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The Gallery of Stolen Souls
In 1860’s London, change is on the cards for down-at-heel photographer, Samuel Temple, when he is commissioned by the employers of the enigmatic Mrs Watson to capture a special portrait. Little does he know, however, that the subject of the photograph will spark a dark fascination inside him, one which takes his life – and many more – in an increasingly sinister direction.
In present day Dublin, Louise Lacey is drawn to purchase a beautiful old camera for her home as a symbol of change in her own life. The arrival of the antique, however, triggers strange and terrifying events and Louise reluctantly becomes aware that she is no longer alone.
As Louise reluctantly investigates the source of her haunting, she is led into danger she could never have imagined, as it becomes terrifyingly clear that she is the victim of dark obsessions, both past and present.
In present day Dublin, Louise Lacey is drawn to purchase a beautiful old camera for her home as a symbol of change in her own life. The arrival of the antique, however, triggers strange and terrifying events and Louise reluctantly becomes aware that she is no longer alone.
As Louise reluctantly investigates the source of her haunting, she is led into danger she could never have imagined, as it becomes terrifyingly clear that she is the victim of dark obsessions, both past and present.
480 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 8, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
September 27, 2020
Picture Perfect
The minute I saw The Gallery of Stolen Souls, my interest piqued and I added it instantly. It was love at first sight for the on point title - setting the mood before the cover was even opened.
To be clear, this is a ghost story. I don’t read much of the genre, but 'Gallery' is uniquely sinister and the prologue among the chilliest I’ve read. Ice cold and fabulous, I was perversely enchanted as the depravity continued inward from the front cover.
From there, two timelines beginning separately are then brought together.
In 1870, Samuel Temple, an odd duck photographer, accepted a request to photograph a recently deceased person. The family wanted a remembrance of their dead child in repose.
The person requesting his services as an employee of the family is Bridget - an austere but enterprising woman who has hidden plans of her own. How these two interact made my heart beat a little faster. Something foul was afoot here.
Present day characters include homeowner Louise and her affable painter Joe. Louise is attempting to improve her life after losing her job and starting over. Things go awry after Louise makes an impulse buy at an antique shop - a camera.
I loved the book as a whole but I was drawn especially to the earlier timeline as the writing seemed more finely tuned. It would have been five stars had the present day portions not contained extra fluff.
Also, if you like vocabulary, the first timeline has some gems and the rendering of 1870’s London is pitch perfect.
The minute I saw The Gallery of Stolen Souls, my interest piqued and I added it instantly. It was love at first sight for the on point title - setting the mood before the cover was even opened.
To be clear, this is a ghost story. I don’t read much of the genre, but 'Gallery' is uniquely sinister and the prologue among the chilliest I’ve read. Ice cold and fabulous, I was perversely enchanted as the depravity continued inward from the front cover.
From there, two timelines beginning separately are then brought together.
In 1870, Samuel Temple, an odd duck photographer, accepted a request to photograph a recently deceased person. The family wanted a remembrance of their dead child in repose.
The person requesting his services as an employee of the family is Bridget - an austere but enterprising woman who has hidden plans of her own. How these two interact made my heart beat a little faster. Something foul was afoot here.
Present day characters include homeowner Louise and her affable painter Joe. Louise is attempting to improve her life after losing her job and starting over. Things go awry after Louise makes an impulse buy at an antique shop - a camera.
I loved the book as a whole but I was drawn especially to the earlier timeline as the writing seemed more finely tuned. It would have been five stars had the present day portions not contained extra fluff.
Also, if you like vocabulary, the first timeline has some gems and the rendering of 1870’s London is pitch perfect.
July 29, 2020
This was a brilliant read that I could not put down. I was desperate to see the conclusion of this spooky story and was immersed from the beginning. A fantastic piece of writing from Moorhouse.
Whether you are looking for your next Halloween read (hey, it’s never too early to plan ahead?!), or are after a spooky, bone-tingling book, then this is the novel for you. Literally having goosebumps on my arms at times, I was even freaked out when reading it in low-light just before bed. This novel really got to me and I found my imagination running away from me. The atmosphere was as tense as the unnerving cover and I really enjoyed the way that the writer crafted her story. It is these features that make this a perfect read for those who like being spooked.
That being said, Moorhouse does not write a cliched story that has over-used stereotypes. Switching between present-day Dublin and Victorian England, the dual-narrative explores the idea of supernatural photography. When Louise picks up a Victorian camera from an antiques shop, she gradually notices supernatural occurrences happening in her home. Moving into the past, we are introduced to Samuel Temple, a photographer who specialises in post-mortem photography – that’s taking pictures of dead people, to you and me. It’s spooky just considering this as a career, and, when readers learn the fascination that Samuel has for this topic, plus the nature of his subjects, that’s when the story takes a more compelling turn.
I loved the way that Moorhouse switched between the two time periods. I felt like I was living with Louise as she felt fearful in her own house. At the same time, I was an observer to Samuel’s progression as a photographer and his eventual relationship with Bridget. When Louise discovers Samuel’s Victorian images, I could vividly picture the fear and terror on her face, alongside the sinister pictures that she was looking at. It was completely unnerving.
This book had everything that I love in reading: a dual-narrative, an increasing mystery, and no indication as to how the story would conclude. I was desperate to see how the plot would develop; in a way, I was as haunted by the story as Louise was by unsettled spirits. In conclusion, this is a perfect ghost story or for fans of supernatural mysteries. A great read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Whether you are looking for your next Halloween read (hey, it’s never too early to plan ahead?!), or are after a spooky, bone-tingling book, then this is the novel for you. Literally having goosebumps on my arms at times, I was even freaked out when reading it in low-light just before bed. This novel really got to me and I found my imagination running away from me. The atmosphere was as tense as the unnerving cover and I really enjoyed the way that the writer crafted her story. It is these features that make this a perfect read for those who like being spooked.
That being said, Moorhouse does not write a cliched story that has over-used stereotypes. Switching between present-day Dublin and Victorian England, the dual-narrative explores the idea of supernatural photography. When Louise picks up a Victorian camera from an antiques shop, she gradually notices supernatural occurrences happening in her home. Moving into the past, we are introduced to Samuel Temple, a photographer who specialises in post-mortem photography – that’s taking pictures of dead people, to you and me. It’s spooky just considering this as a career, and, when readers learn the fascination that Samuel has for this topic, plus the nature of his subjects, that’s when the story takes a more compelling turn.
I loved the way that Moorhouse switched between the two time periods. I felt like I was living with Louise as she felt fearful in her own house. At the same time, I was an observer to Samuel’s progression as a photographer and his eventual relationship with Bridget. When Louise discovers Samuel’s Victorian images, I could vividly picture the fear and terror on her face, alongside the sinister pictures that she was looking at. It was completely unnerving.
This book had everything that I love in reading: a dual-narrative, an increasing mystery, and no indication as to how the story would conclude. I was desperate to see how the plot would develop; in a way, I was as haunted by the story as Louise was by unsettled spirits. In conclusion, this is a perfect ghost story or for fans of supernatural mysteries. A great read.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 27, 2020
Many Thanks to BookSirens, the publisher and the author for a chance to read and review this book. All opinions are expressed voluntarily.
Of all the books that you read, there comes this one book that satisfies you in every way possible. It ticks all the boxes that make one happy and if it is a book from an author that you have never read before, obviously the joy knows no bounds.
The Gallery of Stolen Souls by Helen Moorhouse is one such book that worked wonders for me.
Ghosts ✅
Romance ✅
Dual-time narrative ✅
Historical fiction ✅
Mystery ✅
And looking at the above can anyone tell me what’s there not to enjoy in this book?
The story begins with the thoughts of an executioner but the tale then meanders thru the anxiety plagued Louise Lacey in 2018 and the eccentric photographer Samuel Templeton in 1860. The darkness intensifies with the mysterious housekeeper Bridget Watson who keeps adding aliases in every house she works and also becomes a part of the macabre peculiarity enabling Samuel in taking photographs of the dead who are handicapped or deformed. There’s a quirky madness to the fascination of Samuel but little does he know the extent of the monstrosity that he unwittingly unleashes into the world.
Joe as the romantic interest does not get the meaty part but I loved his banter and loyal support to his sister Tash and Louise. It is however the very lovely Maud whose ebullience shines brightly throughout the story and makes the reader feel. It was interesting to see how the author has shown the anxieties that can plague a person for the simplest and elementary task, there’s a whole lot of monologue by Louise when she hears a doorbell that one can’t help but feel sorry for her.
Brilliantly portrayed, the evil character also has this insidious quality that tingles the spine and raises goosebumps.
The final part inside the house of horrors had me taking some deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with dual time narrative and ghosts, both good and evil, go ahead and grab this outstanding work by Helen Moorhouse.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.
Of all the books that you read, there comes this one book that satisfies you in every way possible. It ticks all the boxes that make one happy and if it is a book from an author that you have never read before, obviously the joy knows no bounds.
The Gallery of Stolen Souls by Helen Moorhouse is one such book that worked wonders for me.
Ghosts ✅
Romance ✅
Dual-time narrative ✅
Historical fiction ✅
Mystery ✅
And looking at the above can anyone tell me what’s there not to enjoy in this book?
The story begins with the thoughts of an executioner but the tale then meanders thru the anxiety plagued Louise Lacey in 2018 and the eccentric photographer Samuel Templeton in 1860. The darkness intensifies with the mysterious housekeeper Bridget Watson who keeps adding aliases in every house she works and also becomes a part of the macabre peculiarity enabling Samuel in taking photographs of the dead who are handicapped or deformed. There’s a quirky madness to the fascination of Samuel but little does he know the extent of the monstrosity that he unwittingly unleashes into the world.
Joe as the romantic interest does not get the meaty part but I loved his banter and loyal support to his sister Tash and Louise. It is however the very lovely Maud whose ebullience shines brightly throughout the story and makes the reader feel. It was interesting to see how the author has shown the anxieties that can plague a person for the simplest and elementary task, there’s a whole lot of monologue by Louise when she hears a doorbell that one can’t help but feel sorry for her.
Brilliantly portrayed, the evil character also has this insidious quality that tingles the spine and raises goosebumps.
The final part inside the house of horrors had me taking some deep breaths to calm my racing heart.
If you are a fan of historical fiction with dual time narrative and ghosts, both good and evil, go ahead and grab this outstanding work by Helen Moorhouse.
This review is published in my blog https://rainnbooks.com/; Amazon India, Goodreads, and Twitter.
September 9, 2020
I received this copy from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
“Your photographs, Samuel, eh? What kind of sick mind does it take to form an obsession such as yours? To seek out the maimed and the disfigured – I’ve seen the way you look at them – slavering over the corpses of the unthinkable. Do they excite you, perhaps? Do you draw pleasure from them that you cannot draw from anything normal? Anything alive? Is there some thrill in the arrangement of them? Touching them, posing them? Playing with them as if they were toys?”
London, 1860. When photographer Samuel Temple is commissioned by the employers of the enigmatic Mrs. Watson to capture a special portrait little does he know that the subject of the photograph will spark a dark fascination inside him, one which takes his life and many more in an increasingly sinister direction.
Dublin, 2018. Louise Lacey, a self-employed voiceover artist is drawn to purchase a beautiful old camera for her home as a symbol of change in her own life. However, the arrival of the antique triggers strange and terrifying events in her home. As she investigates the source of her haunting, it becomes terrifyingly clear that she is the victim of dark obsessions, both past, and present.
“Some cultures believe that a photograph will rob the soul.”
🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆:
📷Helen had beautifully crafted the plot of this book which includes history, mystery, haunting, crimes, and romance, and narrated it in two timelines, one is the post-mortem photographer Samuel of 1860's Victorian London who is obsessed with capturing the dead bodies of the deformed person in his camera and the other one is voiceover artist Louise in 2018 Dublin who buys that camera and now facing haunting activities in her house.
📷Helen's writing is elegant and riveting. As the tension rises and the mystery deepens, I was hooked in keep on turning pages. But I was a little disappointed seeing the spooky element is low and its pacing was a bit slow. I think the book could’ve been less thick if some scenes, not adding anything to the plot is removed.
📷The characters are well written and interesting; be it shy and reserved voiceover artist Lousie or Bidget, the housekeeper who changes her names with each of her new charge; be it eccentric photographer Samuel with an unusual fascination for dead bodies or the creepy Adrian, the antique shop owner who is obsessed with that camera. However, I didn't like that Joe didn't get to do much other than be an occasional white knight and potential love interest.
📷The ending was not quite as expected but did not detract in any way from the whole story. I didn't see what happened to Samuel coming. I also feel certain questions remain unanswered - how/ from where Adrian gets that antique camera? what happens to the ghosts at the end?
Overall, The Gallery of Stolen Souls was an ok read for me. If you enjoy paranormal thrillers and ghost stories, with the element of history and mystery in it then this book is absolutely for you. Highly recommended.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐
“Your photographs, Samuel, eh? What kind of sick mind does it take to form an obsession such as yours? To seek out the maimed and the disfigured – I’ve seen the way you look at them – slavering over the corpses of the unthinkable. Do they excite you, perhaps? Do you draw pleasure from them that you cannot draw from anything normal? Anything alive? Is there some thrill in the arrangement of them? Touching them, posing them? Playing with them as if they were toys?”
London, 1860. When photographer Samuel Temple is commissioned by the employers of the enigmatic Mrs. Watson to capture a special portrait little does he know that the subject of the photograph will spark a dark fascination inside him, one which takes his life and many more in an increasingly sinister direction.
Dublin, 2018. Louise Lacey, a self-employed voiceover artist is drawn to purchase a beautiful old camera for her home as a symbol of change in her own life. However, the arrival of the antique triggers strange and terrifying events in her home. As she investigates the source of her haunting, it becomes terrifyingly clear that she is the victim of dark obsessions, both past, and present.
“Some cultures believe that a photograph will rob the soul.”
🆁🅴🆅🅸🅴🆆:
📷Helen had beautifully crafted the plot of this book which includes history, mystery, haunting, crimes, and romance, and narrated it in two timelines, one is the post-mortem photographer Samuel of 1860's Victorian London who is obsessed with capturing the dead bodies of the deformed person in his camera and the other one is voiceover artist Louise in 2018 Dublin who buys that camera and now facing haunting activities in her house.
📷Helen's writing is elegant and riveting. As the tension rises and the mystery deepens, I was hooked in keep on turning pages. But I was a little disappointed seeing the spooky element is low and its pacing was a bit slow. I think the book could’ve been less thick if some scenes, not adding anything to the plot is removed.
📷The characters are well written and interesting; be it shy and reserved voiceover artist Lousie or Bidget, the housekeeper who changes her names with each of her new charge; be it eccentric photographer Samuel with an unusual fascination for dead bodies or the creepy Adrian, the antique shop owner who is obsessed with that camera. However, I didn't like that Joe didn't get to do much other than be an occasional white knight and potential love interest.
📷The ending was not quite as expected but did not detract in any way from the whole story. I didn't see what happened to Samuel coming. I also feel certain questions remain unanswered - how/ from where Adrian gets that antique camera? what happens to the ghosts at the end?
Overall, The Gallery of Stolen Souls was an ok read for me. If you enjoy paranormal thrillers and ghost stories, with the element of history and mystery in it then this book is absolutely for you. Highly recommended.
𝑴𝒚 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈: ⭐⭐⭐
December 19, 2020
What an enjoyable read. So, there's a genre of book that I love that is weirdly specific/very niche: the dual timeline vaguely supernatural historic serial -killer-with-a-gimmicky-MO thriller. It's actually a thing! The Gallery of Stolen Souls is a wonderful addition to the genre. The writing was very good, neither too spare nor too purple, with believable dialogue.
The characters were mostly well developed, although poor Joe didn't get to do much other than be an occasional white knight and potential love interest. He got a bit short changed. And, if I'm going to be totally honest, I wasn't totally ok with how Tash, as a fat person, was portrayed (for instance, being compared to a dead girl who in all likelihood had Prader Willi syndrome; yikes). And then her weight loss at the end, because fat is a character flaw and moral failing instead of just a physical trait, and it is symbolic of her victimization... Yeah, it made me uncomfortable. Also, Louise, the modern day protagonist was hard to like. She had one of those personalities... helpless and kind of pathetic but with a healthy ego? But that, I think, is a testament to the writing. She was realistic and believable. The historic characters fared better. The villain in particular was genuinely scary and wonderfully written.
The story had good pacing, a lot of tension, and high stakes. The historic plot was seriously creepy and stressful, and the modern plot was completely engrossing. I needed to know what happened next.
An entertaining, enjoyable read.
The characters were mostly well developed, although poor Joe didn't get to do much other than be an occasional white knight and potential love interest. He got a bit short changed. And, if I'm going to be totally honest, I wasn't totally ok with how Tash, as a fat person, was portrayed (for instance, being compared to a dead girl who in all likelihood had Prader Willi syndrome; yikes). And then her weight loss at the end, because fat is a character flaw and moral failing instead of just a physical trait, and it is symbolic of her victimization... Yeah, it made me uncomfortable. Also, Louise, the modern day protagonist was hard to like. She had one of those personalities... helpless and kind of pathetic but with a healthy ego? But that, I think, is a testament to the writing. She was realistic and believable. The historic characters fared better. The villain in particular was genuinely scary and wonderfully written.
The story had good pacing, a lot of tension, and high stakes. The historic plot was seriously creepy and stressful, and the modern plot was completely engrossing. I needed to know what happened next.
An entertaining, enjoyable read.
July 21, 2020
Again I was sucked into the two time lines. Really effective.
The end was not quite as expected but did not detract in any way from the whole story. I found the victorian timeline really interesting and did not see what happened to Samuel coming.
Really looking forward to more books from this author.
The end was not quite as expected but did not detract in any way from the whole story. I found the victorian timeline really interesting and did not see what happened to Samuel coming.
Really looking forward to more books from this author.
August 11, 2020
I quite enjoyed this quirky Victorian haunted house horror story. The Gallery Of Stolen Souls alternates between a present-day storyline, where secluded voice actor Louise finds her house haunted after she impulse buys an antique photo camera, and the camera's origin story involving post-mortem photography in Victorian London.
Moorhouse makes some great character studies, and did a great job of writing the chapters set in Victorian times in the proper historical setting. I appreciate how the internal monologue of each character reflects their environment, and how Moorhouse chooses to use different words and phrases for each character and era.
The book didn't get very spooky, although the tension was enough to keep me turning pages. It was a bit too slow-paced for a great thriller read for me, but I do recommend The Gallery Of Stolen Souls to anyone who enjoys paranormal thrillers and ghost stories.
Moorhouse makes some great character studies, and did a great job of writing the chapters set in Victorian times in the proper historical setting. I appreciate how the internal monologue of each character reflects their environment, and how Moorhouse chooses to use different words and phrases for each character and era.
The book didn't get very spooky, although the tension was enough to keep me turning pages. It was a bit too slow-paced for a great thriller read for me, but I do recommend The Gallery Of Stolen Souls to anyone who enjoys paranormal thrillers and ghost stories.
July 29, 2020
I will admit the title is what drew me into this book. It just sounded fascinating. Now having finished the book, I found it both very interesting and unusual. Set in modern day Ireland, the story follows Louise, a young woman who is an introvert. She has a natural contempt for her flamboyant roommate, and resents her hiring a painter to spruce up the old house her Grandmother left her. Surprising herself she actually ends up building a bond with Joe, the dutifully caring painter. Life may have followed a dull path for Louise, until on a whim she enters a antique shop, and for no logical reason purchases a very old, vintage camera. This antique has more than your average baggage; however. Before long, both Joe and Louise start to notice odd happenings in the old, creaky house: apparitions, objects moving unaided, cold spots, odd smells. The history of this most unusual camera is told in a series of alternating chapters that take us back to the 1800’s when the camera belonged to a notable photographer. A photographer who’s specialty was photographing those who have recently departed. A sort of morbid last memory for the devastated family. A tradition that found popularity in Victorian Era London, the photographs Mr. Temple took were even more unusual because the subjects often suffered deformities or disabilities that marked them as freaks in their time. Now, in present time, the camera seems to be holding onto something from deep in the past. A dark, twisted history that is bleeding into modern time. The strength of this book lies in its broody mood. I love the cast of characters from the 1800’s era. A motley crew of characters ranging from a sadistic sociopath to a heavenly sweet young woman born without hands. I enjoyed reading this. Thank you to Book Sirens for the copy in exchange for an honest review.
July 23, 2020
London in the 1860s, Samuel Temple is about to find the great passion of his life. As a photographer he is struggling to find work until he gets a message from a Mrs Watson to take a very special photograph.
Dublin present day, Louise Lacey is unexpectedly drawn to an old camera and on impulse buys it. After taking it home strange and frightening things start happening.
I love the Victorian era and found this part of the book fascinating. Memento mori seems so bizarre to us in this day and age but it was their way of coping with death. This was well researched and nicely paced. I wasn’t expecting what happened either to Samuel or Louise, and it’s lovely not to be able to guess the ending. I did at times feel a bit exasperated with Louise who seemed to want her white knight, Joe, to keep taking care of and rescuing her. However it was a gripping read and unexpectedly enjoyable for such a grim genre.
I received an ARC for free in return for an honest opinion.
Dublin present day, Louise Lacey is unexpectedly drawn to an old camera and on impulse buys it. After taking it home strange and frightening things start happening.
I love the Victorian era and found this part of the book fascinating. Memento mori seems so bizarre to us in this day and age but it was their way of coping with death. This was well researched and nicely paced. I wasn’t expecting what happened either to Samuel or Louise, and it’s lovely not to be able to guess the ending. I did at times feel a bit exasperated with Louise who seemed to want her white knight, Joe, to keep taking care of and rescuing her. However it was a gripping read and unexpectedly enjoyable for such a grim genre.
I received an ARC for free in return for an honest opinion.
August 6, 2020
This is a wonderful book. The story alternates between London in the 1860s and modern day Dublin. Freelance voice actor Louise wanders through town and stumbles across an antiques store, where she buys an old camera. Things really kick off from here and that a good pace. I really enjoyed this book; the premise, the storyline, the flow of both stories. I really enjoyed the characters. Each time I put it down, I couldn't wait to pick it up again and continue reading. It moved from Historical Fiction quickly to Dark Fiction/Suspense to Psychological Fiction. Loved it and can only recommend it.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
September 9, 2020
An intriguing premise for a horror novel, the Victorian practice of taking pictures of the dead. The Gallery of Stolen Souls takes place in two time periods, the late 1880s following the life of Samuel Temple, a budding photographer who specialises in portraits of the dead; and in the present day following Louise, an anxious voice over artist who buys an old camera from a mysterious antiques shop. I thought this was really well written and gripping. The descriptions of the characters and places are vivid, particularly those of Temple's subjects. I really liked the way that Louise developed as a character from someone who is nervous and reclusive, to someone much stronger and able to survive. Great plot kept me turning the pages, and this was a creepy, atmospheric read full of little clues that the reader can pick up on. Would definitely read more of the author's work. I received a advance review copy for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 24, 2020
I absolutely adored this book about two stories separated by time but that are closely intertwined.
In Dublin, 2018, Louise is a shy young woman who works from home and finds out that her annoying flatmate, who is constantly bullying her, has hired a painter to modernize their flat without even telling her or caring about the fact that Louise is the owner. Thinking about what she really wants for her life, Louise gets carried away and impulsively buys an old camera in an antique shop. Soon, both her and Joe, the painter, will experience supernatural events that terrify them. What is in the house?
In London, 1860's, Samuel Temple, a photographer, is called by Mrs. Watson, a wealthy family's housekeeper, to take a post-mortem picture of the family's baby that had just died. At first, he is shocked about the request, but he rapidly develops a fascination for this kind of photography that will have terrible consequences. What are the dangers that these pictures will bring?
What I liked: First of all, the characters are very well constructed, so the book was easy to like. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Joe and Louise, as it added a sweet, pleasant, and funny touch to the creepy events that they had to face. The plot was also wonderfully built: most chapters had a cliffhanger, and there were many surprises and turns while everything remained coherent. The way both storylines were tangled in several layers was very interesting, and the pace of the narration was just perfected to keep me absorbed. I loved how this book had romance, supernatural stuff, crimes, history, everything I like! Also, I felt so many emotions with this story! I just wanted to read more and more for hours, but I didn't want it to finish. I would definitely recommend this book.
What I did not like: Sometimes one of the characters just conveniently gave every single piece of information that was needed for a certain moment (which includes those odd monologues by the villains to explain exactly how their plans worked). There were also a couple of things that were not fully developed, like how the antique shop got the camera, when did the supernatural events start, or what happened to the ghosts after the climax of the story... But, since these were not major points for the overall story, I still think this book was amazing.
(I want to thank BookSirens, Poolbeg Press, and the author for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.)
In Dublin, 2018, Louise is a shy young woman who works from home and finds out that her annoying flatmate, who is constantly bullying her, has hired a painter to modernize their flat without even telling her or caring about the fact that Louise is the owner. Thinking about what she really wants for her life, Louise gets carried away and impulsively buys an old camera in an antique shop. Soon, both her and Joe, the painter, will experience supernatural events that terrify them. What is in the house?
In London, 1860's, Samuel Temple, a photographer, is called by Mrs. Watson, a wealthy family's housekeeper, to take a post-mortem picture of the family's baby that had just died. At first, he is shocked about the request, but he rapidly develops a fascination for this kind of photography that will have terrible consequences. What are the dangers that these pictures will bring?
What I liked: First of all, the characters are very well constructed, so the book was easy to like. I really enjoyed the chemistry between Joe and Louise, as it added a sweet, pleasant, and funny touch to the creepy events that they had to face. The plot was also wonderfully built: most chapters had a cliffhanger, and there were many surprises and turns while everything remained coherent. The way both storylines were tangled in several layers was very interesting, and the pace of the narration was just perfected to keep me absorbed. I loved how this book had romance, supernatural stuff, crimes, history, everything I like! Also, I felt so many emotions with this story! I just wanted to read more and more for hours, but I didn't want it to finish. I would definitely recommend this book.
What I did not like: Sometimes one of the characters just conveniently gave every single piece of information that was needed for a certain moment (which includes those odd monologues by the villains to explain exactly how their plans worked). There were also a couple of things that were not fully developed, like how the antique shop got the camera, when did the supernatural events start, or what happened to the ghosts after the climax of the story... But, since these were not major points for the overall story, I still think this book was amazing.
(I want to thank BookSirens, Poolbeg Press, and the author for this ARC, which I received in exchange for an honest review.)
September 6, 2020
Haunted happenings? Check. Mysterious vibes? Check. The Gallery of Stolen Souls is an underrated release from Helen Moorhouse. When protagonist Louise impulse buys a Victorian camera from an antique shop, she soon finds herself embroiled in a spooky plot.
This book alternates between the present and the past – something that is often difficult to pull off, but I think was done quite successfully in this book. Although the characters are not as fleshed out as I would have liked, they were still relatable and made the book believable. Louise’s reaction to realising she is being haunted was quite funny – I could definitely see myself reacting in the same way.
I also found the historical chapters to be done very well! Moorhouse sets a dark kind of tone for the novel and this shows best in her Victorian characters. The plot was completely engrossing and I couldn’t put it down.
This is a truly spooky mystery – perfect for anyone looking for a Halloween read.
Thanks to Book Sirens and Poolbeg Press for an ARC of this book!
This book alternates between the present and the past – something that is often difficult to pull off, but I think was done quite successfully in this book. Although the characters are not as fleshed out as I would have liked, they were still relatable and made the book believable. Louise’s reaction to realising she is being haunted was quite funny – I could definitely see myself reacting in the same way.
I also found the historical chapters to be done very well! Moorhouse sets a dark kind of tone for the novel and this shows best in her Victorian characters. The plot was completely engrossing and I couldn’t put it down.
This is a truly spooky mystery – perfect for anyone looking for a Halloween read.
Thanks to Book Sirens and Poolbeg Press for an ARC of this book!
August 24, 2020
A creepy good old-fashioned ghost story.
I don’t usually read ghost stories unless there is a romantic male ghost who was wronged and visits a lonely woman. lol. So I went out of my comfort zone when I chose this book. This book does have a hint of romance however, it wasn’t the main focus. Instead, it is so much more. This story is creepy and scary. It was a story you’d tell at sitting at a campfire late at night to scare the heck out of your friends. lol. There are multiple stories. One in the 1800s. It is the story of photographer Mr. Temple who gets a job to photograph “Baby” for an old woman. The only thing is “Baby” is deceased. Mr. Temple is repulsed by the thought then changes his mind when he hears how much he is being paid. The next story is in 2018 where we meet Louise. She is a recluse who never leaves her house. She thinks talking to other people is excruciating and works at home as a voice-over artist. Louise reluctantly makes friends with Samual the hired painter, when he helps her when she breaks her leg. One day Louise hears a strange distant voice in her recordings saying “hello.” The “hello” is far away at first only to come closer and closer and then she jumps when she hears it in her ear. lol. I really liked the different perspectives of different people and how they meld together in the end. The writing is slow and very detailed. I found myself skimming some pages to get to the point. However, if you hang on long enough to the end you will be pleasantly satisfied. This is the first book I've read by this author and will not be the last. I will be looking for more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I don’t usually read ghost stories unless there is a romantic male ghost who was wronged and visits a lonely woman. lol. So I went out of my comfort zone when I chose this book. This book does have a hint of romance however, it wasn’t the main focus. Instead, it is so much more. This story is creepy and scary. It was a story you’d tell at sitting at a campfire late at night to scare the heck out of your friends. lol. There are multiple stories. One in the 1800s. It is the story of photographer Mr. Temple who gets a job to photograph “Baby” for an old woman. The only thing is “Baby” is deceased. Mr. Temple is repulsed by the thought then changes his mind when he hears how much he is being paid. The next story is in 2018 where we meet Louise. She is a recluse who never leaves her house. She thinks talking to other people is excruciating and works at home as a voice-over artist. Louise reluctantly makes friends with Samual the hired painter, when he helps her when she breaks her leg. One day Louise hears a strange distant voice in her recordings saying “hello.” The “hello” is far away at first only to come closer and closer and then she jumps when she hears it in her ear. lol. I really liked the different perspectives of different people and how they meld together in the end. The writing is slow and very detailed. I found myself skimming some pages to get to the point. However, if you hang on long enough to the end you will be pleasantly satisfied. This is the first book I've read by this author and will not be the last. I will be looking for more by this author in the future.
I received a complimentary review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 15, 2020
"The Gallery of Stolen Souls" is both simple and very complex. It is easy to enjoy as a straight psychological horror story, with a few ghosts in the mix, but there is so much more going on under and woven through the storyline. I got caught up in all the lives, even the ones I didn't like very much at first. I needed to figure them out. Then I began to see parts of myself in them. Their stories, including those of the ghosts, meshed with my own, then diverged at different points. Yes, there is a gallery of stolen souls in this book and mine is one of them.
August 17, 2020
A creepy yet un-putdownable book that I couldn’t wait to find out the conclusion! A book told with 2 seemingly unconnected storylines - one set in present time with Louise and another set in the 1800’s with Mr and Mrs Temple and Mr Temples fondness for photographing the ‘unusual’.
Deceit, new relationships, death and friendships all in one book. A new author for me who I will be looking forward to reading again.
Deceit, new relationships, death and friendships all in one book. A new author for me who I will be looking forward to reading again.
August 4, 2020
This book was a nice change from what I normally read. It has a supernatural element that, with the authors writing, takes on a while new meaning and will have you hooked to find out what happens!
The main character, Louise, is very relatable - having an anxiety disorder myself, the details the author used were on point and made it feel like this was more like a memoir that a fictional story.
I also really enjoyed the different perspectives - going from Louise to Samuel to Bridget was confusing at first but it really made such a huge impact on the story. You really get to understand everyone's motivations for why they are doing what they are doing.
Another thing I really enjoyed was that this book, unlike so many others, didn't throw in a random romance for Louise. So many books add an element of romance causing the main plot to take a hit and I am happy to say that didn't happen here.
All in all, I loved the plot, the characters, the writing, and the ending. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The main character, Louise, is very relatable - having an anxiety disorder myself, the details the author used were on point and made it feel like this was more like a memoir that a fictional story.
I also really enjoyed the different perspectives - going from Louise to Samuel to Bridget was confusing at first but it really made such a huge impact on the story. You really get to understand everyone's motivations for why they are doing what they are doing.
Another thing I really enjoyed was that this book, unlike so many others, didn't throw in a random romance for Louise. So many books add an element of romance causing the main plot to take a hit and I am happy to say that didn't happen here.
All in all, I loved the plot, the characters, the writing, and the ending. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys a good supernatural story!
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
July 23, 2020
This book has it all. It has historical fiction, ghost story, thriller and even some romance. The story bounces back and forth between 1860s London and 2018 Dublin. In 2018, Lou is a hermit with her own business and anxiety issues. In the 1860s, Arthur is a photographer that enjoys taking pictures of deceased individuals that are seen as extraordinary. Lou buys and antique camera and I’m just going to leave it at that.
I would definitely give this ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5. It was a super fast moving story with some really good and kind characters and some really nasty and crazy characters. I would highly recommend this book but make sure you keep a few lights on while you are reading this.
I received this copy from Book Sirens in exchange for an honest review.
September 22, 2020
Creepy!! I found this particular novel difficult to read because the main character's wife, Bridget, had devised a 'sick' plan to gain her independence from men. Her husband, Samuel, made his living photographing the deceased and other individuals considered to be grotesques in Victorian society. An unusual profession, but the camera ends up in an antique shop and is purchased by an unsuspecting woman. Once the antique camera is in her home, her life is turned upside down. If one enjoys mystery and the afterlife then this novel may be of interest to you. Not my usual genre selection, however the author does spin a macabre tale!
November 12, 2020
Thank you very much to Book Sirens for giving me the opportunity to be on the review team for this book. I received a copy of the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Louise is turning over a new leaf in her life. Her freelance work is really starting to take off, she is finally ready to ask her insufferable roommate to leave, and she has vowed to work on her confidence. To mark the occasion, Louise buys a beautiful antique camera. Little does she know that this camera has a very sordid history, which she has brought into her home.
The Gallery of Stolen Souls was an interesting book, splitting its time between nineteenth century London and modern day Ireland. In the past we follow the adventures of a photographer with a knack for the post-mortem and the woman that assists him (this is a gross oversimplification, but to say more would be to spoil the story). In the present we follow Louise and her friends as they deal with the aftermath of what happened two centuries previously. I will say now that there wasn't much in the way of haunting here. The ghosts played second fiddle to living humans in the song of terror. I feel this worked well for the story, but I was expecting more of the supernatural.
I am going to structure this review a little differently to my usual, mostly due to the timeline split. Every few chapters of so we would switch between the past and the present. This was not confusing at all (each time it happened it was clearly marked), and allowed us to learn important events when we needed them. The chapters, and characters, from Victorian London were the standouts for me, so much so that Louise and her modern world seemed dull by comparison. If I ever found myself putting the book down to take a break, it was always in the twenty-first century.
There are a few reasons the past stood out to me. I am very intrigued by Victorian London, so it was already going to have a slight advantage. But I am also fascinated by post-mortem photography, and the way Victorians thought about death. Aside from my own interests, despite being centuries dead, Samuel and Bridget felt much more alive to me.
That isn't to say that all the modern scenes were boring. When we reach the half way point I feel as if Louise's story hits its stride, and I finished the rest of the book in one sitting.
To discuss more of current events would be to ruin the outcome of the book for you. Let's just say that aside from the haunting photographs, there is also a missing persons case, and an unusual antique shop owner.
I will mention here that, in the segments set in the Victorian Era, we encounter several disabled characters, who are not always discussed by others respectfully, which is to be expected given the setting. If you feel this may upset you, it might be best to avoid this book, or go in prepared.
I may come off as a little harsh in this review, but I did honestly enjoy The Gallery of Stolen Souls. The author is a strong writer, and the story is overall engaging, with a satisfying conclusion. The true strength here lies in the authors ability to look at the good and the bad aspects of humanity, and show that to us in an interesting story.
Louise is turning over a new leaf in her life. Her freelance work is really starting to take off, she is finally ready to ask her insufferable roommate to leave, and she has vowed to work on her confidence. To mark the occasion, Louise buys a beautiful antique camera. Little does she know that this camera has a very sordid history, which she has brought into her home.
The Gallery of Stolen Souls was an interesting book, splitting its time between nineteenth century London and modern day Ireland. In the past we follow the adventures of a photographer with a knack for the post-mortem and the woman that assists him (this is a gross oversimplification, but to say more would be to spoil the story). In the present we follow Louise and her friends as they deal with the aftermath of what happened two centuries previously. I will say now that there wasn't much in the way of haunting here. The ghosts played second fiddle to living humans in the song of terror. I feel this worked well for the story, but I was expecting more of the supernatural.
I am going to structure this review a little differently to my usual, mostly due to the timeline split. Every few chapters of so we would switch between the past and the present. This was not confusing at all (each time it happened it was clearly marked), and allowed us to learn important events when we needed them. The chapters, and characters, from Victorian London were the standouts for me, so much so that Louise and her modern world seemed dull by comparison. If I ever found myself putting the book down to take a break, it was always in the twenty-first century.
There are a few reasons the past stood out to me. I am very intrigued by Victorian London, so it was already going to have a slight advantage. But I am also fascinated by post-mortem photography, and the way Victorians thought about death. Aside from my own interests, despite being centuries dead, Samuel and Bridget felt much more alive to me.
That isn't to say that all the modern scenes were boring. When we reach the half way point I feel as if Louise's story hits its stride, and I finished the rest of the book in one sitting.
To discuss more of current events would be to ruin the outcome of the book for you. Let's just say that aside from the haunting photographs, there is also a missing persons case, and an unusual antique shop owner.
I will mention here that, in the segments set in the Victorian Era, we encounter several disabled characters, who are not always discussed by others respectfully, which is to be expected given the setting. If you feel this may upset you, it might be best to avoid this book, or go in prepared.
I may come off as a little harsh in this review, but I did honestly enjoy The Gallery of Stolen Souls. The author is a strong writer, and the story is overall engaging, with a satisfying conclusion. The true strength here lies in the authors ability to look at the good and the bad aspects of humanity, and show that to us in an interesting story.
July 26, 2020
In 1860s London Samuel Temple is beginning to make a name for himself as a memorial photographer aided by the ambiguous Mrs Watson who seems strangely able to provide Samuel with the deceased oddities he so craves. In present-day Dublin, Louise Lacey, anxious, fretful and alone, treats herself to an antique camera to signal a fresh start to her life. Little does she know that bringing the camera into her house will trigger its secrets and subjects to be unleashed in terrifying ways and lead her to encounter the ghastly owner of the antique shop from whence it came.
This book unfolds the story, past and present, by alternating between the 1860s and 2018. Personally, I found the chapters set in Victorian times the stronger. The growing sense of deep unease was really well-managed and Moorhouse captures that Gothic Horror element present between Temple and Mrs Watson perfectly. The stiflingly oppressive Victorian atmosphere was wonderfully conjured and I found these chapters absorbing and left me wanting to read more.
I was not so keen on the chapters set in 2018. They started well, and nicely complemented the Victorian sections; the suspense was building and I thought the inclusion of the sound-proofed room in Louise’s house was a useful touch. Yet, I believe they needed more depth, they were quite one-dimensional and Louise became frustrating at times. The friendship between her, Joe and Tash did not seem to reach full potential and I did think Tash was dispensable. I would have liked more focus on the relationship between Joe and Louise. It would have also been nice to have had further involvement from Ros; she was a promising character who was underused. I also thought Louise’s sprained ankle was an unnecessary and slightly cliched addition.
Apart the supernatural aspect provided by the camera and its history, the narrative veers off into crime territory which, although related to the camera, jarred a bit and the ending was a slight disappointment. Editing was good although I did spot a few errors in the present-day chapters.
Overall, however, I enjoyed the majority of this novel and would recommend.
Please note I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book unfolds the story, past and present, by alternating between the 1860s and 2018. Personally, I found the chapters set in Victorian times the stronger. The growing sense of deep unease was really well-managed and Moorhouse captures that Gothic Horror element present between Temple and Mrs Watson perfectly. The stiflingly oppressive Victorian atmosphere was wonderfully conjured and I found these chapters absorbing and left me wanting to read more.
I was not so keen on the chapters set in 2018. They started well, and nicely complemented the Victorian sections; the suspense was building and I thought the inclusion of the sound-proofed room in Louise’s house was a useful touch. Yet, I believe they needed more depth, they were quite one-dimensional and Louise became frustrating at times. The friendship between her, Joe and Tash did not seem to reach full potential and I did think Tash was dispensable. I would have liked more focus on the relationship between Joe and Louise. It would have also been nice to have had further involvement from Ros; she was a promising character who was underused. I also thought Louise’s sprained ankle was an unnecessary and slightly cliched addition.
Apart the supernatural aspect provided by the camera and its history, the narrative veers off into crime territory which, although related to the camera, jarred a bit and the ending was a slight disappointment. Editing was good although I did spot a few errors in the present-day chapters.
Overall, however, I enjoyed the majority of this novel and would recommend.
Please note I received an advance review copy for free from Book Sirens and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
August 18, 2020
It's 2018 and you're frustrated with your life. You decide to make some changes. To commemorate your optimism you make an impulse purchase and buy a Victorian camera.
For me, this event is when the story got interesting.
At first, I was unsure where this story was going and I wasn’t sure that I would like it. But in the end I did. Initially, I found Louise to be a very weak character and didn’t like her at all, I struggled to engage. It was when she chose to make life changing decisions that is when, I felt, her character came alive and so did the story.
The story itself is well-written and the likeable characters are likeable and the unlikeable ones are not likeable at all. Perfect. The dual timelines is an interesting narration. Flipping to present day and back to Victorian England creates suspense in both timelines. Overall this book is a fantastic read.
However, I struggled to engage in the story from the start and I found the ending a bit disappointing. I just felt that the story continued after a point that would have made a fantastic ending. There were also some events that didn’t enhance the story and could have been omitted.
Other than my personal issues with this book, it was very enjoyable and I was eager to read it through.
Thanks go to the author and Book Sirens for the free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
For me, this event is when the story got interesting.
At first, I was unsure where this story was going and I wasn’t sure that I would like it. But in the end I did. Initially, I found Louise to be a very weak character and didn’t like her at all, I struggled to engage. It was when she chose to make life changing decisions that is when, I felt, her character came alive and so did the story.
The story itself is well-written and the likeable characters are likeable and the unlikeable ones are not likeable at all. Perfect. The dual timelines is an interesting narration. Flipping to present day and back to Victorian England creates suspense in both timelines. Overall this book is a fantastic read.
However, I struggled to engage in the story from the start and I found the ending a bit disappointing. I just felt that the story continued after a point that would have made a fantastic ending. There were also some events that didn’t enhance the story and could have been omitted.
Other than my personal issues with this book, it was very enjoyable and I was eager to read it through.
Thanks go to the author and Book Sirens for the free copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2022
Not as Expected
Switching timelines was clever, but while some elements in the plot had great potential, they were not properly developed. Storyline was not defined and conflicts went unresolved. Issues were prolonged with unnecessary drama. The roommate character was totally irrelevant and
Tash was juvenile. Not for experienced readers of mystery.
Switching timelines was clever, but while some elements in the plot had great potential, they were not properly developed. Storyline was not defined and conflicts went unresolved. Issues were prolonged with unnecessary drama. The roommate character was totally irrelevant and
Tash was juvenile. Not for experienced readers of mystery.
November 16, 2020
This story was too drawn out for me. I had trouble finishing it. Good premise. The characters were thought out. I kept thinking please get to the point of the story. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
December 24, 2020
I really enjoyed the whole book. I cared about the characters and loved the flashbacks to the origin of the photographs.
The ending was optimistic -which is something that rankles me, however, there was a level of eerieness to prevent it from being a syrupy rose around the gate end.
The ending was optimistic -which is something that rankles me, however, there was a level of eerieness to prevent it from being a syrupy rose around the gate end.
December 1, 2021
Great Read
Really enjoyed this book….it was totally different than I expected but still wonderfully spooky and I also loved the characters. The author is very detailed and allows you to immerse yourself in the story. Don’t hesitate to read!!!!
Really enjoyed this book….it was totally different than I expected but still wonderfully spooky and I also loved the characters. The author is very detailed and allows you to immerse yourself in the story. Don’t hesitate to read!!!!
February 27, 2021
Excellent read/story as always, scarying the wits out of you one minute and laughing the next.
October 6, 2020
This was a very interesting ghost story that centered on the possession of a 19th century camera and memento mori photos that its original owner had taken. When quiet, homebody Louise buys the camera on a whim in modern-day Dublin she is soon haunted by the souls captured in these photographs. What ensues is a haunting ghost story switching between the life of photographer Samuel Temple in the 19th century and Louise's fight against the ghosts haunting her home in the present. The storylines intertwine nicely and create a well-crafted, spooky story that I couldn't put down. Would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoys historical fiction and a good horror novel.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for the ARC.
Thank you to BookSirens and the publisher for the ARC.
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