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The Haunting of Ebonlight
Some doors should never be opened.
When Maya Sinclair steps into the halls of Ebonlight, an old Victoria Mansion and former New Age retreat, she tells herself she doesn’t believe in ghosts. As a pathologist, she trusts evidence — not whispers in the dark. But the house on this private island holds more than just secrets to her sister’s death.
Damien Cross, a professor of questionable theories, insists Ebonlight sits on a portal between life and what waits beyond. He wants to preserve Maya's sister's research, claiming Luna was on the brink of a breakthrough. A breakthrough to what?
Maya reluctantly agrees to help Damien. Drawn into strange rituals and haunting visions, She begins questioning her preconceived ideas about the search for enlightenment. But continuing her sister's research means stepping into a world that defies logic and carries disturbing consequences.
As Damien weaves his web, she begins to fear the that Ebonlight isn’t just haunted… it wants her to finish what her sister started. — To open the portal.
The Haunting of Ebonlight is a chilling gothic suspense novel perfect for fans of Simone St. James, Jennifer McMahon, and C.J. Cooke — with a haunting coastal setting, supernatural mystery, and dark, slow-burn romantic tension that lingers long after the last page.
When Maya Sinclair steps into the halls of Ebonlight, an old Victoria Mansion and former New Age retreat, she tells herself she doesn’t believe in ghosts. As a pathologist, she trusts evidence — not whispers in the dark. But the house on this private island holds more than just secrets to her sister’s death.
Damien Cross, a professor of questionable theories, insists Ebonlight sits on a portal between life and what waits beyond. He wants to preserve Maya's sister's research, claiming Luna was on the brink of a breakthrough. A breakthrough to what?
Maya reluctantly agrees to help Damien. Drawn into strange rituals and haunting visions, She begins questioning her preconceived ideas about the search for enlightenment. But continuing her sister's research means stepping into a world that defies logic and carries disturbing consequences.
As Damien weaves his web, she begins to fear the that Ebonlight isn’t just haunted… it wants her to finish what her sister started. — To open the portal.
The Haunting of Ebonlight is a chilling gothic suspense novel perfect for fans of Simone St. James, Jennifer McMahon, and C.J. Cooke — with a haunting coastal setting, supernatural mystery, and dark, slow-burn romantic tension that lingers long after the last page.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 30, 2025
2 people are currently reading
9 people want to read
About the author
Judy Leslie
19 books77 followersWho doesn’t love a good story? Judy Leslie's story starts in the vibrant city of Pasadena, California, where she grew up in a family as unique as they come. Her mother, a farm girl drawn to the allure of Hollywood, and her father, a charismatic Texan with talents in dance, art, and photography, provided a childhood filled with diverse influences. Her extended family was no less interesting, featuring a successful aunt who broke barriers as a gay interior designer and an uncle who worked as a chauffeur for Hollywood stars, among others. This colorful family backdrop offered Judy endless material for her future stories.
By the age of 20, Judy had moved to Bellingham, Washington, a cozy coastal town that seemed to whisper stories from its every nook. Running Yesteryear Antiques, her days began with the crackle of logs in the woodstove and the brewing of morning coffee, a routine that grounded her in simplicity and sparked her creative mind.
Her next chapter unfolded in a quaint beach cottage on the Lummi Indian reservation. This tranquil spot, where night mysteries seemed to merge with the ocean's rhythm, inspired the Cook’s Cove collection. Here, Judy's real-life experiences blended with her imagination, creating tales where mystery and romance seamlessly intertwined.
Judy's life also included dating a successful musician and living abroad, adding layers to her personal narrative. She has traveled extensively across the United States, exploring numerous small towns while riding on the back of her husband's Harley motorcycle.
Now, Judy splits her time between a home near Seattle and a cabin in Leavenworth, Washington, a place buzzing with Bavarian charm and outdoor activities. This contrast of settings continues to fuel her writing, inspiring her to explore stories about a family's search not for adventure or riches, but for a deep, enduring love – as timeless and profound as the mountains that surround her mountain retreat.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
December 13, 2025
'Once I descend, there will be no turning back. Not because I can't physically return, but because the woman who walks down these steps won't be the same one who climbs back up.'
Maya Sinclair is a pathologist who sees the world through a lens of evidence and logic, but when her sister Luna mysteriously vanishes, she finds herself longing for answers about Luna’s death. Her search leads her to the Ebonlight Estate - a former retreat for enlightenment - which belonged to her sister at the time of her disappearance.
There are many rumors about the mansion being haunted: people never return the same… if they return at all. Maya doesn’t believe in ghosts, but when she meets Damien Cross - who insists Ebonlight sits on a portal between dimensions - she is drawn into a dangerous quest, uncovering dark, ancient secrets surrounding this private estate.
As Damien weaves his web, Maya begins to question her sanity. She fears the truth: Ebonlight isn’t just haunted… it wants her to finish whatever her sister started.
4⭐️ | Wauw, this is a very well-written novel, extremely fast-paced. I read this in two sittings and absolutely loved it! This book pulled me in from the very first chapter, I didn’t even notice the pages flying by. If you like a haunting coastal setting with supernatural mystery and a slow-burn romantic tension, this one has to be your next read!
Maya Sinclair is a pathologist who sees the world through a lens of evidence and logic, but when her sister Luna mysteriously vanishes, she finds herself longing for answers about Luna’s death. Her search leads her to the Ebonlight Estate - a former retreat for enlightenment - which belonged to her sister at the time of her disappearance.
There are many rumors about the mansion being haunted: people never return the same… if they return at all. Maya doesn’t believe in ghosts, but when she meets Damien Cross - who insists Ebonlight sits on a portal between dimensions - she is drawn into a dangerous quest, uncovering dark, ancient secrets surrounding this private estate.
As Damien weaves his web, Maya begins to question her sanity. She fears the truth: Ebonlight isn’t just haunted… it wants her to finish whatever her sister started.
4⭐️ | Wauw, this is a very well-written novel, extremely fast-paced. I read this in two sittings and absolutely loved it! This book pulled me in from the very first chapter, I didn’t even notice the pages flying by. If you like a haunting coastal setting with supernatural mystery and a slow-burn romantic tension, this one has to be your next read!
December 14, 2025
The Haunting of Ebonlight explores not just paranormal hauntings, but the internal haunting felt from repressed guilt and grief. The book reflects on the choices we make when facing these emotions - giving into them or learning to forgive ourselves. The novel also addresses strained familial relationships and regret over what was left unsaid.
The book also explores our belief systems and how new ideas can contradict what we have always thought as factual. Maya's experiences at Ebonlight make her question that which she has believed and she is encouraged to open her mind and expand her perceptions of reality.
Overall, this novel is a paranormal, suspenseful experience on the surface, layered with much deeper and thought provoking themes.
Character development is slow, but crafted well. The detail focused on the setting is perfect because I could truly picture the house and the island it is on.
I enjoyed the unreliable role that Damien plays - both by his own admission and the distrust Maya has in him.
If you are looking for a true haunting book with suspense and thrill - this is not entirely that. If you are looking for a novel that has hints of suspense but with a sci-fi feel where consciousness is concerned (and a creepy vibe), this novel would fit that bill.
Thank you Booksirens and Judy Leslie for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily.
The book also explores our belief systems and how new ideas can contradict what we have always thought as factual. Maya's experiences at Ebonlight make her question that which she has believed and she is encouraged to open her mind and expand her perceptions of reality.
Overall, this novel is a paranormal, suspenseful experience on the surface, layered with much deeper and thought provoking themes.
Character development is slow, but crafted well. The detail focused on the setting is perfect because I could truly picture the house and the island it is on.
I enjoyed the unreliable role that Damien plays - both by his own admission and the distrust Maya has in him.
If you are looking for a true haunting book with suspense and thrill - this is not entirely that. If you are looking for a novel that has hints of suspense but with a sci-fi feel where consciousness is concerned (and a creepy vibe), this novel would fit that bill.
Thank you Booksirens and Judy Leslie for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily.
January 17, 2026
This book was quite interesting. The main character was just wanting to go back to her ordered life after her sister’s death. When arriving at the property, Mara began experiencing strange occurrences and random people began to arrive at the house; which only made Mara more uncomfortable. The author did a really good job of making the reader feel as though they are experiencing the same situations the characters feel. The metaphysical world is very complex to me. This book made some things less confusing.
September 29, 2025
nosce te ipsum
‘the house feels unsettled, like it knows I’ve started digging’..[ ..]
Oh my days, what have I just been reading?!
As a devoted fan of Shirley Jackson's writing, I expected this to be a typical haunted house tale. I was so very wrong! This story really scared me to death, but at the same time I found it exciting and fascinating and I wanted to keep on reading until the very end (and that ending, wow).
This story scared me so much that at times I didn't even dare to go upstairs. That occurred on two previous occasions: with the film The Ring, and when I was young with the series Children of the Stones (nothing better than this has ever been made..).
This tale joins this list of its illustrious predecessors…
I am convinced that there is more to life than meets the eye, and that certain places hold a special significance. I lived in the Avebury area of the UK for a while. Personally, I am similar to Maya in that I am not particularly interested in the New Age movement or any of its associated nonsense. I require evidence, and even then I remain sceptical for a long time. Nevertheless, I have always had a constant fascination for the cultural aspects of shamanism and the myths of First Nation people and Aboriginal Dreamtime and the like.
The story tells the story of Maya going in search of her sister Luna, who seems to have vanished from the face of the earth, only leaving behind a pendant and a diary.
Luna had set up some kind of a retreat on an island with the aim of healing traumatised people, by means of ritual dances, chants, herbal medicine, and altered states of consciousness to focus on ‘restoring’ mind and body. At least, that's what it seems like at first. I won't say any more, because that would give away the plot.
When I discovered Luna and Damien's true motives, I was really shocked; I am team Vera, and I was tempted to yell at my Kindle telling Maya to stop and catch the first boat home. She should have listened, all the signs were there, but I guess love is blind.
I couldn't understand how Maya, an analytical thinker and scientist, could fall under Damien's spell so easily. Nice name, by the way.
This story is so well written that it was impossible to put it down. It is eerie and scary, fascinating and exciting at the same time, inviting the reader to abandon preconceived ideas about the ego and what happens when you let go of everything. One of the best supernatural horror stories I've read in years. I eagerly await the sequel, which I hope to be able to read as well.
A 5+ star rating. Fabulous and I am in for some more please. 🌷
‘the house feels unsettled, like it knows I’ve started digging’..[ ..]
Oh my days, what have I just been reading?!
As a devoted fan of Shirley Jackson's writing, I expected this to be a typical haunted house tale. I was so very wrong! This story really scared me to death, but at the same time I found it exciting and fascinating and I wanted to keep on reading until the very end (and that ending, wow).
This story scared me so much that at times I didn't even dare to go upstairs. That occurred on two previous occasions: with the film The Ring, and when I was young with the series Children of the Stones (nothing better than this has ever been made..).
This tale joins this list of its illustrious predecessors…
I am convinced that there is more to life than meets the eye, and that certain places hold a special significance. I lived in the Avebury area of the UK for a while. Personally, I am similar to Maya in that I am not particularly interested in the New Age movement or any of its associated nonsense. I require evidence, and even then I remain sceptical for a long time. Nevertheless, I have always had a constant fascination for the cultural aspects of shamanism and the myths of First Nation people and Aboriginal Dreamtime and the like.
The story tells the story of Maya going in search of her sister Luna, who seems to have vanished from the face of the earth, only leaving behind a pendant and a diary.
Luna had set up some kind of a retreat on an island with the aim of healing traumatised people, by means of ritual dances, chants, herbal medicine, and altered states of consciousness to focus on ‘restoring’ mind and body. At least, that's what it seems like at first. I won't say any more, because that would give away the plot.
When I discovered Luna and Damien's true motives, I was really shocked; I am team Vera, and I was tempted to yell at my Kindle telling Maya to stop and catch the first boat home. She should have listened, all the signs were there, but I guess love is blind.
I couldn't understand how Maya, an analytical thinker and scientist, could fall under Damien's spell so easily. Nice name, by the way.
This story is so well written that it was impossible to put it down. It is eerie and scary, fascinating and exciting at the same time, inviting the reader to abandon preconceived ideas about the ego and what happens when you let go of everything. One of the best supernatural horror stories I've read in years. I eagerly await the sequel, which I hope to be able to read as well.
A 5+ star rating. Fabulous and I am in for some more please. 🌷
January 20, 2026
⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ 4.5 rounded up to 5
Thank you to Booksirens and Judy Leslie for a story that was written so well and kept me fully locked in.
📝 Short Summary
The Haunting of Ebonlight pulled me into a tense, eerie story with characters that actually felt real. Between the atmosphere, the emotional weight, and the relationships, this one held my attention the entire time and had me genuinely invested in what was happening.
Review
This book was such a good time for me because it hit that perfect balance of being unsettling and intense while still giving me characters I truly cared about. Judy Leslie’s writing was smooth and easy to fall into, and I never had to push myself to keep going. I wanted to keep reading. The pacing worked for me, the story stayed engaging, and it had that just one more chapter pull the whole way through.
One of my favorite parts was the relationships between the characters. Nothing felt forced or fake just to create drama. They felt realistic, like people who know each other, clash sometimes, protect each other, and still carry their own baggage underneath it all. That realism made everything hit harder because the stakes felt personal, not just like something happening on the page.
Damien was one of my favorite characters, and not in a casual way. I really connected with him. His struggles felt familiar, and I loved how human he felt. He wasn’t written like some perfect hero. He felt layered and complicated, and I found myself rooting for him in a way that surprised me. Those are always my favorite kinds of characters, the ones you recognize a little too much.
And Maya was such a win for me. Her being a forensic pathologist was so interesting because that is literally my dream job, so I was fully invested anytime she stepped into her work. It made her character even more compelling because she felt smart and grounded, and it added an extra edge to the story that made it feel more real. She wasn’t just there. She mattered.
Overall, this book completely pulled me in. It had atmosphere, emotion, and characters that felt like actual people, and that combination always works on me. I finished it feeling satisfied and, honestly, a little sad to leave the world behind.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you want something well written that pulls you in fast with characters and relationships that feel believable and emotionally real, this is a great pick.
Thank you to Booksirens and Judy Leslie for a story that was written so well and kept me fully locked in.
📝 Short Summary
The Haunting of Ebonlight pulled me into a tense, eerie story with characters that actually felt real. Between the atmosphere, the emotional weight, and the relationships, this one held my attention the entire time and had me genuinely invested in what was happening.
Review
This book was such a good time for me because it hit that perfect balance of being unsettling and intense while still giving me characters I truly cared about. Judy Leslie’s writing was smooth and easy to fall into, and I never had to push myself to keep going. I wanted to keep reading. The pacing worked for me, the story stayed engaging, and it had that just one more chapter pull the whole way through.
One of my favorite parts was the relationships between the characters. Nothing felt forced or fake just to create drama. They felt realistic, like people who know each other, clash sometimes, protect each other, and still carry their own baggage underneath it all. That realism made everything hit harder because the stakes felt personal, not just like something happening on the page.
Damien was one of my favorite characters, and not in a casual way. I really connected with him. His struggles felt familiar, and I loved how human he felt. He wasn’t written like some perfect hero. He felt layered and complicated, and I found myself rooting for him in a way that surprised me. Those are always my favorite kinds of characters, the ones you recognize a little too much.
And Maya was such a win for me. Her being a forensic pathologist was so interesting because that is literally my dream job, so I was fully invested anytime she stepped into her work. It made her character even more compelling because she felt smart and grounded, and it added an extra edge to the story that made it feel more real. She wasn’t just there. She mattered.
Overall, this book completely pulled me in. It had atmosphere, emotion, and characters that felt like actual people, and that combination always works on me. I finished it feeling satisfied and, honestly, a little sad to leave the world behind.
✅ Would I Recommend It?
Yes. If you want something well written that pulls you in fast with characters and relationships that feel believable and emotionally real, this is a great pick.
Read
January 15, 20263.75*
Dr. Maya Sinclair travels by boat across the ocean to Ebonlight House, a property left to her by her late sister, Luna. Built in the early 1900s by a wealthy shipping magnate, the house was later transformed by Luna into a spiritual retreat—one she described as a threshold between worlds. She ran the retreat alongside a man named Damien, who arrives shortly after Maya to continue Luna’s work.
Luna had been studying the property’s significance, convinced that it contained a portal to another dimension—a place where the spiritual self travels after death. In contrast, Maya is firmly grounded in science; she is an anatomical pathologist at the University of Washington. Despite her skepticism, she finds herself increasingly drawn in by both Damien and the unsettling pull of the house itself.
Adding to the eerie atmosphere are Vera, the reserved housekeeper, and Mac, the groundskeeper, whose presence further deepens the mystery surrounding Ebonlight House.
I really appreciated the author’s writing style, which is beautifully descriptive and creates a rich, atmospheric mood throughout the novel. While the supernatural plot felt a little slow for my personal taste, I can see how this pacing was intentionally used to build suspense and deepen the story’s sense of mystery.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and well-written read, even though I don’t feel particularly inclined to continue with the next book in the series.
'It looks less like a retreat, more like something from a nightmare'
'You'll never leave this house the same, if at all'
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Dr. Maya Sinclair travels by boat across the ocean to Ebonlight House, a property left to her by her late sister, Luna. Built in the early 1900s by a wealthy shipping magnate, the house was later transformed by Luna into a spiritual retreat—one she described as a threshold between worlds. She ran the retreat alongside a man named Damien, who arrives shortly after Maya to continue Luna’s work.
Luna had been studying the property’s significance, convinced that it contained a portal to another dimension—a place where the spiritual self travels after death. In contrast, Maya is firmly grounded in science; she is an anatomical pathologist at the University of Washington. Despite her skepticism, she finds herself increasingly drawn in by both Damien and the unsettling pull of the house itself.
Adding to the eerie atmosphere are Vera, the reserved housekeeper, and Mac, the groundskeeper, whose presence further deepens the mystery surrounding Ebonlight House.
I really appreciated the author’s writing style, which is beautifully descriptive and creates a rich, atmospheric mood throughout the novel. While the supernatural plot felt a little slow for my personal taste, I can see how this pacing was intentionally used to build suspense and deepen the story’s sense of mystery.
Overall, it was an enjoyable and well-written read, even though I don’t feel particularly inclined to continue with the next book in the series.
'It looks less like a retreat, more like something from a nightmare'
'You'll never leave this house the same, if at all'
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 25, 2025
I thought that this was an interesting story - Maya, who is a forensic pathologist, has to go to the mysterious property of Ebonlight, a spiritual retreat run by her sister, after her sister disappears. While there, she's plagued with nightmares and haunting glimpses in mirrors. She also meets the enigmatic Damien, who may not be what he seem, but is trying to lure her into continuing her sister's research into the boundaries of consciousness. Will she get drawn into Ebonlight's aura (or try to determine why so many people went missing and where Damien really came from) or return to her no-nonsense life figuring out what happened with criminal cases?
I thought this was a decent story, but the house's mysteries seemed to not be fully fleshed out, so it wasn't necessarily easy to see why Maya was so drawn in. There also was a bit of backstory about Maya choosing the easy way out in her job and not finding the truth and some tragic personal circumstances that didn't quite connect to the larger story.
I thought this was a decent story, but the house's mysteries seemed to not be fully fleshed out, so it wasn't necessarily easy to see why Maya was so drawn in. There also was a bit of backstory about Maya choosing the easy way out in her job and not finding the truth and some tragic personal circumstances that didn't quite connect to the larger story.
September 28, 2025
This is a brilliantly written supernatural thriller. Absolutely fascinating and gripping in equal measure.
Ebonlight, a house that will capture you and possibly devour every part of you if you let it. The author writes with perfect detail and description, I could see and feel my way around every room. I could almost be looking through the mirrors at Ebonlight and see deep within the glass itself. Fascinating!
Maya, a strong, clever and straight thinking woman. Sensible, assertive. A woman wanting to find out the truth about what happened to her sister, Luna.
Yet, Maya’s purpose when entering Ebonlight, changes, slowly but surely. How is this possible? What or who is causing her change of thoughts and sensibilities?
The final part of Maya’s journey is enthralling and mind blowing. This book leaves you wanting more. There is unfinished business here. So, learning that there will be a part two very soon is great news!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Ebonlight, a house that will capture you and possibly devour every part of you if you let it. The author writes with perfect detail and description, I could see and feel my way around every room. I could almost be looking through the mirrors at Ebonlight and see deep within the glass itself. Fascinating!
Maya, a strong, clever and straight thinking woman. Sensible, assertive. A woman wanting to find out the truth about what happened to her sister, Luna.
Yet, Maya’s purpose when entering Ebonlight, changes, slowly but surely. How is this possible? What or who is causing her change of thoughts and sensibilities?
The final part of Maya’s journey is enthralling and mind blowing. This book leaves you wanting more. There is unfinished business here. So, learning that there will be a part two very soon is great news!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 26, 2025
This sweeping gothic thriller, The Haunting of Ebonlight by Judy Leslie, is superbly written in the first person. It had me engaged from the start. A captivating tale of loss and the search for answers that cause you to question everything you believe in a quest for truth. Trying to remain rational in a place full of secrets, May seeks to understand her sister's death and ends up caught in a spellbinding scenario that threatens to destroy her very soul. It resonated with me more than expected, and one quote lingers: 'The universe rewards those who turn their deepest terrors into stepping stones.' Thoroughly enjoyable, it kept me turning pages into the dawn. I'm looking forward to part two!
January 6, 2026
I enjoyed the premise but feel like it was very fragmented and didn’t flow. Many scenes felt like they were out of know where and just ended and there was no context or flow as to why the characters were in the location or in that specific conversation. At the end it felt like one of the chapters was preparation for the finale but. It. Wasn’t? 🤷🏻♀️ It was very confusing. I understand the dreams and it being like whiplash, that is to be expected but I feel like even during the characters waking hours it was like this. There was also a character that I believe should have been finalized. The smell made me believe he was dead? Maybe? I don’t know because he was never explained in the end. Thank you BookSirens for a copy of The Haunting of Ebonlight, my review is my own ideas and feelings.
September 1, 2025
First let me say I love this authors writing. This is definitely a suspenseful tale. You never know where it's leading. Maya inherited this manor from her sister and just wants to sell it but firsts she goes there to get everything in order but definitely finds more then she bargained for. The more she looks into her sister's death the more she believes it's anything but an accident. She meets Damien, Vera and Mac not knowing who she can trust or not. Everything about this manor and it's inhabitants is mysterious. Will Maya make it out or will she also be doomed to live forever in the manor. You have to read it to find out.
October 25, 2025
I received this ARC and am writing my own opinion on the book.
Well...this is a stark contrast to the last book I read by Judy Leslie (Love Amongst the Flames) and damn it was good!
A thrilling, chilling mystery where you don't know if the character has gone mad or is insanely sane. Immediately I got into this book and it's haunting vibes. I loved the character of Maya. I was so suspicious of everyone else.
Book gave me Shutter Island vibes like you even start losing gripe on what's real and what's not.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and waiting patiently for the next one.
Well...this is a stark contrast to the last book I read by Judy Leslie (Love Amongst the Flames) and damn it was good!
A thrilling, chilling mystery where you don't know if the character has gone mad or is insanely sane. Immediately I got into this book and it's haunting vibes. I loved the character of Maya. I was so suspicious of everyone else.
Book gave me Shutter Island vibes like you even start losing gripe on what's real and what's not.
Thoroughly enjoyed it and waiting patiently for the next one.
September 21, 2025
I received The Haunting of Ebonlight by Judy Leslie as an ARC from Booksirens.
A suspenseful haunted house thriller about a young woman who returns to the house where her sister disappeared to search for answers.
Fart pace, atmospheric and I read this in two sittings. Brilliantly written book.
I've not read any of this authors books prior to this one, but I shall definately be looking at more
Thank you again for the ARC.
A suspenseful haunted house thriller about a young woman who returns to the house where her sister disappeared to search for answers.
Fart pace, atmospheric and I read this in two sittings. Brilliantly written book.
I've not read any of this authors books prior to this one, but I shall definately be looking at more
Thank you again for the ARC.
October 21, 2025
In the hush of midnight's broken dream, Where shadows twist and silence screams...
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️
Thank you Book Sirens for gifting me this ARC.
The Haunting of Ebonlight, based on the description, promised to be the creepy, haunted read that I love and was craving. The story started out promising, with a rational, science loving doctor Maya Sinclair coming to catalog the home that was left to her after her sister Luna’s disappearance.
Ebonlight is a monstrosity of a home, sitting isolated on the cliff of an island with a long history of odd happenings and missing people. Since Luna, purchased the house, she turned it into a New Age spiritual retreat. Despite this, the mysterious disappearances and odd behaviors of guests continued.
Once she arrives, immediately the house feels off. We meet Damian Cross, who lives at the retreat as Luna’s business and research partner of the metaphysical and spiritual. The first third of the book the tension in the atmosphere builds and it feels very creepy.
After this, the book lost me. The description of Luna’s work challenging the consciousness became so repetitive that I could probably recite from memory what was said. Damian Cross talked in circles yet someone as rational and scientific minded as Maya fell for him with barely any struggle. In less than what seemed a 2 week period, she had disregarded everything and was involved with a man she admitted was manipulating her. The chapters became very short, then long again and repetitive. The idea behind the story was very good and like I said, initially it was the perfect creepy feeling one is looking for in a haunted thriller.
The ending was good and there has been a set up for the second book which did catch my interest and I would read.
August 28, 2025
A dark tale of the secrets of a mansion on an island, that draws the heroine into an extreme quest while looking for her ‘lost’ sister.
This is an extremely well written suspense novel with charismatic characters, involved plot lines, in a darkly drawn setting.
This is an extremely well written suspense novel with charismatic characters, involved plot lines, in a darkly drawn setting.
September 25, 2025
I enjoyed this book. It was different from others like it. There were times I was confused and had to go back, but I think after finishing the book, I wasn't meant to understand until the end. I definitely plan on reading this again and look forward to reading other works by the author!!
October 3, 2025
This book is so different from what Judy Leslie usually writes. It was a little creepy. I loved it. It really made me think about what comes after. I received an advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 12, 2026
This was a story that has lots of atmosphere and supernatural creepiness. A gothic suspense that actually took me a little while to get into, but once I did, I had to know what happens next. Great characters.
October 7, 2025
This book was fantastic! I couldn’t stop reading it! The slow suspense was just clawing at me. Such a great read and I cannot wait to read her next book!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews