If you like ghost stories with a historical tragedy as a plot device, then this novella length story is for you.

The couple are trying to repair their marriage, and they came to the very worst place to do it. Set in the 1970s, the isolation of the farmhouse is made more compelling by the fact that they do not have cell phones or much in the way of furniture, and have little money. The nearest village, Peace & Plenty, couldn’t be more misnamed. The locals seemed hostile and repeatedly gave the Dowlings dire warnings about staying the winter at the farmhouse.

Jenny Dowling seemed rather unfazed to see ‘shadows’ moving about the house, despite the fact that she didn’t believe in ghosts. She was almost welcoming to the spirit who took over the writing of her book. I found I didn’t much care for either of the Dowlings. They seemed to me like cardboard cut-outs.  The truly interesting character in the story was the creepy old shopkeeper in the village.

The writing was at times repetitive, and didn’t seem polished. These observations are not shared by other reviewers, so I’ll let you make your own opinion.

The historical back-story was interesting, and it seemed more genuine than the present day story  in my opinion.

All in all, a decent way to end my month of seasonal reading. A mediocre ghost story with an atmospheric setting near the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia.

I purchased a digital copy of this short novel which was self-published by the author.

Publication date: June 20, 2021
ISBN: 9798504318660 – ASIN: ‎‎ B094YMW259 – 125 pages