House of Echoes

July 12, 2002
House of Echoes
Barbara Erskine

I was thrilled to find this in hardcover at the Half Price Books on Northwest Highway, because it’s out of print now. I’d heard of it, but when I looked for it on Amazon it was unavailable. It’s a haunted house story – my favorite, of course! It’s also a “poor girl inherits a mansion from her mother who gave her up for adoption years ago” story, which is even better. And it takes place in England – always a great setting for a haunted house story. It’s not Barbara Michaels – who is? – but it was entertaining.

Joss (Jocelyn) learns that she’s inherited a great mansion from her mother, who she’s never known, and since she and her husband are about to go broke, it’s a show more good thing, isn’t it? (chuckle). Anyway, she, the husband (can’t remember his name) and their little boy move in, and right away strange things start to happen. Strangely enough because I can’t stand kids, I was sometimes genuinely disturbed by the things that happened to the little boy, Tom. He was being harmed by the spirit in the house, and the descriptions of his tears and frantic cries had me feeling angry at his ignorant parents, who couldn’t seem to figure out that something was deliberately hurting and scaring him. So, the writer did a good job in playing with my emotions – well done! I also liked the ending, which didn’t result in some tacky fire or them leaving the house behind (I hate that). show less

Not my favorite Erskine, but not a bad little book either. Filled with just the right level of creepy, this is a suspenseful ghost story with ties to the time of the Wars of the Roses. It more or less follows the premise of a family inheriting an old house with a reputation. Shortly thereafter strange things begin to occur: the sound of children playing, a mysterious man who only the toddler can see, and white roses appearing out of nowhere.

What irked me about this book was what is kind of always lingering in the back of most of Erskine's novels: how the people who are supposed to love each other are always somewhat nasty to one another. It seems like it's always a woman who is experiencing something supernatural, and the men in her show more life don't believe her, instead chalking her experiences up to female hysteria. The men of her books are liberal with the word "bitch" when describing women. In this case, Luke is kind of a dick to his wife, Joss, dismissing all her experiences out of hand. If she does something he doesn't like he throws a hissy-fit. There is also the trope of women who hate each other and can't get along. Joss's sister, Lyn, is downright awful to her. These are themes that seem to run through all of the Erskine books I've read, but seemed especially prominent in House of Echoes. On the other hand, her characters didn't seem to have such crippling alcohol dependencies in this one...

The above issues aside, this is a good ghost story and a fast page-turner. show less

When Joss, an adopted child, discovers that her real mother has left the beautiful family home, Belheddon Hall, to her, she is thrilled, until she discovers that the Hall is haunted by a presence which will not tolerate husbands or sons living in the house.
When Joss Grant inherits the beautiful old house on the East Anglian coast, it is a dream come true. Eager to begin a new life there with her husband and son, she is also impatient to find out about her newly discovered family who lived there for generations.
But Joss begins to hears echoing voices and senses an invisible presence, watching her from the shadows. Are they spirits from the past? Or is it her imagination? As she learns, with mounting horror, of the house's tragic history, show more her fears intensify, for she realizes that both her family and her own sanity are at the mercy of a violent and powerful energy which seems beyond anyone's control.
Despite the threat to her own husband and son, Joss is unable to break free, and, in a last desperate attempt, conjures up the presence to deal with ‘it’ once and for all.

My Thoughts:

I was looking for fiction books that were about Edward IV and this one came up. I have read BE books before and I find that they are hit and miss.

This one I found a happy medium. I like the fact that it had a hidey seeky ghostie feel to it and at time was creepy. I did find it though to be slightly overlong and could have been a tad shorter. Not that the book was a big tome of a thing, just that at times it was repeating itself.

This book does have a haunted house and good spirits and bad, and all the ghostie happenings that one would expect. The characters were at times a bit wishy washy but that I think is the same in any BE book.

I would perhaps recommend something like this to read in the darker months when a reader can be curled up in front of a fire to feel the effects of the creepiness. show less

A blend of mystery, suspense, tragedy, and the supernatural that explores the centuries old curse of Belheddon Hall.
The characters were well written (see if the main characters sister doesn't drive you nuts! lol But, in my opinion a character that irritates you is better than one that makes you feel nothing.) The writing was enjoyable, although the story was a bit predictable. Still, the book delivered a few chills and was an enjoyable read.

A slightly creepy ghost story with a bit of a twist -- the family curse. I really enjoyed this read and couldn't put it down until I was done.

Enjoyable read featuring Erskine's usual blend of history and suspense.

loved it, Brilliant, and a great story line.
Warning not to be read alone at night! i landed up head under the covers.. SHUDDER!