A big eye roll from me. Early hype had me excited to read something new & exciting. This wasn't it. Slow to start, I just could get into the characters or scenario.

I did not finish this one, it was not for me, I couldn't relate to the characters, and just did not care for the story.

I really enjoyed this title. I liked the twists and turns and the writing style is nice and smooth. The story flows well and kept my attention. Thank you for the opportunity to read this title. I will be recommending this one to friends.

I really enjoyed that this book was based on some real historical elements. I love ghost stories and this one did not disappoint. There were lots of creepy moments and the suspense was great.

Loved it! It’s such a creepy & unique idea for a story. You can’t go wrong with Pyper’s writing, I’ve read some of his other ones & I highly recommend them.

This was a DNF (did not finish) for me. I did not enjoy this book and prefer not to provide any feedback at the moment on any of my social media networks. I may come back to this at a later time and will update this review at that time.

This is my 1st novel by Andrew Pyper and it definitely won't be my last.
Based on actual facts this spooky ghost story is set in the White House during Franklin Pierce's administration in the 1850's. The President's recently deceased son haunts the White House, threatening all who live in it.
In the face of overwhelming grief Franklin and First Lady Jane are plagued by bizarre and disturbing events. As the horrors quickly unfold Jane and Franklin hope to work together to rid themselves of this entity at their side.
Well written and well researched the author includes a fascinating notes section at the end of the book detailing actual events and historical facts he has based this book on.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster Canada for a copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

THE RESIDENCE by ANDREW PYPER was a book that I was extremely excited to read because I thought the premise of it sounded great. It started off a little slow and it was really hard for me to get into the story and stay focused in what I was reading. I also wasn't all that sympathetic for Jane and lost interest in her. Sadly this book just wasn't for me.

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster Canada, Andrew Pyper, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.

In 1853, President-elect Franklin Pierce is traveling with his family to Washington, DC, when they’re involved in a train accident and the Pierces’ son, Bennie, is killed. As Pierce and his wife move into the White House they’re plagued by strange occurrences and start to suspect that it’s being haunted by Bennie’s ghost. Although fiction, this is based on historical facts and characters which I think made this seem spookier than it might have otherwise. An interesting, creepy read which left me interested in finding out more about the true story of this family. This was my first book by this author but I would definitely pick up more by him in the future. Thank you for the opportunity to read this book.

A ghost story about the President's late son haunting the White House and his family. Sorry. This was just not a book that I could enjoy. Well written as Pyper's books always are but just not my cup of tea. It definitely made me feel uneasy and I unfortunately could not enjoy the read. Would be better for those readers who enjoy the supernatural mush more than me.

I became absorbed in The Residence. It’s the second book I’ve read by Canadian author, Andrew Pyper. This could be classified as supernatural or Gothic horror. What I enjoyed the most is that it is also historical fiction, inspired by true events.

It comes from a story I never heard of before. The story about Franklin Pierce, the president of the United States in 1853. He is traveling by train to Washington with his wife, Jane and son, Bennie. When a horrible accident takes place, unfortunately, Bennie dies.
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There has already been enormous loss for the Pierce's and the grief of the loss of Bennie overcomes the First Lady and the President is trying his best to grieve for his son but also run the country. The first Lady hides herself away on the second floor of the white house, writing letters to Bennie, pleading for him to return and she believes that he does.

This is not a gory, bloody, or gruesome horror story. This is a haunting, ghost and horror story that revolves around fears of death and how our minds try to deal with horrendous grief. There are noises and sightings of several ghosts, including the slaves that built the White House and there is a grief room.

The haunting ghosts try to cause the greatest pain for both the First Lady and President by flinging truths to them. Will they fight back? Will they succumb to the paranormal activity? What is this intrusion of the spirit that Jane speaks of?

This book is so well written and I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read it. Loved the nod to Nathaniel Hawthorne and the link to Abe Lincoln's son.

Bookworm Rating: 🐛🐛🐛🐛

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for an e-copy of this book for an honest review.

The Residence by Andrew Pyper is a ghost story based on historical facts and characters. The year is 1852 and Franklin Pearce has been elected president of the U.S. On their train trip to Washington from New Hampshire to attend the inauguration, the Président-elect, his wife Jane and young son Bennie are victims of a terrible crash. Bennie is the only casualty and the Pearces’ lives are changed forever. The First Lady returns to New Hampshire, refusing to attend the inauguration due to her overwhelming grief. When she finally moves to the White House, it becomes clear that the mansion is not an ordinary house. There are loud noises in the walls and ceilings and strange occurrences day and night. The couple begin to realize that their deceased child and others are haunting the residence. They will need to overcome their grief and face up to the ghosts and rid them from the people’s house. Apparently, in real life, there have been sightings of ghosts and visitors have refused to spend the night in the White House. The telling of this tale is historically interesting but I was underwhelmed by the horror portion of the book. I prefer a little fright with my horror but, all in all, it was a good yarn. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is absolutely magnificent, and completely unique and not at ALL what I had anticipated it was going to be! I love books that surprise me and this one fits the bill.

Andrew Pyper writes such incredible spooky content in completely new and unnerving ways. I LOVED that this was set so many decades ago and Andrew nails it with the sound and tone in this book. More than that I love that this book still felt completely contemporary and relevant to today's society. That is no easy feat and Andrew pulls it off with ease.

I also love that the premise of a ghost story like this could be so utterly terrifying while still being so incredibly compelling. I had no idea who I was rooting for in this story, I just could not set it down until I found out what happened in the end.

Devious, face paced and a joy to lose myself in for an autumn afternoon, an absolute must read for bookworms this fall!

Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Franklin Pierce and his wife are about to become the newest President and First Lady to reside within the walls of the White House. The year is 1853 and during a train trip to Washington, DC, the train derails , their son Bennie is the only fatality. Jane, the First Lady, spirals down into a well of sorrow, nothing can console her. She begins a foray into the occult hoping to connect with her lost son and opens a door into evil. Her longing for her son manifests an evil being that starts a reign of terror in the White House.
I found the beginning of this book to be a little slow with the storyline picking up towards the middle of the book. There is a definite dark and ominous feel to this story that will have your skin crawling.

A haunting tale set in the White House with historical figures.

This was an odd premise for me. I have no relation to the US or its history, but the White House is a well-known residence no matter where you are from.

Overall, I enjoyed it, but I had a bit of a hard time relating to the characters. This is not a failing on the writing, but maybe just my lack of interest for the political figures of the US.

It was a fun and spooky story that could find its place this coming Halloween season.

The story was hard to follow and got kind of weird at one point. It was not my favourite of Andrew’s books. The writing was okay, but the story was not the best.
#theresidence #netgalley #indigoemployee

This book has a wonderful premise and I was excited to read it. It started off slow and I liked the melancholy, haunting vibes. Unfortunately, after reading through almost 100 pages, there is still nothing much going on and the plot meandered, with (in my humble opinion) unnecessary ramblings. Moreover, I couldn't connect with the characters at all. Sadly, I didn't power through to finish it. This book wasn't for me.

*** Thank you Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for this gifted review copy in exchange for an honest review. ***

I have a list of authors who have pulled me into one of their stories; I can’t wait to get my grabby fingers on their next new release; Andrew Pyper got on this list with The Homecoming.

I have spent months looking forward to reconnecting with Pyper’s writing, ever since I saw that The Residence was set to release. I know that I like his style, who doesn’t love an old-fashioned ghost story?

Unfortunately, I just didn’t connect with Pyper’s characters this time around.

I like to figure the how and why when this happens. The last thing I want is a book that feels like a chore to finish, but I hate to abandon what I have started; this is a good author, he must be able to create that connection before the end of the story.

In the end I can only say that there was some kind of vacuum in the space-time continuum. The wrong time, the wrong place. I found The Residence lacking a connection, I just didn’t care. Perhaps with White House BS everywhere right now, I just wasn’t in the right mind for more White House; perhaps Pyper’s characters were a bit too one dimensional this time around.

There are some stories that can go dark and gloomy, without any comic relief; but others need it. The comic relief can help to build connections, make the characters more tangible, more relatable. Perhaps it was this lack of comic relief that was missing.

Pyper’s writing was solid, his plot unique and interesting; but this story failed to captivate me. I want to immerse myself in the stories I read. I wanted my Calgon moment with The Residence and it never materialized.

*3 Stars

Historical fiction and horror combined? When I saw the synopsis for this book, I knew this novel would be right up my alley and I was not disappointed! I love a good ghost story (even if I have to read them during daylight hours only). The Residence is thoroughly engaging, terrifying and a definite page turner!

From the publisher – The year is 1853. President-elect Franklin Pierce is traveling with his family to Washington, DC, when tragedy strikes. In an instant, their train runs off the rails, violently flinging passengers about the cabin. When the great iron machine finally comes to rest, the only casualty is the Pierces’ son, Bennie. The loss sends First Lady Jane Pierce into mourning, and casts Franklin’s presidency under a pall of sorrow and grief.


As the Pierces move into the White House, they are soon plagued by events both bizarre and disturbing. Strange sounds seem to come from the walls and ceiling, ghostly voices echo out of time itself, and visions of spirits crushed under the weight of American history pass through empty hallways. But when Jane orchestrates a séance with the infamous Fox Sisters—the most noted Spiritualists of the day—the barrier between this world and the next is torn asunder. Something horrific comes through and takes up residence alongside Franklin and Jane in the very walls of the mansion itself.

Only by overcoming their grief and confronting their darkest secrets can Jane and Franklin hope to rid themselves—and America—of the entity that seeks to make the White House its permanent home.

Right from the first page, Pyper pulls you into this universe, opening with the horrifically detailed demise of the Pierces’ son, Bennie. Rooted in true events (Pierce’s son did indeed perish in a train accident), the novel then transitions to Pierce’s presidency. It pulls the reader into the halls of the White House in a way that makes the house become a sentient character itself. After finishing the novel, I still question whether or not the house is truly haunted (side note but I have always thought Lincoln’s ghost is undoubtedly roaming the halls). Pyper’s writing style really gets under your skin and every sound and apparition is described in such detail, that they seem to be with you in your own home.

The overarching theme of the novel is the impact of death and grief on a person. It examines the way these life altering events can impact a relationship. Franklin and Jane deal with their immense loss in varying ways, neither of which are particularly healthy. They both hold blame for the events that transpire in the novel, when neither fully confronts their darkest truths. The Residence reads as a warning at times, of what can happen when someone reaches too far, too fast.

It is evident that Pyper conducted thorough research when writing this book and his expertise on both Pierce’s presidency and the history of the White House shine through. I also had no idea the Fox Sisters were real individuals and Spiritualists, which was a great added element to an already creepy premise. The larger plot deals with many historical topics (slavery, equality for women) and subconsciously draws parallels to the same issues still prevalent in our current world climate. It is clear that the author believes there are parallels between America in 1853 and the world today and that in both cases, something is fundamentally broken and needs to be repaired.

Overall, this was an interesting take on historical events and a truly terrifying ghost story. I highly recommend this novel, especially timely as we approach the Halloween season.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my review copy.

The Residence has potential as a spooky Fall ghost story but wasn't quite my favorite of the genre.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada and Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.
President-elect Franklin Pierce, wife Jane and son Benjamin are travelling by train in 1853 to Washington D.C. when the train derails. Bennie is killed and the Pierces are left to pick up their lives while Franklin becomes the leader of the United States.
The White House sets the scene for mysterious and supernatural occurrences toward the grieving parents, including the room once intended for Bennie being set up as the "Grief Room".
I know many Canadian authors choose to set their novels in places other than Canada, but this one felt odd to me to be in the ultimate symbol of the United States government.
Andrew Pyper's writing style took me a bit to get used to, but the formality works for a turn-of-the-century tale.
For release on Sept. 1, 2020.