The Eleventh Floor

This Haunted World #2

by Shani Struthers

From the author of the popular Psychic Surveys series, comes a brand new series of STANDALONE novels, set in and around THE WORLD'S MOST HAUNTED PLACES and BLENDING FACT WITH FICTION.
In Book One discover Venice, 'the world's most haunted city' and Poveglia, in the Venetian Lagoon, 'the world's most haunted island'. In Book Two, travel to Pennsylvania for a stay at The Egress Hotel…

A snowstorm, a highway, a lonely hotel…

Devastated by the deaths of her parents and disillusioned with life, Caroline Daynes is in America trying to connect with their memory. Travelling to her mother’s hometown of Williamsfield in Pennsylvania, she is caught in a snowstorm and forced to stop at The Egress hotel – somewhere she’d planned to visit as her parents honeymooned there.

From the moment she sets foot inside the lobby and meets the surly receptionist, she realises this is a hotel like no other. Charming and unique, it seems lost in time with a whole cast of compelling characters sheltering behind closed doors.

As the storm deepens, so does the mystery of The Egress. Who are these people she’s stranded with and what secrets do they hide? In a situation that’s becoming increasingly nightmarish, is it possible to find solace?

Genres: Horror, Mystery, Paranormal, Fiction, Supernatural, Thriller, Horror Thriller

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 28, 2017

About the author

It's all about the ghosts...

Here's the order my books come in:

Psychic Surveys Series:

Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall

Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me

Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street

Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage

Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension

Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion

Psychic Surveys Book Seven: Promises to Keep

Psychic Surveys Book Eight: The Weight of the Soul

Psychic Surveys Book Nine: The Devil's Liar

Psychic Surveys Companion Novels:

Eve: A Psychic Surveys Prequel

Blakemort (Corinna's story)

Thirteen (Ness's story)

Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)

Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys' most treasured and mysterious characters)

This Haunted World Series:

This Haunted World Book One: The Venetian

This Haunted World Book Two: The Eleventh Floor

This Haunted World Book Three: Highgate

This Haunted World Book Four: Rohaise

Reach for the Dead Series:

Reach for the Dead Book One: Mandy

Reach for the Dead Book Two: Cades Home Farm

Reach for the Dead Book Three: Walker

Jessamine Series:

Jessamine

Comraich

Carfax House - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

The Damned Season - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Summer of Grace - A standalone psychological thriller

Catch up with me via Facebook or on my website www.shanistruthers.com where you can sign up to my newsletter for all the latest information, offers and giveaways.

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how I just happened to start reading this while snowed in at my mother-in-law’s house in Yorkshire, as The Eleventh Floor had a bit of a feel of the Overlook Hotel in The Shining, in that it was based in a hotel where guests have arrived and are snowed in during a huge snowstorm.

This is a standalone novel, but I think those who enjoyed The Venetian, which was the first book in This Haunted World series, are likely to enjoy this one too. I would say this is less spooky than the first book, but I’m not sure if that’s because I read most of it in the daytime, and with there being more characters, it felt less lonely and claustrophobic.

However, and this is a big however, I did read the later part of the book in bed at night, and just before putting the book down for the night, there was a somewhat surprising reveal, which I both loved, but was also completely freaked out by. So it’s probably not hugely surprising that I woke up at 3am, became completely freaked out by my bedroom door being wide open (I don’t leave it wide open), and had to sneak around the whole house checking behind doors and under beds for potential intruders. I even ended up finishing the book over the next hour, because the adrenaline wouldn't allow me to fall asleep again. So you see, my claim of this book being less spooky than the first one, might not actually be the case, and it may just be that my initial surroundings gave me a sense of safety and comfort.

There are some wonderful and mysterious characters in this book. While deeply intrigued by some of the more mysterious characters, I would say I related to Caroline the most, especially as her nights were taken over by bad dreams, which mine often are too. Although not always bad dreams, mine are often very vivid.

The Eleventh Floor was yet another cracking read by this author. I really look forward to seeing what Shani Struthers comes up with next.

I borrowed this book through Amazon Kindle Unlimited.

[Holly B]

dnf 38%

[Stuart James · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolute top draw.
It’s my first book by Shani and I was lucky enough to get a free copy from her for an honest review.
Caroline gets caught in a storm and is forced to stay at a mysterious hotel, the Egress.
There, she meets some strange characters and the story progresses.
The writing is wonderful and it kept me intrigued until the final page.
Who are David, Edward and Althea?
What’s wrong with Rachel? The girl at the desk and when is the storm ever going to stop?
The story reminded me of the shining.
Totally loved it.

[Mark Tilbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having read many of Shani’s other books I was looking forward to checking into the eleventh floor of The Egress Hotel. This is an atmospheric and mysterious read with a slow build up that introduces all the main characters, and leaves you wondering what is going on at the hotel. There’s quite a cast, all of whom are written in a way to make you want to know more about them, and why they are at the Egress.

There were parts of the book where I was as confused as main character, Caroline. What is real and what isn’t – it’s never easy to decide. I enjoyed this book but hope I never get stuck in a snow storm with anywhere like the Egress as my only sanctuary!

Thanks to the author and TBC for an ARC copy of the book.

[James McCormick · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a superbly crafted work, fully realised characters and an excellent dynamic between the principal characters. The most important hook to become engaged with any work is a protagonist the reader can empathise with, and the author does just that with Caroline, as strong and determined as she is emotionally vulnerable, still carrying the pain of losing her parents so young. David too, not quite a dual protagonist but almost, also possesses a depth I didn’t initially expect. This was one of those books you look forward to coming home so you can continue reading.

If I have any criticism of the novel it’s that after expecting a significant twist, surprising reveals towards the end, nothing of significance actually materialised. I have to confess I inwardly groaned when it’s mentioned early on Caroline has a cut on her head and has bruising. I strongly suspected what was coming. The last chapter I also felt was a little too exposition heavy, wrapped up in almost a single monologue.

Yet a curious thing happened. As I read the epilogue with David I was drawn back into the story. It is so wonderfully written and incredibly bittersweet. The author is capable of writing with such depth.

I’d definitely read more by Shani Struthers. It wouldn’t take much to make me a fan.

A tale with depth, of heart break, tragedy and love.

[Kelly Rogers-Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to give it 5 stars but the ending broke my heart.

[Jirinka (sony08) · Rating 5 out of 5]

More reviews at: https://noemptyshelveshere.blogspot.c...

This is another cracker from the fabulous Shani Struthers. I love a good ghost story and Shani has got this brilliant talent in creating a believable world that you get lost in so easily.

The story follows Caroline, travelling through the states following the foot path of her parents. She gets caught in a snow storms and ends up having to stay at the old-fashioned hotel that she heard so much about from her mother. The Egress hotel has its charms but Caroline senses something strange within it walls.

Caroline meets various characters at the hotel and they each seem to have secrets and troubles of their own. There is also something sinister residing within the hotel’s corridors and following some terrible nightmares Caroline start fearing the strangeness of the place and how it is changing her, however the hotel has also given her the charming David for a company and she tries to focus on that as the happy part of her stay.

But this story is not just about fear and ghosts, it’s about a person’s journey, it’s about love and hate and history that can change someone’s path. I think this is so far my favourite book by Shani (well maybe on the same level as The Venetian). I suspected what was going on about half way through the book, but it still got a couple of tears out of me when it was done.

As I said this is a fabulous book for those long autumnal evenings, with the wind howling behind the windows and in the chimneys.

Thank you to the Shani and TBConFB for access to this book in return for this honest review.

[Vanessa Wild · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great atmospheric and spooky read from Shani Struthers, the second in the Haunted World Series. This one is set in The Egress Hotel in Williamsfield, Pennsylvania which has some rather strange residents and goings on!

It's a story which draws you in gradually, drip feeds you information and keeps you in suspense. As it introduces you to each fascinating character, there is a sense they have something to hide or have certain issues. I was avidly turning the pages to find out what was going to happen next, trying to work out who these people were and what their problem was. I had my suspicions about the nature of the hotel, but won’t elaborate more on this point here as I wouldn’t want to spoil the plot for anyone! Suffice to say, it’s a cracking, well written and otherworldly tale which will have you wondering what is and what isn’t reality. Intriguing and eerie rather than spine-tingling, with a poignant ending - perfect for Hallowe’en reading.

Reviewed for TBC on Facebook.



I

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I reveiwed this book for the TBC book club. Although I found it slow to get going , I was soon turning the pages to know more, it kept me reading to the end. I did enjoy this book and the way the author handles the end, was very satisfying.

[Carol Peace · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shani Struthers has the knack of reeling you in with her atmospheric descriptions and the character building. Caroline has been visiting family and is intending to take a look at the hotel that her mum and dad stayed in on their honeymoon. Her mum had urged her to visit when she was on her deathbed a few months earlier and then she had a busy schedule for the rest of her trip. She wasn't expecting the snowstorm that came down and stopped her in her tracks. She had no alternative than to ride it out in the Hotel she had come to see. The description of the hotel was amazing and I could picture itso easily and the characters were introduced seamlessly with all their different personalities but she does connect with another guest David who is as baffled as her about the eleventh floor and the strange goings on. This was a great and haunting book which I couldn't decide what was real and what wasn't. I have to admit to being quite emotional at the ending but you will have to read it yourself to find out why. Thank you to TBConFacebook for introducing me to this book.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

First, let me start off by saying, I’m not feeling the 5 star level of love of everyone else, but that’s not to say I didn’t enjoy this book.
The term ‘atmospheric’ comes up a lot in other reviews, and the author was definitely skillful in creating the atmosphere. She did a nice job of creating a real feel of the dark, old hotel, and the people in it.
About half way through, I found myself getting a very brief Rosemary's Baby vibe, for those of you who are old enough to remember that book.
A wide variety of characters, all with a sadness to them, but why, we ask ourselves?
I did figure out where this was headed about half way through, but there was still a pleasant unexpected surprise at the end, in the Epilogue.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and look forward to reading The Venetian.

[Gina Dickerson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having loved The Venetian - the first book in This Haunted World series - I had high expectations for The Eleventh Floor and I wasn't disappointed! (Both books can be read as stand-alones).

Caroline finds herself snowed in at The Egress Hotel with an interesting mix of characters. As she investigated the corridors and rooms of the hotel she seemed to grab me by the hand and carry me along with her so I had to discover the mysteries the building held - no matter how spooky they were! And as for that epilogue... well, it made me tear up, so bittersweet, so heart-wrenching.

Another brilliant book by Shani Struthers which had me hungrily turning page after page.

[L.K. Chapman · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story begins as Caroline checks in to a mysterious hotel where her parents honeymooned and I loved the way the hotel and the staff were described as she arrives - I could picture it so clearly and it was very atmospheric. I was intrigued as to what would happen during her stay!
I didn’t realise this book had a romance element so that aspect didn't appeal to me as I am not a fan of romance at all. However it was a well written story with some interesting characters. I had an inkling about what some of the twists would be quite early on and I was right about some of it, but it was an enjoyable journey to discover if my guesses were correct.

[Nico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Shani Struthers weaves her magic in creating this atmospheric and intriguing story. The Eleventh Floor features the Hotel Egress whose name means transition - the act of going out and it certainly did feature a whole cast of characters whose coming and goings kept me entranced all the way through this book. Caroline was somewhat adrift having lost both her beloved parents to cancer, so she decides to visit briefly the hotel in Pennsylvania where her parents honeymooned and where she was possibly conceived. She has never been lucky in love and work no longer holds the fascination and challenge it once did. Just like her parents she is caught up in a snowstorm and finds herself within the confines of this once grand but also strange and at times chilling hotel. She encounters a multitude of interesting characters from salt of the earth David, chilling but devastatingly attractive Edward, ice queen Tallula and the enigmatic Althea to name but a few. Sweet Carolines’ life is never to be the same again and the twists and turns along the way and the cleverness of the plot kept me enthralled. I’m a huge fan of Shani and this story certainly didn’t disappoint and is a well deserved five stars from me.

[Gina Kirkham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am never disappointed by Shani's books, and The Eleventh Floor was no exception, it's excellent. Loved the atmospheric settings, so wonderfully described I could almost be there. The detective in me gave a hint early on as to what would come but again that only added to the enjoyment as I watched the story unfold. I don't want to go into too much detail as I'd hate to accidentally include a spoiler, but I can say it is worth every one of the 5*'s. Hauntingly good!

[Misty Davis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gotta keep reading

It was hard to figure out what the author was doing at first. I thought maybe it was about a spirit. But then as I went through, it was about a lot of spirits. As I was reading I figured to myself that all the people in this book were spirits living as though they were alive. Come to find out, I was right. All these spirits are connected in some way to this one hotel. Very chilling,

[Nicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Her best yet

Wow! I have just finished The Eleventh Floor and what a fantastic read. Intriguing, mysterious and spooky, it kept me guessing until the end. I have read all of the author's books and I think this is the best yet.

[thais brockhagen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was great. Had me guessing till the end. Could hardly put it down.

[Nicola · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent story that had me gripped page to page.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hauntingly sweet

Caroline is seeing parts of America when a snowstorm hits the area she's going to.
She detours towards a hotel her parents honeymooned in and the place she was conceived.
What follows for her is confusion and yet she meets David there a sweet endearing man who she feels true emotions for.
Things here don't make sense, she sees things she can't explain.
Shani has done it again, both shaken and emotional from reading her books.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another spine chilling, heart stopping horror thriller. I loved the build up and the suspense and then pow where did that come from a totally unexpected twist at the end. I loved it thank you to Helen Boyce of TBC and Shani Struthers for the ARC

[Jill M Atchison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book

Kept the suspense going until the end. Think you know what is happening through the book but don’t really until the end.

[Sue Gale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thrilling read that draws you in and immerses you in the action.Well written and leaves you wanting more from the pen of this Author

[Alan Casey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Storytelling!

It's not often that a horror story surprises me, but this one certainly did! Expertly crafted characters along with a plot that will keep you guessing until the end. Definitely recommend!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Characters and a really intriguing story! i finished this book in two days because i couldn't put it down.

[Monica Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a real corker of a book and I am pleased to say that I didn't see the ending coming at all, although I knew there would be a twist somewhere! As much as I enjoyed The Venetian, this book was even better :)

Caroline makes a stop at The Egress Hotel whilst on a bit of a tour of her mother's neck of the woods. Her parents honeymooned at The Egress and she was quite possibly conceived there as well, so it is understandable that she is curious. She WAS planning on making a quick stop but thanks to a bad snowstorm, she is stuck for a while and is forced to make the most of it. She meets a lovely man, David, and the chemistry they have is undeniable. She also meets all sorts of other characters at the hotel, and is determined to find out how what their stories are.

This is a complex tale and the author tells it masterfully. I found myself jumping at shadows and hearing all sorts of noises whilst I was reading it though, it is definitely nice and spooky! I loved it.

A solid 5 star read.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. Thank you to THE Book Club.

[Jane James · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have read by this author and this is by far my favourite. Unlike some of Shani's other works, this was a standalone story which ventured into new territories—such as suspense and horror. It was very atmospheric with descriptions so chilling they made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up. I found the hotel, The Egress, as intriguing as the hotel featured in Stephen King's The Shining and some of the characters equally as creepy. This was such an easy read, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing and was excellently executed. The scenes in the ballroom and lift felt so realistic, I could imagine myself there, snowed in with everybody else. The Eleventh Floor is a genuinely haunting story and I was sorry when it came to an end. Highly recommend.

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline visits The Egress Hotel while on a tour of her past. Her parents had their honeymoon at The Egress and she may have been conceived there, so it is understandable that she is curious. Thanks to a bad snowstorm, she is stuck there and is forced to stay longer than planned. She meets a man there called David, as well as a host of other characters, she tries to talk to them and that's how we learn little things as the tale unfolds.
It was very atmospheric, a creepy lift, weird rooms, weird clientele, hotel life.
A very good creepy tale.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book by Shani!

This book is another testament to Shani Struthers amazing talents as a writer. The Eleventh Floor was a compelling read that i thoroughly enjoyed. The storyline was that of mystery that kept you wanting more. It was also slightly sad in my opinion whether other people think that I don't know. The characters were identifiable in ways you could easily connect to which is a great talent of Shani's and one of the reasons I love her books so much.

[Katharine Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another gripping, haunting read from Shani Struthers. I loved the description of the hotel and the eeriness which grows into something more and more disturbing as Caroline starts to question what is on the eleventh floor. A superbly structured book with believable characters - I thoroughly enjoyed getting lost in its pages