Member Reviews

Fantastically atmospheric and oozing with the supernatural, this book was a real treat and ticked a lot of boxes for me. I loved the story as a stand-alone historical book but the added intrigue of the mysterious goings on and the gift for seeing things bestowed on our main character made it just perfect. I was very engaged by all of the characters and they were well crafted with their win backstories and personalities. The budding romantic edge was also very sweet and compelling to read. There was a good sense of tensions brewing throughout and some scarier moments and the real sense that you ‘feel’ the resonation of events past in the very fabric of old houses rang true for me. An excellent read, would definitely like to read more.

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I’m always in my happy place reading a Callie Langridge book!

We are transported back to 1935 with the telling of this wonderful story.
This is the third book that I have read from the author, and my third return to Hill House and the Mandeville family. Every book has been fab, and I get so excited when I know a new book is out.
I struggled each time I had to put this book down, I get so absorbed and lost within the story that I want to speed read, to know what happens next, but I also knew I needed to slow down as all to soon the book would be finished, and then I would feel bereft leaving Hill House and its characters behind.

Kate is featured in this book, her time to experience Hill House, which is a house that draws people that are down on their luck, rock bottom in their life to it.
I won’t say what the story of the book is about as it would give too much away, and that would spoil someone else’s enjoyment.

I can’t wait to read future books from the author.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Publisher for an advanced e-book copy. Opinions about the book are entirely my own.

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Absolutely loved this riveting read. This is the third in the Mandeville series by Callie Langridge, and I’ve loved them all!
Hill House has many secrets and a lot of history. Kate Durrant has recently joined the household after losing her father, her job and her home. She’s welcomed with open arms by the Mandeville Family, but she senses that things are not as they may seem on the surface at Hill House. Kate has a unique gift of being able to glimpse past events, and what she sees in the house is dark and very troubling. There are things that just do not want to let go, and the onset of Samhain brings a sense of menace. This is a compelling story that kept me engaged from beginning to end. The characters all gelled perfectly, and the story racked up the tension, drawing me in and not letting me go. Highly recommended

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This is the third book of the Mandeville series. I enjoyed it. Kate has the ability to touch things and feel the history in them. Seems hard to grasp, but so heartbreaking. Must read.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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This book was just too far fetched for me especially the ending which was so quick and confusing. Lots of irrelevant details and perhaps I should have read the previous books. Nevertheless the book with it’s supernatural references was a blah read for me.

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clairvoyant, family, time-slip, mystery, paranormal, England, servants, grief, series, danger, eerie, friends, friendship, historical-places-events, historical-research, historical-setting, life-changes, between-the-wars

With the death of her father, the loss of the family home and her mother moving away to live with Kate's brother, and her state of unemployment the position of maid in the Mandeville home seemed a godsend. But appearances can deceive and mysteries ensue. A delightful read, but I wish I had started the series sooner. Still, a very nice read.
I requested and received an EARC from Storm Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you

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This was a wonderful story. So much imagination and invention and all the characters fitted in beautifully.. I was completely absorbed in this story and I do so love happy endings.

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So lovely to be back with the Manderville family once again. It is clear to see that the author is really getting comfortable with writing about her characters now. The first two books were very enjoyable but this one was even better. Set around Halloween 1935 it has an extra spooky atmosphere. Kate comes to Hill House after the death of her father and loss of her job and home. The Manderville family welcome her but her gift of 'seeing things' when touching old objects intensifies. She strikes up a friendship with Bertie who understands what is going on and helps and guides her in fulfilling her real purpose for being at Hill House. Another episode of a brilliant, captivating story. I really hope there's more to come. 5*
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

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Wow! Another spellbinding story by Callie Langridge! I adore the Mandeville series and each one is greater than the one before. It is easy to get lost in the atmospheric setting, unusual events and dramatic lives of these unique characters. It is all a perfect paranormal package that immediately pulls you in to the time travel magic of Hill House. This third instalment is exceptionally written, creatively imagined and exquisitely memorable. It flows like a winding river through some fascinating dream-like territory. The Mandeville Shadow is aptly set in the week before and during Halloween so no mystery or ghoulish event is spared.

I loved seeing ‘old friends’ and ‘family’ members from the previous Mandeville books. And it was a pleasure to meet Kate, an intriguing new character. She is a lovely person, hard-working and kind. Being the newcomer, her life is showcased and we, of course, wonder what special part she will play in the Mandeville saga. We learn quickly she has a unique gift that she doesn’t quite understand. It has been visible since she was a child. Her family hailed it as a party trick but it definitely is not that! When she touches certain items, she can sense and see their history. This is quite unsettling for her as she never knows when these visions will strike. This gift will become an important ingredient in the story’s buffet of twisty drama.

As we learned before (if you have read the previous two), Hill House chooses who it wishes to utilise and interact with and it is often someone who has had a deep loss. Kate has just lost her job and father in the same day, followed by her family home. As a result, her mother can no longer pay the mortgage. Kate is riddled with grief and guilt for she was unable to be with her father in his last moments. She did not know he was so ill as he kept his sickness hidden. She was very close to him, took his advice and sought his approval. Her talent was actually in dressmaking but she took up a position at the Steel Works to fulfill her father’s wishes.

Once Kate’s mother moves in with her brother and the house is sold, she has no idea where she will live or work. After visiting her father’s grave at the church, she takes a detour into the shadowy woods. Unfortunately, she gets lost and with darkness not far off, she tries hard to get her bearings. After wandering in various directions, she sees a couple of unusual trees and then bumps into Bertie, the caretaker of Mandeville Estate. He offers his help out of this confusing location. She begins to share about herself as she feels very comfortable with him. When he tells her about an available housemaid position, she cannot believe her luck. After applying for it, she is hired on the spot. It is an answer to her dilemma as room and board are part of the deal. She now has a place to live and an income. Once meeting the other staff, she settles in and many strange things begin to happen.

I loved how Callie explores and utilises the history of Halloween and its roots in Ireland in the plot. This deepens the mystery but also quietly educates those who may not know of its origins and how it has been added upon. The ‘evil enemy’ in this series has grown in his sinister activity. During the time when the veil between worlds is at its thinnest, some negative things begin to bleed through. I won’t say more but we get quite a frightening picture of what has been happening since the previous book.

Tommy’s safety remains central in this novel. From the start, he has always been an intriguing character. He is older now and in university but returns home extremely unwell. What is causing these bizarre episodes that come and go? As the plot unfolds, strange events occur that call upon Kate’s gift. And the story builds to a galloping climax with plenty of action. It’s a wild ride before all is explained in a satisfying resolution.

I enjoyed The Mandeville Shadow immensely and could not put it down until I had read the last word! Amazing writing with never a lull or dull moment. A must read of 2023! I highly recommend this enchanting novel and give it 5 stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my review copy.

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I really enjoyed Kates story in this next instalment of the Mandeville series. I love the paranormal aspect with Kate’s special talent developing in time with her move to Hill House. I really like the idea of the house choosing the person it needs to help the family, in what ever shape or form that person can give them. The era is well researched too, and the writing is evocative of the time. I’m glad I’ve read the previous book, as it definitely helped sort out the characters, but it is still a stand alone read. Really enjoyable, and I definitely want to read whatever comes next.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

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I read this book based on the description of the plot, not having read the rest in the series. I’ll go back and read the others, but I was mostly able to follow the story without problem. Kate has lost her father, her job, and her family home when she stumbles upon Hill House and a new start. An unexplained paranormal gift starts to become more active even as she settles in the house, makes friends, and finds someone she cares about. The odd happenings become more intense as Halloween approaches and it becomes clear that a member of the family is in danger. I liked this book and enjoyed seeing the relationships between Kate and her new friends develop. The spooky atmosphere is well done, and the dialogue is well written and believable. I did feel the story moved along fairly slowly until the last few chapters, when several things seem to come together so quickly it became harder to suspend disbelief. A couple of things I’m sure will make more sense once I read the earlier books. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

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A fantastic new installment in the Mandeville family saga.
Whether it be time travelling, channeling memories and essence of people past or future, or sensing the history of objects through touch, Callie Langridge has all of the paranormal elements superbly down pat. All embroiled within a scarily accurate description of historic life in the 1910's, 20's, 30's or beyond.
The Mandeville family and Hill House is definitely somewhere I would love to spend time with, if only in each installment of the series.
I am always fascinated by how 'special visitors' find their way to Hill House and help members of the family and how each visitor helps in a different way. They never seem to find the answers to what they need to know until the ending of the book however, maybe as a twist, one character may enlist the house and the help of Elliot, Mrs Hart, Bertie and Tommy right from the start!
I love each new installment and can't wait for the next one!
My thanks to Netgalley and the author and publisher for a temporary copy in exchange for an honest review.

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1935: Kate Durrant has just lost her father and her mother has moved to live with Kate's brother Harry. Kate has what her family has always described as 'her party trick' where she can see the history of items she touches. After her father died, Kate is lost after visiting his grave at St Mary's Churchyard. She is found by Albert Morrison, manager of the Mandeville Estate, Hill House.
Albert takes her to Hill House and, without discussing with anyone about her personal loss or the loss of her job, she is offered the position of maid to the Mandeville family.
With this position, Kate discovers both the house and the affection of both the family and the other servants.

I was only part way through this story when I realised that this book is only part of the story. I have since discovered that there are two more previous stories which I now must investigate.
I loved this story, it has the right of mystery and intrigue to give me a very happy reading experience.
Thank you NetGalley for this copy.

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1935 and Kate Durrant is still grieving for her father who died just a few months previously. Supporting her mother in the sale of the house she can no longer afford to live in, and arranging for brother Harry to help clear the house has kept Kate’s emotions under control, but when Harry drives off with their mother and a few belongings, Kate breaks down and realises that life will never be the same without her beloved father.

Desperate not to add to her mother’s misery, Kate has kept it to herself that she no longer has a job, nor anywhere to live. Plans need to be made. Step in Bertie Morrison and the imposing Hill House.

This is far from my usual read and I did approach with some trepidation. However, I was pleasantly surprised. A good story, well written and I would happily read the next instalment if only to find out more about the mysterious Louisa! Personally I could do without the love story element, not to my taste at all, but appreciate how it helps the plot move forward.

Read in one sitting, so I must have enjoyed it!

3.5*

Thank you NetGalley.

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