Illustrated by Luke Brookes
Published by Barrington Stoke (an imprint of HarperCollinsPublishers)
The Ghosts of Grey Towers is the fourth classified case in The Night House Files, a series that has absolutely gripped, and, yes, terrified me but, oh my goodness, this is horror written to perfection. Unsettling, unnerving and utterly unputdownable.
As a storm rages across the moors, a reluctant and frightened Damien Cooper arrives at Grey Towers Boarding School for Boys. Met by Mr Grady, the harsh Headmaster, he is taken to the junior dorm, and warned that he is expected to follow the rules or be punished. Damien finds life at Grey Towers incredibly difficult as he is tormented and rejected by many of the other boys. Alongside this isolation, he has to deal with the repercussions of his unique ability to see the destiny of those he touches, an ability that also gives him an insight into a darkness that haunts the school, and which places him in terrible danger …
These cases just get better and better, and more and more terrifying! This file felt almost claustrophobic. Damien’s world becomes increasingly perilous and isolating as his interactions with those at the school, and the influence of supernatural forces, closes in, determined to claim him. I could really feel his fear and desperation as he becomes more and more aware of the encroaching danger he faces, and the realisation that no one is coming to help him. Will he find a way to escape, or will he become another tragic part of the site’s history?
I really enjoyed that the chronological account of Damien’s time at Grey Towers is interspersed with both newspaper articles relating to previous tragedies and classified interviews with others who attended the school at the same time as Damien. This, alongside the Author’s Conclusion, really helps to make the events feel like they have genuinely taken place – definitely a chilling idea!
The illustrations are absolutely stunning and really capture the sense of dark forces at work, and the feelings of fear and isolation felt by Damien.
Another absolutely riveting case from The Night House Files, this time a supernatural horror, guaranteed to bring shivers of fear to readers of 11+.
Thank you to Barrington Stoke for sending me a copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is published by the wonderful Barrington Stoke who publish dyslexia-friendly, super-readable and accessible books for children of all ages. This is suitable for 11+.
