Abbot’s Keep: A Ghost Story

by Benedict Ashforth

“Brother, do not try to follow me once you have read this. No good can come of it . . .”When Clifford Fox QC receives a desperate letter from his estranged younger brother, Simon, he departs his comfortable Yorkshire home to locate him. The letter outlines the harrowing events that have led Simon to the very edge of sanity.Following a stint at the Brentwell Rehabilitation Unit, failed architect and recovering alcoholic, Simon, is invited by an old school-friend to Abbot’s Keep - a Tudor residence, nestled deep in remote Berkshire countryside. Soon after arriving he is left to explore the neighbouring monastery ruins and discover the house’s dark history. But the more he learns, the more certain he becomes that he is not alone at Abbot’s Keep, and that nothing is as it seems. But can he stop the house’s medieval past repeating itself one final time? And can his brother find him before it’s too late? Reviews ‘Abbot’s Keep is refreshing a hell. Finally, a ghost story that reminds you why the basement is so terrifying!’ Brett McNeill of Rue Morgue Magazine ‘Ashforth does Edgar Allen Poe and Bram Stoker proud delivering a solid contribution to the literary movement. It is time that the ghost story made a comeback. With writers like Benedict Ashforth writing Abbot’s Keep, a revival just might be at hand.’ Matthew J. Barbour of Horror Novel Reviews ‘A really entertaining read with a delightful frisson of fear.’ Simon Ball of Horror Hothouse‘Ashforth builds on the tension and the feeling of unease with each page to revel in a wonderfully tense and unnerving finale.’ Jim Mcleod of Ginger Nuts of Horror‘Reminiscent of Poe, Abbot's Keep by Benedict Ashforth is a haunting novella with unique form and beautiful prose.’ Michael Bailey (HWA Bram Stoker Award Nominee) ‘. . . an eerie, atmospheric ghost story . . . has a gentle eeriness that keeps the reader wanting to find out more.' Julie K Top 50 Reviewer ‘Perfect ghost story.’ Christine Waddington 'Ashforth successfully builds a dark and relentless dread that steadily creeps through the text. Extremely accomplished.’ L Sharif ‘A gripping read right from the beginning. Couldn't put it down.’ D Boydell ‘I just could not put this story down. I wanted to know what happened as soon as I picked up my kindle. Strongly recommend.’ Mr Tony Cordon ‘The actual writing is wonderful, beautifully descriptive.’ Fiona White ‘I could not stop reading! it was as though I was in a trance, the story is captivating and very original.’ Safa R ‘A fantastic read, lots of twists and turns. Would recommend this to all Mystery readers. A book that is hard to put down.' Ms P Frain ‘. . . great plot and a well developed storyline. It is elegantly told with well built atmosphere and tension . . . a well conceived idea and would make excellent viewing were it ever to be dramatized.’ Cate Hamilton Read over 170 more reviews on amazon.co.uk

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Audiobook, Gothic, Ghost Stories, Novella, Short Stories

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 21, 2014

Reviews

[Blair · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've been trying out Kindle Unlimited recently. So far it's been slim pickings: many of the books available for free are self-published and either a) conceptually good but desperately in need of editing or b) just all-round bad. So it was a very pleasant surprise when I started Abbot's Keep and found it to be an assured, well-written and atmospheric ghostly tale.

This is an epistolary story, set in the 1980s, but with a timeless air. Eminent barrister Clifford Fox receives an unsettling account of disturbing events from his brother, Simon. Both well-bred Oxford graduates, the pair were once known as 'the fabulous Fox brothers', destined for preordained greatness; but Simon, an architect, suffered professional disgrace and became an alcoholic. Now – after leaving rehab – he claims to be living rough, on the run from dark entities unknown. In letters to his wife, Clifford lays out his plan: he is certain that Simon has succumbed to his addiction once again and become delusional, and despite their estrangement, he feels bound to help his brother. Meanwhile, we are drip-fed extracts from Simon's story, in which he has some rather sinister encounters at a house named Abbot's Keep...

Abbot's Keep started off providing everything I want in a ghost story: convincing characters, evocative settings, creepy details and the promise of secrets. The scene in which Simon makes a grim discovery is also superb. Where it stopped working quite so well for me was in Simon's sudden unravelling and the gory climax. If the first half of the book evokes the classic Victorian ghost story, the conclusion is firmly in the horror category. I'd have preferred a more subtle resolution and a gentler fate for the blameless Clifford. Still: good stuff for a freebie.

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[J C Mitchinson · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the concept of this book, and there were parts that I thought were really good. The punishment of the monk and the boy was disturbing, as was the endless fate the characters endured. I found it to be mostly well-written and easy to read as a consequence.

A few issues I had were:

-Describing events using letters within letters within letters within letters. I found this jarring and a bit confusing to keep track of whose letter we were actually reading.

- Towards the end, the story deviates from the format of telling the story via letters, when it hops to Simon's current perspective. which also interrupted the flow, for me, as I tried to work out what was going on.

- I wasn't clear why the ghosts came for Simon and his brother, was it because they picked up the coins? Could they not just drop the coins again if that was the case?

- I really don't think that the wife would let things go so easily in just 3 months of her husband disappearing and learning he is condemned to an endless torment by ghosts.

- I didn't like when the dog died (not a criticism of the story, I just don't like it when dogs die in things!)

So, quite a promising story but didn't quite hit the spot for me. Respect to the author for inviting all comments at the end of the book!

[Rose English · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chilling at times

I read this as a kindle unlimited book and rather enjoyed it. It was full of mystery & intrigue.

The story is told mainly via letters exchanged between two brother's, one who is recently out of rehab. Simon Fox goes to stay with his old uni buddy. Whilst at his friends home 'Abbot's Keep' he is asked to help with a project, to search the grounds close to the old monastery in hopes of finding treasure hidden by an old Monk.

As you can well imagine he finds much more than he bargained for.

Losing contact with Simon, Clifford takes up his own search, seeking out his brother. His poor wife left at home worrying. Here again letters are exchanged as for some spooky reason there is no signal for any types of phone calls to get through.

Once the main ghost story comes into play, the storyline picks up and runs ahead, making your heart race with fear and anxiety. The story even brought me to tears at poignant place's in the book.

My mouth was also aghast at the shear horror near the end, I'm sure it can only bring me nightmares.

All in all a good read.

[L · Rating 1 out of 5]

Spoiler alert for some scenes. I did not like this story. It seemed very convoluted and not easy to follow. Events just "popped up." No reason or much background. Never found it scary at all. Gruesome for the murder scenes but not really scary. The way it was portrayed was mainly for a gruesome effect. And what is with killing the dog in the dirt with a shovel in the neck? Sounds ridiculous. The ending I did not get. Perhaps I just don't follow or care for this style of writing. Word usage was lame.

[G. Lawrence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent spooky novella. Love books written in form of letters, something that may sadly die, to be replaced by emails... Atmospheric, creepy and at times rather surprising, a fine read, left me determined to find more by this author

[Ossian Hempel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short and sweet! I enjoyed it.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a nice little Gothic horror story that took me on a reading adventure in the Berkshire countryside. Often, in reading horror & ghost tales, I wonder... "What, in the world, would possess someone to migrate towards something dark and sinister??" I guess there's different kinds of crazy. Ha! Good thing the main character chose to check on his brother because they surely provided the reader with a good little dose of creepy entertainment.

Note: This was a book that I received from a member through
Bookcrossing.com

[Tgordon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for me.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I tried but just couldn't get into this story. I found it drab, boring and couldn't pay attention to it. I don't know if it was the story, narrator or what. One of the few I just couldn't finish listening to.

[Martin Belcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love ghost stories, especially ones which really make you feel creepy and take a second look in that dark corner of your room. Abbot's Keep is one of those: an excellently creepy ghost tale.

Clifford and Simon Fox are bothers, estranged, Clifford a well heeled QC and his architect brother Simon with a history of mental health problems which lead to rock bottom.
Out of the blue, Simon recovering after a stint in rehab receives an invitation from an old friend to stay at his rambling Tudor mansion: Abbot's Keep, to look after it and his dog, Chip, while he goes away for a few days.
Simon takes him up on the offer and arrives, it seems there is an historic legend surrounding the house linked to a monk, treasure and the reformation in Tudor times. All seems well until two days in when Simon alone apart from the dog notices a strange tall figure dressed as a monk at the edge of the woodlands bordering the house.....terror awaits.

A short novel but incredibly well written, creepy and scary. Ingeniously formatted as a series of letters which slowly draws you in and keeps you hooked and scares of the hell out if you!
Fantastic stuff and I intend to look up more of Benedict Ashforth's novels.

[Daniel Pembrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story about an ancient curse overpowering modern-day characters. The story is set in 1980, before mobile phones and email. A lawyer receives a letter from his troubled brother, which draws him to the namesake old house, Abbot’s Keep. The build up in suspense is superb. The house — beside the Thames, dating back to the dissolution of the monasteries — is wonderfully evoked. Events build to a very scary climax as we learn just what the troubled brother got up to, and why. You’ll want to read this story in one go, but you’ll want to think twice about doing so late at night! Reminiscent of Susan Hill’s Woman In Black, this ghost story is expertly crafted and highly recommended.

[Laura Longbottom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well... I don’t quite get the deeper sense of the story. Again, so much potential but the execution was quite defective. You know it’s a ghost story because of the title. If the author left that open for the imagination, it would be better. The book is a series of letters from one character to the other. But in those letters the characters describe everything in detail, which you wouldn’t do in a normal letter. And everything leads to one point and then the book is over, without any suspense. At no point the book is creepy or chilling. The only good thing is that it’s a really short book. You can read it in one sitting and you don’t have a chance to put it away.

[Andrew Fear · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Jamesian style ghost story (it owes more than a little to "Whistle....") set in the modern day. It works quite well, though as other reviewers have pointed out, it could have done with a bit more proof reading. I thought the word play at the end was more than a little overdone and I wasn't convinced that coins would bear the legend that plays such an important part in the story. Nevertheless this is a good contribution to the genre and enjoyed reading it.

[James · Rating 5 out of 5]

An Unusually Haunting Tale

It is not a long book, but a novella that is the perfect length for an unusually haunting tale. More of a kin to classic horror tales than to much of today's gore-strewn, over-the-top horror genre writing. Very well written and worth every moment I spent turning the pages in suspense.

[Ericka · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an "okay" short story. I was hoping for a bit more atmosphere-building - a few more bumps in the night and voices in the shadows. If you were a fan of Edgar Allen Poe, you'll probably find this to be right up your alley, as it has a lot of the same pacing and themes (though a bit more bloody than Poe).

[Emily Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

A short, scary ghost story with a 'Woman in Black' feel to it.
Suspense is created magnificently in this book and had me on the edge throughout.
I especially loved the ending and am looking forward to reading more stories by Ashforth in the future.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

A creepy, gothic ghost story with moments of real sadness, horror and even comedy. (I laughed out loud at the scene with the old man in the field.) My first encounter with this writer. I look forward to reading his other books.

[rhiannonrising · Rating 2 out of 5]

The writing was pretty good, but the story was terrible. It had potential, but it ended up being gory and sad. And the dog dies! No one likes when the dog dies. A Springer Spaniel no less. Read this in one sitting and just generally wish I hadn't.

[☆ Rebecca ☆ · Rating 2 out of 5]

* THE DOG DIES*

rating: 2.5☆

blessedly short, nothing too mind blowing. my main complaint is that the entire story - descriptions, characters, dialogue - feels like it was set in the regency period. but it's set in the 80s???? weird.

[Pat Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

As much a horror story as a ghost story. Nicely creepy.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really good book, it sort of creeps up on you, and then scares the heck out of you :)

[RatGrrrl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genuinely Great Modern Gothic

CW: Alcoholism, Animal Harm (Dearth of a Dog), Torture (including reference to a child being abused), Pregnant Person Stabbed in Stomach

I was pleasantly surprised with how much I enjoyed this as I tend to find modern horror, particularly gothic horror, and epistolaries are of wildly varying quality, and I can also find epistolaries too slow and unengaging. Abbot's Keep certainly kept me gripped and was an interesting and creepy.

I do think there are some issues with the pacing and arrangement of information and creepy action, which is partly due to the epistolary framing, but could have been managed better. I also found the hammering of the motif in the end, while interesting learning about how names for things can change over time in different languages, felt a bit odd and concentrated. Having more allusions to it throughout the book could have been more effective, which, with the country estate and the dog, could easily have been done. The idea was interesting though. I think my criticism could be distilled into the flow of the story not being as natural, fitting, and effective for the genre.

Regardless, this is still a solid 4+ and a genuinely well-written and interesting example of modern gothic horror and I will absolutely be seeking out more from this author. I would recommend it for horror fans and anyone interested in checking the genre out, especially as it is in the Audible Included library.

The performance is really rather good, particularly in the emotional and creepy moments. My only complaint was that there was so little to mark the different correspondents that I was actually a little confused as to who was who and who was writing at times.

I feel like I've been overly critical, but, honestly, that's just because I actually enjoyed and thought about it enough.

[Brandie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy, gothic ghost story told in notes and letters. Better than I was expecting. I really should know better than to read something creepy when I am home alone. Oh, will I ever learn! I'll have to read or watch something in a more cheery vein before bed. :/

Movies and books like to set their stories in a time before email, twitter, etc. With Abbot’s Keep: A Ghost Story using letters, Ella Minnow Pea: A Novel in Letters also using letters and notes despite being in the era of digital means, but the author got around it by making the island a place where they shunned technology for the most part, and I've read a couple like Seven Eves where they use blogs and vlogs but it's not written in an epistolary style. (This story was set in the early 80s even though it was published in 2014.) But I do wonder how stories like this would work in a more modern setting. I've read some and heard about others that are written in more modern times using blog style or some type of feed, but curious what it would look like with a combination, as that is how conversations go nowadays, using Twitter, Facebook, Snapchat, YouTube, WhatsApp, etc. Any suggestions to try? I haven't read Feed yet. But that would be one suggestion. Any others?

[Tim Von Cloedt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short and concise read. I listened to this on Audible, which might have hindered my opinion of this book. I don't know if it is because of the narrator or the overall format of the book, but I tuned out regularly. The basic premise is that characters within the book a writing letters to each other and it all ends in a fairly predictable way. The problem is that the letters give an overwhelming amount of exposition that would cripple one's hand if they were to write this much at one time. It seems unrealistic, especially since it's set in the 1980's where the telephone would have made much more sense to give such extended explanations and storytelling. Secondly the narrators voice would be better suited for a Victorian Gothic setting, which I kept having to remind myself this story is not that. For being such a short listen (just under 3 hours), it lost me too many times for me to want to revisit and give it a second change.

[Griffin Luxford · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a solid gothic ghost story in the tradition of M.R. James. While there is a tiny bit of gore, most of the horror comes from the atmosphere and a creeping sense of dread. Benedict Ashforth does an excellent job in giving you just enough details about the spirits of monk and the boy to make them threatening and for your mind to create a terrifying picture of them. Mr. Ashforth does not overdo it with the descriptions as some authors do and he trusts the reader’s imagination. I wish there were more contemporary writers specializing in this kind of horror. If you’re a fan of authors like M.R. James, Michelle Paver, and Jonathan Aycliffe, then you will probably love this novella as much as I did. Read it alone by the fire on a cold winter night if you want it to hit extra hard. I give it 5 stars.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A creepy & at times unsettling little tale in what I'd class a "traditional" style (think "The Woman in Black") - the sort of spooky tale that the BBC2 used to love to show late on Christmas Eve!

The story is told in the form of letters whose prose & phrases seemed more reminiscent of the 1890s than the 1980s in which it was set - even the letters between husband & wife seemed quite formal - still it helped, to my mind at least, to help convey the aged atmosphere of Abbot's Keep & I could feel a sense of unease building.

A chilling little tale indeed & I'll look out for more by this author.

[Michelle {Book Hangovers} · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve been using Audible for a while now and I enjoy that they have a plethora of free choices to choose from. It’s hit or miss but sometimes you’ll come across a gem and this is one of them.
This short little ghost story was delightfully creepy! A lot of the eeriness of is thanks to the narrator, Ric Jerrom, who did an exceptional job of CREEPING ME TF OUT!!!!
I’d love to hear some more of his narrations, as well as, check out some more of the authors work as well.
Great ghost story indeed!!!!

[Ursula Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic Gothic horror story in the style of the greats like M.R. James. Though told in modern day, it retains the spooky, creepy element. The story, told in letters back and forth, start in one direction and wind up in another. A old creepy mansion adds to the elements and some of the twists and turns I did not see coming. An excellent short read/listen. RIc Jerrom was outstanding on the audiobook version bringing the proper amount of cynicism, horror, dread and madness to his reading. Well done and I will be reading more from this author.

[Mrs M V Goodall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this a perfect length for an afternoon or evening read. Events gradually unfold through a series of letters starting with a recovering alcoholic being invited to stay at Abbott's Keep by an old friend. Terrible & tragic events occur which lead to him asking his estranged brother for help.
All in all, a creepy tale of past events, haunting the present & taking over the lives of those involved!

[Cristiana · Rating 1 out of 5]

Repetitive and boring Gothic story set in the 1980s. This wasn't a good choice because, despite the fact that the characters occasionally use the phone, most details as well as the style of the narration seem to suggest that the story is set instead in the 1880s. This constant feeling that the time is "wrong" makes it even more difficult for the reader to get involved in the (very derivative) plot.