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The House on Chestnut Circle
“Fans of a suspenseful whodunit with elements of the supernatural will take to this book with enthusiasm.” — US Review of Books
After pulling up stakes and relocating to be near his son, Trent Cooper takes up residence in a fifty-year-old house by an abandoned grove of blighted trees. It’s an aging neighborhood, full of mostly widows, widowers, and retired couples. Although the only sound likely to be heard there now is the sigh of the wind sweeping through the empty streets where gangs of children and block parties and potluck cookouts once reigned, the sturdy homes themselves have stood the test of time and still remain. But Trent's house has a tragic past, and it isn't long before he finds himself plunged into the mystery of what happened to a previous occupant twenty-five years before.
The House on Chestnut Circle is a story of regret and enduring love, of a man haunted by past events and choices, and of his search for the truth—and for redemption.
Revised Edition
After pulling up stakes and relocating to be near his son, Trent Cooper takes up residence in a fifty-year-old house by an abandoned grove of blighted trees. It’s an aging neighborhood, full of mostly widows, widowers, and retired couples. Although the only sound likely to be heard there now is the sigh of the wind sweeping through the empty streets where gangs of children and block parties and potluck cookouts once reigned, the sturdy homes themselves have stood the test of time and still remain. But Trent's house has a tragic past, and it isn't long before he finds himself plunged into the mystery of what happened to a previous occupant twenty-five years before.
The House on Chestnut Circle is a story of regret and enduring love, of a man haunted by past events and choices, and of his search for the truth—and for redemption.
Revised Edition
299 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 2, 2025
About the author
Sharon Mikeworth
8 books7 followersAward-winning author Sharon Mikeworth was born in South Carolina, where she resides today. Before discovering her passion for storytelling, she worked as a computer programmer, instructor, and tutor. Among other novels, she is the author of Into the Mist, which won the Literary Titan Gold Award; Flight 3108, a Finalist in the Eric Hoffer Awards; and Restoration, which was named the Bronze Award winner in the Reader Views Reader Choice Awards. In her spare time, she can sometimes be found hiking and canoeing in the nearby Blue Ridge Mountains.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 9, 2026
When recently divorced Trent Cooper relocates to Chestnut Circle to be closer to his son and his ex-wife, he expects to get his freelancing career in order, get the house in good shape, and spend time with his son. But between the scuffling in the attic, distressing phone calls at night, and the nosy neighbor, Trent wonders if he made a mistake moving there.
He knows very little about the man who had lived in his home before—only that he’d taken his life, and he’d been lonely and estranged from his girlfriend. But Trent senses there is more to the story when he finds out the girlfriend wasn’t estranged; she disappeared. The tight-knit community seems nervous and reticent to talk to Trent about it. Still, he presses on, determined to uncover what happened to this woman.
But someone isn’t happy with Trent’s digging, and if he doesn’t watch his back, he’ll be next to disappear.
“The House on Chestnut Circle” by Sharon Mikeworth is a chilling thriller, teeming with supernatural elements. Mikeworth has penned an absorbing novel that will keep readers up at night, desperate to unlock the truth and trembling at every eerie noise. As Trent deals with the crumbling of his marriage, he becomes entrenched in an unsolved domestic case that happened right in his very home over two decades ago.
There are so many things to love about this book, but the author’s ability to build palpable fear is unmatchable. The shuffling upstairs, the shrill of the phone ringing, and the chilling revelations that Trent made captured my undivided attention, so much so that I only stopped reading when I heard a peculiar thumping that gradually increased in volume. After a mini panic attack and suspecting an intruder, I laughed at myself when it became clear that the aggressive pounding was actually my heart hammering in my chest. Needless to say, I was completely invested in Trent’s plight, and the author easily transported me to the frightening house on Chestnut Circle.
Beyond the creepy factor, Mikeworth has excelled at creating a well-developed, deeply flawed main character who added dimension to the story. Trent wrestled with the guilt of his indiscretions, ultimately leading to the breakdown of his family, and I couldn’t help but root for him to make things right. Perhaps Trent’s shame subconsciously compelled him to become immersed in solving this mystery as a way of redeeming himself. Trent has a marked character evolution from a passive, self-pitying man to a man with considerable mental (and physical) fortitude who faces obstacles head-on.
If you enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes along with thrilling whodunit books that send shivers down your spine, Sharon Mikeworth’s The House on Chestnut Circle would be an excellent choice. Mikeworth’s fast-paced plot, high tensions, and character-driven writing make for an unforgettable reading experience. Propulsive, haunting, and immersive—worthy of five stars!
He knows very little about the man who had lived in his home before—only that he’d taken his life, and he’d been lonely and estranged from his girlfriend. But Trent senses there is more to the story when he finds out the girlfriend wasn’t estranged; she disappeared. The tight-knit community seems nervous and reticent to talk to Trent about it. Still, he presses on, determined to uncover what happened to this woman.
But someone isn’t happy with Trent’s digging, and if he doesn’t watch his back, he’ll be next to disappear.
“The House on Chestnut Circle” by Sharon Mikeworth is a chilling thriller, teeming with supernatural elements. Mikeworth has penned an absorbing novel that will keep readers up at night, desperate to unlock the truth and trembling at every eerie noise. As Trent deals with the crumbling of his marriage, he becomes entrenched in an unsolved domestic case that happened right in his very home over two decades ago.
There are so many things to love about this book, but the author’s ability to build palpable fear is unmatchable. The shuffling upstairs, the shrill of the phone ringing, and the chilling revelations that Trent made captured my undivided attention, so much so that I only stopped reading when I heard a peculiar thumping that gradually increased in volume. After a mini panic attack and suspecting an intruder, I laughed at myself when it became clear that the aggressive pounding was actually my heart hammering in my chest. Needless to say, I was completely invested in Trent’s plight, and the author easily transported me to the frightening house on Chestnut Circle.
Beyond the creepy factor, Mikeworth has excelled at creating a well-developed, deeply flawed main character who added dimension to the story. Trent wrestled with the guilt of his indiscretions, ultimately leading to the breakdown of his family, and I couldn’t help but root for him to make things right. Perhaps Trent’s shame subconsciously compelled him to become immersed in solving this mystery as a way of redeeming himself. Trent has a marked character evolution from a passive, self-pitying man to a man with considerable mental (and physical) fortitude who faces obstacles head-on.
If you enjoy the adrenaline rush that comes along with thrilling whodunit books that send shivers down your spine, Sharon Mikeworth’s The House on Chestnut Circle would be an excellent choice. Mikeworth’s fast-paced plot, high tensions, and character-driven writing make for an unforgettable reading experience. Propulsive, haunting, and immersive—worthy of five stars!
February 8, 2026
Sharon Mikeworth’s The House on Chestnut Circle is a masterful exploration of grief, secrets, and redemption wrapped in a haunting narrative. Trent Cooper’s new beginning in a faded neighborhood is interrupted by eerie noises and unsettling discoveries related to the house’s history. The disappearance of Valerie Summers remains an unresolved mystery that gradually unfolds through Trent’s investigations. Mikeworth’s descriptive prose vividly captures the ambiance of decay and nostalgia, enhancing the story’s mood. The characters feel genuine, especially the elderly neighbors who represent fading communities and quiet resilience. The novel’s themes of deception, aging, and the weight of long-buried secrets are handled with sensitivity and suspense. This story kept me captivated, blending realism with a touch of horror, making it a truly memorable read.
February 8, 2026
The House on Chestnut Circle by Sharon Mikeworth is a fascinating blend of psychological suspense and subtle horror. Trent Cooper moves to a decaying neighborhood in an attempt at renewal after a turbulent marriage, but the house’s dark history pulls him into a web of secrets. The mysterious disappearance of Valerie Summers, twenty-five years prior, is a chilling plot point that moves the story forward. Mikeworth’s vivid imagery paints an atmospheric setting that feels both haunting and real, and I felt wrapped up in Trent’s lonely world. I enjoyed the great characterization, the pathos, and the exceptional writing. The story is told in an engrossing first-person voice that reflects the psyche of Trent.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews