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The Haunting of Orchard Hill
Tell the bees I’m gone…
In the dead of night, Nina escapes her abusive husband with her baby son. She only gets as far as Orchard Hill when a swarm of bees forces her off the road and totals her car.
A mysterious old woman offers to give them room and board in exchange for help around her farmhouse. But Nina begins to suspect there’s a dark past hidden in the creepy, desolated orchard.
Has Nina traded one nightmare only to enter another?
Ancient apple trees… eerie singing… tainted honey… her baby missing…
Nothing is as it seems at sunny Orchard Hill. As Nina uncovers its terrifying secrets, she’ll be pushed to her limits and come face to face with how far a mother will go to protect her son.
Strap in for a spooky, honey-dipped ride!
In the dead of night, Nina escapes her abusive husband with her baby son. She only gets as far as Orchard Hill when a swarm of bees forces her off the road and totals her car.
A mysterious old woman offers to give them room and board in exchange for help around her farmhouse. But Nina begins to suspect there’s a dark past hidden in the creepy, desolated orchard.
Has Nina traded one nightmare only to enter another?
Ancient apple trees… eerie singing… tainted honey… her baby missing…
Nothing is as it seems at sunny Orchard Hill. As Nina uncovers its terrifying secrets, she’ll be pushed to her limits and come face to face with how far a mother will go to protect her son.
Strap in for a spooky, honey-dipped ride!
180 pages, ebook
Published May 13, 2022
About the author
Sara Crocoll Smith
24 books24 followersAuthor of the ghostly gothic horror series Hopeful Horror. Award-winning editor of Love Letters to Poe. (she/her)
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
May 30, 2022
Nina is afraid for her life. She’s afraid John will catch her and she’d afraid that if she stays, their son won’t have a mother. So she grabs their things and flees in the middle of the night. She knows that John will try to catch her. As she white knuckles the steering wheel, she literally crashes into a sign that says Orchard Hill.
Almost as if fate is pulling the strings, a strange woman named Greta takes her back to her home. With no money and no place to stay, Nina decides that luck is on her side.
I’m not sure what I would call this book but it has a very good mix of some of my favourite elements: gothic, paranormal romance and lore.
Greta was my absolute favourite character. She starts off with a permanent scowl and ends with an open heart.
The bee lore was fantastic! I loved the part that featured Greta telling the bees. It’s a little eerie but absolutely perfect for this book.
Thank you to Sara for my arc!
Almost as if fate is pulling the strings, a strange woman named Greta takes her back to her home. With no money and no place to stay, Nina decides that luck is on her side.
I’m not sure what I would call this book but it has a very good mix of some of my favourite elements: gothic, paranormal romance and lore.
Greta was my absolute favourite character. She starts off with a permanent scowl and ends with an open heart.
The bee lore was fantastic! I loved the part that featured Greta telling the bees. It’s a little eerie but absolutely perfect for this book.
Thank you to Sara for my arc!
June 19, 2022
"𝐆𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐞𝐬 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐥𝐝.."
This was such a cosy haunted house story and exactly what I was craving from horror at this time in my life.
Nina is a woman running away from an abusive relationship with her beautiful little boy in tow. Scared and uncertain, she ends up at the eerie apple orchard known as Orchard Hill which is ran by a strange old lady known as Greta. It soon becomes apparent that Greta and Orchard Hill are hiding secrets.
If you’re craving a haunted house story with some gothic elements thrown in I highly recommend checking this one out. As a mother I could really resonate with Nina and had so much empathy for her as she struggled trying to leave a violent partner.
Sara’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. It reminded me of where my love for horror began. As a child haunted house stories were my favourite.
What made this book unique though was the bee folklore that is woven throughout. It’s fascinating how connected they are to the afterlife and to Celtic mythology.
I also just want to acknowledge how beautiful this cover art is. It gives me so many vintage gothic vibes. 😍
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was such a cosy haunted house story and exactly what I was craving from horror at this time in my life.
Nina is a woman running away from an abusive relationship with her beautiful little boy in tow. Scared and uncertain, she ends up at the eerie apple orchard known as Orchard Hill which is ran by a strange old lady known as Greta. It soon becomes apparent that Greta and Orchard Hill are hiding secrets.
If you’re craving a haunted house story with some gothic elements thrown in I highly recommend checking this one out. As a mother I could really resonate with Nina and had so much empathy for her as she struggled trying to leave a violent partner.
Sara’s writing is beautiful and atmospheric. It reminded me of where my love for horror began. As a child haunted house stories were my favourite.
What made this book unique though was the bee folklore that is woven throughout. It’s fascinating how connected they are to the afterlife and to Celtic mythology.
I also just want to acknowledge how beautiful this cover art is. It gives me so many vintage gothic vibes. 😍
Thank you so much to the author for sending me a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
March 20, 2022
The first page hooked me and didn’t let go until after the story was finished… and even then…
Nina desperately flees domestic violence with her young child and ends up at the mercy of a strange elderly woman living alone in her apple orchard, who is unusually obsessed with her honeybees. Nina is not there long before unusual things happen…
It is a haunting tale of a mother’s love and the lengths she’s willing to go to keep him safe.
I have a great love for stories that are dark, eerie and beautiful all at the same time. The prose was poetic with gorgeous imagery that lifted the words right out of the book and pulled me inside to experience a special kind of horror, camaraderie, and love through Nina’s eyes. I have read many supernatural stories, but this one is unique in how it incorporates honeybee lore! It is a must read for those who love ghost stories!
It packs quite the sting!
Nina desperately flees domestic violence with her young child and ends up at the mercy of a strange elderly woman living alone in her apple orchard, who is unusually obsessed with her honeybees. Nina is not there long before unusual things happen…
It is a haunting tale of a mother’s love and the lengths she’s willing to go to keep him safe.
I have a great love for stories that are dark, eerie and beautiful all at the same time. The prose was poetic with gorgeous imagery that lifted the words right out of the book and pulled me inside to experience a special kind of horror, camaraderie, and love through Nina’s eyes. I have read many supernatural stories, but this one is unique in how it incorporates honeybee lore! It is a must read for those who love ghost stories!
It packs quite the sting!
June 8, 2022
Summary
Nina, in a desperate attempt to leave her abusive husband, flees in the middle of the night with her infant son. Soon after their departure, Nina crashes and totals her car in a small town. Luck seems to be in Nina’s favor when a peculiar old woman, Greta, offers Nina and her son room and board in exchange for help around her farm. When Nina arrives at the farmhouse, she begins to suspect there is something a little off about the mysterious woman offering her shelter and the eerie orchard surrounding the property. What secrets will Nina uncover? How far can Nina run before her past catches up with her?
Thoughts
Dubbed as a hopeful horror, ‘The Haunting of Orchard Hill’ is a classic haunting tale with an uplifting ending that is dripping with gothic imagery and bee folklore. Themes of desperation, vulnerability, camaraderie, love, and mother/son relationships are all interwoven into this beautifully written story of just how far a mother will go to protect her baby.
‘The Haunting of Orchard Hill’ was an enjoyable read. It was a nice break from the more often than not, very bleak outcomes most horror stories contain. It is a very creative, often times tense, immersive, well written story about love - the love of a mother, the love of a partner, the love of a friend, and the love of heritage.
I’d recommend this book to folks that are in the mood for a modern gothic romance that has horror elements.
** Big thank you to Sara Crocoll Smith for sending me a copy of ‘The Haunting of Orchard Hill’ in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and views in this review are my own.
Nina, in a desperate attempt to leave her abusive husband, flees in the middle of the night with her infant son. Soon after their departure, Nina crashes and totals her car in a small town. Luck seems to be in Nina’s favor when a peculiar old woman, Greta, offers Nina and her son room and board in exchange for help around her farm. When Nina arrives at the farmhouse, she begins to suspect there is something a little off about the mysterious woman offering her shelter and the eerie orchard surrounding the property. What secrets will Nina uncover? How far can Nina run before her past catches up with her?
Thoughts
Dubbed as a hopeful horror, ‘The Haunting of Orchard Hill’ is a classic haunting tale with an uplifting ending that is dripping with gothic imagery and bee folklore. Themes of desperation, vulnerability, camaraderie, love, and mother/son relationships are all interwoven into this beautifully written story of just how far a mother will go to protect her baby.
‘The Haunting of Orchard Hill’ was an enjoyable read. It was a nice break from the more often than not, very bleak outcomes most horror stories contain. It is a very creative, often times tense, immersive, well written story about love - the love of a mother, the love of a partner, the love of a friend, and the love of heritage.
I’d recommend this book to folks that are in the mood for a modern gothic romance that has horror elements.
** Big thank you to Sara Crocoll Smith for sending me a copy of ‘The Haunting of Orchard Hill’ in exchange for an honest review. All opinions and views in this review are my own.
May 15, 2022
The Haunting of Orchard Hill is an eerie story about a woman escaping a violent marriage. At the heart of this story is a mother’s love for her son and how far she’ll go to protect him. After Nina flees an absuive relationship, she finds herself at an old farmhouse. Once inside, we meet Greta, the housekeeper and beekeeper, who is such a gripping character.
Smith creates an atmosphere that is cozy and unsettling and builds relationships that are fierce and tender. The narrative shifts between moments of deep connection and moments of terror, which really captures the dynamics of abusive relationships.
There is a thread of paranormal romance, which I simply can’t resist. I’m a sucker for ghostie love!
The Haunting of Orchard Hill is like a visit to grandma’s house with a side of honey and horror.
Smith creates an atmosphere that is cozy and unsettling and builds relationships that are fierce and tender. The narrative shifts between moments of deep connection and moments of terror, which really captures the dynamics of abusive relationships.
There is a thread of paranormal romance, which I simply can’t resist. I’m a sucker for ghostie love!
The Haunting of Orchard Hill is like a visit to grandma’s house with a side of honey and horror.
July 2, 2022
The Haunting of Orchard Hill is a beautiful story, and firm proof that not all ghosts have to be scary.
The book opens with Nina packing up her son Holden and slipping away in the middle of the night, attempting to get away from her abusive husband. She has plans to meet up with an old friend a few towns over to hide out and start a new life, but a bizarre car wreck changes her plans, and she finds herself instead relying on the kindness and generosity of an elderly woman named Greta, who offers her room and board and pay in exchange for help with cleaning and with taking care of the apple orchards and beehives which are the lifeblood of Orchard Hill.
What follows is a story which explores the power of a mother's love, the beauty of unlikely friendship and the strength of the bonds that women form, all set in a magical hazy summer among the apple trees. But we can't forget the hauntings, for indeed there are a few: Nina’s haunted past, and her fear that her husband will find them; Greta's haunted heart, broken from loss; and, of course, the true ghost, the force which animates the bees and roams the fields around the orchard.
The scenes with Nina's husband lend the book the feel of a thriller, the atmosphere of women's relationships and the magic of everyday life spills out in a way reminiscent of Alice Hoffman's novels, and the ghost lends just enough unnerving spookiness to call this book a cozy horror.
I got goosebumps reading this book. I cried at the end. This is a gorgeous story full of magic and grief and folklore and the honey-golden light of one haunted summer.
The book opens with Nina packing up her son Holden and slipping away in the middle of the night, attempting to get away from her abusive husband. She has plans to meet up with an old friend a few towns over to hide out and start a new life, but a bizarre car wreck changes her plans, and she finds herself instead relying on the kindness and generosity of an elderly woman named Greta, who offers her room and board and pay in exchange for help with cleaning and with taking care of the apple orchards and beehives which are the lifeblood of Orchard Hill.
What follows is a story which explores the power of a mother's love, the beauty of unlikely friendship and the strength of the bonds that women form, all set in a magical hazy summer among the apple trees. But we can't forget the hauntings, for indeed there are a few: Nina’s haunted past, and her fear that her husband will find them; Greta's haunted heart, broken from loss; and, of course, the true ghost, the force which animates the bees and roams the fields around the orchard.
The scenes with Nina's husband lend the book the feel of a thriller, the atmosphere of women's relationships and the magic of everyday life spills out in a way reminiscent of Alice Hoffman's novels, and the ghost lends just enough unnerving spookiness to call this book a cozy horror.
I got goosebumps reading this book. I cried at the end. This is a gorgeous story full of magic and grief and folklore and the honey-golden light of one haunted summer.
May 6, 2024
Trauma, freedom, and the buzzing of bees...
This book charts the journey of a woman & her infant son as they navigate the fallout of escaping an abusive household. They come to Orchard Hill, a place of serenity and stillness, but there's turmoil swarming just beneath the surface.
Bees dominate the sky, and phantoms walk beneath the trees, leaving Nina to contend with a new environment that is layered in mystique and danger. She wants to protect her infant son from threats that exist in the physical world and beyond the veil of the supernatural, but will it all get to be too much?
Smith's prose is smooth and confident, and this story will lead you deeper and deeper into a ghostly hive. Stingers are present, but there's honey to be found in these pages too, and I know readers will be brave enough to seek it.
This book charts the journey of a woman & her infant son as they navigate the fallout of escaping an abusive household. They come to Orchard Hill, a place of serenity and stillness, but there's turmoil swarming just beneath the surface.
Bees dominate the sky, and phantoms walk beneath the trees, leaving Nina to contend with a new environment that is layered in mystique and danger. She wants to protect her infant son from threats that exist in the physical world and beyond the veil of the supernatural, but will it all get to be too much?
Smith's prose is smooth and confident, and this story will lead you deeper and deeper into a ghostly hive. Stingers are present, but there's honey to be found in these pages too, and I know readers will be brave enough to seek it.
March 19, 2022
The Haunting of Orchard Hill's sun-drenched story of loyalty, loss, and hope kept me guessing and gasping at every ominous page-turn. I couldn't put this book down. I loved following Nina as she made one impossible choice after another in Orchard Hill's beautiful yet subtly unnerving landscape.
April 20, 2022
Sara Crocoll Smith's The Haunting of Orchard Hill is solidly a paranormal novel and solidly a romance in the gothic style. It begins with tension as Nina, our protagonist, and her infant son flee an abusive husband, who also happens to be a cop, upping the stakes. When her car breaks down in a rural town, she is taken in by a widow who owns an apple orchard. There are whispers about her too. Did she kill her husband? Then Nina meets the mysterious farmhand, Colin, and is instantly smitten. Colin, however, has his own secrets.
The text of this story was well-written and well-edited. Its highlight is definitely the folksy, mysterious widow who offers to take in Nina and her son. Like Nina, in the beginning I could not tell whether this woman was truly kind or had nefarious motivations. I was really cheering for her to be good because Nina already had enough crap going on in her life.
The tension is high throughout, and as a reader, I was very interested in finding out what was going to happen next. The baby, Holden, creates a lot of this tension as Nina loses him often, though only for short periods. I think the pacing would have benefitted from a few more quiet times and a few cameos of life without the threat of the estranged husband or the mysterious widow. This would have particularly helped build the romance subplot, which I questioned. I could have revelled in more of the paranormal aspects and given the romance more time to develop. I wanted Nina to turn away from a relationship immediately after leaving her abusive husband. It seemed too soon. A great deal of her motivation comes from her son. She needs to protect him, after all, and should know she's in no state to get involved again so soon.
The ending offered a twist I definitely did not seem coming. For the romance readers (mild spoiler), this gives you your HEA. I, for one, expected a different sort of ending.
I did really enjoy this book and would love to continue following this author, to see what else she comes up with in this genre.
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
The text of this story was well-written and well-edited. Its highlight is definitely the folksy, mysterious widow who offers to take in Nina and her son. Like Nina, in the beginning I could not tell whether this woman was truly kind or had nefarious motivations. I was really cheering for her to be good because Nina already had enough crap going on in her life.
The tension is high throughout, and as a reader, I was very interested in finding out what was going to happen next. The baby, Holden, creates a lot of this tension as Nina loses him often, though only for short periods. I think the pacing would have benefitted from a few more quiet times and a few cameos of life without the threat of the estranged husband or the mysterious widow. This would have particularly helped build the romance subplot, which I questioned. I could have revelled in more of the paranormal aspects and given the romance more time to develop. I wanted Nina to turn away from a relationship immediately after leaving her abusive husband. It seemed too soon. A great deal of her motivation comes from her son. She needs to protect him, after all, and should know she's in no state to get involved again so soon.
The ending offered a twist I definitely did not seem coming. For the romance readers (mild spoiler), this gives you your HEA. I, for one, expected a different sort of ending.
I did really enjoy this book and would love to continue following this author, to see what else she comes up with in this genre.
I received this book as an ARC from the author.
April 21, 2022
I'm a huge fan of Gothic, haunting stories and Sara Crocoll Smith made sure to provide me one of the most wonderful in the genre.
The author was awesome enough to send me a copy of her novel, 'The Haunting Of Orchard Hill', for review.
The story follows Nina, a mother who in her attempt to flee domestic violence with her young son, finds refuge under strange coincidences at Orchard Hill.
Mother and son are greeted by a strange elderly woman who resides alone in her apple orchard and eventually offers them a place to stay in exchange for help around her farmhouse.
What seems like an escape from a nightmare will soon become the pathway to another, as eerie and unusual things start to happen, revealing a dark haunting past surrounding the Orchard Hill farm.
As Nina uncovers its terrifying secrets, she will come face to face with a more sinister nightmare when her son goes missing.
The plot is tight, the characters beautifully penned and the story is grand, magical and utterly terrifying not only from the wonderful way the author keeps the tention going, but also from the fact that the reader is witness to the lengths a parent will go for her child.
'The Haunting of Orchard Hill' is an eerie and suspenseful tale of supernatural terror. A hauntingly beautiful and chilling Gothic novel that will definitely stay with you for quite a while. The anquish and the choices the protagonist had to go through add undertones of drama, enough to put a tear in your eyes (happened to this reader).
'The telling of the bees' (search for it 😉) inspires the author to create a beautiful novel of loss, terror and despair but eventually hope...and it's captivating and wonderful and offers a delightful reading experience.
I am hooked and eager for more from Sara Crocoll Smith.
The Haunting of Orchard Hill unveils its secrets to the world on May 13th. Make sure to get a copy. In my book, this is easily one of the top releases in the horror genre for 2022.
The author was awesome enough to send me a copy of her novel, 'The Haunting Of Orchard Hill', for review.
The story follows Nina, a mother who in her attempt to flee domestic violence with her young son, finds refuge under strange coincidences at Orchard Hill.
Mother and son are greeted by a strange elderly woman who resides alone in her apple orchard and eventually offers them a place to stay in exchange for help around her farmhouse.
What seems like an escape from a nightmare will soon become the pathway to another, as eerie and unusual things start to happen, revealing a dark haunting past surrounding the Orchard Hill farm.
As Nina uncovers its terrifying secrets, she will come face to face with a more sinister nightmare when her son goes missing.
The plot is tight, the characters beautifully penned and the story is grand, magical and utterly terrifying not only from the wonderful way the author keeps the tention going, but also from the fact that the reader is witness to the lengths a parent will go for her child.
'The Haunting of Orchard Hill' is an eerie and suspenseful tale of supernatural terror. A hauntingly beautiful and chilling Gothic novel that will definitely stay with you for quite a while. The anquish and the choices the protagonist had to go through add undertones of drama, enough to put a tear in your eyes (happened to this reader).
'The telling of the bees' (search for it 😉) inspires the author to create a beautiful novel of loss, terror and despair but eventually hope...and it's captivating and wonderful and offers a delightful reading experience.
I am hooked and eager for more from Sara Crocoll Smith.
The Haunting of Orchard Hill unveils its secrets to the world on May 13th. Make sure to get a copy. In my book, this is easily one of the top releases in the horror genre for 2022.
July 10, 2022
THE HAUNTING OF ORCHARD HILL by Sara Crocoll Smith
I’ve had a really rough time reading lately. I have some things going on IRL that are taking all my concentration away from my favorite escape. I have no less than four books started. For some reason, when I saw the description of this particular book from a friend’s Instagram, I just grabbed my Kindle for instant gratification and downloaded it. I read it in an afternoon and it was just what I needed.
Nina and her young son are on the run from an abusive husband, hoping to make a new start. When a swarm of bees causes her to wreck her car, it soon leads her to make a tenuous friendship with Greta, an elderly woman who owns an apple orchard nearby. She accepts an offer to stay on and make some cash to further her escape from her terrible domestic situation.
At first things seem to be a little off with Greta, but stories are told, truths are realized and soon they develop nothing less than a family bond. Could Nina have found the liberation she craves and the family her son deserves?
The title eludes to a haunting and that is ever present as well, from the orchards and bee hives to the rickety and lonesome old house. To tell more would ruin some of the surprises in store when reading this sentimental yet not-at-all sappy story. I loved the feel of the book, charming yet subtly spooky. It was just what I needed, so thanks
I’ve had a really rough time reading lately. I have some things going on IRL that are taking all my concentration away from my favorite escape. I have no less than four books started. For some reason, when I saw the description of this particular book from a friend’s Instagram, I just grabbed my Kindle for instant gratification and downloaded it. I read it in an afternoon and it was just what I needed.
Nina and her young son are on the run from an abusive husband, hoping to make a new start. When a swarm of bees causes her to wreck her car, it soon leads her to make a tenuous friendship with Greta, an elderly woman who owns an apple orchard nearby. She accepts an offer to stay on and make some cash to further her escape from her terrible domestic situation.
At first things seem to be a little off with Greta, but stories are told, truths are realized and soon they develop nothing less than a family bond. Could Nina have found the liberation she craves and the family her son deserves?
The title eludes to a haunting and that is ever present as well, from the orchards and bee hives to the rickety and lonesome old house. To tell more would ruin some of the surprises in store when reading this sentimental yet not-at-all sappy story. I loved the feel of the book, charming yet subtly spooky. It was just what I needed, so thanks
May 15, 2022
Escaping an abusive husband with her baby and run out of luck, Nina finds herself pressed to accept a job at a lonely old woman's orchard.
Rich with imagery to saturate this world with rich, golden light to offset the dusty, faded detritus, Greta's home seems to straddle the line between worn but welcoming, and decrepit and dangerous.
I loved how Nina's thoughts as a young mother were highlighted when someone else keeps 'helping' with her child, sometimes reacting with possessiveness and resentment, feeling her own mothering is being judged, or with heartfelt gratitude. It adds a desperate dimension to the stress of her situation.
This is part of a series called 'Hopeful Horror' and it admirably lives up to the name. I'll admit I wanted a bit more vicious justice, but I can't argue at how perfectly all the ends were tied up.
QUOTES:
- All movement stopped. With the blank blue sky and no wind to ruffle leaves in the trees, Nina had the impression of being frozen in some macabre painting, overly idyllic and indifferent to her distress.
- It made her want to scream until her throat was raw, to tear away at her flesh until her fingers were knobs and she ceased to exist.
(I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of an honest review)
Rich with imagery to saturate this world with rich, golden light to offset the dusty, faded detritus, Greta's home seems to straddle the line between worn but welcoming, and decrepit and dangerous.
I loved how Nina's thoughts as a young mother were highlighted when someone else keeps 'helping' with her child, sometimes reacting with possessiveness and resentment, feeling her own mothering is being judged, or with heartfelt gratitude. It adds a desperate dimension to the stress of her situation.
This is part of a series called 'Hopeful Horror' and it admirably lives up to the name. I'll admit I wanted a bit more vicious justice, but I can't argue at how perfectly all the ends were tied up.
QUOTES:
- All movement stopped. With the blank blue sky and no wind to ruffle leaves in the trees, Nina had the impression of being frozen in some macabre painting, overly idyllic and indifferent to her distress.
- It made her want to scream until her throat was raw, to tear away at her flesh until her fingers were knobs and she ceased to exist.
(I received a free copy of this book for the purpose of an honest review)
March 19, 2023
Crocoll Smith is a real talent in this quiet summer horror, The Haunting of Orchard Hill. What I loved about this is that it did not disappoint. It is a sleepy, haunting tale, and it's exactly what I needed just as the weather is turning here with spring on the way. There is a little bit of everything you can wish for in this treat of a horror story: a mysterious and secretive family, an elegant apple orchard sanctuary with pockets of scares, a vulnerable woman on the run from violence. I consumed this in a day. Crocoll Smith has a beautiful story telling voice that will make you feel like you've been caught under the same sun all summer long. There is nostalgia there, creeping fear, and mystery that you simply do not want to put down until you've consumed it all. What I value most about any new story is learning something new from the writer, and I loved the lore behind the mysterious connection of honeybees that was beautifully entwined within the narrative.
I look forward to reading more from Crocall Smith, and I'm excited that The Haunting of Willow Creek is now available to read!
I look forward to reading more from Crocall Smith, and I'm excited that The Haunting of Willow Creek is now available to read!
April 14, 2022
Like bees, lovely, fascinating and dangerous, Sara Crocoll-Smith's story drew me in. From page one the tension ratchets; the terror of the hunted contrasts with golden sunlight and apple-filled orchards, and a haunting I won't soon forget. It made me feel as if I stood in a sunny warm meadow humming with bees, then an ice-cold sticky finger ran down my back. The amber-rich atmosphere runs from nightmare to dreamworld, thick with bee lore.
"[Nina] sometimes imagined her life as a grave, and she lay at the bottom of it. Each time she tried to dig herself out, more dirt would be thrown on her...or it would rain so that every time she attempted to crawl out, to find some purchase, she'd slide right back in." Themes of escape, motherhood, and sacrifice are subtly layered; the choices mothers make and the consequences they must live with. There is mystery, suspense, and woven throughout, the hopeful in the horror. I can hardly wait to read the next in this unique series of haunting stories.
"[Nina] sometimes imagined her life as a grave, and she lay at the bottom of it. Each time she tried to dig herself out, more dirt would be thrown on her...or it would rain so that every time she attempted to crawl out, to find some purchase, she'd slide right back in." Themes of escape, motherhood, and sacrifice are subtly layered; the choices mothers make and the consequences they must live with. There is mystery, suspense, and woven throughout, the hopeful in the horror. I can hardly wait to read the next in this unique series of haunting stories.
April 20, 2022
Nina, desperate and on the run from her abusive husband, is forced to take refuge at the mysterious Orchard Hill farm with her baby son, Holden. But the farm, famed for its honeybees, is at the centre of a swirl of disturbing rumours. Can Nina uncover the truth about the farm's strange history before her little boy ends up in danger?
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful read that harks back to the greats of classic Gothic literature. Sara Crocoll Smith builds layers of tension and danger to deliver an emotional gut-punch in the book's climax that had me reeling. But this is billed as 'hopeful horror', and true to its word, the story cleaves to the idea that despite the darkness, life can ultimately change for the better. A powerful and thought-provoking read.
This is a fast-paced, suspenseful read that harks back to the greats of classic Gothic literature. Sara Crocoll Smith builds layers of tension and danger to deliver an emotional gut-punch in the book's climax that had me reeling. But this is billed as 'hopeful horror', and true to its word, the story cleaves to the idea that despite the darkness, life can ultimately change for the better. A powerful and thought-provoking read.
January 19, 2023
The Haunting of Orchard Hill is a tale of despair, haunted pasts and overcoming fear.
Initial having “Haunting” in the title made me think it was going to be the traditional ghost story and give off vibes similar to The Woman in Black for example but it was so much more.
Nina and her child flee from the volatile household in the middle of the night and in the strange twist of fate are offered to stay with the mysterious Greta on her isolated Orchard farm.
The book is atmospheric and crafts in gothic elements as well as lore revolving around Bees which I had absolutely no idea had a connection to death so that was interesting to learn.
Thank you to the author for reaching out and sending me an e-copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
Initial having “Haunting” in the title made me think it was going to be the traditional ghost story and give off vibes similar to The Woman in Black for example but it was so much more.
Nina and her child flee from the volatile household in the middle of the night and in the strange twist of fate are offered to stay with the mysterious Greta on her isolated Orchard farm.
The book is atmospheric and crafts in gothic elements as well as lore revolving around Bees which I had absolutely no idea had a connection to death so that was interesting to learn.
Thank you to the author for reaching out and sending me an e-copy to read in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2022
With crisp, perfectly paced prose and well rounded characters you can’t help but feel invested in, The Haunting of Orchard Hill is an immersive reading experience that really makes you feel as if you have been pulled into the world of the narrative.
From subtle whispers of old superstitions lingering beneath the surface, to the gorgeously rich imagery and plot points that pack a real emotional punch, this is gothic fiction with the colours turned up.
Crocoll Smith has a unique talent for chilling the spine whilst also warming the heart and The Haunting of Orchard Hill is a must read for any fans of well crafted supernatural yarns.
From subtle whispers of old superstitions lingering beneath the surface, to the gorgeously rich imagery and plot points that pack a real emotional punch, this is gothic fiction with the colours turned up.
Crocoll Smith has a unique talent for chilling the spine whilst also warming the heart and The Haunting of Orchard Hill is a must read for any fans of well crafted supernatural yarns.
April 17, 2022
I really enjoyed this ghostly story about Nina and her baby son, Holden who escape their domestic abuse situation by holing up in an old apple orchard owned by an odd senior named Grace who has a mysterious past. I loved the twists and turns in the story, as it kept me guessing. There's definitely enough creepiness and intrigue to keep the gothic fan interested and I found the storyline to be quite unique. I've not read a story quite like this one before. It was engaging and had an interesting ending. I look forward to Sara's next book.
May 17, 2022
A spooky, haunting novel perfect for fans of Mexican Gothic. The final twist left me yelling at my Kindle.
November 7, 2022
My friend, Sara, does it again! What a thrill of a read.
November 1, 2023
Synopsis: Nina is on the run with her baby son, Holden, desperate for a place to hide from her abusive husband, John, until she can get back on her feet. When a mysterious older woman named Greta offers her a job at isolated Orchard Hill, it seems ideal, even if Greta is a little imposing. But the apple trees and beehives of Orchard Hill hide a dark past, and Nina can’t run from John forever.
*
Though it’s “hopeful horror,” this novel is definitely gothic, and it deals with dark themes including domestic violence and murder. The novel opens with Nina fleeing from John in the dead of night with Holden, and her urgent need to escape her abuser drives the novel’s plot forward. Nina’s desperate situation is compounded by the fact that her husband, John, is a cop with a flawless public image.
Smith does an excellent job highlighting Nina’s isolation and vulnerability. Despite exhaustive planning, she has basically no money and no one she can rely on. Too often, people underestimate the logistical and financial constraints which make it difficult for people to leave abusive situations, especially if they have young children. Additionally, showing how limited Nina’s options are makes her decision to stay with Greta and help with the orchard and the beekeeping more realistic. When you’re desperate, sometimes you have to hope strangers have good intentions.
As someone who loves myth and folklore, I really appreciate that Smith integrated lore surrounding bees and beekeeping into this novel. I love the inclusion of the tradition of “telling the bees” (She provides links in the eBook to two interesting articles from Wikipedia and JSTOR Daily for anyone interested in learning more). We’ve known for a while that bees can recognize human faces, so the practice of letting the bees know about important events such as births and deaths may be rooted in an old recognition that bees can tell individuals apart. After all, humans have a long partnership with honeybees: there’s evidence that prehistoric farmers were beekeepers.
What really makes this novel shine is how intricately it explores the relationships between mothers and sons, particularly between Nina and baby Holden. Nina is on the run from an abusive husband, but she’s constrained by the needs and demands of an infant. She has to think about the exhaustive logistics of feeding, cleaning, and caring for the emotional needs of a vulnerable child while trying to save them both.
Smith’s details about motherhood, from the daily minutiae to the more abstract emotions, form the emotional core of the story. She digs into the seemingly contradictory nature of motherhood: Holden makes Nina vulnerable, but he also gives Nina the strength and resourcefulness to fight for a better future. Additionally, Smith recognizes that, despite their best intentions, mothers cannot always protect and shield their children from the world. She sets Nina up as a heroine without shaming or blaming mothers who aren’t able to save their children.
I don’t think I’ve ever read a horror story billed as “hopeful horror” before. Knowing that the ending of The Haunting of Orchard Hill wouldn’t be unrelentingly dark altered my reading experience in a refreshing way. I knew that no matter how bad things got, there was a light at the end of the tunnel for Nina, and it made me feel like I could relax and enjoy her journey a little more. I think there’s definitely an audience for spooky books with uplifting endings, and I’m looking forward to reading other books in this series!
I loved Smith’s skilled blending of older gothic tropes and folklore with contemporary settings and characters. The ending of The Haunting of Orchard Hill was unexpected and satisfying, and I recommend this enjoyable, fast-paced novel!
March 16, 2023
One Sitting
Reading a shorter length tale,may not seem remarkable in itself. However, Orchard Hill hits the ground running , soothe us with distance and mystery to keep the brain occupied, and then ratchets up the Fear in an ending with unexpected twists.
The setting sounds idyllic, yet behind closed doors is where drama lurks. Never could put it down, finished in 1 night.
Reading a shorter length tale,may not seem remarkable in itself. However, Orchard Hill hits the ground running , soothe us with distance and mystery to keep the brain occupied, and then ratchets up the Fear in an ending with unexpected twists.
The setting sounds idyllic, yet behind closed doors is where drama lurks. Never could put it down, finished in 1 night.
June 8, 2022
I found the story captivating and hard to put down. The characters and storylines are developed so well that it instantly grabs you and keeps you on Nina‘s journey to the end. A fantastic read and great book to take on summer vacation!
February 11, 2023
quick read
Uneven character development but a well thought out setting. I like the hopeful horror theme. More than slash and gore- so much more.
Uneven character development but a well thought out setting. I like the hopeful horror theme. More than slash and gore- so much more.
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