What do you think?
Rate this book
Vernon House
Jennifer Hayes buys and restores houses for resale, but Vernon House, was different. She wanted this old Victorian for herself. The rumors the house was haunted didn’t bother Jennifer, who is a skeptic by nature. But her skepticism turns to intrigue when she finds a letter dated 1909 in the attic tucked into the folds of a wedding dress. The letter mentions a murder, but no name of the victim and is signed with only initials. Jennifer's challenge is to track down the identity of the victim, as well as the killer. However, her research brings forth two spirits, one of which is evil.
64 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 5, 2014
39 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
Sandra Farris
10 books16 followersBorn in Texas, Sandra Farris lived for a while in Los Angeles before finally settling in southeast Arizona. She attended a local community college where she continued her education and honed her writing skills.
Currently working on her fifth and sixth books, she is also a member and serves on the board of the Arizona Mystery Writers.
My book trailer for Can You Hear the Music? won best book trailer on Books In Sync. 2012 http://www.booksinsync.com/booktraile...
A review of my book trailer for Can You Hear the Music? from Preview the Book.:
http://www.youtube.com/standquietAndL...
“This trailer features a robust cinematic style, with costumes, sets and props that take you into the past. Take note of the wonderful acting of all involved, from the innocence of the young lead, to the dower sterness of the Aunt. Everything in this trailer works together to offer a window into this young girl’s journey of discovery.”
Check out my author page on Amazon: amazon.com/author/sandrafarris
A couple of comments for my audio book, Can You Hear the Music?.
5.0 out of 5 stars
"What a beautiful journey."
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Heartwarming story which evoked my deepest emotions"
http://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Hear-th...
Currently working on her fifth and sixth books, she is also a member and serves on the board of the Arizona Mystery Writers.
My book trailer for Can You Hear the Music? won best book trailer on Books In Sync. 2012 http://www.booksinsync.com/booktraile...
A review of my book trailer for Can You Hear the Music? from Preview the Book.:
http://www.youtube.com/standquietAndL...
“This trailer features a robust cinematic style, with costumes, sets and props that take you into the past. Take note of the wonderful acting of all involved, from the innocence of the young lead, to the dower sterness of the Aunt. Everything in this trailer works together to offer a window into this young girl’s journey of discovery.”
Check out my author page on Amazon: amazon.com/author/sandrafarris
A couple of comments for my audio book, Can You Hear the Music?.
5.0 out of 5 stars
"What a beautiful journey."
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Heartwarming story which evoked my deepest emotions"
http://www.amazon.com/Can-You-Hear-th...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
March 8, 2016
A quickie mystery u will love
Loved the characters,all the secrets that unfolded in Vernon House
Kept my, interest with a very busy schedule it allowed a finish in a few days and thoroughly enjoyed.
Loved the characters,all the secrets that unfolded in Vernon House
Kept my, interest with a very busy schedule it allowed a finish in a few days and thoroughly enjoyed.
December 12, 2014
It is so hard at times to know a good book from a great book simply based on the cover, but I am immediately drawn to pick this one up because I am a huge fan of creepy suspenseful books. In fact before I became a Christian, I was drawn to that genre. Doesn't this one look amazing? It's a powerful story tucked into a small amount of time, but trust me, by the time you get to the end, you will be sad that it is over. To me, a sign of an exceptional novel, compelling storyline and fantastic writing. Sandra Russel Farris, you have me sold on this one.
Vernon House is part historical and past ghost story. Fans of Stephen King, James Rupart, Ted Dekker and Greg Mitchell with LOVE this short story. Jennifer Hayes is what you would call a restoration specialist and bonafide house flipper. She's been buying homes, fixing them up and selling them for a tidy profit, but in the case of Vernon House, a Queen Anne Victorian, this is a definite keeper. Despite the rumors that the house is believed to be haunted, she doesn't believe in ghosts and hopes to eventually live here once the renovations are complete. Undeterred by the noises she can't explain she uncovers a set of stairs to the attic that have been boarded up behind an old closet.
As she ventures upstairs, she finds what one would expect to find in an old attic, boxes and trunks of stuff belonging to the former owners of the home, Herbert and Rosalyn Vernon. When she opens an old domed hinged travel trunk, she finds an old wedding dress wrapped in tissue paper along with a letter. It is addressed to Mrs. Vernon and provides details that the person she wanted taken care of will no longer pose a problem and is expecting the promised payment along with vague initials R. M. It is a definite mystery to solve and soon becomes very apparent as Jennifer uncovers the murder plot of the former owner Herbert Vernon that some spirits want to ensure that secret stays dead and buried. But there are no such things as ghosts, or are there?
I received Vernon House by Sandra Farris compliments of the author herself without any monetary compensation for a favorable review. The opinions contained here are strictly my own unless otherwise noted. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and read it in just under an hour. The suspense is amazing in such a short story and really drives the momentum of the story to its cliff hanger ending of sorts, leaving the option open to continue to saga, which this reader hopes she will do in the very near future. The characters are definitely believable and my favorite hands down is Herbert Vernon. I can't wait to read many more like this in the future if Sandra Farris is expecting to expand her literary genres and easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. This book is currently available as an eBook for your favorite electronic reader at this time.
Vernon House is part historical and past ghost story. Fans of Stephen King, James Rupart, Ted Dekker and Greg Mitchell with LOVE this short story. Jennifer Hayes is what you would call a restoration specialist and bonafide house flipper. She's been buying homes, fixing them up and selling them for a tidy profit, but in the case of Vernon House, a Queen Anne Victorian, this is a definite keeper. Despite the rumors that the house is believed to be haunted, she doesn't believe in ghosts and hopes to eventually live here once the renovations are complete. Undeterred by the noises she can't explain she uncovers a set of stairs to the attic that have been boarded up behind an old closet.
As she ventures upstairs, she finds what one would expect to find in an old attic, boxes and trunks of stuff belonging to the former owners of the home, Herbert and Rosalyn Vernon. When she opens an old domed hinged travel trunk, she finds an old wedding dress wrapped in tissue paper along with a letter. It is addressed to Mrs. Vernon and provides details that the person she wanted taken care of will no longer pose a problem and is expecting the promised payment along with vague initials R. M. It is a definite mystery to solve and soon becomes very apparent as Jennifer uncovers the murder plot of the former owner Herbert Vernon that some spirits want to ensure that secret stays dead and buried. But there are no such things as ghosts, or are there?
I received Vernon House by Sandra Farris compliments of the author herself without any monetary compensation for a favorable review. The opinions contained here are strictly my own unless otherwise noted. I thoroughly enjoyed this one and read it in just under an hour. The suspense is amazing in such a short story and really drives the momentum of the story to its cliff hanger ending of sorts, leaving the option open to continue to saga, which this reader hopes she will do in the very near future. The characters are definitely believable and my favorite hands down is Herbert Vernon. I can't wait to read many more like this in the future if Sandra Farris is expecting to expand her literary genres and easily give this one a 5 out of 5 stars. This book is currently available as an eBook for your favorite electronic reader at this time.
April 12, 2015
One hour well spent
An entertaining book. It went by to quickly. I wanted more to read. It left too much opened. If you don't have a lot of time to read, this book was well worth it.
An entertaining book. It went by to quickly. I wanted more to read. It left too much opened. If you don't have a lot of time to read, this book was well worth it.
July 18, 2015
Good read....
I enjoyed this book. Definitely fast paced and a lot going on. It's hard to put down until you finish. I would have given this book 5 stars but the ending was rather disappointing...did not like the abrupt ending. It left me wanting more.
I enjoyed this book. Definitely fast paced and a lot going on. It's hard to put down until you finish. I would have given this book 5 stars but the ending was rather disappointing...did not like the abrupt ending. It left me wanting more.
August 5, 2015
I liked it
It's a nice little story. About a young lady named Jennifer that buys houses ,remodels them then resale. She falls in love with this house and keeps it for herself. Mystery and ghosts. Book is 64 pages
It's a nice little story. About a young lady named Jennifer that buys houses ,remodels them then resale. She falls in love with this house and keeps it for herself. Mystery and ghosts. Book is 64 pages
July 25, 2016
I did enjoy this story and would have given it 5 stars if not for one thing....it should have been proofread a little better.
I'm not sure if there is going to be another book taking off on where this one ended but it would be good continuing on.
I'm not sure if there is going to be another book taking off on where this one ended but it would be good continuing on.
March 29, 2015
Vernon
Jean AUSTIN LOVES ANDREA BOCELLI.
I loved this book.It kept my interest through the entire book.It was.one of the best books I've read
Jean AUSTIN LOVES ANDREA BOCELLI.
I loved this book.It kept my interest through the entire book.It was.one of the best books I've read
May 10, 2015
Too short.
Great story line. Just too short. This book should have included something about her book. It just dropped off at the end.
Great story line. Just too short. This book should have included something about her book. It just dropped off at the end.
May 27, 2015
Really good story EXCEPT for the abrupt ending. I dropped a star for that.
June 21, 2015
A quick fun read!
I enjoyed it immensely! Well written and fast paced. I enjoy a good ghost story. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.
I enjoyed it immensely! Well written and fast paced. I enjoy a good ghost story. I'm looking forward to reading more of this author.
July 16, 2015
Kudos to Sandra Farris
This was an excellent short story. The plot was intriguing and it moved a good pace. I highly recommend it.
This was an excellent short story. The plot was intriguing and it moved a good pace. I highly recommend it.
July 27, 2015
Good read
Hate the ending! Probably won't read part 2 cause it'll lead to a party 3 and so on and so on.
Hate the ending! Probably won't read part 2 cause it'll lead to a party 3 and so on and so on.
November 7, 2015
Vernon
Great book. A little different talking to ghosts but in all was a great short book. Thank you very much. BC
Great book. A little different talking to ghosts but in all was a great short book. Thank you very much. BC
May 11, 2016
Too short
Good read but ended too soon, I felt k like there was more of the story to tell, but still a good book
Good read but ended too soon, I felt k like there was more of the story to tell, but still a good book
July 25, 2016
Enjoyed Reading
This book was really good. I am going to search for another book related to this one. I liked the story line. I believe you will too.
This book was really good. I am going to search for another book related to this one. I liked the story line. I believe you will too.
August 17, 2017
The Other Negative Reviews Were Being Kind
While reading this 'book', I kept thinking that this might be the quality of writing an editor would get when reading a rough draft. The plot was not fully developed and the writing was disjointed. There were several instances where scene transitions were required but completely missing. Some authors go into too much detail, but this author doesn't waste time or words on any. There was no character development, no explanation for certain circumstances. There were more failures in this book than I have ever encountered in a single book in my life.
This author and editor (if there was one) should fire each other. Even if presented as a first rough draft, there would have been a tremendous amount of work to be done before I would consider this potential book material. I cannot believe this writing got published and was sold as a book. I've read some good books for 99 cents. This one wasn't even worth that price. And the ending! Are you kidding me? I suspect it was intended to be intriguing but it fell flat. That is an ending I would expect from a 12 year old.
I am normally not this critical; I like a book or I don't, for various reasons. This book had all the ingredients I like, old house getting fixed up, hidden rooms, attic exploration, murders in the past, and ghosts. But the writing was amateur to the point of total distraction. I am not a writer but I don't believe Sandra Farris is either because I have no doubt I could have done better. The one good thing about this book - it was short. Suffering was not prolonged.
While reading this 'book', I kept thinking that this might be the quality of writing an editor would get when reading a rough draft. The plot was not fully developed and the writing was disjointed. There were several instances where scene transitions were required but completely missing. Some authors go into too much detail, but this author doesn't waste time or words on any. There was no character development, no explanation for certain circumstances. There were more failures in this book than I have ever encountered in a single book in my life.
This author and editor (if there was one) should fire each other. Even if presented as a first rough draft, there would have been a tremendous amount of work to be done before I would consider this potential book material. I cannot believe this writing got published and was sold as a book. I've read some good books for 99 cents. This one wasn't even worth that price. And the ending! Are you kidding me? I suspect it was intended to be intriguing but it fell flat. That is an ending I would expect from a 12 year old.
I am normally not this critical; I like a book or I don't, for various reasons. This book had all the ingredients I like, old house getting fixed up, hidden rooms, attic exploration, murders in the past, and ghosts. But the writing was amateur to the point of total distraction. I am not a writer but I don't believe Sandra Farris is either because I have no doubt I could have done better. The one good thing about this book - it was short. Suffering was not prolonged.
January 6, 2021
All I can say about this one is yikes. It reads like something a middle school writer would draft for a first time story writing assignment. Characters are one-dimensional, the pacing is frenetic and confusing, plot points bleed into one another too rapidly to allow the reader to feel anything. It's short, so I didn't waste too much of my time, but man was this a snoozefest.
June 5, 2016
It could have been good.
This book could have been a good read. There seemed to be so many thoughts that landed with a splat when there was no exploration of the idea. Characters were hard to bond with; they appeared without a back story or much of a reason to carry the plot and then the were cemented as important without a reason why.
Specifics were stated then an opposition became a part of the plot. The main character states she is a sceptic, but when she encounters a ghost there is no surprise or fear. Her encounter is matter of fact and setting boundaries. I would have loved to see any part of the plot flushed out.
I felt had I read a writer's journal, and while the idea was great...it was just the start and not more than a journal entry
This book could have been a good read. There seemed to be so many thoughts that landed with a splat when there was no exploration of the idea. Characters were hard to bond with; they appeared without a back story or much of a reason to carry the plot and then the were cemented as important without a reason why.
Specifics were stated then an opposition became a part of the plot. The main character states she is a sceptic, but when she encounters a ghost there is no surprise or fear. Her encounter is matter of fact and setting boundaries. I would have loved to see any part of the plot flushed out.
I felt had I read a writer's journal, and while the idea was great...it was just the start and not more than a journal entry
October 1, 2016
Was this supposed to be scary or funny?
I gave this book an extra star only because the first few chapters were fairly good. After that, it was plain silly. It's as a grown up wrote the first 20 pages then handed it off to a teenager. The mystery was solved before the halfway mark and the appearance of "Casper" the friendly ghost made me laugh out loud.
This book broke the first and foremost rule of writing, show, don't tell. Things just happened all at once there was no transition between times, no back story regarding the main protagonist, and then it just ended. I sincerely hope the author is not planning to make this into a series, because if so, she may have better luck marketing this book to teens. Can not in good conscious recommend this book.
I gave this book an extra star only because the first few chapters were fairly good. After that, it was plain silly. It's as a grown up wrote the first 20 pages then handed it off to a teenager. The mystery was solved before the halfway mark and the appearance of "Casper" the friendly ghost made me laugh out loud.
This book broke the first and foremost rule of writing, show, don't tell. Things just happened all at once there was no transition between times, no back story regarding the main protagonist, and then it just ended. I sincerely hope the author is not planning to make this into a series, because if so, she may have better luck marketing this book to teens. Can not in good conscious recommend this book.
August 15, 2015
Great premise, interesting characters and I loved the setting. The few issues I had with the book: it was WAY too short, the dialogue and vocabulary choices of Herbert were far too modern at times and Beth's reactions to stunning situations were far too blasé. Hopefully there will be a longer book 2 that ties up loose ends! Entertaining read :)
April 10, 2016
Short but Sweet
This story isn't really scary but it is a good read. It got my attention right away and I really liked the idea of Jennifer buying the Vernon House to live in. I enjoyed this story very much.
kozettekaysmith
This story isn't really scary but it is a good read. It got my attention right away and I really liked the idea of Jennifer buying the Vernon House to live in. I enjoyed this story very much.
kozettekaysmith
January 6, 2016
This book has a good story line however it leaves a lot to the imagination. The characters do not tie tighter well. A lot of skipping to something else leaving lose ends.
October 23, 2016
.
A very good read it held my to the end. I only wish it was longer. Didn't like the way it ended. Would have liked the story to continue. Great ghost story
A very good read it held my to the end. I only wish it was longer. Didn't like the way it ended. Would have liked the story to continue. Great ghost story
January 12, 2017
This was an excellent way to end off the year. Two of my favorite genres, mystery and ghosts combined. Well written short story, a must for anyone with this interest.
April 23, 2017
Great Story
Interesting and very well written. I most certainly would recommend this book to family and friends alike!!!!!!! I loved the story.:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Interesting and very well written. I most certainly would recommend this book to family and friends alike!!!!!!! I loved the story.:-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-) :-)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews