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Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story
Home is where the heart is: a place where memories are forged, a refuge from the world. But what if those memories are painful? And the refuge becomes a prison?
Jessica Lockhart is in need of a live-in carer over the Christmas period; Isla Barrow is the woman who takes the job. After a fraught journey to reach her along remote country lanes, Isla arrives to find the old woman in distress, and the house strangely unnerving.
With the weather hostile, no phone line or mobile signal, and her charge growing increasingly frail, Isla realises death is waiting. And something else besides: vengeance.
Jessica is clearly a woman with secrets, but then so too is Isla. Together they must work out a plan of redemption before what stalks Wildacre destroys them both.
Christmas, a time of joy and wonder.
The darkest time of year.
Jessica Lockhart is in need of a live-in carer over the Christmas period; Isla Barrow is the woman who takes the job. After a fraught journey to reach her along remote country lanes, Isla arrives to find the old woman in distress, and the house strangely unnerving.
With the weather hostile, no phone line or mobile signal, and her charge growing increasingly frail, Isla realises death is waiting. And something else besides: vengeance.
Jessica is clearly a woman with secrets, but then so too is Isla. Together they must work out a plan of redemption before what stalks Wildacre destroys them both.
Christmas, a time of joy and wonder.
The darkest time of year.
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 1, 2022
61 people are currently reading
214 people want to read
About the author
Shani Struthers
48 books507 followersIt's all about the ghosts...
Here's the order my books come in:
Psychic Surveys Series:
Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall
Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me
Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street
Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage
Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension
Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion
Psychic Surveys Book Seven: Promises to Keep
Psychic Surveys Book Eight: The Weight of the Soul
Psychic Surveys Book Nine: The Devil's Liar
Psychic Surveys Companion Novels:
Eve: A Psychic Surveys Prequel
Blakemort (Corinna's story)
Thirteen (Ness's story)
Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)
Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys' most treasured and mysterious characters)
This Haunted World Series:
This Haunted World Book One: The Venetian
This Haunted World Book Two: The Eleventh Floor
This Haunted World Book Three: Highgate
This Haunted World Book Four: Rohaise
Reach for the Dead Series:
Reach for the Dead Book One: Mandy
Reach for the Dead Book Two: Cades Home Farm
Reach for the Dead Book Three: Walker
Jessamine Series:
Jessamine
Comraich
Carfax House - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)
The Damned Season - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)
Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)
Summer of Grace - A standalone psychological thriller
Catch up with me via Facebook or on my website www.shanistruthers.com where you can sign up to my newsletter for all the latest information, offers and giveaways.
Here's the order my books come in:
Psychic Surveys Series:
Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall
Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me
Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street
Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage
Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension
Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion
Psychic Surveys Book Seven: Promises to Keep
Psychic Surveys Book Eight: The Weight of the Soul
Psychic Surveys Book Nine: The Devil's Liar
Psychic Surveys Companion Novels:
Eve: A Psychic Surveys Prequel
Blakemort (Corinna's story)
Thirteen (Ness's story)
Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)
Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys' most treasured and mysterious characters)
This Haunted World Series:
This Haunted World Book One: The Venetian
This Haunted World Book Two: The Eleventh Floor
This Haunted World Book Three: Highgate
This Haunted World Book Four: Rohaise
Reach for the Dead Series:
Reach for the Dead Book One: Mandy
Reach for the Dead Book Two: Cades Home Farm
Reach for the Dead Book Three: Walker
Jessamine Series:
Jessamine
Comraich
Carfax House - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)
The Damned Season - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)
Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)
Summer of Grace - A standalone psychological thriller
Catch up with me via Facebook or on my website www.shanistruthers.com where you can sign up to my newsletter for all the latest information, offers and giveaways.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
December 23, 2024
DNF at 35%. I think this is most likely a case of the story just not being a good fit for my preferences. The writing quality is there and it has a good, creepy vibe, but it's a slow burn type of concept. And I think fans of hauntings and ghost-related concepts will have a decent time here. For everyone else, myself included, it may drag a bit and struggle to hold your interest. I think that I could sorta figure out where it was headed, which was good, but, again, this just wasn't for me. A good effort by Shani Struthers.
January 9, 2023
Deliciously Spooky!
A story written by Shani Struthers is always a delight to read. No gratuitous violence or sex, just an all encompassing tale of mystery and imagination. This particular story was a dark and brooding tale of a young social care worker, tasked with a "live in" role at an isolated country house. The care worker, Isla, was a troubled young woman and the client, Jessica, an elderly lady suffering from dementia. The house was nothing like Isla could have imagined and there was more to Jessica than met the eye. A spooky tale with a very unexpected ending. Ideal reading for a winter's night.
A story written by Shani Struthers is always a delight to read. No gratuitous violence or sex, just an all encompassing tale of mystery and imagination. This particular story was a dark and brooding tale of a young social care worker, tasked with a "live in" role at an isolated country house. The care worker, Isla, was a troubled young woman and the client, Jessica, an elderly lady suffering from dementia. The house was nothing like Isla could have imagined and there was more to Jessica than met the eye. A spooky tale with a very unexpected ending. Ideal reading for a winter's night.
December 6, 2022
4.5 stars
An isolated, near abandoned house in the dead of winter, an elderly woman who seems to be suffering from dementia, strange and menacing happenings at night leading to an increasingly creepy atmosphere - all this adds up to a thoroughly creepy and enjoyable Christmas ghost story.
An added bonus was the fact that there were two stories to unravel; that of the elderly lady and the young girl sent to be her carer.
An isolated, near abandoned house in the dead of winter, an elderly woman who seems to be suffering from dementia, strange and menacing happenings at night leading to an increasingly creepy atmosphere - all this adds up to a thoroughly creepy and enjoyable Christmas ghost story.
An added bonus was the fact that there were two stories to unravel; that of the elderly lady and the young girl sent to be her carer.
January 2, 2023
Wildacre a house in the middle of nowhere, not another soul in sight, the story of a carer named Isla and the woman she cares for Jessica. A story with an unexpected twist and full of sorrow and happiness.
Isla takes a job looking after Jessica in the days leading up to Christmas, but nothing is as it seems, both have secrets that haunt them, that they need to come to terms with, guilt they need to be at peace with. They might just be each others saviours.
Shani has an amazing writing style and Islas character felt so real, you really got a feel for who she was and how she truly felt, unfiltered, as well as the other characters, there was no mistaking how they looked, what they felt and their actions.
Truly powerful.
Isla takes a job looking after Jessica in the days leading up to Christmas, but nothing is as it seems, both have secrets that haunt them, that they need to come to terms with, guilt they need to be at peace with. They might just be each others saviours.
Shani has an amazing writing style and Islas character felt so real, you really got a feel for who she was and how she truly felt, unfiltered, as well as the other characters, there was no mistaking how they looked, what they felt and their actions.
Truly powerful.
December 31, 2025
A very good and atmospheric ghost story, set at Christmas.
Isla is running away from her problems and finds herself in the wilds of Northumberland, acting as carer for an old lady, who might not be as demented as she first appears and who definitely has a story to tell about what is happening at Wildacre.
Isla is running away from her problems and finds herself in the wilds of Northumberland, acting as carer for an old lady, who might not be as demented as she first appears and who definitely has a story to tell about what is happening at Wildacre.
December 31, 2022
Wildacre. A Christmas ghost story. But not just a ghost story, a story full of sadness , emotion, and human insight.
Shani's wonderful writing style draws you in right from the first few pages, and I found it very difficult to put the book down.
Reading it over fhe Christmas period brought the book to life for me, with my reading coinciding with the chapters of the book .
The two main characters in the story are beautifully portrayed.
No spoilers here, it's a ghost story, a very good ghost story. Read it, you'll be glad you did.
Shani's wonderful writing style draws you in right from the first few pages, and I found it very difficult to put the book down.
Reading it over fhe Christmas period brought the book to life for me, with my reading coinciding with the chapters of the book .
The two main characters in the story are beautifully portrayed.
No spoilers here, it's a ghost story, a very good ghost story. Read it, you'll be glad you did.
December 3, 2022
What haunts Wildacre! Isla takes a job deep in the Northumberland countryside as a live in carer for Jessica but something in the house wants revenge and they must work together to appease the spirit and save themselves.
Another magically macabre supernatural thriller from Shani. I do hope these ghostly Christmas stories become a tradition, this is the 2nd year, The Damned Season was fantastic last December too. This is a hauntingly sad story of loss and fear, of hiding from the past but haunted by it. The location is bleak, dark and lonely, the two women isolated and forced together. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and oppressive, perfect for a dark winters night, who doesn’t love a ghost story by candlelight.
Another magically macabre supernatural thriller from Shani. I do hope these ghostly Christmas stories become a tradition, this is the 2nd year, The Damned Season was fantastic last December too. This is a hauntingly sad story of loss and fear, of hiding from the past but haunted by it. The location is bleak, dark and lonely, the two women isolated and forced together. The atmosphere is claustrophobic and oppressive, perfect for a dark winters night, who doesn’t love a ghost story by candlelight.
December 23, 2024
A festive tale of isolation and penance.
Isla Barrow is dispatched to provide urgent live-in care to the elderly Jessica Lockhart over the Christmas period.
Arriving at Wildacre, an estate left to live up to its name, Isla finds Jessica alone and in peril.
Cut off from the outside world, Isla struggles to care for Jessica, while discovering that Wildacre hides a vengeful darkness.
'Wildacre' is a Christmas Gothic ghost story by Shani Struthers, following Isla's experience at the eponymous house over several days leading up to Christmas. Atmospheric, chilling and emotive, the prose draws us into its grasp as we find ourselves trapped with Isla following a car accident shortly before her arrival at Wildacre, finding there no supplies and no way to make contact with the outside world. We meet Jessica, frail, ailing and declining rapidly, left to rot even as she still breathes, as it becomes clear she is suffering from dementia and perhaps has little time left to live.
Slowly building the suspense as Isla finds herself isolated from the outside world, trapped here not only by the weather and the distance from civilisation, but also the secrets that spread through the shadows of the house like a cancer; exploring the largely abandoned and uncared for home and discovering the history of Jessica's family and the tragedy that befell them, their spirits still haunting the house.
Perfectly poised for the season, this darkest of days which we fill with such light and joy as we celebrate the promised return of the light, both Isla and Jessica find themselves facing the trauma and shame hidden in the past, ghosts so often locked away within our own minds, while the spirits of the dead linger awaiting the day of reckoning, the narrative building to an intense climax where old sins are revealed and old wounds find their time to heal, pondering whether, perhaps, no one ever truly dies alone.
Poignant and bittersweet, 'Wildacre' is a short and enjoyable supernatural yarn for Yuletide.
Isla Barrow is dispatched to provide urgent live-in care to the elderly Jessica Lockhart over the Christmas period.
Arriving at Wildacre, an estate left to live up to its name, Isla finds Jessica alone and in peril.
Cut off from the outside world, Isla struggles to care for Jessica, while discovering that Wildacre hides a vengeful darkness.
'Wildacre' is a Christmas Gothic ghost story by Shani Struthers, following Isla's experience at the eponymous house over several days leading up to Christmas. Atmospheric, chilling and emotive, the prose draws us into its grasp as we find ourselves trapped with Isla following a car accident shortly before her arrival at Wildacre, finding there no supplies and no way to make contact with the outside world. We meet Jessica, frail, ailing and declining rapidly, left to rot even as she still breathes, as it becomes clear she is suffering from dementia and perhaps has little time left to live.
Slowly building the suspense as Isla finds herself isolated from the outside world, trapped here not only by the weather and the distance from civilisation, but also the secrets that spread through the shadows of the house like a cancer; exploring the largely abandoned and uncared for home and discovering the history of Jessica's family and the tragedy that befell them, their spirits still haunting the house.
Perfectly poised for the season, this darkest of days which we fill with such light and joy as we celebrate the promised return of the light, both Isla and Jessica find themselves facing the trauma and shame hidden in the past, ghosts so often locked away within our own minds, while the spirits of the dead linger awaiting the day of reckoning, the narrative building to an intense climax where old sins are revealed and old wounds find their time to heal, pondering whether, perhaps, no one ever truly dies alone.
Poignant and bittersweet, 'Wildacre' is a short and enjoyable supernatural yarn for Yuletide.
April 29, 2024
Wildacre by Shani Struthers
The main character, Isla, takes a job as a live in carer deep in the countryside in the middle of nowhere. She is to care for Jessica a bedridden old woman, who appears close to death.
With the hostile weather, Isla is forced to stay inside, and having no access to a phone she finds the house depressing, claustrophobic and oppressive. Jessica doesn’t want to talk, and Isla struggles with loneliness.
She soon discovers that there is a dark history in the house and revenge hides around every corner.
When Isla discovers the truth, the reader will be close to tears.
The final twist was unexpected. A good read.
The main character, Isla, takes a job as a live in carer deep in the countryside in the middle of nowhere. She is to care for Jessica a bedridden old woman, who appears close to death.
With the hostile weather, Isla is forced to stay inside, and having no access to a phone she finds the house depressing, claustrophobic and oppressive. Jessica doesn’t want to talk, and Isla struggles with loneliness.
She soon discovers that there is a dark history in the house and revenge hides around every corner.
When Isla discovers the truth, the reader will be close to tears.
The final twist was unexpected. A good read.
December 18, 2023
Not very Christmassy…
I liked the sound of this book because I do love a good ghost story and after Halloween, I wanted to get into the Christmas spirit (no pun intended!). This book however, was a disappointment - the characters weren’t particularly compelling, the haunting wasn’t scary and no sense of anticipation was there. I read it until the end, firstly because I didn’t want another DNF on my list and secondly because I had hopes it would get better. It didn’t.
Not the worst story I’ve ever read, but I won’t be perusing more from this author.
I liked the sound of this book because I do love a good ghost story and after Halloween, I wanted to get into the Christmas spirit (no pun intended!). This book however, was a disappointment - the characters weren’t particularly compelling, the haunting wasn’t scary and no sense of anticipation was there. I read it until the end, firstly because I didn’t want another DNF on my list and secondly because I had hopes it would get better. It didn’t.
Not the worst story I’ve ever read, but I won’t be perusing more from this author.
December 30, 2023
oh, this was just a wonderful book, and as spooky as it was emotional. i truly love when a ghost story draws upon not only eeriness and loneliness, but tenderness and light as well. the ending was so beautiful and i cried a little bit, feeling so deeply connected to all the characters, especially isla. oh, indeed, struthers is someone who i definitely have to check out again. her flair for atmospheric dread feels like i’m opening up some sort of old english ghost story, palpable and raw, a classic feel. it’s something that reeled me in right away, and surely will again.
January 30, 2023
Another great read !
I loved reading Rohaise and now I've just finished Wildacre. All of Shani Struthers books are so enjoyable. Honestly, I haven't been able to put it down once I began reading it. I highly recommend it to everyone and anyone who enjoys a good haunting. A great story filled with passion, sadness, guilt, love and tragedy. All the good stuff !
I loved reading Rohaise and now I've just finished Wildacre. All of Shani Struthers books are so enjoyable. Honestly, I haven't been able to put it down once I began reading it. I highly recommend it to everyone and anyone who enjoys a good haunting. A great story filled with passion, sadness, guilt, love and tragedy. All the good stuff !
December 8, 2023
A good read.
The book is a bit slow for the first few chapters (hence my 4* rating) but then it really develops into a riveting read.
Just when you think you've got it sussed, along come twists and turns that throw you.
The ending is suspenseful and brilliant, of typical Struthers.
An entertaining read for all Struthers fans.
The book is a bit slow for the first few chapters (hence my 4* rating) but then it really develops into a riveting read.
Just when you think you've got it sussed, along come twists and turns that throw you.
The ending is suspenseful and brilliant, of typical Struthers.
An entertaining read for all Struthers fans.
December 7, 2025
Wildacre contains all of the mystery and emotional elements that you’d come to expect from a Shani Struthers novel.
The “twist” as such was pretty evident early on and while the storyline did lack some originality, it was a good read nonetheless.
Not my favourite of hers, but another one of the Christmas stories ticked off.
The “twist” as such was pretty evident early on and while the storyline did lack some originality, it was a good read nonetheless.
Not my favourite of hers, but another one of the Christmas stories ticked off.
December 8, 2022
Fly....
I follow this author and have read all of her books.
This one did not disappoint.
Again the story had you wondering right from the start on what was going to happen...
Characters amazing as always.
Thank you Shani....
I follow this author and have read all of her books.
This one did not disappoint.
Again the story had you wondering right from the start on what was going to happen...
Characters amazing as always.
Thank you Shani....
December 21, 2022
heartwarming
A very well written thought provoking story with a powerful ending!
Always look forward to reading books by this author and this latest instalment definitely did not disappoint!
Merry Christmas
A very well written thought provoking story with a powerful ending!
Always look forward to reading books by this author and this latest instalment definitely did not disappoint!
Merry Christmas
December 25, 2022
Happy ending
If Islas car hadn't of got stuck when it did, Lydia wouldn't have made it with her family. I'm glad Lydia wasn't alone and that Isla was able to get back in touch with her family. Another great read with a happy ending.
If Islas car hadn't of got stuck when it did, Lydia wouldn't have made it with her family. I'm glad Lydia wasn't alone and that Isla was able to get back in touch with her family. Another great read with a happy ending.
January 4, 2023
I must say that all the 5 star reviews are puzzling to me. This book started quite well but I found the way the plot developed and the situation the protagonist found herself in so increasingly silly rather than scary, that I had to stop reading half way through. Irritating and disappointing.
January 4, 2023
Chillingly good read
Well, read in a few hours and ive chills down my spine. Brilliant story with a happy but albeit sad ending. Another classic from Shani Struthers, and I doubt it will be the last either.
Well, read in a few hours and ive chills down my spine. Brilliant story with a happy but albeit sad ending. Another classic from Shani Struthers, and I doubt it will be the last either.
January 8, 2023
Not great
Too many questions...is it this? Is it that? Was that this? Does that mean that..? A very irritating writing style. We don't know! You're the writer tell us. Skim read most of it. Disappointed.
Too many questions...is it this? Is it that? Was that this? Does that mean that..? A very irritating writing style. We don't know! You're the writer tell us. Skim read most of it. Disappointed.
December 3, 2022
love and enjoy this author
December 4, 2022
Wildacre
Shani has done it again, such a great Christmas ghost story from her again. Love a her books but her Christmas ones seen a special.
Shani has done it again, such a great Christmas ghost story from her again. Love a her books but her Christmas ones seen a special.
December 12, 2022
Wild acre
a absolutely brilliant book you have done it again shani really enjoyed it thank you 💞 keep them coming lol
a absolutely brilliant book you have done it again shani really enjoyed it thank you 💞 keep them coming lol
December 16, 2022
great book
Great read thanks I’d defo recommend it was not as exciting has some of the earlier work but was great
Great read thanks I’d defo recommend it was not as exciting has some of the earlier work but was great
December 19, 2022
I have read every book by this author and it didn't disappoint. Shani you have smashed it again if I could give more than 5 stars I would. Cannot wait for the next book
December 26, 2022
interesting story
The story proved to be interesting although I struggled to get through it. Maybe the problem was me. I didn’t really like this story.
The story proved to be interesting although I struggled to get through it. Maybe the problem was me. I didn’t really like this story.
December 30, 2022
Not recommended
The most boring book I have ever read couldn't wait to put it down not a page Turner at all
The most boring book I have ever read couldn't wait to put it down not a page Turner at all
December 31, 2022
Dark, suspenseful, beautiful. A great easy read.
January 5, 2023
A perfect ghost story for Christmas time and the dark evenings. Very atmospheric with just the right amount of scares. Predictable but enjoyable.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews