The Haunting of Gillespie House Paperback – July 18, 2015

I have a very annoying habit, to both myself and the people who attempt to write for me, of judging a book within the first page or two. Story, content and writing style have to be nearly perfect in those first few pages to hold my attention. I applaud Darcy Coates for not only capturing my attention but holding it through out the entire book. One of my favorite things about this book is that the story stays with the story. Allow me to explain. So often authors feel as though we need to know everything they know about a character before they ever actually allow us, the gentle reader, to hear the story they wanted to tell in the first place. Not so with this novel. The heroine, and yes, Elle is a true heroine, has very little background story. By the end of the story we still know very little about her, and that's fine, because that allows us to focus on why she has entered the drama in the first place. It's simple, she is there. We know that she is tenacious and not easily frightened. We know that she is bright and ready to rise to the occasion. I love how easily she fits into the story. It's not forced or contrived. It makes sense that she is there, and boy are we glad she's the one in that house and not us. Which brings us to the actual story of Gillespie house. This is a genuine horror story. Things that go bump in the night, slamming doors, hidden chambers, and an evil that lurks just out of the peripherary.Darcy Coates has a new fan.

This is my first novel by D. Coates. I enjoy supernatural stories and haunted houses. This novel has minimal violence and seems in some ways to pay respect to earlier works, Hell House by Shirley Jackson coming to mind (lots of references, for ex.,of the house being alive/breathing). It follows a young woman who is house sitting for an older couple who are off on a month long retreat to repair their failing marriage. Like any traditional haunted house story the house is in the middle of nowhere,conveniently leaving the lead cut off from others, surrounded by a dense wood.I found the premise of the novel to be interesting, and I love it when the horror spans multiple generations. In fact, that is what I liked most about the novel. I do think that the writer spent a little too much describing where the lead was standing/moving and it seemed both distracting and poorly executed.The female was a bit...frustrating. And the novel needed this if it was to occur over a few days because some of her choices made me wonder how she managed to reach adult hood. She ignored instinct, threw caution to the wind,and endangered herself a lot. Naturally the consequences were not always kind to her and she always regrets these choices but never seems to learn. But she is human, so maybe my criticism is too harsh.But that is not why I gave it three stars.I gave it three stars because of the ending. It was rushed, and a little cringe worthy in terms of execution (very campy). I've read enough novels that there are some things I cannot ignore, and I refuse to give a novel a higher rating just because of it's price (2.99).

I wanted to like this book. I mean, it's Halloween season, the cover art is cool, but inside, the story left a lot to be desired.The author sets up a premise that makes very little sense. A couple leaves a house sitter in their home for no real discernible reason. The home is in the country with nobody to bother it, there are no pets...there's really no reason for a house sitter. The main character tells her story in a first person narration. She doesn't interact with anyone else, except a few frantic phone calls.The outline had potential, but it felt like it was rushed. The story could have had more depth.It's not a very long story. Three short stories are also included in the book. The first two were not compelling. The third was interesting, but again, could have used some more story.If this is Coates's style, to write in first person about characters who have very little interaction or conversation with others, I don't think I'll pursue her other works. She has some pretty good reviews. I expected more.

As I got into this book I kept thinking, "Is this like reading a story from THE TWILIGHT ZONE?" It sure seemed like it. Okay, the story seems to follow a classic pattern. Elle agrees to house sit an old mansion for a month while the owners leave for a vacation/retreat. The house is 200 years old, and big. There are night time noises, footsteps, scratching in the walls, and a locked room. Sound familiar? And a young girl with too much curiosity that cannot refrain from going where she is not supposed to. Promise you, once you get into this book, you can't put it down. But then it is not a long read.

I've liked a few of this author's other books, but I'm learning that they are hit or miss. This one was miss. Just when it felt like the story was getting started, it was over. And there were things used in the climax to defeat the ghost that were never even hinted at earlier on. It was if she just decided at the last minute to throw some magical artifact in the save the day. There just wasn't much story structure, and it seemed as if the author sat down, wrote it, and never looked at it again.

Again Darcy's writing ability has had me gripped to this book unable to stop reading and eager for more. It seemed to have finished rather quick or maybe that was me reading too quick I can't decide.Again the easy flow of Darcy's writing and the way in which you find yourself captivated by the main character's story, makes this book so enjoyable. I didn't find it as creepy as the haunting of ashburn house book but still a good horror.

Great read. Well written. Just found the heroine a little u real. Exploring a creepy house in the dark on her own. Hmmm i would have been out of there!!!!!!

I liked this story tho not as much as her previous works, we have Elle housesitting and unraveling a long history for the house and it's long since dead occupants .. Good read and kept me hooked til the end 😊Most definitely worth a read.

Good yarn.not long enough

Didnt live up to what I expected and hoped for. Really was looking for a good old fashioned ghost story. I felt the book had alot missing and abruptly ended. Such a shame as had high expectations after reading the reviews.