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In the Lonely Hours
In a bewitchingly melancholy, thrillingly modern ghost story for readers of Eve Chase, Megan Shepherd, and Lisa Jewell, the new inhabitants of a centuries-old castle perched on a remote island in northwest Scotland must confront its tragic and terrifying history...
On a small island in a remote corner of northwest Scotland lies Maundrell castle, owned by its wealthy namesake family for centuries—until now. Edwina Nunn is shocked to learn a relative she never heard of has bequeathed the castle and its land to her. What awaits Edie and her teenage daughter, Neve, is even more startling, for the castle is home to a multitude of ghosts.
Yet there’s a strange beauty in the austere architecture and the eerie, bloody waters of Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. Beguiled by a frightened ghost who gazes longingly out of the castle’s windows, Edie and Neve are drawn to the legends shrouding the island and the mystery of the Maundrell Red—a priceless diamond that disappeared decades before.
Is the gem really cursed, and the cause of the family tragedies that have all occurred on Samhain—Scottish Halloween? As Samhain approaches once more, Edie and Neve race to peel back the dark secrets entwining the living and the dead—a twisted story of bitter cruelty and hidden love—or they will become another Maundrell tragedy trapped in the lonely hours . . .
On a small island in a remote corner of northwest Scotland lies Maundrell castle, owned by its wealthy namesake family for centuries—until now. Edwina Nunn is shocked to learn a relative she never heard of has bequeathed the castle and its land to her. What awaits Edie and her teenage daughter, Neve, is even more startling, for the castle is home to a multitude of ghosts.
Yet there’s a strange beauty in the austere architecture and the eerie, bloody waters of Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. Beguiled by a frightened ghost who gazes longingly out of the castle’s windows, Edie and Neve are drawn to the legends shrouding the island and the mystery of the Maundrell Red—a priceless diamond that disappeared decades before.
Is the gem really cursed, and the cause of the family tragedies that have all occurred on Samhain—Scottish Halloween? As Samhain approaches once more, Edie and Neve race to peel back the dark secrets entwining the living and the dead—a twisted story of bitter cruelty and hidden love—or they will become another Maundrell tragedy trapped in the lonely hours . . .
1 pages, Audio CD
First published July 23, 2024
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About the author
Shannon Morgan
4 books515 followersShannon has had a nomadic past involving, but not limited to, nearly being shot in Kashmir, playing a marathon, ten-hour game of backgammon on the side of the road in Turkey, getting horribly sea-sick off the coast of Madagascar, and milking a camel in the Sahara Desert.
More recently, she moved from Africa with her husband and their four boys to the windswept moors of western England, where she gives in daily to her obsession to write. If not writing or reading, she will be collecting a worrying number of unusual and rather macabre plants, many of them poisonous as they tend to produce the most interestingly weird flowers.
Shannon is the author of HER LITTLE FLOWERS, IN THE LONELY HOURS and GRIMDARK, which are all available for purchase at all the usual retailers. Her upcoming title, A PENANCE FOR CROWS, is due for release on 26 August 2026.
For further details to see Shannon's book news check out the links here:
https://linktr.ee/shannonmorganauthor
More recently, she moved from Africa with her husband and their four boys to the windswept moors of western England, where she gives in daily to her obsession to write. If not writing or reading, she will be collecting a worrying number of unusual and rather macabre plants, many of them poisonous as they tend to produce the most interestingly weird flowers.
Shannon is the author of HER LITTLE FLOWERS, IN THE LONELY HOURS and GRIMDARK, which are all available for purchase at all the usual retailers. Her upcoming title, A PENANCE FOR CROWS, is due for release on 26 August 2026.
For further details to see Shannon's book news check out the links here:
https://linktr.ee/shannonmorganauthor
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August 4, 2024
Edwina “Edie” Nunn is surprised to discover that she has inherited an old castle on a remote Scottish island as the only living descendent of the Maundrell family. Now in her late forties, Edwina, recently widowed, has never known her biological family, having been left at an orphanage as a baby. Her teenage daughter, Neve, is excited at the prospect of inheriting a castle and Edwina is eager to know more about her real family. Neither of them could have been prepared for the ghostly inhabitants (not all of whom are particularly friendly), the deep-buried secrets of the island and the tragic history of the Maundrell family, most of which occurred on Samhain. Nor were they prepared for the mystery behind the Maundrell Red – a diamond that went missing decades ago and, as legend has it, is responsible for the tragedy that befell the family. With Samhain quickly approaching, and the eerie occurrences intensifying, Edie and Neve soon discover that evil lurks in various manifestations in and around the castle and there are forces at play that would keep them from discovering the truth.
With its atmospheric setting and intricate plotting, In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan is a riveting read that combines elements of historical fiction, family drama, supernatural suspense and Gothic mystery. I loved the descriptions of the island, the haunted castle and Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. I appreciated how the author wove an element of folklore into the narrative. Presented in dual timelines (the 1960s where we meet the matriarch Elizabeth “Bitsie” Maundrell, who is pure evil, immediate family and the present-day wherein we follow Edie and Neve), the story initially unfolds at a relatively slow pace but picks up as the narrative progresses. I loved how the past was gradually revealed through old journals, local lore and ghostly visitations and thought the twists were well – executed. The novel touches upon themes of complicated mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, mental health, neurodivergence, child abandonment, generational trauma, abuse and homophobia. Needless to say, some moments are dark and disturbing, but we also have moments of kindness, empathy and love. The bond between Lottie and Mungo was beautifully depicted and I particularly enjoyed how Neve connects with one other ghostly visitors after getting off to a bumpy start. I enjoyed following the mystery as it is slowly unraveled and was satisfied with the ending, but I did think that certain aspects of the present timeline could have been explored further. I’m not a fan of the horror genre and I was glad that the novel did not venture into territory that would have made it difficult for me to read.
This isn’t a genre I dabble in much, but having read and enjoyed the author’s previous novel, Her Little Flowers, I was eager to read her latest offering. Overall, I enjoyed this well-crafted novel and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 23, 2023.
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With its atmospheric setting and intricate plotting, In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan is a riveting read that combines elements of historical fiction, family drama, supernatural suspense and Gothic mystery. I loved the descriptions of the island, the haunted castle and Loch na Scáthanna, the Lake of Shadows. I appreciated how the author wove an element of folklore into the narrative. Presented in dual timelines (the 1960s where we meet the matriarch Elizabeth “Bitsie” Maundrell, who is pure evil, immediate family and the present-day wherein we follow Edie and Neve), the story initially unfolds at a relatively slow pace but picks up as the narrative progresses. I loved how the past was gradually revealed through old journals, local lore and ghostly visitations and thought the twists were well – executed. The novel touches upon themes of complicated mother-daughter relationships, dysfunctional family dynamics, mental health, neurodivergence, child abandonment, generational trauma, abuse and homophobia. Needless to say, some moments are dark and disturbing, but we also have moments of kindness, empathy and love. The bond between Lottie and Mungo was beautifully depicted and I particularly enjoyed how Neve connects with one other ghostly visitors after getting off to a bumpy start. I enjoyed following the mystery as it is slowly unraveled and was satisfied with the ending, but I did think that certain aspects of the present timeline could have been explored further. I’m not a fan of the horror genre and I was glad that the novel did not venture into territory that would have made it difficult for me to read.
This isn’t a genre I dabble in much, but having read and enjoyed the author’s previous novel, Her Little Flowers, I was eager to read her latest offering. Overall, I enjoyed this well-crafted novel and look forward to reading more from her in the future.
Many thanks to Kensington Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel was published on July 23, 2023.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
April 1, 2024
A Gothic novel set in a haunted castle in Scotland? Yes, please! It's a slow burn and I'll admit that it took me some time to really get into it, but gradually the characters grew on me and I ended up reading the last third of the story in a single sitting. It's an unsettling and creepy tale that's full of ghosts and Scottish history and lore (probably mostly made up, but still), and I am now extra envious that I never realized my childhood dream of inheriting a castle somewhere in the British Isles. (Sadly, I really never realized any of my childhood dreams, seeing as how I am also not currently married to Captain Kirk* and am not a famous pop star.)
Be forewarned that this book has a whole lot of unlikeable characters. The main characters (Edie, Neve, Mungo, and Lottie) are decent, but several of the other members of the Maundrell family … well, let's just say that they have their issues. Lady Elizabeth and her plague doctor mask are the things of nightmares.
The mysteries at play (who are Edie's birth parents and what happened to the Maundrell Red?) are mostly suspenseful and well-written. I did see the answer to the first question coming from very early on, but the second was a complete surprise to me. There are no Agatha Christie-esque twists and turns in this one, but I still found myself anxious for the truth to be revealed.
The Nunns do seem to be rather unbothered by the ghostly inhabitants of their new home, however. I mean, sure, after a while you probably get used to ghosts running around and doing their thing, but on the very first night they were both just kind of “Oh, yeah, there are some ghostly ships floating around on the loch. Neato.” I am a fairly stoic person, but I'm pretty sure I would have been at least a little freaked out. And there are a lot of ghosts in this castle, lemme tell you. The plethora of spectres is partially explained toward the end of the novel, but it's almost comical how many ghosts there are and how unfazed Edie and Neve are by their presence.
My overall rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up. If you like unsettling Gothic tales with (many, many) ghosts and castles and curses and witches, this one might be right up your alley.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
*This one is probably for the best. He would have been a terrible husband and probably would have broken our marriage vows at least as many times as he did the Prime Directive.
Be forewarned that this book has a whole lot of unlikeable characters. The main characters (Edie, Neve, Mungo, and Lottie) are decent, but several of the other members of the Maundrell family … well, let's just say that they have their issues. Lady Elizabeth and her plague doctor mask are the things of nightmares.
The mysteries at play (who are Edie's birth parents and what happened to the Maundrell Red?) are mostly suspenseful and well-written. I did see the answer to the first question coming from very early on, but the second was a complete surprise to me. There are no Agatha Christie-esque twists and turns in this one, but I still found myself anxious for the truth to be revealed.
The Nunns do seem to be rather unbothered by the ghostly inhabitants of their new home, however. I mean, sure, after a while you probably get used to ghosts running around and doing their thing, but on the very first night they were both just kind of “Oh, yeah, there are some ghostly ships floating around on the loch. Neato.” I am a fairly stoic person, but I'm pretty sure I would have been at least a little freaked out. And there are a lot of ghosts in this castle, lemme tell you. The plethora of spectres is partially explained toward the end of the novel, but it's almost comical how many ghosts there are and how unfazed Edie and Neve are by their presence.
My overall rating: 3.75 stars, rounded up. If you like unsettling Gothic tales with (many, many) ghosts and castles and curses and witches, this one might be right up your alley.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review.
*This one is probably for the best. He would have been a terrible husband and probably would have broken our marriage vows at least as many times as he did the Prime Directive.
June 15, 2024
This multi-layered book blends historical fiction, Scottish folklore, a dysfunctional family saga with members who harbor many secrets, and thriller, horror, supernatural elements that describe the haunted Maundrell estate with its creaky halls, shadows lurking around corners, dusty walls, and labyrinthine rooms.
Alongside historical fiction and horror genres, it perfectly explores the dynamics of family drama with sensitive subjects such as mental health, parental cruelty and abuse, autism, and homosexuality.
We move back and forth between present time and 1965, where we’re introduced to the Maundrell clan including the uptight, cruel grandmother Bitsie, her daughter Alice who is becoming a minion of her mother, and little Dottie and Mungo, the grandchildren exploring the secret parts of the estate. Especially Mungo steals your heart as the most adorable and likable character of the book, suffering from autism and forced to undergo electroshock treatments.
In the present time, we meet Edwina Nunn in her late forties, recently widowed, raising her fifteen-year-old rebellious, eccentric daughter Neve who curses like a sailor and acts immaturely from the beginning, rubbing me the wrong way in several instances. They are informed that Edwina has inherited Maundrell Castle, located on a small Scottish island. Edwina thinks there must be a mistake because she was raised as an orphan by nuns and never thought she had her own family. Now she realizes she’s the last descendant of the Maundrells, a family she never heard of, and decides to check out the castle she inherited, which was abandoned after estate developers tried to turn it into a hotel and museum, but both plans failed for mysterious supernatural reasons. Now Edie and her daughter are alone in the place until unannounced visitors join them.
Overall, this book started a little slow, but instead of putting it down, I patiently continued, and it picked up the pace, combining different genres and timelines perfectly with Christie-style twists and a satisfying conclusion. Although I had a hard time connecting with the characters, I liked the storytelling execution, and the dark atmosphere of the Scottish setting makes you hyperventilate, gasping for air!
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 ghostly, haunted castle stars and looking forward to reading more works by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this supernatural thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Alongside historical fiction and horror genres, it perfectly explores the dynamics of family drama with sensitive subjects such as mental health, parental cruelty and abuse, autism, and homosexuality.
We move back and forth between present time and 1965, where we’re introduced to the Maundrell clan including the uptight, cruel grandmother Bitsie, her daughter Alice who is becoming a minion of her mother, and little Dottie and Mungo, the grandchildren exploring the secret parts of the estate. Especially Mungo steals your heart as the most adorable and likable character of the book, suffering from autism and forced to undergo electroshock treatments.
In the present time, we meet Edwina Nunn in her late forties, recently widowed, raising her fifteen-year-old rebellious, eccentric daughter Neve who curses like a sailor and acts immaturely from the beginning, rubbing me the wrong way in several instances. They are informed that Edwina has inherited Maundrell Castle, located on a small Scottish island. Edwina thinks there must be a mistake because she was raised as an orphan by nuns and never thought she had her own family. Now she realizes she’s the last descendant of the Maundrells, a family she never heard of, and decides to check out the castle she inherited, which was abandoned after estate developers tried to turn it into a hotel and museum, but both plans failed for mysterious supernatural reasons. Now Edie and her daughter are alone in the place until unannounced visitors join them.
Overall, this book started a little slow, but instead of putting it down, I patiently continued, and it picked up the pace, combining different genres and timelines perfectly with Christie-style twists and a satisfying conclusion. Although I had a hard time connecting with the characters, I liked the storytelling execution, and the dark atmosphere of the Scottish setting makes you hyperventilate, gasping for air!
I’m rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4 ghostly, haunted castle stars and looking forward to reading more works by the author.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for sharing this supernatural thriller's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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July 21, 2024
In the Lonely Hours is about a rare red diamond, a cursed family, and a woman who inherits a haunted castle in the Scottish Highlands, and it has intense Gothic vibes. Based on all of that, I expected to love this book -- but sadly, it wasn't for me.
It's no easy thing to write ghost stories for adults; it requires a certain amount of finesse to make grown-up ghost stories work without seeming silly. I'm not quite sure that Shannon Morgan has reached that level of finesse. The hauntings in this book feel somewhat juvenile, and the central characters just sort of accept the ghosts without question, and without fear. It took away from the Gothic atmosphere for me; the book never felt menacing or chilling. And although the writing is descriptive, my ARC copy was also full of dangling modifiers, which really bothered my inner grammar nerd and which I hope are amended in the published copy of the book.
The best part of the book is Mungo, a character with autism, who is based on Shannon Morgan's own son. He is relayed with tenderness and empathy, and through him Morgan shines a light on the horrific treatment of neurodivergent individuals in the mid-twentieth century. But Mungo was the only character in the book I could connect with emotionally, and I found the rest of the characters lacking in nuance, which made them uninteresting. I wanted more out of the central characters, Edie and Neve, who were grieving the recent loss of their husband and father; but their grieving and healing process is never explored in any real way. For that matter, there are so many topics worth exploring brought up in the plot -- female autonomy, treatment of LGBTQIA individuals, the effects of wealth and privilege, toxic family dynamics, Scottish lore and legends -- but Morgan barely skims the surface with any of them.
I did enjoy the back and forth timeline; the atmosphere, setting, and plot are all fantastic. But the execution of In the Lonely Hours just felt like a missed opportunity overall. Thank you to Kensington Books for the early reading opportunity.
It's no easy thing to write ghost stories for adults; it requires a certain amount of finesse to make grown-up ghost stories work without seeming silly. I'm not quite sure that Shannon Morgan has reached that level of finesse. The hauntings in this book feel somewhat juvenile, and the central characters just sort of accept the ghosts without question, and without fear. It took away from the Gothic atmosphere for me; the book never felt menacing or chilling. And although the writing is descriptive, my ARC copy was also full of dangling modifiers, which really bothered my inner grammar nerd and which I hope are amended in the published copy of the book.
The best part of the book is Mungo, a character with autism, who is based on Shannon Morgan's own son. He is relayed with tenderness and empathy, and through him Morgan shines a light on the horrific treatment of neurodivergent individuals in the mid-twentieth century. But Mungo was the only character in the book I could connect with emotionally, and I found the rest of the characters lacking in nuance, which made them uninteresting. I wanted more out of the central characters, Edie and Neve, who were grieving the recent loss of their husband and father; but their grieving and healing process is never explored in any real way. For that matter, there are so many topics worth exploring brought up in the plot -- female autonomy, treatment of LGBTQIA individuals, the effects of wealth and privilege, toxic family dynamics, Scottish lore and legends -- but Morgan barely skims the surface with any of them.
I did enjoy the back and forth timeline; the atmosphere, setting, and plot are all fantastic. But the execution of In the Lonely Hours just felt like a missed opportunity overall. Thank you to Kensington Books for the early reading opportunity.
August 22, 2024
In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan was an atmospheric gothic novel. It took place on an isolated Scottish island in a vast and spooky castle. Shannon Morgan was a new author for me. I enjoyed her vivid descriptions of the landscape surrounding the castle including the caves, deep wells, hiding places and the vast fields, plus the ghostly inhabitants that occupied the castle and her choice of characters, both alive and ghostlike. Shannon Morgan’s storytelling had me captivated right from the start. In the Lonely Hours was told in alternating timelines that switched between past and present. I listened to the audiobook that was well narrated by Siobhan Waring. Gothic novels are not my usual genre but this one worked for me. It had just the right balance of ghostly encounters and sightings, Scottish folklore and historical fiction elements.
Edwina Nunn or Edie for short started her life in an orphanage before she was adopted. Now in her late forties, Edie had recently become a widow and was trying to adjust to her new situation in life. Edie had always wondered about who her biological parents were. Then one day, Edie received a letter from a family member that she had never heard of. The letter informed Edie that she had inherited the Maundrell Castle that was situated on a remote Scottish Island. Supposedly, according to the contents of the letter, Edie was the only remaining member of the Maundrell family so possession of the castle was passed on to her. Edie’s fifteen year old daughter, Neve, became overly excited about the prospect of owning a real castle. She did her best to convince her mother into staying at the castle so that they could discover its history. From the locals, Edie and Neve learned about the Maundrell family members and about the legend of the Maundrell Red, a very valuable red diamond that had been in the family for generations but was now missing and no one knew what happened to it. As legend had it, possession of the Maundrell Red had only brought tragedy to the members of the Maundrell family. Despite the chilling atmosphere of the castle, the sightings of ghosts of long ago family members and unexpected and mysterious sounds, Edie and Neve were determined to stay. Edie wanted to uncover who her mother had been and why she ended up in an orphanage and Neve was determined to find the missing Maundrell Red or at the very least discover where it had been hidden. What would Edie and Neve uncover? Would the Maundrell family ghosts scare Edie and Neve away or trust them with their long buried secrets?
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan. It was fast paced and had several twists and turns. It kept me guessing until the very end. In the Lonely Hours was about mother/daughter relationships, secrets, family, love, greed, harmful decisions, tragedy, revenge and deceptions. In the future, I will look forward to reading more books by Shannon Morgan. I recommend this book highly.
Thank you to Tantor Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of In The Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Edwina Nunn or Edie for short started her life in an orphanage before she was adopted. Now in her late forties, Edie had recently become a widow and was trying to adjust to her new situation in life. Edie had always wondered about who her biological parents were. Then one day, Edie received a letter from a family member that she had never heard of. The letter informed Edie that she had inherited the Maundrell Castle that was situated on a remote Scottish Island. Supposedly, according to the contents of the letter, Edie was the only remaining member of the Maundrell family so possession of the castle was passed on to her. Edie’s fifteen year old daughter, Neve, became overly excited about the prospect of owning a real castle. She did her best to convince her mother into staying at the castle so that they could discover its history. From the locals, Edie and Neve learned about the Maundrell family members and about the legend of the Maundrell Red, a very valuable red diamond that had been in the family for generations but was now missing and no one knew what happened to it. As legend had it, possession of the Maundrell Red had only brought tragedy to the members of the Maundrell family. Despite the chilling atmosphere of the castle, the sightings of ghosts of long ago family members and unexpected and mysterious sounds, Edie and Neve were determined to stay. Edie wanted to uncover who her mother had been and why she ended up in an orphanage and Neve was determined to find the missing Maundrell Red or at the very least discover where it had been hidden. What would Edie and Neve uncover? Would the Maundrell family ghosts scare Edie and Neve away or trust them with their long buried secrets?
I enjoyed listening to the audiobook of In the Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan. It was fast paced and had several twists and turns. It kept me guessing until the very end. In the Lonely Hours was about mother/daughter relationships, secrets, family, love, greed, harmful decisions, tragedy, revenge and deceptions. In the future, I will look forward to reading more books by Shannon Morgan. I recommend this book highly.
Thank you to Tantor Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of In The Lonely Hours by Shannon Morgan through Netgalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
March 8, 2024
Thank you so much to Kensington Publishing for this eARC!
When Edie learns that she has inherited a grand castle in Scotland, from a family she never knew existed, her teenage daughter Neve leaves her no choice but to go and investigate her new property. The castle is rumored to be incredibly haunted, plagued by a curse revolving around an eccentric family and a mysterious stolen diamond. Edie's skepticism is quickly challenged when they arrive at the castle, and with the help of her daughter, she begins to unearth the secrets of the castle and her family.
I truly cannot say enough good things about this book, I absolutely loved it. As always, Shannon Morgan provides a fantastic look into mental health and generational trauma. Her portrayal of autism and the tragic history of treatment that the condition has is heartbreaking, both in the character itself and the knowledge that the character's struggles were once the reality for many. She also captured the many facets of generational trauma and how it tends to affect each member of the family differently. This can be seen both in the relationship between Edie and Neve, and the relationship from Edie's various family members in the past.
Not only did I enjoy the underlying themes and take on mental health, but I absolutely adored the worldbuilding that Morgan gave this book. The legends surrounding the lake and the island were fascinating, and it really helped pull me into the story from the start. The imagery was so vivid! She also managed to include moments of humor that not only broke the tension and unease of the atmosphere for a moment, but also added to the history and lore. There were also some fantastic plot twists that I truly did not see coming. It was incredibly well written all around. I legitimately cannot find one aspect of the story that I didn't absolutely love.
I will be recommending this to anyone that will listen, and I cannot wait until I can add this to my bookshelf!
When Edie learns that she has inherited a grand castle in Scotland, from a family she never knew existed, her teenage daughter Neve leaves her no choice but to go and investigate her new property. The castle is rumored to be incredibly haunted, plagued by a curse revolving around an eccentric family and a mysterious stolen diamond. Edie's skepticism is quickly challenged when they arrive at the castle, and with the help of her daughter, she begins to unearth the secrets of the castle and her family.
I truly cannot say enough good things about this book, I absolutely loved it. As always, Shannon Morgan provides a fantastic look into mental health and generational trauma. Her portrayal of autism and the tragic history of treatment that the condition has is heartbreaking, both in the character itself and the knowledge that the character's struggles were once the reality for many. She also captured the many facets of generational trauma and how it tends to affect each member of the family differently. This can be seen both in the relationship between Edie and Neve, and the relationship from Edie's various family members in the past.
Not only did I enjoy the underlying themes and take on mental health, but I absolutely adored the worldbuilding that Morgan gave this book. The legends surrounding the lake and the island were fascinating, and it really helped pull me into the story from the start. The imagery was so vivid! She also managed to include moments of humor that not only broke the tension and unease of the atmosphere for a moment, but also added to the history and lore. There were also some fantastic plot twists that I truly did not see coming. It was incredibly well written all around. I legitimately cannot find one aspect of the story that I didn't absolutely love.
I will be recommending this to anyone that will listen, and I cannot wait until I can add this to my bookshelf!
September 13, 2025
Review very soon!
July 23, 2024
the dead have always been restless here
On a remote Scottish island, in an ancient and beautiful castle, lies a horde of ghosts and tales of a priceless gem that has cursed the Maundrell family for generations. When the castle is passed to descendant Edwina—Edie—she is left to untangle the secrets of her unknown family’s past before the curse gets her and her daughter too.
In the Lonely Hours displays a touching portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship with Edie and Neve who work together to unlock the secrets of the Maundrell family and of Edie’s mysterious past. They’re annoying at times but Neve is fifteen, so, you know… To be expected, probably.
Readers weave though a past and present timeline which helps to gain more knowledge and insight in to the family. The past timeline is packed with drama from very dysfunctional family dynamics. It’s a bit of a slow start with a lot of background and history of the island but Morgan managed to keep my attention through her compelling characters and the lush, sprawling descriptions of the land. The plot became convoluted at times with a full cast of characters, ghosts, witches, etc; it was a lot to keep straight.
This novel provides the gothic horror vibes that one would want in a story like this: old arched entrances; ornate and elaborate structures; winding ivy; a dark, mysterious well… I loved this oppressive castle! I wanna visit! I would consider this to be a very cozy, gothic horror and would recommend it for readers wanting to expand into the horror genre but maybe don’t know where to start or for readers of Darcy Coates.
And though it’s not all narrated in a Scottish accent (mostly English) I was worried to listen. I often have difficulty understanding most Scottish accents (sorry, friends across the pond!) but I really enjoyed this narration by Siobhan Waring. Some of the words were difficult to understand though that’s likely due to my own lacking and unfamiliarity with Scottish territory rather than the narration. With all of that said, I think the narration was incredibly captivating and added another layer of not only believability but enjoyability.
Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! Available this Tuesday, 07/23/2024! *Quotes are pulled from an advanced reader copy and are subject to change prior to publication*
On a remote Scottish island, in an ancient and beautiful castle, lies a horde of ghosts and tales of a priceless gem that has cursed the Maundrell family for generations. When the castle is passed to descendant Edwina—Edie—she is left to untangle the secrets of her unknown family’s past before the curse gets her and her daughter too.
In the Lonely Hours displays a touching portrayal of a mother-daughter relationship with Edie and Neve who work together to unlock the secrets of the Maundrell family and of Edie’s mysterious past. They’re annoying at times but Neve is fifteen, so, you know… To be expected, probably.
Readers weave though a past and present timeline which helps to gain more knowledge and insight in to the family. The past timeline is packed with drama from very dysfunctional family dynamics. It’s a bit of a slow start with a lot of background and history of the island but Morgan managed to keep my attention through her compelling characters and the lush, sprawling descriptions of the land. The plot became convoluted at times with a full cast of characters, ghosts, witches, etc; it was a lot to keep straight.
This novel provides the gothic horror vibes that one would want in a story like this: old arched entrances; ornate and elaborate structures; winding ivy; a dark, mysterious well… I loved this oppressive castle! I wanna visit! I would consider this to be a very cozy, gothic horror and would recommend it for readers wanting to expand into the horror genre but maybe don’t know where to start or for readers of Darcy Coates.
And though it’s not all narrated in a Scottish accent (mostly English) I was worried to listen. I often have difficulty understanding most Scottish accents (sorry, friends across the pond!) but I really enjoyed this narration by Siobhan Waring. Some of the words were difficult to understand though that’s likely due to my own lacking and unfamiliarity with Scottish territory rather than the narration. With all of that said, I think the narration was incredibly captivating and added another layer of not only believability but enjoyability.
Thank you RBmedia and NetGalley for the audiobook in exchange for an honest review! Available this Tuesday, 07/23/2024! *Quotes are pulled from an advanced reader copy and are subject to change prior to publication*
July 26, 2024
A gothic novel set in Scotland; what's not to love! The reader meets Edie and her teenage daughter who have traveled to an eerie castle that Edie has inherited from a family she knows nothing about. Strange noises, ghosts and sinister characters all make for a great story. Add in the disappearance of a family jewel and you have a mystery that spans over several generations. I loved it and I have already requested the author's other book from my library.
October 11, 2024
Once again Shannon Morgan has worked her magic, this time transporting us to an ancient castle on a rugged, remote Scottish island entangled in a complex web of legends, ghosts and bitter hatreds. The story is told across two time frames which are woven together seamlessly, a specialty of this author.
Edie Nunn is a widow with a full time job and a young, teenage daughter entering into a rebelious phase. Of course, she still suffers greatly from the loss of her beloved husband. In the opening scene we find Edie and Neve in a lawyer's office, where they receive the jolting news that Edie is the sole heir to a remote Scottish castle, an island and a very small village attached to it; bequeathed to her by one Percy Maundrell. Edie is still trying to allow this news to sink in, when daughter Neve takes over the reins and insists they are heading directly to their newly acquired castle.
And so begins a journey of both distance and time as they delve into the past and the twisted, tormented lives of the Maundrells. The castle is populated with a multitude of ghosts, likely real and some seemingly imaginary. The few residents of the island, a caretaker and a questionable squatter add to the aura, mystery and danger surrounding the Nunns. Between ghostly communications, journals and diaries and locals they start to piece together the tragic events of the past generations, all of which occurred on Samhain (Halloween), which also happens to be Edie's birthday. Edie, who was raised in an orphanage where she was found abandoned as an infant, is coming to the realization that one of her parents was a Maundrell. She is determined to discover which one and what caused them to abandon her.
The plot is intricately woven together and completely absorbing. The gothic air and sense of history, some dating back to prehistoric times, is fascinating. The characters are exteremely well developed and we get to know them and feel close to them, or repulsed by them in some cases. I found it hard to put down this book once I had started reading it.
I am quickly becoming a very big Shannon Morgan fan!
Edie Nunn is a widow with a full time job and a young, teenage daughter entering into a rebelious phase. Of course, she still suffers greatly from the loss of her beloved husband. In the opening scene we find Edie and Neve in a lawyer's office, where they receive the jolting news that Edie is the sole heir to a remote Scottish castle, an island and a very small village attached to it; bequeathed to her by one Percy Maundrell. Edie is still trying to allow this news to sink in, when daughter Neve takes over the reins and insists they are heading directly to their newly acquired castle.
And so begins a journey of both distance and time as they delve into the past and the twisted, tormented lives of the Maundrells. The castle is populated with a multitude of ghosts, likely real and some seemingly imaginary. The few residents of the island, a caretaker and a questionable squatter add to the aura, mystery and danger surrounding the Nunns. Between ghostly communications, journals and diaries and locals they start to piece together the tragic events of the past generations, all of which occurred on Samhain (Halloween), which also happens to be Edie's birthday. Edie, who was raised in an orphanage where she was found abandoned as an infant, is coming to the realization that one of her parents was a Maundrell. She is determined to discover which one and what caused them to abandon her.
The plot is intricately woven together and completely absorbing. The gothic air and sense of history, some dating back to prehistoric times, is fascinating. The characters are exteremely well developed and we get to know them and feel close to them, or repulsed by them in some cases. I found it hard to put down this book once I had started reading it.
I am quickly becoming a very big Shannon Morgan fan!
December 21, 2024
*Family Lines*
First of all this is not a genre I usually like, the book cover drew me in and the synopsis piqued my interest. I finished it a few days ago but got caught up in the holiday season.
This tale is a bit of a tangled web. We have Edie and her daughter Neve who are getting on with life and Edie is still mourning the loss of her husband. She has always been curious about the identity of her birth mother.
One day out of the blue she received information that she has inherited Maundrell Castle which lies on a remote tiny island in Scotland. If that was not enough who is the relative that she knows nothing about who left it to her ?
So Edie and Neve take the trip to Scotland and the road is treacherous leading to the castle.
Edie’s intention is to sell the castle but what she does not bargain for is that they are not alone. There is a man who helps to look after the place and another who knows that no one ever visits the castle so he is staying there to do research🧐
Well, along with them are visitors in the shape of the ghostly manner. There are scenes that make you want to hit the road running. There is always a sense of trepidation, the castle has a library and as Edie and Neve delve into the history of the place. They discover there is a mystery about a priceless diamond, the Maundrell Red - so many are searching for it and as legend goes it is cursed.
The story is told in two timeframes the present and the past. As much as Edie wants to leave unnerved by all the spooky comings and she keeps moving forward to finding out the identity of her mother.
There is malice afoot and it is being driven by the diamond, Will Edie and Neve hold their nerve? There is also a murderer is in their midst….
One thing that is striking is the amount of family tragedies have occurred on Samhain. Some of the locals are a wealth of knowledge. Samhain is coming up, will it be as bad as the locals fear? There is a surprise connection towards the end of the book….
First of all this is not a genre I usually like, the book cover drew me in and the synopsis piqued my interest. I finished it a few days ago but got caught up in the holiday season.
This tale is a bit of a tangled web. We have Edie and her daughter Neve who are getting on with life and Edie is still mourning the loss of her husband. She has always been curious about the identity of her birth mother.
One day out of the blue she received information that she has inherited Maundrell Castle which lies on a remote tiny island in Scotland. If that was not enough who is the relative that she knows nothing about who left it to her ?
So Edie and Neve take the trip to Scotland and the road is treacherous leading to the castle.
Edie’s intention is to sell the castle but what she does not bargain for is that they are not alone. There is a man who helps to look after the place and another who knows that no one ever visits the castle so he is staying there to do research🧐
Well, along with them are visitors in the shape of the ghostly manner. There are scenes that make you want to hit the road running. There is always a sense of trepidation, the castle has a library and as Edie and Neve delve into the history of the place. They discover there is a mystery about a priceless diamond, the Maundrell Red - so many are searching for it and as legend goes it is cursed.
The story is told in two timeframes the present and the past. As much as Edie wants to leave unnerved by all the spooky comings and she keeps moving forward to finding out the identity of her mother.
There is malice afoot and it is being driven by the diamond, Will Edie and Neve hold their nerve? There is also a murderer is in their midst….
One thing that is striking is the amount of family tragedies have occurred on Samhain. Some of the locals are a wealth of knowledge. Samhain is coming up, will it be as bad as the locals fear? There is a surprise connection towards the end of the book….
June 8, 2025
✨4 stars✨
October 1, 2024
Prologue started off strong. Nice and moody.
The written Scottish accent was tiring and unnecessary.
Chapter 1 was intriguing. Edie inherits from an unknown relative. But…. goes gay already on page 10. Exit time.
The written Scottish accent was tiring and unnecessary.
Chapter 1 was intriguing. Edie inherits from an unknown relative. But…. goes gay already on page 10. Exit time.
April 16, 2024
The book has been narrated in dual timelines. The writing is compelling. I loved the bond of a mother and daughter. The secrets from the past were buried beneath the surface. Past is interconnected with the present. The mystery kept me on the edge. Love the atmospheric elements in it. I liked the setting of the remote island and centuries old castle.
Edwina was oblivion to her biological parents. But as she learns about Maundrell castle and the family. She is the last person left in the family to inherit it, she and her daughter Neve digs deep into the past and learn the ancient secrets and slowly the mystery unveils. Despite the warning and unthinkable/supernatural happenings, they get to the bottom of mystery of the cursed gem that caused family tragedies, was it really the reason or someone did it for any ulterior motive? As Samhain approach, fear grips them and dark secrets finds their way out of the attic, will they get tragically trapped in the castle like the rest of the family members or they will break the curse being causing tragedies in the family since so many years? I loved the twists and turns, they were so unpredictable.
I am grateful to the Author and Publisher
Edwina was oblivion to her biological parents. But as she learns about Maundrell castle and the family. She is the last person left in the family to inherit it, she and her daughter Neve digs deep into the past and learn the ancient secrets and slowly the mystery unveils. Despite the warning and unthinkable/supernatural happenings, they get to the bottom of mystery of the cursed gem that caused family tragedies, was it really the reason or someone did it for any ulterior motive? As Samhain approach, fear grips them and dark secrets finds their way out of the attic, will they get tragically trapped in the castle like the rest of the family members or they will break the curse being causing tragedies in the family since so many years? I loved the twists and turns, they were so unpredictable.
I am grateful to the Author and Publisher
April 14, 2024
Edie Nunn has never known her family. Abandoned at a church as a baby, she was raised by nuns. When she inherits a castle on a remote island in Ireland from her long lost family, she goes on a journey with her daughter Neve to uncover who her parents were and what secrets the castle holds. With a castle full of ghosts, the legend of the famous lost Maudrell Red jewel is unfolded. Who took the jewel all those years ago and where is it now?
Full of Irish folklore and ghosts-a-plenty, this story bounces between present day with Edie, and October 1965 from the point of view of 15 year old Lottie, one of the family members living in the castle at the time of the jewel's disappearance. While there are spooky elements to this story, it's really about mother and child relationships across generations. There are aspects of the 1965 timeline that are absolutely heartbreaking, and you root for the downfall of the matriarchal grandmother Bitsie. She is a horrible character with severe contral issues that follow into the afterlife. If you enjoy hauntings, mysteries, and a little folklore, this book is right up your alley. I really enjoyed it and cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
Full of Irish folklore and ghosts-a-plenty, this story bounces between present day with Edie, and October 1965 from the point of view of 15 year old Lottie, one of the family members living in the castle at the time of the jewel's disappearance. While there are spooky elements to this story, it's really about mother and child relationships across generations. There are aspects of the 1965 timeline that are absolutely heartbreaking, and you root for the downfall of the matriarchal grandmother Bitsie. She is a horrible character with severe contral issues that follow into the afterlife. If you enjoy hauntings, mysteries, and a little folklore, this book is right up your alley. I really enjoyed it and cannot recommend it enough.
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book.
March 23, 2024
If you like a haunted house tale, then this is the book for you. There were all the makings for a great spooky, gothic tale - desolate setting, ancient castle, snowstorm, and ghosts - and all of those elements provided for a great read. Added to that was a family curse, truly evil family members and the horrific medical 'treatments' of times just not that long ago. Great descriptive writing provided for an immersive read. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kennsington Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy.
October 26, 2024
Having read this author's "Her Little Flowers" and enjoyed it, I was excited to read another of her novels. I had high hopes for this new book but sadly, I was very disappointed..
A dual timeline ghost story that is set in a spooky Scottish castle. A modern gothic tale. Sounds exactly the type of read I like on chilly autumn nights. However... it was so 'hokey'! I loved the setting. The present day characters were easy to get to know. I loved the whole 'unexpected inheritance' trope. And an isolated Scottish castle on an island steeped in macabre history... what's not to like you might ask.
I like my ghost stories that allude to ghostly presences. Ones that evoke a sense of the supernatural without being overt about it. This book had ghosts galore and they announced themselves from the get-go. Ghostly writing on the walls, men standing over the characters beds at night, ghostly ships sailing on the loch, ghost rats that run on the half hour, evil witches in wells, familial curses. It was just all too much for me.
I preferred the older timeline and my favourite character was Mungo. A severely autistic young man who just happened to be one of the ghosts. He loved to be read to and even Edie and Neve gave into his demands of yet another story.
Present Day: Edwina Nunn is a widow with a fifteen year old daughter. They live in a small house in England. Edwina was a foundling, brought up in an orphanage run by nuns. When she learns that she has inherited a castle in Scotland, she and her daughter Neve travel north to claim their inheritance. Edwina, who is skeptical of ghosts and supernatural phenomenon, seems to embrace them wholeheartedly from the onset of their stay in the castle. Neve, who learns that there is a missing rare and cursed jewel, wants to stay at the castle until she finds it. Edie wants to find out the identity of her parents. In their research in the castle's library, the women learn that all members of Edwina's family who resided there, died on the same date, Samhain, October 31st...
Oh, and then there is Cameron, a microbiologist, staying illegally in the castle in order to carry out his research on the red coloured loch.
Early 1960s: the Maundrell family inhabit the castle. The grandmother, Lady Elizabeth (Bitsie) is an odious old woman who rules her family with an iron fist. She had three children. The eldest, Theo, her favourite, died in the war. The middle child was Alice, who hated her mother with very good reason. The youngest was Jasper who was a keen disappointment to his domineering mother.
Jasper's children were Percy, Charlotte and Mungo. Percy was a homosexual, much to the disgust of his grandmother, who thought it criminal and abnormal. Charlotte seemed to exist solely to look after her elder brother Mungo.
Mungo, born with severe autism, maintained the intellect of a four year old for his entire life. Mungo's grandmother had a doctor deliver ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) to Mungo in order to 'cure' him. As I said, she was an evil old b**ch. Sadly, that really did happen to autistic persons in the '60s.
Lady Elizabeth is obsessed with the family jewel, a unique red diamond culled from the diamond mines of South Africa. The diamond, named the Maundrell Red, went missing in 1965 and has never been seen since - not for want of searching.
For the reader who is game to suspend belief for the duration of the read, this novel might satisfy the need for a seasonal, spooky read. For me however, it was just too much. Too many ghosts, too many characters, too slow paced, too farcical and overdone.
If I was the type of reader who DNF a book, then I probably would have abandoned this one. However I soldiered on, hoping against hope for improvement. I struggled to remain invested in the outcome and found myself skimming a few times - that is never a good sign. For those readers who are truly invested in this book, the ending was satisfying.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel, though reading tastes are subjective and many readers have really enjoyed it. If you want to support this author, you should read her debut novel "Her Little Flowers". Still a spooky ghost story, yet much superior to this one in my personal opinion.
A dual timeline ghost story that is set in a spooky Scottish castle. A modern gothic tale. Sounds exactly the type of read I like on chilly autumn nights. However... it was so 'hokey'! I loved the setting. The present day characters were easy to get to know. I loved the whole 'unexpected inheritance' trope. And an isolated Scottish castle on an island steeped in macabre history... what's not to like you might ask.
I like my ghost stories that allude to ghostly presences. Ones that evoke a sense of the supernatural without being overt about it. This book had ghosts galore and they announced themselves from the get-go. Ghostly writing on the walls, men standing over the characters beds at night, ghostly ships sailing on the loch, ghost rats that run on the half hour, evil witches in wells, familial curses. It was just all too much for me.
I preferred the older timeline and my favourite character was Mungo. A severely autistic young man who just happened to be one of the ghosts. He loved to be read to and even Edie and Neve gave into his demands of yet another story.
Present Day: Edwina Nunn is a widow with a fifteen year old daughter. They live in a small house in England. Edwina was a foundling, brought up in an orphanage run by nuns. When she learns that she has inherited a castle in Scotland, she and her daughter Neve travel north to claim their inheritance. Edwina, who is skeptical of ghosts and supernatural phenomenon, seems to embrace them wholeheartedly from the onset of their stay in the castle. Neve, who learns that there is a missing rare and cursed jewel, wants to stay at the castle until she finds it. Edie wants to find out the identity of her parents. In their research in the castle's library, the women learn that all members of Edwina's family who resided there, died on the same date, Samhain, October 31st...
Oh, and then there is Cameron, a microbiologist, staying illegally in the castle in order to carry out his research on the red coloured loch.
Early 1960s: the Maundrell family inhabit the castle. The grandmother, Lady Elizabeth (Bitsie) is an odious old woman who rules her family with an iron fist. She had three children. The eldest, Theo, her favourite, died in the war. The middle child was Alice, who hated her mother with very good reason. The youngest was Jasper who was a keen disappointment to his domineering mother.
Jasper's children were Percy, Charlotte and Mungo. Percy was a homosexual, much to the disgust of his grandmother, who thought it criminal and abnormal. Charlotte seemed to exist solely to look after her elder brother Mungo.
Mungo, born with severe autism, maintained the intellect of a four year old for his entire life. Mungo's grandmother had a doctor deliver ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) to Mungo in order to 'cure' him. As I said, she was an evil old b**ch. Sadly, that really did happen to autistic persons in the '60s.
Lady Elizabeth is obsessed with the family jewel, a unique red diamond culled from the diamond mines of South Africa. The diamond, named the Maundrell Red, went missing in 1965 and has never been seen since - not for want of searching.
For the reader who is game to suspend belief for the duration of the read, this novel might satisfy the need for a seasonal, spooky read. For me however, it was just too much. Too many ghosts, too many characters, too slow paced, too farcical and overdone.
If I was the type of reader who DNF a book, then I probably would have abandoned this one. However I soldiered on, hoping against hope for improvement. I struggled to remain invested in the outcome and found myself skimming a few times - that is never a good sign. For those readers who are truly invested in this book, the ending was satisfying.
I cannot in good conscience recommend this novel, though reading tastes are subjective and many readers have really enjoyed it. If you want to support this author, you should read her debut novel "Her Little Flowers". Still a spooky ghost story, yet much superior to this one in my personal opinion.
March 25, 2024
I found this novel to be a slow burn, gothic haunted house tale, with suspense and supernatural undertones. I love all things ghosts & the supernatural, however I found it hard to stay engaged in the story until about 3/4 in. That is where the pace picked up for me & I didn’t want to stop reading.
There are many different subjects touched upon throughout the novel:
Autism & ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), mother - daughter relationships, homosexuality, family secrets, conflict & tragedy & of course the supernatural elements, including ghosts, legends & curses.
I found many characters unlikeable. My least favorites being Neve & Bitsie. My favorite being Mungo. What makes Mungo so amazing is the author based his character on her autistic son. She wrote him beautifully.
Favorite Line: “A curved line appeared, a snail trail in the vapor, shaping and sharpening into a leering plaque mask.”
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corp. & Shannon Morgan for an ARC in return for an honest review.
There are many different subjects touched upon throughout the novel:
Autism & ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy), mother - daughter relationships, homosexuality, family secrets, conflict & tragedy & of course the supernatural elements, including ghosts, legends & curses.
I found many characters unlikeable. My least favorites being Neve & Bitsie. My favorite being Mungo. What makes Mungo so amazing is the author based his character on her autistic son. She wrote him beautifully.
Favorite Line: “A curved line appeared, a snail trail in the vapor, shaping and sharpening into a leering plaque mask.”
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Publishing Corp. & Shannon Morgan for an ARC in return for an honest review.
July 29, 2024
Imagine sitting in a solicitor's office and hearing you have inherited a castle! Edie grew up in an orphanage and thinks surely there has been a mistake. But alas the shocking news is true and soon Edie and her daughter Neve are headed to their castle. Upon arrival they quickly learn the castle has resident ghosts, some of which are not friendly. Edie and Neve scour the castle for clues to learn not only the castle's history, but also more about Edie's family heritage. The book takes place in both the past and the present, and is told by two POVs. I listened to the audio book version, narrated by Siobhan Waring, who did an excellent job bringing all of the characters (and ghosts) to life. Given the high ghost activity, this story would make an excellent Halloween listen. It is an easy listen/read, and I listened quickly wanting to learn the why behind the ghosts and Edie's birth story. Had I been reading the book version I would have highlighted sections at the end that I felt were very wise life lessons and truths.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
Thank you NetGalley and Tantor Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
October 28, 2024
Set in the days leading up to Samhain and chock full of ghosts, the blurb promises haunted castle and delivers an extremely haunted castle. The plot verges on goofy silly ridiculousness at points, but also contains its fair share of extreme darkness. Overall, I had a great time reading it and definitely recommend for spooky season
August 1, 2024
Edwina Nunn (Edie) and her daughter, Neve, have just learned that Edie has inherited an historical castle from a family member they did not know existed. Edie is reluctant to step into this new adventure but 15 year old Neve is all in. Very quickly they are greeted by ghostly inhabitants. Before they can decide to walk away from the whole thing, they find themselves wrapped up in the castle's history as revealed to them by their new other-worldly friends.
3.75 stars on this one!
I did the audiobook version and did very much enjoy the narrator. 4.5/5 stars on narration. She gave great inflection, had a good speed (I do end up listening on faster speeds for my own liking but her 1.0x voice was a good speed). Her character voices made it easy to distinguish between them. She was smooth, easy to listen to.
The beginning was a bit of a conundrum - I was so confused as the first look into the past introduced SO many new characters in one chapter. Then some characters having nicknames in that as well. It was very difficult to follow. Once I re-listened to that chapter a few times I was able to continue on and follow along nicely. I liked that this story was a more casual approach to a "ghost" story. Nothing was terribly frightening - it was not "horror" or even "thriller" but just a casual historical fiction ghost tale. One of the characters was a special needs man with autism and a child-like mind. He was my absolute favorite character as I have a 5 year old son with autism. The author did a great job with this character and he pulled on my heartstrings. It was very eye-opening for how special needs were viewed in that time period. Terribly sad and heartbreaking at times. Overall an interesting read that kept my attention throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon Morgan, and Tantor Audio for this ARC audiobook and the chance to give my honest feedback.
3.75 stars on this one!
I did the audiobook version and did very much enjoy the narrator. 4.5/5 stars on narration. She gave great inflection, had a good speed (I do end up listening on faster speeds for my own liking but her 1.0x voice was a good speed). Her character voices made it easy to distinguish between them. She was smooth, easy to listen to.
The beginning was a bit of a conundrum - I was so confused as the first look into the past introduced SO many new characters in one chapter. Then some characters having nicknames in that as well. It was very difficult to follow. Once I re-listened to that chapter a few times I was able to continue on and follow along nicely. I liked that this story was a more casual approach to a "ghost" story. Nothing was terribly frightening - it was not "horror" or even "thriller" but just a casual historical fiction ghost tale. One of the characters was a special needs man with autism and a child-like mind. He was my absolute favorite character as I have a 5 year old son with autism. The author did a great job with this character and he pulled on my heartstrings. It was very eye-opening for how special needs were viewed in that time period. Terribly sad and heartbreaking at times. Overall an interesting read that kept my attention throughout.
Thank you to NetGalley, Shannon Morgan, and Tantor Audio for this ARC audiobook and the chance to give my honest feedback.
Read
March 8, 2024I think that this was like the perfect spooky ghost story. This definitely hit everything on my list of things I want in a book.
September 26, 2024
*3.75*
TW (a lot since this is a horror novel):
The fact that I enjoyed this novel and I'm usually a scaredy cat says a lot about how much I needed a perfect Fall read. I saw this recommended, I saw that it involved Scotland and isolated castles and I dived right in.
I won't lie, this story is disturbing and haunting, sometimes I thought about it even when I wasn't reading it (but maybe it's also because like I said I'm easily scared) and it's not an easy read by any means. But I think it's worth it, it is full of twists and turns and it is told in a very entertaining past/present dual POV that helps the reader gather facts from 1965, where some horrible happening took place, and the present.
The characters are all compelling, and I have to praise the author for the autistic representation in this novel. Mungo was my favourite character and I loved to read about his character throughout the story (even if its plotline is tragic and very sad).
The atmosphere in this book is really dark and gloomy, perfect to read in a Fall day, with a blanket and a cozy drink, it took me back to Scotland and its folklore. So, if you enjoy these kind of stories, with ghosts, oral tradition and haunted castles, this might be the book for you.
TW (a lot since this is a horror novel):
The fact that I enjoyed this novel and I'm usually a scaredy cat says a lot about how much I needed a perfect Fall read. I saw this recommended, I saw that it involved Scotland and isolated castles and I dived right in.
I won't lie, this story is disturbing and haunting, sometimes I thought about it even when I wasn't reading it (but maybe it's also because like I said I'm easily scared) and it's not an easy read by any means. But I think it's worth it, it is full of twists and turns and it is told in a very entertaining past/present dual POV that helps the reader gather facts from 1965, where some horrible happening took place, and the present.
The characters are all compelling, and I have to praise the author for the autistic representation in this novel. Mungo was my favourite character and I loved to read about his character throughout the story (even if its plotline is tragic and very sad).
The atmosphere in this book is really dark and gloomy, perfect to read in a Fall day, with a blanket and a cozy drink, it took me back to Scotland and its folklore. So, if you enjoy these kind of stories, with ghosts, oral tradition and haunted castles, this might be the book for you.
December 27, 2024
From the jump I knew this would be a great mystery/family discovery ride the second I met Edie and Neve, I mean that mother daughter bond and relationship thru this entirely strange, and unsettling events of the book just make them that much stronger and you can really feel that on the page. Not only that but Shannon really found a way to throw in so many clever and shocking twists, a literal and amazing supernatural element, and a 20th century high class family dispute full of treachery, greed, and misunderstood “illness”. All while being wonderfully concluded with essentially all questions answered, just astounded me at the natural talent this budding author shows and not only will I be reading her other work, but I’ll also be keeping a close eye on her future pieces here on out. P.S. RIP Mongo, the real one.
April 7, 2024
I loved the setting of this book. A mysterious, massive castle in a remote part of Scotland? Perfect! When Edie and her teenage daughter, Neve, decide to get the castle ready to sell after inheriting it, they get much more than they bargained for.
My enjoyment of the book was slightly marred by Edie’s poor choice in letting strangers stay where they shouldn’t. I found it a bit hard to believe that anyone would allow that, but maybe people are more trusting in Scotland.
The history of the Maundrell family was interesting!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
My enjoyment of the book was slightly marred by Edie’s poor choice in letting strangers stay where they shouldn’t. I found it a bit hard to believe that anyone would allow that, but maybe people are more trusting in Scotland.
The history of the Maundrell family was interesting!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
February 14, 2025
I read and enjoyed this author's "Her Little Flowers", and was looking forward to this. It is spooky -at the beginning. Recently widowed Edie and her daughter move to a remote Scottish castle after Edie inherits the castle and surrounding island from a relative that she never met. The ghostly atmosphere was great with a family curse, ghost ships in the loch and mysterious apparitions. It goes too far with a haunted grotto, and an evil witch. It became really silly when a legend about trolls came up. A simple gothic, ghost story would have been better.
July 30, 2024
This book got me so excited for spooky season, and for my upcoming trip to Scotland. In The Lonely Hours is a perfectly crafted ghost story with heart and character. I loved Morgan’s writing in this one, and the audiobook narration was impeccably done by Siobhan Waring.
Taking place in an old Scottish castle, this book follows the story of Edwina Nunn and her daughter, Edie, as they journey to explore their recent inheritance. What awaits them is a decades old mystery and several lingering spirits.
I loved the character development in this one and going along for the ride as Edwina parsed out her family’s ancestry and deepest secrets. Check this one out if you like historical fiction, thrillers, ghosts, and dreary castles by the sea!!
**Thank you to Tantor Audio, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for the ALC of this haunting title!!**
Taking place in an old Scottish castle, this book follows the story of Edwina Nunn and her daughter, Edie, as they journey to explore their recent inheritance. What awaits them is a decades old mystery and several lingering spirits.
I loved the character development in this one and going along for the ride as Edwina parsed out her family’s ancestry and deepest secrets. Check this one out if you like historical fiction, thrillers, ghosts, and dreary castles by the sea!!
**Thank you to Tantor Audio, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for the ALC of this haunting title!!**
December 29, 2025
4.5 ⭐️s rounded to 5 ⭐️s
This is my favorite of Shannon Morgan’s books! More ghosts and family drama! Absolutely loved Edie and Neve!! The Maundrell family tragedy and Edie’s search for her biological parents even had me in tears! Narration was excellent!
This is my favorite of Shannon Morgan’s books! More ghosts and family drama! Absolutely loved Edie and Neve!! The Maundrell family tragedy and Edie’s search for her biological parents even had me in tears! Narration was excellent!
May 31, 2025
Loved this book
May 4, 2024
4.5 Stars
This author has successfully done it again, written an entrancing and mystical gothic ghost story that's part historical fiction and part social commentary. The plot is chilling (and sad, especially the historical treatment of people with autism), the setting is a character unto itself (I still love you Scotland), and rife with familial trauma. The story gradually builds and intensifies exponentially for the last third of the novel. I'm extremely selective with reading choices for ghost stories/horror, but I'll keep this writer in my "must read" group. If you liked Her Little Flowers, you'll want to pick this one up as well.
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This author has successfully done it again, written an entrancing and mystical gothic ghost story that's part historical fiction and part social commentary. The plot is chilling (and sad, especially the historical treatment of people with autism), the setting is a character unto itself (I still love you Scotland), and rife with familial trauma. The story gradually builds and intensifies exponentially for the last third of the novel. I'm extremely selective with reading choices for ghost stories/horror, but I'll keep this writer in my "must read" group. If you liked Her Little Flowers, you'll want to pick this one up as well.
Net Galley Feedback
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