Haunted

I really liked this book for about 1/2-3/4 of the way through and then it lost me. But I appreciate how good it was up until then. I also liked that the house reminded me of an actual house I have seen on the central ca coast not far from Cambria. Was fun to think it may have inspired the author. It just got too goofy towards the end.

Baudey House (or should I say Body House) is quite possibly the most haunted house in America. And now successful horror author David Masters is moving in, for inspiration and to experience whatever the house can throw at him. But nothing can prepare him for the evil that lies waiting to regain power and walk again in the living flesh. Ghosts and Gore abound, with a heavy dosage of eroticism (both real and spirit related) that make Tamara Thorne's novel a terrifying treat. The story is well told, with excellent characters throughout. Nothing about this novel seems forced and the action is fast paced and intense. So if you're a fan of Ghosts or Haunted House stories pick this book up, wait until it's dark out to start reading and be prepared to question every creaking floorboard in your own house. A highly recommended Horror novel that has earned its place on my list of favorites.

After reading the glowing reviews of this novel, I picked up a copy expecting a good, scary read. Unfortunately, it just didn't deliver. I just couldn't get behind the story or the characters. I felt I was in trouble when it took nearly 80 pages to tour the house at the beginning of the novel. I particularly didn't care for the main character, David Masters. He had this habit of calling his daughter Amber "Kiddo" which absolutely grated on my nerves for some vague reason. Kiddo is what you call a young boy, not a teenage girl. Masters came across to me as stiff; more a cardboard cutout than a real person. His thought processes and reactions were so predictable, there was no surprise. Another sore point were the supernatural occurances. Some of these were just so bizarre and over the top that they held not an ounce of believability. Also, is it just me, or is this "Author of horror novels moves into haunted house and bad things happen" angle becoming overworked? Sorry, but this one just didn't offer enough to hold my attention. The cover of the book has a blurb from Nancy Holder comparing this novel to Straub's "Ghost Story", but how anyone could compare Straub's literate, chilling tale with this run of the mill, big yawn of a story is absolutely beyond me.

i picked this book out randomly, i was in the mood for a good ghost story. this book definitely was that. haunted house books tend to be hokey, but not this one. among other things, i was hooked by the writing style by the second page (this rarely happens) and couldn't put the book down. i felt drained when it ended and had become so comfortable with the well drawn characters that i missed them when it was over. i loved how visual the writing was, you could almost feel like you were there. if you enjoy suspense stories, this one's for you. but if you are looking for a scarry book, this isn't it.

It's common knowledge that Baudy House is haunted, haunted by the ghost of Christabelle. Once a house of ill-repute it was the scene of two mass murders. Locals shun the place, but it is exactly what author David Masters is looking for to help inspire him to write his next big horror novel. Despite dire warnings about the house he moves to Baudy House with his reluctant daughter Amber. Almost immediately strange things begin to happen. Strange cold spots appear suddenly that threaten to envelope and suffocate both David and Amber. Christabelle also makes her prescence known with the sultry scent of jasmine, followed quickly by the rot of decay, and comes to taunt David in his dreams.
Christabelle has an unholy plan to resurrect herself and it is up to David and his friends to stop her, with a little help from the ghost of Christabelle's mother.
*******REVIEW: I loved this book. It really sucked me in and I stayed up into the wee hours of the morning just to finish this book. I found it very entertaining and eery. The voodoo aspect was a nice touch. Can't wait to read more of Ms. Thorne's books!

Tamara Thorne's novel is one of the best I've ever read. She presents an amazing plot with all kinds of twists and spooky ideas. The atmosphere is downright terrifying..."Body House" lives up to its name. If you really want a summary, the poem printed at the front of the novel tells readers what's to come: "One body, two bodies, three bodies, four/Check up in the attic, seven bodies more/ There's a dead man in the kitchen, and a blood slick in the hall/ Twenty men are hanging dead upon the garden wall." Body House is a definite must-read.

This book was fantastic. Among its few faults: too much unecessary sex, although that helped to drive home the idea of the villain's utter evilness; the main characters were hateful and annoying, however, some of the more minor, but still pivotal characters were basically what carried the story (Eric, for example was... wow). Perhaps one of Thorne's best books, 'Haunted' was well written, with a beleivable plot and several sub-stories going on that managed to still correspond with the overall idea. It started off as an attention grabber, and managed to maintain that throughout the duration of the story. Bonus with no extra charge: a pleasing ending!! Halleluja!
Buy this book. I can almost guaruntee you'll enjoy it. But if you insist on saving your money, at least borrow it from a friend or the library. It's THAT good.

If you enjoy a good ghost story Haunted is definitely a book you should read! A terrifying tale of ghosts, voodoo, and murder. Haunted draws you in from the first page and doesn't stop until the last. I was unable to put it down until I had finished it, and found myself jumping at noises around the house and looking over my shoulder.
*Atmosphere - spooky, eerie, and sexually charged in several sections.
*Characters - very well written, from the nosy/gossip housekeeper to the violent spirit of Christabel.
*Story/plot - definitely original! Baudey House doesn't have your ordinary haunting.
*Pace - well paced to keep your attention and needing to know what happens next.
*Style - Tamara's style is very easy to read.
My rating a solid five. Haunted is a must have! Run, don't walk to get a copy.

This is a great horror story. Ms. Thorne gives us the perfect blend of sex, ghosts, suspense and gore. A writer and his daughter move into a house with a haunted reputation. He is looking for inspiration for his horror novels, but not expecting to be living in the middle of one. This is a real page turner and I wish that there was a sequel to this. This is a SCARY book! The characters have such depth and the plot is unpredictable. Please read this book, I know you will enjoy it.

After reading several of Tamara Thorne's other novels, I suggested that Haunted be the book-of-the-month for my book club. After reading it, we all decided to incorporate Tamara Thorne's novels regularly into our picks. Haunted is both eerie and enchanting, equally whimsical and contemplative, and proportionately bold and mysterious. With Haunted, Thorne dances the razor's edge of literary and commercial fiction with the expert dexterity of a master storyteller. I recommend this book to anyone who isn't afraid to come face to face with what lies waiting in the dark corners of their own imaginations. Five stars...but only because five is the limit!

Thorne has written a very readable story that melds serial killings, haunted houses, and voodoo into a seamless whole. The denouement was especially entertaining. The creation of absorbing action scenes that clearly describe the subtleties of physical movements is one of the most difficult technical tasks that a writer can master. In the climactic scene, Thorne achieves this with excellence.

Thank you Tamara Thorne for writing this fantastic book! I think that I have found a new author to keep me amused and entertained. This book keeps you wanting more and it fulfills that need well. In fact, once I had finished the book, I actually wished that there was more to read. I didn't want it to end, it kept up the suspense and the haunting throughout the whole book and you never knew what was going to come next. I hope that Tamara Thorne keeps up the haunting and keeps them coming. I have already finished both of her books and I WANT MORE!

This book was super fun and entertaining to read. The use of the dolls, the setting of the house....the likeable characters, and the great humor in the story all combine to make a FABULOUS reading experience! I loved this book and I know I'll have fun rereading it again. If you liked Ghost Story, The Shining, or Matheson's Hell House you'll love this one.

I am an avid horror reader and I can say with honesty that this is one of the best horror novels I've ever read. It takes a lot to scare me and I was SCARED reading this book. The description of the cold spots and the lavender and jasmine smells in the house made me feel like I was living there and made me look over my shoulder. I also loved the relationship between Amber and her father. I had never heard of Tamara Thorner before and the store.com recommended this book to me. If you love horror, especially women horror novelists, you have to buy this book. You will not be dissappointed.

Haunted should be read with alot of lights on. A book doesn't usually scare me, the last one that did was THE SHINING, but Haunted goes to the limet with ghost activities! This book played in my mind like a movie, but better. The characters were well fleshed (even the ghosts), and the plot had enough twists to keep the pages turning. Frightening, Provocotive, Excellent reading.

I have to admit that I was very disappointed with the novel after reading the glowing reviews. This book was probably one of two books I have never finished. I just could not bring myself to complete it. I honestly found no character that pulled me in emotionally. Everyone seemed to be caricatures of one fault or another, including the father and daughter. In all honesty, my opinion of almost every book or movie rests with the abilty to care about at least one character. In this book, I found no one. I was turned off by every person in the story. And as for the chills, I did not see what the other reviewers saw.
I have never been one to put someone off of something. But this time I just had to write something down. Judging by all of the other reviews, I am in the extreme minority. I may give another of Tamara Thorne's novels a try. It may have just been this particular book.

I picked up the book in a grocery store and bought it on a whim. I had never heard of her and it seems she only has two books out (Haunted and Moonfall). The book is wonderful, the characters vivid and the story chilling. I stayed up so long reading it! Haven't done that in a while! I did some research and it seems she has another pen name, Chris Curry, under which, if I am correct, she has written a few books (often with a partner, Lisa Dean), I am sure they are worth a read! I certainly hope she shows us more of her talent!

'Haunted' is a wonderfully fast paced ghost story. The characters are well drawn and the plot exciting if somewhat far-fetched. Be warned that the book contains quite a bit of sex. This is must reading for fans of 'Poltergeist' or authors like John Saul and Richard Laymon.

I don't really remember the last time that a horror novel gave me the creeps. It's not to say that this book made me afraid of the dark or something like that, but the story was great! The characters were intriguing and once I started the book I didn't want to put it down.
If you enjoyed Tamara Thorne's other book, "Moonfall", you'll definitely like this too, maybe even more! I did.

What a great ghost/haunted house story! I liked the combination of horror, romance, love and loss. I was hooked from page one and read the book in 3 days! I am looking forward to reading more of Tamara Thorne and her vast array of spooks and creeps. You won't be sorry with this book!

I just recently discovered this author and I have to say, she's made me a fan. I don't know about the rest of you, but I've had it with King and Koontz. Their stuff just isn't as good as it used to be. Do they not care or are they only doing it for the money? This author really kept me turning the pages. I see that she has another book coming out next month. I hope there will be more books coming after that because when it comes to new horror authors there are very few new ones to choose from. I still like John Saul, though.

from the begining to the end the level of suspense, and horror, is amazing, I actually found myself thinking afterward how did Tamara come up with this. It is absolutely one of the best books I have ever read on hauntings, I recomend this book to be read but definitely not along. Excellent writer, excellent book, fantastic

this was my first book by this author - story was really good, very interesting and easy to read. Lots of unexpected twists and turns - would have been better with more scares! Only downside to this book was the HUGE number of typos and grammatical errors - WHO IS THIS WOMAN'S EDITOR? she needs to get a new one, that is for sure. I think it was published by Pinnacle; they should be ashamed. I want to get Moonfall next, hope it is as good, with less mistakes.

A great story line that you get hooked on as soone as you begin reading. You can not put this book down. Fast moving right from the beginning keeping you on the edge of your seat. No over kill of details, no dull spots in this story. This book would make a great movie, filled with the haunted house spectors, bumps and a great graphic imagination of the writer. For haunted house fans, this is the best haunted story I have read so far.

This book was very spooky....I loved it!...it had all the classic elements....old victorian mansion...footsteps in the night....ghosts..the dolls....It was great..I read it in one night...WITH ALL THE LIGHTS BLAZING....A must read for anyone interested in the ghostly phenomenna...

I've been desparate for some good scarry reading and I've been disappointed alot lately. It seems like there aren't very many good "subtle" horror/ghost stories, that make the hair raise on the back of your neck. Most are obvious slasher types, and I really miss the creepy ghost stories. I was not disappointed when I read this. It made be think twice about turning out the lights!

I had a hard time getting through this one. The charactersseem like cardboard and stereotypical. There was way too muchdescription and not enough chills. I really couldn't relate much to the characters or the plot for that matter. The old haunted house routine is being written to death. ...My two favorites are Peter Straub's Ghost Story and Dark Side: The Haunting by J. M. Barlog and this one is no comparison. You want some chills, check out those instead.

This is one of the best ghost stories I've read to date!! I had trouble putting this book down. It keeps you on edge right to the very end!! I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read a good ghost story. I can't wait to read her next book when it comes out!!

Loved the book! I kept thinking of Jeff Goldblum as "David Masters". The only reason I gave it four stars was because I didn't care for how the author did away with the man in black--he was so EVIL and could have done a lot more for the plot rather than getting rid of the annoying housekeeper! I'm a new Tamara Thorne fan!

I am an avid Stephen King reader and fan. I don't think I have ever read a book such as "Haunted". I actually wanted to keep the lights on for this one. It is truly the best "scary" book I have ever read. Great Job Tamara. I look forward to reading your next one as soon as it hits the shelves. Thanks for a Great Read!

This book was really good and kept me reading til I finally finished the book.The plot was thick like you can cut the steam with a knife!Talk about steamy!!!!!I hope that she writes more books like this one and can't wait to read her next novel.Hope that you enjoy it as much as I did!

I truly enjoyed this book. I have never read anything by this author before and must say that I was very pleased with her style of writing. I have since ordered four more of Ms. Thorne's books. Haunted kept me in suspense the whole book. If you enjoy creepy but not too scary, this is the perfect book. I found it to be intriguing and fascinating.

This is one of those rare books you simply can't put down. Tamara Thorne is in top form with this Erotic Chiller! If you've never heard of this amazing author it's time to take Tamara 101 by reading this frightening tale of ghastly murder and black magic.

This was a great story. The characters were well-developed as was the plot line. It delivered on the scares but was also thought provoking. Some romance and sexuality (*sexuality was, at times, a little shocking but not very detailed, mostly hinting at what was happening). Definitely an adult story, not one you want your kids to read. If you are looking for a ghost story which will creep you out (in more ways than one) and is very interesting and different, then this is it.