Gothic Horror: Linden Manor

"Have you ever been so scared your soul left your body? "

All her life, Lesley Carpenter has been haunted by a gruesome nursery rhyme The Scottish Bride sung to her by her great grandmother. To find out more about its origins, Lesley visits the mysterious Isobel Warrender, the current hereditary owner of Linden Manor, a grand house with centuries of murky history surrounding it.

But her visit transforms into a nightmare when Lesley sees the ghost of the Scottish bride herself, a sight that, according to the rhyme, means certain death. The secrets of the house slowly reveal themselves to Lesley, terrible secrets of murder, evil and a curse that soaks the very earth on which Linden Manor now stands. But Linden Manor has saved its most chilling secret for last. "

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Review:

Lesley Carpenter pursues her thesis of the horrifying nursery rhyme The Scottish Bride and soon finds out her mother's stilted warning to stay away from Linden Manor may actually have some merit. Not a believer in the supernatural, Lesley finds herself beset by strange occurrences and even stranger characters in the old estate. What began as a scholarly endeavor will soon change to the terror of walking right into a well laid trap.

This tale was a page turner of the highest order. Gothic and dark, I felt like I was journeying with Lesley as she wound her way further into the inescapable bonds of her fate. 

I  have one word-more! I can't wait to read more of Catherine Cavendish's work. She weaves a haunting spell of intrigue and mystery blended with myth and magic that horror lovers-particularly women-will love. 

5/5