On their annual girls’ weekend three friends gather for a macabre reunion in this chilling tale of ghosts, hauntings and the occult.
Dara died almost a year ago, and her three closest surviving friends gather in accordance with her last wishes at Gabbinger’s Reach—a once abandoned resort she planned on restoring to opulence. The derelict property has been decaying for decades. Cindy the career woman thinks this is stupid. Melanie, the flighty one is fascinated. Becky, now a therapist is curious—why would Dara want them here? They’re enticed to stay by Dara’s Last Will and Testament. Each of them are promised riches, all they need to do is remain here for two nights. When darkness descends on the first evening, they laugh off the sudden appearance of small gifts. They’re only a little startled by things crashing around in the kitchen. Someone’s trying to spook them; big freaking deal—Cindy brought a gun! Their bravado is tested when they begin to uncover long-held secrets. Secrets about each another, secrets about Dara, and long-hidden secrets about the evil that infests the very walls of this place. Hungry evil relishing fresh victims. At the same time their bonds of friendship are at the breaking point, the ravenous beast descends in a mighty fury. In a night of terror, they know they’ll never be the same. If they survive. Dara didn’t.
A writer and reader of eerie ghost novels, Michelle lives in Kingston, ' the limestone city' situated on Lake Ontario, with her husband and 2 pugs. The Hauntings of Kingston series was inspired by an evening doing the local ghost walk. She also writes Paranormal Women's Fantasy fiction under Shelley Dorey. Midlife, divorce and magic...oh my. Her 'Hex After 40' series is soon to be a TV series. Kind of a 'Desperate housewives flavor but with Witches!
Not scary or horror genres but just a soft boo here and there! I don't think I paid to much for the double book so no great loss but it was a quick easy read.
I was distracted by the excessive use of a description
"Becky' s eyes almost popped out on to her cheekbones" ........ The Author used that description so often it became a aggravating distraction for me. There are many ways to describe someone's eyes "widening in surprise".....that was one simple way, just like I described it but the Author used eyes popping on to the cheekbone description so often when referencing Becky's shocked surprise that it became a big irritant to me. Minor complaint I'm sure but it was just one example of the Author's repeat of a phrase that she seemed to be fond of that it just screamed lazy writing to me. The story line was not bad (actually it kept my interest enough to finish the book) and I think a good Editor and Team should have caught how often she used the same descriptions over and over again. It would have given the book the polish it really needed.
As I had already read the second of the two books some time ago this review only relates to the first, "The Haunted Gathering". I gave it three stars which, on reflection, should have been three and a half. The story started out well and the supernatural tension was slowly and deliciously built up. Then, at the end of the story we finish, not with a bang, but with a disappointing whimper. It was as if the author had grown tired of the story and wanted to wrap things up as quickly as possible. Excluding the final couple of chapters I would have rated it four stars.
I wasn't sure if this book when I started it but it turned out to be a really good story. It was nice meeting Adam and Mike again as they jumped in to help the girls (Dara's friends) as they tried to work out why they were at 'The Resort', what their late friend wanted from them and how to survive the 48 hours ahead!!!
These stories are well written, suspenseful and spooky. The characters and the script are believable, and though these can be read as stand-alone stories, there are some cross-over characters who continue show up in the series. Well done! Onto the next book.
You are summoned to your dead friend's recently acquired, but falling-apart resort. If you stay for 48 hours you receive a generous inheritance. If you survive...
I enjoyed this. It has all the typical haunted tropes and the author makes it work. I will read more of these stories. I especially liked Adam. Hope to read more about him.
A gathering of friends in a half finished hotel where their friend died ..what could possibly go wrong!! I absolutely loved this book and heartily recommend it to anyone who enjoys ghostly tales with emotion and friendship
Three friends gather to celebrate the birthday of a past college friend, who had died. The story feels like it was written by multiple people, as the friends keep changing who is brave, who is kind, and who believes in the ghosts.
I love all her books, but this one is different than the others. The killing of the little girl put me in a shock, from that moment on I had trouble reading the book. Something creeped into me, and I had a bad feeling all the way till the end. I just ended the veil series, and I loved those books so much, maybe I needed a little time-out first LOL. How I wished I could give 5 stars, I must be honest and with pain in my heart I give only 3.....
Needed more character development, still the storyline held my interest. I love paranormal books, nice mellow read.This also contains an amazing second book.
A well written, well plotted book focusing on new characters and a new, badly haunted location. Can some other experienced characters help them survive?
Good read. I was a little disappointed at the beginning. Thought it was going to be a slow not much happening story. When it pick up it will keep you reading.
Excellent book! I enjoyed every minute. Michelle Dorey is one of my favorite authors. Her books grab your attention and don’t let go til the last word,