of sad, human mistakes, but just a plain story.
April 6, 2015
3.5; probably the strongest thing Aycliffe has written since 'The Talisman' - entertaining and provides some strong atmospheric chills, but still a far cry from the likes of 'The Matrix', which ranks amongst the greatest works of fiction ever written in the Jamesian tradition.
December 10, 2019
After reading Naomi's Room recently (which is probably my favourite read of 2019), I had such high hopes for this one. Sadly it wasn't quite in the league I had expected but still a decent, historical tale. It could have done with more of the ghosts/hauntings/actual spooky stuff though.
June 15, 2017
A ghost story of the "traditional" kind & a good one too! The book opens with Charles Lancaster's introduction to his grandfather's diaries & how, as his grandfather's sole heir, he has inherited a property called Hallinhag House. Despite the locals trying to put him off going to the house, Charles goes to explore his inheritance where he encounters a young girl Octavia, who would appear to be a...yes, you've guessed it... ghost!
The remainder of the story is told from Dominic's diary from being invalided out of the navy & sent to the lakes, up to the death of his sister Octavia....that's not a spoiler, as you know she's dead given that she makes a ghostly appearance in Charles' intro!
It's not an action packed or gory novel but is quite creepy & spooky - just like a good traditional ghost story should be. More surprisingly I didn't feel let down or disappointed in the ending like I am often wont to do with horror novels & I ended the book with a very satisfied smile :o)
The remainder of the story is told from Dominic's diary from being invalided out of the navy & sent to the lakes, up to the death of his sister Octavia....that's not a spoiler, as you know she's dead given that she makes a ghostly appearance in Charles' intro!
It's not an action packed or gory novel but is quite creepy & spooky - just like a good traditional ghost story should be. More surprisingly I didn't feel let down or disappointed in the ending like I am often wont to do with horror novels & I ended the book with a very satisfied smile :o)
June 4, 2019
I found the ghosts were nearly "too silent". Those of us that want a ghost story that is filled with spine-chilling tension may be disappointed. In spite of that it is a beautiful, well written story told from the diaries of the present day character's descendant. You can’t help but like the character of Dominic...injured early in World War II...sent to Hallinhag by his rather overbearing father to recuperate with only the company of his young, deaf sister and Rose, his nurse. The author expresses in graphic terms the toll of war, not only upon the characters but the villages as well as all of London. It is a tale of malevolence that outlasts death...but also tells a story of a wealthy man’s love for an "unsuitable" woman in a time of horror and incredible change.
October 11, 2023
3 stars--I liked the book. Another classic English ghost story from Jonathan Aycliffe. This was a quick read, and I liked the plot, though it was pretty basic for the genre. Great ending, though!
January 17, 2021
An excellent ghost story that gave me chills. Interesting subject matter.
February 16, 2015
I am very happy to state ghost stories can still be entertaining. I have to admit, I wasn’t sure a tale about haunting spirits could still be fun, given the amount of horror that is published and produced every day…but author Jonathan Aycliffe shows us ghosts are still worth reading with THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS, his most recent offering published by Night Shade Books. And although the book doesn’t bring anything new to the table in regard to these bodiless specters, this is still a rousing and thrilling story that fans of horror will love.
I didn’t realize Jonathan Aycliffe was actually a pen name for writer Denis MacEoin. I’ve never read anything by either name, however I found this interesting while researching Aycliffe for this review. I always wonder what the motivation is for pen names, whether it be anonymity or simply entertainment.
THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS is written well and flows at a smooth pace. The main story is presented in diary form, which intensifies the suspense as it becomes more personal. I like how Aycliffe achieves a heightened state of intensity by using this form.
The characters are well-rounded and believable. None are stereotypical, however each individual is interesting and fleshed out to the point of realism. I felt a particular connection to Dominic on a personal level, as I have been the “black sheep” of my own family at one point in time. This deepened my immersion into the story and allowed me to have a more emotional reading experience.
THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS is a big win for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good, solid ghost story. As I mentioned above, it doesn’t present anything new or unexplored about ghosts, but it’s fun and full of energy. The book is available now, so give it a shot.
I didn’t realize Jonathan Aycliffe was actually a pen name for writer Denis MacEoin. I’ve never read anything by either name, however I found this interesting while researching Aycliffe for this review. I always wonder what the motivation is for pen names, whether it be anonymity or simply entertainment.
THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS is written well and flows at a smooth pace. The main story is presented in diary form, which intensifies the suspense as it becomes more personal. I like how Aycliffe achieves a heightened state of intensity by using this form.
The characters are well-rounded and believable. None are stereotypical, however each individual is interesting and fleshed out to the point of realism. I felt a particular connection to Dominic on a personal level, as I have been the “black sheep” of my own family at one point in time. This deepened my immersion into the story and allowed me to have a more emotional reading experience.
THE SILENCE OF GHOSTS is a big win for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a good, solid ghost story. As I mentioned above, it doesn’t present anything new or unexplored about ghosts, but it’s fun and full of energy. The book is available now, so give it a shot.
March 9, 2015
I would like to thank Night Shade Books and Edelweiss for the opportunity to read this book.
I like a good ghost story. I have since I was old enough to check out my first ghost story from the elementary school library and get the chills for that first time. There's just something exciting about that adrenaline rush that comes from being scared. Especially lying in bed, in the dark, reading about ghosts, and just KNOWING that something is going to sneak up behind you! This book completely achieved that exciting feeling for me a few times, and it was so thrilling, because I haven't had a good scare like that in so long that I thought I'd grown immune.
The reason I'm giving this book only 3 1/2 stars is because in between the ghost chills, I didn't connect well with the rest of the story. I liked the connection between Dominic and Rose, but would have liked more about Octavia than there was. And somehow everything that wasn't the connection between Dominic and Rose and anything to do with Octavia just fell flat. Especially the interaction with Dominic and Octavia's parents and Rose's Mom. The interactions felt really forced all around, and unnatural.
But I think that's a lot just me, and I feel like I can easily recommend this to anyone looking for a ghost story.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and I am never compensated for my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I like a good ghost story. I have since I was old enough to check out my first ghost story from the elementary school library and get the chills for that first time. There's just something exciting about that adrenaline rush that comes from being scared. Especially lying in bed, in the dark, reading about ghosts, and just KNOWING that something is going to sneak up behind you! This book completely achieved that exciting feeling for me a few times, and it was so thrilling, because I haven't had a good scare like that in so long that I thought I'd grown immune.
The reason I'm giving this book only 3 1/2 stars is because in between the ghost chills, I didn't connect well with the rest of the story. I liked the connection between Dominic and Rose, but would have liked more about Octavia than there was. And somehow everything that wasn't the connection between Dominic and Rose and anything to do with Octavia just fell flat. Especially the interaction with Dominic and Octavia's parents and Rose's Mom. The interactions felt really forced all around, and unnatural.
But I think that's a lot just me, and I feel like I can easily recommend this to anyone looking for a ghost story.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review, and I am never compensated for my reviews. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 27, 2016
When the Blitz starts in London, Dominic Lancaster, injured out of service at the battle of Narvik, accompanies his 10 year old sister Octavia to the family house on the shores of Ullswater in the Lake District.
Octavia is profoundly deaf but at night she can hear disturbing noises in the house. When questioned by Dominic as to what she can hear, she replies: 'voices'. Two nights later she comes into his bedroom to tell him that the dead children in the house want them to leave.
And then Octavia falls mysteriously ill... during her sickness she tells Dominic he must go to the attic. There, he releases an older, darker evil that threatens the lives of Olivia and himself.
I am a fan of Jonathon Aycliffe whose well written stories are dark, disturbing and incredibly chilling and the latest is no exception.
Set during the Second World War this wonderfully atmospheric tale tales place in the Lake District at an isolated house in the winter.
Hallinhag House in the little village of Ullswater, is full of memories, whispering voices and a creeping menace.
Perfect for dark winter nights…..
Octavia is profoundly deaf but at night she can hear disturbing noises in the house. When questioned by Dominic as to what she can hear, she replies: 'voices'. Two nights later she comes into his bedroom to tell him that the dead children in the house want them to leave.
And then Octavia falls mysteriously ill... during her sickness she tells Dominic he must go to the attic. There, he releases an older, darker evil that threatens the lives of Olivia and himself.
I am a fan of Jonathon Aycliffe whose well written stories are dark, disturbing and incredibly chilling and the latest is no exception.
Set during the Second World War this wonderfully atmospheric tale tales place in the Lake District at an isolated house in the winter.
Hallinhag House in the little village of Ullswater, is full of memories, whispering voices and a creeping menace.
Perfect for dark winter nights…..
October 29, 2017
I absolutely loved this one! Aycliffe is a wonderful writer. His wording when he described the ghosts made me feel like I was right there experiencing the hauntings myself. The characters were engaging and likable... well ..the main characters were. I mean I really and truly cared for them. The leading man's parents were horrible, and a few relatives were horrible, but the story didn't really revolve around them. I did find myself wondering how the man and his little sister turned out so nice with such horrible parents and relations. I enjoyed the backdrop of WW ll very much. The Silence of Ghosts was a ghost story, yes , but with a historical bent. Excellent! I will be reading more of Mr. Aycliffe for sure!
March 10, 2023
I love Aycliffes style of writing, and although this one didn't send the creeps up my spine like Naomi's Room, he certainly understands how to write an unsettling ghost story.
Recommended for fans of his work or for enthusiasts of 'old fashioned' ghost stories.
Recommended for fans of his work or for enthusiasts of 'old fashioned' ghost stories.
October 10, 2025
Off to a strong start, faltered with a slow middle and end.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Tropes:
- Haunted house
- The horrors of WWII
- Stuck in a creepy ghost house with nowhere else to go
- All the children are ghosts
Was it scary?:
It had a few scenes that were a little creepy, but I felt like the monotony of parts of this book dampened the scares.
Most memorable scene:
When the characters flee the house in terror, and there’s something on the stairs behind them 👀
Overall thoughts:
The premise of this is undoubtedly creepy: a brother and sister flee London to their second home during the height of WWII to escape the bombings. The sister is deaf, and yet somehow starts hearing voices in the house, and spooky shenanigans escalate from there. Despite this, I felt that the book took a turn for the tedious after a while, which is certainly a shame considering it was only just over 200 pages. What is a creepy premise ultimately didn’t quite deliver for me.
Read if you want ➡️
A haunted house tale mixed with history/the real life horrors of WWII, featuring a soldier who was discharged due to injury, a rather large romance plot and ghostly children keeping them up all night with their whispering.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️☆
Tropes:
- Haunted house
- The horrors of WWII
- Stuck in a creepy ghost house with nowhere else to go
- All the children are ghosts
Was it scary?:
It had a few scenes that were a little creepy, but I felt like the monotony of parts of this book dampened the scares.
Most memorable scene:
When the characters flee the house in terror, and there’s something on the stairs behind them 👀
Overall thoughts:
The premise of this is undoubtedly creepy: a brother and sister flee London to their second home during the height of WWII to escape the bombings. The sister is deaf, and yet somehow starts hearing voices in the house, and spooky shenanigans escalate from there. Despite this, I felt that the book took a turn for the tedious after a while, which is certainly a shame considering it was only just over 200 pages. What is a creepy premise ultimately didn’t quite deliver for me.
Read if you want ➡️
A haunted house tale mixed with history/the real life horrors of WWII, featuring a soldier who was discharged due to injury, a rather large romance plot and ghostly children keeping them up all night with their whispering.
December 31, 2019
There is nothing more perfect, or harder to write, than an English ghost story. I always make it a point to read as many as I can - whenever I chance upon one.
Jonathan Aycliffe is an Irish author..previously unfamiliar to me - with nine books to his credit....including this one "The Silence of Ghosts".
Dominic Lancaster, son of an importer of spirits (in this case, primarily port) has enlisted in the Royal Navy, where he is invalided by the lost of his leg during WW2. Returning to London, he is sent with his partially deaf sister Octavia to the former family home in Ullswater to recuperate. The family estate, Hallinghag House...has an ugle reputation among the locals, and has been uninhabited for many years....
After the arrival of Dominic and Octavia - Octavia begins to see and hear the voices of children that no one else can hear.....as Dominic's relationship with his nurse Rose begins to deepen into love..what mysteries exist within Hallinghag House, and what do they mean to the Lancaster family?
Jonathan Aycliffe is an Irish author..previously unfamiliar to me - with nine books to his credit....including this one "The Silence of Ghosts".
Dominic Lancaster, son of an importer of spirits (in this case, primarily port) has enlisted in the Royal Navy, where he is invalided by the lost of his leg during WW2. Returning to London, he is sent with his partially deaf sister Octavia to the former family home in Ullswater to recuperate. The family estate, Hallinghag House...has an ugle reputation among the locals, and has been uninhabited for many years....
After the arrival of Dominic and Octavia - Octavia begins to see and hear the voices of children that no one else can hear.....as Dominic's relationship with his nurse Rose begins to deepen into love..what mysteries exist within Hallinghag House, and what do they mean to the Lancaster family?
October 18, 2023
2,5 ⭐️
I really enjoyed Aycliffe's "Naomi's room" so I was happy to read another one of his ghost's stories for the spooky season. Sadly, this book wasn't that good.
I appreciated the period setting of the WWII, but sometimes it felt like the writing indulged a bit too much in describing random details and common life moments to keep up the tension to the creepy bits.
The super evil parents were totally unnecessary and felt a bit too forced, imo, and I am not quite sure I grasped what really happens in that underwhelming ending.
I really enjoyed Aycliffe's "Naomi's room" so I was happy to read another one of his ghost's stories for the spooky season. Sadly, this book wasn't that good.
I appreciated the period setting of the WWII, but sometimes it felt like the writing indulged a bit too much in describing random details and common life moments to keep up the tension to the creepy bits.
The super evil parents were totally unnecessary and felt a bit too forced, imo, and I am not quite sure I grasped what really happens in that underwhelming ending.
November 21, 2018
The bones of this story are good. There is a lot of potential in it. However, I find the actual story painfully dry and uninteresting. There is absolutely no emotion or heart, and that's made even more disappointing by the fact that the story is presented as diary entries. You'd think there would be some level of soul to that. I never found myself invested in the slightest and it was difficult for me to want to finish the book.
December 15, 2014
Admirable, Entertaining, and Worth Considering
You know how some English ghost stories are so mild and restrained that nothing happens? Oh, there was a shadow on the window, or a cool breeze in the stairwell, or someone moved the tea tray. And then there are some ghost stories that are filled with multi-tentacled creatures, madness, blood, entrails and gore, right from page one? Well, for me at least, this book struck a happy medium. MILD SPOILER ALERT Here, there are ghosts - they appear and interact with our heroes. There is threat and danger. There is a mystery. But, while there is a slow build up of dread and menace, it's not too slow and the action commences early enough that the book isn't just teasing and then an ambiguous ending.
The general sense of the knowledgeable fan reviews I've read is that this isn't Aycliffe's best work and it isn't his worst work. I don't know about that because I don't know this author that well. It did seem to me that in terms of the here and now appeal of this particular book, it was quite entertaining and just right as an honestly and efficiently crafted ghost/mystery story. And, it was certainly much, much better than other ghost stories I have read recently.
It helps that the author offers a nice balance between exposition and action, and between incredulity and acceptance. Our hero doesn't spend 90% of the book in denial, but he also isn't totally credulous. He is as brave as he needs to be and establishes the "normalcy" you need to make the incredible parts of the story work. There are some sketchy bits and a few overlong bits, but by and large I felt that I was rewarded in the same measure that I had invested in the book. There were a few twists and turns, the author tried to toss in the occasional surprise, and the whole thing came together as well as could be expected for a ghost story.
There is a romance between our hero and his brave and loyal nurse, and it is actually adult, natural feeling, and a positive contribution to the depth and richness of the tale. Along the same lines, there a number of "local" characters and they are developed well enough to add some variety and misdirection to the tale. Our hero's sister is a sympathetic figure who drifts in and out of the story, but she certainly held the reader's attention from time to time.
So, my bottom line is that this was a well written, occasionally touching and generally well plotted story that did as much as could be expected given the genre and that offered a few well earned thrills. I'm not sure what more you could ask as a casual reader. (Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
You know how some English ghost stories are so mild and restrained that nothing happens? Oh, there was a shadow on the window, or a cool breeze in the stairwell, or someone moved the tea tray. And then there are some ghost stories that are filled with multi-tentacled creatures, madness, blood, entrails and gore, right from page one? Well, for me at least, this book struck a happy medium. MILD SPOILER ALERT Here, there are ghosts - they appear and interact with our heroes. There is threat and danger. There is a mystery. But, while there is a slow build up of dread and menace, it's not too slow and the action commences early enough that the book isn't just teasing and then an ambiguous ending.
The general sense of the knowledgeable fan reviews I've read is that this isn't Aycliffe's best work and it isn't his worst work. I don't know about that because I don't know this author that well. It did seem to me that in terms of the here and now appeal of this particular book, it was quite entertaining and just right as an honestly and efficiently crafted ghost/mystery story. And, it was certainly much, much better than other ghost stories I have read recently.
It helps that the author offers a nice balance between exposition and action, and between incredulity and acceptance. Our hero doesn't spend 90% of the book in denial, but he also isn't totally credulous. He is as brave as he needs to be and establishes the "normalcy" you need to make the incredible parts of the story work. There are some sketchy bits and a few overlong bits, but by and large I felt that I was rewarded in the same measure that I had invested in the book. There were a few twists and turns, the author tried to toss in the occasional surprise, and the whole thing came together as well as could be expected for a ghost story.
There is a romance between our hero and his brave and loyal nurse, and it is actually adult, natural feeling, and a positive contribution to the depth and richness of the tale. Along the same lines, there a number of "local" characters and they are developed well enough to add some variety and misdirection to the tale. Our hero's sister is a sympathetic figure who drifts in and out of the story, but she certainly held the reader's attention from time to time.
So, my bottom line is that this was a well written, occasionally touching and generally well plotted story that did as much as could be expected given the genre and that offered a few well earned thrills. I'm not sure what more you could ask as a casual reader. (Please note that I received a free ecopy of this book in exchange for a candid review. Apart from that I have no connection at all to either the author or the publisher of this book.)
April 18, 2014
Aycliffe spins a tale of love, and loss and dark family secrets and proves that some grand old homes have much more than skeletons hidden in the airing closets.
Charles Lancaster is shocked to learn he has inherited Hallinhag House, a centuries-old manor just outside the Lake District village of Howtown. Down on his luck, he sees this unexpected windfall as a blessing. Yet he soon discovers that something is terribly wrong at Hallinhag, now claimed by mould and decay but apparently occupied by a young girl. Through the diary entries of Dominic Lancaster, his grandfather and the last person to stay in the house, the terrible truth about Hallinhag is revealed.
The foreshadowed tension Charles brings to the story in the opening chapters is reminiscent of Susan Hill’s Woman in Black - a good old-fashioned thrill of a ghost story. As The Silence of Ghosts progresses, however, the comparison is soon diminished. The choice of Dominic’s diary entries to tell of the horror that lurks in Hallinhag means that many of the truly frightening scenes are told in retrospect and though Dominic does this honestly, capturing much of the fear he felt, it never reaches the height of tension that would have been possible in a more traditional telling. For me, the ghosts were rather too silent, and those who want a ghost story filled with spine-chilling tension may be disappointed. Still, this is a beautiful story. Well written, with moments of stunning imagery, you can’t help but be drawn to Dominic, injured early in World War II and sent to Hallinhag by his austere father to recuperate with only his young sister and a nurse for company. The love story between Dominic and Rose (his nurse) is tender and not without difficulty, and Aycliffe subtly reveals the toll of war upon the characters, the village and London.
The Silence of Ghosts is a tale of malevolence that outlasts death but is also a tender story of a wealthy man’s love for an ‘unsuitable’ woman in a time of turbulence and change.
Charles Lancaster is shocked to learn he has inherited Hallinhag House, a centuries-old manor just outside the Lake District village of Howtown. Down on his luck, he sees this unexpected windfall as a blessing. Yet he soon discovers that something is terribly wrong at Hallinhag, now claimed by mould and decay but apparently occupied by a young girl. Through the diary entries of Dominic Lancaster, his grandfather and the last person to stay in the house, the terrible truth about Hallinhag is revealed.
The foreshadowed tension Charles brings to the story in the opening chapters is reminiscent of Susan Hill’s Woman in Black - a good old-fashioned thrill of a ghost story. As The Silence of Ghosts progresses, however, the comparison is soon diminished. The choice of Dominic’s diary entries to tell of the horror that lurks in Hallinhag means that many of the truly frightening scenes are told in retrospect and though Dominic does this honestly, capturing much of the fear he felt, it never reaches the height of tension that would have been possible in a more traditional telling. For me, the ghosts were rather too silent, and those who want a ghost story filled with spine-chilling tension may be disappointed. Still, this is a beautiful story. Well written, with moments of stunning imagery, you can’t help but be drawn to Dominic, injured early in World War II and sent to Hallinhag by his austere father to recuperate with only his young sister and a nurse for company. The love story between Dominic and Rose (his nurse) is tender and not without difficulty, and Aycliffe subtly reveals the toll of war upon the characters, the village and London.
The Silence of Ghosts is a tale of malevolence that outlasts death but is also a tender story of a wealthy man’s love for an ‘unsuitable’ woman in a time of turbulence and change.
December 1, 2015
The Silence of Ghosts is a wonderful ghost story with gothic undertones. Dominic Lancaster hoped to prove himself to his family by excelling in the Navy during World War II. Instead he is wounded while serving as a gunner, and loses his leg. Still recovering from his wounds and the trauma of his amputation when the Blitz begins, Dominic finds himself shuffled off to the countryside by his family, along with his partially deaf sister, Octavia. The crumbling family estate on the shores of Ullswater is an old, much-neglected place that doesn’t seem to promise much in the way of happiness or recovery. Something more than a friendship begins to flourish between Dominic and his nurse Rose in the late autumn of that English countryside, as he struggles to come to terms with his new life as an amputee. Another thing that seems to be flourishing is Octavia’s hearing. As winter descends, sinister forces seem to be materializing around Octavia, who is hearing voices of children. After seeing things that no one else can see and hearing things that no one else can hear, Octavia is afflicted with a sickness that cannot be explained. With Octavia’s help, Dominic sets out to find the truth behind the voices that have haunted his sister. In doing so, he uncovers an even older, darker evil that threatens not only Octavia, but Rose and himself. Aycliffe's characters have great depth including most of the minor characters. The tense and menacing tone are carefully crafted and the story unfolds at a moderate but acceptable pace. While Dominic and Rose finally resolve their fears, Aycliffe pulls off a disturbing ending. Highly recommended to anyone who loves a well told story with elements of horror and thriller. One of the best "ghost stories" I have ever read.
March 24, 2015
Another in Jonathan Aycliffe's series of short ghost novels, this is set in WW2 and is primarily narrated via the diary of Dominic Lancaster, who has lost part of his leg in a naval battle and is sent with his younger sister (who is deaf) to recuperate and escape the Blitz in a spooky old lakeside mansion owned by his family who are wealthy port importers. The presence of his sister is the catalyst for the haunting that follows and it becomes clear that more than just port has been brought from Portugal to the Lake District during the last two hundred years or so. The plot moves along rapidly and is certainly very creepy to begin with. However there is a slight loss of tension as Lancaster and his little group of helpers begin to unravel the mystery of the old house, though it picks up again towards the end. There is an interesting little twist at the conclusion of the book though this concerns Dominic's grandson who discovered the diary after Dominic's death. An enjoyable and easy read- not as good as Naomi's Room- but still a worthy addition to the collection.
January 15, 2016
Not Mr Aycliffe's best book. It was diverting enough but never really took off - basically, the individual scenes were interesting but the overall story-arc was crud.
The main character was quite engaging, if a little naive for a sea officer who'd served in the wartime navy, but I enjoyed his company for all that.
There's a shocking sentence towards the end and I'm wondering if that's the true horror of the story - I need to let it marinate for a while.
What didn't work for me, especially on the Kindle, was the diary-within-a-diary format. When we reached the last few pages and rejoined the original narrator, I'd forgotten who he was and what his story was.
This wouldn't put me off Aycliffe's novels but it's not the one I'd point a newcomer to: try Naomi's Room first - but it's all downhill from there :-)
The main character was quite engaging, if a little naive for a sea officer who'd served in the wartime navy, but I enjoyed his company for all that.
There's a shocking sentence towards the end and I'm wondering if that's the true horror of the story - I need to let it marinate for a while.
What didn't work for me, especially on the Kindle, was the diary-within-a-diary format. When we reached the last few pages and rejoined the original narrator, I'd forgotten who he was and what his story was.
This wouldn't put me off Aycliffe's novels but it's not the one I'd point a newcomer to: try Naomi's Room first - but it's all downhill from there :-)
June 16, 2014
Starts off as a great story, you really feel for the protagonist. It gets really creepy really quickly, which I like! The writing is easy and the story flows. The ending was weak though. I know some horror writers when they get a bit stuck as to close it off, but just ending it hanging like that doesn't do you any favours! Good book, would give this author another go and even read this book again as it's short and scary!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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