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A Riveting Haunted House Mystery #1
The Haunting of Bechdel Mansion
A paranormal phenomenon, a mysterious curse, and an unsolved murder forty years in the making. A young couple move into their dream home only to find a dark presence lurking from within. For Curtis and Mary, the small town of Redwood, Indiana seems too good to be true. Everything is perfect, including the Victorian mansion they purchased at a great price. But they soon experience terrifying supernatural encounters tied to the deadly secrets of an unsolved mass murder. Can they solve the mystery in time? Or will they face the same doomed fate as the tenants who came before them?
317 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 9, 2016
3432 people are currently reading
2248 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews
September 25, 2016
The story had potential. It was a great idea. But this book is a lesson about the importance of proofreading and editing. Clearly the manuscript was not professionally edited (or if it was, the individual who did it needs to be fired.) I couldn't believe the number of obvious typos it contained.
There were multiple areas where sentences didn't make sense because they were simply half thoughts or important words had been left out. I've done that in my own writing. It's easy to do when the story in your head is moving faster than you can type, but that's the exact reason you read the manuscript over and over before you publish--especially if you are self-publishing. (I'm assuming this was self-published. There's no way it would have made it through traditional publishing in this condition.) That's why you edit. That's why you ask others to read it. There was even a spot in which an entire paragraph was duplicated twice. I read it to the end despite those things, but they were enormously distracting and it happened throughout the novel.
Added to that, it ended in a weird spot. Instead of leaving me breathless and excited to read the next installment I was just annoyed that I'd wasted two hours on it.
There were multiple areas where sentences didn't make sense because they were simply half thoughts or important words had been left out. I've done that in my own writing. It's easy to do when the story in your head is moving faster than you can type, but that's the exact reason you read the manuscript over and over before you publish--especially if you are self-publishing. (I'm assuming this was self-published. There's no way it would have made it through traditional publishing in this condition.) That's why you edit. That's why you ask others to read it. There was even a spot in which an entire paragraph was duplicated twice. I read it to the end despite those things, but they were enormously distracting and it happened throughout the novel.
Added to that, it ended in a weird spot. Instead of leaving me breathless and excited to read the next installment I was just annoyed that I'd wasted two hours on it.
October 28, 2016
It's been a while since i was suckered into buying one of these non-books. If i could do one thing to fix 21st century writing, it would be to wipe these "books" with no endings off the face of the earth. Back in the good old days, sequels and prequels were all books that stood alone with a full plot line that had beginnings, middles and ends. Now people write books with beginnings, and sometimes middles and then you have to buy the next book to see if there's an end. That's not a book. That's part of a book. Unless you advertise it as a serial like the old movie serials that left your hero hanging on the edge of a cliff at the end of each episode. Anyway, this 'book' pissed me off and i shant be reading any more of this author's work.
October 13, 2016
Great read
This is the prequel to The Haunting of Bechdel Mansion: A Haunted House Mystery- Book 1.
This was as good as the first book. It's definitely the kind of spooky book to read at this time of year.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next next installment in this series.
If you like Victorian mansions, paranormal happenings, and secrets, you will love these novellas.
This is the prequel to The Haunting of Bechdel Mansion: A Haunted House Mystery- Book 1.
This was as good as the first book. It's definitely the kind of spooky book to read at this time of year.
I'm anxiously awaiting the next next installment in this series.
If you like Victorian mansions, paranormal happenings, and secrets, you will love these novellas.
January 21, 2019
The Haunting of Bechtel Mansion by Roger Hayden is the prequel to the series. It actually overlaps a little with book one. It gives the background of the house and why it is haunted. It introduces the readers to the new owners.
Narration was excellent by Tia Rider Sorensen.
My book cover was green.
Narration was excellent by Tia Rider Sorensen.
My book cover was green.
March 25, 2017
Two words: Cliffhanger ending
Had I known that going in, I'd have never bothered. I mean, I knew it was a novella, and I knew it was setting up a series of books. Silly me, I still expected an ending "for now" with the overall story continuing in the next book.
What I got was was the book just cutting off mid-scene.
And not to mention the numerous editing errors, like characters' names changing mid-paragraph, words being left out, improper sentence structure, etc.
It also suffered from being way too descriptive in some places and not nearly enough in others. The characters made leaps in judgment at times, and I couldn't quite figure out how they got there.
It's a shame, because the idea for the premise was good, but my rage at the cliffhanger, and the editing issues will prevent me from going any further.
At least it was free.
Had I known that going in, I'd have never bothered. I mean, I knew it was a novella, and I knew it was setting up a series of books. Silly me, I still expected an ending "for now" with the overall story continuing in the next book.
What I got was was the book just cutting off mid-scene.
And not to mention the numerous editing errors, like characters' names changing mid-paragraph, words being left out, improper sentence structure, etc.
It also suffered from being way too descriptive in some places and not nearly enough in others. The characters made leaps in judgment at times, and I couldn't quite figure out how they got there.
It's a shame, because the idea for the premise was good, but my rage at the cliffhanger, and the editing issues will prevent me from going any further.
At least it was free.
October 2, 2016
Not scary or spooky. Very open-ended but I just don't care enough to read the next one. Badly edited...& I don't normally notice editing.
October 20, 2016
not going to complain because this was free but with the amount of typos if i had paid for it i would've been annoyed. story line has potential to be interesting but someone really needs to edit before it is published otherwise i don't know that i would pay money to continue reading the series. there are a couple times the couple named Mary and Curtis were renamed to Julie and Craig (who were actually other characters in the story), some sentences were not complete thoughts or missing words and entire paragraphs were repeated.
June 8, 2020
This book was poorly edited and written. Between the lackluster story, hokey characters, numerous errors, changes in tense, improbable and muddled timeline and descriptions, and the poor editing (why did the book review the first half part way though as though we had taken a break for a week and needed to be reminded of "what happened last week on..."). I finished it, but only because I skimmed the last 1/3. Even knowing it was part of a series doesn't excuse the poor quality of this publication, and ensured I will never check out the others.
May 14, 2021
Heartwrenching
From the first page this book grabbed me. Thank you for writing it. Tell you what you keep writing them and ill keep reading them sincerely Christine Dunne Harlingen Texas
From the first page this book grabbed me. Thank you for writing it. Tell you what you keep writing them and ill keep reading them sincerely Christine Dunne Harlingen Texas
March 6, 2025
I loved this story
I enjoyed reading this book. He had good character definitions and I good plot. You should read it. I can’t wait to read the next one.
I enjoyed reading this book. He had good character definitions and I good plot. You should read it. I can’t wait to read the next one.
October 21, 2024
First off, I did not finish this. I just couldn’t. From spelling errors and extra words that had nothing to do with the sentence, to grammatical mistakes, this book has it all. I might have been able to live with that, but the last straw was the husband’s name switching from Curtis to Mark. Then back to Curtis, and back to Mark. And so on.
I can’t read a book, get really into it, and then be tripped up by having to ask myself: „Who the heck is Mark?”
I can’t read a book, get really into it, and then be tripped up by having to ask myself: „Who the heck is Mark?”
October 23, 2016
i got this as a free ebook. Lots of sentence structure issues, random incorrect chatacter names and the use of the same word repeatedly in a chapter is common. The story concept had potential but the poor editing made for a distracting read. I realized this is a prequel so I read it before book #1. Debating on actually giving the series a chance.
January 4, 2021
Well this story this book had me from page one i really enjoyed this unfolding. All the intrigue and the plotting that was going on. Mary really would not give up she would help the spirit of Julie and her family plus i really loved the ending how the place would become peaceful for Mary and Curtis to live in with their child this is such a great read and i want to keep reading the entire series.
August 22, 2017
I almost dumped the book on the first page of the second chapter, when I read: 'she had went'... And grammar really turns me off. I'll try some more, but right now it's doubtful that I will finish this book... Or recommend it.
January 4, 2018
While this opening is quite weak, I am very glad that I stuck with it. The second and third installments were very enjoyable. Suffer through this one a bit so you can enjoy the treat that is the next two books.
Read
August 11, 2017Simple
This is a predictable mystery full of cliches. The book was incomplete but did not leave me wanting more. Sorry, I wish I hadn't even started.
This is a predictable mystery full of cliches. The book was incomplete but did not leave me wanting more. Sorry, I wish I hadn't even started.
April 28, 2019
Power can make people do horrible things. Those caught in the crossfire by the ones hungering for said power never stop seeking their quest for justice and revenge, even from beyond the grave. I read this in one day. I couldn’t put it down until everything was revealed.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 24, 2024
Great Haunted House Story!
If you like a great haunted house story, this book is for you. The characters are believable and well developed. I want more of this town and the people who live there 😊
If you like a great haunted house story, this book is for you. The characters are believable and well developed. I want more of this town and the people who live there 😊
January 2, 2025
Honestly was so disappointed in this book. Got half way through and knew it was a wash. So many cliches and lead was buried so early. While I was dying for the book to end there really should have been an epilogue of some kind. So so glad to be done with this
August 31, 2023
It had its strong points and it had its weak ones. The last third was strong and the ending was alright but not overly satisfying.
Read
January 30, 2025Could not get into it. Did not finish.
February 5, 2025
Ghostly Greatness
If you love ghost stories then you’ll enjoy this one. Plenty of twists kept me on the edge of my seat!
If you love ghost stories then you’ll enjoy this one. Plenty of twists kept me on the edge of my seat!
September 25, 2025
0 stars if I could
June 29, 2021
This book was amazing!!!
September 6, 2025
The supernatural scary scenes were cleverly written and terrifying, but there were several repetitive things that drew away from the story.
November 8, 2020
Great story
This story has you wanting to read the next page. I read it in one setting could not stop had to find out what happen.
This story has you wanting to read the next page. I read it in one setting could not stop had to find out what happen.
April 30, 2022
disappointed
I love haunted house supernatural novels.
I did not love this book and I gave it a chance . I wanted to like it hoping that the fact that I did not like the MC wouldn’t get to me. I didn’t like any of the novel. It wasn’t the predictability. Let’s be honest it’s hard to write a novel that is unpredictable so I focus more on how the story is told.
And it is told so poorly. I mean it was like maybe a level above reading a free fan fiction. For instance there are literally lines like “he was gone and we never saw him again” no explanation and we are talking about major side characters.
This writer may improve with more practice but I would skip this one. Maybe try starting with a more recent work. This is my first book by him and I wasn’t expecting a masterpiece my expectations were low but I skipped through most if not all of the novel when I got a 1/4 through.
I love haunted house supernatural novels.
I did not love this book and I gave it a chance . I wanted to like it hoping that the fact that I did not like the MC wouldn’t get to me. I didn’t like any of the novel. It wasn’t the predictability. Let’s be honest it’s hard to write a novel that is unpredictable so I focus more on how the story is told.
And it is told so poorly. I mean it was like maybe a level above reading a free fan fiction. For instance there are literally lines like “he was gone and we never saw him again” no explanation and we are talking about major side characters.
This writer may improve with more practice but I would skip this one. Maybe try starting with a more recent work. This is my first book by him and I wasn’t expecting a masterpiece my expectations were low but I skipped through most if not all of the novel when I got a 1/4 through.
September 7, 2024
Whew! Finally! First, what is up with all the typos and grammar and misspellings, etc.? Didn't this author have an editor? Sheesh! Then there was the repetitiveness! Geez! I get it! No need to repeat the person's descriptions or any other on every page! And if I have to read 'I'm sorry.' or 'Hands flat on the table' again I swear someone is gonna get drop kicked! The first few pages and premise drew me in and honestly I did want to know more but it was extremely cringey and the characters dialogue was something out of a soap opera. I would definitely would NOT recommend! Don't waste your time or your money.
January 26, 2020
I pushed to get 70% of the way through this book only because I thought "Well, it would be nice to find out the mystery at least", until I was informed that it ends on a cliffhanger. Nope. I'm blessing and releasing this one because I really don't find any redeeming qualities. The main character is unlikable, the rest are wallpaper, and the story telling is nonsensical. Poor editing and poorly timed flashbacks including a random chapter that had a 3rd person synopsis of what has happened so far about 40% of the way through - why?!
April 22, 2020
I do not do this often, but I am leaving a written review in hopes that it will be helpful. This story has potential, but at about 20% of the way in, I'm ready to give up. This book is in bad need of editing. I am a big supporter of self publishing - I think some great authors have evolved that way. I can only assume that this book was self published because of the very noticeable lack of editing. There were simple spelling issues, repeating the same information multiple times, and 20% of the way in, I can't even picture the main characters. I don't think I will continue on reading the book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 371 reviews