What do you think?
Rate this book
This Dark Town #2
The House in the Woods
The stunning second instalment from 'This Dark Town' mystery thriller trilogy. Since their daughter Kate went missing five months ago, Brian and Barbara Stone have struggled to keep their heads above water. Their marriage is disintegrating, and it seems like Kate's twin Lydia is hiding something from them, too. With the help of psychic, Ida Hegarty, Lydia is drawn closer to the truth about where her twin sister is. And it's much, much darker than anyone can imagine.
211 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 13, 2017
About the author
Marguerite O'Callaghan
10 books14 followersHi There! Thanks for checking me out on Author Central! I am so excited to be here, and able to share my works of fiction with you all!
I started writing full time a couple of years ago, when I threw myself into completing the 'This Dark Town' trilogy, a mystery thriller series that's set in present-day London (and parts in the US). Now, I really can't imagine doing anything else except writing every day! I'm working on two new books right now - a dark psychological thriller, and another lighter project about social networking and vloggers! I'm also planning to release audio versions of the This Dark Town trilogy in 2019 and am developing a pilot script for a television series of the trilogy.
My background is in television, where I worked as a producer/interview director on various true crime drama shows, often helping survivors of crimes to tell their own story in their own words for the first time.
I am originally from Cork, Ireland, and moved to the UK in 2007, and fell in love with London. The city inspires me, and definitely feels like home for now!
I started writing full time a couple of years ago, when I threw myself into completing the 'This Dark Town' trilogy, a mystery thriller series that's set in present-day London (and parts in the US). Now, I really can't imagine doing anything else except writing every day! I'm working on two new books right now - a dark psychological thriller, and another lighter project about social networking and vloggers! I'm also planning to release audio versions of the This Dark Town trilogy in 2019 and am developing a pilot script for a television series of the trilogy.
My background is in television, where I worked as a producer/interview director on various true crime drama shows, often helping survivors of crimes to tell their own story in their own words for the first time.
I am originally from Cork, Ireland, and moved to the UK in 2007, and fell in love with London. The city inspires me, and definitely feels like home for now!
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 10, 2020
4⭐️s for this installment of the This Dark Town:2 (The House in the Woods) by Marguerite O’Callaghan.
For the review of the first installment of this series #This Dark Town: 1(When You’re Gone) please click in the link below:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
N.B: This is a continuation of the first part, hence the readers should first read the first series and then approach the second installment for a better understanding. I could not leave the second part and finished it within two days. It kept me enthralled and captivated!!
Summary of events: “Hepburn House” in Hampstead Heath has been robbed of its happiness on that day, when the Stone family lost one of their twin daughters Kate Stone. Did she disappear from the face of the earth or got engulfed by the ground, on the night she visited the much debated S&M club Haven? Much has been investigated by 🕵️♀️detectives McCarthy along with his associate Davies. But detective 🕵️♀️ Jared Cooper has been a vital addition in the investigation process as he discovered some significant facts related to the dark web and underworld sex trafficking. Psychic Ida has helped Lydia (Kate’s twin sister) with many details through her disturbing visions which she had, while concentrating her energy around Kate, however all the facts lead to one point that a dark, disturbing past of Barbara Stone (Kate and Lydia’s Mum) might be associated with Kate’s sudden disappearance. The relationships between the three main characters in the Hepburn house are seen to be tormented by the incidence and each of them are finding their own ways to find peace within. Barbara and Brian, the loving couple is no longer comfortable in their own company and Brian is sure that Kate’s disappearance has something to do with Barbara. Even Lydia is also keeping her own secrets. Amidst all this, will Kate come back? Will the detectives 🕵️♀️ be able to find Kate? The book tried to answer these questions in the second installment.
I feel this part of the book has given a lot more information and the plot seems to be based more on psychic premonitions rather than police procedural works. The author has made the character of Ida as the central character of the story, deciding the next turn in the plot by making early premonitions. Some skeptics, “practical or rational thinker, having zero faith in paranormal activity or in psychics” (Pg.103) may find this strange or unacceptable.
Brian Stone (Kate and Lydia’s father) has a profound love for his family, wife and daughters. He is that caring man, who always love to be around and take care of trivial things. A really loving character.
“Brian can feel the love he has for his wife and family flooding into the room” (Pg. 145).
The character of Dale Adams seems strange, and questionable. Even I felt a little annoyed with Barbara’s sister, Jane, who kept silent and just went away from her sister just to save her back. Though it sounds reasonable for her to do so.
The fact that cults can be such disturbing, cruel, and involved in rape, murder and extortion is in fact a very good point that has been discussed and is the subject of the book. I really loved how the author has penned down the details, about a particular cult and how they brainwashed their followers. It’s sad to read about the mangled thoughts and cruel persecution.
Overall: I think this book is more than a suspense thriller or detective novel/police procedural work. I loved the way, the story has been vividly told and characters described. After reading the second part, I realized that this book justifies its three installment and in each installment it is revealing more. Kudos to the author, who has so thoughtfully unfolded the pain, agony, fear, panic and paranoia through the characters.
My favorite line from this 📖 book:
“It’s funny how your perception can change quickly, and how things that once felt ordinary can feel extraordinary”. (Pg.33)
This book is worth reading off course and Yes Readers you have to be Patient. So grab the set and start reading!!
Happy Reading 🙂
For the review of the first installment of this series #This Dark Town: 1(When You’re Gone) please click in the link below:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3...
N.B: This is a continuation of the first part, hence the readers should first read the first series and then approach the second installment for a better understanding. I could not leave the second part and finished it within two days. It kept me enthralled and captivated!!
Summary of events: “Hepburn House” in Hampstead Heath has been robbed of its happiness on that day, when the Stone family lost one of their twin daughters Kate Stone. Did she disappear from the face of the earth or got engulfed by the ground, on the night she visited the much debated S&M club Haven? Much has been investigated by 🕵️♀️detectives McCarthy along with his associate Davies. But detective 🕵️♀️ Jared Cooper has been a vital addition in the investigation process as he discovered some significant facts related to the dark web and underworld sex trafficking. Psychic Ida has helped Lydia (Kate’s twin sister) with many details through her disturbing visions which she had, while concentrating her energy around Kate, however all the facts lead to one point that a dark, disturbing past of Barbara Stone (Kate and Lydia’s Mum) might be associated with Kate’s sudden disappearance. The relationships between the three main characters in the Hepburn house are seen to be tormented by the incidence and each of them are finding their own ways to find peace within. Barbara and Brian, the loving couple is no longer comfortable in their own company and Brian is sure that Kate’s disappearance has something to do with Barbara. Even Lydia is also keeping her own secrets. Amidst all this, will Kate come back? Will the detectives 🕵️♀️ be able to find Kate? The book tried to answer these questions in the second installment.
I feel this part of the book has given a lot more information and the plot seems to be based more on psychic premonitions rather than police procedural works. The author has made the character of Ida as the central character of the story, deciding the next turn in the plot by making early premonitions. Some skeptics, “practical or rational thinker, having zero faith in paranormal activity or in psychics” (Pg.103) may find this strange or unacceptable.
Brian Stone (Kate and Lydia’s father) has a profound love for his family, wife and daughters. He is that caring man, who always love to be around and take care of trivial things. A really loving character.
“Brian can feel the love he has for his wife and family flooding into the room” (Pg. 145).
The character of Dale Adams seems strange, and questionable. Even I felt a little annoyed with Barbara’s sister, Jane, who kept silent and just went away from her sister just to save her back. Though it sounds reasonable for her to do so.
The fact that cults can be such disturbing, cruel, and involved in rape, murder and extortion is in fact a very good point that has been discussed and is the subject of the book. I really loved how the author has penned down the details, about a particular cult and how they brainwashed their followers. It’s sad to read about the mangled thoughts and cruel persecution.
Overall: I think this book is more than a suspense thriller or detective novel/police procedural work. I loved the way, the story has been vividly told and characters described. After reading the second part, I realized that this book justifies its three installment and in each installment it is revealing more. Kudos to the author, who has so thoughtfully unfolded the pain, agony, fear, panic and paranoia through the characters.
My favorite line from this 📖 book:
“It’s funny how your perception can change quickly, and how things that once felt ordinary can feel extraordinary”. (Pg.33)
This book is worth reading off course and Yes Readers you have to be Patient. So grab the set and start reading!!
Happy Reading 🙂
February 18, 2019
Brilliant
Page turning suspense at its best, cant wait to read the final novel in this series. Highly recommend! Another fantastic author.
Page turning suspense at its best, cant wait to read the final novel in this series. Highly recommend! Another fantastic author.
February 18, 2019
Gripping!
Great sequel or continuation of the first book. My only negative comment would be that the story co Yuri 's have been condensed into one book instead of three. Otherwise the story line is gripping & keeps you wanting more!
Great sequel or continuation of the first book. My only negative comment would be that the story co Yuri 's have been condensed into one book instead of three. Otherwise the story line is gripping & keeps you wanting more!
March 3, 2019
Good book but...
Fast pace, can't wait to see what happens next. What I didn't like was the way the first two books left you hanging. So yes I did buy the 3rd book. Each book should have told a complete story.
Fast pace, can't wait to see what happens next. What I didn't like was the way the first two books left you hanging. So yes I did buy the 3rd book. Each book should have told a complete story.
May 20, 2019
Great story but not a trilogy
This is the 2nd book in the This Dark Town Trilogy and another gripping instalment with more twists just when you think you've guessed what is going to happen.
I would give this book 5 stars for the story but it really isn't a trilogy, you can't really read any of the books in isolation, you need the background to understand the characters and have to carry on with the series to get a conclusion. Forget the different titles and simply make it one book.
This is the 2nd book in the This Dark Town Trilogy and another gripping instalment with more twists just when you think you've guessed what is going to happen.
I would give this book 5 stars for the story but it really isn't a trilogy, you can't really read any of the books in isolation, you need the background to understand the characters and have to carry on with the series to get a conclusion. Forget the different titles and simply make it one book.
March 18, 2019
I enjoyed this more than book 1, it was more fleshed out and the characters more realistic, not acting so out of character even with the scenarios presented. I felt like we got to know Kate more and get another insight into her personality, which had seemed somewhat selfish until this book. Overall an enjoyable read and onto book 3!
March 6, 2019
Another cliff hanger
I don’t know why I expected this book to actually have an ending when the first one didn’t. I’m still hooked though and will read the last one to actually get closure.
I don’t know why I expected this book to actually have an ending when the first one didn’t. I’m still hooked though and will read the last one to actually get closure.
August 3, 2019
Brilliant!!!
Have just finished book no.2 which is just fantastic. Just as enthralling as book no.1. The characters and storyline are quite simply 👍 cannot wait to read the last book in this series. Marguerite you are an amazing author!!!!!!
Have just finished book no.2 which is just fantastic. Just as enthralling as book no.1. The characters and storyline are quite simply 👍 cannot wait to read the last book in this series. Marguerite you are an amazing author!!!!!!
April 16, 2020
Again this is a great story to read
Again I have loved reading the first two books in this series and absolutely love the vivid characters. I do feel sabotaged though having to purchase three books to get one story. I love the story but hate the process!
Again I have loved reading the first two books in this series and absolutely love the vivid characters. I do feel sabotaged though having to purchase three books to get one story. I love the story but hate the process!
February 24, 2019
Can’t put it down!
March 4, 2019
Excellent
I chose this rating because this was a wonderful book. I read the first book and am looking forward to reading the Thurs book.
I chose this rating because this was a wonderful book. I read the first book and am looking forward to reading the Thurs book.
March 18, 2019
This series has kept me in suspense. Have really enjoyed reading this. Can’t wait to se the outcome in the 3rd book.
October 30, 2019
I am loving this series. On to the final book now....
January 2, 2020
Not as gripping as the first book but still good. A lot of tension.
February 3, 2020
A good read.
Part 2 of the trilogy. I have enjoyed this one and was prepared this time for another cliff hanger. Looking forward to book 3.
Part 2 of the trilogy. I have enjoyed this one and was prepared this time for another cliff hanger. Looking forward to book 3.
February 27, 2020
Great series keep you buying the next book
Love it fantastic story but you have to buy the 3 books to find out what happens. Keep you guessing what will happen next
Love it fantastic story but you have to buy the 3 books to find out what happens. Keep you guessing what will happen next
April 7, 2020
Book 2
Love the author's writing style and as much as I hate book's that force me to keep buying more I just can't stop. Love this series and getting ready to start book 3
Love the author's writing style and as much as I hate book's that force me to keep buying more I just can't stop. Love this series and getting ready to start book 3
Read
April 21, 2020Read 4/20
July 24, 2020
Wow, couldn’t put this book down. Past secrets and horrors are finally coming out. On to the final book.
October 18, 2020
Deceitful!
Although this could be a good book, it's not a book into itself. Each "book" should be able to stand on its own and not just be part of a book. Not nice!
Although this could be a good book, it's not a book into itself. Each "book" should be able to stand on its own and not just be part of a book. Not nice!
March 6, 2022
the writing is still not great, but it felt more like a book than the first one. and i was actually quite enthralled by the second book and with the backstory it told.
Read
February 15, 2019Couldn't put it down. Read almost all night to finish in one day! Great series!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews