Review: The Haunting of Leigh Harker by Darcy Coates
The Haunting of Leigh Harker
by Darcy Coates
Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
Publish Date: October 7, 2021 (first pub 9/7/21)
Paperback
340 Pages
Standalone
Genres: Horror, Paranormal
Leigh Harker's quiet suburban home was her sanctuary for more than a decade, until things abruptly changed. Curtains open by themselves. Radios turn off and on. And a dark figure looms in the shadows of her bedroom door at night, watching her, waiting for her to finally let down her guard enough to fall asleep.
Pushed to her limits but unwilling to abandon her home, Leigh struggles to find answers. But each step forces her towards something more terrifying than she ever imagined.
A poisonous shadow seeps from the locked door beneath the stairs. The handle rattles through the night and fingernails scratch at the wood. Her home harbours dangerous secrets, and now that Leigh is trapped within its walls, she fears she may never escape.
Do you think you're safe?
You're wrong.
My Review:
Finally a buddy read with @escapefromrealilty! And what better way to launch our *first* with this paranormal horror novel. *shiver* (and yes, I really am this pale and NOT a ghost... yet)
Ok - I'm ashamed to say that this is my first Coates novel though I own several of her books. This haunting story starts off strong - the atmosphere is built from the get go and is very ominous. I wanted to tell Leigh to GTFO! There was too many weird things happening and if salt ain't gonna help you keep the paranormal at bay then you may as well make some margaritas.... 😉 I get to Chapter 9 and um, WHAT. Not that it's particularly a new avenue for a book to go but it still surprised me greatly!
Sadly, after this it became more of a whodunit kinda thrillery read between the paranormal and the not. I think I just wanted way more creepy. I bet if they did an adaptation to screen it could get REALLY dark. (DO IT.) And beyond this, it was also a story of companionship and relationships and, not gonna lie, I really enjoyed watching Leigh and Sarah build their bond. Probably one of my favorite parts to be honest.
While I didn't figure out the WHO, I did figure out the WHERE... and quite certainly would go visit them in a heartbeat (or not, if I'm dead as I didn't rule out going as a ghost guest).
I didn't quite get the super creepy gothic ghost story I was expecting, but I did get a great novel with a lot of heart. Now excuse me while I go find an extreme horror novella to satiate my blood thirst.
★★★★
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