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The House on Devil's Lane
THE HOUSE ON DEVIL’S LANE is a chilling tale of psychological terror and things that go bump in the night...
What if the home of your dreams turns into your worst nightmare?
Young mum Kat Riley has reasons for wanting to escape her family. When taxi driver Steve Burns comes into her life in the most unusual of circumstances, she sees a way out. With her baby Matthew, she leaves behind a chaotic existence and all that is familiar to make a new life in the Durham countryside.
When Kat first sets eyes on 11 Derville’s Lane, she falls in love with its quaint charm. The interior, however, tells a different story. Recently vacated by Steve’s father, Tommy, there remains a lingering presence and the sense of secrets waiting to be revealed. Soon Kat is struggling to cope with the house's troubled past and her own dark secrets, while her fledgling career as a blogger soon plunges her into a world of paranormal podcasts, wild conspiracy theories and internet trolls who threaten her safety and her sanity.
Is the house on Devil's Lane really haunted, or are the ghouls closer to home?
What if the home of your dreams turns into your worst nightmare?
Young mum Kat Riley has reasons for wanting to escape her family. When taxi driver Steve Burns comes into her life in the most unusual of circumstances, she sees a way out. With her baby Matthew, she leaves behind a chaotic existence and all that is familiar to make a new life in the Durham countryside.
When Kat first sets eyes on 11 Derville’s Lane, she falls in love with its quaint charm. The interior, however, tells a different story. Recently vacated by Steve’s father, Tommy, there remains a lingering presence and the sense of secrets waiting to be revealed. Soon Kat is struggling to cope with the house's troubled past and her own dark secrets, while her fledgling career as a blogger soon plunges her into a world of paranormal podcasts, wild conspiracy theories and internet trolls who threaten her safety and her sanity.
Is the house on Devil's Lane really haunted, or are the ghouls closer to home?
- GenresHorror
292 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
5 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
September 30, 2024
This was a haunting thriller that gave me chills at times.
I loved the pacing and I really felt sympathy for Kat imagining how she must have felt with all the eerie events happening around her, and the sense of vulnerability and uncertainty.
I loved the creepy vibes of this and never knowing who could be trusted and what was real.
It's a great combination of horror, mystery and paranormal, and even at the end you're left wondering what to believe.
I loved the pacing and I really felt sympathy for Kat imagining how she must have felt with all the eerie events happening around her, and the sense of vulnerability and uncertainty.
I loved the creepy vibes of this and never knowing who could be trusted and what was real.
It's a great combination of horror, mystery and paranormal, and even at the end you're left wondering what to believe.
October 11, 2024
This was a good pick to start off my spooky season reading with. The dread and anticipation of escalation was on point with this plot line. From the moment the main character entered the house, things started happening and the escalation occurred from being a coincidence to the point that obviously something was happening. It was an entertaining and spooky read, but not terrifying in a way that had me scared to turn the page, if that makes sense.
Kat is an exhausted new mother, being smothered in a house with her family. The addition of her baby being a bit too much for the small living space. She takes off with Steve, her new boyfriend to his family house. From the start, it doesn’t feel right. Clearing out a hoarder’s clutter is a start, but there is a looming presence in the house. When things start disappearing and doors and windows start opening and closing themselves, she is uneasy. But as the incidents keep escalating, so does her tenseness. Steve says there’s nothing paranormal happening, but the folklore and the woman who used to live in this house say different. If he’s not going to help, she will figure out what is happening so she can finally have a safe home for herself and her baby.
Thank you to Love Books Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
Kat is an exhausted new mother, being smothered in a house with her family. The addition of her baby being a bit too much for the small living space. She takes off with Steve, her new boyfriend to his family house. From the start, it doesn’t feel right. Clearing out a hoarder’s clutter is a start, but there is a looming presence in the house. When things start disappearing and doors and windows start opening and closing themselves, she is uneasy. But as the incidents keep escalating, so does her tenseness. Steve says there’s nothing paranormal happening, but the folklore and the woman who used to live in this house say different. If he’s not going to help, she will figure out what is happening so she can finally have a safe home for herself and her baby.
Thank you to Love Books Tours for the copy, all thoughts are my own.
October 2, 2024
I picked this book up at the right time!
With spooky season right around the corner I find myself drawn towards books that have that eerie feel to them, the title and cover definitely drew me in and when I read the blurb I knew I was going to eat this one up! The author expertly builds tension and suspense in this book and I definitely felt on the edge of my seat while reading, this is one of those books where you're not too sure who you should or shouldn't trust because the author constantly has you in a state of guessing.
With amazing pacing and a plot that will keep you hooked, Ireland knows how to tell a story. I really enjoyed our mc Kat, she was easy to connect to and I was intrigued by how she handled things in this book, I must say I would have been out by the second red flag! If you like spooky thrillers or are just looking for the perfect halloween read then I would defiantly recommend this book.
With spooky season right around the corner I find myself drawn towards books that have that eerie feel to them, the title and cover definitely drew me in and when I read the blurb I knew I was going to eat this one up! The author expertly builds tension and suspense in this book and I definitely felt on the edge of my seat while reading, this is one of those books where you're not too sure who you should or shouldn't trust because the author constantly has you in a state of guessing.
With amazing pacing and a plot that will keep you hooked, Ireland knows how to tell a story. I really enjoyed our mc Kat, she was easy to connect to and I was intrigued by how she handled things in this book, I must say I would have been out by the second red flag! If you like spooky thrillers or are just looking for the perfect halloween read then I would defiantly recommend this book.
October 9, 2024
This book was something very, very different to what I thought it was going to be! In the best way!
After a very strange and maybe a bit slow start… once Kat discovered the podcast the book fired up big time and I could not put it down! The book covers quite a few sensitive subjects. The relationships between all the characters in this book was really quite strange and I was questioning some of Kat’s life choices…
I liked how the history of the house came to light and it all started to come together… I have definitely watched too many horror movies to live in a house like that!
Overall, this book was weirdly wonderful and it would be the perfect addition to your TBR for spooky season!
Also, bonus points for it being a nice big floppy book with crisp white pages!
After a very strange and maybe a bit slow start… once Kat discovered the podcast the book fired up big time and I could not put it down! The book covers quite a few sensitive subjects. The relationships between all the characters in this book was really quite strange and I was questioning some of Kat’s life choices…
I liked how the history of the house came to light and it all started to come together… I have definitely watched too many horror movies to live in a house like that!
Overall, this book was weirdly wonderful and it would be the perfect addition to your TBR for spooky season!
Also, bonus points for it being a nice big floppy book with crisp white pages!
September 22, 2024
This atmospheric read arrives just in time for spooky season! Life has not been easy for Kat Riley and when she has a chance to escape with her young son, she takes it. But is her escape to what she sees as her dream life really a dream, or is it a nightmare? Sandra Ireland’s writing is suspenseful and builds in a beautiful arc, a wonderfully delightful horror story in its own right that pays homage to some very classic poltergeist tales. The age old question still exists if houses and people can haunted and this book adds to the allure and will certainly raise the hairs on the back of your neck.
October 3, 2024
This Blurb captured me and I just knew I had to read it. Can we also just take a second and appreciate that cool cover.
I absolutely love a spooky read and this one felt like a cosy autumn spooky read to me. Perfect to cosy up and devour with a cuppa and some biscuits.
I really did enjoyed the mystery of this storyline. I did not see how it all unfolded coming. I thought more sinister things were going on, like Steve trying to break her down and make her feel like she's going mad or something. But his a good guy, go Steve!
Definitely an author I'll keep keeping an eye on!
I absolutely love a spooky read and this one felt like a cosy autumn spooky read to me. Perfect to cosy up and devour with a cuppa and some biscuits.
I really did enjoyed the mystery of this storyline. I did not see how it all unfolded coming. I thought more sinister things were going on, like Steve trying to break her down and make her feel like she's going mad or something. But his a good guy, go Steve!
Definitely an author I'll keep keeping an eye on!
October 7, 2024
A fast paced psychological thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat! The cast of characters were twisty and interesting and the whole premise of the novel was great. I really loved the paranormal elements, which seemed perfect to read as the nights draw in. The small village vibes were also fun and quirky, and as someone who grew up in a small village it definitely made it easier to connect to the story overall!
November 5, 2024
Here is my review for The House On Devil’s Lane by S L Ireland
This book is a tremendous read as it builds the suspense very slowly and only Kat notices it. She meets Steve when she rings for the taxi to take her to the hospital when she is due to give birth and he is the taxi driver. He stays till the baby is born and then visits afterwards. They start seeing each other and when he has to move away because of his dad he wants her to go as well, which she does. She has dreams about the place which are quenched once inside and moves to a b & b for a night while Steve clears some junk from the house. She stays with Rowena who she gets on with. The next day she gets back, it's better but not fantastic. Steve lets her use the credit card to order some stuff for the home so she orders some stuff for the nursery like paint, curtains and blind for Steve to deal with. So she spends another night at Rowena’s and hears about a paranormal podcast so she starts listening to it at home. Starts up an instagram site and her own website to try and get freebies so it’s not all down to Steve for the money. She finds windows open when they should be shut, doors closed when they should be open, just what is going on in this house? It’s a great story with a sense of the paranormal in it. I loved it and I loved the tenseness of the story. There was an atmosphere that was well written into the story and you could feel it as you read it, it was scary. The story was extremely well written with lots going on and to keep track of. Kat was a complicated character, she went from being a single woman to a mum, who shared a cramped bedroom with her sister and baby to living with a man she cared for but wasn’t ready for anything to happen yet. She tried to tell him nicely and bless her she did and he accepted it, he took it well and put no demands on her. He was good to her and they tried to make a good home together for the baby. The author has done well with this book.
Blurb :
THE HOUSE ON DEVIL’S LANE is a chilling tale of psychological terror and things that go bump in the night...
What if the home of your dreams turns into your worst nightmare?
Young mum Kat Riley has reasons for wanting to escape her family. When taxi driver Steve Burns comes into her life in the most unusual of circumstances, she sees a way out. With her baby Matthew, she leaves behind a chaotic existence and all that is familiar to make a new life in the Durham countryside.
When Kat first sets eyes on 11 Derville’s Lane, she falls in love with its quaint charm. The interior, however, tells a different story. Recently vacated by Steve’s father, Tommy, there remains a lingering presence and the sense of secrets waiting to be revealed. Soon Kat is struggling to cope with the house's troubled past and her own dark secrets, while her fledgling career as a blogger soon plunges her into a world of paranormal podcasts, wild conspiracy theories and internet trolls who threaten her safety and her sanity.
Is the house on Devil's Lane really haunted, or are the ghouls closer to home?
This book is a tremendous read as it builds the suspense very slowly and only Kat notices it. She meets Steve when she rings for the taxi to take her to the hospital when she is due to give birth and he is the taxi driver. He stays till the baby is born and then visits afterwards. They start seeing each other and when he has to move away because of his dad he wants her to go as well, which she does. She has dreams about the place which are quenched once inside and moves to a b & b for a night while Steve clears some junk from the house. She stays with Rowena who she gets on with. The next day she gets back, it's better but not fantastic. Steve lets her use the credit card to order some stuff for the home so she orders some stuff for the nursery like paint, curtains and blind for Steve to deal with. So she spends another night at Rowena’s and hears about a paranormal podcast so she starts listening to it at home. Starts up an instagram site and her own website to try and get freebies so it’s not all down to Steve for the money. She finds windows open when they should be shut, doors closed when they should be open, just what is going on in this house? It’s a great story with a sense of the paranormal in it. I loved it and I loved the tenseness of the story. There was an atmosphere that was well written into the story and you could feel it as you read it, it was scary. The story was extremely well written with lots going on and to keep track of. Kat was a complicated character, she went from being a single woman to a mum, who shared a cramped bedroom with her sister and baby to living with a man she cared for but wasn’t ready for anything to happen yet. She tried to tell him nicely and bless her she did and he accepted it, he took it well and put no demands on her. He was good to her and they tried to make a good home together for the baby. The author has done well with this book.
Blurb :
THE HOUSE ON DEVIL’S LANE is a chilling tale of psychological terror and things that go bump in the night...
What if the home of your dreams turns into your worst nightmare?
Young mum Kat Riley has reasons for wanting to escape her family. When taxi driver Steve Burns comes into her life in the most unusual of circumstances, she sees a way out. With her baby Matthew, she leaves behind a chaotic existence and all that is familiar to make a new life in the Durham countryside.
When Kat first sets eyes on 11 Derville’s Lane, she falls in love with its quaint charm. The interior, however, tells a different story. Recently vacated by Steve’s father, Tommy, there remains a lingering presence and the sense of secrets waiting to be revealed. Soon Kat is struggling to cope with the house's troubled past and her own dark secrets, while her fledgling career as a blogger soon plunges her into a world of paranormal podcasts, wild conspiracy theories and internet trolls who threaten her safety and her sanity.
Is the house on Devil's Lane really haunted, or are the ghouls closer to home?
October 13, 2024
The cover of this book was what drew me into wanting to read this book and be part of this book tour. The cover looks like a little cookie cutter version of a fairy tale cottage in the middle of the woods that looks so sweet and homely on the outside yet you know possibly holds something very sinister inside.
The House on Devil’s Lane was a very evocative and atmospheric story. Kat is wanting to escape a home life that is terrible and there's something sinister about it that stays hidden for quite a while in this story. Kat is also heavily pregnant and in the first few chapters of the book she gives birth and decides to move out of home with Steve, the taxi driver who takes her to hospital when she is in labour. Kat Steve and baby Matthew move to Matthew’s family home on Derville’s Lane. The house has been recently vacated by Steve's father he was gone into a nearby nursing home and is in a derelict state. Kat decides it's no place for her and her son until it is clean and stays at a local B&B, run by Rowena who seems to be aware of Steve and his family. And this is where things become not what they seem to be. The escape to the Durham countryside becomes more unpleasant as time goes on where things start to occur that some would say seem supernatural, spooky, and creepy. Couple these with Kat's desire to create a new life for herself as a renovator creating a social media profile with hers and baby Matthew’s face plastered all over small home improvement activities. But many of her followers start seeing things in her posts that don't necessarily seem to be of the earthly kind.
Throw in rumours and tall tales being told amongst the locals including by Rowena he seems to know too much about the family and too much about the house, and the surge in social media stories and conspiracies about Steve's family have and you have a gripping horror tale like this one. For new mum Kat, who is still trying to get settled as the mother of a young child, as well as create a home for herself and for Steve, she gets pulled in so many directions she's not sure whether to look over her shoulder or still directly into the nightmare coming for her at full speed, including the one in her own recent past.
Thanks to #lovebookstours and #slireland for the ride on this tour!
The House on Devil’s Lane was a very evocative and atmospheric story. Kat is wanting to escape a home life that is terrible and there's something sinister about it that stays hidden for quite a while in this story. Kat is also heavily pregnant and in the first few chapters of the book she gives birth and decides to move out of home with Steve, the taxi driver who takes her to hospital when she is in labour. Kat Steve and baby Matthew move to Matthew’s family home on Derville’s Lane. The house has been recently vacated by Steve's father he was gone into a nearby nursing home and is in a derelict state. Kat decides it's no place for her and her son until it is clean and stays at a local B&B, run by Rowena who seems to be aware of Steve and his family. And this is where things become not what they seem to be. The escape to the Durham countryside becomes more unpleasant as time goes on where things start to occur that some would say seem supernatural, spooky, and creepy. Couple these with Kat's desire to create a new life for herself as a renovator creating a social media profile with hers and baby Matthew’s face plastered all over small home improvement activities. But many of her followers start seeing things in her posts that don't necessarily seem to be of the earthly kind.
Throw in rumours and tall tales being told amongst the locals including by Rowena he seems to know too much about the family and too much about the house, and the surge in social media stories and conspiracies about Steve's family have and you have a gripping horror tale like this one. For new mum Kat, who is still trying to get settled as the mother of a young child, as well as create a home for herself and for Steve, she gets pulled in so many directions she's not sure whether to look over her shoulder or still directly into the nightmare coming for her at full speed, including the one in her own recent past.
Thanks to #lovebookstours and #slireland for the ride on this tour!
September 28, 2024
I was sent a copy of this book for review.
3.5🌟 rounded to 4🌟. I was intrigued by the premise of this book as it had equal parts paranormal haunting and psychological thriller which are two genres I love.
Newly single mum Kat is in desperate need of an escape from her life. When taxi man Steve, an older guy takes an interest in her and offers her a home in a country cottage, Kat jumps at the chance. What unfolds inside the dilapidated and creepy cottage leaves her second-guessing her sanity, feeling isolated and worrying for the safety of herself and her child.
The paranormal haunting side of the story was done very well. The creepy vibes were in full effect with disturbing dolls, ominous shapes/shadows, disturbing noises in the house and a backstory to the cottage that would give the Paranormal Activity movies a run for their money. If you like a book to keep you freaked out and on edge, then this is this part of the story, that will certainly provide that unsettling experience.
The other aspect of the plot is psychological and comes in two forms. The first is flashbacks to a traumatic event Kat went through which turns her world upside down and continues to affect her in her new life. The flashbacks gave a deeper insight into Kat’s mental state, the horrible experiences she had to endure and why she was anxious to run from them. The second is the secrets and lies Kat is surrounded by from her new neighbours, friends and even Steve at times, as they are unwilling to tell her the truth about her new home or its shocking history, leading her to feel isolated, scared and alone.
The pacing could have been better as I felt that the story dragged at times and then the ending was abrupt and seemed rushed. The story also left a few unanswered questions which I thought should have been resolved as they related to the main characters’ motivations and actions which were important to multiple plot threads.
Overall, this was an interesting twist on a scary story that provided intense situations, complex characters and an unnerving narrative.
3.5🌟 rounded to 4🌟. I was intrigued by the premise of this book as it had equal parts paranormal haunting and psychological thriller which are two genres I love.
Newly single mum Kat is in desperate need of an escape from her life. When taxi man Steve, an older guy takes an interest in her and offers her a home in a country cottage, Kat jumps at the chance. What unfolds inside the dilapidated and creepy cottage leaves her second-guessing her sanity, feeling isolated and worrying for the safety of herself and her child.
The paranormal haunting side of the story was done very well. The creepy vibes were in full effect with disturbing dolls, ominous shapes/shadows, disturbing noises in the house and a backstory to the cottage that would give the Paranormal Activity movies a run for their money. If you like a book to keep you freaked out and on edge, then this is this part of the story, that will certainly provide that unsettling experience.
The other aspect of the plot is psychological and comes in two forms. The first is flashbacks to a traumatic event Kat went through which turns her world upside down and continues to affect her in her new life. The flashbacks gave a deeper insight into Kat’s mental state, the horrible experiences she had to endure and why she was anxious to run from them. The second is the secrets and lies Kat is surrounded by from her new neighbours, friends and even Steve at times, as they are unwilling to tell her the truth about her new home or its shocking history, leading her to feel isolated, scared and alone.
The pacing could have been better as I felt that the story dragged at times and then the ending was abrupt and seemed rushed. The story also left a few unanswered questions which I thought should have been resolved as they related to the main characters’ motivations and actions which were important to multiple plot threads.
Overall, this was an interesting twist on a scary story that provided intense situations, complex characters and an unnerving narrative.
September 25, 2024
This was great fun! Ok, I hear you say, hardly fun. But it was in a strange kind of way. Horror? Not in a Freddie Kruger or Drag Me To Hell way. Supernatural, creepy, scary at times, I really enjoyed it.
Kat Riley lives at home with her mum and sister. She is pregnant, but no-one knows who the father is (except Kat of course). When she is in labour, Steve Burns is the taxi driver who takes her to hospital and they become friends. Now I have to admit that I did not like Steve all that much. By the end I still wasn’t keen, but we’ll leave it at that.
Eventually, Kat, Steve and baby Matthew move to Steve’s house at 11 Derville’s Lane in the Durham countryside. Steve’s father Tommy is in a nursing home, so the house is empty. And though from the outside it looks quaint and charming, picket fence, roses round the door etc (not literally), inside it’s a tip. Kat refuses to stay there with Matthew, so she spends the first night in a B&B run by an older woman called Rowena.
It’s at this point that things turn really weird. Rowena claims to know nothing about the house, but it soon becomes clear that she has history, as does Tommy, and the whole town knows about it. Is the house haunted, or is that just a conspiracy theory or a wicked rumour? Tommy became quite the local celebrity on the back of it, but was he just cashing in on the house’s reputation for things that went bump in the night.
Poor Kat. She has her own issues to deal with, but she is going to make the best of it. She sets up a social media profile with pictures of herself and Matthew in the house they are renovating. Steve does not approve – well he wouldn’t would he. Then she gets trolled and threatened, but she should have guessed that would happen. And it all starts to get very dark.
The podcast about the house is all very Battersea Poltergeist and I can just see the house being featured on Uncanny. But is any of it real? Well we’ll have to read the book to find out. Best read under the covers, in the dark, with just a torch for company.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #TheHouseOnDevilsLane blog tour.
Kat Riley lives at home with her mum and sister. She is pregnant, but no-one knows who the father is (except Kat of course). When she is in labour, Steve Burns is the taxi driver who takes her to hospital and they become friends. Now I have to admit that I did not like Steve all that much. By the end I still wasn’t keen, but we’ll leave it at that.
Eventually, Kat, Steve and baby Matthew move to Steve’s house at 11 Derville’s Lane in the Durham countryside. Steve’s father Tommy is in a nursing home, so the house is empty. And though from the outside it looks quaint and charming, picket fence, roses round the door etc (not literally), inside it’s a tip. Kat refuses to stay there with Matthew, so she spends the first night in a B&B run by an older woman called Rowena.
It’s at this point that things turn really weird. Rowena claims to know nothing about the house, but it soon becomes clear that she has history, as does Tommy, and the whole town knows about it. Is the house haunted, or is that just a conspiracy theory or a wicked rumour? Tommy became quite the local celebrity on the back of it, but was he just cashing in on the house’s reputation for things that went bump in the night.
Poor Kat. She has her own issues to deal with, but she is going to make the best of it. She sets up a social media profile with pictures of herself and Matthew in the house they are renovating. Steve does not approve – well he wouldn’t would he. Then she gets trolled and threatened, but she should have guessed that would happen. And it all starts to get very dark.
The podcast about the house is all very Battersea Poltergeist and I can just see the house being featured on Uncanny. But is any of it real? Well we’ll have to read the book to find out. Best read under the covers, in the dark, with just a torch for company.
Many thanks to @lovebookstours for inviting me to be part of #TheHouseOnDevilsLane blog tour.
September 30, 2024
Kat and Steve move from Dundee to Durham to have a fresh start. Kat is running from demons in her homelife, and Steve is returning to face up to his past. It soon becomes obvious that something does not want them living in the house on 11 Derville’s Lane, but how far will they go to get rid of Kat and Steve for good?
This was a well written book with a good storyline, and the characters all appeared to have secrets, which made for an interesting read. It was hard to figure out who could be trusted and who had ulterior motives. I liked the ghostly goings on and how this ramped up the tension throughout the story. It was clear that Kat felt something was wrong with the house and as the reader it was hard to distinguish if she was losing sense of reality or if someone was pushing her to madness as she made some strange decisions!
The story also has difficult themes, and I thought these were handled well and written sensitively. Overall, it's a great book to start spooky season!
With thanks to Love Book Tours and the author for letting me be part of the tour. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
This was a well written book with a good storyline, and the characters all appeared to have secrets, which made for an interesting read. It was hard to figure out who could be trusted and who had ulterior motives. I liked the ghostly goings on and how this ramped up the tension throughout the story. It was clear that Kat felt something was wrong with the house and as the reader it was hard to distinguish if she was losing sense of reality or if someone was pushing her to madness as she made some strange decisions!
The story also has difficult themes, and I thought these were handled well and written sensitively. Overall, it's a great book to start spooky season!
With thanks to Love Book Tours and the author for letting me be part of the tour. This is my honest review, which I'm leaving voluntarily.
October 5, 2024
When she meets cabbie Steve, young mum Kat Riley sees him as a means of escaping both her family and her own troubled past. Taking her baby, she sets off for a picturesque cottage in the Durham countryside. But the house on Derville’s Lane reveals its own dark story – weird shadows, noises in the walls, and the influence of paranormal podcasts, have an effect on Kat and soon pose a threat to her new life.
This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author, so I thought I knew what to expect. Unlike her other books, this one gets off to a slow start, but soon begins to build tension as the heroine discovers her new abode isn’t quite what she imagined. Her new partner, too, seems to have secrets of his own that do nothing to reduce Kat’s worries. Strange noises and shadowy figures reinforce the house’s spooky history, and there are some truly creepy sequences that point to paranormal activities. Kat’s troubled history is gradually revealed as she strives to uncover the truth about the house, her neighbours, and her new partner.
A few formatting issues with the Kindle version were a tad irritating, but otherwise this is a suitably creepy and atmospheric tale.
This is the fourth book I’ve read by this author, so I thought I knew what to expect. Unlike her other books, this one gets off to a slow start, but soon begins to build tension as the heroine discovers her new abode isn’t quite what she imagined. Her new partner, too, seems to have secrets of his own that do nothing to reduce Kat’s worries. Strange noises and shadowy figures reinforce the house’s spooky history, and there are some truly creepy sequences that point to paranormal activities. Kat’s troubled history is gradually revealed as she strives to uncover the truth about the house, her neighbours, and her new partner.
A few formatting issues with the Kindle version were a tad irritating, but otherwise this is a suitably creepy and atmospheric tale.
October 1, 2024
If you're looking for your next "things that go bump in the night" read, look no further than The House on Devil's Lane.
It's just the right mix of physiological thriller, and paranormal haunting as we follow our main characters, Kat and Steve who, looking for a fresh start, move from Dundee to Durham. But little do that know that something is not quite right about their new cottage, and something lurkes there that does not want them living there.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up.
So all in all, I enjoyed this read, it's a novel sure to get you in the mood for the upcoming Halloween celebrations this month. It's got all you'd from spooky read. It's creepy, without being too over the top, there's disturbing noises, weird dolls, dark shapes and shadows, secrets to be discovered, and ghostly goings on.
I found the pace to be a little slow in parts, but it soon picks up, and the atmospheric feel to the story is just great.
The cast of characters have decent depth, and feel real, and I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
It's just the right mix of physiological thriller, and paranormal haunting as we follow our main characters, Kat and Steve who, looking for a fresh start, move from Dundee to Durham. But little do that know that something is not quite right about their new cottage, and something lurkes there that does not want them living there.
Want to know more? Be sure to pick your copy up.
So all in all, I enjoyed this read, it's a novel sure to get you in the mood for the upcoming Halloween celebrations this month. It's got all you'd from spooky read. It's creepy, without being too over the top, there's disturbing noises, weird dolls, dark shapes and shadows, secrets to be discovered, and ghostly goings on.
I found the pace to be a little slow in parts, but it soon picks up, and the atmospheric feel to the story is just great.
The cast of characters have decent depth, and feel real, and I read this in two sittings.
4 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 's from me.
September 24, 2024
Kat Riley has a horrible home life. So when the taxi driver who drove her to the hospital while she was in labor asks her to move in with him, she barely hesitates before accepting. She doesn't love him, but maybe she could grow to, and he's good to baby Matthew.
But when they arrive at 11 Derville Lane, Kat is horrified by the condition of the house. It's filthy and needs a lot of renovation. But the worst part is the creepy stuff that starts to happen. Kat makes the mistake of chronicling her sunroom renovation on social media, with glimpses of baby Matthew in the background. Trollers are quick to reveal the unsavory history of the house, and Kat is on a quest to get to the bottom of why they call her road Devil's Lane.
This was an interesting read and I was very happy with the direction it took. It combined elements of a good ghost story with gaslighting, legend, and secrets.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for an advance reader's copy.
But when they arrive at 11 Derville Lane, Kat is horrified by the condition of the house. It's filthy and needs a lot of renovation. But the worst part is the creepy stuff that starts to happen. Kat makes the mistake of chronicling her sunroom renovation on social media, with glimpses of baby Matthew in the background. Trollers are quick to reveal the unsavory history of the house, and Kat is on a quest to get to the bottom of why they call her road Devil's Lane.
This was an interesting read and I was very happy with the direction it took. It combined elements of a good ghost story with gaslighting, legend, and secrets.
Thanks to Love Books Tours for an advance reader's copy.
September 27, 2024
The House on Devil’s Lane
SL Ireland
September 22, 20224
Kat Riley, a young, new mother, finds an unlikely ally and friend in Steve, the taxi driver that took her to the hospital to give birth to her son Matthew. Kat escapes her current living situation with her own secrets and goes to 11 Derville Lane, a quaint cottage in the Durham countryside, with Steve. From the outside it is picture perfect, but what it holds inside is nothing but.
Kat decides to set up a social media account and document the renovation to this cottage. The stories start pouring in. The secrets the house holds are more than just the weird sound that goes bump in the night. This cast of unlikely characters will grow on you as you read this perfect beginning to a spooky season read. This is not a poltergeist stay up all night I am having nightmares read. But if you want to dip your toes into the supernatural, this is a great way to start.
SL Ireland
September 22, 20224
Kat Riley, a young, new mother, finds an unlikely ally and friend in Steve, the taxi driver that took her to the hospital to give birth to her son Matthew. Kat escapes her current living situation with her own secrets and goes to 11 Derville Lane, a quaint cottage in the Durham countryside, with Steve. From the outside it is picture perfect, but what it holds inside is nothing but.
Kat decides to set up a social media account and document the renovation to this cottage. The stories start pouring in. The secrets the house holds are more than just the weird sound that goes bump in the night. This cast of unlikely characters will grow on you as you read this perfect beginning to a spooky season read. This is not a poltergeist stay up all night I am having nightmares read. But if you want to dip your toes into the supernatural, this is a great way to start.
September 25, 2024
This is a great book to start off my spooky season reads! ‘The House on Devil’s Lane’ is packed full with tension and atmosphere. Kat, a young mum, moves into the house with her baby son and her new partner. She knows that something isn’t quite right with the house but she has nowhere else to go and pretty soon spooky things start happening.
I love a good ghost story and I am a big wimp so I judge scary books on how well I sleep after reading them, this book definitely stayed on my mind at bedtime. I liked Rowena, the owner of a nearby inn, the best and I found her relationship with Kat quite interesting. The ending of the novel felt a little abrupt to me but this is still a good spooky season read.
Is Kat losing her mind or is there really something sinister going on in the house?
I love a good ghost story and I am a big wimp so I judge scary books on how well I sleep after reading them, this book definitely stayed on my mind at bedtime. I liked Rowena, the owner of a nearby inn, the best and I found her relationship with Kat quite interesting. The ending of the novel felt a little abrupt to me but this is still a good spooky season read.
Is Kat losing her mind or is there really something sinister going on in the house?
September 26, 2024
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This book pushed me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a genre I’d never explored before. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it, even though it scared me quite a bit.
It had me hiding under the covers more than once. I usually avoid horror—whether in movies or books—so this was a new experience for me.
I did have some trouble getting into the story at first and didn’t quite connect with the main character. I’m still not sure I like her, but she grew on me enough to keep reading.
Overall, it’s a fast-paced read that packs a punch with its mix of psychological thriller elements and ghostly suspense.
This book pushed me out of my comfort zone and introduced me to a genre I’d never explored before. To my surprise, I really enjoyed it, even though it scared me quite a bit.
It had me hiding under the covers more than once. I usually avoid horror—whether in movies or books—so this was a new experience for me.
I did have some trouble getting into the story at first and didn’t quite connect with the main character. I’m still not sure I like her, but she grew on me enough to keep reading.
Overall, it’s a fast-paced read that packs a punch with its mix of psychological thriller elements and ghostly suspense.
September 11, 2024
"What if the home of your dreams turns into your worst nightmare?"
The House on Devil's Lane is about Kat Riley who has reason to escape her family and she leaves all of that behind with her baby to make a new life in the Durham countryside with Steve. This was a good read that was well written. The book kept me guessing until the end and one that I liked the characters, especially Kat. Overall this was a good read that I enjoyed and would recommend to any reader who likes thrillers or ghost books. Thank you to Loves Book Tours and the author for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review of The House on Devil's Lane by S.L Ireland.
The House on Devil's Lane is about Kat Riley who has reason to escape her family and she leaves all of that behind with her baby to make a new life in the Durham countryside with Steve. This was a good read that was well written. The book kept me guessing until the end and one that I liked the characters, especially Kat. Overall this was a good read that I enjoyed and would recommend to any reader who likes thrillers or ghost books. Thank you to Loves Book Tours and the author for this ARC read in exchange of my honest review of The House on Devil's Lane by S.L Ireland.
October 8, 2024
A perfect read for the spooky season. The House on Devil's Lane follows Kat, a new mum, sharing a living space with her family and things are becoming crowded. She meets Steve and soon decides to move in with him - only things feels off from the start.
I found this book to be an enjoyable read. It certainly isn't the scariest book I have read, but there was a sense of dread and suspense building throughout the entire story creating a definite creepy atmosphere for the reader. The book is easy to read, effortlessly flowing through the chapters, and certainly did a good job of keeping me guessing.
I found this book to be an enjoyable read. It certainly isn't the scariest book I have read, but there was a sense of dread and suspense building throughout the entire story creating a definite creepy atmosphere for the reader. The book is easy to read, effortlessly flowing through the chapters, and certainly did a good job of keeping me guessing.
October 8, 2024
Single mum Kat Riley wants to escape her family and moves in with taxi driver Steve Burns who unexpectedly helps out at the birth of her son Matthew. But the move to the pretty cottage that is 11 Derville Lane is far from idyllic…Has Kat made the right choice?
I am not usually a reader of this genre of book, being someone who jumps at almost nothing. But I loved it! This had me reading intently to discover the outcome. I felt for Kat in many ways. I liked Sandra Ireland’s writing style and, for me, there was a good balance of terror moments and more sensitive parts. This is her fifth novel and from this book I will look out for her other work as I enjoyed this one immensely.
I am not usually a reader of this genre of book, being someone who jumps at almost nothing. But I loved it! This had me reading intently to discover the outcome. I felt for Kat in many ways. I liked Sandra Ireland’s writing style and, for me, there was a good balance of terror moments and more sensitive parts. This is her fifth novel and from this book I will look out for her other work as I enjoyed this one immensely.
October 9, 2024
Horror/Cosy Horror is one of my favourite genres at any time but especially at this time of year. I would say this definitely falls into cosy Horror and I loved it.
As soon as I saw the cover I knew I had to read it and as soon as I saw the blurb I was hooked.
It was well written with a compelling story line full of mystery and characters that were well developed, I especially loved Kat and Steve even though I was suspicious of him at the start.
It was a bit if a slow burner to start which I normally am not a fan of but it helped build up atmosphere which I loved. I would highly recommend
As soon as I saw the cover I knew I had to read it and as soon as I saw the blurb I was hooked.
It was well written with a compelling story line full of mystery and characters that were well developed, I especially loved Kat and Steve even though I was suspicious of him at the start.
It was a bit if a slow burner to start which I normally am not a fan of but it helped build up atmosphere which I loved. I would highly recommend
October 9, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. I was unsure what to expect when I dug into this book but was hooked when I started. Kat is a young mother who is trying to run away from her past and the father of her son. Steve is a middle-aged taxi driver who takes Kat to the hospital to have her son. Kat is alone and Steve is compelled to stay with her until the baby is born. When Steve comes back into Kats life, he asks her to move to his ailing fathers house in the middle of nowhere. When strange occurrences start happening in the house are sinister forces at work or is someone just jealous and trying to Kat to run scared. This book has numerous twists and turns with a good amount of spooky. I enjoyed reading this in the dark late at night! Highly recommend!!
October 7, 2024
This book is kicking off my Halloween reading and I am obsessed. It has the small town vibes that keep it creepy. There’s the paranormal horror, mixed with an edge of your seat thriller type feeling. Perfect!
The story was really well written with so many twists and turns I couldn’t put it down, Kat is running from trouble and finds herself in a more precarious situation. It kept me guessing and doubting, which is always a sign of a good book for me if it has me doubting my own judgement!
Perfect spooky season / Autumn reading!
The story was really well written with so many twists and turns I couldn’t put it down, Kat is running from trouble and finds herself in a more precarious situation. It kept me guessing and doubting, which is always a sign of a good book for me if it has me doubting my own judgement!
Perfect spooky season / Autumn reading!
October 16, 2024
Are you looking for the perfect book for spooky season? Look no further. You have found it. This book is beautifully written and while it isn't all out terrifying, it is deliciously unsettling It's a story that is very uncomfortable to read in places, and yet you are fully invested and you can't stop. It is very atmospheric and there are twists and turns a-plenty. You just don't know who you can trust... Kat, as a young single mum was relatable but also frustrating at times. If you want a book that is going to keep you awake at night, thinking about it - this is the one. Highly recommended.
September 26, 2024
Oh this was a spooky story that I got fully behind. I am not normally one for Horror novels however this was more off the page and we didn't get to physically be in the pov of experiencing this. However the twists in this story was something that I didn't expect about the Human element that was included in the events. This is one I have already proposed as a buddy read as I want to read it again immediately as I fell in love with the characters and the location.
September 30, 2024
I sat and read this book all in one sitting because I couldn’t put this down! I really felt for Kat as she was pretty much a victim of circumstance and seemingly had no control over her fate. The way she ended up in the house was so bizarre and the thriller reader in me was very suspicious! I really enjoyed the “paranormal” elements too. I enjoyed the pace of the story and would very much recommend it!
September 30, 2024
This psychological thriller has the perfect vibes for this spooky season. It’s the perfect combination of mystery, horror, suspense, with just the right amount of paranormal. The characters add to the mystery with the main character even having her own secrets. The book is fast paced which allows for this book to be a fast read.
The book touches on some themes that can be triggering for some so I recommend looking them up before starting this one.
The book touches on some themes that can be triggering for some so I recommend looking them up before starting this one.
October 3, 2024
The house on devil's lane by s.l Ireland.
This was a creepy read. It was a great start to spooky season. I did like the cover and blurb. This was an easy read. I got onto it straight away. I wasn't sure about the characters who all had secrets of their own. I didn't have any favourite. I loved the sound of the house. It sounded so creepy. I did like the writing style. The things that happen in the house. Spooky. I would recommend this book.
This was a creepy read. It was a great start to spooky season. I did like the cover and blurb. This was an easy read. I got onto it straight away. I wasn't sure about the characters who all had secrets of their own. I didn't have any favourite. I loved the sound of the house. It sounded so creepy. I did like the writing style. The things that happen in the house. Spooky. I would recommend this book.
October 3, 2024
My first by this author and it wont be my last. A slow burn of a book that keeps the reader gripped. Kat a single mother finds herself setting up home with Steve. A home she has misgivings about from the start.
This house has a history, but is it supernatural or human in origin; you will need to read and find out.
Sandra has a delightful way of keeping the reader engaged through her writing and this is great book for spooky season.
I will be on the lookout for more of this author's work
This house has a history, but is it supernatural or human in origin; you will need to read and find out.
Sandra has a delightful way of keeping the reader engaged through her writing and this is great book for spooky season.
I will be on the lookout for more of this author's work
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