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The Ghost House: A World War 2 Ghost Story

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Occupied France, 1944

In the shadow of the ravaged battlefields of Verdun, where the scars of the First World War never healed, Vianne, struggling to hold onto her crumbling family chateau, takes in her traumatized nephew Blaise after the arrest of her sister by the Nazis.

But when Blaise says he can see eerie figures in the fog and whispers from the forbidden forest beyond the fence, it seems something ancient and sorrowful stirs in the soil where soldiers of the Great War once bled. As strange guests arrive at the old house and secrets surface, Vianne must face the terrifying possibility that the brutal SS aren’t the only horrors she must face…

If you loved The Others you'll love this!

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 17, 2025

34 people are currently reading
147 people want to read

About the author

Andie Newton

9 books251 followers
Andie Newton is a USA Today bestselling author of historical fiction. Her work has been published in multiple languages and has topped e-book bestseller charts around the world. She holds a bachelor’s degree in history from Washington State University and a master’s in teaching. When she’s not writing gritty war stories about women, you can usually find her trail running in the desert and stopping to pet every dog that crosses her path. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Christy fictional_traits.
333 reviews383 followers
October 27, 2025
'...in the fog, they take on a human form - what they looked like when they died in battle...'.

Although there are rumours that the Allies will be landing in France soon, and save them all from the pit of war and occupation, it can't come soon enough for Vianne. Living in a chateau with her mother-in-law and nephew, she feels the weight of responsiblity to keep them all fed and the chateau from ruin, having lost her husband in the first world war. But just as it seems overwhelmingly hopeless, a rich, chic couple come to stay. They aren't put off by the fact that the chateau borders Zone Rouge, nor are they scared of the rumours of the haunting Sorrows - in fact, they seem to welcome it. All they ask for is complete privacy.

I'm so pleased that I managed one spooky read for the season! This story definitely evokes some haunting, eerie moments but I felt the telling of it, in some parts, didn’t flow well, and there were too many threads to follow that it didn’t build as well as it might have. Overall, it is a solid haunting read though, perfect for the spooky season.

'Do you see them, to? Tell me you do. A passing shadow in the night...now they know my name and they drag it through the wind after calling to me in a dream'.
Profile Image for theliterateleprechaun .
2,583 reviews207 followers
October 29, 2025
3.5 ⭐

I enjoy Andie Newton’s historical fiction, so despite not reaching for a ghost story as a preferred read, I was confident that she’d be able to surprise me and leave me wanting more. Newton delivered.

Historical fiction lovers will appreciate the Legend of the Sorrows and the events at Chateau Ten, not only because it’s a superb story, but also because Newton writes to convince you. She does it well. Allow her to transport you to northeastern France, to the Zone Rouge, and present a story so real you’ll be in awe of the reach of the SS and the courage bolstered during wartime. The Ghost House is rich in atmosphere, characterization, and setting, making it a binge-worthy read.

I was gifted this copy and was under no obligation to provide a review.
Profile Image for Kellie O'Connor.
414 reviews211 followers
February 4, 2026
This book is not my usual read but it's great!! It's hard to describe the way it made me feel. It's haunting, beautifully written and the characters are well developed and believable!

I really enjoyed every moment of reading it!!

I highly recommend it!!

Enjoy and Happy Reading 💫💫
Profile Image for Mana.
911 reviews31 followers
August 29, 2025
Set in 1944 Nazi-occupied France, The Ghost House by Andie Newton tells the tale of Vianne desperately trying to protect her family and their decrepit chateau in the middle of the war's turmoil and near the Zone Rouge from WW1. But then fate intervenes, bringing her nephew Blaise to live with her after his mother is arrested. Blaise's claims of seeing spirits in the deep fog surrounding the estate add an almost supernatural dimension to an already dangerous setup with the occupying forces. Vianne's main struggle is keeping her family safe while facing unraveling mysteries that go beyond her rational understanding of reality.

Vianne's journey mixes emotional trials alongside the fascinating aspects of her life as a dutiful caretaker and protector; however, she must confront both human and supernatural fears as the story unfolds before her. Blaise, as a traumatized child haunted by war ghosts, both literal and figurative, adds layers of vulnerability and innocence that highlight the broader human cost of conflict. The people around them, hesitant allies and suspicious neighbors create an atmosphere of mistrust and quiet defiance. Watching Vianne move from survivor mode into brave acceptance and understanding feels right and rewarding as the character progresses.

The trauma, memory, and unresolved shadows of history is the most exceptional blending characteristic of the book. The war-like settings are not mere ambient backgrounds but are a large force that shapes the characters' very lives. It highlights the very scars of wars, in both the real world and in the minds of its survivors, appealing to modern debates between historical trauma and resilience, along with the ghosts that cling to people. It poses relevant ideas as to how the pains of tomorrow haunt generations behind and how from such confrontations truth can spell fear as well as necessity.

Andie Newton's stylistic approach to writing is perfect for setting up the tone of this story, creating a clear and evocative prose that establishes deep, somber suspense to the readers. This is narration with juxtaposed moments of introspection, suspenseful actions, and shocking disclosures, all the while maintaining an even pace and emotional intensity.

The Ghost House proves to be an intelligent amalgam of historical fiction and supernatural suspense. It is part of a new genre looking into the psychological aspects of war but differs in its web of eerie mystery as much tied to place and memory.

This should reach you if you delight in the story that moves seamlessly between seen and unseen worlds where characters are caught in both external and internal battles. It has left me thinking about how the travesties never quite disappear, as well as in what quiet, desperate, or resolute ways courage appears. It is a riveting, haunting tale that stays with you long after you've turned the last page.

Profile Image for Yvonne.
1,780 reviews135 followers
October 6, 2025
This is an absolutely fabulous book and one that sends chills and is full of edgy mystery.

The Ghost House is set in Verdun, France. It is an area that has suffered from death in the battles of WWI. Vianne lives in the old chateau, but it has an air of mystery and superstition surrounding it, there are also the fenced-off fields. It is fenced off due to the gases and danger left after the battles and also because of the ghosts that reside there.

The author absolutely entranced me with this story; not only is there a lot of historical content, but it is also infused with mystery, superstition, and the threat of occupying forces. Vianne is terrified at what could happen to her family but she is determined to do as much as she can to keep her home. There is the chance of being able to take in lodgers, which will keep the wolf from the door and allow her the chance to make much needed repairs. The newcomers are mysterious and they demand certain things from Vianne.

The story of the war, the house, the visitors and the family and friends of Vianne is just brilliant. The author blends each one into another to give a large picture of life at the time. The suspense is very eerie throughout this book and there are mentions of the occult which just adds to the threat.

The story is just fabulous and I enjoyed every part of it, the main plot is of Vianne and her efforts to keep her home and family safe. The threats and dangers come at all angles. There is so much more in this book than I am going to reveal. I only read the basic synopsis before I realised it was going to be a book I would enjoy.

If you are a fan of historical fiction with a touch of horror to it then this is one you shoudl really consider reading. It is one I would defintely recommend.

Profile Image for Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf).
2,202 reviews42 followers
October 27, 2025
Occupied France, 1944 & Vianne lives in 'Chateau Ten', a guesthouse which is situated right outside the boundaries of Zone Rouge - an area forbidden for anyone to enter after World War I due to unexploded shells & toxic gas dumps. Vianne has struggled to keep the family chateau going after losing husband, Henri, to the first war right after their wedding, & she looks after her disabled mother-in-law, Sandrine, & now her traumatized nephew, Blaise, who hasn't spoken since his mother was arrested by the Germans.

With war taxes due things look bleak, when a rich young couple arrive & want to rent the whole of the west wing in exchange for absolute privacy. It's more money than Vianne has seen since the start of the second war, but people aren't always what they seem. Indeed the couple seem too interested in the Zone Rouge & the legend of the 'Sorrows' - the spirits of the soldiers killed there who, it is whispered, can be called upon by the living in times of trouble, but they are also haunt them & it is said that if you ever hear them sing your name, you will soon join them.

This is a really interesting historical fiction read incorporating true facts (the Zone Rouge is real & so was the Nazi fascination with the occult). I think that the author did a great job of conveying the tense & suspicious atmosphere of an occupied country, where the inhabitants cannot be sure who is on their side & who is a traitor. In fact all the narrative concentrated on the war is done very well, but I found that the supernatural side of things was a bit of a letdown after the build-up. I thought things could have been ratcheted up there a little more. It's a minor quibble though & I did enjoy reading this one.

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
Profile Image for Paula Butterfield.
Author 1 book12 followers
October 18, 2025
The Battle of Verdun symbolizes all that is horrific about war. It lasted over 300 days, and 800,000 French and German soldiers were killed. How would you like to live next to the site of such a battle, ever after referred to as the Zone Rouge? What if the ghastly battle had given rise to the Legend of the Sorrows, the belief that the ghosts of fallen soldiers roam the Zone Rouge, mourning the lives lost there?

This is where Vianne has lived, ever since her husband was killed at Verdun, caring for her mother-in-law in the Chateau Ten, within sight of the craggy, scorched trees of the Zone Rouge. And for the last two months, since her sister was arrested for working with the resistance, Vianne has also cared for her nephew, Blaise. The Chateau is luxurious but in dire straits. WWII—and the German occupation of France—has been dragging on for years. Increasingly, German soldiers fill the nearby town of Belleville, lending credence to the rumor that the Allies are planning an invasion by sea.

It looks like Vianne’s luck is turning when a wealthy young couple asks to rent a wing of the Chateau. Now there’s food in the house and the roof is repaired. But the couple immediately engages in suspicious activities. Worse, Vianne discovers that they are members of the Thule Society, a secret German occult group that produced the founders of the Nazi party years before.

Author Andie Newton’s supreme skill as a storyteller takes the facts of the Battle of Verdun, nightmarish enough on their own, and weaves in “what ifs?” What if the Legend of the Sorrows is true? What if the dead can be resurrected to resist the impending sea invasion? Rather than a traditional spooky story, in The Ghost House, Newton creates a sinister, otherworldly atmosphere.

This feels like a ghost story for adults, ones who are responsible for their families’ safety, who grieve lost loved ones and fear the chance of losing more. These stresses would be enough to cloud anyone’s thinking, but add the constant memory of the suffering at the Battle of Verdun, and visions of “ghoulish faces in black hovering over…branches that reach out like fingers” of the Zone Rouge into the mix, and you’re feeling the uncanny vibe of The Ghost House.

245 reviews
October 17, 2025
The Ghost House is the 1st book I have read by Andie Newton and what a corker.

Vianne is struggling to survive in her house, Chateau 10 on the edge of Verdun in occupied France. She is the sole support for her mother-in-law Sandrine, and her traumatized nephew Blaise. Her mother-in-law is slowly descending into dementia, her cook Elise is being difficult and ornery. Vianne is struggling to pay the bills and take care of everyone, and to top it all off, she lives next to the haunted battlefiled of Verdun. The battlefield where her husband died right after their wedding. With bills mounting and rations making day to day living difficult, Vianne is at her wits end, then a miracle happens, a wealthy couple, the Gaultiers arrive and offer a small fortune to rent the West wing of the chateau .Their money is a godsend. All they ask for is privacy, Vianne gratefully accepts their offer, but then strange things start to happen. The battlefield next to the chateau is rumored to be haunted by the Sorrows, the ghosts of the fallen soldiers from WWI. The locals know to stay away from the place, but the Gaultiers and even the occuping SS soldiers seems to be fixated on the place, Is there something sinister afoot? Vianne must keep her family safe with the help of her friends in the changing world of the supernaural and War.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher Harper Collins, One More Chapter and the author for the chance to read and reivew this ARC. I look forward to more books by this author.
Profile Image for Leanne.
1,000 reviews96 followers
August 26, 2025
Some stories wrap you in their atmosphere from the very first page, and The Ghost House is one of them. Set in Occupied France in 1944, it blends the grit of wartime survival with the eerie pull of the supernatural, creating a tale that is as haunting as it is heartfelt.

Vianne, determined to protect her crumbling family chateau and her young nephew Blaise after her sister’s arrest, is already living under the shadow of Nazi occupation. But when Blaise begins to speak of ghostly figures in the fog and whispers from the forest, it becomes clear that the horrors surrounding them are not only human. The land itself—scarred by the First World War—seems to breathe with sorrow, its history seeping into the present.

Newton’s writing is rich with atmosphere: the damp chill of the chateau’s stone walls, the oppressive quiet of the forest, the constant tension of eyes watching from both the living and the dead. The pacing is measured, allowing the dread to build slowly, and the emotional core—Vianne’s fierce love for Blaise—keeps the story grounded even as the supernatural edges closer.

This isn’t just a ghost story; it’s a meditation on grief, resilience, and the way the past refuses to stay buried. Perfect for readers who love their historical fiction with a shiver of the uncanny, it’s a book to curl up with on a grey, wind-stirred evening, when the world outside feels just a little too quiet.

With thanks to Andie Newton, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
Profile Image for Zoe B .
350 reviews4 followers
November 26, 2025
I love stories set around World War I & II, and I’m equally drawn to a good ghost story but I’ve never read the two combined before, so this one had me intrigued from the title alone with it being classed as a World War Two ghost story.

Vianne owns a crumbling old château overlooking a battlefield that no one dares to visit due to the chilling superstitions that surround it. She’s struggling to make ends meet while caring for her silent young nephew, Blaise, and her ailing mother in law. When a mysterious couple, Monique and François, arrive seeking lodging, the story begins to take an eerie turn with their contract they insisted was signed by Vianne and the secrecy around guests they were entertaining.

This is a slow burn, but the atmosphere is constant, the tension never really leaves the page. The château itself feels like a character, haunting and full of whispers from the past. I adored Pierre, the gentle housekeeper, and sweet Blaise, who communicates through his slate both added such tenderness to the story.

What I really appreciated was that the ghostly element wasn’t forced. It’s the kind of haunting that lingers quietly, building unease rather than relying on jump scares. The scenes set on the battlefield were some of the most haunting and beautifully written.

A wonderful mix of historical fiction and ghost story, I really enjoyed this atmospheric and captivating read. Perfect for curling up with on a dark winter’s night.
Profile Image for Lisa Tristram.
408 reviews
August 26, 2025
Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC

I love a good historical fiction and I also love a good ghost story so what do you get if you mix the two? That's right this brilliant original book The Ghost House.... I wasn't sure what to expect when I requested this book i thought it would just be about ghosts haunting a property but boy was I wrong. The Ghost House is set in the last years of WW2 in France during the Occupation. A family hit by tragedy from the first war live in a chateau next to an old WW1 battle site no one is ever allowed in due to the unstable environment......struggle to get by as most families were they take in some guests who are not what they seem and have malicious intent......its hard to describe what goes on without giving too much away but this book is so worth the read. The characters are so relatable and lovable and you can't help but feel every emotion they feel. The book is so well researched and I loved finding out are bit of information it's even encouraging me to look up historical info that I didn't know. This is honestly one of the best books I've read in a long time. I especially love the fact that Newton delved into the Nazis' party obsession with things like supernatural/mystical objects/cults etc not enough of this is ever written about fictionally.


This is more of a four and a half stars for me.
Profile Image for Louise Wilson.
3,750 reviews1,700 followers
October 12, 2025
A World War II Ghost Story

Occupied France, 1944: In the shadow of the ravaged battlefields of Verdun, where the scars of the First World War never healed, Vianne, struggling to hold on to her crumbling family chateau, takes in her traumatised nephew, Blaise, after the arrest of her sister by Nazis. But when Blaise says he can see eerie figures in the fog and whispers from the forbidden forest beyond the fence, it seems something ancient and sorrowful stirs in the soil where soldiers of the Great War once bled. As strange guests arrive at the old house and secrets surface, Vianne must face the terrifying possibility that the brutal SS aren't the only horrors she must face.

This is an atmospheric read. I could feel the damp chill coming off the crumbling chateau's walls. This is a good mix of historical fiction and ghost story that's set near the end of WWII. Vianne is trying to hold on to her crumbling family chateau that is situated close to an old battlefield. This is a story that's hard to say too much about as I don't want to give away too many spoilers. The characters are likeable. This is an intriguing read.

Published 17th October 2025

I would like to thank #NetGalley #HarperCollinsUK #OneMoreChapter and the author #AndieNewton for my ARC of #TheGhostHouse in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Kayla Lambert.
189 reviews11 followers
October 19, 2025
The perfect combination of the best genre’s: WWII Historical Fiction and ghost stories.

Welcome to Chateau Ten, sitting on the perimeter of Zone Rouge in France - where Vianne, her nephew Blaise, her mother-in-law Sandrine, their maid Elise, and handyman Pierre live. Among them and just beyond the gates, lies the battlefield referred to as Zone Rouge, where the Battle of Verdun was fought. The trees talk, the wind whispers with sorrowful cries, and at night those sorrowful souls trapped inside forever in the trenches call out. As the Nazi’s have invaded France, soon, Vianne finds the Chateau invaded by not only Nazi loyalists, but those with dark ties to dark societies that will stop at nothing to find what they’re looking for in the Zone Rouge - and the only thing that stops them is Chateau Ten.

I loved this book so much - it is the perfect twist of a ghost story mixed with real-life struggles of the Nazi occupation of France and its dark history. The story, both historically accurate and the perfect blend of fiction, just was so brilliantly written. This is a must read for those that like a good ghost story and are history buffs of the WWII era!
252 reviews
October 18, 2025
The Ghost House by Andie Newton is a perfect story for this time of year. Set in 1944 Nazi-occupied France, the book tells the tale of Vianne desperately trying to protect her family and their decrepit chateau in the middle of the WWII. This is definitely more of a suspenseful historical fiction novel rather than a "ghost story". The paranormal activity is very light. I have read a couple of the authors other books and loved them. She blends her characters and the story seamlessly.

Vianne is trying to save the crumbling chateau, where she lives with her invalid mother-in-law, Sandrine, and her nephew, Blaise. She shows courage and her strength is inspiring. When a mysterious couple rents a wing of the chateau and Blaise reports seeing men in the woods, Vianne is drawn into suspenseful and eerie events. I enjoyed this book and would recommend it especially to historical fiction lovers.

Thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, One More Chapter for an advanced copy of this book.


Profile Image for Julia.
3,136 reviews100 followers
October 30, 2025
The Ghost House by Andie Newton is a powerful historical supernatural suspense that has its’ roots in facts, interwoven with fiction.
The book is set in occupied France in 1944. Much of the action surrounds the forbidden forest that has grown up around the site of the Battle of Verdun in 1916. There is a mythical feel to it as the stories abound to do with bodies buried, live mines and cannisters of poison gas. What everyone can agree on is, it is not safe.
The Nazis were pre-occupied with the occult. Within the tale, sinister forces are used in order to try to break the innocent.
The atmosphere is dark and foreboding, mirroring the action which has sinister twists and turns.
The innocent are to be protected. It is family first, even above personal safety.
All the characters were well drawn. Not all were likable, nor were they meant to be, for some were pure evil.
The Ghost House is an entertaining read – not one to be read alone on a dark night!
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Kelsey James.
Author 5 books301 followers
October 2, 2025
The Ghost House is a fresh, inventive take on the Gothic novel that sucked me in from the very start. In occupied France during World War II, the heroine, Vianne, is struggling to keep her estate afloat and care for her mute, traumatized nephew and senile mother-in-law. When wealthy lodgers show up and ask to rent the west wing of her chateau it seems like a blessing—until Vianne learns more about their true intentions. I was completely immersed in the world of Chateau Ten and the terrifying Zone Rouge, where ghosts from the First World War could play a pivotal role in the outcome of the second. Expect seances, a Nazi occultist society (inspired by real history!), a ghost army, and deeply drawn characters you’ll be rooting for. I was blown away by how good this book was and couldn’t put it down!
Profile Image for Lori.
1,681 reviews
August 17, 2025
"the Ghost House" takes place in 1944 France. Vianne lives in the old home that has been in her family for generations. She is taking care of her nephew Blaise since his mother has been taken prisoner. Money is very tight so she rents out the whole wing of the house to mysterious people who she hopes she can trust. but strange sounds are coming from that wing and her nephew thinks he can see ghostly things in the night They have a mistrust of the Germans because of the holocaust and in World War 2. so when they are aware of the renters having seance in the house. and possibles what they call "sorrowfuls' who can they trust during such a horrible time in history? I was hoping for more in this book but pretty good for the most part.
Profile Image for Tristan.
Author 1 book3 followers
September 13, 2025
This is definitely more of a suspenseful historical fiction novel rather than a "ghost story". The paranormal activity is very light and sometimes a forgotten element. It's very clear Newton stayed in her comfort zone of historical fiction and if the plan is for a sequel, as is suggested, then Newton will need to amp up the spooky storytelling for book 2.

That said, Newton is a master at bringing to life historical events while crafting characters that seamlessly blend with the setting and story. She created a wonderful heroine in Vianne, antagonists you want to light on fire, and I was absolutely intrigued to learn a new aspect of WWI that I had not come across before.

Thank you Netgalley and HarperCollins, One More Chapter for the advanced digital ARC!
Profile Image for Terry.
Author 13 books300 followers
August 6, 2025
Another gorgeous read from Andie Newton!
Andie Newton’s The Ghost House is an atmospheric triumph. Set in the haunting Zone Rouge of occupied France, Newton crafts a story that is as chilling as it is heartbreaking. The characters, especially Vianne and young Blaise, are beautifully drawn, their struggles poignant and real, their courage inspiring. Newton has an exquisite talent for blending historical authenticity with spine-tingling suspense, and in The Ghost House, she does it flawlessly. This is more than a ghost story; it’s a tale of resilience, love, and the shadows we carry. A must-read for fans of historical fiction and gothic mysteries.
Profile Image for Aimee Brown.
Author 11 books330 followers
October 17, 2025
This book!! I was sucked in on page 1 and couldn't stop until I finished--which is the way I read every Andie Newton book. I find myself still thinking about the characters, especially Vianne. She was incredible, taking on her nephew in times more stressful than I've ever experienced and attempting to protect him from the largest of evils. Even though I thought I knew how the book was going to go, there was one huge thing I didn't expect, and it was right under my nose! This book is creepy, spooky, and full of people trying to do the right thing, even when it's terrifying. I'd highly recommend this book and any by this author.
362 reviews5 followers
December 16, 2025
Thank you for allowing me to review this book. It is a very eriey story set during the 2nd World War in France. The main character Vianne, is looking after her mother in law , her nephew and Chateau Ten alongside her 2 members of staff. The chateau has been neglected as the war drained their finances and supplies. Unexpectedly a couple arrive and request to stay in the West Wing. The money paid goes to solve the immediate debts, but it changes things. What happens is what the story is about. Although, well written it is not really my type of story. I was glad to reach the end, but can't say I enjoyed it.
Profile Image for Jessica.
419 reviews6 followers
October 16, 2025
The Ghost House is set in Occupied France, 1944. Vianne is trying to save her crumbling chateau while caring for her invalid mother-in-law and her nephew, Blaise, whose sister was arrested by the SS. When a mysterious couple rents a wing of the chateau and Blaise reports seeing men in the woods, Vianne is drawn into suspenseful and eerie events.

The writing flows smoothly, and Newton vividly brings history to life. While the ghostly elements are minor compared to the historical drama, the story is gripping and atmospheric. Three and a half stars, rounded up to four.
Profile Image for Dee Groocock.
1,455 reviews58 followers
November 20, 2025
Vianne lives in a dilapidated family chateau in France, and helps to take care of her mother-in-law. Vianne’s husband died during World War One.

It’s 1944, and the Germans have occupied France. They have taken Vianne’s sister and she is now looking after her nephew, Blaise, too.

When Blaise starts to see figures in the fog and hears whispers from the forbidden forest that backs onto their garden, Vianne starts to worry. The rumours are that these are the fallen soldiers from World War One.

Vianne takes in a couple to enable her to pay her taxes and continue to feed the family. When strange events start occurring, Vianne finds herself battling the unknown.

I absolutely loved this story, it was creepy at times and sent shivers through me.

It was great getting to know the characters in the story, and I had a soft spot for Vianne’s mother-in-law and Blaise.

It is a haunting tale that is full of atmosphere and tension. I had to keep on turning those pages to see where this story was going to take me.

I enjoyed how at the end of the story the author gives information about the battlefields of Verdun. It is something I wish to read more about having read this book.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
Profile Image for Deborah.
Author 10 books182 followers
December 14, 2025
I can honestly say this book has reignited my love for a ghost story!

I loved everything about this eerie and atmospheric story. From the perfect chateau setting, the secrets and mysterious pasts of the characters, and the clever plot. I kept holding my breath as the tension built until the mysteries were answered in the brilliantly satisfying ending.

I received an ARC copy from the publisher and want to thank them for the opportunity to read this wonderful book early.
1,591 reviews
March 11, 2026
This was a fascinating story based in France during the German Occupation in World War 2. Next to a large Chateau was a Wood of Sorrows , haunted by dead German soldiers and deadly gas. There was a safe way to navigate the woods and and some stones which needed to be placed together to revitalise the dead soldiers who the Germans desperately needed.. The story is built around this with some great characters and a compelling storyline..
Profile Image for Sara.
3,311 reviews46 followers
October 15, 2025
I received a free DRC of this book from Netgalley and the publisher. I have read a couple other books by this author. I enjoyed the historical fiction side of the book, but I am not as into thrillers or ghost stories per se. October was a good month to read a creepier book so this fit the bill.
230 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2026
Educational and emotional

While reading this story, I would check to see if it was true. It fascinated me that for the most part it was. Towards the end of the book I questioned if I could be as brave. A really good read.
Profile Image for Annette.
2,866 reviews51 followers
October 17, 2025
Based on the cover of this book and the description I was expecting something different from what I got.
I didn’t love this book like everyone else. It was a little predictable.
Profile Image for Betsy.
164 reviews5 followers
December 8, 2025
I'm a little disappointed...I enjoy Andie Newton's historical fiction, but I thought this one would be better. I didn't feel like it ever reached its potential.
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