The Reading Bud

Book Blog by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi

Novella Review: Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island

18106337

Author: Michael Phillip Cash
Release Date:  2013 
Series: None 
Genre: Horror | Paranormal | Suspense 
Edition: Kindle (.mobi)
Pages: 137
Publisher: Red Feather Publishing
Source: NetGalley 
Buy it here: Amazon

Blurb

Paul Russo’s wife just died. While trying to get his family’s life back in order, Paul is being tormented by a demon who is holding his wife’s spirit hostage on the other side. His fate is intertwined with an old haunted mansion on the north shore of Long Island called Stillwell Manor. Paul must find clues dating back hundreds of years to set his wife’s soul free.

Rating

4-stars

Review

 

Story/Plot:

This book has a really unique plot-line and I enjoyed it pretty well. It was a mild read but at times it really gave me the creeps. The concept was really good but I feel that the story could have a little ore better towards the end. Still, I enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone looking for a decent suspense or horror read.

Though I felt that despite of having a great start to the book, the ending was a little week.

Characters:

It took a few chapters to establish a connection with the protagonist, Paul, but once it was done, I was able to enjoy the book without any difficulty. I really felt sorry for the situation he was in – dead wife and three children to care of and then dead wife coming back to ask for help. The other characters were also good but I wasn’t able to connection with anyone else.

Romance:

There was no romance as the lead’s wife dies, but there was a whole book full of love. It was really sweet to read a horror story which was completely driven by only one main emotion – love.

The author did justice to the theme.

Writing:

I’d like to commend the author on the simplicity of the book. The writing was simple yet relatable and I’d like to read more books by the author.

Beginning:

The beginning of the book was probably the best part as it drew me right in. I was able to get the feel of the whole situation and could clearly see where the story was going.

Ending:

The ending, for me, was a bit confusing and week. I felt that with such a great concept the author should have really pulled it off with a great ending (connecting the dots and all) but to my disappointment the story felt quite rushed at the end.

Cover Art:

I like the cover art and it compliments the theme of the book perfectly.

Blurb:

The blurb is quite good and summarises the story perfectly well.

You canals read this review at Goodreads and Amazon.

Other Stuff

Opening Line: Paul turned from the dark window, twitching the drapes back in place.

Highlights: Beginning of the plot.

Lowlights: Ending.

Final Thoughts: A decent read.


Review by:

pics-2 copyHeena Rathore P.

My name is Heena and I’m a freelance writer, blogger and a book-reviewer (and soon-to-be author.) I’m an introvert, thinker, neat freak (cleanliness OCD), hardcore idealist, fitness junkie, music fanatic, compulsive reader, self-assertive, opinionated, dog lover and an atheist.

The Reading Bud is my brain-child and is a huge part of my life. I love reading and reviewing. What started as a hobby has become my passion.

Read more about me here.


2 responses to “Novella Review: Stillwell: A Haunting on Long Island”

  1. Galit Balli Avatar

    Nice review hun and I love the civer art ♡

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Heena Rathore P. Avatar

      Thanks, dear. Me too. It’s a nice and light read. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

I love reading your comments, so please go ahead…

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

I’m Heena

Welcome to The Reading Bud, my cosy corner of the internet dedicated to all things books and authors. Here, I invite you to join me on a journey of discovering under-represented books, independent and small press authors, and all things book with a touch of love and loud purrs. Let’s get Reading!

Book of the Month

Read this captivating story on the adventures and hardships of Frank Knightlite, a man who strives to illuminate darkness with his lantern in search of answers to life’s questions.
You can get it here.
September 2015
M T W T F S S
 123456
78910111213
14151617181920
21222324252627
282930  

Reading is like breathing to me.

Recent Posts

  • Book Review: Ten Assholes and a Curmudgeon by Bruce Wayne Workman

    Book Details: Author: Bruce Wayne WorkmanRelease Date: September 30, 2023Series:Genre: SatireFormat: E-book Pages: 139 pagesPublisher: Blurb:About the Author Bruce Wayne Workman is a retired rubber chemist with a BS in Information Technology. He is a jack of many trades…

  • Book Review: La Finca: Love, Loss, and Laundry on a Tiny Puerto Rican Island by Corky Parker

    Book Details: Author: Corky Parker Release Date: January 26, 2023Series:Genre: MemoirFormat: E-book Pages: 208 pagesPublisher: Trinity University PressBlurb:At age forty, Parker surrendered to her Swept Away meets Swiss Family Robinson fantasy of running an inn far from her home in…

  • Book Review: TOX by Harken Void

    Book Details: Author:  Harken Void Release Date: May 29, 2023Series:Genre: Science-FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 123 pagesPublisher: Blurb:The world is dead, suffocated by the greed and neglect of the very children it gave birth to, and humankind itself is dancing on…

  • Book Review: The Dreamer: The Girl Who Dreamed the War Over by Julie G Fox and Tzuri King

    Book Details: Author: Julie G Fox and Tzuri KingRelease Date: 8th March 2023Series:Genre: Children’s FictionFormat: E-book Pages: 36 pagesPublisher: Blurb:In “The Dreamer: The Girl Who Dreamed the War Over,” readers are transported to a small town in Ukraine where…

  • Book Review: The School of Homer by Alexander Marriott

    Book Details: Author: Alexander Marriott Release Date: 2nd August 2023Series:Genre: Format: E-book Pages: 416 pagesPublisher: Pegasus Publishers Blurb:Virgil Colvin, a retired homicide detective, leaves his hometown Chicago to resurrect his honeymoon memories with his dead wife in Ithaca, Greece.…