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The Haunting of Emily Stone
“The haunting of Emily Stone was a hoax. There was no ghost, it was just a money-grabbing old woman and an easily-manipulated little girl. End of story.” Twenty-four years ago, Robert Slocombe thought he had proof that ghosts were real. British newspapers filled their pages with photos of little Emily being tormented by what seemed to be a malevolent spirit. And then the whole thing turned out to be a trick, and Robert's career was over. Until now. One day Emily Stone, now a grown woman with a child of her own, contacts Robert out of the blue and begs for his help. She claims that her daughter is being tormented by a dark entity, and that parts of her original story were true after all. Robert dismisses Emily's claims out of hand and tells her to leave him alone, but then a horrific incident forces him to go back to the scene of his greatest humiliation. Was the haunting of Emily Stone really a hoax, or was there a sliver of truth at its heart? The Haunting of Emily Stone is a horror novel about two damaged people trying to save a little girl from dark forces.
245 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 1, 2015
160 people are currently reading
378 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
664 books1,677 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
February 24, 2021
This was a creepy story!
A small backstory without giving away spoilers:
Emily Stone is a young girl that goes through being attacked by an evil entity and scientist Robert Solcombe seems to be the only one that believes that Emily is experiencing something, but then he finds out that it was all fake which ruins his career.
Now Emily as a young woman has her own daughter Lizzie and she is experiencing the same evil entity which Emily tries to reach out to Robert to come help her, but he is wary of such a request considering what happened last time, but he finds out that it was all true and he decides to go back to help Emily and her daughter.
Thoughts:
The book was atmospheric creepy and it did have its moments, but not as scary as it first appeared to be. Normally I am not for stories jumping around from one era to another, but Amy Cross pulled it off well. The chapters alternate between the past and the present as each chapter gives an insight about what is taking place within the story. Giving this story three "spook" stars.
A small backstory without giving away spoilers:
Emily Stone is a young girl that goes through being attacked by an evil entity and scientist Robert Solcombe seems to be the only one that believes that Emily is experiencing something, but then he finds out that it was all fake which ruins his career.
Now Emily as a young woman has her own daughter Lizzie and she is experiencing the same evil entity which Emily tries to reach out to Robert to come help her, but he is wary of such a request considering what happened last time, but he finds out that it was all true and he decides to go back to help Emily and her daughter.
Thoughts:
The book was atmospheric creepy and it did have its moments, but not as scary as it first appeared to be. Normally I am not for stories jumping around from one era to another, but Amy Cross pulled it off well. The chapters alternate between the past and the present as each chapter gives an insight about what is taking place within the story. Giving this story three "spook" stars.
February 24, 2021
OK..... Quick read... Not that scary but interesting.
February 15, 2021
At 12 percent in, I was hooked. A little girl had a paranormal experience in her room, yet her mother tried to hard to profit from it. Little girl grows up, lives in same house, and now her daughter is experiencing 'events'
January 13, 2016
This book had a really great premise. Girl "fakes" a haunting at the behest of her mother, but could it have been true? And what if the same things start happening to that girl's daughter? A perturbing thought, and one that should have been terrifying in the long run.
Was this book terrifying? Um....
Yeah, it's like that.
I think the immediacy of any of the situations faced by these characters was completely lost because the author attempts to write the entire thing in dialogue. Seriously, there is no setting of the scene. No characterization. The whole book, almost literally, is dialogue between the characters. What few descriptions we get are scant and not very detailed, so it makes it difficult to fall into this world the author created, because we've no idea what it is like.
We don't know anything about these characters beyond what they say. No backstories, aside from the hoax. No relationships, no inner thoughts, few actions. Just the dialogue. And, although they have a lot to say, I never really cared what happened to any of them.
And the ending.
No. Just no.
TL;DR: Aside from one or two bumps in the night, not really worth the time and effort. Meh.
*********************************************
2.5 stars, since that's the only rating system I've got. Really it's an A- for the premise, and a D+ for the execution. Full review to come.
Was this book terrifying? Um....
Yeah, it's like that.
I think the immediacy of any of the situations faced by these characters was completely lost because the author attempts to write the entire thing in dialogue. Seriously, there is no setting of the scene. No characterization. The whole book, almost literally, is dialogue between the characters. What few descriptions we get are scant and not very detailed, so it makes it difficult to fall into this world the author created, because we've no idea what it is like.
We don't know anything about these characters beyond what they say. No backstories, aside from the hoax. No relationships, no inner thoughts, few actions. Just the dialogue. And, although they have a lot to say, I never really cared what happened to any of them.
And the ending.
No. Just no.
TL;DR: Aside from one or two bumps in the night, not really worth the time and effort. Meh.
*********************************************
2.5 stars, since that's the only rating system I've got. Really it's an A- for the premise, and a D+ for the execution. Full review to come.
October 31, 2018
To get the horror feel, I read it at 2am. So by the time I finished, it was almost 3am. I kind of skipped when Joyce was being her crazy self.
It got the vibe, I was hype, but once done, I slept like a baby. Wait, I think I dreamed of a pair of good looking twins with one being mute and the parents was trying to marry the mute one to this gang leader's daughter but somehow the gang knew about it and so the parents have to switch son. Something along that line.
The point is, the book was not haunting enough. The premise was great. But then it went from horror to the world of the dead. I mean, if the world was like the living's, why bother coming back right. What's the point roaming the world as ghost?
12 years old Emily and Lizzie sounded like they were 8 or less. Do 12 years old speak like that? Everyone sounded younger than their suppose age. It does deserve a 3 for the hoax. That part was good.
BEWARE of SPOILER
It got the vibe, I was hype, but once done, I slept like a baby. Wait, I think I dreamed of a pair of good looking twins with one being mute and the parents was trying to marry the mute one to this gang leader's daughter but somehow the gang knew about it and so the parents have to switch son. Something along that line.
The point is, the book was not haunting enough. The premise was great. But then it went from horror to the world of the dead. I mean, if the world was like the living's, why bother coming back right. What's the point roaming the world as ghost?
12 years old Emily and Lizzie sounded like they were 8 or less. Do 12 years old speak like that? Everyone sounded younger than their suppose age. It does deserve a 3 for the hoax. That part was good.
BEWARE of SPOILER
March 10, 2016
Interesting concept, poor execution
I was extremely interested in the storyline but was vastly disappointed by poor writing littered with typos and British accents that sounded like an insecure American 8th grader writing their first Harry Potter fan fiction. Has the author ever even met a real breathing 12-year-old? Because Lizzie acted closer to six than twelve. Disappointing, can't believe I spent money on it.
I was extremely interested in the storyline but was vastly disappointed by poor writing littered with typos and British accents that sounded like an insecure American 8th grader writing their first Harry Potter fan fiction. Has the author ever even met a real breathing 12-year-old? Because Lizzie acted closer to six than twelve. Disappointing, can't believe I spent money on it.
August 7, 2015
I liked the story & the concept... But there were grammatical errors/tense errors and even points where a male character was referred to as a she or one characters was referred to as the name of another character (I tripled checked, this wasn't misreading. Just editorial mistakes) and that sort of thing always takes me out of a story and makes me second guess an author's work.
October 15, 2017
A paranormal delight
After my disappointment with the last Amy Cross book this story was a delight to read. An exceptionally well crafted ghost story. Well recommended to all you "spook hunters" out there.
After my disappointment with the last Amy Cross book this story was a delight to read. An exceptionally well crafted ghost story. Well recommended to all you "spook hunters" out there.
September 17, 2015
Fast read
Good storyline, not my favorite, but worth the read! The ending I felt could have been more in depth. Great editing and story.
Good storyline, not my favorite, but worth the read! The ending I felt could have been more in depth. Great editing and story.
August 27, 2017
Title is rather misleading. Story is odd yet intriguing. Several grammatical errors and such ("She head a noise."). Overall it was okay.
November 14, 2017
Not a masterpiece, but a solid little story , great to pass the time. Shame about the crap editing. The wrong name was used multiple times in sentences...ouch
January 16, 2020
2,5*
The story idea is really good, but I found the execution lacking... There was almost no character development, it felt like I was reading a horror movie, rather than a book. I like to be able to know what the characters drives, what they think, why they act a certain way. Unfortunately Amy Cross did not deliver...
It was the first book I read of her, but I will give her another try.
The story idea is really good, but I found the execution lacking... There was almost no character development, it felt like I was reading a horror movie, rather than a book. I like to be able to know what the characters drives, what they think, why they act a certain way. Unfortunately Amy Cross did not deliver...
It was the first book I read of her, but I will give her another try.
June 3, 2017
Paranormal at it's best
Amy Cross has done it again! Great story with vivid characters and descriptions, fast moving plot that keeps you guessing and wanting more. The ending was not what I expected but the book was solid
Amy Cross has done it again! Great story with vivid characters and descriptions, fast moving plot that keeps you guessing and wanting more. The ending was not what I expected but the book was solid
August 30, 2017
A very thought provoking book about the idea of ghosts being real or fake. It also had a great view about the afterlife and how time passed differently. What if someone has been there and wrote down what they witnessed? That is a question that could be pondered for infinity.
September 6, 2018
Good and scary!
Good storyline. I liked the switching back and forth between time periods to get the feelings of anger and despair of the characters. The ending also had a nice twist.
Good storyline. I liked the switching back and forth between time periods to get the feelings of anger and despair of the characters. The ending also had a nice twist.
July 28, 2017
Enjoyable
Loved the premise and characters. Another great amy cross book she doesn't fair to entertain or let me down. Great.
Loved the premise and characters. Another great amy cross book she doesn't fair to entertain or let me down. Great.
September 4, 2017
Another hit
Amy Cross is one of those author that puts out a lot of books and every one is superior work this book gives you a different spin on a ghost story.
Amy Cross is one of those author that puts out a lot of books and every one is superior work this book gives you a different spin on a ghost story.
May 15, 2018
Page turner
Good story, well fleshed out charActers and a haunting story that was unique and a little scary. Some minor editing issues as usual.
Good story, well fleshed out charActers and a haunting story that was unique and a little scary. Some minor editing issues as usual.
October 21, 2018
3.5 stars.
Not scary at all if thats what you're looking for like i was, interesting story though.
Not scary at all if thats what you're looking for like i was, interesting story though.
November 28, 2018
Loved the beginning & the promising storyline of this book, but found myself extremely disappointed by the ending.
July 3, 2019
Good book. The ending appeared rushed.
December 29, 2019
A must read
From beginning to end of the story, it has you hooked. If you want a good ghost story this is the one to read!
From beginning to end of the story, it has you hooked. If you want a good ghost story this is the one to read!
August 6, 2023
A good read
This is the second time I read this book. I enjoyed it again. Great bed time read. I recommend it. 😁🥰
This is the second time I read this book. I enjoyed it again. Great bed time read. I recommend it. 😁🥰
August 6, 2023
Love this author!
March 18, 2017
I Couldn't Put It Down!!!!
I am so blown away by the brilliance and creativity of this author!!! Wow!! I have been reading everything I can that she's written and this is by far one of the best stories I've EVER read! And, I've read quite a lot in my 50 years. I finished this book in less than a day and I would love nothing more than to see this story portrayed on film! Scarier than The Conjuring movies, the Insidious movies, and other similar stories. Just wow!
I am so blown away by the brilliance and creativity of this author!!! Wow!! I have been reading everything I can that she's written and this is by far one of the best stories I've EVER read! And, I've read quite a lot in my 50 years. I finished this book in less than a day and I would love nothing more than to see this story portrayed on film! Scarier than The Conjuring movies, the Insidious movies, and other similar stories. Just wow!
August 21, 2025
Starts as a classic "girl haunted by a malevolent spirit" ends in the unknown kadath lol
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 7, 2017
A supernatural / paranormal thriller ..
More to follow
More to follow
July 9, 2015
A very good, spooky tale of a haunting with a difference, and a definite twist.
This is a story that explores possibilities, that of death and its meaning; it is also about a kind of faith, not in the usual sense, but more about beliefs in what can be and our place within...I don't give spoilers so I cannot explain this in detail.
Themes of love, betrayal, sorrow, forgiveness, anger and disappointment run alongside an unusual plot - one that keeps you hooked wanting to know more.
There were answers of a sort, although, I think it left me with more questions; those that will always make me wonder.
The writing flowed well, however, I was surprised about the numerous typos and errors - an editorial sweep is essential.
Still a great recommended read.
This is a story that explores possibilities, that of death and its meaning; it is also about a kind of faith, not in the usual sense, but more about beliefs in what can be and our place within...I don't give spoilers so I cannot explain this in detail.
Themes of love, betrayal, sorrow, forgiveness, anger and disappointment run alongside an unusual plot - one that keeps you hooked wanting to know more.
There were answers of a sort, although, I think it left me with more questions; those that will always make me wonder.
The writing flowed well, however, I was surprised about the numerous typos and errors - an editorial sweep is essential.
Still a great recommended read.
January 15, 2016
It's easy to dismiss serial horror fiction as a literary equivalent of binge eating. However, there are three caveats: first, it is better for your figure; second, it is better for your mind; and third, even an indifferently written novel in the genre can have flashes of genuine imagination. This is the case here. Despite a predictable beginning and flat characters, there is a depiction of the world of the dead which is as strange, uncanny and powerful as almost anything in modern horror. Unfortunately you have to plow through long pages of standard "haunting" to get there.
October 25, 2015
An absolute page-turner of a horror novel, this novel combined both the feeling of hanging out with an old friend (with the story of a paranormal researcher who became a bitter drunk after his star case turned out to be a hoax) and interesting new territory. I enjoyed this so much I immediately borrowed another title by Ms. Cross through kindle unlimited; hopefully it will be just as good.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews