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Dark Spirits: The Crone
She has waited for centuries…
The Crone is more than a ghost story. More than a whispered legend meant to frighten children. She is real—and she is hunting.
When paranormal investigator Jodie Callaghan is approached by a shadowy group claiming to know the truth, she is drawn into a chilling search for an entity whose power defies reason.
Caught in a dangerous web of rituals, relics, and guarded secrets, Jodie soon learns that The Crone’s reach is growing… and nowhere is safe.
Book Two in the Dark Spirits series.
The Crone is more than a ghost story. More than a whispered legend meant to frighten children. She is real—and she is hunting.
When paranormal investigator Jodie Callaghan is approached by a shadowy group claiming to know the truth, she is drawn into a chilling search for an entity whose power defies reason.
Caught in a dangerous web of rituals, relics, and guarded secrets, Jodie soon learns that The Crone’s reach is growing… and nowhere is safe.
Book Two in the Dark Spirits series.
- GenresHorror
270 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 26, 2025
123 people are currently reading
74 people want to read
About the author
Lee Mountford
64 books1,093 followersI am an author with a huge love of horror.
Of course, other genres float my boat as well; Sci-Fi, Thrillers, pretty much any Dark Fiction, but Horror is what I call home.
My first novel, Horror in the Woods, was released on in May 2017, and the second, The Demonic, on the the following July hitting multiple best seller lists. Since then, I have authored a number of horror novels that have terrified fans for the past few years.
You can find out more about me on my website, but also, don't forget to claim your FREE ebooks
: http://eepurl.com/dIaS0r
- Lee
Of course, other genres float my boat as well; Sci-Fi, Thrillers, pretty much any Dark Fiction, but Horror is what I call home.
My first novel, Horror in the Woods, was released on in May 2017, and the second, The Demonic, on the the following July hitting multiple best seller lists. Since then, I have authored a number of horror novels that have terrified fans for the past few years.
You can find out more about me on my website, but also, don't forget to claim your FREE ebooks
: http://eepurl.com/dIaS0r
- Lee
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
January 25, 2026
This book was honestly even better than the watcher, and I gave that one 5 stars too!
The crone follows on really well, Jodie has found herself with a dark spirits attached to her in the soul vessel and she has a lot of questions for the mysterious Percival Ellerman and his organisation. He sends her on a mission with heather, a hunter for the organisations, Jodie must shadow her and prove her worth to Percival. Heather and Jodie venture to aviemore in search of the crones lair to trap her in heathers soul vessel, sounds simple enough. However we know from Jodie’s experience in son’s hall it will be anything but. Will they find the crone? Will they escape unscathed? Will Jodie find the answers she seeks?
Lee Mountford is honestly such an amazing author, the crone will take you on an adrenaline fuelled journey with plenty of very spooky, skin crawling moments. Emily well written and a really great page turner. Highly recommend
The crone follows on really well, Jodie has found herself with a dark spirits attached to her in the soul vessel and she has a lot of questions for the mysterious Percival Ellerman and his organisation. He sends her on a mission with heather, a hunter for the organisations, Jodie must shadow her and prove her worth to Percival. Heather and Jodie venture to aviemore in search of the crones lair to trap her in heathers soul vessel, sounds simple enough. However we know from Jodie’s experience in son’s hall it will be anything but. Will they find the crone? Will they escape unscathed? Will Jodie find the answers she seeks?
Lee Mountford is honestly such an amazing author, the crone will take you on an adrenaline fuelled journey with plenty of very spooky, skin crawling moments. Emily well written and a really great page turner. Highly recommend
August 26, 2025
We continue this story with Jodie getting into a car with Mr Percival, whom she spoke to after she had escaped Parson Hall. She doesn’t know or understand what is happening is there is an unspoken organisation she has never heard of. But this is one journey she wished she probably shouldn’t have gone on. Read the book to find out what happens. (Possible Spoilers below) Don’t continue reading after here!!!
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Jodie and Heather are sent on a mission to try and possibly catch another spirit. The Crone in a dark and dank creepy forest. You wouldn’t catch me there, not knowing what would jump out at you, arghhh. Things that were planned didn’t happen that way of throwing a spanner in the works. It had so much tension all the way through, making me feel anxious and jumpy. Also, it was frighteningly creepy, even though I felt claustrophobic for the character’s whilst reading I was feeling awfully uncomfortable, oh dear 😱😨👻👻. I couldn’t read this book any faster than I could read it. It was calling to me even when I wasn’t reading. The author’s interweaves you from one page to another, to chapter to another, then THE END.
Also, you know you get that feeling when you think about what could possibly go wrong, I tell you, it hit the fan!!! I read this book in a few sittings, which is good for me, WHOOSH, WHOOSH book finished in no time at all.
This author has now produced another very addictive series, leaving my longing for the next instalment, OH NO YOU CAN’T LEAVE IT THERE!!!. I need to know what happens next now. Tap, Tap, Tappity waiting. Brilliant read. I loved it. Roll on to the next in this series. Loved it. Did I say that, lol ❤️❤️❤️
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Jodie and Heather are sent on a mission to try and possibly catch another spirit. The Crone in a dark and dank creepy forest. You wouldn’t catch me there, not knowing what would jump out at you, arghhh. Things that were planned didn’t happen that way of throwing a spanner in the works. It had so much tension all the way through, making me feel anxious and jumpy. Also, it was frighteningly creepy, even though I felt claustrophobic for the character’s whilst reading I was feeling awfully uncomfortable, oh dear 😱😨👻👻. I couldn’t read this book any faster than I could read it. It was calling to me even when I wasn’t reading. The author’s interweaves you from one page to another, to chapter to another, then THE END.
Also, you know you get that feeling when you think about what could possibly go wrong, I tell you, it hit the fan!!! I read this book in a few sittings, which is good for me, WHOOSH, WHOOSH book finished in no time at all.
This author has now produced another very addictive series, leaving my longing for the next instalment, OH NO YOU CAN’T LEAVE IT THERE!!!. I need to know what happens next now. Tap, Tap, Tappity waiting. Brilliant read. I loved it. Roll on to the next in this series. Loved it. Did I say that, lol ❤️❤️❤️
February 18, 2026
I used to be a hard core fan of Lee. Hence, I was more livid in reading this "bland" book.
There was not a single climax: it was like the author threw a bit of information but then it did not reach anywhere: just more questions, lengthening the series unnecessarily. In fact, those who have read every single book of Lee may concur with me that the motif in this horror story was similar: there will be something big (even the devil itself, the cosmic entity, something behemoth, literally and figuratively) waiting at the end. Yet, before we reach that end, there will be many more books filling the gap.
I do not understand why the Crone received high ratings because when I compared it back to back with the previous one, it was just the same: a ritual, some form of "boss" monster, but then "She sees you". Yeah, that "she". Did we have any more information than that?
None. Nil. Zero.
Three stars is already a "mercy".
There was not a single climax: it was like the author threw a bit of information but then it did not reach anywhere: just more questions, lengthening the series unnecessarily. In fact, those who have read every single book of Lee may concur with me that the motif in this horror story was similar: there will be something big (even the devil itself, the cosmic entity, something behemoth, literally and figuratively) waiting at the end. Yet, before we reach that end, there will be many more books filling the gap.
I do not understand why the Crone received high ratings because when I compared it back to back with the previous one, it was just the same: a ritual, some form of "boss" monster, but then "She sees you". Yeah, that "she". Did we have any more information than that?
None. Nil. Zero.
Three stars is already a "mercy".
August 26, 2025
After her traumatic experience at Parson House, Jodie Callaghan is rescued by a Mr Ellerman and is compelled to join his organisation of spirit hunters. First she has to prove herself and is sent on a mission with Heather, an experienced hunter. They are now on the trail of the legendary dark spirit known as the Crone. The plot is artfully crafted with an eerie dark forest and a description of dark entities controlled by the Crone who is a powerful and formidable witch. Can Jodie and Heather even survive against such odds? I was completely enthralled by this page turner which was chilling to the extreme.
September 22, 2025
Lee is the best horror author 😍 Every book of his I pick up I'm immediately drawn in, and this series is no exception. I get a lot of vibes like I did with The Haunted series with this one, which I absolutely love! The plot is there, the creepy factor is on point, and it draws you in and doesn't let you go! Well done,Lee! You have done it again! I cant wait for book 3 to come out 👻
October 16, 2025
Really enjoyed The Crone and can’t wait to get stuck into the next book in the series when it’s available.
I think I preferred this to The Watcher namely as I loved the duo of Heather and Jodie. I think the next book will certainly be interesting and hope we get more information on who ‘Her’ is!!
4 stars, kindle unlimited read, so free to read if you subscribe to the service.
I think I preferred this to The Watcher namely as I loved the duo of Heather and Jodie. I think the next book will certainly be interesting and hope we get more information on who ‘Her’ is!!
4 stars, kindle unlimited read, so free to read if you subscribe to the service.
December 4, 2025
Outstanding
Another great read from Lee Mountford. After reading the Parron series, I was hesitant thinking how could he write another series as good as that. But he has, and so far Dark Spirits has not disappointed. I really enjoy Mr. Mountford's style of writing, and highly recommend his books for all lovers of horror/action.
Another great read from Lee Mountford. After reading the Parron series, I was hesitant thinking how could he write another series as good as that. But he has, and so far Dark Spirits has not disappointed. I really enjoy Mr. Mountford's style of writing, and highly recommend his books for all lovers of horror/action.
September 9, 2025
Kept my toes curled an on edge
The drone was, on the edge, page turning or swiping my kindle 😁 fast to see what was going to happen next! Now got to wait for the next one to find out who "She" is!!!
The drone was, on the edge, page turning or swiping my kindle 😁 fast to see what was going to happen next! Now got to wait for the next one to find out who "She" is!!!
October 3, 2025
fun read!
I’ve read both of the books in this series. They’re both very good quick reads. I really enjoy reading scary stories that lack gore and give my over stimulated brain a break.
I’ve read both of the books in this series. They’re both very good quick reads. I really enjoy reading scary stories that lack gore and give my over stimulated brain a break.
December 24, 2025
As good as the Haunted series!!
Love this series, I’m totally hooked! I’m really looking forward to the rest of the books coming out. The third one just came out, I’ts going to be hard to not binge read it like I did the first two
Love this series, I’m totally hooked! I’m really looking forward to the rest of the books coming out. The third one just came out, I’ts going to be hard to not binge read it like I did the first two
January 14, 2026
Fast read
Book two is even better than book 1...I couldn't put this book down!! I love Lee Mountfords books. There hasn't been a book I haven't liked, so far!!! Can't wait to read book 3!!
Book two is even better than book 1...I couldn't put this book down!! I love Lee Mountfords books. There hasn't been a book I haven't liked, so far!!! Can't wait to read book 3!!
September 2, 2025
Roll on book 3 :)
September 12, 2025
Another absolutely amazing story!
Hunting dark spirits in the woods in the middle of nowhere! Can the girls get the dark spirit of the Crone? Will they survive?
Hunting dark spirits in the woods in the middle of nowhere! Can the girls get the dark spirit of the Crone? Will they survive?
September 30, 2025
scary good
I love to camp but may have to rethink any future trips to the uncharted forest. No fancy yurts or mobile homes…no security or company… my idea of a fun camp out! Enjoy
I love to camp but may have to rethink any future trips to the uncharted forest. No fancy yurts or mobile homes…no security or company… my idea of a fun camp out! Enjoy
October 17, 2025
Loved it!!! I need book 3!!!
October 20, 2025
Awesome
This book was as good as the first. Can't wait to see if there is
another to the series. If can't wait for it to come out!
This book was as good as the first. Can't wait to see if there is
another to the series. If can't wait for it to come out!
November 18, 2025
the only disappointment I felt is that I have to wait for Lee Mountford to write the next book in the series.
January 22, 2026
very intense
This book had me frightened at some points. Very good book. Had to put it down one night when my hubby was gone. It scared me 😀
This book had me frightened at some points. Very good book. Had to put it down one night when my hubby was gone. It scared me 😀
December 28, 2025
In book two of the series we get to know more about the group Jodie has fallen into. As Jodie is put to the test we are subject to another source of evil whilst we also learn a little about each of the group members. A little bit goes a long way to draw you in, again with engaging writing and interesting characters. Looking forward to book three!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews