Although this is not the first book in the series, I read it easily as a stand alone.
We begin as Sarah hears the verdict in a trial in which she is a victim and a witness but the public reacts as if she is the most horrible and hated person on earth.
Sarah is looking for asylum and a place to heal and start over. Before this trial she had a head injury. Since then she has been having what could be hallucinations, or could it be more?
Her plight takes her to a hospital for veterans with head injuries and mental trauma. The doctor there is studying their treatment as well as occult studies. He believes his deceased sister has been unable to move on.

I found the book to be fascinating and exciting. It has a gothic feel with some romantic themes. Sarah's boyfriend, Zeke, is involved in secret government work.
The doctor's childhood friend has recently arrived to the hospital, with consequences to his marriage. Murder and misdirection run rampant.
I enjoyed the pace and tone of this author. The events seem plausible.
I also enjoyed the friendship and support of Sarah's friend, Cynthia, an ambitious reporter.

I will be going back to read the previous books and am eager to learn what happens next in this series.

What a fascinating read, I enjoyed every moment! It is fast paced, no in-depth story telling, that defers from from the main story, which I also feel enables this book to be enjoyed quickly. I personally feel sometimes it is good to have a book, that you can read fairly quickly, especially if you are a steady reader, or you would like to enjoy something but have a lack of time. This book definitely provides that, with plenty to enjoy within the story!

This book provides everything, from ghostly aspirations, secrets, being chased and accosted by bad men, unusual psychiatric characters, war history and how it affected people, to the detective curiosity that is created while Sarah was in the hospital.

I feel this book provided a whirlwind adventure, from start to finish this is one I would definitely recommend.

Sarah is seeking a new life so she can escape the nightmare of her trial against her adoptive father. In addition to the trial nightmare, Sarah has started hearing someone weeping but no one is around, making Sarah feel as she is going to go crazy. She takes a typist job working for Dr. Matthew Geisler to hide her away from society and to make some money so she can move away from her past. The job includes room and board so this sounds fantastic because believes this is her only option for a better future. Once she arrives she finds out that the job is at a hospital that specializes in psychological issues and that Dr. Geisler has a fascination with ghosts and is doing research on this subject. The weeping that Sarah hears is getting worse so Sarah reluctantly agrees to let Dr. Geisler’s help her to learn to control what she allows to interact with her. These new techniques help to her accepting of why she can hear the weeping. She knows that she can use this “gift” to help others but she must do so quietly since many will see her as crazy.

This is book two of the Sarah Bennett Mysteries. This book can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, although I recommend reading Spirit of Grace first to understand Sarah’s backstory. I feel that Sarah's story is getting better with each book. The setting of WWII San Francisco really enhances the storyline since this is a time of desperation and loss everywhere you look. Sarah can see and feel the desperation everywhere she goes. I really felt for her, she just wants to be normal and blend in with everyone around her. I really loved the growth in Sarah’s confidence in her sanity throughout this book even though she still in has issues trusting others. The other characters are interesting as well in their own special ways.
The mystery element of this book is interesting and full of red herrings and suspense. I was glued to the story. I wanted to know if this was a ghost or a real person behind all the “accidents”. The storyline has a quick and steady pace building throughout the story’s secondary storyline of the hospital and Sarah’s and Zeke’s relationship. I read tons of mysteries and I can most of the time figure out the “culprit” but I can say I never say I never thought of this person at any time during the story as anything other than a nice supporting character.

As I write this review I can’t help but think of what is going to happen in the next book. I am looking forward to reading more in this series. I recommend this book, it is a wonderful mystery with a dash of historical romance and touch of paranormal aspect. ***I was given a copy of this book in hopes I would submit a review. All thoughts and opinions are that of my own and in no way influenced.

Suspense, historical romance and paranormal aspects are all mixed in this book. I like how the author engaged you in the storyline creating twists and turns from time to time. Oveall, very pleasant read!!!

I will admit that I haven't read the first book but I liked reading about Sarah Bennett and her quest of searching for her roots and how her future will be. I was a bit lost with connecting some dots (yeah I know that I had to read he first book first but...) but all the action, twist and turns that kept me moving along with the story till the very end that had surprising ending

This book was a cozy, historical story with some paranormal thrown in. An easy read with lots of suspense and surprises. The House of Secrets is Book 2 in the Sarah Bennett Mystery series. The first book is The Spirit of Grace. You can find both out now. This is the first book I have read in the series. I felt that I had a pretty good understanding of what was going on without having read the first book.

As for the character, which there were quite a few, were all so well written. I liked the main character and thought her psychic abilities were interesting, precisely because they were not so overblown that they seemed silly. This author has a good quality to her writing and her sense of setting a scene with the proper ambiance for the moment occurring in the book is excellent.

Didn't realise this was the second book in the Sarah Bennet series, which impacted slightly on my reading enjoyment. It's an historical mystery with the added impact of the supernatural and a little romance - so a bit of a mix! It's an easy read, although the plot's a little disjointed for me and lost flow at times, but it was satisfactory light entertainment. I'd like a little more depth and world building to hook me in.
The positives are the mystery that pulled my interest; the period setting and the gothic vibe and some of the supernatural elements.
Overall a satisfactory read, but it didn't draw me in personally for my reading tastes.
Many thanks for the review copy!

Loved the historical aspects throughout the story. There is mystery, suspense and romance as well as paranormal encounters. There were A LOT of characters to keep track of which I did find a bit daunting.
Sarah and Zeke are main the characters and seeing how they interact with each other just didn’t seem realistic to me.
I did not realize this was a second book in a series. I wish I would have known this fact as I think it would have added needed background which would have been beneficial, at least, for me.
Thank you to NetGallery, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read and give my honest review.

A decent historical cozy, the second in a series featuring Sarah Bennett, it is well worn with interesting characters. I find the plot a little weak and the book moved a little show for my liking. It was, however, an easy read and overall enjoyable. I enjoyed book 1 more. I do look forward to the third in the series.

Thank you to the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Sarah is Dr. Geisler’s amanuensis. How many times have you encountered that term in a book? I looked up the unfamiliar word. “Amanuensis” is a “literary or artistic assistant, in particular one who takes dictation or copies manuscripts.” Sort of has an old-world charm to it, doesn’t it?

The House of Secrets has an other-worldly charm to it. I found it similar to the writing of Daphne DuMaurier with its assortment of odd, yet compelling characters and a plot on dark side with many psychological twists and turns. Like DuMaurier’s brooding, atmospheric stories, this book with its secrets is very readable.

Other reviewers have found this Secrets to be part historical fiction, paranormal, mystery, and romance. The story is set during World War II in San Francisco. The history part is more a spice added to the main dish. The main dish involves ghosts and mediums, and evil happenings. Sarah is alone in the world when she turns up at the Geisler Institute to live-in and work with Dr. Geisler on his medical book.

Sarah is plagued by visits from “beyond the veil”. Dr. Geisler recognizes that she is a medium and he promises to help her cope with her ability. In addition to Sarah, the Institute shelters a variety of strange-ish characters, all very well drawn. Minna has a lot to worry about as she fears she is being haunted by a murderous spirit. Dr. Geisler’s wife is a counterpoint to his understanding nature, as she is all business. And why is Sarah’s absent lover now living at the Institute? Other characters, such as the cook, and several characters on the hospital side of the house add to our reading pleasure and squirmishness. Sarah is fortunate to have a sophisticated friend through all this, Cynthia.

I’m glad I’m not a medium. The ghosts are too bothersome and always weeping. But they are fun to read about. This the second book in the Sarah Bennett Mysteries. While I did not read the first book, and I did enjoy this story, I suggest you do read the series in order. The happenings of book one are mentioned frequently in this book and had a big impact on Sarah. Enjoy!

Thanks to NetGalley, HQ Digital and Rachel’s Random Reviews for a digital review copy. This is my honest review.

I enjoyed this book however it would have been better if I had read the first book in the series. A big portion of the plot revolves around a trial that happened in book 1. It's brought up often but never fully explained. This book would have benefited from a prologue detailing what happened in book 1.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

When I accepted this book, I didn't realize it was #2 in a series. It was very clear that I missed some important background information, but I figured it was just supposed to be inferred from the extensive dialogue in the book. Only when I came to review on Goodreads did I find that it's actually the second book, and that makes SO MUCH MORE SENSE. Starting with book 2 took away from my reading experience to a small degree.

What I enjoyed about The House of Secrets was that it was a clean mystery. There was a convenient romance with some innocent kisses, and speculation about a possible side affair. Since the setting is WWII era, the characters showed a lot of propriety in the male/female interactions. I also liked learning a bit about the inner workings of a mental hospital of that time period. I'd never considered how difficult it would have been to manage a staff and patients while making do with ration coupons. This book actually has me considering the idea of raising chickens. I'll also be sure to appreciate the next steak on my plate!

The paranormal aspect of this book was so mildly entertaining that I hesitate to even consider it a ghost story. Though the characters were interesting, they were quite flat. I never really cared one way or the other what happened in the story.

This is a good option for those who like a small dose of scary, but don't want to stay up all night worrying about the shadows in the corners!

I enjoyed this book, but it was sometimes a bit slower than I would have liked. Nothing terribly frightening happens in it, but it does have an interesting plot with relatively well-developed characters and a believable storyline.

I liked that the paranormal elements didn't overshadow the entire story and allowed the different character traits to shine. I liked the main character and thought her psychic abilities were interesting, precisely because they were not so overblown that they seemed silly. This author has a good quality to her writing and her sense of setting a scene with the proper ambience for the moment occurring in the book is excellent.

This is part love story, part ghost story and part psychological thriller. Basically, there's a little something for everyone.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from the publisher, provided through Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Sometimes a book is just not my cup of tea and The House of Secrets is one of them. I tried twice to get through the book. Alas, the story didn't work for me. I love reading paranormal stories. But, for me was this book too romantic and cozy and I want my ghost stories to be darker. I don't mind a romantic angle in the book. When it comes to cozy I just prefer the books to be more humoristic. Cozy paranormal without humor just feels wrong for me. I want my paranormal stories either to be really, really dark or really really funny. Or a mix. This story just felt so uninteresting. Not even the mystery part of the book sparked an interest in me.

Also, I wished I had known that this was book two in a series. Now, I don't mind reading books in the "wrong" order, but it would have been nice to know if before I requested the book.

This is the second book of the Sarah Bennett series. If you like historical fiction, paranormal, mystery and romance then this is your book. It is a fast read that kept me going until the end. I kind of had an idea of who the killer was but I was wrong. I am really looking forward to her next book.

Sarah is running away from an unsavoury past. The court case where she became the victim was horrendous and because Jack Bennett was the "nice" guy she has been hounded ever since. Dr. Matthew Geisler a psychiatrist with his own private hospital, has offered her a safe haven. Providing emotional support as well as financial she will work as a typist for his copious notes, and also use her talents as a psychic to help him.

Sarah is also in love with Zeke, a spy who inexplicably left her to face the wrath of everyone when the case blew up re Jack Bennett and she finds it difficult to move on from that fact. He is an inmate of the hospital and this adds to her mental troubles. At the same time she is worried by the spirits of people especially Matthew's sister who is definitely trying to tell her something and it seems it is vitally important.

Balancing the world of psychics and spirits, along with the machinations of someone who only wants to benefit from riches and who is trying to convince the world that a person is insane is this story.

Very well told and alternating between the two, both stories are separate but linked at the end.

I am sorry but this is not the type of book that I thought that I would be reading. I had not read the first in the series and thought I would try something new. I liked the idea of the book when I read the synopsis but could not get into it at all.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

Sarah Bennett has just endured a trial where her father had been accused of murder. He was found not guilty much to her chagrin as she was the star witness. Hounded by the press she seeks someplace to hide-out until all the media madness dies down.

She finds a job as a typist at the hospital of Dr. Matthew Geisler and his wife Bethany. Dr. Geisler has been treating people with mental illness and has become fascinated with the occult. He learns that Sarah has been hearing screaming and weeping. She thinks she is losing her mind but he feels these are signs she has certain powers to see and hear ghosts.

Minna, one of the residence of the hospital believes she too can see ghosts and fears that her dead fiancé, Gregory, who happens to be Dr. Geisler's late brother is haunting her and warning her that something bad is going to happen to the doctor.

In the meantime, Sarah discovers that her old flame Zeke who seemingly disappeared just before her father's trial is also staying at the hospital due to injuries he incurred from an "accident".

Soon Sarah begins to see and hear spirits who are trying to tell her things she cannot quite grasp. She keeps hearing from Geisler's dead sister who insists her brother is in danger. She must solve the mystery of who would want to hurt the doctor and why, but also whoever it is are they from this world, or the hereafter? She must act quickly before there really is a murder.

This book was a cozy, historical story with a little paranormal thrown in. An easy read with lots of suspense and surprises. The House of Secrets is Book 2 in the Sarah Bennett Mystery series. The first book is The Spirit of Grace. You can find both out now.

Thank you #NetGalley #HarperCollins #The House of Spirits for the advanced copy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book.

This was not the book I an anticipating reading. The synopsis tricked me. This is actually a historical fiction, paranormal, mystery, romance book. I thought it was going to be more paranormal mystery with a little hint of romance.

This is also the second book of the series and I did not read the first book in the series. I felt that I was able to understand what was going on for the current day but had no idea what happened in the past and it I wish I knew what happened so I could understand it more.

Despite not having the back ground information I was not a fan of the writing style. It felt simplistic and disjointed at times. It did not keep my attention. The main thing I will remember about this book will be all the conversations regarding meat and their lack of it. I understand that it was a big part of their daily life but it was just mentioned way too many times for me. It drew me out of the story every time.

If you like the your books to be a mash up of historical fiction, mystery, paranormal and romance then I am sure you will enjoy this book but you should read the first book in the series.

Does Dr. Geisler have Sarah's best interests at heart? Good question. She can see ghosts and now she's taken the job with him because he claims he can help her. What she didn't expect when she moved to the frankly sorta creepy Institute, is that she would see her old love Zeke, who has been through trauma of his own. This is a historical mystery of sorts with a heavy paranormal- but not twee- element. I liked Sarah, who has a good head on her shoulders, even if it's a little, understandably, confused. I didn't read the first book and was fine with this as a standalone. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.