John Bladek

4.5/5 stars!

WINTERBAY ABBEY is a beautifully written Gothic style ghost story and I adored it, from start to finish!

When I saw this being compared to Susan Hill's THE WOMAN IN BLACK, I was a bit hesitant because, to be honest, I did not like that tale AT ALL. It was repetitious and I felt it lacked the Gothic, quiet horror atmosphere that I love so much. I needn't have worried because this book was much better than that one and it had the added advantage of Matt Godfrey's narration.

This is the story of a man and his wife, Will & Emily, getting over a recent accident where the wife nearly lost her hand. They've also just discovered that Emily is pregnant. Her damaged hand has affected her ability to contribute to the family's financial resources and times are tight. When Will's boss offers makes him take a job in Maine drawing up architecture plans to turn an abandoned abbey into a resort hotel, he jumps on the chance to secure his family's financial future. At the last minute, he decided to invite Emily to meet him there. Will their plans work out? Will they succeed in having a happy and healthy family? You'll have to read this to find out!

I do love me a quiet horror story. What does that mean? For me, it means atmospheric, inspiring feelings of dread and fear, without spilling a lot of blood and guts. This must be difficult to write, because, to be honest, I haven't read that many good, quiet horror stories. This one is better than good, it's fantastic! There were a few instances where I thought Will made a bad decision or two, but overall, I also felt that it was realistic in the telling, and I was rooting for our couple to make it through.

With the always rich narration of Matt Godfrey, I felt this couple come to life. I hope that you give it a chance and let Will and Emily come alive for you.

Highly recommended! Get your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01L9UVJUE/charshorcor-20

*Thanks to narrator and friend, Matt Godfrey, for the audio copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. This is it!*… (més)

We started off on a high note, getting to know our lead characters, and diving head first into the history of Winterbay from the locals. Let's just say that "colorful" doesn't do it justice. From a convent to a home for wayward girls to the severely creepy shell that remains today, aside from the location having a great (and dangerous!) view...it's beyond me why anyone would want to set foot there. Certainly not Will Larson, especially after everything he learns AND experiences.

We are shown echoes of the past as Will explores the Abbey for all its worth. He's trying his best to secure a good life for both himself and his growing family, but while he's plagued by his own missteps, these new intrusions are seriously making him question his sanity. Strange additions to his drawings, mysterious blankets with a rather familiar signature, figures on the beach calling out for...help? Revenge? Justice? Just WHY was he the one reached out to? Was there no other soul to connect with that would understand the strangeness of what was going on...the lingering hurt from generations of bad deeds done in the name of good? There was much to puzzle and several leaps of imagination to take as the story twists and turns, binding you to its bones like so much cement in a foundation. I will admit that the seagulls outside my work totally had me flashing back to the Abbey and not in the most pleasant of ways after having finished a fairly precarious scene before having to pause things and head into work. *-*

In the end, though certainly not in a format I favor, the story itself was definitely a winner! If you're a fan of gothic horror or simply love a good spooky story, this one's for you. The characters are memorable for so many reasons and the perilous nature of everything as it currently stands will keep you on the edge of your seat. Try to guess along the way just how things will turn out...and even if you're a stickler for details thinking you might rival the great Holmes himself, I bet you don't see everything coming.
… (més)

** I received a copy of this book for free through a Goodreads giveaway. **

This was a wonderfully creepy and enthralling gothic ghost story. The characters were well developed and the sense of horror and dread creeps up on you throughout the story. I would have liked some more detail as to the past crimes that led to the present day haunting but there was enough detail given to keep the story flowing. And the ending....proving the futility of fighting ghosts (at least in gothic stories!). Definitely recommended to anyone who loves ghost stories, creepy tales or being scared!… (més)