Spite House

by Tamara Thorne, Alistair Cross

There's an island up in Gold Country at the northern end of Snapdragon Lake. It's named Manchester for the family that owns it, but the locals call it Spite Island. There's a single lonely mansion on that island and a group of authors have been invited to write about its ghosts and its mysteries. But the real mystery is, who will survive this luxurious but deadly retreat? A Cursed House Not long after the Civil War, Ruthia and Solomon Manchester bought a lonely island in northern California where they built a magnificent home and a resort that became a renowned Gilded Age getaway. But the locals shunned the place, calling it Spite Island. They said it was cursed. Today, only Agnes Manchester and her companion occupy the property. Having fallen on hard times, Agnes has agreed to reopen the resort on the condition that she and her ancestral ghosts are undisturbed in their private home. Before renovations begin, she invites a group of authors to stay in the house and write about its history. As the guests explore the secrets of the mansion, they never suspect what awaits them in the shifting shadows. Spite House has deadly plans of its own ...

“Thorne & Cross weave such delicious nightmares that you almost forget to be afraid. Almost. SPITE HOUSE may be their most terrifying delight yet.” -- Peter Atkins, Author of All Our Hearts are Ghosts, and Screenwriter of Hellraiser II-IV “What I always love … is that their glee is so apparent, their sheer joy of scaring the crap out of people … With SPITE HOUSE, I’m happily back in Tamara and Alistair Land once more.” -- Glen Hirshberg, author of Infinity Dreams and The Two Sams “As I raced through the pages of SPITE HOUSE, the first book in the trilogy, I realized that this is much more than a ghost story. Spite House itself brings to mind a predator with sharp talons that sink deeply into the flesh of the island and draw blood. My thoughts for those visitors? Get out while you still can. I can’t wait for book two!” -- QL Pearce, author of Spine Chillers and Scary Stories for Sleepovers

Genres: Horror

384 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 31, 2023

About the author

Tamara Thorne has collected ghost stories, true and fictional, since she saw her first Twilight Zone as a tot, and continues to this day. In addition to writing novels and stories of the paranormal, she also writes non-fiction and is an active ghost hunter. She makes her home in southern California with her husband and their feline family and when she’s not writing, can be found haunting ghost towns, phantom-filled hotel rooms, and other spooky places. Tamara loves to hear from her readers. Whether you have questions or comments or would like to share your own ghostly experience, come visit her at her website www.tamarathorne.com.

Reviews

[Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Would You Stay the Night in Spite House?

Small backstory:

The Manchester family own an island called Spite Island which upon the island sits a mansion called Spite House. The house has now been opened to let authors stay in the house so they can write about what has taken place there. As the matriarch, Agnes overlooks everything including what the authors do while they spend their time there - the house itself starts to slowly come to life as the ghosts that haunt the house wake up when the authors start exploring the mansion!

That is about all I can hand out with a small taste without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!

Thoughts:

Thorne and Cross bring this book alive on the pages as I found myself just sinking into my cozy chair and letting this book transport me into Spite House. There are quite a few characters to keep track of with not only the authors but the house staff as well but each one has their own personality. I loved all the characters including "Bernie" - oh you want to know who Bernie is - well you will need to read the book as I am not divulging that information (lol), but the characters in this book is what kept me turning the pages long into the night!

I literally read the last 30% within the last two days as the story just escalated to the point that I would find myself reading late into the night as more things started happening in the story! Thorne and Cross always keep me tied up in knots when I read their books as I never know what will be happening but their stories flow along at a great pace and I always enjoy their books immensely!

With that being said I have started book two in the series called "Spite Island" as book one kind of ends in a way that I need to read book two now! Yes! Right now! lol

So if you are in the mood for a spooky and suspenseful ride then go check out this book! Giving this book five "Shivering Spooky Suspense" stars!

[Georgia Tumbleweed McNabb · Rating 4 out of 5]

First this book does not end, but is a Cliffhanger which is not nice because 2nd book not even out.
The characters in this Story are of two different types, Ones you absolutely can not stand and the ones you really like. Example: The Professor is a crud, obnoxious, pig of a man with very vulgar put downs about women. Narrator does a Excellent job with the various characters voices and the entire storyline.

[Kilgallen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun and atmospheric ghost story. I loved the setting and the strangely mismatched group of characters. What starts out as a fairly typical ghost story quickly takes some twists and turns and left me wondering who or what is actually haunting Spite House.
I was not a fan a fan of the ending however. As much as I appreciate that this is the first book in a series I didn't care for the abruptness of the ending. I prefer when there is an element of closure with a few doors left open for later exploration.

[Calvi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went into this book with middling expectations, and was massively pleasantly surprised.

It sounds slightly clichéd from the description, but has a really fun and refreshing take on the haunted house genre. The characters were vibrant and fun, I cared about them and enjoyed reading about them.

The story is fastboaced and compelling, making it hard to put down. The tone is light but exciting. All in all this is one of my favourite novels not just in the horror genre but in general.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked most of this book. There was so much going on with the ghosts and authors.The mix of personalities was good. Narration by Jamison Walker was really good.It felt a bit lackluster at the end. was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

[Shana Congrove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A ghostly horror at its finest 👌 Tamara Thorne and Alistair Cross did it again! I listened to the audiobook, narrated by the brilliant Jamison Walker.
The story is full of captivating characters, ghostly visitors, and mystery that will keep you invested from the beginning to end. I'm looking forward to book 2! Highly recommend this to everyone who loves great storytelling. 👍

[Siobhan D · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved listening to Jamison Walker

How can you hate, love, and want to care for characters and shake them all at the same time.
Spite House is a wonderful ghost stories, with psychological suspense.

[Tracy Fitzery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spite island part 1

This is such an exciting spooky book. There are so many possible ghosts and each one is scary. Each of the many crazy rooms in the house holds secrets and its own ghost story to tell. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nothing like a good old-fashioned haunted house story!

I'm a sucker for a good ghost story, especially in a haunted house full of secrets. Spite House definitely fulfils that for me!

[Wendy Shores · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. Going to read the second one when I find it. Haven't looked yet. Good characters and a plot that kept me reading.