What do you think?
Rate this book
The Haunting
In 1866, Father Oliver Grafield, a Catholic priest and exorcist, is asked to allay the haunting experiences occurring at Candleton Hall. Within hours of his arrival there, he experiences the phenomena—pools of blood on the floor, a woman dressed in black, and a foreboding sense of malevolence.
212 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1997
21 people are currently reading
301 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doherty
204 books606 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
He has been published under several pseudonyms: P.C. Doherty, Celia L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas, Vanessa Alexander, Michael Clynes and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name.
Paul Doherty was born in Middlesbrough (North-Eastern England) in 1946. He had the usual education before studying at Durham for three years for the Catholic priesthood but decided not to proceed. He went to Liverpool University where he gained a First Class Honours Degree in History and won a state scholarship to Exeter College, Oxford, whilst there he met his wife Carla Lynn Corbitt. He continued his studies but decided that the academic world was not for him and became a secondary school teacher.
Paul worked in Ascot, Nottingham and Crawley West Sussex before being appointed as Headmaster to Trinity Catholic School in September 1981. Trinity is a large comprehensive [1700 on roll] which teaches the full ability range, ages 11-18. The school has been described as one of the leading comprehensives in the U.K. In April, 2000 H. M. Inspectorate describe it as an 'Outstanding School', and it was given Beacon status as a Centre of Excellence whilst, in the Chief Inspector’s Report to the Secretary of State for January 2001, Trinity Catholic High School was singled out for praise and received a public accolade.
Paul’s other incarnation is as a novelist. He finished his doctorate on the reign of Edward II of England and, in 1987, began to publish a series of outstanding historical mysteries set in the Middle Age, Classical, Greek, Ancient Egypt and elsewhere. These have been published in the United States by St. Martin’s Press of New York, Edhasa in Spain, and Eichborn, Heyne, Knaur and others in Germany. They have also been published in Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Romania, Estonia, Czechoslovakia, Russia, Bulgaria, Portugal and China, as well as Argentina and Mexico.
He has been published under several pseudonyms (see the bibliography): C. L. Grace, Paul Harding, Ann Dukthas and Anna Apostolou but now writes only under his own name. He recently launched a very successful series based around the life of Alexander the Great, published by Constable & Robinson in the U.K., and Carroll and Graf in the U.S.A., whilst his novels set in Ancient Egypt have won critical acclaim. Paul has also written several non-fiction titles; A Life of Isabella the She-wolf of France, Wife of Edward II of England, as well as study of the possible murder of Tutankhamun, the boy Pharaoh of Egypt’s 18th Dynasty, and a study on the true fate of Alexander the Great.
Paul and Carla live on the borders of London and Essex, not far from Epping Forest and six of their children have been through his own school. His wife Carla currently owns two horses and is training, for showing and dressage, a beautiful Arab filly named Polly.
Paul lectures for a number of organisations, particularly on historical mysteries, many of which later feature in his writings. A born speaker and trained lecturer Paul Doherty can hold and entertain audiences.
His one great ambition is to petition the Privy Council of England to open the Purbeck marble tomb of Edward II in Gloucester Cathedral. Paul believes the tomb does not house the body
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
October 7, 2022
I have mixed feelings about this book. It was exciting in a lot of parts but I got bored in some parts. I didn’t love it enough to make it a 4 star book.
June 5, 2020
Full review at classicmystery.blog
February 2, 2021
Father Grafield has a gift...or is cursed. After the sudden death of his brother when they were children, the good Father is able to see spirits. As a result, the church sometimes calls upon him to perform exorcisms. When he is called to Candleton Hall in Norfolk, he quickly feels the malevolent presence that resides there. Is the good Father strong enough to rid the hall of the evil that lurks there or will he too become just another victim?
I was really drawn into this story. It manages to mash up a good ghost story, the ritualistic practice of exorcisms, and some Victorian history into a page turner of a book.
Recommended for those who like a creepy ghost story served up with a side of British history!
I was really drawn into this story. It manages to mash up a good ghost story, the ritualistic practice of exorcisms, and some Victorian history into a page turner of a book.
Recommended for those who like a creepy ghost story served up with a side of British history!
September 30, 2022
This was a very quaint, quick little haunted house / exorcism story. I was immediately drawn in by the writing and enjoyed following this awkward priest fighting an evil force. Definitely a good start to the Halloween reading season!
October 23, 2017
Fantastically atmospheric. I have always loved reading Paul Doherty's books--I can always feel the history of the times he writes about. I have to admit that this book remains my favorite. Not only can I see the characters through his masterful writing I can see, smell, feel and hear Candleton Hall (in Norfolk). This ghost story was the perfect reading material in these foggy October days I have been experiencing.
Recommended for those who like ghost stories but nothing too scary or bloody.
Recommended for those who like ghost stories but nothing too scary or bloody.
June 15, 2020
Very nice book filled with hauntings, old buildings, priests and exorcisms galore - it's just a good old fashioned ghost story and well worth a read.
March 21, 2022
Terrifying almost from page one. I loved the characters, ambiance, and the totally believable ghosts. I devoured this book in one setting and I don't recommend reading it after dark or when you are alone!! One of the best ghost stories I have read in a long time, and I love paranormal, so that's saying something. If you love a great ghost story, read this one. You will only be sorry if you don't. I highly recommend this book. I and am going to see if there are any more by this author with these characters, and if there are, get them all.
June 25, 2014
Started off intense and very interesting, but by 3/4 way through I just wanted it to be over.
October 26, 2023
After reading all the glowing reviews I found myself very disappointed with this ghost story. It isn't remotely scary. The characters are sympathetically drawn which is good, but the story struck me as extremely thin. The tension you would expect to build in a haunting or exorcism tale never happened, events & theories are presented, things happen, then it ends.
I've not read any of the author's other works, & despite the fact that they're well thought of by many readers I'm not tempted to try any.
As for spooky tales I'll stay with M.R. James, H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen & co.
I've not read any of the author's other works, & despite the fact that they're well thought of by many readers I'm not tempted to try any.
As for spooky tales I'll stay with M.R. James, H.P. Lovecraft, Arthur Machen & co.
July 10, 2017
Great could not put this book down
Anybody who likes a ghostly read. I loved the period of time when this all took place, another well done Mr Doherty
Anybody who likes a ghostly read. I loved the period of time when this all took place, another well done Mr Doherty
May 23, 2020
A great ghost story, definitely kept me awake listening for tapping at the window..
January 10, 2022
It was an amazing horror read to start 2022.
Horror lovers, don't miss this one!
Horror lovers, don't miss this one!
May 28, 2023
Loved reading this.
Full of atmosphere & tension. A great read.
Full of atmosphere & tension. A great read.
May 2, 2018
An excellent book
This is the first book I've read by Paul Doherty and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written and researched and a page turner indeed. Looking forward to reading more of Mr Doherty-s books.
This is the first book I've read by Paul Doherty and thoroughly enjoyed it. Well written and researched and a page turner indeed. Looking forward to reading more of Mr Doherty-s books.
June 30, 2022
This was a book I read first many years ago. It's a quick, easy read, centred around numerous hauntings and the murders that lie behind them. The characters aren't bad although I found the young priest occasionally irritating. There was also a fair bit of repetition within the story, a lot of sudden cold spells etc. It's also not really a mystery, you know what's going on and who's behind it, there are no twists or surprises. It's not bad but the author has done much better.
December 9, 2019
This story was a quick read but still terrifying. Set in Victorian London, the opening chapters are full of creepy and menacing atmosphere where a priest, Oliver Grafeld, is called in to deal with one of the wickedest ghosts I have ever seen, who was a psycho when alive so imagine what he is like after death! Taking place in a cold, filthy house, the menace is palpable.
On the strength of the success of this exorcism, Oliver is assigned to Candleton Manor by his archbishop. Alice, the lady of the house has approached the Church for help with what she is convinced is a haunting in the property. Accompanied by his sister Emma, Oliver goes to the rescue. The events that take place are subtle but terrifying and this makes for a very well executed Victorian Gothic ghost story. All the gothic elements are there, infused with humour of the lightest touch and an intriguing character in Emma. And Oliver displays good detective skills even though that’s not his day job. Always a bonus in this sort of a tale.
The ghost, or entity, is rotten to the core and though the back story (and what a long back story it is, going back to the 1400s) tells us what happened all that time ago, the evil has grown and developed which creates a fantastical atmosphere. The story is packed with detailed historical information and is fascinating.
The book was written 22 years ago and though the ending left it open for a sequel, or even a series, I was quite disillusioned to find that there actually weren’t any.
On the strength of the success of this exorcism, Oliver is assigned to Candleton Manor by his archbishop. Alice, the lady of the house has approached the Church for help with what she is convinced is a haunting in the property. Accompanied by his sister Emma, Oliver goes to the rescue. The events that take place are subtle but terrifying and this makes for a very well executed Victorian Gothic ghost story. All the gothic elements are there, infused with humour of the lightest touch and an intriguing character in Emma. And Oliver displays good detective skills even though that’s not his day job. Always a bonus in this sort of a tale.
The ghost, or entity, is rotten to the core and though the back story (and what a long back story it is, going back to the 1400s) tells us what happened all that time ago, the evil has grown and developed which creates a fantastical atmosphere. The story is packed with detailed historical information and is fascinating.
The book was written 22 years ago and though the ending left it open for a sequel, or even a series, I was quite disillusioned to find that there actually weren’t any.
September 17, 2008
good book. it is about a young catholic priest in victorian england shortly after the catholic church is allowed back into england. he is an exorcist working on the behalf of the church. because of the sensitive nature of hauntings and possessions he is not granted a parish or stable location, but sent from place to place to perform his exorcisms. he is a skeptical man and tho he knows ghosts exist he believes far more in man's ability for self deception and fear. in each assignment he is given he first checks if the clients imagination is getting the worst of them, but then he gets drawn into a case that is more challenging than he has faced before. aided with his sister who is over protective of him, he tries to find out what is really going on in candleton hall.
April 17, 2011
Liked the book in general. Never read a book on the topic of exorcism. There seems to me many stories along this line and this one was short and sweet and scary at moments. I wouldn't have guessed the end kept you hanging, but what's a good horror story about - suspense, right? All in all I liked it for my first scary read in a really long time. (I use to read R.L. Stine when I was in Elementary School). I hope to read more like this in the future so I have some other books to compare and contrast.
May 22, 2014
This was an amazing book from the start, It was recommended by a friends mother and was a great read. I could not put this book down once I started reading it was gripping from the first chapter. This book without putting spoilers out there is a great example of a fantastic haunting story. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in the paranormal.
October 21, 2010
Not one of his best works, but still entertaining.
September 8, 2014
Very good read , all go from the start
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews