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No One's Home
Goodreads Choice Award
Nominee for Readers' Favorite Horror (2019)For fans of The Haunting of Hill House comes a dark tale of a mansion haunted by a legacy of tragedy and a family trapped by lies. Margot and Myron Spielman move to a new town, looking for a fresh start and an escape from the long shadow of their past. But soon after they buy Rawlingswood, a foreclosed mansion rumored to be haunted, they realize they’re in for more of the same…or worse. After a renovation fraught with injuries and setbacks, the Spielmans move in to the century-old house, and their problems quickly escalate. The home’s beautiful facade begins to crumble around them when their teenage son uncovers disturbing details of Rawlingswood’s history―a history of murder, betrayal, and financial ruin. The Spielmans’ own shameful secrets and lies become harder to hide as someone or something inside the house watches their every move. As tensions build between the family members, the home’s dark history threatens to repeat itself. Margot and Myron must confront their own ghosts and Rawlingswood’s buried past before the house becomes their undoing.
397 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2019
2177 people are currently reading
16679 people want to read
About the author
D.M. Pulley
6 books712 followersD.M. Pulley lives in northeast Ohio with her husband, her two children, and a dog named Hobo. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked as a Professional Engineer rehabbing historic structures and conducting forensic investigations of building failures. Pulley's structural survey of a vacant building in Cleveland inspired her debut novel, The Dead Key, the winner of the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award. Since then, Pulley has sold over a half a million books worldwide, and her work has been translated into eight different languages.
Pulley's historical mysteries shine a light into the darker side of life in the Midwest during the twentieth century, when cities like Detroit and Cleveland struggled to survive. Her latest novel, No One’s Home (due out September 1, 2019), unravels the disturbing history of an old mansion haunted by family secrets, financial ruin, and murder. The abandoned buildings, haunted houses, and buried past of the Rust Belt continue to inspire her work.
Pulley's historical mysteries shine a light into the darker side of life in the Midwest during the twentieth century, when cities like Detroit and Cleveland struggled to survive. Her latest novel, No One’s Home (due out September 1, 2019), unravels the disturbing history of an old mansion haunted by family secrets, financial ruin, and murder. The abandoned buildings, haunted houses, and buried past of the Rust Belt continue to inspire her work.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 683 reviews
October 5, 2020
The perfect Fall read! Soooo creepy! This book was creeptastic from the very first page to the last. I really like nothing better than a story about an old, creepy house. So I was instantly drawn into this the second I started it.
Your realtor takes you into a home...it has lovely things written on the walls like Murder House, Dead Girl...you get the picture...drug paraphernalia spread about. Sure we will take it since the price is right. Whatttt? That is exactly what The Spielman's did.
Things start going bump in the night, weird images showing up on their cameras. Yeah..nope! As they unearth the house's extensive history it became even more intriguing. The house had a history of three different families throughout the decades. Oh what a history it was.
This seriously gave me the "look over my shoulder" uneasy feel as I read it. What even made it better was the author's note at the back of the book. Don't peek!! This was a fantastic way to kick off my fall creepy reads. What took me so long to read this?! This book seriously got lost in the shuffle and I regret not reading it sooner!
Thank you so much to Thomas and Mercer for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Your realtor takes you into a home...it has lovely things written on the walls like Murder House, Dead Girl...you get the picture...drug paraphernalia spread about. Sure we will take it since the price is right. Whatttt? That is exactly what The Spielman's did.
Things start going bump in the night, weird images showing up on their cameras. Yeah..nope! As they unearth the house's extensive history it became even more intriguing. The house had a history of three different families throughout the decades. Oh what a history it was.
This seriously gave me the "look over my shoulder" uneasy feel as I read it. What even made it better was the author's note at the back of the book. Don't peek!! This was a fantastic way to kick off my fall creepy reads. What took me so long to read this?! This book seriously got lost in the shuffle and I regret not reading it sooner!
Thank you so much to Thomas and Mercer for this ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 16, 2019
Haunted: (of a place) frequented by a ghost. Synonyms, possessed, cursed, jinxed.
(a person) having or showing signs of mental anguish or torment.
14895 Lee Road, originally known as Rawlingswood.
Five Families: All haunted...
Rawlings : 1922-1931
Bell: 1936-1972
Klussman: 1972-1990
Martin: 1994-2016
R.I.P. Rest In Peace
Spielman: 2018-?
The Spielman family is looking for a fresh start and the price is right, so they ignore the rumors, the disrepair and the graffiti, and spare no expense with the renovations. But some things cannot be ripped out by contractors.
Immediately creepy and atmospheric, the story opens with the Spielman family, but alternating chapters, share the troubled history of this home, through the stories of all four of the families unfortunate enough to have lived here prior. It’s not at all hard to follow. You are even provided a blueprint of the home...
When lightbulbs, turned off, keep coming back on, doors closed, open on their own, and various secrets begin revealing themselves, teenage son, Hunter becomes an easy scapegoat, for parents Myron and Margot.
But, Hunter has seen things too.
And, he is tired of being blamed.
So, with the help of his friend Caleb, from Boston, and the internet, Hunter starts sleuthing to figure out what has actually transpired in this home, before his family moved in.
But, What do the dead want??
This book was inspired by the history of the century homes of Shaker Heights, Ohio-a real place, two real murders, and one rumor....
If you are looking for a perfect Halloween book, what could be better than that??
Available NOW!!
Thank You, to Netgalley, D. M. Pulley, and Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review!
(a person) having or showing signs of mental anguish or torment.
14895 Lee Road, originally known as Rawlingswood.
Five Families: All haunted...
Rawlings : 1922-1931
Bell: 1936-1972
Klussman: 1972-1990
Martin: 1994-2016
R.I.P. Rest In Peace
Spielman: 2018-?
The Spielman family is looking for a fresh start and the price is right, so they ignore the rumors, the disrepair and the graffiti, and spare no expense with the renovations. But some things cannot be ripped out by contractors.
Immediately creepy and atmospheric, the story opens with the Spielman family, but alternating chapters, share the troubled history of this home, through the stories of all four of the families unfortunate enough to have lived here prior. It’s not at all hard to follow. You are even provided a blueprint of the home...
When lightbulbs, turned off, keep coming back on, doors closed, open on their own, and various secrets begin revealing themselves, teenage son, Hunter becomes an easy scapegoat, for parents Myron and Margot.
But, Hunter has seen things too.
And, he is tired of being blamed.
So, with the help of his friend Caleb, from Boston, and the internet, Hunter starts sleuthing to figure out what has actually transpired in this home, before his family moved in.
But, What do the dead want??
This book was inspired by the history of the century homes of Shaker Heights, Ohio-a real place, two real murders, and one rumor....
If you are looking for a perfect Halloween book, what could be better than that??
Available NOW!!
Thank You, to Netgalley, D. M. Pulley, and Thomas and Mercer for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for a candid review!
November 12, 2019
What a massive murder mystery with supernatural elements! You'll hear about the Rawlins family, the Martins, the Klussmans and the Spielmans who recently moved into that big old house with its long and dark history. Are dead Shakers buried in the house haunting the place? Is the place cursed with all the eerie going ons during renovation? Did the ghosts of murdered persons come back? This is a book on human destinies and human tragedies with many unsettling details. Murder, suicide, addiction and guilt are very strong motifs among the main characters. Sometimes I thought the author wanted to write a psychogramme of the characters rather than a horror or historic story. There is even a reference to the movie Poltergeist (one of my favourites). What is Ava's role in the whole story? Can Hunter talk to Benny (who allegedly murdered Katie Green)? Every family has its history and secrets and that is told in quite a masterly manner. Maybe there were a bit too many families on display and occassionally I had the impression the author wanted to mix to many genres here. But in the end it was a very compelling and intense read I can really recommend.
August 4, 2019
I loved reading this book. And if I had had the time to read this in one sitting, then I most certainly would have done. Chilling, spooky, and mind-bending, this book had me hooked from the beginning. I'm not normally scared by books and don't have much time for horror stories yet, this book from Pulley was brilliant.
It's a complicated narrative that is presented to us. Readers follow several families and their experiences of living at Rawlingswood. At first I found this quite complicated to follow and had to keep reminding myself of which backstory belonged where. This is where I think reading this story totally uninterrupted would really benefit readers. (On the other hand, savouring the story and delaying the pleasure is never a bad thing when it comes to books!) The narrative jumps around in history, following the lives of the different families who have lived in this troubled mansion. Answers are never properly given, meaning you are always trying to piece together a complex puzzle. The non-linear narrative means that gradually you begin to understand how earlier events lead into more present day occurrences; the reader is playing a detective role not too dissimilar to Hunter, the teenager currently living with his parents in Rawlingswood.
The writer definitely follows the mantra of "show, don't tell" in this novel. I enjoyed the ambiguity of it all and revelled in discovering the secrets in the walls of the mansion. Present day, and the Spielman's are clearly troubled. They bring wealth to the mansion, along with a wealth of secrets. Sympathising with how Hunter was treated by his parents, I found myself urging him to start investigating sooner into the ghostly, spooky happenings that are going on.
This is a ghostly story and I was literally covered in goosebumps at times! Reading this often at night, the story continued to play on in my head, even when I had put the book down. It was excellently written and, even if it was about hauntings and ghosts, Pulley has presented the narrative in a very believable fashion. The clever tricks of disguising ideas and encouraging readers to follow certain stories is definitely aided by the jumbled narrative, but this is what makes it all the more engrossing.
If I hadn't already found a scary book for my Book Bingo, then this would easily have fulfilled that category. I feel like this story will literally haunt me for a few more days to come, I enjoyed it that much. It was so easy to immerse yourself into this spooky house and I could really hear every ghostly footstep, door slam and chilling breath. And even that just makes me want to quickly check over my shoulder...
Don't miss out on this book. If you can't read it just yet, then certainly put it aside and have it ready for Halloween.
It's a complicated narrative that is presented to us. Readers follow several families and their experiences of living at Rawlingswood. At first I found this quite complicated to follow and had to keep reminding myself of which backstory belonged where. This is where I think reading this story totally uninterrupted would really benefit readers. (On the other hand, savouring the story and delaying the pleasure is never a bad thing when it comes to books!) The narrative jumps around in history, following the lives of the different families who have lived in this troubled mansion. Answers are never properly given, meaning you are always trying to piece together a complex puzzle. The non-linear narrative means that gradually you begin to understand how earlier events lead into more present day occurrences; the reader is playing a detective role not too dissimilar to Hunter, the teenager currently living with his parents in Rawlingswood.
The writer definitely follows the mantra of "show, don't tell" in this novel. I enjoyed the ambiguity of it all and revelled in discovering the secrets in the walls of the mansion. Present day, and the Spielman's are clearly troubled. They bring wealth to the mansion, along with a wealth of secrets. Sympathising with how Hunter was treated by his parents, I found myself urging him to start investigating sooner into the ghostly, spooky happenings that are going on.
This is a ghostly story and I was literally covered in goosebumps at times! Reading this often at night, the story continued to play on in my head, even when I had put the book down. It was excellently written and, even if it was about hauntings and ghosts, Pulley has presented the narrative in a very believable fashion. The clever tricks of disguising ideas and encouraging readers to follow certain stories is definitely aided by the jumbled narrative, but this is what makes it all the more engrossing.
If I hadn't already found a scary book for my Book Bingo, then this would easily have fulfilled that category. I feel like this story will literally haunt me for a few more days to come, I enjoyed it that much. It was so easy to immerse yourself into this spooky house and I could really hear every ghostly footstep, door slam and chilling breath. And even that just makes me want to quickly check over my shoulder...
Don't miss out on this book. If you can't read it just yet, then certainly put it aside and have it ready for Halloween.
October 1, 2019
No One's Home was a perfect autumn read! The Speilman family moves into an old run down house, and fix it up after some traumatic life events in their old town. When they move in, they start hearing rumors about their house. Some people believe it's haunted, and some talk abut murders and deaths that have happened there. When weird things start happening around the house, they start wondering if they've made a mistake moving there.
With an ominous sense of foreboding and a creepy atmosphere, this book was perfect for me to read on a rainy autumn day. I quickly devoured it, wanting to find out if the house was haunted, or if something else was going on!
This one reminded me a little bit of Mark Edwards' The Retreat, but in a different setting. If you liked that book, give this one a try!
With an ominous sense of foreboding and a creepy atmosphere, this book was perfect for me to read on a rainy autumn day. I quickly devoured it, wanting to find out if the house was haunted, or if something else was going on!
This one reminded me a little bit of Mark Edwards' The Retreat, but in a different setting. If you liked that book, give this one a try!
Read
October 9, 2019Jumping ship @ 18%. Too cheesy.
September 16, 2019
Haunted: (of a place) frequented by a ghost. Synonyms, possessed, cursed, jinxed.
(a person) having or showing signs of mental anguish or torment.
14895 Lee Road, originally known as Rawlingswood.
Five Families: All haunted...
Rawlings : 1922-1931
Bell: 1936-1972
Klussman: 1972-1990
Martin: 1994-2016
R.I.P. Rest In Peace
Spielman: 2018-?
The Spielman family is looking for a fresh start and the price is right, so they ignore the rumors, the disrepair and the graffiti, and spare no expense with the renovations. But some things cannot be ripped out by contractors.
Immediately creepy and atmospheric, the story opens with the Spielman family, but alternating chapters, share the troubled history of this home, through the stories of all four of the families unfortunate enough to have lived here prior. It’s not at all hard to follow. You are even provided a blueprint of the home...
When lightbulbs, turned off, keep coming back on, doors closed, open on their own, and various secrets begin revealing themselves, teenage son, Hunter becomes an easy scapegoat, for parents Myron and Margot.
But, Hunter has seen things too.
And, he is tired of being blamed.
So, with the help of his friend Caleb, from Boston, and the internet, Hunter starts sleuthing to figure out what has actually transpired in this home, before his family moved in.
But, What do the dead want??
This book was inspired by the history of the century homes of Shaker Heights, Ohio-a real place, two real murders, and one rumor....
If you are looking for the perfect Halloween read...what could be better than that?
Available NOW!!
(a person) having or showing signs of mental anguish or torment.
14895 Lee Road, originally known as Rawlingswood.
Five Families: All haunted...
Rawlings : 1922-1931
Bell: 1936-1972
Klussman: 1972-1990
Martin: 1994-2016
R.I.P. Rest In Peace
Spielman: 2018-?
The Spielman family is looking for a fresh start and the price is right, so they ignore the rumors, the disrepair and the graffiti, and spare no expense with the renovations. But some things cannot be ripped out by contractors.
Immediately creepy and atmospheric, the story opens with the Spielman family, but alternating chapters, share the troubled history of this home, through the stories of all four of the families unfortunate enough to have lived here prior. It’s not at all hard to follow. You are even provided a blueprint of the home...
When lightbulbs, turned off, keep coming back on, doors closed, open on their own, and various secrets begin revealing themselves, teenage son, Hunter becomes an easy scapegoat, for parents Myron and Margot.
But, Hunter has seen things too.
And, he is tired of being blamed.
So, with the help of his friend Caleb, from Boston, and the internet, Hunter starts sleuthing to figure out what has actually transpired in this home, before his family moved in.
But, What do the dead want??
This book was inspired by the history of the century homes of Shaker Heights, Ohio-a real place, two real murders, and one rumor....
If you are looking for the perfect Halloween read...what could be better than that?
Available NOW!!
August 28, 2019
OUTSTANDING!!!!! 5 Stars ++++ So excited about my upcoming Elevator Q&A with the Author, coming Sept 1. 📢 More coming; however, some quick notes. I just finished and cannot stop thinking about these characters. You "must" read this book!!!
NO ONE'S HOME is brilliantly written. 🏆 One of the "Best" haunted house suspense thrillers I have ever read! I mean EVER! D. M. Pulley's "Best" yet.💕 I do not even read horror, nor supernatural, but this is NOT that kind of book. It is so much more. Once you pick it up, you cannot put it down. Everything is very realistic which is the scary part.
It reads like a riveting multi-generational historical fiction, a gripping domestic suspense, and a moving emotional family drama. You may even think shows: "Breaking Bad," "Underground Railroad," "The Haunting of Hill House," "The Great Gatsby," "This Is Us," HGTV, and a true-crime series, all rolled into one.
You may even shed a tear or two. (I did). A cross between historical and contemporary. The author juggles multiple timelines and families like a "rock star" 🙌 while keeping the tension high throughout the book. As a reader, you cannot wait to return to the next family. (I would love to see her writing space). That will be a question for the Q&A, for sure.
You will find yourself trying to determine which family story is more shattering. WOW! It is spine-chilling and would love to see a movie 🎬 based on this superb novel. It would be powerful. (A few things will remind you of "Breaking Bad"). Hunter and Benny (My two favorite characters). Both remind me of RJ Mitte (Walter "Flynn" White Jr.) and the parents also remind me of the show.
What makes this novel so spectacular is the inspiration behind the novel and the author's impeccable research. If you have read her previous books, you know she knows her way around history and architecture. She is a pro!
This brilliantly crafted story was inspired by the century homes of Shaker Heights, OH, and two real murders, and a rumor, plus a vacant home she toured in 2008. You will be Googling! The author also includes some fascinating research at the end of the book and even floor plans. Her writing is some of the BEST.
A house, rich in history, and many haunted and tormented souls.
No matter the generation, each family had its own set of problems. They are running from something. The author cleverly unravels each character's past at just the precise moment. Each one handles their grief in different ways. These characters will remain with you long after the book ends. I am hoping we see more of these characters in the future. Have you ever had a mystery break your heart?
If you can only read one book this year, this is one I would recommend! YES, it is that good! I was blown away. I have never read anything quite like it. Well done, DM Pulley! You knocked this out of the park. NO ONE'S HOME will be "topping" the charts. ⏫ Perfect for Halloween. 🎃
The last page was priceless. I cannot wait to hear everyone's thoughts after reading. Please keep me updated, readers. Which is your favorite family? I will have to think about it. My opinion changed many times during the novel.
For fans of Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Laura Lippman, Gilly Macmillan, and Randall Silvis.
Looking forward to the upcoming Q&A with DM to learn more!
Read My Reviews:
The Unclaimed Victim (2017)
The Buried Book (2016)
The Dead Key (2015)
My Top Books of 2019
#JDCMustReadBooks
NO ONE'S HOME is brilliantly written. 🏆 One of the "Best" haunted house suspense thrillers I have ever read! I mean EVER! D. M. Pulley's "Best" yet.💕 I do not even read horror, nor supernatural, but this is NOT that kind of book. It is so much more. Once you pick it up, you cannot put it down. Everything is very realistic which is the scary part.
It reads like a riveting multi-generational historical fiction, a gripping domestic suspense, and a moving emotional family drama. You may even think shows: "Breaking Bad," "Underground Railroad," "The Haunting of Hill House," "The Great Gatsby," "This Is Us," HGTV, and a true-crime series, all rolled into one.
You may even shed a tear or two. (I did). A cross between historical and contemporary. The author juggles multiple timelines and families like a "rock star" 🙌 while keeping the tension high throughout the book. As a reader, you cannot wait to return to the next family. (I would love to see her writing space). That will be a question for the Q&A, for sure.
You will find yourself trying to determine which family story is more shattering. WOW! It is spine-chilling and would love to see a movie 🎬 based on this superb novel. It would be powerful. (A few things will remind you of "Breaking Bad"). Hunter and Benny (My two favorite characters). Both remind me of RJ Mitte (Walter "Flynn" White Jr.) and the parents also remind me of the show.
What makes this novel so spectacular is the inspiration behind the novel and the author's impeccable research. If you have read her previous books, you know she knows her way around history and architecture. She is a pro!
This brilliantly crafted story was inspired by the century homes of Shaker Heights, OH, and two real murders, and a rumor, plus a vacant home she toured in 2008. You will be Googling! The author also includes some fascinating research at the end of the book and even floor plans. Her writing is some of the BEST.
You will enjoy getting to know Rawlingswood. Talk about secrets??
Rawlings family: 1922-1931
Bell family: 1936-1972
Klussman family: 1972-1990
Martin family: 1994-2016
A house, rich in history, and many haunted and tormented souls.
No matter the generation, each family had its own set of problems. They are running from something. The author cleverly unravels each character's past at just the precise moment. Each one handles their grief in different ways. These characters will remain with you long after the book ends. I am hoping we see more of these characters in the future. Have you ever had a mystery break your heart?
If you can only read one book this year, this is one I would recommend! YES, it is that good! I was blown away. I have never read anything quite like it. Well done, DM Pulley! You knocked this out of the park. NO ONE'S HOME will be "topping" the charts. ⏫ Perfect for Halloween. 🎃
The last page was priceless. I cannot wait to hear everyone's thoughts after reading. Please keep me updated, readers. Which is your favorite family? I will have to think about it. My opinion changed many times during the novel.
For fans of Ruth Ware, Lisa Unger, Laura Lippman, Gilly Macmillan, and Randall Silvis.
Looking forward to the upcoming Q&A with DM to learn more!
Read My Reviews:
The Unclaimed Victim (2017)
The Buried Book (2016)
The Dead Key (2015)
My Top Books of 2019
#JDCMustReadBooks
September 13, 2022
I liked this audiobook. The narrator was great. This was a good take on the old haunted house story. There are alternating timelines going back to the origins owners and the present family. It was creepy without trying and the characters frustrated me!
Margot and Myron Spielman waste no time renovating the supposedly haunted Rawlingswood mansion. One thing after another goes wrong. When the family moves in things get worse. Their son digs into the mansions disturbing history and uncovers numerous secrets. The family begins to crumble as their own secrets are revealed. Who is watching them? What is in this house? Margot and Myron must confront the skeletons in their closets as well as the ghosts of those left behind in order to save their family.
No One’s Home is available now.
Margot and Myron Spielman waste no time renovating the supposedly haunted Rawlingswood mansion. One thing after another goes wrong. When the family moves in things get worse. Their son digs into the mansions disturbing history and uncovers numerous secrets. The family begins to crumble as their own secrets are revealed. Who is watching them? What is in this house? Margot and Myron must confront the skeletons in their closets as well as the ghosts of those left behind in order to save their family.
No One’s Home is available now.
September 6, 2020
(No spoilers) Oh dear. This book feels like the author had a brilliant idea but at the end chickened out and didn’t fully commit to it.
I can tolerate books that leave some questions open at the end, but with this one the missing information left me disappointed. Especially the ending felt horrible rushed.
I can see why many people love the book and it does have elements that I greatly enjoyed - and yes, there were parts that made me think about Haunting of Hill House. The problem is that I think that the actual mystery about the house itself was explained away while at the same time it wasn’t explained enough - does that even make sense? :D Really hard to explain without spoiling.
I did enjoy most of the characters and the different time levels. And the plot itself wasn’t half bad either.
I would probably give 3,5 if there wasn’t the fact that I read a horrible translation. I don’t know how it made its way into the Kindle store but holy shit. Sometimes It sounded like it was translated by Google Translator. There also were some spelling and plot mistakes. Toby was actually called Tony in one chapter? Makes immersion almost impossible. Better read it in English.
I would recommend this book to people that haven’t read similar books before. If you want to read/see something more supernatural watch Haunting of Hill House or read the book it’s based on.
I can tolerate books that leave some questions open at the end, but with this one the missing information left me disappointed. Especially the ending felt horrible rushed.
I can see why many people love the book and it does have elements that I greatly enjoyed - and yes, there were parts that made me think about Haunting of Hill House. The problem is that I think that the actual mystery about the house itself was explained away while at the same time it wasn’t explained enough - does that even make sense? :D Really hard to explain without spoiling.
I did enjoy most of the characters and the different time levels. And the plot itself wasn’t half bad either.
I would probably give 3,5 if there wasn’t the fact that I read a horrible translation. I don’t know how it made its way into the Kindle store but holy shit. Sometimes It sounded like it was translated by Google Translator. There also were some spelling and plot mistakes. Toby was actually called Tony in one chapter? Makes immersion almost impossible. Better read it in English.
I would recommend this book to people that haven’t read similar books before. If you want to read/see something more supernatural watch Haunting of Hill House or read the book it’s based on.
August 28, 2021
What can I say???
The story of several families and a hunted house!!!
An unsolved murder...
A witness which cannot speak...
And a secret so dark and gloomy that can destroy the life of a young girl!!!
Very well written, with an ending that will blow you away!!!
From now on, D.M. Pulley is an author on which I will have my eyes wide open...
Looking very much forwards to read her more...
Folks, stay healthy and have fun...
Happy readings...
The story of several families and a hunted house!!!
An unsolved murder...
A witness which cannot speak...
And a secret so dark and gloomy that can destroy the life of a young girl!!!
Very well written, with an ending that will blow you away!!!
From now on, D.M. Pulley is an author on which I will have my eyes wide open...
Looking very much forwards to read her more...
Folks, stay healthy and have fun...
Happy readings...
August 3, 2019
This book was creepy throughout and sometimes it really scared me, I’m not easily scared when I read a book but, this one had so much atmosphere written into it that I was at times unnerved by it.
If you like a ghostly novel then this one is for you. My thanks to Prime First Reads for this free e book in return for an honest review.
If you like a ghostly novel then this one is for you. My thanks to Prime First Reads for this free e book in return for an honest review.
dnf-for-good
September 9, 201970% and calling it quits.
4 stars audio.
As for the story. It's drawn out and I feel no connection to the characters. They all annoy me.
4 stars audio.
As for the story. It's drawn out and I feel no connection to the characters. They all annoy me.
November 1, 2019
*thank you to Netgalley, D. M. Pulley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review*
3 stars.
This turned out to be not as good as I had hoped. Don't get me wrong, the story was good but it was distracting which made it harder to settle into and let wash over me. The story is told in bits and pieces over 5 different families. That was a bit too much for me. While the main focus was on Margot and Myron Spielman, it was basically only their story that I really enjoyed and could get into. The others just felt choppy. But I think that's just me more so than how it was written. So while I loved the whole haunted house aspect, it didn't live up to the hype for me.
3 stars.
This turned out to be not as good as I had hoped. Don't get me wrong, the story was good but it was distracting which made it harder to settle into and let wash over me. The story is told in bits and pieces over 5 different families. That was a bit too much for me. While the main focus was on Margot and Myron Spielman, it was basically only their story that I really enjoyed and could get into. The others just felt choppy. But I think that's just me more so than how it was written. So while I loved the whole haunted house aspect, it didn't live up to the hype for me.
October 7, 2019
Who likes a creepy haunted house setting with an undertone of menace and danger? If the answer is yes, then you’re in the right place! It worries me that the author has modelled her freaky house in Shaker Heights on a real life building she visited once, because it was such an eerie place that you couldn’t pay me enough to spend even one hour there after dark.
Picture a stately, century old home in a peaceful affluent suburb. It may be in pretty bad condition, but the price is a steal and it’s nothing a bit of renovating can’t fix. But the house has a history. From its first owners to the last, no one has escaped it unharmed. People have died here, others have gone mad. There are terrible personal tragedies connected to it, and the mysterious graffiti on the walls tells the story of lives unravelling. Locals agree that the place is simply bad. However, the new owners who have bought it for a bargain don’t know yet what they are letting themselves in for. It’s not long until the old house lets them know that it doesn’t want them there ....
I have a bit of a weakness for spooky settings, even though I know that I should not read this type of book after dark. This one freaked me out so much in the first quarter that I had serious doubts whether I should continue reading. But if you are a bit of a chicken like me, rest assured that the tension significantly lessens in the later part of the book, as we get to know some of the old house’s secrets.
Pulley knows how to create an atmospheric setting, and this old house has it all! Lights that go on and off, doors that randomly open and close, an old dried bloodstain in the attic, secret passages, a creepy wine cellar and an evil presence that lingers behind you as if constantly peering over your shoulders. It doesn’t get much better than that! I could vividly picture the setting, and it gave me goosebumps.
The author has chosen to tell her story in various alternating timelines, recounting the fates of its former inhabitants right down to the current owners, the Spielman family. Even though the timeline jumped back and forth between the various families, it was easy to keep track of everyone and fun to slowly connect the dots until a picture formed. There were a few surprises here!
I think I would have loved the story a lot more if I had found the current owners more likeable. Or any of the characters, for that matter. As it was, whilst I was intrigued and thrilled, the book lacked a true connection to any of the characters for me, leaving me slightly dissatisfied and remote, even though all the elements of a truly spooky story were represented. I also felt that the story lost a lot of momentum towards the end and some threads could probably have been cut down a bit to move it along at the same pace it started out at. However, I loved the way it was spooky without being too farfetched, and contained some true historical elements, which is often difficult to find in this genre. It would certainly make for the perfect Halloween read!
All in all, if you are looking for a spooky read with an atmospheric haunted house setting, but are not a fan of gore, then this one is a definite contender. The old house was almost a character in its own right, and probably my favourite part of the story, even though it haunted my nightmares. A book that is perfect for those long, dark autumn nights when the wind is howling around the eves whilst you are snuggled up safely inside.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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Picture a stately, century old home in a peaceful affluent suburb. It may be in pretty bad condition, but the price is a steal and it’s nothing a bit of renovating can’t fix. But the house has a history. From its first owners to the last, no one has escaped it unharmed. People have died here, others have gone mad. There are terrible personal tragedies connected to it, and the mysterious graffiti on the walls tells the story of lives unravelling. Locals agree that the place is simply bad. However, the new owners who have bought it for a bargain don’t know yet what they are letting themselves in for. It’s not long until the old house lets them know that it doesn’t want them there ....
I have a bit of a weakness for spooky settings, even though I know that I should not read this type of book after dark. This one freaked me out so much in the first quarter that I had serious doubts whether I should continue reading. But if you are a bit of a chicken like me, rest assured that the tension significantly lessens in the later part of the book, as we get to know some of the old house’s secrets.
Pulley knows how to create an atmospheric setting, and this old house has it all! Lights that go on and off, doors that randomly open and close, an old dried bloodstain in the attic, secret passages, a creepy wine cellar and an evil presence that lingers behind you as if constantly peering over your shoulders. It doesn’t get much better than that! I could vividly picture the setting, and it gave me goosebumps.
The author has chosen to tell her story in various alternating timelines, recounting the fates of its former inhabitants right down to the current owners, the Spielman family. Even though the timeline jumped back and forth between the various families, it was easy to keep track of everyone and fun to slowly connect the dots until a picture formed. There were a few surprises here!
I think I would have loved the story a lot more if I had found the current owners more likeable. Or any of the characters, for that matter. As it was, whilst I was intrigued and thrilled, the book lacked a true connection to any of the characters for me, leaving me slightly dissatisfied and remote, even though all the elements of a truly spooky story were represented. I also felt that the story lost a lot of momentum towards the end and some threads could probably have been cut down a bit to move it along at the same pace it started out at. However, I loved the way it was spooky without being too farfetched, and contained some true historical elements, which is often difficult to find in this genre. It would certainly make for the perfect Halloween read!
All in all, if you are looking for a spooky read with an atmospheric haunted house setting, but are not a fan of gore, then this one is a definite contender. The old house was almost a character in its own right, and probably my favourite part of the story, even though it haunted my nightmares. A book that is perfect for those long, dark autumn nights when the wind is howling around the eves whilst you are snuggled up safely inside.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the free electronic copy of this novel and for giving me the opportunity to provide an honest review.
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November 17, 2019
What a disappointment. The Horror genre in the GCAs strikes again.
The first half of this book is great: spooky, creepy; there could be murderous ghosts lurking around every corner. The last half of this book just goes on and on... for NO satisfying payoff. The reveals are so disappointing.
What a waste of time. Blech.
The first half of this book is great: spooky, creepy; there could be murderous ghosts lurking around every corner. The last half of this book just goes on and on... for NO satisfying payoff. The reveals are so disappointing.
What a waste of time. Blech.
August 7, 2025
For most of this book, I kept feeling like I read it before but didn't fully know until much later when I looked on Goodreads, and it showed I had. This story was so good!! It was fantastic the first time I listened to it, and this second time, it was really good but just not as exciting since I knew somewhat of how things were going to play out. This house is haunted by all the past things that happened there and the lives this house has touched in various thrilling yet tragic ways. I felt for all the characters and their situations. This story is haunting and thrilling, and I thoroughly enjoyed it!! Definitely recommend if you have yet to read it. The audiobook version was a good experience!
September 25, 2019
Made it about 2/3 of the way through, but felt I could not continue. Found the book tiresomely repetitive. Unusual for me to abandon a read, but I found myself totally disinterested in what might happen. I note that many people enjoyed it, but not for me I'm afraid.
June 21, 2021
A creepy read, tying together three families over many years in a house that has a life of its own. It’s one of those books that just is…creepy ;-) I found it very different in tone and thoroughly enjoyed reading it on these rainy days Down Under!
September 28, 2020
I had a really hard time through more than half of this story as it bounces all over the place between families who lived in Rawlingswood and the time periods that they lived there. It felt really disjointed. And every family who lives there is very, very dysfunctional. It was as if the author had a list of potential family issues and made sure each of them was checked off. And if you like to connect with characters, these aren't characters that most people are going to connect with.
On the plus side, you do want to know how the author is going to pull these numerous threads together and it's well written.
However, if you're really looking for ghosts and scary times, I didn't feel that ramped up chill or fear factor.
On the plus side, you do want to know how the author is going to pull these numerous threads together and it's well written.
However, if you're really looking for ghosts and scary times, I didn't feel that ramped up chill or fear factor.
August 5, 2019
Myron and Margot Martin just landed the deal of the century on a new home. The house, more of a mansion than a house, is a mess but Myron sees the potential not just for renovations, but also for a fresh start for his family but Rawlingswood has a complicated past of its own, evidenced not just in the physical damage done to the house over the years, but also by the cryptic graffiti that covers nearly every wall. As the Martins dig into a full-scale renovation, the house begins to peel back its layers and reveal its secrets. This multigenerational tale of mystery and suspense connects four families defined by tragedy and death, the lingering pain of which begins to reveal itself to the Martins' teenaged son Hunter.
This novel is classic D.M. Pulley and hearkens back to her first book, "The Dead Key" which remains one of my favorites. Pulley is a master of building a world of suspense interwoven with the history that surrounds the buildings who are as much characters in her books as the actual living characters. This book will grab you and not let go until you've driven yourself crazy trying to figure out all its twists and turns.
This novel is classic D.M. Pulley and hearkens back to her first book, "The Dead Key" which remains one of my favorites. Pulley is a master of building a world of suspense interwoven with the history that surrounds the buildings who are as much characters in her books as the actual living characters. This book will grab you and not let go until you've driven yourself crazy trying to figure out all its twists and turns.
September 27, 2019
14895 Lee Road is the address of the Rawlingswood House or as others call it The Murder House! Five Families have lived there and each family have had a death happen.
Rawlings 1922-1931
Bell 1936-1972
Klussman 1972-1990
Martin 1994-2016
Spielman 2018-
The Spielman family wanting a fresh start decide to move to Shaker Ohio. Myron the father and Margot the mother see potential in the Rawlingwood mansion and the price is something they can’t pass up. Inside there’s graffiti and messages hidden in closets and walls, the house is going to need to be completely renovated. Once the contractors begin they find tools missing and it’s like the house doesn’t want to be worked on. The contractors say the house is cursed. When they move in the spielmans immediately feel like their being watched and sometimes at the corner of their eyes they see a girl in white. The book alternates between the troubled history of the home through the stories of all four families. When the lightbulb in the attic keeps coming back on, even though none of them have been in the attic, doors open and closing and when secrets the spielmans want to remain hidden begin to surface, they begin to realize they may not be alone. When Myron and Margots son Hunter whose only sixteen begins to see things he cannot explain he asks the help of his friend Caleb back in Boston to help him investigate what actually happened in the home before his family moved in. What secrets does the house hold? What do the dead want? This book is the perfect fall/ Halloween read! I give this four stars!
Rawlings 1922-1931
Bell 1936-1972
Klussman 1972-1990
Martin 1994-2016
Spielman 2018-
The Spielman family wanting a fresh start decide to move to Shaker Ohio. Myron the father and Margot the mother see potential in the Rawlingwood mansion and the price is something they can’t pass up. Inside there’s graffiti and messages hidden in closets and walls, the house is going to need to be completely renovated. Once the contractors begin they find tools missing and it’s like the house doesn’t want to be worked on. The contractors say the house is cursed. When they move in the spielmans immediately feel like their being watched and sometimes at the corner of their eyes they see a girl in white. The book alternates between the troubled history of the home through the stories of all four families. When the lightbulb in the attic keeps coming back on, even though none of them have been in the attic, doors open and closing and when secrets the spielmans want to remain hidden begin to surface, they begin to realize they may not be alone. When Myron and Margots son Hunter whose only sixteen begins to see things he cannot explain he asks the help of his friend Caleb back in Boston to help him investigate what actually happened in the home before his family moved in. What secrets does the house hold? What do the dead want? This book is the perfect fall/ Halloween read! I give this four stars!
July 23, 2023
I’m definitely glad I picked this up but I think I was just expecting a true haunted house story and this didn’t quite deliver that. I would read something else by this author though!
September 1, 2019
3.5 stars - not quite 4, but certainly better than average.
A good suspenseful tale. It's a ghost story; no, wait, it isn't; oh, hang on, maybe it is....you get the idea. It's definitely a haunted house story, but whether the haunting is supernatural or not, well, things are not always what they seem.
To be honest, this was a difficult read at times (which is probably why I teetered towards 3 stars instead of 4), with the constant flitting around between different time zones and characters. It was fundamental to the structure of the book, but it did make it a tad confusing if, like me, your reading is often grabbed in bite-sized chunks, and you then have to remind yourself who did what and when. If you have the luxury of reading in one or two sittings, this is almost certainly less of an issue. Alternatively, this would make a great film.
A good twisty plot and characters who may not be warm and fuzzy, but at least illicit sympathy (well, most of them anyway, even ones who are inherently unlikeable). A spooky and intriguing story, well written and I recommend it whether you like ghost stories or not!
A good suspenseful tale. It's a ghost story; no, wait, it isn't; oh, hang on, maybe it is....you get the idea. It's definitely a haunted house story, but whether the haunting is supernatural or not, well, things are not always what they seem.
To be honest, this was a difficult read at times (which is probably why I teetered towards 3 stars instead of 4), with the constant flitting around between different time zones and characters. It was fundamental to the structure of the book, but it did make it a tad confusing if, like me, your reading is often grabbed in bite-sized chunks, and you then have to remind yourself who did what and when. If you have the luxury of reading in one or two sittings, this is almost certainly less of an issue. Alternatively, this would make a great film.
A good twisty plot and characters who may not be warm and fuzzy, but at least illicit sympathy (well, most of them anyway, even ones who are inherently unlikeable). A spooky and intriguing story, well written and I recommend it whether you like ghost stories or not!
February 5, 2020
I really tried. I tried to force myself to care after I made it more than halfway but i couldn't I didn't love any of the characters, the story was just so so and while the writing was wonderful and descriptive it didn't change the rest. It wasn't anything that i wanted right now.
January 2, 2021
Review coming in a vlog soon.
November 5, 2020
I started out liking this book, until about 1/4 of the way through. There were too many characters, too many timelines, and too many points of view - which often switched several times on the very same page! Although the chapters were relatively short, there were still too many detailed descriptions that just ended up boring me. I expected a scary story, but it was not. It was just rather depressing. I might try another book by this author in the future, but not right now.
October 29, 2019
*4.5 stars*
March 5, 2020
3.5 Stars
This wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was hoping for something more scary. There were parts that did freak me out quite a bit, but other parts I struggled to get through. That ending pulled at my heart strings and I like how it all came together. Proves that people like to spin the truth.
This wasn’t at all what I was expecting. I was hoping for something more scary. There were parts that did freak me out quite a bit, but other parts I struggled to get through. That ending pulled at my heart strings and I like how it all came together. Proves that people like to spin the truth.
January 24, 2020
This book would have been best suited for psychological thriller/historic fiction rather than the horror genre. I was expecting an amityville horror type of storyline. But overall, the book was admirable and well written. The only downside was the switching of perspective between the 4 families, the switching stirred up confusion from time to time especially at the beginning chapters.
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