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The Anchoress
Beyond the Welsh village of Laidlow, St. Jude's Church stands empty and abandoned. For decades now, nobody has dared to go near the place. But as the Second World War erupts, two priests are dispatched with a simple to open the church up again and determine whether anything of value might be stripped away to be used as part of the war effort.
Desperately keen to impress his superiors, Father Harry Stone is determined to do a good job. Soon after setting foot in St. Jude's, however, he starts to notice an ominous presence. Father Stanley Neville, meanwhile, has begun to act strangely and seems to be keeping secrets. A strange force lurks in the church's shadows, linked to a woman who once devoted her life to worship. But as the two priests are about to discover, sometimes the best of intentions can still lead to the most devastating horror.
St. Jude's was once home to an anchoress, who had herself walled inside a small chamber so that she could avoid the temptations of the world. Over time, however, the mind of this anchoress became warped and twisted. Eventually she was left to rot, but now the church has been disturbed and the ghostly figure of Margaret Crake is out for revenge against the people who shunned and mocked her. As her evil influence grows, will Harry realise the truth in time – or is history set to repeat itself yet again, this time with the most horrifying consequences of all?
The Anchoress is a horror novel about a haunted church, a young priest determined to see the good in everything, and a country on the brink of annihilation.
Desperately keen to impress his superiors, Father Harry Stone is determined to do a good job. Soon after setting foot in St. Jude's, however, he starts to notice an ominous presence. Father Stanley Neville, meanwhile, has begun to act strangely and seems to be keeping secrets. A strange force lurks in the church's shadows, linked to a woman who once devoted her life to worship. But as the two priests are about to discover, sometimes the best of intentions can still lead to the most devastating horror.
St. Jude's was once home to an anchoress, who had herself walled inside a small chamber so that she could avoid the temptations of the world. Over time, however, the mind of this anchoress became warped and twisted. Eventually she was left to rot, but now the church has been disturbed and the ghostly figure of Margaret Crake is out for revenge against the people who shunned and mocked her. As her evil influence grows, will Harry realise the truth in time – or is history set to repeat itself yet again, this time with the most horrifying consequences of all?
The Anchoress is a horror novel about a haunted church, a young priest determined to see the good in everything, and a country on the brink of annihilation.
484 pages, Paperback
Published April 14, 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