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A haunting novel—inspired by a true story—about a crime writer who risks everything as she investigates the mystery of two deaths, decades apart, at a crumbling Vermont orphanage.
On a blistering summer day in 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, an orphanage on the shores of Lake Champlain. Some say a nun drowned him, others say he ran away. Or maybe he never existed. Fifty years later, his disappearance is still unsolved.
Struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley needs a fresh start. When she’s asked to ghostwrite a book about the orphanage—and the abuses that occurred there—she packs up her belongings and moves to wintry Burlington, Vermont.
As Alex tries to untangle the conflicting stories surrounding Tommy’s disappearance, her investigation takes a chilling turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Alex is convinced the death is connected to Coram House’s dark past, even if local police officer Russell Parker thinks she’s just desperate for a career-saving story. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy’s murder, or risk becoming the next victim.
On a blistering summer day in 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, an orphanage on the shores of Lake Champlain. Some say a nun drowned him, others say he ran away. Or maybe he never existed. Fifty years later, his disappearance is still unsolved.
Struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley needs a fresh start. When she’s asked to ghostwrite a book about the orphanage—and the abuses that occurred there—she packs up her belongings and moves to wintry Burlington, Vermont.
As Alex tries to untangle the conflicting stories surrounding Tommy’s disappearance, her investigation takes a chilling turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Alex is convinced the death is connected to Coram House’s dark past, even if local police officer Russell Parker thinks she’s just desperate for a career-saving story. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy’s murder, or risk becoming the next victim.
432 pages, Paperback
First published April 15, 2025
290 people are currently reading
23623 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 883 reviews
May 6, 2025
An atmospheric mystery that had me visualizing every scene, Coram House took me into the dark, snowy depths of a spine-chilling Vermont tale. Based on a true story, you could feel the ghosts of the past echoing into the present as the protagonist searched for the truth in this complex, deftly woven case full of long-buried secrets. Like unraveling a ball of yarn, we were escorted closer and closer to a series of shocking revelations via a plot that shifted and turned until the final jaw-dropping reveal. The best piece of all, though? That had to be how I guessed not one single twist from beginning to end of this compelling slow burn.
But let’s get down to business. From the immersive mixed media format to the lyrical prose that made the setting come alive, this well-written debut novel pulled me in deep. You see, despite the intricate plot and many “what ifs,” I became fully invested in both the outcome of Alex’s investigation of the past and who was up to no good in the present. What really won me over, however, was Alex. Fully fleshed out and intensely well-developed, her flaws humanized her and, via a dynamic character arc, made the book sing. All told, the characterization was downright perfection in my humble opinion.
All said and done, thanks to an original premise and plenty of individuals who made me suspicious, this dark tale had me applauding. After all, looking back, there was no end to the subtle clues that were mixed in with clever red herrings. As for the truth to the story, the narrative managed to expertly craft a dark history that burned with veracity while also treating it with sensitivity and tact. Ultimately, it was no great surprise that I was blown away. Taut, intense, and hypnotic, once I got pulled into this two-pronged whodunnit, I wasn’t able to put the book down. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
On a blistering summer day in 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, an orphanage on the shores of Lake Champlain. Some say a nun drowned him, others say he ran away. Or maybe he never existed. Fifty years later, his disappearance is still unsolved.
Struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley needs a fresh start. When she’s asked to ghostwrite a book about the orphanage—and the abuses that occurred there—she packs up her belongings and moves to wintry Burlington, Vermont.
As Alex tries to untangle the conflicting stories surrounding Tommy’s disappearance, her investigation takes a chilling turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Alex is convinced the death is connected to Coram House’s dark past, even if local police officer Russell Parker thinks she’s just desperate for a career-saving story. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy’s murder, or risk becoming the next victim.
Thank you to Bailey Seybolt and Atria Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025
Content warning: murder, blackmail, suicide, mention of: child abuse and pedophilia within a Catholic orphanage
But let’s get down to business. From the immersive mixed media format to the lyrical prose that made the setting come alive, this well-written debut novel pulled me in deep. You see, despite the intricate plot and many “what ifs,” I became fully invested in both the outcome of Alex’s investigation of the past and who was up to no good in the present. What really won me over, however, was Alex. Fully fleshed out and intensely well-developed, her flaws humanized her and, via a dynamic character arc, made the book sing. All told, the characterization was downright perfection in my humble opinion.
All said and done, thanks to an original premise and plenty of individuals who made me suspicious, this dark tale had me applauding. After all, looking back, there was no end to the subtle clues that were mixed in with clever red herrings. As for the truth to the story, the narrative managed to expertly craft a dark history that burned with veracity while also treating it with sensitivity and tact. Ultimately, it was no great surprise that I was blown away. Taut, intense, and hypnotic, once I got pulled into this two-pronged whodunnit, I wasn’t able to put the book down. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
On a blistering summer day in 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, an orphanage on the shores of Lake Champlain. Some say a nun drowned him, others say he ran away. Or maybe he never existed. Fifty years later, his disappearance is still unsolved.
Struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley needs a fresh start. When she’s asked to ghostwrite a book about the orphanage—and the abuses that occurred there—she packs up her belongings and moves to wintry Burlington, Vermont.
As Alex tries to untangle the conflicting stories surrounding Tommy’s disappearance, her investigation takes a chilling turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Alex is convinced the death is connected to Coram House’s dark past, even if local police officer Russell Parker thinks she’s just desperate for a career-saving story. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy’s murder, or risk becoming the next victim.
Thank you to Bailey Seybolt and Atria Books for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 15, 2025
Content warning: murder, blackmail, suicide, mention of: child abuse and pedophilia within a Catholic orphanage
November 17, 2024
This is a page-turning and gritty mystery novel. I liked the backstory of the main character: a true crime writer who has known both wild success and dismal failure with her past projects. Please be aware of trigger warnings, as the plot involves historical child abuse at religious institutions, loosely based on terrible real-life crimes at St Joseph's Orphanage in Vermont. This topic felt grimly relevant given recent news in the UK, but can be tough reading. This is an impressive debut, and I look forward to reading more from this author.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy.
October 5, 2025
Voy a ser breve.
Thriller que no está mal sin ser tampoco gran cosa. Más de lo mismo, me ha entretenido a ratos sin llegar a entusiasmarme del todo.
La trama gira en torno a los abusos cometidos en los años 60 en un orfanato de Vermont. La narración alterna los capítulos del presente con transcripciones de un jucio que tuvo lugar a finales de los 80.
La protagonista es una escritora de True crime en horas bajas. Se ajusta a los cánones del género, es decir trazada lo justo, se prioriza investigación e intriga.
¿Los peros?
El ritmo es lento para ser un thriller. Se pierde en detalles innecesarios y lastra la lectura.
Es muy predecible. Los quiénes se ven venir desde muy pronto. Los porqués, muy manidos, son discutibles. No es que sean inverosímiles o no creibles, pero les falta ese punto que te engancha y los hace más plausibles.
El desenlace, por todo lo anterior, cuando llega, aporta poco. Es correcto sin más.
En conclusión. Un thriller que se deja leer. Entretenido, pero de ritmo lento y bastante predecible. Ni lo recomiendo ni lo dejo de recomendar.
Thriller que no está mal sin ser tampoco gran cosa. Más de lo mismo, me ha entretenido a ratos sin llegar a entusiasmarme del todo.
La trama gira en torno a los abusos cometidos en los años 60 en un orfanato de Vermont. La narración alterna los capítulos del presente con transcripciones de un jucio que tuvo lugar a finales de los 80.
La protagonista es una escritora de True crime en horas bajas. Se ajusta a los cánones del género, es decir trazada lo justo, se prioriza investigación e intriga.
¿Los peros?
El ritmo es lento para ser un thriller. Se pierde en detalles innecesarios y lastra la lectura.
Es muy predecible. Los quiénes se ven venir desde muy pronto. Los porqués, muy manidos, son discutibles. No es que sean inverosímiles o no creibles, pero les falta ese punto que te engancha y los hace más plausibles.
El desenlace, por todo lo anterior, cuando llega, aporta poco. Es correcto sin más.
En conclusión. Un thriller que se deja leer. Entretenido, pero de ritmo lento y bastante predecible. Ni lo recomiendo ni lo dejo de recomendar.
April 15, 2025
I am DNFing at 25%. The story is a verrrrrry slow burn (like no burn at all) and I have just seen a review about the amount of child abuse coming up in this book, which I was not aware of when I requested it. Child abuse is one thing I don’t want to read about.
April 19, 2025
A promising debut!
Inspired by a true story, Coram House is a quick read that keeps readers guessing, questioning, and engaged.
Alex Kelley is a true crime writer who is asked to ghostwrite a book about a Vermont orphanage and the abuses that occurred there. In 1968, a nine-year-old boy vanished without a trace from Coram House. Did he run away? Drown? Did he even really exist? Soon after her arrival, Alex discovers a dead woman in the lake and is convinced her death is connected to Coram House’s dark past. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the murders are connected to the boy’s disappearance.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Cassandra Campbell, Chris Henry Coffey, Jason Culp, and Jackie Sanders. I really enjoyed this format, despite needing to speed up the playback to 1.75x.
If you are looking for a strongly narrative and easy to follow mystery plot, Coram House ticks all of the boxes. While I wasn’t super moved by any of the characters, I enjoyed how Seybolt pieced together the mystery of the missing boy. The interspersing of court documents helped to break up the plot and added pertinent information from the past timeline. Seybolt shows promise in this genre and I would gladly read her next offering.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
Inspired by a true story, Coram House is a quick read that keeps readers guessing, questioning, and engaged.
Alex Kelley is a true crime writer who is asked to ghostwrite a book about a Vermont orphanage and the abuses that occurred there. In 1968, a nine-year-old boy vanished without a trace from Coram House. Did he run away? Drown? Did he even really exist? Soon after her arrival, Alex discovers a dead woman in the lake and is convinced her death is connected to Coram House’s dark past. As the body count rises, Alex must prove that the murders are connected to the boy’s disappearance.
I listened to the audiobook which is narrated by Cassandra Campbell, Chris Henry Coffey, Jason Culp, and Jackie Sanders. I really enjoyed this format, despite needing to speed up the playback to 1.75x.
If you are looking for a strongly narrative and easy to follow mystery plot, Coram House ticks all of the boxes. While I wasn’t super moved by any of the characters, I enjoyed how Seybolt pieced together the mystery of the missing boy. The interspersing of court documents helped to break up the plot and added pertinent information from the past timeline. Seybolt shows promise in this genre and I would gladly read her next offering.
3.5/5 stars rounded down
February 15, 2025
I really liked the plot of this novel, an investigative author who goes to a small town to research and write about an old orphanage where abuse and a possible murder occurred. While those connected to the past begin mysteriously dying.
What made me really struggle with this book was the main character, Alex. She was a very unlikeable character to me. In short, I found her annoying. She was someone who jumped to conclusions (mostly incorrect), interfered with law enforcement, was awful to some characters (specifically Lola and Xander), and didn’t seem great at her job as an investigative author.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
What made me really struggle with this book was the main character, Alex. She was a very unlikeable character to me. In short, I found her annoying. She was someone who jumped to conclusions (mostly incorrect), interfered with law enforcement, was awful to some characters (specifically Lola and Xander), and didn’t seem great at her job as an investigative author.
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.
April 13, 2025
Coram House is a chilling and atmospheric slow burn mystery inspired by a true story. Alex Kelley is a true crime writer who has been hired to ghost write a book about Coram House and the abuse that is rumored for have occurred at the orphanage. She hears about a boy from the orphanage named Tommy who was believed to have been drowned there over 50 years ago. Others believe that perhaps Tommy ran away. As Alex delves deeper into Tommy's disappearance, people begin to die! Is she on to something? Is she close to the truth?
As I mentioned, this is a slow burn mystery, and I struggle with slow burns. What I enjoyed was the chilling feel of the book. A young boy who vanished from the orphanage was rumored to have been drowned by a nun while others believe he ran away. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding what happened to him. I also enjoyed the setting and could almost feel the cold coming off the Lake.
While I enjoyed books based upon and inspired by true events, this one was a bit too much of a slow burn for me. That is not to say that this book won't work for other readers, I was just not the right reader for this book.
Others enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well and decide for yourself.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
As I mentioned, this is a slow burn mystery, and I struggle with slow burns. What I enjoyed was the chilling feel of the book. A young boy who vanished from the orphanage was rumored to have been drowned by a nun while others believe he ran away. I enjoyed the mystery surrounding what happened to him. I also enjoyed the setting and could almost feel the cold coming off the Lake.
While I enjoyed books based upon and inspired by true events, this one was a bit too much of a slow burn for me. That is not to say that this book won't work for other readers, I was just not the right reader for this book.
Others enjoyed this book more than I did, so please read their reviews as well and decide for yourself.
Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
August 30, 2024
Oh my word, I loved this book so much! This is definitely going to be a 2025 book of the year contender for me. I loved the mixed media of telling this story by using police interviews. I love the flashbacks - I just loved this storytelling. It was so atmospheric and I did not see that twist coming! This book come out in April but go ahead and put this on your radar. I’m OBSESSED.
April 20, 2025
4.25 Stars ⭐️
Bailey Seybolt’s debut novel has a lot going for it. I was aware of it for some time now as it is based around a real story of an orphanage in Burlington, Vermont that had a history of abuse. My brother lived in Burlington for a number of years, so am familiar with this are area which always adds interest for me.
Really loved the Crime Writer, Alex. She has been dealing with so much grief after losing her husband and is afraid great writing and finding out the truth has slipped past her. She is frightened of herself, but at heart, she truly cares about the children hurt so many years ago. She seeks to find Why did it happen, why would someone act in such a way? The book had some twists and turns I liked. It was a good read as a Mystery and also as a tribute to the real children who were abused. Making them count.
There is a lot of heart in this book. Alex can be tough when she needs to be, but she connects so well to the people both living and dead that she investigates. You feel her compassion and need to make sure the story is written correctly.
Overall, really enjoyed this book. Great mystery with many different characters involved. All are not as they seem and it was good finding out how the story came together.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book.
Bailey Seybolt’s debut novel has a lot going for it. I was aware of it for some time now as it is based around a real story of an orphanage in Burlington, Vermont that had a history of abuse. My brother lived in Burlington for a number of years, so am familiar with this are area which always adds interest for me.
Really loved the Crime Writer, Alex. She has been dealing with so much grief after losing her husband and is afraid great writing and finding out the truth has slipped past her. She is frightened of herself, but at heart, she truly cares about the children hurt so many years ago. She seeks to find Why did it happen, why would someone act in such a way? The book had some twists and turns I liked. It was a good read as a Mystery and also as a tribute to the real children who were abused. Making them count.
There is a lot of heart in this book. Alex can be tough when she needs to be, but she connects so well to the people both living and dead that she investigates. You feel her compassion and need to make sure the story is written correctly.
Overall, really enjoyed this book. Great mystery with many different characters involved. All are not as they seem and it was good finding out how the story came together.
Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for a copy of this book.
March 13, 2025
3.5 stars
Bailey Seybolt's debut novel, CORAM HOUSE, has been on my TBR for months now. It's getting so much buzz from people I trust, so I knew I needed to dive in. If you liked Ruth Ware's The Death of Mrs. Westaway (I don't know why it does, but), Ashley Winstead's newest book This Book Will Bury Me, or Jessica Knoll's Young Bright Women, then you will enjoy CORAM HOUSE!
In 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, a mysterious orphanage with a dark reputation on Lake Champlain. Fifty years later, struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley moves to Burlington, Vermont, to uncover the truth behind the home's dark history—but her research takes a deadly turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. As more victims emerge, Alex must convince skeptical officer Russell Parker that solving Tommy’s disappearance is the key to stopping a killer before she becomes the next target.
This book is more of a mystery/suspense than a thriller, but definitely a fun ride for readers who enjoy true crime and investigative stories. Although this book is a work of fiction, the subject matter is pulled from a true story. The Coram House setting itself is bone chilling and scary, which provided all the great vibes I needed to venture through. The story is a bit too slow pacing wise for me, which ultimately led me astray a little bit, but the book overall was a great read. Slow burn suspense infused with true crime investigative series vibes, CORAM HOUSE felt like a journey seen on Investigation Discovery. I am excited to see what Bailey Seybolt comes up for readers next!
Bailey Seybolt's debut novel, CORAM HOUSE, has been on my TBR for months now. It's getting so much buzz from people I trust, so I knew I needed to dive in. If you liked Ruth Ware's The Death of Mrs. Westaway (I don't know why it does, but), Ashley Winstead's newest book This Book Will Bury Me, or Jessica Knoll's Young Bright Women, then you will enjoy CORAM HOUSE!
In 1968, nine-year-old Tommy vanishes without a trace from Coram House, a mysterious orphanage with a dark reputation on Lake Champlain. Fifty years later, struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley moves to Burlington, Vermont, to uncover the truth behind the home's dark history—but her research takes a deadly turn when she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. As more victims emerge, Alex must convince skeptical officer Russell Parker that solving Tommy’s disappearance is the key to stopping a killer before she becomes the next target.
This book is more of a mystery/suspense than a thriller, but definitely a fun ride for readers who enjoy true crime and investigative stories. Although this book is a work of fiction, the subject matter is pulled from a true story. The Coram House setting itself is bone chilling and scary, which provided all the great vibes I needed to venture through. The story is a bit too slow pacing wise for me, which ultimately led me astray a little bit, but the book overall was a great read. Slow burn suspense infused with true crime investigative series vibes, CORAM HOUSE felt like a journey seen on Investigation Discovery. I am excited to see what Bailey Seybolt comes up for readers next!
October 8, 2024
“Coram House” first intrigued me after seeing it recommended for fans of “Sharp Objects” and then learning it is based around real life tragedies that took place in the well known Vermont orphanage “St Joseph’s”
Alex is a true crime writer who is tasked with covering the events surrounding Coram House such as the drowning of a child named Tommy.
I enjoyed the book splitting off into multiple writing formats including things such as audio recorded from interviews, the interviewees being present day adults who were once children living at Corum House and asked to give their testimony of events as they remember it first hand.
The book is definitely slow burn so if you are looking for something fast paced this may not be your speed, however if you are willing to invest time into seeing how things unfold you may just find yourself enjoying it.
Thank you to Atria Books and Bailey Seybolt for the EARC!
Publish date: April 15th 2025
Alex is a true crime writer who is tasked with covering the events surrounding Coram House such as the drowning of a child named Tommy.
I enjoyed the book splitting off into multiple writing formats including things such as audio recorded from interviews, the interviewees being present day adults who were once children living at Corum House and asked to give their testimony of events as they remember it first hand.
The book is definitely slow burn so if you are looking for something fast paced this may not be your speed, however if you are willing to invest time into seeing how things unfold you may just find yourself enjoying it.
Thank you to Atria Books and Bailey Seybolt for the EARC!
Publish date: April 15th 2025
May 18, 2025
I found the MC very frustrating in how she jumped from suspect to suspect — each time absolutely certain she had it right. I didn't see the ending coming nor spot the culprit in advance, but I also didn't come away feeling satisfied.
October 12, 2025
3.5
Coram House had a very good start but missed that 4th star by languishing a bit in the middle. Or maybe it lost its nerve near the end (in that I was mildly surprised at one of the twists, but I thought the author could have been a little more shocking— due to some of the storylines.) Can’t say too much except that as so many other books have shown, our childhood so often informs our adult selves and choices. Lots of story lines and characters here— most are in the past and overall justice is served pretty well across the board.
It was well written and nicely crafted— I just wished it had been a little more shocking. Will definitely read this author again.
Coram House had a very good start but missed that 4th star by languishing a bit in the middle. Or maybe it lost its nerve near the end (in that I was mildly surprised at one of the twists, but I thought the author could have been a little more shocking— due to some of the storylines.) Can’t say too much except that as so many other books have shown, our childhood so often informs our adult selves and choices. Lots of story lines and characters here— most are in the past and overall justice is served pretty well across the board.
It was well written and nicely crafted— I just wished it had been a little more shocking. Will definitely read this author again.
November 10, 2025
Coram House, an orphanage in Burlington, Vermont, was shuttered due to allegations of abuse. Several years after it was closed many of the children, now adults, testified of the abuse they saw. Settlements are reached, and the cases are closed. Except for one forgotten boy.
True crime author, Alex Kelley, has been brought in as a ghostwriter to tell the Coram House’s story, but she is drawn more to investigating the disappearance of the missing boy. Some of the eyewitnesses swear they saw him drown but he was officially labeled a runaway. She is determined to find out what happened to this little boy.
This was just an OK read for me. What really drew me in were the transcripts interspersed throughout the novel and I would’ve liked to have seen more from that angle. The novel itself was more focused on Alex and her investigation in the present. I was hoping for more background into Coram House. I would’ve preferred more past timeline and less present. Just my personal opinion!
All in all, it was a decent mystery. I think I was just expecting something a bit different. This also was loosely based off of true events so I can see this definitely attracting both mystery lovers and true crime readers alike.
True crime author, Alex Kelley, has been brought in as a ghostwriter to tell the Coram House’s story, but she is drawn more to investigating the disappearance of the missing boy. Some of the eyewitnesses swear they saw him drown but he was officially labeled a runaway. She is determined to find out what happened to this little boy.
This was just an OK read for me. What really drew me in were the transcripts interspersed throughout the novel and I would’ve liked to have seen more from that angle. The novel itself was more focused on Alex and her investigation in the present. I was hoping for more background into Coram House. I would’ve preferred more past timeline and less present. Just my personal opinion!
All in all, it was a decent mystery. I think I was just expecting something a bit different. This also was loosely based off of true events so I can see this definitely attracting both mystery lovers and true crime readers alike.
April 7, 2025
Wow! Incredible debut! Review to come
April 20, 2025
I have been asked to ghostwrite a book about an orphanage and what happened there even though my first book was not a success?
Alex always had an interest in history and researching.
Researching Coram House about the abuse and specifically the drowning of Tommy, a child at the orphanage, and Sarah who was pushed out of a window, was difficult with no one wanting to give out much information when interviewed.
Based on a true story, Alex delves into what really happened to Tommy and Sarah, and then a body and another body is found.
What do these two incidents have in common?
Is this death connected to Tommy's all those years ago and Alex’s “digging?”
It looks as if writing a book is turning into everyone who is being investigated turning up murdered.
Will she be able to write this book or will she be the next body to be found?
Is she getting too close to what really happened with all the people she is researching?
Well written, engaging, and heartbreaking, Coram House is an outstanding debut with its detail and storyline.
A good twist at the end. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Alex always had an interest in history and researching.
Researching Coram House about the abuse and specifically the drowning of Tommy, a child at the orphanage, and Sarah who was pushed out of a window, was difficult with no one wanting to give out much information when interviewed.
Based on a true story, Alex delves into what really happened to Tommy and Sarah, and then a body and another body is found.
What do these two incidents have in common?
Is this death connected to Tommy's all those years ago and Alex’s “digging?”
It looks as if writing a book is turning into everyone who is being investigated turning up murdered.
Will she be able to write this book or will she be the next body to be found?
Is she getting too close to what really happened with all the people she is researching?
Well written, engaging, and heartbreaking, Coram House is an outstanding debut with its detail and storyline.
A good twist at the end. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 14, 2025
3.5 Stars — Inspired by true events, CORAM HOUSE is an atmospheric story about the dark history of a defunct orphanage in Vermont, and its ties to a present-day crime. After Alex Kelley is hired to ghostwrite a book about Coram House, she becomes fixated on a boy who was rumored to have been murdered there, though no record of him exists.
The story presents a complicated mystery that plays out in a surprising way. I enjoyed the use of old interview transcripts as a way to present evidence. For me, the weak spot in this book was the main character Alex. We know that she's grieving her own loss and she likes to drink a lot; otherwise, her character is kind of flat. She was difficult to connect with and made some poor decisions. Overall, though, a good mystery, even if a bit slow paced.
The story presents a complicated mystery that plays out in a surprising way. I enjoyed the use of old interview transcripts as a way to present evidence. For me, the weak spot in this book was the main character Alex. We know that she's grieving her own loss and she likes to drink a lot; otherwise, her character is kind of flat. She was difficult to connect with and made some poor decisions. Overall, though, a good mystery, even if a bit slow paced.
July 27, 2025
Alex Kelly struck gold with her first true crime novel; however, her life fell apart while writing the second and her investigation skills were questioned. Now she’s been hired to ghostwrite a book taking place in Lake Champlain. Coram House sits along the lake, and was run as an orphanage for many years, overseen by a priest and group of nuns. Fifty years ago there were stories of a drowned boy, physical and sexual abuse. While the investigation substantiated the sexual abuse by the priest, the physical abuse and drowning were never proven.
While investigating the story, Alex learns that Tommy was the boy who others said drowned, but the nuns always claimed he ran away. As she tries to find clues, she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Her thoughts on suspects in this and subsequent deaths jump between the suspects. It doesn’t help that the police department believes she is inserting herself to get a better story.
I was intrigued by the mystery, characters, and deaths. Somewhere in the last third or fourth of the book, it began to drag a bit for me. But it wrapped up nicely. As with some similar books, the author shared at the end that Coram House is fictional, but it’s based on information discovered about an actual orphanage. These kind of stories are always sad, because we know in general that children who need protection often encounter neglect and abuse.
While investigating the story, Alex learns that Tommy was the boy who others said drowned, but the nuns always claimed he ran away. As she tries to find clues, she discovers a woman’s body in the lake. Her thoughts on suspects in this and subsequent deaths jump between the suspects. It doesn’t help that the police department believes she is inserting herself to get a better story.
I was intrigued by the mystery, characters, and deaths. Somewhere in the last third or fourth of the book, it began to drag a bit for me. But it wrapped up nicely. As with some similar books, the author shared at the end that Coram House is fictional, but it’s based on information discovered about an actual orphanage. These kind of stories are always sad, because we know in general that children who need protection often encounter neglect and abuse.
April 11, 2025
Thank you to Atria Books and Bailey Seybolt for my copy of Coram House. This book was so sad and disturbing, especially because it was based on a real orphanage! It was about Tommy, a boy who goes missing from an orphanage in 1968. Fifty years later his disappearance is unsolved, when true crime writer Alex is asked to write a book about the orphanage and the abuse that happened there. She heads to Vermont to research the book and dig in to what could have happened to Tommy.
As Alex tries to find out more about Coram House, another crime is discovered when a woman’s body is found in the lake. She is convinced the crime is connected to the past, and as the body count starts to rise, Alex is sure she is getting closer to the truth.
Thoughts: This premise was amazing and the setting of Coram House was both sad and creepy. This is a debut which was great, and the mixed media in this book made it fun to read. The story was SUPER slow though, and I felt that this book could have been a lot shorter with the same effect. It was dragging on and by the end I was much less invested than in the beginning.
Even though it was a slow burn, I thought this book was well researched and the way the author talked about grief was well done. I thought Alex was definitely the type of character you love to hate, but that was part of the fun for me. 3-stars for this one!
As Alex tries to find out more about Coram House, another crime is discovered when a woman’s body is found in the lake. She is convinced the crime is connected to the past, and as the body count starts to rise, Alex is sure she is getting closer to the truth.
Thoughts: This premise was amazing and the setting of Coram House was both sad and creepy. This is a debut which was great, and the mixed media in this book made it fun to read. The story was SUPER slow though, and I felt that this book could have been a lot shorter with the same effect. It was dragging on and by the end I was much less invested than in the beginning.
Even though it was a slow burn, I thought this book was well researched and the way the author talked about grief was well done. I thought Alex was definitely the type of character you love to hate, but that was part of the fun for me. 3-stars for this one!
April 17, 2025
In this haunting mystery debut, inspired by real events, a disgraced true crime writer named Alex is hired to ghostwrite a book about Coram House, an old Vermont orphanage where atrocities once occurred. Still reeling from the fallout of her last book and the death of her husband, Alex throws herself headlong into the mysteries of Coram House – including the disappearance of a nine-year-old boy from the orphanage in 1968. When a woman ends up dead, Alex is sure the death is connected to Coram House’s dark past. But as she starts forging more and more connections, it becomes clear that someone doesn’t want her resurrecting the past.
Coram House is a solid debut, and it’s clear that Bailey Seybolt has a lot of promise. The book’s atmosphere is richly-conveyed; everything about Coram House is chilling, from the Vermont winter setting itself, to the halls of Coram House, to the descriptions of the crimes committed. I really enjoy fictionalized true crime novels, so I loved the vibes of the book – there’s lots of researching and digging into the past, and there are excerpts of court transcripts that add another compelling element to the story. Alex is the kind of character you really root for, even though her persistence borders on annoying, even though she doesn’t always make the best decisions. I also liked the way Seybolt portrayed the grief process: how there is no clear path or timeline for making it through and how it manifests in lots of different ways. Her writing is quite lovely.
The burn on this one, though, is just a bit too slow. It did start to drag after a while and the pacing could’ve been much tighter. Although I feel like the format can be overused, I do think Coram House would have benefitted from a past and present timeline. I wanted more about Coram House’s history than what the transcripts gave me, and I think that format would’ve added more tension to the narrative. But the conclusion was surprising and satisfying, and overall Coram House is an impressive debut that has me interested in whatever Seybolt writes next.
Thank you to Atria Books for the complimentary reading opportunity.
Coram House is a solid debut, and it’s clear that Bailey Seybolt has a lot of promise. The book’s atmosphere is richly-conveyed; everything about Coram House is chilling, from the Vermont winter setting itself, to the halls of Coram House, to the descriptions of the crimes committed. I really enjoy fictionalized true crime novels, so I loved the vibes of the book – there’s lots of researching and digging into the past, and there are excerpts of court transcripts that add another compelling element to the story. Alex is the kind of character you really root for, even though her persistence borders on annoying, even though she doesn’t always make the best decisions. I also liked the way Seybolt portrayed the grief process: how there is no clear path or timeline for making it through and how it manifests in lots of different ways. Her writing is quite lovely.
The burn on this one, though, is just a bit too slow. It did start to drag after a while and the pacing could’ve been much tighter. Although I feel like the format can be overused, I do think Coram House would have benefitted from a past and present timeline. I wanted more about Coram House’s history than what the transcripts gave me, and I think that format would’ve added more tension to the narrative. But the conclusion was surprising and satisfying, and overall Coram House is an impressive debut that has me interested in whatever Seybolt writes next.
Thank you to Atria Books for the complimentary reading opportunity.
April 22, 2025
4.5 stars. Remarkable debut. True crime writer Alex Kelley is investigating 30-year abuse at Coram House; -a Vermont children’s orphanage, now torn down, a children’s cemetery the only nod to its existence.
I was hooked from the first page. Eerie atmosphere. Twisty, dark and tense. An isolated children’s orphanage with rumors of a wide-range of abuse. We start with the mystery of missing boy, Tommy, or did he exist at all? Add to that a second death in the present time, both taking place at the same Vermont orphanage. There is a lot going on in this slow burn mystery and with that it carried a heavy emotional feel. It’s terribly sad to learn that the atrocities in the book are inspired by true events at the St. Joseph’s Orphanage. Pub. 4/15/25
I was hooked from the first page. Eerie atmosphere. Twisty, dark and tense. An isolated children’s orphanage with rumors of a wide-range of abuse. We start with the mystery of missing boy, Tommy, or did he exist at all? Add to that a second death in the present time, both taking place at the same Vermont orphanage. There is a lot going on in this slow burn mystery and with that it carried a heavy emotional feel. It’s terribly sad to learn that the atrocities in the book are inspired by true events at the St. Joseph’s Orphanage. Pub. 4/15/25
August 8, 2024
Brrrrr…🥶 This was such an atmospheric and vivid read. I totally forgot it’s actually summertime right now !!
I can’t get over this is a debut novel , Bailey Seybolt deserves fireworks in the park for this clever masterpiece!
Read this if you like :
🥶 Journalistic Investigation
🥶 Smart FMC
🥶 Stories inspired by true events
🥶 Atmospheric Reads
🥶 Fast page turner
Alex is crime writer who is a widow who needs a fresh start in life and the perfect story has landed in her lap .
Burlington Vermont and its snow covered ground is embracing for Alex’s 6 month stay that finds herself swaying from the plot and investigating the mystery of two deaths that happened years apart.
The writer takes us on a dark and cold journey and leaves little bread crumbs here and there to keep us digging for more and more to uncover the truths of what happened to young Tommy all those years ago , but Alex Kelley better be careful as she untangles the web and brings the secrets to the surface or she could find herself as the next victim 👀
This was so well done and cleverly written, my only negative is the ending was not as climatic as I was hoping for , but still overall really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author and if this is her debut then watch because Bailey Seybolt is just getting started!!
Side Note this story touches on heavy grief and abuse in orphanages.
Thank you NetGalley , Atria Books and Bailey Seybolt for this ARC !
Respectfully Another Read by Angie
I can’t get over this is a debut novel , Bailey Seybolt deserves fireworks in the park for this clever masterpiece!
Read this if you like :
🥶 Journalistic Investigation
🥶 Smart FMC
🥶 Stories inspired by true events
🥶 Atmospheric Reads
🥶 Fast page turner
Alex is crime writer who is a widow who needs a fresh start in life and the perfect story has landed in her lap .
Burlington Vermont and its snow covered ground is embracing for Alex’s 6 month stay that finds herself swaying from the plot and investigating the mystery of two deaths that happened years apart.
The writer takes us on a dark and cold journey and leaves little bread crumbs here and there to keep us digging for more and more to uncover the truths of what happened to young Tommy all those years ago , but Alex Kelley better be careful as she untangles the web and brings the secrets to the surface or she could find herself as the next victim 👀
This was so well done and cleverly written, my only negative is the ending was not as climatic as I was hoping for , but still overall really enjoyed this book and would definitely read more from this author and if this is her debut then watch because Bailey Seybolt is just getting started!!
Side Note this story touches on heavy grief and abuse in orphanages.
Thank you NetGalley , Atria Books and Bailey Seybolt for this ARC !
Respectfully Another Read by Angie
May 6, 2025
BookCLE IG Account
"Coram House" by Bailey Seybolt is a brutal examination of institutional neglect, exploring the silenced, harmed, or complicit. Not everyone gets redemption, but not everyone deserves it.
When struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley takes on a ghostwriting project about the long-shuttered orphanage, Coram House, begins as a retelling of a decades-old cold case but quickly spirals into a tangled web of misinformation and deceit. The deeper she digs, the more the line blurs between justice and obsession, truth and manipulation. And before she knows it, the cold case thaws, coming to life in real-time as new bodies surface and old wounds are ripped open.
This book hit all my true crime sweet spots—murder, cover-ups, unresolved trauma, and the moral muck of profiting off others' pain. Seybolt juggles multiple perspectives and timelines, showcasing how the same story can morph depending on who’s telling it and what they have to lose. There's gaslighting galore and a chilling reminder of how those in power skirt responsibility, especially when it comes to vulnerable children discarded by the system. Seybolt's writing expertly threads together trauma, grief, and the relentless pursuit of truth. And then there’s the ever-present question of second chances—Alex searching for redemption for a stalled career, the church trying to scrub away its sins, the orphanage now just a ghost, survivors looking to erase their history—but not everyone gets their way...
"Coram House" shows how grief hollows us out, how religion is often wielded like a weapon, and how even institutions built to care can corrupt. It's a raw and haunting reckoning—about justice, memory, and the secrets that refuse to be buried.
"Coram House" by Bailey Seybolt is a brutal examination of institutional neglect, exploring the silenced, harmed, or complicit. Not everyone gets redemption, but not everyone deserves it.
When struggling true crime writer Alex Kelley takes on a ghostwriting project about the long-shuttered orphanage, Coram House, begins as a retelling of a decades-old cold case but quickly spirals into a tangled web of misinformation and deceit. The deeper she digs, the more the line blurs between justice and obsession, truth and manipulation. And before she knows it, the cold case thaws, coming to life in real-time as new bodies surface and old wounds are ripped open.
This book hit all my true crime sweet spots—murder, cover-ups, unresolved trauma, and the moral muck of profiting off others' pain. Seybolt juggles multiple perspectives and timelines, showcasing how the same story can morph depending on who’s telling it and what they have to lose. There's gaslighting galore and a chilling reminder of how those in power skirt responsibility, especially when it comes to vulnerable children discarded by the system. Seybolt's writing expertly threads together trauma, grief, and the relentless pursuit of truth. And then there’s the ever-present question of second chances—Alex searching for redemption for a stalled career, the church trying to scrub away its sins, the orphanage now just a ghost, survivors looking to erase their history—but not everyone gets their way...
"Coram House" shows how grief hollows us out, how religion is often wielded like a weapon, and how even institutions built to care can corrupt. It's a raw and haunting reckoning—about justice, memory, and the secrets that refuse to be buried.
July 16, 2025
Namens uitgeverij Ambo Anthos kreeg ik ‘Het weeshuis – geschreven door Bailey Seybolt - toegestuurd als recensie-exemplaar, waarvoor nogmaals bedankt.
Het Weeshuis is de debuut van Bailey Seybolt, en dit is een debuut waar ik zeker van onder de indruk ben.
Het verhaal begint met enkele hoofdstukken welke zich in het verleden afspelen. Hierdoor werd mijn interesse eigenlijk al direct gewekt, en was ik erg benieuwd welke gebeurtenissen zich in het verleden hadden afgespeeld. Nadat het verhaal overging van het verleden naar het heden moest ik wel even schakelen. Het had wel een paar hoofdstukken nodig voordat ik mijn interesse weer volledig terug had bij het verhaal.
Het fijne aan deze verhaallijn vond ik dat er af en toe nog wel een terugblik naar het verleden werd gemaakt. Enerzijds om zaken op te helderen, maar anderzijds werd het verhaal er op sommige momenten nog mysterieuzer van. Voor mijn gevoel vond ik het verhaal een af en toe een mix van een thriller en een historische roman. Wat ik persoonlijk wel wat anders had gewild was de snelheid van het verhaal. Op sommige momenten kreeg ik wel eens het gevoel dat ik stil stond. Ik vind een slowburn niet erg, maar in dit geval had er iets meer pit aanwezig mogen zijn.
Dit verhaal heeft een diversiteit aan verschillende personages. De personages zorgde echt voor een interessant verloop van het verhaal.
Zoals ik al aangaf was de snelheid van het verhaal soms een beetje tam. De personages zorgde er grotendeels op deze momenten nog wel voor dat het verhaal alsnog boeiend bleef.
In het begin vroeg ik mijzelf wel af of ik het hoofdpersonage Alex wel een prettig en boeiend personage zou gaan vinden, maar dit is gelukkig helemaal goed gekomen.
Je leest het verhaal voornamelijk vanuit het ik-perspectief van Alex.
Alex is een personage welke realistisch en levendig neergezet is. Het personage is zo neergezet dat ik het verhaal echt heb ervaren dat ik zelf met Alex mee op ‘speurtocht’ naar de waarheid ben.
Over de schrijfstijl van Bailey ben ik ook zeker postief. Bailey heeft met haar debuut een sterk en spannend verhaal neer te zetten. Oke, het tempo had vooral in het begin wat hoger mogen liggen, maar dit heeft ze richting het middenstuk en einde ruimschoots weten te compenseren. Bailey heeft de mysterieuze vibe continue aanwezig gehouden, waardoor ik telkens getriggerd werd om verder te willen lezen. Ook weet ze de spanningsboog telkens gespannen te houden. Haar schrijfstijl vind ik ook beeldend, helder en persoonlijk. En ook weet ze, ondanks het wat mindere begin, het verhaal goed op te bouwen.
Ik ervaarde dat er ook echt over het einde nagedacht is. Het einde was erg goed gekozen. Er zat een zeer aanwezig plottwist in welke ik echt totaal niet aan had zien komen. Ook voelde het verhaal op het juiste moment afgerond.
Bailey Seybolt heeft met ‘Het Weeshuis’ een uitstekend verhaal neergezet, en ze heeft mij in ieder geval erg benieuwd gemaakt naar hopelijk nog meer boeken.
Het Weeshuis is de debuut van Bailey Seybolt, en dit is een debuut waar ik zeker van onder de indruk ben.
Het verhaal begint met enkele hoofdstukken welke zich in het verleden afspelen. Hierdoor werd mijn interesse eigenlijk al direct gewekt, en was ik erg benieuwd welke gebeurtenissen zich in het verleden hadden afgespeeld. Nadat het verhaal overging van het verleden naar het heden moest ik wel even schakelen. Het had wel een paar hoofdstukken nodig voordat ik mijn interesse weer volledig terug had bij het verhaal.
Het fijne aan deze verhaallijn vond ik dat er af en toe nog wel een terugblik naar het verleden werd gemaakt. Enerzijds om zaken op te helderen, maar anderzijds werd het verhaal er op sommige momenten nog mysterieuzer van. Voor mijn gevoel vond ik het verhaal een af en toe een mix van een thriller en een historische roman. Wat ik persoonlijk wel wat anders had gewild was de snelheid van het verhaal. Op sommige momenten kreeg ik wel eens het gevoel dat ik stil stond. Ik vind een slowburn niet erg, maar in dit geval had er iets meer pit aanwezig mogen zijn.
Dit verhaal heeft een diversiteit aan verschillende personages. De personages zorgde echt voor een interessant verloop van het verhaal.
Zoals ik al aangaf was de snelheid van het verhaal soms een beetje tam. De personages zorgde er grotendeels op deze momenten nog wel voor dat het verhaal alsnog boeiend bleef.
In het begin vroeg ik mijzelf wel af of ik het hoofdpersonage Alex wel een prettig en boeiend personage zou gaan vinden, maar dit is gelukkig helemaal goed gekomen.
Je leest het verhaal voornamelijk vanuit het ik-perspectief van Alex.
Alex is een personage welke realistisch en levendig neergezet is. Het personage is zo neergezet dat ik het verhaal echt heb ervaren dat ik zelf met Alex mee op ‘speurtocht’ naar de waarheid ben.
Over de schrijfstijl van Bailey ben ik ook zeker postief. Bailey heeft met haar debuut een sterk en spannend verhaal neer te zetten. Oke, het tempo had vooral in het begin wat hoger mogen liggen, maar dit heeft ze richting het middenstuk en einde ruimschoots weten te compenseren. Bailey heeft de mysterieuze vibe continue aanwezig gehouden, waardoor ik telkens getriggerd werd om verder te willen lezen. Ook weet ze de spanningsboog telkens gespannen te houden. Haar schrijfstijl vind ik ook beeldend, helder en persoonlijk. En ook weet ze, ondanks het wat mindere begin, het verhaal goed op te bouwen.
Ik ervaarde dat er ook echt over het einde nagedacht is. Het einde was erg goed gekozen. Er zat een zeer aanwezig plottwist in welke ik echt totaal niet aan had zien komen. Ook voelde het verhaal op het juiste moment afgerond.
Bailey Seybolt heeft met ‘Het Weeshuis’ een uitstekend verhaal neergezet, en ze heeft mij in ieder geval erg benieuwd gemaakt naar hopelijk nog meer boeken.
February 21, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
Coram House.
I was intrigued by the premise, especially since it's based on true events.
** Minor non-mysterious spoilers ahead **
After the death of her husband, Alex Kelley needs a fresh start.
Tasked with ghostwriting a book about the abuses that occurred at a now defunct orphanage, Alex moves to Burlington, Vermont to begin her work.
But she's soon pulled into the mystery of a missing young boy who may have been murdered and the ensuring cover-up by orphanage personnel.
When Alex discovers a dead body, she's pulled into the investigation and realizes that the horrors of the past never go away.
First, it was hard to like Alex.
I didn't dislike her and I understand she's grieving, but that's all she did.
I didn't know anything about her except she runs, how much she missed her husband, how they met, and how she messed up her previous book and is now persona non grata.
Is it just me or did people drink a lot in this?
Or maybe I just notice these things because I don't drink?
I think Alex is a borderline alcoholic.
She has no problem finishing a bottle of wine or two but barely eats..
The author had to stress that. She buys breakfast, but rarely finishes it.
A sign of grieving or something else?
Alex is treated as a stereotype; bumbling into the investigation, nosing around like a middle-aged Nancy Drew, being casually disregarded by law enforcement because of her 'reputation.'
The backstory of the orphanage is terribly sad and yet very common in many of these institutions in those days.
The writing is good, but the narrative is slow, lacking urgency and suspense.
The pacing dragged and the story felt 50 pages too long.
I was intrigued by the premise, especially since it's based on true events.
** Minor non-mysterious spoilers ahead **
After the death of her husband, Alex Kelley needs a fresh start.
Tasked with ghostwriting a book about the abuses that occurred at a now defunct orphanage, Alex moves to Burlington, Vermont to begin her work.
But she's soon pulled into the mystery of a missing young boy who may have been murdered and the ensuring cover-up by orphanage personnel.
When Alex discovers a dead body, she's pulled into the investigation and realizes that the horrors of the past never go away.
First, it was hard to like Alex.
I didn't dislike her and I understand she's grieving, but that's all she did.
I didn't know anything about her except she runs, how much she missed her husband, how they met, and how she messed up her previous book and is now persona non grata.
Is it just me or did people drink a lot in this?
Or maybe I just notice these things because I don't drink?
I think Alex is a borderline alcoholic.
She has no problem finishing a bottle of wine or two but barely eats..
The author had to stress that. She buys breakfast, but rarely finishes it.
A sign of grieving or something else?
Alex is treated as a stereotype; bumbling into the investigation, nosing around like a middle-aged Nancy Drew, being casually disregarded by law enforcement because of her 'reputation.'
The backstory of the orphanage is terribly sad and yet very common in many of these institutions in those days.
The writing is good, but the narrative is slow, lacking urgency and suspense.
The pacing dragged and the story felt 50 pages too long.
October 26, 2024
This was a true great story/mystery I've read in a while.
In 1968, on a hot blistering summer day, a nine year old boy Tommy vanishes without a trace. Fifty years later, and that's still an unsolved case.
A struggling true crime writer Alex has had it pretty horrible but writes best sellers but this time she's hired as someone's Ghost writer which seems like she does everything and the guy whom hired her, Stedson.Alex moves from New York to Burlington, Vermont. As Alex tries to untangle the web of series, she keeps finding more people involved with the original court case murdered. Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy's murder or risk everything.
Drawing inspiration from the real-life stories of St. Joseph's Orphanage.
Thank you to goodreads and author, and publisher for the ARC version of this fantastic book.
In 1968, on a hot blistering summer day, a nine year old boy Tommy vanishes without a trace. Fifty years later, and that's still an unsolved case.
A struggling true crime writer Alex has had it pretty horrible but writes best sellers but this time she's hired as someone's Ghost writer which seems like she does everything and the guy whom hired her, Stedson.Alex moves from New York to Burlington, Vermont. As Alex tries to untangle the web of series, she keeps finding more people involved with the original court case murdered. Alex must prove that the key to finding the killer lies in Tommy's murder or risk everything.
Drawing inspiration from the real-life stories of St. Joseph's Orphanage.
Thank you to goodreads and author, and publisher for the ARC version of this fantastic book.
October 22, 2025
⭐ 4/5 stele
Coram House urmărește o scriitoare care ajunge într-un mic oraș pentru a cerceta trecutul unui orfelinat plin de secrete, cu scopul de a scrie o carte despre ce s-a întâmplat acolo. Pe măsură ce se implică tot mai mult, devine obsedată de aflarea adevărului — iar investigația ei o prinde într-o serie de crime actuale, legate direct de oameni care au avut legătură cu orfelinatul.
Atmosfera e apăsătoare, plină de mister, și mi-a plăcut mult felul în care autoarea a combinat trecutul cu prezentul, făcând totul să pară incredibil de real. A fost o lectură captivantă, cu un ritm bun și o intrigă care te ține atent până la final.
Nu i-am dat totuși 5 stele, pentru că, deși mi s-a părut o carte foarte bună, nu este genul de poveste care să devină un all time favorite pentru mine. Totuși, o recomand oricui iubește thrillerele gotice, locurile bântuite de secrete și poveștile care arată că unele adevăruri nu rămân îngropate pentru totdeauna
Coram House urmărește o scriitoare care ajunge într-un mic oraș pentru a cerceta trecutul unui orfelinat plin de secrete, cu scopul de a scrie o carte despre ce s-a întâmplat acolo. Pe măsură ce se implică tot mai mult, devine obsedată de aflarea adevărului — iar investigația ei o prinde într-o serie de crime actuale, legate direct de oameni care au avut legătură cu orfelinatul.
Atmosfera e apăsătoare, plină de mister, și mi-a plăcut mult felul în care autoarea a combinat trecutul cu prezentul, făcând totul să pară incredibil de real. A fost o lectură captivantă, cu un ritm bun și o intrigă care te ține atent până la final.
Nu i-am dat totuși 5 stele, pentru că, deși mi s-a părut o carte foarte bună, nu este genul de poveste care să devină un all time favorite pentru mine. Totuși, o recomand oricui iubește thrillerele gotice, locurile bântuite de secrete și poveștile care arată că unele adevăruri nu rămân îngropate pentru totdeauna
June 30, 2025
Op een hete zomerdag in 1968 verdwijnt de 9-jarige Tommy spoorloos uit het door nonnen gerunde weeshuis Coram House. 50 jaar later is zijn verdwijning nog steeds niet opgelost. Als truecrime-auteur Alex Kelley gevraagd wordt een boek te schrijven over het weeshuis – en de misstanden die zich daar afspeelden – grijpt ze die kans met beide handen aan.
Dan wordt het lichaam van een dode vrouw gevonden. Alex vermoedt dat de sleutel in deze zaak ligt bij het mysterie rondom Tommy. Het is een race tegen de klok om het bewijs te vinden, voordat ze zelf het volgende slachtoffer wordt.
'Het weeshuis' begint met een inleiding in het jaar 1968. Je leest over het moment dat Tommy spoorloos verdwijnt en iemand heeft gezien wat er gebeurde. Maar spreekt diegene de waarheid?
Dan maak je een sprong naar vijftig jaar later en maak je kennis met truecrime-auter Alex. Ze heeft heel veel interesse voor deze vreemde zaak en besluit naar de locatie van het weeshuis te gaan om zo achter de waarheid te komen.
De auteur maakt ondertussen ook gebruik van verhoren en documenten, waardoor je een beter beeld krijgt van de mensen die toen in het weeshuis leefden en aanwezig waren. De situatie is en blijft mysterieus en het wordt nog veel erger...
...want dan valt er een dode en Alex vermoedt dat dit ook met de oude verdwijningszaak te maken heeft. Ze raakt hierdoor steeds meer betrokken bij alles en het geheim lijkt groter en groter te worden.
Ik vond dit een erg fijn verhaal om te lezen. Het is een heel rustig, langzaam opbouwend verhaal, maar ik hield zelf meteen van de sfeer. Vanaf de eerste bladzijde was het al interessant en vanaf het moment dat de dode vrouw wordt gevonden neemt de spanning ook meer toe. En natuurlijk vraag je je af wat er met de kleine Tommy gebeurd is.
Als je van een 'slow burner' met een mysterieus sfeertje houdt, raad ik je dit boek zeker aan. Zelf ben ik heel benieuwd naar andere verhalen van deze auteur, want het is mij zeker goed bevallen!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
Dan wordt het lichaam van een dode vrouw gevonden. Alex vermoedt dat de sleutel in deze zaak ligt bij het mysterie rondom Tommy. Het is een race tegen de klok om het bewijs te vinden, voordat ze zelf het volgende slachtoffer wordt.
'Het weeshuis' begint met een inleiding in het jaar 1968. Je leest over het moment dat Tommy spoorloos verdwijnt en iemand heeft gezien wat er gebeurde. Maar spreekt diegene de waarheid?
Dan maak je een sprong naar vijftig jaar later en maak je kennis met truecrime-auter Alex. Ze heeft heel veel interesse voor deze vreemde zaak en besluit naar de locatie van het weeshuis te gaan om zo achter de waarheid te komen.
De auteur maakt ondertussen ook gebruik van verhoren en documenten, waardoor je een beter beeld krijgt van de mensen die toen in het weeshuis leefden en aanwezig waren. De situatie is en blijft mysterieus en het wordt nog veel erger...
...want dan valt er een dode en Alex vermoedt dat dit ook met de oude verdwijningszaak te maken heeft. Ze raakt hierdoor steeds meer betrokken bij alles en het geheim lijkt groter en groter te worden.
Ik vond dit een erg fijn verhaal om te lezen. Het is een heel rustig, langzaam opbouwend verhaal, maar ik hield zelf meteen van de sfeer. Vanaf de eerste bladzijde was het al interessant en vanaf het moment dat de dode vrouw wordt gevonden neemt de spanning ook meer toe. En natuurlijk vraag je je af wat er met de kleine Tommy gebeurd is.
Als je van een 'slow burner' met een mysterieus sfeertje houdt, raad ik je dit boek zeker aan. Zelf ben ik heel benieuwd naar andere verhalen van deze auteur, want het is mij zeker goed bevallen!
Beoordeling: 4,0 ⭐️
September 12, 2025
Excellent. Atmospheric. Gorgeous and unique setting on a large wintery lake in Vermont.
Alex has been hired to ghost-write a story about an important civil trial. But she can’t get the facts of the trial out of her head. She’s bound and determined to find out what happened to a boy at Coram House that some say was murdered. Along the way, she keeps finding herself “in the thick of it”.
Seriously well done. Absorbing.
No sex scenes. A small smattering of curse words. Two mentions of female same-sex relationships.
Highly recommended.
- Desiree Reads
September 11, 2025
Alex has been hired to ghost-write a story about an important civil trial. But she can’t get the facts of the trial out of her head. She’s bound and determined to find out what happened to a boy at Coram House that some say was murdered. Along the way, she keeps finding herself “in the thick of it”.
Seriously well done. Absorbing.
No sex scenes. A small smattering of curse words. Two mentions of female same-sex relationships.
Highly recommended.
- Desiree Reads
September 11, 2025
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