The Lost Ones

Absolutely glorious. I have read quite a few of these gothic ghost stories and this one is right up there with the best of them. The narrator, Stella, is real joy and the exorcism that happens halfway though the book is truly chilling, a brilliant piece of writing by the author. If a sequel featuring psychic Annie and Mr Sheers isn't in the works I will be terribly cross.

I am a big fan of Gothic novels especially if they involve an old manor house and a ghost or two. This novel is all of those things so it's a big thumbs up from me.

With an array of characters, from house staff to family members you are left questioning who could be behind the strange recurring events that take place within the house. Is it a malice attempt to scare the newest member of the family or a trapped spirit trying to communicate?

As the story unfolds buried secrets come to the surface and the reader is caught up trying to solve the mystery of the house and it's occupants. This book is not for the fainthearted with all the ghostly goings-on, hence why I loved it so much.

As I read the epilogue I was genuinely touched by the messages of love, loss, forgiveness and moving on that were portrayed. I had been so caught up in the ‘ghost' story that I hadn't given the other themes a second glance until the end where they all came crashing down around me, making me nostalgic and adding a complete new element to the novel.

My favourite quote and one that will stay with me is: ‘the past is lost, but the future is still to play for.' What a powerful sentence.

Many thanks to Anita Frank for a truly enjoyable novel, and to Netgalley and HQ Stories for allowing me to read this before publication day.