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The Seance in Apartment 10

This is the first work I have encountered by this author, and it has certainly piqued my interest enough to explore more of their writings and discover how the narratives evolve. The characters were fairly well-developed, yet I felt they could have benefitted from deeper backgrounds. An exploration into the histories and motivations of the side characters would have enriched the overall experience and offered a more comprehensive understanding of the dynamics at play.

The story begins with a rather slow pace, taking its time to establish the setting and introduce the characters. However, midway through the narrative, the pacing begins to quicken, leading to a compelling crescendo where the plot takes on a life of its own, drawing me in more forcefully with each passing chapter.

The protagonist, Tori, moves into a dilapidated studio at the eerie Lamplight Complex, only to find herself entangled in unexpected supernatural occurrences. A dark presence lurks within the walls of the aging building, and with only a couple of residents, it soon becomes apparent that the entity has limited options for interaction. The tension escalates when Tori invites friends over to celebrate her new home, and they unwittingly engage with a Ouija board. This fateful decision unveils the perilous consequences of meddling with the unknown and the veil between the living and the dead.

As the story progresses, Tori’s reality begins to unravel, spiraling toward chaos and what feels like an impending madness. Though not overtly terrifying, the narrative evokes an unsettling sensation that leaves a lingering feeling of unease, as if something ominous is lurking just out of sight.

Overall, this book serves as an engaging starting point for my journey with this author and might prove to be a suitable introduction for others as well. If you’re a newcomer to their work, this story could effectively draw you into their unique style and storytelling.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟½

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A House By The Sea

A House by the Sea by Ambrose Ibsen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This book rates 3.75 stars from me. I liked some parts and really liked other parts while there were still other parts that I did not like at all. The lead-in is slow and it took me a while to get into the story fully. The characters were just what you would expect from those in the horror genre, stereotypes without a good fleshing out. You have the overwrought and hysterical mother, the unbelieving sarcastic father, the angst-ridden teenager who hides her knowledge, and finally the young and impressionable child who is led astray. Now that is not to say that it is a bad thing but it does make it hard to enjoy sometimes when you know what to expect.

The land on which Winthrop House sits has been shunned since before the settlers came to the area. The natives did not build or go to the area because it was said to be inhabited by some type of creature. When the house was eventually built on the land it was shunned by all the locals and bought by an out-of-town family who knew nothing of its history. Things did not get better with tenants and when they died it was left empty for years.

When Jack Ripley makes it big with a best-selling novel he wants to keep a promise to his wife, she wanted a house by the sea. They think Winthrop’s house is the perfect place for their family to settle and grow. For a few weeks, it is, then things start to happen that dampen his wife’s love of the house. When things start to escalate even Jack has to take notice and decide whether he wants the house more than to have his family safe.

This was not super scary but had some moments that caught me by surprise. This was the first book I have read by this author and while it gave me mixed feelings I want to explore other books they have written, including the second book about this house. The ending is what made it for me. I would recommend this to anyone who likes ghost stories or haunted house stories.



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“Abigail entered the room, leaving the door open behind her, and sat down at the foot of Amy’s bed. “I don’t like this,” she said with a sigh. “You don’t like what?” “Aunty Becca is here,” explained the girl. Amy shrugged. “Yeah? So, what? You love it when Becca comes to visit. She’s a lot of fun.” Abigail tugged at her bubblegum-colored pajama top and shook her head. “No, it’s not good. The man with the doggie-face doesn’t like her being here.” She looked up at her sister narrowly. “At least, that’s what Frankie says. He says that, if auntie Becca is here, we may not be able to play anymore.”
― Ambrose Ibsen, A House by the Sea