The Haunting of Maddy Clare

Sarah Piper accepts a job as an assistant to a ghost hunter in 1920s England. Her employer sends her to investigate the spirit of Maddy Clare, a maid who died by suicide and now haunts a barn, violently targeting men who dare to enter. Working with ghost hunter Alistair Gellis and his associate Matthew Ryder, Sarah discovers she can communicate with Maddy's ghost due to being female. The investigation leads the team through the English countryside as they uncover the dark circumstances behind Maddy's death. The novel combines elements of ghost story, mystery, and romance against the backdrop of post-World War I Britain. Through its supernatural framework, the story explores themes of trauma, gender dynamics, and the lingering effects of violence on both the living and the dead.

Readers describe this as a ghost story that delivers both supernatural chills and romance. The book maintains tension throughout, with many noting they finished it in one sitting. Readers praised: - The Gothic atmosphere and 1920s post-war setting - The complex relationship between Sarah and Matthew - The ghost encounters, which readers found genuinely scary - The audiobook narration by Pamela Garelick Common criticisms: - Romance overshadowing the ghost story in later chapters - Some found the ending rushed - Several readers wanted more development of side characters - A few noted modern language/attitudes that felt out of place for 1920s Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (31,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) "Perfect blend of spooky and romantic" - Goodreads reviewer "The ghost scenes made me leave the lights on" - Amazon reviewer "Started strong but lost focus on the haunting" - Barnes & Noble reviewer

The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware A woman channeling her skills as a tarot reader becomes entangled in a gothic mystery at a Cornwall estate with family secrets and ghostly occurrences.

The Broken Girls by Simone St. James A journalist investigates murders at a haunted boarding school across two timelines - 1950 and 2014 - revealing connections between past and present deaths.

The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters A country doctor in post-war England encounters supernatural events while treating a family in their decaying mansion.

The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell A Victorian widow moves to her late husband's estate and discovers wooden figures that seem to move on their own and harbor dark intentions.

The Ghost Orchid by Carol Goodman A writer at an artists' retreat uncovers supernatural events connected to séances held at the estate in the 1890s.

📚 Author Simone St. James wrote the novel while working full-time at her day job, getting up at 5 AM every morning to write before work 🕰️ The book, set in 1920s England, reflects the real social changes of the era when women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers following WWI 👻 The ghost-hunting elements were inspired by real paranormal investigators of the 1920s, including Harry Price and the Society for Psychical Research 🏆 The novel won two RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America: Best First Book and Best Novel with Strong Romantic Elements ✍️ St. James spent extensive time researching post-WWI England, particularly focusing on the psychological impact of the war on returning soldiers, which is reflected in the character of Matthew Ryder