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Black Acres #1
In Absentia
There's no place like home.
Kim and Julian Taylor are in the market for their first home, and a visit to the secluded Beacon estate finds them enamored. It's a peculiar home, rather large and in need of some renovations. The price is right however, and after a tour, they snap the house up without hesitation.
The man who sells them the house has one last detail to share before they sign on the dotted line. The previous owners of the home disappeared under mysterious circumstances nearly eight years ago and have recently been declared dead in absentia. Unperturbed by this fact, Kim and Julian set about making the home their own.
It quickly becomes clear that the two of them are not alone there, however.
Kim and Julian Taylor are in the market for their first home, and a visit to the secluded Beacon estate finds them enamored. It's a peculiar home, rather large and in need of some renovations. The price is right however, and after a tour, they snap the house up without hesitation.
The man who sells them the house has one last detail to share before they sign on the dotted line. The previous owners of the home disappeared under mysterious circumstances nearly eight years ago and have recently been declared dead in absentia. Unperturbed by this fact, Kim and Julian set about making the home their own.
It quickly becomes clear that the two of them are not alone there, however.
66 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2015
63 people are currently reading
293 people want to read
About the author
Ambrose Ibsen
61 books667 followersOnce upon a time, a young Ambrose Ibsen discovered a collection of ghost stories on his father's bookshelf. He was never the same again.
Apart from horror fiction, he enjoys good coffee, brewed strong.
Apart from horror fiction, he enjoys good coffee, brewed strong.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 24, 2017
Awesome Read!
This was a great book! Grips you by the throat and doesn't let go - very fast paced and kept me riveted to my kindle - looking forward to reading the second book in this series! Definitely a 5 star book!
This was a great book! Grips you by the throat and doesn't let go - very fast paced and kept me riveted to my kindle - looking forward to reading the second book in this series! Definitely a 5 star book!
February 7, 2018
Great start but very short! Glad I had the next book on hand already.
December 7, 2025
Kima un Džulians Teilori ir vien jauns pilsētnieku pāris, vēl bez bērniem un pilni entuaziasma uzsākt jaunu dzīves posmu prom no drudžaini trauksmainās, skaļās un visādi citādi nomācošās pilsētvides. Vīram Džulianam pie reizes ir gan tāds darbs (sērijas sākumā pabeidzis rakstīt lugu), gan pēdējā laikā gana labi panākumi, lai tie spētu atļauties pārcelties no šaurā pilsētas dzīvokļa uz nomaļāku lauku vidi un nopirkt sev māju, pat jai tai vēl prasās ieguldīt ar remontu un modernizāciju. Teilorus pat neattur, ka tuvākie kaimiņi ir vairāk kā viena vai divu kilometru attālumā un pat ne drīzāk par pārdevēju saucamā Edvina brīdinājums, kad tam paprasa par iepriekšējo mājas iemītnieku Rīdu pāra likteni, kuri gandrīz pirms astoņiem gadiem pēkšņi un nevienam nemanot tā vienkārši pazuduši.
https://poseidons99.com/2025/12/07/am...
https://poseidons99.com/2025/12/07/am...
November 16, 2015
Talk about in denial...
Good story, gets pretty freaky and it's quite well written. However. My god, the denial. The wife can see what's going on, and if half this stuff happened to me, I'd run screaming from the place. The husband however, is in such denial that it finally approaches the ludicrous. Noises? It's an old house, it's settling. The photo hidden in the wall of the old owners, written on it 'this is our house and we're coming back for it's (or something similar)? Some people have a strange sense of humour. The other picture of strange creepy people in masks standing around a fire? Halloween. When the wife points out that the mural in the basement has more added to it? We just didn't notice that before. The paint is still wet!!! Well, that's the humidity. And it goes on and on. Someone knocks on the door (they live miles away from the nearest neighbour) and the knocking stops as he opens the door, but no one is out there. He just brushes it off. I'm sorry, I love my husband, but if he acted like this under these circumstances, he'd find himself living there alone. Especially since he makes fun of her for being afraid. They come home from a walk to find all the lights on and the door wide open, and they must have left it like that, even though the wife distinctly remembers everything being turned off and locking the door when they left.
Cool story and well written, but damn the husbands attitude is annoying. And yes, I've read all 3 parts published, and his attitude does not change, no matter what happens.
Good story, gets pretty freaky and it's quite well written. However. My god, the denial. The wife can see what's going on, and if half this stuff happened to me, I'd run screaming from the place. The husband however, is in such denial that it finally approaches the ludicrous. Noises? It's an old house, it's settling. The photo hidden in the wall of the old owners, written on it 'this is our house and we're coming back for it's (or something similar)? Some people have a strange sense of humour. The other picture of strange creepy people in masks standing around a fire? Halloween. When the wife points out that the mural in the basement has more added to it? We just didn't notice that before. The paint is still wet!!! Well, that's the humidity. And it goes on and on. Someone knocks on the door (they live miles away from the nearest neighbour) and the knocking stops as he opens the door, but no one is out there. He just brushes it off. I'm sorry, I love my husband, but if he acted like this under these circumstances, he'd find himself living there alone. Especially since he makes fun of her for being afraid. They come home from a walk to find all the lights on and the door wide open, and they must have left it like that, even though the wife distinctly remembers everything being turned off and locking the door when they left.
Cool story and well written, but damn the husbands attitude is annoying. And yes, I've read all 3 parts published, and his attitude does not change, no matter what happens.
November 2, 2015
Review: IN ABSENTIA by Ambrose Ibsen
[Black Acres Book One]
For a totally scary reading experience, written lyrically with vivid imagery, Ambrose Ibsen's ongoing Black Acres serial is the way to go. I am reading these on Kindle Unlimited--in fact, I read IN ABSENTIA on Halloween, then THE BORDERLAND and THE AMBER LIGHT the next day. Husband and wife Julian and Kim, urban tenants, experience a financial windfall and purchase an extremely isolated country home. In the process of renovation in solitude, odd things turn up [strange photos, a mildewed journal, a concealed room]. Kim becomes obsessed with the previous owners, who'd constructed the home several decades ago, then disappeared nearly eight years ago. Recently declared deceased in absentia, the house became available for Kim and Julian. For Kim, it's as if the house and woods are alive, and long-disappeared Dakota Reed is directing Kim's quest.
[Black Acres Book One]
For a totally scary reading experience, written lyrically with vivid imagery, Ambrose Ibsen's ongoing Black Acres serial is the way to go. I am reading these on Kindle Unlimited--in fact, I read IN ABSENTIA on Halloween, then THE BORDERLAND and THE AMBER LIGHT the next day. Husband and wife Julian and Kim, urban tenants, experience a financial windfall and purchase an extremely isolated country home. In the process of renovation in solitude, odd things turn up [strange photos, a mildewed journal, a concealed room]. Kim becomes obsessed with the previous owners, who'd constructed the home several decades ago, then disappeared nearly eight years ago. Recently declared deceased in absentia, the house became available for Kim and Julian. For Kim, it's as if the house and woods are alive, and long-disappeared Dakota Reed is directing Kim's quest.
June 13, 2018
Quick, entertaining, and thoroughly creepy! This would make a very cool short movie (or, better yet, filled out with the rest of the series when it's complete as a full length)! If you want a quick scare, this is the book for you.
Narrator is, as always, spot on. Both this author and narrator are on my radar as ones to keep an eye out for!
5 Platypries!
Narrator is, as always, spot on. Both this author and narrator are on my radar as ones to keep an eye out for!
5 Platypries!
May 11, 2018
Julian and Kim get a bit of money and decide to buy their first house with it. They view the Beacon Estate and fall in love with it, plus the price is low for a house this size. Just after buying it, they find out that the previous owners disappeared and have now been declared dead in absentia. It doesn't really bother the couple though until they start renovating because they start finding weird stuff and they soon realise that things aren't as easy as they hoped. What happened the couple that owned the house before them?
I normally stay away from short stories, and serials in particular, because more often then not, they end in a cliffhanger and don't feel complete. But on seeing that this was written by Ambrose Ibsen, I had to listen to it!! He does scary and creepy so well. While this does end on a cliffhanger, I still loved it! Though I think I'll wait till all of the rest are out on Audiobefore I buy them because I so wanted the next one right away.
The plot is paced well. The couple buy the house and pretty much straight away things start happening. Julian is more laid back and puts the strange finds down to everyday occurrences, eg. they find this creepy picture with people in masks, and he immediately says it must have been Halloween. They also find another creepy picture of what look like the previous owners with some things written on it, and he says they must have had a weird sense of humour. I actually really liked that he did this because I know if something like this happened to me, my husband would say the same kind of things.
Kim on the other hand, is more open and feels like there is more to it than that. She knows that something strange is happening and is nervous and scared. I liked this about her because I would be the same as her, though I'd run a mile if weird stuff started happening in my house!! The author also makes it feel as if the house itself is a character in it's own right. It feels almost alive and I can't wait to find out more about it!
In all, despite this being so short, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I already own the ebooks and I'm tempted to just go ahead and read them, but I think that the book is so much better when read by Joe Hempel. He knows how to bring the creepy atmosphere to life. He seems to get what the author was hoping to portray and understands that inflections and cadences are important when trying to bring a world to life. I highly recommend both this author and narrator.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts
I normally stay away from short stories, and serials in particular, because more often then not, they end in a cliffhanger and don't feel complete. But on seeing that this was written by Ambrose Ibsen, I had to listen to it!! He does scary and creepy so well. While this does end on a cliffhanger, I still loved it! Though I think I'll wait till all of the rest are out on Audiobefore I buy them because I so wanted the next one right away.
The plot is paced well. The couple buy the house and pretty much straight away things start happening. Julian is more laid back and puts the strange finds down to everyday occurrences, eg. they find this creepy picture with people in masks, and he immediately says it must have been Halloween. They also find another creepy picture of what look like the previous owners with some things written on it, and he says they must have had a weird sense of humour. I actually really liked that he did this because I know if something like this happened to me, my husband would say the same kind of things.
Kim on the other hand, is more open and feels like there is more to it than that. She knows that something strange is happening and is nervous and scared. I liked this about her because I would be the same as her, though I'd run a mile if weird stuff started happening in my house!! The author also makes it feel as if the house itself is a character in it's own right. It feels almost alive and I can't wait to find out more about it!
In all, despite this being so short, I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I already own the ebooks and I'm tempted to just go ahead and read them, but I think that the book is so much better when read by Joe Hempel. He knows how to bring the creepy atmosphere to life. He seems to get what the author was hoping to portray and understands that inflections and cadences are important when trying to bring a world to life. I highly recommend both this author and narrator.
I was given this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review. This in no way affected nor influenced my thoughts
May 9, 2018
I had requested and received audiobook version of this book for free from the narrator, in exchange for an unbiased review.
This book mostly sounded like your typical "horror in the newly bought house" story, and yet, it was entertaining and didn't feel like listening to the same old story. Does that make sense? The lead characters weren't all that interesting or unique and yet, their experiences in the new house kept moving the plot along at a fast pace. The tension kept building up and throws up so many questions. And then the book ends with a cliffhanger, with those questions unanswered. This book 1 of a 4 part series mostly acts as a setup for the full story. I would suggest waiting for all the parts to become available before picking it up.
The narration is good and the tone adds to the suspense of the book. Perfect match.
This book mostly sounded like your typical "horror in the newly bought house" story, and yet, it was entertaining and didn't feel like listening to the same old story. Does that make sense? The lead characters weren't all that interesting or unique and yet, their experiences in the new house kept moving the plot along at a fast pace. The tension kept building up and throws up so many questions. And then the book ends with a cliffhanger, with those questions unanswered. This book 1 of a 4 part series mostly acts as a setup for the full story. I would suggest waiting for all the parts to become available before picking it up.
The narration is good and the tone adds to the suspense of the book. Perfect match.
August 2, 2018
Finally a horror book that actually managed to scare me! Really enjoyed this way more than I thought I would. On to the next one!
July 20, 2019
A little book that actually scared me
Gonna read book 2 soon
Gonna read book 2 soon
May 7, 2018
Review originally published at: http://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookre...
Kim and Julian are a young couple who were looking for a house and found a bargain. It is an old house but with lots of possibilities, and placed in an isolated and quiet area. While doing the renovating themselves, Kim finds several items that will make her ill at ease. The fact that the previous owners went missing seven years prior does not help to calm her down.
Reading a novel by Ambrose Ibsen is a guarantee for a great time. It is amazing how fixed Ibsen is on the theme of old and haunted houses, and each time he does it in a different and surprising way. It is not that his plots are clever and he knows the exact moment when to startle the reader, but also the way he introduces the ‘House’ (because I believe that the house in each of his books is just another character) just makes you want to know more about it, explore it along the main characters, knowing that you won’t find nice and friendly things but even like that, unable to stop moving forward.
Ibsen’s characters are relatable and fully fleshed. It’s easy to connect to them and understand them, even though we don’t get much information. They are alive in a very simple way, giving the impression that creating characters is an easy feat. Bravo Mr. Ibsen.
The audiobook is narrated by Joe Hempel, one of my favorite narrators of all time. I would listen to any book narrated by him (if I just had the time). Hempel sets the right atmosphere with his compelling tone, delivering great characters interpretations, and differentiating them in a subtle but clear way. You just can’t go wrong with Joe Hempel. The audio production was spotless.
This is a relatively short audiobook, just short of two hours and a half. It’s a presentation book, ending on a cliffhanger, and setting things up for the real action. I’m looking forward to the next book.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
Kim and Julian are a young couple who were looking for a house and found a bargain. It is an old house but with lots of possibilities, and placed in an isolated and quiet area. While doing the renovating themselves, Kim finds several items that will make her ill at ease. The fact that the previous owners went missing seven years prior does not help to calm her down.
Reading a novel by Ambrose Ibsen is a guarantee for a great time. It is amazing how fixed Ibsen is on the theme of old and haunted houses, and each time he does it in a different and surprising way. It is not that his plots are clever and he knows the exact moment when to startle the reader, but also the way he introduces the ‘House’ (because I believe that the house in each of his books is just another character) just makes you want to know more about it, explore it along the main characters, knowing that you won’t find nice and friendly things but even like that, unable to stop moving forward.
Ibsen’s characters are relatable and fully fleshed. It’s easy to connect to them and understand them, even though we don’t get much information. They are alive in a very simple way, giving the impression that creating characters is an easy feat. Bravo Mr. Ibsen.
The audiobook is narrated by Joe Hempel, one of my favorite narrators of all time. I would listen to any book narrated by him (if I just had the time). Hempel sets the right atmosphere with his compelling tone, delivering great characters interpretations, and differentiating them in a subtle but clear way. You just can’t go wrong with Joe Hempel. The audio production was spotless.
This is a relatively short audiobook, just short of two hours and a half. It’s a presentation book, ending on a cliffhanger, and setting things up for the real action. I’m looking forward to the next book.
I received a copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.
April 23, 2018
***** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW *****
This book really sets the stage for the following books. It’s a bit creepy, it kind of hints at the creepiness instead of getting Ambrose Ibsen’s blatantly scary in your face books. For a book 1 in a 3 part story, not sure if the books follow this or if it’s just the audiobooks, I wish it had ended with a bit more on the edge. I mean, we’re at a scary moment I just wanted to be peaking around the corner and get a glimmer before the ending. Instead, I’m left right before looking... at what?!?
My main beef with this audio is that it’s so short... I know, I see the length upon purchase. I’m not reducing any points for my weirdness. I just think that audiobooks are expensive and we want a bit more story for our buck. However, I see the appeal of giving up bit by bit. It’s a tease and works up our adrenaline.... similar to what Ibsen did for The Occupant. The Occupant gives a bit more suspense IMO. It won’t matter, I need the other books in this series even if I wanted a bit more from them. I can’t get enough of Ibsen’s scary stories!!
Mr. Joe Hempel, the narrator, did an amazing job!! It always astonishes me that there are so many emotions that a voice can show. I love listening to Mr. Hempel read scary stories to me. His tone carries and the way he portrays the fear Kim shows was perfect! I felt s bit nervous for her. Good job Joe!! Can’t wait for the second part of this!!
This book really sets the stage for the following books. It’s a bit creepy, it kind of hints at the creepiness instead of getting Ambrose Ibsen’s blatantly scary in your face books. For a book 1 in a 3 part story, not sure if the books follow this or if it’s just the audiobooks, I wish it had ended with a bit more on the edge. I mean, we’re at a scary moment I just wanted to be peaking around the corner and get a glimmer before the ending. Instead, I’m left right before looking... at what?!?
My main beef with this audio is that it’s so short... I know, I see the length upon purchase. I’m not reducing any points for my weirdness. I just think that audiobooks are expensive and we want a bit more story for our buck. However, I see the appeal of giving up bit by bit. It’s a tease and works up our adrenaline.... similar to what Ibsen did for The Occupant. The Occupant gives a bit more suspense IMO. It won’t matter, I need the other books in this series even if I wanted a bit more from them. I can’t get enough of Ibsen’s scary stories!!
Mr. Joe Hempel, the narrator, did an amazing job!! It always astonishes me that there are so many emotions that a voice can show. I love listening to Mr. Hempel read scary stories to me. His tone carries and the way he portrays the fear Kim shows was perfect! I felt s bit nervous for her. Good job Joe!! Can’t wait for the second part of this!!
November 6, 2017
This is another great read from Ambrose Ibsen. This is the first in a four part series featuring a young couple who buy a house out in the country when they land a big paycheck but as the story winds on and the renovations on the old house begin, they both begin to realise that not everything is what it seems.
A great start to the series. I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next! As always, Ibsen's writing is enthralling. Make sure you pick this one up!
A great start to the series. I read it in one sitting as I couldn't put it down and I can't wait to read the next! As always, Ibsen's writing is enthralling. Make sure you pick this one up!
May 4, 2018
Here we have a fairly good haunted house horror tale, but the cliff hanger at the end is inexcusable. Considering a total length of 2:25 hours, someone could have provided an actual novel of 5-6 hours versus a short story and given us a complete tale. I liked the story, I really did, but when the ending came I was bummed because I forgot to look at the time. My mistake all around. Three.point.five for the duration. This audiobook was given by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.
January 18, 2019
This is a fun, spooky little novella(? novelette? short story?) about a couple who move into a huge old house only learn that the former owners went missing without a trace. Creepy things ensue. While not incredibly original or groundbreaking, the audiobook for this first part in a 4-part series of novelettes (or what have you) was an enjoyable way to spend 2 and a half hours. I liked it well enough to purchase the second part, and I will probably purchase and listen to the third and fourth installments when they are released on Audible.
July 9, 2020
I’m coming off of “the house of long shadows” series so maybe my bar for Ambrose is super high, but I feel like this book is creepy, just not as creepy as his other books. The part where Kim finds the photograph with the writing on the back was SUPER creepy! . But the fact that the husband is so over the top in denial and gaslighting his wife who has some valid concerns about the house was so frustrating. Typical, but frustrating nonetheless.
All in all a pretty good book, and I’m on to the second in the series now so I hope it gets creepier.
All in all a pretty good book, and I’m on to the second in the series now so I hope it gets creepier.
October 15, 2025
I listened to this book on Audible, but did so in the full collection at once. I honestly didn’t realize that it was four different books, which is why maybe it felt like it was dragging on too long. I love a good haunted house story. I am actually riding one myself. And I did enjoy this book, but I did find myself getting bored or wishing it would just move along a little bit faster at times. I know there are other books by this author that I would enjoy, so I don’t want to make thismy decision for moving forward reading any other books by this author. I just thought this book was just OK.
November 26, 2017
Great Tale...so far.
Julian and Kim have bought a house called the Beacon Estate at a very ridiculous low price. Everything seemed fine till doors start shutting on their own and finding out at the last minute that the previous owners disappeared without a trace didn't seem to help.
Was the house truly cheap or is the cost more then just money?
This is the first book in a series and it has a to be continued...so i'm off to the next book since I'm hooked!!!
Julian and Kim have bought a house called the Beacon Estate at a very ridiculous low price. Everything seemed fine till doors start shutting on their own and finding out at the last minute that the previous owners disappeared without a trace didn't seem to help.
Was the house truly cheap or is the cost more then just money?
This is the first book in a series and it has a to be continued...so i'm off to the next book since I'm hooked!!!
June 4, 2018
How the hell Ambrose going to do me like that?!?! What a total cliff hanger. I'm definitely on to the next one! This is not my first time I've read Ibsen but i knew this was one of his earlier works so I didn't really know what to expect. Ambrose has matured in writing style but "in Absentia" did not read like the work of an amateur. Like his other works, I was captivated. Each chapter flowed to the next very well. Big fan of Ibsen. Keep 'em coming man!
June 22, 2018
This is just the beginning to the book, only a couple of hours. It's a great start, but since it's not the entire story, hard to review in whole. Eager to hear the rest though and looking forward to the next installment. Good narration, keeps you in just enough suspense. ***This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.***
February 25, 2017
not scary but shows promise
So far it isn't scary but shows promise. The husband isn't likable in the least, but he still has time. Keep in mind this is a serial, so this is probably just the set up phase. Wondering if it didn't start out ad an idea for a screenplay. Not bad..
So far it isn't scary but shows promise. The husband isn't likable in the least, but he still has time. Keep in mind this is a serial, so this is probably just the set up phase. Wondering if it didn't start out ad an idea for a screenplay. Not bad..
May 7, 2018
Audible:A young cople buy a house.The couple that previously owned it dissapeared.They left a message and it is creepy.Joe Hempel does a wonderful job narrating.I was given this book by the narrator,author or publisher free for an honest review.
May 8, 2018
Loving everything I read by Ambrose, actually had me frightened. I love it
Very visual writer. I can imagine every scene he paints. This is the fifth story I have read by Ambrose, can't wait to read more.
Very visual writer. I can imagine every scene he paints. This is the fifth story I have read by Ambrose, can't wait to read more.
July 29, 2019
Exactly what is says - a couple moves into haunted house. But this is exactly what I was looking for. Characters are quite enjoyable - even if husband exist in a state of perpetual gaslighting. Will read the rest. Has some fairy tale and possibly demonic elements. Quite intriguing.
August 22, 2018
Spooky
This was a great lead up novella to wet your appetite for the rest of the series. I finished it, and couldn't wait to start the next book. Enjoy!!
This was a great lead up novella to wet your appetite for the rest of the series. I finished it, and couldn't wait to start the next book. Enjoy!!
January 17, 2019
quick read and oh so good
February 5, 2019
Great read!!
I really enjoyed this book! It was a real page burner!! I can’t wait for the next book!! LOVE this author ♥️
I really enjoyed this book! It was a real page burner!! I can’t wait for the next book!! LOVE this author ♥️
December 4, 2019
Suspenseful and scary. Fast paced and leaves the reader looking forward to starting the next book in the series. I'm sleeping with the lights on tonight!
Read
January 29, 2020Review on Audible. Dates are approximate.
April 20, 2020
It is a little predictable, but I don't mind. Ibsen did a great job with the characters.
Definitely worth the read!
Definitely worth the read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews