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The Haunting of Winchester Mansion #1
The Haunting of Winchester Mansion
The small town of Black Bay appears quaint and friendly at first glance, but newcomers Bailey and Bodhi Taylor soon discover that all is not what it seems. Their house is haunted, there’s a murderer on the loose, and none of the locals seem to know what really happened to the beloved Winchester family twenty years ago. It’s up to Bailey and Bodhi to figure out what secrets Black Bay is hiding.
193 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 2, 2017
256 people are currently reading
490 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 42 reviews
May 21, 2017
Great 2nd book.
I was sucked into this one and found it very hard to put down. Somehow I knew who did it but there are other characters I can't quite figure out yet. Onto the 3rd book.!
I was sucked into this one and found it very hard to put down. Somehow I knew who did it but there are other characters I can't quite figure out yet. Onto the 3rd book.!
October 10, 2020
While I expected a more scary story, this was more a cozy mystery with Supernatural elements. Still, the story was entertaining but a little too long for my liking.
July 11, 2017
While this one didn't creep me out as much as the first, the mystery, the suspense, and the evidence of who-dun-it really got to me!
I don't like to think about two young teenagers, who had so much to look forward to, being murdered. I can understand if someone has a grudge on the parents, but why kill the kids? They had nothing to do with anything. I don't understand why when people become murderers, they feel the need to kill innocent people.
I was watching a show about Killer Kids, this girl wanted to be with this older guy, and her parents didn't allow it, so she killed her parents and her little brother. But why kill the little brother? He didn't do anything, he didn't stop her from being with the boyfriend. Was it just because he was in the house at the time?
Why kill the two Winchester kids. Innocent teenagers. Sick fuck.
In this second book, which I got through super fast, we start getting a more vivid idea of who was behind all of this.
Milo is still a huge mystery, I have theories but really, I have no idea what he has to do with this.
Slowly we are pointed in the right direction.
The evidence.
Can we just stop for a moment and talk about the sons name? Patrick, my brothers name is Patrick. I'm not to happy about that. I don't like to associate my older brother with a boy who was hung and murdered in a book. I don't like it one bit.
So all the evidence is laid out, the noose really gets to me, we have our murderer, so our main girl runs back to her house and starts shouting for the ghost of Caroline... but someone else is waiting in the house.
OH, I also can't believe all the evidence is just chillin there, so easy to find. If I had murdered someone I would have burnt that boat house down long ago. Burnt the whole thing down.
I don't like to think about two young teenagers, who had so much to look forward to, being murdered. I can understand if someone has a grudge on the parents, but why kill the kids? They had nothing to do with anything. I don't understand why when people become murderers, they feel the need to kill innocent people.
I was watching a show about Killer Kids, this girl wanted to be with this older guy, and her parents didn't allow it, so she killed her parents and her little brother. But why kill the little brother? He didn't do anything, he didn't stop her from being with the boyfriend. Was it just because he was in the house at the time?
Why kill the two Winchester kids. Innocent teenagers. Sick fuck.
In this second book, which I got through super fast, we start getting a more vivid idea of who was behind all of this.
Milo is still a huge mystery, I have theories but really, I have no idea what he has to do with this.
Slowly we are pointed in the right direction.
The evidence.
Can we just stop for a moment and talk about the sons name? Patrick, my brothers name is Patrick. I'm not to happy about that. I don't like to associate my older brother with a boy who was hung and murdered in a book. I don't like it one bit.
So all the evidence is laid out, the noose really gets to me, we have our murderer, so our main girl runs back to her house and starts shouting for the ghost of Caroline... but someone else is waiting in the house.
OH, I also can't believe all the evidence is just chillin there, so easy to find. If I had murdered someone I would have burnt that boat house down long ago. Burnt the whole thing down.
May 31, 2021
Oh my gawd, that cliffhanger. That kind of cliffhanger can make a girl crazy!
Okay, okay. Aside from that, I enjoyed this book a lot. I find the concept of Bailey and Bodhi flipping houses really fun. And I also liked that there was an accompanying blog to it. I can imagine this IRL and I think it would be something I would personally follow as well. It also showcases how real life can be different from what we see online. Bailey and Bodhi travelled together flipping houses but their relationship is nothing like that their followers see in the pictures on their blog. They are far from the cozy and sweet couple that is being portrayed there. I think this is really what's going on in the real world too.
The manifestations of the hauntings creeped me out some but there were also clichés. It does make me wonder though why the ghost chose to make itself known more to Bailey than to Bodhi.
Despite the absence of the Winchesters in the current setting, I appreciated how we are introduced to them and immersed into the life that they had. I felt like I was there with Bailey getting to know them too.
Needless to say I am soo needing to get to book 2 right away!
Okay, okay. Aside from that, I enjoyed this book a lot. I find the concept of Bailey and Bodhi flipping houses really fun. And I also liked that there was an accompanying blog to it. I can imagine this IRL and I think it would be something I would personally follow as well. It also showcases how real life can be different from what we see online. Bailey and Bodhi travelled together flipping houses but their relationship is nothing like that their followers see in the pictures on their blog. They are far from the cozy and sweet couple that is being portrayed there. I think this is really what's going on in the real world too.
The manifestations of the hauntings creeped me out some but there were also clichés. It does make me wonder though why the ghost chose to make itself known more to Bailey than to Bodhi.
Despite the absence of the Winchesters in the current setting, I appreciated how we are introduced to them and immersed into the life that they had. I felt like I was there with Bailey getting to know them too.
Needless to say I am soo needing to get to book 2 right away!
June 18, 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)
So, the flipping blogging couple have decided that the ghost is real. Furthermore, they have deciphered who the ghost actually is.
Now, to prove the theory of who was the murderer.
So, the flipping blogging couple have decided that the ghost is real. Furthermore, they have deciphered who the ghost actually is.
Now, to prove the theory of who was the murderer.
June 6, 2018
This is the second 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!
April 27, 2017
Interesting story ... I think. The story felt rushed and interrupted. The ending was not an ending at all but just the last page before the next chapter. I am not a fan of novellas or short stories so I have no idea why this author wrote a book 0 and a book 1. Book 0 "the prequel" was really just the opening chapters of book 1. There was no reason to make that a separate book! The ending of book 1 pretty much sucked! The killer walks in the room and says I'm the Killer (which we already knew from his introduction, no mystery there) and that is the end of book 1??? This book felt incomplete. There was a good storyline and good premise but poor writing and timing killed what could have been great!
The ghost was fine with physically harming the people they needed to help them solve the mystery but let the killer roam around the house freely for an entire book? Really? I can only assume the story concludes with book 2. I think the author tried too hard to stretch this story out into multiple books. This entire story could have made 1 really good book.
The ghost was fine with physically harming the people they needed to help them solve the mystery but let the killer roam around the house freely for an entire book? Really? I can only assume the story concludes with book 2. I think the author tried too hard to stretch this story out into multiple books. This entire story could have made 1 really good book.
May 22, 2017
I still don't know how I feel about this one. On the one hand, the story was interesting, the main characters were well-developed, and I felt like I was immersed in the town of Black Bay.
On the other, I didn't think the book was particularly scary (or even suspenseful) until the very end. In a shorter book like this, I would have expected it to be packed with more action. Instead, it seemed like it was just a set up for the next book in the series. This feeling was absolutely confirmed with the cliff-hanger ending.
I guess it did its job because I was pulled into the story enough to want to read the next book, but I would not say that it stands on its own as a great read.
On the other, I didn't think the book was particularly scary (or even suspenseful) until the very end. In a shorter book like this, I would have expected it to be packed with more action. Instead, it seemed like it was just a set up for the next book in the series. This feeling was absolutely confirmed with the cliff-hanger ending.
I guess it did its job because I was pulled into the story enough to want to read the next book, but I would not say that it stands on its own as a great read.
April 28, 2019
Bailey and Bodhi are house flippers. They carry a lot of baggage in their relationship, but on Bailey’s blog, everyone thinks they have the perfect marriage and are lucky enough to work together as well. They get an offer to purchase the Winchester House, which has its own secrets. Things get extremely crazy and dangerous, especially for Bailey. I was on the edge of my seat with this story and couldn’t put it 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.
May 19, 2017
A Great Book
I have a love hate relationship with this book. I have a healthy admiration for the author of this book. She is awesomely talented. Her words are so alive and I can hardly put my book down...So the part I don't like is that to read the entire story you must buy at least 3 books. I love long complete stories. .. And that is my only complaint. It's a must read story of you like mysteries mixed with the paranormal.
I have a love hate relationship with this book. I have a healthy admiration for the author of this book. She is awesomely talented. Her words are so alive and I can hardly put my book down...So the part I don't like is that to read the entire story you must buy at least 3 books. I love long complete stories. .. And that is my only complaint. It's a must read story of you like mysteries mixed with the paranormal.
April 13, 2017
Couldn't put this book down!
Alexandria Clarke is an excellent writer. Her verbiage flows well from page to page...just like the story. Truly enjoy the simplicity of limited characters to follow throughout the book. Loved the storyline...anxious to read the next book in the series!
Alexandria Clarke is an excellent writer. Her verbiage flows well from page to page...just like the story. Truly enjoy the simplicity of limited characters to follow throughout the book. Loved the storyline...anxious to read the next book in the series!
April 21, 2017
Disappointment abounds
This is the second book that I read to get the story. It also ends at the most dramatic part of the book. Don't believe I will ever pick up another book knowingly by this author. She is only interested in how to sale the next one instead of finishing a good story.
This is the second book that I read to get the story. It also ends at the most dramatic part of the book. Don't believe I will ever pick up another book knowingly by this author. She is only interested in how to sale the next one instead of finishing a good story.
April 27, 2017
This is supposedly book 1 of a series, I would call it an episode … it does answer the question of the prequel, just barely.
I don’t like cliff hanger endings of a series.
I won’t buy any other books of this series as this is twice this author has employed this technique; unless the book is free.
I don’t like cliff hanger endings of a series.
I won’t buy any other books of this series as this is twice this author has employed this technique; unless the book is free.
April 20, 2018
The mystery deepens with our flippers. Love Bailey's desire to research, and interview the entire town about what happened in the Winchester house. Also love the support that Bodhi gives his wife. This isn't just a great ghost story and mystery, but a great story about restoring and beginning relationships. Onto the last.
April 29, 2019
The Haunting of Winchester Mansion is a well written, suspenseful thriller and I could not put this book down until the last page. The story is descriptive, interesting and with so many twists and turns. Loved that Bodhi and Bailey are house flippers. I look forward to reading more books by this author in the future. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.
April 7, 2017
Excellent Read!
This is the second book I've read from this author and I'm hooked. Suspenseful, humorous at times ànd definitely keeps your attention. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
This is the second book I've read from this author and I'm hooked. Suspenseful, humorous at times ànd definitely keeps your attention. Can't wait for the next book in the series!
April 28, 2017
My biggest pet peeve fulfilled ...
I absolutely hate when books end in a cliff hangar that has no point but to make you buy the next "book" or the last chapters of the one you were reading
I absolutely hate when books end in a cliff hangar that has no point but to make you buy the next "book" or the last chapters of the one you were reading
June 2, 2017
Ms. Clarke had me with the first page.
This story moves at lightening pace and it never gets boring. I have read some of the Author's other books and they all are the same intensity, I couldn't put it down.
This story moves at lightening pace and it never gets boring. I have read some of the Author's other books and they all are the same intensity, I couldn't put it down.
August 16, 2017
Things are getting more interesting. As I said in my previous review, the book isn't very scary, but I prefer it this way: a light detective ghost story. I only hoped it wouldn't be so predictable. Well, maybe it's not. I still have the last part to read. Let's wait and see :))
March 26, 2018
Really liked this one by A.C. Kept me reading. Not very scary (to me) but the story line kept me going. 2 house flippers start renovating a glorious home. The start to uncover things still there that will will be the object of their flip. Will def. read another by Ms. Clarke!
April 8, 2017
Great read!
Can't wait to read the next one! Could not put it down once I started. Hooks you from the very beginning
Can't wait to read the next one! Could not put it down once I started. Hooks you from the very beginning
April 11, 2017
Excellent- left me wanting more.
Great book. It seems to have stopped in the middle so I hope I can find 2. I suspect I will.
Great book. It seems to have stopped in the middle so I hope I can find 2. I suspect I will.
April 12, 2017
Well written ghost story/mystery.
April 12, 2017
Well....
Good story but don't see why it is divided into more than one book? Well written, but I dislike cliffhangers.
Good story but don't see why it is divided into more than one book? Well written, but I dislike cliffhangers.
April 18, 2017
Well written
Both books are well written. The storylines keep you riveted. Of course turning into the last page gives you quite a shock, can't wait to read the next installment
Both books are well written. The storylines keep you riveted. Of course turning into the last page gives you quite a shock, can't wait to read the next installment
April 30, 2017
Wonderful! I love reading about scary houses and hauntings and this book delivers! The right amount of suspense and a great cliffhanger for the next novel. Read with the lights on....If you dare!
April 30, 2017
Great little mystery
Bodhi & Bailey, house flippers or super sleuths? Their latest flip has an unexpected resident who brings a 20 year old tragedy into today's news.
Bodhi & Bailey, house flippers or super sleuths? Their latest flip has an unexpected resident who brings a 20 year old tragedy into today's news.
May 1, 2017
This is really part two of one story split into three different segments.
May 2, 2017
Good Read
I liked the book. Its written well and a pretty good story. I will read the next book in the series.
I liked the book. Its written well and a pretty good story. I will read the next book in the series.
May 3, 2017
Ghostly
Really great read fast-paced with lots of twists and turns and a ghostly mystery to solve and great characters loved it
Really great read fast-paced with lots of twists and turns and a ghostly mystery to solve and great characters loved it
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews