“Vengeance is mine, sayeth the Lord.”

Matthew Rollins, an aspiring singer/songwriter, takes a job as caretaker of Kinnawe House in Agamenticus, Maine. The haunting begins immediately upon Matthew's arrival, when the ghost of his mother appears. Threatening, ghostly strangers stalk the property. The cellar is filled with mysterious, foul-smelling casks. And with each day, Matthew's insomnia gets worse.

The story alternates between the present, as Matthew struggles with failing health and increasingly violent hallucinations, and the 1740s, as a dark preacher populates his town with a community willing to sell their souls for a comfortable life. Past and present come together as Matthew learns, little by little, of his family's ties to Kinnawe House—and why the house will not rest until Matthew has taken his own life.

I wanted to love this more than I did. It was such a slow burner and so atmospheric and I was really getting invested into the characters and the plot; I also loved the dual timeline from the past and present and how they were informing and developing the storyline as the plot progressed.

However, this is a prime example of how an ‘over-the-top’ ending can actually take away from the overall story.

For me, as it was such a slow burn and the traumatic events and scares were divulged so gradually that I actually found the end a tad melodramatic and annoying because it just blew the whole concept of the story way out of proportion in relation to the rest of the plot, leaving me kind of like… ‘seriously? That’s how you chose to end it?’ Which was frustrating as the rest of the book was such a great slow burn to build up and develop that I felt cheated out of a great ending.

I enjoyed this book. I can not wait for more by this author! Thanks to publisher for allowing me the opportunity to read this book!

Thanks to Netgalley and Black Rose Writing for providing me with an eARC for my honest review.

This is my first read for Steven Rigolosi.

This novel takes place during two timelines; present day follows Matthew and the 1700s. There are moments where it felt like it was hard to keep up and then there were times when the past and present collided. At that point, things seemed to get a little confusing and hard to follow. My interest waned and I only finished because I felt I had to finish.

This was Ok.
A duel time lined, haunted house with touches of the occult, what wouldn't there be to love? A great concept and the a garbled execution of that concept, that's what lead this to be simply OK and not great. The characters of this piece felt diluted and the story line seemed to jump from a to z and back again missing a few points along the way. Causing the story to feel disjointed and when the reveals occurred they weren't as shocking because they had been telegraphed. I feel like had Rigolosi written this story, then set it to ripen a little longer, while he went and worked on other pieces and then came back to polish this it could have been great.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Well written, atmospheric thriller that spans two generations. It takes a while to get into the story, but well worth the time to keep reading.

A very good book about good vs. evil. This book was written steeped in history. I love books that tell the story by going back and forth in time. This author did an excellent job of enticing the reader to read more as the reader discovered the depths both sides of the battle will go to and tip the scales in their favor. I found myself crying out when good, innocent people died because they were tricked. I recommend this book for those who enjoy a really well written book with supernatural and historical information.

THE HAUNTING OF KINNAWE HOUSE, by Steven Rigolosi, is a novel that takes place on two timelines: the present (main character, Matthew), and the 1700's. I was initially drawn into this by the past events. While horrible, it was easy to see how this could happen in that day.

Then we have Matthew, present day. He's an insomniac, hallucinates, was just dumped by his girlfriend (with a phrase that would have fit into the past timeline, but felt completely out of context here), and has sores that randomly open and close...

When past and present collide, I have to admit that I lost track of some of the characters/names. While well thought out, it became too convoluted around halfway, and my attention just wasn't focused enough. I thought it was a great idea, but could have been streamlined a little better--or had some characters cut out completely.

Many readers loved this novel more, so check out some of their reviews.

*I received a free copy of the novel from NetGalley. All opinions are completely my own.*

The Haunting of Kinnawe House is a horror story that jumps between 1700s and the modern day. This was a book that sparked my interest when reading the synopsis. I'm a sucker for a haunted house themed horror book.

I found incredibly hard to get into this book right from the beginning. I'm a reader that depends heavily on being able to connect with the characters. If the characters are not fleshed out or believable it's hard for me to feel immersed in the actual story. It just didn't feel like there was any realism injected into the main character Matthew. His interactions with other characters just seemed robotic and void of any emotion at all. There was just simply nothing there. A break up lasts about 10 seconds in the book and he just seems to think ok no problem my girlfriend just dumped and referred to their unborn baby as a Mong. What the hell? Its just not believable in any way shape or form.

I really tried to get past the negatives but simply couldn't. I DNF'd this book at the 20% mark.

In "The Haunting of Kinnawe House" by Steven Rigolosi, as readers are taken through this wonderful tale of fiction. We get to learn about Mathew as well as other characters and this was great in opinion, although, it was confusing at first. I am grateful that I was able to get a copy but my copy the page numbers were off, therfore, it just made tracking where I was a little difficult. Overall, I was very happy I was able to read this.

I really enjoyed the concept of this novel and I hope it finds its way into the hands of the right readers. As someone who enjoys historical horror, I hadn’t read a book set so specifically in this time and place in American history. I really applaud the author for choosing such an interesting setting. I certainly found myself connecting more with the history timeline and struggled to love the contemporary one. I could feel myself wanting to stay in one setting and not the other. I think it was just a classic case of a reader not connecting to the lead character, which happens to all of us at times! I would recommend this novel for other historical horror fans as an interesting edition to your collection.

A ghost story that spans two eras! That got my attention! I love a good ghost story and I was intrigued. I enjoyed The Haunting of Hill Houseand The Shining so I fell for the blurb that said this book was for those who enjoyed those book. Alas, this was not even in the ballpark of those two books.


I was intrigued with the two timelines, and I enjoyed the one set in the 1740's more - initially. It started strong and had me wanting to know more. Around the 50% mark that part began to wane for me. There were parts where the writing was just cringe worthy "...You're broken. Your seed is rotten." Who says that especially in modern times? I would have gone with it if it was said in the 1740's of this book. It would also have been a correct statement, but who in modern times even thinks that way?

Again, this book had me from the beginning then it slowly began to lose me. I did enjoy the good vs. evil aspect of the book. Matthew suffers with insomnia and hallucinates. Plus, he has scars that open and close on his body (what??). Recently dumped, he looks forward to getting away. Once he gets to Kinnawe house, he begins to learn more about his family tree, and his connection to the past. In the past, there is an evil leader who demands a cult like following and rules with fear and intimidation.

There were some good elements of the book, and I held on until the end to see how it was going to end. Mainly because I enjoyed the beginning so much. Most reviewers are enjoying this more than I did, so please check out their reviews.

There are quite a few triggers in this book - abuse, rape, infant death, murder, torture etc.

Thank you to Black Rose Writing and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book was incredibly hard to get into. Lots of hard names to memorize basically read like high fantasy to me. Way opposite of what I was expecting. I thought this would be a fun haunted house story. Instead I was thrown into lore and names I had no clue about. The writing was just not my thing so I will not be reading from this author again.

Great haunted house novel. A little bit different of a take for a change. Author wrote well and kept me interested.

great haunting book but it not just like your typical regular haunted house story this book has sooo many different things going on, so many layers so many elements
its set in 2 different time periods, both about the mystery and events with the house
the chapters bring both together as they alternate between past and present
the end is fantastic and how the past and present come together
good vs evil, what an ending a great book
I would like to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC of this book and I am giving my voluntary honest review

This book was exactly up my street, it was dark, spooky and had me hooked from the first chapter. With elements of devil worship, spirits and past life, it was everything I could have hoped for and more.

I particularly loved the way the story flicked between the past and the present and cleverly intertwined. Although it took concentration to remember each timeline, it was definitely worth it and didn't feel like hard work at any time.

It was cleverly written with a good strong plot, the only potential negative that I could see with it was in some places it was unrealistic and imagination was needed. For me personally, this as fine as I enjoy a few unrealistic aspects and it fitted in with the theme well but I can see how this could affect the story for some.

I loved this book and is set to become one of my favorites.

“You sold your soul to Satan. Did you believe Satan could be trusted?”

Matthew is looking to get away to work on his music. He wants someplace warm in contrast to his Manhattan home and when an invite to stay at Kinnawe House in Maine suspiciously comes to his email he decides to take the opportunity. If this were a horror movie, we’d all be yelling at the screen.

Kinnawe House is a picturesque landscape with much to offer. Something in it sparks a feeling of familiarity in Matthew even though he cannot say why.
Having never known the identity of his father Matthew fantasizes a family background involving the house. While having some success in the form of a popular hit song, Matthew still can’t afford to rent the house. The owners agree to allow him to rent the house in exchange for light caretaker duties. Again, we are all yelling at the screen. But he’s not going to listen because his mom just died, his career is tanking and he needs an escape.

The book is told in present time and back to 1746 when Massachusetts Reverend Jonathan Edwards plans to build a home and church. His bastard son ends up taking his place and literally, all hell breaks loose. Due to this switch in setting, I can see some readers struggling to keep track of characters. There are many twists and turns that I found very interesting and exciting. So much happens in a way that could be seen as confusing if you don’t pay attention. Once the twists started, I had to finish because I needed to know how everything would work out in the end.

I wouldn’t say this is the typical haunted house book I was led to believe by the title. It is the story of a small community being taken over by evil, demonic forces. Wanna know my second favorite genre after ghosts? Yup, demons.

Loved the Gaelic pronunciations at the beginning because don’t you hate when you can’t figure out how to pronounce the names in a book! I commend the author, Steve Rigolosi, for putting together a complex story that has so much going on and yet works perfectly. In his bio, he explains that he rereads The Haunting of Hill House, Hell House, The Shining and The Little Stranger at least once a year. Those are some of my favorite books and you can definitely see the influence they have had on him.

Perfect for fans of Rosemary’s Baby and The Witch. NetGalley sent me this book and I have read and review it voluntarily.

The past and the present collide in this book about a house in Maine. Matthew is a 28 year old pop singer in New York who can not sleep. He's long suffered from insomnia and his scars don't help. He receives an email that's more of an invitation to spend a few months in Maine taking care of Kinnawe House.

In an earlier timeline, Paster Jonathan Edwards, in an effort to hide his infidelity, moves a portion of his congregation to Maine to build a new colony. What happens there starts the wheels in motion that lead us to Matthew in the current timeline.

This is a true battle of good versus evil. Steven Rigolosi is a talented writer and this is an excellent introduction to his talent.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read and review.

I feel like I should have known with a synopsis this long (probably longer than my review) that this would be a convoluted story.
Matthew is a struggling musician who can't seem to catch a break. His mother is mentally ill, his girlfriend has dumped him, and his insomnia is so bad that he sometimes can not tell hallucination from reality. As if that isn't enough to deal with he has scars all over that mysteriously rip open and bleed profusely under certain circumstances.
When he is offered a stay in a beautiful secluded home on the peaceful coast of Maine if he will consent to be the caretaker it seems like a too good to be true opportunity where he can rest and relax and write some new music.
What he doesn't know is the horrific evil that has been present since the house was built, is still there, and waiting for him.
Told on two timelines that switch between the present day of Matthew and the 1700s when the house and non existent town were built we slowly learn the reason that Matthew never knew his father and the reason his mother went insane.
Because of the dual timelines there are a lot of characters to keep track of, some of whom were part of a devil worshiping cult, and others who hoped to thwart their leader's evil plans.
It was a bit confusing at times because some of the characters also changed names to Americanized versions, and several characters from the 1700s are still with us in the present day, some wanting to protect Matthew while others want to drive him to suicide.
I do enjoy a good historical fiction and when you combine it with horror I enjoy it all the more. I would have preferred not to have the name changes. There are some genuinely creepy and well written occurrences that happen to Matthew but their connection to the 1700s was at times confusing.

3.5 out of 5 stars

Let me start by saying that the writing and storyline of The Haunting of Kinnawe House was superb. I love a scary haunted house story but with this book you get so much more than that. The times that the story was set was the 1740's and today. Parthalan is the main character in the earlier part of the book. He is the son of a preacher, who will not claim him as his son, and his time in the Kinnawe House. This sets off the battle between good and evil, God and Satan. Matthew, from present, who is now residing in the house has always wondered who his father is. Will he find what he is looking for?

Definitely a scary book but I'm not one for anything with demons, the occult or Satan. It is a good read for those who are horror fans.

Steven Rigolosi’s ‘The Haunting of Kinnawe House’ is a throwback to classic horror and ghost stories. Told across two timelines, we follow Matthew Rollins, New York musician with a troubled past and Parthalan Kinnawe, the mysterious Reverend who held the 16th century town of Agamenticus, Maine, under his spell.

I really enjoyed both storylines. The characters of each were strong and engaging. The sensory response to the writing – particularly sight and smell – was well done. I felt invested in all of the characters and found myself reading into the night, wanting to know what happened next and how everything might be connected.

This reminded me of vintage Stephen King and Clive Barker. The story wasn’t afraid to shy away from the gore, but it did not go overboard or use it gratuitously. I loved the homage to the old ghost stories of Edgar Allen Poe and Shirley Jackson. Recommend the book to any horror lovers.