What do you think?
Rate this book
Maddison, Indiana Supernatural Thriller #2
Inheriting Elyse
The dolls go marching one by one …
My little girl, Maya, loved dolls. Most little girls do. Even Elyse loved her dolls decades ago. Both girls are dead now, but they still love to play with dolls. Elyse is good at it, at controlling them. Elyse is evil that way.
If I had any clue about the inheritance my aunt actually left me, if I’d had anywhere else to go, I would never have come to this farm. I wouldn’t have forced my husband and teenage daughter to live in this hoarder packed house. This house, this farm, is full of more than boxes and collectibles.
It’s full of Elyse.
Elyse won’t let anything block her from what she wants. What Elyse wants most is me, a mother, even if she has to use my dead daughter to get to me.
Don’t hate her, she’s too young to know better. She doesn’t realize she’s destroying us all.
My little girl, Maya, loved dolls. Most little girls do. Even Elyse loved her dolls decades ago. Both girls are dead now, but they still love to play with dolls. Elyse is good at it, at controlling them. Elyse is evil that way.
If I had any clue about the inheritance my aunt actually left me, if I’d had anywhere else to go, I would never have come to this farm. I wouldn’t have forced my husband and teenage daughter to live in this hoarder packed house. This house, this farm, is full of more than boxes and collectibles.
It’s full of Elyse.
Elyse won’t let anything block her from what she wants. What Elyse wants most is me, a mother, even if she has to use my dead daughter to get to me.
Don’t hate her, she’s too young to know better. She doesn’t realize she’s destroying us all.
351 pages, Paperback
Published October 27, 2020
404 people are currently reading
162 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Merriman
43 books224 followersDawn Merriman lives in northeastern Indiana on a small pig farm with her husband and teenage children. She enjoys animals, auctions, reading, snorkeling and writing small town murder mystery novels. Dawn Merriman completed her first novel in Middle School and a few others in High School and college. She won 1st place in the Northeast Indiana Young Writers short story contest in 1990. After a writing hiatus to raise her children, she published her debut novel, "How Murder Saved My Life" in 2019.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
May 16, 2024
Creepy doll story
And it really did creep me out. But I hated that the children died at the beginning and it was very upsetting. I read serial killer novels all the time but I just was very upset by that. I felt so sorry for them and it was just heart wrenching what happened to Maya and the family. The ending was good but then the last chapter was like a teaser to a sequel. I don't think I can read it if that's the case. I think I may never buy my granddaughters a doll again. Really like this writer. She actually scared me.
And it really did creep me out. But I hated that the children died at the beginning and it was very upsetting. I read serial killer novels all the time but I just was very upset by that. I felt so sorry for them and it was just heart wrenching what happened to Maya and the family. The ending was good but then the last chapter was like a teaser to a sequel. I don't think I can read it if that's the case. I think I may never buy my granddaughters a doll again. Really like this writer. She actually scared me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2024
I hate porcelain dolls. With that being said, I loved this spooky, suspenseful book.
Can't wait to read #3 in the Madison,Indiana book.
If you haven't read a Dawn Merriman book, please do me a favor and grab you a copy.
Can't wait to read #3 in the Madison,Indiana book.
If you haven't read a Dawn Merriman book, please do me a favor and grab you a copy.
July 25, 2024
leave this series for last or don't even read
This book was very hard to read. I was ready to return it after 5 chapters. I am really try hard not to give up on a book, this INE almost did. Very dark. If I didn't read the other 2 series that this Author wrote I would have never read another book she wrote again. only saving for this Author was I did and I enjoyed the other books.
This book was very hard to read. I was ready to return it after 5 chapters. I am really try hard not to give up on a book, this INE almost did. Very dark. If I didn't read the other 2 series that this Author wrote I would have never read another book she wrote again. only saving for this Author was I did and I enjoyed the other books.
October 28, 2024
Wow, nothing like a possessed doll to freak you out and keep you reading. Might be best to read during the day, but what fun is that? Loved it!
August 16, 2021
I didn't write a review of this book right away, because I started the next book in the series as soon as I finished with Elyse!
This is a creepy story. A house haunting with a malevolent spirit. After the gut punch in the beginning, a family moves into a house and has to deal with strange things happening. Strange things with dolls too! CREEPY!
The story kept me engaged. It was great to see a few characters from the previous book; Sheriff Kingsley, Nicole, Ella, and Grant is mentioned. Since this story is set in the same town it makes sense, but this story involves a different family.
Yes, I have already started the next book, and I can't wait until book 4 is released as well.
This is a creepy story. A house haunting with a malevolent spirit. After the gut punch in the beginning, a family moves into a house and has to deal with strange things happening. Strange things with dolls too! CREEPY!
The story kept me engaged. It was great to see a few characters from the previous book; Sheriff Kingsley, Nicole, Ella, and Grant is mentioned. Since this story is set in the same town it makes sense, but this story involves a different family.
Yes, I have already started the next book, and I can't wait until book 4 is released as well.
April 11, 2023
WOW
This story is definitely very interesting. I can't wait to read the next in the series! A few of the characters are the same ones from the first in the series.
Elyse, it turns out, was an evil child who killed her family when she was alive and is trying to possess other people to carry on her intentions.
The family who buys the property that Elyse lived in when she was alive begins having strange things happening and tries to find out what is going on in their new home and what they find out is terrifying. Definitely worth reading and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book in the series!
This story is definitely very interesting. I can't wait to read the next in the series! A few of the characters are the same ones from the first in the series.
Elyse, it turns out, was an evil child who killed her family when she was alive and is trying to possess other people to carry on her intentions.
The family who buys the property that Elyse lived in when she was alive begins having strange things happening and tries to find out what is going on in their new home and what they find out is terrifying. Definitely worth reading and I can't wait to find out what happens in the next book in the series!
September 13, 2021
I always have to go back and leave reviews for Dawn Merriman's books, because I don't have time immediately after. I am too busy automatically trying to auto-buy the next book right away. Her stories keep you on the edge of your seat, flipping pages, creeped out and trying to guess what is going to happen next. I came across one of her books and all of a sudden, I had to read ALLLL of her books as fast as I could. She is one of my new favorite go to authors!
January 24, 2025
Don’t read if you fear dolls
This wasn’t what I was expecting because of it being a book 2 of a series. I was expecting a mystery/thriller. This was more a ghost story. It wasn’t a bad story, and I can get the gist of where the series is heading. It only gets 4 stars because of the typos. I don’t know if the author has beta readers, an editor or both but someone missed the typos.
This wasn’t what I was expecting because of it being a book 2 of a series. I was expecting a mystery/thriller. This was more a ghost story. It wasn’t a bad story, and I can get the gist of where the series is heading. It only gets 4 stars because of the typos. I don’t know if the author has beta readers, an editor or both but someone missed the typos.
December 15, 2020
Great paranormal adventure! And a great reason to not collect dolls!
Family in financial trouble due to medical bills, move into a family home on a farm. Comes complete with a hoard that's centuries old and includes lots of creepy dolls. Oh and it's very own demon! Tragedy awaits this family. Will they be able to stop the demon and reclaim their lives? Read and find out.
Family in financial trouble due to medical bills, move into a family home on a farm. Comes complete with a hoard that's centuries old and includes lots of creepy dolls. Oh and it's very own demon! Tragedy awaits this family. Will they be able to stop the demon and reclaim their lives? Read and find out.
June 22, 2021
Awe inspiring series
Dawn is a very different writer and I have been extremely pleased with story lines and endings. Her presentation of the serious aspects of various mental health issues and the psychological impact on individuals is very thought provoking. All in all a great series.
Dawn is a very different writer and I have been extremely pleased with story lines and endings. Her presentation of the serious aspects of various mental health issues and the psychological impact on individuals is very thought provoking. All in all a great series.
January 31, 2024
Inheriting Elyse
I didn't think the book the more I read I more I couldn't put it . I live in Georgia now so the book was Interesting because am from Indiana and there is no Maddison Indiana. there is a Madison Indiana, but there is a Fort Wayne I lived a half from there. Can't wait to read the next one this story would make a good movie. It was really scary.
I didn't think the book the more I read I more I couldn't put it . I live in Georgia now so the book was Interesting because am from Indiana and there is no Maddison Indiana. there is a Madison Indiana, but there is a Fort Wayne I lived a half from there. Can't wait to read the next one this story would make a good movie. It was really scary.
January 17, 2021
A gripping thriller
I chose this book because I enjoy books with ghosts. This book did not disappoint. It was gripping from the beginning and I found myself picking it up even if I only had 5 minutes to read. I would definitely recommend this book!
I chose this book because I enjoy books with ghosts. This book did not disappoint. It was gripping from the beginning and I found myself picking it up even if I only had 5 minutes to read. I would definitely recommend this book!
June 30, 2021
Very interesting story
I wasn't sure about this story until I really got into it. If you are a fan of scary books that will make you question if evil demons are among us, you will want to read this.
I wasn't sure about this story until I really got into it. If you are a fan of scary books that will make you question if evil demons are among us, you will want to read this.
August 6, 2021
Another fabulous thriller by Dawn Merriman
Dolls that are possessed are creepy on their own, but creepy possessed dolls that move around the rooms are just plain terrifying! I could not put this book down. Well done, Ms. Merriman!!
Dolls that are possessed are creepy on their own, but creepy possessed dolls that move around the rooms are just plain terrifying! I could not put this book down. Well done, Ms. Merriman!!
November 21, 2022
Creepy (in a good way)
I've only recently started reading horror/supernatural suspense. I loved this book. It had me creeped out/scared a few times. Definitely going to read other books in this series.
I've only recently started reading horror/supernatural suspense. I loved this book. It had me creeped out/scared a few times. Definitely going to read other books in this series.
April 15, 2023
Hoarding
Melinda went to see her Aunt Ginny in rural Maddison, Indiana. Her husband Joshua had Cancer and recovered but the bills and loss of employment left them unable to pay their mortgage. Aunt Ginny said they could move in with her and then the world blew apart.
Melinda went to see her Aunt Ginny in rural Maddison, Indiana. Her husband Joshua had Cancer and recovered but the bills and loss of employment left them unable to pay their mortgage. Aunt Ginny said they could move in with her and then the world blew apart.
February 18, 2024
Creepy good! I will never look at dolls the same way and will definitely avoid them in second hand stores. Merriman tells such great stories woven together from mystery, paranormal and well written characters.
January 15, 2021
Good!
I enjoyed the book. Had me turning pages as quick as I could. Few books surprise me at the end but this did.
I enjoyed the book. Had me turning pages as quick as I could. Few books surprise me at the end but this did.
January 25, 2021
Another good read by Dawn Merriman. Had read the first and so intrigued I had to get the second. A bit of a spooky read - evil and spirits.
April 20, 2021
This is a good spooky tale that had me turning the pages into the early hours . Annoyingly typos seem to be a problem for this author .
June 22, 2021
Wow, what a creepy, disturbing book. Nothing creepier than a bunch of dolls. I loved every second of this “could not put down” creepy book!
September 21, 2021
An easy read
An easy read. Very sad storyline, but I did want to find out what happened. POORLY EDITED. Lots of mistakes!!
An easy read. Very sad storyline, but I did want to find out what happened. POORLY EDITED. Lots of mistakes!!
November 9, 2021
INHERITING ELYSE:
Writing a really great book that is also supernatural must be really hard but Dawn Merriman has done it again! Thanks, Kit Ryan
Writing a really great book that is also supernatural must be really hard but Dawn Merriman has done it again! Thanks, Kit Ryan
March 6, 2022
The story had great potential but found the repeating of paragraphs one after the other and repeating of words off putting. Seriously needs to be proof read before publishing
May 6, 2022
Riveting this book kept me glued from page one.
May 27, 2022
A good book, not sure I would read the entire series. Got a little creeped out over the dolls.
April 21, 2023
Wow
I am loving this series. This one was another Rollercoaster book for me in and I loved every bit of it. I can't wait to read #3 this weekend
I am loving this series. This one was another Rollercoaster book for me in and I loved every bit of it. I can't wait to read #3 this weekend
Read
May 11, 2024Scary!
October 15, 2024
A decent read for Halloween.
March 23, 2025
Glad I kept reading
I really enjoyed this book more and more as I kept reading. Looking forward to next book in the series.
I really enjoyed this book more and more as I kept reading. Looking forward to next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews