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Groom Lake
From the author of 'Father of Lies' and 'Hidden Company'... Novella, Groom Lake.
'Lauren Stafford, a traumatised divorcee, decides to rent a cottage on the edge of a beautiful ancestral estate in the Welsh Marches. But from the very first day of arrival she instinctively knows there's something terribly wrong here - something malevolent and ancient - a feeling the whole place is trapped in a time warp. She really ought to leave. But the pull of the lake is too strong, its dark magic so powerful that it crosses over into dreams...turning them into nightmares. What lies beneath its still black surface? And why can't Lauren drag herself away? Why her? And why now?'
Author This is a novella and slightly shorter than previous books.
'Lauren Stafford, a traumatised divorcee, decides to rent a cottage on the edge of a beautiful ancestral estate in the Welsh Marches. But from the very first day of arrival she instinctively knows there's something terribly wrong here - something malevolent and ancient - a feeling the whole place is trapped in a time warp. She really ought to leave. But the pull of the lake is too strong, its dark magic so powerful that it crosses over into dreams...turning them into nightmares. What lies beneath its still black surface? And why can't Lauren drag herself away? Why her? And why now?'
Author This is a novella and slightly shorter than previous books.
260 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 20, 2022
21 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Sarah E. England
20 books265 followersSarah E. England is also known as S.E. England.
Sarah England is a fiction writer based in the UK. With a background in nursing and psychiatry, she began writing 18 years ago. Since then Sarah has had over 160 short stories and serials published, plus a comedy novel in 2013 with the small press. However, it was occult horror and supernatural thrillers that became her speciality. Novels include, the Father of Lies trilogy, The Owlmen, The Soprano, Hidden Company, Monkspike, Baba Lenka, Masquerade and Caduceus. The Witching Hour is a recently revised collection of short supernatural thrillers, crimes and tales with a twist. And finally - just released - new psychological thriller, Groom Lake. All the novels are available in Kindle, paperback and hardback, with most on audio.
Sarah England is a fiction writer based in the UK. With a background in nursing and psychiatry, she began writing 18 years ago. Since then Sarah has had over 160 short stories and serials published, plus a comedy novel in 2013 with the small press. However, it was occult horror and supernatural thrillers that became her speciality. Novels include, the Father of Lies trilogy, The Owlmen, The Soprano, Hidden Company, Monkspike, Baba Lenka, Masquerade and Caduceus. The Witching Hour is a recently revised collection of short supernatural thrillers, crimes and tales with a twist. And finally - just released - new psychological thriller, Groom Lake. All the novels are available in Kindle, paperback and hardback, with most on audio.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 23, 2022
GROOM LAKE is a dark psychological thriller/horror novel set in the Welsh Marches, by UK fiction writer Sarah England.
Lauren Strafford, a divorcee with hardly any money left, had rented a cottage on the edge of an estate in the Welsh Marches. But since she arrived, she felt something was wrong. She shouldn’t have come.
It was hardly the described country cottage, but was rundown and in bad shape…but it was cheap. She just needed a couple of weeks away from the stress and worry of her life. This was the only cottage for half a mile or more.
But the first night she heard noise outside her door…a heavy thud on the other side of the bedroom wall. She was terrified… She was alone, with no friends or family.
Lauren started having vivid nightmares. She really ought to leave. But there was a strong pull to the lake, and Lauren couldn’t escape the dark magic that lay beneath.
This was a dark psychological thriller, but I was disappointed with this read as I found it slow and I wasn’t gripped by the storyline as much as I would have liked.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
Lauren Strafford, a divorcee with hardly any money left, had rented a cottage on the edge of an estate in the Welsh Marches. But since she arrived, she felt something was wrong. She shouldn’t have come.
It was hardly the described country cottage, but was rundown and in bad shape…but it was cheap. She just needed a couple of weeks away from the stress and worry of her life. This was the only cottage for half a mile or more.
But the first night she heard noise outside her door…a heavy thud on the other side of the bedroom wall. She was terrified… She was alone, with no friends or family.
Lauren started having vivid nightmares. She really ought to leave. But there was a strong pull to the lake, and Lauren couldn’t escape the dark magic that lay beneath.
This was a dark psychological thriller, but I was disappointed with this read as I found it slow and I wasn’t gripped by the storyline as much as I would have liked.
Many thanks to the author, and The Book Club Reviewer Request Group (FB) for my digital copy.
July 29, 2022
An okay read.
I love this author,but I was so disappointed. It was so slow and when things finally started to happen it was over. This book could have been so much more. Definitely not one of her best
I love this author,but I was so disappointed. It was so slow and when things finally started to happen it was over. This book could have been so much more. Definitely not one of her best
August 19, 2022
Lauren has decided to take a break away in Wales after recently being divorced but on her arrival she feels that there is evil lurking around the corner literally. If you like your books with an evil cult this book has it.
Absolutely loved this new book by this author she definitely knows how to get under my skin and creates a feeling of unease whilst I was reading this and damn right unnerved me throughout, shivers and all.
Her written word is addictive and draws you in from the first to the last page. The character Lauren also experiences nightmares which are terrifyingly horrific which blend into the day too awful, is it real or is she experiencing cracking up.
On a personal note though I could understand her feelings in her nightmares because when I experience a horrible nightmare and I am shouting at myself to wake up, wake up I know how that feels so I can say I empathised with the character totally.
Absolute cracking read I dare you to read it it's additive and I didn't want the story to end!!!!
Absolutely loved this new book by this author she definitely knows how to get under my skin and creates a feeling of unease whilst I was reading this and damn right unnerved me throughout, shivers and all.
Her written word is addictive and draws you in from the first to the last page. The character Lauren also experiences nightmares which are terrifyingly horrific which blend into the day too awful, is it real or is she experiencing cracking up.
On a personal note though I could understand her feelings in her nightmares because when I experience a horrible nightmare and I am shouting at myself to wake up, wake up I know how that feels so I can say I empathised with the character totally.
Absolute cracking read I dare you to read it it's additive and I didn't want the story to end!!!!
September 26, 2022
I've read all this author's work and have been uneased to frightened to some degree by all of it. This is a novella, so not as long as her full length novels, but that doesn't change how the author uses language effectively to create an unsettling atmosphere throughout the book. I liked the character Lauren, yet at the same time I did ask her as I read, why she made some of the decisions she did.
Overall this a good supernatural thriller. Not as dark as some of the author's earlier work, but dark enough to have caused a few shudders!
Overall this a good supernatural thriller. Not as dark as some of the author's earlier work, but dark enough to have caused a few shudders!
August 21, 2022
Recovering from a failed marriage, Lauren rents a cottage on the edge of the Welsh Marches. But something doesn’t feel quite right and she starts to have weird dreams and out of body experiences. Evil appears to be stalking the area. Should she stay or should she turn tail and run?
I enjoyed this story. There’s a spooky and atmospheric feel to the writing style. There are some rather unpleasant and creepy characters. Its not one to read late at night and/or on your own if you’re of a nervous disposition. 😈. However, if I have to nitpick, I do feel that’s it’s a formula which has been used a few times before. It’s reminiscent of Dennis Wheatley’s ‘To the Devil a Daughter’. I wasn’t too sure of the ending, either. It’s left in the air and made me wonder if there would be a sequel? But if you enjoy your reading matter on the dark side, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. 🧟♀️ 3.5⭐️
I enjoyed this story. There’s a spooky and atmospheric feel to the writing style. There are some rather unpleasant and creepy characters. Its not one to read late at night and/or on your own if you’re of a nervous disposition. 😈. However, if I have to nitpick, I do feel that’s it’s a formula which has been used a few times before. It’s reminiscent of Dennis Wheatley’s ‘To the Devil a Daughter’. I wasn’t too sure of the ending, either. It’s left in the air and made me wonder if there would be a sequel? But if you enjoy your reading matter on the dark side, I’m sure you’ll enjoy this one. 🧟♀️ 3.5⭐️
July 30, 2022
I absolutely love SE England’s other books, so I was quite disappointed with this one. It’s not terrible, but not up to her usual standards
April 13, 2023
Coz I enjoyed her occult horror trilogy "Father of Lies" (which is Awesome) I deemed it a good idea to check out more of her work and this was next in line but sadly isn't near as good.
It follows Lauren, a recently singled woman feeling like her life is in crisis so she heads for the Welsh Marchlands, feeling a break is exactly what she needs but when she's there, the pull of a local area is too much, her sub conscious tells her it's a necessity, she must visit Groom Lake. What is pulling her there, and Why? Who can she trust? She soon meets Hernia, a little girl who appears to need her help but what secrets does this place hold? Will Lauren survive to encounter the truth?
IMO it's best to stay away from Groom Lake, you might drown in boredom.
It follows Lauren, a recently singled woman feeling like her life is in crisis so she heads for the Welsh Marchlands, feeling a break is exactly what she needs but when she's there, the pull of a local area is too much, her sub conscious tells her it's a necessity, she must visit Groom Lake. What is pulling her there, and Why? Who can she trust? She soon meets Hernia, a little girl who appears to need her help but what secrets does this place hold? Will Lauren survive to encounter the truth?
IMO it's best to stay away from Groom Lake, you might drown in boredom.
November 7, 2022
Unusual for me to read a novella as I do love a long book. I have read all of Sarah Englands work to date and it creeps me out (which is exactly what I read them for). I didn't find this one as creepy but I felt that it was because it's shorter than her others
A good read
A good read
August 27, 2022
I have read and enjoyed a few books by this author but this one just didn't hit the spot for me, sadly.
The premise was good but I thought the story jumped a bit far too fast and would have preferred the author to build up the intrigue and suspense a bit more before really letting rip.
Our main character, Lauren, is recovering from a nasty breakup and taking time out to refresh and regroup, and get over things. The cottage she has rented is a tad isolated and, right from the off, delivers more than a sliver of spooky shenanigans... Now, not being funny, but I'd have legged it. Too much too soon... To heck with the deposit. So the rest of how it all panned out fell a tad flat for me.
There were also some continuity issues, and contradictions, and I just didn't wholly feel the characters came across to me as credible as they could have been.
Which is all very unlike this author, taking my previous experience into consideration. Which was a bit of a shame. But, all things considered, although this one was not for me, one swallow doesn't make a summer and so, one book that failed to reach me as a reader will likewise not put me off this author. Fingers crossed for next time.
The premise was good but I thought the story jumped a bit far too fast and would have preferred the author to build up the intrigue and suspense a bit more before really letting rip.
Our main character, Lauren, is recovering from a nasty breakup and taking time out to refresh and regroup, and get over things. The cottage she has rented is a tad isolated and, right from the off, delivers more than a sliver of spooky shenanigans... Now, not being funny, but I'd have legged it. Too much too soon... To heck with the deposit. So the rest of how it all panned out fell a tad flat for me.
There were also some continuity issues, and contradictions, and I just didn't wholly feel the characters came across to me as credible as they could have been.
Which is all very unlike this author, taking my previous experience into consideration. Which was a bit of a shame. But, all things considered, although this one was not for me, one swallow doesn't make a summer and so, one book that failed to reach me as a reader will likewise not put me off this author. Fingers crossed for next time.
September 29, 2022
This book was a slow starter but felt rushed in other places. The storyline as a whole was a good read but i didnt find it on par with the authors usual standard of writing. I felt like certain areas of the book she could have added more detail and the end of the book was quite curt, im not sure if it was intended that way to lead on to a second book or not. I will read more of this authors books as i have enjoyed them so far even if this one is not as enjoyable as previous ones.
January 9, 2023
Left confused!
I've loved every book by this author but this one leaves me a little confused in places. One was the use of candles when there was obviously electric because of the electric heater.
This book is definitely a little slow to start and the ending seemed a little rushed leaving me a little confused and the book unfinished.
This will not stop me from reading more of Sarah's book and would still recommend her books if anyone likes spooky thrillers.
I've loved every book by this author but this one leaves me a little confused in places. One was the use of candles when there was obviously electric because of the electric heater.
This book is definitely a little slow to start and the ending seemed a little rushed leaving me a little confused and the book unfinished.
This will not stop me from reading more of Sarah's book and would still recommend her books if anyone likes spooky thrillers.
September 4, 2022
I enjoyed this book but I didn't think most of it was on the same level as some of the author's earlier books. There were some really spooky chapters but also some rather slow ones. I also noticed a few inconsistencies in the writing.
August 29, 2022
Groom lake is a dark psychological thriller. It was slow to start with but did liven up but that was too near the end for me.
September 8, 2022
Ah, Sarah England is certainly the Queen of the creepy novel, that's for sure! I could not read this book at night, at all, so it took a little longer to read than planned.
Lauren is a woman who needs a bit of a break from her life, so she rents a cottage in the middle of nowhere. As has happened to most of us at one time or another, the cottage is not exactly as described. The woman who owns it is hostile, and the area around the cottage has some sections where Lauren has some unsettling experiences she can't explain.
All in all, this was a good book, with some scary details. If you are at all squeamish, probably not the read for you.
There were things that were not quite explained, threads that weren't tied up, and I wondered if there was another book coming as a sequel to this one. I hope so.
4 stars from me.
Lauren is a woman who needs a bit of a break from her life, so she rents a cottage in the middle of nowhere. As has happened to most of us at one time or another, the cottage is not exactly as described. The woman who owns it is hostile, and the area around the cottage has some sections where Lauren has some unsettling experiences she can't explain.
All in all, this was a good book, with some scary details. If you are at all squeamish, probably not the read for you.
There were things that were not quite explained, threads that weren't tied up, and I wondered if there was another book coming as a sequel to this one. I hope so.
4 stars from me.
October 2, 2022
Groom Lake by Sarah England.
'Lauren Stafford, a traumatised divorcee, decides to rent a cottage on the edge of a beautiful ancestral estate in the Welsh Marches. But from the very first day of arrival she instinctively knows there's something terribly wrong here - something malevolent and ancient - a feeling the whole place is trapped in a time warp. She really ought to leave. But the pull of the lake is too strong, its dark magic so powerful that it crosses over into dreams...turning them into nightmares. What lies beneath its still black surface? And why can't Lauren drag herself away? Why her? And why now?'
Absolutely brilliant. I love love love this author. So creepy and eerie. 5*.
'Lauren Stafford, a traumatised divorcee, decides to rent a cottage on the edge of a beautiful ancestral estate in the Welsh Marches. But from the very first day of arrival she instinctively knows there's something terribly wrong here - something malevolent and ancient - a feeling the whole place is trapped in a time warp. She really ought to leave. But the pull of the lake is too strong, its dark magic so powerful that it crosses over into dreams...turning them into nightmares. What lies beneath its still black surface? And why can't Lauren drag herself away? Why her? And why now?'
Absolutely brilliant. I love love love this author. So creepy and eerie. 5*.
May 31, 2023
Slow. This did not grab me I hate to say it was boring but it was. There was nothing that stood out from all the other rainy haunted woods, our heroine accepts things for far too long taken all these appartitions as I must have dreamt/daydreamed it. meh.
Great setting, very atmospheric but that only gets you so far.
Great setting, very atmospheric but that only gets you so far.
August 3, 2022
Grateful to be given the opportunity to read this ahead of publishing. The subject matter was interesting and the premise of the book with the occult was good but the book didn't have me gripped as much as I would have liked. Although I did read it in an evening which is unusual for me.
August 12, 2022
I have read all S. E. Englands' books and have never been disappointed, this book is no different. She has the knack of creating dark and intimidating dark atmospheres. Groom Lake stands tall in the genre, it is sometimes brutal, it is sometimes claustrophobic but it is always enjoyable.
September 4, 2022
I just love this Author and jump on all her books as soon as they come out...
I didn't enjoy this book as much as her other books i found it rather rushed.
Even though i didn't like it as much as her others it will not stop me reading the next one that comes out.
I didn't enjoy this book as much as her other books i found it rather rushed.
Even though i didn't like it as much as her others it will not stop me reading the next one that comes out.
October 9, 2022
A chilling tale.
A novella which cranks up the tension and delivers genuine psychological goose bumps. The characters are well developed and the scene setting well done. I have knocked off one star because I felt the ending was too tame.
A novella which cranks up the tension and delivers genuine psychological goose bumps. The characters are well developed and the scene setting well done. I have knocked off one star because I felt the ending was too tame.
August 5, 2022
Sarah’s done it again!!!
This one will grab you and take you on a journey full of ghosts, a satanic cult and plenty of bumps in the night.
She never disappoints!
Just excellent
This one will grab you and take you on a journey full of ghosts, a satanic cult and plenty of bumps in the night.
She never disappoints!
Just excellent
August 27, 2022
I normally like horror and thrillers, but I found this one slow. The writing was good,but it just didn't draw me in.
Many thanks to TBC for allowing me to review the book
Many thanks to TBC for allowing me to review the book
September 4, 2022
Wasn’t sure what to expect but I enjoy a spooky read. Story was really enjoyable, a little slow but I soon got invested in what was going to happen to Lauren.
November 20, 2022
A dark thriller that hooked me in quickly - the anticipation of what would happen next was all it took to keep the pages turning!
A great read
A great read
June 1, 2023
Dark
I wouldn’t be surprised if the events in this story happen at some level in reality. It’s fkood for thought…….
I wouldn’t be surprised if the events in this story happen at some level in reality. It’s fkood for thought…….
August 30, 2024
3-3.5 stars
I started this one because it was on my phone. I didn't know when I put it on my phone or what it was about 🤷♂️
It wasn't bad, but it was only half a story. A satisfactory ending for the character, but not for the overall events.
Very good narration.
I started this one because it was on my phone. I didn't know when I put it on my phone or what it was about 🤷♂️
It wasn't bad, but it was only half a story. A satisfactory ending for the character, but not for the overall events.
Very good narration.
November 13, 2024
DNF @ 50%
The main character is so whiney.
The main character is so whiney.
September 12, 2022
An eerie lake and its ghostly surroundings
Can a vacation be so dreary with frightening dreams? A young lady who is trying to escape from her past, rents a cottage in a remote village but her vacation turns into a nightmare. The author has described the eerie atmosphere and the terror so graphically that it gave me goosebumps.
Can a vacation be so dreary with frightening dreams? A young lady who is trying to escape from her past, rents a cottage in a remote village but her vacation turns into a nightmare. The author has described the eerie atmosphere and the terror so graphically that it gave me goosebumps.
July 8, 2023
I really enjoyed the other Sarah England books I’ve read so decided to give this a go as well.
I was overly disappointed with it, it was slow, it felt a bit all over the place and I don’t feel like I should have struggled to follow what exactly was going on. I understand the storyline and plot, but again, the story itself felt all over the place.
It hasn’t put me off the author, there’s always going to be books you don’t enjoy, but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
I was overly disappointed with it, it was slow, it felt a bit all over the place and I don’t feel like I should have struggled to follow what exactly was going on. I understand the storyline and plot, but again, the story itself felt all over the place.
It hasn’t put me off the author, there’s always going to be books you don’t enjoy, but I wouldn’t recommend this one.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews