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To Hell in a Handbasket
To the neighbors, they're sweet old ladies. To Tim Robertson, they're his worst nightmare
From the Queen of Scream comes a novel that will raise the hair on the back of your neck.Not every grandmotherly type bakes cookies.
What's more frightening than finding out that the kindly old ladies living across the street from you are anything but?
As a child, Tim Robertson is selling cookies with his best friend Damien when they knock on the door of the house across the street from him. Two old ladies open the door and Tim never sees his best friend again.
Twenty years later, Tim has tried to move on and forget what happened back then. He is married, has a son, and just bought the house of his dreams in small town Cocoa Beach. When the house across the street from them is sold, they are all looking forward to getting new neighbors, until Tim realizes the old ladies are back to haunt him and the rest of the town.
To Hell in a Handbasket is Willow Rose, when she is at her most horrifying. Every page of this book is oozing with dread, and this novel stands shoulder to shoulder with the very best of Koontz and King. Anyone who has read a Willow Rose book knows it's harder to put the book down than to just finish it.
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2016
2286 people are currently reading
1188 people want to read
About the author
Willow Rose
230 books2,696 followersWillow Rose is a multi-million-copy best-selling Author and an Amazon ALL-star Author of more than 70 novels.
Several of her books have reached the top 10 of ALL books on Amazon in the US, UK, and Canada. She has sold more than three million books all over the world.
She writes Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Horror, Supernatural thrillers, and Fantasy.
Willow's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming. That's why her fans call her The Queen of Scream.
Willow lives on Florida's Space Coast. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watch the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
*NEW RELEASES*:
☞ - All The Good Girls (Harry Hunter Mystery #1) - Just released
☞ - Run Girl Run (Harry Hunter Mystery #2) coming soon, pre-order today!
☞ - No Other Way (Harry Hunter#3) coming soon, pre-order today!
☞ - Let Me Go (Eva Rae Thomas #5) - Just released!
Connect with Willow online:
http://www.facebook.com/willowredrose
https://twitter.com/madamwillowrose
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willo...
Sign up for Willow's VIP email list, and you'll automatically be notified as soon as her next book is released: www.willow-rose.net
Inbox already stuffed? Send the word: “ebooks” to 31996 to get a text alert with news about new releases, giveaways, and bargains from Willow.
Several of her books have reached the top 10 of ALL books on Amazon in the US, UK, and Canada. She has sold more than three million books all over the world.
She writes Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense, Horror, Supernatural thrillers, and Fantasy.
Willow's books are fast-paced, nail-biting pageturners with twists you won't see coming. That's why her fans call her The Queen of Scream.
Willow lives on Florida's Space Coast. When she is not writing or reading, you will find her surfing and watch the dolphins play in the waves of the Atlantic Ocean.
*NEW RELEASES*:
☞ - All The Good Girls (Harry Hunter Mystery #1) - Just released
☞ - Run Girl Run (Harry Hunter Mystery #2) coming soon, pre-order today!
☞ - No Other Way (Harry Hunter#3) coming soon, pre-order today!
☞ - Let Me Go (Eva Rae Thomas #5) - Just released!
Connect with Willow online:
http://www.facebook.com/willowredrose
https://twitter.com/madamwillowrose
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/...
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/willo...
Sign up for Willow's VIP email list, and you'll automatically be notified as soon as her next book is released: www.willow-rose.net
Inbox already stuffed? Send the word: “ebooks” to 31996 to get a text alert with news about new releases, giveaways, and bargains from Willow.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 252 reviews
September 27, 2023
To Hell And Back!
Our paranoid hero, Tim, shares his paranoia with two other characters-it must be a Florida thing.
Tim believes that two of the most “sweetest” old ladies are pure evil! So evil, they must be demons!
Now, why would he think that?
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Our paranoid hero, Tim, shares his paranoia with two other characters-it must be a Florida thing.
Tim believes that two of the most “sweetest” old ladies are pure evil! So evil, they must be demons!
Now, why would he think that?
Four stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 21, 2022
A creepy tale with a wonderful premise that ultimately ended up disappointing. This was a bit of a dog's breakfast as it progressed, with the author trying to tie in 3 separate arcs that just didn't work or ring true. I'll agree with previous reviewers in that none of the adult characters were very likeable, or indeed behaved the way adults normally do. I'm prepared to dispense with a certain amount of reality in return for a good story but there were just too many plots holes and silliness for that to happen this time.
The novella (most definitely NOT novel length) did have a twisty ending that was quite surprising though.
The novella (most definitely NOT novel length) did have a twisty ending that was quite surprising though.
March 22, 2017
Well, Stephen King it's not. Having said that, I actually wish it was Stephen King who wrote it, as it is an interesting idea, but the writing style was very off. It felt very amateurish and immature, almost juvenile in the way it was written. The characters were seriously undeveloped, and pretty much all of them were very annoying. I found only the children to be likable. The horror was weak and not scary or eerie or anything like it. It felt very predictable. The ending was meh, and feels unfinished, and while this "is it or is it not" or "ok what the hell happened" or "is the villain really gone" type of ending is common in horror and something I actually enjoy, here it didn't work, because I think the author left it unexplained not for any kind of suspense effect but probably due to--and I feel horrible saying that as writing is a very hard work--lazy writing.
It's a fast read, mostly because it's short and unpretentious. But I found it not at all really worthy of $4,99 that it costs, especially since 1/4 of the book is actually an excerpt from another book.
I see that the author is very popular, and that quite a few reviews said that her other work is much better, so I am gonna give the author another chance and read another one of her books, as perhaps this book in an exception.
It's a fast read, mostly because it's short and unpretentious. But I found it not at all really worthy of $4,99 that it costs, especially since 1/4 of the book is actually an excerpt from another book.
I see that the author is very popular, and that quite a few reviews said that her other work is much better, so I am gonna give the author another chance and read another one of her books, as perhaps this book in an exception.
December 14, 2020
This book wasn't bad. But it wasn't great either. I guess if you like witchy kind of stories you would enjoy it more than I did. It does have a creepy factor to it, but it takes a lot more to scare me. Two old women seem to be stalking this guy who keeps getting struck by lightning. First when he was a child, and now as an adult. The book was more about that guy losing his sanity (everyone thought) than the old woman.
July 21, 2017
Left a lot to be desired. Kept waiting for the 'punch line' so to speak. Why were these two old ladies following him? How did they just end up across the street from him 20 years later?? Doesn't make sense to me. And Ava??? What parent goes away for a week without the other parent knowing where they'll be in case something should happen to their child/children??
This book started out good but fell quickly.
This book started out good but fell quickly.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 12, 2019
Pitiful
The preview for the book stated Willow Rose was a #1 Amazon best selling horror author. I don't see how. Not at all frightening, no suspense and no thrills. Just a bunch of blather which feels as if it was written by a 12-year-old for 6-year-olds. The "About the Author" stated "Willow Rose" was a pseudonym; I agree with the author's choice to use one. If I wrote as poorly as she, I'd want to hide my identity, too. I will never read another of Ms. Rose's books. Ever.
The preview for the book stated Willow Rose was a #1 Amazon best selling horror author. I don't see how. Not at all frightening, no suspense and no thrills. Just a bunch of blather which feels as if it was written by a 12-year-old for 6-year-olds. The "About the Author" stated "Willow Rose" was a pseudonym; I agree with the author's choice to use one. If I wrote as poorly as she, I'd want to hide my identity, too. I will never read another of Ms. Rose's books. Ever.
July 3, 2017
I think this book was all over the place, and not everything connected. This is the first book I've ever read by Willow Rose, and now I'm really on the fence whether I will risk wasting time on another...I hate writing reviews that are on the negative side, but I just want to warn readers that if you like this author from other reads, I would probably pass on this one.
September 4, 2016
Very disappointed.
Story ends with lots of unanswered questions and should be tagged as a novella. Only good thing about it was free. Author had some good books, but definitely not this one. Not one likeable character, don't read ghost stories and this one didn't made any sense.
Story ends with lots of unanswered questions and should be tagged as a novella. Only good thing about it was free. Author had some good books, but definitely not this one. Not one likeable character, don't read ghost stories and this one didn't made any sense.
June 10, 2017
Started off good, but then not so much. Most of the characters are not very likeable. I don't want to give anything away, but the actions of Tim's wife as supposedly a dedicated, loving mother are very questionable.
September 8, 2024
3.5 rounded up. One end part doesn’t logically add up but it’s so far at the end I didn’t care. I saw some reviews complaining how it wasn’t horror. The horror is knowing the whole book that you’re the only one who believes Tim.
July 25, 2021
Willow Rose did it again 🙌🏻 Two old ladies could they be pure evil?🤨 great story!
February 24, 2020
This is the first time I have read this author though I have heard a lot about her in the past. The characters are interesting for the most part but do seem a little juvenile even after they grow up or the grown-ups seem just vindictive. The story itself is a good one but does not really give a lot of information as to what happened or who everyone truly is. I do have to say that I have never liked short chapters which just means more chapters.
When Tim Robertson was a child he and his best friend Damien were selling cookies in the neighborhood to make money for a field trip. After a not that great day, they decide to try one last house before a storm hits. They go to the house across the street from Tim where two old ladies live who drive a blue '57 Cadillac which is parked out front. When Damien goes in to collect the money for the cookies, he never comes back out and while Tim starts to head home he is struck by lightning for the first time.
Twenty years later and Tim is still trying to come to terms with what happened to his friend all those years ago. He has married and had a son, whom he named after that lost friend. But because life is never truly kind or fair the house across the street is sold and the new owners appear to be the same old ladies from his childhood. When his life starts to spiral out of control he knows who to blame. But blame and revenge have a way of backfiring.
It was supposed to be scary I assume but maybe I am too jaded to be so easily frightened. I hope that as I read more from this author tings get scarier. But I am sure it will affect others more viscerally. Enjoy and wait for it...
When Tim Robertson was a child he and his best friend Damien were selling cookies in the neighborhood to make money for a field trip. After a not that great day, they decide to try one last house before a storm hits. They go to the house across the street from Tim where two old ladies live who drive a blue '57 Cadillac which is parked out front. When Damien goes in to collect the money for the cookies, he never comes back out and while Tim starts to head home he is struck by lightning for the first time.
Twenty years later and Tim is still trying to come to terms with what happened to his friend all those years ago. He has married and had a son, whom he named after that lost friend. But because life is never truly kind or fair the house across the street is sold and the new owners appear to be the same old ladies from his childhood. When his life starts to spiral out of control he knows who to blame. But blame and revenge have a way of backfiring.
It was supposed to be scary I assume but maybe I am too jaded to be so easily frightened. I hope that as I read more from this author tings get scarier. But I am sure it will affect others more viscerally. Enjoy and wait for it...
August 13, 2018
Review: TO HELL IN A HANDBASKET by Willow Rose
Scary! That's my word for this novel. Scary! Straight-on supernatural horror, implacable, unavoidable, "the goblins are gonna get you if you don't watch out." Oh yes, abundance of fairy tale resonances here, and the characters really feel that.The plot is very suspenseful (scary!) with a number of unexpected twists. The author selects an unusual type for the horror (unusual in modern culture) and makes the horror seem impossible to bystanders, and even to the victims. Believing is difficult for the characters, until it's too late. I found the ending startling but quite satisfactory. Throughout, the level of suspense was kept ratcheted up with quite a number of edge-of-the-seat moments.
Scary! That's my word for this novel. Scary! Straight-on supernatural horror, implacable, unavoidable, "the goblins are gonna get you if you don't watch out." Oh yes, abundance of fairy tale resonances here, and the characters really feel that.The plot is very suspenseful (scary!) with a number of unexpected twists. The author selects an unusual type for the horror (unusual in modern culture) and makes the horror seem impossible to bystanders, and even to the victims. Believing is difficult for the characters, until it's too late. I found the ending startling but quite satisfactory. Throughout, the level of suspense was kept ratcheted up with quite a number of edge-of-the-seat moments.
August 24, 2018
Fantastic cover and most fitting name ‘To Hell in a Handbasket’!
Tim experiences literally unbelievable happenings caused by 2 little old grannies, with a blue Cadillac. The storyline has these seemingly sweet grannies doing frightening, unthinkable things that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what could possibly happen next. Or is it just Tim losing his mind. This is a book you have to read to experience all the craziness. The twisted ending left me stunned. But wait, it’s not over, another twist.
Another crazy, scary, creepy book by Willow Rose. Gotta love her!
Tim experiences literally unbelievable happenings caused by 2 little old grannies, with a blue Cadillac. The storyline has these seemingly sweet grannies doing frightening, unthinkable things that I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough to find out what could possibly happen next. Or is it just Tim losing his mind. This is a book you have to read to experience all the craziness. The twisted ending left me stunned. But wait, it’s not over, another twist.
Another crazy, scary, creepy book by Willow Rose. Gotta love her!
August 24, 2020
A book the equivalent of candy. You consume it, enjoying the taste at first, but afterwards feel a little sick and unsatisfied.
November 23, 2020
This was one HELL of a ride! Get ready to go to 'Hell In A Handbasket' with 2 of the most diabolicall evil old sisters ever to hit the pages!!!
OMG I loved this book! I had never read a Willow Rose book, even though I have 9 of her works on my Kindle, but when I saw that this was available as an Audiobook, I could NOT pass it up! It was so perfect to read a horror novel that was not overloaded with gratuituous sex and violence and STILL be a horror novel was absolutely the BEST!
Now the story takes place 30 years ago, and Tim Robertson and his best friend Damien are selling home made cookies to earn money to go on a school field trip. They go to the big old house across the street from them where two OLD sisters, Magda and Stella live, when they open the door; Tim never sees Damien again!
It is now 20 years later and Tim being a father of a young boy and married to the girl of his dreams, move back to Cocoa Beach Florida and purrchase the home of their dreams.....until they notice that there are new neighbors moving into the house across the street. The house that no one has occupied for a while, everyone is happy knowing there will be new neighbors, maybe ones with Kids.....that is until Tim realizes the two old ladies are back!!! Unexplained and weird so called 'accidents' start happening in the small town, and the sisters are always there at the scene of the crime. Tim, being a city employee knows that they are behind the murders and accidents but no one will believe him, including his wife!
Get ready to go for a ride in a light blue Cadillac from the 50's with two 'old spicy and very diabolical demons from Hell!!!'
Enjoy, 'To Hell In A Handbasket' by Willow Rose.
I LOVED it....am readying a review right now for my Youtube Horror channel; AreYouIntoHorror?
Richard
OMG I loved this book! I had never read a Willow Rose book, even though I have 9 of her works on my Kindle, but when I saw that this was available as an Audiobook, I could NOT pass it up! It was so perfect to read a horror novel that was not overloaded with gratuituous sex and violence and STILL be a horror novel was absolutely the BEST!
Now the story takes place 30 years ago, and Tim Robertson and his best friend Damien are selling home made cookies to earn money to go on a school field trip. They go to the big old house across the street from them where two OLD sisters, Magda and Stella live, when they open the door; Tim never sees Damien again!
It is now 20 years later and Tim being a father of a young boy and married to the girl of his dreams, move back to Cocoa Beach Florida and purrchase the home of their dreams.....until they notice that there are new neighbors moving into the house across the street. The house that no one has occupied for a while, everyone is happy knowing there will be new neighbors, maybe ones with Kids.....that is until Tim realizes the two old ladies are back!!! Unexplained and weird so called 'accidents' start happening in the small town, and the sisters are always there at the scene of the crime. Tim, being a city employee knows that they are behind the murders and accidents but no one will believe him, including his wife!
Get ready to go for a ride in a light blue Cadillac from the 50's with two 'old spicy and very diabolical demons from Hell!!!'
Enjoy, 'To Hell In A Handbasket' by Willow Rose.
I LOVED it....am readying a review right now for my Youtube Horror channel; AreYouIntoHorror?
Richard
August 2, 2022
Okay to be clear I did have fun reading this. It’s just good silly horror. I like the evil little grandmas. I liked it better in the first chapter when only Tim saw them and everyone was like “dude that house has been abandoned for years” and you’re just like brooo……
But then I didn’t really get why in the rest of the book everyone could see them. I mean I get that it was part of the horror because Tim is growing more and more paranoid but just seems weird that inconsistency.
So Tim. He’s a fine character. Obviously childhood trauma is a good part of horror stories. And ghosts from your past resurfacing. All excellent tropes. But there was a lot about him and the plot in general I didn’t get. Like the lightning strikes. I don’t really see how Tim getting struck by lightning furthered the plot at all. The scars on his face were mentioned a couple times but didn’t really seem to affect his character or personality.
Then ofc hate that he’s a cop. And I didn’t know why we had to have any of the things with Heidi the triathlete. I mean it added to Tim’s whole “bro I am straight up not having a good time” vibes but really otherwise it was pretty separate from the evil old ladies plot.
The main thing I really could not handle was Tim’s wife, Ava. I can’t believe this book was written by a woman because the way his wife was written as just a prop to serve Tim was so ick. It literally said at one point that she’s not like other wives because she enjoys cooking and cleaning and serving him.
*spoiler incoming*
Okay and also how did she survive???? That made no sense. It would be a good twist if the point was tu make you question whether any of it was real it just in Tim’s head except that we had his son experiencing it too so it wasn’t just Tim’s delusions.
Idk man. The last sentence though had me gasping I loved it
But then I didn’t really get why in the rest of the book everyone could see them. I mean I get that it was part of the horror because Tim is growing more and more paranoid but just seems weird that inconsistency.
So Tim. He’s a fine character. Obviously childhood trauma is a good part of horror stories. And ghosts from your past resurfacing. All excellent tropes. But there was a lot about him and the plot in general I didn’t get. Like the lightning strikes. I don’t really see how Tim getting struck by lightning furthered the plot at all. The scars on his face were mentioned a couple times but didn’t really seem to affect his character or personality.
Then ofc hate that he’s a cop. And I didn’t know why we had to have any of the things with Heidi the triathlete. I mean it added to Tim’s whole “bro I am straight up not having a good time” vibes but really otherwise it was pretty separate from the evil old ladies plot.
The main thing I really could not handle was Tim’s wife, Ava. I can’t believe this book was written by a woman because the way his wife was written as just a prop to serve Tim was so ick. It literally said at one point that she’s not like other wives because she enjoys cooking and cleaning and serving him.
*spoiler incoming*
Okay and also how did she survive???? That made no sense. It would be a good twist if the point was tu make you question whether any of it was real it just in Tim’s head except that we had his son experiencing it too so it wasn’t just Tim’s delusions.
Idk man. The last sentence though had me gasping I loved it
May 28, 2017
This is the kind of book where I wish I could leave half stars or else it was a 10 star system. I would prefer to give it a 3-1/2 stars but I'll round up because I enjoy this author so much and overall I liked this storyline. It almost had a YA feel to the book and think the YA reader would really like this book. There's nothing scarier than someone you feel should be one of the most mild people turn into one who should be the most feared. That's what happens when poor little boy Tim stops at the home of two little old ladies and experiences the most frightening thing of his life. Fast forward 20 years and the horror returns. But who will believe the unbelievable?
I really do love a good horror story and this one is good. The only problem I had was some of the things that happened were just strange- even allowing for a supernatural horror book. Also, I think some of the scenes were drawn out too much and it just made some parts boring for me when they went on too long. Otherwise I didn't have any problem finishing the book and easily finished it in a day. This is one of my new favorite authors and I look forward to reading the rest of her books.
I really do love a good horror story and this one is good. The only problem I had was some of the things that happened were just strange- even allowing for a supernatural horror book. Also, I think some of the scenes were drawn out too much and it just made some parts boring for me when they went on too long. Otherwise I didn't have any problem finishing the book and easily finished it in a day. This is one of my new favorite authors and I look forward to reading the rest of her books.
June 11, 2021
Esta ha sido una novela bastante desconcertante: la autora es fan de Roald Dahl, eso es obvio, y hace un trabajo espléndido con las "ancianitas", pero... hay cosillas raras. El protagonista es desagradable, machista, bully, maleducado, y da la impresión de estar basado en alguien real.
A ver, quién no ha metido a alguien odioso en una novela para hacer lo que se quiera con él. La parte negativa es que resulta difícil llevarse bien con el protagonista, y aquí hay tres frentes: buenos, malos y crédulos. Como no somos crédulos porque no es un caso de narrador no fiable deberíamos ir con los buenos, pero cuesta tanto que casi compensa pasarse al otro bando.
¿El final? La satisfacción depende de con quién nos hayamos aliado... pero diría que tiene un momento muy necesario, tanto como para merecer la pena leerse la novela.
Nota: aunque la autora escriba para un público YA la temática y algunos detalles tiran hacia un público un poco más adulto.
A ver, quién no ha metido a alguien odioso en una novela para hacer lo que se quiera con él. La parte negativa es que resulta difícil llevarse bien con el protagonista, y aquí hay tres frentes: buenos, malos y crédulos. Como no somos crédulos porque no es un caso de narrador no fiable deberíamos ir con los buenos, pero cuesta tanto que casi compensa pasarse al otro bando.
¿El final? La satisfacción depende de con quién nos hayamos aliado... pero diría que tiene un momento muy necesario, tanto como para merecer la pena leerse la novela.
Nota: aunque la autora escriba para un público YA la temática y algunos detalles tiran hacia un público un poco más adulto.
April 12, 2019
Creepy! Creepy! Creepy! I'm creeped out! I'll never look at two old ladies again the same without thinking hmmm...
I'm so glad Tim got what he deserved in the end, and the two old ladies got exactly what they deserved as well!
I'm so glad Tim got what he deserved in the end, and the two old ladies got exactly what they deserved as well!
January 19, 2021
I absolutely loved Willow Rose books and the twists they take. The ending in To Hell in a Handbasket has Willow Roses iconic twist but one that left me confused as to what exactly has happened.
October 12, 2019
Not great, but not terrible. Some of the twists went in different directions than I thought they would.
September 15, 2016
Read this review and more on my blog at [Roxie Writes].
'To Hell In A Handbasket' by Willow Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Finished on September 8, 2016
Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $3.99 on Kindle
To the neighbors, they're sweet old ladies. To Tim Robertson, they're his worst nightmare.
When Tim Robertson was a boy, he and his best friend, Damien, went around his neighborhood selling fresh-baked cookies in hopes of raising enough money to go on a school trip when they make the fateful decision to knock on the door of Estelle and Magda, two sweet old ladies, surely? Or not, as it's the last time Tim ever saw Damien. He's sure the old women are the reason, but no one believes him because no one believes that two old ladies could do something so awful.
Twenty years later, Tim has worked hard to move on from his childhood trauma when the house across the street from him is sold, and who of all people moves in, but the same two sweet old ladies! A creeping sense of dread falls over him, and sure enough, a series of unfortunate events begins happening in their town of Cocoa Beach. Tim is certain they are related to Estelle and Magda, but how can he convince everyone else without looking absolutely insane?
I read this book as part of my #yearofindiewomen.
This book was more of a 2.5 stars for me.
I really liked the concept of two old women who are up to dastardly, evil deeds but who go without suspicion simply because of their age and their sex. That idea has a lot of potential to me, but I didn't like the direction Rose took it in. Without spoiling it here, it was cliche and ended flatly.
The description of this book describes this book as standing "shoulder to shoulder with the very best of Koontz and King". That's a stretch.
Rose's overall writing is good and easy to read. The beginning of the book hooked me, and I wanted to like this. I really liked the son, Damien, and I wish more of the story had focused on him and his friendship with Liam. I also wish there had been more of a focus on Heidi because it felt like there was a lot of lead-up to her and then it sort of petered out. I also didn't really understand how a police officer didn't have more guilt about what had happened with Heidi. He had so much guilt over (the first) Damien, but not Heidi? That was weird to me.
And I feel compelled to mention this because I see this periodically. There was an extremely long excerpt for another of Rose's books at the end. Now, I don't particularly mind when authors do this, but it shouldn't account for literally 25% of the ebook. Twenty pages of another work is cool, but 25% of the ebook is too dang much. You're cheating your readers when you do this, and it's not okay. I, for one, am not going to read the excerpt and certainly am not going to buy the book you want me to purchase because I'm so annoyed, so you're defeating the purpose. I doubt I'm the only one.
'To Hell In A Handbasket' by Willow Rose
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5
Finished on September 8, 2016
Read with Kindle Unlimited Subscription
FREE on Kindle Unlimited | $3.99 on Kindle
To the neighbors, they're sweet old ladies. To Tim Robertson, they're his worst nightmare.
When Tim Robertson was a boy, he and his best friend, Damien, went around his neighborhood selling fresh-baked cookies in hopes of raising enough money to go on a school trip when they make the fateful decision to knock on the door of Estelle and Magda, two sweet old ladies, surely? Or not, as it's the last time Tim ever saw Damien. He's sure the old women are the reason, but no one believes him because no one believes that two old ladies could do something so awful.
Twenty years later, Tim has worked hard to move on from his childhood trauma when the house across the street from him is sold, and who of all people moves in, but the same two sweet old ladies! A creeping sense of dread falls over him, and sure enough, a series of unfortunate events begins happening in their town of Cocoa Beach. Tim is certain they are related to Estelle and Magda, but how can he convince everyone else without looking absolutely insane?
I read this book as part of my #yearofindiewomen.
This book was more of a 2.5 stars for me.
I really liked the concept of two old women who are up to dastardly, evil deeds but who go without suspicion simply because of their age and their sex. That idea has a lot of potential to me, but I didn't like the direction Rose took it in. Without spoiling it here, it was cliche and ended flatly.
The description of this book describes this book as standing "shoulder to shoulder with the very best of Koontz and King". That's a stretch.
Rose's overall writing is good and easy to read. The beginning of the book hooked me, and I wanted to like this. I really liked the son, Damien, and I wish more of the story had focused on him and his friendship with Liam. I also wish there had been more of a focus on Heidi because it felt like there was a lot of lead-up to her and then it sort of petered out. I also didn't really understand how a police officer didn't have more guilt about what had happened with Heidi. He had so much guilt over (the first) Damien, but not Heidi? That was weird to me.
And I feel compelled to mention this because I see this periodically. There was an extremely long excerpt for another of Rose's books at the end. Now, I don't particularly mind when authors do this, but it shouldn't account for literally 25% of the ebook. Twenty pages of another work is cool, but 25% of the ebook is too dang much. You're cheating your readers when you do this, and it's not okay. I, for one, am not going to read the excerpt and certainly am not going to buy the book you want me to purchase because I'm so annoyed, so you're defeating the purpose. I doubt I'm the only one.
March 27, 2017
Tim and his buddy, Damian, had to sell cookies to earn money to go on the school trip. They came upon the house across the street that no one dared go to. It looked abandoned, except for the blue 1955 Cadillac out front in perfect condition. But it wasn't abandoned. There behind the door were two little old ladies. Sweet looking, like an old grandma would look. Tim felt uneasy but Damian thought he was being silly and went inside to wait on the money they promised for the whole batch. Damian never came out.
Twenty years later, Tim was now a married man and father to 10-year old, Damian -named after his childhood best friend. A new family seemed to be moving in across the street. He couldn't believe his eyes, the very same 1955 blue Cadillac that had been in so many nightmares was pulling in to the driveway. Must be a creepy coincidence. That is, until two little old ladies came out and walked gingerly up to their front door; turning around and waving to Tim from his kitchen window.
No one believed him then, and no one does now. Except his son. "We're the nightmares when you're a child; we're the bad thoughts when seeing a beautiful woman; and we're the monsters under your bed at night."
~ a fast-paced paranormal horror that captures you from chapter one. Although I would've rather it ended differently. Still satisfying.
Twenty years later, Tim was now a married man and father to 10-year old, Damian -named after his childhood best friend. A new family seemed to be moving in across the street. He couldn't believe his eyes, the very same 1955 blue Cadillac that had been in so many nightmares was pulling in to the driveway. Must be a creepy coincidence. That is, until two little old ladies came out and walked gingerly up to their front door; turning around and waving to Tim from his kitchen window.
No one believed him then, and no one does now. Except his son. "We're the nightmares when you're a child; we're the bad thoughts when seeing a beautiful woman; and we're the monsters under your bed at night."
~ a fast-paced paranormal horror that captures you from chapter one. Although I would've rather it ended differently. Still satisfying.
May 21, 2017
I'm waffling a bit on this one. I liked the story, I guess, but a few things bothered me.
The grammatical errors annoyed me much more than they usually do; the incorrect use of apostrophes and commas especially. (Honestly, Willow, if you are editing these books yourself, I'd highly recommend hiring a proofreader (or fire the one that you have). I've seen errors in your other books, but these irritated me enough that I am compelled to comment.) Also, some of the dialog was somewhat stilted; it didn't flow well.
The writing style is more sophomoric than her other books, such as the Rebekah Franck series. It feels like an earlier work. Is that terrible? Perhaps not. However, if that is the case, I'd have updated it before publishing.
The story is a little odd: Young boy (Tim) loses his best friend (Damien) when they are selling cookies one day to raise money. His best friend goes into a scary house, practically dragged by two mysterious old women. Damien never returns and is never found. Fast forward twenty years: Tim is now a grown man, married with a young son (also named Damien), and living in a different area. Two mysterious old women who look exactly like the old hags who seemingly kidnapped and disappeared with his old friend move in across the street. Chaos breaks loose as murders and "accidents" start happening in the area, and Tim believes that the old ladies are responsible. Unfortunately, no one (including his wife) believes him.
Meanwhile, other threads of the storyline weave their way throughout: Damien is delighted by a talented friend his age. Tim's wife Ava is pleased by the new neighbors, the old ladies; and Tim is a hero for saving the life of a swimmer - though he is the only person who knows that he didn't save her, and is responsible for putting her in a coma.
In spite of the issues, it was a pleasing read. It kept me engaged enough to read it through in one sitting.
The grammatical errors annoyed me much more than they usually do; the incorrect use of apostrophes and commas especially. (Honestly, Willow, if you are editing these books yourself, I'd highly recommend hiring a proofreader (or fire the one that you have). I've seen errors in your other books, but these irritated me enough that I am compelled to comment.) Also, some of the dialog was somewhat stilted; it didn't flow well.
The writing style is more sophomoric than her other books, such as the Rebekah Franck series. It feels like an earlier work. Is that terrible? Perhaps not. However, if that is the case, I'd have updated it before publishing.
The story is a little odd: Young boy (Tim) loses his best friend (Damien) when they are selling cookies one day to raise money. His best friend goes into a scary house, practically dragged by two mysterious old women. Damien never returns and is never found. Fast forward twenty years: Tim is now a grown man, married with a young son (also named Damien), and living in a different area. Two mysterious old women who look exactly like the old hags who seemingly kidnapped and disappeared with his old friend move in across the street. Chaos breaks loose as murders and "accidents" start happening in the area, and Tim believes that the old ladies are responsible. Unfortunately, no one (including his wife) believes him.
Meanwhile, other threads of the storyline weave their way throughout: Damien is delighted by a talented friend his age. Tim's wife Ava is pleased by the new neighbors, the old ladies; and Tim is a hero for saving the life of a swimmer - though he is the only person who knows that he didn't save her, and is responsible for putting her in a coma.
In spite of the issues, it was a pleasing read. It kept me engaged enough to read it through in one sitting.
December 15, 2017
This was a pretty good story with a great 'punch-line' ending despite writing that really treats the reader as they're an idiot. I enjoyed the characters, the setting and the mysterious old ladies. I'll definitely be reading more of this author, hopefully her writing improves.
June 16, 2018
To Hell And Back
The title of this book sums it up very well. Our paranoid hero Tim, who shares his paranoia with two other characters-it must be a Florida thing, believes that two of the “sweetest” old ladies are pure evil. Now why would he think that?
The title of this book sums it up very well. Our paranoid hero Tim, who shares his paranoia with two other characters-it must be a Florida thing, believes that two of the “sweetest” old ladies are pure evil. Now why would he think that?
July 4, 2017
Not one of Willow's best, too much gore for my liking and couldn't get invested with any of the characters.
May 24, 2018
Willow Rose writes lots of books; most stories are in the genre horror, suspense, or fantasy. Someone assigned another genre, paranormal romance but I consider that horror even though I have never investigated tales with that designation. I know that her novels are a form of escapism for me because they are always entertaining in some twisted way. To Hell in a Handbasket is dark and entertaining. Twists many times come near the end or in the concluding few pages. With Handbasket, the twist is the very last line and I doubt anyone will see it coming. There are deceptive paragraphs preceding the end that will lead a reader to an erroneous conclusion.
Without writing a spoiler, I have mentioned where the twist is located. Are you tempted to go right away to the last page? You shouldn’t, because the sentence describing the twist doesn’t make sense without reading the entire (or almost the entire) story. This novel interested me because the end is really at the end of the story. This novel had a most satisfying ending.
Tim and Damien were classmates who needed money to go on a class trip. If they didn’t go, they would be forced to stay in school with lower classes; it would be embarrassing. Selling cookies sounded good but Tim and Damien weren’t girl scouts. They didn’t have the cute charm that motivated people to buy their cookies. A storm was coming and the two would sell no more cookies that day but they could make a stop at one last house. It almost looked abandoned except for the 1955 Cadillac in the driveway. Tim had always felt uneasy about the house, he thought it was creepy and did not want to stop. Damien talked him into it. The two old crones who answered the door delighted the pair by offering to buy all their cookies. They also invited Damien and Tim to enter the house for a visit and have some chocolate cookies. Tim decided to wait outside. Lightning hit Tim, scarred him for life, and he woke up in a hospital. Damien entered the house. No one ever saw him again.
Twenty years later Tim was an established figure in another Florida town. There was scarring from the lightning strike but it had not hurt his chances with Ava. Tim was a police officer, married to Ava, and had a son who he named Damien after his lost best friend. The pair had purchased a home they were barely able to afford with the combined earnings of Tim and Ava. Their neighborhood was near perfect except for the one abandoned house that no one wanted to buy. One day a moving van arrived with lots of furniture. Ava was pleased. A new family would take care of the place, property values would rise. Tim was pleased by the news until he saw the 1955 Cadillac. Then he saw the two old women. Tim had a couple of problems. First, the old women had probably killed his best friend. How could he now best protect his family? Second, he had never revealed his past to anyone in the town where he now lived. How could he reveal his past without sounding crazy?
At first, the old women never directly threatened Tim. They gave him “the look” that said they knew that he knew who they were. They made occasional remarks that told Tim of a shared past with the women. And things started happening around town. There were suicides and freak accidents. Veiled remarks became more transparent. Abandoned cars moved on their own. Threats happened closer to Tim’s family, Damien was in danger, the old women accidentally ran over the family dog. The breaking point was when Ava invited the elderly women to her (and Tim’s) house for tea.
These were all physical events that all could see. But Rose hints at attitude changes in the way that Cocoa Beach residents began interacting. Rose also hints at paranormal animals. After reading this novel, I will never buy a cat. Panthers are also out (read the story). Can the two sisters possess animals and work through them? Or is animal control more external with animals following the sisters’ directions?
Fans of less than extreme horror will find this a pleasant read. Except for the occasional pinky toe or ear, there is little graphic disfigurement. Depictions of sex stop at kissing although there is an attempted thigh grope of Ava by her boss. I gave this four Amazon stars because it is such a solid story. I find that in Rose Willow novels there is always some intriguing element she could explore more. That is why there are a lot of Rose Willow series and box sets. I read To Hell free on Kindle Unlimited
Without writing a spoiler, I have mentioned where the twist is located. Are you tempted to go right away to the last page? You shouldn’t, because the sentence describing the twist doesn’t make sense without reading the entire (or almost the entire) story. This novel interested me because the end is really at the end of the story. This novel had a most satisfying ending.
Tim and Damien were classmates who needed money to go on a class trip. If they didn’t go, they would be forced to stay in school with lower classes; it would be embarrassing. Selling cookies sounded good but Tim and Damien weren’t girl scouts. They didn’t have the cute charm that motivated people to buy their cookies. A storm was coming and the two would sell no more cookies that day but they could make a stop at one last house. It almost looked abandoned except for the 1955 Cadillac in the driveway. Tim had always felt uneasy about the house, he thought it was creepy and did not want to stop. Damien talked him into it. The two old crones who answered the door delighted the pair by offering to buy all their cookies. They also invited Damien and Tim to enter the house for a visit and have some chocolate cookies. Tim decided to wait outside. Lightning hit Tim, scarred him for life, and he woke up in a hospital. Damien entered the house. No one ever saw him again.
Twenty years later Tim was an established figure in another Florida town. There was scarring from the lightning strike but it had not hurt his chances with Ava. Tim was a police officer, married to Ava, and had a son who he named Damien after his lost best friend. The pair had purchased a home they were barely able to afford with the combined earnings of Tim and Ava. Their neighborhood was near perfect except for the one abandoned house that no one wanted to buy. One day a moving van arrived with lots of furniture. Ava was pleased. A new family would take care of the place, property values would rise. Tim was pleased by the news until he saw the 1955 Cadillac. Then he saw the two old women. Tim had a couple of problems. First, the old women had probably killed his best friend. How could he now best protect his family? Second, he had never revealed his past to anyone in the town where he now lived. How could he reveal his past without sounding crazy?
At first, the old women never directly threatened Tim. They gave him “the look” that said they knew that he knew who they were. They made occasional remarks that told Tim of a shared past with the women. And things started happening around town. There were suicides and freak accidents. Veiled remarks became more transparent. Abandoned cars moved on their own. Threats happened closer to Tim’s family, Damien was in danger, the old women accidentally ran over the family dog. The breaking point was when Ava invited the elderly women to her (and Tim’s) house for tea.
These were all physical events that all could see. But Rose hints at attitude changes in the way that Cocoa Beach residents began interacting. Rose also hints at paranormal animals. After reading this novel, I will never buy a cat. Panthers are also out (read the story). Can the two sisters possess animals and work through them? Or is animal control more external with animals following the sisters’ directions?
Fans of less than extreme horror will find this a pleasant read. Except for the occasional pinky toe or ear, there is little graphic disfigurement. Depictions of sex stop at kissing although there is an attempted thigh grope of Ava by her boss. I gave this four Amazon stars because it is such a solid story. I find that in Rose Willow novels there is always some intriguing element she could explore more. That is why there are a lot of Rose Willow series and box sets. I read To Hell free on Kindle Unlimited
August 13, 2018
Fellsmere (Indian River County) was known for its once-a-yr. Frog Leg Festival.
Tim Robertson, & Damien (Tim’s BMF) went door/door to raise money for a field trip to St. Augustine, FL.
While out soliciting the 2 boys noticed a 1955, 4-door sedan light blue Cadillac drive by.
20 yrs.-later. Steven Chambers (husband/father) reminded Melissa Chambers (wife/mother) to take Billy Chambers (son) to the spy camp at the Satellite Beach rec-center.
Steven had to take him.
After dropping their son off he offered to give an elderly woman a ride.
The lady teller greeted Mr. Chambers.
Snug Harbor (Bayshore Dr., Cocoa Beach). Ava Robertson (wife, eye-clinic) was very proud of Deputy-Sheriff Tim “Scar-face” Robertson (husband, CBPD). He was receiving an accommodation medal for bravery in the line of duty.
Sheriff Harlan did the honors.
Steven Chambers decomposed body was pulled out of the water.
½ of his face was blown to pieces.
Snug Harbor (Cocoa Beach). 2 (elderly sisters Estelle, & Magda (elderly sister) were their new neighbors.
Ryan Charles (husband/father, Tyson’s Technologies HR mgr.), Michelle Charles (wife/mother) Tommy Charles (17, son), wanted to welcome them.
A 1955, 4-door sedan light blue Cadillac was parked in the driveway.
What did the next day newspaper headlines read?
When Tim got home he hollered for Mabel (family dog).
Taco City. A kid got hit by a truck.
Sheriff Harlan, Deputy-Sheriff Pete, Deputy-Sheriff George Deputy-Sheriff Mike, & Deputy-Sheriff Robertson were on the scene.
What news did Tim have for Eva?
Dave Madhatter woke up Tim. A 1995 Dodge Ram pickup truck had been spotted on the beach by Patrick Air Force Base.
Why was the Go-Fund-Me set up?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was more like a cozy mystery, but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free BUOY MEDIA; 1 edition; Instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
Tim Robertson, & Damien (Tim’s BMF) went door/door to raise money for a field trip to St. Augustine, FL.
While out soliciting the 2 boys noticed a 1955, 4-door sedan light blue Cadillac drive by.
20 yrs.-later. Steven Chambers (husband/father) reminded Melissa Chambers (wife/mother) to take Billy Chambers (son) to the spy camp at the Satellite Beach rec-center.
Steven had to take him.
After dropping their son off he offered to give an elderly woman a ride.
The lady teller greeted Mr. Chambers.
Snug Harbor (Bayshore Dr., Cocoa Beach). Ava Robertson (wife, eye-clinic) was very proud of Deputy-Sheriff Tim “Scar-face” Robertson (husband, CBPD). He was receiving an accommodation medal for bravery in the line of duty.
Sheriff Harlan did the honors.
Steven Chambers decomposed body was pulled out of the water.
½ of his face was blown to pieces.
Snug Harbor (Cocoa Beach). 2 (elderly sisters Estelle, & Magda (elderly sister) were their new neighbors.
Ryan Charles (husband/father, Tyson’s Technologies HR mgr.), Michelle Charles (wife/mother) Tommy Charles (17, son), wanted to welcome them.
A 1955, 4-door sedan light blue Cadillac was parked in the driveway.
What did the next day newspaper headlines read?
When Tim got home he hollered for Mabel (family dog).
Taco City. A kid got hit by a truck.
Sheriff Harlan, Deputy-Sheriff Pete, Deputy-Sheriff George Deputy-Sheriff Mike, & Deputy-Sheriff Robertson were on the scene.
What news did Tim have for Eva?
Dave Madhatter woke up Tim. A 1995 Dodge Ram pickup truck had been spotted on the beach by Patrick Air Force Base.
Why was the Go-Fund-Me set up?
I did not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing this book. While I receive free books from publishers & authors, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one. All thoughts & opinions are entirely my own.
A very awesome book cover, & great font/writing style. A very well written murder mystery book. It was very easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a great set of unique characters to keep track of. This could also make another great murder mystery movie, or better yet a mini TV series. It was more like a cozy mystery, but I will still rate it at 5 stars.
Thank you for the free BUOY MEDIA; 1 edition; Instafreebie; Author; PDF book
Tony Parsons (Washburn)
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