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"Impressive debut. Funny, eerie and fascinating." - Kaaron Warren, author of The Underhistory
"A fresh new voice in the horror genre. One to look out for." - Shani Struthers, bestselling author of The Psychic Surveys series
"JJ Carpenter intertwines a haunting charm with a delightful dose of humor." - M.L Rayner, author of
Echoes of Home

"I didn't expect to die today..."

Everyone dies. But what happens if you're not ready when it's your turn?

The first time Charlie White nearly died, there was no light at the end of the tunnel. Her life didn't flash before her eyes. There were no pearly gates. As the sufferer of a rare medical condition, she has lost count of the number of times she's faced death.

Traumatised and afraid, she upends her high-flyer Sydney lifestyle and escapes to the relative isolation and safety of rural New South Wales, Australia. But as strange occurrences start up in her 1920s cottage, she realises she's not as alone as she'd hoped.

The spirits are restless and not everything is as it seems. Charlie's life is not the only thing hanging in the balance. Her beliefs, her sanity, her very connection to reality, are under threat. She soon realises purgatory is all too real, and she's not its only resident.

256 pages, Paperback

Published May 4, 2024

8 people are currently reading
119 people want to read

About the author

J.J. Carpenter

6 books35 followers

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5 stars
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27 (30%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
Profile Image for Roz Anne.
343 reviews31 followers
May 19, 2024
4.5 stars!

Charlie White might be running from her past trauma and ongoing anxiety, but she is far braver than I will ever be!

Charlie has relocated to New South Wales to get away from the busy and for her, high risk streets of Sydney. She buys a beautiful 1920's cottage that sits on acres of land. Charlie loves nothing more than walking over the grassland and hills. Life seems good until strange things start happening at the cottage. Charlie soon realises that she might not be as alone as she first thought.

This is a beautifully written book and a fantastic debut novel. The author not only brought the landscape of rural Australia to life, but each character had such depth to them. I really felt I got to know them.

The haunting environment has its creepy moments, and I, for one, would not have stuck around to find out what was going on if I had been in Charlie's shoes! The story is paced nicely, and it all comes together in a satisfying way at the end. I'm looking forward to reading more books by this author!
Profile Image for Horror Reads.
914 reviews324 followers
May 20, 2024
This is a creepy novel about ghostly entities but it has a lot of heart as well.

Charlotte (Charlie) was a lawyer in Sydney but moved to an isolated cottage miles away for the solitude and fresh air. She has a severe peanut allergy and wears a mask and gloves when out in public because even a hint of peanut could kill her.

And, yes, she soon starts to experience supernatural events in her home. Things being moved, cupboards all opening on their own, lights turning on and off, and other spooky things associated with spirits.

Things will soon turn horrific as she delves into the history of her house and surrounding land. She feels connected to a ghost of a young girl who died horrifically. But there's also a malevalant dark spirit who can physically assault her and preys upon her vulnerability.

With the help of her best friend, Tess, and a librarian who takes an interest in what's happening, Trent, Charlie digs deep to find answers. But what she eventually uncovers is much more terrifying than just ghosts.

This novel is set in a small Australian town and the descriptions are well done and makes you feel like you're in this world. While Charlie starts to feel she might be losing her mind, it soon becomes apparent that this will affect not only her but others as well. A life changing decision must be made if she ever wants to be at peace again.

It also has a ton of heart. Her friendships feel natural and those characters provide the perfect circle of friends in her quest for the truth. But in the end, no matter which decision she decides, it will change her life and her friend's lives forever.

If you're looking for something different, not bloody and gory but creepy as hell, with a great narrative and heartfelt characters, I highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Shani Struthers.
Author 48 books508 followers
March 19, 2024
I had the pleasure of reading an ARC of this book, and was excited to do so. I have a real thing for films and books set in Australia at the moment, they offer such a fresh perspective on things, and this was no exception. This was a great take on the paranormal, the author showing herself to have a good understanding of the complexity of such a subject. The characters were great, Charlie, Tess, and Trent, and the haunting suitably scary. As for the crazy psych? She intrigued me throughout. I have to say, though, how Charlie managed to stay on at the cottage is beyond me - I'd have been skedaddled out of there! It was fascinating to get an historic perspective on the haunting too, a real feel for how Australia used to be. This is JJ Carpenter's debut novel, and a spectacular one at that. I eagerly await more books, hopefully in this genre, as she has a real flair for it!
Profile Image for Kate Victoria RescueandReading.
1,909 reviews112 followers
February 17, 2025
There were definitely some creepy moments in this story, and I loved the Australian setting. I really, really did not connect with or even like the main character though. Her attitude, perceptions, & personality were just “off” for me. She is not someone I’d spend time with in real life, so being stuck with her throughout the story just ruined it for me.

Thank you anyways to the author & BookSirens for a copy.
Profile Image for Christina Faris (books_by_the_bottle).
886 reviews31 followers
April 30, 2024
“I think that the moment we pass away, time is meaningless. It doesn’t exist anymore. I think that when you pass over, we'll be together again. Straight away; no waiting”…

Charlie White had a successful career and happy life until she developed an allergy later in life. Now living with the reality of that, and having survived several near-death experiences, Charlie relocates to the countryside of New South Wales, Australia. But she soon finds that the little cottage she is living in is not as quiet as she had hoped. It seems the spirits who lived there prior are restless, and Charlie’s life isn’t the only one that hangs in the balance.

From the opening sentences of this book, I was absolutely captivated by Charlie’s story! She was so relatable as a character, afraid for her life and trying to start over in a way that would lessen her worries. I adored her friendship with Tess and how they were more like sisters than friends. The creepiness in this book had a bit of a magical realism feel to me, with the spirits being just out of reach then slowly becoming visible…although there is one particular scene (no spoilers!) that is just about my worst nightmare when it comes to ghosts!

The story flowed SO well, I was highly impressed by JJ Carpenter’s writing style and I am so relieved to know there will be more to come, as I think Charlie still has a lot of story left to tell! I can’t wait for book #2 :)

JJ Carpenter, thank you for the ARC of this book and for reaching out to me to read it - I’m so glad I did! “The Corner of Her Eye” releases May 4, 2024.

This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)
Profile Image for Jemmsbookshelf.
355 reviews1 follower
May 18, 2024
Amazing writing for the first release and a great start to this series.
Set in rural Australia, Charlie is a single lady living alone in a town with an inquisitive population. Her ‘visitor’ is well written and seriously gives you to chills in every mention.
I would strongly suggest not making the mistake of reading this at night like myself, it’s not for the faint hearted!
Watch out for the cliffhanger at the end, sure to draw you in for the next book.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
718 reviews
April 4, 2025
Thank you to the author for providing a review copy.

The Keeper is a very cool book, best described as a supernatural historical mystery. I found the lore in the story fascinating and very unique. There is plenty of horror to be found here, however quiet. There are some truly chilling moments. The book does end on somewhat of a cliffhanger, but that doesn't bother me, and I had planned to continue with the series by then anyway. 4 stars
Profile Image for Grim Rainbow (Leslye).
159 reviews15 followers
January 16, 2025
Reading The Corner of Her Eye: The Keeper by J.J. Carpenter felt like running a marathon and curling up for a cozy movie night all at once. It's a story that seamlessly blends warmth and heartbreak, creating a haunting yet comforting atmosphere. Even now, moments from the book play on a loop in my mind - scenes so vivid and emotional that they’re bound to stay with me for a long time. I’ll admit, this book had me in tears more than once. I even had to put it down to grab tissues and reassure my worried husband that I was okay!

Carpenter skillfully takes familiar tropes from ghost stories and paranormal horror and weaves them into a rich narrative rooted in Australian history, with a cast of memorable, lifelike characters who feel like old friends. My heart ached for them, and I found myself deeply invested in the central mystery, the fascinating historical details, and the unique supernatural rules that govern the ghostly phenomena in this world.

This story isn’t just creepy for the sake of being creepy - it’s a heartfelt journey alongside the main character, full of discovery and growth. I’m thrilled to have the second book in hand so I can continue this incredible adventure.

That said, I encourage readers to check the trigger warnings, as the book does touch on some heavy and potentially uncomfortable topics. Otherwise, I highly recommend this remarkable story. It’s a perfect balance of intrigue, emotion, and the paranormal - a must-read for fans of ghostly tales with depth.
Profile Image for Lola Bodelier.
48 reviews1 follower
October 30, 2024
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

🌟🌟🌟🌟 The Corner of Her Eye by JJ Carpenter is such a page-turner! This book has all the twists and tension that keep you up late, needing to know what happens next 👀. Carpenter builds suspense with every chapter, and I loved how she balances eerie vibes with deep emotional moments. It feels like you’re watching a thriller play out right in front of you, yet you’re still rooting for the characters as if you know them personally.

Some parts could’ve been a little tighter, but that’s a small thing compared to how gripping the story is! 📖💫 If you love thrillers that are haunting but human, this one’s for you.

Profile Image for Ashley.
546 reviews16 followers
May 8, 2024
4.5 rounded up to 5.

Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Charlie is a middle-aged woman who recently moved to the Australian countryside, and is living with a debilitating illness. And, it turns out, she can communicate with ghosts, who are haunting her new home.

There were so many things I loved about this debut novel! First, it was wonderful reading about an older woman who is childfree and living on her own. That demographic is rarely represented, and it feels refreshing.

Second, I really loved the overall vibe from this story. I found it to be really unique, kind of in that "cozy horror" genre. On one side, you have the mystery of the cottage ghosts that needs to be solved. Charlie brings along her bff Tess, a true ride-or-die, and then Trent, the town librarian that takes Charlie under his wing. The characters have such kind and quirky personalities, it feels cozy and heartwarming, and made me smile. On the other side, we have the ghosts. Scenes with the ghosts were actually pretty terrifying. It was definitely jarring to go from sweet and cozy to horrifying and gruesome. It really kept me invested and on my toes. The balance works really well in this story.

Third, I really loved the emotional roller-coaster that Charlie went through. It felt so relatable. Her mother's dementia reminded me of my experience with my grandmother. Her fear of literally living her life due to her illness. There are other things as well, but I won't discuss those so I can avoid spoilers. It was a very wonderful story, and I enjoyed every moment of it!

If you read/liked/were vaguely interested in my other reviews of some books from the Southern Ghost Hunter Mystery series by Angie Fox, this one kind of reminds me a bit like those, only darker and deeper. More emphasis on the horror!
Profile Image for Book.Dragon.Page1.
277 reviews11 followers
July 8, 2024
To be honest, normally I would not have picked up this book to read because it's not something I usually read. But it sounded so intriguing and then I won this gorgeous book (!) and got it send home. This weekend I started reading and I love this book! Stayed up way to late because I needed to know what would happen! It's sweet, scary, freaky and gave me so many feels!
Charlie is such a fun MFC! She is a little older than the MFC's in the books I usually read and she was so strong and I like the way she thinks. The setting was perfect and I liked that you learn a little history because of Charlie's researching.
I like that there is no cliffhanger but that you see elements for the story in book two.
I added book two to my tbr right away!
Profile Image for Rebecca Larsen.
250 reviews10 followers
July 10, 2024
What would you do if your new life turned out to be haunted? And that you were an imperative part of the narrative of your own ghost story?

Charlie has taken a tree change in an attempt to, basically, save her own life. But when she starts seeing and experiencing things in her new country cottage, the quiet existence she had imagined takes a serious change of direction. Enter a strangely distant psychologist, a local history enthusiast and the ruins of workers cottages at the bottom of her property.

Some chapters are not for the faint of heart, but what a rollicking read.
38 reviews1 follower
March 11, 2024
Charlie finds herself living on an isolated property which has a dark history.

Author JJ has created a spine tingling atmosphere charged with paranormal mystery.

Compelling read but not to be read when home alone, after dark!
1 review
March 18, 2024
Great solid story. Likeable characters, transformative historical portrayal, spooky but not too spooky! Impressive first novel. Looking forward to the next one!
Profile Image for Josette Thomas.
1,257 reviews1 follower
May 6, 2024
This book was a very interesting take on the afterlife and what occurs. This book was very emotional and some of the scenes I cried. I could feel the pain, sadness and heartbreak that Charlie experienced in each situation. I felt the description of all the players in the afterlife was very believable. Even the idea of balance between life and death is very intriguing. Especially since humans have this ideology; that when we die, we hope we go too a better place and if you have been a less than good person, you may end up in a less than satisfying place. There was also such an excellent account of Australian history; from the Depression, swagmen and the rough life of the Australians. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Profile Image for Rebecca White.
361 reviews28 followers
March 5, 2024
This book has such realistic portrayals for being a supernatural novel!

Beautiful cast of characters with a ton of depth. Real world issues that we can all relate to in one way or another.

I was genuinely creeped out by the horror aspects of this book but also gut punched with the emotional side.

As someone who loves history, those tidbits were fun, too.

Very unique premise that I haven’t read before so that was also a breath of fresh air.
Profile Image for Rebecka Mckellar.
2 reviews1 follower
March 8, 2024
I highly enjoyed this book, the more I read the more intriguing I found it and by the end of the book I could not put it done! I really really enjoyed it and could not recommend highly enough! It made me laugh, cry and not be able to sleep without the lights on.
Profile Image for Anna.
187 reviews
May 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book, although, at times, I could only read it during the day because of some of the creepiness of the story. It kept my interest throughout the book. Highly recommend.
8 reviews
May 14, 2024
I absolutely loved this book! Do not read this chilling thriller at night - I had to sleep with the lights on! However, I still couldn't put it down.
The characters are so well developed, you can't help but connect with them. Filled with Australian history through the Great Depression, connecting and learning about spirits and their lives, and a sprinkle of love and friendship along Charlie's journey helps to balance out the spooky! I felt a great connection to this book, and it will leave you wanting more!

This was very well written, and I can't wait for book #2! Well done, JJ!
392 reviews41 followers
March 7, 2024
It is an excellent paranormal suspenseful story. Well developed characters build steadily and a shocking, well executed ending. The first book I read by the author and defense won't be my last.
17 reviews1 follower
March 6, 2024
A quick read, it has history, paranormal, suspense, and good relationship building. One heck of a cliff hanger, but I loved the concept and the theory behind it. Very unique ghost story for sure.
Profile Image for Brittany🩵.
156 reviews4 followers
April 16, 2024
*Thank you to the author for the arc copy in exchange for an honest review.*

4.5 ⭐ rounded up.

As I was reading this book, I kept thinking about all the research the author must have had to put into writing this book between the Australian history and the paranormal aspects. The author didn't cut any corners and there were no unexplainable plot holes. Fantastic writing by the author on a very creepy subject.

I don't read a ton of paranormal books, but when I read the blurb of this one I was super intrigued and the book did not disappoint. It was realistic and creepy.

I kept imagining myself as the main character because I really liked her and I think that she and I would react similarly in some situations. She was beyond brave. One big difference between Charlie and me, I don't think I'd stay at the cottage. Her curiosity was so much fun. I was glad that I could hide behind the page while she did all the hard work though!

I loved all of the characters. Tessa was such a good friend to Charlie. I was glad that Charlie had someone like her to lean on. Trent was also such a curious sweetheart, he was one of my favorite parts of the book. I was also very intrigued by the psychiatrist that Charlie was seeing. The characters were all well developed, relateable, and realistic.

👻 Paranormal
👻 Australian History
👻 Horror
👻 Suspenseful
👻 Mystery

The author also perfectly portrayed the main character and her struggles to start her life over in a new place. It can be a lonely thing to do and the desperate desire to fit in in this new place is strong. I could feel that with the main character.

I loved the twists at the ending. It was so emotionally charged and the cliffhanger has me so ready to get my hands on the next one.
Profile Image for Horror Haus Books.
525 reviews78 followers
April 24, 2024
Australia has always seemed like such a fascinating place so I absolutely loved the setting of this book along with the historical aspects of it all.

This was a great paranormal read with a super eerie atmosphere. All of the characters were quite likable and held depth within their personalities. The whole book itself was extremely refreshing for the horror genre.

I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series!
Profile Image for Ali  O.
778 reviews44 followers
September 28, 2024
The Corner Of Her Eye, The Keeper (Book 1)
by J.J. Carpenter
🌟🌟🌟🌟
This is a great spooky and haunting horror story! Charley, the main character, decides to make a major move in order to protect herself from a deadly peanut allergy. Once Charley is living in her new cottage, scary things start to happen in the house and Charlie sees some scary, supernatural figures also. She wants to try to figure out what is going on and if what she’s seeing is real and are they ghosts? There’s lots of suspense and intense scenes.
The book dives deep into the past history of the house that Charlie has moved into.
This book is very well written and enjoyable! I did feel that some parts dragged a little through the middle of the story. Overall, it is a very good and exciting story. I love the premise and the creative direction the story went in. The storyline wasn’t just about ghosts, but went way deeper with past lives, the afterlife and figures in the “waiting place”.

Thank you to J.J. Carpenter for a copy of this fantastic book! *It’s out now, so grab your copy!!*
I’m excited to read the next 2 in the series also!
Book 2- The Corner Of Her Eye- The Road, out now!
Book 3- The Corner Of Her Eye- The Forgotten, comes out October 31st.

Profile Image for Christine.
1 review1 follower
April 4, 2024
I love a good paranormal story and this one did not disappoint! Looking forward to the next book given this ended on a cliffhanger that was begging to be continued… wonderful debut novel!
Profile Image for Jennifer.
6 reviews
July 4, 2024
Wow, this was a fantastic and unique paranormal story that I was interested in all the way through! Not to mention a beautiful cover!

I loved following Charlie through her journey in trying to uncover answers in a horrible mystery that is haunting her. I also really loved her best friend, Tess, and her “psycho psyche” Maryanne 😂 I absolutely loved reading the parts where Charlie had her therapy sessions with Maryanne.

I loved finding out what Charlie’s whole purpose and connection was to this whole mystery and I felt a lot of emotions towards the end. Although it was a bit sad, I loved how it ended!! Amazing writing by the author and fantastic plot!

My favorite chapter was chapter 7: Research. I looooove the research parts in horror movies, so reading this chapter was so fun!!
Profile Image for Melissa Cavanagh.
25 reviews
March 2, 2025
This novel is an interesting and well-crafted story about a woman who seeks tranquility by moving to a remote cottage. Once she moves in, she finds she's not exactly alone or going to get the peace and quiet she's after. Instead, she finds herself confronting haunting spirits and unraveling a profound mystery. The writing is engaging, the plot is intriguing, blending psychological and supernatural elements in a unique way. It does have a few moments where the story seems to bog down or lag but this is a book worth reading. Definitely recommend to fans of contemporary fiction, mysteries, and the paranormal.

This review is based on an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) which I received for free. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Aussieindiereads.
112 reviews11 followers
September 14, 2024
" Her mouth stretched unnaturally wide, open in a soundless scream. Her eyes black, her skin grey, her dressed ripped, water dripping from her."

What a whirl wind of a story that's definitely left me wanting to read book 2.

Charlie moved to a country town outside of Sydney, Australia. When strange things start happening inside of her new home, what she doesn't realise is that her life is about to change, for the good or the evil?

I absolutely enjoyed reading this book, seeing what Charlie went through with the haunting of her new home, finding out history behind it, and solving why the hauntings took place. I was hooked.
Profile Image for Annemarie .
958 reviews22 followers
December 22, 2024
What can I say? I absolutely LOVED this story and am looking forward to the next one.

Charlotte is one strong lady. I think I would have left and never come back after that incident with The Grey. Tess is the type of friend everyone needs in their life.

Charlotte has accepted her calling in the grand scheme of life, despite the inherent danger to herself. The entities she has come into contact with have all had "anchors". Will Tess prove to be the anchor that Charlotte needs?

I received a free Advance Reader Copy of The Corner of Her Eye through BookSirens and have chosen to leave a review.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews

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