Darcy Coates does it again!
Gallows Hill is a spectacular novel and one I had so much fun reading this book, I loved how it twisted a bit in ways I did not see coming and how much this book captured.
I’ve read a few books of this author and this has to be the best one I’ve read so far!
Fast paced, plenty of twists and turns and just an overall great book to read!
The atmosphere of this book was just spectacular.
I felt like the story was unique and had everything in it to kept you on your toes.
A well told story with very deep characters.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Poisoned Pen Press,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

4.5 rounded up
There was an underlying creepiness throughout the book, such great atmosphere. At one point, I had to stop reading because it was a dark stormy night and I was alone. Even though I wanted to know what came next, I had to wait until my husband got home because I was scared to read it while home alone. Such a good book!

This book was a little more supernatural than I'm used to, but it was a fun read and I'm glad I chose it. Margot has returned to her family home after receiving the devastating news that her parents passed away together on the same night. They were the owners of the Gallows Hill Winery and have left her the business. Not so uncommon, except that Margot was sent away at the age of 8 to live with her grandmother, and she has neither seen nor heard from her parents since then. She's waited over ten years for some answers and still can't see what caused her parents to act as they did. Sure, their land was always rumored to be cursed, but that's because convicts were hanged from a huge oak tree atop the hill hundreds of years ago. That's just superstitious local lore, isn't it? Any family could have ancestors that suffered like hers did...

It doesn't take long before things get weird. Without giving anything away, let's just say the townspeople have good sense to stay away from the winery and everything else on Gallows Hill. Margot does have some allies - Kant, the winery manager, is standoffish but always ready to help in a pinch. The Palmers run the retail wine store and educate her on the history of the Hill and her ancestors that claimed the land generations ago. But Margot can't help suspecting that they are hiding something. Why do they brush off the curse rumors so quickly? And why indulge the strange older woman that ritually blesses the land? What are they not telling her? Well, she's about to find out. And she'll wish she never came home.

I’ve read all of Darcy Coates books and have enjoyed all of them. I started this book and expected a ghost story but not the kind I got. The first half of this book is a slow burn explaining the winery at Gallows Hill and how Margot inherited from a mother and father who gave her away to her grandma at the age of 8. The second half of the book takes you on a wild pulse pounding ride. The haunting ramps up and it’s a fight for survival against something you can’t beat. The supporting characters are well written and I like them all, especially Kant and Marsh.

This is a great read for anyone who enjoys a good ghost story. Like most of Ms. Coates books, there is mild violence and, thankfully, no sexual scenes. I loved this book and can’t wait for the next.

Creepy! This book involves a strong protagonist, a haunted house, and an incredible story. I highly enjoyed this book immensely. There are elements of mystery and thriller are perfectly combined.