Novel: The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall
Author: Mary Downing Hahn
Pages: 160
Genre: 9-12 (YA or Independent Reader)
When twelve-year-old Florence boards the crowded horse-drawn coach in London, she looks forward to a new life with her great uncle and aunt at Crutchfield Hall, an old manor house in the English countryside. Anything will be better, she thinks, than the grim London orphanage where she has lived since her parents' death.
But Florence doesn't expect the ghost of her cousin Sophia, who haunts the cavernous rooms and dimly lit hallways of Crutchfield and concocts a plan to use Florence to help her achieve her murderous goals. Will Florence be able to convince the others in the household of the imminent danger and stop Sophia before it's too late?
(I will not be posting any spoilers! Only opinion for the sake of those of us who love to have our first look at a book be untainted by foreknowledge.)
I love ghost stories and this was definitely a great one. It was a short easy read that gave just the right dose of everything. You have amazing concepts that gives a new spin on things, you have an evil girl you wish weren’t a ghost so you could slap her into her senses and you have an amazing family where each character really has their own lovable personality that pulls you towards them. You know when you were at a family dinner and everyone had their own strange flaws that you all know about or their own virtues you know and you look around and see then for who they really are but love them anyways? This novel has that. Mary Downing Hahn really managed to pull that off. The main girl is quiet a special young girl to me. She had a great deal on her plate and she managed to stay herself and not let herself get lost along the way. I loved this novel, absolutely wonderful ghost story that I look forward to hearing more opinions about!
5 Stars!
Would I suggest you read it:
Yes. If you love ghost stories, new spins on spirits or simply want a short read that can help you escape your life… go for it!
(This novel was received through netGalley. This does not change my stance, opinion or effect my views in any way.)
Books like this amaze me. As soon as I'm finished what I'm reading now, I'm buying this one. :)
ReplyDeleteI love this author! I wish she'd been around writing when I was a kid. It doesn't stop me from reading her now, though.
ReplyDeleteHi, I just chose you as one of the recipients of Seven Facts Award. Hope you will accept it. http://candychapstick.blogspot.com/2011/02/seven-facts-award.html
ReplyDeleteI have to say the cover does a great job of making me want to read more. Thanks for sharing this. Is it in ebook format also?
ReplyDeleteOoooo, this looks like a book for me!
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by Mommys Online Garage Sale, I am your newest follower.
Have a great day.