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The Haunting of Winchester Mansion #0.5
The Haunting Of Winchester Mansion
In the small town of Black Bay, a vacant, forgotten house sits atop an overlooking bluff. When Bailey and Bodhi Taylor move in and begin renovations, the house seems perfect. But things move on their own, screams echo from the basement, and Bailey sees a shadowy figure out of the corner of her eye. Is the house haunted? And if it is, what does the ghost want with Bailey?
130 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 31, 2017
344 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
About the author
Alexandria Clarke
219 books272 followersAlexandria Clarke is a writer, cat lover, and all-around optimist. She loves to immerse her readers in mystery and intrigue, meaningful friendships, and the worlds of characters who learn by doing. When she's not writing, Alex enjoys playing guitar, watching Wynonna Earp, and spending time with her family. She currently lives in Orlando, Florida with her partner and their four pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
September 5, 2023
I, the "Ghost Story Junkie", found this to be a very satisfying ghost story. However, I didn't realize that it was book #2 of a trilogy; but by the time I did I was too immersed in the tale to stop and hunt down the first book...but I intend to read all three of The Haunting of Winchester Mansion books. The story is nicely built, but unfortunately, I soon found out that it's not only the second book but that this story is built on the book before it, and of course that means that book #3 is built on this one. (sigh). If you are a fan of murder mysteries, crime stories, sleuthing and of course, those goose-bump raising paranormal offerings all wrapped up in a trio of books, you'll want to grab this wonderfully haunting threesome that tells the story of The Haunting of Winchester Mansion...but be sure to do so IN ORDER.
July 11, 2017
This book definitely had me interested.
I found the relationship between the two main characters depressing. After losing their child their marriage basically crumbled, but they stuck it out and stayed together, continuing to work together but not work on their relationship. I just wanted to hug them both and help them get back to each other.
After moving into the Winchester Mansion to renovate and sell the place, strange things began to happen. Some of the things seemed a bit far fetched to me, and other things creeped me out.
'In the murky gloom, a hunched figure lurked near the bottom of the stairs. "I'm here!" I called.' Nope, nope, nope, I don't do freakin hunched figures nope, nada, noooooo.
I have this huge fear against things crawling unnaturally towards someone and apparently I also have a thing against seeing a ghost in the same room as you, as they face the corner of a wall, the back of their head to you, and just stare at said corner. That shit freaks me out. The corner of the wall thing wasn't in this book (thank god) but I can add a third thing to my list that really freaks me out. The word HUNCHED, and the words HUNCHED FIGURE when it comes to ghosts. NO thank you.
I also found it very interesting that the ghost spoke to our MC with the lamp. Three short flashes. Three long flashes. Three short flashes. THe lamp paused then the sequence repeated itself. Dot dot dot. Dash dash dash. Dot dot dot. It was an SOS call. Which would make sense for the ghost to know (if it is Caroline) because she was a sailor.
In the hallway, someone-or something - sprinted past the master bedroom
LOL, LOL, FUCK NO.
This book freaks me out.
Than the big reveal occurs. At first you're wondering, why the hell is this place haunted? They all died in an innocent boating accident, what is with the freaky happenings? And than the big reveal, the huge AH-HAH moment. The mystery is strong with this one.
Now I am really interested in finding out what the hell is going on. But that brings me to my one and only problem with this book. It gets a bit unrealistic. Eventually they figure some things out about their haunting, and who is haunting them. They start openly conversing with the ghost and sometimes she replies by moving things, and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she starts the conversation, and sometimes they do. But the open way they are just treating this makes me feel iffy.
In a way it's funny at times, and entertaining, but I don't know if it's realistic. Of course some can argue that a story about ghosts isn't realistic, but to them I say, go stay at a haunted house and get back to me. I don't think I mind this approach to much because it definitely is different then I normally see in stories like this, but it may take away from the overall seriousness of the story.
It does end pretty abruptly, and you go into the next book as if continuing onto the next chapter, which I would be annoyed with if the entire 'series' wasn't in a free collection of works.
On to the next book, I want to find out who
I found the relationship between the two main characters depressing. After losing their child their marriage basically crumbled, but they stuck it out and stayed together, continuing to work together but not work on their relationship. I just wanted to hug them both and help them get back to each other.
After moving into the Winchester Mansion to renovate and sell the place, strange things began to happen. Some of the things seemed a bit far fetched to me, and other things creeped me out.
'In the murky gloom, a hunched figure lurked near the bottom of the stairs. "I'm here!" I called.' Nope, nope, nope, I don't do freakin hunched figures nope, nada, noooooo.
I have this huge fear against things crawling unnaturally towards someone and apparently I also have a thing against seeing a ghost in the same room as you, as they face the corner of a wall, the back of their head to you, and just stare at said corner. That shit freaks me out. The corner of the wall thing wasn't in this book (thank god) but I can add a third thing to my list that really freaks me out. The word HUNCHED, and the words HUNCHED FIGURE when it comes to ghosts. NO thank you.
I also found it very interesting that the ghost spoke to our MC with the lamp. Three short flashes. Three long flashes. Three short flashes. THe lamp paused then the sequence repeated itself. Dot dot dot. Dash dash dash. Dot dot dot. It was an SOS call. Which would make sense for the ghost to know (if it is Caroline) because she was a sailor.
In the hallway, someone-or something - sprinted past the master bedroom
LOL, LOL, FUCK NO.
This book freaks me out.
Than the big reveal occurs. At first you're wondering, why the hell is this place haunted? They all died in an innocent boating accident, what is with the freaky happenings? And than the big reveal, the huge AH-HAH moment. The mystery is strong with this one.
Now I am really interested in finding out what the hell is going on. But that brings me to my one and only problem with this book. It gets a bit unrealistic. Eventually they figure some things out about their haunting, and who is haunting them. They start openly conversing with the ghost and sometimes she replies by moving things, and sometimes she doesn't. Sometimes she starts the conversation, and sometimes they do. But the open way they are just treating this makes me feel iffy.
In a way it's funny at times, and entertaining, but I don't know if it's realistic. Of course some can argue that a story about ghosts isn't realistic, but to them I say, go stay at a haunted house and get back to me. I don't think I mind this approach to much because it definitely is different then I normally see in stories like this, but it may take away from the overall seriousness of the story.
It does end pretty abruptly, and you go into the next book as if continuing onto the next chapter, which I would be annoyed with if the entire 'series' wasn't in a free collection of works.
On to the next book, I want to find out who
April 12, 2017
I am disappointed with this book, it doesn't matter if it's a prequel it just ran out of steam in the end. The story is excellent but what happened at the end? I believe cliffhangers at the end of a book is just not right, it’s ok for tv series not books. I love the story but hate the ending, ending a book like this is okay if you are going to close it off in the next one, but to give both cliffhangers or no ending is too much. Sorry, you lose marks for poor ending.
July 4, 2017
This is a prequel that ends on a cliffhanger. Fair enough. I had other issues. The characters had a major relationship issue that was not set up with the characters--and that was handled poorly. The story promised a light, almost cozy-horror tone that made me almost abandon the book multiple times (which it abandoned out of left field the last 10% of the book), and the story conflict relies on characters not communicating and being, in a couple of spots, too stupid to live.
In order to offset those issues, the book would have had to grab me in SOME way, really hard, and it didn't. It was competently styled, peopled, dialogued, described, and plotted...but because of those logic issues, I needed to be won over with delight in some other area.
In order to offset those issues, the book would have had to grab me in SOME way, really hard, and it didn't. It was competently styled, peopled, dialogued, described, and plotted...but because of those logic issues, I needed to be won over with delight in some other area.
April 11, 2017
Well Written.
I enjoyed this book and read it fairly quickly. I hope to read the next in the series sometime soon!
I enjoyed this book and read it fairly quickly. I hope to read the next in the series sometime soon!
July 22, 2019
This is only half a novel. Just when it gets to the meat of the plot it ends. The author wants you to read the next book in the series. Hard pass.
May 4, 2017
worth a read
I gave this book a four star rating because I found it to be very well written and readable. It seems to follow quite a familiar formula of a couple moving into a new, isolated house in a small town and finding that it might just be inhabited by something not of this world.
I refrained from giving a five star rating for a few reasons:
1)How exactly does one repair a sinkhole under a beach house, i.e. a sinkhole on a beach? That's either extremely expensive or impossible but from the very first page the writer is asked to believe that the protagonist, who later complains about the potential cost of using beach towels at a rental property were able to do just that.
2)Certain aspects that were supposed to be suspenseful or at least surprising weren't.
3)This is more of an extended prologue than a book and the ending is too open. The reader can't not read the next book because at the end of this, the story is really only just beginning. That's great for the author as it just about insures the next book is brought but it's annoying to the reader.
4)The book's title The Winchester Mansion is wrong. In the story the house is referred to as The Winchester House throughout and although large is not a mansion. Also the similarity of the to that of the Winchester Mystery House (which has nothing to do with this story) might be vaguely annoying to some people if they misunderstand the title to refer to that famous property.
I would recommend this book to people who like hauntings and ghost stories with a possible murder mystery. I would also recommend it to people who like the works of James Herbert as the story has similarities to "The Haunting of Crickley Hall".
I gave this book a four star rating because I found it to be very well written and readable. It seems to follow quite a familiar formula of a couple moving into a new, isolated house in a small town and finding that it might just be inhabited by something not of this world.
I refrained from giving a five star rating for a few reasons:
1)How exactly does one repair a sinkhole under a beach house, i.e. a sinkhole on a beach? That's either extremely expensive or impossible but from the very first page the writer is asked to believe that the protagonist, who later complains about the potential cost of using beach towels at a rental property were able to do just that.
2)Certain aspects that were supposed to be suspenseful or at least surprising weren't.
3)This is more of an extended prologue than a book and the ending is too open. The reader can't not read the next book because at the end of this, the story is really only just beginning. That's great for the author as it just about insures the next book is brought but it's annoying to the reader.
4)The book's title The Winchester Mansion is wrong. In the story the house is referred to as The Winchester House throughout and although large is not a mansion. Also the similarity of the to that of the Winchester Mystery House (which has nothing to do with this story) might be vaguely annoying to some people if they misunderstand the title to refer to that famous property.
I would recommend this book to people who like hauntings and ghost stories with a possible murder mystery. I would also recommend it to people who like the works of James Herbert as the story has similarities to "The Haunting of Crickley Hall".
April 20, 2018
When I first got this series, I thought originally of the mansion in California. This is not that place. However, I loved this story. Especially the characters. The story is about Bailey and Bodhi a married couple who experienced a personal tragedy, but are now employed as professional house flippers and blog their experience to fans. What would you do if you bought a house to flip and found out it was haunted. I really like these characters, and kind of hope they flip more haunted houses in the future. One of the best things is that the "haunting" starts very subtle, so you aren't even sure something is happening. This is only book one,,so it's very short, and even combining all three novels into one, would be okay.
June 13, 2017
Absolutely loved this! Couldn't put it down. Double thumbs up for this book!
June 6, 2018
This is the first novella in The Haunting of Winchester Mansion series by Alexandria Clarke. While I read a great deal of “spooky” stories, I really enjoyed this series because I could relate on so many different levels.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like the premise of a happily married couple who flipped houses. However, Clarke soon showed me that, like the adage, “Never judge a book by its cover.” Bailey and her husband, Bodhi, are not happily married and they both have a secret that is threatening to destroy their marriage. I found myself engrossed in their struggles and read all three books within two days!
Clarke seamlessly weaves the ghost story of the Winchester family with the real-life story of the Taylors. Clarke did a great job building the suspense with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are believable and engaging; I could sense their fear, pain, anxiety, and ultimate triumph. Even though a sinister twist at the end makes a good ghost story, I was glad the story ended the way it did – with a happy ending!
If you’re looking for a ghost story with a love story, a mystery, and a happy ending, this series would be a very entertaining choice!
At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like the premise of a happily married couple who flipped houses. However, Clarke soon showed me that, like the adage, “Never judge a book by its cover.” Bailey and her husband, Bodhi, are not happily married and they both have a secret that is threatening to destroy their marriage. I found myself engrossed in their struggles and read all three books within two days!
Clarke seamlessly weaves the ghost story of the Winchester family with the real-life story of the Taylors. Clarke did a great job building the suspense with unexpected twists and turns. The characters are believable and engaging; I could sense their fear, pain, anxiety, and ultimate triumph. Even though a sinister twist at the end makes a good ghost story, I was glad the story ended the way it did – with a happy ending!
If you’re looking for a ghost story with a love story, a mystery, and a happy ending, this series would be a very entertaining choice!
August 18, 2017
This is the first book in a series of 4 books (why they decided to call this book 0 in stead of book 1, I have no idea...probably because trilogies are "hip"). So first in a series of 4 books though I must add very short books...The entire series is actually the same length as a normal book, though slightly above average page count. Again, the reason for this is probably because series are "hip"...In any case this book is too short, moreover, this book is not a book at all...There is no middle and end, just a beginning. If you decide to write a series, at least try to write books that all have a beginning - middle - end, and then you can situate them as part of a bigger series. I'm beginning to fear that this is just 1 book divided into 4 parts to make it fashionable.
So was this an interesting beginning of a story, yes. Was this a good book? No, because it wasn't een a book. Since I already have the whole series, I will continue reading and see what the story is actually like.
If you still need to start reading, you might just want to read the series in one go. It's not really that much of a task since it's still under 500 pages and I'm really hoping that reading this series as if it was 1 book, might actually improve my reading experience...for the moment I just feel cheated.
So was this an interesting beginning of a story, yes. Was this a good book? No, because it wasn't een a book. Since I already have the whole series, I will continue reading and see what the story is actually like.
If you still need to start reading, you might just want to read the series in one go. It's not really that much of a task since it's still under 500 pages and I'm really hoping that reading this series as if it was 1 book, might actually improve my reading experience...for the moment I just feel cheated.
August 8, 2017
This book wasn't really scary, but I got attached to the characters, which rarely happens to me, and read it till the end. It's a prequel that ends with a cliffhanger. No one likes it when a book ends with a cliffhanger, but I got all three books for free, so it doesn't anger me much :))) I'll be reading the second book to see how it's all going to end. As with all haunted house stories, this one features mysterious deaths, and who doesn't like a good detective ghost story?
As I said already this book isn't very scary, it's more like a Supernatural episode (Winchester Mansion, wink, wink), but I used to like Supernatural, and will dedicate a few hours of my time to The Haunting of Winchester Mansion. I hope I'm not going to end up disappointed.
As I said already this book isn't very scary, it's more like a Supernatural episode (Winchester Mansion, wink, wink), but I used to like Supernatural, and will dedicate a few hours of my time to The Haunting of Winchester Mansion. I hope I'm not going to end up disappointed.
May 9, 2018
As an introduction to the series, it was fine but if you want to be drawn into the story make sure you've already bought the follow-up books! The characters were engaging and the whole blogging part of the story made it contemporary hence three stars, but the suddenness of the ending jarred me out of the story. Yes, I know it seems like I'm moaning about a cliffhanger trust me, I'm not at all because I love including them in my own stories, it just seemed to come about at an odd abrupt moment in the story.
Anyway, as a mystery story, this had enough scares and twists in it to keep people guessing and the writing was good enough to make me want to read the next books in the series.
Anyway, as a mystery story, this had enough scares and twists in it to keep people guessing and the writing was good enough to make me want to read the next books in the series.
May 8, 2019
A married couple suffering a loss of a child. A pair of siblings stuck in limbo. Fate brought them together for a reason. Bailey and Brodhi were a couple of house flippers looking for the next project. When they take on the Winchester House, they get more than they asked for. Through the chaos of remodeling, the constant reminder of the death of the beloved Winchester family, Bailey knew she was there for a reason. When they finally realized they needed to help the siblings find closure to move on they also discovered a way to renew their love and their lives. This was a hard book to put down.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 25, 2019
The Haunting of Winchester Mansion
Alexandria Clarke
In the small town of Black Bay, Bailey and Bodhi Taylor find a hidden gem of a house...or so it seems...
The couple travels across the country flipping houses. They are having a rough patch in their marriage, and as if that is not stressful enough, add a ghost haunting their current house!
I was so engrossed by this book, and want to read more from this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Alexandria Clarke
In the small town of Black Bay, Bailey and Bodhi Taylor find a hidden gem of a house...or so it seems...
The couple travels across the country flipping houses. They are having a rough patch in their marriage, and as if that is not stressful enough, add a ghost haunting their current house!
I was so engrossed by this book, and want to read more from this author!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
January 7, 2021
The book has potential but it seems to lack something within it. I know that the book is a prequel to the first one or at least an extract from the first book and that it cuts off on a cliff hanger, but I think it could have been written a little differently.
I don't know if anyone's else's kindle version had the same error as mine, but it seemed like that there was a few pages missing as one chapter started with one scene between two characters and then the next page went on to a different scene completely with one of the characters in a different location .
I don't know if anyone's else's kindle version had the same error as mine, but it seemed like that there was a few pages missing as one chapter started with one scene between two characters and then the next page went on to a different scene completely with one of the characters in a different location .
June 17, 2025
I have submitted this review after listening to the audiobook of this title within the series set box entitled "The Mansion Hauntings Super BoxSet." (Audible)
A young couple flipping houses and blogging about their adventures whilst doing so buys an old mansion that has been vacant for twenty years.
During the course of renovations, they become aware that things are not quite right in the house. Tools being moved, noises that have no origins, items floating or falling with no visible hand holding the upright in the first place.
Then things get even worse!
A young couple flipping houses and blogging about their adventures whilst doing so buys an old mansion that has been vacant for twenty years.
During the course of renovations, they become aware that things are not quite right in the house. Tools being moved, noises that have no origins, items floating or falling with no visible hand holding the upright in the first place.
Then things get even worse!
September 5, 2018
Sorry but this was just not for me. I’m all in for a ghost story but I just couldn’t stay interested. While this was well-written and the characters were okay I didn’t really find myself caring for them. Of course their strained relationship makes good drama but it just didn’t work for me. While I like the whole mystery element in ghost stories this one felt like it dragged. I probably won’t be continuing the rest of books.
March 15, 2020
I really enjoyed this story, I love ghosts & haunted house stories, and by far my favorite ghosts are of the “Casper” variety. The murder mystery really wasn’t all that mysterious, but I enjoyed the characters of the book so much that it was easy to read despite being predictable.
I found it to be a comfortable read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery with a healthy dose of teenage ghost antics.
I found it to be a comfortable read and I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys a murder mystery with a healthy dose of teenage ghost antics.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 25, 2017
The story itself is all right, the characters weren't annoying, and the story itself somewhat fascinating. But I knocked a star off because I hate cliffhanger endings in books.
The story itself is all right, the characters weren't annoying, and the story itself somewhat fascinating. But I knocked a star off because I hate cliffhanger endings in books.
The story itself is all right, the characters weren't annoying, and the story itself somewhat fascinating. But I knocked a star off because I hate cliffhanger endings in books.
February 26, 2019
Great book except for the cliffhanger at the end. If I hadn't bought the whole series at one time I wouldn't have continued reading. I like cliffhangers, don't get me wrong but this was so abrupt, it was almost as if the author wrote the entire series and just cut it into pieces to make multiple books.
May 1, 2019
I loved this haunted story. A fan of this genre, I enjoyed the first book in this series and I love this book as well. The author is skilled at working through the backstories while weaving a tale that glues you to the pages and keeps you on the edge of your seat. Great characters and story.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 16, 2020
She has inherited her aunt house. She has no idea why but she will accept it as she needs somewhere to sleep and this is ideal. The house is haunted and she wants to find out what is going on before she is the next victim. Can she find out? Can she vanish the ghosts? See if she can
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 19, 2017
A bit confused
Through the book itself it never explained who was haunting the house and Ethan and Milo are both shady. Then the possession of Bodhi and the cliff hanger ending. I'm confused but I'm going to read the next book to find out the whole story
Through the book itself it never explained who was haunting the house and Ethan and Milo are both shady. Then the possession of Bodhi and the cliff hanger ending. I'm confused but I'm going to read the next book to find out the whole story
December 9, 2017
Good Read
Enjoyed following these house flippers with a blog. Okay the house is haunted her husband initially doesn't believe her. However, the house soon reveals its angst to him...read it you'll enjoy it. I purchased this in a book set I couldn't put it down.
Enjoyed following these house flippers with a blog. Okay the house is haunted her husband initially doesn't believe her. However, the house soon reveals its angst to him...read it you'll enjoy it. I purchased this in a book set I couldn't put it down.
February 27, 2018
Keeps you reading. Great story. I really enjoyed it and cant wait to see what happens in the next book.
It's a great story keeps you involved and wanting to know what's going to happen next. Looking forward to the next book.
It's a great story keeps you involved and wanting to know what's going to happen next. Looking forward to the next book.
April 15, 2018
At first I thought it was going to be about the CA Winchester house.
This story was definitely a page turner. I could not go to sleep until I finished it. Now I have to read the next one.
This story was definitely a page turner. I could not go to sleep until I finished it. Now I have to read the next one.
June 12, 2018
Smooth writing and great characters. Big part of the story is the setting...the Winchester Mansion in a small seaside town.
I normally hate cliffhanger books that just end abruptly but I'm overlooking that since the next books are already out!
I normally hate cliffhanger books that just end abruptly but I'm overlooking that since the next books are already out!
August 9, 2020
Haven't read a good ghost story in a while. This one was Allright. Nothing wrong with it but it could have been a bit more exciting. The tension between the Main characters seems a bit too much and i wish I could make them see the silliness of it all. On to the next book in this series.
October 12, 2020
I loved this book! I read a lot of thrillers and this is one of my top favorites. I love the plot and especially the characters and the really, really bad guy. Great story! I'm so relieved to see that there are sequels.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews