He stopped once or twice and stood with bent head listening. The unrest outside seemed to increase; a loud creaking sounded from the stairs.

The Toll review – toll booth man with no name fights back in The Toll review – toll booth man with no name fights back in

And without turning this into a complete complainfest, there are more than one or two plot holes and storylines not so much unresolved as simply abando - With a tragic historic tale at its heart, and a modern-day single mum struggling to deal with its spectral resonance, Carly Reagon’s The Toll House debut tingles with historic and psychological intrigue. It’s a gripping ghost story that unfolds with chilling pace through narratives told in two timelines. He crossed over and closed it gently. Then at a scuffling noise behind him he turned and saw Meagle in a heap on the hearthstone.History Makers: Female Writers Dominate the 2023 William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award Shortlist The lodge was almost hidden by over-grown shrubs and the drive was choked with rank growths. Meagle leading, they pushed through it until the dark pile of the house loomed above them. He sprang forward too late; Lester, with his face buried in his arms, had rolled over on the floor fast asleep, and his utmost efforts failed to awake him. R.F. Kuang, Sue Lynn Tan, Rebecca Ross, Kate Heartfield, N.E. Davenport, Saara El-Arifi, Juno Dawson and Sunyi Dean The Toll House is by far, the creepiest, most chilling book I've ever read. I had to pause in the wee hours of the morning even if I wanted to finish it because I was more than a little freaked out with what was going on. Carly Reagon's writing built such a fantastic, spooky atmosphere.

The Toll House - Newton Stewart - online booking - ViaMichelin The Toll House - Newton Stewart - online booking - ViaMichelin

Lester and White finished their cups with irritating slowness, pausing between sips to sniff the aroma, and to discover the sex and dates of arrival of the "strangers" which floated in some numbers in the beverage. Mr. Meagle served them to the brim, and then, turning to the grimly expectant Mr. Barnes, blandly requested him to ring for hot water.

One of the best aspects of the dual timelines is the manner in which in the reader discovers more surrounding the house and makes both sections equally gripping. If you're looking for a ghostly, spooky 👻 read to squeeze in before Halloween then look no further!

The Toll House | Carly Reagon | 9781408726440 | NetGalley The Toll House | Carly Reagon | 9781408726440 | NetGalley

But when Kelda finds a death mask concealed behind one of the walls, everything changes. Inexplicable things happen in the house, Kelda cannot shake the feeling of being watched and Dylan is plagued by nightmares, convinced he can see figures in his room. As Dylan’s behaviour becomes increasingly challenging, Kelda seeks answers in the house’s mysterious past. But she’s running out of time. This recently released book took me out of my usual comfort zone... I braved the ghouls and ghosts especially for you lot so I could review this in time for the witching hour! 🧙 Meagle fingered his chin. "Who shut it?" he inquired, looking from one to the other. "Who came in last?"I'll bet you a sovereign you won't spend the night there alone, for all your talk," said White suddenly. An edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting read. I loved it. -- KATE HAMER author of THE GIRL IN THE RED COAT