LoveReading4Kids Says
LoveReading4Kids Says
April 2023 Debut of the Month
This debut has all the ingredients that fans of the genre will love- an eerie, abandoned mansion, a truly malevolent spirit, family secrets and a team of young paranormal investigators. But it also has a wonderfully diverse group of relatable characters with credible backstories and the novel becomes as much about friendship, love, and found family as it is about the paranormal.
Skilfully told from multiple points of view, the book follows Raven and Archer, siblings who have become estranged since the death of their father during a paranormal investigation. Now Archer is determined to reboot the family business and their absent mother insists Raven get involved to talk her brother out of it. The rest of the team are their childhood friends Davis and Fionn and the newly recruited Éabha who is trying to come to terms with her own powerful psychic abilities.
When they are asked to investigate Hyacinth House, the very house where their father died, Archer and Raven are forced to finally face the past. As Raven reveals her part in the investigation that killed their father, Éabha discovers her own familial links to Hyacinth House and the team uncover the terrible source of the haunting.
There is a real creeping sense of building menace, and one genuinely fears for the outcome for these engaging protagonists. The character dynamics are so enjoyably portrayed that I am sure readers would be delighted if this exciting debut developed into a series.
Joy Court
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About
What Walks These Halls Synopsis
A prickling sensation grew on the back of her neck, spreading up her scalp. It was the feeling of being watched. She whirled to face the doorway but it was empty.
Raven O'Sullivan doesn't remember what happened in Hyacinth House five years ago. When her father died during a paranormal investigation there, everyone said it was an accident, but she's pretty certain it's her fault. Her brother, Archer, wasn't there that night.
When asked to investigate the supposed ghost of Hyacinth House, he can't resist saying yes. Even if his sister wants nothing to do with it. Eabha McLoughlin has grown up seeing and hearing things no one else does.
Now that she's starting college, she finally has the freedom to find out why. The daring Archer and his eclectic team seem like a good place to start. But everyone has their secrets, and they all lead back to Hyacinth House ...
About This Edition
ISBN: |
9781788493734 |
Publication date: |
10th April 2023 |
Author: |
Amy Clarkin |
Publisher: |
O'Brien Press Ltd |
Format: |
Paperback |
Pagination: |
384 pages |
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What Walks These Halls |
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Press Reviews
Amy Clarkin Press Reviews
There is a creeping dread in What Walks These Halls by Amy Clarkin that builds with each page, absolutely loving it, very sharp YA for your shelves -- Lucas Maxwell, former UK Librarian of the Year
Deliciously creepy debut YA title.. An eerie abandoned mansion, a malevolent spirit, family secrets, paranormal investigators, secrets revealed...gorgeous, gothic & utterly gripping. If you liked Wednesday, you'll love it! -- The Bookaneer
A great start to a new series that is as much about friendship, love, and found family as it is about the paranormal -- Children's Books Ireland in the Irish Examiner
a thriller story about a band of young investigators who are determined to discover the truth about a haunted house in their neighbourhood. Clarkin has created a wonderfully diverse group of characters with rooted backstories that makes them altogether relatable and each one of them unique. She has a real talent for building tension from one chapter to the next, making it next to impossible to put this book down. With the door left open for a potential sequel, this could be the beginning of series ideal for thrill-seekers. Recommended for ages 12 and up -- Irish Examiner
What Walks these Halls will warm your heart while chilling you to the bone. A thoroughly gripping story, of ghosts, legacy and chosen family. I adored it -- Deirdre Sullivan
Author
About Amy Clarkin
Amy is a writer from Dublin, Ireland. Her non fiction writing is often on the theme of chronic illness and identity, and has been featured in Sonder Literary Magazine, Rogue, and Dear Damsels.
What Walks These Halls is her debut novel. She can generally be found by the sea, drinking coffee, talking about her dog, or asking people what their favourite ghost story is.
More About Amy Clarkin