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The Lingering
Married couple Jack and Ali Gardiner move to a self-sufficient spiritual commune in the English Fens, desperate for fresh start. The local village is known for the witches who once resided there and Rosalind House, where the commune has been established, is a former psychiatric home, with a disturbing history.
When Jack and Ali arrive, a chain of unexpected and unexplained events is set off, and it becomes clear that they are not all that they seem. As the residents become twitchy, and the villagers suspicious, events from the past come back to haunt them, and someone is seeking retribution…
At once an unnerving mystery, a chilling thriller and a dark and superbly wrought ghost story, The Lingering is an exceptionally plotted, terrifying and tantalisingly twisted novel by one of the most exciting authors in the genre.
When Jack and Ali arrive, a chain of unexpected and unexplained events is set off, and it becomes clear that they are not all that they seem. As the residents become twitchy, and the villagers suspicious, events from the past come back to haunt them, and someone is seeking retribution…
At once an unnerving mystery, a chilling thriller and a dark and superbly wrought ghost story, The Lingering is an exceptionally plotted, terrifying and tantalisingly twisted novel by one of the most exciting authors in the genre.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 15, 2018
105 people are currently reading
2032 people want to read
About the author
S.J.I. Holliday
16 books231 followersLibrarian Note: Also writes under the name Susi Holliday.
Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday grew up near Edinburgh and spent many years working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying microbiology and statistics at university. She has worked as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, but it was on a 6-month round-the-world-trip that she took with her husband several years ago that she rediscovered her passion for writing.
You can find out more at www.sjiholliday.com, or on Twitter and Facebook @SJIHolliday.
Susi (S.J.I.) Holliday grew up near Edinburgh and spent many years working in her family’s newsagent and pub before studying microbiology and statistics at university. She has worked as a statistician in the pharmaceutical industry for 20 years, but it was on a 6-month round-the-world-trip that she took with her husband several years ago that she rediscovered her passion for writing.
You can find out more at www.sjiholliday.com, or on Twitter and Facebook @SJIHolliday.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 310 reviews
October 25, 2019
The Lingering by S.J.I.Holliday, chosen as a Halloween read, is an unusual and contemporary horror novel.
Ali and Jack, escaping some dark trauma from the past, join a commune in the Fens - a flat, underpopulated area of eastern England known for its mists, marshes and isolated villages.
The commune, a hippyish ragbag of eccentrics and outsiders, is housed in an old lunatic asylum, which was in turn built upon the site of an ancient Manor House. There is of course a history of madness, murder, witches, ghosts and all sorts of inhuman practises.
All standard fare of the horror genre but surprisingly, The Lingering does feel fresh and different.
It’s clever how assumptions built up around the main characters soon prove to be false and the way in which the dark storyline switches between the supernatural and the natural.
However, although there is much to like about this book, I decided in the end to settle on a 3 star score. I looked forward to picking it up at first but the plot became too fanciful - it also became increasingly hard to empathise with the main characters and most importantly ........ I realised the book wasn’t scaring me!
I wouldn’t dissuade anyone from reading this novel but for me it didn’t live up to its early promise.
Ali and Jack, escaping some dark trauma from the past, join a commune in the Fens - a flat, underpopulated area of eastern England known for its mists, marshes and isolated villages.
The commune, a hippyish ragbag of eccentrics and outsiders, is housed in an old lunatic asylum, which was in turn built upon the site of an ancient Manor House. There is of course a history of madness, murder, witches, ghosts and all sorts of inhuman practises.
All standard fare of the horror genre but surprisingly, The Lingering does feel fresh and different.
It’s clever how assumptions built up around the main characters soon prove to be false and the way in which the dark storyline switches between the supernatural and the natural.
However, although there is much to like about this book, I decided in the end to settle on a 3 star score. I looked forward to picking it up at first but the plot became too fanciful - it also became increasingly hard to empathise with the main characters and most importantly ........ I realised the book wasn’t scaring me!
I wouldn’t dissuade anyone from reading this novel but for me it didn’t live up to its early promise.
June 11, 2019
Married couple Jack and Ali Gardiner move to a self-sufficient spiritual commune in the English Fens, desperate for a fresh start. The local village is known for the witches who once resided there and Rosalind House, where the commune has been established, is a former psychiatric home, with a disturbing history.
Right from the start it is made clear to the reader that Jack has done something terrible in their past which is how they came to be at Rosalind House looking for a fresh start.
Once they arrive Ali immediately starts to hear and see things and was also nearly drowned in the tub by unseen hands. Meanwhile, Jack seems to be adjusting just fine to the new surroundings and it is much to Ali's frustration. He's the reason they had to move here so how dare he become comfortable while she is growing more paranoid and anxious by the day.
What exactly is going on within the walls of Rosalind House? And what has Jack done to have brought them here? You'll have to read it to find out.
This is a slower paced read but I was still turning the pages to find out what the heck was going on. The writing was terrific so I definitely look forward to more books by this author. All in all I'd say I enjoyed this book and I thought the ending was satisfying. I'd recommend this to anyone that doesn't mind supernatural elements within their mysteries. 3.5 *Spooky* Stars!
Thank you to Orenda Books for generously sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Right from the start it is made clear to the reader that Jack has done something terrible in their past which is how they came to be at Rosalind House looking for a fresh start.
Once they arrive Ali immediately starts to hear and see things and was also nearly drowned in the tub by unseen hands. Meanwhile, Jack seems to be adjusting just fine to the new surroundings and it is much to Ali's frustration. He's the reason they had to move here so how dare he become comfortable while she is growing more paranoid and anxious by the day.
What exactly is going on within the walls of Rosalind House? And what has Jack done to have brought them here? You'll have to read it to find out.
This is a slower paced read but I was still turning the pages to find out what the heck was going on. The writing was terrific so I definitely look forward to more books by this author. All in all I'd say I enjoyed this book and I thought the ending was satisfying. I'd recommend this to anyone that doesn't mind supernatural elements within their mysteries. 3.5 *Spooky* Stars!
Thank you to Orenda Books for generously sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
October 10, 2018
When I pick up a novel I’m always looking for a read that will captivate my imagination, a novel that leaves me breathless, one that will unnerve me and one where I reach the last page I immediately want to read it again, novels that make me feel like this are a rare breed indeed, well up until now that is. I’m not going to beat about the bush I loved The Lingering by SJI Holliday, it was the perfect read for me, I found it to be creepy, and very, very dark. Part ghost story, part domestic thriller, the author tantalises the reader with the mystery surrounding Rosalind House and its occupants, when you add to the mix odd occurrences and strange sightings well let’s just say “this novel made for a disquieting, but oh so thrilling read”.
Married couple Jack and Ali Gardner are seeking a fresh start and decide to move to Rosalind House a self-sufficient commune in the English Fens, but what dark secrets are the couple hiding? Once they arrive it’s not long before the couple experience ghostly happenings, and that’s when this novel gets bone chillingly creepy. Rosalind House, an abandoned asylum is the perfect setting for this novel, it hides a tragic past, where secrets and passed misdoings are hidden in the very fabric of the building. It’s a building steeped in myths and legends where bad things happened, and as the author slowly reveals its dark and deadly secrets I found myself becoming more fearful at each turn of the page.
The characters in The Lingering are fabulously depicted, rich in personality, and complex. Jack and Ali Gardner what a couple, their relationship is one based on coercion and control, a relationship that’s shrouded in lies and deceit. You know from the beginning the couple are hiding something BIG, and that alone adds an over whelming sense of uneasiness that intensifies as the Gardner’s dark secrets are slowly revealed.
I guess the spooky supernatural element might not suit all crime fiction fans, but if like me you read The Lingering with an open mind I’m sure you will end up loving it as much as I did. The Lingering explores the nature of true evil, the psychological aspect of this novel is dark in tone as the author delves into the minds of a very disturbed couple. This novel is exceptionally well plotted, original, creepy and very disturbing and yet it is one of the most compelling novels I’ve had the pleasure to read in a long time, and definitely a contender for my “book of the year”. Highly, highly recommended.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
Married couple Jack and Ali Gardner are seeking a fresh start and decide to move to Rosalind House a self-sufficient commune in the English Fens, but what dark secrets are the couple hiding? Once they arrive it’s not long before the couple experience ghostly happenings, and that’s when this novel gets bone chillingly creepy. Rosalind House, an abandoned asylum is the perfect setting for this novel, it hides a tragic past, where secrets and passed misdoings are hidden in the very fabric of the building. It’s a building steeped in myths and legends where bad things happened, and as the author slowly reveals its dark and deadly secrets I found myself becoming more fearful at each turn of the page.
The characters in The Lingering are fabulously depicted, rich in personality, and complex. Jack and Ali Gardner what a couple, their relationship is one based on coercion and control, a relationship that’s shrouded in lies and deceit. You know from the beginning the couple are hiding something BIG, and that alone adds an over whelming sense of uneasiness that intensifies as the Gardner’s dark secrets are slowly revealed.
I guess the spooky supernatural element might not suit all crime fiction fans, but if like me you read The Lingering with an open mind I’m sure you will end up loving it as much as I did. The Lingering explores the nature of true evil, the psychological aspect of this novel is dark in tone as the author delves into the minds of a very disturbed couple. This novel is exceptionally well plotted, original, creepy and very disturbing and yet it is one of the most compelling novels I’ve had the pleasure to read in a long time, and definitely a contender for my “book of the year”. Highly, highly recommended.
All my reviews can be found at http://thebookreviewcafe.com
November 22, 2018
I don’t normally read scary stories because I’m a big fat wuss and I was slightly worried, that just like with scary movies, I’d be hiding behind my sofa or have my face buried in a pillow which would make reading rather difficult. Luckily though, I wouldn’t quite label this one as a scary read. Creepy? Absolutely! Chilling? Right to the bone!
The Lingering oozes atmosphere from the very first page, almost like a movie scene. Driving a car down a driveway, seeing a house loom up in front of you for the first time. Not just any house though for this place used to be a mental asylum and if there’s any setting more exciting than that one, I haven’t discovered it yet. Who knows what secrets are hidden in the walls and the shadows?
Married couple Jack and Ali leave behind everything they’ve ever known to move into Rosalind House and be part of a commune. It’s relatively obvious from the start that all is not well with these two. Their arrival at Rosalind House sets in motion a series of unexplained events. But who or what is responsible? Obviously I can’t tell you that but I will say this is one tense, suspenseful and thrilling ride. I wasn’t at all sure of the outcome, couldn’t see how things would end up but found the conclusion absolutely satisfying.
Part domestic thriller, part ghost story The Lingering had me absolutely hooked. Talk about a gripping read, hoo boy! I couldn’t get a feel for any of the characters at all which just added to this sense of unease that I found quite hard to let go of, even hours after finishing the book. On top of that, we are treated to diary chapters written by a doctor who used to work at the psychiatric institution and in an odd sort of way, those frightened me more than anything because they felt incredibly realistic and believable in showing what human beings are capable of.
The Lingering is one dark and disturbing read. With a brilliantly executed plot and complex characters, this haunting tale will linger (see what I did there?) in your mind for days. I have no doubt you’ll see this one pop up near the end of the year on my list of books of 2018.
PS : Do not read in the bathtub. You’ll thank me later.
The Lingering oozes atmosphere from the very first page, almost like a movie scene. Driving a car down a driveway, seeing a house loom up in front of you for the first time. Not just any house though for this place used to be a mental asylum and if there’s any setting more exciting than that one, I haven’t discovered it yet. Who knows what secrets are hidden in the walls and the shadows?
Married couple Jack and Ali leave behind everything they’ve ever known to move into Rosalind House and be part of a commune. It’s relatively obvious from the start that all is not well with these two. Their arrival at Rosalind House sets in motion a series of unexplained events. But who or what is responsible? Obviously I can’t tell you that but I will say this is one tense, suspenseful and thrilling ride. I wasn’t at all sure of the outcome, couldn’t see how things would end up but found the conclusion absolutely satisfying.
Part domestic thriller, part ghost story The Lingering had me absolutely hooked. Talk about a gripping read, hoo boy! I couldn’t get a feel for any of the characters at all which just added to this sense of unease that I found quite hard to let go of, even hours after finishing the book. On top of that, we are treated to diary chapters written by a doctor who used to work at the psychiatric institution and in an odd sort of way, those frightened me more than anything because they felt incredibly realistic and believable in showing what human beings are capable of.
The Lingering is one dark and disturbing read. With a brilliantly executed plot and complex characters, this haunting tale will linger (see what I did there?) in your mind for days. I have no doubt you’ll see this one pop up near the end of the year on my list of books of 2018.
PS : Do not read in the bathtub. You’ll thank me later.
October 19, 2019
Creepy, atmospheric read for October? Yessss please! I have had this book on my kindle for so long just waiting for the perfect time to read it, now is the time! Bodies of water that feel like they are pulling you down, trying to smother and drown you...cold flashes....glimpses of ghosts...wet footsteps when nobody is around to leave them...things that go bump in the night...yep this is my kind of book.
Would you live in a former asylum? One that served as a psychiatric hospital that practiced "questionable practices?" A big stately building that is gorgeous on the outside, but on the inside the walls hold all kinds of secrets? Nope, not this girl, not staying one single night in that place.
The Rosalind House is a commune that is very selective in their residents. A collection of quite a eccentric group of people that are looking to leave the real world behind. To shut out all the stress of their past lives and immerse themselves and "embrace the light." They are extensively vetted to make sure they are the right fit. Except for the newest residents Ali and Jack. Well, well, well...what do we have here?! A great story in the making....
This is my first Susi Holliday book I have read, I must say I love her writing style. She spun such a creepy, ghostly atmospheric story she managed to creep me out. The people in the town gossip that the Rosalind House is haunted and I have to agree! It took me all the way until the end to realize what the title was referring to and it is the perfect title for this book! The cover is not only amazing but fits this story to the tee. Loved it and looking forward to more from Susi Holliday!!
Would you live in a former asylum? One that served as a psychiatric hospital that practiced "questionable practices?" A big stately building that is gorgeous on the outside, but on the inside the walls hold all kinds of secrets? Nope, not this girl, not staying one single night in that place.
The Rosalind House is a commune that is very selective in their residents. A collection of quite a eccentric group of people that are looking to leave the real world behind. To shut out all the stress of their past lives and immerse themselves and "embrace the light." They are extensively vetted to make sure they are the right fit. Except for the newest residents Ali and Jack. Well, well, well...what do we have here?! A great story in the making....
This is my first Susi Holliday book I have read, I must say I love her writing style. She spun such a creepy, ghostly atmospheric story she managed to creep me out. The people in the town gossip that the Rosalind House is haunted and I have to agree! It took me all the way until the end to realize what the title was referring to and it is the perfect title for this book! The cover is not only amazing but fits this story to the tee. Loved it and looking forward to more from Susi Holliday!!
October 23, 2018
As always this review can also be found on my blog The Tattooed Book Geek: https://thetattooedbookgeek.wordpress...
I think that the tagline for The Lingering should be as follows:
The Lingering: giving you a reason not to bath since 2018! 😱😂🛀👻
Jack and Ali Gardiner (a policeman and a psychiatric nurse) have sold most of their worldly possessions, trading in the city life and their stressful jobs for a fresh start. Starting over away from it all in the Fens at Rosalind House. Taking their places in The Rosalind House Community Project which is a self-sufficient commune (formed in 1995 by Smeaton Dunsmore) where the goal is to ‘bring in the light‘ embracing peace and living in freedom.
Within the commune, there is limited interaction with the outside world. Things like mobile phones, the Internet, TV and radio, excessive drinking, driving, swearing (the absolute horror) and visiting the local village aren’t outright banned but they are frowned upon and members are urged to renounce their usage and let go of all outside influences.
The commune itself is only small in number with eleven current members including the founder, Smeaton and ‘Fairy‘ Angela. Angela is a ghost hunter, a quirky and odd sort who just wants a place to belong. After spending time in the nearby village before moving to the commune she is also knowledgeable on the area and the history of Rosalind House and sees it as the ideal place to prove the existence of ghosts.
From the start, it is obvious that Ali and Jack are hiding something and that they aren’t simply escaping the daily grind and the rat race for a more measured and natural way of life. Out of the couple, Ali seems to be the one that is in charge and it was her idea to move to Rosalind House with Jack following her lead.
At first, the pair seems to have trouble settling in but it is put down to the remote and quiet country location that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city where they came from and the changes to their everyday lives. Even though he was initially sceptical Jack adapts to life in the commune seeming to find his place, helping out with various jobs and coming into himself. Ali, on the other hand, struggles to find her own place, remaining abrupt and unsociable with the other members. Shunning Angela’s attempts at friendship, constantly seeming on edge and fraying at the seams after experiencing strange disturbances from her first day at Rosalind House.
The other members are unsure about Jack and Ali. The pair managed to bypass the usual process for joining by offering cash to Smeaton who accepted to pay for work to help fix parts of the dilapidated old building. The commune isn’t for everyone but it’s more than that. There’s something off about the couple and their arrival seems to have shifted the balance, awakening something that had laid dormant in the house.
With The Lingering Holliday has created the type of book that has a gnawing sense of foreboding throughout its length. A simmering tension that lingers alongside as you read and that creeps under your skin. With more and more ghostly and strange occurrences happening things finally come to a head when Jack and Ali’s secret is discovered and the truth about them slowly becomes apparent.
The Lingering is told mainly from the perspectives of Ali and Angela with the sporadic chapter included by Smeaton. Both Ali and Smeaton’s chapters are written in the third person perspective whilst Angela’s is written in the first person perspective. As the story progresses Holliday allows us the chance to get to know her characters and regardless of whether it’s in first person or third person her characters are fully-fleshed and feel real.
Rosalind House is steeped in a disturbing history (if only walls could talk) and The Lingering is a story where the setting is just as important as the characters. In the capable and evocative hands of Holliday Rosalind House and its grounds come alive and feel like a living and breathing atmospheric entity. A grand family house with ties to witchcraft and witches that was burnt to the ground in the seventeenth century and that up until the mid-nineteenth century when an asylum was built on the grounds had been abandoned. The asylum was then turned into a psychiatric hospital in the 1940’s and remained empty from its closure until Smeaton purchased the property for his commune in 1995.
Along with the present day story, there are excerpts that are interspersed from the journal of Dr Henry Baldock who worked at Rosalind House back when it was a psychiatric hospital in 1955 focusing on his investigating allegations of abuse, the use of outdated and barbaric practices and mistreatment towards the patients. These journal entries (which I loved) are used to add additional insight and history to Rosalind House and as the bridge between the present storyline and the events from the past, helping to tie it all together and they are absolutely fascinating to read.
To go along with the haunted house and thriller elements in The Lingering there is an additional focus on coercion and control within the story too. Looking at how a person can be controlled and how easily they can be influenced into doing something another person wants through manipulation and mind games. And, how far can that person push the other before they break (or will they eventually say no) when what they are asking of them is wrong and goes against their nature. Evil has many faces and it can manifest in many different guises appearing in seemingly the most innocuous, normal and ordinary type of person. The Lingering features one such person and allows you a glimpse into their clever, controlling and depraved mind.
Clocking in at just over 250 pages The Lingering is only a short book and it left me torn! I was torn between either devouring the book and flying through the pages or reading it slowly over a number of days and savouring it. In the end, gripped by the story, wanting to know what happens next, lacking in willpower and thanks to a couple of holy shit shocks and twists I said fuck it and flew through the pages of what is a delectably dark tale.
Part haunted house ghost story, part psychological thriller and all dark with an air of mystery that pervades the pages The Lingering is a scintillating read that will chill you.
I think that the tagline for The Lingering should be as follows:
The Lingering: giving you a reason not to bath since 2018! 😱😂🛀👻
Jack and Ali Gardiner (a policeman and a psychiatric nurse) have sold most of their worldly possessions, trading in the city life and their stressful jobs for a fresh start. Starting over away from it all in the Fens at Rosalind House. Taking their places in The Rosalind House Community Project which is a self-sufficient commune (formed in 1995 by Smeaton Dunsmore) where the goal is to ‘bring in the light‘ embracing peace and living in freedom.
Within the commune, there is limited interaction with the outside world. Things like mobile phones, the Internet, TV and radio, excessive drinking, driving, swearing (the absolute horror) and visiting the local village aren’t outright banned but they are frowned upon and members are urged to renounce their usage and let go of all outside influences.
The commune itself is only small in number with eleven current members including the founder, Smeaton and ‘Fairy‘ Angela. Angela is a ghost hunter, a quirky and odd sort who just wants a place to belong. After spending time in the nearby village before moving to the commune she is also knowledgeable on the area and the history of Rosalind House and sees it as the ideal place to prove the existence of ghosts.
From the start, it is obvious that Ali and Jack are hiding something and that they aren’t simply escaping the daily grind and the rat race for a more measured and natural way of life. Out of the couple, Ali seems to be the one that is in charge and it was her idea to move to Rosalind House with Jack following her lead.
At first, the pair seems to have trouble settling in but it is put down to the remote and quiet country location that is far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city where they came from and the changes to their everyday lives. Even though he was initially sceptical Jack adapts to life in the commune seeming to find his place, helping out with various jobs and coming into himself. Ali, on the other hand, struggles to find her own place, remaining abrupt and unsociable with the other members. Shunning Angela’s attempts at friendship, constantly seeming on edge and fraying at the seams after experiencing strange disturbances from her first day at Rosalind House.
The other members are unsure about Jack and Ali. The pair managed to bypass the usual process for joining by offering cash to Smeaton who accepted to pay for work to help fix parts of the dilapidated old building. The commune isn’t for everyone but it’s more than that. There’s something off about the couple and their arrival seems to have shifted the balance, awakening something that had laid dormant in the house.
With The Lingering Holliday has created the type of book that has a gnawing sense of foreboding throughout its length. A simmering tension that lingers alongside as you read and that creeps under your skin. With more and more ghostly and strange occurrences happening things finally come to a head when Jack and Ali’s secret is discovered and the truth about them slowly becomes apparent.
The Lingering is told mainly from the perspectives of Ali and Angela with the sporadic chapter included by Smeaton. Both Ali and Smeaton’s chapters are written in the third person perspective whilst Angela’s is written in the first person perspective. As the story progresses Holliday allows us the chance to get to know her characters and regardless of whether it’s in first person or third person her characters are fully-fleshed and feel real.
Rosalind House is steeped in a disturbing history (if only walls could talk) and The Lingering is a story where the setting is just as important as the characters. In the capable and evocative hands of Holliday Rosalind House and its grounds come alive and feel like a living and breathing atmospheric entity. A grand family house with ties to witchcraft and witches that was burnt to the ground in the seventeenth century and that up until the mid-nineteenth century when an asylum was built on the grounds had been abandoned. The asylum was then turned into a psychiatric hospital in the 1940’s and remained empty from its closure until Smeaton purchased the property for his commune in 1995.
Along with the present day story, there are excerpts that are interspersed from the journal of Dr Henry Baldock who worked at Rosalind House back when it was a psychiatric hospital in 1955 focusing on his investigating allegations of abuse, the use of outdated and barbaric practices and mistreatment towards the patients. These journal entries (which I loved) are used to add additional insight and history to Rosalind House and as the bridge between the present storyline and the events from the past, helping to tie it all together and they are absolutely fascinating to read.
To go along with the haunted house and thriller elements in The Lingering there is an additional focus on coercion and control within the story too. Looking at how a person can be controlled and how easily they can be influenced into doing something another person wants through manipulation and mind games. And, how far can that person push the other before they break (or will they eventually say no) when what they are asking of them is wrong and goes against their nature. Evil has many faces and it can manifest in many different guises appearing in seemingly the most innocuous, normal and ordinary type of person. The Lingering features one such person and allows you a glimpse into their clever, controlling and depraved mind.
Clocking in at just over 250 pages The Lingering is only a short book and it left me torn! I was torn between either devouring the book and flying through the pages or reading it slowly over a number of days and savouring it. In the end, gripped by the story, wanting to know what happens next, lacking in willpower and thanks to a couple of holy shit shocks and twists I said fuck it and flew through the pages of what is a delectably dark tale.
Part haunted house ghost story, part psychological thriller and all dark with an air of mystery that pervades the pages The Lingering is a scintillating read that will chill you.
November 13, 2018
If you’re like many readers and like to try and match your reads to the season then have I got the perfect book for you to add to your fall/winter TBR! The Lingering is ideal to dive into this time of year, it has a rich and vivid setting that will get under your skin, and the story itself is intriguing and also toes the line with hints at the supernatural without it totally taking over the plot. An added bonus for me is that it’s set in a commune and that sort of lifestyle absolutely fascinates me and this one was very interesting.
This flips back and forth between Ali’s POV and Angela’s, a valued member of the commune. The entire idea behind this group is that they seek the light in all things. They live in Rosalind House, which was once an old asylum which is such a creepy setting. There are many old stories and legends about what happened on the grounds and Angela is determined to prove there is the presence of ghosts one way or another.
Right away you feel like there is something a bit off about Ali and her husband Jack, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint what made me feel uneasy about them. Was it their vague references to their elusive past? Or maybe it was just the claustrophobic setting and hint of the unknown, but whatever it was, it worked SO well for me. There was a constant sense of dread and a little bit of fear throughout that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I fear discussing the plot further would only spoil things, but I’ll close by saying that this would appeal to a wide variety of readers as it’s mysterious, highly atmospheric and also has a historical vibe due to Rosalind Houses background, and it also went in a few directions I wasn’t expecting and that my friends, is what it’s all about!
The Lingering in three words: Atmospheric, Gripping and Creepy.
This flips back and forth between Ali’s POV and Angela’s, a valued member of the commune. The entire idea behind this group is that they seek the light in all things. They live in Rosalind House, which was once an old asylum which is such a creepy setting. There are many old stories and legends about what happened on the grounds and Angela is determined to prove there is the presence of ghosts one way or another.
Right away you feel like there is something a bit off about Ali and her husband Jack, but I couldn’t quite pinpoint what made me feel uneasy about them. Was it their vague references to their elusive past? Or maybe it was just the claustrophobic setting and hint of the unknown, but whatever it was, it worked SO well for me. There was a constant sense of dread and a little bit of fear throughout that kept me on the edge of my seat.
I fear discussing the plot further would only spoil things, but I’ll close by saying that this would appeal to a wide variety of readers as it’s mysterious, highly atmospheric and also has a historical vibe due to Rosalind Houses background, and it also went in a few directions I wasn’t expecting and that my friends, is what it’s all about!
The Lingering in three words: Atmospheric, Gripping and Creepy.
September 30, 2018
There is always something about a story set in a commune that instantly appeals to me. Especially when the building they are living in is a former psychiatric home. Alarm bells started to go off in my head and I knew no matter what, I had to read this book.
The story alternates mainly between Ali, who has just arrived at the commune and Angela who is a long standing resident there. Angela is quite a quirky character. She believes in the super natural and is determined to find proof that the building houses ghosts. It just adds to the whole atmosphere of the story.
Ali and Jack have obviously come to the commune under a cloud. They seem to be running away from something but we just don't quite know what. My interest was certainly piqued as to why they would give up their everyday lives to hide away in a commune.
The Lingering really is an atmospheric read. The setting, the building, the nice back story by way of a doctors journal into life when the building was a psychiatric home, it really does have it all. The story does very much focus on present day but I did love the added suspense of what had happened in the past. It really does hold plenty of surprises in store and I thoroughly enjoyed this chilling reading experience that certainly delivers chills and thrills a plenty.
My thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
The story alternates mainly between Ali, who has just arrived at the commune and Angela who is a long standing resident there. Angela is quite a quirky character. She believes in the super natural and is determined to find proof that the building houses ghosts. It just adds to the whole atmosphere of the story.
Ali and Jack have obviously come to the commune under a cloud. They seem to be running away from something but we just don't quite know what. My interest was certainly piqued as to why they would give up their everyday lives to hide away in a commune.
The Lingering really is an atmospheric read. The setting, the building, the nice back story by way of a doctors journal into life when the building was a psychiatric home, it really does have it all. The story does very much focus on present day but I did love the added suspense of what had happened in the past. It really does hold plenty of surprises in store and I thoroughly enjoyed this chilling reading experience that certainly delivers chills and thrills a plenty.
My thanks to Anne Cater and Orenda Books for an advanced readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own and not biased in anyway.
November 7, 2018
An abandoned lunatic asylum is the perfect setting for a ghost story and Rosalind House, built in1845, is now the home of a “synergistic loving” community presided over by Smeaton Dunsmore, one of the narrators. The community rule is a volume called The Book of Light. Mostly they seem keen on gardening and carpentry. Another resident and narrator is Angela Fairley, who humorously refers herself as Fairy Angela, and is a psychic investigator searching the house for evidence of paranormal activity. Their community is joined by a couple, Ali and Jack, who ostensibly are in quest of a quiet retreat. She used to be a nurse and he a police officer, but the inquisitive Angela discovers evidence that there is something fishy in their past.
“I was fascinated by the paranormal, folklore, the seventeen-century witch trials…. I trained myself to read tarot, dabbled with Ouija boards … but it was pretty obvious that I didn’t possess a channel. So I … decided to make it my life’s work to prove the existence of ghosts” is Angela’s statement of her calling. She doesn’t experience the appearance of ghosts herself, but she tells Ali, “I think you can only see ghosts if you’re responsible for taking a life.” Ali herself has an experience of being attacked by something in the bath. Later she experiences sighting a wet child, a boy no one else can see.
The Lingering was a superb Halloween read for me and I am delighted to welcome SJI Holliday to my my list of favourites that includes Susan Hill, Andrew Taylor, and F. G. Cottam. It is difficult to develop the classic ghost story to full-scale novel length. To make The Lingering work, Holliday has to introduce some themes from other genres. So besides the ghost of an old victim we have a serial killer on the loose and another traditional standby, pharmaceutical experiments. But though I found my credulity a trifle strained, The Lingering was a non-stop read. If you like plausible horror fiction, you should enjoy this story.
“I was fascinated by the paranormal, folklore, the seventeen-century witch trials…. I trained myself to read tarot, dabbled with Ouija boards … but it was pretty obvious that I didn’t possess a channel. So I … decided to make it my life’s work to prove the existence of ghosts” is Angela’s statement of her calling. She doesn’t experience the appearance of ghosts herself, but she tells Ali, “I think you can only see ghosts if you’re responsible for taking a life.” Ali herself has an experience of being attacked by something in the bath. Later she experiences sighting a wet child, a boy no one else can see.
The Lingering was a superb Halloween read for me and I am delighted to welcome SJI Holliday to my my list of favourites that includes Susan Hill, Andrew Taylor, and F. G. Cottam. It is difficult to develop the classic ghost story to full-scale novel length. To make The Lingering work, Holliday has to introduce some themes from other genres. So besides the ghost of an old victim we have a serial killer on the loose and another traditional standby, pharmaceutical experiments. But though I found my credulity a trifle strained, The Lingering was a non-stop read. If you like plausible horror fiction, you should enjoy this story.
November 12, 2018
I don't even know where to begin with this book! I love that the synopsis is fairly vague so that you have no idea what to expect going in and I certainly wasn't expecting THAT.
Jack and Ali are having some marital issues.. so what's the best way to try and solve that? Why, pack up your bags and move to a commune. Seems legit. There's something interesting about this commune though - they're located on an abandoned psychiatric home, The Rosalind House. There's a history of abuse, ghosts and witches as a background. Again, seems legit! However, once they get there, things start happening and well... welcome to crazy town.
I was expecting this to read more like a cult book and that's not what I got. What I got was a semi-thriller/paranormal read and I'm not hating on it! Honestly, I wasn't all that hooked for the first 40% or so of the book. However, I was intrigued (albeit puzzled as to why the crazy cult phenomena I was expecting wasn't happening). Then BOOM, shit takes a left turn at Albuquerque and I was hooked.
Look - bring me an asylum with ghosts and I'm going to read it. This novel delivers on this with an underlying, ominous tone that keeps your mind at high alert to not miss anything. Ali and Jack are characters where you have no idea what's happening with them until quite a ways into the story line... and I appreciate the bait.
The Lingering title is suitable for many things that happen within the novel. The characters are fascinating, the eerie feel brings about an atmosphere of hesitance and paranoia and the unexpectedness of what the story brings is compelling and certainly unexpected.
Certainly a suitable read for those who love a psychological thriller mixed with some paranormal.
Thanks so much to Orenda Books for this copy.
Jack and Ali are having some marital issues.. so what's the best way to try and solve that? Why, pack up your bags and move to a commune. Seems legit. There's something interesting about this commune though - they're located on an abandoned psychiatric home, The Rosalind House. There's a history of abuse, ghosts and witches as a background. Again, seems legit! However, once they get there, things start happening and well... welcome to crazy town.
I was expecting this to read more like a cult book and that's not what I got. What I got was a semi-thriller/paranormal read and I'm not hating on it! Honestly, I wasn't all that hooked for the first 40% or so of the book. However, I was intrigued (albeit puzzled as to why the crazy cult phenomena I was expecting wasn't happening). Then BOOM, shit takes a left turn at Albuquerque and I was hooked.
Look - bring me an asylum with ghosts and I'm going to read it. This novel delivers on this with an underlying, ominous tone that keeps your mind at high alert to not miss anything. Ali and Jack are characters where you have no idea what's happening with them until quite a ways into the story line... and I appreciate the bait.
The Lingering title is suitable for many things that happen within the novel. The characters are fascinating, the eerie feel brings about an atmosphere of hesitance and paranoia and the unexpectedness of what the story brings is compelling and certainly unexpected.
Certainly a suitable read for those who love a psychological thriller mixed with some paranormal.
Thanks so much to Orenda Books for this copy.
November 14, 2018
3.5 stars
It's getting harder and harder to capture my attention when it comes to horror novels. The Lingering is thoroughly original, but it takes awhile for the build up to actually capture you. I battled between 3 and 4 stars for this title, so my opinion may change as I write this review. Ali and Jack Gardiner have decided to give up their livelihoods and move to the Rosalind House. The Rosalind House is a spiritual commune, run by a group of parishioners who have decided that today's society is too hectic for them, and they want a more simple future. The local villagers have commented that the Rosalind House has a dark past—it was owned by those practicing magic, and then became an insane asylum during the 1950s.
Jack and Ali slowly get acclimated to the Rosalind House and their inhabitants, but start witnessing strange and disturbing instances during their stay that they can't check off as mere coincidences. As Jack and Ali start investigating the occurrences at the Rosalind House, the basis for their decision to move there starts unraveling. Sometimes the most scary thing to find out, is the past that someone's left behind.
At 250 pages, The Lingering is a quick read that will deliver you an original paranormal tale. If you can take the slower pacing, then I highly recommend picking it up. There were moments that I felt frustrated, but as the story progressed, I started noticing that my interest in the plot was growing again. While I felt that the author could've dived in deeper with the paranormal, I still enjoyed how the novel was progressing in it's own rite. Once we get to the final conflict, my interest was at an all time high—I needed to know what was going to happen!
The Lingering is the type of book that you should go in knowing nothing about it. The mysterious cover should give you all the information that you need to get started. Did you enjoy this story? Let's talk about it!
It's getting harder and harder to capture my attention when it comes to horror novels. The Lingering is thoroughly original, but it takes awhile for the build up to actually capture you. I battled between 3 and 4 stars for this title, so my opinion may change as I write this review. Ali and Jack Gardiner have decided to give up their livelihoods and move to the Rosalind House. The Rosalind House is a spiritual commune, run by a group of parishioners who have decided that today's society is too hectic for them, and they want a more simple future. The local villagers have commented that the Rosalind House has a dark past—it was owned by those practicing magic, and then became an insane asylum during the 1950s.
Jack and Ali slowly get acclimated to the Rosalind House and their inhabitants, but start witnessing strange and disturbing instances during their stay that they can't check off as mere coincidences. As Jack and Ali start investigating the occurrences at the Rosalind House, the basis for their decision to move there starts unraveling. Sometimes the most scary thing to find out, is the past that someone's left behind.
At 250 pages, The Lingering is a quick read that will deliver you an original paranormal tale. If you can take the slower pacing, then I highly recommend picking it up. There were moments that I felt frustrated, but as the story progressed, I started noticing that my interest in the plot was growing again. While I felt that the author could've dived in deeper with the paranormal, I still enjoyed how the novel was progressing in it's own rite. Once we get to the final conflict, my interest was at an all time high—I needed to know what was going to happen!
The Lingering is the type of book that you should go in knowing nothing about it. The mysterious cover should give you all the information that you need to get started. Did you enjoy this story? Let's talk about it!
April 29, 2020
THE LINGERING, by S.J.I. Holliday was a gothic style ghost story that started out promising, in terms of atmosphere. Jack and Ali are moving into a "commune" of self-sufficient people. They are (obviously) leaving their jobs and lives in the city behind for a "new start" at life.
Almost immediately, you know that they are not the innocent couple they seem--in fact--this point is hammered in by the multiple character's viewpoints, including the two in question. The chapters are told by various POV's of the different individuals. A great tactic to get different perspectives, but in this case, they just seemed to reiterate the same points and observations/speculations over and over again.
". . . I think we all have a shadow side . . . what makes that side reveal itself. What prompts people to do the things they do, when they do the most awful things?"
Normally, I love tales told about homes made from former mental asylums. In this novel, however, I felt that a lot of that potential was wasted. Very little, aside from the same "alluded to" past, was used to magnify this aspect. As for the characters, they either had zero credibility, or were insanely clueless in putting two and two together. The main "twist" was something that I saw coming from very early on, so there really wasn't anything that "surprised" me here. When you can't connect to the characters, you often lose interest in everything that happens.
However, this book has had some great reviews, as well, so take into consideration that this is just my personal experience. While there was a lot of potential, I felt as if the author failed to capitalize on it.
Almost immediately, you know that they are not the innocent couple they seem--in fact--this point is hammered in by the multiple character's viewpoints, including the two in question. The chapters are told by various POV's of the different individuals. A great tactic to get different perspectives, but in this case, they just seemed to reiterate the same points and observations/speculations over and over again.
". . . I think we all have a shadow side . . . what makes that side reveal itself. What prompts people to do the things they do, when they do the most awful things?"
Normally, I love tales told about homes made from former mental asylums. In this novel, however, I felt that a lot of that potential was wasted. Very little, aside from the same "alluded to" past, was used to magnify this aspect. As for the characters, they either had zero credibility, or were insanely clueless in putting two and two together. The main "twist" was something that I saw coming from very early on, so there really wasn't anything that "surprised" me here. When you can't connect to the characters, you often lose interest in everything that happens.
However, this book has had some great reviews, as well, so take into consideration that this is just my personal experience. While there was a lot of potential, I felt as if the author failed to capitalize on it.
October 11, 2018
I have to admit this was well written but:
-the plot was fairly obvious from the beginning
-It wasn't very spooky (maybe this was my fault for reading it on the train at nine a.m. instead of alone at night)
- was an idiot
-The thing with the village peoplenot YMCA village people, although that would've been a funny twist was a missed opportunity
-The whole ending and reveal with a certain character was rushed and lackluster
-my expectations were too high because look at that cover!!
It wasn't my cup of tea, but I still would read more from this author.
-the plot was fairly obvious from the beginning
-It wasn't very spooky (maybe this was my fault for reading it on the train at nine a.m. instead of alone at night)
- was an idiot
-The thing with the village people
-The whole ending and reveal with a certain character was rushed and lackluster
-my expectations were too high because look at that cover!!
It wasn't my cup of tea, but I still would read more from this author.
December 12, 2018
"It's the house they need to worry about. What it was built on. The memories that live here, hidden deep in the foundations."
I saw The Lingering pop up around bookstagram & I had to get a copy! First off, this cover is gorgeous. It's so haunting & I could tell this was going to be a good one.
The Lingering is definitely a slow burn, so don't expect a fast-paced thriller here. It's a gothic blend of horror and suspense. While I think there could have been a bit more focus on the ghostiness in the first half of the book, everything still flowed nicely.
I thought that the weaving of past and present was done really well - Holliday did not rely too heavily on journal entries, files, etc., and used them just the right amount to maintain interest. I loved unraveling the stories within this book, and was actually surprised by how things turned out.
There were so many great pieces to this story, and I do wish we would have been snowing to hear more about the cult. It's a pretty short book, some some areas don't have as in-depth of an exploration as I would have liked, but I didn't felt that it took anything away from the story as a whole.
There's a lot of drama playing out in The Lingering, and I enjoyed trying to sort everything out. There were some unexpected twists, and some storylines were pretty over-the-top, but this was a fun read for me. I loved that it was set in a huge gothic building, yet the story still felt claustrophobic because it was a small cult grouped in the same areas of the building. Everything else was empty and ominous. I would absolutely love to read more books set at the Rosalind House if they ever exist. I hope to read more from SJI Holliday!
I saw The Lingering pop up around bookstagram & I had to get a copy! First off, this cover is gorgeous. It's so haunting & I could tell this was going to be a good one.
The Lingering is definitely a slow burn, so don't expect a fast-paced thriller here. It's a gothic blend of horror and suspense. While I think there could have been a bit more focus on the ghostiness in the first half of the book, everything still flowed nicely.
I thought that the weaving of past and present was done really well - Holliday did not rely too heavily on journal entries, files, etc., and used them just the right amount to maintain interest. I loved unraveling the stories within this book, and was actually surprised by how things turned out.
There were so many great pieces to this story, and I do wish we would have been snowing to hear more about the cult. It's a pretty short book, some some areas don't have as in-depth of an exploration as I would have liked, but I didn't felt that it took anything away from the story as a whole.
There's a lot of drama playing out in The Lingering, and I enjoyed trying to sort everything out. There were some unexpected twists, and some storylines were pretty over-the-top, but this was a fun read for me. I loved that it was set in a huge gothic building, yet the story still felt claustrophobic because it was a small cult grouped in the same areas of the building. Everything else was empty and ominous. I would absolutely love to read more books set at the Rosalind House if they ever exist. I hope to read more from SJI Holliday!
January 27, 2019
Commune - check
Asylum - check
Murder - check
Creepy - check, check, check
4.5 * What is not to like lol. I really enjoyed this creepy and atmospheric story set in a commune based in an old asylum, which didn't end up going where I thought it was, I like surprises (in books). Definitely creepy with an interesting premise and characters. If you like ghost stories and fancy something a little different give it a go.
Asylum - check
Murder - check
Creepy - check, check, check
4.5 * What is not to like lol. I really enjoyed this creepy and atmospheric story set in a commune based in an old asylum, which didn't end up going where I thought it was, I like surprises (in books). Definitely creepy with an interesting premise and characters. If you like ghost stories and fancy something a little different give it a go.
January 7, 2020
4.5 STARS.
I’ve been dying to read another paranormal thriller for a while now and this one was just what I needed 🙌🏼 This book was so sinister and creepy in the best ways possible and I can’t believe I didn’t read this book sooner!
What I loved most about this book was how unsettling it was. While it is definitely a slow-burn, it’s executed so well to where it gives you all the creeps throughout 👻 I also really loved how this wasn’t just your typical haunted house novel and there is MUCH more to the story than what meets the eye. It’s such a unique story and I’m honestly glad I went in to this one not knowing much about it because I was pleasantly surprised 👌🏼
The only issue I had with this book was that the story felt like it started to drag when I hit the midway point. I was hooked right from the beginning, but the middle section was definitely slower and there wasn’t much going on. Besides that, this was a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it 🤓
TRIGGERS: Hunting/Shooting Animals, Suicide
Overall, I would highly recommend this one to you guys! If you love paranormal thrillers or you’re wanting to try one out, this one is for you 🙌🏼🖤
I’ve been dying to read another paranormal thriller for a while now and this one was just what I needed 🙌🏼 This book was so sinister and creepy in the best ways possible and I can’t believe I didn’t read this book sooner!
What I loved most about this book was how unsettling it was. While it is definitely a slow-burn, it’s executed so well to where it gives you all the creeps throughout 👻 I also really loved how this wasn’t just your typical haunted house novel and there is MUCH more to the story than what meets the eye. It’s such a unique story and I’m honestly glad I went in to this one not knowing much about it because I was pleasantly surprised 👌🏼
The only issue I had with this book was that the story felt like it started to drag when I hit the midway point. I was hooked right from the beginning, but the middle section was definitely slower and there wasn’t much going on. Besides that, this was a fantastic read and I thoroughly enjoyed it 🤓
TRIGGERS: Hunting/Shooting Animals, Suicide
Overall, I would highly recommend this one to you guys! If you love paranormal thrillers or you’re wanting to try one out, this one is for you 🙌🏼🖤
November 14, 2018
What really caught my interest in this book is that it's set in a former asylum and psychiatric hospital. This book has all kinds of things going on ... psychological horror, mystery, supernatural, and quirky, disturbing residents.
Jack and Ali move to a commune in a small village. noted for its history of witches. Once they arrive, all manner of strange things occur and the residents become extremely jumpy ... so what do they know that Jack and Ali don't?
This is a disturbing read, making the hair on my arms stand up, and I wound up sleeping with the light on. Horror is not my preferred genre, but once I started reading, I couldn't stop.
This is well-written, with characters that stand out. Jack and Ali drop everything to leave their past and show up at this commune. Why? What are they hiding?
The suspense builds chapter by chapter to a very surprising ending. If you like horror ... this is the book for you!
Many thanks to the author / TBC Reviewer Request Group (FB) for the digital copy of this dark and disturbing book. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
November 18, 2018
Amazing beginning and setting up the premise, it got a bit slow in the middle, however the ending was great !!
November 14, 2018
The Lingering was a great spooky October read. This books has a bit of everything; domestic thriller, strange commune in a former psychiatric institution, and ghosts. What more could you want? It is super fast-paced with non-stop twists and turns. Loved it!
October 3, 2018
Blimey that was rather brilliant!! And creepy AF!! I think the moral of this story is 'trust nobody'. Oh, and don't ever take a bath.......ever, ever again!!!
The Lingering is a (very!) twisted supernatural crime story. We are introduced to Jack and Ali Gardner who decide to leave their old life behind to begin again at a self sufficient commune. The village they move to has link to witchcraft and the locals are well aware of the stories and history. Even Rosalind House where the commune has set up used to be a psychiatric home - so the level of creepiness around the area is bound to be high!
The move is equally liberating and terrifying for them both. But it's Jack who seems to settle into the routine of life there quicker than Ali. She seems permanently on edge around the others and reluctant to fully embrace the commune life to begin with. She seems quite an insecure personality and doesn't like to be left alone, whereas Jack is happy to throw himself into various projects. It becomes clear they have moved here to escape things that have happened in the past - never an easy thing to do.
Angela is one of the commune residents and their resident 'ghostbuster'! She's determined to capture spooky activity on camera and she is equally wary of the new residents but goes out of her way to be friendly. Something that isn't always reciprocated.
There's also flashbacks throughout to a journal from 1955 from a Doctor who worked at the hospital and witnessed some very strange things and these really added another element of interest to the storyline.
There are a number of weird goings on at the commune, strange sightings and your interest is continually raised trying to work out why these things are happening and if any of the rumours are true! I found myself constantly on edge as the darkness of the story increased and with an extremely chilling ending it just rounded off a wonderful but disturbing read!!
The Lingering is a (very!) twisted supernatural crime story. We are introduced to Jack and Ali Gardner who decide to leave their old life behind to begin again at a self sufficient commune. The village they move to has link to witchcraft and the locals are well aware of the stories and history. Even Rosalind House where the commune has set up used to be a psychiatric home - so the level of creepiness around the area is bound to be high!
The move is equally liberating and terrifying for them both. But it's Jack who seems to settle into the routine of life there quicker than Ali. She seems permanently on edge around the others and reluctant to fully embrace the commune life to begin with. She seems quite an insecure personality and doesn't like to be left alone, whereas Jack is happy to throw himself into various projects. It becomes clear they have moved here to escape things that have happened in the past - never an easy thing to do.
Angela is one of the commune residents and their resident 'ghostbuster'! She's determined to capture spooky activity on camera and she is equally wary of the new residents but goes out of her way to be friendly. Something that isn't always reciprocated.
There's also flashbacks throughout to a journal from 1955 from a Doctor who worked at the hospital and witnessed some very strange things and these really added another element of interest to the storyline.
There are a number of weird goings on at the commune, strange sightings and your interest is continually raised trying to work out why these things are happening and if any of the rumours are true! I found myself constantly on edge as the darkness of the story increased and with an extremely chilling ending it just rounded off a wonderful but disturbing read!!
November 3, 2018
I loved this book! I adore novels with a creepy edge and The Lingering was such a treat. I listened via audiobook and the narrators did such a great job of bringing the characters to life. The story focuses around three main characters, Ali, her husband Jack and Angela, who all stay in a commune - a former psychiatric home with a very dark past. I adored Angela, with all her theories on the supernatural and funny little quirks. Halfway through the book, the story took a turn - although I won't spoil the surprise for readers here. Just to say that you'll know when you get to it. It was such a great twist to the tale and I raced through the rest of the book. S.J.Holliday is a fantastic writer, she has such a talent for drawing out the darkest emotions in her characters in The Lingering and describes the spooky settings with great poetic flair. The Lingering is evocative and haunting, a truly nerve-tingling read.
March 20, 2021
I recently finished Violet by this author and really enjoyed it but didn't expect to pick up another book by her so soon...buuuttt this sounded so good and I wanted an all-consuming read outside my reality.
This fulfilled all my expectations and did the job!
It's a multi POV psychological thriller and it's such a great story!
There are a couple of issues that will not be to everyone's taste; unlikeable characters and paranormal elements. I don't want to give too much away but you will need to suspend believability if you want to fully enjoy this twisty monstrosity of a plot!
This fulfilled all my expectations and did the job!
It's a multi POV psychological thriller and it's such a great story!
There are a couple of issues that will not be to everyone's taste; unlikeable characters and paranormal elements. I don't want to give too much away but you will need to suspend believability if you want to fully enjoy this twisty monstrosity of a plot!
October 22, 2018
I purchased this book completely on the word of a blogger friend, maybe you know Inge at The Belgian Reviewer? She has great taste in books, so I knew it had to be good. Of course, it was brilliant!
The Lingering is very different from the usual thrillers. At first you think Ali and Jack are a typical couple having marital problems, and this is their last-ditch attempt at trying to save their relationship. Mind you, going to live at a commune seems an unusual choice, but we don’t know their troubles yet, nor their personalities, so who are we to say?
Upon arrival, it would seem that Ali, though desperate to save her relationship, is the wronged party. Their interactions could even indicate some kind of domestic abuse. Boy was I wrong!
Everything I imagined as I started getting into the story, was completely wrong. In fact, I couldn’t have guessed what it was really about, and there lies the beauty of this story. It keeps you guessing right to the end, and the added paranormal element just makes it that more complex, and of course, terrifying.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I really like her style. She’s not afraid to take chances, and the way she blends genres is quite masterful.
I gobbled this book up in one sitting, gorged on it really, because I just could not put it down.
Excellent story, and very atmospheric. Not to mention, red herrings galore! I just loved it! This is a great choice for the season, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Rating… A+
The Lingering is very different from the usual thrillers. At first you think Ali and Jack are a typical couple having marital problems, and this is their last-ditch attempt at trying to save their relationship. Mind you, going to live at a commune seems an unusual choice, but we don’t know their troubles yet, nor their personalities, so who are we to say?
Upon arrival, it would seem that Ali, though desperate to save her relationship, is the wronged party. Their interactions could even indicate some kind of domestic abuse. Boy was I wrong!
Everything I imagined as I started getting into the story, was completely wrong. In fact, I couldn’t have guessed what it was really about, and there lies the beauty of this story. It keeps you guessing right to the end, and the added paranormal element just makes it that more complex, and of course, terrifying.
This is the first book I’ve read by this author but I really like her style. She’s not afraid to take chances, and the way she blends genres is quite masterful.
I gobbled this book up in one sitting, gorged on it really, because I just could not put it down.
Excellent story, and very atmospheric. Not to mention, red herrings galore! I just loved it! This is a great choice for the season, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Rating… A+
August 27, 2018
Wow. One of the spookiest books I've read in a long time. So beautifully written too. Holliday knows what to do with them words to make you jump at every sound while you're reading. Reminded me how I felt reading Rosemary's Baby when I was thirteen. Creepy, tense, and clever.
August 2, 2019
2.5 stars
RTC
RTC
November 12, 2018
Hypnotic, disturbing, and utterly chilling, THE LINGERING by SJI Holliday is the perfect book to read in a dimly lit room, in a big empty house - that is, if you want to terrify the life out of yourself!!
Rosalind House is the perfect place to live if you want to remove yourself from the pressures and stresses of the modern world and start afresh. While the old mansion has a chequered past with whispers of witchcraft and its disturbing history as an asylum, everyone who lives here doesn't feel any lingering spirits or danger. They embrace the light and all it represents. Until Jack and Ali arrive. With the new residents, the energy of the place seems to have altered and something dark and haunted is beginning to reach to the surface, but who is in danger? And just what is everyone hiding?
From the moment I picked up THE LINGERING by SJI Holliday, I was caught hook, line, and sinker and I didn't come up for air until I turned the last page. There are moments that will make your spine tingle, and when I was faced with the way women were treated in those places in the past, I felt ill to my stomach which shows the power of this author's words. The characters are unique and while some are more likeable than others, overall the residents of Rosalind Hall appear to be harmless, just a little lost. Ali and Jack had me confused from the beginning but as the truth of why they have left their old life behind comes to the surface, it is more shocking than you can imagine.
THE LINGERING by SJI Holliday is an excellent story of mystery, darkness, and tragedy and I highly recommend it. As always, Orenda Books brings something special to the table and I cannot wait for what SJI Holliday has up her sleeve next.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
Rosalind House is the perfect place to live if you want to remove yourself from the pressures and stresses of the modern world and start afresh. While the old mansion has a chequered past with whispers of witchcraft and its disturbing history as an asylum, everyone who lives here doesn't feel any lingering spirits or danger. They embrace the light and all it represents. Until Jack and Ali arrive. With the new residents, the energy of the place seems to have altered and something dark and haunted is beginning to reach to the surface, but who is in danger? And just what is everyone hiding?
From the moment I picked up THE LINGERING by SJI Holliday, I was caught hook, line, and sinker and I didn't come up for air until I turned the last page. There are moments that will make your spine tingle, and when I was faced with the way women were treated in those places in the past, I felt ill to my stomach which shows the power of this author's words. The characters are unique and while some are more likeable than others, overall the residents of Rosalind Hall appear to be harmless, just a little lost. Ali and Jack had me confused from the beginning but as the truth of why they have left their old life behind comes to the surface, it is more shocking than you can imagine.
THE LINGERING by SJI Holliday is an excellent story of mystery, darkness, and tragedy and I highly recommend it. As always, Orenda Books brings something special to the table and I cannot wait for what SJI Holliday has up her sleeve next.
*I voluntarily reviewed this book from the tour organiser
November 1, 2018
Strange sightings, she saw it, she felt it, something is lingering.
This novel had me gripped from early on, there were little hints dropped about Ali, they had me constantly asking myself, ‘what’s the story here’, and ‘what’s that sentence alluding to’? It was a great technique to build suspense and ensure this plot had my full attention.
“Are your unconscious thoughts as dark as your heart?”
You only have to say the word asylum and my ‘eerie-detector’ starts tingling; it’s one of my favourite setting for a novel, so it was to my great delight that interspersed throughout this novel we had journal entries from a doctor who worked at the house when it was a psychiatric home. This coupled with the history of the town (witches!) was so interesting, creepy, but so interesting!
“I already know about the hospital’s past, and more importantly what happened before that … a long time before, when superstition and fear ruled the land.”
The Lingering has this creepy undertone running throughout, and it creates this level of uncertainly – it draws you in, while unsettling you at the same time. The mystery is strong and the ghost story element is superbly written! Most importantly, it isn’t over-written, and that’s what gives this novel the believability factor. That and the character creation, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a read on Jack or Ali – initially, you’re not sure if you should be rooting for one over the other, both, or none. They are a couple clouded in secrets, seeking a fresh start, but what dark past are they running from?
The psychological aspects of this novel are brilliant, and the contrast between the characters added to the sense of unease. Ali has this dark aura about her, then you have Angela, a quirky believer in the paranormal, and with Smeaton you’re not entirely sure if he runs a cult or a commune. So the fact that these three narrate the novel works really well, because Ali is hiding her past, Angela wants her to reveal her past, and Smeaton wants to keep the peace, and I’m yet to read a novel where everyone gets what they want!
The Lingering will delight any light-horror/thriller fan, it’s incredibly atmospheric, it unsettles when it’s meant to, and chills when it needs to! The Lingering is the perfect title because as you read this novel, it feels like something is lingering, this darkness, this presence, and even once you’ve turned the last page, that lingering feeling never quite goes away…
“Something bad is coming.
And there’s no way to stop it.”
*My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
This novel had me gripped from early on, there were little hints dropped about Ali, they had me constantly asking myself, ‘what’s the story here’, and ‘what’s that sentence alluding to’? It was a great technique to build suspense and ensure this plot had my full attention.
“Are your unconscious thoughts as dark as your heart?”
You only have to say the word asylum and my ‘eerie-detector’ starts tingling; it’s one of my favourite setting for a novel, so it was to my great delight that interspersed throughout this novel we had journal entries from a doctor who worked at the house when it was a psychiatric home. This coupled with the history of the town (witches!) was so interesting, creepy, but so interesting!
“I already know about the hospital’s past, and more importantly what happened before that … a long time before, when superstition and fear ruled the land.”
The Lingering has this creepy undertone running throughout, and it creates this level of uncertainly – it draws you in, while unsettling you at the same time. The mystery is strong and the ghost story element is superbly written! Most importantly, it isn’t over-written, and that’s what gives this novel the believability factor. That and the character creation, no matter how hard you try, you cannot get a read on Jack or Ali – initially, you’re not sure if you should be rooting for one over the other, both, or none. They are a couple clouded in secrets, seeking a fresh start, but what dark past are they running from?
The psychological aspects of this novel are brilliant, and the contrast between the characters added to the sense of unease. Ali has this dark aura about her, then you have Angela, a quirky believer in the paranormal, and with Smeaton you’re not entirely sure if he runs a cult or a commune. So the fact that these three narrate the novel works really well, because Ali is hiding her past, Angela wants her to reveal her past, and Smeaton wants to keep the peace, and I’m yet to read a novel where everyone gets what they want!
The Lingering will delight any light-horror/thriller fan, it’s incredibly atmospheric, it unsettles when it’s meant to, and chills when it needs to! The Lingering is the perfect title because as you read this novel, it feels like something is lingering, this darkness, this presence, and even once you’ve turned the last page, that lingering feeling never quite goes away…
“Something bad is coming.
And there’s no way to stop it.”
*My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
November 12, 2020
When I first started reading "The Lingering" I though it would be a book about an innocent couple who joined a cult - thinking it was a commune. How wrong I was!
I could easily picture the setting and the creepy Rosalind House in my mind. The characters were not at all what I expected, but that is a good thing. This is far from the formulaic commune/cult novel. Sure you'll have to suspend your beliefs, especially if you completely shun the whole idea of ghosts and hauntings. This is fiction after all.
The story is told in alternating chapters via the perspectives of Ali Gardiner, Emily, and Rosalind House's leader, Smeaton Dunsmore.
A perfect read for the spooky month of October, "The Lingering" will spark your imagination and raise the hair on the back of your neck.
For my complete review of "The Lingering" visit: https://fictionophile.com/2020/10/29/...
I could easily picture the setting and the creepy Rosalind House in my mind. The characters were not at all what I expected, but that is a good thing. This is far from the formulaic commune/cult novel. Sure you'll have to suspend your beliefs, especially if you completely shun the whole idea of ghosts and hauntings. This is fiction after all.
The story is told in alternating chapters via the perspectives of Ali Gardiner, Emily, and Rosalind House's leader, Smeaton Dunsmore.
A perfect read for the spooky month of October, "The Lingering" will spark your imagination and raise the hair on the back of your neck.
For my complete review of "The Lingering" visit: https://fictionophile.com/2020/10/29/...
October 30, 2018
My Rating 3.5*
Control, Coercion and Retribution
Jack and Ali Gardiner arrive at Rosalind House running away from the life they have known. Jack worked for the police department in the very distressing unit of child protection. Ali worked as a nurse in a very busy hospital. Both arrive, exhausted, looking to start afresh and leaving the hectic and chaotic world of city life behind.
Rosalind House is home to a commune, a place of refuge for folk, who for various reasons, all want to leave the hardships of their lives behind them. The English Fens is the setting, with Rosalind House a place that holds a very interesting and quite disconcerting history, having once been the home of a psychiatric hospital. The local village was originally associated with witches leaving it’s residents still affected by the traumatic events of their past.
For the current residents of Rosalind House, it is a place of sweet refuge. They survive in a self-sufficient bubble where communication with the outside world, while not forbidden, is certainly not encouraged. When Ali and Jack meet up with the other residents there is an immediate, yet unexplained, change in the atmosphere.
Angela has been staying at Rosalind House for awhile now and is searching for her own truth. Having lived in the nearby village for sometime before moving in with the commune, Angela very much believes in the presence of those who have gone before. She is convinced that the troubled existence of the previous residents has left an aura, a shadow, a sense of something dark between the walls and corridors of Rosalind House. Angela is determined to unearth the secrets in the darkest of corners and she thinks she may have a friend in Ali.
As the weeks pass, life moves on for all the residents and Rosalind House appears calm. But underneath the surface something is happening, something is not right.
The Lingering is a mystery that drip feeds the reader as you try to figure out what’s real and what lies beneath the surface. All the characters have questionable traits which raise suspicions but yet they all appear to gel and know their place in the hierarchy.
The setting in the Fens conjures up a very brooding and dark place, surrounded by wetlands and woods, with parts of Rosalind House closed off and it’s secrets with it. The ominous atmosphere is ever present, particularly at night-time, as the silence descends on the building. There is something amiss in Rosalind House, a subtle change from the tranquil vibes that it’s residents were happy to cohabit in up to this point.
The Lingering is a dark gothic-style mystery with a ghostly vibe, but for me it was not quite the supernatural story I had been expecting. There are ‘otherwordly’ elements to the story, but I would have loved if the historical references were fleshed out a little further, with the walls of Rosalind House revealing a few more of it’s past secrets, adding to the sinister aspect of the story.
Overall there are dark personalities at play in The Lingering and the depravity of an evil and controlling mind is well depicted by the author, making for quite a suspenseful and atmospheric read.
Control, Coercion and Retribution
Jack and Ali Gardiner arrive at Rosalind House running away from the life they have known. Jack worked for the police department in the very distressing unit of child protection. Ali worked as a nurse in a very busy hospital. Both arrive, exhausted, looking to start afresh and leaving the hectic and chaotic world of city life behind.
Rosalind House is home to a commune, a place of refuge for folk, who for various reasons, all want to leave the hardships of their lives behind them. The English Fens is the setting, with Rosalind House a place that holds a very interesting and quite disconcerting history, having once been the home of a psychiatric hospital. The local village was originally associated with witches leaving it’s residents still affected by the traumatic events of their past.
For the current residents of Rosalind House, it is a place of sweet refuge. They survive in a self-sufficient bubble where communication with the outside world, while not forbidden, is certainly not encouraged. When Ali and Jack meet up with the other residents there is an immediate, yet unexplained, change in the atmosphere.
Angela has been staying at Rosalind House for awhile now and is searching for her own truth. Having lived in the nearby village for sometime before moving in with the commune, Angela very much believes in the presence of those who have gone before. She is convinced that the troubled existence of the previous residents has left an aura, a shadow, a sense of something dark between the walls and corridors of Rosalind House. Angela is determined to unearth the secrets in the darkest of corners and she thinks she may have a friend in Ali.
As the weeks pass, life moves on for all the residents and Rosalind House appears calm. But underneath the surface something is happening, something is not right.
The Lingering is a mystery that drip feeds the reader as you try to figure out what’s real and what lies beneath the surface. All the characters have questionable traits which raise suspicions but yet they all appear to gel and know their place in the hierarchy.
The setting in the Fens conjures up a very brooding and dark place, surrounded by wetlands and woods, with parts of Rosalind House closed off and it’s secrets with it. The ominous atmosphere is ever present, particularly at night-time, as the silence descends on the building. There is something amiss in Rosalind House, a subtle change from the tranquil vibes that it’s residents were happy to cohabit in up to this point.
The Lingering is a dark gothic-style mystery with a ghostly vibe, but for me it was not quite the supernatural story I had been expecting. There are ‘otherwordly’ elements to the story, but I would have loved if the historical references were fleshed out a little further, with the walls of Rosalind House revealing a few more of it’s past secrets, adding to the sinister aspect of the story.
Overall there are dark personalities at play in The Lingering and the depravity of an evil and controlling mind is well depicted by the author, making for quite a suspenseful and atmospheric read.
September 27, 2018
Novel set in Cambridgeshire from the Queen of creepy storytelling
Rosalind House has a chequered history. For many years it was an asylum and by the 1950s it had become a psychiatric unit. Today, it houses a community of disparate people, founded in 1995 by Smeaton Dunsmore, who is still in charge; the individuals are encouraged to ‘Embrace the LIght’. But the dark walls have many a gruesome tale to tell, from the 16th Century when women were consigned to brutal deaths as witches, through to the 19th and 20th Centuries when patients, who had the misfortune to find themselves incarcerated, were subject to terrible practises. Some of the more horrific treatment methods were recorded in the 1950s by observer Dr Henry Baldock and excerpts from his diary appear in the book, underlining some of the more horrible and entrenched things that went on.
One of the residents, Angela, is a woman with otherworldly gifts, She has a heightened sense of smell and can determine so many things through her extra sensory perception. She is of course perceived as an odd character who invests a great deal of time searching for phenomena, including ghosts. I am not a keen reader of ghostly stories but the author manages Angela’s quest to seek out the other-worldly in a most natural and engaging way. Angela uses her gut feelings to almost “read” situations, and intuition is something which all humans possess to a greater or lesser extent, and therefore Angela’s heightened sensory feelings are relatable.
The latest incomers are Ali and Jack, a nurse and policeman respectively. They have their reasons for joining the community and these begin to become more evident as the novel unfolds. Ali herself is on edge and she too has a sense of unfinished business in the house, the hairs sometimes stand up on the back of her neck. She treads the fine line between what is real and what she imagines… or does she? Right down to a trail of small, wet footprints….Ali and Jack’s presence upsets the finely honed balance in the house, and therefore they attract more scrutiny from some of the other people living there. It is clear that things are not going to end well.
SJI Holliday is the Queen of creepy storytelling and keeps the pathos going throughout the novel.
A quick mention for the cover – it reflects so well the content.
Setting from a TripFiction point of view isn’t particularly strong in this book, though the damp, forested environment certainly adds atmosphere.
Rosalind House has a chequered history. For many years it was an asylum and by the 1950s it had become a psychiatric unit. Today, it houses a community of disparate people, founded in 1995 by Smeaton Dunsmore, who is still in charge; the individuals are encouraged to ‘Embrace the LIght’. But the dark walls have many a gruesome tale to tell, from the 16th Century when women were consigned to brutal deaths as witches, through to the 19th and 20th Centuries when patients, who had the misfortune to find themselves incarcerated, were subject to terrible practises. Some of the more horrific treatment methods were recorded in the 1950s by observer Dr Henry Baldock and excerpts from his diary appear in the book, underlining some of the more horrible and entrenched things that went on.
One of the residents, Angela, is a woman with otherworldly gifts, She has a heightened sense of smell and can determine so many things through her extra sensory perception. She is of course perceived as an odd character who invests a great deal of time searching for phenomena, including ghosts. I am not a keen reader of ghostly stories but the author manages Angela’s quest to seek out the other-worldly in a most natural and engaging way. Angela uses her gut feelings to almost “read” situations, and intuition is something which all humans possess to a greater or lesser extent, and therefore Angela’s heightened sensory feelings are relatable.
The latest incomers are Ali and Jack, a nurse and policeman respectively. They have their reasons for joining the community and these begin to become more evident as the novel unfolds. Ali herself is on edge and she too has a sense of unfinished business in the house, the hairs sometimes stand up on the back of her neck. She treads the fine line between what is real and what she imagines… or does she? Right down to a trail of small, wet footprints….Ali and Jack’s presence upsets the finely honed balance in the house, and therefore they attract more scrutiny from some of the other people living there. It is clear that things are not going to end well.
SJI Holliday is the Queen of creepy storytelling and keeps the pathos going throughout the novel.
A quick mention for the cover – it reflects so well the content.
Setting from a TripFiction point of view isn’t particularly strong in this book, though the damp, forested environment certainly adds atmosphere.
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