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A House of Ghosts

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What to expect

A gripping mystery with a classic feel: And Then There Were None meets The Silent Companions.

Winter 1917. As the First World War enters its most brutal phase, back home in England, everyone is seeking answers to the darkness that has seeped into their lives.

At Blackwater Abbey, on an island off the Devon coast, Lord Highmount has arranged a spiritualist gathering to contact his two sons who were lost in the conflict. But as his guests begin to arrive, it gradually becomes clear that each has something they would rather keep hidden. Then, when a storm descends on the island, the guests will find themselves trapped. Soon one of their number will die.

For Blackwater Abbey is haunted in more ways than one . .
.
An unrelentingly gripping mystery packed with twists and turns, A House of Ghosts is the perfect chilling read this winter.

'Almost unbearably creepy and beautifully written' Liz Nugent, bestseller author of LYING IN WAIT

'A splendid tale of wartime skullduggery, featuring both kinds of spooks - perfect fireside reading' Mick Herron, CWA Gold Dagger Award Winning author of DEAD LIONS

'Hugely enjoyable, A House of Ghosts has the bones of a taut thriller wrapped up in the gorgeous romance of its ghostly island setting' Jane Casey

'Perfect for a dark and stormy evening: a truly creepy and ingenious ghost story and murder mystery with an irresistible setting' Ragnar Jonasson

Critics Review

If you are feeling brave, A House of Ghosts is one to read by candlelight with a large gin and tonic on standby. Almost unbearably creepy and beautifully written, the claustrophobic atmosphere will have you running into open fields as soon as dawn breaks. Bravo!
Liz Nugent
W. C. Ryan makes the familiar World War I country-house setting feel immediate, with a tough but principled hero and a rogue's gallery of villains of all classes and kinds. Hugely enjoyable, A House of Ghosts has the bones of a taut thriller wrapped up in the gorgeous romance of its ghostly island setting
Jane Casey
A truly creepy and ingenious ghost story and murder mystery with an irresistible setting. From the first page you know you are in the hands of an excellent writer
Ragnar Jonasson
A splendid tale of wartime skullduggery, featuring both kinds of spooks - perfect fireside reading
Mick Herron
A thoroughly enjoyable novel that seemed to combine all my favourite things - history, crime, entertainingly spiky romance and an eerily evocative setting. An absolute treat
Elly Griffiths
An atmospheric, hugely entertaining mystery that offers all the pleasures of a classic ghost story - with an appealing dash of romance. William Ryan is a wonderful storyteller and A House of Ghosts will keep you up reading (and shivering) deep into the night
Antonia Hodgson
Spooks, spies, seances, things that go bump in the night - A House of Ghosts has it all. A tremendously enjoyable, ingeniously-plotted take on the haunted house mystery. Best read before dark!
Tammy Cohen
The perfect Autumn read which people just won't be able to put down. Brilliant and utterly engaging
Netgalley
Shiver inducing beautifully written and immersive story - think Agatha Christie meets M.R. James but done in Mr Ryan's own indomitable style
Liz Loves Books
An elegantly constructed take on a historical spy novel, one that has just the right touch of the gothic
Shots Mag
A new twist to an old tale ... I hope that we will get to see what happens in their next adventure - the ending left some room for a sequel, which I would very happily read!
A Storm Of Pages
A stunning novel, a thoroughly absorbing read that combines a chilling ghost story ... As the evenings draw in, A House of Ghosts is the perfect read. It's so easy to lose yourself in it. It's beautifully written ... impossible to put down
For Winter Nights
A captivating read . . . classic crime that lovers of Christie will lap up
My Weekly
An enjoyable ghostly whodunnit.
The Times
A multi-layered, gothic masterpiece . . . entertaining, thought-provoking and utterly captivating
Lancashire Evening Post
A captivating read ... classic crime that lovers of Christie will lap up
My Weekly
A classic murder mystery set in a haunted house - this stylish tale will be a perfect read for this winter
Sunday People
A haunting tale, beautifully told. Blackwater Abbey ranks with Satis House and Manderley as a great house of gothic fiction.
Erin Kelly
An intelligent, absorbing, exquisitely spooky mystery
Irish Times
Taut and poetic pose, engaging protagonists, a page-turning plot and an evocative setting - making for another atmospheric and thrilling read ... a spooky romantic read that will appeal to fans of historical fiction, crime, ghost and spy novels alike.
The Lady
Beautifully written and ingenious period piece combines history, crime and an entertainingly spiky romance, all in an eerily evocative setting ... tremendously enjoyable take on the haunted house mystery.
CrimeReview.co.uk
Read it if you loved Murder on the Orient Express
Best magazine
A deliciously dark read, perfect for autumn evenings by the fire
The Lady
Beautifully written and ingenious period piece combines history, crime and an entertainingly spiky romance, all in an eerily evocative setting. Spooks, spies, seances, things that go bump in the night - Ryan has it all in this tremendously enjoyable take on the haunted house mystery
Crime Review
A gripping mystery with a classic feel
Crime Readers' Association
Plenty of conventionally spooky fun to be had, but what gives this book real atmosphere is the well-rendered pathos of a country struggling to come to terms with the loss of a generation.
The Guardian
Wonderfully written and a jolly good read.
Sunday Independent
Spooks, spies and spectres are the order of the day in this rattling good read
Sunday Express
An essential honeymoon read!
Your Devon & Cornwall Wedding

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