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A review by lydiavsbooks
The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.75
My first Darcy Coates and it was exactly what I was wanting. A creepy, fast moving haunted house story that started off with a Hill House type dynamic of a group of near strangers coming together to investigate the house. I really liked the added premise of our main character being a tour guide for the haunted house, it added some extra details to the backstory of the house and mixed up the dynamics a little.
Although I don't think these characters will be particularly memorable for me, I did enjoy their development throughout and the dynamics between the group. Bernard was probably my favourite, although I do think he was presented as almost rude and standoffish by the other characters when really the poor bloke just wanted some personal space.
It was a very action packed story with cliffhangers nearly every chapter, which I can find to detract from the creepy elements, but I think this one balanced it well. There was lots happening but without becoming too desensitised to the ghosts or spooky happenings, and there were a couple of moments I did actually find kinda scary, which I enjoyed.
My only criticism really was the ending, there are a couple of reveals towards the end that I just found too convenient to make sense. I'm not unhappy with how it ended, but it was just a bit too happy of an ending and that kinda took me out of it a little.
Overall a really good time, a very solid haunted house story and I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
Although I don't think these characters will be particularly memorable for me, I did enjoy their development throughout and the dynamics between the group. Bernard was probably my favourite, although I do think he was presented as almost rude and standoffish by the other characters when really the poor bloke just wanted some personal space.
It was a very action packed story with cliffhangers nearly every chapter, which I can find to detract from the creepy elements, but I think this one balanced it well. There was lots happening but without becoming too desensitised to the ghosts or spooky happenings, and there were a couple of moments I did actually find kinda scary, which I enjoyed.
My only criticism really was the ending, there are a couple of reveals towards the end that I just found too convenient to make sense. I'm not unhappy with how it ended, but it was just a bit too happy of an ending and that kinda took me out of it a little.
Overall a really good time, a very solid haunted house story and I'll definitely be reading more from this author.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood and Vomit