Craven Manor by Darcy Coates is the second of my Halloween Reads series to get you in the scary mood. I was both excited and a little apprehensive about this book. This was my first venturing into the horror fiction genre and I wasn’t sure if I would like it. I’m not usually a fan of scary movies but this story made me delve deeper into the horror genre.

What’s It About?

This book centers on Daniel, a young man down on his luck and needing a lucky break. He seemingly finds it when he receives a letter offering him a job as caretaker of a manor. Yet when he arrives, he finds the manor seemingly abandoned except for another envelope he finds with the first installment of the money he is promised. Without any better options, he takes up residence in the caretaker cottage and proceeds to care for the manor. But when he sees a light within the manor yet no one in sight, he starts to get the feeling that this house may be hiding dark secrets and danger could be in his future.

My Thoughts

The story starts off with a note of suspense. Who sent him the letter and why? You’re caught into trying to figure out the mystery along with Daniel. The scenery of the manor lends to the overall mood of a growing sense of foreboding that this arrangement must have a catch. As the story progresses, you’re trying to figure out what is up with the house along with Daniel so it makes it hard to put the story down!( I think I finished it in less than two days).

Overall Impression

Craven Manor is a great starter into the horror genre, not too scary but definitely gives you that anxious scary movie feeling. It was reminiscent of the movie The Haunted Mansion, definitely not a kid’s movie but not so gruesome to be considered only for adults. It lands somewhere in the middle. Not only did Craven Manor put the horror genre on my radar but it left me longing for more!

Image from booksamillion.com

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