What do you think?
Rate this book
Otherworld Archives #3
The Haunting of Belford Manor
One mansion’s foundation creaks with the weight of its secrets.
Marcus, a convicted felon, serves out his sentence, dreaming of his life before his days were spent eating slop and narrowly avoiding being shanked in the shower.
Release day comes, and it’s not as sweet as he thought it would be.
Abandoned.
Broke.
Entirely alone.
Maybe he was better off in prison…
But opportunities for felons are few and far between and the famous Belford Manor needs a caretaker. Where others may see a spooky, crumbling estate, Marcus envisions a future for himself, where he can heal and move on. But everything isn’t what it seems, and questions about the house quickly become impossible to ignore.
Now, Marcus is entangled in a mystery older than the dirt the house is built on. Its walls pulse with a fetid horror that makes the lonely felon wish for his cell. The manor wants more than Marcus’s attention. It may very well want his soul too.
Marcus, a convicted felon, serves out his sentence, dreaming of his life before his days were spent eating slop and narrowly avoiding being shanked in the shower.
Release day comes, and it’s not as sweet as he thought it would be.
Abandoned.
Broke.
Entirely alone.
Maybe he was better off in prison…
But opportunities for felons are few and far between and the famous Belford Manor needs a caretaker. Where others may see a spooky, crumbling estate, Marcus envisions a future for himself, where he can heal and move on. But everything isn’t what it seems, and questions about the house quickly become impossible to ignore.
Now, Marcus is entangled in a mystery older than the dirt the house is built on. Its walls pulse with a fetid horror that makes the lonely felon wish for his cell. The manor wants more than Marcus’s attention. It may very well want his soul too.
Kindle Edition
Published June 1, 2022
4 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
David Viergutz
29 books189 followersDavid Viergutz is a disabled Army veteran, a law enforcement veteran, a husband and a proud father. He's also a storyteller, an author of thrillers and horror novels that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.
As a teenager, David would often be found dragging a backpack full of books to class, leaving his textbooks behind. He was always captivated by the worlds that authors like Nix, Tolkien, King and Patterson created, and he dreamed of one day creating his own.
Years went by and David found himself serving his country in the military, and later in law enforcement. The experiences he had during those years were both thrilling and terrifying, and they left a deep impression on him.
One day his wife sat him down and gave him the confidence he needed to start putting his imagination on paper. From then on, his creativity knew no bounds and he poured his heart and soul into his writing.
Now, David weaves tales of pulse-pounding realism and nightmare-inducing horror where his years in uniform have given him an unparalleled understanding of the criminal mind. Take the plunge and start reading David’s thrilling crime novels and terrifying horror adventures.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
December 20, 2023
This felt like a case of the author rushing a book to publication before there ready. This was a good idea for a story. But a book needs more then that to be good.
There were many writing errors in this that brought the book down. Lots of moments where there was telling where it should be showing, that rush the plot along, not allowing the reader to experience the moment. There was a lot of times where the was a large distance between the reader and characters keeping us out of the MC head. The pacing needed a lot of work. There was just a lot more edits in style and craft that was needed to get this book to an enjoyable standard.
It’s a shame that this book didn’t get the time put into it to make it as good of a read as it had the potential to be.
There were many writing errors in this that brought the book down. Lots of moments where there was telling where it should be showing, that rush the plot along, not allowing the reader to experience the moment. There was a lot of times where the was a large distance between the reader and characters keeping us out of the MC head. The pacing needed a lot of work. There was just a lot more edits in style and craft that was needed to get this book to an enjoyable standard.
It’s a shame that this book didn’t get the time put into it to make it as good of a read as it had the potential to be.
June 21, 2023
A good story. My favourite part was actually the beginning when we get to learn about the main character and his introduction to his new home. The horror comes pretty quickly after he moves in and it hits hard and fast. I liked the characters and setting and it was a twist on the regular haunted house tale.
January 11, 2024
I enjoyed the pacing of the book. I felt as though it had enough character development mixed with the horror elements. Some horror books spent way too much time on character backgrounds and development, that the actual horror element is slim to none. This book is pretty much half background and character introduction and half horror. Although the horror element goes 0-100 in just a few pages, I did not mind it.
November 11, 2024
This had to be the biggest waste of 4.5 hours that I will never get back.......
Talk about the WORST narration EVER of an audiobook, well this could take first place.
This story was so silly once the character of Jenny is brought into it, that it might have gotten a 3 star rating......but then the stupid Bone Monster is revealed. NOT a good haunted house story....at all.
Cannot recommend it....SKIP it.
2 so whats
Talk about the WORST narration EVER of an audiobook, well this could take first place.
This story was so silly once the character of Jenny is brought into it, that it might have gotten a 3 star rating......but then the stupid Bone Monster is revealed. NOT a good haunted house story....at all.
Cannot recommend it....SKIP it.
2 so whats
October 8, 2023
Not my cup of tea, I listened to the audiobook and nothing remotely interesting happened before 3h had gone by. Then suddenly a rollercoaster which I unfortunately found boring
October 10, 2023
Maybe it's because it's the third book in the series (apparently? I stumbled upon it on YouTube), but it went from 0 to 100 very fast.
The amnesia/loss of time was never explained, so why was it there in the first place?
The relationship with the first woman he meets (goes on a date with?) is a bit of a cliche and not subtle (the other citizens would never, but she would gladly and She's The One).
Plus, I would've liked the horrors being the house *itself*, not some ancient entity I know nothing about. You can kinda say that the Butler is not what he seems (i even thought he's the skeletons chasing them), but that was disappointing cause I love the actual haunted houses. So that made me lower the rating from 4 stars to 3 stars for sure.
It's a decent book and I'm surprised to learn that the author is barely known because the writing itself is kind of nice. Some repetitions of the words, sure, but it's okay. It's just I don't see myself re-reading it. Maybe if there's a story leading to the events unfolding in this book, it would've been less disappointing?
The amnesia/loss of time was never explained, so why was it there in the first place?
The relationship with the first woman he meets (goes on a date with?) is a bit of a cliche and not subtle (the other citizens would never, but she would gladly and She's The One).
Plus, I would've liked the horrors being the house *itself*, not some ancient entity I know nothing about. You can kinda say that the Butler is not what he seems (i even thought he's the skeletons chasing them), but that was disappointing cause I love the actual haunted houses. So that made me lower the rating from 4 stars to 3 stars for sure.
It's a decent book and I'm surprised to learn that the author is barely known because the writing itself is kind of nice. Some repetitions of the words, sure, but it's okay. It's just I don't see myself re-reading it. Maybe if there's a story leading to the events unfolding in this book, it would've been less disappointing?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 2, 2024
It was just ok. It's a really good story that suffers from bad pacing. It really would of benefitted from a few more chapters where we could see Jenny and her kid interacting with Marcus, actually seeing Jenny being brave and witnessing the kid's intelect instead of being told via narration. It needed more information on the house's history as a whole along with seeing him doing more sessions with the psychiatrist. It just felt like it was missing a lot of content. I mean the whole thing takes place in the span of only 3 days. There's so much that isn't explained or explored that has nothing to do with it being in third person limited perspective. The first part is so slow and then the ending is a race to the finish line. These was also a theme that was set up and never carried through. In the begining the house is themed in red, silver gold and with lions. When we finally get to the "monsters" at the end they are shaped in wolves and goats for some reason. I get that it's meant to represent satanic imagery but it feels like that was put in last minute. The reason for this might be because in the beginning we're led to believe that it's voodoo and I think the decision to change it to Satanism was last minute because it would have made it seem really insensitive. I did think the ending was interesting even though it didn't make a lot of sense given what little we were told.
October 2, 2023
I really wanted to like this, and as a premise I think it's a fantastic set up, but... I just could not get into it. Between the awkward, weirdly paused narration of the audio book, to the repetition of phrases at weird spots "marcos's mouth *~watered~*' comes to mind a lot, and the fact that, at over 3 hours into a 6 hour audio book, nothing had happened. The main character is very... detached, from a lot of what's going on, it feels, like he doesn't have big scary feelings, just anger and frustration.
Maybe the writing style just isn't for me, or the narration just didn't jive, but I couldn't finish it. Sorry if you liked this book, it's just not my thing. Wishing the author all the best, though, he clearly has a passion for stories, and obviously this book has a good audience. Maybe a visual adaptation would've worked for me better, Idk. Still willing to try another of his short stories, though, I might look up some of those next.
Maybe the writing style just isn't for me, or the narration just didn't jive, but I couldn't finish it. Sorry if you liked this book, it's just not my thing. Wishing the author all the best, though, he clearly has a passion for stories, and obviously this book has a good audience. Maybe a visual adaptation would've worked for me better, Idk. Still willing to try another of his short stories, though, I might look up some of those next.
January 30, 2024
...So your wrongly imprisoned for Murder - That's Bad!
.....But when you get out you've inherited a Mansion - That's Good!
We meet Marcus, he is out of jail and has inherited this Mansion which comes with it's very own creepy Butler called Cecil - who has been living there alone for some reason and likes to talk about the Mansion as though it's Alive - and as though he is a little terrified of it.... Actually, everyone's terrified of it.....
This is not what I expected. Most haunted house horrors have the same format. Character building, a few creepy moments a little void in the middle and then the conclusion.... But this one takes a different route. Slow and steady it goes just to the point where you might question things and then BAM, it all kicks off and doesn't stop till the end...
An enjoyable story
.....But when you get out you've inherited a Mansion - That's Good!
We meet Marcus, he is out of jail and has inherited this Mansion which comes with it's very own creepy Butler called Cecil - who has been living there alone for some reason and likes to talk about the Mansion as though it's Alive - and as though he is a little terrified of it.... Actually, everyone's terrified of it.....
This is not what I expected. Most haunted house horrors have the same format. Character building, a few creepy moments a little void in the middle and then the conclusion.... But this one takes a different route. Slow and steady it goes just to the point where you might question things and then BAM, it all kicks off and doesn't stop till the end...
An enjoyable story
January 31, 2022
When Marcus is released from prison, after serving 7 years for a murder he didn’t commit, nobody is waiting for him. Broke and alone, he accepts the unexpected inheritance his family left him: a timeworn mansion with a creepy history. With the help of the old caretaker who still lives there, Marcus is determined to restore the house into its former glory and make it a home. But the house itself forcefully disagrees...
David Viergutz is the author of the bloodcurdling Zurviral Series, containing some of the most gruesome and horrifying scenes you will ever read. But don’t forget to read his standalone stories, like The Haunting of Belford Manor, featuring a hair-raising house of horrors!
I received a preview copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing.
David Viergutz is the author of the bloodcurdling Zurviral Series, containing some of the most gruesome and horrifying scenes you will ever read. But don’t forget to read his standalone stories, like The Haunting of Belford Manor, featuring a hair-raising house of horrors!
I received a preview copy of this book which I am voluntarily reviewing.
January 30, 2022
Fairly standard haunted house tale done just a wee bit better. Not a bad story but its not going to knock your socks off. Written in an easy style the story flows along very nicely and has some really good moments. Interesting main characters in Marcus and Cecil. The concept of inheriting a haunted house is not new but was done a bit differently. All in all , a nice little creepy thriller.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
I received a complimentary copy of this book and this is my honest and unbiased review.
January 31, 2022
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuously.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest review.
February 5, 2022
The third novel in the Otherworld archives is a well-written, decidedly creepy story !
Marcus, the main character, is as interesting as they come. He is trying to rebuild his life, after spending years in prison for something he did not do. But he chose the wrong location to start the rebuilding…..
I was glued to the pages while the story unfolded, getting eerier and creepier. I LOVED it.
Good for reading many times over !
Marcus, the main character, is as interesting as they come. He is trying to rebuild his life, after spending years in prison for something he did not do. But he chose the wrong location to start the rebuilding…..
I was glued to the pages while the story unfolded, getting eerier and creepier. I LOVED it.
Good for reading many times over !
August 4, 2025
If this were a movie I would constantly be screaming” don’t go in there. What are you doing? Oh no, please stop.” This book wasn’t filled with blood and gore or a lot of violence like some of the other books He has written, but it did have the perfect amount of suspense and thrill that just kept you turning the page. you could picture the house that you were walking through as you were reading. Very well done.
January 16, 2022
From a paranormal perspective it is a fantastic read! Grabbed my attention in the first few paragraphs, then hooked me in for the next 2 hours! Finished it in one sitting! A great book will do that! I love the haunting aspect and the thriller side kicked it up another notch. If you are looking for a haunting thriller book this is it! Can't wait to read more of David Viergutz work.
January 21, 2022
Marcus is released from prison and only has Belford Manor to go to. It has everything cars repairs to keep him busy. But something is wrong there all the previous owners have died.. The town fears the house. Marcus discovers bones then things get really bad. Will he be the next victim of Belford Manor.
January 31, 2022
Great Story!
This was a really great haunted house story that had me up late at night, turning the pages quickly, needing to know how it all ends.
It had some thrills, chills and creepiness to it that will keep you captivated and at times give you goosebumps.
All in all it was a really great story that might make you want to keep the lights on while reading it!!
This was a really great haunted house story that had me up late at night, turning the pages quickly, needing to know how it all ends.
It had some thrills, chills and creepiness to it that will keep you captivated and at times give you goosebumps.
All in all it was a really great story that might make you want to keep the lights on while reading it!!
January 31, 2022
This is a great third part to this scary horror series! Brilliant ideas, so well written, good well thought out characters carry this story through a chilling adventure. I do recommend this, but do not read alone at night!
November 9, 2022
Great Haunted House Story
David does it again by writing an excellent story with compelling characters and engaging plot. With some scary surprises along the way, this is a definite read.
David does it again by writing an excellent story with compelling characters and engaging plot. With some scary surprises along the way, this is a definite read.
November 30, 2023
I enjoyed this book very much! The main character captured my interest because of his prior situation. It reminded me of a relative, who was falsely accused. I finished this one in one day, because I was really curious about the ending!
July 12, 2024
My second favorite book from this series, however I felt the pace moved very fast at some points, and at times it was a little hard to follow. However the storyline was intriguing, and the MC and side characters were all well written!
Read
January 30, 2022Belford Manor has great and terrible bones. An absolutely awesome read by the very talented David Viergutz. A modern-day gothic classic with a few twists of dark humor.
April 21, 2022
Awesome
I enjoyed the book. I'm so glad they made it out alive. Ya so who barred the bones. I guess it's a mystery. I am going to read the book again. Really good book.
I enjoyed the book. I'm so glad they made it out alive. Ya so who barred the bones. I guess it's a mystery. I am going to read the book again. Really good book.
August 7, 2022
Once again David Viergutz delivers a gripping read. Central character Marcus Reed is believable. As the tension mounts David’s writing and storytelling sucks you in
August 3, 2023
Thank you to the author for providing the audiobook for free on Youtube!
September 2, 2023
This was a slow paced story. I’m not a fan of slow burners but this held my interest because I found it rather mysterious and all chapters were interesting but unfortunately there was no big bang at the end which is what I was really hoping for.
September 1, 2023
I feel like I kind of seen almost exactly where this was going and it was pretty predictable but still enjoyable to read!
January 15, 2024
It is what you expect in a good way, typical of this type of story and sometimes that's exactly what you are looking for.
January 15, 2025
Held my interest and made me want to know more about the back story of the manor.
January 2, 2026
Great book
I couldn’t put it down! The book is very well written and has you pulled in from the first chapter!
I couldn’t put it down! The book is very well written and has you pulled in from the first chapter!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews