This book is a prelude to a book series that the author has coming out soon as this book sets up the rest of the series. I will be looking forward to reading the other books in this series to continue on with the hauntings of Perron Manor and what is in store for its next victims. Giving this book five

This is the first book I have read by Lee Mountford, and I will definitely be reading the rest of his writing! I enjoyed this prequel and Haunted: Perron Manor. Great spooky tale about a evil house! This description (delivered by one of Ritter’s interviewees) is understated, yet extremely vivid. The fact it sounds like dialogue lends further potency to it. The detail I think is most unique here is actually the “no lips”. I can totally see those ape-like gums. But, in terms of scare factor, he saves the best until last: “No eyes” . It’s an iconic, almost archetypal image, that is made more powerful by what went before. We can’t help but picture Sam Neil in Event Horizon. Chilling. I am looking forward to rereading the rest of the series once again so that I can surround myself in the haunted realm! Giving this one five "Scary Boo Demon" stars!These are all really good signs and why I'm happy to recommend this book to other readers, however I haven't given the book 5 stars, instead I have given it a worthy 4 stars. I will admit, I felt the "connection" between the characters was forced somehow, and many of their conversations/actions just didn't feel . . . authentic. . . to me. Perron Manor located in Northern England has been around for centuries and ever since it has been built the manor has taken the lives of people that have lived in it. The manor has been other things besides just "a manor" but that doesn't make it all that less scary as when people move in or even stay the night, things happen that will make the people either run screaming into the night or they might just disappear altogether and may never be heard from again. Serving as a prequel novella for the upcoming trilogy of the same name, Inside does it’s job as both a fictional non fiction text (I know, weird way to write that), and a literary teaser of things to come. I will probably be reading the next book as well. Not sure when. I did try the second book but it couldn’t grab me, but then again, that may have to do with me having another book on my mind (Don’t Tell a Soul). Guess after I finish that one I will try again.

Sisters Chloe and Sarah are left Perron Manor in an inheritance after their Uncle passes away. Chloe with her husband, Andrew and their baby Emma along with Sarah all decide to live together in the manor as they figure it would be a great opportunity for all of them, so they move in. Chloe though has been in the house when she was little with her parents, but bad things happened in the house at that time and she doesn't remember everything that took place. What I liked: Perron Manor is a massive house on an acreage near a small town. The house has history. Known history. In fact, so well known, books and paranormal investigators have all weaved its way into the lore. The story itself follows Sarah and Chloe, sisters who’ve inherited Perron Manor after their uncle passed away. They move out to the old property, excited to be owners of a mansion, even if it needs some work to update it. Chloe has an infant daughter, Emma as well as her mildly disgruntled husband Andrew. This prequel delves into the history of the fictional Perron Manor, the horrific occurrences at the house on Halloween 1982 and describes a 2014 weekend investigation of the home by a team of paranormal researchers. I listen to a lot of podcasts, and this story had the tone of a paranormal podcast with the added horror aspects that fiction can add. Loved it! By the end of the novel, the characters were starting to grow on me, and some scenes with them were more "believable" than they were in the first three-quarters or so.Which for this reader was a crying shame, as the story promised a lot more for at least 89% of the book (and from 96% onwards...) I have to say I found Sarah’s POV OK, but as things got more heated. Ghosts started showing themselves more and more, but of course only to Chloe. Sarah changed into a caring sister into a big bitch. I am sorry, but that is the truth. She totally changed and I am still not sure if that is her being herself or if the house had some influence on it. I actually kind of hope the latter, because the third book is apparently fully Sarah… And after the shit she spewed over Chloe? I am not a fan. She totally went overboard on Sarah. She is your freaking sister, hello, a bit more care and compassion would have been nice. In many ways this is an excellent book. The characters of Chloe & Sarah, and the house itself are developed well over the course of the story, and for the majority of the story, the pacing is exactly on point for this story's subject matter. Why drop a star - the ending, but not the denouement - the denouement left me with more chills... however the ending left me cold - in the worst possible way I stopped caring about the characters because they started making completely bone-headed out-of-character decisions, and then there is Sarah, heavily foreshadowed as falling under the malign influence of the house, just isn't during the ending when I expected that foreshadowing to be revealed, and for no special reason I could see... geez this was anti-climatic. What I didn’t like: I think the toughest thing going in for me personally, was that this is part of a series. Knowing that I didn’t expect to get all the answers, but I found I didn’t get ANY answers. We got hints and bits of what had happened and maybe why the things were occurring, but I think, personally, too much was left unanswered as a draw for readers to dive into book two. As an example (spoiler-free) a discovery is made. A book. Not once do we hear about any attempt at research being done on the book. We do get an antiquities dealer, who may or may not return to the fold in the future, but otherwise nothing.

This book was one scary ride and author, Lee Mountford slowly builds up the haunting and spooky atmosphere all the way through the book then lowers the boom as things escalate in the manor to the point that I would stay up to the early morning hours reading it! Supernatural Scandal! Famed Investigator Ignored! "Well, I tried to warn them. I really did! But did they listen? No, (shrugs) what can you do with the modern sceptic?" - D. Ritter - The Paranormal Investigators Chanticleer. Do the sisters and Andrew make it out of the house? Why is the manor haunted? What is haunting the manor? What happens to this family when the haunting escalates? No spoilers here as you will just have to read the book!

Customer reviews

I listened to the audio book version of this story. Narrated by Hannibal Hills, the audio is just over 8 hours long. Hills does a great job of voice acting. I enjoyed his reading of the prequel, Inside: Perron Manor, and his performance was just as scary this time! As for the story, I enjoyed it from start to finish. The characters were a bit annoying at times and their decisions were total crap....but I don't think I would make great choices in a similar situation either! Chloe, was an interesting character and while I felt sad that she had to experience all the spookiness, it was interesting to see how that affected her. How it was first fear and disbelief, into fear and NOPE, trying to run away. I would have liked to see her remember things from the past though, even little glimpses would have been fine. One of the most common plot points or tropes for haunted house stories, especially those involving sprawling mansions, is the one where a family inherits it from a relative who has passed away. Typically the relative is one who has been a recluse or distanced themselves from the rest of the family over the years, so that not much, if anything, is known about them. The house itself is a major character. I wish Mountford had included some floor plans, as I’d have loved to see the layout. His descriptions are fantastic, but as a fan of stories that involve mansions like this, I often enjoy having a visual reminder.