The Haunting of Velkwood is compelling from the first page, and does not let go until the very end. The concept of this novel is so clever, yet so simple. Instead of a haunted house, we have a haunted block of homes, which no one can enter, except the three survivors. Our protagonist, Talitha, is one of these survivors.
Twenty years after the incident, Talitha is invited by a researcher to return to the tragic scene, which has been the subject of much media attention. Down on her luck and unmoored, Talitha accepts the offer, and hopes for a resolution to the mystery that has haunted her for most of her adult life.. And when she enters the spectral street, things get very bizarre indeed.
I have read so many ghost stories and novels; some derivative, some terrifying. But The Haunting of Velkwood is utterly original, and incredibly exciting. It felt like every chapter ended with a revelation that made me physically gasp and urge me continue reading (FYI – I started this book on a Friday night and was finished by Sunday).
Kiste is a fantastic writer; her short story The Man in the Ambry is one of my favorite ghost stories. While I enjoyed her previous novels, The Rust Maidens, and Reluctant Immortals, for me, The Haunting of Velkwood truly captures the horror and the intrigue of the aforementioned ghost story.
I can’t recommend this book highly enough. Beautifully written, perfectly paced, and heartbreaking and terrifying in equal measure.
The Haunting of Velkwood is out right now!
Thanks to Gwendolyn Kiste and Saga for the ARC.
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