What do you think?
Rate this book
Cold Bath Street
Preston Oldcorn is in a desolate void between life and death. In order to save his soul he must brave his greatest fear - Cold Bath Street. A gothic thriller - think Hunger Games crossed with Artemis Fowl - that will keep you gripped to the end. Stunning black and white illustrations throughout.
309 pages, Paperback
Published February 27, 2018
22 people are currently reading
305 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews
Read
August 22, 2018Cold Bath Street by A J Hartley
I enjoyed this book because of its compelling characters, creepy atmosphere and a clever plot. It was hard to put down and I finished it in just one day.
Set in Preston, in the 1980s, for me it was very evocative. My Preston teenage years were in the sixties and the descriptions in this book brought it all back to mind.
I lived in the northern part of the town, close to where a lot of the supernatural action takes place. I too wandered through the cemetery after dark, spent hours in the vicinity of Deepdale and Ribbleton and gazed down at the entrance to the haunted railway tunnel.
Cold Bath Street is a great read with great illustrations. If you like ghost stories, you will not be disappointed.
I enjoyed this book because of its compelling characters, creepy atmosphere and a clever plot. It was hard to put down and I finished it in just one day.
Set in Preston, in the 1980s, for me it was very evocative. My Preston teenage years were in the sixties and the descriptions in this book brought it all back to mind.
I lived in the northern part of the town, close to where a lot of the supernatural action takes place. I too wandered through the cemetery after dark, spent hours in the vicinity of Deepdale and Ribbleton and gazed down at the entrance to the haunted railway tunnel.
Cold Bath Street is a great read with great illustrations. If you like ghost stories, you will not be disappointed.
April 15, 2018
This is not something that I would normally pick up but what drew me to this book was the setting. The book is set near to where I live which made me intrigued to pick it up.
The book follows Preston Oldcorn who is killed within the first few pages of the book. We follow his time in the afterlife where there is an evil spirit that wants to consume him. This spirit is powerful and has the ability to go into the world of the living and is the reason that Preston is dead.
I liked the setting of this book there is something really good about seeing a place you know being written about. I liked how the author used local ghost stories to create this book. I enjoy local history and it was interesting to read the author's notes at the end to see what had inspired him.
I also really liked the illustrations in this book I thought they really added to the atmosphere of the story.
The book follows Preston Oldcorn who is killed within the first few pages of the book. We follow his time in the afterlife where there is an evil spirit that wants to consume him. This spirit is powerful and has the ability to go into the world of the living and is the reason that Preston is dead.
I liked the setting of this book there is something really good about seeing a place you know being written about. I liked how the author used local ghost stories to create this book. I enjoy local history and it was interesting to read the author's notes at the end to see what had inspired him.
I also really liked the illustrations in this book I thought they really added to the atmosphere of the story.
April 26, 2018
I will be honest: stories that dip into horror are not my thing, but AJ Hartley is one of my favorite authors, so I decided to read this. It wasn't easy getting a copy. When I first tried, the book was not even listed on amazon (now listed, but currently sold out, as the book has gone into a second printing.), and unheard of by other booksellers. I finally tracked a copy down through Book Depository (fantastic service and free shipping to the US from UK). Was it worth it? You betcha!
Preston Oldcort's nightmare returned. The Bannister Doll, with all its ghostly horror had come after him, and he finds himself flat out on the sidewalk, waking from the terror-- only to find that it is true, and he is dead, trapped in an in-between place, where the all the horrors of the ghost world are real.
AJ Hartley set this book in his hometown, and uses the setting, including the local legends and stories to full advantage. AS I said, horror isn't my genre of choice, but a well-told ghost story is terrific. And this is a good tale. (Plus the cover is maybe one of my all-time favorites. You have to see it in person to understand the true nature of it, though I did put up a video over at Instagram.
Preston Oldcort's nightmare returned. The Bannister Doll, with all its ghostly horror had come after him, and he finds himself flat out on the sidewalk, waking from the terror-- only to find that it is true, and he is dead, trapped in an in-between place, where the all the horrors of the ghost world are real.
AJ Hartley set this book in his hometown, and uses the setting, including the local legends and stories to full advantage. AS I said, horror isn't my genre of choice, but a well-told ghost story is terrific. And this is a good tale. (Plus the cover is maybe one of my all-time favorites. You have to see it in person to understand the true nature of it, though I did put up a video over at Instagram.
May 29, 2018
A book set in the small, relatively unknown, city that I live in for my undergraduate degree? Of course, I’m going to read it! Cold Bath Street by A.J. Hartley is an engrossing YA novel which looks into the ghost stories that surround Preston and the truth of them.
This was such a good book to read, as someone who is familiar with Preston it was really interesting being able to identify many landmarks and areas which were mentioned in the book as well as being really interesting to learn more about the myths and legends of a city I have come to know and love. But, it is definitely something you can still enjoy if you’re not familiar with the city. The ghost stories that Hartley introduces are all fully explained, and any locations mentioned don’t need much backstory, they’re just little easter eggs for those who do know the city.
I really enjoyed how this book panned out, with Preston being a really interesting character to follow and the time setting (not in the present day) made the book feel a lot more personal as Hartley draws on his previous experiences of the city, rather than how it is now. The mystery of each character is played out so well (although I definitely knew how two characters were linked together very early on, it was nice to see the resolution to that) and I felt such a strong connection with many of the characters. This is within the horror genre but is not something to shy away from if that isn’t usually your thing. I will flat out not watch any horror movies, but this is more intriguing and interesting with a hint of the supernatural and I definitely recommend pretty much anyone pick it up.
Within the book, there are also beautiful black and white illustrations which really add to the atmosphere and uclanpublishing really did a great job with the structure and appearance of this book! If you like mystery and intrigue with a little of the supernatural, or if you are familiar with Preston city, then I definitely recommend this read! So glad I picked it up! And thank you to my amazing friend Ash who lent me her copy ❤
This was such a good book to read, as someone who is familiar with Preston it was really interesting being able to identify many landmarks and areas which were mentioned in the book as well as being really interesting to learn more about the myths and legends of a city I have come to know and love. But, it is definitely something you can still enjoy if you’re not familiar with the city. The ghost stories that Hartley introduces are all fully explained, and any locations mentioned don’t need much backstory, they’re just little easter eggs for those who do know the city.
I really enjoyed how this book panned out, with Preston being a really interesting character to follow and the time setting (not in the present day) made the book feel a lot more personal as Hartley draws on his previous experiences of the city, rather than how it is now. The mystery of each character is played out so well (although I definitely knew how two characters were linked together very early on, it was nice to see the resolution to that) and I felt such a strong connection with many of the characters. This is within the horror genre but is not something to shy away from if that isn’t usually your thing. I will flat out not watch any horror movies, but this is more intriguing and interesting with a hint of the supernatural and I definitely recommend pretty much anyone pick it up.
Within the book, there are also beautiful black and white illustrations which really add to the atmosphere and uclanpublishing really did a great job with the structure and appearance of this book! If you like mystery and intrigue with a little of the supernatural, or if you are familiar with Preston city, then I definitely recommend this read! So glad I picked it up! And thank you to my amazing friend Ash who lent me her copy ❤
September 5, 2018
I randomly picked this up at a book shop in Glasgow this summer, and honestly—it was the cover that drew me in! That creepy-ass cover, man! Didn’t even see some of the details until days later, as you only see them in some lights...
Anyway, I didn’t know what to expect at all and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed COLD BATH STREET and at how much it creeped me out—I had proper goosebumps more than once!!!
I don’t know if I was particularly thick while reading it, but the book kept me guessing all the way through till the end! Nothing was too obvious or predictable (to me, anyway).
I love that the author has used ghost stories and historical events and characters from their hometown and woven them into this sad, creepy, and yet heartwarming story. I even laughed a few times!
It’s a very original kind of ghost story, seen from the POV of both the ghosts and the living, and I really recommend it!
Anyway, I didn’t know what to expect at all and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed COLD BATH STREET and at how much it creeped me out—I had proper goosebumps more than once!!!
I don’t know if I was particularly thick while reading it, but the book kept me guessing all the way through till the end! Nothing was too obvious or predictable (to me, anyway).
I love that the author has used ghost stories and historical events and characters from their hometown and woven them into this sad, creepy, and yet heartwarming story. I even laughed a few times!
It’s a very original kind of ghost story, seen from the POV of both the ghosts and the living, and I really recommend it!
October 17, 2019
I live in Preston and many of the places named in the book are familiar to me, though I had to look some up on a map for reference. Still, there is that pleasure that comes from recognition of the setting. Since I was an adult when I moved here I wasn’t familiar with the Bannister Doll legend, but that wasn’t a problem, since the story is good enough to hold anyone’s attention.
It’s a quick read, partly because it’s aimed at a young adult readership, mainly because it’s a page-turner. I was invested in the characters, even the minor ones and was satisfied with the ending.
The book itself (mine signed by the author when I met him at a Preston Book Group event) has excellent illustrations which enhance the volume, along with the cover featuring the barely visible ghost stalking Preston.
It’s a quick read, partly because it’s aimed at a young adult readership, mainly because it’s a page-turner. I was invested in the characters, even the minor ones and was satisfied with the ending.
The book itself (mine signed by the author when I met him at a Preston Book Group event) has excellent illustrations which enhance the volume, along with the cover featuring the barely visible ghost stalking Preston.
March 28, 2020
I got this book while I was studying in Preston, Lancashire, and finally reading it now gave me a nice bit of nostalgia when stumbling over mentions of some familar places I have my own memories with.
The story draws you in fairly quickly and especially the second half of the book is very gripping and makes this a wonderful & smooth read.
I liked the characters and the way they dealt with their own insecurities and fates. I even cried reading one particular chapter, though I won't say what kind of tears...
In particular I loved the concept of the afterlife - or rather "world-inbetween"- that is established & worked through in this story. Makes you want to life your own life to the fullest & stray from familiar paths sometimes!
The story draws you in fairly quickly and especially the second half of the book is very gripping and makes this a wonderful & smooth read.
I liked the characters and the way they dealt with their own insecurities and fates. I even cried reading one particular chapter, though I won't say what kind of tears...
In particular I loved the concept of the afterlife - or rather "world-inbetween"- that is established & worked through in this story. Makes you want to life your own life to the fullest & stray from familiar paths sometimes!
July 31, 2018
If you're like me who doesn't read many ghost stories then I'd say Cold Bath Street is a good introduction to the genre.
It was creepy but not overly creepy. It was more of an atmospheric, supernatural mystery made even more chilling by the fact that I'm familiar with the area where the book is set. It was intriguing and engrossing and I loved the well-researched mentions of Lancashire legends.
Not what I'd usually pick up but I'm so glad I read this and would recommend others do the same.
It was creepy but not overly creepy. It was more of an atmospheric, supernatural mystery made even more chilling by the fact that I'm familiar with the area where the book is set. It was intriguing and engrossing and I loved the well-researched mentions of Lancashire legends.
Not what I'd usually pick up but I'm so glad I read this and would recommend others do the same.
July 18, 2018
Chilling, Gripping - A ghost story from a different perspective
I must admit it was the title and cover that first drew me to this book, with promises of supernatural chills and atmospheric writing - and I wasn’t disappointed.
I loved seeing the other realm from a different perspective. Preston Oldcorn is a very likeable character, a boy who upon death, learns to master his own fears whilst helping others to conquer theirs, so they can move on.
I won’t go into further detail, as I would hate to inadvertently post a spoiler.
Being a north west lass myself, I loved the descriptives of the 70’s area, woven into original tales of myths & legends, and I thoroughly enjoyed Mr Hartley’s style of writing.
A definite 5*’s from me!
I must admit it was the title and cover that first drew me to this book, with promises of supernatural chills and atmospheric writing - and I wasn’t disappointed.
I loved seeing the other realm from a different perspective. Preston Oldcorn is a very likeable character, a boy who upon death, learns to master his own fears whilst helping others to conquer theirs, so they can move on.
I won’t go into further detail, as I would hate to inadvertently post a spoiler.
Being a north west lass myself, I loved the descriptives of the 70’s area, woven into original tales of myths & legends, and I thoroughly enjoyed Mr Hartley’s style of writing.
A definite 5*’s from me!
November 4, 2022
Wow, what an incredible book. This is the kind of ghost story I love. Pulled my heart strings multiple times, I laughed, I cried and I honestly could barely put it down. I’m so blown away, and i cannot wait to read the sequel, going to start it tonight!
June 16, 2024
I loved this book! Very relatable following the character all around areas of Preston I know well, and I too have heard many of the stories about Miley Tunnel mentioned - the Epilogue at the end lifted the entire novel to an even more fantastic concept
March 10, 2019
Although this is a Y/A book it really fascinated and intrigued me. I really enjoyed it.
May 28, 2020
Excellent read based around local history.
Particularly as it is set in Preston and places known to me.
Particularly as it is set in Preston and places known to me.
May 9, 2018
I absolutely love this book.
I have wanted to read this book for a while after going to the YA Festival a few months back. It was one of the books that I wanted and that really piqued my interest. Unfortunately at the time I couldn’t get it but when I finally got ahold of a copy, I couldn’t wait to start reading it and it was pushed right to the top of the queue.
*minor spoiler but mentioned on the blurb*
The story follows Preston Oldcorn and his journey after death. From the prologue, I couldn’t put this book down! I was intrigued by the world that the protagonist finds himself in and the illustrations through bring the story to life. As for the setting, again I loved it. Set in Preston, the descriptions are vivid, creating a clear image in the readers head.
I couldn’t stop talking about this book. I passed areas in Preston and kept thinking about this book.
This book is a must read!!
I have wanted to read this book for a while after going to the YA Festival a few months back. It was one of the books that I wanted and that really piqued my interest. Unfortunately at the time I couldn’t get it but when I finally got ahold of a copy, I couldn’t wait to start reading it and it was pushed right to the top of the queue.
*minor spoiler but mentioned on the blurb*
The story follows Preston Oldcorn and his journey after death. From the prologue, I couldn’t put this book down! I was intrigued by the world that the protagonist finds himself in and the illustrations through bring the story to life. As for the setting, again I loved it. Set in Preston, the descriptions are vivid, creating a clear image in the readers head.
I couldn’t stop talking about this book. I passed areas in Preston and kept thinking about this book.
This book is a must read!!
November 13, 2020
3.75 / 5
December 11, 2023
Great little ghost story! 👻
September 20, 2018
I really enjoyed reading this book. It was of particular interest to me because I'm familiar with so many of the locations that feature, but I also found it genuinely captivating and wondering how Preston's story would turn out kept me hooked til the end.
I have to admit though that it took me a while to get over the fact that the main character is called Preston...
I have to admit though that it took me a while to get over the fact that the main character is called Preston...
May 1, 2018
I love ghost stories, good ghost stories, maybe because it’s so hard to find really good ones and so they are few and far between. Maybe it’s because I love being scared.
Cold Bath Street by A. J. Hartley has been made into a film. Fantastic! Another ghost film! (I’m not being sarcastic.) Also, fantastic because it is set in Preston, a Lancashire town in the North of England. The book has the accents and feel and reach to 1970’s Britain. Captured atmospherically alongside being a teenage boy and all the awkward moments and feelings. And death.
It has local legend, a great source for fiction and it grounds the story and draws us in to finding out what is fact and what is real in local myth. Time and whether anything can be changed is also explored, where you go after death and whether it is to be feared or embraced. What really gripped me was the ‘Merely Dead and well and truly Sincerely Dead’ as in The Wizard of Oz. Where do you go and what happens to you when you are Sincerely Dead? And how do you transition from Merely to Sincerely.
9.22, and Preston is stuck in time. He is Merely Dead. Being Merely Dead doesn’t mean you are untouchable. Preston’s half world is full of danger and that danger reaches into the present. The longer you are Merely Dead, the danger grows that you will be forgotten by your living loved ones. Preston cannot let that happen. He cannot be forgotten or remain forever Merely Dead because that means becoming like the walking dead, repeating their last moments forever.
Preston does good deeds. He also messes up. He looks at his life and wishes he’d done things differently. He wishes he’d been different. I like Preston. All questions to think about and I love books that make me think. Cold Bath Street does. Once or twice it veered on slightly preachy, but then, when talking about religion and the afterlife, it’s hard to not get carried away!
What I love most about this book, is that I read it so quickly. In fact, I read it. The last couple of books I’ve picked up, I’ve not completed. They’ve not held me. I am ecstatic that Cold Bath Street caught me up in its mystery, pulled me along with the action and made me care about the characters. It’s given me back my faith. For that, it’s got to be 5 stars. *****
Cold Bath Street by A. J. Hartley has been made into a film. Fantastic! Another ghost film! (I’m not being sarcastic.) Also, fantastic because it is set in Preston, a Lancashire town in the North of England. The book has the accents and feel and reach to 1970’s Britain. Captured atmospherically alongside being a teenage boy and all the awkward moments and feelings. And death.
It has local legend, a great source for fiction and it grounds the story and draws us in to finding out what is fact and what is real in local myth. Time and whether anything can be changed is also explored, where you go after death and whether it is to be feared or embraced. What really gripped me was the ‘Merely Dead and well and truly Sincerely Dead’ as in The Wizard of Oz. Where do you go and what happens to you when you are Sincerely Dead? And how do you transition from Merely to Sincerely.
9.22, and Preston is stuck in time. He is Merely Dead. Being Merely Dead doesn’t mean you are untouchable. Preston’s half world is full of danger and that danger reaches into the present. The longer you are Merely Dead, the danger grows that you will be forgotten by your living loved ones. Preston cannot let that happen. He cannot be forgotten or remain forever Merely Dead because that means becoming like the walking dead, repeating their last moments forever.
Preston does good deeds. He also messes up. He looks at his life and wishes he’d done things differently. He wishes he’d been different. I like Preston. All questions to think about and I love books that make me think. Cold Bath Street does. Once or twice it veered on slightly preachy, but then, when talking about religion and the afterlife, it’s hard to not get carried away!
What I love most about this book, is that I read it so quickly. In fact, I read it. The last couple of books I’ve picked up, I’ve not completed. They’ve not held me. I am ecstatic that Cold Bath Street caught me up in its mystery, pulled me along with the action and made me care about the characters. It’s given me back my faith. For that, it’s got to be 5 stars. *****
November 1, 2019
Despite appearances, most ghost stories focus on the living and the impact the dead have on them. By the beginning of Cold Bath Street, however, protagonist Preston Oldcorn has already died, his heart and watch stopped forever at 9:22 p.m.
Part supernatural thriller, part mystery, Cold Bath Street is pacey and engaging, drawing the reader in with an unpredictable plot and warmly drawn characters. Hartley casts Preston as a relatable young boy who, like many of us, wishes he'd spoken up for himself more often. Unfortunately, it takes his untimely death to jolt him with this realisation. The extraordinary circumstances in which he finds himself see him face many of the usual worries and desires of a teenager alongside the dawning realisation that he will never again get to act on any of them.
Some of my favourite scenes, however, involve Tracey, one of the main perspectives in the book. Smart, fearless and determined, Hartley succeeds in writing a likable, realistic female lead as well as the sort of character you'd want in your corner in trying times. She also isn't afraid to reevaluate her preconceptions about the world based on her observations, which is an admirable trait.
Hartley clearly conducted a considerable amount of local research about his native Preston for this book (see The Bannister Doll ghost legend and the painting Pauline in the Yellow Dress at the Harris Museum for more details), and he weaves his modern-day tale with compelling local legends and history in an original way. In doing so, he shines a much-needed spotlight onto a unique and underappreciated Northern city with a strong working-class presence (the audiobook version is even read by the superbly suited Christopher Eccleston).
For more of my thoughts on this book, please check out my blog post on Inky Squiggles. Note: I was a student at the publishing house that produced this book during its publication date, but I wasn't involved in this.
Part supernatural thriller, part mystery, Cold Bath Street is pacey and engaging, drawing the reader in with an unpredictable plot and warmly drawn characters. Hartley casts Preston as a relatable young boy who, like many of us, wishes he'd spoken up for himself more often. Unfortunately, it takes his untimely death to jolt him with this realisation. The extraordinary circumstances in which he finds himself see him face many of the usual worries and desires of a teenager alongside the dawning realisation that he will never again get to act on any of them.
Some of my favourite scenes, however, involve Tracey, one of the main perspectives in the book. Smart, fearless and determined, Hartley succeeds in writing a likable, realistic female lead as well as the sort of character you'd want in your corner in trying times. She also isn't afraid to reevaluate her preconceptions about the world based on her observations, which is an admirable trait.
Hartley clearly conducted a considerable amount of local research about his native Preston for this book (see The Bannister Doll ghost legend and the painting Pauline in the Yellow Dress at the Harris Museum for more details), and he weaves his modern-day tale with compelling local legends and history in an original way. In doing so, he shines a much-needed spotlight onto a unique and underappreciated Northern city with a strong working-class presence (the audiobook version is even read by the superbly suited Christopher Eccleston).
For more of my thoughts on this book, please check out my blog post on Inky Squiggles. Note: I was a student at the publishing house that produced this book during its publication date, but I wasn't involved in this.
September 9, 2018
What are you supposed to do when you are lost in that precarious world between life and death? Preston Oldcorn has to figure this question out because since he died he has been stuck in a sort of limbo, consorting with ghosts and occasionally going back to his old home in Preston, Lancashire. He hasn’t gone to heaven and he knows he hasn’t done anything bad enough to send him to hell. But he does seem to be unable to get away from his home town.
Preston’s story mixes local ghost stories and spooky history from the Lancashire town. Author, AJ Hartley grew up in the area and has used real life locations to shape and develop his tale of lost souls. We see the sadness of unfinished business juxtaposed with the light of making new friendships and making the best of a bad situation. Hartley manages to bond the natural and the supernatural together in such a believable way that you will not be able to put the book down until you know just how it end.
Cold Bath Street is a really good ghost story. It is creepy and mysterious and keeps you guessing to the very last page. It is a very entertaining read and perfect for those who like to be scared.
Cold Bath Street by AJ Hartley is available now.
Preston’s story mixes local ghost stories and spooky history from the Lancashire town. Author, AJ Hartley grew up in the area and has used real life locations to shape and develop his tale of lost souls. We see the sadness of unfinished business juxtaposed with the light of making new friendships and making the best of a bad situation. Hartley manages to bond the natural and the supernatural together in such a believable way that you will not be able to put the book down until you know just how it end.
Cold Bath Street is a really good ghost story. It is creepy and mysterious and keeps you guessing to the very last page. It is a very entertaining read and perfect for those who like to be scared.
Cold Bath Street by AJ Hartley is available now.
January 3, 2024
This type of book does not fit my usual genre of reading, I picked it up based on the cover. It looked creepy and had a film feeling that made a ghost shimmer and disappear (if that is the best way to describe it).
The book itself did not hesitate to capture my attention, the action happened almost straightaway but the author managed to create a solid image of the main character where it was still a shock and emotionally gripping.
The characters and the eeriness of the setting were fleshed out expertly well, I found my mouth dropping open at some parts or tensing in anticipation of the ghosts and their stories. I loved how there was a niche combination of fear, horror and sadness and I was amazed at how invested I was in Preston's relationship with the land of the living and the dead, I even found the 'high school friend/teased romance' between him and Tracey very refreshing and engaging. When reading the book you come to love and think about all the mundane things in your own life and look on your routine in a new light.
At the moment, I am living in Preston and enjoy the tidbits of history and information. I also (probably more than I should) love the familiar streets and I even ended up walking some of the routes in the book out of curiosity. Of course, I rushed out to buy the second.
Would thoroughly recommend this book to any who are fans of horror and mystery.
The book itself did not hesitate to capture my attention, the action happened almost straightaway but the author managed to create a solid image of the main character where it was still a shock and emotionally gripping.
The characters and the eeriness of the setting were fleshed out expertly well, I found my mouth dropping open at some parts or tensing in anticipation of the ghosts and their stories. I loved how there was a niche combination of fear, horror and sadness and I was amazed at how invested I was in Preston's relationship with the land of the living and the dead, I even found the 'high school friend/teased romance' between him and Tracey very refreshing and engaging. When reading the book you come to love and think about all the mundane things in your own life and look on your routine in a new light.
At the moment, I am living in Preston and enjoy the tidbits of history and information. I also (probably more than I should) love the familiar streets and I even ended up walking some of the routes in the book out of curiosity. Of course, I rushed out to buy the second.
Would thoroughly recommend this book to any who are fans of horror and mystery.
October 7, 2019
A perfect October read - it's a ghost story...but with time travel. How does that work? Read the book and find out. I highly recommend getting the audiobook from audible - it's read by Christopher Eccleston, and he does a perfect job (especially since this story takes place in the Northwest of England, and Eccleston has an awesome Northern greater-Manchester-area-type accent. (I don't know what English accents are called. I just know in the Northwest of America, we've been merging our vowels. Cot, caught, it's the same. Also, how can Great Britain, a series of islands with roughly the same square mileage as my home state ((Oregon)) have so many accents? I could tell you if someone was from Boston, but put a bunch of westerners together and we could probably only pick out the Californian and no one else).
Seriously, if you're looking for a good spooky Halloween read that isn't too long or too scary (well, not gory scary, anyway. More existential-scary) then go read Cold Bath Street. It's only strengthened my resolve to someday haunt the North of England. Not as a ghost, but as a loud-mouthed American tourist. I'll be sure to wear my most obnoxious t-shirts.
Seriously, if you're looking for a good spooky Halloween read that isn't too long or too scary (well, not gory scary, anyway. More existential-scary) then go read Cold Bath Street. It's only strengthened my resolve to someday haunt the North of England. Not as a ghost, but as a loud-mouthed American tourist. I'll be sure to wear my most obnoxious t-shirts.
May 8, 2018
I was introduced to A.J. Hartley through the Sekret Machines series published by To The Stars media, and I was so impressed with his writing that I immediately sought out other works by him. I quickly devoured the Steeplejack series, Planet of Blood and Ice, and, most recently, Cold Bath Street, which has been my favorite (behind SM) thus far!
This story is a nod to Hartley's childhood home in Preston (Lancashire) England. The main character, Preston, is on his way home from a scouting event one evening when his entire world changes. Without giving too much away, Preston finds himself stuck between the the world of the dead and the world of the living. He isn't "sincerely dead," only "merely dead."
As he struggles to piece together how he ended up among merely dead, he encounters several of the characters from the myths and legends of his childhood, but instead of hiding, he seeks them out to understand how they also became merely dead, and, in doing so, he uncovers that a connection that links them all. One that could radically alter their futures.
I read about 60% of this beautiful (yes, did I mention BEAUTIFUL?! There are several drawings interspersed throughout the story) before I started searching for images of Preston/Cold Bath Street/Lancashire online, and wow. The world that Hartley builds in this novel is exactly what I had pictured in my head. His intimate knowledge of the setting make it that much more enticing. I also really enjoyed how the character of Preston mirrored Hartley himself in that moving from England to the US years ago, he essentially feels like a ghost in his childhood home as time has marched on without him.
Altogether, this is just a fun story and beautiful book! The fact that it is completely student published is also really awesome and something that I was so happy to support.
This story is a nod to Hartley's childhood home in Preston (Lancashire) England. The main character, Preston, is on his way home from a scouting event one evening when his entire world changes. Without giving too much away, Preston finds himself stuck between the the world of the dead and the world of the living. He isn't "sincerely dead," only "merely dead."
As he struggles to piece together how he ended up among merely dead, he encounters several of the characters from the myths and legends of his childhood, but instead of hiding, he seeks them out to understand how they also became merely dead, and, in doing so, he uncovers that a connection that links them all. One that could radically alter their futures.
I read about 60% of this beautiful (yes, did I mention BEAUTIFUL?! There are several drawings interspersed throughout the story) before I started searching for images of Preston/Cold Bath Street/Lancashire online, and wow. The world that Hartley builds in this novel is exactly what I had pictured in my head. His intimate knowledge of the setting make it that much more enticing. I also really enjoyed how the character of Preston mirrored Hartley himself in that moving from England to the US years ago, he essentially feels like a ghost in his childhood home as time has marched on without him.
Altogether, this is just a fun story and beautiful book! The fact that it is completely student published is also really awesome and something that I was so happy to support.
February 12, 2021
I have been having a bit of a binge on 'books set where I live' recently, especially those which involve local legends and folk tales.
I loved this ghost story set where I grew up in a time very familiar to me. I think the book has an appeal to a wide audience but for being someone who has researched and read about a lot of my area's supernatural heritage it was a real treat.
There are so many little Easter eggs in here, the only downside for me personally was that because I had a familiarity with many of the stories I pretty much guessed what was going on before it did.
A real treat that is equal parts spooky without being horrific and tender, without pulling heartstrings cynically.
Reading this brought back fond memories of teenage awkwardness, those feelings of attraction to others but most of all those walks without lights down a certain disused railway tunnel....
I loved this ghost story set where I grew up in a time very familiar to me. I think the book has an appeal to a wide audience but for being someone who has researched and read about a lot of my area's supernatural heritage it was a real treat.
There are so many little Easter eggs in here, the only downside for me personally was that because I had a familiarity with many of the stories I pretty much guessed what was going on before it did.
A real treat that is equal parts spooky without being horrific and tender, without pulling heartstrings cynically.
Reading this brought back fond memories of teenage awkwardness, those feelings of attraction to others but most of all those walks without lights down a certain disused railway tunnel....
November 7, 2024
I can imagine that this book will primarily appeal to local people who will visualise all the places mentioned and be aware of its history. It's aimed at the young adult horror fan which is not a huge demographic. Nevertheless I enjoyed it because I could identify with the central character who was born in the 60s (like the author). I'm a little older, but I too came home from the Scouts on Friday evenings. Ironically my (bus) journey took me right past the dreaded Miley Tunnel and Cold Bath Street. But I was oblivious to all the stories that arose, I presume, among young people at the other end of the tunnel on the east side of town in Deepdale and Ribbleton.
But it pulled together the threads of local myths, landmarks and symbols into a grisly but ultimately heroic tale of redemption.
But it pulled together the threads of local myths, landmarks and symbols into a grisly but ultimately heroic tale of redemption.
March 5, 2019
An unusual tale
This novel is a good tapestry of local history, imagination and horror. I found it entertaining and interesting, especially that I am Preston born and bred, though much of the action takes place in an area I do not know like the back of my hand. Perhaps I will write about my neck of the woods: I feel a Victorian story coming on! This is definitely not a children's book but would be good for a book reading teenager to show how imagination can be put on the page. Everything connected with the train crash was expressed vividly, but I think that my residual memory of Bannister Doll got in the way, somehow. After I had finished the novel I wondered if Preston was A. J. Hartley himself, detached from the town of his birth.
This novel is a good tapestry of local history, imagination and horror. I found it entertaining and interesting, especially that I am Preston born and bred, though much of the action takes place in an area I do not know like the back of my hand. Perhaps I will write about my neck of the woods: I feel a Victorian story coming on! This is definitely not a children's book but would be good for a book reading teenager to show how imagination can be put on the page. Everything connected with the train crash was expressed vividly, but I think that my residual memory of Bannister Doll got in the way, somehow. After I had finished the novel I wondered if Preston was A. J. Hartley himself, detached from the town of his birth.
March 21, 2021
I was intrigued by a book written in the town I grew up in. I had no idea what it was about and I admit this book has creeped me out a bit. I don’t know wether it was the horror aspect of the book or the fact it was describing somewhere I knew so well. But this book was incredible and if it wasn’t for the creeping me out it would most definitely of made it to one of the best books I’ve ever read. Please read this book as it was incredible and definitely worth the creepiness. I have to admit horror isn’t my favourite but this book is probably going to be an exception I really enjoyed the plot and character development. The on thing though that let it down was the ending which I felt could have been developed better and not just the classic they lived happily ever after.
November 17, 2022
3.5
Preston wakes up in a parallel world to the one he is used to, where he is alone and everything is black and white. The last thing he remembers is walking home from scouts and feeling something grab his heart. As Preston explores this new world he realises that he is dead and the thing that killed him is hunting him down.
I picked this up on a whim in a charity shop because it sounded like a creepy read for autumn and I loved all the illustrations throughout the book. Such a quick read that got a lot more sinister than I expected. The stories about the other ghosts were really tragic, especially The Leech and how it came to be.
Preston wakes up in a parallel world to the one he is used to, where he is alone and everything is black and white. The last thing he remembers is walking home from scouts and feeling something grab his heart. As Preston explores this new world he realises that he is dead and the thing that killed him is hunting him down.
I picked this up on a whim in a charity shop because it sounded like a creepy read for autumn and I loved all the illustrations throughout the book. Such a quick read that got a lot more sinister than I expected. The stories about the other ghosts were really tragic, especially The Leech and how it came to be.
January 29, 2019
What a great read
Having been born and raised in Preston I bought this book because of its connections to the City and then forgot about it. Going through my list of books on my Kindle account I decided to give it a go not really knowing much about it. What a great Ghost story in its own right. As I grew up Holme Slack very close to Cromwell Road and know all the places described in the book including the Miley tunnel (kissed my first girl in that tunnel very romantic..) it is a book hard to put down. Great book excellently researched and a real page turner
Having been born and raised in Preston I bought this book because of its connections to the City and then forgot about it. Going through my list of books on my Kindle account I decided to give it a go not really knowing much about it. What a great Ghost story in its own right. As I grew up Holme Slack very close to Cromwell Road and know all the places described in the book including the Miley tunnel (kissed my first girl in that tunnel very romantic..) it is a book hard to put down. Great book excellently researched and a real page turner
August 5, 2019
Apparently a book for young adults and I didn't know this when I bought it. That made no difference at all. Thoroughly enjoyable story centering around Preston who is dead but not quite passed into the after life. I loved the way the author described how Preston entered the present. It wasn't really a scary book, but it was a bit unsettling. The only issue I had was the epilogue which was minuscule on my kindle and I had to log into my mobile phone app to blow it up to read. Currently AJ Hartley is my favourite author.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 65 reviews