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The Curse of Becton Manor
The Curse of Becton Manor is a gripping tale of betrayal through the ages, and how the ghosts of English past still haunt all the way to the present day.
‘A thrilling page-turner with characters that come to life, full of fascinating historical details’ – Anne Grange, author of Distortion
Rumour has it that Becton Manor is haunted. But that's all just local gossip. Or is it?
1957
Tom Winchett never wanted to move house, and certainly not to a decrepit old Elizabethan manor house inherited from an eccentric uncle. While his parents fret about the work that needs doing to Becton Manor and how they are going to pay for it, Tom starts to notice odd things.
Ghostly faces in windows, mysterious whispers, strange shadowy forms.
And a vicious raven, that will not leave him alone.
1597
The Earl of Becton enters the newly constructed Becton Manor at a time of political as a prominent member of Queen Elizabeth’s court entrusted with questioning Catholics suspected of plotting against the Crown, he is in a perilous position. Not least because he and his friends still cling to the old faith.
The departure of his old friend and confidante Father Peters, and the arrival of a stern new tutor for his son, puts in motion a chain of events which will end in a tragedy which will echo down the ages.
‘A thrilling page-turner with characters that come to life, full of fascinating historical details’ – Anne Grange, author of Distortion
Rumour has it that Becton Manor is haunted. But that's all just local gossip. Or is it?
1957
Tom Winchett never wanted to move house, and certainly not to a decrepit old Elizabethan manor house inherited from an eccentric uncle. While his parents fret about the work that needs doing to Becton Manor and how they are going to pay for it, Tom starts to notice odd things.
Ghostly faces in windows, mysterious whispers, strange shadowy forms.
And a vicious raven, that will not leave him alone.
1597
The Earl of Becton enters the newly constructed Becton Manor at a time of political as a prominent member of Queen Elizabeth’s court entrusted with questioning Catholics suspected of plotting against the Crown, he is in a perilous position. Not least because he and his friends still cling to the old faith.
The departure of his old friend and confidante Father Peters, and the arrival of a stern new tutor for his son, puts in motion a chain of events which will end in a tragedy which will echo down the ages.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 18, 2021
If this had been marketed as a YA book I would have given it a three star rating. As it was ,I felt it only warranted two as it was very simplistically written. The historical element would have been more interesting if the characters had been more strongly portrayed. I felt they were just ciphers really, they certainly didn't come alive as much as the ones from the 1950s.
The book had a lot of promise but it failed to engage me , it wasn't remotely spooky and there were quite a few loose ends left at the denouement.
The book had a lot of promise but it failed to engage me , it wasn't remotely spooky and there were quite a few loose ends left at the denouement.
May 1, 2021
This is a very interesting, well written book. It's part historical fiction, part ghost story and all-engaging.
Presented in two differing timelines, the 1950's and mid-Tudor period, it tells the story of two families living in the same house. It's interesting because it gives us the beginnings, and the reasons, for the hauntings in this house, but it is more than just a 'ghost' story; as the characters are shown to be real, living human beings. The writing is first-class; I really was drawn into the two different worlds, and, as the curse is slowly revealed, I was there in that house, feeling what the characters felt.
A truly great read that mixes together my two favourite genres.
Outstanding!
Presented in two differing timelines, the 1950's and mid-Tudor period, it tells the story of two families living in the same house. It's interesting because it gives us the beginnings, and the reasons, for the hauntings in this house, but it is more than just a 'ghost' story; as the characters are shown to be real, living human beings. The writing is first-class; I really was drawn into the two different worlds, and, as the curse is slowly revealed, I was there in that house, feeling what the characters felt.
A truly great read that mixes together my two favourite genres.
Outstanding!
March 2, 2021
This is a compelling mystery novel. The Elizabethan sections are fascinating, as are the descriptions of the Tudor house, which is full of secrets that are slowly revealed as the story unfolds. The modern sections make a great contrast, and I found it difficult to put down.
February 22, 2021
A very entertaining haunted house mystery
This is a story of very old house that is inherited by a family. You will very much enjoy the twists and turns of this well written haunted Castle story, I sure did.
This is a story of very old house that is inherited by a family. You will very much enjoy the twists and turns of this well written haunted Castle story, I sure did.
November 22, 2021
A book for dark nights
A good tale of times past curses and ghosts, the story rolls along never breaking pace, written in a way that would appeal to most ages
A good tale of times past curses and ghosts, the story rolls along never breaking pace, written in a way that would appeal to most ages
November 4, 2021
Becton Manor draws you in
Whether it’s the 1950’s or 1590’s, the parallel stories draw you in. The tension that builds in both time periods keeps the pages turning - loosing track of time. The historical accuracy of the 1590’s is delightful. Tom and George take the reader deep into their mystery and adventure while solving the puzzles of Becton Manor. I absolutely enjoyed this book - more than I expected. I will recommend this book to anyone who is draw to mystery, suspense, historical fiction or just an intense read. Beware of Becton Manor! It may never let you go…..
Whether it’s the 1950’s or 1590’s, the parallel stories draw you in. The tension that builds in both time periods keeps the pages turning - loosing track of time. The historical accuracy of the 1590’s is delightful. Tom and George take the reader deep into their mystery and adventure while solving the puzzles of Becton Manor. I absolutely enjoyed this book - more than I expected. I will recommend this book to anyone who is draw to mystery, suspense, historical fiction or just an intense read. Beware of Becton Manor! It may never let you go…..
February 27, 2021
This story flits between two times - the 1950's and the latter days of Elizabeth the first's reign. As a couple of schoolboys work together to uncover the mysteries of a haunted Tudor home we are taken along for the ride.
This mystery really grabbed me - with each reveal I found myself reassessing the mystery of the haunting and reasons for it that kept me gripped to the last page. Loved it!
This mystery really grabbed me - with each reveal I found myself reassessing the mystery of the haunting and reasons for it that kept me gripped to the last page. Loved it!
August 7, 2021
The most mysterious aspect of this book is how it went to publishing as it currently stands. Where was an editor?
Flipping between two timelines - the 1950s and the sixteen century - the story features a dilapidated English manor, recently inherited by the mother of our pimply-faced protagonist, Tom. Built in the latter years of Elizabeth 1's reign - at a time when Catholics are on the receiving end of the latest sectarian purge - the house has dark secrets, a haunting and the mandatory priest hole.
A great set-up, I hear you say. And in fact, the story has compelling elements and I read to the end, wanting to know the outcome despite the writing being inconsistent: good in places, amateurish in others and peppered with mistakes, too much telling and too little scare factor. A good editor would have caught the sentences that simply don't make any sense, the repetition, the unnecessary head-hopping, the over-writing and outright confusion. For instance, the priest, Fr Peters, is at first claimed to be only 33 years old, then is referred to as ‘old' later in the book. Perhaps I missed something?
Fortunately, the author only occasionally resorts to the 'hast' (sometimes misspelt as has't) and 'thou' of the Elizabethan period. Be thankful for small mercies, I say.
Overall, a read which had all the potential to be so much better. In my opinion, Burning Chair Publications dropped the ball with this one.
Flipping between two timelines - the 1950s and the sixteen century - the story features a dilapidated English manor, recently inherited by the mother of our pimply-faced protagonist, Tom. Built in the latter years of Elizabeth 1's reign - at a time when Catholics are on the receiving end of the latest sectarian purge - the house has dark secrets, a haunting and the mandatory priest hole.
A great set-up, I hear you say. And in fact, the story has compelling elements and I read to the end, wanting to know the outcome despite the writing being inconsistent: good in places, amateurish in others and peppered with mistakes, too much telling and too little scare factor. A good editor would have caught the sentences that simply don't make any sense, the repetition, the unnecessary head-hopping, the over-writing and outright confusion. For instance, the priest, Fr Peters, is at first claimed to be only 33 years old, then is referred to as ‘old' later in the book. Perhaps I missed something?
Fortunately, the author only occasionally resorts to the 'hast' (sometimes misspelt as has't) and 'thou' of the Elizabethan period. Be thankful for small mercies, I say.
Overall, a read which had all the potential to be so much better. In my opinion, Burning Chair Publications dropped the ball with this one.
November 14, 2023
I quite liked this. Is it a children’s book? Thing with historical based novels you can see, sometimes, where the research has been added to the story. The last couple of chapters seemed a little rushed. Did they go on to sell the treasure (but it would have had to been declared as found instead of just keeping it. I’d have thought if they went off later to sell the items questions would have been asked.
Otherwise an ok read
Otherwise an ok read
March 18, 2025
The Curse of Becton Manor packs a double historical whammy with its two period settings of the 1950s and the 1590s.
The dream of life in an Elizabethan country manor house soon turns into a mixed blessing as Tom and his friend George happen on the ghostly mystery of Becton Manor.
I loved the interplay between the two time periods and the level of historical research that made both timelines so believable.
Ghosts. Intrigue. Adventure. What a brilliant mixture.
The dream of life in an Elizabethan country manor house soon turns into a mixed blessing as Tom and his friend George happen on the ghostly mystery of Becton Manor.
I loved the interplay between the two time periods and the level of historical research that made both timelines so believable.
Ghosts. Intrigue. Adventure. What a brilliant mixture.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews