The Forgotten Cottage

Annie Graham #3

by Helen Phifer

The Forgotten Cottage, the eagerly-awaited and chillingly terrifying new book in Helen Phifer’s best-selling ‘Annie Graham’ series.

Annie Graham has fought her demons, and is ready to leave them behind. Her new cottage seems like the new start she’s quiet and quaint, it’s empty of the memories which have haunted her for so long.

But before long, the ghosts of a forgotten tragedy stir within Annie’s new home. Someone – or something – is coming for her. And this time, she might not get the chance to run…

Look out for more in the Annie Graham

1. The Ghost House

2. The Secrets of the Shadows

3. The Forgotten Cottage

4. The Lake House

5. The Girls in the Woods

What readers are saying about the Annie Graham series'an atmospheric, spooky read, ideal for the season.' – I Heart Reading

'The Ghost House is the most exciting book I have read in a very long time, and would make an absolutely perfect Halloween read! Amazing début from Helen Phifer and I eagerly await more from her!' – Judging Covers

‘It was an atmospheric, spooky read, ideal for the season.’ – I Heart Reading

‘I was really impressed by this book. … I was amazed how the author got inside of the mind of the serial killer and really showed you his psychotic thought processes.’ – Edler Park Book Reviews

‘the twists and turns are fascinating.’ – A J Book Review Club

‘The story constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. The Ghost House is a magnificent read and it's perfect for those who have a strong stomach and nerves of steel!’ – Librarian Lavender

Genres: Crime, Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction, Paranormal, Amazon

278 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 31, 2014

Reviews

[Jessica Redland · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Helen's previous two Annie Graham books so was very excited to read her third and find out what would happen next for Annie and Will. The story joins them preparing for their wedding and new life together, a key component of which will be their very own cottage. Only it has an occupant already and the dead aren't going to respond to an eviction notice!

One of Helen's clear strengths in her previous two novels is in writing the back story and the story of Betsy Baker explored in The Forgotten Cottage was just as brilliantly written. Another two present-day threads run alongside this but are really effectively inter-woven into the story.

Another great read.

[Julia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this series. I like the supernatural element and love the characters. I am a very character driven reader and this satisfies that need. This installment did not disappoint. I was concerned that it had a lot of plot points as I was reading at first, but now I understand it was a set up for the next book. Can't wait to read the next book.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Gina Britten · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed the third book in this series / yet again detective mixed with supernatural elements work so well and kept me hooked throughout - so many different characters and storylines but all linked together - can’t wait to get the next in the series !

[Becky Mayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really good, but not as good as the first two. There were a few questions left unanswered.

[Jessica · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm not finished with this book yet but so far I can say that I like the plot (mostly) and there are other elements that I like a lot.

I hate to be overly-critical but I have to say that I have several issues with this book and feel that it isn't well-crafted; the writing skills are not that great, the flow is choppy, the voice is a little to chatty (for me, at least), the characterization for many of the characters is flat and one-dimensional (especially the villains), some of the story lines are not believable for the time period (a young, unmarried woman living with an eligible man in the 1700s would NOT be allowed unless they were married!), there is a lot of "telling" rather than "showing" (show, don't tell) and the copy-editing is sloppy.

To me, this book reads like a first or second draft rather than a final copy. I like the story but I wish that it had been written better.


Update: I unfortunately had to return this book as it was quite awful, imo. Some of the plot lines just got too ridiculous and didn't add to the story and the writing was sub-par. I liked the author's previous book WAY better. I'm sad about this because I really was looking forward to reading this one.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Why do I torture myself? Meh main story. Subplot #1 was crap. Subplot #2 ended up being a set up for book four which I will NOT be reading when it comes out. Once again, nothing is really set up and explained, and nothing is wrapped up in a satisfactory fashion (excepting subplot #2 which I'm SURE will be dealt with at some point in the next story). Sentence structure leaves something to be desired, in particular the dialogue between characters which is stilted and formal. It reminds me of watching Japanese anime which has been translated by non native English speakers, then voiced by said translators with amazingly fake American accents.

Also, FYI - a patient with a head injury who has been in a coma for three days DOES NOT get out of bed the next day to find her sweetheart. Especially not with a fractured rib and punctured lung.

[Cancis Lino-Diaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really wish I would have paid attention that this was book 3!!! I hate starting in the middle of a series. However, this book was great! Adventure... suspense...drama... murder... sooo much! I could barely put the book down. A nice quick read, but still a lot packed in there.
Love the characters and plot.

[Mae · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunnie is really involved in the mystery of the Hazel family. After she found the secret room she has been obsessed with finding answers of what happened after the baby died. It’s like the mother just disappeared & nobody knows nothing. The town wants to keep it quiet & doesn’t want to talk about it. Sunnie called her realtor that sold her the house when she discovered the secret room & everything in the room. She didn’t want to talk to her about & told her to get rid of & pretend it never happened. Now what must she do? She can’t just throw the stuff away. Sunnie’s curiosity just get worse. She goes & talks to Mrs. Dalloway, her neighbor to see what she can find out. They decide to go to the festival they have every year. Maybe she can talk to some other people & find out some more information. Sunnie is determined she is going to solve this mystery. Do you think she will or will someone stop her?

I received this book from Booksprout for free & I’m giving my honest opinion of this book for free without any coaching from the author or Booksprout. If you like mysteries you are going to like this one.

[dawn nelson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was number 3 in the Annie Graham series and while really enjoying the book it just got way too busy for me. How can so much happen to one person? The 1st book in the series was excellent, the 2nd one I also enjoyed, but this one had too many storylines in the one book. I love the characters, Annie and Will are great , and the continuing story of their romance and moving to the cottage, coupled with the ghost and the story going back in time would have been enough for the book and could have been elaborated on, however the serial killer and the kidnapping, it was all too much. I don't think i will read another Annie Graham book but might delve into another Helen Phifer series from the beginning again.

[Anita · Rating 3 out of 5]

I continue to get hooked by this series! Third in series about Annie Graham, a British police officer with ability to connect with spirits. Annie, fiancé Will and the rest of their team continue to get mixed up in difficult situations. Annie and Will are trying to redo their dream house and get married. But there is a nasty spirit haunting the house, Will gets kidnapped by a jealous half sister and their arch enemy serial killer is plotting revenge.

[Wen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in three days...could not put this one down. The only thing about being sick is a good book. This one was an edge of the seat thriller...so engrossed, however I did have to smile when I would come upon misspelled words. There were many, but I am not sure if the words are spelled that way in England but I digress---I still smiled. Kudos to Helen on this one.

[SarahRobins_reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

When will Annie and Will catch a break! There is something about these books that just draw you in. Are they believable? No. Does that matter? No. Will I read the next one? Yes!! I love a good police thriller and ones I can read in a day are even better. If you like to read books that are far fetched but get you gripped then read these!

[Kiri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. As with the other books in the series, I find the conversation parts a little lacking. One person has a long monologue, then the next person responds to the first part of the monologue and then the end - that’s not realistic to me, but it is the only part of the books that I don’t like. I enjoyed this book very much, and it had me staying up reading way past my bedtime.

[Kerry Cahill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoy these books.

For me, another great book in this series. I love Will, Annie, Jake and Alex.
A great mix of suspense, drama, creepy ghouls and humour...
I am about to start the next book in the series... so chow for now 😊

[Joyce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Annie Graham has to be the unluckiest policewoman going, but her stories are certainly very gripping, can't wait to read what happened to poor Annie next and to see if she has gotten rid of her ghost in her cottage.

[Miss Louise Charalambos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable third book

I really enjoy reading what Annie is getting up to in this series of books. I like the crime and supernatural crossover. I didn't give it 5 stars because there were quite a few spelling and grammatical errors which I find off putting.

[Ivana Richards · Rating 2 out of 5]

A quick read. The back story was much more interesting than either of the other 2 plot strands, one of which only serves to set up the next in the series, and the other is completely pointless. Not sure I'm bothered enough to carry on.

[M Waller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

Absolutely fantastic read, thank you so much.
The Annie Graham series is so refreshingly different and such a pleasure to read.

[Linda Jewell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I guess the ending means there is more...

[Geraint griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

Page turner .

Finished this book in two days couldn't put it down.Absolutely brilliant series downloading book number 4 as soon as I have written this review

[Sarah Menzies long · Rating 4 out of 5]

The unluckiest couple ever?

[Angela Klenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not bad. Quick read.

[EVA · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love love loved it!

Can't wait to see what comes Annie's way next. Annie is a strong fierce character that sucks you right in to want more from her.

[Heather watt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this

Brilliant book, there were a few grammar errors lol, but didn't spoil the story. Can't wait for the next book to see what Will, Annie and Jake get up to

[Daisy Desborough · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cheesy asf

[A J Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely loved this books, couldn’t put down. Love all of Helen Phifer books, excellent writer, one request, please please include all books on Kindle Unlimited.

[mrs hl abernethy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well written but just one story line / subplot too much

[Smc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't for me. I didn't get very far into the story before stopping. It felt more targeted towards teenage girls, written by a teenage girl.