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The Toll House
The past isn't always dead and buried . . .
A house with history. That's how the estate agent described the old toll house on the edge of the town. For Kelda it's the perfect rural home for her young son Dylan after a difficult few years.
But when Kelda finds a death mask concealed behind one of the walls, everything changes. Inexplicable things happen in the house, Kelda cannot shake the feeling of being watched and Dylan is plagued by nightmares, convinced he can see figures in his room. As Dylan's behaviour becomes increasingly challenging, Kelda seeks answers in the house's mysterious past. But she's running out of time.
Because something has awoken.
And now it won't rest . . .
A house with history. That's how the estate agent described the old toll house on the edge of the town. For Kelda it's the perfect rural home for her young son Dylan after a difficult few years.
But when Kelda finds a death mask concealed behind one of the walls, everything changes. Inexplicable things happen in the house, Kelda cannot shake the feeling of being watched and Dylan is plagued by nightmares, convinced he can see figures in his room. As Dylan's behaviour becomes increasingly challenging, Kelda seeks answers in the house's mysterious past. But she's running out of time.
Because something has awoken.
And now it won't rest . . .
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 6, 2022
200 people are currently reading
4405 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
October 20, 2022
What a fantastic read!! I literally couldn't put it down. From page one I was totally engrossed in the story.
Told in two timelines each is as riveting as the other. There are more chapters dealing with the present and this was a very good story.
The Toll House, Kelda's first home of her own never felt comfortable. Her son Dylan starts to play up and behave differently. She doesn't like her job but needs it. Her friend Nick is her anchor during this time and I liked the relationship they had. There are twists and turns that you never see coming. The ghostly element was very well done. The writing is wonderful throughout.
If you're looking for a spooky read for Halloween that will have you looking over your shoulder then look no further. Perfect for this time of year.
Told in two timelines each is as riveting as the other. There are more chapters dealing with the present and this was a very good story.
The Toll House, Kelda's first home of her own never felt comfortable. Her son Dylan starts to play up and behave differently. She doesn't like her job but needs it. Her friend Nick is her anchor during this time and I liked the relationship they had. There are twists and turns that you never see coming. The ghostly element was very well done. The writing is wonderful throughout.
If you're looking for a spooky read for Halloween that will have you looking over your shoulder then look no further. Perfect for this time of year.
October 24, 2023
A brilliantly chilling debut that was perfect was the spooky season.
The cover alone certainly appealed, whilst being part of Waterstones 'Fresh Frights' made it an instant purchase.
I loved the whole dual narrative structure as the story initially opens with Kelda and her son Dylan move into an old toll house - it's certainly a house with some history!
Whilst the plot also jumps back to the 1860's timelime with the tollmaster and his wife.
After discovering a death mask inside one of the walls and the six year old soon having nightmares, you know that the ominous foreboding is set in motion.
One of the best aspects of the dual timelines is the manner in which in the reader discovers more surrounding the house and makes both sections equally gripping.
A very suspenseful absorbing reads...
The cover alone certainly appealed, whilst being part of Waterstones 'Fresh Frights' made it an instant purchase.
I loved the whole dual narrative structure as the story initially opens with Kelda and her son Dylan move into an old toll house - it's certainly a house with some history!
Whilst the plot also jumps back to the 1860's timelime with the tollmaster and his wife.
After discovering a death mask inside one of the walls and the six year old soon having nightmares, you know that the ominous foreboding is set in motion.
One of the best aspects of the dual timelines is the manner in which in the reader discovers more surrounding the house and makes both sections equally gripping.
A very suspenseful absorbing reads...
October 31, 2022
I’d like to thank NetGalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for approving me for an ARC of this book. I’ve recently been getting into my ghost stories and loving a spooky read for this time of year. When I saw The Toll House on NetGalley I knew this was one I would love to read and it didn’t disappoint.
From the moment Kelda and her son Dylan moved into the toll house things did not seem right. I immediately got that sense of dread and doom that bad things were going to happen and the author did a fantastic job of setting the scene. Throughout the whole story, I felt I was on tenterhooks waiting for things to happen and made the mistake of reading this one at night, which is not something I would advise if you scare easily like me!
During the story we flick back to the 1800’s were the original toll house keeper’s story is revealed. This part of the book was deeply disturbing and very dark but in a gripping way. Getting to know the history of the house and its occupants in the 1800’s was fascinating and the more I learnt the more scared I was for Kelda and her son. The back and forth between the different stories kept the momentum going and had me transfixed the whole way through.
I really felt for Kelda, not just because of what was happening in the house but because of her own past. I won’t go into too many details but lets just say her history is much more complicated and you understand why she is so protective of Dylan and is estranged with her family.
This book builds to a dramatic conclusion that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was dark, menacing, creepy and frightful. All the thins you come to expect from a gothic read.
From the moment Kelda and her son Dylan moved into the toll house things did not seem right. I immediately got that sense of dread and doom that bad things were going to happen and the author did a fantastic job of setting the scene. Throughout the whole story, I felt I was on tenterhooks waiting for things to happen and made the mistake of reading this one at night, which is not something I would advise if you scare easily like me!
During the story we flick back to the 1800’s were the original toll house keeper’s story is revealed. This part of the book was deeply disturbing and very dark but in a gripping way. Getting to know the history of the house and its occupants in the 1800’s was fascinating and the more I learnt the more scared I was for Kelda and her son. The back and forth between the different stories kept the momentum going and had me transfixed the whole way through.
I really felt for Kelda, not just because of what was happening in the house but because of her own past. I won’t go into too many details but lets just say her history is much more complicated and you understand why she is so protective of Dylan and is estranged with her family.
This book builds to a dramatic conclusion that I thoroughly enjoyed. It was dark, menacing, creepy and frightful. All the thins you come to expect from a gothic read.
January 20, 2024
THE TOLL HOUSE, by Carly Reagon, was the perfect book at the perfect time for me! I was in the mood for a true "Gothic-style Haunting", and this book delivered from the very beginning. Told with two timelines--the present, where Kelda and her young son Dylan purchase the old Toll House, and the 1800's, when the last Toll Keeper and his wife lived there.
I loved that the past timeline didn't give away too much, or take us too far ahead of where the present was going. The pacing that it kept--giving just enough, at just the right times, to help understand (or at least guess at) present happenings--couldn't have been placed better. More emphasis was on the present, which allowed us to get to know the characters, and feel for them in situation they found themselves.
Present day: After the initial excitement of buying her first home, Kelda is plagued with a vague sense of being watched--that the house is somehow not her own, while her son Dylan is having nightmares and acting up in ways he never had before. The cast of characters we have here all felt authentic to me, and the atmosphere--the dread--was present even in the "lighter" moments.
The past: Enough history was given through the events that had occurred there years before, but again, never too much, too soon. I felt like I knew these characters as well, to a slightly lesser extent.
The writing flowed well no matter which time period I was reading about, and in each, the horror grew steadily. The best part, for myself, was that there were things I never put together until AFTER other revelations. This shows that I was so involved in the story while reading that I just went with the flow of events as they came, and afterwards kept the story in my head. I'm STILL thinking about events I failed to piece together myself, and marveling at how well done this book was.
I see that the author has another book coming out this year, and I will absolutely be preordering it. The writing style, characters, and atmosphere were all brilliant here, in my opinion.
Highly recommended.
I loved that the past timeline didn't give away too much, or take us too far ahead of where the present was going. The pacing that it kept--giving just enough, at just the right times, to help understand (or at least guess at) present happenings--couldn't have been placed better. More emphasis was on the present, which allowed us to get to know the characters, and feel for them in situation they found themselves.
Present day: After the initial excitement of buying her first home, Kelda is plagued with a vague sense of being watched--that the house is somehow not her own, while her son Dylan is having nightmares and acting up in ways he never had before. The cast of characters we have here all felt authentic to me, and the atmosphere--the dread--was present even in the "lighter" moments.
The past: Enough history was given through the events that had occurred there years before, but again, never too much, too soon. I felt like I knew these characters as well, to a slightly lesser extent.
The writing flowed well no matter which time period I was reading about, and in each, the horror grew steadily. The best part, for myself, was that there were things I never put together until AFTER other revelations. This shows that I was so involved in the story while reading that I just went with the flow of events as they came, and afterwards kept the story in my head. I'm STILL thinking about events I failed to piece together myself, and marveling at how well done this book was.
I see that the author has another book coming out this year, and I will absolutely be preordering it. The writing style, characters, and atmosphere were all brilliant here, in my opinion.
Highly recommended.
November 18, 2023
When Kelda and her young son, Dylan, move into the old toll house, on the outskirts of town, it’s a chance to start afresh. New beginnings and all that. But there is a strange atmosphere within these rooms and then Kelda finds a death mask concealed behind a wall. Who put it there and why?
Rewind to 1863 and Joe Walton, the toll keeper, is waiting while his wife, Bella, experiences the agony of labour gone wrong. Joe prays for a miracle. Without Bella, he is nothing.
As the past and present collide it becomes apparent that this house is filled with memories and old ghosts. Kelda needs to learn more to stop history repeating itself- but is time running out?
A creeping and chilling tale, perfect for the wintry months. The toll house is brooding and ominous, there’s no sense of happiness here. Bad things have happened.
I loved the two contrasting timelines; being able to imagine the house 150 years earlier was a great touch. In fact I’d have liked to have spent more time with the earlier story as it felt charged with foreboding and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Atmospheric and original.
Rewind to 1863 and Joe Walton, the toll keeper, is waiting while his wife, Bella, experiences the agony of labour gone wrong. Joe prays for a miracle. Without Bella, he is nothing.
As the past and present collide it becomes apparent that this house is filled with memories and old ghosts. Kelda needs to learn more to stop history repeating itself- but is time running out?
A creeping and chilling tale, perfect for the wintry months. The toll house is brooding and ominous, there’s no sense of happiness here. Bad things have happened.
I loved the two contrasting timelines; being able to imagine the house 150 years earlier was a great touch. In fact I’d have liked to have spent more time with the earlier story as it felt charged with foreboding and I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. Atmospheric and original.
September 7, 2022
Reading 'The Toll House' by Carly Reagon, I found myself wanting to shake the author and cry, 'More action! More action!'
This was a disappointing read: rather than telling me what Kelda feels and thinks, I wished Reagon had - at the start of the novel for instance - shown me what was sinister about the house on Kelda and Dylan's approach; what did they actually see? Then I could have made up my own mind that it was sinister, rather than bluntly being told by the author:
As a result of this pedestrian style of writing, this novel was impossible to invest in. 'The Toll House' basically comprised: 'she did this'; 'she thought that'; 'then this happened'; 'he said that' and 'she replied'. Everything was told to me; there was no necessity for any work to be done on my part as the reader.
I want an author to startle me with their skill with words. I want to be wowed by an author's flair! I want writing to be so characteristic that I could pick it out of a crowd as a certain author. I don't have reading time to devote to books that plod along like this one.
On top of that, the shift between present tense for the narrative of 1863 and past tense for 'now'/'six months ago' was unpleasantly jarring.
If I'm going to love a ghost story, I need the linguistic elegance of Wilkie Collins. Give me the muscular characterisation of Susan Hill, or give me the shock of the grotesque like Sue Rainsford, the taut atmosphere of a Laura Purcell novel. I want the blunt force of a Shirley Jackson story.
This novel was, in fact, carried off so much more convincingly and compellingly three years ago by the fantastic Alison Littlewood in 'Mistletoe'.
Despite this, my thanks go to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the chance to review an eARC through Netgalley.
This was a disappointing read: rather than telling me what Kelda feels and thinks, I wished Reagon had - at the start of the novel for instance - shown me what was sinister about the house on Kelda and Dylan's approach; what did they actually see? Then I could have made up my own mind that it was sinister, rather than bluntly being told by the author:
'an odd feeling crept over her [...]. A stirring in the pit of her stomach. [...] The house. It seemed to want her, need her'.I'm not a fan of authors spelling out characters' thoughts and feelings as though taking down dictation. I want to feel what the characters feel, not just be told they're, for example, unsettled. Show me the thing that makes the character feel unsettled and then I'll feel unsettled too.
As a result of this pedestrian style of writing, this novel was impossible to invest in. 'The Toll House' basically comprised: 'she did this'; 'she thought that'; 'then this happened'; 'he said that' and 'she replied'. Everything was told to me; there was no necessity for any work to be done on my part as the reader.
I want an author to startle me with their skill with words. I want to be wowed by an author's flair! I want writing to be so characteristic that I could pick it out of a crowd as a certain author. I don't have reading time to devote to books that plod along like this one.
On top of that, the shift between present tense for the narrative of 1863 and past tense for 'now'/'six months ago' was unpleasantly jarring.
If I'm going to love a ghost story, I need the linguistic elegance of Wilkie Collins. Give me the muscular characterisation of Susan Hill, or give me the shock of the grotesque like Sue Rainsford, the taut atmosphere of a Laura Purcell novel. I want the blunt force of a Shirley Jackson story.
This novel was, in fact, carried off so much more convincingly and compellingly three years ago by the fantastic Alison Littlewood in 'Mistletoe'.
Despite this, my thanks go to Little, Brown Book Group UK for the chance to review an eARC through Netgalley.
October 23, 2022
The ending of this book was extremely disappointing. There was a lot of unneeded detail throughout the book and a significant amount of chopping and changing between the eras set into chapters. This approach would have been fine if the events and details had all been important, but with an array of unnecessary descriptions and details it just led to the book becoming boring. There was huge potential for a great plot with the setting and ideology behind the characters, but weighing it all up at the end, the plot wasn’t meaty enough, despite the amount of detail and description given to it.
March 14, 2024
Sometimes I just want a haunted house horror with all the tropes! In the present, a single mother is concerned when her child's behaviour is changed by what he sees and hears in their new house. In the past, a man follows down a disturbing path after losing his wife. The dual timelines are effective at conveying the suspense and secrets that lie in the historic house. I did find myself more absorbed by the past story, because of the desperation and darkness of the main character as he mourns his late wife. Nothing is as it seems as more and more is revealed. What I liked about the book is how it drops surprising information that in hindsight makes sense, instead of a twist just for the sake of it.
I found the present storyline a little repetitive, where the main character is portrayed as being so busy and distracted that she keeps making mistakes. There is a side plot about a potential romance (with two different men) that I didn't find interesting, and I wish her story had more connection to the actual haunting in the house. Her situation didn't come across as dire as it could have been, because she had a convenient backup person to help her whenever she needed to so I never felt like she and her son were in real danger. It's telling that the book ends with a passage from the past, where to me the story is stronger and more emotionally resonant.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
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I found the present storyline a little repetitive, where the main character is portrayed as being so busy and distracted that she keeps making mistakes. There is a side plot about a potential romance (with two different men) that I didn't find interesting, and I wish her story had more connection to the actual haunting in the house. Her situation didn't come across as dire as it could have been, because she had a convenient backup person to help her whenever she needed to so I never felt like she and her son were in real danger. It's telling that the book ends with a passage from the past, where to me the story is stronger and more emotionally resonant.
Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a review copy.
book blog | twitter | instagram
September 28, 2022
A new author and a gothic tale. Set in two time periods then and now. This is a ghostly tale and so much more. Bella the wife of the toll house keeper Jo has gone into labour and dies in childbirth along with her new born. No her husband is distraught and is obsessed that his wife is still here. Forward to the present and Kelda and her son Dylan are the new owners of the Toll House. Strange things start happening and a large crack in the kitchen wall begins to appear. Slowly revealing a death mask of a young woman. Is this just a restless spirit or is it something else??? I just had to keep on reading I HAD TO KNOW THE TRUTH and when it was revealed I was shocked. As I said before a new author and definitely one to watch. Heartbraking, gripping and so much more. Loved it!!!!
June 22, 2024
The ghosts must have been fuming when they realised they were haunting The Most Boring Woman Alive.
July 20, 2022
A house with History. Who doesn’t love knowing that the property you are moving in to has seen and heard so much over the years, from the many families building new beginnings, to the cycle starting all over again! How wonderful!
But don’t forget, there are also those who have tarnished such places with death, deceit, madness, and with such practices a stain develops which can never be removed no matter how much you try.
The Toll House on the edge of the town, now home to Kelda and her son Dylan with a chance to make a fresh start after many difficult years and maybe they can both truly be happy in this new house and move on from their old selves.
When more than a fresh coat of paint is in order to bring the house into the modern day, Kelda stumbles upon a rather morbid and disturbing death mask concealed within the kitchen walls and from that moment on everything changes.
Inexplicable happenings take place within the walls and Kelda cannot shake the feeling she is being watched, paired with Dylan suffering from nightmares which seem too real with ghostly figures watching him in his room, Kelda has to look into the dark and gruesome history of this house that has seen far too much horror take place within but perhaps it’s all in her head as the pressure of her new job and the arrival of her sister start to take their toll, leaving her to wonder just what is real and what is Dylan making up?
Time is running out and Kelda needs answers. Something has awoke and now it won’t rest….
Sharing a dual narrative between modern day and the darkest period of the history of The Toll House, this is one ghost story guaranteed to keep you up all night. Just be careful not to let your guard down…
But don’t forget, there are also those who have tarnished such places with death, deceit, madness, and with such practices a stain develops which can never be removed no matter how much you try.
The Toll House on the edge of the town, now home to Kelda and her son Dylan with a chance to make a fresh start after many difficult years and maybe they can both truly be happy in this new house and move on from their old selves.
When more than a fresh coat of paint is in order to bring the house into the modern day, Kelda stumbles upon a rather morbid and disturbing death mask concealed within the kitchen walls and from that moment on everything changes.
Inexplicable happenings take place within the walls and Kelda cannot shake the feeling she is being watched, paired with Dylan suffering from nightmares which seem too real with ghostly figures watching him in his room, Kelda has to look into the dark and gruesome history of this house that has seen far too much horror take place within but perhaps it’s all in her head as the pressure of her new job and the arrival of her sister start to take their toll, leaving her to wonder just what is real and what is Dylan making up?
Time is running out and Kelda needs answers. Something has awoke and now it won’t rest….
Sharing a dual narrative between modern day and the darkest period of the history of The Toll House, this is one ghost story guaranteed to keep you up all night. Just be careful not to let your guard down…
December 29, 2022
I wasn’t enthralled, I wasn’t hooked, and I certainly wasn’t spooked.
The Nick/Kelda storyline just felt unnecessary.
It didn’t add anything, there wasn’t any resolution at the end.
You clearly both like each other, just have a shag and act like adults please, no one cares if you’ve been friends since uni, just fuck get it over and done with.
The Simon storyline was also pointless - like what did that actually add overall?
And don’t even get me started on the Emma storyline, like what was the reason?? Adding drama for the sake of adding drama??
Okay there were twists and reveals but I didn’t really care for them when they were mixed in with the “romantic/family drama” or whatever that was supposed to be.
The Nick/Kelda storyline just felt unnecessary.
It didn’t add anything, there wasn’t any resolution at the end.
You clearly both like each other, just have a shag and act like adults please, no one cares if you’ve been friends since uni, just fuck get it over and done with.
The Simon storyline was also pointless - like what did that actually add overall?
And don’t even get me started on the Emma storyline, like what was the reason?? Adding drama for the sake of adding drama??
Okay there were twists and reveals but I didn’t really care for them when they were mixed in with the “romantic/family drama” or whatever that was supposed to be.
February 25, 2024
What a delightful piece of supernatural gothic fiction! 🥰
I usually reserve 5 stars for my all-time favorites, but I had to make an exception for this one. While not my absolute favorite, I couldn't give it anything less than the maximum stars. Here's why.
The writing is pleasant, with all the tropes you want in your slow burn gothic — a house with a dark history, family secrets, strange apparitions, suspicious characters, and, of course, gloomy weather. What I appreciated even more was our protagonist's resilience. Unlike many gothic tales, she listens to her child, to herself, and to her friends when making decisions or seeking help. She's not blindly stubborn about denying the paranormal but also consults a doctor, just in case she really went nuts. That's always wise 😀
She decides the house isn't worth risking her family's life, unlike many main characters who stay in haunted houses for financial reasons or something else, something that does not look like a good battle to pick.
Also, the author has some experience with a variety of real human beings (from work in healthcare, if I am not mistaken) and it shows.
Considering this is a debut, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the Reagone's future works.
I usually reserve 5 stars for my all-time favorites, but I had to make an exception for this one. While not my absolute favorite, I couldn't give it anything less than the maximum stars. Here's why.
The writing is pleasant, with all the tropes you want in your slow burn gothic — a house with a dark history, family secrets, strange apparitions, suspicious characters, and, of course, gloomy weather. What I appreciated even more was our protagonist's resilience. Unlike many gothic tales, she listens to her child, to herself, and to her friends when making decisions or seeking help. She's not blindly stubborn about denying the paranormal but also consults a doctor, just in case she really went nuts. That's always wise 😀
She decides the house isn't worth risking her family's life, unlike many main characters who stay in haunted houses for financial reasons or something else, something that does not look like a good battle to pick.
Also, the author has some experience with a variety of real human beings (from work in healthcare, if I am not mistaken) and it shows.
Considering this is a debut, I'll definitely be keeping an eye on the Reagone's future works.
October 11, 2023
One of the most dull, pointless, meaningless stories I ever read. This is not a horror and, while I am not an experienced thriller reader, will gather this isn't really a thriller either. I guess this is more of a mystery, but I never felt intrigued by either timeline, and the 1860s timeline really wore on my nerves by the end. This is also absolutely NOT a gothic tale as what this book intends to say with its themes and messages have nothing remotely gothic about them. The toll house itself is a tiny ass old hut with squeaky floors, and that does not a gothic tale make.
This book is very poorly mislabeled - it has an audience for sure, but for fans of horror, the gothic, or gothic horror, please steer clear from this.
This book is very poorly mislabeled - it has an audience for sure, but for fans of horror, the gothic, or gothic horror, please steer clear from this.
October 10, 2022
This was a brilliant, creepy read. The Toll House is a scary place to live and all the supernatural things that kept happening create a book filled with tension that you might need to put down a few times as it is so scary! I liked Kelda and Dylan and was hoping they'd make it through the evil that lives in the house and I also liked how it swapped between the past and present to give the reader the backstory of the house. Overall it is a chilling read and one that should not be read at night!
*I received a copy from netgalley and I leave a review voluntarily *
*I received a copy from netgalley and I leave a review voluntarily *
September 29, 2023
A boring and none scary ghost story! A complete snooze fest I'm afraid!
November 7, 2025
Kelda and her young son Dylan move from her mother’s into the Toll house. It’s a fresh start for them a new home, town, and job. Kelda has poured all of her savings into this move but almost instantly she feels a sense of unease. Something feels off as events escalate. She thinks she's imagining things, but it soon becomes apparent there's something else besides the two of them residing in Toll house and their new home has a grisly and sinister past, one that now places them all in terrible danger.
Told in dual timelines this skips between the present time and the events of 1863. It was a chilling read with plenty of ambience and spooky overtones unfortunately despite the creepy and ominous vibe that saturated the entire narrative the eventual destination lacked punch. This relies on building the mood leaving a sense of dread and fearful anticipation but then totally fails on delivering what it promises. Despite the disappointing and anti-climactic conclusion I was still somewhat gripped and my favourite part was definitely the atmospheric ambience.
Told in dual timelines this skips between the present time and the events of 1863. It was a chilling read with plenty of ambience and spooky overtones unfortunately despite the creepy and ominous vibe that saturated the entire narrative the eventual destination lacked punch. This relies on building the mood leaving a sense of dread and fearful anticipation but then totally fails on delivering what it promises. Despite the disappointing and anti-climactic conclusion I was still somewhat gripped and my favourite part was definitely the atmospheric ambience.
July 19, 2023
This was a fantastic ghost story! I listened to this on audio and it was absolutely brilliant. The narrators were both incredible and the story had such a creepy vibe I loved it. The characters and the whole plot was great and I was really invested in the story.
September 19, 2025
4.5⭐️ I really enjoyed this!
June 24, 2022
3.75
Arc received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Toll House is by far, the creepiest, most chilling book I've ever read. I had to pause in the wee hours of the morning even if I wanted to finish it because I was more than a little freaked out with what was going on. Carly Reagon's writing built such a fantastic, spooky atmosphere.
I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. There were a few twists that I hadn't expected and made me gasp. The characters were endearing, especially Kelda. I couldn't help but root for her and hope for the best for her and Dylan.
I also liked the alternate timelines used and felt that it managed to convey the whole story perfectly, and added to the drama with the reveals it gave.
My only note would be that the climax felt anti climactic for me. I went a little, "Huh, is that all?" Everything happened a little too quickly, as if the author was itching to wrap things up fast.
Still, I really enjoyed this book. It was perfectly spooky and haunting without being too overdramatic or out there. If you love reading horror novels or just looking for something for a rainy, stormy day, then I recommend you pick this book up!
Arc received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Toll House is by far, the creepiest, most chilling book I've ever read. I had to pause in the wee hours of the morning even if I wanted to finish it because I was more than a little freaked out with what was going on. Carly Reagon's writing built such a fantastic, spooky atmosphere.
I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book. There were a few twists that I hadn't expected and made me gasp. The characters were endearing, especially Kelda. I couldn't help but root for her and hope for the best for her and Dylan.
I also liked the alternate timelines used and felt that it managed to convey the whole story perfectly, and added to the drama with the reveals it gave.
My only note would be that the climax felt anti climactic for me. I went a little, "Huh, is that all?" Everything happened a little too quickly, as if the author was itching to wrap things up fast.
Still, I really enjoyed this book. It was perfectly spooky and haunting without being too overdramatic or out there. If you love reading horror novels or just looking for something for a rainy, stormy day, then I recommend you pick this book up!
February 23, 2025
3.5/5
Unsettling and dark.
Kelda has recently moved with her seven-year-old son, Dylan, to an old toll house built in the 1800s. She tries her best to make the place a home, but when she uncovers a death mask in the wall things grow increasingly eerie. Kelda tries her hardest to juggle being a single parent, enjoying a love life, a demanding boss, and the issues Dylan is having at school on top of the issues occurring at the toll house. There's a dark history living within the walls.
----
I loved how Kelda's "current" POV was written in third person and Joseph's POV from 1863 was written in first person. It made Joseph's story all the more scary and I just really ended up loving the difference.
This book is creepy. Old houses are creepy. Uncovering the two stories slowly is creepy. Simon is creepy, I really had my guard up around him. But are Simon and Emma really necessary? In the end, I don't really think so but they had my mind spinning wildly. They added more depth to Kelda but not so much to the ghost story.
I enjoyed it. I chose it specifically because of the quote by Natasha Pulley: "Perfect for the spooky season." I've never believed an author quote/blurb on a book before but I was pleased. Not terrifying but it was haunting enough that it did a good job. The ending wasn't really what I was expecting but in neither a good or bad way. It was satisfying but maybe not as satisfying as I truly wanted it to be. I still am left with some questions and things to think about.
I would recommend it to people if they like creepy houses and stories of the struggles of being a single mom. I'm glad my library had this and I recommend you check it out from your local library too!
Unsettling and dark.
Kelda has recently moved with her seven-year-old son, Dylan, to an old toll house built in the 1800s. She tries her best to make the place a home, but when she uncovers a death mask in the wall things grow increasingly eerie. Kelda tries her hardest to juggle being a single parent, enjoying a love life, a demanding boss, and the issues Dylan is having at school on top of the issues occurring at the toll house. There's a dark history living within the walls.
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I loved how Kelda's "current" POV was written in third person and Joseph's POV from 1863 was written in first person. It made Joseph's story all the more scary and I just really ended up loving the difference.
This book is creepy. Old houses are creepy. Uncovering the two stories slowly is creepy. Simon is creepy, I really had my guard up around him. But are Simon and Emma really necessary? In the end, I don't really think so but they had my mind spinning wildly. They added more depth to Kelda but not so much to the ghost story.
I enjoyed it. I chose it specifically because of the quote by Natasha Pulley: "Perfect for the spooky season." I've never believed an author quote/blurb on a book before but I was pleased. Not terrifying but it was haunting enough that it did a good job. The ending wasn't really what I was expecting but in neither a good or bad way. It was satisfying but maybe not as satisfying as I truly wanted it to be. I still am left with some questions and things to think about.
I would recommend it to people if they like creepy houses and stories of the struggles of being a single mom. I'm glad my library had this and I recommend you check it out from your local library too!
November 3, 2023
i enjoyed this but i feel like the modern parts were written kind of clumsily and some parts seemed irrelevant. overall i liked the plot and the tension was held nicely throughout but it was just a bit mediocre? probably 2.5 stars rounded up to 3
May 29, 2022
Rounding up to 3 stars
I'm not sure what I missed that all the other reviewers go, but this book didn't do much for me.
I felt no atmosphere at all.
I liked the the story split over two timelines, so you know what was happening.
Just an OK read for me I'm afraid.
I'm not sure what I missed that all the other reviewers go, but this book didn't do much for me.
I felt no atmosphere at all.
I liked the the story split over two timelines, so you know what was happening.
Just an OK read for me I'm afraid.
October 27, 2022
For me, this was quite scary!
Full of ghosts, murder, twists and horror.
The story swaps from past to present.
With an intertwining story.
I would recommend.
Full of ghosts, murder, twists and horror.
The story swaps from past to present.
With an intertwining story.
I would recommend.
September 16, 2022
Well this was chilling! Brilliantly tense and creepy right from the start, the perfect read as the nights draw in.
If I hadn’t been reading this on a Kindle I would definitely have followed Joey Tribianis advice and put this book in the freezer.
I was definitely pulling for Kelda as it was clear she was a mother struggling on her own who only wanted the best for her son but she was saddled with a haunted house, a terrible boss and a dodgy admirer! When it came to The Toll House, she was certainly braver than I would have been in her situation. I would have been out of that house like a shot!
The writing was great and I would have read this much quicker but I could only read it in the daylight!
Huge thanks to Net Galley and Little Brown for the chance to read an early copy
If I hadn’t been reading this on a Kindle I would definitely have followed Joey Tribianis advice and put this book in the freezer.
I was definitely pulling for Kelda as it was clear she was a mother struggling on her own who only wanted the best for her son but she was saddled with a haunted house, a terrible boss and a dodgy admirer! When it came to The Toll House, she was certainly braver than I would have been in her situation. I would have been out of that house like a shot!
The writing was great and I would have read this much quicker but I could only read it in the daylight!
Huge thanks to Net Galley and Little Brown for the chance to read an early copy
January 2, 2023
A classic style ghost story with all the usual twists and turns. The story is set in an old toll house and the events shift between two time periods - modern day and C19th. Interestingly, the details from the past are almost all narrated in the first person present tense from the perspective of the toll keeper, with the modern day events being narrated in the third person. This shift in perspective helps build the suspense and mystery well and is skilfully maintained.
Despite the plot twists, bank of characters and the two different stories running concurrently, this is still an entertaining and easy read. Sometimes, I feel guilty describing a book as an ‘easy’ read, as if I’m saying it’s somehow not as worthy as a more difficult read, but this really isn’t the case. The ability to tell a complex tale, whilst engaging and entertaining a reader, is the true art of a storyteller.
Despite the plot twists, bank of characters and the two different stories running concurrently, this is still an entertaining and easy read. Sometimes, I feel guilty describing a book as an ‘easy’ read, as if I’m saying it’s somehow not as worthy as a more difficult read, but this really isn’t the case. The ability to tell a complex tale, whilst engaging and entertaining a reader, is the true art of a storyteller.
October 18, 2022
4🌟
All the usual woman-moves-to-haunted-house tropes but done in an engaging and enjoyable way. A good spooky season read if you don't like your scare-athon too intense.
All the usual woman-moves-to-haunted-house tropes but done in an engaging and enjoyable way. A good spooky season read if you don't like your scare-athon too intense.
March 28, 2023
I would like to say that I was immediately swept up by atmosphere and hooked by characters. But I wasn't. In fact I almost put the book back on the shelf when, after 100 pages, I was still finding the protagonist incredibly flat. Luckily not too much longer after that, the plot picked up and I found myself excited to continue.
The main character is your typical single mom working full time trying to support herself and her son. And at first, that is literally her whole personality. We get very little background and she's not very exciting. Which isn't great when the story is told from her point of view.
But the story begins to build around her. Things beyond her son not wanting to sleep alone begin to happen in the house, the (also boring) doctor she's seeing begins to act strangely and her past catches up with her. Suddenly I understood why she was so flat before, she wanted a new start and left her past behind her, but when it catches up we learn who our protagonist really is and I started to like her much more.
Of course, as if feeding off the drama in her life, this is when the haunting picks up and things get dangerous. I loved the idea of the death mask in the wall and the twist at the end was something I didn't see coming, though it explained everything! The main character does something really stupid towards the end though and I can't stop thinking about how stupid is was!
The creepy parts were genuinely creepy in my opinion. I read at night with just my book lamp on and this book had me jumping at shadows, so I was happy with that! And I would recommend it now, but with the small caveat that you might be a bit bored for 100 pages... Which isn't great. But the rest of the book is really worth reading!
The main character is your typical single mom working full time trying to support herself and her son. And at first, that is literally her whole personality. We get very little background and she's not very exciting. Which isn't great when the story is told from her point of view.
But the story begins to build around her. Things beyond her son not wanting to sleep alone begin to happen in the house, the (also boring) doctor she's seeing begins to act strangely and her past catches up with her. Suddenly I understood why she was so flat before, she wanted a new start and left her past behind her, but when it catches up we learn who our protagonist really is and I started to like her much more.
Of course, as if feeding off the drama in her life, this is when the haunting picks up and things get dangerous. I loved the idea of the death mask in the wall and the twist at the end was something I didn't see coming, though it explained everything! The main character does something really stupid towards the end though and I can't stop thinking about how stupid is was!
The creepy parts were genuinely creepy in my opinion. I read at night with just my book lamp on and this book had me jumping at shadows, so I was happy with that! And I would recommend it now, but with the small caveat that you might be a bit bored for 100 pages... Which isn't great. But the rest of the book is really worth reading!
October 10, 2022
Oh, I do love those books that are perfect for October. You know the ones. The ones that match the darker nights, the ones to curl up in front of a blazing fire with a hot cup of tea by your side. The ones that make you pull the curtains to keep the outside from coming in. But perhaps, in this instance, you should be more concerned about what already lurks within. Some houses like to keep hold of their secrets, to retain the past and replay the bad things that happened there. This occurs when Kelda moves into the old Toll House with her son. Signs are not good right from the very first chapter of this book, and it will have you looking over your shoulder, wondering what that creak on the stair really was. No doubt just the cat. But no, here she is, sitting by your side! Yikes. Should I go and investigate?
It's creepy and unsettling, and if you're currently thinking of moving into an old house, it will undoubtedly have you checking out the history of the property before you sign on the dotted line.
From a reader's perspective, this book has pace and provides all the chills. It follows a fairly well-trodden path, but it doesn't matter because it's well done and a debut to be proud of.
From a writing perspective, I liked that everything was wrapped up satisfactorily. There was no ambiguity and no loose threads that leave you wondering. The duel timeline worked well and slowly revealed the secrets and truth of The Toll House.
For me, this is 5 star October read. I enjoyed it very much.
It's creepy and unsettling, and if you're currently thinking of moving into an old house, it will undoubtedly have you checking out the history of the property before you sign on the dotted line.
From a reader's perspective, this book has pace and provides all the chills. It follows a fairly well-trodden path, but it doesn't matter because it's well done and a debut to be proud of.
From a writing perspective, I liked that everything was wrapped up satisfactorily. There was no ambiguity and no loose threads that leave you wondering. The duel timeline worked well and slowly revealed the secrets and truth of The Toll House.
For me, this is 5 star October read. I enjoyed it very much.
December 30, 2022
Brilliant !!!
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