Horror Book Review: The Carrow Haunt by Darcy Coates

 

This week’s Horror Pick is THE CARROW HAUNT written by Darcy Coates. 

The book was published in March 2018 and it is on the bestseller’s list for Ghost Thrillers and Ghost Suspense. 

The Carrow Haunt is about a haunted house tour guide who is offered the opportunity to stay in the house for an extended week so that she may be part of a seance conducted by a paranormal medium. 

The book was a nominee in the Goodreads Choice Awards Reader’s Favorite Horror category. 

The book has received remarkable reviews for its tension-building, spookiness, and likable protagonist. 

The only negatives were about the ending where most readers felt that it was a little too happy. 

Quick Book Review of THE CARROW HAUNT based on the sample

Let’s dive right into it. We meet Remy immediately in the first chapter where it is quickly established that she is a historian and a haunted house tour guide who loves her job. 

She doesn’t mind dressing up like she’s from the 1900s or that she has to display flourishes. She enjoys every aspect of her job, especially touring the Carrow House which is reportedly very haunted. 

We quickly learn that the house was initially built in 1901 by John Carrow and his wife Maria. It was initially designed to be a health resort but by the time the house was ready to open, the interest in health spas had begun to wane. The house was remodeled and new staff was hired after a fire. 

One of the staff members, the gardener, Edgar, murders the owners, and after yet another fire, disguises himself as John and takes over the house. Edgar was a serial killer who killed off his guests and hid their bodies in a space behind the wardrobe. 

Eventually, when one of his attacks fail, and the woman goes running off, an angry mob goes after Edgar and hangs him from the chandelier. 

While the guests are enthralled by the story, Remy can’t help but notice that one of them is strangely anxious long after the tour is over. He approaches Remy later with an offer to join him and stay in the Carrow House for two weeks. Introducing himself as Mark, he promises Remy that they will not be alone and that he will bring along with him a Youtuber to record everything and a paranormal medium. 

Remy doesn’t jump into the offer and asks for some time to think it through. But a couple of hours later, her mind is made up. She is ready to take on the job because she absolutely would love to add more to the stories she has been telling her guests. 

The sample ends with Remy talking to Mark and accepting the offer but tells him she will not be accepting any payment. 

The Carrow Haunt is quickly engrossing and while the character is likable and her enthusiasm endearing, it also borders on unrealistic. Yes, people love their jobs but don’t they also like to be paid for it?

The mystery is intriguing and Darcy Coates writes with a talented hand. 

To Read or Not To Read? 

The Carrow Haunt is an interesting read and the horror setting does compel you to read further. However, the story does seem more inclined towards romance rather than horror. 

Darcy Coates is a talented author and no doubt will do justice to the story. I would be interested in reading further to find out just what is Mark hiding from Remy and why is he so keen to stay in a haunted house. 

Also, is Edgar’s ghost still roaming around the house? 

Get the book here