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Haunted Halls
It's every mother's worst Kasey's young son, Max, has gone missing. Except, Kasey is convinced he never left the house...
Under the scrutiny of local law enforcement in a town focused on her past, Kasey must navigate the hidden passageways of her home with a boyfriend she no longer knows if she can trust and a neighbor keeping something from Kasey she desperately needs to remember.
Will Kasey discover the neighborhood's secrets before it's too late and her son is lost to the house forever?
Under the scrutiny of local law enforcement in a town focused on her past, Kasey must navigate the hidden passageways of her home with a boyfriend she no longer knows if she can trust and a neighbor keeping something from Kasey she desperately needs to remember.
Will Kasey discover the neighborhood's secrets before it's too late and her son is lost to the house forever?
- GenresHorror
251 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 24, 2024
1 person is currently reading
34 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
September 26, 2024
RATING: 4.5/5
As soon as I started reading “Haunted Halls,” I knew I wouldn’t put it down. Dinner for the family? Pfft. It sounds like an Uber Eats kind of night to me! Just kidding! Or am I?
“Haunted Halls” is the perfect creepy, eerie story that readers of the supernatural and mysteries will love. Kasey, a single mom, ends up moving into her late grandmother’s house, which happens to be the one her grandmother was against having children in. Can we say red flag? Mysterious and creepy things begin to happen that lead up to Kasey’s son, Max’s, disappearance. Readers follow Kasey's quest to find Max, which involves frightening obstacles.
I was fully invested in the plot, especially the backstory, as it followed well to the end and tied up nicely. “Haunted Halls” is an excellent creepy story that I enjoyed reading.
Thank you, Horrorsmith Publishing and Author W.A. Roberts, for the gifted reader copy of “Haunted Halls.” I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As soon as I started reading “Haunted Halls,” I knew I wouldn’t put it down. Dinner for the family? Pfft. It sounds like an Uber Eats kind of night to me! Just kidding! Or am I?
“Haunted Halls” is the perfect creepy, eerie story that readers of the supernatural and mysteries will love. Kasey, a single mom, ends up moving into her late grandmother’s house, which happens to be the one her grandmother was against having children in. Can we say red flag? Mysterious and creepy things begin to happen that lead up to Kasey’s son, Max’s, disappearance. Readers follow Kasey's quest to find Max, which involves frightening obstacles.
I was fully invested in the plot, especially the backstory, as it followed well to the end and tied up nicely. “Haunted Halls” is an excellent creepy story that I enjoyed reading.
Thank you, Horrorsmith Publishing and Author W.A. Roberts, for the gifted reader copy of “Haunted Halls.” I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 1, 2024
A single mom and her young son are terrorized by spirits in their new home.
Grandma knows best!
Years ago, something happened that caused Grandma to lock up a room and move out of the main house and into her guest house. She never allowed children into this home. When she passed away she chose not to leave the house to her granddaughter Kasey but to a cousin instead. Luckily (or unluckily?) Kasey got the house anyway because the cousin didn't want it.
Kasey's son Max is terrified of the house, and although she doesn't want to admit it, Kasey is none too comfortable in it herself. When Max goes missing after complaining about a woman in his closet, Kasey must unravel the house's dark history if she ever hopes to see him again.
I enjoyed the back story of the house's history and its former occupants. It was a creepy mystery that I couldn't wait to unravel along with Kasey. The restless ghosts that remained in the home were terrifying at first, but their actions were repetitive at times, making the middle of the story drag too much for my taste. I couldn't stand the boyfriend Carson, who seemed to be straight out of a Hallmark movie. In typical male movie character fashion, he first cajoles Kasey into drinking wine when he clearly knows she never touches alcohol and then dismisses all her experiences in the house as being caused by drinking.
So in the end, I have mixed feelings on this one, but if you enjoy haunted house stories, this book may be for you.
My thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing.
Grandma knows best!
Years ago, something happened that caused Grandma to lock up a room and move out of the main house and into her guest house. She never allowed children into this home. When she passed away she chose not to leave the house to her granddaughter Kasey but to a cousin instead. Luckily (or unluckily?) Kasey got the house anyway because the cousin didn't want it.
Kasey's son Max is terrified of the house, and although she doesn't want to admit it, Kasey is none too comfortable in it herself. When Max goes missing after complaining about a woman in his closet, Kasey must unravel the house's dark history if she ever hopes to see him again.
I enjoyed the back story of the house's history and its former occupants. It was a creepy mystery that I couldn't wait to unravel along with Kasey. The restless ghosts that remained in the home were terrifying at first, but their actions were repetitive at times, making the middle of the story drag too much for my taste. I couldn't stand the boyfriend Carson, who seemed to be straight out of a Hallmark movie. In typical male movie character fashion, he first cajoles Kasey into drinking wine when he clearly knows she never touches alcohol and then dismisses all her experiences in the house as being caused by drinking.
So in the end, I have mixed feelings on this one, but if you enjoy haunted house stories, this book may be for you.
My thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing.
September 30, 2024
Before I go any further into this review, add this book to your TBR. Seriously. I'm not going to continue until you've done it, so get it added. Is it there now? Good!
Now, let's lay what I feel is a pretty solid ground rule: if grandma leaves you a big house that she herself refused to live in and banned children from, let's not move into said house with a child. And those closet doors that are nailed shut? LEAVE THEM ALONE. Seems simple, right?
But what if you DON'T heed that warning? W.A. Roberts answers exactly that with horror-laced pages that will leave you wondering what is in your walls... and who that woman in the closet is. ((You know you've seen her... even if you've pretended not to. )) This book is an absolute MUST for horror fans and for those looking to plan out their October reads. It's also perfect if you want a story that will crawl under your skin from the first pages and leave you feeling deliciously unsettled. It's fast-paced and eerie, and there are so many scenes that will leave you wondering which experiences are real... or if they all are.
While I have Horrorsmith Publishing and author W.A. Roberts to thank for the advanced copy of this book, this review was only influenced by the content of Haunted Halls. Once you finish nailing your closet doors shut and pick it up for yourself, you'll see exactly what I mean!
Now, let's lay what I feel is a pretty solid ground rule: if grandma leaves you a big house that she herself refused to live in and banned children from, let's not move into said house with a child. And those closet doors that are nailed shut? LEAVE THEM ALONE. Seems simple, right?
But what if you DON'T heed that warning? W.A. Roberts answers exactly that with horror-laced pages that will leave you wondering what is in your walls... and who that woman in the closet is. ((You know you've seen her... even if you've pretended not to. )) This book is an absolute MUST for horror fans and for those looking to plan out their October reads. It's also perfect if you want a story that will crawl under your skin from the first pages and leave you feeling deliciously unsettled. It's fast-paced and eerie, and there are so many scenes that will leave you wondering which experiences are real... or if they all are.
While I have Horrorsmith Publishing and author W.A. Roberts to thank for the advanced copy of this book, this review was only influenced by the content of Haunted Halls. Once you finish nailing your closet doors shut and pick it up for yourself, you'll see exactly what I mean!
October 7, 2024
Insidious + Haunting of Hill House
A horror novel of a woman who inherits her grandma's house. The house has been cursed by a witch/mother for centuries which in turn the house eats children and makes them disappear. Now a mother must find her son and his soul before it is too late. She battles paranormal as well as her past trying to find her son.
This was a good ghost story. However, a map of the house would have been great to put in by the title page. Also, the book tends to drag on a little instead of getting to the point, it could have been cleaned up a bit. But the author just kept adding and adding to the point where I almost DNR'd.
A horror novel of a woman who inherits her grandma's house. The house has been cursed by a witch/mother for centuries which in turn the house eats children and makes them disappear. Now a mother must find her son and his soul before it is too late. She battles paranormal as well as her past trying to find her son.
This was a good ghost story. However, a map of the house would have been great to put in by the title page. Also, the book tends to drag on a little instead of getting to the point, it could have been cleaned up a bit. But the author just kept adding and adding to the point where I almost DNR'd.
September 30, 2024
It's quite unusual to find a haunted house book that's actually fast-paced, in which the action never stops, and the tenacity of the main character only increases as you read! Typically, the Gothic atmosphere keeps action scenes to a minimum, and the shocking revelations dripple in cautiously, without much fanfare. In W.A. Roberts' "Haunted Halls," by contrast, the plot develops quickly, in parallel with the revelations and the establishment of the setting, confounding the foreground-background distinction: there's a house within the house, and so the setting itself turns out to be one of the figures starring in the story. However, it soon becomes clear that the haunting goes far beyond the material confines of the building. There's a sinister history, due to which more and more characters are drawn into the story.
The book never lets up on the supernatural elements, adding more and more paranormal complications as the plot moves further along. The writing is extremely tight and focused, the main character of the mother never losing sight of her purpose: to find her son, who's been missing since they moved into grandma's house. She feels she has reasons to feel guilty, and, though she has the full support of her boyfriend, the situation demands increasingly more from her. She's an admirable person, neither giving in prematurely to her guilt and despair, nor giving up on her missing son.
I could easily empathize with her plight, but, at some point, the pressure became too much for me, and I felt some confusion, especially towards the end. The compounding of mysteries (more unexplained children disappearances, more hidden rooms, more infodumps from the neighbor, more instances of the grandmother's strange past behavior) made me ask for a breather; things were escalating too fast, with no time left to the reader to analyze them properly.
Overall, I recommend the book to haunted house fans, who'll definitely get a kick out of the many twists and the backhistory of the house. I personally relished the complex plot around the missing son, and appreciated the many themes broached in the novel, from the difficulties of single parenthood to the historical details of the haunting.
The book never lets up on the supernatural elements, adding more and more paranormal complications as the plot moves further along. The writing is extremely tight and focused, the main character of the mother never losing sight of her purpose: to find her son, who's been missing since they moved into grandma's house. She feels she has reasons to feel guilty, and, though she has the full support of her boyfriend, the situation demands increasingly more from her. She's an admirable person, neither giving in prematurely to her guilt and despair, nor giving up on her missing son.
I could easily empathize with her plight, but, at some point, the pressure became too much for me, and I felt some confusion, especially towards the end. The compounding of mysteries (more unexplained children disappearances, more hidden rooms, more infodumps from the neighbor, more instances of the grandmother's strange past behavior) made me ask for a breather; things were escalating too fast, with no time left to the reader to analyze them properly.
Overall, I recommend the book to haunted house fans, who'll definitely get a kick out of the many twists and the backhistory of the house. I personally relished the complex plot around the missing son, and appreciated the many themes broached in the novel, from the difficulties of single parenthood to the historical details of the haunting.
April 11, 2025
Oh what a read this was!
I enjoyed this a lot. The whole time I was reading I had this feeling of nostalgia. It reminded me of other movies and shows with similar topics that I had watched growing up and it was just so good.
This story starts off really strong. There's no waiting around to get to the point. The haunting happens immediately, and it works well. I felt instantly on edge, I was anxious right along with our main characters.
I liked our MC. I found her strong and determined and just generally likeable even as a panicked mother. However, her man is a clown and I actually wondered if him and the neighbor were in evil cahoots, lol.
So if you like ghost stories that have you on the edge of your seat biting at your nails with anxious energy, this is a story for you.
I enjoyed this a lot. The whole time I was reading I had this feeling of nostalgia. It reminded me of other movies and shows with similar topics that I had watched growing up and it was just so good.
This story starts off really strong. There's no waiting around to get to the point. The haunting happens immediately, and it works well. I felt instantly on edge, I was anxious right along with our main characters.
I liked our MC. I found her strong and determined and just generally likeable even as a panicked mother. However, her man is a clown and I actually wondered if him and the neighbor were in evil cahoots, lol.
So if you like ghost stories that have you on the edge of your seat biting at your nails with anxious energy, this is a story for you.
October 9, 2024
Kasey and Max move into her grandmother's historic home when she passes. One night, Max disappears. Kasey knows he's in the house somewhere. She periodically sees his shadow and can hear her calling him. But neither she nor the police can find him in the house. Where could he possibly be?
I had some trouble getting into this one, but eventually the story took off - and into directions that I wasn't thinking. The ending was good, but it felt rushed. Overall, a fun haunted house story.
I had some trouble getting into this one, but eventually the story took off - and into directions that I wasn't thinking. The ending was good, but it felt rushed. Overall, a fun haunted house story.
October 1, 2024
Disclosure: I received a free copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for my honest review.
This is the third or fourth book I’ve read from Horrorsmith Publishing, and it’s another home run for me. It starts with a familiar premise—mother and son move into a haunted house—but quickly takes its own path away from the usual haunted house territory. The resulting novel is creepy, fun, and filled with parental anxiety in the face of the supernatural.
Part of what makes this so unique for me is the mystery at the heart of the story. Why did Kasey’s grandmother warn against children staying in the big old house? Does the house really steal children? Does the nosy old neighbor know more than she’s letting on? And finally, and perhaps most important: how does a child disappear in his own house?
This really is a fun twist on the haunted house story. I’ll gladly read whatever W. A. Roberts comes out with next.
Thanks to Lyndsey at Horrorsmith Publishing for the opportunity to read this in ARC form!
October 11, 2024
This paranormal thriller/mystery started out creepy, moved quickly, and kept me on the edge of my seat! It was full of twists and turns, secret passages, vengeful spirits and the woman in the closet! It was a fairly short and easy read, and I binged it in one day.
4.25⭐️
4.25⭐️
November 30, 2024
2.5 Stars ~
Thank you to Horrorsmith publishing for an eARC in return for an honest review.
I feel bad giving this a low rating, but I just didn't vibe with this book at all. I didn't find it overly 'spooky', and my heart wasn't racing in anticipation of wheat was to happen at all.
This was just okay for me.
Thank you to Horrorsmith publishing for an eARC in return for an honest review.
I feel bad giving this a low rating, but I just didn't vibe with this book at all. I didn't find it overly 'spooky', and my heart wasn't racing in anticipation of wheat was to happen at all.
This was just okay for me.
September 26, 2024
Rated Down. My Rating 3.5
▪️Fast Paced
▪️Grief, Guilt, Forgiveness
▪️Haunted House
💚 Overall I am pleased with this one. The atmosphere is tense, and the grief is palpable. It is fast paced which made a quick read.
💛 There were a few themes or tropes I wish it had played out on a little more, but not lingering on them didn't take away from it. I just felt it could have enhanced it.
🧡Honestly, the ending felt a tad rushed and although all the "pieces" fell into place, the rushed nature made some of it feel forced. There was a POV change at the end that felt out of place.
Special Thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing for the advance review copy! Appreciate y'all.
▪️Fast Paced
▪️Grief, Guilt, Forgiveness
▪️Haunted House
💚 Overall I am pleased with this one. The atmosphere is tense, and the grief is palpable. It is fast paced which made a quick read.
💛 There were a few themes or tropes I wish it had played out on a little more, but not lingering on them didn't take away from it. I just felt it could have enhanced it.
🧡Honestly, the ending felt a tad rushed and although all the "pieces" fell into place, the rushed nature made some of it feel forced. There was a POV change at the end that felt out of place.
Special Thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing for the advance review copy! Appreciate y'all.
October 17, 2024
If you like haunted houses, malevolent ghosts, and mothers ready to sacrifice everything for their child, then you need to read this book! The spook factor kicks in from the very start, with both Kasey and her son Max being plagued with nightmares, and a general feeling of creeping uneasiness lingering in the house during the day. Kasey chalks it up to them just being in new surroundings and needing to get used to it - until Max disappears with no warning from his bed one night. No signs of forced entry or a struggle, he's just gone.
Searching for Max leads Kasey to the discovery of the house's gruesome past - and having to face some difficult truths about herself.
There were times when I had literal chills reading this - and that does not happen often!
Searching for Max leads Kasey to the discovery of the house's gruesome past - and having to face some difficult truths about herself.
There were times when I had literal chills reading this - and that does not happen often!
November 3, 2024
Creepy mystery in a haunted house.
Couldn't stop reading this one! Loved getting to learn the history of the house. This book had lots of twists and turns, secret passageways, and a mother's love.
Couldn't stop reading this one! Loved getting to learn the history of the house. This book had lots of twists and turns, secret passageways, and a mother's love.
November 1, 2024
Haunted Halls started out strong and the pacing was spot on. Immediately, I loved Kasey and Max's relationship. You could tell she was a single mother trying her best and I loved that.
They were a few spooky scenes in the beginning that sent a chill down my spine and really set the tone for the book.
Unfortunately, as quickly as I fell in love with it, I fell out of love just as fast. The book and its characters really began to work on my nerves. The scenes that were spooky with the ghosts and what not started becoming repetitive. Which in turn made me very bored.
Carson and Kasey's relationship did nothing for the plot. He could've been left out, and the book would've been better, in my opinion. They were also too many things happening at the end, and I just wanted it to be over.
Overall, it wasn't the best I've ever read but nowhere near the worst. It was an interesting story and kind of reminded me of the movie Insidious in some regard. I would still recommend it to others. Especially to those who are new to the horror genre and want something on the milder side.
ARC received through Horrorsmithpublishing. All opinions are my own.
They were a few spooky scenes in the beginning that sent a chill down my spine and really set the tone for the book.
Unfortunately, as quickly as I fell in love with it, I fell out of love just as fast. The book and its characters really began to work on my nerves. The scenes that were spooky with the ghosts and what not started becoming repetitive. Which in turn made me very bored.
Carson and Kasey's relationship did nothing for the plot. He could've been left out, and the book would've been better, in my opinion. They were also too many things happening at the end, and I just wanted it to be over.
Overall, it wasn't the best I've ever read but nowhere near the worst. It was an interesting story and kind of reminded me of the movie Insidious in some regard. I would still recommend it to others. Especially to those who are new to the horror genre and want something on the milder side.
ARC received through Horrorsmithpublishing. All opinions are my own.
October 17, 2024
I'm a sucker for haunted house books. Try as they might, many of them end up being very similar stories that follow similar tropes. W.A. Roberts's HAUNTED HALLS doesn't fall into the same old traps, though, which I found refreshing.
When Kasey moves her son Max into her grandmother's old home, she hopes that she can escape her tragic past and start over by turning the place into a bed and breakfast. One night, Max disappears without a trace. Distraught, Kasey is haunted by sounds of children in the house and wonders if Max actually really ever left—if, maybe, he's somewhere still in the house. When she learns that this isn't the first time a child disappeared in the house, she goes on a mission to find her son at all costs.
This book was a fun, easy read, but still suspenseful and mysterious. Each chapter kept me guessing—not just where Max went, but what was keeping Max, what happened in the house's history, why Kasey's grandmother stopped letting her and her brother visit as children, and whether her fiance would stick by her side even as the house made her feel insane. I thought Kasey was a strong, stubborn character in the best sense; her energy encapsulated what it really means to be a mom and do anything for her child.
Some parts of the story were hard to picture in my head—the house's secret passages, for example—but my imagination was able to fill in the gaps. This story is a perfect read for anyone looking for a spooky Halloween story, a book that features tough mothers, or a haunted house book that does something a little different.
When Kasey moves her son Max into her grandmother's old home, she hopes that she can escape her tragic past and start over by turning the place into a bed and breakfast. One night, Max disappears without a trace. Distraught, Kasey is haunted by sounds of children in the house and wonders if Max actually really ever left—if, maybe, he's somewhere still in the house. When she learns that this isn't the first time a child disappeared in the house, she goes on a mission to find her son at all costs.
This book was a fun, easy read, but still suspenseful and mysterious. Each chapter kept me guessing—not just where Max went, but what was keeping Max, what happened in the house's history, why Kasey's grandmother stopped letting her and her brother visit as children, and whether her fiance would stick by her side even as the house made her feel insane. I thought Kasey was a strong, stubborn character in the best sense; her energy encapsulated what it really means to be a mom and do anything for her child.
Some parts of the story were hard to picture in my head—the house's secret passages, for example—but my imagination was able to fill in the gaps. This story is a perfect read for anyone looking for a spooky Halloween story, a book that features tough mothers, or a haunted house book that does something a little different.
September 30, 2024
An eerie, unique haunted house story that kept me wanting to turn just that one more page before putting it down.
The book follows Kasey who has just inherited a house from her grandmother who has passed away. Her and her son Max have just moved in and Kasey has plans to renovate and turn it into a B&B when Max goes missing with no signs of him leaving the house. From there, Kasey and her partner race to try and find him whilst dealing with apparitions that have occupied the house from its very storied past, some trying to help, others to hinder.
There are twists and turns in this one and the story of the house, the backgrounds of those who lived there and the mysterious neighbour who appears to know more than she's letting on are slowly revealed. The pacing is good and the characters strong, Kasey herself having somewhat of an unlikeable personality and has flaws which is a breath of fresh air.
There are certain areas that could have perhaps been fleshed out more, and the ending could have been extended but it was still a solid story that achieves what it sets out to do.
Overall, definitely a book you should check out if you're interested in a unique take on a haunted house tale.
The book follows Kasey who has just inherited a house from her grandmother who has passed away. Her and her son Max have just moved in and Kasey has plans to renovate and turn it into a B&B when Max goes missing with no signs of him leaving the house. From there, Kasey and her partner race to try and find him whilst dealing with apparitions that have occupied the house from its very storied past, some trying to help, others to hinder.
There are twists and turns in this one and the story of the house, the backgrounds of those who lived there and the mysterious neighbour who appears to know more than she's letting on are slowly revealed. The pacing is good and the characters strong, Kasey herself having somewhat of an unlikeable personality and has flaws which is a breath of fresh air.
There are certain areas that could have perhaps been fleshed out more, and the ending could have been extended but it was still a solid story that achieves what it sets out to do.
Overall, definitely a book you should check out if you're interested in a unique take on a haunted house tale.
October 1, 2024
3.75 stars
Haunted Halls is an interesting twist on a haunted house story. When Kasey and her young son, Max, move into her grandma's old home, it's nothing like the warm house Kasey remembers visiting. Throughout the house, rooms are boarded up and closets are barricaded. Max starts having nightmares. He's terrified of the woman he claims is coming into his bedroom at night. Then, Max disappears. When Kasey pulls the house apart at the seams searching for him, she finds hidden passages behind the walls. If it's just the old servants' access, then why does Kasey hear a disembodied crying in the darkness?
I liked the plot. I liked the ghosts. I liked Kasey as a flawed but loving mother. She reminded me a lot of the mom from season one of Stranger Things and her Christmas lights. Kasey is not afraid to look crazy if it means she gets her son back. I really liked Ellie and Addison. I love me some paranormal investigators.
My biggest issue was the love interest. He was kind of a tool, and in the chaos of everything, his behaviour got swept under the rug. I wish that had been addressed.
I received this ebook as part of the Horrorsmith Publishing ARC Team.
Haunted Halls is an interesting twist on a haunted house story. When Kasey and her young son, Max, move into her grandma's old home, it's nothing like the warm house Kasey remembers visiting. Throughout the house, rooms are boarded up and closets are barricaded. Max starts having nightmares. He's terrified of the woman he claims is coming into his bedroom at night. Then, Max disappears. When Kasey pulls the house apart at the seams searching for him, she finds hidden passages behind the walls. If it's just the old servants' access, then why does Kasey hear a disembodied crying in the darkness?
I liked the plot. I liked the ghosts. I liked Kasey as a flawed but loving mother. She reminded me a lot of the mom from season one of Stranger Things and her Christmas lights. Kasey is not afraid to look crazy if it means she gets her son back. I really liked Ellie and Addison. I love me some paranormal investigators.
My biggest issue was the love interest. He was kind of a tool, and in the chaos of everything, his behaviour got swept under the rug. I wish that had been addressed.
I received this ebook as part of the Horrorsmith Publishing ARC Team.
September 27, 2024
This book was good. It was kind of giving stranger things vibes but instead of her son being taken into the upside down and battling monsters to get her child back , Kasey’s son was taken by a malevolent ghost who believed she didn’t deserve her kid and it took a while to get her fiancé on board and help her learn what really happened with this house and why kids were disappearing in it.
I enjoyed reading this story but at some points our FMC was insufferable and i understand it was because her kid was missing but I couldn’t tell if she was being shitty because of stress or if it was just how she normally is being she was kinda horrible before her kid went missing.
I wish good reads allowed to give half stars because this wasn’t quite a 3 star read but also wasn’t a 4 star read 3.5 stars feels appropriate.
I enjoyed reading this story but at some points our FMC was insufferable and i understand it was because her kid was missing but I couldn’t tell if she was being shitty because of stress or if it was just how she normally is being she was kinda horrible before her kid went missing.
I wish good reads allowed to give half stars because this wasn’t quite a 3 star read but also wasn’t a 4 star read 3.5 stars feels appropriate.
September 28, 2024
The book started with creepy elements right away, which I appreciated. There were many scary moments that were well-written and not repetitive. The plot moved quickly, but it felt appropriate for the story. It was an easy read that I couldn't put down.
I had some trouble connecting with Kasey, the main character. Her emotions seemed excessive, even considering her missing son. I often skimmed through her inner thoughts. However, the mystery of Max's disappearance kept me interested in the story.
The ending wrapped everything up but was a little rushed. I wished the neighbor across the street had been more developed. Maybe for a sequel? Overall, I loved the book. The pacing was good, and the scares were effective. It's definitely a story that will keep readers up at night!
Thank you to Horrorsmith Publishing for this ARC!
I had some trouble connecting with Kasey, the main character. Her emotions seemed excessive, even considering her missing son. I often skimmed through her inner thoughts. However, the mystery of Max's disappearance kept me interested in the story.
The ending wrapped everything up but was a little rushed. I wished the neighbor across the street had been more developed. Maybe for a sequel? Overall, I loved the book. The pacing was good, and the scares were effective. It's definitely a story that will keep readers up at night!
Thank you to Horrorsmith Publishing for this ARC!
October 5, 2024
Disclaimer: ARC Copy in exchange for a fair and honest review.
It’s the stuff all mothers’ nightmares are made of: an ignored cry, a missing child, the guilt of just wanting a few more minutes of sleep, and the terror of not being believed that *something* is definitely wrong but only you can see it.
The author does a remarkable job at keeping the action fast-paced during what could feel like endless searching, though I wish the twist could have been fleshed out a little more. I’m a sucker for long epilogue wrap-up, though, so that may just be a personal quibble.
There is a fair amount of timeline-hopping and some intricate date-dependent backstory, so I wouldn’t say this is a good book to read with wine in hand, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading while “sniffing the flowers,” but grab yourself a hot tea and sink right on into this Gothic-nouveau thrill ride.
It’s the stuff all mothers’ nightmares are made of: an ignored cry, a missing child, the guilt of just wanting a few more minutes of sleep, and the terror of not being believed that *something* is definitely wrong but only you can see it.
The author does a remarkable job at keeping the action fast-paced during what could feel like endless searching, though I wish the twist could have been fleshed out a little more. I’m a sucker for long epilogue wrap-up, though, so that may just be a personal quibble.
There is a fair amount of timeline-hopping and some intricate date-dependent backstory, so I wouldn’t say this is a good book to read with wine in hand, and I definitely wouldn’t recommend reading while “sniffing the flowers,” but grab yourself a hot tea and sink right on into this Gothic-nouveau thrill ride.
October 2, 2024
As soon as I began reading, I realized that I wouldn't be able to tear myself away from this book until I finished it. “Haunted Halls” creates a very eerie atmosphere that keeps you on edge. This haunted house story is both fast-paced and creepy. The book was disturbing and made me feel like I was being watched, causing me to look around.
Kasey, a single mom, moves into her deceased grandmother‘s house with her young son Max. Kasey’s late grandmother didn't want children in her house, but she never explained why. As strange events unfold in the house, Max suddenly goes missing. Will the ghost in the house help Kasey find her son, and will she uncover the reason behind why her grandmother didn’t want kids in the house?
Kasey, a single mom, moves into her deceased grandmother‘s house with her young son Max. Kasey’s late grandmother didn't want children in her house, but she never explained why. As strange events unfold in the house, Max suddenly goes missing. Will the ghost in the house help Kasey find her son, and will she uncover the reason behind why her grandmother didn’t want kids in the house?
October 6, 2024
Such an unnerving book! What seems like countless spirits haunting Kasey and her son Max, making you wonder what is going on…what is the endgame of this crazy house? Not to say that it’s overwhelming for the reader but just mentally and physically torturous for poor Kasey. And Kasey has already lived through a lifetimes worth of guilt and misery. She’ll be damned if she…well, that’s her story to tell.
“I just saw a woman get thrown from a room by…something. I’m woken up every night by a baby crying. I’m seeing figures walking around my house like they own it. Locked into closets with dead bodies…And I’m still missing my child! Rough is an understatement!” -Kasey
I really enjoyed the dark turns and the mystery this book provided.
“I just saw a woman get thrown from a room by…something. I’m woken up every night by a baby crying. I’m seeing figures walking around my house like they own it. Locked into closets with dead bodies…And I’m still missing my child! Rough is an understatement!” -Kasey
I really enjoyed the dark turns and the mystery this book provided.
October 9, 2024
Haunted Halls
By WA Roberts
A moving tale of a mother’s loss and the lengths a mother will go through to be with their child.
A captivating mixture of The Haunting of Hill House, Winchester House and Poltergeist that will carry you through every emotion.
This story was very good from beginning to end, well paced, with twists and turns. Lost me a little towards the end as Kasey drifts between life and death in search of her son and a few slow drawn out portions, but otherwise a uniquely creepy read.
Definitely a must read for fans of haunted house stories
Thank you to Horror Smith Publishing and the author for the arc.
#horrorsmithpublishing
#hauntedhouses #bookstagram
#arc #octoberreads #reading
#arctober2024
By WA Roberts
A moving tale of a mother’s loss and the lengths a mother will go through to be with their child.
A captivating mixture of The Haunting of Hill House, Winchester House and Poltergeist that will carry you through every emotion.
This story was very good from beginning to end, well paced, with twists and turns. Lost me a little towards the end as Kasey drifts between life and death in search of her son and a few slow drawn out portions, but otherwise a uniquely creepy read.
Definitely a must read for fans of haunted house stories
Thank you to Horror Smith Publishing and the author for the arc.
#horrorsmithpublishing
#hauntedhouses #bookstagram
#arc #octoberreads #reading
#arctober2024
September 26, 2024
Thank you, Horrorsmith Publishing, for an e-arc copy in exchange for an honest review.
I'll be honest I knew nothing about this book going into it. I didn't even read the synopsis.
BOY-OH-BOY was I pleasantly surprised. I binged this book in 2 days. I didn't want to put it down.
It's a very unique haunted house story. It was fast-paced, creepy, and brutal. The ghosts actually attacked people, which I don't see done very often. This story also touches on topics of grief, mental stability, motherhood, and alcoholism.
This is by far my top read of the month and possibly one of my favorites of the year so far.
I'll be honest I knew nothing about this book going into it. I didn't even read the synopsis.
BOY-OH-BOY was I pleasantly surprised. I binged this book in 2 days. I didn't want to put it down.
It's a very unique haunted house story. It was fast-paced, creepy, and brutal. The ghosts actually attacked people, which I don't see done very often. This story also touches on topics of grief, mental stability, motherhood, and alcoholism.
This is by far my top read of the month and possibly one of my favorites of the year so far.
October 5, 2024
Haunted Halls by W.A. Roberts is about Kasey, a single mom 🧑👦 who moves into her late grandma's house 🏚️ with her son, Max. Despite warnings 🚫 about letting kids stay there, strange things start happening, and Max vanishes 🕵️♂️. Kasey discovers hidden rooms 🛏️ and uncovers the house's dark, haunted history 👻 as she desperately looks for her son. It's a steady-paced, creepy read 📖 with plenty of twisty turns. I recommend it to fans of haunted house stories! 👀🎃
#HauntedHouse #HorrorReads #GhostStory #ParanormalThriller #SingleMom #CreepyVibes #BookRecommendation #FastPacedHorror #SpookySeason #Thriller
#HauntedHouse #HorrorReads #GhostStory #ParanormalThriller #SingleMom #CreepyVibes #BookRecommendation #FastPacedHorror #SpookySeason #Thriller
May 13, 2025
Wow! What a great, fast-paced, haunted house story. The plot and characters were great. Haunted Halls wasted no time getting to the point. I really enjoyed this read. At times, the character’s tended to repeat themselves, and some of the descriptions and situations didn’t make sense to me. I feel like the author was just on a roll writing some parts and although it all turned out great, I wish they would have taken more time to give us smaller and more straightforward descriptions and not so many intricate and confusing ones. I also wish the neighbor across the street had a bigger role in the story. I will be recommending this though. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
October 5, 2024
What an amazing read. I found it started out a bit slow and, at times, seemed to be kind of all over the place. But once you got to about 40 percent, it all started to make sense why it seemed that way. If you like paranormal and thriller, this book is for you. This mother will stop at nothing to get her son back, my neck feels broke from all the turns the book takes, and I think I had a slight headache tring to figure out the end before it happened. I read this book in less than a day. I highly recommend it's definitely in my top 5 thriller/paranormal reads for the year.
September 30, 2024
I wanted to love this book, as it seemed like a decent take on a fairly common premise, and the pace seemed pretty fast to keep my interest. But some of the action becomes repetitive, the main character becomes a bit insufferable, and so many "twists" and details get thrown at you that the story becomes less cohesive as you move along. But interestingly, the end becomes more predictable. Overall, if haunted house stories are your thing, check this one out.
October 1, 2024
I really enjoyed this story - it gave me the vibes of Stranger Things meets The Orphanage (kind of).
I loved that this book was fast paced so it was a quick read, but I felt so tense & just wished everything would turn out okay in the end. However the story did feel rushed & a little forced.
I don't normally do half stars, but in this case I will - I felt it wasn't quite 3 stars but it wasn't 4 stars.
Thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing for the advanced review copy
I loved that this book was fast paced so it was a quick read, but I felt so tense & just wished everything would turn out okay in the end. However the story did feel rushed & a little forced.
I don't normally do half stars, but in this case I will - I felt it wasn't quite 3 stars but it wasn't 4 stars.
Thanks to Horrorsmith Publishing for the advanced review copy
October 7, 2024
I had a hard time finishing this one. The concept was really interesting to me, but the delivery was very confusing. There were points I was confused on which character was what, and the general flow of events in the end. There was a lot going on, and I had to reread segments to get a mental image of what was actually happening. Epilogue felt very unneeded and rushed, and wish it would have been written differently or removed all together.
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