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Asylum #1
Rookwood Asylum
Some memories are too painful to forget...American History lecturer Paul Mahan was looking for a little peace and quiet. A place to recover from his personal demons, and pursue his academic career. But when he moves into the newly refurbished Rookwood Apartments, he soon finds himself trapped in a living nightmare.
A series of terrifying events forces Paul to question his sanity. Strange messages scrib-ble themselves across the walls. His beautiful neighbor seems to vanish without a trace. And a deadly accident tears away the veil from Rookwood's dark past.
As these violent incidents escalate, residents call in a paranormal expert, hoping to end the strange accidents once and for all. But only Paul understands the chilling truth. The pain and torture of Rookwood's blood-soaked past can no longer be contained...
And a terror beyond anything they have ever experienced is about to be unleashed.
A series of terrifying events forces Paul to question his sanity. Strange messages scrib-ble themselves across the walls. His beautiful neighbor seems to vanish without a trace. And a deadly accident tears away the veil from Rookwood's dark past.
As these violent incidents escalate, residents call in a paranormal expert, hoping to end the strange accidents once and for all. But only Paul understands the chilling truth. The pain and torture of Rookwood's blood-soaked past can no longer be contained...
And a terror beyond anything they have ever experienced is about to be unleashed.
167 pages, Paperback
First published March 26, 2019
1356 people are currently reading
1160 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 133 reviews
September 17, 2021
Here we are with a fast paced story about a possessed apartment unit built on the ground of a former asylum. You'll read about Annie's story, meet mysterious Liz and witness a psychic and a priest trying some exorcism. Can Paul (the main character) free Annie's soul trapped in the former asylum? What about Dr Palmer, the mad doctor and torturer of patients? The novel had many fine elements but as a whole nothing new under the sun. If you're in for a quick read with horror elements or if you're a fan of stories set into former asylums you might risk a glance. To me it was a bit too conventional in its construction. Good and easy read but nothing extraordinary. A bit of a lightweight rather.
April 29, 2019
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. Someone gets the bright idea to turn an insane asylum into apartment homes! Who wouldn’t love to read all about that, right?! You know what’s coming !
Yes, and it doesn’t let you down nor does it lack in humor—no, actual humor! I loved that. I will be trying this author again.
This book had all of those moments you would expect and it wasn’t over the top. Some of the hilarious moments were too long to highlight but I got some short ones.
Happy reading !
Yes, and it doesn’t let you down nor does it lack in humor—no, actual humor! I loved that. I will be trying this author again.
This book had all of those moments you would expect and it wasn’t over the top. Some of the hilarious moments were too long to highlight but I got some short ones.
Happy reading !
November 11, 2023
Ne vienmēr ārstniecības iestādes garīgi slimajiem ir tādas bijušas kā vieta, kurā attiecīgā patoloģija ārstēta. Ne vienmēr par trako namiem sauktajās iestādēs nonāca tikai ar garīgajām slimībām sirgstošie, kur nu vēl pēc pašu vēlēšanās un piekrišanas, kā notiek ar nepilngadīgo Annie, kurai tiek tas nelaimīgais liktenis ne tikai ieķerties kādā par sevi vecākā vīrietī, bet piedevām palikt stāvoklī. Kad Annija nepiekrīt no bērna atteikties apkārtējiem ir tikai viens secinājums – meitene nevar būt pie pilna prāta.
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https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/202...
September 4, 2021
Paul can't believe his luck when he finds a brand new apartment in his price range. But the longer he's there, more and more strange things keep happening. Even life threatening accidents that put all of the other tenants on edge.
It's never a good idea to move into a building that used to be an insane asylum after all.
More of a typical / straight forward haunting story. I did find this one enjoyable and the writing style was good. I also really liked the concept of an old haunted asylum being turned into an apartment building with deadly accidents.
Overall it wasn't really a scary read though and I was hoping for a bit more creepiness from this one. I probably won't continue on with this series.
It's never a good idea to move into a building that used to be an insane asylum after all.
More of a typical / straight forward haunting story. I did find this one enjoyable and the writing style was good. I also really liked the concept of an old haunted asylum being turned into an apartment building with deadly accidents.
Overall it wasn't really a scary read though and I was hoping for a bit more creepiness from this one. I probably won't continue on with this series.
August 24, 2021
So much potential in asylums. Very little of it was used here. Nothing was scary or suspenseful.
I liked it well enough but wanted more of everything. More character background, more development, more info about this world that's apparently like ours but includes psychic abilities...? I didn't like how a lot of questions were not answered. I don't even feel like I know what happened to the asylum in the end, but maybe I just missed it since the ending seemed very glossed over. Too much happening to set up for the series, and I didn't like how things turned went. So many loose ends (and yes, I know, it's for the next). Wasn't satisfying. Seemed like the whole book was almost pointless.
I did enjoy the friendship between Paul and Mike. It felt like they'd been buddies for a long time.
The writing is rather simple so this was a very quick read. Will I read the next one...? I am kind of curious, but probably not. I do like how it involves Paul and Mike still, though.
I liked it well enough but wanted more of everything. More character background, more development, more info about this world that's apparently like ours but includes psychic abilities...? I didn't like how a lot of questions were not answered. I don't even feel like I know what happened to the asylum in the end, but maybe I just missed it since the ending seemed very glossed over. Too much happening to set up for the series, and I didn't like how things turned went. So many loose ends (and yes, I know, it's for the next). Wasn't satisfying. Seemed like the whole book was almost pointless.
I did enjoy the friendship between Paul and Mike. It felt like they'd been buddies for a long time.
The writing is rather simple so this was a very quick read. Will I read the next one...? I am kind of curious, but probably not. I do like how it involves Paul and Mike still, though.
May 27, 2019
In a quiet English community, once there existed a thriving forest, home to capering wildlife and birds, especially noted for its rooks. Earlier eras stayed away from the forest for reasons of superstition or just quiet discontent. Then came a plan to raze most of the trees and build on the site, and Rookwood Asylum was constructed. An unfortunate choice of location, indeed; and an unfortunate choice of directors, for Doctor Miles Rugeley Palmer was a rampantly egotistical megalomaniac, a person of short stature determined to make a blazing mark on his world. He cared not for the value of human life nor dignity. Humans existed for the purpose of his experimentation, in which he blended medical science with the paranormal.
Eventually Palmer discovers "the perfect subject," a seventeen-year-old unwed mother named Annie. But his "treatments" (including electroconvulsive therapy) unleash her brain capacity, and she overpowers him psychically. The results are tragic for all: a fire engulfs the East Wing, and all patients and staff are killed.
Decades later a developer remodels the asylum building into expensive apartments, but of course there are tragedies galore, during renovation and once tenants move in. Among the new apartment owners is American Paul Mahan, who teaches at a Tynecastle university. As the truth of the tragedies and of the history of the asylum unravels, Paul is fortunate to escape with his life, after being targeted by "Liz," a ghost haunting the renovated complex.
I found ROOKWOOD ASYLUM a compelling and horrifying read. The horror is implacable and encompassing, and leaves the expectation of an equally engrossing sequel (PALMER ENTITY).
Eventually Palmer discovers "the perfect subject," a seventeen-year-old unwed mother named Annie. But his "treatments" (including electroconvulsive therapy) unleash her brain capacity, and she overpowers him psychically. The results are tragic for all: a fire engulfs the East Wing, and all patients and staff are killed.
Decades later a developer remodels the asylum building into expensive apartments, but of course there are tragedies galore, during renovation and once tenants move in. Among the new apartment owners is American Paul Mahan, who teaches at a Tynecastle university. As the truth of the tragedies and of the history of the asylum unravels, Paul is fortunate to escape with his life, after being targeted by "Liz," a ghost haunting the renovated complex.
I found ROOKWOOD ASYLUM a compelling and horrifying read. The horror is implacable and encompassing, and leaves the expectation of an equally engrossing sequel (PALMER ENTITY).
May 3, 2023
Wow! What a story! This one draws you in and refuses to let you go.
Dark forces are at play in the Rookwood Asylum, and the ghost of a young lady is wrecking havoc through the halls. Will anyone survive the old doctor and his scientific experiments, or will the shadows lurking in the dark inhabit more than the abandoned building?
Get ready for a fabulous adventure of spooktacular proportions.
Dark forces are at play in the Rookwood Asylum, and the ghost of a young lady is wrecking havoc through the halls. Will anyone survive the old doctor and his scientific experiments, or will the shadows lurking in the dark inhabit more than the abandoned building?
Get ready for a fabulous adventure of spooktacular proportions.
September 20, 2019
This is book one in the Asylum Series. Even though I found the book entertaining, I doubt I would read the rest of the series. The plot was formulaic and pretty easy to guess what was coming next. Still, it was entertaining even if a little ludicrous at times
Basic plot: A recently divorced professor moves into a new apartment complex that use to be an insane asylum where children were experimented on.
There were some interesting characters in the book. I liked the main character, Paul and his buddy, Mike. The author hit the right note when writing their interactions and they seemed quite believable as buddies. Declan was another character I enjoyed. He was the caretaker and general handyman and had some secrets of his own. I wish the author had developed more background on several of the characters in the book and integrated those fully into the story. The little bit of background he gave the readers, wasn’t enough to truly hook you into the book.
Without giving the plot away, I hated the direction the author went with the old women who stared and watched Rookwood on a regular basis. Her connection to the plot didn’t work for me.
Still, the book was entertaining even with the lack of new ideas. If your familiar with cozy mysteries, I would say this book was a cozy horror; enjoyable, simple, and a quick read.
Thanks to Library Thing for the opportunity to read and review this *** book.
Basic plot: A recently divorced professor moves into a new apartment complex that use to be an insane asylum where children were experimented on.
There were some interesting characters in the book. I liked the main character, Paul and his buddy, Mike. The author hit the right note when writing their interactions and they seemed quite believable as buddies. Declan was another character I enjoyed. He was the caretaker and general handyman and had some secrets of his own. I wish the author had developed more background on several of the characters in the book and integrated those fully into the story. The little bit of background he gave the readers, wasn’t enough to truly hook you into the book.
Without giving the plot away, I hated the direction the author went with the old women who stared and watched Rookwood on a regular basis. Her connection to the plot didn’t work for me.
Still, the book was entertaining even with the lack of new ideas. If your familiar with cozy mysteries, I would say this book was a cozy horror; enjoyable, simple, and a quick read.
Thanks to Library Thing for the opportunity to read and review this *** book.
February 16, 2020
When Paul Mahan’s marriage ends, he moves into a unit in the old mental asylum that’s being developed into flats. He doesn’t pay much attention to the fact that the place is considered haunted; his career as a history professor has his attention now. But there is no peace and quiet to be found; no sooner has he moved in than supernatural events start taking place, most of which center on the one wing that hasn’t been finished yet; the wing where Dr. Palmer conducted his tortuous experiments on the asylum residents. He was trying to bring psychic talents to life in them; in one, he succeeded far better than he ever intended. That section of the asylum was destroyed, and everyone was killed.
When deaths occur and messages are scrawled on the walls, the tenants hire a TV psychic to investigate, things get dramatically worse.
I liked the main characters of Paul and his friend Mike, as well as the site supervisor Declan. There isn’t a whole lot of character development, but they are good enough. The premise was pretty good; the backstory was a little different from most haunted asylum stories. The TV psychic was amusing (I couldn’t help but picture him as William Shatner, in Denny Crane mode) in a way. The human used in the story was something I really liked and found rather unusual for a bloody horror story. The story is a page turner; four stars.
When deaths occur and messages are scrawled on the walls, the tenants hire a TV psychic to investigate, things get dramatically worse.
I liked the main characters of Paul and his friend Mike, as well as the site supervisor Declan. There isn’t a whole lot of character development, but they are good enough. The premise was pretty good; the backstory was a little different from most haunted asylum stories. The TV psychic was amusing (I couldn’t help but picture him as William Shatner, in Denny Crane mode) in a way. The human used in the story was something I really liked and found rather unusual for a bloody horror story. The story is a page turner; four stars.
June 17, 2022
A Good Ole Asylum Haunting
Paul thought he got a bargain with the refurbished Rookwood apartment. Of course the bargain has to do with the places' haunted past. A young girl named Liz seems pretty attached to Paul after he moves in. Funny thing is he never sees her come into a room or actually leave one.
Creepy things have been happening in this place for a while, but then the accidents begin...and people are dying. Will Paul be able to figure out what's actually going on or will become just another "accident"?
First off I enjoy Mr. Longhorn's writing, but with that said, I guess I personally have watched and read countless haunted building stories and this could easily have been one of those. Also for the building to be a historical setting that once was an asylum is a main course for this type of story. I enjoyed the story, but have also enjoyed countless others on the exact same topic. 3 out of 5 stars for not hating the story nor loving it either.
Paul thought he got a bargain with the refurbished Rookwood apartment. Of course the bargain has to do with the places' haunted past. A young girl named Liz seems pretty attached to Paul after he moves in. Funny thing is he never sees her come into a room or actually leave one.
Creepy things have been happening in this place for a while, but then the accidents begin...and people are dying. Will Paul be able to figure out what's actually going on or will become just another "accident"?
First off I enjoy Mr. Longhorn's writing, but with that said, I guess I personally have watched and read countless haunted building stories and this could easily have been one of those. Also for the building to be a historical setting that once was an asylum is a main course for this type of story. I enjoyed the story, but have also enjoyed countless others on the exact same topic. 3 out of 5 stars for not hating the story nor loving it either.
May 16, 2019
This book is exactly what the title promises...a spooky book about a haunted asylum. The prologue begins with a young woman in an asylum in the 1950's, being tortured and experimented on through electroshock therapy. The premise is familiar enough from horror films that it is inviting to fans of the genre, but Longhorn took a story that could have easily become a predictable ghost tale and weaved a haunting page turner. I liked the main characters (Paul, "Liz," Declan, and Kate) and I wanted to find out what happened to them. I wanted them to be successful and I felt invested in their stories. The haunting aspect of the book was unique enough that I found myself racing to the next chapter to try to figure out exactly what was going on and how (if at all) it was going to be resolved. I wanted to know who, what, and why was happening at Rookwood Asylum.
My only complaint is that Longhorn took the thought and time to create these characters that I wanted more of. I wanted to know more of Paul's backstory and more about Ella. I fear I was told about their histories instead of shown which was unfair to two great characters. I feel these characters are strong enough to warrant a prequel or a sequel about what is happening in their lives. They may not cross paths (or maybe they will when Ella is older and wonders about the events at Rookwood?), but I think Longhorn has created an interesting parallel between two otherwise unrelated characters. I think it would be smart to take advantage of that. Plus, as a reader, I still long to know what happens next for Paul and Ella.
The book is worth a read and it is a good departure from the haunted asylums with zombie nurses walking in a contorted pop n lock fashion that plague horror movies.
My only complaint is that Longhorn took the thought and time to create these characters that I wanted more of. I wanted to know more of Paul's backstory and more about Ella. I fear I was told about their histories instead of shown which was unfair to two great characters. I feel these characters are strong enough to warrant a prequel or a sequel about what is happening in their lives. They may not cross paths (or maybe they will when Ella is older and wonders about the events at Rookwood?), but I think Longhorn has created an interesting parallel between two otherwise unrelated characters. I think it would be smart to take advantage of that. Plus, as a reader, I still long to know what happens next for Paul and Ella.
The book is worth a read and it is a good departure from the haunted asylums with zombie nurses walking in a contorted pop n lock fashion that plague horror movies.
July 16, 2019
What could go wrong with renovating an old asylum into flats! Couldn't put this down until I'd reached the end, always something happening, never a dull moment. Loved the way the story finished with the daughter. Looking forward to the second book which I've just downloaded.
May 27, 2022
This was an ok book, a little lacking in the horror that I was looking for and a little predictable in places but fun all the same.
February 28, 2024
I love an asylum book!
May 7, 2024
Very spine tingly, but I love abandoned asylums as a setting for some good spooky horror.
June 17, 2019
That was a bit underwhelming.
Maybe this would be a book I would recommend to someone who has a low tolerance for horror and doesn't like to be scared, as there were basically no scary parts.
I suppose that was the most disappointing thing for me. An asylum made into apartments is a promising idea, though not necessarily unique, but it just fell flat. There was no tension, no sense of terror, and the events that unfolded were excessively predictable. I'm also confused about the purpose for including psychic abilities, other than to give the evil doctor motivations? I can understand motivations, but why would you make him successful in bringing these abilities to light and then doing literally nothing else with it for the story?
The characters were also one-dimensional. The only qualities we learn about characters are vague and just mentioned to move the plot forward. Paul just broke up with someone and is looking for a new place to move on. Was it just a break up or was it a divorce? How bad was this break up? Who broke up with whom? What happened to initiate a traumatic break up? This information would have provided a lot more depth to this character. There was also no development for any characters. They all entered the story acting and thinking one way, and they left acting and thinking the exact same way. Just a bit more traumatized due to the "horrors" they faced.
Maybe this would be a book I would recommend to someone who has a low tolerance for horror and doesn't like to be scared, as there were basically no scary parts.
I suppose that was the most disappointing thing for me. An asylum made into apartments is a promising idea, though not necessarily unique, but it just fell flat. There was no tension, no sense of terror, and the events that unfolded were excessively predictable. I'm also confused about the purpose for including psychic abilities, other than to give the evil doctor motivations? I can understand motivations, but why would you make him successful in bringing these abilities to light and then doing literally nothing else with it for the story?
The characters were also one-dimensional. The only qualities we learn about characters are vague and just mentioned to move the plot forward. Paul just broke up with someone and is looking for a new place to move on. Was it just a break up or was it a divorce? How bad was this break up? Who broke up with whom? What happened to initiate a traumatic break up? This information would have provided a lot more depth to this character. There was also no development for any characters. They all entered the story acting and thinking one way, and they left acting and thinking the exact same way. Just a bit more traumatized due to the "horrors" they faced.
February 27, 2020
Not Bad, Not Great
This was a decent paranormal chiller. On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd give it a 2 for level of spookiness. Honestly, being that the story centers on an asylum-turned-apartment-building, it had a lot of potential to be much scarier than it actually was, and that's what I was hoping for when I borrowed it from KU. There was some violence and a few angry ghosts, but nothing that made me want to go to bed with the lights on. When I read a "scary" story, I want to actually feel scared! I want the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up, chills to run up and down my spine, a racing pulse, and to actually fear what might be lurking in the dark or hiding in a corner or watching me through the window. This just didn't do it for me. The storyline was decent, the characters were okay, and the writing was probably at a 6th grade level, so it was a quick and easy read; it just wasn't scary for me, and I found that rather disappointing.
This was a decent paranormal chiller. On a scale of 1 to 5, I'd give it a 2 for level of spookiness. Honestly, being that the story centers on an asylum-turned-apartment-building, it had a lot of potential to be much scarier than it actually was, and that's what I was hoping for when I borrowed it from KU. There was some violence and a few angry ghosts, but nothing that made me want to go to bed with the lights on. When I read a "scary" story, I want to actually feel scared! I want the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up, chills to run up and down my spine, a racing pulse, and to actually fear what might be lurking in the dark or hiding in a corner or watching me through the window. This just didn't do it for me. The storyline was decent, the characters were okay, and the writing was probably at a 6th grade level, so it was a quick and easy read; it just wasn't scary for me, and I found that rather disappointing.
October 3, 2020
Not violent. Not gory. Not particularly scary and not what I’d call suspenseful. No character development. Characters are introduced and more or less abandoned. Declan and Kathy don’t even really have anything to do with the plot and just take up space. The villain isn’t scary or even particularly dangerous. And it kind of turns into a paranormal romance between a thirty-seven year old man and a teenage ghost. Not incompetent, just dumb. Really dumb. Clearly trying to set up a series, which I guess is why they don’t resolve anything and the climax is just some random dude who didn’t have anything to do with anything gets killed and everyone shrugs. Pretty much a waste of three dollars but hey, it was readable enough, just didn’t contain anything really worth reading. For kids maybe?
June 9, 2023
I will not be saying the book was horrible but I will most certainly be not continuing the series.
The character of Paul was in a way well written but that is that.
The character of Paul was in a way well written but that is that.
April 18, 2023
tw: sexual violence
~~~
The 1950s called… and it wants revenge. A newly renovated asylum-turned-lavish apartment complex opens up in England. Plagued by issues with renovations and rumors of strange happenings, Rookwood Apartments opens early with suspiciously cheap rent. Paul moves into the apartments and slowly falls victims to the odd occurrences, leaving him to unravel the past to cope with the present. Will a TV medium be able to solve what residents are more ready to accept is a haunting of Rookwood Apartments? Or will an egotistical academic put these spirits to rest? Spooky figures, freak accidents, and persuasive voices create an eerie, anxiety-inducing atmosphere that begs the question: Is a haunting made up of ghosts or the residual spiritual energy of a place that suffered horrible happenings?
~~~
The first vibe I got was Stranger Things. The prologue could literally be an origin story for Eleven. And then when I learned the asylum turned into an apartment complex, I thought back to Pretty Little Liars. (Radley Sanitarium, anyone?) It was too short to really develop an adequate backstory for the main character. Also, the shifts between characters was confusing—It was hard to remember which traits went with which person. My main gripe is that the book attempted to do too much in its mere 160 pages, leaving me with a lot of questions and an unsatisfying ending.
~~~
The 1950s called… and it wants revenge. A newly renovated asylum-turned-lavish apartment complex opens up in England. Plagued by issues with renovations and rumors of strange happenings, Rookwood Apartments opens early with suspiciously cheap rent. Paul moves into the apartments and slowly falls victims to the odd occurrences, leaving him to unravel the past to cope with the present. Will a TV medium be able to solve what residents are more ready to accept is a haunting of Rookwood Apartments? Or will an egotistical academic put these spirits to rest? Spooky figures, freak accidents, and persuasive voices create an eerie, anxiety-inducing atmosphere that begs the question: Is a haunting made up of ghosts or the residual spiritual energy of a place that suffered horrible happenings?
~~~
The first vibe I got was Stranger Things. The prologue could literally be an origin story for Eleven. And then when I learned the asylum turned into an apartment complex, I thought back to Pretty Little Liars. (Radley Sanitarium, anyone?) It was too short to really develop an adequate backstory for the main character. Also, the shifts between characters was confusing—It was hard to remember which traits went with which person. My main gripe is that the book attempted to do too much in its mere 160 pages, leaving me with a lot of questions and an unsatisfying ending.
January 28, 2024
Turning a former psychiatric hospital into a luxury apartment building probably isn't a good idea. Especially if the former hospital was run by an evil doctor who conducted unnecessary experiments on patients. Also, the hospital burned which killed staff and patients alike.
An American named Paul has decided to move into Rookwood Apartments because he needs a place of his own and it's extremely inexpensive. From there, we'll get all of the terrifying, unsettling things you expect to find in a book about a haunted building. Ghostly apparitions, strange noises, equipment not working, etc. Of course, given it's history, these events are heightened because of the torture which took place in the 50s and the evil spirit of a mad doctor who wants to continue his experiments even after death.
This is a solid horror book. Since it's part of a series, it's not too long and the writing style is easy to read and engaging. A good old fashioned haunted building with chills, mystery, and some unexpected twists to get you excited for book two. I recommend it!
An American named Paul has decided to move into Rookwood Apartments because he needs a place of his own and it's extremely inexpensive. From there, we'll get all of the terrifying, unsettling things you expect to find in a book about a haunted building. Ghostly apparitions, strange noises, equipment not working, etc. Of course, given it's history, these events are heightened because of the torture which took place in the 50s and the evil spirit of a mad doctor who wants to continue his experiments even after death.
This is a solid horror book. Since it's part of a series, it's not too long and the writing style is easy to read and engaging. A good old fashioned haunted building with chills, mystery, and some unexpected twists to get you excited for book two. I recommend it!
April 30, 2025
This is a kind of paranormal, gothic story which isn't based on a true story but it does detail things that did happen many years ago in asylums. If you remember that whilst reading it then it is quite grim. A reasonable story overall especially if you like the dark side.
********************************
Some memories are too painful to forget… American History lecturer Paul Mahan was looking for a little peace and quiet. A place to recover from his personal demons, and pursue his academic career. But when he moves into the newly refurbished Rookwood Apartments, he soon finds himself trapped in a living nightmare. A series of terrifying events forces Paul to question his sanity. Strange messages scrib-ble themselves across the walls. His beautiful neighbor seems to vanish without a trace. And a deadly accident tears away the veil from Rookwood’s dark past. As these violent incidents escalate, residents call in a paranormal expert, hoping to end the strange accidents once and for all. But only Paul understands the chilling truth. The pain and torture of Rookwood’s blood-soaked past can no longer be contained… And a terror beyond anything they have ever experienced is about to be unleashed.
********************************
Some memories are too painful to forget… American History lecturer Paul Mahan was looking for a little peace and quiet. A place to recover from his personal demons, and pursue his academic career. But when he moves into the newly refurbished Rookwood Apartments, he soon finds himself trapped in a living nightmare. A series of terrifying events forces Paul to question his sanity. Strange messages scrib-ble themselves across the walls. His beautiful neighbor seems to vanish without a trace. And a deadly accident tears away the veil from Rookwood’s dark past. As these violent incidents escalate, residents call in a paranormal expert, hoping to end the strange accidents once and for all. But only Paul understands the chilling truth. The pain and torture of Rookwood’s blood-soaked past can no longer be contained… And a terror beyond anything they have ever experienced is about to be unleashed.
June 3, 2019
Paul Mahan is an American expatriot who moves into an abandoned asylum that has been reclaimed and turned into apartments. Problem is, Paul feels that something isn't quite right with the building. Strange things keep happening. A workman goes mad and attacks his supervisor with a drill. The east wing of the building has never been completed because of a series of "accidents." Then Paul is visited by the ghost of a girl calling herself Eve. Eve doesn't harm Paul, but she isn't to be trifled with, as others find out to their horror.
As it turns out, the ghosts haunting Rookwood Asylum were the victims of an evil doctor who used them in life for unspeakable experiments. The drama in this book mostly revolves around how Paul and other residents of the asylum/apartments solve the mystery and put an end to the hauntings.
Rookwood Asylum is an excellent start to another superb Scare Street series. These books never disappoint and I am now looking forward to the next chapter in this saga.
As it turns out, the ghosts haunting Rookwood Asylum were the victims of an evil doctor who used them in life for unspeakable experiments. The drama in this book mostly revolves around how Paul and other residents of the asylum/apartments solve the mystery and put an end to the hauntings.
Rookwood Asylum is an excellent start to another superb Scare Street series. These books never disappoint and I am now looking forward to the next chapter in this saga.
June 24, 2019
This novel started off great - an asylum where the insane ones are the doctors, not the patients. The director of the hospital spends his time conducting unconventional experiments on the helpless inmates who are, with good reason, terrified. Finally, one of the experiments runs amuck and, as a result, the hospital burns down killing everyone inside. Flash forward to present day when the property is being renovated as an apartment house. The main character, Paul, whose marriage has gone on the rocks, decides to rent there and soon becomes aware that the living aren’t the only ones who residing at Rookwood.
This was a good haunted house story, but not great. The characters were rather one-dimensional and I would have liked it better if I could have invested more emotion in them. However, the novel is an easy read and, those who enjoy hauntings, will find it satisfying.
This was a good haunted house story, but not great. The characters were rather one-dimensional and I would have liked it better if I could have invested more emotion in them. However, the novel is an easy read and, those who enjoy hauntings, will find it satisfying.
August 8, 2023
A trip!
This was a good solid 4 1/2 star book. I liked the Characters and the way each had a massive ND of the their own in such a way that you saw the story from each person's point of view. Even though the book took place in England it is an easy read with good spirits and horrible, scary entities. It's backdrop is an old asylum (which is my favorite) I will say the 'possessions' could have been more scary, being it was a maniacal psychiatric doctor that was behind them. And it was said that his spirit was the strongest and so his spirit 'absorbed' the other spirits, however it never said when or how. This explanation would have helped the fabric of the story. All in all it was a good read!
This was a good solid 4 1/2 star book. I liked the Characters and the way each had a massive ND of the their own in such a way that you saw the story from each person's point of view. Even though the book took place in England it is an easy read with good spirits and horrible, scary entities. It's backdrop is an old asylum (which is my favorite) I will say the 'possessions' could have been more scary, being it was a maniacal psychiatric doctor that was behind them. And it was said that his spirit was the strongest and so his spirit 'absorbed' the other spirits, however it never said when or how. This explanation would have helped the fabric of the story. All in all it was a good read!
March 15, 2024
A short but satisfying horror read
I liked it. Wished it could be a bit longer. It was good really, it wasn’t crazy scary but enough to make you take a double look at what you have read. There wasn’t anything crazy and you find yourself rooting some of the characters.
I was especially fond of the character Liz, she was a likeable character. She was not this "all forgiving" but instead as human as a human, or is it ghost, could get.
I loved how the story showed different reactions on how people would be once they were made aware of something that was outside of the conventional logic and how the story made use of human ego as the boost for doing evil. It touched a sense of reality for me.
I liked it. Wished it could be a bit longer. It was good really, it wasn’t crazy scary but enough to make you take a double look at what you have read. There wasn’t anything crazy and you find yourself rooting some of the characters.
I was especially fond of the character Liz, she was a likeable character. She was not this "all forgiving" but instead as human as a human, or is it ghost, could get.
I loved how the story showed different reactions on how people would be once they were made aware of something that was outside of the conventional logic and how the story made use of human ego as the boost for doing evil. It touched a sense of reality for me.
June 29, 2024
4 ⭐
I really enjoyed this book! Like, I haven't read a lot of horror and wasn't sure if I'd enjoy one like this but I really did 😁
The whole aspect of the haunted apartment was done really well for auch a short book and the supernatural stuff that happened was also pretty great. I love reading a good asylum story (call me crazy if you'd like) and even though this was less of an asylum it was still really good.
Unfortunately it does lose a star cause it was very predictable 😅 like, I knew from the first moment who Liz was, who the woman outside the gates was and so on and so forth 😅
I am intrigued to find out what happens next after that cliffhanger 😁 So would definitely recommend the book 🥰
I really enjoyed this book! Like, I haven't read a lot of horror and wasn't sure if I'd enjoy one like this but I really did 😁
The whole aspect of the haunted apartment was done really well for auch a short book and the supernatural stuff that happened was also pretty great. I love reading a good asylum story (call me crazy if you'd like) and even though this was less of an asylum it was still really good.
Unfortunately it does lose a star cause it was very predictable 😅 like, I knew from the first moment who Liz was, who the woman outside the gates was and so on and so forth 😅
I am intrigued to find out what happens next after that cliffhanger 😁 So would definitely recommend the book 🥰
January 25, 2023
Okay so I’m back to the paranormal and horror. Now I can say this will be a short review. This book was okay. It was fast paced with a possessed apartment unit built on a former asylum. There was nothing scary or suspenseful. There could be so much potential when it comes to a haunted asylum.
“We must study the past if we’re to understand the present,”
― David Longhorn, Rookwood Asylum
As I said before it was an okay read, but I would have liked a bit more of everything. The ending felt a bit rushed for me and there was still a lot of questions that haven’t been answered. I found the story entertaining enough but I doubt that I will read the next instalment. There were a few times that I had to force myself to read more. Thankfully this was a quick read.
“We must study the past if we’re to understand the present,”
― David Longhorn, Rookwood Asylum
As I said before it was an okay read, but I would have liked a bit more of everything. The ending felt a bit rushed for me and there was still a lot of questions that haven’t been answered. I found the story entertaining enough but I doubt that I will read the next instalment. There were a few times that I had to force myself to read more. Thankfully this was a quick read.
November 21, 2024
I'm torn, this was a well written book, and it was entertaining but I think it lacked any real jump scares and I feel this should have been titled as a part one because although the story concluded one dilemma it didn't tie up all the loose ends, hence the next book in the series titled after one of the characters in this book.
I don't know if I would get the next book in the series as I have loads of unread books on my kindle and I wasn't thrilled enough to make a point of adding the next book to my collection.
My 4* rating was because it was entertaining and the author is talented and I would read other books by him if I was looking for more books to read.
I don't know if I would get the next book in the series as I have loads of unread books on my kindle and I wasn't thrilled enough to make a point of adding the next book to my collection.
My 4* rating was because it was entertaining and the author is talented and I would read other books by him if I was looking for more books to read.
May 28, 2019
I have to admit that I was a bit excited to read Rookwood Asylum, as the premise of an insane asylum turned apartments sounded great. The story overall was good, and seemed to flow well. I was just a little put off by the “casual” relationship between the living and the dead. It seemed to not fit the story line, and I felt seemed to cheapen the creepy vibe. Casual conversations with ghosts just don’t happen, so it seemed to be a bit of a stretch for me. But other than that I thought the story was a good one. I’m glad I read it.
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