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How to Make a Ghost
Twenty-five years ago, Eve Marsh's little sister Rebecca vanished. No-one in the family is willing to talk about what happened, and Eve has come to accept that she might never learn the truth.
When a huge storm erupts, however, Eve is forced to return to her childhood home. Her father lives alone, and the house is in danger of collapsing as it's battered by wind and rain. Eve hasn't talked to her father since she ran away from home many years earlier, and she soon finds that the old man's mind is deteriorating. Meanwhile, something seems to be in the house with him, lurking in the shadows and tormenting what's left of his sanity.
Eve soon begins to discover the truth about what happened to Rebecca. A strange, ghostly figure appears in the house, and a voice cries out for revenge. The more Eve learns, the more she comes to understand that something terrible has been happening to her family for many years. She's always held her father responsible, but is there something even worse that Eve doesn't know? And is the ghost of her dead sister really lurking in the shadows of the house?
How To Make a Ghost is a horror story about a haunted house, a dark family secret, and a horrific experiment that has been years in the making.
When a huge storm erupts, however, Eve is forced to return to her childhood home. Her father lives alone, and the house is in danger of collapsing as it's battered by wind and rain. Eve hasn't talked to her father since she ran away from home many years earlier, and she soon finds that the old man's mind is deteriorating. Meanwhile, something seems to be in the house with him, lurking in the shadows and tormenting what's left of his sanity.
Eve soon begins to discover the truth about what happened to Rebecca. A strange, ghostly figure appears in the house, and a voice cries out for revenge. The more Eve learns, the more she comes to understand that something terrible has been happening to her family for many years. She's always held her father responsible, but is there something even worse that Eve doesn't know? And is the ghost of her dead sister really lurking in the shadows of the house?
How To Make a Ghost is a horror story about a haunted house, a dark family secret, and a horrific experiment that has been years in the making.
314 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 23, 2021
110 people are currently reading
239 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
668 books1,699 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
July 2, 2022
I found this book mildly okay. I really didn't like the plot too much. Oh, well, on to the next.
June 1, 2024
This book was nutso. Fortunately, I like nutso.
June 26, 2021
This was one of the best stories I've read from this author, really twisty, mysterious and cleverly done.
I don't want to say much so as not to spoil it for others - creepy and insane should describe it.
Highly recommended.
I don't want to say much so as not to spoil it for others - creepy and insane should describe it.
Highly recommended.
June 16, 2021
Great Read
I'm not one for adding spoilers, so nicely written book, the twists were delightful, really enjoyed a different take on a good ghost story..
I'm not one for adding spoilers, so nicely written book, the twists were delightful, really enjoyed a different take on a good ghost story..
September 16, 2021
I loved this book. A real page Turner , waiting to find out what happens next kept me wanting more.
June 11, 2021
Sure keeps you guessing
Once again Amy Cross pulls me into a dizzying story of believable ghostly terror. I enjoyed all the descriptions and characters used to create a story of family bonds that can be broken, repaired and completely sabotaged. I did not guess this ending at all!!
Once again Amy Cross pulls me into a dizzying story of believable ghostly terror. I enjoyed all the descriptions and characters used to create a story of family bonds that can be broken, repaired and completely sabotaged. I did not guess this ending at all!!
June 26, 2021
Keep my interest
This wasn't what I expected from the blurb and the title. It keep my interest and had me guessing. The author did a good job at keeping the wool over the readers eyes. This was my first book by Amy Cross and I think she piqued my interest in her other books.
This wasn't what I expected from the blurb and the title. It keep my interest and had me guessing. The author did a good job at keeping the wool over the readers eyes. This was my first book by Amy Cross and I think she piqued my interest in her other books.
June 30, 2021
Interesting
I found this book to be very interesting. It has some plot twists I was not expecting. I would definitely recommend this book.
I found this book to be very interesting. It has some plot twists I was not expecting. I would definitely recommend this book.
December 27, 2025
this book was going so well until about 75% when the twists started coming and wrapping my head around the lies and deceit from the mom was a bit far fetched for me.
a scientist couple of 3 decide they want to experiment on their daughters and turning them into ghosts. lies and more lies come out. who will survive? Who will become a ghost?
a scientist couple of 3 decide they want to experiment on their daughters and turning them into ghosts. lies and more lies come out. who will survive? Who will become a ghost?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2021
What a creative, wild novel, that is not your typical ghost story and has a very cool ending!
The parents of Sophie, Eve and Rebecca, are not normal parents, but are scientists who have spent their whole lives on a complicated experiment. Unfortunately, the children have no idea of this and that their lives are merely a theatrical play on the parent's stage. Everything is pre-planned, acted out and orchestrated mainly, by the mother, Miriam.
When the youngest child, Rebecca, disappears, the family is accepting and resigned that she is probably dead. The parents do not want to discuss Rebecca, and Eve, who is the middle child, comes to believe their father has killed her due to his temper. No one questions this loss, and just go on with their lives.
As time goes by, Eve refuses to have anything to do with her father because she feels he's behind whatever happened to Rebecca. The remaining girls are grown and secret ambitions come to light that will rock Eve's world and disclose what really happened and is happening.
This is one you will not want to put down! You will continue reading while holding your breath and gasping at the events and discovery, after discovery!
The parents of Sophie, Eve and Rebecca, are not normal parents, but are scientists who have spent their whole lives on a complicated experiment. Unfortunately, the children have no idea of this and that their lives are merely a theatrical play on the parent's stage. Everything is pre-planned, acted out and orchestrated mainly, by the mother, Miriam.
When the youngest child, Rebecca, disappears, the family is accepting and resigned that she is probably dead. The parents do not want to discuss Rebecca, and Eve, who is the middle child, comes to believe their father has killed her due to his temper. No one questions this loss, and just go on with their lives.
As time goes by, Eve refuses to have anything to do with her father because she feels he's behind whatever happened to Rebecca. The remaining girls are grown and secret ambitions come to light that will rock Eve's world and disclose what really happened and is happening.
This is one you will not want to put down! You will continue reading while holding your breath and gasping at the events and discovery, after discovery!
July 23, 2021
WOW!
As you’ve seen in my other reviews, Amy Cross is a goddess of horror!
And this book didn’t disappoint at all!
My boyfriend always asks me “how can a book scare you? You can’t see anything!” But it’s what you imagine. This book had me creeped out, on edge and point blank nervous throughout.
The story flowed amazing, the characters were brilliant (and some of them VERY easy to hate!) and the twists were completely out of the blue.
It’s definitely up there with being one of the best books I’ve ever read.
All in all, I loved this. I’ve been in a reading lull for so long and this has really shifted me to read again.
Thank you, Amy! Xo
As you’ve seen in my other reviews, Amy Cross is a goddess of horror!
And this book didn’t disappoint at all!
My boyfriend always asks me “how can a book scare you? You can’t see anything!” But it’s what you imagine. This book had me creeped out, on edge and point blank nervous throughout.
The story flowed amazing, the characters were brilliant (and some of them VERY easy to hate!) and the twists were completely out of the blue.
It’s definitely up there with being one of the best books I’ve ever read.
All in all, I loved this. I’ve been in a reading lull for so long and this has really shifted me to read again.
Thank you, Amy! Xo
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2021
Weird, or what?
The title says it all, how to make a ghost but, did the end really justify the means? A couple of psychotic academics who would have fitted in nicely during the madness of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia or modern day Red China. Plus, a seriously damaged family being put through the hell of psychological torture. Taken together, you have a story that challenges everything you believe about the morality of civilised human behaviour.
The title says it all, how to make a ghost but, did the end really justify the means? A couple of psychotic academics who would have fitted in nicely during the madness of Nazi Germany, Soviet Russia or modern day Red China. Plus, a seriously damaged family being put through the hell of psychological torture. Taken together, you have a story that challenges everything you believe about the morality of civilised human behaviour.
August 16, 2021
What to say?
I think I actually liked this book. In so many of the author's other books I was turned off by the gore .... especially by the abundance of maggots being brought into the story. It was over kill to the max! I swore to myself that I would never read anything again by this author. In this book there wasn't a one. Okay, I'll admit that I like this book
I think I actually liked this book. In so many of the author's other books I was turned off by the gore .... especially by the abundance of maggots being brought into the story. It was over kill to the max! I swore to myself that I would never read anything again by this author. In this book there wasn't a one. Okay, I'll admit that I like this book
September 16, 2021
Amazing
This book grabs you from the very beginning and I found no slow spots or fillers. And about 2/3 of the way through the book there is a huge twist. And then at the end there is another huge twist. Both I did not see coming. And I can usually figure those things out ahead of time. 5 stars, I definitely recommend this book.
This book grabs you from the very beginning and I found no slow spots or fillers. And about 2/3 of the way through the book there is a huge twist. And then at the end there is another huge twist. Both I did not see coming. And I can usually figure those things out ahead of time. 5 stars, I definitely recommend this book.
August 20, 2021
Interesting
Amy cross you are a wonderful person and I have been doing that for years thanks for the help tell you what you keep writing them and I keep reading them sincerely christinedunne Harlingen texas
Amy cross you are a wonderful person and I have been doing that for years thanks for the help tell you what you keep writing them and I keep reading them sincerely christinedunne Harlingen texas
June 23, 2021
A total miss for me
July 21, 2021
Corny as Hell
Where do I start? It started off ok, and then the downhill slide that went 90 degrees fairly quickly. Lol
Where do I start? It started off ok, and then the downhill slide that went 90 degrees fairly quickly. Lol
August 26, 2021
Great read!
I have 5 stars because I just couldn't put the story down. Every word, every page drew you in, til the climax of the ending. I recommend this book.
I have 5 stars because I just couldn't put the story down. Every word, every page drew you in, til the climax of the ending. I recommend this book.
August 28, 2021
Not the best book of Amy Cross. A bit far-fetched but entertaining. An ok read for a quiet afternoon.
October 23, 2021
Took an unexpected turn in the story I didn't think would work, but Amy Cross did it well and I ended up enjoying the twist!
December 21, 2021
“I let them make me believe the worst about you.”
It’s been twenty five heartbreaking, earth shattering years since five year old Rebecca Marsh was drug from the family home by their enraged father and never returned. Leaving behind her two older sisters; Eve and Sophie, they together tried to never forget the legacy their younger sister could’ve made, while parents; Mariam and Bobby, tried their damndest to forget she ever existed. Left to the illusion their father was an angry and volatile man, while inside he fought his own demons no longer wanting to go through with his wife’s haunting experiment. Both heavily successful scientists, they abandoned the professions they loved to move their growing family to the rural countryside where her hypothesis on making ghosts could be fully tested. Each daughter born was created with a specific role and purpose in mind. Eldest sister Sophie would Be the successor to their mother’s legacy and life work, Eve was the catalyst left in the dark so her rawest emotions could be fully plaid, and innocent Rebecca was the one left to die. Years later, their mother dead and their father's mental state failing, Eve is drawn home during an intense storm To check the ailing man. With dementia setting in, he was no longer the man she hated, instead feeling pity. Seemingly haunted by the ghost of his youngest child, it draws him to suicide while his house is destroyed around him. Now, with the truth coming out, Eve learns her mother was alive, as well as Rebecca. With her mother’s obsession leaving Sophie with her throat slashed and her stabbed in the kidney, they’ll do anything to escape; even murder. Pregnant with her first child, Eve and Rebecca manage to escape while Sophie and her father kept the ghost of her mother held captive. Finally, her hypothesis was proven correctly, it’ll cost her everything a mother should’ve held dearest; her daughters.
Not that it's any kind of excuse, but I think he's losing his mind. I guess guilt does that to a man, even to someone as conceited and arrogant as our father.”
“I need to make soup,” he murmured, taking the can in his trembling hands and once again trying to get it open. “I'm hungry. I need something.”
“It can't be you,” she said again, with tears in her eyes. “You died twenty-five years ago. You're gone. You can't still be there now.”
It’s been twenty five heartbreaking, earth shattering years since five year old Rebecca Marsh was drug from the family home by their enraged father and never returned. Leaving behind her two older sisters; Eve and Sophie, they together tried to never forget the legacy their younger sister could’ve made, while parents; Mariam and Bobby, tried their damndest to forget she ever existed. Left to the illusion their father was an angry and volatile man, while inside he fought his own demons no longer wanting to go through with his wife’s haunting experiment. Both heavily successful scientists, they abandoned the professions they loved to move their growing family to the rural countryside where her hypothesis on making ghosts could be fully tested. Each daughter born was created with a specific role and purpose in mind. Eldest sister Sophie would Be the successor to their mother’s legacy and life work, Eve was the catalyst left in the dark so her rawest emotions could be fully plaid, and innocent Rebecca was the one left to die. Years later, their mother dead and their father's mental state failing, Eve is drawn home during an intense storm To check the ailing man. With dementia setting in, he was no longer the man she hated, instead feeling pity. Seemingly haunted by the ghost of his youngest child, it draws him to suicide while his house is destroyed around him. Now, with the truth coming out, Eve learns her mother was alive, as well as Rebecca. With her mother’s obsession leaving Sophie with her throat slashed and her stabbed in the kidney, they’ll do anything to escape; even murder. Pregnant with her first child, Eve and Rebecca manage to escape while Sophie and her father kept the ghost of her mother held captive. Finally, her hypothesis was proven correctly, it’ll cost her everything a mother should’ve held dearest; her daughters.
Not that it's any kind of excuse, but I think he's losing his mind. I guess guilt does that to a man, even to someone as conceited and arrogant as our father.”
“I need to make soup,” he murmured, taking the can in his trembling hands and once again trying to get it open. “I'm hungry. I need something.”
“It can't be you,” she said again, with tears in her eyes. “You died twenty-five years ago. You're gone. You can't still be there now.”
December 17, 2023
4 of 5 stars
I've struggled lately to find a book to keep my attention. How to make a ghost finally kept my attention. Cross did an amazing job of making you sympathize with her characters, making you hate some and love others and then ripping your heart out and changing your feelings.
I'm only giving 4 out of 5 stars for the simple fact of errors. There's several wording mistakes throughout and as such I feel like this story was either self published or the editor missed several errors.
All in all still a good read and one I'm glad I've found.
I've struggled lately to find a book to keep my attention. How to make a ghost finally kept my attention. Cross did an amazing job of making you sympathize with her characters, making you hate some and love others and then ripping your heart out and changing your feelings.
I'm only giving 4 out of 5 stars for the simple fact of errors. There's several wording mistakes throughout and as such I feel like this story was either self published or the editor missed several errors.
All in all still a good read and one I'm glad I've found.
February 19, 2022
Enjoy!
Determined to see for herself, Miriam began to hurry across the room, heading toward the corridor. Reaching the corner, she peered through into the next section of the basement. At first she saw nothing in the darkness, but after a few seconds she raised a flashlight, and she immediately spotted the three dead figures at the corridor's far end. She could feel their gazes burning into her face, but she told herself that now was not the moment for uncertainty.
Determined to see for herself, Miriam began to hurry across the room, heading toward the corridor. Reaching the corner, she peered through into the next section of the basement. At first she saw nothing in the darkness, but after a few seconds she raised a flashlight, and she immediately spotted the three dead figures at the corridor's far end. She could feel their gazes burning into her face, but she told herself that now was not the moment for uncertainty.
August 6, 2021
Worth a light read
The book was very slow at first, however the story picks up fairly quickly. Solid character building, a few editing errors. Overall I would recommend this book for a light read. To me it wasn't scary, it was sad. Amy did well.
The book was very slow at first, however the story picks up fairly quickly. Solid character building, a few editing errors. Overall I would recommend this book for a light read. To me it wasn't scary, it was sad. Amy did well.
March 9, 2022
Great story Definitely read
Great story and a wonderful ending, just the right length book not drawn out for no reason it has a great ending explaining everything but not rambling endlessly. A writer that got it right. Would read more books like this.
Great story and a wonderful ending, just the right length book not drawn out for no reason it has a great ending explaining everything but not rambling endlessly. A writer that got it right. Would read more books like this.
April 2, 2022
Ghostly chilling
I was given this advanced copy of this book and I'm willingly leaving this honest review.. I just found this Author but this book was amazing. I wished it had a happier ending but I was page turning as fast as I could.
I was given this advanced copy of this book and I'm willingly leaving this honest review.. I just found this Author but this book was amazing. I wished it had a happier ending but I was page turning as fast as I could.
June 21, 2022
Refreshingly different
This is one of the best reads that I've had in a while. There wasn't much character development, but it didn't take away from the overall story.
Good twist, one that I didn't see coming.
Good job Ms Cross.
This is one of the best reads that I've had in a while. There wasn't much character development, but it didn't take away from the overall story.
Good twist, one that I didn't see coming.
Good job Ms Cross.
March 12, 2024
Crazy Plot
Amy Cross writes another far out ghost story. This is a story full of high tech hi jinx and off the wall plot twists. How she comes up with these stories is beyond me? But this was a great read and really entertaining.
Amy Cross writes another far out ghost story. This is a story full of high tech hi jinx and off the wall plot twists. How she comes up with these stories is beyond me? But this was a great read and really entertaining.
June 8, 2021
A little ridiculous
This started well but got silly half way through and it was downhill from there. I've always enjoyed Amy Cross books, but this was rather disappointing.
This started well but got silly half way through and it was downhill from there. I've always enjoyed Amy Cross books, but this was rather disappointing.
June 20, 2021
Ok read. Amy Cross is either hit or miss with me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews