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A Riveting Haunted House Mystery #27
The Haunting of Manson House
In the 1970s, something horrible happened within the Manson House’s walls. Fifty years later and no one has stepped foot inside.
Harold Roberts, an accountant-turn-robber, just took his family out of Portland as well as two million dollars in untraceable stolen cash. The decrepit, three-story Manson House seems like the perfect hideaway until the heat passes… Nothing could be further from the truth. Strange occurrences plight his nine-year-old twins, his wife declines into madness, and a vengeful adversary has his scent. Meanwhile, dark rumors in town and the influx of strangers have the locals on edge. What great evil lurks within the Manson House’s walls? And why is it returning now?
Harold Roberts, an accountant-turn-robber, just took his family out of Portland as well as two million dollars in untraceable stolen cash. The decrepit, three-story Manson House seems like the perfect hideaway until the heat passes… Nothing could be further from the truth. Strange occurrences plight his nine-year-old twins, his wife declines into madness, and a vengeful adversary has his scent. Meanwhile, dark rumors in town and the influx of strangers have the locals on edge. What great evil lurks within the Manson House’s walls? And why is it returning now?
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 6, 2021
200 people are currently reading
152 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
October 6, 2021
Like all of us do when the leaves start to fall and that autumn chill fills the air, I began my search for a scary tale to read to fill my appetite for the paranormal. "The Haunting of Manson House" is as one would expect, the story of a strange, decaying house, filled with twists and turns to keep you guessing as the novel unfolds.
"Manson House" is the story of Harold and his wife Natasha as they escape from the law after scoring big in a less-than-legal fashion. Retreating to their predetermined getaway, the titular home, the couple hope to lay low with their children until they can make their escape from the country and start life anew. A familiar scene for any horror story, but the old goodies aren't always bad, and Donovan delivers on that. I really enjoyed this book. It was a smooth read, I was always left at the end of a chapter wanting more, and the pages kept turning!
That said, I didn't end my stay at the Manson House totally satisfied. While I think the story left some to be desired on its paranormal elements, particularly as the story began to answer its proposed questions, there were frequent incidents where my experience fell flat because of the writing. Personally, I enjoy books that move along. I love detail, but not *too much* detail. And at times, Donovan's writing style was perfect for me. But writing horror is about atmosphere, and atmosphere has to build from the whole setting. There were often times where a scene was propped up only being described as something like, "a room filled with hippie stuff," and stumbling over that abruptly short description, on the numerous occasions it happened, was enough to eventually lessen my enjoyment of the story. The novel leans heavily on American culture and aesthetic of the 1960's and 1970's, and for any foreign audience, or even future (younger) audiences as time goes on, I think this "let's skip over that" approach to description is unintendedly harmful to the novel. Not every reader may know what Donovan is referring to, and even when it's not "the scary part," these were frequently missed opportunities to build atmosphere.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for an easy read that focuses more on swift plot than atmosphere, much like a popcorn-flick, then you'll find your stay at the Manson House full of haunts and thrills.
"Manson House" is the story of Harold and his wife Natasha as they escape from the law after scoring big in a less-than-legal fashion. Retreating to their predetermined getaway, the titular home, the couple hope to lay low with their children until they can make their escape from the country and start life anew. A familiar scene for any horror story, but the old goodies aren't always bad, and Donovan delivers on that. I really enjoyed this book. It was a smooth read, I was always left at the end of a chapter wanting more, and the pages kept turning!
That said, I didn't end my stay at the Manson House totally satisfied. While I think the story left some to be desired on its paranormal elements, particularly as the story began to answer its proposed questions, there were frequent incidents where my experience fell flat because of the writing. Personally, I enjoy books that move along. I love detail, but not *too much* detail. And at times, Donovan's writing style was perfect for me. But writing horror is about atmosphere, and atmosphere has to build from the whole setting. There were often times where a scene was propped up only being described as something like, "a room filled with hippie stuff," and stumbling over that abruptly short description, on the numerous occasions it happened, was enough to eventually lessen my enjoyment of the story. The novel leans heavily on American culture and aesthetic of the 1960's and 1970's, and for any foreign audience, or even future (younger) audiences as time goes on, I think this "let's skip over that" approach to description is unintendedly harmful to the novel. Not every reader may know what Donovan is referring to, and even when it's not "the scary part," these were frequently missed opportunities to build atmosphere.
At the end of the day, if you're looking for an easy read that focuses more on swift plot than atmosphere, much like a popcorn-flick, then you'll find your stay at the Manson House full of haunts and thrills.
Want to read
September 9, 2021In the 1970s, something horrible happened within the Manson House’s walls. Fifty years later and no one has stepped foot inside.
Harold Roberts, an accountant-turn-robber, just took his family out of Portland as well as two million dollars in untraceable stolen cash. The decrepit, three-story Manson House seems like the perfect hideaway until the heat passes… Nothing could be further from the truth. Strange occurrences plight his nine-year-old twins, his wife declines into madness, and a vengeful adversary has his scent. Meanwhile, dark rumors in town and the influx of strangers have the locals on edge. What great evil lurks within the Manson House’s walls? And why is it returning now?
Harold Roberts, an accountant-turn-robber, just took his family out of Portland as well as two million dollars in untraceable stolen cash. The decrepit, three-story Manson House seems like the perfect hideaway until the heat passes… Nothing could be further from the truth. Strange occurrences plight his nine-year-old twins, his wife declines into madness, and a vengeful adversary has his scent. Meanwhile, dark rumors in town and the influx of strangers have the locals on edge. What great evil lurks within the Manson House’s walls? And why is it returning now?
September 20, 2021
Must READ
This is a spine tingling book! It's a must read that grabs your attention from the first to the last page.
Harold Natasha, and his wife have robbed the CEO of two million dollars, all of it stolen and tax free.
Natasha has found an abandoned mansion and is awaiting on Harold and his family. Harold agreed to give her half a million. The only thing he wants is his family and teach them to live off the land.
But the mansion has other plans! Read the book to find out what happens! It's full of action, adventure, and horror!
This is a spine tingling book! It's a must read that grabs your attention from the first to the last page.
Harold Natasha, and his wife have robbed the CEO of two million dollars, all of it stolen and tax free.
Natasha has found an abandoned mansion and is awaiting on Harold and his family. Harold agreed to give her half a million. The only thing he wants is his family and teach them to live off the land.
But the mansion has other plans! Read the book to find out what happens! It's full of action, adventure, and horror!
August 4, 2022
Confusing and terrifying.
I expected this to be a story about a traditional style haunting. The type with ghosts and poltergeists. Perhaps it was, but I was so confused to understand what was happening. The story had parts that were so suspenseful that it was unnerving. But there was so much tedium with characters constantly moving around through the manor, the gypsy encampment and visits with the mayor at a myriad of locations. By the time I got to the end I was confused and exhausted.
I expected this to be a story about a traditional style haunting. The type with ghosts and poltergeists. Perhaps it was, but I was so confused to understand what was happening. The story had parts that were so suspenseful that it was unnerving. But there was so much tedium with characters constantly moving around through the manor, the gypsy encampment and visits with the mayor at a myriad of locations. By the time I got to the end I was confused and exhausted.
September 17, 2021
A wonder blend of mystery/thriller/ the occult
I enjoyed the page turning surprises and the plot twist and turns. The characters were likeable even if the circumstances would point the other way.
It is a good example of how easy it is to get swept away wanting the best Gor your family.
I enjoyed the page turning surprises and the plot twist and turns. The characters were likeable even if the circumstances would point the other way.
It is a good example of how easy it is to get swept away wanting the best Gor your family.
May 22, 2023
In my opinion, this novel didn’t necessarily fit in the “haunted house” collection. I tend to lean towards ghosts, haunted houses, etc. instead of spirituality and cults. It was a pretty good read, but I found that the characters could’ve used some work. It had a slightly slow pace and could’ve used a bit more action and thrill.
October 9, 2021
Lunacy, crime,love and redemption
A very flawed group of people come together in this wild story of good versus evil. Characters are interesting. The town rotten. The people misguided or downright evil. Fast read and very exciting.
A very flawed group of people come together in this wild story of good versus evil. Characters are interesting. The town rotten. The people misguided or downright evil. Fast read and very exciting.
October 20, 2021
Another winner for ones that like these old haunted houses.stories. when the couple taken off with millions, how to escape and law low. Good plot with twists and turns. Good narration. Given audio for my voluntary review
May 7, 2022
I had a hard time with the beginning of this book as it was slow going. But it did pick up for me a little past the half way mark. By the end of the book I was hooked and couldn’t wait to see how it turned out.
August 8, 2024
The Haunting of Manson House
This was a great book I really enjoyed reading this as well as much as the others in this series and recommend that you read this as well. Looking forward to reading more of the same.
This was a great book I really enjoyed reading this as well as much as the others in this series and recommend that you read this as well. Looking forward to reading more of the same.
Read
September 27, 2021Great read!!!
I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book. Hoping there will be a book number 2? I recommend this book.
I couldn't put it down. I really enjoyed this book. Hoping there will be a book number 2? I recommend this book.
November 4, 2021
haunted.?
Not sure about the haunting or just plain weird a well written entertaining novel anyway. One not forgotten for sure
Not sure about the haunting or just plain weird a well written entertaining novel anyway. One not forgotten for sure
November 27, 2021
Well written
Well written, fast paced book. Unlike a lot of indie books, this one was very well written with a compelling story line and interesting characters.
Well written, fast paced book. Unlike a lot of indie books, this one was very well written with a compelling story line and interesting characters.
July 22, 2023
Cults
The story was good. I'm glad that the place is gone now. I also found parts of it hard to put down
The story was good. I'm glad that the place is gone now. I also found parts of it hard to put down
July 27, 2024
Different from the rest
In a really good way though, look no further, stop scrolling and read this one, you’ll be glad you did, I promise.
In a really good way though, look no further, stop scrolling and read this one, you’ll be glad you did, I promise.
November 30, 2024
I enjoyed this haunting. There was just the right about of intrigue; surprise; and plot twists to keep you reading till the last page.
December 14, 2024
Fast paced edge of your seat haunted house mystery.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews