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The Devil's Hand
“I felt it last night! I was all alone, and suddenly a hand touched my shoulder!”
The year is 1943. Beacon's Ash is a private, remote school in the North of England, and all its pupils are fallen girls. Pregnant and unmarried, they have been sent away by their families. For Ivy Jones, a young girl who arrived at the school several months earlier, Beacon's Ash is a nightmare, and her fears are strengthened when one of her classmates is killed in mysterious circumstances.
Has the ghost of Abigail Cartwright returned to the school? Who or what is responsible for the hand that touches the girls' shoulders in the dead of night? And is the school's headmaster Jeremiah Kane just a madman who seeks to cause misery, or is he in fact on the trail of the Devil himself? Soon ghosts are stalking the dark corridors, and Ivy realizes she has to face the evil that lurks in the school's shadows.
The Devil's Hand is a horror novel about a girl who seeks the truth about her friend's death, and about a madman who believes the Devil stalks the school's corridors in the run-up to Christmas.
The year is 1943. Beacon's Ash is a private, remote school in the North of England, and all its pupils are fallen girls. Pregnant and unmarried, they have been sent away by their families. For Ivy Jones, a young girl who arrived at the school several months earlier, Beacon's Ash is a nightmare, and her fears are strengthened when one of her classmates is killed in mysterious circumstances.
Has the ghost of Abigail Cartwright returned to the school? Who or what is responsible for the hand that touches the girls' shoulders in the dead of night? And is the school's headmaster Jeremiah Kane just a madman who seeks to cause misery, or is he in fact on the trail of the Devil himself? Soon ghosts are stalking the dark corridors, and Ivy realizes she has to face the evil that lurks in the school's shadows.
The Devil's Hand is a horror novel about a girl who seeks the truth about her friend's death, and about a madman who believes the Devil stalks the school's corridors in the run-up to Christmas.
326 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 17, 2015
127 people are currently reading
227 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
664 books1,685 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 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 20, 2017
This was an okay read as to me it wasn't that scary. It sort of lagged in spots. It is set in the 1940's in a home for pregnant women with a man that runs the home. He has evil intentions for the women. He thinks one of the women is possessed by the devil, when really he is the one that is possessed. Only 3 stars on this one.
December 27, 2016
Ivy is pregnant but not married, but in the 1940s this is unacceptable, so she is sent away...
A story of cruelty and provoking, ignorance and religious fervour. Good characters that bring this disturbing tale to life.
Recommended to those who enjoy the spooky.
A story of cruelty and provoking, ignorance and religious fervour. Good characters that bring this disturbing tale to life.
Recommended to those who enjoy the spooky.
August 28, 2017
Loved it!
Another awesome ghost story by my favorite author. I'll go so far as to say that I think Ms. Cross is the authors equivalent to the horror writer, Stephen King. Read this in less than a day. Just couldn't put it down.
Another awesome ghost story by my favorite author. I'll go so far as to say that I think Ms. Cross is the authors equivalent to the horror writer, Stephen King. Read this in less than a day. Just couldn't put it down.
September 12, 2017
Disturbing
I found this book to be really unsettling and disturbing, but what a brilliant author Amy Cross is. This was a very dark tale of cruelty, sadism and ultimate revenge. Brilliant!
I found this book to be really unsettling and disturbing, but what a brilliant author Amy Cross is. This was a very dark tale of cruelty, sadism and ultimate revenge. Brilliant!
June 7, 2019
Oops I did it again! Staying up all night to read a book when I should of been sleeping. Another cracker from Amy Cross, full of chill & just enough ghosts & gore to last me till the next book.
February 23, 2018
Really good but....
The story was very interesting; it flowed really well, went in directions that I didn’t expect, and the characters were really fleshed out. The idea of good vs evil isn’t a new construct in literature by any means, but the author examined it in a way that didn’t feel regurgitated (for lack of a better word lol). So, if I liked it so much why am I only giving it three stars? Well, I wanted to give it more stars, I truly did, but whoever edited this book needs to re-examine his/her chosen profession because the amount of grammatical errors in this book were too many to count. You may think I’m nitpicking, but there’s nothing that ruins the flow of a good book more than having to stop mid-sentence because of constant grammar and/or spelling mistakes, and isn’t that what editors get paid to catch?
The story was very interesting; it flowed really well, went in directions that I didn’t expect, and the characters were really fleshed out. The idea of good vs evil isn’t a new construct in literature by any means, but the author examined it in a way that didn’t feel regurgitated (for lack of a better word lol). So, if I liked it so much why am I only giving it three stars? Well, I wanted to give it more stars, I truly did, but whoever edited this book needs to re-examine his/her chosen profession because the amount of grammatical errors in this book were too many to count. You may think I’m nitpicking, but there’s nothing that ruins the flow of a good book more than having to stop mid-sentence because of constant grammar and/or spelling mistakes, and isn’t that what editors get paid to catch?
May 15, 2018
Amy Cross is a good storyteller, and that shows in this WW II era horror story. The tale takes place in a home for young,unmarried pregnant girls that is run by a religious fanatic. His staff includes a doctor, who due to an injury, is not serving in the military. There is also a "mother hen"who oversees the girls. No spoilers here! We meet the various girls, and we lose a few of the girls. How? You'll see! Some of the girls believe in spirits and ghosts. Do they have reason to? There is a hidden past to some of the staff members, and Ms.Cross cleverly uses this fact to led us the climax of the story. Well done story. It actually reminded me of horror novels and short stories from the 1940's and 1950's. Worth reading.
January 22, 2018
Another belter by Any Cross😃
In this book we meet all the young girls who have been impregnated and are living in Beacons Ash. They are good girls who find themselves in trouble and are sent by their parents to Beacons Ash, where the staff treat them like dirt. The owner Kane is a vicious man. Terrible things happen. I won't say any more - it was a great book. I loved it. Thanks Amy📕💕
,
In this book we meet all the young girls who have been impregnated and are living in Beacons Ash. They are good girls who find themselves in trouble and are sent by their parents to Beacons Ash, where the staff treat them like dirt. The owner Kane is a vicious man. Terrible things happen. I won't say any more - it was a great book. I loved it. Thanks Amy📕💕
,
November 9, 2017
Can't imagine
I always imagined that the orphanages and homes for unwed pregnant girls were really just sorry excuses to legally abuse children. I've yet to hear of one that legitimately helped those they were to help. And while this may not be a historical recantation, I bet it's not really that far off. Very well written.
I always imagined that the orphanages and homes for unwed pregnant girls were really just sorry excuses to legally abuse children. I've yet to hear of one that legitimately helped those they were to help. And while this may not be a historical recantation, I bet it's not really that far off. Very well written.
April 27, 2020
A good suspenseful story.
Ivy is sent to a school for pregnant girls. She deals with a sadistic headmaster. In this story, people are more terrifying than the ghosts. Two girls are dead, and their ghosts have been seen. Despite her fear, Ivy is determined to discover the mysteries of their deaths, and survive a very evil man.
Ivy is sent to a school for pregnant girls. She deals with a sadistic headmaster. In this story, people are more terrifying than the ghosts. Two girls are dead, and their ghosts have been seen. Despite her fear, Ivy is determined to discover the mysteries of their deaths, and survive a very evil man.
November 19, 2017
The devils hand
Good storyline and characters. A few editing errors but not enough to detract from the story. I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I wanted more after such a great read.
Good storyline and characters. A few editing errors but not enough to detract from the story. I felt the ending was a bit rushed. I wanted more after such a great read.
January 29, 2018
Enjoyed the book.
Good read. Good characters, that stay true. No big surprises, but it doesn't disappoint. Easy reading, maintains a good pace.
Good read. Good characters, that stay true. No big surprises, but it doesn't disappoint. Easy reading, maintains a good pace.
May 29, 2018
Whew ...wasn't sure I was going to finish this dark book .....fair warning , this is not for everyone !
January 22, 2019
Excellent characters
I liked this story a lot. Sort of gothic and the potential for the story to be based on truth seems all too real. I will read more by this author
I liked this story a lot. Sort of gothic and the potential for the story to be based on truth seems all too real. I will read more by this author
April 9, 2020
Amy Cross is the best author ever. Great story lines, never know how it is going to end. Highly recommend any of her books if you like scary books.
August 31, 2022
Great story always
January 5, 2024
An interesting and unusual book.
March 19, 2018
I guessed pretty early on what was really going on, though still quite sinister. While I loved the characters and setting, the story lagged a bit.
June 13, 2019
A horror story that could have happened.
This is not a story for the sensitive or easily offended. It is a ghostly tale of revenge. Unfortunately, the innocent, and some not so innocent, are affected by a man and his obsession.
This is not a story for the sensitive or easily offended. It is a ghostly tale of revenge. Unfortunately, the innocent, and some not so innocent, are affected by a man and his obsession.
May 13, 2016
A touching story
This is one of those books that will stay in your mind forever. I'm a fan of Amy Cross, she is a very talented author. Very good characters, and a storyline that touches your heart. Although there are ghosts in this tale, the true evil is just in the form of a man.
This is one of those books that will stay in your mind forever. I'm a fan of Amy Cross, she is a very talented author. Very good characters, and a storyline that touches your heart. Although there are ghosts in this tale, the true evil is just in the form of a man.
May 13, 2016
Great book
A school for young unwed mothers ran by Kane who is convinced the devil lives inside of Ivy only the doctor is willing to see evil in Kane
A school for young unwed mothers ran by Kane who is convinced the devil lives inside of Ivy only the doctor is willing to see evil in Kane
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews