REVIEW: This House is Haunted, by John Boyne

Set in Norfolk in 1867, Eliza Caine responds to an ad for a governess position at Gaudlin Hall. When she arrives at the hall, shaken by an unsettling disturbance that occurred during her travels, she is greeted by the two children now in her care, Isabella and Eustace. There is no adult present to represent her mysterious employer, and the children offer no explanation. Later that night in her room, another terrifying experience further reinforces the sense that something is very wrong.
 From the moment Eliza rises the following morning, her every step seems dogged by a malign presence that lives within Gaudlin’s walls. Eliza realizes that if she and the children are to survive its violent attentions, she must first uncover the hall’s long-buried secrets and confront the demons of its past.

Touted as being a Dickensian ghost story. And I'll admit it had a certain Tell-Tale Heart feel to it. The setting, the creepy children, and the village's secrecy about what's really going on at Gaudlin Hall definitely put you in the mind of a Dickens story. 

I like the characters. I feel like I got to know those who had stand-out personalities. All except Isabella, that is, but I feel like not getting to know her made her character more realistic.

There were several anachronistic things...the language and interactions between characters wasn't in keeping with the Dickens time period. It's kind of predictable, but I still found myself immersed in it enough to keep going. Not the greatest Gothic supernatural novel, but worth the read if you like the very specific genre.

What do you think??

Disclosure of Material Connection: I purchased this book for my own collection. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.