This is a sequel to Peter James' book "The House on Cold Hill". I enjoyed that book so I figured I would like this one too.

The first book is a classic haunted house story. A couple moves into an old mansion, and the usual haunting, going crazy and figting back against the ghosts in various ways ensues.

In this book, the mansion has been knocked down to make way for a new housing estate. So now, instead of one house being on the grounds, it's a whole estate full of houses. Most of them are unsold as yet, but a couple of them are occupied. Apart from that, and I can't stress this enough, THIS BOOK IS EXACTLY THE SAME AS THE FIRST ONE. EXACTLY. THE. SAME.

Now, don't get me wrong. I enjoyed reading it, because I enjoyed the first one so obviously I would enjoy this one too. The main characters, the couple who move into the big house, are pretty much the same as the couple from the first book. Okay, so their characters are a little bit tweaked and nuanced, but no. They are the same. A bit of light relief is given in the second book by the middle class "Mrs Bucket" type neighbours over the road, who are entertaining and this is certainly a different aspect in this book compared to the first one.

I did like the fact that it seemed very similar at first, because I was expecting it to go off in a different direction, like these guys would do something to break the chain. Again, it was a bit different because there are different ghosts featured than were in the first book, but that really didn't change things much. Nothing amazing happens that didn't happen already in the first book.

This seems like a negative review, but it's not entirely. I did enjoy this book. Peter James is a great writer and this book is just as well written. It's easy to read and it is enjoyable. The ghosty bits are suitably chilling. I think I was just a little disappointed, and I expected it to be different. I don't really understand the author's motivation to write this.

For once in my life I would probably recommend this book to anyone who either hasn't read the first book or read it a long time ago, because I think you might get more out of it that way. On the other hand, you do get some background information from the first book, so maybe it wouldn't work. I don't know! If you like classic horror and a good old haunted house story then you will definitely enjoy this book. That's the bottom line I guess, and the rest is just dust in the wind.

Read this in one day, but not quite as good as the first book in the series. I can't quite put my finger on why, but one thing was that none of the characters were particularly likeable.

Peter's writing is excellent and I think the Roy Grace series is great, but this one didn't quite live up to expectations. Sorry Peter....

I loved revisiting the spookiness of Cold Hill, and the secrets it held, even after getting destroyed.

The secret of cold hill kept me hooked from the first page right up to last page. Loved the whole 4oth idea too,

Another excellent book by Peter James

I'm a fan of Peter James and usually enjoy his books, but sadly this book didn't really make a great impression on me. It's the second in the paranormal/ghost series of Cold Hill books and has four main characters, Emily and Jason Danes, who are likeable enough and Claudette and Maurice Penze-Weedell, who are fairly awful (think about Hyacinth Bucket and her husband Richard from the TV sitcom 'Keeping Up Appearances' - there are distinct similarities) who have bought newly built houses at Cold Hill which come complete with ghosts. I found this book easy enough to read, but a bit predictable. I'm sure it will appeal to people who like ghost stories but it's not one of my favourite genres.

Memo to self - always read the plot summary before choosing an advance review copy to read!

Having read all of Peter James’s Roy Grace novels I eagerly looked forward to reading this novel, expecting something along the lines of the Grace books, but with a different and new lead detective. So it was something of a surprise to find myself wading through a supernatural thriller that had, in this reader’s opinion, little to commend it. In truth, it perhaps was not so much of a shock as I initially thought, since a developing - and moderately irritating - plot line in the Roy Grace novels has become evident,, as we have seen increasing references to mediums and other spiritual/supernatural phenomena. In the case of The Secret of Cold Hill, this theme is given full rein and the reader is treated to a not very scary thriller that leads to a predictable and disappointing ending. The narrative is also disappointingly disjointed and inconsistent; this is a genre that has provided fertile ground for some great writers, but - in this instance - the dots really don’t connect at all well. Supernatural phenomena are always going to stretch credulity, but it is helpful if novels exploring this theme are internally consistent and well-developed. This wasn’t.

It is with regret that I write such a negative review for a Peter James novel, as he has given me enormous pleasure in his other books. Many other reviewers do not share my negative views, so it is probably a case of enjoyment being in the eye and mind of the reader.

This is the second book in a ghost story series and is a spine tingling, chilling tale. It can easily be read as a stand alone story. It continues the story in book one, but a new housing estate has been built on the site of the old house and the previous 'residents' again put in an appearance, ensuring that none of the current owners live past their 40th birthday. A great read!

I really enjoyed this book so much. It has a really great plot, superb main characters and I read it in one sitting. I would highly recommend this book.

This is book #2 of the Cold Hill series. It can be read as a standalone though as the back story from the first book, The House on Cold Hill is explained throughout the book. The book picks up the story where the original House on Cold Hill has been demolished and new houses are being built on the land. As families begin to move in, they all find they are experienced unexplained phenomenon as the past residents of Cold Hill begin to make themselves known to them….

I read the first book of the series a few years ago, and whilst I could sort of remember the storyline, I needed to go back and read a few reviews just to refresh my memory! What I did remember was that book was a scary read and this one was just as frightening!! The main characters are Jason Danes and his wife Emily, who move into the house built on the footprint of the original Cold Hill House, and their neighbours across the road, Claudette and Maurice Penze-Weedell. They are the only residents to have moved onto the new estate, and yet they all have the sense that there are other people living there too.

Whilst I’m used to this author writing in the crime genre, I have to admit he does know how to write a seriously creepy read. The suspense and tension that built up throughout the book had me reading parts from behind a cushion and the descriptions turned my stomach, particularly the building site accident (no spoilers!!). The characters were great and really added to the story!! I couldn’t believe the Danes stayed in the house - I would have been out of there at the first sign of a ghost – and I just wanted to give them a good slap to get them to wake up and smell the ghostly apparitions! The Penze-Weedell’s were the neighbours from hell with their Christmas decorations and Prosecco!

This was your typical ghost story, plain and simple. It was scary, creepy and horrifying. I was hooked from the very beginning; it made my heart beat faster in all the right places and had me jumping out of my skin! Just don’t do what I did and read it when I couldn’t sleep at night…those night-time shadows all became something very sinister! Would definitely recommend!

This is the sequel to the House on Cold Hill it was absolutely brilliant

Complete page turning suspense mystery thriller and horror all in one

I find myself wanting more and I hope Mr James does a third one

More of the same please

Rating 3.5

The housing estate Cold Hill Park is still a construction site after Cold Hill House was demolished, with the first families moving into their new homes, with every electrical gizmo there is, including voice-operated gadgets.

For artist Jason Danes and his caterer wife Emily this is their forever home. For Maurice and Claudette Penze-Weedell, it’s the perfect place to retire. For both couples its the ideal place to live: small Sussex village, brand new house. They are certain more people will be moving onto the Cold Hill Park estate shortly, including the family driving around in a huge American car, cigar smoke trailing in their wake. Some of the locals in the village really aren’t keen on newcomers and let the new residents know nobody in the old house has ever survived beyond their fortieth birthday.

Strange things keep happening: the house temperature fluctuates, they hear strange noises, cracked walls, voices, appliances turning themselves on again and think they see other people there too and although Jason always has a logical explanation, an element of doubt remains.

I enjoyed this ghost story, quite an easy read, though perhaps a tad predictable. I hadn't read the first book of the Cold Hill series but found I didn’t need to. And even though they aren't the main characters I did enjoy the Penze-Weedells. They were a fun couple to read: imagine Mr & Mrs Bucket (the Bouquet residence, lady of the house speaking) from Keeping up Appearances - right snob she was!

I've read quite a few of Peter James works before (Roy Grace & Perfect People), so know his style of writing though I don't like way each chapter has the date on it, even when its the same day. Plus, going through the village he over describes the properties, telling rather than showing and at times uses words such as Clump Clump Clump - I get it, don't need it spelt out to me like I'm 8 years old!

I received this book from netgalley in return for a honest review.

#TheSecretOfColdHill #NetGalley
A good thriller.
Cold Hill House has been razed to the ground by fire, replaced with a development of ultra-modern homes. Gone with the flames are the violent memories of the house’s history, and a new era has begun.
Although much of Cold Hill Park is still a construction site, the first two families move into their new houses. For Jason and Emily Danes, this is their forever home, and for Maurice and Claudette Penze-Weedell, it’s the perfect place to live out retirement. Despite the ever present rumble of cement mixers and diggers, Cold Hill Park appears to be the ideal place to live. But looks are deceptive and it’s only a matter of days before both couples start to feel they are not alone in their new homes.
What happened next? Read this book to know more.
Characters were good and were able to kept me hooked till the end.
Narration was simple but sometimes it became boring due to slow pace.
Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for giving me a copy of this book.

Peter James has kept his top-notch Roy Grace police procedurals ticking over very acceptably. There’s often been a hint of woo-woo in that series. But now the author’s gone into spooky over-drive with the follow-up to The House on Cold Hill. So if you want to find out what happened to the Harcourt family, then read on …

Cold Hill House, the huge, crumbling mansion, has been demolished. It’s now being replaced by trendy modern homes with every electrical gizmo there is, including voice-operated gadgets.

Artist Jason Danes and his caterer wife Emily think their new house is perfect, even if their only neighbours, Maurice and Claudette Penze-Weedell, are more than a tad strange. But they’re certain more people will be moving onto the Cold Hill Park estate soon, including the family bombing around in a huge American car, cigar smoke trailing in their wake. It’s a shame the locals in the village aren’t keen on newcomers, though.

And suddenly, strange things start happening in Jason and Emily’s house, and it feels like they’re not alone. Then they discover that no one has ever lived beyond the age of 40 in Cold Hill

Horror isn’t usually my bag, but I’m prepared to make an exception for Phil Rickman and for Peter James. I suspect in the scheme of things that the two Cold Hill books are pretty light when it comes to full-blown woo-woo. At times it feels like things are teetering on the edge of farce – and James seems to have been struck by the Dick Francis wacky names affliction (Penze-Weedell, Fortinbrass …) But he’s also a canny enough storyteller to keep things just the right side of ludicrous.

The Secret of Cold Hill isn’t drastically different from the first book in many ways, and it’s not James at his best by any means. I could never quite make my mind up about the ending of The House on Cold Hill. This time out, the resolution is rather a cop-out and not much of a surprise in the scheme of things. There are a handful of genuinely spooky moments where I was glad I had the lights on, but they’re a bit thin on the ground and rely on a fair bit of repetition.

The book is set around Christmas, so if you want lightweight festive fare, laced with James’ dark humour, that won’t give you indigestion, then The Secret of Cold Hill might be worth a punt. But if you’re only familiar with James’ main series, then you might find you’re disappointed with this offering.

I’ve read a lot of Peter James’ books and this standalone novel didn’t disappoint. Atmospheric throughout with a storyline that kept me hooked

I chose this book because it was by Peter James and I love the Roy Grace stories. I was really disappointed when I realised it was a paranormal book but I read it to the end as I felt a commitment to do so as Netgalley had given me the opportunity to give my unbiased opinion. I cannot say I hated it but I wanted to get it finished as quickly as possible. I am sure that if I were a fan of the paranormal I would have enjoyed it as it was well written but I am not and I didn’t. Thank you Peter James, Netgalley and the publishers.

I was expecting a gritty crime novel but this is a supernatural ghost story .. thre grim humor and characteristics of petty personalities focus on finally on an artist and his wife .. with chirruping of estate agents throughout ..I don't want to give it away but its main gimmick began to wear on me and made it feel overly long. Skillful writing without doubt but too much cliched gimmick for me.

Enjoyed this book which is a sequel. Can be read as a stand alone as some of the book is a recap. Suitably creepy!

I am a huge Peter James fan so I was delighted to be given the chance to read this. I enjoyed the first Cold Hill book but this one was even better. The characters were all very strong and there were a few moments that creeped me out. Writing suspense - having it creep up on you and give you a shock - is a real gift and Peter James has cracked it in this sequel.

This is the 2nd book in the 'House on Cold Hill' series but can easily be read as a standalone but I would definitely recommend reading the other book as well. This was a well written book, gripping from beginning to end! Recommended.

I loved this book, I loved this book, I loved this book!!
Now that I have finished gushing, I will get to my review. This is the 4th Peter James book I've read. The first 3 were on audio, and I loved every minute, I was really hopeful I would enjoy sitting to read this book just as much, and I was absolutely not disappointed.
I loved The House On Cold Hill, and equally enjoyed The Secret Of Cold Hill. I found myself doing household jobs, and eating dinner with kindle in hand. I read this book in two sittings,
I need more, there needs to be at least one more Cold Hill book, there has to be, and I can't wait for it!

And did I mention, I loved this book!!

I have read and enjoyed several of Peter James’ Roy Grace books and enjoyed them, even if I found the violence a tad gratuitous. I also read Perfect People, a horror that grabbed me and kept me reading into the wee small hours. So when the eARC for The Secret Of Cold Hill became available on Netgalley, I jumped at the chance to read another of this author’s offerings. I wish I hadn’t bothered.

James’ characters are two-dimensional stereotypes, the dialogue is poor and the plot….I don’t think there is an original thought in the entire book.

I know this author can do better and I hope he does better again but on the back of The Secret Of Cold Hill, I won’t be quick to spend my book pennies on another of his standalone books.

Disappointing.