A classic trope with a modern twist

The House of Long Shadows

The opening line on the back of the book reads: “The house at 889 Morgan Road has been empty almost thirty years. Maybe it should have stayed that way.” Yes, it should have. I mean, an abandoned house, a neighborhood left derelict, unexpected guests, and a thirty-days renovation challenge. What could go wrong?

The concept of haunted house renovation is not new. We have read and seen it countless times in novels, series, or movies, like The Haunting of Hill House (the Netflix series). We usually know what to expect: a family moving into a house they bought for a pity to renovate it and sell it until things start to degenerate, and the family is either forced to move, abandon the house, or they all die there. At first sight, The House of Long Shadows might sound like another such story. Think better. 

One Hell of a ride!

This book managed to throw a few curveballs and even the end surprised me. We restlessly jump from one eerie manifestation to the other, and every time, they feel more gory, more dreadful, more real, to the point we doubt they are simple dreams as Kevin, the main character, believes, but actual manifestations. And trust me, Kevin Taylor is up for one Hell of a ride!

Don’t get me wrong. The book is not just about shocking or throwing a bunch of bloody scenes in the face of the readers for the only sake of putting blood and whatnot. These scenes and events have a purpose. It’s a signal Kevin refuses to take account of. It’s him inviting the lost souls seeking a new host to take him, to possess him. He is unaware he does so and he refuses his fate, but by stubbornly keeping up with his challenge and pursuing the fame that’s to come with it, Kevin Taylor seals the deal with his sanity and mortality. He puts the final nail in his own coffin. 

Appreciation and rating

The House of Long Shadows is my first read from the author but certainly not the last. I like Ambrose’s prose and straightforwardness. The story is solid, expertly delivered, and there are no loose ends. For its originality, the author’s attention to detail, and the quality of its content, The House of Long Shadows deserves five stars!

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