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The Haunting of Leigh Harker

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From bestselling gothic horror author Darcy Coates comes a chilling story of a quiet house on a forgotten suburban lane that hides a deadly secret...

Leigh Harker's quiet suburban home was her sanctuary for more than a decade, until things abruptly changed. Curtains open by themselves. Radios turn off and on. And a dark figure looms in the shadows of her bedroom door at night, watching her, waiting for her to finally let down her guard enough to fall asleep.

Pushed to her limits but unwilling to abandon her home, Leigh struggles to find answers. But each step forces her towards something more terrifying than she ever imagined.

A poisonous shadow seeps from the locked door beneath the stairs. The handle rattles through the night and fingernails scratch at the wood. Her home harbours dangerous secrets, and now that Leigh is trapped within its walls, she fears she may never escape.

Do you think you're safe?

You're wrong.

340 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2021

718 people are currently reading
13144 people want to read

About the author

Darcy Coates

69 books14.1k followers
Darcy Coates is the USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen horror and suspense novels.

She lives in the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cat, and a collection of chickens. Her home is surrounded by rolling wilderness on all sides, and she wouldn't have it any other way.

You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/updates

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5 stars
2,259 (31%)
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129 (1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,204 reviews
Profile Image for Nilufer Ozmekik.
3,115 reviews60.6k followers
October 16, 2021
Can you imagine how terrifying it could be : A dark, strange, legless entity lurking around the corridors, taking long tours in your house, as you barely move in your bed, numb, hopeless, scared.

Leigh Harker chose her new suburban home as her new sanctuary but when the sacred place she owned turns into nightmarish haunted place, what could she do get away from being trapped in this place?

Curtains open themselves like radio turns on and off without her touch! Yes, something truly scary is about to haunt her! She needs to find a way to fight or she’s going to lose her mind!

So she digs out the past inhibitors of the house to find a solution. But knowing the past doesn’t make things easier, it may make them more complicated!

The book starts a little slow and honestly I had a little hard time to get into it at the beginning but I didn’t give up which was the right choice to do! Because things get escalated so quickly and I found myself drawn into the story. It was one of our quickest reads and as a big fan of Darcy Coates and her jaw dropping, scary, gothic, horror stories, I found what I really expected!

I highly recommend this to the genre lovers! Get ready to scream aloud! Don’t read it before going to bed unless you want to deal with night terrors.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.
Profile Image for Regina.
1,139 reviews4,488 followers
October 20, 2021
Regina reads The Haunting of Leigh Harker, the experience:

- I have wanted to read a Darcy Coates ghost story forever! Let’s do this!

- Okay this is absolutely ridiculous. Our heroine, Leigh, senses a “something” in her home that scratches at doors and says hello and rattles doorknobs and clearly IS in fact a “something,” yet Leigh won’t leave because it’s her house and it’s going to stay that way.

- Big twist at 30%! But are you serious? ARE THERE TRULY NO ORIGINAL IDEAS IN FICTION ANYMORE?!?! This has been done in a very popular movie, and I’m so disappointed.

- Now what started off as a horror story has morphed into buddies solving a mystery together.

- I can see there’s some skilled writing here and a lot of heart, but my own heart is just not in it.

- The end.

Ultimately while this particular Darcy Coates novel (her latest) was just a “meh” reading experience for me, I will read more from her when next year’s spooky reading season rolls around. All of her books are available as part of the Kindle Unlimited program, and the audiobook versions are included in the Audible Plus catalog.

I’d like to thank the author and Poisoned Pen Press for the paperback advance readers copy to review. The Haunting of Leigh Harker is out now.

Blog: https://www.confettibookshelf.com/
Profile Image for Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr.
3,261 reviews36.5k followers
September 4, 2021
3.25/3.5

"Home is where love resides, memories are created, friends and family belong, and laughter never ends." - unknown

Leigh Harker's home has been her sanctuary. When she is not at work, she is there. It used to be her happy place. But now there is a presence in her home. Things are moved, curtains open and close by themselves, and there is a dark figure waiting and watching her.

"Hel-lo" it calls to her, taunting her, letting her know it is there. But this is her home, she isn't going to be chased away, she is not going to leave, she is going to get to the bottom of things. As she struggles to find answers, she learns her home has secrets....

Sometimes the dead reach back...

So, what would you do when someone is trying to open a door in your home? When the handle rattles? When something dark is lurking in the shadows?

After the slow beginning, things picked up and by the middle I was flying through the pages! Although the beginning was slow, readers are given enough to pique their interest. I was invested in this book from the beginning, which is rare for me with slow starting books. I did begin to wonder in the beginning "hmmm.... I think 'this' is happening" and it turns out I was right. But there is more, so much more……

This was a clever, entertaining, and creepy book. It does not disappoint so be patient with this book in the beginning. There are several twists and turns. I also enjoyed the mash up of genres: mystery, horror, paranormal. This was a nice touch. Nothing was too over the top. I also think, that although creepy, this was never truly too scary or horrific so it will appeal to a wider range of readers.

Things that go bump in the night are scary. If you have ever had that feeling that you are not alone, felt the need to look under the bed, in the closet or pull back that shower curtain - this book is for you!

**Plus, how about that cover!?!


Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com
Profile Image for megs_bookrack.
2,156 reviews14.1k followers
Read
September 17, 2025
DNF @ 42%: I'm so sorry to say this. Y'all know I don't do this often, but I am pulling the plug on this one. I am incredibly bored.

After I put this down, I have zero desire to pick it back up again; it feels like a chore.



Sadly, it is just not what I was looking for this Spooky Season. I am sure there are some Horror Readers who will enjoy this one a lot, I am just not one of them.

I do not want to negatively influence other Readers who may be interested in picking it up, however, so if it sounds intriguing to you, absolutely give it a go.



I truly appreciate the opportunity from the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, to give this one a shot. I had never read from Darcy Coates before and was curious about her work.

Alas, I'm not sure it is for me, but I never write off ((pun intended)) an author after only one try, so I would definitely be willing to try more from her in the future!



*Administrative note: For those curious of such things, I am changing the dates read on this one to 1978, the year of my birth, so that it will not effect my 2021-reading stats.
Profile Image for Jasmine.
280 reviews539 followers
September 6, 2021
This is an engrossing horror novel that dives right into some scary scenes.

Leigh Harker has happily lived in her house for about fifteen years until one night she is frozen with terror because there is an intruder slowly creeping its way into her bedroom. What follows is a house that is suddenly vibrating with bad energy, items go missing, other items appear from nowhere, there’s a creepy cupboard under the stairs, and this ghastly intruder that stalks Leigh. On her own, Leigh refuses to leave her sanctuary and decides to take a stand against these terrifying forces.

I think it’s best to go into this one not knowing much more than that. Like I mentioned, this novel jumps right in to a terrifying scene with no introduction. There are breadcrumbs dispersed throughout that provide insight into Leigh’s background and character.

Some parts of this were truly scary. I found myself holding my breath, waiting to see what would happen. While the beginning was intended to be scary, it took a few pages before I became fully invested in this tale.

Thank you to Netgalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
Profile Image for Kim ~ It’s All About the Thrill.
801 reviews583 followers
October 1, 2023
OMG yessss!!! Creepy 5 stars!! I loved this book!! 🖤Yes I am but behind on reviews... this was actually my first read of October. 🙄Gearing up for spooky season..I was hoping it was the right one...🤞 Well It was perfect!!! I couldn’t have picked a better start to the season. #bookstagrammademedoit for the win again!!!🙌🙌 Thanks peeps!! If you have read the book then you know why I included that rotary phone...😉

So I got a couple chapters in and I thought.. hmm 🤔 this is just your run of the mill horror story... you know the one... someone is in the house..the character is freaked out..you know the drill..then wait for it... BAM 🤯...holy twist!!! That’s when things got really interesting..😳

I seriously can’t go into any more details because that twist floored me and I want you to feel the same!! 🤐

This was my first @darcybooks book and now I know what the hype is about!! It is real! 🖤

Seriously 🏃‍♀️ and add this to your spooky list!! I can’t recommend it enough. I definitely want to read her backlist! 🎃🖤👻
Profile Image for Luvtoread (Trying to catch up).
582 reviews454 followers
September 20, 2021
One night Leigh Harker awakens to the feeling of something being wrong. Was she having a bad dream and that woke her from her deep sleep or did she hear a noise outside? She lies very still waiting and listening to see if she can understand what woke her up because she has always felt safe in her comfortable and secure home for fifteen years and she has never been afraid of being alone or hearing strange sounds that go "bump in the night", since it is a very old house and that tends to happen. Tonight, however feels different, unsettling somehow and she snuggles deeper within her warm quilt when the hairs on the back of her neck and arms rise up along with goosebumps making her shiver. Slowly Leigh peers towards the opening in her doorway, she holds her breath as she hears footsteps in her hallway just outside of her bedroom, she now sees a large dark shadow stopping right at her door. She wants to reach for her phone but remembers she left it downstairs in the kitchen. Praying this is a nightmare and at any moment she will wake up, but then, suddenly she remembers, as the terror seeps into every bone, muscle and pore in her body, that she always keeps the door completely closed when she goes to bed so that can only mean someone or something is in her house and it's lurking and watching Leigh at this very moment and as her heart is pounding so hard in her chest she truly believes she may die of fright and prays that will happen, rather than come face to face with whatever is Now slowly coming through her bedroom door with what must only have malevolent intentions and Leigh's scream stays frozen her throat as she lays paralyzed with fear!

Well, this story had such a creepy and spooky beginning that there wasn't any way I was putting this book down anytime soon. Darcy Coates writing has a wonderful way of inducing the feeling of chills and creepiness while I was reading her book. What fun it is when I felt some shivers with her deliciously, descriptive and imaginative style that made the story come to life. I just loved the characters especially Leigh who was so vulnerable and likeable. I wasn't sure what was going on for awhile and then the story took some wicked twists where everything came together and made sense by the end of the book. All my questions were answered and then given some extras. Many times throughout the book it would take some really spooky turns and that made the book much more intriguing and mysterious since I really didn't understand what was happening at the time except it was really scary seeing Leigh suffer through a horrific haunting she had no control over. I thought there was some genius and creative moments showing what Leigh was experiencing and the eerie tension that was created was just brilliantly clever at times. This book was a delightful surprise and an unexpected emotional journey following Leigh Harker's Haunting! I have now become a real fan of Darcy Coates and hope to read many more of her books and I highly recommend this one to all readers who love spooky stories that are beautifully written.

I want to thank the publisher "Poisoned Pen Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific story and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this ATMOSPHERIC book a rating of 4 1/2 FEAR INDUCING 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌠 STARS!!
Profile Image for Ghoul Von Horror.
1,096 reviews431 followers
November 22, 2021
*****SPOILERS*****

TW: dumb characters doing dumb things, murder, toxic relationships, abandoning child, death of a child

About the book: Leigh Harker’s quiet suburban home was her sanctuary for more than a decade, until things abruptly changed. Curtains open by themselves. Radios turn off and on. And a dark figure looms in the shadows of her bedroom door at night, watching her, waiting for her to finally let down her guard enough to fall asleep.Pushed to her limits but unwilling to abandon her home, Leigh struggles to find answers. But each step forces her towards something more terrifying than she ever imagined.A poisonous shadow seeps from the locked door beneath the stairs. The handle rattles through the night and fingernails scratch at the wood. Her home harbours dangerous secrets, and now that Leigh is trapped within its walls, she fears she may never escape.
Release Date: September 7th, 2021
Genre: Ghost Horror
Pages: 340
Rating: ⭐ ⭐

What I Liked:
• Scary atmosphere
• The writing style in this book wasn't as bad

What I Didn't Like:
• Some parts were cheesy
• You know what's happening by page 5
• Sarah calling Leigh "Sweet thing" or "Sweet one" 100000 times

Overall Thoughts: Wow Darcy Coates is really pumping out those ghost stories. Reminds me of Stephen King and his stockpile of novels just waiting for publication. I loved that this one starts out differently than all other ghost stories. I was 17 pages in and already wanted to throw the book. The main character has lived in this house for 15 YEARS and has never gotten this door open?! Like what? Who would do that? I swear to God if I find out it just needed a cheap skeleton key I am going to burn my library book. Right above she says she's used the room for storage but she says she's never been inside it.

Please don't let this be like The Others or The Sixth Sense! 🤞🏻(oh it is! Sigh)

I hate that her characters have to follow a strict code of being stupid. Leigh hears footsteps above her when she has the kettle on so what does she do? She continues to make her tea, go upstairs (where the sound was coming from), get dressed, and put on super loud music. Not only that but she hears footsteps again and this time her phone is dead and won't charge, so the next smart idea is to go upstairs to use the phone there. Ummmm don't you have a car? Go to your car and charge your phone to call someone.

"The space is large enough that I can stand in its center and stretch my arms out in all directions without touching the metal wall, but only just"
So I'm over here trying to understand how
she got lost and couldn't get out of the shed when the door was shut? Turn to the left and push the door open! Why is she spinning around like she's lost in a huge forest!? 4 pages written for her to get out of this tiny shed. 🙄

I'm confused as to why Leigh's sister Meg wouldn't have came to the house to get her things. She's been missing for almost a year but she never thought to go through the house and collect her stuff. Also Meg showing up and asking Sarah if she knew anything makes no sense as she had only been living in the house 3 months.

How does Sarah's power of seeing Leigh work? There's a part where Liegh talks about a photo and Sarah points to which child she was but then we find out that Liegh had not even turned on the light and it was just apart of her delusion. So could Sarah see what Leigh saw otherwise how would she have know what she was talking about in the dark and be able to tell her which child she was.

Now Sarah's in on this nonsense of not trying to open the door under the stairs because it's locked. This makes no sense! Leigh is missing aká dead (maybe?), her papers are missing but rather than these people or anyone try to open this one locked door to find out if maybe her body is in there or something that pertains to her disappearance everybody just keeps ignoring this door.

So now Sarah has had a heart attack and add on top of that a nurse that steals things. How about we just get back to the main story of trying to figure out who killed Leigh. This reminds me of when someone starts one story, goes off that one, and I'm just trying to hear the rest of the first story. I'm bored senseless hearing about how cold and small Sarah is and that stupid door.

Almost 300 pages in to this book and all is happening is that Sarah and Leigh are talking about her new caregiver like who cares! Tell me who murdered her. Seriously dude this book is just boring. Am I even reading a ghost book or is this some lame Thriller?

So what a stupid ending. Sarah's brother Peter who is 90 years old is living in a secret room underground where the door is. He's the one that killed Leigh. So I'm supposed to believe that Peter who was an advocate drug and alcohol user had the strength at 90 years old to lift a grown woman from her bedroom all the way downstairs and put her into a freezer... Ummmm ok. And now Leigh the ghost has killed him.

Final Thoughts: This 👏🏻was 👏🏻a👏🏻mess👏🏻!

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Profile Image for destiny ♡ howling libraries.
2,002 reviews6,196 followers
November 28, 2022
The intruder looms closer, rising even higher above me. The doors groan. The band of light grows narrower, tightening into a ribbon, and then a sliver, and then nothing at all as the doors snap closed. It is inside the closet with me.

I have been a lover of Darcy Coates' work for many years now, and at this point, I've accepted that every single book of hers seems to be exactly what I needed at that moment. When I picked up The Haunting of Leigh Harker, I needed that incredibly rare read that could give me genuine chills and remind me that I haven't grown entirely desensitized, and that's exactly what this novel gave me. Perhaps it's my own life-long fear of the dark, or maybe Darcy's fears mirror my own, but the descriptions of the entity in the beginning of this book were the first pages of a story to actually frighten me in years, and it was delicious.

If it’s hoping to frighten me out of my own home, it will be surprised by how resilient I can be… and how little I have to lose.

Not only am I so thoroughly smitten by Darcy Coates' writing style and the way she describes the more harrowing elements of her stories, but I also loved the protagonist endlessly. Leigh is a very down-to-earth, introverted, quietly brilliant woman who moves through life at her own pace: lonely, but content in her solitude. One of the most important things in her life is her home—not just the building itself, but the sanctuary it represents for her. Even though I couldn't relate to that feeling with my own current home (as my family is unhappy in our state and planning to move soon), it made me yearn for the day when I can say that I have truly planted my roots somewhere.

“Please.” I do not know who I am begging, only that I am willing to plead with anyone who will listen. There is no one, though. Only me. And the walls are growing tighter.

There isn't much more I can say about the story of The Haunting of Leigh Harker without diving into spoiler-filled territories, which I refuse to do. All I will say is that this was an unsettling, atmospheric, and surprisingly emotional read that I adored very much. Darcy Coates is the queen of "cozy horror" in my book, and probably always will be.

Content warnings for:

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Profile Image for Grace.
1,338 reviews82 followers
September 3, 2025
If you feel confused at first or you aren't sure why you should care about this story, KEEP READING! DO NOT DNF! Somewhere between 100-150 pages (being vague so as not to spoil anyone), you will be completely hooked and everything you've read so far will make way more sense. TRUST ME ON THIS.

A work friend got me hooked on Darcy Coates and in the last few months I've binged pretty much everything she's ever written! We were both so excited when our Barnes and Noble received an ARC of this book. She read it first, then let me borrow it and told me my mind was going to be blown. AND IT WAS.

I was extremely underwhelmed at first. The haunting started out fast, literally in the first sentence. I thought, why should I care? I didn't know anything about this character, so I didn't know why I should be invested in this haunted house story yet. Once the first big twist happened, I was suddenly so invested it felt like whiplash. The rest of the book was a rollercoaster and I loved every bit of it! It was so different from Darcy's other stuff, but at the same time just as unique and unpredictable as her other masterpieces! Sarah is one of my favorite characters she's ever written. The friendship between Sarah and Leigh was so wholesome that I actually closed the book with my heart feeling so full! Not what I expected from a horror story 😂
Profile Image for Michelle .
390 reviews181 followers
September 28, 2021
I loved that The Haunting of Leigh Harker is much darker than any of Coates' previous work. It's great to see a few more real horror scenes in her book. The story was about 90% narrative for those who enjoy that kind of thing. It isn't a personal favorite of mine, and I found it a bit long-winded at times. But overall, a solid 4 stars.
Profile Image for Carol.
3,757 reviews137 followers
October 22, 2021
The story is absolutely beautiful even if it is in a tragic way. A classic take on a gothic horror novel that moves at a fast pace. Darcey Coates is an expert at this type of story and has created an atmosphere that draws you in from the moment you start reading. You can feel Leigh’s emotions...her terror...her anger...and most of all, her sadness. She struggles to make sense of what is happening to her and her struggles will haunt you long after the covers are closed. I have read everything this author has ever written and if you are a “ghost story junkie” like me...you will love every single one of them.
Profile Image for Ellery Adams.
Author 66 books5,218 followers
October 27, 2021
3.5. Some fun twists here. I loved the elderly woman but was less fond of the MC. A unique ghost story and a quick read.
Profile Image for Marie.
1,119 reviews389 followers
October 11, 2023
Well what to say about this book.

Normally I love books by Darcy Coates but this one went off into the confused zone for me. I kept thinking it would become more clear about what was transpiring but the more I kept reading the more I really didn't care for the story. I came close to giving it a dnf which is normally what I do in situations where I am not enjoying the story but it being a Coates book I thought I would push on to see what would happen if anything.

I won't be going into full details of the synopsis of the story except to say that it is about a woman that wakes up hearing "something" moving around her house and she thinks it is an intruder when in fact it is "something" else. But for most of the early parts of the book it weaves around this intruder which I wanted the story to pick up and move along which as most of you know I am not into slow burn books especially when they drag along at a turtle pace. The story meanders along like that for awhile but my attention span was not staying pace with the story. I am in the minority on this book though as it seems quite a few people loved it so giving the book one "No Scare" stars.
Profile Image for Jan Agaton.
1,390 reviews1,576 followers
October 23, 2024
such a strong start but lost me really quickly. the twist/mystery element was a unique concept & there were a handful of genuinely creepy moments but I was extremely bored for a decent chunk of the book ):
Profile Image for Laurie  (barksbooks).
1,949 reviews797 followers
March 21, 2022
Darcy Coates has written so many books and is extremely popular and I don’t know why I just now got around to reading one of her books. This book was a pleasantly creepy ghost story with few surprises but it feels comfortable, if that makes any kind of sense. I liked spending my time with this ghostly mystery and will grab another Coates the next time I see one in the bookstore instead of thinking “hmmm I wonder what those books are like?”
Profile Image for Little_wing.
57 reviews60 followers
January 21, 2022
Anytime I come across a Darcy Coates book I read it. I don't even need to know what it's about, I know I want to devour it. Each of her books are full of great descriptions, terrific spooky storylines, and twists and turns galore. I'm a HUGE thriller/horror book fan, and Ms. Coates is great at incorporating details from the horror literary greats into her works. If this is your genre, read this book :)
Profile Image for Shannara.
556 reviews112 followers
September 8, 2021
It took me a while to get really into this. I was creeped out and all, but wasn’t caring about the main character Leigh until we really get into what’s going on. And it kind of seems like it avalanches once you hit 25% of the way in.

This one kept me on my toes and I kept trying to guess what happened or what was going on, but I was clearly grasping at straws. Those are really the best kind of books though. The ones that have you guessing until the last page.

I fell in love with the two main characters partway in and just had to see their story through to the end. Even if that meant one or both of them wouldn’t make it to the end. You’ll have to find out on your own because I refuse to ruin this thrill ride with spoilers!! But I will say when you really get into it, things get crazy and you will want to binge the rest of the book!

I recommend this to those who enjoy a good horror book, especially regarding ghosts and creepy specters. And obviously to those who love Darcy Coates’ books. But I sure hope you don’t have a tiny door underneath your stairs. That’s a forever no for me from now on!!

Thanks so much to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Darcy Coates for providing the opportunity for me to read this for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Profile Image for Helen Power.
Author 10 books629 followers
September 9, 2021

This novel gripped me with horror from the very first sentence. Coates combines metaphors and grotesque imagery in a way that immediately sets the reader on edge.

The haunting of Leigh Harker is creepy in part because of its uniqueness. The strange occurrences that are happening in Leigh's house are unlike your typical haunting. I can’t go into specifics without spoilers, but the way that the “something” that appears in her doorway looks and acts is all so peculiar, and because of that, there’s a fresh level of terror associated with it.

All this said, the terror grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. It’s one horrifying scene after another, and there came a point where I became a little numb to it all. I started to notice not-so-minor plot holes. But then, there was the twist.

I can’t say much about the twist without spoiling everything. But it’s a twist that simultaneously slowed the horror and added a new level of horror. The twist explained away the plot holes that I’d been rigorously making note of. A novel that was once just straight up chills and thrills without much depth beyond that became much more intriguing, the twist adding a layer of mystery to the plot.

Unfortunately, the very final twist wasn’t as good as the twist that happened fairly early on in the novel. It came somewhat out of left field, and wasn’t as well supported by the rest of the storyline.

All this said, this is a creepy and beautifully written novel, worth reading for the immersive writing style and that first massive, jaw-dropping reveal that forced me stay up all night reading until I reached the last page.


*Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley, and the author for the ebook to review*
This review appeared first on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/
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Profile Image for Kurryreads  (Kerry).
932 reviews3,388 followers
January 25, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up. Okay in hindsight I should’ve guessed a major twist in this book. However I didn’t guess a thing about it. Went into this totally blind (pretty typical for me) and I think that’s the move. Loved this book a lot. Solid paranormal read and would make an excellent movie
Profile Image for hotsake (André Troesch).
1,546 reviews19 followers
October 16, 2022
At times this was very tense at other times it was devastating. I think this took the top spot of the Darcy Coates books I've read.
Profile Image for Nicole (Itputsthebookupontheshelf).
274 reviews18 followers
August 12, 2021
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED THIS BOOK!!!

Right from the start this story opens with you being terrified of this monstrous intruder who has appeared out of nowhere. You've lived in this home 15 years and now this thing has you hiding in your room in terror as it walks your home trying to find you... That is how this story feels, as if YOU are the one being haunted by this thing! No joke, my heart felt as if it had stopped at points and I was afraid to even breathe thinking this things was going to find me (mind you I was reading this story in the dark).

Coates has a true gift when it come to making you feel as if you are actually a part of this story! I was on edge for the first 30% of this story before I felt safe enough to actually breathe. I must also state here that if it hadn't been for the exquisite writing, it would have and did seem slow paced for this portion of the book. However, due to the immense detail and sheer horror I felt to my core, I can't complain. And that would be my only compliant for this entire book.

This story and its characters are absolutely amazing. This is the first book in a long time where I have honestly and whole heartedly cared about the characters. Leigh, though mousy and a loner is brought to life by this haunting tale. I wish I could tell you more of her story, but to do that would be a great injustice to you and would spoil the story. You HAVE to read it to find out more about Leigh. Sarah's character is very much the same, there isn't much I can tell you without spoiling some major parts of this book. What I will say though is that the friendship and dynamic of these two is so wonderful. I loved them so much that I cried actual tears at one part. This pair has a special place in my heart forever.

The rest of the story after the first bit opens doors, literally and figuratively, for the rest of the story. This is were you start to find your answers and some of the key players. I was just as much on edge during the second part of the book as I was in the beginning. But, you won't get the full story till the very end and it's so worth it! Such a unique and frightening story with so much depth. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be the way it was, but I am so very glad that it was written that way. I wouldn't change a thing. I couldn't put it down and am so sad that it's over, at least for me. I hope Leigh and Sarah find their peace together.

Thank you so incredibly much to Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley for a copy of this title in exchange for an honest review!
Profile Image for Erin Talamantes.
597 reviews605 followers
September 8, 2021
*Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.*

The story follows Leigh Harker who has been living a quiet life in her home for 15 years, when suddenly her world is turned upside down. Strange things begin happening that lead Leigh to believe her home is haunted. When everything is revealed, Leigh will have to abandon everything she thought that she knew to uncover the truth.

If you’ve heard me talk about Darcy Coates before, you know that I absolutely adore her writing and her stories. Her characters, her plots, and the emotions that her stories invoke work extremely well for me. I’ve always felt overwhelmed with how much I enjoy her books.
When I was approved for this one on NetGalley, I was absolutely over the moon.

This story throws you straight in immediately. I was actually kind of shocked by how intense it is from the minute the story starts.
To me, this is definitely different than a usual Coates novel. I was thrown for a loop and I was excited by that.
When I started realizing what the story was about and the pieces started coming together, I was left with my jaw hanging open.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this one and I was extremely pleased to see what was unfolding in front of me.
Darcy always does amazing characters, I’m always invested in them and who they are. I always feel a deep connection and emotionally tied to them, which is something I love and look forward to when reading her work.
I was addicted from beginning to end with this story. It was different and something I was really excited to read.
There’s some really creepy imagery throughout the story as well, the descriptions were genuinely spooky.
The emotion this book has is so hauntingly beautiful, it’s laced so deeply in these pages. I was absolutely sobbing at points.
I thoroughly enjoyed every single second of this story. The heartwarming parts were such a lovely contrast to the the really sad and heartbreaking parts.
It’s a bittersweet story that compelled me to keep uncovering the rest of the story.
Once again I am blown away by her storytelling and I can tell this one will linger with me for a long time. I need a physical copy of this immediately! Definitely recommend if you love Darcy Coates (like me), enjoy a good haunted house story, and like your spooks with some emotional bits.
Profile Image for Dana.
890 reviews22 followers
September 3, 2021
I read and loved The Whispering Dead by Darcy Coates and couldn't wait to read this!!

The Haunting Of Leigh Harker is a chilling horror story. The first 100 pages had me so freaked out I couldn't sleep... it didn't help that I decided to read right before bed, AHHH! Maybe read this one during the day, because when you have to get up to use the bathroom you're going to question what lurks in the dark behind every corner ...

The opening scene is terrifying and gives no introduction. A horrifying creature appears in the dark out of nowhere. You guys! The description had me pulling the blankets up just under my eyes, holding my breath and hoping nothing was hiding under my damn bed!! SO SCARY! But it doesn't end there. Imagine living in your home for fifteen years, feeling nice and safe, just going about your life everyday and then out of nowhere you're not alone ...

I'm not going to tell you anything and give any of the magic away. Read the synopsis ... buy yourself a copy of this book, and if you feel so inclined, read it at night to enhance your reading experience. Bonus points if you use a reading light and can't see what lurks in the dark. Seriously. I dare you.

HUGE thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for this gifted copy!!
Profile Image for Kimberly.
1,940 reviews2 followers
September 30, 2021
THE HAUNTING OF LEIGH HARKER, by Darcy Coates, falls into the "okay" category of books I've read from her. Not my favorite by any means (THE CARROW HAUNT, & CRAVEN MANOR get those honors), but not the worst.

My biggest issue was the first 35-40% was fairly dull, repetitive, and did virtually nothing to ignite my interest. (I feel I figured out part of the plot by this point). However, it DID get more complex after that, and I found myself enjoying it more--though more as a "cozy mystery", than the sinister horror I believe it was supposed to be. One particular character I loved, and that made things go by well.

The ending was much better than the beginning, imho, although I guessed pretty much all of the mysteries before this--minus a few details. Still, not an overall bad read, just not the intensity I was hoping for.
Profile Image for Erin.
3,889 reviews466 followers
April 19, 2024
My house is too quiet. Peace is something I normally relish, but today it’s more—not an island of solitude, but an ocean of it, enough to drown in.

One of my favourite things about reading is all the new genres and new authors that I explore. As one of my shelves suggests "Booktok made me read it." Let me tell you that I was so immersed in the narrative that when my husband entered our bedroom, I screamed! 🤣

The author is classified as a horror gothic writer and her main protagonist, Leigh, is beginning to believe that her home is possessed by a spirit. The atmosphere around this book made me feel very claustrophobi and I couldn't stop reading.

I look forward to reading other titles by this author in the future.


Goodreads review published 19/04/24
Profile Image for Tammy Niraula.
348 reviews38 followers
August 30, 2024
Oh my heart! ♥️ This was such a great ghost story. I adored it!
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