Yes, it's haunted.
Written by Irish author John Boyne, this is a homage to the Victorian era ghost story, perfectly written in the style of Charles Dickens. Enjoyable and delivers what it promises, along with a few scares.
Leaving London after the death of her father in 1867, young Eliza Caine takes an advertised position as governess to two children on a rambling property in Norfolk. When she arrives, she finds the ad was placed by the last nanny, who flees the night she arrives. There are no parents, guardians or servants in Gaudlin Hall, and all her questions as to why are rebuffed by the family lawyer. Despite this, she vows to care for the children - bossy Isabella and her little brother Eustace, who have cryptic explanations for the strange goings on. Determined to seek out the family past, she is continually attacked by unseen forces and learns there were four other nannies in the past year, only one survived. When the presence in the house is revealed, Eliza stops at nothing to get the children to safety.
This reads like a well written old classic with a great sense of place and time, Eliza and her father even going to hear Charles Dickens speak in London. With characters named Mr. Cratchett and Mr. Westerley, it's easy to fall into the clever mystery with Eliza - we soon find out about the mother, and then we find out about the father - I did jump when I heard the news! Although involving, my complaint with ghost stories is always with the endings. They try for a last twist or scare, but it's difficult to come up with something that hasn't already been done. Of all the twists we've heard before, this one was just Ok. Nothing new and no surprise. Better to leave that one last scare out.
A solid read for lovers of classic novels, and those who like suspense.
2013 / Tradeback / 297 pages
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