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The Salem Legacy
Between 1692-1693, innocent women were hanged as witches in Salem under mysterious circumstances. Why did friend turn on friend? Why did crowds cheer the death of neighbors? And the biggest mystery, why did the executions finally stop?
Centuries later on the California coast, Linda Hunt became a teacher at the same orphanage she was raised in. Resigned to a life without family, her world turns upside down when a mother she never knew dies in a nearby nursing home leaving more questions than answers about her lineage.
Inheriting a deed to a house in Salem along with an antiquated key, Linda and her friends travel to the infamous town in search of her family name. But some mysteries were never meant to be solved, and some secrets were meant to stay buried.
With the aid of a local historian, Linda pulls at the threads of the past, waking ghosts of a tragic time. Soon the group is subjected to unspeakable terror as they find that uncovering the truth comes at a price.
As history reveals itself, Linda learns witches were not born in Salem, they were made.
Centuries later on the California coast, Linda Hunt became a teacher at the same orphanage she was raised in. Resigned to a life without family, her world turns upside down when a mother she never knew dies in a nearby nursing home leaving more questions than answers about her lineage.
Inheriting a deed to a house in Salem along with an antiquated key, Linda and her friends travel to the infamous town in search of her family name. But some mysteries were never meant to be solved, and some secrets were meant to stay buried.
With the aid of a local historian, Linda pulls at the threads of the past, waking ghosts of a tragic time. Soon the group is subjected to unspeakable terror as they find that uncovering the truth comes at a price.
As history reveals itself, Linda learns witches were not born in Salem, they were made.
- GenresHorror
428 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 9, 2022
173 people are currently reading
433 people want to read
About the author
Paul Carro
18 books21 followersPaul Carro is an active Horror Writers Association member and author of the acclaimed horror novel The House. His short stories have appeared in multiple anthologies, and he edits The Little Coffee Shop of Horrors Anthology series. His screenplay Penance is set up with legendary film producer Michael Phillips. Paul has served as a producer/writer in film and reality TV, and he resides in Santa Monica, California.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
November 13, 2022
3.5 stars!
This was a full on horror story that lacked finesse, at least in my opinion. I noted the four and five star ratings awarded by other readers but, reluctantly, I couldn't agree. I didn't warm to the characters and the change from everyday domesticity to full frontal terror fairly took my breath away. Real horror fans will love this book but, I prefer my scares to be more gradual and low key. Sorry!
This was a full on horror story that lacked finesse, at least in my opinion. I noted the four and five star ratings awarded by other readers but, reluctantly, I couldn't agree. I didn't warm to the characters and the change from everyday domesticity to full frontal terror fairly took my breath away. Real horror fans will love this book but, I prefer my scares to be more gradual and low key. Sorry!
October 7, 2024
3.75
Linda, orphaned at infancy, has now inherited a house in Salem. However, this house holds vile and tragic secrets that prove foreboding for Linda and those close to her.
A slow burn to a page turner. The ending did not disappoint! I loved the historical, Salem elements that inspired the twisted characters and plot.
Linda, orphaned at infancy, has now inherited a house in Salem. However, this house holds vile and tragic secrets that prove foreboding for Linda and those close to her.
A slow burn to a page turner. The ending did not disappoint! I loved the historical, Salem elements that inspired the twisted characters and plot.
October 30, 2024
Maybe 2.5???
I was interested in this book initially because of the Salem Witch Trials inspiration, but it wasn't really my cup of tea. In between the horror scenes, there's random sex scenes that just don't seem to fit the vibe of the book. On top of that, a few parts were particularly dense bc it was mainly a history discussion. There were also a few typos in the book and I just felt like a lot of the horror scenes were very choppy and the overall story didn't flow well until maybe the last couple of chapters when she started reading the child's diary. I was not a fan of the ending; honestly if she knows the curse is bad, I don't know why she made the decision she did about her unborn baby. Overall, I did not appreciate any of the characters enough to really be affected by their deaths so it didn't perform as well for me.
I was interested in this book initially because of the Salem Witch Trials inspiration, but it wasn't really my cup of tea. In between the horror scenes, there's random sex scenes that just don't seem to fit the vibe of the book. On top of that, a few parts were particularly dense bc it was mainly a history discussion. There were also a few typos in the book and I just felt like a lot of the horror scenes were very choppy and the overall story didn't flow well until maybe the last couple of chapters when she started reading the child's diary. I was not a fan of the ending; honestly if she knows the curse is bad, I don't know why she made the decision she did about her unborn baby. Overall, I did not appreciate any of the characters enough to really be affected by their deaths so it didn't perform as well for me.
December 29, 2025
This story had a great premise and a lot of atmosphere going for it. The connection between the Salem witch trials and a modern-day mystery instantly pulled me in, and I loved the idea of uncovering buried secrets through ancestry, old deeds, and forgotten history.
Linda was an interesting main character, and I enjoyed the slow unraveling of her past and how it tied back to Salem. The eerie tone, the historical elements, and the idea that witches were made, not born, were all really compelling. The author clearly did their research, and the spooky vibes were definitely there.
That said, the pacing was uneven for me. Some parts dragged while others felt rushed, especially when the horror elements really kicked in. I also wanted more depth from a few of the side characters and a bit more tension in moments that should have felt scarier or more emotional.
Overall, this was an engaging read with a strong concept and an intriguing message, but it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. If you enjoy historical mysteries with a supernatural twist and a slow-burn reveal, this one is still worth checking out. 🕯️📖
Linda was an interesting main character, and I enjoyed the slow unraveling of her past and how it tied back to Salem. The eerie tone, the historical elements, and the idea that witches were made, not born, were all really compelling. The author clearly did their research, and the spooky vibes were definitely there.
That said, the pacing was uneven for me. Some parts dragged while others felt rushed, especially when the horror elements really kicked in. I also wanted more depth from a few of the side characters and a bit more tension in moments that should have felt scarier or more emotional.
Overall, this was an engaging read with a strong concept and an intriguing message, but it didn’t fully hit the mark for me. If you enjoy historical mysteries with a supernatural twist and a slow-burn reveal, this one is still worth checking out. 🕯️📖
October 8, 2024
A slower burn horror that builds to a really action-packed conclusion, The Salem Legacy is a great story with some really unique moments. I’m a sucker for horrors based around the witch trials, and this did not disappoint.
The characters are relatively well developed, although I can’t say I particularly cared about many of them, and the plot is drawn out in a really visual way.
There are a couple of typos that pulled me out of the story a little, it could have done with one more pass by an editor (the character of Althea suddenly becoming Sarah for a sentence really confused me!) but overall this is a great read and I’ll be reading more by Paul in the future
The characters are relatively well developed, although I can’t say I particularly cared about many of them, and the plot is drawn out in a really visual way.
There are a couple of typos that pulled me out of the story a little, it could have done with one more pass by an editor (the character of Althea suddenly becoming Sarah for a sentence really confused me!) but overall this is a great read and I’ll be reading more by Paul in the future
November 19, 2025
This book is trying to accomplish WAY too much. Too many characters involved so you don’t feel affected by anyone’s demise. Definitely didn’t expect sex scenes, found those to be out of place. Multiple typos. Walter’s storyline was interesting but just ended with him being happy he is part of history? Why all the romantic background if it lead nowhere? And the ending was just ridiculous, if the house possessed Andrew the night they hooked up then why would this child be innocent, especially if the curse was supposed to end with her bloodline?? Gets impregnated by someone possessed by the curse and then decides to have the baby? That makes no sense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2024
It was a free book, so what did I expect?
This book did its job of entertaining me for the spooky season, BUT it was not my cup of tea. It was not well written,I found several typos, the plot was hard to follow at times etc. This was a free book offer during a fill your Kindle promotion, so what can you expect? Would not recommend!
This book did its job of entertaining me for the spooky season, BUT it was not my cup of tea. It was not well written,I found several typos, the plot was hard to follow at times etc. This was a free book offer during a fill your Kindle promotion, so what can you expect? Would not recommend!
couldn-t-finish
November 2, 2024Just so not my style. I keep thinking about the last line of the teaser, Salem witches weren’t born but made, but the horror isn’t me. And 4 chapters in the writing and characters are not my style either.
January 8, 2025
Should have been a DNF
I had high hopes for this story. Unfortunate, the horror parts were a little weak. Overall, the editing/proofreading (or complete lack of) was incredibly distracting. I really can’t recommend this book.
I had high hopes for this story. Unfortunate, the horror parts were a little weak. Overall, the editing/proofreading (or complete lack of) was incredibly distracting. I really can’t recommend this book.
May 2, 2025
The only part that I really liked from this book is the explanation of the legacy. The reason why the witch trials ended and the reason why there even is a witch trial. I really was not a fan of the rest.
October 11, 2024
A good story and creepy
October 18, 2024
This would be an excellent horror movie. The dialogue is lacking, and the lack of contractions when people are speaking seems unnatural and makes it stiff.
October 25, 2024
Ending kinda ruined it
Seriously though. Despite the typos and punctuation errors, the book was four stars until the end. Really didn’t like how it ended.
Seriously though. Despite the typos and punctuation errors, the book was four stars until the end. Really didn’t like how it ended.
October 26, 2024
Mostly loved!
At times crude and vulgar, perhaps too much so. Also choppy, forced character dialogue at times. But loved the fright, gore, scares!
At times crude and vulgar, perhaps too much so. Also choppy, forced character dialogue at times. But loved the fright, gore, scares!
October 29, 2024
The book was great and full of literary, folk style horror. A bit long, but very well written. Attention came and went at certain points, but definitely worth it overall!
November 10, 2024
This could be a movie
I could see this so vividly in my head while reading it. I had to stop and put it down during some parts and even covered my eyes during one part. Loved it.
I could see this so vividly in my head while reading it. I had to stop and put it down during some parts and even covered my eyes during one part. Loved it.
July 15, 2025
Idk why people complain about the scenes in between the horror. I thought this was a great fast paced horror story. not the regular inherited home horror story.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews