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The Bell Witch #1
The Harvest
Amid the sweet sounds of a music box, their darkest fears will haunt them…
In Black River, Tennessee, everyone knows the legend of the Bell Witch… and the alleged curse that hangs like a dark shroud over the town. To some, it is just a local tall tale. But to others, it is terrifyingly real.
For centuries, four families have been forced into the ritualistic tradition of sacrifice and terror. Every year, a member of each family stumbles upon an antique music box they need to lock before the time is up. And a horrible fate awaits them once the boxes open.
Trapped in the witch’s sadistic game, the families’ young offspring are forced to journey into the dark and twisted woods of Black River in search for the keys to their salvation. But as they search for a way to end the curse, a haunting melody echoes through the trees. And each lost soul must wonder…
Will they survive the night? Or will the Bell Witch’s bloody harvest claim more victims?
In Black River, Tennessee, everyone knows the legend of the Bell Witch… and the alleged curse that hangs like a dark shroud over the town. To some, it is just a local tall tale. But to others, it is terrifyingly real.
For centuries, four families have been forced into the ritualistic tradition of sacrifice and terror. Every year, a member of each family stumbles upon an antique music box they need to lock before the time is up. And a horrible fate awaits them once the boxes open.
Trapped in the witch’s sadistic game, the families’ young offspring are forced to journey into the dark and twisted woods of Black River in search for the keys to their salvation. But as they search for a way to end the curse, a haunting melody echoes through the trees. And each lost soul must wonder…
Will they survive the night? Or will the Bell Witch’s bloody harvest claim more victims?
207 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 6, 2019
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1845 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 9, 2023
For centuries, four families have been haunted by the Bell Witch. Every year, a member of each family stumbles upon an antique music box. Those chosen need to find the key and lock their box before their time runs out, and the demon inside escapes.
Mina always thought the bell witch was a legend. Something her family just tried to scare her with. But all of a sudden, she finds an antique music box in her arms. She realizes the legend is real. She needs to find the key as soon as possible. And she’s not the only one.
The setting surprised me. Looking at the cover, I was expecting a setting in the past, or a fantasy setting. But this all takes place in the present. Though there are quite a few fantasy elements once the characters go into the woods to find their keys.
It’s quite a good concept. I’ve never heard about the Bell Witch, but this book does a good job of quickly familiarizing us with this legendary figure. The horror scenes are always tense and gripping, nothing too scary though. And the story moves at a very fast pace, which is a good thing as it’s a pretty short book.
This is basically a solid little YA horror novel that reads like a mix of The Hunger Games and The Blair Witch Project.
Mina always thought the bell witch was a legend. Something her family just tried to scare her with. But all of a sudden, she finds an antique music box in her arms. She realizes the legend is real. She needs to find the key as soon as possible. And she’s not the only one.
The setting surprised me. Looking at the cover, I was expecting a setting in the past, or a fantasy setting. But this all takes place in the present. Though there are quite a few fantasy elements once the characters go into the woods to find their keys.
It’s quite a good concept. I’ve never heard about the Bell Witch, but this book does a good job of quickly familiarizing us with this legendary figure. The horror scenes are always tense and gripping, nothing too scary though. And the story moves at a very fast pace, which is a good thing as it’s a pretty short book.
This is basically a solid little YA horror novel that reads like a mix of The Hunger Games and The Blair Witch Project.
October 26, 2025
4☆
That's what I'm talking about! The Harvest is the first book in The Bell Witch series and I am excited to read the next installment.
The history of the Bell Witch is not explained in depth so having knowledge of the case is helpful but not necessary to enjoy the story. Clancy's version of the legend is not fully accurate. As an aside I greatly appreciated that Clancy made clear the historical fact that no one accused of witchcraft in Salem was burned at the stake!
The story of the four families affected by the Bell Witch, Katrina Hamilton, not Kate Batts of the original legend, and how generations of these families faced The Harvest was the stuff for a perfect Halloween scare.
The four main characters were well developed. Ozzie was a bit immature for a fifteen year old but his character was endearing. Mina's skeptical approach to The Harvest, despite the horrors she experienced, was maddening! Cadwyn had an easy, comforting presence and yet he took charge when needed. Basheba was one kick ass, take no prisoners kind of gal and I loved her!
Despite the alterations made to the Bell Witch legend I enjoyed the story. I would recommend it!
That's what I'm talking about! The Harvest is the first book in The Bell Witch series and I am excited to read the next installment.
The history of the Bell Witch is not explained in depth so having knowledge of the case is helpful but not necessary to enjoy the story. Clancy's version of the legend is not fully accurate. As an aside I greatly appreciated that Clancy made clear the historical fact that no one accused of witchcraft in Salem was burned at the stake!
The story of the four families affected by the Bell Witch, Katrina Hamilton, not Kate Batts of the original legend, and how generations of these families faced The Harvest was the stuff for a perfect Halloween scare.
The four main characters were well developed. Ozzie was a bit immature for a fifteen year old but his character was endearing. Mina's skeptical approach to The Harvest, despite the horrors she experienced, was maddening! Cadwyn had an easy, comforting presence and yet he took charge when needed. Basheba was one kick ass, take no prisoners kind of gal and I loved her!
Despite the alterations made to the Bell Witch legend I enjoyed the story. I would recommend it!
January 25, 2022
a very nice twist on the legend of the Bell Witch, with great tension and shivery plays on the fears. Each of the four chosen ones were very different. Bashaba and Cadwyn being my favorites. And wait until you meet Buck! I was surprised at the shortness of the story. I would have liked more of a chance to get to know the characters and to extend the actual time they were in the witch's forest. The witch spares no one coming for them in their most horrible nightmares. I wondered, like Mina, all the how's and why's of it. It starts out slow but soon draws the reader into the story. I'm anxious to get to book #2.
October 14, 2025
Simply a fun witchy tail. Grate for the Halloween season!
November 7, 2022
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased review through LibraryThing's early reviewers program. I shall now attempt to review it using the "sandwich" technique of offering feedback....
It's not the worst thing I've ever read.
But it did teach me to be much more selective in what I volunteer to review. Apparently e-books do not use the same vetting process for their authors as actual published books. I received this book with a note that it had been proofread by multiple editors, but the SECOND page contains the word "orientate," which is, more accurately, not a word at all. The first half of the book is dismally poorly written. Clancy's technique is to use phrases that are meant to sound lyrical, but just sound ridiculous instead. "Animalistic/primal scream/cry/wail/growl" is one example. She also takes an already overused, mostly nonsense phrase like "muscle memory" and uses it into the ground. She uses phrases like "she rose the bottle back to her lips," which is so agrammatical I don't even know where to start with it, "it was a method that had been trained into him," and "his unfocused gaze stared at the canopy above them." In other words, if you're a stickler for the English language, you'll want to skip this butchery.
All that being said, the second half of the book is significantly better, primarily due to the appearance of a character who is genuinely amusing and almost believable. The dialogue goes from abysmal to mildly entertaining, and there is some legitimately scary imagery in it.
Overall, I'd give it 2-2.5 stars, and I will not be continuing with this series.
It's not the worst thing I've ever read.
But it did teach me to be much more selective in what I volunteer to review. Apparently e-books do not use the same vetting process for their authors as actual published books. I received this book with a note that it had been proofread by multiple editors, but the SECOND page contains the word "orientate," which is, more accurately, not a word at all. The first half of the book is dismally poorly written. Clancy's technique is to use phrases that are meant to sound lyrical, but just sound ridiculous instead. "Animalistic/primal scream/cry/wail/growl" is one example. She also takes an already overused, mostly nonsense phrase like "muscle memory" and uses it into the ground. She uses phrases like "she rose the bottle back to her lips," which is so agrammatical I don't even know where to start with it, "it was a method that had been trained into him," and "his unfocused gaze stared at the canopy above them." In other words, if you're a stickler for the English language, you'll want to skip this butchery.
All that being said, the second half of the book is significantly better, primarily due to the appearance of a character who is genuinely amusing and almost believable. The dialogue goes from abysmal to mildly entertaining, and there is some legitimately scary imagery in it.
Overall, I'd give it 2-2.5 stars, and I will not be continuing with this series.
December 2, 2019
I was agreeably impressed by the creativity and complexity of this novel, first in the Bell Witch Series. Author Sara Clancy took a historical legend and wove from it a compelling tale of survival, dysfunctional family tradition, evil sorcery, and demonic manifestations. The focus of the legend and the series is on a rage so consuming, it survives after death. The bicenntennial of the Witch's death is fast approaching. Imagine any emotion enduring two centuries of afterlife, growing in intensity with each passing year and with each loss of life.
May 30, 2021
The Harvest has an interesting premise: The Bell Witch meets a familial The Hunger Games. The first half of the book isn't written exceptionally well, but I think the author caught her stride somewhere in the middle. It had some genuinely creepy imagery (it would make a wonderful film) and ended satisfactorily. I'm not certain if I'll finish the series, but I tend to prefer standalone novels in general and this ended strongly enough that I'm quite satisfied.
October 16, 2021
The Harvest is about the Bell Witch with a new twist, four families stumble upon a antique music box they need to lock before the time is up. And once the box is open terrible things start to happen. It wasn't a bad book, it just wasn't for me. If I'm going to read a scary book it needs to be more spooky than this book.
August 17, 2019
I feel like maybe this was more young adult fiction. The characters were annoying to the point that I hated all of them and it wasn't scary at all. The ending felt rushed. I was glad it ended so abruptly though because I was bored by that point.
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May 14, 2020🎁 FREE on Amazon today (5/14/2020)! 🎁
August 18, 2021
Review to come
July 14, 2019
Can anyone tell me what is the scariest think about this book anyway? Completely wasted my time. This is my first book by this author and obviously it is my last. Totally bogus story and didn't expect it...
Judging and reading the good and excellent review I have decided to read this book out but 8 disappointed me completely with utter frustration. I didn't find it anything scary about this book. The book was for me so irritating that at some point I just wanted to throw it at the ground I don't care who you think that is a bad idea or not I just explaining my feelings toward this. 2 to make my review in very short term I hi I just want to copy and paste the good reads review in here -
"In Black River, Tennessee, everyone knows the legend of the Bell Witch… and the alleged curse that hangs like a dark shroud over the town. To some, it is just a local tall tale. But to others, it is terrifyingly real.
For centuries, four families have been forced into the ritualistic tradition of sacrifice and terror. Every year, a member of each family stumbles upon an antique music box they need to lock before the time is up. And a horrible fate awaits them once the boxes open.
Trapped in the witch’s sadistic game, the families’ young offspring are forced to journey into the dark and twisted woods of Black River in search for the keys to their salvation. But as they search for a way to end the curse, a haunting melody echoes through the trees. And each lost soul must wonder…
Will they survive the night? Or will the Bell Witch’s bloody harvest claim more victims?"...
Before I end this review I want to say something about Basheba. The prime female character of this book and the author tried her best to create har like something brilliant leader in the group. This character most certainly disgusted me very much and it was so frustrating that if I find myself happened to be there I would slap her on the face. And one more thing that really got me down by reading it, there's a lot of description about him, her I mean all the characters. Just couldn't find the link between them if you know what I mean. I just could not stand the side of this price female character. Sofia ladies event to boost result like this but very much I didn't so here is my final and last read by this author...
Of course I resulting the read and of course it was my fault; I should have analyse the book more before reading it...
Can anyone tell me what is the scary think about this book anyway? Completely wasted my time. This is my first book by this author and obviously it is my last. Totally bogus story and didn't expect it...
Judging and reading the good and excellent review I have decided to read this book out but 8 disappointed me completely with utter frustration. I didn't find it anything scary about this book. The book was for me so irritating that at some point I just wanted to throw it at the ground I don't care who you think that is a bad idea or not I just explaining my feelings toward this. 2 to make my review in very short term I hi I just want to copy and paste the good reads review in here -
"In Black River, Tennessee, everyone knows the legend of the Bell Witch… and the alleged curse that hangs like a dark shroud over the town. To some, it is just a local tall tale. But to others, it is terrifyingly real.
For centuries, four families have been forced into the ritualistic tradition of sacrifice and terror. Every year, a member of each family stumbles upon an antique music box they need to lock before the time is up. And a horrible fate awaits them once the boxes open.
Trapped in the witch’s sadistic game, the families’ young offspring are forced to journey into the dark and twisted woods of Black River in search for the keys to their salvation. But as they search for a way to end the curse, a haunting melody echoes through the trees. And each lost soul must wonder…
Will they survive the night? Or will the Bell Witch’s bloody harvest claim more victims?"...
Before I end this review I want to say something about Basheba. The prime female character of this book and the author tried her best to create har like something brilliant leader in the group. This character most certainly disgusted me very much and it was so frustrating that if I find myself happened to be there I would slap her on the face. And one more thing that really got me down by reading it, there's a lot of description about him, her I mean all the characters. Just couldn't find the link between them if you know what I mean. I just could not stand the side of this price female character. Sofia ladies event to boost result like this but very much I didn't so here is my final and last read by this author...
Of course I resulting the read and of course it was my fault; I should have analyse the book more before reading it...
February 25, 2020
I think this should be labeled under young adult "horror." It's like Hunger Games meets psychotic demon with a grudge. Though I wasn't necessarily scared by any of the scenes it was still creepily graphic in areas and pleasantly weird. Basheba Bell is by far my favorite character and I'm pretty sure most reviews hated her. She's crass, to the point, has an amazing dog named Buck who can kill on order and has a deeper side that I know is waiting to explode. Anyone who can comically include "crotch goblins" to describe children is a winner in my book. She brought a comedic and melodic side to the plot that made the book for me. I'm looking forward to her part in Book 2.
I will say that Cadwyn was the only other character I connected with. His strength and calm during chaos was admirable and he knew how to handle Basheba, honestly all of the characters. I think without his role they would not have been able to work together the way they did. The plot goes fast and some areas are a bit rushed but I appreciate not having drawn out narratives. Overall I enjoyed this read and place it in the genre of Anna Dressed in Blood.
I won the e-arc through LibraryThing and the audiobook through Scare Street. The narrator for this book did a great job with the characters.. probably why I like Basheba so much.
I will say that Cadwyn was the only other character I connected with. His strength and calm during chaos was admirable and he knew how to handle Basheba, honestly all of the characters. I think without his role they would not have been able to work together the way they did. The plot goes fast and some areas are a bit rushed but I appreciate not having drawn out narratives. Overall I enjoyed this read and place it in the genre of Anna Dressed in Blood.
I won the e-arc through LibraryThing and the audiobook through Scare Street. The narrator for this book did a great job with the characters.. probably why I like Basheba so much.
October 26, 2022
This was pretty fun. It had good reviews on audible and I had a credit so figured why not. The audible is actually all 3 books but this review is just for book 1.
Think like goosebumps level horror. It was pretty Ya and sometimes felt like I was watching one of those re-enactments of hauntings on the travel channel 😂.
This is about the legend of the Bell Witch. Every year the bell witch calls 4 members from 4 families and they have to enter the witches woods together but only one survives The writing was pretty good. I wish the characters were a little more fleshed out and the ending was very abrupt. It felt rushed in some parts, especially with such an interesting story concept. I did like it enough that I’ll for sure finish the next two. It was a quick listen. Can’t complain for an easy spooky season book
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5
Think like goosebumps level horror. It was pretty Ya and sometimes felt like I was watching one of those re-enactments of hauntings on the travel channel 😂.
This is about the legend of the Bell Witch. Every year the bell witch calls 4 members from 4 families and they have to enter the witches woods together but only one survives The writing was pretty good. I wish the characters were a little more fleshed out and the ending was very abrupt. It felt rushed in some parts, especially with such an interesting story concept. I did like it enough that I’ll for sure finish the next two. It was a quick listen. Can’t complain for an easy spooky season book
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️/5
September 23, 2024
Whoa! It’s like The Hunger Games meets The Ring. Awesome!!
July 3, 2019
The premise of this book is that every year members of certain families find a mysterious music box that they must unlock before the time runs out. If they fail, all sorts of horror awaits them. The four young people chosen this particular year could not be any different. They set out in search of the Bell Witch, at least one of them hoping to end the harvest once and for all. Along the way, they face numerous terrors and near death experiences.
Stories of sacrifices are common in the horror genre. This one tells it better than most. We get to know each of the four chosen people as they struggle to complete the quest. All have their own issues and as the story progresses, the reader is left to wonder which of them will break first.
I liked this book - a lot. It has many of the qualities I look for in a horror read, especially people facing almost certain death. Highly recommended.
Stories of sacrifices are common in the horror genre. This one tells it better than most. We get to know each of the four chosen people as they struggle to complete the quest. All have their own issues and as the story progresses, the reader is left to wonder which of them will break first.
I liked this book - a lot. It has many of the qualities I look for in a horror read, especially people facing almost certain death. Highly recommended.
February 5, 2022
Four families are cursed by a witch. Every year a member of each family must survive a life or death game of terror. In this book, you get to meet one member of each family. They are all very different from each other and still need to cooperate together to survive. A keeper, I look forward to reading the next book to this series.
July 3, 2023
Holy shit. Just what the doctor ordered.
(This book is currently free to download for Kindle via a UK account. Not sure for Aus)
(This book is currently free to download for Kindle via a UK account. Not sure for Aus)
December 29, 2024
AAAAAAAAAAAAA I need the next one!!! Cad my beloved 😭
November 4, 2025
Pretty good. I plan on reading the rest of the series
August 23, 2019
Sorry not impressed.
July 4, 2020
I usually don't read this genre but I enjoyed this one and will try to read the series.
February 8, 2020
I was disappointed in this one. It had the promise to be a really creepy book, but it ended up feeling like a demonic Hunger Games. Mina, meant to be a supernatural skeptic, just came across as a smug know-it-all, especially in the face of all the proof and stories from the families who'd been through this horrible experience for years. I was a little surprised (not pleasantly) at how they find the keys, and, to be honest, it seemed way too easy. The characters went through some awful stuff, but I am baffled that more haven't survived.
I started reading the first couple chapters of the second book in the series and I don't think I'll be reading the rest.
I started reading the first couple chapters of the second book in the series and I don't think I'll be reading the rest.
September 13, 2019
Mostly boring, long and draggy. Not scary, no surprises. Not horrible.
April 13, 2025
I was so excited to read this book! My family are direct descendents of John Bell and I have been hearing the stories of the Bell Witch Haunting since I was old enough to sit still. I understand the legalities of not being able to use some actual names of those involved. But the story around why the hauntings started were not even accurate! The dispute started of shady dealings by John Bell that involved farm land purchase at such a low price and the use of a slave of the other party involved that actually got John Bell and family excommunicated from the local church. And the focus of the hauntings focused on John Bell and his daughter Elizabeth! I understand this is a work of fiction but in my opinion if you are going to write about a famous haunting you should at least get the basic facts right. And the said party that was a supposed witch that cursed the family has never been proven, just accusations of an angry unscrupulous business man that used his standing in the community to accuse someone he took advantage of to ease his own guilt and regain his status in the community. This is a story that my family is very protective of and the other family involved was wrongfully accused. Again I understand creative liberties but if you are going to base a story on a "Real Haunting" (which I realize most people don't buy into these things) at least get the "facts" of the story as accurate as possible. And these other 3 families I have never seen mentioned in any of our family documents going back to 1700s when the Bell family moved from NC to TN! I stoped reading it! No offense to the Author but if you are going to base a group of books on a well known haunting (been referenced in well known movies) at least try to stay as true to the "facts" of the haunting that you are basing you books on! (and maybe the author is one of my distant relatives and didn't want to again hash our family's dirty laundry! Trying to find reasons to justify the author's storyline here). But again will not finish book or read others in the series. It is a work of fiction an many people may love this series. Just wanted to clarify some of the "facts" of my family history! Again no offense meant to the author with the realization that this is my opinion on the book that may effect future readers!
September 23, 2019
For centuries, the ghost of Katrina Hamilton has tortured the four families responsible for accusing her of witchcraft and her subsequent hanging. Now, each year after her death Katrina picks one descendant each from the Bell, Winthrop, Crane and Sewall lineage to toy with. Katrina delivers a demon infested music box to one member of each family, that family member then must return to Black River, Tennessee and enter the Witch's Wood, the ancestral home of the Bell family to find the key and lock the demon box. The chosen are tormented every step of the way once they enter Katrina's woods. While in the wood they might die, they might find their key and survive another year or they might not find their key and unleash a demon. This year, Bathsheba Bell is entering the wood for the second time along with first-timer's, Willimina Crane, Cadwyn Winthrop, and Osgood Davis.
I felt hooked from the beginning when Katrina was delivering the music boxes to each family member, preying on their unique fears and phobias. Through the box delivery, the personality of each character was also brought out. Cadwyn is physically tough with a heart of gold. Mina is hyper focused and a skeptic of the Bell Witch legend. Bathsheba is demanding and intense and cares only about herself and her dog. Osgood is trying to figure out who to put his trust in for survival. Once the four chosen members enter the woods, the pace picks up. I enjoyed seeing of the ways that Katrina came up to terrify the family, where their keys were ultimately hidden and the changing dynamics of the group in the wood. The Bell farm was particularly grotesque as well as the location of Bathsheba's key. I definitely want to know more about Katrina, it seems that she was an actual Witch and tricked the Bell family even when she was alive and then got angry that they prospered anyway. I would be interested in hearing more from her side of the story or seeing the four families finally getting revenge for the centuries of torture and deaths.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
I felt hooked from the beginning when Katrina was delivering the music boxes to each family member, preying on their unique fears and phobias. Through the box delivery, the personality of each character was also brought out. Cadwyn is physically tough with a heart of gold. Mina is hyper focused and a skeptic of the Bell Witch legend. Bathsheba is demanding and intense and cares only about herself and her dog. Osgood is trying to figure out who to put his trust in for survival. Once the four chosen members enter the woods, the pace picks up. I enjoyed seeing of the ways that Katrina came up to terrify the family, where their keys were ultimately hidden and the changing dynamics of the group in the wood. The Bell farm was particularly grotesque as well as the location of Bathsheba's key. I definitely want to know more about Katrina, it seems that she was an actual Witch and tricked the Bell family even when she was alive and then got angry that they prospered anyway. I would be interested in hearing more from her side of the story or seeing the four families finally getting revenge for the centuries of torture and deaths.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
November 20, 2023
{Please also note: I have only read 75% of this book which is what I will be reviewing on. In other words, this book is a DNF but I will be reviewing the 75% that I have read}.
The first few chapters of this book absolutely confused me. Each chapter focuses on the one family member (of each of the cursed families ) that have been selected in the witch’s ritualistic tradition. I would have preferred for the first chapter to be all about the witch and the tradition and to basically go into detail about all of that before introducing these family members. That’s just my preference, for me it would be great to get an insight into what exactly the story of the witch and the tradition is all about before getting into the main characters.
The story then got quite good and interesting when the family members met each other before going to Black River. I thought the book would be promising from this, however when the family members went off to Black River the story got very bland and just outright boring. It was very hard to finish this book for that reason.
I didn’t enjoy the characters at all, none of them stood out to me and I took no liking to any of them. The story itself also seemed rushed and forced so I was quite unsure on how the ending would have went (obviously I didn’t get that far but I can guess it went just as quick as the story in general). I also didn’t get that scary and creepy feeling while reading the 75% of the story that I read.
My last comment would be that the writing in general, for me, was poorly written and I think this is why I got so bored of reading it. I love writing that’s lyrical or has some lyrical phrases. However, if you’re going to try this technique and go absolutely sideways with it (in other words it just makes no sense) you won’t be able to hold a grasp on your readers.
Overall did not enjoy, DNF for me 🥺
The first few chapters of this book absolutely confused me. Each chapter focuses on the one family member (of each of the cursed families ) that have been selected in the witch’s ritualistic tradition. I would have preferred for the first chapter to be all about the witch and the tradition and to basically go into detail about all of that before introducing these family members. That’s just my preference, for me it would be great to get an insight into what exactly the story of the witch and the tradition is all about before getting into the main characters.
The story then got quite good and interesting when the family members met each other before going to Black River. I thought the book would be promising from this, however when the family members went off to Black River the story got very bland and just outright boring. It was very hard to finish this book for that reason.
I didn’t enjoy the characters at all, none of them stood out to me and I took no liking to any of them. The story itself also seemed rushed and forced so I was quite unsure on how the ending would have went (obviously I didn’t get that far but I can guess it went just as quick as the story in general). I also didn’t get that scary and creepy feeling while reading the 75% of the story that I read.
My last comment would be that the writing in general, for me, was poorly written and I think this is why I got so bored of reading it. I love writing that’s lyrical or has some lyrical phrases. However, if you’re going to try this technique and go absolutely sideways with it (in other words it just makes no sense) you won’t be able to hold a grasp on your readers.
Overall did not enjoy, DNF for me 🥺
November 25, 2021
For generations, the Bell Witch of Tennessee has demanded retribution against the four families who brought about her destruction. After a property deal done wrong, an accusation of witchcraft and a hanging, Katrina Hamilton's revenge can only be satisfied with a Hunger Games/Saw movies battle to the death with members of the families Bell, Crane, Sewall and Winthrop, who've been carefully selected by the witch herself.
And this year's selections prove pretty promising. Among them is a psychiatric nurse from a maximum security facility, a clueless teenager who faints at the sight of blood, a cynic with a deadly secret in her backpack, and a spunky little lady who lives in her car with a massive Rottweiler. But with the keys required to break the curse hidden in the very objects that terrify the young people the most, and the town turning a blind eye to all the mayhem and bloodletting of 200 years (due to tourist dollars and bumper crops), will vengeful Katrina get to harvest the souls she craves, or will the young strangers bond together and face their fears?
Really well-drawn characters, creepy settings and nicely constructed dialogue make for one hell of a story. I would have liked a bit more of an emotional arc from cynic, Mina. She begins the story firmly believing in logic and all things scientific and, naturally a 200 year old witch-ghost doesn't gel too well with that. But then, after everything the team goes through, and Mina's shock as she feels and sees things she can't explain, led me to feel that she should have some sort of epiphany. Of course, she doesn't have to become a convert, but I think I would have liked her to address her feelings later in the tale.
And this year's selections prove pretty promising. Among them is a psychiatric nurse from a maximum security facility, a clueless teenager who faints at the sight of blood, a cynic with a deadly secret in her backpack, and a spunky little lady who lives in her car with a massive Rottweiler. But with the keys required to break the curse hidden in the very objects that terrify the young people the most, and the town turning a blind eye to all the mayhem and bloodletting of 200 years (due to tourist dollars and bumper crops), will vengeful Katrina get to harvest the souls she craves, or will the young strangers bond together and face their fears?
Really well-drawn characters, creepy settings and nicely constructed dialogue make for one hell of a story. I would have liked a bit more of an emotional arc from cynic, Mina. She begins the story firmly believing in logic and all things scientific and, naturally a 200 year old witch-ghost doesn't gel too well with that. But then, after everything the team goes through, and Mina's shock as she feels and sees things she can't explain, led me to feel that she should have some sort of epiphany. Of course, she doesn't have to become a convert, but I think I would have liked her to address her feelings later in the tale.
November 22, 2020
I love reading creepy book in the Autumn in New England as the days get shorter and the wind blows in the Winter. Wood smoke wafting through the trees and golden leaves fallen scream that the warm of summer is gone and all that lived is dying to be re-born in Spring. I frequently read Stephen King or his son, Joe Hill, or a Gothic horror I've always meant to get to. This year I chose a few newer works. This one looked good, but was somewhat disappointing.
A good horror builds suspense. Little things around the house that we all know and see everyday change. Characters second guess their sanity. A malevolent force comes into focus as our hero or heroin become more and more relatable. Sara Clancy is a talented writer and the series begins with 4 characters being sketched. Each of these stories ends with a box and an understanding that they needed to go home to their ancestral homes, the home of their original families in Tennessee.
It turns out that there is a force that calls to individual members of 4 families each year for the past several hundred years. I won't ruin the story, but the creepiness sort of evaporates from this point. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed and stayed with Clancy through all three books in the series, but this turned out to be an action/adventure with a witch as the antagonist more than a creepy fall in New England tale. The setup is solid and the story is certainly entertaining, but atmospheric and mysterious this was not. I didn't think it was billed this way, but this is a young adult type of story. Lots of action and good character development, less atmosphere, subtlety, or mystery.
A good horror builds suspense. Little things around the house that we all know and see everyday change. Characters second guess their sanity. A malevolent force comes into focus as our hero or heroin become more and more relatable. Sara Clancy is a talented writer and the series begins with 4 characters being sketched. Each of these stories ends with a box and an understanding that they needed to go home to their ancestral homes, the home of their original families in Tennessee.
It turns out that there is a force that calls to individual members of 4 families each year for the past several hundred years. I won't ruin the story, but the creepiness sort of evaporates from this point. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed and stayed with Clancy through all three books in the series, but this turned out to be an action/adventure with a witch as the antagonist more than a creepy fall in New England tale. The setup is solid and the story is certainly entertaining, but atmospheric and mysterious this was not. I didn't think it was billed this way, but this is a young adult type of story. Lots of action and good character development, less atmosphere, subtlety, or mystery.
October 24, 2020
This book plays on the real myth of the Bell Witch in Tennessee. I'm a sucker for retellings, so this book intrigued me. I went into it with low expectations and I must say, I was pretty impressed. There were a few wording errors and overdramatic descriptions, but I truly fell in love with the four main characters. Mina wants to be logical, always trying to disprove the supernatural even to the point that her curiosity almost kills her. Cadwyn is a strong, silent character, with a soft heart and a rough exterior. Basheba is snarky and uncaring on the surface, but she loves her dog and values human life, even if humanity has mostly given up on her. Ozzie is optimistic, youthful, and determined.
All of them really stood out to me as good characters. Saying that, the first four chapters show each of their perspectives, and it was difficult to get into the story when the perspective kept shifting just when I became interested in the story. However, later on this wasn't a problem. Katrina Hamilton, the Bell Witch herself, is a pretty vague antagonist. She wants to punish these four families, but she also seems more to prefer torture over murder. There's this massive minotaur that comes into the story and I was thrown off wondering why does he exist in this world with ghosts? I just found the villain to be a bit confusing at times. But this is also the first book in a series, and I imagine we'll learn more in later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's perfect to read around Halloween.
All of them really stood out to me as good characters. Saying that, the first four chapters show each of their perspectives, and it was difficult to get into the story when the perspective kept shifting just when I became interested in the story. However, later on this wasn't a problem. Katrina Hamilton, the Bell Witch herself, is a pretty vague antagonist. She wants to punish these four families, but she also seems more to prefer torture over murder. There's this massive minotaur that comes into the story and I was thrown off wondering why does he exist in this world with ghosts? I just found the villain to be a bit confusing at times. But this is also the first book in a series, and I imagine we'll learn more in later books.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and it's perfect to read around Halloween.
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