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Ghost Song: The Haunting Of Denby Manor
A family curse can reach across generations.
After bank manager Jonathan Ward inherits an old manor, strange things begin to happen. On his first night at the property, a beautiful young woman appears outside his door, pleading for help. Moments later, she has disappeared.
Strange apparitions and unearthly sounds follow, as does the young woman seeking refuge. Desperate for information, Jonathan turns to the vast knowledge of the town librarian for help.
As the dark history of the manor unfolds, Jonathan begins to realize the full extent of the horror to come. Is it too late to save those dearest to him... and himself?
★★★★★ - "A tale that will haunt readers for generations to come. A great ghost story."
★★★★★ - "Well written and compelling. I highly recommend this book."
After bank manager Jonathan Ward inherits an old manor, strange things begin to happen. On his first night at the property, a beautiful young woman appears outside his door, pleading for help. Moments later, she has disappeared.
Strange apparitions and unearthly sounds follow, as does the young woman seeking refuge. Desperate for information, Jonathan turns to the vast knowledge of the town librarian for help.
As the dark history of the manor unfolds, Jonathan begins to realize the full extent of the horror to come. Is it too late to save those dearest to him... and himself?
★★★★★ - "A tale that will haunt readers for generations to come. A great ghost story."
★★★★★ - "Well written and compelling. I highly recommend this book."
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
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396 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
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October 27, 2021Well.....what to say about this book.
I tried to get into the storyline, but it was a struggle as there is just way too much detail about every little thing with the main character. Like I had said on a general update the other day "detail overload" and as much as I love details with characters and storyline, I do not need a "play by play" of every little thing the character does as it throws the whole storyline off.
I made it up to about the 25% mark and I hadn't even entered the spooky manor that this story is about, so laying this one down and adding it to my dnf shelf. I was really looking forward to this book as I had read another book by this author that I loved, but just because this book didn't work for me doesn't mean I will stop reading this author. Sometimes it is just hit and miss. With dnf books there will be no rating.
I tried to get into the storyline, but it was a struggle as there is just way too much detail about every little thing with the main character. Like I had said on a general update the other day "detail overload" and as much as I love details with characters and storyline, I do not need a "play by play" of every little thing the character does as it throws the whole storyline off.
I made it up to about the 25% mark and I hadn't even entered the spooky manor that this story is about, so laying this one down and adding it to my dnf shelf. I was really looking forward to this book as I had read another book by this author that I loved, but just because this book didn't work for me doesn't mean I will stop reading this author. Sometimes it is just hit and miss. With dnf books there will be no rating.
June 23, 2019
Good tale
This was an interesting story, but I felt that the tale told via one long speech in a bar to strangers wasn't believable. Then another story within that story being told was too much. The story was a good one, definitely, but I personally didn't care for how it was conveyed. That's just my opinion.
This was an interesting story, but I felt that the tale told via one long speech in a bar to strangers wasn't believable. Then another story within that story being told was too much. The story was a good one, definitely, but I personally didn't care for how it was conveyed. That's just my opinion.
March 12, 2020
I quite liked this book. I enjoyed the ghost and her story, and the fact she took revenge on those who clearly deserved it.
I found the protagonist to be endearing and would 100% listen to his story if I was confronted by such a gent in a pub somewhere.
I disagree with the people who said it was too wordy, sometimes I feel that shorter horror stories get to the point too quickly instead of setting a tone and building atmosphere.
My only wish is that somehow the ghost would have had closure, as I was rooting for her more than anyone, so it’s really only my sentimentality that prevented a 5 star rating though I feel it deserved more than a 4 star.
I found the protagonist to be endearing and would 100% listen to his story if I was confronted by such a gent in a pub somewhere.
I disagree with the people who said it was too wordy, sometimes I feel that shorter horror stories get to the point too quickly instead of setting a tone and building atmosphere.
My only wish is that somehow the ghost would have had closure, as I was rooting for her more than anyone, so it’s really only my sentimentality that prevented a 5 star rating though I feel it deserved more than a 4 star.
May 16, 2019
Very good story.
May 11, 2020
Good ghost story but..
*spoilers*
I wish the author would have broke the telling of Johnathans story up with a quick description here and there of how the bar owners and the band were reacting. All I kept thinking is this old man started his story by saying he would try to keep it short, which he obviously did not. If someone is trying to keep a story short they don't describe in detail the weather of each day or what he ate for lunch. Those are all details i love in a book, but because this was set up the way it was it just didn't work for me. I wonder if someone, like a publisher or someone, made the suggestion to the author to add the old guy at the bar stuff. It felt forced and really only distracted from the ghost story imo. Also, lots of grammatical mistakes. Whether or not someone believes in God it is always capitalized. The plural is not. And too many !!!!'s
I'm really only leaving this review because I think the author has potential for writing good ghost stories so I'm only hoping to help, not criticize.
*spoilers*
I wish the author would have broke the telling of Johnathans story up with a quick description here and there of how the bar owners and the band were reacting. All I kept thinking is this old man started his story by saying he would try to keep it short, which he obviously did not. If someone is trying to keep a story short they don't describe in detail the weather of each day or what he ate for lunch. Those are all details i love in a book, but because this was set up the way it was it just didn't work for me. I wonder if someone, like a publisher or someone, made the suggestion to the author to add the old guy at the bar stuff. It felt forced and really only distracted from the ghost story imo. Also, lots of grammatical mistakes. Whether or not someone believes in God it is always capitalized. The plural is not. And too many !!!!'s
I'm really only leaving this review because I think the author has potential for writing good ghost stories so I'm only hoping to help, not criticize.
August 31, 2019
All tell and no show. I got to Chapter 7 before I gave up waiting on anything interesting to happen, then skimmed through the rest just in case a miracle occurred. Spoiler alert: it didn't. This story was lacking in texture and I felt no connection to the characters. Nothing wrong with the premise, just the execution.
Basically, an old man tells a group of bar patrons a long, dull story about how he inherited a haunted house. Apparently, "apparently" is the author's favorite word, since he apparently sees fit to use it 20 times throughout this apparently lackluster tome. Apparently.
Basically, an old man tells a group of bar patrons a long, dull story about how he inherited a haunted house. Apparently, "apparently" is the author's favorite word, since he apparently sees fit to use it 20 times throughout this apparently lackluster tome. Apparently.
August 22, 2019
Wow. Just wow. And sad.
Good premise but terrible execution. This story needed - no screamed - for an editor and a re-write. The prose was stilted and unbelievable. Some terms used were ridiculous. Real people don't speak like these characters. Disappointing because the story idea itself has merit.
Good premise but terrible execution. This story needed - no screamed - for an editor and a re-write. The prose was stilted and unbelievable. Some terms used were ridiculous. Real people don't speak like these characters. Disappointing because the story idea itself has merit.
April 12, 2019
Very boring
The story is being told as if it is a camp fire story. I found not even finish this book. It was boring and dragged on.
The story is being told as if it is a camp fire story. I found not even finish this book. It was boring and dragged on.
April 16, 2019
This book took a long time to tell a fairly straightforward story. Not sure why , but it really dragged on to a pretty predictable ending. It wasn't awful , just wordy.
April 17, 2019
Too wordy. I was sick of reading it before it ended
May 10, 2022
I found this book surprisingly enjoyable. It's a bit different from your typical haunted house story. It begins with a disturbing scene of haunting in a mansion in the past then moves ahead in time to a busy pub featuring a Romani musical group performing to an appreciative crowd. The pub’s landlady welcomes a regular customer she knows only by sight. He rarely speaks; he sits alone and usually leaves after one pint.
On this night she seats him at a quiet table in a back room and gives him a pint on the house because he seems lonely and sad. When the group plays a “gypsy lullaby” the man starts to cry. The landlady notices and comforts him, bringing a second pint. When the music stops and the pub empties he’s still at his table. The group joins him and the landlady for a drink and he’s asked about his reaction to the lullaby, which really shouldn’t have been at all familiar to him. The man, Jonathan, tells his story which makes up the rest of the book.
Given that his story would probably have taken a couple of hours to tell, this device seems a bit far-fetched but it’s still a good introduction. The tale he tells is set about fifteen years in the past. It starts with the arrival of a letter from a law firm advising the young bank employee that an unknown relative has left him an old manor house. During a short, inexpensive vacation in Brighton the wife convinces her practical husband to have his fortune told at a gypsy caravan. The old woman takes his money and pulls out her crystal ball and sees something so terrible that she forces him out of the caravan refusing to keep his money. She tells him he must not go.
The couple doesn’t join the dots and plans to visit the house together, however, Jonathan’s wife has to stay in London to help her father so Jonathan goes alone, meets with the lawyer, gets a brief tour and an introduction to the couple who live on the estate and work part time as cook and caretaker.
On Jonathan’s first night strange things start to happen. A beautiful young woman appears outside his door, pleading for help. Moments later, she has disappeared. Then he hears a harpsichord playing and a woman singing. This is reminiscent of the opening scene of haunting but Jonathan is a very practical man and starts looking for answers to the strange apparitions and unearthly sounds. He searches for information and turns to the town librarian who helps him access old news stories from his unknown relative’s time. As the dark history of the manor slowly unfolds, Jonathan begins to realize the full extent of the horror to come. On one level it’s pretty predictable but the writing and the characters are engaging -- and there are enough unusual twists to make this horror/cozy well worth the read.
On this night she seats him at a quiet table in a back room and gives him a pint on the house because he seems lonely and sad. When the group plays a “gypsy lullaby” the man starts to cry. The landlady notices and comforts him, bringing a second pint. When the music stops and the pub empties he’s still at his table. The group joins him and the landlady for a drink and he’s asked about his reaction to the lullaby, which really shouldn’t have been at all familiar to him. The man, Jonathan, tells his story which makes up the rest of the book.
Given that his story would probably have taken a couple of hours to tell, this device seems a bit far-fetched but it’s still a good introduction. The tale he tells is set about fifteen years in the past. It starts with the arrival of a letter from a law firm advising the young bank employee that an unknown relative has left him an old manor house. During a short, inexpensive vacation in Brighton the wife convinces her practical husband to have his fortune told at a gypsy caravan. The old woman takes his money and pulls out her crystal ball and sees something so terrible that she forces him out of the caravan refusing to keep his money. She tells him he must not go.
The couple doesn’t join the dots and plans to visit the house together, however, Jonathan’s wife has to stay in London to help her father so Jonathan goes alone, meets with the lawyer, gets a brief tour and an introduction to the couple who live on the estate and work part time as cook and caretaker.
On Jonathan’s first night strange things start to happen. A beautiful young woman appears outside his door, pleading for help. Moments later, she has disappeared. Then he hears a harpsichord playing and a woman singing. This is reminiscent of the opening scene of haunting but Jonathan is a very practical man and starts looking for answers to the strange apparitions and unearthly sounds. He searches for information and turns to the town librarian who helps him access old news stories from his unknown relative’s time. As the dark history of the manor slowly unfolds, Jonathan begins to realize the full extent of the horror to come. On one level it’s pretty predictable but the writing and the characters are engaging -- and there are enough unusual twists to make this horror/cozy well worth the read.
October 7, 2022
Well, I think this book is quite boring. Although the story could be more interesting and scary. But it's just plain and boring.
Jonathan and his wife Jennifer lived peacefully until his distant cousin Spalding died leaving the Delby Manor to Jonathan, like any other horror story a woman is warning them not to go... but Jonathan decides to go leaving Jennifer in London for the time being.
Where he is haunted by a spirit named Amy, who is seeking revenge for Jonathan's uncle's bloodline just coz Artemis and Spalding played wrong with her. Jonathan got to know the secrets from his distant aunt Elizabeth.
And then the story took at speed and things happened and ended quickly.
The part about Jonathan where he met his wife and all the other stuff was explained a lot in the story which made it boring. Instead, I wished there could be more suspense and scary stuff added to the story elaborating more about other characters who could be made shady for example Spalding, Spencer, Artemis, and Elizabeth.
All in all the story is not up to my expectation for a horror story but you could always give it a try.
💕
Jonathan and his wife Jennifer lived peacefully until his distant cousin Spalding died leaving the Delby Manor to Jonathan, like any other horror story a woman is warning them not to go... but Jonathan decides to go leaving Jennifer in London for the time being.
Where he is haunted by a spirit named Amy, who is seeking revenge for Jonathan's uncle's bloodline just coz Artemis and Spalding played wrong with her. Jonathan got to know the secrets from his distant aunt Elizabeth.
And then the story took at speed and things happened and ended quickly.
The part about Jonathan where he met his wife and all the other stuff was explained a lot in the story which made it boring. Instead, I wished there could be more suspense and scary stuff added to the story elaborating more about other characters who could be made shady for example Spalding, Spencer, Artemis, and Elizabeth.
All in all the story is not up to my expectation for a horror story but you could always give it a try.
💕
November 1, 2020
In essence this was a good story, but Jonathan is relating his experiences to a group of young people in a bar. And since it was such a detailed story I wondered if they kept looking at their watches wanting to go home. And how detailed it was which made me marvel at his memory since Jonathan was an elderly man and remembering all this from fifty years ago.
In many ways I felt something was lacking in what could have been a lovely supernatural romance and I finally decided that had it been written in the first person entirely and to us, the reader, I would have given it five stars certainly.
I do think a little more editing is needed, especially as there was an error in the very last line of the story that made me wince.
I can still recommend Ghost Song to those who enjoy the supernatural genre and since I kept turning the pages and wanted to know what happened, I'm happy to give three stars for this story.
In many ways I felt something was lacking in what could have been a lovely supernatural romance and I finally decided that had it been written in the first person entirely and to us, the reader, I would have given it five stars certainly.
I do think a little more editing is needed, especially as there was an error in the very last line of the story that made me wince.
I can still recommend Ghost Song to those who enjoy the supernatural genre and since I kept turning the pages and wanted to know what happened, I'm happy to give three stars for this story.
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June 5, 2021Heartwarming (?) Ghostly Tale
Told thru the first person voice of "a man man walks into a bar and..." a song played by the band brings out a memory causing him to shed some tears which are noticed by the female bartender/owner of the pub. He's a regular, but very quiet, so she's felt compelled to check on him all night, notices his reaction, and this sets off a chain reaction wherein he ends up telling the story of why that song touches him the way it does to not only her, but her husband and the entire band. So much for being quiet!
He's inherited a very large home (a mansion) which he quickly learns is haunted by a young girl who pleads for his help because someone is trying to take her baby.
As the story unfolds, we learn why she is haunting this place, or is she haunting him?
Told thru the first person voice of "a man man walks into a bar and..." a song played by the band brings out a memory causing him to shed some tears which are noticed by the female bartender/owner of the pub. He's a regular, but very quiet, so she's felt compelled to check on him all night, notices his reaction, and this sets off a chain reaction wherein he ends up telling the story of why that song touches him the way it does to not only her, but her husband and the entire band. So much for being quiet!
He's inherited a very large home (a mansion) which he quickly learns is haunted by a young girl who pleads for his help because someone is trying to take her baby.
As the story unfolds, we learn why she is haunting this place, or is she haunting him?
May 17, 2019
Great Gothic Ghost Story
Mark L'Estrange has created a tale that will haunt readers for generations to come, for that is what a great ghost story does. In the best tradition of Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley, this story grabs ahold of the reader and refuses to let go til the tale is done. Jonathan, Jenifer and Amy will live on in the telling and retelling of this excellent story. It begins, as many such tales do, with the inheritance of an ancient family manor, which soon proves to be haunted. Yet its ghost is not what she appears to be at first. I won't spoil it for you, for this deserves to be read, pondered and read again (and perhaps more than twice). A+ Bravo!
Mark L'Estrange has created a tale that will haunt readers for generations to come, for that is what a great ghost story does. In the best tradition of Edgar Allen Poe and Mary Shelley, this story grabs ahold of the reader and refuses to let go til the tale is done. Jonathan, Jenifer and Amy will live on in the telling and retelling of this excellent story. It begins, as many such tales do, with the inheritance of an ancient family manor, which soon proves to be haunted. Yet its ghost is not what she appears to be at first. I won't spoil it for you, for this deserves to be read, pondered and read again (and perhaps more than twice). A+ Bravo!
November 16, 2019
Haunting, captivating ghost story
I came across this book by accident, having never read any of this author’s other works, and I must say I was happy I did. The story was intriguing, the writing was excellent, and I found myself curled up in a warm soft blanket, glass of wine in hand, reading long into the night. Am looking forward to delving into other novels by this author. I would have given it five stars, but for the few editing errors. Nothing major, just enough to give me pause to actually figure out what he was trying to say. Hope to see more work in the future, as this author knows how to weave a ghostly tale.♥️
I came across this book by accident, having never read any of this author’s other works, and I must say I was happy I did. The story was intriguing, the writing was excellent, and I found myself curled up in a warm soft blanket, glass of wine in hand, reading long into the night. Am looking forward to delving into other novels by this author. I would have given it five stars, but for the few editing errors. Nothing major, just enough to give me pause to actually figure out what he was trying to say. Hope to see more work in the future, as this author knows how to weave a ghostly tale.♥️
May 17, 2024
Mark L’Estrange, thank you!!!
I finished this book with tears in my eyes and a weight of sadness in my heart - I’ve never in my life, in the hundreds of books I’ve read, been blessed with such a tale. From a first name connection with the characters, and a longing for this book to never end, if there was ever a book I would have to choose to read over and over again, it would be this one. Starting out wanting to read a great ghost story, I’m so glad this tale transformed into one of everlasting love. My title says it all…thank you Mark L’Estrange, my life is much more the better for having discovered your books, and more so, this one.
I finished this book with tears in my eyes and a weight of sadness in my heart - I’ve never in my life, in the hundreds of books I’ve read, been blessed with such a tale. From a first name connection with the characters, and a longing for this book to never end, if there was ever a book I would have to choose to read over and over again, it would be this one. Starting out wanting to read a great ghost story, I’m so glad this tale transformed into one of everlasting love. My title says it all…thank you Mark L’Estrange, my life is much more the better for having discovered your books, and more so, this one.
October 3, 2020
4.5 Stars!!
This was an exceptional haunting tale of of the sins of the father being passed down through the generations. A truly scary haunted house story that will stay with me for a long time to come. I considered giving it 5 stars but felt that it was let down by the strange manner in which the story was conveyed. The telling of such a long and detailed dramatic tale to a group of strangers in a pub, after closing time, was the one weakness in the story. That said, I enjoyed it enormously.
This was an exceptional haunting tale of of the sins of the father being passed down through the generations. A truly scary haunted house story that will stay with me for a long time to come. I considered giving it 5 stars but felt that it was let down by the strange manner in which the story was conveyed. The telling of such a long and detailed dramatic tale to a group of strangers in a pub, after closing time, was the one weakness in the story. That said, I enjoyed it enormously.
May 13, 2019
Haunting story of love, loss, and revenge!
Wow, what a read ! I was captivated with this story. Part love story, part evil and revenge filled, part ghost and haunted house ... it was the ultimate combination of all of these with greed at the apex. This was a gripping, captivating, all-emcompassing ghost story that I found impossible to put down. Loved it! (The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of a few typos that distracted me.)
Wow, what a read ! I was captivated with this story. Part love story, part evil and revenge filled, part ghost and haunted house ... it was the ultimate combination of all of these with greed at the apex. This was a gripping, captivating, all-emcompassing ghost story that I found impossible to put down. Loved it! (The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars was because of a few typos that distracted me.)
March 14, 2021
Haunting
Denby Manor is the first book by author Mark L'Estrange. It was an interesting read with a great story. This was a bit long winded for me, in that I felt too much time was spent on very minor details adding substance that more pertinent details should have. While the book is about a haunted manor, I feel it was less about a manor and more about the haunting of a family. All things considered I would recommend this book.
Denby Manor is the first book by author Mark L'Estrange. It was an interesting read with a great story. This was a bit long winded for me, in that I felt too much time was spent on very minor details adding substance that more pertinent details should have. While the book is about a haunted manor, I feel it was less about a manor and more about the haunting of a family. All things considered I would recommend this book.
March 15, 2021
Die Geschichte ist nicht neu, aber interessant rübergebracht. Ich wurde in den Bann gezogen und musste unbedingt wissen wie das ganze zusammen gehört und passt. Leider ist das Lektorat des Buches anscheinend bei Google Translate gemacht worden, denn es sind unwahrscheinlich viele Grammatik Fehler und sehr viele Satzbaufehler. Mir hat das Buch gut gefallen, es ist aber durch die holprige Sprache schwer zu lesen.
July 15, 2021
Very entertaining!
It started somewhat slow, but once it for to the
actual ghost story it was a real page turner. At
that point I couldn't put it down. I did enjoy it!
Was sad at the ending because his wife ended
up dying from the accident, but I suppose I
expected it. Anyway, a very interesting ghost
story!!!
It started somewhat slow, but once it for to the
actual ghost story it was a real page turner. At
that point I couldn't put it down. I did enjoy it!
Was sad at the ending because his wife ended
up dying from the accident, but I suppose I
expected it. Anyway, a very interesting ghost
story!!!
April 19, 2019
A Tortured Soul
This book was well written and compelling. It is very intriguing and the ending was a bit of a surprise. There is a bit of subterfuge used in the way the ending was written leading you to false assumptions. I highly recommend this book.
This book was well written and compelling. It is very intriguing and the ending was a bit of a surprise. There is a bit of subterfuge used in the way the ending was written leading you to false assumptions. I highly recommend this book.
May 24, 2019
Good book!
This tale was very well told. The details brought me right into the story and I enjoyed each word. It ended on a definite that I hated to see but still it was a great story.
This tale was very well told. The details brought me right into the story and I enjoyed each word. It ended on a definite that I hated to see but still it was a great story.
June 20, 2019
WOW
This was very well written and deep. The haunting is not just an evil spirit, you learn the reasoning behind it but you also feel for the main character. I enjoyed this story very much and definitely recommend it!!!!!
This was very well written and deep. The haunting is not just an evil spirit, you learn the reasoning behind it but you also feel for the main character. I enjoyed this story very much and definitely recommend it!!!!!
July 20, 2019
Sad story
A very tragic and sad story. I liked the fact the story was told in first person. This made the story seem very real. What an awful thing to happen to such wonderful people. Money is and always will be the bane of human existence.
A very tragic and sad story. I liked the fact the story was told in first person. This made the story seem very real. What an awful thing to happen to such wonderful people. Money is and always will be the bane of human existence.
November 13, 2019
This overall concept is good but the execution was so so
The overall story was good but the execution was just so so.The book just dragged on on and on I found myself skipping alot of pointless space filling paragraphs .
The overall story was good but the execution was just so so.The book just dragged on on and on I found myself skipping alot of pointless space filling paragraphs .
July 30, 2020
Great read
I have sat here for close to 3 1\2 hours and read this book from beginning to end. It was great and kept my attention from the very beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre.
I have sat here for close to 3 1\2 hours and read this book from beginning to end. It was great and kept my attention from the very beginning. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre.
August 25, 2020
A moving story you won't soon forget!
A bit of strange, love sadness and mystery but couldn't stop till finished. Not the ending I expected but interesting in itself. You will be surprised!
A bit of strange, love sadness and mystery but couldn't stop till finished. Not the ending I expected but interesting in itself. You will be surprised!
dnf
September 30, 2024I’m not loving the story set up here. Guy is telling some random people his life story.. doesn’t seem believable and I find it tedious and slow. I just can’t get into this one. DNF at 25%.
Might return to it later.
Might return to it later.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews