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The Haunting on the Train
Bad Things Happen on the Train Debra is excited for her new life in a small town where she opens a retail store. She's fascinated by the train that passes by, at first. But when visions of a girl appear everywhere she looks, a terrified Debra wonders if she's losing her mind. When she rides the train, she sees the disheveled girl, who vanishes as quickly as she appears. When Debra is confronted by the strange girl in her store, confusion turns to horror. Can Debra unravel the secrets behind the mystery girl before she loses her mind - or her life?
54 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 26, 2019
32 people are currently reading
42 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
March 22, 2019
Engaging
This is the quintessential ghost story. For a change, it's pleasant to read a tale that is so simple, yet so lovely. No incredulous magic, no walking dead, welll..... The horror is horror, but manageable. No excess gore.
If you want to return to the roots of good old-fashioned ghost stories, pick this one up; you won't be disappointed.
This is the quintessential ghost story. For a change, it's pleasant to read a tale that is so simple, yet so lovely. No incredulous magic, no walking dead, welll..... The horror is horror, but manageable. No excess gore.
If you want to return to the roots of good old-fashioned ghost stories, pick this one up; you won't be disappointed.
June 22, 2025
I have always been drawn to hauntings because they often provide unexpected insights into the human experience. In the beginning, the story unfolds in a familiar manner, presenting a standard mystery narrative where the protagonist grapples with her unsettling circumstances. This setup has an almost whimsical quality, balancing intrigue with lightheartedness, which is unusual for tales of this nature.
The characters, unfortunately, lack depth. They are defined mostly by their names, origins, and occupations, which leaves them feeling one-dimensional. This sparse character development forced me to dig deep if I wanted to invest emotionally in their journey. Ironically, I found myself more concerned for the ghost's plight than for that of the living characters.
Debra, the central figure, is filled with excitement as she embarks on a fresh chapter of her life in a quaint small town. With dreams of opening her own retail store, she is initially enchanted by the sights and sounds around her, particularly the rhythmic clatter of the train that passes by her new home. This initial fascination, however, quickly turns to trepidation as eerie visions of a girl begin to disrupt her peace.
Everywhere Debra looks, the apparition of a disheveled girl appears, sending her into a spiral of confusion and fear. The first moment that truly rattles her is during a ride on the very train she once admired. As she gazes out the window, the girl manifests before her eyes, only to vanish into thin air almost instantly. These ghostly encounters leave Debra questioning her own sanity.
When Debra eventually confronts the strange girl in her store, her confusion rapidly escalates into sheer terror. The weight of the mystery surrounding this haunting girl presses heavily on her mind. Can Debra untangle the secrets that bind her to this spectral figure before she spirals into madness—or worse, risks her own life in the process?
The narration by Katrina Pereira offers a commendable interpretation of the material. Given the limited dialogue throughout the story, her storytelling is primarily narrative-driven rather than conversational. While her delivery is competent, the story itself, though engaging, lacks the atmosphere of dread or the thrilling scares typically expected from a ghostly tale. Nonetheless, it offers entertainment and a well-crafted narrative that keeps the reader invested in Debra’s unsettling journey.
The characters, unfortunately, lack depth. They are defined mostly by their names, origins, and occupations, which leaves them feeling one-dimensional. This sparse character development forced me to dig deep if I wanted to invest emotionally in their journey. Ironically, I found myself more concerned for the ghost's plight than for that of the living characters.
Debra, the central figure, is filled with excitement as she embarks on a fresh chapter of her life in a quaint small town. With dreams of opening her own retail store, she is initially enchanted by the sights and sounds around her, particularly the rhythmic clatter of the train that passes by her new home. This initial fascination, however, quickly turns to trepidation as eerie visions of a girl begin to disrupt her peace.
Everywhere Debra looks, the apparition of a disheveled girl appears, sending her into a spiral of confusion and fear. The first moment that truly rattles her is during a ride on the very train she once admired. As she gazes out the window, the girl manifests before her eyes, only to vanish into thin air almost instantly. These ghostly encounters leave Debra questioning her own sanity.
When Debra eventually confronts the strange girl in her store, her confusion rapidly escalates into sheer terror. The weight of the mystery surrounding this haunting girl presses heavily on her mind. Can Debra untangle the secrets that bind her to this spectral figure before she spirals into madness—or worse, risks her own life in the process?
The narration by Katrina Pereira offers a commendable interpretation of the material. Given the limited dialogue throughout the story, her storytelling is primarily narrative-driven rather than conversational. While her delivery is competent, the story itself, though engaging, lacks the atmosphere of dread or the thrilling scares typically expected from a ghostly tale. Nonetheless, it offers entertainment and a well-crafted narrative that keeps the reader invested in Debra’s unsettling journey.
September 23, 2019
Could have been better
The prologue and first few chapters were good, but then it became tedious. I got so sick and tired of reading about the main character's "brain" that I thought I might scream. I mean, come on; if the gal just vanishes (one minute there, the next gone), why do writers have the main character questioning their sanity or their "brain"? The ending was too soon and too abrupt, as well. I like this author, but this short book could have been longer and scarier; I mean, who doesn't like a haunted train? But the haunted location was everywhere else but the train. A big Debra-downer. 😉
The prologue and first few chapters were good, but then it became tedious. I got so sick and tired of reading about the main character's "brain" that I thought I might scream. I mean, come on; if the gal just vanishes (one minute there, the next gone), why do writers have the main character questioning their sanity or their "brain"? The ending was too soon and too abrupt, as well. I like this author, but this short book could have been longer and scarier; I mean, who doesn't like a haunted train? But the haunted location was everywhere else but the train. A big Debra-downer. 😉
November 10, 2019
I really wanted to like this book based on the description. But I found the story very repetitive and a bit boring. It spent more time questioning the "sanity and brain" of the main character, Debra, instead of much about the ghost, Emily. I didn't like the bulk of the story being about how many times Debra worried about if she was going to see the vanishing girl. I think this story could have been much better by telling a little more about Emily and less about Debra jumping at her own shadow.
March 9, 2019
if you like a nice little ghost story reminiscent of the old fashioned story s that were told around a campfire when you were young, you will like this one.recommend ed for younger people.not the best story i have ever read
but certainly not the worst. it was free so im not comlaining like i woould if i had dished out money for it.
but certainly not the worst. it was free so im not comlaining like i woould if i had dished out money for it.
April 9, 2020
This is a very gripping but short ghost story. Emily is robbed, pushed off a train and left to die in 1920. About a hundred years later Debra comes to open a shop in the station near where the robbery and murder happened and keeps seeing a girl crying and wearing only one boot. Eventually she figures out what the girl is looking for and gives it to her, upon which the haunting finishes.
February 17, 2019
Great story
Really enjoyed this holiday story. Went through three holidays with a hauntingly good read. 💘 Carrie Bates really surprised me on this one. May you enjoy your journey through the Supernatural world of reading.
Really enjoyed this holiday story. Went through three holidays with a hauntingly good read. 💘 Carrie Bates really surprised me on this one. May you enjoy your journey through the Supernatural world of reading.
May 28, 2019
Like her writing, a little bit on the short side.
I like her writing style, I really got into the story, but it was too short for my taste. That is why I only have 3 stars, I felt it was a novella.
I like her writing style, I really got into the story, but it was too short for my taste. That is why I only have 3 stars, I felt it was a novella.
April 22, 2024
Keep finding it funny how i read back to back stories by the author and she used the same 2 names as the last book I read. Overall not a bad story but ending felt rushed. I'm liking how so far all stories by this author are different so far. Kudos for that.
January 28, 2019
Great short story!!!!
Loved this short story. Could not put it down. Read it in one afternoon! Recommend this book to any one
Loved this short story. Could not put it down. Read it in one afternoon! Recommend this book to any one
February 17, 2019
I expected a story with a little more weight to it. The writer missed out on a good story line;. I expected something with more depth and history. It ended too abruptly.
March 7, 2019
I truly enjoyed this book forward to reading more
April 1, 2019
this book is the best haunting book that I have read. Carrie Bates you did a terrific job writing this book. I could not put it down.
April 11, 2019
Reason ghost appear
I enjoyed reading this book and i gave it a 5 star. Book was about helping a needy ghost. I was in a mood for a simple relaxing book
I enjoyed reading this book and i gave it a 5 star. Book was about helping a needy ghost. I was in a mood for a simple relaxing book
June 4, 2019
I loved this story.
Lovely little story and really sad, good characters and a good storyline.
I love stories like this one, short but interesting.
Lovely little story and really sad, good characters and a good storyline.
I love stories like this one, short but interesting.
August 4, 2020
Awful,
February 18, 2025
This is part of a short story book collection. This one is my favorite so far. It was a store instead of a restaurant. No evil ghosts and an ending where the evil ghosts wins .I LOVE the ending .
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews