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Mary
It starts with a phone call.
“You have to go and check on Mary Moore! She's at Fenford Cottage, about ten miles out of Bilside. You have to hurry!”
This particular phone call has been made many times before.
For Sergeant Ben Warner, working his first night shift as a police officer in a small English village, the message seems alarming. His superior, however, tells him not to worry. After all, Fenford Cottage has been abandoned for years, and no-one lives there. The call can, as always, be safely ignored.
But Ben's determined to investigate. As he heads out to the cottage in the dead of night, he has no idea that he's about to find himself drawn into the heart of a terrifying mystery. Fenford Cottage might have been abandoned, but that doesn't mean that it's entirely empty. And when he meets the mysterious Mary, Ben quickly discovers that dark forces are at work.
Mary is a ghost story about a man who's determined to do the right thing, and about a woman wrestling with a terrifying presence. This is the 2022 edition of the original 2020 novel.
“You have to go and check on Mary Moore! She's at Fenford Cottage, about ten miles out of Bilside. You have to hurry!”
This particular phone call has been made many times before.
For Sergeant Ben Warner, working his first night shift as a police officer in a small English village, the message seems alarming. His superior, however, tells him not to worry. After all, Fenford Cottage has been abandoned for years, and no-one lives there. The call can, as always, be safely ignored.
But Ben's determined to investigate. As he heads out to the cottage in the dead of night, he has no idea that he's about to find himself drawn into the heart of a terrifying mystery. Fenford Cottage might have been abandoned, but that doesn't mean that it's entirely empty. And when he meets the mysterious Mary, Ben quickly discovers that dark forces are at work.
Mary is a ghost story about a man who's determined to do the right thing, and about a woman wrestling with a terrifying presence. This is the 2022 edition of the original 2020 novel.
119 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 2, 2022
609 people are currently reading
204 people want to read
About the author
Amy Cross
662 books1,677 followersAmy Cross writes novels and short stories in a number of genres, mainly horror, paranormal and fantasy. Books include The Farm, Annie's Room, The Island, Eli's Town and Asylum.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
October 15, 2022
Mary by Amy Cross is a slow-burn, supernatural, ghost story. It is probably the worst I have read by Cross. I love Amy Cross, so this is difficult to say, "I did not love this short read." It is my opinion that Amy Cross is usually great at atmosphere and tone (otherwise called creep-factor), but here in this one, the creep-factor is lacking. I never felt mesmerized, or drawn in like usual, and there was never the final "A-ha!" reveal that I have grown to expect of an Amy Cross novel. I kept expecting the type of switch that you get in Cemetery Ghost, but she did not, “Go there.” Truth be told, I am glad she did not repeat the same tired trope, but she did not give us a whole new one, either. I wanted/expected more. This one is too slow, too plodding, too aimless, and not enough horror story for me. I think that rather than have a staid, emotionless walkthrough, she should have given us some gory bits to sit up and take notice.
August 31, 2020
This book had tons of ghostly atmosphere weaving itself through the story!
A little backstory for you readers:
Ben Warner is just settling into his job as a new police officer when the phone rings and a man's voice tells him that the police need to go check on the welfare of a woman named Mary Moore out at Fenford Cottage. Since this is a new job in a new town he wants to do the right thing as a police officer and go check out the cottage.
His chief on the other hand tells him that the phone call happens all the time but when the officers go out to check the cottage there is no one there as the cottage is abandoned. No one lives there.
But Ben wants to perform his duty as a police officer and ends up talking his chief into letting him just drive out there to check it out. With great reluctance from the chief as the chief knows it is just a wild goose chase, but Ben is so adamant that the chief just lets him go to satisfy his curiosity and the chief just knows that Ben will come back empty handed.
When Ben gets out to the cottage it all falls apart as he "thinks" he sees a face in one of the windows and that is when he decides to investigate further which prompts him to enter the cottage to look for Mary Moore. But all is not as it seems and when Ben enters the cottage he goes on the hunt for Mary, but what he finds is way beyond his imagination as the cottage is also haunted which once he enters the cottage there might be no escape as the ghost that is inhabiting the house does not want him to leave.
Thoughts:
This was a good ghost story and the creepiness of the story just seeped into me as I was reading the book.
I had been thinking about giving this book five stars but I dropped it to four stars for these reasons:
1) The story is kind of drawn out as it seems to take forever to get through the scenes. Before Ben gets out to the cottage there was too much debate between him and the chief about him going out there. There is too much "thought processes" going on with Ben as he thinks things through too much which drove me a little bit crazy as I just wanted him to just get on with it and make the decisions in the storyline.
2) The story ends strange - it kind of ends on what seems to be a cliff hanger as I thought there would be a little more to the story and it just ended. Something happens in the story which I cannot discuss as it would be a spoiler and it needs to be wrapped up at the end, but the end came too quickly as I thought there would be just a little more as there are still questions left unanswered. Maybe there will be a second book and then again maybe not. I like things to be wrapped up nice and tidy, but sometimes these stories are like some movies as they just end leaving you with more questions then answers.
So with all that being said that is what makes me give this book four stars instead of five as I just wanted some things wrapped up.
A little backstory for you readers:
Ben Warner is just settling into his job as a new police officer when the phone rings and a man's voice tells him that the police need to go check on the welfare of a woman named Mary Moore out at Fenford Cottage. Since this is a new job in a new town he wants to do the right thing as a police officer and go check out the cottage.
His chief on the other hand tells him that the phone call happens all the time but when the officers go out to check the cottage there is no one there as the cottage is abandoned. No one lives there.
But Ben wants to perform his duty as a police officer and ends up talking his chief into letting him just drive out there to check it out. With great reluctance from the chief as the chief knows it is just a wild goose chase, but Ben is so adamant that the chief just lets him go to satisfy his curiosity and the chief just knows that Ben will come back empty handed.
When Ben gets out to the cottage it all falls apart as he "thinks" he sees a face in one of the windows and that is when he decides to investigate further which prompts him to enter the cottage to look for Mary Moore. But all is not as it seems and when Ben enters the cottage he goes on the hunt for Mary, but what he finds is way beyond his imagination as the cottage is also haunted which once he enters the cottage there might be no escape as the ghost that is inhabiting the house does not want him to leave.
Thoughts:
This was a good ghost story and the creepiness of the story just seeped into me as I was reading the book.
I had been thinking about giving this book five stars but I dropped it to four stars for these reasons:
1) The story is kind of drawn out as it seems to take forever to get through the scenes. Before Ben gets out to the cottage there was too much debate between him and the chief about him going out there. There is too much "thought processes" going on with Ben as he thinks things through too much which drove me a little bit crazy as I just wanted him to just get on with it and make the decisions in the storyline.
2) The story ends strange - it kind of ends on what seems to be a cliff hanger as I thought there would be a little more to the story and it just ended. Something happens in the story which I cannot discuss as it would be a spoiler and it needs to be wrapped up at the end, but the end came too quickly as I thought there would be just a little more as there are still questions left unanswered. Maybe there will be a second book and then again maybe not. I like things to be wrapped up nice and tidy, but sometimes these stories are like some movies as they just end leaving you with more questions then answers.
So with all that being said that is what makes me give this book four stars instead of five as I just wanted some things wrapped up.
July 4, 2025
2.5
a cop gets a call to go check on Mary at this house. he goes even tho hes advised not to by his superior. he meets someone stuck in the house and the ghost that won't let him leave. ugh this book was not for me. didn't enjoy the twist or the ending.
a cop gets a call to go check on Mary at this house. he goes even tho hes advised not to by his superior. he meets someone stuck in the house and the ghost that won't let him leave. ugh this book was not for me. didn't enjoy the twist or the ending.
February 2, 2021
2.5*
This one just didn't work for me, personally. I think the repetitive speech (meant to be comic?), was just too much. The story itself was interesting at first, but the end was a bit of a let down after the build up, in my opinion.
This one just didn't work for me, personally. I think the repetitive speech (meant to be comic?), was just too much. The story itself was interesting at first, but the end was a bit of a let down after the build up, in my opinion.
May 4, 2020
Another great creepy story that Amy Cross is so good at
Picture a long abandoned cottage in the English countryside, a new police officer and a repeating centuries old phone call for a welfare check at the cottage. Mary Moore's ghosts one young and one old await the policeman who now does that welfare check.
Picture a long abandoned cottage in the English countryside, a new police officer and a repeating centuries old phone call for a welfare check at the cottage. Mary Moore's ghosts one young and one old await the policeman who now does that welfare check.
May 4, 2020
" Mary Moore more is a monster. "
Ahem, "Sorry, which one?"
Mary is a horror novel about a remotely deserted cottage haunted by two ghosts of the same person. But, no one seems to know this 'cause no one has ever dared enough to go inside the cottage.
Every year, every time, a new officer is hired at Bilside Police Station, a concerned frantic call comes in, urging the new recruited officer to 'please go and check on Mary Moore'. Only, everytime someone's goes out to check on the so called Mary Moore? Nothing is ever found. No sign of a Mary Moore or anyone. Just a deserted cottage. Meanwhile, this has been going on for centuries, until one day a newly recruited officer called Ben Warmer decides to go out there after receiving the same call as well and makes a shocking discovery.
MARY is a brilliant, well written novel that says a lot about what we let ourselves define us....and outcomes of such decisions.
Well, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 5*
Ahem, "Sorry, which one?"
Mary is a horror novel about a remotely deserted cottage haunted by two ghosts of the same person. But, no one seems to know this 'cause no one has ever dared enough to go inside the cottage.
Every year, every time, a new officer is hired at Bilside Police Station, a concerned frantic call comes in, urging the new recruited officer to 'please go and check on Mary Moore'. Only, everytime someone's goes out to check on the so called Mary Moore? Nothing is ever found. No sign of a Mary Moore or anyone. Just a deserted cottage. Meanwhile, this has been going on for centuries, until one day a newly recruited officer called Ben Warmer decides to go out there after receiving the same call as well and makes a shocking discovery.
MARY is a brilliant, well written novel that says a lot about what we let ourselves define us....and outcomes of such decisions.
Well, I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. 5*
May 15, 2020
8888I just can't help but love Amy Cross's imagination!
I have read SO many of her books, and though I do run into the occasional typos where I feel editing could definitely improve the storytelling.
However, Ms. Cross can always be counted on to entertain the reader! She churns out so many novels, I have wondered at times if there are actually several authors writing simultaneously! (I don't truly believe this.)
When rating her books, I find nearly all to be five-star reads. Yet I have a separate table I use. Like for instance 5:1/5:2/5:3 and so on until possibly a 5:5.
T
a 5:5.
I have read SO many of her books, and though I do run into the occasional typos where I feel editing could definitely improve the storytelling.
However, Ms. Cross can always be counted on to entertain the reader! She churns out so many novels, I have wondered at times if there are actually several authors writing simultaneously! (I don't truly believe this.)
When rating her books, I find nearly all to be five-star reads. Yet I have a separate table I use. Like for instance 5:1/5:2/5:3 and so on until possibly a 5:5.
T
a 5:5.
July 12, 2020
This book was interesting, but unfortunately it had some major errors that detracted from my reading experience. There was a major gaff with the name of a character key to the plot (The name changed entirely). Additionally, there is an implied use of the telephone (in the past) that would simply not have been possible, considering that the phone call was made in 1872 from a private London flat, when the telephone was introduced in 1876.
I am, however, giving this book 3 stars instead of two because I did find that there were points where I was holding my breath wondering what would happen next. I really think a bit more polishing, and the work of a good editor, would really make this book shine.
I am, however, giving this book 3 stars instead of two because I did find that there were points where I was holding my breath wondering what would happen next. I really think a bit more polishing, and the work of a good editor, would really make this book shine.
May 23, 2020
H'm, what have I just read?
I really don't know how to sum up this book. The ideas were good but the characters were weak. We have an English village with a population of less than a thousand but, enjoying it's own police force of an inspector, three sergeants and heaven knows how many constables. Totally unbelievable in this day and age. We have a newly appointed sergeant, Ben, who is so wet and immature he would be lucky to get past the initial interview stage, never mind being promoted. With such a weak and unbelievable cast the story itself, surprisingly, was quite good. I never know what to expect from Amy Cross.
I really don't know how to sum up this book. The ideas were good but the characters were weak. We have an English village with a population of less than a thousand but, enjoying it's own police force of an inspector, three sergeants and heaven knows how many constables. Totally unbelievable in this day and age. We have a newly appointed sergeant, Ben, who is so wet and immature he would be lucky to get past the initial interview stage, never mind being promoted. With such a weak and unbelievable cast the story itself, surprisingly, was quite good. I never know what to expect from Amy Cross.
October 25, 2020
Amy Cross es una autora que realmente me está gustando mucho y tengo más ganas de leer sus historias.
Mary Moore es un misterio para la estación de policía en la que trabaja Ben, ya que siempre que llega un nuevo recluta este recibe la llamada de un hombre que desesperadamente pide ayuda para que vayan a ver a Mary Moore, diciendo que ella necesita ayuda urgente ya que siente que está en un gran peligro y que por favor, vayan de inmediato a verla. El problema de esto es que éste hombre nunca dice su nombre, cada vez que tratan de sacarle respuestas no contesta, y cuando alguien va al lugar a salvar a Mary Moore, se encuentran con una casa abandonada y destruida.
Durante todos estos años han recibido estas llamadas y ya es "una tradición", pero Ben decide ir igualmente a averiguar pensando en que si él es capaz de resolver el misterio, lo van a felicitar, admirar y sentirse muy orgulloso de si mismo. Pero cuando llega a la casa.... tienen que leer el libro :D
De Amy Cross además de leer Mary, el año pasado leí Asylum y fue un libro que realmente me gustó mucho! Y agradezco mucho esto ya que estoy en busca de autoras de terror que me puedan impresionar. Lamentablemente sus libros no están al español.
Mary Moore es un misterio para la estación de policía en la que trabaja Ben, ya que siempre que llega un nuevo recluta este recibe la llamada de un hombre que desesperadamente pide ayuda para que vayan a ver a Mary Moore, diciendo que ella necesita ayuda urgente ya que siente que está en un gran peligro y que por favor, vayan de inmediato a verla. El problema de esto es que éste hombre nunca dice su nombre, cada vez que tratan de sacarle respuestas no contesta, y cuando alguien va al lugar a salvar a Mary Moore, se encuentran con una casa abandonada y destruida.
Durante todos estos años han recibido estas llamadas y ya es "una tradición", pero Ben decide ir igualmente a averiguar pensando en que si él es capaz de resolver el misterio, lo van a felicitar, admirar y sentirse muy orgulloso de si mismo. Pero cuando llega a la casa.... tienen que leer el libro :D
De Amy Cross además de leer Mary, el año pasado leí Asylum y fue un libro que realmente me gustó mucho! Y agradezco mucho esto ya que estoy en busca de autoras de terror que me puedan impresionar. Lamentablemente sus libros no están al español.
July 9, 2022
“Mary Moore is a monster,” Ben heard Lomax's voice saying, echoing in his memory. “Don't let her near you, Warner. We should never have disturbed her. Don't give her what she wants. Do you understand? She's pure evil, she...”
Sergeant Ben Warner finds himself landing a job on a police force in a very small town. Turned from the hustles of a big city to the quiet tranquility of Billside London, he's shocked when his first night on the force lands the most bizarre of phone calls. A frantic and panicked man calling from far away with the line impossible to truly listen to. Panicked about a Mrs. Mary Moore and demanding a wellness check be done for the woman. Get the captain laughed it off, claiming that call to be a regular and simply a rite of passage on the police force.
Sergeant Ben Warner finds himself landing a job on a police force in a very small town. Turned from the hustles of a big city to the quiet tranquility of Billside London, he's shocked when his first night on the force lands the most bizarre of phone calls. A frantic and panicked man calling from far away with the line impossible to truly listen to. Panicked about a Mrs. Mary Moore and demanding a wellness check be done for the woman. Get the captain laughed it off, claiming that call to be a regular and simply a rite of passage on the police force.
September 17, 2022
Whenever a new officer starts at Bilside police station they receive a phone call asking them to go to Fenford cottage and check on Mary. Only Fenford cottage is locked up and abandoned and the call comes from an empty house…
I’m a bit torn on this one. Some of the writing and conversations are a bit clunky (British police inspectors only begin sentences with “I say…” in black and white Ealing comedies) and it’s only a short story (110 pages) not a book but the premise is a good one and it did provide me with a genuine spine-tingling moment. If Goodreads did 1/2 stars I’d give 3 and 1/2 for this. It cost me either nothing or 99p on my kindle so at that price I’d recommend reading
I’m a bit torn on this one. Some of the writing and conversations are a bit clunky (British police inspectors only begin sentences with “I say…” in black and white Ealing comedies) and it’s only a short story (110 pages) not a book but the premise is a good one and it did provide me with a genuine spine-tingling moment. If Goodreads did 1/2 stars I’d give 3 and 1/2 for this. It cost me either nothing or 99p on my kindle so at that price I’d recommend reading
June 21, 2020
Mary 👍🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
I loved this book!!! It kept my attention,and on my feet from the start!!! I literally was SHOCKED @ THE END!! IT'S got a great twist, that I(SURPRISINGLY) DID NOT SEE COMING!! THIS IS COMING FROM SOMEONE WITH GREAT ABILITY TO FORESHADOW,BTW! I'M JUST GOING TO SAY ,THAT IT'S A VERY SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER!!! NOT TO MENTION , PRETTY SCARY AS WELL. IF YOU'RE INTO ALL OF THE ABOVE ,THEN ,I THINK YOU WILL FIND IT VERY INTRIGUING.
I loved this book!!! It kept my attention,and on my feet from the start!!! I literally was SHOCKED @ THE END!! IT'S got a great twist, that I(SURPRISINGLY) DID NOT SEE COMING!! THIS IS COMING FROM SOMEONE WITH GREAT ABILITY TO FORESHADOW,BTW! I'M JUST GOING TO SAY ,THAT IT'S A VERY SUSPENSEFUL THRILLER!!! NOT TO MENTION , PRETTY SCARY AS WELL. IF YOU'RE INTO ALL OF THE ABOVE ,THEN ,I THINK YOU WILL FIND IT VERY INTRIGUING.
April 19, 2020
Better writing ability
I've been following Amy for years. I've noticed that her writing and books are a lot better when they are not narrated in the first person. She's very talented but sometimes you can't tell how high her skill level is because of the first person narration. This book is a bit short but very good.
I've been following Amy for years. I've noticed that her writing and books are a lot better when they are not narrated in the first person. She's very talented but sometimes you can't tell how high her skill level is because of the first person narration. This book is a bit short but very good.
August 18, 2020
An entertaining fast paced read.
If you enjoy the supernatural, you will find this book entertaining. I was intrigued when I started to read and couldn't put it down until finished. There was a different twist that I have never come across in other books I have read that I found intriguing. Enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Amy Cross.
If you enjoy the supernatural, you will find this book entertaining. I was intrigued when I started to read and couldn't put it down until finished. There was a different twist that I have never come across in other books I have read that I found intriguing. Enjoyed it and look forward to reading more from Amy Cross.
September 11, 2023
When a phone calls comes in, demanding that someone go out to check on Mary Moore, the new police officer heads out to do a welfare check. His boss has told him not to waste his time, as there is never anyone at the house, but someone is there - and they are just waiting for someone to come inside.
Great story!
Great story!
May 8, 2020
Good story.
It was a good story. Told simply. Characters were not really fully fleshed out for me to get a handle on, but it did provide some chills. I'll read others by this author.
It was a good story. Told simply. Characters were not really fully fleshed out for me to get a handle on, but it did provide some chills. I'll read others by this author.
June 8, 2020
A Great Read.
A really good ghost story. From the beginning, it grabs your attention, and you can't put it down. Amy Cross innocently pulls you in, and once she has you, you're in it until the end.
A really good ghost story. From the beginning, it grabs your attention, and you can't put it down. Amy Cross innocently pulls you in, and once she has you, you're in it until the end.
July 4, 2020
Good read
A story of the struggle of good and evil in is all. Pain can tear us so completely that it brings out the horrors with in. Desire, love and hate are powers that control in. Amy has taken these common emotions and brought out the horrors with in us all.
A story of the struggle of good and evil in is all. Pain can tear us so completely that it brings out the horrors with in. Desire, love and hate are powers that control in. Amy has taken these common emotions and brought out the horrors with in us all.
July 12, 2020
I don't know if I am missing something or not, but I don't understand why the authors I have read since getting Kindle Unlimited end their books either before or just as the story starts to get good. I can't tell if they are limited to a certain number of pages or words or their imagination just quits them. It's too bad because I have read some books that could really be great books if the author would add more pages & took more time to flesh the story/characters out.
September 3, 2020
Held my attention to the last word!
I'm surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. The story takes off running and does not slow down. Highly reccomend this one for sci fi lovers.
I'm surprised that I enjoyed this book as much as I did. The story takes off running and does not slow down. Highly reccomend this one for sci fi lovers.
September 20, 2020
Editor issues
Compelling and gripping story! Fire your editor though because there were a huge number of grammatical errors. There is no doubt you are a talented author and you deserve better representation.
Compelling and gripping story! Fire your editor though because there were a huge number of grammatical errors. There is no doubt you are a talented author and you deserve better representation.
September 29, 2020
Fun Scary Read
I stumbled across this read as I was looking through the horror category and I'm glad I did. Entertaining read with hair raising moments as the story of Mary was revealed. I will definitely read more of this authors' books.
I stumbled across this read as I was looking through the horror category and I'm glad I did. Entertaining read with hair raising moments as the story of Mary was revealed. I will definitely read more of this authors' books.
September 30, 2020
Awesome scary story
I have to admit i did get a little spooked reading this at one point, especially since I was reading this in complete darkness!!! Its a good read that I would recommend. Will definitely check out the other books by this author.
I have to admit i did get a little spooked reading this at one point, especially since I was reading this in complete darkness!!! Its a good read that I would recommend. Will definitely check out the other books by this author.
February 20, 2021
Good plot, interesting characters
Good plot, likeable characters, a nice easy read and fun to read. A few spelling mistakes, like 57th years and not instead of no here and there, but still enjoyable to read
Good plot, likeable characters, a nice easy read and fun to read. A few spelling mistakes, like 57th years and not instead of no here and there, but still enjoyable to read
June 12, 2021
My mind is blown
I must buy all her books because I'm i totally hooked,I loved the storyline the pace the rush of terror and adrenaline and the uncertainty of the characters fate definitely reading this again in the dark with only a candle and creepy ambient music playing
I must buy all her books because I'm i totally hooked,I loved the storyline the pace the rush of terror and adrenaline and the uncertainty of the characters fate definitely reading this again in the dark with only a candle and creepy ambient music playing
October 19, 2022
Unusual haunting story
I've never read anything quite like this one. The ending is different from anything I've read before. I love stories that are a surprise, and this does it. So much fun.
I've never read anything quite like this one. The ending is different from anything I've read before. I love stories that are a surprise, and this does it. So much fun.
January 3, 2023
ABSOLUTELY GREAT READ
I read this book in about two days, from the first page I was spellbound by this book. The perfect book of the NEW YEAR 2023 COMPLETED. THANK YOU MS AMY CROSS FOR ANOTHER GREAT READ.
I read this book in about two days, from the first page I was spellbound by this book. The perfect book of the NEW YEAR 2023 COMPLETED. THANK YOU MS AMY CROSS FOR ANOTHER GREAT READ.
March 9, 2024
An old cottage fallen into disrepair.
A mysterious phone call asking for a welfare check for a young woman supposedly living there.
A police officer new to the area and determined to make his mark.
It's a simple task. What could possibly go wrong?
A mysterious phone call asking for a welfare check for a young woman supposedly living there.
A police officer new to the area and determined to make his mark.
It's a simple task. What could possibly go wrong?
August 26, 2024
A very interesting book, and keeps you guessing till the end, and the more you read the more you figure out who Mary is, I enjoy how Amy cross writes,I've read a few of her books and they're all amazing,
I would highly recommend Amy cross books if you like horror books that keeps you gripped
I would highly recommend Amy cross books if you like horror books that keeps you gripped
Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews