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Home
Something strange...something wicked...something beyond control. Home is where the horror is.
Following the deaths of her mother and beloved aunt, Kate Kavanagh inherits the family homestead in the Irish enclave of Three Oaks, Connecticut; but once she moves in, Kate begins a gradual but terrifying biological transformation that is part of her inheritance, too; though not mentioned in the Will.
With the help of a Rottweiler that's more human than animal, a new friend whose farm stand is only open dusk to dawn, and the ‘Rat Boys,’ Kate will get some answers or die trying.
Kindle Edition
First published April 30, 2011
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
November 10, 2025
Home by Carson Buckingham is a surprise read. It starts off a little clichéd with an old woman who reads fortunes. Thirteen years old Lucille Sullivan and Katie Kavanagh are at Madame Samedi’s House of the Future; part of the Leight & Fogg Carnival. Katie isn’t interested in getting her future told by Lucille is dead keen on it. Suffice to say, the reading is interesting.
…and it propels you into the lives of these two girls as grown ups. The book has a lull in the middle with a much needed back story and Katie’s life as a battered wife with a coward of a husband. She finally escapes his grip as she attends her mother’s and Aunt’s funeral.
In the will, Madame Samedi’s reading comes true. Katie has everything she could imagine and sets about calling a lawyer to arrange a divorce. Later that night she heads pacing in the room next to hers but she is tired and goes to sleep. The next morning flour is upturned and a word is written in there.
And then things get even more interesting. The ending is unseen, even for this trained reviewer and all was wrapped up nicely.
Carson’s writing is smooth and flows nicely paragraph to paragraph. The book is well thought out and Katie is a well rounded character who believe herself to be going insane.
You’ll have a good time with this book as I did and you will find it hard to put down — as I did.
…and it propels you into the lives of these two girls as grown ups. The book has a lull in the middle with a much needed back story and Katie’s life as a battered wife with a coward of a husband. She finally escapes his grip as she attends her mother’s and Aunt’s funeral.
In the will, Madame Samedi’s reading comes true. Katie has everything she could imagine and sets about calling a lawyer to arrange a divorce. Later that night she heads pacing in the room next to hers but she is tired and goes to sleep. The next morning flour is upturned and a word is written in there.
And then things get even more interesting. The ending is unseen, even for this trained reviewer and all was wrapped up nicely.
Carson’s writing is smooth and flows nicely paragraph to paragraph. The book is well thought out and Katie is a well rounded character who believe herself to be going insane.
You’ll have a good time with this book as I did and you will find it hard to put down — as I did.
March 14, 2019
No Place Like Home
It's nice to have someone after your loved ones have departed. No one needed to fill that void more than Kate. A heartwarming ghost story if that's what they were.
It's nice to have someone after your loved ones have departed. No one needed to fill that void more than Kate. A heartwarming ghost story if that's what they were.
March 3, 2020
Wonderful tale!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. The characters will stick with you long after the last page is read. My only regret is that it ended too soon! I wasn't ready to let go yet. Enjoy!!
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys ghosties and ghoulies and things that go bump in the night. The characters will stick with you long after the last page is read. My only regret is that it ended too soon! I wasn't ready to let go yet. Enjoy!!
December 2, 2012
With "Home," Buckingham's put out a work of dark fantasy of the kind to make Caitlín R. Kiernan smile, and yet the work's not derivative or copy-cattish, not of Kiernan's work, or that of anyone else. Instead, the tale is all Buckingham.
In "Home," a young girl, Kate Kavanagh, and her best friend Lucille Sullivan, visit a carnival, and specifically, the tent of Madame Samedi. Cards are read, and the stories they tell are not only dark, but true, so much so, that the card reading crone burns the deck, and thus the the work takes off.
With "Home," one of the most impressive things that struck, was the author's bravery in writing a narrative-heavy tale, a style that's not currently the trend of having nearly every scene an immediate scene, loaded with action and dialogue. A bit jarring at first, I believe the gamble paid off, the format giving "Home" the voice needed to properly impart the tale, and without completely jettison the powerful impact of both dialogue and action, of which the work does have plenty of both.
In terms of straight writing, Buckingham again does a fine job. Yes, there's a handful of errors sprinkled throughout, mostly backward-facing apostrophes used with back-ended contractions, like "'em," but these two are forgivable, what with their number far less than the number of gremlins that Leisure allowed through with their many years of putting out spooky titles.
Ultimately what hits with "Home," is the writer's ability to pull the reader into the tale, and hold them, page after page after just-one-more, I'll be fine getting up to work in the morning. Read in two sitings, the work culminates with its climax and then ends, the way a tale should. With that last page read, I felt contrary feelings; one) disappointment that my time with Jenny, a voice in the dark, and with the "Rat boys," and their faithful service, were all come to an end; and two) gratitude that the writer, again, was brave enough to end the tale right where she should.
A great story should be like the tip of an iceberg, with the tale above the waterline, but a whole world sensed below. Thus is the case with "Home."
Carson Buckingham, thank you for the fine ride.
And if I've gotten your attention, where can I find your next title?
Rob M. Miller
In "Home," a young girl, Kate Kavanagh, and her best friend Lucille Sullivan, visit a carnival, and specifically, the tent of Madame Samedi. Cards are read, and the stories they tell are not only dark, but true, so much so, that the card reading crone burns the deck, and thus the the work takes off.
With "Home," one of the most impressive things that struck, was the author's bravery in writing a narrative-heavy tale, a style that's not currently the trend of having nearly every scene an immediate scene, loaded with action and dialogue. A bit jarring at first, I believe the gamble paid off, the format giving "Home" the voice needed to properly impart the tale, and without completely jettison the powerful impact of both dialogue and action, of which the work does have plenty of both.
In terms of straight writing, Buckingham again does a fine job. Yes, there's a handful of errors sprinkled throughout, mostly backward-facing apostrophes used with back-ended contractions, like "'em," but these two are forgivable, what with their number far less than the number of gremlins that Leisure allowed through with their many years of putting out spooky titles.
Ultimately what hits with "Home," is the writer's ability to pull the reader into the tale, and hold them, page after page after just-one-more, I'll be fine getting up to work in the morning. Read in two sitings, the work culminates with its climax and then ends, the way a tale should. With that last page read, I felt contrary feelings; one) disappointment that my time with Jenny, a voice in the dark, and with the "Rat boys," and their faithful service, were all come to an end; and two) gratitude that the writer, again, was brave enough to end the tale right where she should.
A great story should be like the tip of an iceberg, with the tale above the waterline, but a whole world sensed below. Thus is the case with "Home."
Carson Buckingham, thank you for the fine ride.
And if I've gotten your attention, where can I find your next title?
Rob M. Miller
November 4, 2011
For lovers of shadow realms hidden behind a thin veneer of normality, Home by Carson Buckingham will offer a tantalising glimpse into a world of mysteries. Kate Kavanagh has tried her entire life to fit in--and this need of acceptance from those around her has resulted in her marrying an unsuitable sociopath of a husband.
At its heart Home is a tale about Kate's inescapable acceptance of her fate and how it changes her. Her passive acceptance of events around her is maddening at times. The first and only action she takes to free herself is to flee from her husband, which only leads her straight into her somewhat terrifying inheritance.
Structurally this novel is a bit rough around the edges. Most of the back-story at the start could have conveniently been lopped off, with important information woven into the narrative further along the line. The story only really starts from the moment Kate steps onto that plane that returns her to her home. At times I felt authorial voice intruded, taking me from a deep third-person point of view to more omniscient, but Buckingham is a good storyteller with a pleasing turn of words. I carried on reading and found that I readily immersed myself in the setting, which was well detailed. At times a few cliches slipped in, which an editor could have snipped, as well as perhaps bumping up on the emotional, intellectual and physical layering.
Overall, Home is a pleasing story. I wouldn't truly categorize it as horror, more as a dark fairy tale which makes for an intriguing, quirky read. Buckingham gets full marks for her world building, even though the final execution could have been tighter.
At its heart Home is a tale about Kate's inescapable acceptance of her fate and how it changes her. Her passive acceptance of events around her is maddening at times. The first and only action she takes to free herself is to flee from her husband, which only leads her straight into her somewhat terrifying inheritance.
Structurally this novel is a bit rough around the edges. Most of the back-story at the start could have conveniently been lopped off, with important information woven into the narrative further along the line. The story only really starts from the moment Kate steps onto that plane that returns her to her home. At times I felt authorial voice intruded, taking me from a deep third-person point of view to more omniscient, but Buckingham is a good storyteller with a pleasing turn of words. I carried on reading and found that I readily immersed myself in the setting, which was well detailed. At times a few cliches slipped in, which an editor could have snipped, as well as perhaps bumping up on the emotional, intellectual and physical layering.
Overall, Home is a pleasing story. I wouldn't truly categorize it as horror, more as a dark fairy tale which makes for an intriguing, quirky read. Buckingham gets full marks for her world building, even though the final execution could have been tighter.
May 18, 2011
Kate Kavanagh’s life is changing, in many ways. Secrets, weird allies, and changing views of the world are only few of the elements Kate has to face to carry on with her life.
I doubt I can say more without giving Home away, and that would be a shame. One must read this book to experience the suspense, intrigue, and the amazing revelations at the end. I’m usually good at guessing what’s coming next, fortunately, I failed miserably with this book. Surprises popped on each page, leaving me wondering where this was leading. I can honestly say Home made me experience an emotion I haven’t felt for a while; I was hooked without knowing on what.
I believe Home could have been longer. Some very interesting characters were mentioned in the passing, ones I wanted to know more about. I can’t even mention their names because I will give part of the surprise away. Also, the revelations came in a gush at the end, all in one go. I wish she had stretched it a bit be trickling surprises the same way she trickled the incidents leading to it. I can only hope that Buckingham is planning a sequel or a prequel to the book.
This was my first Carson Buckingham book, it will most definitely NOT be my last.
*off to look for more books by this author*
I doubt I can say more without giving Home away, and that would be a shame. One must read this book to experience the suspense, intrigue, and the amazing revelations at the end. I’m usually good at guessing what’s coming next, fortunately, I failed miserably with this book. Surprises popped on each page, leaving me wondering where this was leading. I can honestly say Home made me experience an emotion I haven’t felt for a while; I was hooked without knowing on what.
I believe Home could have been longer. Some very interesting characters were mentioned in the passing, ones I wanted to know more about. I can’t even mention their names because I will give part of the surprise away. Also, the revelations came in a gush at the end, all in one go. I wish she had stretched it a bit be trickling surprises the same way she trickled the incidents leading to it. I can only hope that Buckingham is planning a sequel or a prequel to the book.
This was my first Carson Buckingham book, it will most definitely NOT be my last.
*off to look for more books by this author*
December 31, 2016
A delightfully dark fantasy
Buckingham's novella, Home, is a delightful and dark tale with lovable characters and quirks galore.
Thirteen-year-old Katie is as nervous as she is intelligent, and her best friend, Lucille, is beautiful and brave. The binding friendship is followed by misfortunes and Katie's life is thrown into disarray.
She finds herself in her old hometown and her fortunes are at first a blessing. Things seem a little odd, and Kate finds herself plunged deeper and deeper into an old family secret.
This is a spine-tingling novella with a killer ending.
Buckingham's novella, Home, is a delightful and dark tale with lovable characters and quirks galore.
Thirteen-year-old Katie is as nervous as she is intelligent, and her best friend, Lucille, is beautiful and brave. The binding friendship is followed by misfortunes and Katie's life is thrown into disarray.
She finds herself in her old hometown and her fortunes are at first a blessing. Things seem a little odd, and Kate finds herself plunged deeper and deeper into an old family secret.
This is a spine-tingling novella with a killer ending.
December 31, 2016
Buckingham's novella, Home, is a delightful and dark tale with lovable characters and quirks galore.
Thirteen-year-old Katie is as nervous as she is intelligent, and her best friend, Lucille, is beautiful and brave. The binding friendship is followed by misfortunes and Katie's life is thrown into disarray.
She finds herself in her old hometown and her fortunes are at first a blessing. Things seem a little odd, and Kate finds herself plunged deeper and deeper into an old family secret.
This is a spine-tingling novella with a killer ending.
Thirteen-year-old Katie is as nervous as she is intelligent, and her best friend, Lucille, is beautiful and brave. The binding friendship is followed by misfortunes and Katie's life is thrown into disarray.
She finds herself in her old hometown and her fortunes are at first a blessing. Things seem a little odd, and Kate finds herself plunged deeper and deeper into an old family secret.
This is a spine-tingling novella with a killer ending.
March 4, 2012
I was pleasantly surprised that 'Home' turned into a dark fairytale, as I can never find enough of dark fairytales to read that don't involve someone falling in love and living HEA--that type of story is not a dark fairytale.
If you don't know much about Carson Buckingham, then I encourage you to check out her blog, and once you do, it's easy to recognize why you will love her writing. Carson is hilarious, and her humor is witty and dark.
If you don't know much about Carson Buckingham, then I encourage you to check out her blog, and once you do, it's easy to recognize why you will love her writing. Carson is hilarious, and her humor is witty and dark.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews