What do you think?
Rate this book
The Burning House
It was a victimless crime...
Estate Agent Clara is struggling to make a sale. With her abusive ex-husband on the brink of finding where she's hiding, she needs to make a commission soon or lose her chance to escape.
Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness has remained unsold for years, and Clara is sure that an 'innocent' fire will force the price down. But the perfect crime soon turns into the perfect nightmare: there was a witness, a stranger in the village, and he's not going to let Clara get away with it that easily...
Estate Agent Clara is struggling to make a sale. With her abusive ex-husband on the brink of finding where she's hiding, she needs to make a commission soon or lose her chance to escape.
Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness has remained unsold for years, and Clara is sure that an 'innocent' fire will force the price down. But the perfect crime soon turns into the perfect nightmare: there was a witness, a stranger in the village, and he's not going to let Clara get away with it that easily...
456 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 18, 2018
16 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Neil Spring
6 books358 followersNeil Spring is the author of several novels, many of which are inspired by real events.
His debut novel, The Ghost Hunters, was adapted into a critically acclaimed television drama for ITV starring Rafe Spall.
The Haunted Shore is his fifth novel and is out 15 Oct 2020. Preorder: https://amzn.to/2CCMxv9
Originally from South Wales, Neil lives in London and can be contacted via his website, www.neilspring.com, or followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Neilspring.a..., and on Twitter as @neilspring.
Neil is represented by the literary agency, Curtis Brown.
His debut novel, The Ghost Hunters, was adapted into a critically acclaimed television drama for ITV starring Rafe Spall.
The Haunted Shore is his fifth novel and is out 15 Oct 2020. Preorder: https://amzn.to/2CCMxv9
Originally from South Wales, Neil lives in London and can be contacted via his website, www.neilspring.com, or followed on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Neilspring.a..., and on Twitter as @neilspring.
Neil is represented by the literary agency, Curtis Brown.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
April 8, 2019
Estate agent Clara is desperate to make a sale, she really needs the commission as her abusive ex-husband has almost tracked her down.
One of the highest priced properties on the companies books is Boleskine House, and 18th centenary manor with a dark history on the south east side of Loch Ness.
Clara concludes that setting a small fire in one of the wings will drastically reduce the asking price and make for an easy sale.
Unfortunately someone witnesses her plan and is determined to not let her get away so easily...
This was such a dark surprising read, I was expecting a more conventional crime thriller so I was pleasantly surprised by the chilling supernatural elements to the story.
I wasn’t aware that Boleskin House is a real location with a very real dark history. Occultist Aleister Crowley and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page did in fact live there.
It gave the story a real authentic feel.
Very cleverly written with plenty of twists, it’s the type of book that will keep you up at night!
One of the highest priced properties on the companies books is Boleskine House, and 18th centenary manor with a dark history on the south east side of Loch Ness.
Clara concludes that setting a small fire in one of the wings will drastically reduce the asking price and make for an easy sale.
Unfortunately someone witnesses her plan and is determined to not let her get away so easily...
This was such a dark surprising read, I was expecting a more conventional crime thriller so I was pleasantly surprised by the chilling supernatural elements to the story.
I wasn’t aware that Boleskin House is a real location with a very real dark history. Occultist Aleister Crowley and Led Zeppelin guitarist Jimmy Page did in fact live there.
It gave the story a real authentic feel.
Very cleverly written with plenty of twists, it’s the type of book that will keep you up at night!
November 29, 2018
Clara is on the run, she has started a new life and all she wants is to lie low. And, she needs to sell Boleskine House, but the price is too high. So, she thinks if she only could get the price reduced a bit, then everything will be fine. A small fire will do the trick. However, someone saw her, someone that has a plan for Boleskine House, and now he has a plan for Clara as well...
From blurb may the book seem like an ordinary thriller, but this is a Neil Spring book so when weird shit starts to happen was I not surprised. Delighted, but not surprised. I wouldn't say that the book scared me or anything. However, I was intrigued. I mean Boleskine House, that's one cool place with a lot of history. For instance, Alistar Crowley and Jimmy Page are two notorious owners. And Crowley, well he pretty infamous. I didn't know this before I started to read the book. I actually didn't reflect much on the blurb since all I saw was new Neil Spring book and I wanted to read it. I've read THE GHOST HUNTERS and THE LOST VILLAGE and I loved them both. So, getting a new book was a treat.
THE BURNING HOUSE is perfect if you love to read paranormal thrillers. As with the previous books, I have read is the writing fabulous and it was nice to read a story set in modern time. Neil Spring has become a favorite author of mine and I will read pretty much anything he writes. As long as I get delightfully dark stories of course.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
From blurb may the book seem like an ordinary thriller, but this is a Neil Spring book so when weird shit starts to happen was I not surprised. Delighted, but not surprised. I wouldn't say that the book scared me or anything. However, I was intrigued. I mean Boleskine House, that's one cool place with a lot of history. For instance, Alistar Crowley and Jimmy Page are two notorious owners. And Crowley, well he pretty infamous. I didn't know this before I started to read the book. I actually didn't reflect much on the blurb since all I saw was new Neil Spring book and I wanted to read it. I've read THE GHOST HUNTERS and THE LOST VILLAGE and I loved them both. So, getting a new book was a treat.
THE BURNING HOUSE is perfect if you love to read paranormal thrillers. As with the previous books, I have read is the writing fabulous and it was nice to read a story set in modern time. Neil Spring has become a favorite author of mine and I will read pretty much anything he writes. As long as I get delightfully dark stories of course.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!
November 28, 2018
The Burning House, an amalgamation of a true story and fictional input, is perfect for this time of the year when the cold, dark nights jive wonderfully with the spookiness of the novel. Inspired by the dark and disturbing history of Boleskine House an 18th-century hunting lodge situated on the shores of Loch Ness, it tells a spine-chilling tale that had me in a vice-like grip and turning those pages faster and faster. It explores the paranormal in particular with the fact that ever since occultist Aleister Crowley resided there, there have been many ominous and tragic occurrences in the vicinity of Boleskine. The fire which is featured in this book actually did take place but the author expertly embellishes the known circumstances of the incident with his own fictional account.
Fast-paced, compulsively readable and a genuinely creepy plot that was royally entertaining, this is a great and highly atmospheric read. The tension slowly builds throughout until it is almost choking. It's beautifully written and features superb characterisation with characters that are memorable and more than a little quirky. This is an original tale that infuses the thrills of a psychological thriller with the mysticism and eeriness of black magic and the rural setting was exquisitely and vividly described. Living just over the border into England I have visited Loch Ness many times and this was one of the selling points for me. If you are open minded and enjoy stories that are full of chills and thrills then you cannot fail to appreciate this. However, I'd advise anyone who is jumpy to avoid this one and those who do read it, please do so in the daylight! I certainly won't forget this in a hurry. Bravo!
Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
Fast-paced, compulsively readable and a genuinely creepy plot that was royally entertaining, this is a great and highly atmospheric read. The tension slowly builds throughout until it is almost choking. It's beautifully written and features superb characterisation with characters that are memorable and more than a little quirky. This is an original tale that infuses the thrills of a psychological thriller with the mysticism and eeriness of black magic and the rural setting was exquisitely and vividly described. Living just over the border into England I have visited Loch Ness many times and this was one of the selling points for me. If you are open minded and enjoy stories that are full of chills and thrills then you cannot fail to appreciate this. However, I'd advise anyone who is jumpy to avoid this one and those who do read it, please do so in the daylight! I certainly won't forget this in a hurry. Bravo!
Many thanks to Quercus for an ARC.
November 9, 2018
I have enjoyed all of Neil Spring’s novels so far and I was delighted to receive his latest, for review. Clara Jones is hiding out, in a small community on the shores of Loch Ness. Working as an estate agent, she is desperate to make a sale and earn some commission. On the run from her abusive husband, she has fled London and wants to make a new life for herself. When she has the opportunity to sell Boleskine House, a house with a very dark history, to the enigmatic Oswald Catternach, she finds herself pulled into his plans.
This is a very creepy read indeed, which features old secrets, black magic and also a storyline which deals with domestic violence, and stalking, set very much in the real world. This combination of crimes we can understand, and empathise with, alongside the supernatural, works very well. Neil Spring writes sympathetic and well rounded characters and some extremely unsettling scenes. The brooding setting of Loch Ness, with its combination of tourists, looking for Nessie, alongside old superstitions, works very well.
It is hard to write too much about this novel, without giving away the plot and I have no wish to do that. However, I will say that Neil Spring is an author who seems to be growing with each novel. He does not make life easy for the reader, with happy endings for each character; nor does he make every ‘bad’ character irredeemable. Life is not like that and so we have shades of grey, alongside an exciting and enjoyable read. Loved it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
This is a very creepy read indeed, which features old secrets, black magic and also a storyline which deals with domestic violence, and stalking, set very much in the real world. This combination of crimes we can understand, and empathise with, alongside the supernatural, works very well. Neil Spring writes sympathetic and well rounded characters and some extremely unsettling scenes. The brooding setting of Loch Ness, with its combination of tourists, looking for Nessie, alongside old superstitions, works very well.
It is hard to write too much about this novel, without giving away the plot and I have no wish to do that. However, I will say that Neil Spring is an author who seems to be growing with each novel. He does not make life easy for the reader, with happy endings for each character; nor does he make every ‘bad’ character irredeemable. Life is not like that and so we have shades of grey, alongside an exciting and enjoyable read. Loved it. I received a copy of this book from the publisher, via NetGalley, for review.
November 29, 2018
Wow! What a tense and chilling read that was!! From the start you are thrown into quite a chain of shocking events and the consequences of these are felt throughout the book, and leads to some very dark places for some of the characters!
Clara Jones seems to be doing her best to put an abusive relationship behind her by hiding away and creating a new life for herself. And life as an estate agent brings her to Boleskine House, a substantial home in an idyllic spot on the banks of Loch Ness, but it's a house with a very dark past and legends last a long time in this part of the world. She decides to take matters into her own hands to try and get a quicker sale and this leads to devastating consequences!
Oswald is a man on a mission - and his mission is that he must own Boleskine. For what purpose it is unclear to begin with , but Clara soon finds herself drawn into an extremely unsettling and disturbing world - one she'd thought she'd left behind when she left London.
There are a number of characters in this book who are deeply unpleasant, and that just adds to the bleak and terrifying situations that poor Clara finds herself put in. It's one of those books that just gets your blood pumping with all the action and alarmingly dark twists and turns! The action never seems to let up and I found myself gasping in shock on many occasions throughout! It's one of those books that definitely leaves a lasting and chilling impression!
Clara Jones seems to be doing her best to put an abusive relationship behind her by hiding away and creating a new life for herself. And life as an estate agent brings her to Boleskine House, a substantial home in an idyllic spot on the banks of Loch Ness, but it's a house with a very dark past and legends last a long time in this part of the world. She decides to take matters into her own hands to try and get a quicker sale and this leads to devastating consequences!
Oswald is a man on a mission - and his mission is that he must own Boleskine. For what purpose it is unclear to begin with , but Clara soon finds herself drawn into an extremely unsettling and disturbing world - one she'd thought she'd left behind when she left London.
There are a number of characters in this book who are deeply unpleasant, and that just adds to the bleak and terrifying situations that poor Clara finds herself put in. It's one of those books that just gets your blood pumping with all the action and alarmingly dark twists and turns! The action never seems to let up and I found myself gasping in shock on many occasions throughout! It's one of those books that definitely leaves a lasting and chilling impression!
November 28, 2018
The prologue
For sale on Loch Ness an idyllic holiday retreat. Quite and private. Period property for updating, and offered with no onward chain.
After reading these few first lines in the book, would you dare to read on? I urge you all yes, yes yes!
For sale on Loch Ness an idyllic holiday retreat. Quite and private. Period property for updating, and offered with no onward chain.
After reading these few first lines in the book, would you dare to read on? I urge you all yes, yes yes!
November 4, 2018
Visit the locations in the novel
I should not have read this at night. But I did. I don’t think I’ve had a book that quite made me jump and shiver in the same way as this one did. A major reading experience.
I have passed this site many many times having been to countless holidays in and around Loch Ness so was well aware of the legend and the strange goings on. The area of Loch Ness is even more stunning in real life and I don’;t think you can get a sense of the creepiness and eeeriness of the area until you’ve been there…but with this book you can. It took me back there, placed me right at the heart of Scotland’s spookiest house and left me there inthe dark!
There are shocks and scars from the start, but this is not just a ghost story but one which marries the legend of the area with black magic, a graveyard full of ghosts and a house with secrets in its charred walls. Neil really has brought the place to life and given it more and I was captivated throughout. Whatever you believe or don’t believe (and some might think certain parts are beyond the realms of even the most furtive imagination) you can’t help but be taken in with this world of legend and true fact mixed with a Spring dose of literary goodness.
I’m not going to mention the plot as there are lots of dark moments to enjoy. Yes, some of it is far-fetched, but then so too is the legend that has haunted this place for years and years. I enjoyed the way the author mixed the legend of Nessie too ( it’s not just a tourist attraction but based on real facts and many people take this very seriously) so maybe read this with a pinch of salt, but remember, most of this is based on what is already believed.
Very clever and entertaining. Perfect for the long winter nights. In fact I would recommend this on the kindle as the paperback isn’t out until March 2019 anyway and the back light on the kindle paperwhite takes this reading experience to another place…
December 26, 2018
I have a little confession to make- yes yet another one. Although I have heard of Neil Spring, I haven’t actually read one of his books before. Sorry Neil. Well I can safely say that I have certainly read one of his books now. I recently read ‘The Burning House’ and I really enjoyed it but more about that in a bit.
I have to be honest and say that I didn’t take to Clara one iota but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. From fairly early on, it’s obvious that she is running away from something or somebody and that she has made a new life for herself. She feels comfortable where she is although she is paranoid that her pursuer will find out where she is. She likes the life she has and she will not stand for anything that potentially threatens that. She does something, which is illegal but she doesn’t realise that somebody knows what she has done and he has no intention of letting her forget it. Is Clara’s safety threatened? What happens?
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this book. Basically I was hooked by the end of the first paragraph and the author certainly reeled me in. I found it nigh on impossible to be parted from the book. If I did have to break up from reading then I would look for any excuse I could to get back to reading it. I was intrigued to see in which direction the story would go and I wanted to see what would happen to Clara. The more I read, the more addicted to the story I became and the more desperate to keep reading I became. The pages were turning that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and before I realised what was happening, I got to the end of the book which I was gutted about. I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the storylines and the characters so much that I wanted the book to continue.
I made the mistake of reading ‘The Burning House’ on my own and just before I went to bed. What followed was a night of scary dreams and jumping at the slightest little noise. Basically I am a wimp, who doesn’t like to be scared. I won’t be making the same mistake again. No that doesn’t mean that I won’t read any more of Neil’s books because the opposite is true. I do want to read more of his books but perhaps it would be better for me to read them during the day and when other people are around.
Reading ‘The Burning House’ was very much like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with lots of unexpected twists and turns. There were several times when I almost had to read through my fingers because I feared what was going to happen next. See I told you I was a wimpy scaredy cat.
I don’t usually read books from the horror or supernatural genre but they do say that a change is as good as a rest. I am pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed this change. I think a lot of it has to do with the book being so well written and the story being so plausible. I do have a vivid imagination and I do believe in the supernatural so that also helps.
In short, I really, really enjoyed reading ‘The Burning House’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Neil’s other books just as soon as I can but I will be reading them in daylight!! I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
I have to be honest and say that I didn’t take to Clara one iota but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. From fairly early on, it’s obvious that she is running away from something or somebody and that she has made a new life for herself. She feels comfortable where she is although she is paranoid that her pursuer will find out where she is. She likes the life she has and she will not stand for anything that potentially threatens that. She does something, which is illegal but she doesn’t realise that somebody knows what she has done and he has no intention of letting her forget it. Is Clara’s safety threatened? What happens?
It didn’t take me long at all to get into this book. Basically I was hooked by the end of the first paragraph and the author certainly reeled me in. I found it nigh on impossible to be parted from the book. If I did have to break up from reading then I would look for any excuse I could to get back to reading it. I was intrigued to see in which direction the story would go and I wanted to see what would happen to Clara. The more I read, the more addicted to the story I became and the more desperate to keep reading I became. The pages were turning that quickly that it was almost as if they were turning themselves and before I realised what was happening, I got to the end of the book which I was gutted about. I was enjoying the author’s writing style, the storylines and the characters so much that I wanted the book to continue.
I made the mistake of reading ‘The Burning House’ on my own and just before I went to bed. What followed was a night of scary dreams and jumping at the slightest little noise. Basically I am a wimp, who doesn’t like to be scared. I won’t be making the same mistake again. No that doesn’t mean that I won’t read any more of Neil’s books because the opposite is true. I do want to read more of his books but perhaps it would be better for me to read them during the day and when other people are around.
Reading ‘The Burning House’ was very much like being on a very scary and unpredictable rollercoaster ride with lots of unexpected twists and turns. There were several times when I almost had to read through my fingers because I feared what was going to happen next. See I told you I was a wimpy scaredy cat.
I don’t usually read books from the horror or supernatural genre but they do say that a change is as good as a rest. I am pleasantly surprised that I really enjoyed this change. I think a lot of it has to do with the book being so well written and the story being so plausible. I do have a vivid imagination and I do believe in the supernatural so that also helps.
In short, I really, really enjoyed reading ‘The Burning House’ and I would definitely recommend it to other readers. I will definitely be reading more of Neil’s other books just as soon as I can but I will be reading them in daylight!! I can’t wait to see what he comes up with next. The score on the Ginger Book Geek board is a very well deserved 5* out of 5*.
March 6, 2020
My three-word description of
The Burning House
by
Neil Spring
is captivating, creepy and intense.
Book Synopsis:
It was a victimless crime...
Estate Agent Clara is struggling to make a sale. With her abusive ex-husband on the brink of finding where she's hiding, she needs to make a commission soon or lose her chance to escape.
Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness has remained unsold for years, and Clara is sure that an 'innocent' fire will force the price down. But the perfect crime soon turns into the perfect nightmare: there was a witness, a stranger in the village, and he's not going to let Clara get away with it that easily...
My Musings:
I found this compelling and hugely entertaining. It is a charming cocktail of seamlessly woven fiction into fact, with frissons of suspense, chills and creepiness. Estate agent Clara Jones is hiding out in a small community on the shores of Loch Ness. Having fled London, she is on the run from her abusive husband, and is anxious to make a sale to earn herself some commission to start making a new life for herself. When she has the opportunity to sell Boleskine House, a house with a very dark history, to the enigmatic Oswald Catternach, she finds herself embroiled in his plans.
This was such a very creepy read, featuring harboured secrets, black magic and also a storyline that touched on domestic violence and stalking. This combination of crimes running parallel with the supernatural elements works very well. Neil Spring writes the sympathetic and masterfully fleshed out characters with some extremely unsettling scenes. The brooding setting of Loch Ness, with its combination of tourists searching for Nessie alongside old superstitions, was super.
The Burning House was my induction into this fabulous author's work and having read this one, I will definitely be looking out for more of his books. In fact I have already bagged myself a copy of The Ghost Hunters. Overall, I had no issues with The Burning House, and it bedazzled me!
Verdict:
A well-executed, satisfying read that I highly recommend with confidence, for lovers of the genre.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Quercus via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
Book Synopsis:
It was a victimless crime...
Estate Agent Clara is struggling to make a sale. With her abusive ex-husband on the brink of finding where she's hiding, she needs to make a commission soon or lose her chance to escape.
Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness has remained unsold for years, and Clara is sure that an 'innocent' fire will force the price down. But the perfect crime soon turns into the perfect nightmare: there was a witness, a stranger in the village, and he's not going to let Clara get away with it that easily...
My Musings:
I found this compelling and hugely entertaining. It is a charming cocktail of seamlessly woven fiction into fact, with frissons of suspense, chills and creepiness. Estate agent Clara Jones is hiding out in a small community on the shores of Loch Ness. Having fled London, she is on the run from her abusive husband, and is anxious to make a sale to earn herself some commission to start making a new life for herself. When she has the opportunity to sell Boleskine House, a house with a very dark history, to the enigmatic Oswald Catternach, she finds herself embroiled in his plans.
This was such a very creepy read, featuring harboured secrets, black magic and also a storyline that touched on domestic violence and stalking. This combination of crimes running parallel with the supernatural elements works very well. Neil Spring writes the sympathetic and masterfully fleshed out characters with some extremely unsettling scenes. The brooding setting of Loch Ness, with its combination of tourists searching for Nessie alongside old superstitions, was super.
The Burning House was my induction into this fabulous author's work and having read this one, I will definitely be looking out for more of his books. In fact I have already bagged myself a copy of The Ghost Hunters. Overall, I had no issues with The Burning House, and it bedazzled me!
Verdict:
A well-executed, satisfying read that I highly recommend with confidence, for lovers of the genre.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Quercus via NetGalley at my request, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 23, 2019
I really wanted to love this. Don't get me wrong, its not bad but nowhere near the standard of his previous books. I found the Clara Oswald nod to Dr Who really distracting every time those names appeared on the page I found myself uttering the words "run... you clever boy". Completely a fault of mine and not the book. If you are starting out with Neil Spring read Watchers first.
December 2, 2018
https://donnasbookblog.wordpress.com/...
This book was my introduction to this author and after reading this one I will definitely be looking out for more of is books now, he is one to watch for me!
I thought that this book was very well written, it had a great flow and a gripping storyline that really had me hooked. I thought it was very enjoyable and I am delighted that I was able to get my hands on a copy of the book!
It is a superb psychological thriller with a twist and I thought it was brilliant - 5 stars from me - a superb book!!
This book was my introduction to this author and after reading this one I will definitely be looking out for more of is books now, he is one to watch for me!
I thought that this book was very well written, it had a great flow and a gripping storyline that really had me hooked. I thought it was very enjoyable and I am delighted that I was able to get my hands on a copy of the book!
It is a superb psychological thriller with a twist and I thought it was brilliant - 5 stars from me - a superb book!!
October 11, 2019
Clara Jones is an estate agent in Scotland, she desperately needs to make a sale so is thrilled when Oswald Cattenach wants to buy Boleskine house.
With its terrible reputation she wonders why but when he reveals to her he knows what she did to Boleskine Clara is terrified and she must keep this secret at all costs as someone from her past will find her and all her skeletons will be out of her closet.
That person she is running from is reluctant to let her go but then so is Oswald as he wants to use her for his own macabre machinations.
A thrilling tale that is wonderfully creepy blending e modern day with myth, magic and the occult.
With its terrible reputation she wonders why but when he reveals to her he knows what she did to Boleskine Clara is terrified and she must keep this secret at all costs as someone from her past will find her and all her skeletons will be out of her closet.
That person she is running from is reluctant to let her go but then so is Oswald as he wants to use her for his own macabre machinations.
A thrilling tale that is wonderfully creepy blending e modern day with myth, magic and the occult.
November 28, 2018
Clara is an estate agent desperate to make a sale in the Loch Ness area and has her own past because she fled London in order to get away from her her abusive husband. She ends up at Boleskine House, a huge creepy Manor house, and Oswald Catternatch wants to buy it.
Both she and he have plans for the house… what will their, and the house's fate be?
The Burning House is the first novel I've reviewed by Neil Spring and I definitely want to review more. He has a gift for taking a premise that seems simple and turning it into a very scary novel.
We really get a great idea of setting and the contrast between two places traditionally thought of as beautiful (the Manor and the Loch) have a sinister side to them.
I've never been to Scotland or Loch Ness and the atmosphere is well portrayed. The characters are realistic and the attention to detail and pace are appropriate and captivating. The depth of the plot is amazing and is so twisty.
In short, the book is utterly gripping scary and full of secrets and suspense.
Thanks to Neil Spring and Quercus Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and an opportunity to take part in the pre-publication Blog Blast for the title.
Both she and he have plans for the house… what will their, and the house's fate be?
The Burning House is the first novel I've reviewed by Neil Spring and I definitely want to review more. He has a gift for taking a premise that seems simple and turning it into a very scary novel.
We really get a great idea of setting and the contrast between two places traditionally thought of as beautiful (the Manor and the Loch) have a sinister side to them.
I've never been to Scotland or Loch Ness and the atmosphere is well portrayed. The characters are realistic and the attention to detail and pace are appropriate and captivating. The depth of the plot is amazing and is so twisty.
In short, the book is utterly gripping scary and full of secrets and suspense.
Thanks to Neil Spring and Quercus Books for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review and an opportunity to take part in the pre-publication Blog Blast for the title.
May 16, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, Neil Spring and Quercus Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
4 stars.
Ohh wow I loved this!! I have been wanting to read a book of Neil Spring's for a long time now and this beauty did not disappoint! It was creepy and the fact that it isn't based roughly on a true story just increases that. It was so enjoyable to read and really grabbed me and held on the whole way through. I'm going to have to buy this as an actual book coz I loved it that much.
4 stars.
Ohh wow I loved this!! I have been wanting to read a book of Neil Spring's for a long time now and this beauty did not disappoint! It was creepy and the fact that it isn't based roughly on a true story just increases that. It was so enjoyable to read and really grabbed me and held on the whole way through. I'm going to have to buy this as an actual book coz I loved it that much.
November 17, 2018
This was my first book by Neil Spring who is a new author to me and it most certainly won't be my last. A thriller but with a an undertone of magic which made it a very chilling and atmospheric read, It's set amongst the beauty of Loch Ness and that all adds to to the creepiness that builds throughout the book and leads to a really good conclusion. A clever and entertaining read with some real dark moments I enjoyed it a lot.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Merged review:
This was my first book by Neil Spring who is a new author to me and it most certainly won't be my last. A thriller but with a an undertone of magic which made it a very chilling and atmospheric read, It's set amongst the beauty of Loch Ness and that all adds to to the creepiness that builds throughout the book and leads to a really good conclusion. A clever and entertaining read with some real dark moments I enjoyed it a lot.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Merged review:
This was my first book by Neil Spring who is a new author to me and it most certainly won't be my last. A thriller but with a an undertone of magic which made it a very chilling and atmospheric read, It's set amongst the beauty of Loch Ness and that all adds to to the creepiness that builds throughout the book and leads to a really good conclusion. A clever and entertaining read with some real dark moments I enjoyed it a lot.
My thanks to NetGalley and Quercus for the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
March 23, 2021
Nope, didn't work for me. Nothing about this made sense. It felt choppy, with story ideas thown in as needed, sort of a "did I mention this yet" feeling.
Non-sympathetic characters didn't help either.
Non-sympathetic characters didn't help either.
July 24, 2019
Wow! The Burning House had me gripped from the very beginning and a real page turner. What made it even more exciting is that Boleskine House is a real property and had a mysterious fire in 2015. The cemetery and the mort house are also there. It was also owned by Aleister Crowley who was an English occultist, ceremonial magician, poet, painter, novelist, and mountaineer. He founded the religion of Thelema, as also mentioned in the book. What also is true, is that Jimmy Page owned the property and that strange things have occurred in the house.
The story is about a woman called “Clara” who is abused by her husband and after losing her unborn child to his act of violence flees to Abersky, a town near to Loch Ness and Boleskine House to start afresh.
Clara works in a local estate agents and after a period of time of not selling properties, she knows that she is on the edge of getting laid off. She is given the job of trying to sell Boleskine, but due to its history of murders, suicides and other strange happenings the house is not attracting buyers. Clara comes up with a plan to set one of the rooms on fire to reduce the price and attract buyers.
What she doesn’t know is that Oswald Cattenach is drawn to the house as part of his interest in the occult and the cult religion Thelema. He watches as Clara sets the house on fire, but does nothing to stop her as he has a secret in the house that is part of his plan to eternal life.
As the story unfolds you have Karl in London, Clara’s husband seeking revenge for her running away from him and his life spiralling out of control due to his violence and alcohol abuse and her life in Abersky also falling apart as she succumbs to living at Boldskine and it’s weird goings on and falling under the spell of Oswald.
What you also discover as you read on is that Oswald has members of the town under his spell, but how does he do it ............
There is also a local girl, Inghean who has a second sight and can predict what is going to happen, but as she has learning difficulties and is different to the other children in the town, the locals think of her as mental and never listen to her prophecies. Earlier on in her life she was sent to a psychiatric hospital due to her strange drawings and ramblings. When Clara moves to the town, through her mum Gale who owns the estate agents she becomes close to Inghean and looks after her when Gale goes out. The drawings start to relate to Clara, but as nobody believes her, the warnings of death are not heeded.
I would recommend this book if you like books about the supernatural and occult. It’s not too dark, but enough to think that maybe their really are people like Oswald in this world.
This is the first time of reading a book by Neil Spring and it certainly will not be my last.
The story is about a woman called “Clara” who is abused by her husband and after losing her unborn child to his act of violence flees to Abersky, a town near to Loch Ness and Boleskine House to start afresh.
Clara works in a local estate agents and after a period of time of not selling properties, she knows that she is on the edge of getting laid off. She is given the job of trying to sell Boleskine, but due to its history of murders, suicides and other strange happenings the house is not attracting buyers. Clara comes up with a plan to set one of the rooms on fire to reduce the price and attract buyers.
What she doesn’t know is that Oswald Cattenach is drawn to the house as part of his interest in the occult and the cult religion Thelema. He watches as Clara sets the house on fire, but does nothing to stop her as he has a secret in the house that is part of his plan to eternal life.
As the story unfolds you have Karl in London, Clara’s husband seeking revenge for her running away from him and his life spiralling out of control due to his violence and alcohol abuse and her life in Abersky also falling apart as she succumbs to living at Boldskine and it’s weird goings on and falling under the spell of Oswald.
What you also discover as you read on is that Oswald has members of the town under his spell, but how does he do it ............
There is also a local girl, Inghean who has a second sight and can predict what is going to happen, but as she has learning difficulties and is different to the other children in the town, the locals think of her as mental and never listen to her prophecies. Earlier on in her life she was sent to a psychiatric hospital due to her strange drawings and ramblings. When Clara moves to the town, through her mum Gale who owns the estate agents she becomes close to Inghean and looks after her when Gale goes out. The drawings start to relate to Clara, but as nobody believes her, the warnings of death are not heeded.
I would recommend this book if you like books about the supernatural and occult. It’s not too dark, but enough to think that maybe their really are people like Oswald in this world.
This is the first time of reading a book by Neil Spring and it certainly will not be my last.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 13, 2019
This is my first book by this author and, on the back of it, it definitely won't be my last! I simply devoured every chilly word written, even reading way past my bedtime, a decision which in hindsight, due to the content, wasn't one of my best ideas! It was chilling and creepy and definitely a little scary in places.
So, we meet Clara, due to a domestic situation she has upped sticks and reinvented herself far away from where she used to live, now working as an Estate Agent up near Loch Ness. But that hasn't really gone according to plan and, desperate to make a sale, commits a crime, setting fire to one of the houses on her books to reduce the price to sell it. Her plan works but then backfires as the new owner knows what she did and is determined to make her pay for her sins. Not just with blackmail though, as his reasons for wanting the house, with all its past history, soon come to light.
This book seamlessly weaves fiction into fact and, combining the two, the author has managed to create the most creepy plot I have read in a while. It's hard to explain much more about this as to do so might slip spoilers into my review and that's not the done thing. I do admit to doing a fair bit of googling after I had finished, to see where fact left and fiction took over - interesting stuff indeed.
His characterisation was brilliant. I really felt for Clara as she went through what she did. Yes, she did a bad thing but I can well understand the pickle she got herself into and, as the story progressed, well, let's just say that people in her situation do blur the lines occasionally so her actions were wholly believable, if not quite completely forgivable. Other characters were just as well drawn and acted their parts very well.
And the setting, both the house and its location, is so integral to the plot that it could almost be regarded as a character in its own right. The way the author described both made me actually see what was going on in my mind's eye. I'm not usually a visual reader so any author who can achieve this is worth their salt in my book!
It was definitely a book that I had to have my wits about me whilst reading as there is a lot going on, most of it interconnected in some way. There were quite a few small innocuous things that became important later on. The horror and supernatural stuff was injected as to be quite credible with the rest of what was happening, sometimes quite brutal, and occasionally had me setting the book aside for a few seconds to catch my breath.
All in all a cracking read that hit the ground running for me and didn't let up until the end. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So, we meet Clara, due to a domestic situation she has upped sticks and reinvented herself far away from where she used to live, now working as an Estate Agent up near Loch Ness. But that hasn't really gone according to plan and, desperate to make a sale, commits a crime, setting fire to one of the houses on her books to reduce the price to sell it. Her plan works but then backfires as the new owner knows what she did and is determined to make her pay for her sins. Not just with blackmail though, as his reasons for wanting the house, with all its past history, soon come to light.
This book seamlessly weaves fiction into fact and, combining the two, the author has managed to create the most creepy plot I have read in a while. It's hard to explain much more about this as to do so might slip spoilers into my review and that's not the done thing. I do admit to doing a fair bit of googling after I had finished, to see where fact left and fiction took over - interesting stuff indeed.
His characterisation was brilliant. I really felt for Clara as she went through what she did. Yes, she did a bad thing but I can well understand the pickle she got herself into and, as the story progressed, well, let's just say that people in her situation do blur the lines occasionally so her actions were wholly believable, if not quite completely forgivable. Other characters were just as well drawn and acted their parts very well.
And the setting, both the house and its location, is so integral to the plot that it could almost be regarded as a character in its own right. The way the author described both made me actually see what was going on in my mind's eye. I'm not usually a visual reader so any author who can achieve this is worth their salt in my book!
It was definitely a book that I had to have my wits about me whilst reading as there is a lot going on, most of it interconnected in some way. There were quite a few small innocuous things that became important later on. The horror and supernatural stuff was injected as to be quite credible with the rest of what was happening, sometimes quite brutal, and occasionally had me setting the book aside for a few seconds to catch my breath.
All in all a cracking read that hit the ground running for me and didn't let up until the end. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
December 27, 2018
Many years ago I lived in the Highlands of Scotland – I spent a large part of my teenage years just a few miles away from one of the most famous stretches of water in the world…Loch Ness. The loch offers an amazing combination of stunning beauty surrounding a dark foreboding stretch of water – home (of course) to The Loch Ness Monster.
If you have lived in urban areas all your life it is hard to understand just how remote, isolated or atmospheric some areas in rural Scotland can be. Neil Spring captures the sense of location in The Burning House perfectly – the majority of the book is set by the Ness and Neil Spring is terrific at conveying tension and atmosphere in his writing.
We are brought to the Highlands by Clara. We first meet her as she is trying to secure the sale of Boleskine House – a large unloved property on the banks of Loch Ness which has a dark and unpleasant history. Clara works for the local estate agents. In a bid to try to improve the chances of selling Boleskine House (and get her commission) Clara has set a small fire in one of the rooms…some fire damage will bring down the asking price and her dire financial situation will be improved.
Unfortunately for Clara someone has seen her set the fire and she will find herself at the mercy of their whims. Having fled London to the Highlands to escape a violent and abusive marriage Clara is no stranger to being at the mercy of another but she will not accept her situation without a fight.
Meanwhile in London Clara’s husband is unwilling to accept that his wife has gone forever. Even though months have passed since she fled their unhappy home he remains determined to track her down.
Clara finds herself a resident at the creepy Boleskine House and it is not long before strange incidents start to occur. It makes for engrossing reading and Neil Spring is a master at captivating readers with his chilling narrative.
The Burning House offers a delicious combination of large ominous house, remote location and a nearby small village (small communities always have the best secrets). The author spins a wonderfully dark tale around Clara and I just could not get enough of this story.
I had been very much looking forward to reading The Burning House as I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Neil Spring’s previous books – it did not disappoint. If you want an author who delivers on the chills – look no further.
If you have lived in urban areas all your life it is hard to understand just how remote, isolated or atmospheric some areas in rural Scotland can be. Neil Spring captures the sense of location in The Burning House perfectly – the majority of the book is set by the Ness and Neil Spring is terrific at conveying tension and atmosphere in his writing.
We are brought to the Highlands by Clara. We first meet her as she is trying to secure the sale of Boleskine House – a large unloved property on the banks of Loch Ness which has a dark and unpleasant history. Clara works for the local estate agents. In a bid to try to improve the chances of selling Boleskine House (and get her commission) Clara has set a small fire in one of the rooms…some fire damage will bring down the asking price and her dire financial situation will be improved.
Unfortunately for Clara someone has seen her set the fire and she will find herself at the mercy of their whims. Having fled London to the Highlands to escape a violent and abusive marriage Clara is no stranger to being at the mercy of another but she will not accept her situation without a fight.
Meanwhile in London Clara’s husband is unwilling to accept that his wife has gone forever. Even though months have passed since she fled their unhappy home he remains determined to track her down.
Clara finds herself a resident at the creepy Boleskine House and it is not long before strange incidents start to occur. It makes for engrossing reading and Neil Spring is a master at captivating readers with his chilling narrative.
The Burning House offers a delicious combination of large ominous house, remote location and a nearby small village (small communities always have the best secrets). The author spins a wonderfully dark tale around Clara and I just could not get enough of this story.
I had been very much looking forward to reading The Burning House as I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Neil Spring’s previous books – it did not disappoint. If you want an author who delivers on the chills – look no further.
November 6, 2018
I received a copy of this book via NetGalley.
After escaping her despicable, abusive husband in London, Clara moves to a village close to Loch Ness in Scotland where she hopes to recover and start a new life. She has found work in the town's Estate Agents office and is tasked with selling a property on the banks of the Loch. With an extremely sinister history and rumoured to have been built on the foundations of an ancient church, the house has changed hands many times during its history, a history that includes whispers of black magic and numerous tragedies. No wonder the place has been empty and neglected for so long. But now it appears that there is someone who is very keen on buying Boleskine House, provided the price is right. This is a story about the Loch Ness monster, but not the one you are expecting.
For me this is Neil Spring's best work. As with all Spring's books, the story is partly based on real events/places, with a huge dollop of fiction added to the mix. This book is very dark at times, and not just the 'supernatural' parts. Clara's suffering at the hands of her husband is appalling. But this is generally a hugely entertaining read with some extremely chilling, gory moments and a highly atmospheric setting.
After escaping her despicable, abusive husband in London, Clara moves to a village close to Loch Ness in Scotland where she hopes to recover and start a new life. She has found work in the town's Estate Agents office and is tasked with selling a property on the banks of the Loch. With an extremely sinister history and rumoured to have been built on the foundations of an ancient church, the house has changed hands many times during its history, a history that includes whispers of black magic and numerous tragedies. No wonder the place has been empty and neglected for so long. But now it appears that there is someone who is very keen on buying Boleskine House, provided the price is right. This is a story about the Loch Ness monster, but not the one you are expecting.
For me this is Neil Spring's best work. As with all Spring's books, the story is partly based on real events/places, with a huge dollop of fiction added to the mix. This book is very dark at times, and not just the 'supernatural' parts. Clara's suffering at the hands of her husband is appalling. But this is generally a hugely entertaining read with some extremely chilling, gory moments and a highly atmospheric setting.
March 19, 2019
I'm a big fan of Neil Spring's spooky tales so it was with some relish I set to with The Burning House. It's a tale of a woman trying to outrun her past, as the dark history of Boleskine House threatens the new life she's created for herself. Quite literally.
What follows is a wonderfully OTT romp which put me in mind of the splatter gore horror novels I was so enamoured of as a 1980s teen. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though if you're expecting the more subtle, creeping terror of Spring's past works you might be a little disappointed - as was I. There's a lot of clunky dialogue and Scooby Doo silliness, and the whole thing - while entertaining enough - is just a little too, well, silly.
Based on the shady past of the actual Boleskine House (yes, it's real and yes, it's the former home of Aleister Crowley) it's brash, it's bloody and it's a bit daft. Devil worship, sacrifice, bogeymen real and imagined and a self-mutilating butcher all figure, and the body count stacks up at roughly the same rate as pages turned.
Fine for passing the time over a few evenings, but nothing to sear it into the memory - or cause nightmares. The real history of Boleskine might, however.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
What follows is a wonderfully OTT romp which put me in mind of the splatter gore horror novels I was so enamoured of as a 1980s teen. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though if you're expecting the more subtle, creeping terror of Spring's past works you might be a little disappointed - as was I. There's a lot of clunky dialogue and Scooby Doo silliness, and the whole thing - while entertaining enough - is just a little too, well, silly.
Based on the shady past of the actual Boleskine House (yes, it's real and yes, it's the former home of Aleister Crowley) it's brash, it's bloody and it's a bit daft. Devil worship, sacrifice, bogeymen real and imagined and a self-mutilating butcher all figure, and the body count stacks up at roughly the same rate as pages turned.
Fine for passing the time over a few evenings, but nothing to sear it into the memory - or cause nightmares. The real history of Boleskine might, however.
My thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
January 16, 2021
Brilliant story and tore through this faster than I expected. I’m a big fan of Neil Spring particularly for his art of blending true events into fictional horror settings, but with this one he outdid himself in my opinion. Which isn’t to say his other novels are bad, far, far from it. But this one just felt like a cut above the rest.
Clara, on the run from her possessive and abusive husband, is desperate to make a sale of Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness, a house shrouded in historical mystery and rumours of dark magic. A simple fire by Clara to drive the price down will unravel the new life for her that she has built up.
At first I felt like this might be a detective mystery type of story but still loved it- however over time Spring started folding the horror into the story like Gordon Ramsay folding egg whites to finish off an Eggs Benedict. From there what followed was a dark horror novel akin to the great mastery shown by horror writers like Adam Nevill and John Ajvide Lindqvist. Creepy, disturbing and one that will definitely stick with me for some time for all the right reasons.
Clara, on the run from her possessive and abusive husband, is desperate to make a sale of Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness, a house shrouded in historical mystery and rumours of dark magic. A simple fire by Clara to drive the price down will unravel the new life for her that she has built up.
At first I felt like this might be a detective mystery type of story but still loved it- however over time Spring started folding the horror into the story like Gordon Ramsay folding egg whites to finish off an Eggs Benedict. From there what followed was a dark horror novel akin to the great mastery shown by horror writers like Adam Nevill and John Ajvide Lindqvist. Creepy, disturbing and one that will definitely stick with me for some time for all the right reasons.
January 4, 2019
I am a huge fan of thrillers but did not expect the supernatural element of this from reading the blurb. However, I found this really enjoyable and it made the story a little different to those I normally read!
The setting for the book was perfect and when I found out it was based on true events, it certainly made it that bit more spine tingling. It was a definite page turner and one I couldn’t wait to pick up to see what happened. The pace was good from the start and even with the spooky goings on, the tension came also from ‘real life’ as Clara continued to hide out from an abusive husband.
I do not want to say too much and spoil anything for future readers but I would recommend to any thriller fans looking for something a little different from the norm.
The setting for the book was perfect and when I found out it was based on true events, it certainly made it that bit more spine tingling. It was a definite page turner and one I couldn’t wait to pick up to see what happened. The pace was good from the start and even with the spooky goings on, the tension came also from ‘real life’ as Clara continued to hide out from an abusive husband.
I do not want to say too much and spoil anything for future readers but I would recommend to any thriller fans looking for something a little different from the norm.
December 28, 2019
This is not what I was expecting ie. a psychological thriller with a supernatural element. I'd say it's definitely in the horror genre. It's a dark story about a woman on the run from an abusive husband who starts a new life in a Scottish village. Out of desperation, she commits a crime but soon regrets it as it brings her to the attention of the sinister Oswald Catternach, the new owner of Boleskine House on the shores of Loch Ness. It's a house with an evil reputation. I was fascinated to learn that this is a real place and was once home to Aleister Crowley who plays a part in the novel.... A gripping read!
December 15, 2018
Neil Spring can certainly write a novel. I was totally unsure about his departure from his usual style but I need not have worried. The novel was not what it sounded like it would be and I was absorbed from the start. Clara has a secret and someone knows what she did. Boleskin House has a sinister past and both these factors are the basis for a novel that has distinct shades of Dennis Wheatley. It was a book that kept me up late, it was easy to read and very sinister. I do prefer the other novels but this is good and well worth reading.
February 19, 2019
I hate to give a less than positive review but I received an ARC copy of this book in return for an honest review. I actually finished the book a while back and have been putting off writing the review for this reason.
The story had many of the elements I enjoyed in Spring's other books but I never really clicked with the characters. I found all of the characters to be annoying and somewhat unbelievable.
I did enjoy the setting and the supernatural and historical details however I just couldn't get past my dislike of the characters. Really sorry Mr Spring ☹️
The story had many of the elements I enjoyed in Spring's other books but I never really clicked with the characters. I found all of the characters to be annoying and somewhat unbelievable.
I did enjoy the setting and the supernatural and historical details however I just couldn't get past my dislike of the characters. Really sorry Mr Spring ☹️
October 25, 2019
I really enjoyed reading about Boleskine house, although I would have preferred a more historical account, with more Crowley than modern day. Spring always spins a good yarn. He has a clever way of drawing you in - but there is always something missing for me (I just can’t put my finger on it). Definitely worth reading!
January 11, 2020
A incredibly spine-chilling spooky tale of black magic in the highlands of Scotland. After fleeing to the highlands after the break up of her marriage Clara inadvertently becomes involved with the new owner of Boleskin house on the shores of Loch ness. Quite creepy and sinister in places it's not one for the faint hearted. Thoroughly enjoyed it .
December 10, 2018
Love this Author but he often takes a while to get started. Not here. The book takes off from the first page and hurtles though the twists and turns of Spring's mix of thriller, mystery and supernatural. Always a pleasure to read. Always sad to reach the last page. Can't wait for his next book
April 26, 2019
I am a self-confessed Neil Spring nut and was horrified when I learned he had changed his writing style for this book. However I need not have worried, this book is great. It is extremely readable, spooky and totally thrilling. Also, this book is based on a true story. Bring on the next one Neil.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews