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The Bloodline
After years of questioning her sanity, Kat Delancey reluctantly returns to the old family manor as its legal owner hoping desperately to silence the doubts in her mind and leave the home’s tragic past behind her once and for all. But it turns out to be harder than she expected, and not just because of the estranged step-family waiting for her—Because maybe Kat’s mind was never playing tricks on her after all, and maybe the manor harbors a far more malevolent presence than she ever dreamed...
329 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 30, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
June 12, 2017
The Bloodline by C. S. Feldman is a good thriller. It is a book I won from the Kindle Scout program. It started out a bit slow but the end was a white knuckler. Good plot, fairly good characters, and good thrills. Enjoyed it despite the slow spots.
September 11, 2021
It was a mean house . . .
It hates, you know. That house . . .
Kat Delancey has had problems, and they all stem from the time she spent in her family's large old home. Both of her parents died while they were living in the house, and while Kat can't remember exactly what, she knows something bad happened to her under that roof. But now she feels compelled to go back there one more time.
"I have to put the past to bed before I can get on with my future."
Though the house legally belongs to Kat, her stepmother and two stepsisters are still living there. That's right . . . another little girl is sleeping in Kat's old room, and now her little stepsister is feeling the unease that comes from living in that house. Kat wants nothing more than to save the girl from suffering a fate similar to her own, but no one else believes there is a wrongness to the house. They all seem to think Kat is crazy. Has she made a terrible mistake coming back?
Facing her fear of the house was one thing; letting it quite literally be the death of her was another.
This was a little slow moving at times, but in all, a pretty good old-fashioned, bump-in-the-night haunted house story.
She felt breath on the back of her neck and whipped her head around with a jolt of sudden terror.
Nothing.
There was nothing there.
It hates, you know. That house . . .
Kat Delancey has had problems, and they all stem from the time she spent in her family's large old home. Both of her parents died while they were living in the house, and while Kat can't remember exactly what, she knows something bad happened to her under that roof. But now she feels compelled to go back there one more time.
"I have to put the past to bed before I can get on with my future."
Though the house legally belongs to Kat, her stepmother and two stepsisters are still living there. That's right . . . another little girl is sleeping in Kat's old room, and now her little stepsister is feeling the unease that comes from living in that house. Kat wants nothing more than to save the girl from suffering a fate similar to her own, but no one else believes there is a wrongness to the house. They all seem to think Kat is crazy. Has she made a terrible mistake coming back?
Facing her fear of the house was one thing; letting it quite literally be the death of her was another.
This was a little slow moving at times, but in all, a pretty good old-fashioned, bump-in-the-night haunted house story.
She felt breath on the back of her neck and whipped her head around with a jolt of sudden terror.
Nothing.
There was nothing there.
June 10, 2017
Excellent
I loved this book. The characters were well written and the story was creepy without the gore, which I like.
I loved this book. The characters were well written and the story was creepy without the gore, which I like.
May 14, 2017
So...finishing this up on Mother's Day morning probably wasn't the best idea. Hubby is trying to hand me a card and I'm all "There is exactly nine minutes left in this book! What. Do. You. Want?" The closer it got to the end, the more I wanted the rest of the world to fade away and leave me in peace. Okay, peace wouldn't be the right word either. Because my heart was racing, my palms were sweaty and I may have been swearing to "get the hell out of the house, already!"
Tense moments. Heartbreakingly awkward family interaction. I ached for Kat. I ached for Emily. I can't even imagine what it was like for Kat to deal with everything, from her childhood on. Yes, I say that like she's a real person. Because she certainly felt real to me. She came straight off the page and played through my head like my own, personal version of Netflix. This book would make an AMAZING gothic horror film. Are you listening, Hollywood?
Buy this book. Read it. Love it. You won't be sorry.
Tense moments. Heartbreakingly awkward family interaction. I ached for Kat. I ached for Emily. I can't even imagine what it was like for Kat to deal with everything, from her childhood on. Yes, I say that like she's a real person. Because she certainly felt real to me. She came straight off the page and played through my head like my own, personal version of Netflix. This book would make an AMAZING gothic horror film. Are you listening, Hollywood?
Buy this book. Read it. Love it. You won't be sorry.
October 13, 2025
A spooky, free, Audible listen
October 3, 2019
The pacing is soooo sloooooww. I'm going to keep going, at 50% plus, but if things don't start moving along, I'mma have to DNF this sucker.
10/2 update: I have no earthly clue where all the raving reviews for this book came from. I've rounded the 70% mark, and Kat Delancey is still in La-La Land, with nary a ghost to be seen. Just a premonition or two, a twinge and a scared feeling of someone in the room. Oh, and oodles of people have died in the past, but no one recently. Gods, this book is slower than frozen molasses. If I can't finish this tonight, I'm going to have to fake it.
10/2 update: I have no earthly clue where all the raving reviews for this book came from. I've rounded the 70% mark, and Kat Delancey is still in La-La Land, with nary a ghost to be seen. Just a premonition or two, a twinge and a scared feeling of someone in the room. Oh, and oodles of people have died in the past, but no one recently. Gods, this book is slower than frozen molasses. If I can't finish this tonight, I'm going to have to fake it.
November 6, 2019
A Classic tale of Horror
A horror story to rival the original Hill House and to read alone late at night. I enjoyed the story because the author did not go over the top with special effects and the gore that ruin many of today's storylines . It has the ambience of a Hitchcockian thriller . A hau ted house, a cursed family and a young woman make this a classic with some fresh twists.
A horror story to rival the original Hill House and to read alone late at night. I enjoyed the story because the author did not go over the top with special effects and the gore that ruin many of today's storylines . It has the ambience of a Hitchcockian thriller . A hau ted house, a cursed family and a young woman make this a classic with some fresh twists.
December 3, 2019
Creepy haunted house ~ or is it?
I loved this book, it was an intriguing page turner. Kat had been raised by her kind and concerned grandparents since the death of her father. She lost both parents to tragic accidents that occurred at the ancestral home that they lived in. She had been plagued by nightmares and night terrors since she was a very young girl, which had left her doubting her sanity. She had now reached the age that she inherits the family home. She decides to travel back to visit it (and her stepfamily and young half sister who live there) to try to confront the home that caused so much sadness and tragedy in her life and put the past to rest and get on with her life.
She must decide is it the house or mental illness that had caused her so much pain and unhappiness.
She is an interesting character and the stepfamiy and younger half sister each bring interest to the story. There are unexplained noises, creaks and items being left in one place and found in another. Are these just the noises of an aging home settling and a forgetful mind.... or are there more sinister things going on?
I really enjoyed this book and stayed up reading long after I should have been asleep to finish it. I recommend this if you enjoy a good psychological thriller without any gore.
I loved this book, it was an intriguing page turner. Kat had been raised by her kind and concerned grandparents since the death of her father. She lost both parents to tragic accidents that occurred at the ancestral home that they lived in. She had been plagued by nightmares and night terrors since she was a very young girl, which had left her doubting her sanity. She had now reached the age that she inherits the family home. She decides to travel back to visit it (and her stepfamily and young half sister who live there) to try to confront the home that caused so much sadness and tragedy in her life and put the past to rest and get on with her life.
She must decide is it the house or mental illness that had caused her so much pain and unhappiness.
She is an interesting character and the stepfamiy and younger half sister each bring interest to the story. There are unexplained noises, creaks and items being left in one place and found in another. Are these just the noises of an aging home settling and a forgetful mind.... or are there more sinister things going on?
I really enjoyed this book and stayed up reading long after I should have been asleep to finish it. I recommend this if you enjoy a good psychological thriller without any gore.
May 6, 2017
Delicious thriller
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Without spoiling the story, I would just like to say the writing and character building were excellent and the story itself intriguing. The twist at the end was satisfying and I love that it wasn't a "trilogy" where you had to stop in the middle of the excitement and wait for the second book to come out to find out the ending...well done.
This book kept me on the edge of my seat. Without spoiling the story, I would just like to say the writing and character building were excellent and the story itself intriguing. The twist at the end was satisfying and I love that it wasn't a "trilogy" where you had to stop in the middle of the excitement and wait for the second book to come out to find out the ending...well done.
July 10, 2019
Who doesn’t love a good paranormal thriller? Kat has been led to question her sanity all of her life. When she decides to confront her fears and return to the home in which she spent much of childhood, she learns that she may not be as damaged as she thought. The house has its own personality and it’s own agenda. Reminded me a bit of The Haunting of Hill House.
The only reason that I did not give it 5 full stars is because some of the action scenes were a bit unbelievable.
The only reason that I did not give it 5 full stars is because some of the action scenes were a bit unbelievable.
November 30, 2017
Absolutely enthralling
This book was amazing. It grabbed my attention early on and never let go. The characters were very well developed and the plot was truly spooky and mysterious. This is the first book by Feldman that I have had the pleasure to read and I plan on finding more. I am adding C.S. Feldman to my list of favorite authors.
This book was amazing. It grabbed my attention early on and never let go. The characters were very well developed and the plot was truly spooky and mysterious. This is the first book by Feldman that I have had the pleasure to read and I plan on finding more. I am adding C.S. Feldman to my list of favorite authors.
June 30, 2019
Great plot but...
This book came up on my "If you liked...' list, so I decided to give it a try. Like other reviewers, I definitely did find it a compelling read. There were a few unique twists that kept it from becoming "just another" haunted house story. The notion that not even Kat was sure if her own sanity was intriguing and I wish it had been dealt with a little more thoroughly.
A few things did bother me about the book tho (and I'll out any potential spoilers further down).
Feldman has a great skill with descriptions - As long as it stays on inanimate objects. But if I read one more sentence about a character's trembling hands, I was going to scream.
I really wanted to like the characters - or at least become involved with them. But they mostly came off 2-dimensional. Oddly enough, of all of them, I found Michael the most complex,. And, of course, there's the potential romantic arc that threatens to appear, but doesn't really feel earned. I also would have liked more insight into Kat's father - was genealogy really just a hobby or did he know more than he let on!? And what made him so wonderful thar neither Kat not Grace really move on?
As for the ending...
<
This book came up on my "If you liked...' list, so I decided to give it a try. Like other reviewers, I definitely did find it a compelling read. There were a few unique twists that kept it from becoming "just another" haunted house story. The notion that not even Kat was sure if her own sanity was intriguing and I wish it had been dealt with a little more thoroughly.
A few things did bother me about the book tho (and I'll out any potential spoilers further down).
Feldman has a great skill with descriptions - As long as it stays on inanimate objects. But if I read one more sentence about a character's trembling hands, I was going to scream.
I really wanted to like the characters - or at least become involved with them. But they mostly came off 2-dimensional. Oddly enough, of all of them, I found Michael the most complex,. And, of course, there's the potential romantic arc that threatens to appear, but doesn't really feel earned. I also would have liked more insight into Kat's father - was genealogy really just a hobby or did he know more than he let on!? And what made him so wonderful thar neither Kat not Grace really move on?
As for the ending...
<
October 17, 2025
Tense, eerie, and emotionally sharp — this one got under my skin
The Bloodline by C.S. Feldman isn’t your average ghost story. It’s subtle, psychological, and layered with emotional depth — the kind of story that doesn’t just scare you, it lingers with you.
What impressed me most was the masterful tension-building. There weren’t jump scares or over-the-top horror moments — instead, it was a slow, deliberate unraveling of something deeply unsettling. I lost track of the amount of times the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. Feldman builds suspense like a symphony — with restraint, timing, and emotional payoff.
The characters felt human and real, each carrying their own wounds, secrets, and uncertainties. I appreciated how much was left unsaid — it gave the story room to breathe and let me fill in the emotional blanks. And when the twist hit? It was genuinely surprising, but also satisfying in that “ah, it all makes sense now” kind of way.
My only minor wish is that some backstory elements had been explored a bit more — a few threads felt like they had more to offer. But honestly, that’s more a compliment to how immersed I was. I wanted more of this world, more of this eerie, emotional pull.
The Bloodline by C.S. Feldman isn’t your average ghost story. It’s subtle, psychological, and layered with emotional depth — the kind of story that doesn’t just scare you, it lingers with you.
What impressed me most was the masterful tension-building. There weren’t jump scares or over-the-top horror moments — instead, it was a slow, deliberate unraveling of something deeply unsettling. I lost track of the amount of times the hair on my arms and the back of my neck stood up. Feldman builds suspense like a symphony — with restraint, timing, and emotional payoff.
The characters felt human and real, each carrying their own wounds, secrets, and uncertainties. I appreciated how much was left unsaid — it gave the story room to breathe and let me fill in the emotional blanks. And when the twist hit? It was genuinely surprising, but also satisfying in that “ah, it all makes sense now” kind of way.
My only minor wish is that some backstory elements had been explored a bit more — a few threads felt like they had more to offer. But honestly, that’s more a compliment to how immersed I was. I wanted more of this world, more of this eerie, emotional pull.
March 4, 2020
Decent Paranormal Thriller
What do you do if you're trying to save your estranged stepfamily from a haunted family manor and they won't listen?
"The Bloodline" by C.S. Feldman is a paranormal thriller that I stumbled on browsing my kindle. This story is not your typical ghost story and although it is a little slow in the beginning, it all comes together at the end. Feldman's writing style flowed, and the characters were relatable, but some interactions/events were not completely conveyed, or they dragged on. The relationship between the main character, Kat, and her stepfamily is a bit awkward and full of disdain. As a reader, you feel sadness toward Kat as she tries but fails with creating a relationship with them, especially her half-sister, or convincing them of the history that plagues the house. The originality of the story is average, but Feldman executed the idea without the stereotypical gore and unnecessary sexual content. Readers can't help but hope that Kat doesn’t lose her sanity in finding answers to the house's secrets and ending its wrath on her family.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
What do you do if you're trying to save your estranged stepfamily from a haunted family manor and they won't listen?
"The Bloodline" by C.S. Feldman is a paranormal thriller that I stumbled on browsing my kindle. This story is not your typical ghost story and although it is a little slow in the beginning, it all comes together at the end. Feldman's writing style flowed, and the characters were relatable, but some interactions/events were not completely conveyed, or they dragged on. The relationship between the main character, Kat, and her stepfamily is a bit awkward and full of disdain. As a reader, you feel sadness toward Kat as she tries but fails with creating a relationship with them, especially her half-sister, or convincing them of the history that plagues the house. The originality of the story is average, but Feldman executed the idea without the stereotypical gore and unnecessary sexual content. Readers can't help but hope that Kat doesn’t lose her sanity in finding answers to the house's secrets and ending its wrath on her family.
3.5 rounded up to 4 stars.
May 28, 2019
Interesting story; repetitive wording.
More of a 3.5 than a 4.
I enjoyed the story in and of itself but it was lacking in technical skill. Not to a terrible level but enough to reduce getting into the world of these characters. Words were often repeated within one sentence or the same paragraph and "the younger/older woman" was often used in place of "she" and "her". It could be jarring at times and I felt like it kind of undermined the reader's ability to remember a character's age. I would've also liked some secondary characters to have a bit more meat in their backstories. A few seemed to far more potentially interesting than the main character but alas, I never got to know them. All in all a fair read and mostly worth the time. I think I will give C. S. Feldman' other books a try when I've cleared the current pile.
More of a 3.5 than a 4.
I enjoyed the story in and of itself but it was lacking in technical skill. Not to a terrible level but enough to reduce getting into the world of these characters. Words were often repeated within one sentence or the same paragraph and "the younger/older woman" was often used in place of "she" and "her". It could be jarring at times and I felt like it kind of undermined the reader's ability to remember a character's age. I would've also liked some secondary characters to have a bit more meat in their backstories. A few seemed to far more potentially interesting than the main character but alas, I never got to know them. All in all a fair read and mostly worth the time. I think I will give C. S. Feldman' other books a try when I've cleared the current pile.
June 25, 2017
Probably more like a 3; something about the writing nagged me, but erring on the side of, "I stayed up until an unreasonable time of morning to read it," gets the extra star anyway. ;)
This book gave me honest-to-god goosebumps a few times (not my normal genre, obviously!), and while character development was lacking, I halfway attributed that to the fact that the main character was... I don't know, actually. The lack of empathy and emotional response to those around her, to me, suggested maybe Asperber's, or something along the spectrum. I know her past played a large part in her behavior and emotions, but the even when it switched POV to other characters, I had a hard time connecting.
Still: interesting.
This book gave me honest-to-god goosebumps a few times (not my normal genre, obviously!), and while character development was lacking, I halfway attributed that to the fact that the main character was... I don't know, actually. The lack of empathy and emotional response to those around her, to me, suggested maybe Asperber's, or something along the spectrum. I know her past played a large part in her behavior and emotions, but the even when it switched POV to other characters, I had a hard time connecting.
Still: interesting.
December 16, 2019
I couldn't finish this book. I made it about a fourth of the way and gave up completely after having given up several times before, but returning to it in hopes of giving it another try. I don't know what it was about the writing style, but for me, that's what made it the most difficult to read. It was as if the flow was missing entirely. On top of that, there was no incentive given to keep me turning pages. I found myself sometimes skipping paragraphs just to make it to the next page. It drives me nuts to not finish a book even if I don't particularly care for it, but this one was just too much of a chore. I can't recommend this book, and I personally will not be reading another work from this author.
August 24, 2017
Ever wonder if you are loosing your mind? How do you explain to others what you see if you aren't even sure you understand what you are seeing?
Kat wonders this when she finally decides to go back home and put some closure on her past. She can't seem to get the closure she is looking for or is it that the house won't let her?
At times the lines between fantasy and reality can definitely be blurred. The author did a great job of portraying this and Kat's struggle to grasp what is real and what isn't. This is a great read for anyone who loves a good ghost story, especially one that feels so real.
Kat wonders this when she finally decides to go back home and put some closure on her past. She can't seem to get the closure she is looking for or is it that the house won't let her?
At times the lines between fantasy and reality can definitely be blurred. The author did a great job of portraying this and Kat's struggle to grasp what is real and what isn't. This is a great read for anyone who loves a good ghost story, especially one that feels so real.
August 8, 2019
What a great ghost story! Not your typical ghost story with all the "jump scares" and gory details. This book was all about suspense and tension. It was a bit slow in the beginning, but that was the point. The suspense/tension was a slow build to the climax of the story...which didn't disappoint. The relationships between the characters were described perfectly; not an over-abundant amount of detail, but you still felt like you knew why they interacted the way they did throughout the book. The twist was not easily determined, which made its reveal even better. Truly enjoyed this book and would recommend to any other ghost story lover!
August 30, 2019
Complex and compelling
Bloodlines is a fascinating take on what could have been a fairly typical ghost story. Because it is told primarily from the first-person perspective of Kat, who has suffered genuine trauma and might credibly be suffering a nervous breakdown, the reader is left guessing about the reality of what is happening and understanding the (rather exasperating) interpretation of those who prefer a more rational interpretation of events. Although it takes a little while to get going, well worth the read.
Bloodlines is a fascinating take on what could have been a fairly typical ghost story. Because it is told primarily from the first-person perspective of Kat, who has suffered genuine trauma and might credibly be suffering a nervous breakdown, the reader is left guessing about the reality of what is happening and understanding the (rather exasperating) interpretation of those who prefer a more rational interpretation of events. Although it takes a little while to get going, well worth the read.
November 13, 2019
The good: Decent plot, good variety of characters.
The bad: Verbose at times.
The ugly: Why does the main character have such thin skin (literally, some ivy cut a gash in her hand long enough it took three Band Aids to cover it)? Why does the main character keep injuring her hand? Seems the writer is stuck in a rut. And then there's the head-bang rut. No, not the music genre; literally characters banging their heads. And the urge to retch, but never the completion. At least we can cheer about that. Rah.
The bad: Verbose at times.
The ugly: Why does the main character have such thin skin (literally, some ivy cut a gash in her hand long enough it took three Band Aids to cover it)? Why does the main character keep injuring her hand? Seems the writer is stuck in a rut. And then there's the head-bang rut. No, not the music genre; literally characters banging their heads. And the urge to retch, but never the completion. At least we can cheer about that. Rah.
October 4, 2025
The build up started slowly but somewhere between 50-70 percent done this story called to me. I was on the edge of my chair waiting for something to happen and when it did, boy did it happen! I loved the enemies to allies to maybe more relationship between Cat and Michael. Cat got tough just when she needed to. I also like how Cat explored the potential mental health angles before immediately jumping to ghosts. I didn’t see the twist coming!
October 10, 2025
it was a mean house.
It hates..you know..that house.
At the heart of The Bloodline is Kat Delancey, a woman haunted by a troubled past tied to her family's old estate. The house holds painful memories-her parents died there, and though the details are hazy, Kat is certain something went terribly wrong under that roof. Now, drawn by a force she doesn't fully understand, she returns to face the shadows she left behind.
It hates..you know..that house.
At the heart of The Bloodline is Kat Delancey, a woman haunted by a troubled past tied to her family's old estate. The house holds painful memories-her parents died there, and though the details are hazy, Kat is certain something went terribly wrong under that roof. Now, drawn by a force she doesn't fully understand, she returns to face the shadows she left behind.
May 4, 2017
Great book
Really enjoyed this storyline. The characters were so real and believeable. I was into the last chapter and really into the story when my television came on in the room and don't know why!! I told my husband that we had a ghost too !! Will look for more books by this author.
Really enjoyed this storyline. The characters were so real and believeable. I was into the last chapter and really into the story when my television came on in the room and don't know why!! I told my husband that we had a ghost too !! Will look for more books by this author.
June 5, 2017
The story seems intriguing, but it was just too slow for me. At times I felt like I was getting into it, but in between I just couldn't stay focused. I ended up not finishing it because I felt like I was glossing over enough of the story that I wasn't following it closely enough.
I may pick it back up and try again at some point. I think at a faster pace I would really enjoy this one.
I may pick it back up and try again at some point. I think at a faster pace I would really enjoy this one.
May 8, 2020
Great book , wasn't a typical ghost story
I really enjoyed this book . It wasn't one that you could predict , I loved that . It's a mystery inside a ghost story of vice versa , second thing I loved about it . I got to know the characters and even didn't like a couple . I think you'll enjoy this book as well . Give it a shot .
I really enjoyed this book . It wasn't one that you could predict , I loved that . It's a mystery inside a ghost story of vice versa , second thing I loved about it . I got to know the characters and even didn't like a couple . I think you'll enjoy this book as well . Give it a shot .
June 8, 2017
Couldn't put it dow!
The only reason I'm putting 4 stars is that I felt a little more character development would've turned this great book into a spectacular one, especially those of you who don't mind a supernatural explanation.
The only reason I'm putting 4 stars is that I felt a little more character development would've turned this great book into a spectacular one, especially those of you who don't mind a supernatural explanation.
July 7, 2017
The next "The Amityville Horror" in the making... when all those creaks and drafts of old houses are more than meets the eye. Kat is out to put the horrors of the house behind her, but first she has to prove she's not crazy. Plenty of action and suspense. Characters and plot were engaging.
October 15, 2017
This is a well written haunting tale. There is a lot of suspense as we go through Kat's experiences trying to figure out what really happened in her past and what is really happening now as she revisits the house of her childhood. Family curse, or mentally disturbed young woman?
October 21, 2017
Keeps you wanting to know more!
I have got to say, I haven't read a book that has captivated my attention in quiet awhile. This book is very well written and not one of those "I can predict what happens next" novels! I would love more books like this!!!
I have got to say, I haven't read a book that has captivated my attention in quiet awhile. This book is very well written and not one of those "I can predict what happens next" novels! I would love more books like this!!!
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