Gallows Hill - Outstanding New Ghostly Release!
“The hill takes something from most of us eventually.”
Margot was sent away from her home and family when she was young and has no clear memories from that time. But when her parents die, she is forced to come back to a home she’s never known and grieve for parents she can barely remember. Not only that, but Margot is now responsible for their winery business. After arriving for the funeral, Margot finds herself in a giant old home on a hill that has a history of curses and ghosts. After a terrifying first night, Margot and her neighbors are in a constant fight for their lives.
A slow burn, immensely creepy horror story, Darcy Coates has done it again….scared the crap out of me.
BOOK MOOD BOARD (images from weheartit.com)
“Now, though, the time felt deeply sick. As though anyone who was alert at this hour invited terrible, horrific things into their lives. As though it opened a doorway to a darker world.”
Here’s what I loved:
Coates is my Queen of horror, easily. This woman can chill me to the bone like no one else can. From terrifying scenes in an attic, to creepy moments in the maze of tunnels under the winery, to a newfound fear of doggy doors, this is a really scary story. Coates has a way with imagery and words that makes the hair stand up on your arms, and you find yourself just double checking there’s nothing under the bed before you go to sleep.
Margot as our lead character is a great woman to hold our hand through this. She knows nothing of the torrid history of this land or why her family sent her away. As the mystery and story unravels, we learn in real time, alongside Margot, of what’s really going on and this is a really effective way of storytelling.
There’s a lot of great side characters too, Kant is a solid right-hand man who goes through hell and back for this family, a true hero. Witchety is a really interesting side character who performs blessings on the estate to keep back the ghosts, and I enjoyed her perspective on things.
The reveals throughout with the history, the curse, and the ghosts is phenomenal. Just as things begin to slow down, something jarring will be revealed and things pick up quickly again. It’s a real up and down ride. And once you experience the final reveal, you’ll have whiplash and be totally horrified. I think Coates brings something fresh to the ghost genre with this story.
Overall, this is a really outstanding story that will give you the creeps and introduce you to the terrifying world of Gallows Hill. Big thank you to Poisoned Pen Press for providing me a copy in exchange for an honest review. Gallows Hill hits shelves September 6th!
For fans of: slow burn ghost stories, abandoned underground tunnels, hero dogs, and curses
“Now, though, the time felt deeply sick. As though anyone who was alert at this hour invited terrible, horrific things into their lives. As though it opened a doorway to a darker world.”
