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The Haunting of Lake Manor Hotel
“A pleasantly eerie collection by some young authors whose careers we’ll definitely have to follow.” – Joe Mynhardt, Crystal Lake Publishing
13 Rooms. 13 Guests. 13 Stories.
It's been over a hundred and fifty years since a plague ravaged the area around Lake Manor. With few left to bury them, the corpses were unceremoniously dumped into the lake by their surviving loved ones.
Years later, Lake Manor Hotel is alive with the shadows of the dead. Within the hotel's 13 rooms, there are 13 tales to tell. Guests will face evil demons, ghosts, creatures from the lake, and the worst monsters of all: the ones within themselves.
13 will check in, but how many will check out?
This collection features some of the brightest talent in the horror industry. They each tell a story of a character staying in Lake Manor Hotel. You won't want to miss this exciting anthology with a twist.
13 Rooms. 13 Guests. 13 Stories.
It's been over a hundred and fifty years since a plague ravaged the area around Lake Manor. With few left to bury them, the corpses were unceremoniously dumped into the lake by their surviving loved ones.
Years later, Lake Manor Hotel is alive with the shadows of the dead. Within the hotel's 13 rooms, there are 13 tales to tell. Guests will face evil demons, ghosts, creatures from the lake, and the worst monsters of all: the ones within themselves.
13 will check in, but how many will check out?
This collection features some of the brightest talent in the horror industry. They each tell a story of a character staying in Lake Manor Hotel. You won't want to miss this exciting anthology with a twist.
- GenresHorror
202 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 12, 2016
16 people are currently reading
77 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
March 9, 2017
An anthology is one of the hardest books to review as you feel as though you should say something for every individual story and then realise that you have a review that is nearly a novel in itself.
In addition to that when the collection in question happens to have a number of writers that you are, in one way or another, friends with it is hard to argue that you are giving an impartial view.
So, with that said The Haunting of Lake Manor Hotel is the first book published by Canadian outfit Woodbridge Press. Both the press and the collection are the brainchild of Nathan Hystad, giving the format an interesting spin by having all the stories interlinked by location, the hotel in question.
The background to the story is set up fairly concisely but in a manner that grabs the attention.
Lakeside Manor is, as the name would suggest, an old building set on the shore of a lake, but it is one that is steeped in history, not all of it good. When a plague cut through the local population many of the victims were just thrown into the lake, and almost by a form of osmosis brought on by the event the place has become a magnet for tragedy and horror.
The stories are all set in the hotel, each one a different room, each one written by a different author, and each one containing different tormented characters apart from the few resolute staff members who drift through the background….
There is, though, one character that dominates the book and that it’s the manor become hotel itself. It is never fully described but gives off such a brooding, solid presence that it is hard to not feel it closing in, looming in front of you. A place that is old, holding on to a lot of the past in design and appearance, with modern conveniences tagged on almost as an afterthought. A building with secret passages that lead to different places, where the way back might not be the same as the way there; where dark secrets can be pulled to the surface, where punishments can be exacted or innocence taken.
It is possible to infer that most of the visitors that pass through the hotel are lost souls, whether they are desperate or angry or just guilty, a fitting juxtaposition to the things that lurk in the lake who could well be lost souls already, but wandering ones, unable to let go and still lurking deep… or spawning things….
Each of the stories are well presented, easy to read, not too long and not too short. They all have an edge of horror to some of them, though some are more horrific than others. There is not one weak one among them, which enabled me to move through the book with an ease and pleasure that was unexpected.
For a first book for a new small press publishers this is a remarkable achievement and set the bar high for all that is to follow.
In addition to that when the collection in question happens to have a number of writers that you are, in one way or another, friends with it is hard to argue that you are giving an impartial view.
So, with that said The Haunting of Lake Manor Hotel is the first book published by Canadian outfit Woodbridge Press. Both the press and the collection are the brainchild of Nathan Hystad, giving the format an interesting spin by having all the stories interlinked by location, the hotel in question.
The background to the story is set up fairly concisely but in a manner that grabs the attention.
Lakeside Manor is, as the name would suggest, an old building set on the shore of a lake, but it is one that is steeped in history, not all of it good. When a plague cut through the local population many of the victims were just thrown into the lake, and almost by a form of osmosis brought on by the event the place has become a magnet for tragedy and horror.
The stories are all set in the hotel, each one a different room, each one written by a different author, and each one containing different tormented characters apart from the few resolute staff members who drift through the background….
There is, though, one character that dominates the book and that it’s the manor become hotel itself. It is never fully described but gives off such a brooding, solid presence that it is hard to not feel it closing in, looming in front of you. A place that is old, holding on to a lot of the past in design and appearance, with modern conveniences tagged on almost as an afterthought. A building with secret passages that lead to different places, where the way back might not be the same as the way there; where dark secrets can be pulled to the surface, where punishments can be exacted or innocence taken.
It is possible to infer that most of the visitors that pass through the hotel are lost souls, whether they are desperate or angry or just guilty, a fitting juxtaposition to the things that lurk in the lake who could well be lost souls already, but wandering ones, unable to let go and still lurking deep… or spawning things….
Each of the stories are well presented, easy to read, not too long and not too short. They all have an edge of horror to some of them, though some are more horrific than others. There is not one weak one among them, which enabled me to move through the book with an ease and pleasure that was unexpected.
For a first book for a new small press publishers this is a remarkable achievement and set the bar high for all that is to follow.
March 1, 2022
The best ones are OK at most and rare. The majority of stories are just terrible. Even as short stories they seem to go on and on. Did not want to and could not finish this collection of boring stories.
Premise sounded amazing and hopefully I can find something like this but with stories that do no suck.
Premise sounded amazing and hopefully I can find something like this but with stories that do no suck.
August 13, 2016
Classic horror stories, a really good mix of authors.
April 27, 2019
Wonderful job!
This is one of the best anthologies I've ever read. Each story was a well written stand alone, yet the way the characters were intertwined in different areas also made it read like a novel written by a single author. Excellent stories by excellent authors stitched seamlessly together. Well done.
This is one of the best anthologies I've ever read. Each story was a well written stand alone, yet the way the characters were intertwined in different areas also made it read like a novel written by a single author. Excellent stories by excellent authors stitched seamlessly together. Well done.
May 29, 2016
Very uneven. Short stories by different authors based on the scenario of a haunted hotel, Lake Manor Hotel. While the idea is decent, the stories are not so great.
August 5, 2016
A really great compilation of short horror stories all centred around a different rooms in the same hotel. A great concept, delivered well.
June 5, 2021
This was a bit of a mixed bag in terms of stories, but that's to be expected with an anthology and overall I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. I just wish there had been more about the initial backstory and some explanation for some of the other strange creatures - the ghosts made sense with the backstory but the other creatures didn't, unless you believe the area was just cursed or something. Not a deal breaker but sometimes took me out of the stories.
The only stories I really didn't like were the last two stories. The second to last one, with Art, I didn't entirely get the ending (in relation to the news article). The last one which was well written and had a lot of potential to shed light on the overall story just muddied the waters for me and didn't seem like the heroine won at all (although it's written as if she did). I expected tragic stories, and that's fine, but then they can't also be seen as victories. Also Hank in this story is seen as a good guy while in other stories he's a non-entity or basically evil - it didn't lend to him being a complicated character; it just was contradictory and took me out of the story.
But still a well done collection and quick, spooky read.
The only stories I really didn't like were the last two stories. The second to last one, with Art, I didn't entirely get the ending (in relation to the news article). The last one which was well written and had a lot of potential to shed light on the overall story just muddied the waters for me and didn't seem like the heroine won at all (although it's written as if she did). I expected tragic stories, and that's fine, but then they can't also be seen as victories. Also Hank in this story is seen as a good guy while in other stories he's a non-entity or basically evil - it didn't lend to him being a complicated character; it just was contradictory and took me out of the story.
But still a well done collection and quick, spooky read.
January 9, 2017
Pretty good stories.
All the stories are different. Not totally what I expected but that is not a bad thing. Some were better than others but all were pretty good.
All the stories are different. Not totally what I expected but that is not a bad thing. Some were better than others but all were pretty good.
June 26, 2016
The Haunting of Lake Manor is the first publication of Woodbridge Press which is headed by Nathan Hystad. Per his site, he originally envisioned this book to be a collection of shorts written by him. He instead decided to invite a group of authors to submit their stories.
It’s clear (in a good way) that he gave very little direction as to how these stories should be framed. In fact, I can see him saying something like, “So, there was a plague by this hotel a hundred and fifty years ago. All the victims were pretty much dumped into the lake next to it. Now, scare the hell out of me.” And that’s the one common theme they share. Beyond that, the authors of this compilation created a book that constantly serves up chills, gore, and twists. I was hooked right from the first story that actually kicked off the book on a whimsical, touching note. But be warned, it does not stay this way. I was completely unprepared for some of the stories that came from the darkest corners of their creator’s minds. It is a bit difficult to review individual pieces. Since they are mostly on the short side, I would not want to risk any spoilers. The collection consists of thirteen guests, each staying in one of the thirteen rooms of Lake Manor Hotel. All were entertaining, but the two that stood out for me were, Room 5 and Room 8.
I also think it worth mentioning that I wasn’t the only one entertained by this collection. Soon after its launch, it held the number one spot in the UK for Horror Anthologies and Short Stories categories, in addition to number one in Canada for Horror Anthologies. I’d say that’s a solid start for a new publisher. Both the Kindle and Paperback editions are available on Amazon. Certainly worth the read, especially with the Kindle edition priced at under $2.00.
It’s clear (in a good way) that he gave very little direction as to how these stories should be framed. In fact, I can see him saying something like, “So, there was a plague by this hotel a hundred and fifty years ago. All the victims were pretty much dumped into the lake next to it. Now, scare the hell out of me.” And that’s the one common theme they share. Beyond that, the authors of this compilation created a book that constantly serves up chills, gore, and twists. I was hooked right from the first story that actually kicked off the book on a whimsical, touching note. But be warned, it does not stay this way. I was completely unprepared for some of the stories that came from the darkest corners of their creator’s minds. It is a bit difficult to review individual pieces. Since they are mostly on the short side, I would not want to risk any spoilers. The collection consists of thirteen guests, each staying in one of the thirteen rooms of Lake Manor Hotel. All were entertaining, but the two that stood out for me were, Room 5 and Room 8.
I also think it worth mentioning that I wasn’t the only one entertained by this collection. Soon after its launch, it held the number one spot in the UK for Horror Anthologies and Short Stories categories, in addition to number one in Canada for Horror Anthologies. I’d say that’s a solid start for a new publisher. Both the Kindle and Paperback editions are available on Amazon. Certainly worth the read, especially with the Kindle edition priced at under $2.00.
June 27, 2017
I enjoyed most of the books in this anthology as they were quick and creepy. I also liked that they all centered on a different room of the hotel and that some stories mentioned events or details of the other stories. There were a couple that didn't hold my interest and I skimmed through those but otherwise a good creepy read.
August 26, 2016
Pretty Good
First of all I loved the cover that made me buy it. It was a good book about people staying in the hotel and of course never leaving. I liked the concept some of the stories were better than others. It at least deserves a four star because on the whole most of the stories were good. Very atmospheric.
First of all I loved the cover that made me buy it. It was a good book about people staying in the hotel and of course never leaving. I liked the concept some of the stories were better than others. It at least deserves a four star because on the whole most of the stories were good. Very atmospheric.
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May 19, 2016review forthcoming
June 22, 2016
I am not a fan of short stories, I love the making of people characters, etc. But this was pretty good. lots of mystery, spooky, great ghost stories. Loved it
August 6, 2022
I really liked this book , it is one that I can read again down the line.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews