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Hall of Hauntings: Spooky Stories
Do you dare to read these six spooky stories of the supernatural? Feel the chills running down your spine and your pulse pounding with fear as you encounter…
The reality show in a haunted mansion where the ghosts aren’t real… are they?
Murder and mayhem at a bakery… who is the evil man in the corner?
A terrifying ancient mummy, but how is it linked to a beautiful portrait?
The old piano with a horrible history... are you afraid to play upon it?
A mysterious glowing figure with a secret to die for… what is hidden in the attic?
The deathly stillness of a barricaded library, but are the hauntings inside, or outside?
A must-read collection of creepy tales from N S Ford, author of A Strange Belief, After the Burning, They Lie Here and We Watch You.
The reality show in a haunted mansion where the ghosts aren’t real… are they?
Murder and mayhem at a bakery… who is the evil man in the corner?
A terrifying ancient mummy, but how is it linked to a beautiful portrait?
The old piano with a horrible history... are you afraid to play upon it?
A mysterious glowing figure with a secret to die for… what is hidden in the attic?
The deathly stillness of a barricaded library, but are the hauntings inside, or outside?
A must-read collection of creepy tales from N S Ford, author of A Strange Belief, After the Burning, They Lie Here and We Watch You.
45 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 8, 2024
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23 people want to read
About the author
N.S. Ford
8 books30 followersN S Ford is a book fanatic, blogger and cat lover who lives in the UK. She is the author of two cross-genre psychological thrillers, 'We Watch You' and 'They Lie Here,' plus three collections of short stories, 'After the Burning', 'A Strange Belief' and 'Hall of Hauntings'.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
March 26, 2024
I received this book from the author in exchange of an honest review!
I had my eyes on this collection for a bit, I got a review copy for N.S. Ford’s other collection Strange Belief (see review here) in October, and I really enjoyed it, so I was eagerly waiting for a new one, and this one promised ghosts, horror, and spooky things, and I just ADORE all of that. Plus, there is something special about short stories, authors really need to capture the scary essence in a short page count which isn’t always easy done. But I can tell you that N.S. Ford did it again. The stories here are perfectly rounded. You get enough information, there is tension and suspense and scary moments, and there is a great ending to each one.
Here is a short bit on each of the stories, I was adding star ratings to each, but then I found out that I would rate them all 4.5 stars. Haha. Yes, this was a consistent short story collection!
Hall of Hauntings: This is the first story and I really really enjoyed it! I mean, sign me up for reality shows, but add ghosts? Either real, or not, and I need it in my life. This was a short but very spooky story and I loved every bit. Especially since you are wondering if the ghosts are real.. or not. It got quite a bit scary and for a short story it was a ride! I wouldn’t mind seeing this one expanded even more.
The Midnight Baker: Another banger! And well, also quite sad, because the history of the bakery and the people who lived there were quite sad. It got spooky when people bought the bakery, at first it seemed like everything would be fine.. but then things happened. I really liked this one!
The Glowing Beauty: What if you move from house to house, often said to be haunted, and expect nothing of it this time round, but what if something is in the house with you? It started a bit slow, it was more sad than scary at points, but still one I really enjoyed reading. I loved that we found out more about the ghost and who it was and why they glow so much (believe me, it is not because they are so spooky).
Oil and Sand: See and right here is why I am a bit hesitant about adding second-hand stuff and art to my walls, haha. This one was quite scary, not just because of the mummy/ghost that haunts our MC, but also because how far it will go to make itself noticed and won’t stop until things are done. I loved that it was tied to a painting and I loved learning why and how it was all tied together. I didn’t know they used THAT for paint! OH NO.
The Last Librarian: Another story that I would die to get a longer version of. For now it is fine as a short one, it really does it job at showing us the despair, giving us a glimpse at this world that has fallen and what lurks outside. It was really a good story and I was constantly on alert. I loved that it took place at a library!
A Haunting Melody: Another story and yet another one why I wouldn’t want second-hand stuff that easily, haha, I just have read one too many horror stories in my life. This was a good one. It was both scary and sad. The ending was unexpected, but it was perfect as well.
And to answer the author’s question, yes, you scared me. Thank you so much! In regards to spooky things, the mummy story won! That was just terrifying.
I cannot wait to see what is next for the author, I know that I will be eagerly waiting for a new short story collection by N.S. Ford!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I had my eyes on this collection for a bit, I got a review copy for N.S. Ford’s other collection Strange Belief (see review here) in October, and I really enjoyed it, so I was eagerly waiting for a new one, and this one promised ghosts, horror, and spooky things, and I just ADORE all of that. Plus, there is something special about short stories, authors really need to capture the scary essence in a short page count which isn’t always easy done. But I can tell you that N.S. Ford did it again. The stories here are perfectly rounded. You get enough information, there is tension and suspense and scary moments, and there is a great ending to each one.
Here is a short bit on each of the stories, I was adding star ratings to each, but then I found out that I would rate them all 4.5 stars. Haha. Yes, this was a consistent short story collection!
Hall of Hauntings: This is the first story and I really really enjoyed it! I mean, sign me up for reality shows, but add ghosts? Either real, or not, and I need it in my life. This was a short but very spooky story and I loved every bit. Especially since you are wondering if the ghosts are real.. or not. It got quite a bit scary and for a short story it was a ride! I wouldn’t mind seeing this one expanded even more.
The Midnight Baker: Another banger! And well, also quite sad, because the history of the bakery and the people who lived there were quite sad. It got spooky when people bought the bakery, at first it seemed like everything would be fine.. but then things happened. I really liked this one!
The Glowing Beauty: What if you move from house to house, often said to be haunted, and expect nothing of it this time round, but what if something is in the house with you? It started a bit slow, it was more sad than scary at points, but still one I really enjoyed reading. I loved that we found out more about the ghost and who it was and why they glow so much (believe me, it is not because they are so spooky).
Oil and Sand: See and right here is why I am a bit hesitant about adding second-hand stuff and art to my walls, haha. This one was quite scary, not just because of the mummy/ghost that haunts our MC, but also because how far it will go to make itself noticed and won’t stop until things are done. I loved that it was tied to a painting and I loved learning why and how it was all tied together. I didn’t know they used THAT for paint! OH NO.
The Last Librarian: Another story that I would die to get a longer version of. For now it is fine as a short one, it really does it job at showing us the despair, giving us a glimpse at this world that has fallen and what lurks outside. It was really a good story and I was constantly on alert. I loved that it took place at a library!
A Haunting Melody: Another story and yet another one why I wouldn’t want second-hand stuff that easily, haha, I just have read one too many horror stories in my life. This was a good one. It was both scary and sad. The ending was unexpected, but it was perfect as well.
And to answer the author’s question, yes, you scared me. Thank you so much! In regards to spooky things, the mummy story won! That was just terrifying.
I cannot wait to see what is next for the author, I know that I will be eagerly waiting for a new short story collection by N.S. Ford!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
March 13, 2024
Another great set of stories from N.S Ford! The author really knows how to explore the weird and wonderful in an original way. The last few stories really stood out to me!
December 12, 2024
3.5 stars
This short story collection was a nice, quick, spooky read. It's written in an engaging writing style. The stories are all quite short which made for some sudden endings at times, but there was a lot of promise in some of the ideas expressed in them.
6 stories:
Hall of Hauntings 3.5 stars
The Midnight Baker 4 stars
The Glowing Beauty 4 stars
Oil and Sand 3.25 stars
The Last Librarian 2.75 stars
A Haunting Melody 3.5 stars
Average: 3.5 stars
This short story collection was a nice, quick, spooky read. It's written in an engaging writing style. The stories are all quite short which made for some sudden endings at times, but there was a lot of promise in some of the ideas expressed in them.
6 stories:
Hall of Hauntings 3.5 stars
The Midnight Baker 4 stars
The Glowing Beauty 4 stars
Oil and Sand 3.25 stars
The Last Librarian 2.75 stars
A Haunting Melody 3.5 stars
Average: 3.5 stars
June 17, 2025
Miniature Ghost Tales
3.5 stars: A quick read, this collection of short ghost stories is perfect for when you need some bite-sized scares. The title story is a spooky tale about a contest to stay in a haunted house long enough to win a prize. This one could have been much longer (like, novella length), and ended a little abruptly, even for a short story. “The Midnight Baker” is a fun campground story about a haunted bakery from years past. “The Glowing Beauty” is a simple haunted house tale of a deceased woman whose specter glows as she plays her piano. “Oil and Sand” tells the creepy tale of a mummy haunting an old oil painting. “The Last Librarian” is one of my favorites and chronicles a librarian’s last moments trapped inside the library while zombies try to break in. “A Haunting Melody” takes a woman’s love for music and turns it upside down when a haunted piano tells a tragic story that hadn’t yet come to an end.
Overall, each story was quick and easy to read. Each probably could have been a little more drawn out, and the endings less abrupt. But they are still easy reads that will give you chills.
3.5 stars: A quick read, this collection of short ghost stories is perfect for when you need some bite-sized scares. The title story is a spooky tale about a contest to stay in a haunted house long enough to win a prize. This one could have been much longer (like, novella length), and ended a little abruptly, even for a short story. “The Midnight Baker” is a fun campground story about a haunted bakery from years past. “The Glowing Beauty” is a simple haunted house tale of a deceased woman whose specter glows as she plays her piano. “Oil and Sand” tells the creepy tale of a mummy haunting an old oil painting. “The Last Librarian” is one of my favorites and chronicles a librarian’s last moments trapped inside the library while zombies try to break in. “A Haunting Melody” takes a woman’s love for music and turns it upside down when a haunted piano tells a tragic story that hadn’t yet come to an end.
Overall, each story was quick and easy to read. Each probably could have been a little more drawn out, and the endings less abrupt. But they are still easy reads that will give you chills.
April 5, 2024
An enjoyable and fun but always spooky collection of short tales…
N.S. Ford presents a collection of spooky short stories that are fun and enjoyable while also covering a plethora of themes within the genre. As the introductory note states, this collection is delightfully aware of the effect that scary stories have had over centuries for people who simply enjoy them or even believe there may be a truth behind them and that’s a theme I found prominent throughout.
From a haunted house survival reality tv show to even works of art that contain more within to furniture with a mind of its own, you’ll find some original concepts here alongside some more familiar ones in a well-written collection of spookiness. These 6 stories cover much of what is described at the start and will guarantee enjoyment for fans of a good scare.
N.S. Ford presents a collection of spooky short stories that are fun and enjoyable while also covering a plethora of themes within the genre. As the introductory note states, this collection is delightfully aware of the effect that scary stories have had over centuries for people who simply enjoy them or even believe there may be a truth behind them and that’s a theme I found prominent throughout.
From a haunted house survival reality tv show to even works of art that contain more within to furniture with a mind of its own, you’ll find some original concepts here alongside some more familiar ones in a well-written collection of spookiness. These 6 stories cover much of what is described at the start and will guarantee enjoyment for fans of a good scare.
March 8, 2024
I received an E-ARC with a request for my honest review.
This creepy and spooky collection of short stories are all horror and ghostly tales, there are six in total, see more below:
Hall of Hauntings – A TV contest, where the last one to stay wins the prize.
The Midnight Baker – A bakery which is said to be haunted by a previous owner.
The Glowing Beauty – A woman who investigates a haunted house sees her first ghost.
Oil and Sand – An unexpected object causes a ‘Mummy’ haunting.
The Last Librarian – A librarian trapped at her work during a Zombie invasion.
A Haunting Melody – An expected gift, leads to a shocking discovery.
This collection of short stories is a very quick read, and I loved reading them. They are based on ghost stories, which I enjoy reading and they are all great to read. I sometimes find these kinds of collections get silly or gory un-necessarily, but this is not the case, they are just great ghostly tales.
My favourite read was Hall of Hauntings, followed by The Midnight Baker, however all were haunting and spooky.
Overall, a creepy and spooky collection of ghostly tales, which will leave you with a creepy feeling.
This creepy and spooky collection of short stories are all horror and ghostly tales, there are six in total, see more below:
Hall of Hauntings – A TV contest, where the last one to stay wins the prize.
The Midnight Baker – A bakery which is said to be haunted by a previous owner.
The Glowing Beauty – A woman who investigates a haunted house sees her first ghost.
Oil and Sand – An unexpected object causes a ‘Mummy’ haunting.
The Last Librarian – A librarian trapped at her work during a Zombie invasion.
A Haunting Melody – An expected gift, leads to a shocking discovery.
This collection of short stories is a very quick read, and I loved reading them. They are based on ghost stories, which I enjoy reading and they are all great to read. I sometimes find these kinds of collections get silly or gory un-necessarily, but this is not the case, they are just great ghostly tales.
My favourite read was Hall of Hauntings, followed by The Midnight Baker, however all were haunting and spooky.
Overall, a creepy and spooky collection of ghostly tales, which will leave you with a creepy feeling.
March 10, 2025
This was my first read by NS Ford, and I'm intrigued enough by her writing to check out more of her books. My favourite in this spooky collection by far was 'Oil and Sand' about a haunted painting - no spoiler about why it was haunted, but I found this story incredibly original. Second favourite was 'The Glowing Beauty', again with a unique slant on reasons why a ghost might have ended up in its predicament - with quite gruesome imagery in this story too. The other stories didn't make any particular impression on me, but these two above made the collection as a whole worth the read.
October 28, 2024
2.5 rounded up.
I liked the vibe here, and there were some neat ideas for sure. But I would have liked them to go darker, and to spend a little more time building the dread and chilling my spine.
However, if you’re after a very breezy read that is ideal for a dark October night, this could be a good match for you!
I liked the vibe here, and there were some neat ideas for sure. But I would have liked them to go darker, and to spend a little more time building the dread and chilling my spine.
However, if you’re after a very breezy read that is ideal for a dark October night, this could be a good match for you!
January 22, 2025
Some of these stories reminded me of mini goosebumps stories which I loved as a kid. Some were spookier than others but what I loved most was they were spooky and fun without being over complicated and it was this that gave me the odd shiver. Job well done!
October 17, 2025
I love reading these short stories. Six spooky ghost tales that all get you hooked. It's hard to review short stories without giving much away but I enjoyed each one, all had a good ending. I especially liked the piano one.
April 1, 2024
Short and spooky = can't complain! Another great collection by NS Ford.
March 31, 2025
A collection of succinct horror stories, which scared me despite my extensive experience reading horror fiction.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews