Election Day was yesterday and I thought what better way to celebrate our right to vote by reading this horror novel about the White House and it’s ghosts.
Regardless of who you voted for or if you are happy or sad about the outcome, this book is going to give you all the thrills and chills that politics are kind of known for and the best part is you don’t have to turn on the TV to get the thrills and chills…..open this book instead. It’s just as scary as modern politics.
I was really drawn into this one because of the premise. I loved the setting and thought the White House brought a completely different vibe to the novel. If you love ghosts stories with a little different flavor, then this is the novel for you!
Summary
In this terrifying ghost story based on true events, the President’s late son haunts the White House, threatening all who live in it—and the divided America beyond its walls. From the bestselling author of The Homecoming.
The year is 1853. President-elect Franklin Pierce is traveling with his family to Washington, DC, when tragedy strikes. In an instant, their train runs off the rails, violently flinging passengers about the cabin. When the great iron machine finally comes to rest, the only casualty is the Pierces’ son, Bennie. The loss sends First Lady Jane Pierce into mourning, and casts Franklin’s presidency under a pall of sorrow and grief.
As the Pierces move into the White House, they are soon plagued by events both bizarre and disturbing. Strange sounds seem to come from the walls and ceiling, ghostly voices echo out of time itself, and visions of spirits crushed under the weight of American history pass through empty hallways. But when Jane orchestrates a séance with the infamous Fox Sisters—the most noted Spiritualists of the day—the barrier between this world and the next is torn asunder. Something horrific comes through and takes up residence alongside Franklin and Jane in the very walls of the mansion itself.
Only by overcoming their grief and confronting their darkest secrets can Jane and Franklin hope to rid themselves—and America—of the entity that seeks to make the White House its permanent home. (summary from Goodreads)
Review
I haven’t read anything by this author before, but I can see why he has such a large following of readers and fans. This book had a lot to recommend itself—-but for me it was the atmosphere that made it such a great read. It is based on a true story and while that’s terrifying in of itself, the mood and setting of this book made it even more spine tingling.
I read this one during the month of October and it was a great spooky read and as I said, loved the atmosphere, but what sealed the deal for me with this one was the characters. I loved how well developed the characters were in this one. Sometimes in horror novels the focus is on the supernatural rather than the characters but in this one I thought the author did a great job with both the characters and the supernatural elements.
While this novel might not be ‘full of horror’ in the way that long time horror fans are expecting, but for me it had atmosphere and the creepy factor as well as a lot of historically interesting facts. I consider myself a horror enthusiast, but I like my horror more mild and for me this one struck the perfect balance between historical fiction and horror.
After reading this one, I am eager to read more by this author. I really enjoyed this one and felt that it was a great read for fall and of course if you aren’t too sick of politics by now this one might be just what you are looking for. I loved it and I think it’s going to be a fun creepy read for horror and historical fiction fans alike!
Book Info and Rating
Paperback, 343 pages
Published September 1st 2020 by Simon Schuster
ISBN1982147369 (ISBN13: 9781982147365)
Free review copy provided by publisher, Simon and Schuster, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and in no way influenced.
Rating: 4 stars
Genre: horror, historical fiction, paranormal
The Lit Bitch 