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Coal House
When property developer Finn Harper impulsively decides to make an investment with his wife whilst away together in North Wales for their anniversary, it seems an opportunity almost too good to be true. But as the disturbing truth of the home's abandonment unravels itself, Finn finds himself alone, and a martyr of the local community. He must confront some personal demons, forcing him to consider what, or even who, is real.
200 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 26, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
February 10, 2018
I won an e-book of Coal House in a competition quite some time ago and it took far too long for Coal House to jump to the top of my TBR. It's a quick read at only 200 pages, but it's definitely a book to be savoured rather than raced through. The cover gives us an idea of what to expect: a spooky old house with dark clouds hanging over it and the fractured letters of 'HOUSE' depicting the shifting reality that the main character experiences.
Finn and Clara are on a romantic getaway in Wales when they buy a ridiculously low priced house in an auction. They don't even seem alarmed that there we no other bidders for Coal House, known locally as Tŷ Glo in Dyffryn Du, The Black Valley. Clara returns to London so Finn prepares for his first night in their new home...alone. I felt as if the house was expecting him as he settles into a ready made bed, only to be woken during the night by a blood-curdling scream. This is the point I would have been running for the hills but Finn is determined to find out more about his house and the people who lived, and died, there.
I was unsure of the period Coal House was set in, it's possibly the 1950's, but it's a story that doesn't need to be stamped with a date (only to perhaps explain the very low price of Tŷ Glo). W.S. Barton's writing is of such a high standard that it reminded me of the dark brooding text of Daphne du Maurier, giving Coal House a classic literary feel with a sense of impending doom creating enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
Spooky and creepy, I'll definitely be reading Coal House again; preferably on a cold winter's night as the bare branches of the trees scratch against my window and with only the light from my kindle piercing the darkness, if I dare...
Finn and Clara are on a romantic getaway in Wales when they buy a ridiculously low priced house in an auction. They don't even seem alarmed that there we no other bidders for Coal House, known locally as Tŷ Glo in Dyffryn Du, The Black Valley. Clara returns to London so Finn prepares for his first night in their new home...alone. I felt as if the house was expecting him as he settles into a ready made bed, only to be woken during the night by a blood-curdling scream. This is the point I would have been running for the hills but Finn is determined to find out more about his house and the people who lived, and died, there.
I was unsure of the period Coal House was set in, it's possibly the 1950's, but it's a story that doesn't need to be stamped with a date (only to perhaps explain the very low price of Tŷ Glo). W.S. Barton's writing is of such a high standard that it reminded me of the dark brooding text of Daphne du Maurier, giving Coal House a classic literary feel with a sense of impending doom creating enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
Spooky and creepy, I'll definitely be reading Coal House again; preferably on a cold winter's night as the bare branches of the trees scratch against my window and with only the light from my kindle piercing the darkness, if I dare...
April 7, 2016
Coal House is an easy read ghost story set in Wales in the 1950's, Clara and Finn Harper live in London and have turned to the property development market.
Whilst taking a break in Wales they rashly buy a property, unseen at a local auction for just £250. However locals are quick to hint at legends and rumours that the house and land are haunted. Whilst Clara returns to London to settle their affairs, Finn moves into the fully furnished property and immediately experiences eerie night noises and ghostly happenings.
The paranormal activity increases with the return of Clara and when a local tragedy occurs Finn believes it is all linked. His hopes of settling in Wales and raising a family look doomed, especially when Clara reveals a secret from her past. Are the ghosts a hoax from the locals to drive them away? Are the legends true? Or do they genuinely exist?
This is a quick read and easy introduction to the ghost story genre and for #HistFic readers who might enjoy the setting.
Whilst taking a break in Wales they rashly buy a property, unseen at a local auction for just £250. However locals are quick to hint at legends and rumours that the house and land are haunted. Whilst Clara returns to London to settle their affairs, Finn moves into the fully furnished property and immediately experiences eerie night noises and ghostly happenings.
The paranormal activity increases with the return of Clara and when a local tragedy occurs Finn believes it is all linked. His hopes of settling in Wales and raising a family look doomed, especially when Clara reveals a secret from her past. Are the ghosts a hoax from the locals to drive them away? Are the legends true? Or do they genuinely exist?
This is a quick read and easy introduction to the ghost story genre and for #HistFic readers who might enjoy the setting.
April 10, 2016
When I was contacted by the author asking if I'd like a copy of Coal House, I was rather intrigued and as I haven't read a ghost story for a few years decided to accept whilst looking forward to a spooky and atmospheric read. And thankfully that was exactly what I got!
Finn and his wife Clara are in North Wales when they decide to bid on a property that comes up for auction that is priced, well, a little bit cheaper than expected! Now, you and I would be thinking straight away "Eh hello??? Creepy old house in the middle of nowhere?? Cheap?? Funny looks from the locals??" but property developer Clara is excited enough to make a bid-the only bid surprisingly....NOT-and the couple have a wonderful new life to plan away from the hustle and bustle of London city life. Finn moves in straight away but also straight away begins to hear noises that chill him to the bone. What is the history of the Coal House and what secrets are about to be revealed?
Although it is set in the fifties, this book could have taken place anytime in the twentieth century. There isn't a sense of any particular period, just the house and sleepy village which can exist even now in our high tech world if they are isolated enough from the modern society. I had a picture in my head right from the start of the house and its surroundings and it felt very dark and atmospheric. This would make a fabulous drama on the small screen! I would be hiding behind a cushion most of the time though. What I'm trying to say is that reading the story didn't scare me as much as it would have done if it was done visually.
This is an easy to read ghostly story that would be a perfect Halloween pick for a chilling storytelling session. I read it within one afternoon and would recommend that to keep the suspense going. I don't read scary books in the dark anymore but that may also heighten the sense of malevolence for you!
Thanks again to the author for providing my review copy in return for my honest opinion.
Finn and his wife Clara are in North Wales when they decide to bid on a property that comes up for auction that is priced, well, a little bit cheaper than expected! Now, you and I would be thinking straight away "Eh hello??? Creepy old house in the middle of nowhere?? Cheap?? Funny looks from the locals??" but property developer Clara is excited enough to make a bid-the only bid surprisingly....NOT-and the couple have a wonderful new life to plan away from the hustle and bustle of London city life. Finn moves in straight away but also straight away begins to hear noises that chill him to the bone. What is the history of the Coal House and what secrets are about to be revealed?
Although it is set in the fifties, this book could have taken place anytime in the twentieth century. There isn't a sense of any particular period, just the house and sleepy village which can exist even now in our high tech world if they are isolated enough from the modern society. I had a picture in my head right from the start of the house and its surroundings and it felt very dark and atmospheric. This would make a fabulous drama on the small screen! I would be hiding behind a cushion most of the time though. What I'm trying to say is that reading the story didn't scare me as much as it would have done if it was done visually.
This is an easy to read ghostly story that would be a perfect Halloween pick for a chilling storytelling session. I read it within one afternoon and would recommend that to keep the suspense going. I don't read scary books in the dark anymore but that may also heighten the sense of malevolence for you!
Thanks again to the author for providing my review copy in return for my honest opinion.
April 10, 2016
Coal House is a story, that for full impact, is best read on your own and if reading on a kindle, in the dark.
Finn and Clara are a couple whose marriage seems to have started to get stuck in a rut. Whilst in North Wales on a romantic getaway they fall in love with a house which they then go on to get in an auction for a bargain price.
It soon becomes apparent the reason for the cheap price as Finn starts to see and hear things.
Through the villagers Finn starts to find out the background of the house and the people that lived there. You can feel the fear that is building inside of Finn as he realises just what he has taken on with the house.
Coal House seems to leave a trail of sadness and devastation in it's wake. It holds certain secrets that come as much of a shock to the reader as it does to Finn.
The house certainly is nowhere near the forever happy family home that Finn and Clara envision. Even though new to the village, the locals seem to take to Finn, which when tragedy strikes it sends Finn into turmoil.
Coal House is a horror story that gently draws you in and though not one of the most scariest I have ever read it certainly is quite chilling.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Finn and Clara are a couple whose marriage seems to have started to get stuck in a rut. Whilst in North Wales on a romantic getaway they fall in love with a house which they then go on to get in an auction for a bargain price.
It soon becomes apparent the reason for the cheap price as Finn starts to see and hear things.
Through the villagers Finn starts to find out the background of the house and the people that lived there. You can feel the fear that is building inside of Finn as he realises just what he has taken on with the house.
Coal House seems to leave a trail of sadness and devastation in it's wake. It holds certain secrets that come as much of a shock to the reader as it does to Finn.
The house certainly is nowhere near the forever happy family home that Finn and Clara envision. Even though new to the village, the locals seem to take to Finn, which when tragedy strikes it sends Finn into turmoil.
Coal House is a horror story that gently draws you in and though not one of the most scariest I have ever read it certainly is quite chilling.
Many thanks to the author for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
April 20, 2016
When I was a young kid I watched Jaws. I was much too young and I found it terribly scary. I spent the whole time with my hands covering my eyes, peeking through my fingers, knowing something awful was about to happen and the shark would get what its after. Even after the film had finished I couldn't force myself to walk across the floor through fear of a shark attack coming through the floorboards. 30 years on and this book sparked the same feelings. Admittedly, this isn't my usual genre so the scare factor was probably greater than that for an avid horror reader. At times reading The Coal House I physically didn't want to turn the page because, like jaws when the music started, you know that something scary is about to happen. I wanted to cover my eyes again!
Luckily I overcame my fear, grew some balls and read on. And I'm glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and got through it in a couple of sittings (very fast for me). If I lived in an old, large house in the middle of the Welsh country there's a good chance it would have taken me forever to finish it through fear of turning the page knowing that Jaws is lurking there! (Please note and to avoid disappointment: there are no sharks/fish in the Coal House)
Luckily I overcame my fear, grew some balls and read on. And I'm glad I did. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and got through it in a couple of sittings (very fast for me). If I lived in an old, large house in the middle of the Welsh country there's a good chance it would have taken me forever to finish it through fear of turning the page knowing that Jaws is lurking there! (Please note and to avoid disappointment: there are no sharks/fish in the Coal House)
May 19, 2016
Set just after the Second World War this follows the story of Finn Harper who decides to turn to property development with his wife. When they are on holiday in Wales they see a house for auction which seems to be a bargain. When the locals won't bid on it they decide to buy the remote and long-deserted house.
So begins Coal House, a suspenseful ghost story that slowly builds to a shattering ending with a chilling twist. Any ghost story turns on the ability of the author to conjure up locations and events that seem both ordinary and strange at the same time and Barton does this with ease, able to raise goosebumps with a few simple words.
The story is clever and interesting with several layers and with characters to match. Finn is initially a skeptic but as strange events happen in and around the house he must consider if they are real or just his imagination.
This is not a long book but does pack a lot into its pages. An excellent read
So begins Coal House, a suspenseful ghost story that slowly builds to a shattering ending with a chilling twist. Any ghost story turns on the ability of the author to conjure up locations and events that seem both ordinary and strange at the same time and Barton does this with ease, able to raise goosebumps with a few simple words.
The story is clever and interesting with several layers and with characters to match. Finn is initially a skeptic but as strange events happen in and around the house he must consider if they are real or just his imagination.
This is not a long book but does pack a lot into its pages. An excellent read
April 18, 2016
I am not generally known for being much of a classic horror reader but this caught my interest. Set in Wales, Coal House tells the tale of a couple who buy a vacant house at auction but, as with all good fiction, there is a lot more to it than that. I'm being very careful as I do not want to give away any spoilers however, I am conscious that I do not want to sell the book short. W.S.Barton has a very easy to read style. The book flowed well and drew me in from the start. It was intriguing with elements of suspense throughout. At times I thought I knew where the book would lead me and then was scarily surprised when it didn't go as I'd imagined. Always a plus in my book! The author managed to capture those moments when the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and you have to keep telling yourself 'it's just a story'. I would love to see more from this author.
March 12, 2016
A good start, but got a little disappointed on the first visit to the house. I felt the description a little lacking. By the front cover you expect something grand, but what I gained by that described was something much smaller and more modern. Towards the end there is only so much banging and scraping one can take before wondering if it's really going to be worth it. Not bad if it's your first venture into this genre, but there is much better out there.
January 8, 2016
I was hooked from start to finish reading Coal House. I fell in love with Finn and Clara who take you through so many emotions, twists and turns that you just have to know what happens next and in the end. Superb first novel and I cannot wait for the next!
January 16, 2016
I found this to be a good story of not only the paranormal but of the psychological. When Clara and Finn Harper by a house that is dirt cheap, at first they wonder why. Soon it becomes apparent their is something strange about this house, named Ty Glo, or sometimes the Coal House. Fin is the first to stay at Ty Glo and to experience a few strange happenings. As h uncovers hidden secrets of Ty Glo's past he is finally joined by Clara and that's when he learns a little about himself also. I liked the writing style of this story, which is more psychological suspense than a horrific ghost story. W.S. Barton is definitely an author worth looking in to.
December 6, 2016
I absolutely loved this book. Full review at:
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews