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The Purchase
The year is 1870. Former soldier Richard Garrett travels far and wide across America, collecting his special purchases so that he can continue a mysterious ritual. This particular purchase, however, is about to go terribly wrong. A snowstorm stops Garrett in his tracks while he's heading home, and he's forced to take refuge in a remote cabin.
Stuart Munver is looking for gold. Desperate for success and wealth, Munver has become a driven man who'll stop at nothing in his quest for glory. When he too is stuck in the snowstorm, he finds himself in the same cabin as Garrett. Could the item in Garrett's wagon be worth more to Munver than all the gold in the world?
Meanwhile, in the present day, two archaeologists come across the cabin, and their investigation soon turns up some strange and horrifying evidence about what really happened on that awful night.
The Purchase is a horror novel about two strange men, a bizarre ritual, and the true cost of coming back from the dead. This is the 2022 edition of the original 2019 book.
Stuart Munver is looking for gold. Desperate for success and wealth, Munver has become a driven man who'll stop at nothing in his quest for glory. When he too is stuck in the snowstorm, he finds himself in the same cabin as Garrett. Could the item in Garrett's wagon be worth more to Munver than all the gold in the world?
Meanwhile, in the present day, two archaeologists come across the cabin, and their investigation soon turns up some strange and horrifying evidence about what really happened on that awful night.
The Purchase is a horror novel about two strange men, a bizarre ritual, and the true cost of coming back from the dead. This is the 2022 edition of the original 2019 book.
274 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 19, 2019
444 people are currently reading
237 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
662 books1,675 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
March 28, 2022
Quick scary read to haunt your dreams. Don't forget the payment for the ferryman!
March 23, 2022
The novel starts with the present and unfolds a story that started 149 years earlier. Who are the dead people in the remote cabin in the woods? Did they kill each other? What was the reason for the strife? Researchers come across a terrible secret out there step by step. You will find out what happens to those dead rejected by the ferryman. This was a very tight and eerie story composed in a masterly way by an author who really knows what horror is all about. Great allusions to myth, sinister motifs, plausible crafted characters and some stunning twists. This is quite an uncanny read. Highly recommended. Liked it!
March 18, 2023
The Purchase is a novel that communicates one whole story on two separate fronts. There is a wrap-around story that occurs in the present, while also having an interior story that is experienced via flashback in the past. It begins with an archaeological exploration at the site of an odd representation of a scene from the late 1800s which lies preserved in an Old West milieu. There are four bodies in various states of mummified decay that mark the mysterious western scenery. The archaeologists wonder what created the frozen tableau and the story flashes back to what occurred. Needless to say, because Cross is at heart a horror writer the narrative reflects that natural tendency. The story returns to the present to have the continue the horror in the now, and one of the best things is that Amy Cross has you looking in one direction, complete with its specific set of expectations when she reverses course, and has you turned around so that you are not certain if the people you have rooted for throughout the entire story are protagonists or antagonists. This is one of the strengths of this, one of my favored writers.
November 10, 2022
Dark and Forbidding!
What an imagination Amy Cross must have to come up with stories such as this. A supernatural horror which, literally, chills you to the bone. This was a first class tale of fear and retribution and, as such, I recommend it to all lovers of "way out" ghost stories.
What an imagination Amy Cross must have to come up with stories such as this. A supernatural horror which, literally, chills you to the bone. This was a first class tale of fear and retribution and, as such, I recommend it to all lovers of "way out" ghost stories.
December 30, 2024
A group of archaeology students find the site of an abandoned gold prospector's shack in the middle of nowhere California. The site is wonderfully preserved but poses a conundrum. Inside the shack is the body of a man who had been stabbed to death. On a cart nearby are the corpses of a man and a woman, entwined like lovers, and hanging from a tree is the body of another man. Determining the stories of the dead is likely to be a challenge. Step back to the 1860s and we learn that the bodies on the cart were dragged there by a benighted traveller seeking shelter in a storm.
This was the first of my horror triple bill for this month. The Purchase feels like a short novel but is actually 274 pages, which I think must say something about its page-turning qualities. I polished it off in less than 2 days. The horror isn't too over the top and Cross manages to build up some tension with a story which takes place in two time periods- the present day and the 1860s. The present day characters are rather two-dimensional, but I think that is a deliberate choice by the author. The 1860s protagonists are much better characters, though thoroughly unpleasant. There is a very clever twist at the end, which I did not see coming at all. Worth a read.
This was the first of my horror triple bill for this month. The Purchase feels like a short novel but is actually 274 pages, which I think must say something about its page-turning qualities. I polished it off in less than 2 days. The horror isn't too over the top and Cross manages to build up some tension with a story which takes place in two time periods- the present day and the 1860s. The present day characters are rather two-dimensional, but I think that is a deliberate choice by the author. The 1860s protagonists are much better characters, though thoroughly unpleasant. There is a very clever twist at the end, which I did not see coming at all. Worth a read.
January 14, 2021
This is the first book I have read by Cross, and it was a pleasant surprise. The writing style itself is nothing fantastic, but it is clean and precise and the story is clever. The section of the novel with Garret and Munver in the cabin is quirky and almost feels like it could play out in a Tarantino or Cohen brothers movie, just needs some better dialogue. Despite the negatives, The Purchase was entertaining from start to finish and I'll be checking out more books from this author.
April 7, 2019
Ghosts
This book is awesome! Amy Cross has really outdone herself.
Who said that ghosts can't hurt you? A man has just bought two corpses a male and female. He was trying to make it back home to his wife with his purchase, but the snow storm hits too early and it's deadly. He prays for failing his Lord, then he sees a cabin in the middle of nowhere. He meets the owner who is not a very smart man. That's when (excuse the pun) all hell breaks loose!
This is a must read! I couldn't put it down and couldn't read fast enough to turn the page!
This book is awesome! Amy Cross has really outdone herself.
Who said that ghosts can't hurt you? A man has just bought two corpses a male and female. He was trying to make it back home to his wife with his purchase, but the snow storm hits too early and it's deadly. He prays for failing his Lord, then he sees a cabin in the middle of nowhere. He meets the owner who is not a very smart man. That's when (excuse the pun) all hell breaks loose!
This is a must read! I couldn't put it down and couldn't read fast enough to turn the page!
March 24, 2019
First published 2019, a few spelling errors as normal. Highly disappointed with this one, as I love Amy's books, but this took till I was 45% through to start garnering my interest, I almost added it to my didn't finish pile. Big shame as well that it was only 145 pages long. But then the story started to unfold interspersed with some American history & turned into another one of Amy's masterpieces. 4 rating only given due to shortness of novel.
April 22, 2019
YES!!
Now this was a good book! I was spooked! It started out good and ended good. I especially enjoyed how you went back and forth through time. I never read an author who has done that. It really was great to know what happened in the past and then in the present. I also immensely enjoyed what happened towards the other end of the book. I never expected that type of ending! Wow! Now I have found a new favorite author in Amy Cross.
Now this was a good book! I was spooked! It started out good and ended good. I especially enjoyed how you went back and forth through time. I never read an author who has done that. It really was great to know what happened in the past and then in the present. I also immensely enjoyed what happened towards the other end of the book. I never expected that type of ending! Wow! Now I have found a new favorite author in Amy Cross.
September 26, 2019
This was a cleverly woven story with many twists to keep it a bit off kilter and interesting. Very readable, no long boring fillers just to add word count and no lag in the journey to ...what the heck??? I sure didn't see THAT coming! I enjoyed The Purchase on Kindle in bed, no playing solitaire or watching movies at all. Yay! I have decided to follow Amy Cross and have snuggled in to devour a second book.
February 4, 2023
Recommended
With that, he gripped the arms of the chair more firmly and began to rise. His backside made it no more than an inch from the seat, however, before a crippling pain shot through his hips and he gasped as he sat back down. The pain throbbed now, rumbling deep in his body and threatening to return at any moment. He let out a few choice cuss words, committed himself to great strength, and then tried again, only to experience the same painful failure.
With that, he gripped the arms of the chair more firmly and began to rise. His backside made it no more than an inch from the seat, however, before a crippling pain shot through his hips and he gasped as he sat back down. The pain throbbed now, rumbling deep in his body and threatening to return at any moment. He let out a few choice cuss words, committed himself to great strength, and then tried again, only to experience the same painful failure.
August 6, 2025
3.5
I was really digging this book up until the last few chapters. found this book to kind of have a skeleton key vibe. I was honestly hoping for zombies something different than ghosts but I dont know if id call them ghosts as they're stealing dead bodies to inhabit in my mind. not really possession since the bodies they take are already dead. ya I dont know but of mixed feelings but I did enjoy this book.
I was really digging this book up until the last few chapters. found this book to kind of have a skeleton key vibe. I was honestly hoping for zombies something different than ghosts but I dont know if id call them ghosts as they're stealing dead bodies to inhabit in my mind. not really possession since the bodies they take are already dead. ya I dont know but of mixed feelings but I did enjoy this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2019
Always the same twists and turns
Any Cross writes some of the best horror books around. She has mostly hits and some outs. This was a book that was typical Amy Cross. It started out slow but soon started in with the ghosties, goulies, and things that go bump in the night. Are you going to solve the mystery before the end of the book. Clues are there if you follow them.
Any Cross writes some of the best horror books around. She has mostly hits and some outs. This was a book that was typical Amy Cross. It started out slow but soon started in with the ghosties, goulies, and things that go bump in the night. Are you going to solve the mystery before the end of the book. Clues are there if you follow them.
April 16, 2019
Pretty good book.
This was my first Amy Cross book and I enjoyed the story, I thought it was very original but all of the characters seem to be so clueless to what's going on right in front of them. I'm not sure me or anyone I know would be so oblivious. But all in all a good book I will read another one.
This was my first Amy Cross book and I enjoyed the story, I thought it was very original but all of the characters seem to be so clueless to what's going on right in front of them. I'm not sure me or anyone I know would be so oblivious. But all in all a good book I will read another one.
June 13, 2019
Interesting
I wasn't really a fan of any of the characters, and the story line was a bit slow at first. But I kept reading because I was curious to know how the book would end. It does get more fast paced and interesting toward the end. Overall, I wouldn't tell someone not to give this book a try, but I also wouldn't tell them to put it at the top of their list.
I wasn't really a fan of any of the characters, and the story line was a bit slow at first. But I kept reading because I was curious to know how the book would end. It does get more fast paced and interesting toward the end. Overall, I wouldn't tell someone not to give this book a try, but I also wouldn't tell them to put it at the top of their list.
July 4, 2019
A good story???
There was a good, gripping, intriguing story somewhere in these pages. I glimpsed it several times. There were also very strong characters, too. But it was so difficult to see those things through all the editing errors. A lot of POV swapping, different tense uses, in proper grammar and punctuation--its a real mess. For such a prominent author,I expect more.
There was a good, gripping, intriguing story somewhere in these pages. I glimpsed it several times. There were also very strong characters, too. But it was so difficult to see those things through all the editing errors. A lot of POV swapping, different tense uses, in proper grammar and punctuation--its a real mess. For such a prominent author,I expect more.
July 14, 2019
Absolutely page turning!
Lots of twists and turns. My first thought was this would make a great twilight zone movie. Then I got to the end. Didn't expect that. It should be a movie of its own. Their is a creep in it that has some serious issues but there is one in every town. Have fun with this one.
Lots of twists and turns. My first thought was this would make a great twilight zone movie. Then I got to the end. Didn't expect that. It should be a movie of its own. Their is a creep in it that has some serious issues but there is one in every town. Have fun with this one.
July 27, 2019
Great writing & short chapters give this unique story an exciting, fast pace.
Loved this unique story. The writing is professional... No choppy, disconnected ideas that I've been running into - and growing very tired of - lately. Story moves along at a nice pace and does not allow your attention to wain. Highly recommend.
Loved this unique story. The writing is professional... No choppy, disconnected ideas that I've been running into - and growing very tired of - lately. Story moves along at a nice pace and does not allow your attention to wain. Highly recommend.
September 24, 2019
Another Winner
Another winning story from Amy. The story was unusual and true to the authors writting, lots of twists and turns and an OMG I didn’t see that coming moments.
I do hope Amy Cross gets some film/tv or mini series from her novels because they really would make avid viewing.
Another winning story from Amy. The story was unusual and true to the authors writting, lots of twists and turns and an OMG I didn’t see that coming moments.
I do hope Amy Cross gets some film/tv or mini series from her novels because they really would make avid viewing.
December 31, 2019
Very good story
First, I enjoy the past Amy Cross books I’ve read and this one is no different. Bouncing us in history between now and 140 years earlier, I enjoyed the coming together of the two stories. And the twist at the end of the book will provide you with a nice surprise. I read this book in one sitting, and would recommend it highly.
First, I enjoy the past Amy Cross books I’ve read and this one is no different. Bouncing us in history between now and 140 years earlier, I enjoyed the coming together of the two stories. And the twist at the end of the book will provide you with a nice surprise. I read this book in one sitting, and would recommend it highly.
May 23, 2019
Another great story
This one felt like a western horror mystery. The story takes place in the present and the past and finally blend in a twist at the end. It's relatively short because Amy tends to not put in a lot of filler. Just story.
This one felt like a western horror mystery. The story takes place in the present and the past and finally blend in a twist at the end. It's relatively short because Amy tends to not put in a lot of filler. Just story.
June 16, 2019
Meh.
This was kind of cookie cutter for me. Wasn't awful but nothing that I would go around telling people it's a must read. That being said as a fan of the genre I'd kick the tires at another book by her. Looking at her catalog she must have a following. On to the next one.....
This was kind of cookie cutter for me. Wasn't awful but nothing that I would go around telling people it's a must read. That being said as a fan of the genre I'd kick the tires at another book by her. Looking at her catalog she must have a following. On to the next one.....
July 21, 2019
I enjoy horror stories, and this one is really CREEPY. It's been a long time since I've wanted to yell at characters with a "Don't doooo that!", but this really had me going. Very interesting ending too. :)
August 23, 2019
Nice surprise
I bought this book with no expectations at all. I was surprised I could not stop reading. It is an easy horror novel. I loved the twist at the end. Definetly, I want to read more from this writer.
I bought this book with no expectations at all. I was surprised I could not stop reading. It is an easy horror novel. I loved the twist at the end. Definetly, I want to read more from this writer.
March 6, 2020
How Different!
Wow! This novel was so different, so fun to read and kept me guessing. I don’t enjoy writing reviews unless I’m really impressed and this one did that for me. Fantastic!
Wow! This novel was so different, so fun to read and kept me guessing. I don’t enjoy writing reviews unless I’m really impressed and this one did that for me. Fantastic!
November 12, 2022
It's ok. As it happens sometimes with horror stories, some questions remain. Why did Munver help the dead couple? How could Chandler keep walking with a broken ankle? What did Garrett do exactly with the souls he collected?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 20, 2024
Amy Cross never disappoints but this would have to be one of the best of her stories. Set in two different eras, there is enough action to keep you turning those pages. The twist at the end was very unexpected and a shock to the system.
April 6, 2019
Amy Cross
Another well written ghost story by one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of your novels.
Another well written ghost story by one of my favorite authors. I look forward to reading more of your novels.
April 16, 2019
Couldn't
I could not put this book down. I was already a fan and this book made me remember why. Awsome Awsome whriting. Now that's a 👻 story!!!!!!🙋🙋
I could not put this book down. I was already a fan and this book made me remember why. Awsome Awsome whriting. Now that's a 👻 story!!!!!!🙋🙋
April 17, 2019
Creepy
A very good quick and creepy story.
In the middle of the night a man shows up with a cart. The gold planner can’t stand not knowing what the man has.
A very good quick and creepy story.
In the middle of the night a man shows up with a cart. The gold planner can’t stand not knowing what the man has.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews