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    Truth or Dare (2017)

    Truth or Dare (2017)

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    Eight college friends head to a "Haunted Rental" for Halloween. But when they replay the game that...

Lilac Skully and the Haunted House
Lilac Skully and the Haunted House
Amy Cesari | 2017 | Children, Mystery, Paranormal
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Lilac is a character you can't help but root for.
I don't often comment on covers, but I've got to start this by saying I love the cover for Lilac Skully and the Haunted House. The house is definitely suitably creepy, and the color choice for the sky is absolutely gorgeous. I did pick it up just to look at the cover more than once before it made it’s way to the top of my to-read pile. And at only 168 pages, when I finally did pick it up to read, it was a book that I flew through. Obviously it’ll take the intended age range a bit longer to read than it did for me, but I can’t imagine it being a slow go for anyone. It’s well-written and nicely paced. The story hits the ground running.

I liked Lilac Skully and the Haunted House. Lilac reminded, at least vaguely, of Luna Lovegood from the Harry Potter series. Not as crazy, mind you, but with the blonde hair, the big eyes, and the outcast status, it was hard for her not to feel a little familiar. This was a good thing, as it enabled me to immediately connect with the character a little more quickly than I might have normally. The fact that Lilac was scared of ghosts was perfect. Young readers will definitely be able to empathize with the little girl who does all the sensible things to avoid running into them. Who in their right mind would want to go into a haunted basement, right?

The set up is fairly typical of a kid’s book. A single parent family, with the father additionally and conveniently absent for the majority of the book. The adults that are in the picture for Lilac Skully and the Haunted House are bumbling, sometimes up to no good, and ridiculously easily fooled. Nothing new to see, but still entertaining to read. The formula works for a reason, even if we do celebrate times when things veer from the norm. In this case, it allowed Lilac to participate in some Home Alone-esque shenanigans that had me grinning.

It’s obvious the author has more adventures for Lilac Skully planned (seven, to be exact), and I think she will swiftly gain a loyal fanbase. Lilac Skully and the Haunted House was easy to read, and featured a little girl with a lot of heart. I enjoyed watching Lilac learn that appearances can be deceiving, and that sometimes the people you least expect can become your best friends.

Overall, a very good read for young readers who want something with ghosts, but not something ‘too scary’. Lilac Skully and the Haunted House worth picking up, and something you can let them read on their own, or read with you each evening.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the author for review consideration.
  
Boylan House
Boylan House
Ron Ripley | 2015 | Horror, Thriller
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
81 of 250
Kindle
Boylan House
By Ron Ripley

Once read a review will be written via Smashbomb and link posted in comments

For nearly three and a half centuries, the Boylan House has stood at the end of Meeting House Road. And something in that house has been killing boys for centuries.The town of Monson is a quaint and quiet New England town. Yet the house is terrifying and has been for as long as anyone can remember. Adults put the thing out of mind and ignore the fears of their children, admonishing them to stay away.Too many boys have vanished into the swamps behind the house. Bodies never recovered. Nothing ever recovered. The families are left with their memories and the disturbing thought that the Boylan House had something to do with it.Mason Philips knows better than that. He knows that there's something in the house. Something evil. Something hunting children from time to time. And Mason has decided that it's time for the killing to stop.

I am really enjoying reading this author at the minute I’m currently working my way through his Haunted series. This was very creepy and a good horror although reading it in the middle of the night in the dark added to the creepy. Very good author for those that love old fashioned scary.
  
Sisters An’gel and Dickce Ducote are only too happy to help Mary Turner Catlin, the granddaughter of their friend. It seems the family house is haunted, and she wants them to help her figure out what is causing the problem. It isn’t too long after they arrive that they begin to experience some strange things, but it’s the uninvited guests who really up the tension. What are the sisters involved in now?

I love the main characters in this book, both human and four legged, so I was glad to get a chance to visit them again. They delight as always, and the new characters are strong as well. The pacing was a little off over all, but the haunted house aspect is a nice addition to the mystery. Fans of the author will enjoy this latest book.

NOTE: I received a copy of this book.

Read my full review at <a href="http://carstairsconsiders.blogspot.com/2017/10/book-review-fixing-to-die-by-miranda.html">Carstairs Considers</a>.
  
The Haunting of Hill House
The Haunting of Hill House
2018 | Horror
Not too bad
This Netflix original series turned out better than I expected. I started it with a hesitation... How could they make a series about a haunted house? I was sort of right in that it played out like one long movie and I don't see it being something that will carry on for more seasons. The acting wasn't bad-the characters well played. The effects and cinematography were pretty cool. The story was slow moving but interesting enough to keep me watching and the creep factor was definitely there. I never read the book but, as with most books-made-into-shows/movies, I'm sure it doesn't do it justice(they never do). However, I did enjoy it enough simply for what it was-an interesting haunted house story-to want to see it through to the end. While not the greatest series ever, it was definitely entertaining. Worth a watch.
  
Death by Haunted House
Death by Haunted House
Lee Hollis | 2022 | Mystery
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
A Haunted Flashback
This novella flashes back ten years to 2009 and a time when series protagonist Hayley Powell was still married. A new family has moved to town and moved in next door to Hayley and her young family into a long-abandoned house that is rumored to be haunted. When they move in, they are unfriendly and obviously keeping secrets, and Hayley’s husband, Danny, is certain that they are hiding something. When a dead body turns up in the woods behind their neighborhood, Danny is certain they are involved. Is he right?

I found the story here very entertaining, although I did guess a couple plot points early. Still, the solution to the mystery was a surprise, and I had to laugh at some of the events along the way. On the other hand, I found Danny extremely selfish and annoying, and Hayley does something extremely stupid, with is ironic since she complains about Danny’s behavior at times.

NOTE: This story is a novella, roughly 100 pages, and was originally part of the novella collection Haunted House Murder. If you have that book, there is no need to buy this ebook. If you haven’t read the story, now is the time to sit back and enjoy this Halloween trip to Maine.
  
I love this series. It features former child star Jupiter Jones and his friends, Bob and Pete.
Jupiter decides to form a detective agency and puts Kristin Amanda Thomas to business shame by tricking his way into a meeting with Alfred Hitchcock, who is looking for a haunted house to shoot a movie in.

There are some nice creepy moments here and the friendship between the boys is a lot of fun.