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There Came A-Tapping
'An atmospheric, creepy, tense thriller - intriguing, haunting, and kept me guessing right till the end. I loved it' ANDREA MARA
'Scary and thrilling in equal nature, I was obsessed with finishing this book. A must read' JO SPAIN
'A rural community full of secrets, a satisfyingly baffling mystery and a plot that races along to a perfect conclusion' JANE CASEY
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Since losing her parents in a car crash as a teen, Allie has struggled to cope. Meeting Rory finally made things easier. She's come to rely on him for almost everything, so when he disappears while filming a documentary in the West of Ireland, she fears she'll come undone. Again.
Tap...
When a couple arrive at the Dublin apartment she and Rory share, claiming to be the new tenants, Allie is distraught. Why did Rory let out their home without telling her? And - where is he?
Tap-tap...
She seeks refuge at the run-down and reputedly haunted Raven Cottage in the Slieve Bloom mountains, where she and Rory were planning to move one day. Allie slowly starts to build a life for herself - and begins to believe that she might manage to make it alone.
Tap-tap-tap...
But then Rory's car is found submerged at the end of a pier, nowhere near where he was supposed to be - and the body in the driver's seat isn't his. Alison starts to revisit her memories of their time together, and begins to question if she can trust them...
A gripping, haunting thriller that will give you chills - perfect for fans of Tana French, Erin Kelly and Jane Casey.
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'Hauntingly atmospheric . . . will keep you up all night!' SAM BLAKE
'Devoured this in two sittings. A hugely atmospheric mystery with a creeping sense of dread' BRIAN MCGILLOWAY
'Had me gripped from the start' AMANDA JENNINGS
'Scary and thrilling in equal nature, I was obsessed with finishing this book. A must read' JO SPAIN
'A rural community full of secrets, a satisfyingly baffling mystery and a plot that races along to a perfect conclusion' JANE CASEY
------------
Since losing her parents in a car crash as a teen, Allie has struggled to cope. Meeting Rory finally made things easier. She's come to rely on him for almost everything, so when he disappears while filming a documentary in the West of Ireland, she fears she'll come undone. Again.
Tap...
When a couple arrive at the Dublin apartment she and Rory share, claiming to be the new tenants, Allie is distraught. Why did Rory let out their home without telling her? And - where is he?
Tap-tap...
She seeks refuge at the run-down and reputedly haunted Raven Cottage in the Slieve Bloom mountains, where she and Rory were planning to move one day. Allie slowly starts to build a life for herself - and begins to believe that she might manage to make it alone.
Tap-tap-tap...
But then Rory's car is found submerged at the end of a pier, nowhere near where he was supposed to be - and the body in the driver's seat isn't his. Alison starts to revisit her memories of their time together, and begins to question if she can trust them...
A gripping, haunting thriller that will give you chills - perfect for fans of Tana French, Erin Kelly and Jane Casey.
------------
'Hauntingly atmospheric . . . will keep you up all night!' SAM BLAKE
'Devoured this in two sittings. A hugely atmospheric mystery with a creeping sense of dread' BRIAN MCGILLOWAY
'Had me gripped from the start' AMANDA JENNINGS
325 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 27, 2025
11 people are currently reading
168 people want to read
About the author
Andrea Carter
7 books240 followersAndrea Carter graduated in law from Trinity College, Dublin. She qualified as a solicitor and moved to the Inishowen Peninsula in Co. Donegal where she lived and worked for a number of years. In 2005 she transferred to the Bar and moved to Dublin to practise as a barrister. She grew up in Ballyfin, Co. Laois.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
March 27, 2025
This, quite simply put, was brilliant. I've really enjoyed Andrea Carter's Inishowen series and was intrigued to read her first standalone and it did not disappoint.
Allie is such an intriguing protagonist - she is haunted by her guilt which leaves her in this purgatory of passivity which provided Carter with such an interesting way to explore grief.
Carter provides us with a cast of characters who comtextualise the different ways we can view Allie and her relationship with Rory. What Carter does, which I found so interesting, is give the supporting characters such juxtaposing ways of seeing Allie: from Olivia who views Allie as a subjugated woman, to Andrew's far more sisnister suspicion of Allie.
The structure was really unique, we have twin stories of Allie dealing with Rory's disappearance and the background story of Eliza's disapperance. Carter has Allie write about Eliza as a way of exploring Allie's ability (or inability) to cope with her life. It's such an interesting tool as it makes Allie appear like she is loosing her grip on reality, nearly adopting this persona of Eliza owing to the similarites she sees between them.
The writing was lyrical at times and simplistic at others, but this doesn't harm the narrative. Carter expertly crafts such a tense atmosphere throughout this novel. The contrast of domestic scenes and depictions of friendships against the 3am scenes in the house were brilliantly done, leaving the reader on edge. I also enjoyed Finn - this faithful canine companion was a delight to the story. He provides support to Allie in a way which will resonate with many, and he was a uselful little plot device to faciliate discussions and meetings between the characters without feeling trite or forced. Finn also has odles of personality despite having no dialogue.
The one critique I have, is I think Suzzanne as a character was underutilised. She's a really interesting character and provided the narrtive with a more objective, analytical view throughout the novel. However, her chapters felt underdeveloped and because of this I think they interrupted the narrative at times rather than adding to it.
As thrillers go, the ending in this completely blindsided me - It was uncomfortable, shocking, and utterly depraved. I appreciate that Carter ends it in a way where Allie capitalises on her perceived weaknesses.
Finally, I adored the supernatural elements, folklore, and irish history weaved to neatly into the narraitve. Carter uses this to have lying at the heart of this novel a discussion on how women can find strength or resolve at seemingly the darkest of times, and that is a message which really stays with the reader.
Overall, I really enjoyed this.
Allie is such an intriguing protagonist - she is haunted by her guilt which leaves her in this purgatory of passivity which provided Carter with such an interesting way to explore grief.
Carter provides us with a cast of characters who comtextualise the different ways we can view Allie and her relationship with Rory. What Carter does, which I found so interesting, is give the supporting characters such juxtaposing ways of seeing Allie: from Olivia who views Allie as a subjugated woman, to Andrew's far more sisnister suspicion of Allie.
The structure was really unique, we have twin stories of Allie dealing with Rory's disappearance and the background story of Eliza's disapperance. Carter has Allie write about Eliza as a way of exploring Allie's ability (or inability) to cope with her life. It's such an interesting tool as it makes Allie appear like she is loosing her grip on reality, nearly adopting this persona of Eliza owing to the similarites she sees between them.
The writing was lyrical at times and simplistic at others, but this doesn't harm the narrative. Carter expertly crafts such a tense atmosphere throughout this novel. The contrast of domestic scenes and depictions of friendships against the 3am scenes in the house were brilliantly done, leaving the reader on edge. I also enjoyed Finn - this faithful canine companion was a delight to the story. He provides support to Allie in a way which will resonate with many, and he was a uselful little plot device to faciliate discussions and meetings between the characters without feeling trite or forced. Finn also has odles of personality despite having no dialogue.
The one critique I have, is I think Suzzanne as a character was underutilised. She's a really interesting character and provided the narrtive with a more objective, analytical view throughout the novel. However, her chapters felt underdeveloped and because of this I think they interrupted the narrative at times rather than adding to it.
As thrillers go, the ending in this completely blindsided me - It was uncomfortable, shocking, and utterly depraved. I appreciate that Carter ends it in a way where Allie capitalises on her perceived weaknesses.
Finally, I adored the supernatural elements, folklore, and irish history weaved to neatly into the narraitve. Carter uses this to have lying at the heart of this novel a discussion on how women can find strength or resolve at seemingly the darkest of times, and that is a message which really stays with the reader.
Overall, I really enjoyed this.
March 27, 2025
When Allie's boyfriend, Rory, fails to return from a work trip & there is no contact from him at all, she reports him missing. Rory has been her mainstay & support since Allie lost her parents in a car crash & blamed herself. Suffering from anxiety, Allie has to come rely on Rory for almost everything. Now he has disappeared & the police think she may have been involved, whilst shockingly a young couple turn up out of the blue & Allie learns that Rory had arranged for the flat to be rented out for 6 months.
Allie now has to leave the flat so she heads to an isolated cottage on the outskirts of a small village in the Slieve Bloom mountains with just their dog, Finn (note - Finn is perfectly safe throughout the book), for company. Originally bought as a future home, the cottage is run-down & has a reputation for odd happenings. When Allie moves in, she notices that one room is always stone cold & at night strange tapping noises emanate from it.
Making a few friends in the village helps Allie cope with waiting for news about Rory & she starts to look into the history of the cottage. Her world is shattered again when Rory's car is found submerged at the end of a pier, but the body inside turns out not to be Rory's. What happened to Rory & did she ever really know him?
After a slow start, this one grew on me & I really enjoyed reading it. Allie starts off as a character where the reader is unsure whether they can trust her version of events, but as time goes on, the reasons for her anxiety & actions become clear. The narrative is from Allie's point of view & also several chapters from the police officer on the case, Suzanne. It was well thought out & the historic plotline dovetailed nicely with the present-day one. I worked out some of the conclusion but not the full picture of what was actually going on. Recommended if you like slow-burn thrillers with a paranormal edge. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little Brown Book Group UK/Cornerstone, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TWs:
Allie now has to leave the flat so she heads to an isolated cottage on the outskirts of a small village in the Slieve Bloom mountains with just their dog, Finn (note - Finn is perfectly safe throughout the book), for company. Originally bought as a future home, the cottage is run-down & has a reputation for odd happenings. When Allie moves in, she notices that one room is always stone cold & at night strange tapping noises emanate from it.
Making a few friends in the village helps Allie cope with waiting for news about Rory & she starts to look into the history of the cottage. Her world is shattered again when Rory's car is found submerged at the end of a pier, but the body inside turns out not to be Rory's. What happened to Rory & did she ever really know him?
After a slow start, this one grew on me & I really enjoyed reading it. Allie starts off as a character where the reader is unsure whether they can trust her version of events, but as time goes on, the reasons for her anxiety & actions become clear. The narrative is from Allie's point of view & also several chapters from the police officer on the case, Suzanne. It was well thought out & the historic plotline dovetailed nicely with the present-day one. I worked out some of the conclusion but not the full picture of what was actually going on. Recommended if you like slow-burn thrillers with a paranormal edge. 4.5 stars (rounded down)
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little Brown Book Group UK/Cornerstone, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
TWs:
January 31, 2025
3.5/5
I am not a crime kind of girl, but this one I actually enjoyed. Maybe it was the fact that it had a slight touch of paranormal in it that made it that little extra fun to read.
I am not a crime kind of girl, but this one I actually enjoyed. Maybe it was the fact that it had a slight touch of paranormal in it that made it that little extra fun to read.
April 23, 2025
I really enjoy Andrea Carter's Inishowen mystery series and was intrigued to learn that she'd had a stand alone crime novel published.
As with her mystery series, this one is beautifully written. The setting is wonderful. Carter has always excelled at recreating the isolation of the Donegal landscape in her series, and she does it just as beautifully in this book which is set in the Slieve Bloom mountain area.
The reader meets lead character Allie as she is waiting for her partner Rory to return home from a work trip. As time passes and it gets later and later, Allie becomes concerned. She contacts his work colleagues who tell her that Rory left before they did, and they are all safely home now. Allie suffered a great personal loss a few years ago, losing both her parents. Rory is her rock, he's there for her to lean on, she struggles to get through life and cannot bear to think about life without him.
And then, a couple appear, wanting to look around Allie and Rory's flat. It seems that they are the new tenants. Allie had no idea that Rory had let out their home. He didn't tell her.
She has no choice but to to seek refuge at Raven Cottage. A run down and isolated cottage in the Slieve Bloom mountains. It had been their plan to live in the cottage one day, but not this soon, not before it was fully renovated and certainly not just one of them.
The cottage is in a terrible state and Allie's frame of mind is not much better. The final straw is when Rory's car is found in the water at the end of a pier. Rory had no reason to be there, and it soon becomes clear that the body in the car is not Rory.
Allie seems to go slightly mad. She is convinced that she hears tapping noises in the cottage.
This is a tension filled story that kept me guessing right until the final chapters. The cottage, the accompanying Ravens and the tapping are so frightening, I found myself jumping at the slightest sound whilst reading the novel!
Allie is a complex character, we are never quite sure of her, or if her memories are true. There are many questions to be asked during her narrative and this adds to the depth and atmosphere of what is a riveting and chilling story.
I really enjoyed this novel and hope that the author writes more stand alone stories soon. Recommended by me.
As with her mystery series, this one is beautifully written. The setting is wonderful. Carter has always excelled at recreating the isolation of the Donegal landscape in her series, and she does it just as beautifully in this book which is set in the Slieve Bloom mountain area.
The reader meets lead character Allie as she is waiting for her partner Rory to return home from a work trip. As time passes and it gets later and later, Allie becomes concerned. She contacts his work colleagues who tell her that Rory left before they did, and they are all safely home now. Allie suffered a great personal loss a few years ago, losing both her parents. Rory is her rock, he's there for her to lean on, she struggles to get through life and cannot bear to think about life without him.
And then, a couple appear, wanting to look around Allie and Rory's flat. It seems that they are the new tenants. Allie had no idea that Rory had let out their home. He didn't tell her.
She has no choice but to to seek refuge at Raven Cottage. A run down and isolated cottage in the Slieve Bloom mountains. It had been their plan to live in the cottage one day, but not this soon, not before it was fully renovated and certainly not just one of them.
The cottage is in a terrible state and Allie's frame of mind is not much better. The final straw is when Rory's car is found in the water at the end of a pier. Rory had no reason to be there, and it soon becomes clear that the body in the car is not Rory.
Allie seems to go slightly mad. She is convinced that she hears tapping noises in the cottage.
This is a tension filled story that kept me guessing right until the final chapters. The cottage, the accompanying Ravens and the tapping are so frightening, I found myself jumping at the slightest sound whilst reading the novel!
Allie is a complex character, we are never quite sure of her, or if her memories are true. There are many questions to be asked during her narrative and this adds to the depth and atmosphere of what is a riveting and chilling story.
I really enjoyed this novel and hope that the author writes more stand alone stories soon. Recommended by me.
March 26, 2025
Well... this was the book that kept on giving. We begin with Allie as she is waiting for the return of her partner, Rory, who has been away for work. But he never arrives. She contacts those he was with and they both say he left before them and that they are both home already. She eventually reports him as missing and the Garda start to look into it.
But then their solicitor calls and tells her that they have now completed the purchase of the cottage they were buying, mixed emotions, and that Rory had rented out his flat, where they were currently living, and that she has only a few days to vacate and, I guess, move into said cottage, horror.
So she does, Raven Cottage is a bit (very) run down, and isolated. And for reasons stemming from her childhood she does not drive. But she has no choice... she has to make the best of things...
And then Rory's car is found, along with a body...
Oh My Days. This book was brilliantly plotted and the way it changed tack seamlessly several times as it progressed was genius. I'd love to wax lyrical about some of the things that most impressed me but, spoilers! I can say that Raven Cottage is a bit spooky, and has history from a previous inhabitant, Eliza, who was a very interesting person, shall we say! And we get to know her through Allie's writings.
I guess it helped that I connected with Allie right from the start and our bond only grew as the story progressed. She is a bit complex and I think misunderstood and brought out the mothering instinct in me. But she is also stronger than she thinks...
And the ending, when it came, well... if you asked me from the start where we would end up, I would never have thought it'd be there! Not at all... but it worked, it really did. In fact, the only bad thing about the whole book was the fact that I had to say goodbye to Allie and others who I had rather become fond of along the way.
I understand that this book is the first stand alone by this author who is better known for her Inishowen Mysteries, which I have now added to my TBR! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
But then their solicitor calls and tells her that they have now completed the purchase of the cottage they were buying, mixed emotions, and that Rory had rented out his flat, where they were currently living, and that she has only a few days to vacate and, I guess, move into said cottage, horror.
So she does, Raven Cottage is a bit (very) run down, and isolated. And for reasons stemming from her childhood she does not drive. But she has no choice... she has to make the best of things...
And then Rory's car is found, along with a body...
Oh My Days. This book was brilliantly plotted and the way it changed tack seamlessly several times as it progressed was genius. I'd love to wax lyrical about some of the things that most impressed me but, spoilers! I can say that Raven Cottage is a bit spooky, and has history from a previous inhabitant, Eliza, who was a very interesting person, shall we say! And we get to know her through Allie's writings.
I guess it helped that I connected with Allie right from the start and our bond only grew as the story progressed. She is a bit complex and I think misunderstood and brought out the mothering instinct in me. But she is also stronger than she thinks...
And the ending, when it came, well... if you asked me from the start where we would end up, I would never have thought it'd be there! Not at all... but it worked, it really did. In fact, the only bad thing about the whole book was the fact that I had to say goodbye to Allie and others who I had rather become fond of along the way.
I understand that this book is the first stand alone by this author who is better known for her Inishowen Mysteries, which I have now added to my TBR! My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
August 2, 2025
True to the praise on the cover, this book by Andrea Carter really did nail the creepy, atmospheric vibe through most of the story. I enjoyed that, and the fact that each chapter kept its readers guessing with regards to Allie's slow unravelling and the propulsive mystery of Rory's disappearance. The build-up was great and promised much, but the ending (maybe because of that) fell a little flat for me.
All in all, an appropriately nerve-wracking read.
All in all, an appropriately nerve-wracking read.
February 9, 2025
This novel had me in its grip from the opening chapter portraying a female sat in a Dublin apartment watching the clock and checking her phone nervously, her partner having failed to arrive home after leaving Galway several hours previously.
Shortly after the disappearance of partner Rory, Allie is forced to vacate their Dublin apartment and move into an isolated cottage they'd bought together in the Slieve Bloom mountains, the legally binding purchase having been signed off prior to his disappearance.
Tense, atmospheric and chilling this was a compelling read from start to finish. New surroundings, new friends and a run down cottage that creaks and whispers with all the history and folklore of its past. I questioned everything and everyone. A good solid read thats totally recommended.
Due for publication Mar '25 - My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the early read, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
Shortly after the disappearance of partner Rory, Allie is forced to vacate their Dublin apartment and move into an isolated cottage they'd bought together in the Slieve Bloom mountains, the legally binding purchase having been signed off prior to his disappearance.
Tense, atmospheric and chilling this was a compelling read from start to finish. New surroundings, new friends and a run down cottage that creaks and whispers with all the history and folklore of its past. I questioned everything and everyone. A good solid read thats totally recommended.
Due for publication Mar '25 - My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the early read, I was under no obligation and all opinions expressed are my own.
February 4, 2025
Allie's life has not been easy since her abrupt loss of both parents, so meeting Rory , and she is looking forward to implementing their plans for the future.
Except Rory goes missing. And then Allie discovers that he has apparently sublet their home! Forced to find alternative accommodation for herself, Allie soon discovers that the truth behind what has happened might be even more sinister than she suspected...
This one is a thriller that is also a chiller - the sense of fear that permits the story is quite effective transmitting itself to the reader. It gets 3.5 stars. If you are looking for a dark and atmospheric read this might be one for you.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
Except Rory goes missing. And then Allie discovers that he has apparently sublet their home! Forced to find alternative accommodation for herself, Allie soon discovers that the truth behind what has happened might be even more sinister than she suspected...
This one is a thriller that is also a chiller - the sense of fear that permits the story is quite effective transmitting itself to the reader. It gets 3.5 stars. If you are looking for a dark and atmospheric read this might be one for you.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
August 4, 2025
Although a slow burner there was enough to keep holding my interest and ended up being a really enjoyable read. The author creates an eerie atmosphere and I loved the supernatural feel of the story. Allie is a great character, complex, flawed and never quite knowing if she is genuine which adds to the intrigue. The past and the present entwine beautifully and the inclusion of the ravens gives the plot a haunting feel. Andrea Carter certainly keeps you on edge and the ending was original and clever.
Read
August 10, 2025What a disappointing book.
I thought it had OK potential but after the first quarter it became hugely boring.
I'm sorry that I made myself complete it (I find DNF way worse than enduring a boring book, so I nearly always make myself finish a disappointing book)
I used to enjoy Andrea Carter's books but I won't endure another one by her. It's not worth struggling through a very very disappointing book.
Zero stars. ZERO
I thought it had OK potential but after the first quarter it became hugely boring.
I'm sorry that I made myself complete it (I find DNF way worse than enduring a boring book, so I nearly always make myself finish a disappointing book)
I used to enjoy Andrea Carter's books but I won't endure another one by her. It's not worth struggling through a very very disappointing book.
Zero stars. ZERO
May 1, 2025
This is a stand alone novel, regarding a vulnerable young woman whose partner disappears and she is forced to move to a dilapidated, haunted house on her own. Her already fragile grip on reality is sorely tested by a series of events before a surprise final conclusion.
It was an atmospheric, haunting story which I really enjoyed.
It was an atmospheric, haunting story which I really enjoyed.
April 3, 2025
I have read all the books that the author has written and enjoyed them immensely but this one is on a completely different level, i hated leaving it down and couldn't wait to get back to it, it was suspenseful, gripping and there were parts when I held my breath. A five plus read for me.
April 6, 2025
I enjoyed this book.
It was easy to read, moved along at a good pace, created a good atmosphere.
I think the 'twist' was guessable but the reasons were not.
I will read the next book by this author.
It was easy to read, moved along at a good pace, created a good atmosphere.
I think the 'twist' was guessable but the reasons were not.
I will read the next book by this author.
May 6, 2025
I haven't read anything by Andrea Carter before, but I'm hoping to read more in the future! This book was brilliant, a slowly escalating psychological drama - you really start to think that MC Allie is losing her mind. A special shout-out to supporting character Finn, who is a very good boi.
July 13, 2025
Really enjoyed this book, story ticks along nicely, moved in different direction a couple of time to what I had expected.
Overall an easy page turner, felt a few loose ends could have been tided up but in honesty, I don’t think it impacted my enjoyment of the story.
Overall an easy page turner, felt a few loose ends could have been tided up but in honesty, I don’t think it impacted my enjoyment of the story.
November 4, 2025
Not the usual book I'd pick, but book club has its advantages. It was enjoyable, I liked the mystic female power vibe and pleasantly surprised by the twist of her partner's return.
If you like thrillers and character arches, it's a good one.
If you like thrillers and character arches, it's a good one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. Another fantastic story By Andrea. I can not wait for the next one.
April 14, 2025
I really liked this book. Very enjoyable and well written. The twist at the end is brilliant.
July 9, 2025
Read all Andrea Carter books to date and mistakenly assumed this was another Inishowen mystery. It isn't and is quite different. Thoroughly enjoyed.
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September 21, 2025I didn’t finish the book.
No no 🙅🏻♀️ I can’t read about Paranormal and hunted house. NO WAY!!!
No no 🙅🏻♀️ I can’t read about Paranormal and hunted house. NO WAY!!!
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews