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The Anchoress
As war erupts across Europe, two priests are sent to the remote Welsh village of Laidlow to reopen the long-abandoned St. Jude’s Church. Their orders are assess what can be salvaged for the war effort. But from the moment Father Harry Stone steps inside, something feels very wrong.
The church is supposed to be empty, yet Harry is certain that he's being watched.
His companion, Father Neville, soon starts to unravel. The local villagers refuse to speak of the church. And deep within its crumbling walls, a presence stirs, something bound to the spirit of a long-dead anchoress who once sealed herself inside the church to escape temptation. What grew in that silence was not piety, but rage.
Now disturbed, her influence is spreading... and Harry must uncover the truth before history repeats itself in blood.
Atmospheric and deeply unsettling, The Anchoress is a gothic horror novel about the dangers of blind faith, buried sins, and the price of disturbing something that should have been left alone.
The church is supposed to be empty, yet Harry is certain that he's being watched.
His companion, Father Neville, soon starts to unravel. The local villagers refuse to speak of the church. And deep within its crumbling walls, a presence stirs, something bound to the spirit of a long-dead anchoress who once sealed herself inside the church to escape temptation. What grew in that silence was not piety, but rage.
Now disturbed, her influence is spreading... and Harry must uncover the truth before history repeats itself in blood.
Atmospheric and deeply unsettling, The Anchoress is a gothic horror novel about the dangers of blind faith, buried sins, and the price of disturbing something that should have been left alone.
486 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 21, 2025
121 people are currently reading
64 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
665 books1,693 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 6, 2025
The start of a good series!
The year is 1825, and a widow, Margaret Crake, decides to evoke the ancient custom of locking herself away in a tiny cell for the rest of her life in order to communicate with God. For this act of self-sacrifice, she chooses the remote Norman church of St. Judes near the Welsh village of Laidlow. She manages to survive alone, for many years, before her life ends. However, she is not given a Christian burial on her passing but is instead walled up inside the church. Why? Did she not find God during her long incarceration? If not just who and what did she find? Fast forward to 1940 when two priests are sent out on a mission to visit St. Jude's church. However, one of them has a dark and sinister motive. The locals insist that the vengeful spirit of Margaret Crake haunts the now abandoned church whilst searching for new victims. What are the real motives of the two priests who have been ordered to visit the church? This looks like being the start of an exciting and spooky series.
The year is 1825, and a widow, Margaret Crake, decides to evoke the ancient custom of locking herself away in a tiny cell for the rest of her life in order to communicate with God. For this act of self-sacrifice, she chooses the remote Norman church of St. Judes near the Welsh village of Laidlow. She manages to survive alone, for many years, before her life ends. However, she is not given a Christian burial on her passing but is instead walled up inside the church. Why? Did she not find God during her long incarceration? If not just who and what did she find? Fast forward to 1940 when two priests are sent out on a mission to visit St. Jude's church. However, one of them has a dark and sinister motive. The locals insist that the vengeful spirit of Margaret Crake haunts the now abandoned church whilst searching for new victims. What are the real motives of the two priests who have been ordered to visit the church? This looks like being the start of an exciting and spooky series.
May 28, 2025
Rounded up from 3.5
This book and story had potential yo be super creepy. There were some moments that were but not enough of them for me to truly give it 4+ stars. Especially since this was a long book...so much room to make it creepier. The main priest is also aggravating as hell and the way the characters spoke seemed to come in and out of the time period the author was aiming for.
This book and story had potential yo be super creepy. There were some moments that were but not enough of them for me to truly give it 4+ stars. Especially since this was a long book...so much room to make it creepier. The main priest is also aggravating as hell and the way the characters spoke seemed to come in and out of the time period the author was aiming for.
July 4, 2025
Creepy story and a fast read couldn't put it down
A creepy abandoned church in a small village in the English countryside. The higher ups sent 2 priests to " take inventory " of the metal that could be removed and used for the war effort. Only problem is there is an evil Anchoress lurking inside to turn the next Priest insane with her message! Can we be stopped before it's too late?
A creepy abandoned church in a small village in the English countryside. The higher ups sent 2 priests to " take inventory " of the metal that could be removed and used for the war effort. Only problem is there is an evil Anchoress lurking inside to turn the next Priest insane with her message! Can we be stopped before it's too late?
April 22, 2025
Great Book
This was one of the best books I've read in quite some time. I never knew that an anchoress existed. Learn something new every day. I'm not going to spoil what happens, but I say this. The struggle between good and evil ,this book is a great example of just that. One priest sure has his hands full. Good job Amy Cross.
Your loyal reader awaiting more great stories.
This was one of the best books I've read in quite some time. I never knew that an anchoress existed. Learn something new every day. I'm not going to spoil what happens, but I say this. The struggle between good and evil ,this book is a great example of just that. One priest sure has his hands full. Good job Amy Cross.
Your loyal reader awaiting more great stories.
May 15, 2025
Creepy good
I've read many Amy Cross books, and this one did not disappoint. I love creepy stories involving old churches, schools, and asylum, and the atmosphere in this one was also on point. My only complaint was how naive Father Sone was. How can a human being be so dense? But, still, I was glued to every page and finished it in a day. Bravo on another great read!
I've read many Amy Cross books, and this one did not disappoint. I love creepy stories involving old churches, schools, and asylum, and the atmosphere in this one was also on point. My only complaint was how naive Father Sone was. How can a human being be so dense? But, still, I was glued to every page and finished it in a day. Bravo on another great read!
April 14, 2025
Poor Barbra 😢
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 20, 2025
I loved this book...for the most part, then it seemed rushed and quick to finish. I read another review that said it would be a great start to a series and yes I agree. This probably has one of the best premises for a novel I've read in a long time, I just felt it spent too much time exploring the characters and not the legend.
August 1, 2025
Very good read!
January 19, 2026
I really enjoyed this book it had lots of suspense & I liked the paranormal aspects a lot!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews