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House of Spines
Ran McGhie's world has been turned upside down. A young, lonely and frustrated writer, and suffering from mental-health problems, he discovers that his long-dead mother was related to one of Glasgow's oldest merchant families. Not only that, but Ran has inherited Newton Hall, a vast mansion that belonged to his great-uncle, who appears to have been watching from afar as his estranged great-nephew has grown up. Entering his new-found home, he finds that Great-Uncle Fitzpatrick has turned it into a temple to the written word - the perfect place for poet Ran. But everything is not as it seems. As he explores the Hall's endless corridors, Ran's grasp on reality appears to be loosening. And then he comes across an ancient lift; and in that lift a mirror. And in the mirror ... the reflection of a woman ... A terrifying psychological thriller with more than a hint of the Gothic, House of Spines is a love letter to the power of books, and an exploration of how lust and betrayal can be deadly...
353 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 15, 2017
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 171 reviews
September 10, 2017
Today is my stop on the Blog Tour!
It is a pleasure to be reviewing another book by Michael J Malone. Last year I read my first book from him, A Suitable Lie, and found it well worth the fuss, so I knew I was in for a treat reading this one. I immediately began drooling upon the cover reveal for House of Spines and I can attest that the contents inside are just as spectacular as the cover that graces the front. I'm a sucker for a story that is tied together nicely on all ends; here we have a plot where the elevator plays a huge role in the goings on, but the reader doesn't find out to what extent until nearly the end of the book. If you enjoy gothic novels with a contemporary flair and a dark, almost romantic undertone, keep on reading; this may be the book for you.
I was a bit shocked and wholly pleased to see the author was taking us in a completely different direction from his previous novel when House of Spines was first announced; this typically works to one extreme for the author, meaning it has the potential to be a huge success or a major flop. My tummy was a bit nervous until I actually began reading; I knew from the slow building suspense and the exquisite language that I had nothing to fear. I'm always intrigued by majorly flawed protagonists; throw in a myriad of complicated mental health issues and you've won me over. While the story is sensational and, obviously, not realistic, it didn't feel over-the-top in terms of needless drama. There was an understated, unsettling sense that haunted me for the first half of the book which made the story even more vivid, in my opinion, and this was the hook for me. Afterward, things begin to move quickly and we see twist after turn, some of which made me feel so very sorry for poor Ran.
This story had a mixture of pacing which kept me intrigued; it was a nice balance of smooth, subtle, and savory without feeling the story was stalling out. The ending will be hit or miss with readers based on personal preference; I loved it as I don't like everything tied up in a neat little bow. We do receive answers, but a few pieces are left up to our own imagination and we get to come to our own conclusions. Intelligent and intriguing, my only minor complaint is that I didn't want it to end! It seems the author's previous book was considerably longer, so maybe it was just me in feeling like I could have read more about these delightfully despicable characters. Highly recommended to fans of gothic crime novels; if you are looking to mix up things by reading something with a contemporary setting, please give this one a go! Another highly entertaining story from an immensely talented author; I know I'll be waiting on pins and needles for his next work.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to provide my honest thoughts here.
It is a pleasure to be reviewing another book by Michael J Malone. Last year I read my first book from him, A Suitable Lie, and found it well worth the fuss, so I knew I was in for a treat reading this one. I immediately began drooling upon the cover reveal for House of Spines and I can attest that the contents inside are just as spectacular as the cover that graces the front. I'm a sucker for a story that is tied together nicely on all ends; here we have a plot where the elevator plays a huge role in the goings on, but the reader doesn't find out to what extent until nearly the end of the book. If you enjoy gothic novels with a contemporary flair and a dark, almost romantic undertone, keep on reading; this may be the book for you.
I was a bit shocked and wholly pleased to see the author was taking us in a completely different direction from his previous novel when House of Spines was first announced; this typically works to one extreme for the author, meaning it has the potential to be a huge success or a major flop. My tummy was a bit nervous until I actually began reading; I knew from the slow building suspense and the exquisite language that I had nothing to fear. I'm always intrigued by majorly flawed protagonists; throw in a myriad of complicated mental health issues and you've won me over. While the story is sensational and, obviously, not realistic, it didn't feel over-the-top in terms of needless drama. There was an understated, unsettling sense that haunted me for the first half of the book which made the story even more vivid, in my opinion, and this was the hook for me. Afterward, things begin to move quickly and we see twist after turn, some of which made me feel so very sorry for poor Ran.
This story had a mixture of pacing which kept me intrigued; it was a nice balance of smooth, subtle, and savory without feeling the story was stalling out. The ending will be hit or miss with readers based on personal preference; I loved it as I don't like everything tied up in a neat little bow. We do receive answers, but a few pieces are left up to our own imagination and we get to come to our own conclusions. Intelligent and intriguing, my only minor complaint is that I didn't want it to end! It seems the author's previous book was considerably longer, so maybe it was just me in feeling like I could have read more about these delightfully despicable characters. Highly recommended to fans of gothic crime novels; if you are looking to mix up things by reading something with a contemporary setting, please give this one a go! Another highly entertaining story from an immensely talented author; I know I'll be waiting on pins and needles for his next work.
*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my copy; it was a pleasure to provide my honest thoughts here.
September 13, 2017
What an opening couple of chapters! There was no way I was going to be putting this down any time soon. I was completely intrigued by the mysterious great-uncle Fitzpatrick and his devoted library. The anticipation of every page and creeping sense of unease just draws you into this superbly written novel.
With so many twists you're not sure yourself who and what to believe never mind poor Ran. Fantastic and vivid descriptions of every nook and cranny of Newton Hall have you feeling like you're wandering the dark and atmospheric rooms yourself and I could easily imagine the smell of camphor myself.
Ranald McGhie, suffering from mental health problems discovers his late mother was related to one of Glasgows oldest merchant families. In a reading of his great-uncle's will he inherits Newton Hall, a vast mansion with an even bigger library which must stay intact. As he explores the Hall’s endless corridors, Ran’s grasp on reality appears to be loosening. And then he comes across an ancient unused lift; and in that lift a mirror. And in the mirror . . . the reflection of a woman.
This is my first gothic style crime novel in a contemporary setting and it is without doubt charismatic, intriguing, mesmerising and darkly fascinating which has left me wanting to read more in this genre.
With the book's focus firmly rooted in mental health the author has done a brilliant job interweaving this with a ghostly haunted house and a growing sense of paranoia - who wouldn't think they were slowly going insane with delusions of a long dead woman?
I found this an extraordinary read with palpable anticipation on every page, never knowing where the next chapter would be taking you and forever keeping you guessing.
Utterly gripping and unputdownable I highly recommend this book, it was a complete change for me and most definitely welcomed.
Michael J Malone is a truly gifted writer and deserves to do hugely well with ' House of Spines'. A beautiful cover depicting the old fashioned elevator dial completes the overall effect of this spooky and twisty tale.
An amazing 5 stars!
With so many twists you're not sure yourself who and what to believe never mind poor Ran. Fantastic and vivid descriptions of every nook and cranny of Newton Hall have you feeling like you're wandering the dark and atmospheric rooms yourself and I could easily imagine the smell of camphor myself.
Ranald McGhie, suffering from mental health problems discovers his late mother was related to one of Glasgows oldest merchant families. In a reading of his great-uncle's will he inherits Newton Hall, a vast mansion with an even bigger library which must stay intact. As he explores the Hall’s endless corridors, Ran’s grasp on reality appears to be loosening. And then he comes across an ancient unused lift; and in that lift a mirror. And in the mirror . . . the reflection of a woman.
This is my first gothic style crime novel in a contemporary setting and it is without doubt charismatic, intriguing, mesmerising and darkly fascinating which has left me wanting to read more in this genre.
With the book's focus firmly rooted in mental health the author has done a brilliant job interweaving this with a ghostly haunted house and a growing sense of paranoia - who wouldn't think they were slowly going insane with delusions of a long dead woman?
I found this an extraordinary read with palpable anticipation on every page, never knowing where the next chapter would be taking you and forever keeping you guessing.
Utterly gripping and unputdownable I highly recommend this book, it was a complete change for me and most definitely welcomed.
Michael J Malone is a truly gifted writer and deserves to do hugely well with ' House of Spines'. A beautiful cover depicting the old fashioned elevator dial completes the overall effect of this spooky and twisty tale.
An amazing 5 stars!
February 26, 2018
Review to come.
November 12, 2017
Michael J. Malone's
House of Spines
is a poetically written gothic ghost story, weaving in family dynamics, tragedy, and some romance in between. The story starts off with 20-something year old Ranald McGhie meeting with his family attorney after his Great-Uncle, Alexander Fitzpatrick passes away and leaves his beautiful Victorian mansion to him, with the condition that the library stay in tact and the housekeeper and her husband maintain their own cottage on the property. Ranald is skeptical because his relationship with his Great-Uncle is non-existent, but little does he know, his uncle has been watching him from afar, proudly ready to hand the keys of the kingdom to Ran. Ran learns the hard way how family dynamics could get the worst of you when it comes to life and death. People can be brutal when it comes to money and inheritance, leaving the forces of human nature to take their victims unwillingly.
House of Spines was a very different read for me because it was a gothic-yet not scary, ghost story intertwined with real life issues that could affect anyone at any given moment. We all could either have experienced or know someone who has experienced family death, mental illness, sexual promiscuity, divorce, financial instability, and betrayal. Michael Malone beautifully blends these themes throughout the story without going overboard; allowing human nature to provide the outcomes to this conflicts. The writing style at some points tended to lull me or lose my focus, but the story really kept me focus on what was going to happen. It could be a bit of a slow-burn in terms of action, but I wouldn't necessarily categorize this book as a slow burn because there was enough of the story to go around. With a unique story and very satisfying ending, I was very pleased to finish this novel and look forward to reading more from Mr. Malone.
House of Spines was a very different read for me because it was a gothic-yet not scary, ghost story intertwined with real life issues that could affect anyone at any given moment. We all could either have experienced or know someone who has experienced family death, mental illness, sexual promiscuity, divorce, financial instability, and betrayal. Michael Malone beautifully blends these themes throughout the story without going overboard; allowing human nature to provide the outcomes to this conflicts. The writing style at some points tended to lull me or lose my focus, but the story really kept me focus on what was going to happen. It could be a bit of a slow-burn in terms of action, but I wouldn't necessarily categorize this book as a slow burn because there was enough of the story to go around. With a unique story and very satisfying ending, I was very pleased to finish this novel and look forward to reading more from Mr. Malone.
January 29, 2018
Ran McGhie is a down on his luck poet that suffers from bi-polar disorder. He's just barely getting by in life when a lawyer reaches out to him to tell him that his great uncle Alexander Fitzpatrick has not only left him his family mansion, Newton Hall, but also the wondrous library inside. His only instructions is that Ran can never ever sell the mansion. Nor can he remove any of the books from the property. Ran, in shock, can't believe his luck. He never even knew about this family and now everything is being left to him? Ran decides to take his great uncle's offer and moves into Newton Hall. This is where strange things begin to occur. This book will have you constantly wondering if what you're reading is actually happening or is it all in Ran's head, a symptom of his mental illness.
This truly is a gothic ghost story for book lovers. I absolutely adored Ran and it was refreshing to read about a likable guy. I tend to read a lot of psych thrillers where everyone is unlikable so this was a bit of fresh air for me. It's slower in pace but that only adds to the rich atmosphere that Mr. Malone created. I enjoyed every minute of this. I also thought the ending was perfect.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This truly is a gothic ghost story for book lovers. I absolutely adored Ran and it was refreshing to read about a likable guy. I tend to read a lot of psych thrillers where everyone is unlikable so this was a bit of fresh air for me. It's slower in pace but that only adds to the rich atmosphere that Mr. Malone created. I enjoyed every minute of this. I also thought the ending was perfect.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 12, 2017
Michael J Malone’s previous standalone novel, A Suitable Lie, made to my Top Reads of last year and having enjoyed that one so much, I couldn’t wait to get into House of Spines and oh my what a addictive read it is.
For anyone expecting a story similar to A Suitable Life, be aware that House of Spines is VERY different. It has a supernatural element which, combined with the gothic atmospheric description of old Newton Hall works perfectly. I’m not generally a fan of the supernatural but this is so well done, I was never quite sure if the Hall is home to a ghostly apparition or whether it is just a figment of Ranald’s overwrought imagination.
Ranald McGhie is a troubled but nevertheless engaging character. His parents died when he was 18 and the manner of their deaths has had a devastating influence on his life ever since; he worries that he has inherited his mother’s mental problems and it is this aspect of his personality that makes him seem an unreliable narrator. His social awkwardness when trying to interact with people, especially women, just endeared him to me even more and despite his stubbornness at times, I was rooting for him all the way. His ex-wife Martie and old neighbour Donna were the two most stabilising influences in his life but even they couldn’t always get through to him.
When he discovers that he has inherited Newton Hall, from a wealthy family connection he knew nothing about, you would think that he would be overjoyed. Leaving his cramped rented flat, he could now live in a huge mansion, in a far more salubrious part of town, with more rooms that he knew what to do with, including an indoor pool and, a writer’s dream – a fantastic library. However it’s not long before Ran begins to have disturbing dreams and visions – is there really a seductive restless spirit lurking in the house or is it just his mind playing tricks. Newton Hall itself was a character in its own right; so well described with its dark corridors and winding stairs, the locked rooms – some of which appeared to have been preserved for decades – as fabulous as the Hall first seems, I’m not actually sure that I would want to live there. Then of course there are cryptic comments from the locals about ‘THAT house and that Fitzpatrick family”.
House of Spines was an engrossing and unsettling read from start to finish. It has the slower pace of a character driven story but that just enables the reader to get to know Ran and to try to work out in their own mind what actually is happening – and this is where the difficulty lies as Ranald’s version may or, may not, be the real one. There were times when I was silently screaming at Ran to get a grip and to take his medication whilst at others I was cowering behind my hands, afraid for him of what was to come.
Michael Malone writes a captivating story. His writing is just so engaging that I didn’t want to put the book down, I was desperate to find out what was really happening. Little surprises here and there kept me on my toes and made me re-evaluate what I thought I knew; even when I got to the end, I still wasn’t sure of what I had actually read. This is one of the very few books that I would re-read as I am sure that second time around, there may be subtle clues that I missed.
I thought House of Spines was a fabulous read and Michael Malone could well end up being mentioned in my Top Books of the year list again.
For anyone expecting a story similar to A Suitable Life, be aware that House of Spines is VERY different. It has a supernatural element which, combined with the gothic atmospheric description of old Newton Hall works perfectly. I’m not generally a fan of the supernatural but this is so well done, I was never quite sure if the Hall is home to a ghostly apparition or whether it is just a figment of Ranald’s overwrought imagination.
Ranald McGhie is a troubled but nevertheless engaging character. His parents died when he was 18 and the manner of their deaths has had a devastating influence on his life ever since; he worries that he has inherited his mother’s mental problems and it is this aspect of his personality that makes him seem an unreliable narrator. His social awkwardness when trying to interact with people, especially women, just endeared him to me even more and despite his stubbornness at times, I was rooting for him all the way. His ex-wife Martie and old neighbour Donna were the two most stabilising influences in his life but even they couldn’t always get through to him.
When he discovers that he has inherited Newton Hall, from a wealthy family connection he knew nothing about, you would think that he would be overjoyed. Leaving his cramped rented flat, he could now live in a huge mansion, in a far more salubrious part of town, with more rooms that he knew what to do with, including an indoor pool and, a writer’s dream – a fantastic library. However it’s not long before Ran begins to have disturbing dreams and visions – is there really a seductive restless spirit lurking in the house or is it just his mind playing tricks. Newton Hall itself was a character in its own right; so well described with its dark corridors and winding stairs, the locked rooms – some of which appeared to have been preserved for decades – as fabulous as the Hall first seems, I’m not actually sure that I would want to live there. Then of course there are cryptic comments from the locals about ‘THAT house and that Fitzpatrick family”.
House of Spines was an engrossing and unsettling read from start to finish. It has the slower pace of a character driven story but that just enables the reader to get to know Ran and to try to work out in their own mind what actually is happening – and this is where the difficulty lies as Ranald’s version may or, may not, be the real one. There were times when I was silently screaming at Ran to get a grip and to take his medication whilst at others I was cowering behind my hands, afraid for him of what was to come.
Michael Malone writes a captivating story. His writing is just so engaging that I didn’t want to put the book down, I was desperate to find out what was really happening. Little surprises here and there kept me on my toes and made me re-evaluate what I thought I knew; even when I got to the end, I still wasn’t sure of what I had actually read. This is one of the very few books that I would re-read as I am sure that second time around, there may be subtle clues that I missed.
I thought House of Spines was a fabulous read and Michael Malone could well end up being mentioned in my Top Books of the year list again.
September 1, 2017
House Of Spines is a brilliantly creepy and extraordinarily readable (translation: I had another late night) psychological gothic thriller, strongly character driven and with added shiver.
Definitely with added shiver!
The tension in this book is palpable – an inheritance, a seemingly easy task, but something is not quite right and soon our main protagonist is caught up in his very own ghost story. He is not exactly mentally stable, for the reader the house comes alive on the page and as we head further into the tale you’ll be glancing over your shoulder, jumping at shadows and randomly shrieking when you catch sight of your reflection in the window. Just me? Well ok then but still..fair warning. The odd off kilter feelings build and build from first page to last, it is incredibly immersive.
House of Spines is like a gothic “ghost” story of old, beautifully written, beautifully plotted, intensely creepy practically straight from the start – themes of mental health and personality with a gorgeous hit of modern unreliable narrator, all wrapped up in a bow and delivered to the reader with class and style. Michael J Malone is going through a bit of a literary awakening with both this, and his previous novel A Suitable Lie, I must say I’m loving that very much and can’t wait to see what comes next.
Although you’ll have to give me time to get over this one first. I really engaged with Ran, and with the house and with the whole thing. Utterly absorbing, never less than eerily fascinating, House Of Spines hits the sweet spot in terms of both storytelling and emotional resonance – and with the added bookish theme, it really is a perfect storm.
Highly Recommended.
Definitely with added shiver!
The tension in this book is palpable – an inheritance, a seemingly easy task, but something is not quite right and soon our main protagonist is caught up in his very own ghost story. He is not exactly mentally stable, for the reader the house comes alive on the page and as we head further into the tale you’ll be glancing over your shoulder, jumping at shadows and randomly shrieking when you catch sight of your reflection in the window. Just me? Well ok then but still..fair warning. The odd off kilter feelings build and build from first page to last, it is incredibly immersive.
House of Spines is like a gothic “ghost” story of old, beautifully written, beautifully plotted, intensely creepy practically straight from the start – themes of mental health and personality with a gorgeous hit of modern unreliable narrator, all wrapped up in a bow and delivered to the reader with class and style. Michael J Malone is going through a bit of a literary awakening with both this, and his previous novel A Suitable Lie, I must say I’m loving that very much and can’t wait to see what comes next.
Although you’ll have to give me time to get over this one first. I really engaged with Ran, and with the house and with the whole thing. Utterly absorbing, never less than eerily fascinating, House Of Spines hits the sweet spot in terms of both storytelling and emotional resonance – and with the added bookish theme, it really is a perfect storm.
Highly Recommended.
September 15, 2017
Read my full review here: http://crimebythebook.com/blog/book-r...
Absolutely LOVED this book! A chilling blend of psychological thriller and Gothic ghost story. Outstanding!
Absolutely LOVED this book! A chilling blend of psychological thriller and Gothic ghost story. Outstanding!
January 5, 2019
A Gothic ghost story full of chills and thrills and books!
This was a very atmospheric read that sent chills down my spine more than once... A big rambling house full of history and secrets.... A house that felt so alive that you could feel it breathing.... I am seriously getting the chills just writing this review, what a creepy story this was!
Ran inherits this rambling estate from an uncle he never knew he had... the one condition of the inheritance, he must keep the house’s library intact... Ran is a writer so this is perfect, the perfect writing retreat, or so he thinks.... soon after arriving Ran finds himself on an elevator with a mirror... and the reflection in the mirror? A woman? But is this real or is this a figment of his imagination?
This book will make you wary of things that go bump in the night! Ren is a complex likable character who struggles with bipolar disease.... his mental illness and the fact he does not always take his medication will make you question what is real and what is not... what is up with this library? What is up with this woman? What is up with this elevator? What is up with this house? The house itself was a character in this book, a formidable character at that... this was not the book I was expecting when I picked it up, but it sure did suck me in and gave me all kinds of feels....
An intriguing Gothic supernatural story with a contemporary vibe, recommended!
*** many thanks to Orenda for my copy of this book ***
This was a very atmospheric read that sent chills down my spine more than once... A big rambling house full of history and secrets.... A house that felt so alive that you could feel it breathing.... I am seriously getting the chills just writing this review, what a creepy story this was!
Ran inherits this rambling estate from an uncle he never knew he had... the one condition of the inheritance, he must keep the house’s library intact... Ran is a writer so this is perfect, the perfect writing retreat, or so he thinks.... soon after arriving Ran finds himself on an elevator with a mirror... and the reflection in the mirror? A woman? But is this real or is this a figment of his imagination?
This book will make you wary of things that go bump in the night! Ren is a complex likable character who struggles with bipolar disease.... his mental illness and the fact he does not always take his medication will make you question what is real and what is not... what is up with this library? What is up with this woman? What is up with this elevator? What is up with this house? The house itself was a character in this book, a formidable character at that... this was not the book I was expecting when I picked it up, but it sure did suck me in and gave me all kinds of feels....
An intriguing Gothic supernatural story with a contemporary vibe, recommended!
*** many thanks to Orenda for my copy of this book ***
September 20, 2017
Having read and loved A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone (you can read my review of that book HERE ) I was intrigued by the blurb of his latest book, House of Spines, as it had a very different vibe about it. I do have a soft spot for a gothic chiller though so I was interested to see what sort of spin this author would apply to the genre. And thankfully I absolutely loved it!
When Ranald McGhie inherits a substantial property from a great uncle he didn’t know he had, it is the start of a new life for him. Moving out of his flat and into the magnificent Newton Hall should have been a dream come true for writer Ran with its magnificent library and books piled up around every corner-a book lovers heaven! But within days he is experiencing visions of a dark haired woman. Are these apparitions real or a side effect of coming off his medication? Ran has mental health problems that seem exacerbated by his move but will investigating his family’s darkest secrets cause Ran to lose hold of the single thread of sanity that he is hanging on to?
The first thing I did when I finished reading was to message a fellow bookworm to ask if she had read it too so we could discuss. I was desperate to talk to someone about how I felt about it! The story itself is a darkly atmospheric “House of Horror” thriller where the reader is unsure whether what is happening to Ran is real or an effect of his illness. It brought to mind films such as The Others, The Innocents or The Haunting where a house also plays as big a part in the drama as the characters themselves do. I was wound up tight as a spring from the very first page, full of a sick apprehension of what was unravelling before my eyes.
As with A Suitable Lie, I was blown away by how strongly I reacted to the narrative. Fear, frustration and anger all blended together to make me feel scared for Ran as, no matter what the truth was, he was a lost soul needing to belong to somebody …..or something. Michael J Malone just writes the most beautifully seductive prose that gives me goosebumps no matter what the subject matter. His poetic narrative mesmerized me to the extent that I felt like I had suddenly awoken from a dream (or was it a nightmare?!) when finished. In anyone else’s hands this story could have gone down a much more cliched route so it just goes to prove what a master storyteller this author is that he kept his tale believable throughout. Very disturbing at times but highly recommended by me!
When Ranald McGhie inherits a substantial property from a great uncle he didn’t know he had, it is the start of a new life for him. Moving out of his flat and into the magnificent Newton Hall should have been a dream come true for writer Ran with its magnificent library and books piled up around every corner-a book lovers heaven! But within days he is experiencing visions of a dark haired woman. Are these apparitions real or a side effect of coming off his medication? Ran has mental health problems that seem exacerbated by his move but will investigating his family’s darkest secrets cause Ran to lose hold of the single thread of sanity that he is hanging on to?
The first thing I did when I finished reading was to message a fellow bookworm to ask if she had read it too so we could discuss. I was desperate to talk to someone about how I felt about it! The story itself is a darkly atmospheric “House of Horror” thriller where the reader is unsure whether what is happening to Ran is real or an effect of his illness. It brought to mind films such as The Others, The Innocents or The Haunting where a house also plays as big a part in the drama as the characters themselves do. I was wound up tight as a spring from the very first page, full of a sick apprehension of what was unravelling before my eyes.
As with A Suitable Lie, I was blown away by how strongly I reacted to the narrative. Fear, frustration and anger all blended together to make me feel scared for Ran as, no matter what the truth was, he was a lost soul needing to belong to somebody …..or something. Michael J Malone just writes the most beautifully seductive prose that gives me goosebumps no matter what the subject matter. His poetic narrative mesmerized me to the extent that I felt like I had suddenly awoken from a dream (or was it a nightmare?!) when finished. In anyone else’s hands this story could have gone down a much more cliched route so it just goes to prove what a master storyteller this author is that he kept his tale believable throughout. Very disturbing at times but highly recommended by me!
April 3, 2018
Ran McGhie's world has been turned upside down. A young, lonely and frustrated writer, and suffering from mental-health problems, he discovers that his long-dead mother was related to one of Glasgow's oldest merchant families. Not only that, but Ran has inherited Newton Hall.
I really enjoyed the character of Ran, it was a nice change to have a good guy be the protagonist. This was a nice creepy, physiological thriller with a touch of a gothic tale. To be honest, it didn’t really work for me; it had too much of an ick factor for me with some of the situations with other characters. It was slow, but not that good slow burn, just well, slow. But, all that being said I would recommend this book to lovers of this genre.
Thank you NetGalley, Orenda books and the author for a free advanced copy.
I really enjoyed the character of Ran, it was a nice change to have a good guy be the protagonist. This was a nice creepy, physiological thriller with a touch of a gothic tale. To be honest, it didn’t really work for me; it had too much of an ick factor for me with some of the situations with other characters. It was slow, but not that good slow burn, just well, slow. But, all that being said I would recommend this book to lovers of this genre.
Thank you NetGalley, Orenda books and the author for a free advanced copy.
September 3, 2017
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
Oh my I really struggled to write a review for this book why? Because I’m not sure anything I write will truly reflect what a fabulous and enthralling read House Of Spines turned out to be. Ever since I read A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone I’ve been eagerly awaiting for his next offering. Firstly I have to mention what a versatile and gifted writer Michael J Malone is, I’m amazed that he’s gone from writing about domestic abuse to the eloquently and beautifully written House Of Spines.
One of my favourite things when I’m reading a book are an author’s description of a setting, and the author describes Newton Hall with a great deal of passion and imagination. Newton Hall is deceiving, a beautiful home full of wealth and splendour, but it also a house that feels claustrophobic, chilling and terrifying, it’s a house shrouded in mystery and secrets. The author’s descriptions give the reader an overwhelming sense of unease and trepidation, one that grows stronger as the novel progresses.
When Ran inherits Newton Hall, a vast and elegant mansion filled with books, it seems all his troubles are over, but little does he realise they are just beginning. From the moment Ran walks through the doors of his new home he senses a chilling presence, a presence that will soon consume his every waking moment, even sleep will give him no relief. What follows is a disquieting tale that has so many themes running through it, lust, betrayal, lies and greed.
I do love an unreliable narrator and Ran certainly fits the bill perfectly. As the author weaves his magic and Ran’s mental health issues begin to surface you cant help but wonder how much of what Ran is experiencing is real. Are the ghostly images he see’s part of his escalating illness? or is there something far more sinster hiding in the shadows of his lavish home? This novel oozes with tension and although the pace is slow, each page adds layer about layer of intrigue and malice. I really wasn’t sure where this story was heading, but WOW when I reached the climax I sat there open mouthed stunned by this simply mind blowing novel.
I want to say so much about this book, but in doing so I could possibly give away spoilers which is never my attention, but what I will say is the author has written a novel that is both captivating yet horrifying, it’s dark with a constant sense of malevolence bubbling away under the surface, with elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom running through this novel it has a very gothic feel to it, which only adds weight to this very creepy read. House Of Spines is an very original psychological thriller and one I would urge anyone and everyone to read just because it’s such a powerful and beautifully haunting novel.
Oh my I really struggled to write a review for this book why? Because I’m not sure anything I write will truly reflect what a fabulous and enthralling read House Of Spines turned out to be. Ever since I read A Suitable Lie by Michael J Malone I’ve been eagerly awaiting for his next offering. Firstly I have to mention what a versatile and gifted writer Michael J Malone is, I’m amazed that he’s gone from writing about domestic abuse to the eloquently and beautifully written House Of Spines.
One of my favourite things when I’m reading a book are an author’s description of a setting, and the author describes Newton Hall with a great deal of passion and imagination. Newton Hall is deceiving, a beautiful home full of wealth and splendour, but it also a house that feels claustrophobic, chilling and terrifying, it’s a house shrouded in mystery and secrets. The author’s descriptions give the reader an overwhelming sense of unease and trepidation, one that grows stronger as the novel progresses.
When Ran inherits Newton Hall, a vast and elegant mansion filled with books, it seems all his troubles are over, but little does he realise they are just beginning. From the moment Ran walks through the doors of his new home he senses a chilling presence, a presence that will soon consume his every waking moment, even sleep will give him no relief. What follows is a disquieting tale that has so many themes running through it, lust, betrayal, lies and greed.
I do love an unreliable narrator and Ran certainly fits the bill perfectly. As the author weaves his magic and Ran’s mental health issues begin to surface you cant help but wonder how much of what Ran is experiencing is real. Are the ghostly images he see’s part of his escalating illness? or is there something far more sinster hiding in the shadows of his lavish home? This novel oozes with tension and although the pace is slow, each page adds layer about layer of intrigue and malice. I really wasn’t sure where this story was heading, but WOW when I reached the climax I sat there open mouthed stunned by this simply mind blowing novel.
I want to say so much about this book, but in doing so I could possibly give away spoilers which is never my attention, but what I will say is the author has written a novel that is both captivating yet horrifying, it’s dark with a constant sense of malevolence bubbling away under the surface, with elements of fear, horror, death, and gloom running through this novel it has a very gothic feel to it, which only adds weight to this very creepy read. House Of Spines is an very original psychological thriller and one I would urge anyone and everyone to read just because it’s such a powerful and beautifully haunting novel.
September 26, 2017
A Suitable Lie by the author was one of my top reads of last year so I was very excited to see he had a new book coming out and couldn’t wait to read it.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the book description, in a way it sounded like the perfect story line for a horror film, of which it isn’t a horror by the way, but it definitely has hints of it in there.
Ranald is down on his luck. He has a broken marriage behind him and due to events from his childhood it has left him very damaged as well as having to take medication for his bipolar. The inheritance of a house from an uncle he knew nothing about comes as a bit of a shock to say the least, but a good one.
I loved the description of the house with it’s eye catching grounds, indoor swimming pool and best of all, the library. There was only the lift that had me very wary as from the first time Ranald comes across it, we know there is something sinister about it.
Ranald’s childhood and his parents were something that intrigued me right from the start. It was a part of his past that I was dying to know more about, especially his mother. As the story goes along we get to find out the skeletons in the closet as it were. Some of the things that Ranald finds out about his parents as well as his family were quite shocking and disturbing. It made my heart go out to Ranald even more though.
House Of Spines is a story that will have you hooked right from the very start. It takes you deep into one mans life and mind and has you questioning what is real. It is a journey of discovery that certainly held some surprises with some unexpected twists. Great book!
My thanks to Orenda Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
I wasn’t quite sure what to expect from the book description, in a way it sounded like the perfect story line for a horror film, of which it isn’t a horror by the way, but it definitely has hints of it in there.
Ranald is down on his luck. He has a broken marriage behind him and due to events from his childhood it has left him very damaged as well as having to take medication for his bipolar. The inheritance of a house from an uncle he knew nothing about comes as a bit of a shock to say the least, but a good one.
I loved the description of the house with it’s eye catching grounds, indoor swimming pool and best of all, the library. There was only the lift that had me very wary as from the first time Ranald comes across it, we know there is something sinister about it.
Ranald’s childhood and his parents were something that intrigued me right from the start. It was a part of his past that I was dying to know more about, especially his mother. As the story goes along we get to find out the skeletons in the closet as it were. Some of the things that Ranald finds out about his parents as well as his family were quite shocking and disturbing. It made my heart go out to Ranald even more though.
House Of Spines is a story that will have you hooked right from the very start. It takes you deep into one mans life and mind and has you questioning what is real. It is a journey of discovery that certainly held some surprises with some unexpected twists. Great book!
My thanks to Orenda Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
September 11, 2017
You may remember me raving last year about A Suitable Lie so to say I was thrilled to read House of Spines would be an understatement. While the two books couldn’t be more different in terms of the plot, there was the same sense of being utterly consumed by this book that I had while read ASL. Malone has the uncanny ability to get under your skin and his writing style is so eloquent and fluid, it’s a captivating experience to read his work.
Almost from the moment that Ran enters Newton Hall he is thrown off balance, the house has a profound and powerful affect on him, some good and some not so good, but he is enchanted nevertheless. He was a sympathetic character though his reliability is highly questionable as he suffers from mental illness making me wonder whether the unexplainable things he’s experiencing are real or part of his delusions as a side effect of being bipolar. The lines between fact and fiction are constantly blurred which gave the whole book an unsettling, creepy vibe.
The house itself was an additional character as it seemed to have a distinct personality and moodiness that shifted just like it would in a person. The atmosphere was claustrophobic, tense and chilling most of the time but there were also moments where Ran himself would be in a chipper mood and the house would follow suit.
This was such a bewitching read that was still very much a psychological thriller but with it’s own unique spin, I’ve never read anything quite like House of Spines before. It was dark, twisty and intense with the lyrical prose that I’ve now come to expect from Malone. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a fresh, remarkable read!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
Almost from the moment that Ran enters Newton Hall he is thrown off balance, the house has a profound and powerful affect on him, some good and some not so good, but he is enchanted nevertheless. He was a sympathetic character though his reliability is highly questionable as he suffers from mental illness making me wonder whether the unexplainable things he’s experiencing are real or part of his delusions as a side effect of being bipolar. The lines between fact and fiction are constantly blurred which gave the whole book an unsettling, creepy vibe.
The house itself was an additional character as it seemed to have a distinct personality and moodiness that shifted just like it would in a person. The atmosphere was claustrophobic, tense and chilling most of the time but there were also moments where Ran himself would be in a chipper mood and the house would follow suit.
This was such a bewitching read that was still very much a psychological thriller but with it’s own unique spin, I’ve never read anything quite like House of Spines before. It was dark, twisty and intense with the lyrical prose that I’ve now come to expect from Malone. I highly recommend this one to anyone looking for a fresh, remarkable read!
All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com
September 5, 2017
House of Spines was a totally different novel to what I expected – I was expecting a conventional psychological thriller that followed the usual path but this book certainly was not that! It is a psychological thriller but I felt it had a really heavy, dark, twisted, gothic romance element to it – it was a bit much at times, not in a descriptive detailed way, but at times it felt like I was reading a gothic romance novel as opposed to a psychological thriller. The romantic elements did serve a purpose and played a crucial role in the novel so I can’t be too mad. House of Spines also has elements of the supernatural and these add to the psychological thrills – when the supernatural’s at play, in a huge isolated mansion, you’re going to feel chills. These elements balanced out the romantic elements as although they weren’t my favourite portions of the novel, the supernatural had me listening out for unusual sounds in my own house! I think it’s fair to say, House of Spines crosses genres and can and will be enjoyed by a large reading audience.
I wouldn’t say this is the kind of novel that you have to root for the main protagonist, it’s more your desire to understand the events, both in the present and the past, that keep you turning the pages. In books, I have grown to love to hate the unlikeable characters, and House of Spines has a few of those too. And I appreciate that Malone was able to take all that I thought I knew about a character and flip it on its head!
My favourite part of this novel was the ending – I absolutely loved the way Malone bought everything together. I don’t want any spoilers, so I won’t say anything about what happens but from about 70% onward, I was obsessed with this novel, I couldn’t believe the reveal after reveal that came! This novel is disturbing throughout but wow, the twistedness that came at the end was a brilliant kind of twistedness!
I like that Malone used Ran’s mental state to create this level of uncertainty, throughout you’re never sure if Ran is going to be able to keep it together or lose control completely. This novel rocked the gothic vibe very well, a bit too much of a romantic element but the supernatural element was much appreciated, and as mentioned above – the ending was amazing, in the most twisted and shocking way! If you’re a fan of modern gothic novels, give House of Spines a read.
*My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
I wouldn’t say this is the kind of novel that you have to root for the main protagonist, it’s more your desire to understand the events, both in the present and the past, that keep you turning the pages. In books, I have grown to love to hate the unlikeable characters, and House of Spines has a few of those too. And I appreciate that Malone was able to take all that I thought I knew about a character and flip it on its head!
My favourite part of this novel was the ending – I absolutely loved the way Malone bought everything together. I don’t want any spoilers, so I won’t say anything about what happens but from about 70% onward, I was obsessed with this novel, I couldn’t believe the reveal after reveal that came! This novel is disturbing throughout but wow, the twistedness that came at the end was a brilliant kind of twistedness!
I like that Malone used Ran’s mental state to create this level of uncertainty, throughout you’re never sure if Ran is going to be able to keep it together or lose control completely. This novel rocked the gothic vibe very well, a bit too much of a romantic element but the supernatural element was much appreciated, and as mentioned above – the ending was amazing, in the most twisted and shocking way! If you’re a fan of modern gothic novels, give House of Spines a read.
*My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
February 22, 2018
House of Spines
Bright shining 4 stars! 😊
I had a whole, wonderful review written out, but the computer crashed and I lost it all. So suffice it say I am not going to rewrite the review.
Instead, I will say that this book was a wonderfully crafted mystery/suspense story that held my interest from page 1 to the last page. Great character development, terrifically twisted plot lines and a finely crafted twist ending makes this a must read for the consummate mystery/suspense/horror reader. I look forward to the next novel from Mr. Malone and will surely find it just as thrilling as this one.
Bright shining 4 stars! 😊
I had a whole, wonderful review written out, but the computer crashed and I lost it all. So suffice it say I am not going to rewrite the review.
Instead, I will say that this book was a wonderfully crafted mystery/suspense story that held my interest from page 1 to the last page. Great character development, terrifically twisted plot lines and a finely crafted twist ending makes this a must read for the consummate mystery/suspense/horror reader. I look forward to the next novel from Mr. Malone and will surely find it just as thrilling as this one.
August 21, 2017
House of Spines is a deliciously dark tale about the things that haunt us. Unexpected and beautiful, the novel has all the gothic elements of classics like Rebecca, and the all the poetry and page-turning trickery you'd expect from Michael Malone. Wonderful. Cannot recommend enough.
August 31, 2018
Ranald McGhie has a tumultuous past with mental health problems stemming from the loss of his parents. He is divorced, living alone, and trying to make ends meet with a less-than-creative writing career. That all changes when he receives notice that he has inherited Newton Hall is the descendant of the wealthy Fitzpatrick family. Ranald never knew his family. His mother always kept them separated because she was shunned from them for her decision to run away and marry his lower class father. Apparently, Great-Uncle Alexander Fitzpatrick has been secretly keeping tabs on Ranald and giving him his house is his chance to make family amends.
Newton Hall seems like just the chance Ranald needs to turn his life around. The sprawling mansion is filled to the brim with books lining every wall. The grounds are peaceful and the town is small. There’s something slightly off about the situation. There’s an abandoned lift that leads to a section of the house that appears to not have been touched for many years. There’s a mirror in the lift that’s home to the reflection of a woman. This woman begins haunting Ranald’s dreams. Is what he’s seeing real or a product of being off his medication?
HOUSE OF SPINES is part Gothic ghost story and part atmospheric thriller. Poor Ranald...just when he thought life had served him something to turn his days around, those dreams turn into a reality that is nothing short of confusing. Imagine walking into a family you know nothing about and being gifted a massive estate by your dead Great-Uncle. Other family members aren’t going to be pleased, which is exactly what Ranald runs into with his cousins. On top of family drama, the house you inherited may or may not be haunted by a ghost that is trying to seduce you. Life is simply crazy for Ranald. Malone has laced HOUSE OF SPINES with writing that transcends the reader straight into the quaint town where the story is set while subtly creeping the reader out with the strange events happening around Ranald. You begin to wonder what is real and what is imagined early on with this book and chances are at the end, you might still not be sure. If you’re in the mood for something that will chill you, confuse you, and have you unable to put it down, this is the book for you!
Newton Hall seems like just the chance Ranald needs to turn his life around. The sprawling mansion is filled to the brim with books lining every wall. The grounds are peaceful and the town is small. There’s something slightly off about the situation. There’s an abandoned lift that leads to a section of the house that appears to not have been touched for many years. There’s a mirror in the lift that’s home to the reflection of a woman. This woman begins haunting Ranald’s dreams. Is what he’s seeing real or a product of being off his medication?
HOUSE OF SPINES is part Gothic ghost story and part atmospheric thriller. Poor Ranald...just when he thought life had served him something to turn his days around, those dreams turn into a reality that is nothing short of confusing. Imagine walking into a family you know nothing about and being gifted a massive estate by your dead Great-Uncle. Other family members aren’t going to be pleased, which is exactly what Ranald runs into with his cousins. On top of family drama, the house you inherited may or may not be haunted by a ghost that is trying to seduce you. Life is simply crazy for Ranald. Malone has laced HOUSE OF SPINES with writing that transcends the reader straight into the quaint town where the story is set while subtly creeping the reader out with the strange events happening around Ranald. You begin to wonder what is real and what is imagined early on with this book and chances are at the end, you might still not be sure. If you’re in the mood for something that will chill you, confuse you, and have you unable to put it down, this is the book for you!
October 9, 2017
With a certain level of creepiness this book was so enchanting I couldn’t read it quick enough! An unbelievably good work of writing that shouldn’t be missed! Perfect for this time of year with Halloween approaching!
Thanks to Orenda for this copy in exchange for review:)
Thanks to Orenda for this copy in exchange for review:)
March 15, 2018
I had high hopes for this, but it ended up being decidedly 'meh', unfortunately. I felt the plot went largely in circles for much of the book, and it may even have worked better as a short story for that reason.
The main trouble I had was that it suffered by its own comparisons. It aims in many ways to be a love letter to gothic literature. As such, there are repeated references and homages to the classics that came before it (like Rebecca and The Turn of the Screw). The trouble is, if you're going to do that, the references need to be woven in cleverly, and the plot strong enough to stand on its own without them. Sadly, the plot in this case was largely cliché (ghosts yelling 'GET OUT!'; characters letting go of breaths they didn't know they were holding; eyeroll worthy twists, et al). Harsh as it may sound, by constantly inviting the reader to draw comparisons to the greats of the genre, this book, for me, served only to make itself seem weaker.
It's also worth note that there's an ongoing plot thread that perpetuates the harmful, tired and annoying stereotype that people with mental illnesses are dangerous, whilst also repeatedly demonising medication. I'm not here for that.
It's a shame this proved to not be for me. It's described using my biggest buzzwords: 'dark', 'atmospheric' and 'gothic' - but delivered those elements to such a diluted extent that I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed.
The main trouble I had was that it suffered by its own comparisons. It aims in many ways to be a love letter to gothic literature. As such, there are repeated references and homages to the classics that came before it (like Rebecca and The Turn of the Screw). The trouble is, if you're going to do that, the references need to be woven in cleverly, and the plot strong enough to stand on its own without them. Sadly, the plot in this case was largely cliché (ghosts yelling 'GET OUT!'; characters letting go of breaths they didn't know they were holding; eyeroll worthy twists, et al). Harsh as it may sound, by constantly inviting the reader to draw comparisons to the greats of the genre, this book, for me, served only to make itself seem weaker.
It's also worth note that there's an ongoing plot thread that perpetuates the harmful, tired and annoying stereotype that people with mental illnesses are dangerous, whilst also repeatedly demonising medication. I'm not here for that.
It's a shame this proved to not be for me. It's described using my biggest buzzwords: 'dark', 'atmospheric' and 'gothic' - but delivered those elements to such a diluted extent that I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed.
February 5, 2018
You’re thinking vertebrae, maybe? But it’s book spines, which makes it all the more interesting. Yes, this is one of those stories where an aimless young man inherits an estate from a relative he didn’t even know existed only to find out the place is haunted. Why doesn’t anyone just leave someone a nice mansion with a spectacular library and no clauses and conditions? Probably because it wouldn’t make for a very interesting story. Malone doesn’t reinvent the wheel here, but he does this particular subgenre proud enough, owning mostly to strong writing and character development. Utilizing a mental disorder to murky up the waters is a nice trick, it adds an ambiguity to the ghost apparitions, thus going a long way to enhance the novel. The readers are relying on a somewhat unreliable (bipolar) narrator. Plus even when the facts are finally revealed, there’s still a question of how it’ll be handled. This is essentially a modern gothic in tone and atmosphere with a few surprises for that extra suspense. If you’re into that sort of thing, check it out. First time reading the author for me (never would have guessed he was a poet based on this either), but apparently he’s pretty accomplished, though the supernatural aspect here might be a new venture for him. Quite compelling one at that too, made for an enjoyable read for a rainy day. Thanks Netgalley.
February 23, 2018
I'm a fan of Michael Malone, having thoroughly enjoyed his last book A Suitable Lie. Now, I love a good gothic thriller so I was chomping at the bit to try this book. I was not disappointed and soon found myself becoming invested with every character in this book. It comes as no surprise that the author is also an acclaimed poet. His descriptions were beautifully written, evoking all sorts of emotions as I 'entered' the mansion of Newton Hall. This is not one of these books that you whizz through at breakneck speed, barely taking in the descriptions. It's a book to be savoured, read slowly with a mug of hot chocolate in front of the fire, or curled up in bed on a stormy night. The story flows nicely and the characters very real. I enjoyed the plot and everything came together at the end, with a few heart-stopping moments in between. I thoroughly enjoyed this evocative read and look forward to reading more books by this wonderful author.
Read
August 16, 2017Review to follow on the blog tour!
September 28, 2017
Wow!
This review has been such a struggle to write and if I could have gotten away with just saying “brilliant, buy it now!”, I totally would have. The only thought in my head when I finished reading went something along the lines of “holy guacamole, what the frickety-frack was that?!”. I’ll say this though, if you’re looking for something utterly compelling and enthralling that will leave your head spinning in the most delicious way, then look no further! House of Spines does exactly that and so much more.
Also, I totally feel that cover is worth mentioning as it’s fab. I loved it from the first moment I saw it, even though I couldn’t quite figure out what it meant. That becomes clear when you read the book. Or the book description, which I didn’t. 😄
Ran McGhie’s life is turned upside down when he discovers that his mother came from a wealthy family and he has now inherited a huge mansion. And by huge, I mean absolutely massive. With multiple floors, a maze of rooms, an indoor swimming pool and, every bookworm’s dream, a gigantic library, you could say Ran is living the dream. But things at Newton Hall aren’t at all what they seem. Or are they?
Ran suffers from mental health problems and when at one point he stops taking his medication, it becomes hard for him and us, the reader, to keep a firm grip on reality. There were times I felt I was losing my mind myself! Is something haunting Ran’s new abode? Or is his imagination playing tricks on him? Personally, library or not, I’d be out of there in a flash.
If you’ve read Michael J. Malone’s previous offering, A Suitable Lie, and you’re expecting more of the same, ha! You’re in for a surprise! (Incidentally if you’ve not read it, you totally should. Just saying.) The author truly shows off his diversity and displays a remarkable talent for storytelling. This is not just your average ghost story, it’s far more than that. It’s absorbing, compelling, utterly gripping, deliciously creepy and intriguing. I’m running out of superlatives here. Suffice to say, it really just blew my mind.
Michael J. Malone is one amazingly exciting author and most definitely one to watch! I absolutely can’t wait for his next book! But for now, and this is something I never do, I’m taking House of Spines on holiday with me so I can read it again. It’s just THAT GOOD!
This review has been such a struggle to write and if I could have gotten away with just saying “brilliant, buy it now!”, I totally would have. The only thought in my head when I finished reading went something along the lines of “holy guacamole, what the frickety-frack was that?!”. I’ll say this though, if you’re looking for something utterly compelling and enthralling that will leave your head spinning in the most delicious way, then look no further! House of Spines does exactly that and so much more.
Also, I totally feel that cover is worth mentioning as it’s fab. I loved it from the first moment I saw it, even though I couldn’t quite figure out what it meant. That becomes clear when you read the book. Or the book description, which I didn’t. 😄
Ran McGhie’s life is turned upside down when he discovers that his mother came from a wealthy family and he has now inherited a huge mansion. And by huge, I mean absolutely massive. With multiple floors, a maze of rooms, an indoor swimming pool and, every bookworm’s dream, a gigantic library, you could say Ran is living the dream. But things at Newton Hall aren’t at all what they seem. Or are they?
Ran suffers from mental health problems and when at one point he stops taking his medication, it becomes hard for him and us, the reader, to keep a firm grip on reality. There were times I felt I was losing my mind myself! Is something haunting Ran’s new abode? Or is his imagination playing tricks on him? Personally, library or not, I’d be out of there in a flash.
If you’ve read Michael J. Malone’s previous offering, A Suitable Lie, and you’re expecting more of the same, ha! You’re in for a surprise! (Incidentally if you’ve not read it, you totally should. Just saying.) The author truly shows off his diversity and displays a remarkable talent for storytelling. This is not just your average ghost story, it’s far more than that. It’s absorbing, compelling, utterly gripping, deliciously creepy and intriguing. I’m running out of superlatives here. Suffice to say, it really just blew my mind.
Michael J. Malone is one amazingly exciting author and most definitely one to watch! I absolutely can’t wait for his next book! But for now, and this is something I never do, I’m taking House of Spines on holiday with me so I can read it again. It’s just THAT GOOD!
September 24, 2017
Wow! This book is definitely going onto the list of the best books I have ever read. I so enjoyed reading it and found it incredibly hard to put down.
I have to admit to being a little apprehensive when I first started this book. I had heard lots of great reviews from my fellow bloggers but i am a huge wimp at heart and the title along with the reviews of ‘terrifying’ led me to believe that this would be a horror book. I’m not good with horror and get scared incredibly easily (i managed to have nightmares after watching the advert for IT) so i started this book wondering if I would be able to finish it. To put fellow nervous readers at ease the house of spines refers to the spines of books, not humans, as i was worried it would be!
The book soon drew me in and had me desperately trying to read more whenever I could, hoping that my little girl would sleep longer at nap time just so i could read a few more pages and find out what happens. The book is a little spooky and the tension is incredible and that combined makes you want to keep reading it. It is not necessarily the action that is happening on the page that makes this tension but rather the anticipation that something is going to happen. I found this rather exciting and quite enjoyed the feeling of being a little scared and out of my comfort zone which i was surprised about.
The main character, Ranald, is a very sympathetic and sweet character who I liked almost instantly. I come from a Scottish family and am married to a Scot so I loved how realistic he sounded when he spoke and how he used the correct Scottish terms in his speech. His struggles with his parents death and his mental health was very emotional and quite poignant to read about. The reader can’t help but feel sorry for him and sympathetic to the lonely situation he finds himself him. His attempts to make friends further endeared himself to me and i found that I wanted him to be happy and was willing him to make friends with people. I also really wanted the house to work out for him and kept reading to find out what happened to him.
The Twist towards the end of the book was brilliant and one I definitely didn’t see coming. It was one of those that had me gasping in surprise and flicking back through the pages of the book to try to discover new information I might have missed the first time. As i read quite a lot it is quite hard to surprise me nowadays and I always really enjoy it when someone manages to!
This is the first book of Michael Malone that I have read but it won’t be my last. In fact I have already downloaded a copy of his first book A Suitable Lie to read.
Huge thanks to Karen from Orenda books and Anne Carter for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour. This is definitely going to be one of those books that I will be recommending to everyone for a long time.
I have to admit to being a little apprehensive when I first started this book. I had heard lots of great reviews from my fellow bloggers but i am a huge wimp at heart and the title along with the reviews of ‘terrifying’ led me to believe that this would be a horror book. I’m not good with horror and get scared incredibly easily (i managed to have nightmares after watching the advert for IT) so i started this book wondering if I would be able to finish it. To put fellow nervous readers at ease the house of spines refers to the spines of books, not humans, as i was worried it would be!
The book soon drew me in and had me desperately trying to read more whenever I could, hoping that my little girl would sleep longer at nap time just so i could read a few more pages and find out what happens. The book is a little spooky and the tension is incredible and that combined makes you want to keep reading it. It is not necessarily the action that is happening on the page that makes this tension but rather the anticipation that something is going to happen. I found this rather exciting and quite enjoyed the feeling of being a little scared and out of my comfort zone which i was surprised about.
The main character, Ranald, is a very sympathetic and sweet character who I liked almost instantly. I come from a Scottish family and am married to a Scot so I loved how realistic he sounded when he spoke and how he used the correct Scottish terms in his speech. His struggles with his parents death and his mental health was very emotional and quite poignant to read about. The reader can’t help but feel sorry for him and sympathetic to the lonely situation he finds himself him. His attempts to make friends further endeared himself to me and i found that I wanted him to be happy and was willing him to make friends with people. I also really wanted the house to work out for him and kept reading to find out what happened to him.
The Twist towards the end of the book was brilliant and one I definitely didn’t see coming. It was one of those that had me gasping in surprise and flicking back through the pages of the book to try to discover new information I might have missed the first time. As i read quite a lot it is quite hard to surprise me nowadays and I always really enjoy it when someone manages to!
This is the first book of Michael Malone that I have read but it won’t be my last. In fact I have already downloaded a copy of his first book A Suitable Lie to read.
Huge thanks to Karen from Orenda books and Anne Carter for my copy of this book and for inviting me onto the blog tour. This is definitely going to be one of those books that I will be recommending to everyone for a long time.
October 6, 2017
4.5 *s. What a perfect October read!!! The House of Spines by Michael J. Malone is a contemporary Gothic thriller. Ran McGhie, a writer, inherits a huge mansion filled with books from a great-uncle who he did not know. He moves in and finds that everything is not as it seems. A mysterious locked elevator has a mirror in which he sees the face of a woman. Ran, who suffers from a mental illness, makes a great unreliable narrator. What is real and what is a product of Ran losing touch with reality? This book has it all; a spooky house, mental illness, some very unsavory relatives, and a classic ghost story. To top it off, it's beautifully written and has a great ending. I highly recommend this one! I've also heard great things about Malone's book "A Suitable Lie" which I need to add to my shelf.
Many thanks to Orenda Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Orenda Books for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
September 30, 2017
Oh my giddy aunt! Where do I start!? There are just no words for the absolute gorgeous brilliance of this story! Set in Bearsdon, Scotland we are taken on a gothic and psychologically thrilling tale of a haunting past, mental illness, relationships, dysfunction, loss, abandonment, hope, passion, betrayal, deceit, love and the magic of books.
Needless to say, I was hooked from the get-go. Michael J Malone plunges the reader into a world where reality seemed blurred. The words, the writing, this story…were like music on a page for me – there were highs, lows, a quick pace which evened out before the build up began again – total food for the soul! What an emotive and atmospheric read as well! It was haunting, mesmerising, sad, euphoric – I was totally captivated and Michael J Malone’s writing was like a siren pulling me in….
I loved the cast of characters in this book. They really brought this story to life! The main character, Ran McGhie, is bi-polar. An insecure young man who, in his manic periods oozes confidence – albeit false. Inheriting Newton Hall from an uncle he never knew existed, makes him face things from his past and learn truths about his family which threaten his mental well being as well as his future. Books are his escape, and Newton Hall is literally a House of Spines. Superb!
The sheer madness of his uncle, cousins and the staff of Newton Hall was fascinating. No wonder poor Ran had no clue if what was happening was real or part of his deteriorating mental health. Ran struggled to accept his illness and therefore fought with it every step of the way. Those who tried to help him, his ex-wife Martie and an old neighbour-Donna, were often viewed as the enemy, as Ran believed they were trying to destroy his newfound happiness. I really can’t say much about any of it as it would ruin this cleverly written story for those of you who have yet to experience and read this book!
Would I recommend this book? With every fibre of my being I would!! It is entralling, wonderful, intense, full of suspense and twists that had my head in a spin! There were devious undertones, a mysticism that had me suspending belief – a hopelessness, a passion and a journey of discovery which had me in fear of what might be uncovered – oh yeah, this is definitely a book I would suggest everyone delve into and devour!! Another #TopRead from Michael J Malone which will stay with me for some time!
Needless to say, I was hooked from the get-go. Michael J Malone plunges the reader into a world where reality seemed blurred. The words, the writing, this story…were like music on a page for me – there were highs, lows, a quick pace which evened out before the build up began again – total food for the soul! What an emotive and atmospheric read as well! It was haunting, mesmerising, sad, euphoric – I was totally captivated and Michael J Malone’s writing was like a siren pulling me in….
I loved the cast of characters in this book. They really brought this story to life! The main character, Ran McGhie, is bi-polar. An insecure young man who, in his manic periods oozes confidence – albeit false. Inheriting Newton Hall from an uncle he never knew existed, makes him face things from his past and learn truths about his family which threaten his mental well being as well as his future. Books are his escape, and Newton Hall is literally a House of Spines. Superb!
The sheer madness of his uncle, cousins and the staff of Newton Hall was fascinating. No wonder poor Ran had no clue if what was happening was real or part of his deteriorating mental health. Ran struggled to accept his illness and therefore fought with it every step of the way. Those who tried to help him, his ex-wife Martie and an old neighbour-Donna, were often viewed as the enemy, as Ran believed they were trying to destroy his newfound happiness. I really can’t say much about any of it as it would ruin this cleverly written story for those of you who have yet to experience and read this book!
Would I recommend this book? With every fibre of my being I would!! It is entralling, wonderful, intense, full of suspense and twists that had my head in a spin! There were devious undertones, a mysticism that had me suspending belief – a hopelessness, a passion and a journey of discovery which had me in fear of what might be uncovered – oh yeah, this is definitely a book I would suggest everyone delve into and devour!! Another #TopRead from Michael J Malone which will stay with me for some time!
October 1, 2017
Originally posted on my blog September 13. 2017.
Today is my stop on the HOUSE OF SPINES blog tour, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share my thoughts about this outstanding book.
Ranald McGhie is a financially-challenged writer who comes into an unexpected windfall when he inherits his Great-Uncle Alexander’s home—Newton Hall—and everything in it, including a vast library of books. Divorced and doing his best to cope with mental health issues that coincided with the death of his parents, Ranald is both overwhelmed and grateful for the chance to make a fresh start in his new home. But the moment he arrives, he gets a strange vibe from the house, particularly when he’s near the locked door of the lift. His dreams are filled with images of a mysterious woman who calls to him from within the mirror in the lift—a mirror he can’t see within the lift itself—but he knows it there, just as he knows she is there… waiting for him.
I love the spine-tingling chills caused by a creepy Gothic novel, and Malone provides them throughout with his masterful prose. I felt as uneasy as Ranald as he slowly explores different parts of the house, particularly the older areas with its old-fashioned furnishing that look frozen in time. As much as I wanted him to hurry up and investigate more rooms, it brought a delicious shudder to think about the secrets these rooms might hold and I was reluctant to end my speculations.
Ranald’s mental illness makes him an unreliable narrator at times, though I didn’t realize this right away. When I did, it made me wonder how much of what Ranald perceived as true events actually happened… and if they did, whether or not things happened as he thought that did. I loved the uncertainty this created within the story, and was keen to find clues that might indicate the reality (or not) of the given situation. Ranald isn’t the only unreliable character in the story, either… and that’s all I’ll say about that.
Glimpses of the past provide insight into what happened with Ranald’s parents, and in time, we learn about Alexander’s motivation in leaving Newton Hall to him. We also get to learn more about previous occupants of the house—which include Ranald’s mother and grandmother, among others—adding new layers to the mystery surrounding Newton Hall.
Other characters include the married housekeeper and gardener, Ranald’s cousins, his ex-wife and (slightly psychic) former neighbor, and select people from the nearby village. The crisp characterizations of each one was fantastic, and made an already great book that much better. I either loved them, or felt suspicious of them instantly, depending on which character it was—and I was fooled into complacency by more than one of them, thinking I had them all figured out. Nope! Not even close, regarding certain ones.
There aren’t enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe how much I loved the ending. It was absolutely NOT what I was expecting to happen at all! What a way to wrap up a book! It was pure perfection.
To put it simply, Michael J. Malone has found a brand new fan in me. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next, because HOUSE OF SPINES was an amazing read. If you haven’t read it yet, trust me when I say you should. You won’t be sorry!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Orenda Books.
Today is my stop on the HOUSE OF SPINES blog tour, and I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share my thoughts about this outstanding book.
Ranald McGhie is a financially-challenged writer who comes into an unexpected windfall when he inherits his Great-Uncle Alexander’s home—Newton Hall—and everything in it, including a vast library of books. Divorced and doing his best to cope with mental health issues that coincided with the death of his parents, Ranald is both overwhelmed and grateful for the chance to make a fresh start in his new home. But the moment he arrives, he gets a strange vibe from the house, particularly when he’s near the locked door of the lift. His dreams are filled with images of a mysterious woman who calls to him from within the mirror in the lift—a mirror he can’t see within the lift itself—but he knows it there, just as he knows she is there… waiting for him.
I love the spine-tingling chills caused by a creepy Gothic novel, and Malone provides them throughout with his masterful prose. I felt as uneasy as Ranald as he slowly explores different parts of the house, particularly the older areas with its old-fashioned furnishing that look frozen in time. As much as I wanted him to hurry up and investigate more rooms, it brought a delicious shudder to think about the secrets these rooms might hold and I was reluctant to end my speculations.
Ranald’s mental illness makes him an unreliable narrator at times, though I didn’t realize this right away. When I did, it made me wonder how much of what Ranald perceived as true events actually happened… and if they did, whether or not things happened as he thought that did. I loved the uncertainty this created within the story, and was keen to find clues that might indicate the reality (or not) of the given situation. Ranald isn’t the only unreliable character in the story, either… and that’s all I’ll say about that.
Glimpses of the past provide insight into what happened with Ranald’s parents, and in time, we learn about Alexander’s motivation in leaving Newton Hall to him. We also get to learn more about previous occupants of the house—which include Ranald’s mother and grandmother, among others—adding new layers to the mystery surrounding Newton Hall.
Other characters include the married housekeeper and gardener, Ranald’s cousins, his ex-wife and (slightly psychic) former neighbor, and select people from the nearby village. The crisp characterizations of each one was fantastic, and made an already great book that much better. I either loved them, or felt suspicious of them instantly, depending on which character it was—and I was fooled into complacency by more than one of them, thinking I had them all figured out. Nope! Not even close, regarding certain ones.
There aren’t enough adjectives in the dictionary to describe how much I loved the ending. It was absolutely NOT what I was expecting to happen at all! What a way to wrap up a book! It was pure perfection.
To put it simply, Michael J. Malone has found a brand new fan in me. I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next, because HOUSE OF SPINES was an amazing read. If you haven’t read it yet, trust me when I say you should. You won’t be sorry!
I received an advance review copy of this book courtesy of Orenda Books.
September 3, 2017
Deliciously spooky gothic tale. Do review up on the blog soon, but recommended, if your nerves can handle it!
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