I really enjoyed this creepy, atmospheric haunted house story set in a remote English countryside town at a crumbling manor that's been home to generations of a cursed family.

Nell, in search of a fresh start with her sixteen-year-old daughter Fern after a tough divorce, moves to Bodwick, a small village that her troubled, alcoholic mother always spoke fondly of. She takes a job at a local pub with a creepy history of carnival shows and, desperate to make it on her own, takes an offer for a house sitting gig at Merry Hall.

But all is not what it seems at the ominous old manor, and Nell rationalizes away the odd occurences in her determination to live independently after a controlling marriage.

The story then has a dual timeline in the past with another character, Dolly's point of view, an albino dancer who worked in shows and came under the orbit of Abel Wenham, who recruits her for his touring production of freaks. I became quite frustrated with how naive Dolly was in her innocent love for the smarmy Abel, but I liked the look into Victorian circus acts and the dual timelines were handled well.

At times Nell could seem infantalized which I don't always care for in portrayals of middle-aged women, but she had been completely dependent on her husband as a stay at home mom so it was understandable. She came into her own as she fell apart and then confronted the horrors of the house, which was really a truth that didn't want to be buried amid dark family secrets. I appreciated her character's remarkable transformation.

I love Gothic horror when it's actually creepy and this fit the bill on that. I sometimes guessed what would happen but I appreciated the way the author painted the spine-tingling atmosphere. There may not be much new you can do with the trope of a creepy, haunted Gothic manor, but I enjoyed this author's take on the trope and liked the English countryside setting. I also appreciated the complicated relationship that Nell had with her daughter. This was a girl who acted like an angry, grieving teenager and not a grade schooler.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This was an interesting read. I enjoyed the creepiness, the whole atmosphere, and felt bad for the freaks, especially Dolly. The writing was great too, The dual timeline was well done.

Based on the synopsis, I really wanted to love this book but I found the writing style very difficult to get engaged with-it was a struggle to finish,

A chilling ghost story in which a mother and daughter move into a crumbling house haunted by the ghost of a girl who performed in victorian freak shows, through which wind whistles eerily, floorboards creak ominously and dark secrets long to come to light. Deeply unsettling and beautifully written story about the persistence of memory and the dangers lurking in the shadows.

There’s a lot to like about this book- I particularly thought it was really interesting to switch perspectives between the Nell and Dolly, as well as the dual timeline for Dolly’s story. I really enjoyed learning about her life from her perspective, at the same time she is haunting our main characters in the present.

I do think it took a little bit to get into the story, I would’ve liked if they moved into the house a bit sooner in the book maybe.

Overall, this was a good, unique read,

The Ghosts of Merry Hall Heather Davey

5 stars

A beautifully written atmospheric ghost story

What a chilling story, so well written that I almost felt I was living in Merry Hall with Nell and Fern!. Nell is a single parent with Fern, her 16 year old teenage daughter. Her ex-husband, Adam, has moved on with her best friend, Helen, and Nell is determined to make a new life with her daughter. without Adam's help. The only problem is that she has no money and no job so when she meets Jared Raine in the local pub ,The Black Bear, and he offers her a chance to house -sit his home for a nominal rent she quickly agrees..

However as soon as she moves in strange events occur, footsteps coming from rooms that are empty, objects being moved from room to room and strange smells. Within a few days Nell regrets her move but has no option but to stay.

The story then switches to 1847 and we learn about the sad life of Dolly Dove, a singer and dancer who is discovered in poverty by Abel Wenham and made a star of a show of performing freaks. Dolly and her fellow performers all live in Merry Hall. However Dolly is raped by Abel,becomes pregnant and is abandoned by him and kept a prisoner.. Is Dolly the reason for all the strange happenings and what are the motives for haunting Nell and Fern?

I always enjoy books that switch between time spans and both the tales told in this book are beautifully crafted. The writing is very descriptive and atmospheric but so easy to read, I finished it in 3 days as I really wanted t know the outcome for everyone.

This is a debut novel by Ms Davey and I will certainly be looking out for any future books by her. thoroughly recommended..




Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

Such a chilling eerie book that I absolutely loved! Cover really drew me in wanting to know more and as soon as I started reading I was drawn in to the story too

The Ghosts of Merry Hall had all the gothic vibes needed for a spooky telling. I really enjoyed reading this novel. The way the characters were created and the atmosphere of the story really added to the spooky vibes of the novel. I loved how this novel played out

There is nothing merry about Merry Hall, that's for sure!

A haunting tale that delivers the gothic vibes and chills I look for in this kind of book. My only regret is that I took it to the beach when I should've saved it for Halloween or post Christmas blues!

I think Davey is a great storyteller and the second half of the book had me hooked and fully invested to see how the story unfolds and ends. I especially enjoyed the victorian time timeline and Dolly's tragic story made indeeed for a haunting, to think what this girl could've been and how things turned out for her. Nell felt like a realistic portrayal of someone who's entire life is shattered to pieces and the oppresive feeling that disaster is about to strike was carried through very well. It was a bit laike watching a car accident in slow motion, unable to do anything but equally not looking away. Her relationship with Fern was complicated and delivered very convincingly.

If you are a fan of the genre, you will not be disappointed. Save this one for a cold winter's evening, next to a crackling fire with a full glass of wine in hand and enjoy! Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my review copy, all opinions are my own.

"A chilling ghost story in which a mother and daughter move into a crumbling house haunted by the ghost of a girl who performed in Victorian freak shows, through which wind whistles eerily, floorboards creak ominously and things go bump in the night. Ideal for fans of Laura Purcell.

In 2025, following the break-up of her marriage, cash-strapped single mother Nell moves into the crumbling Merry Hall with her teenage daughter, Fern, to housesit for its evasive owner. She's determined to make a new life in the gloomy Victorian mansion but the noises, moving objects and strange smells in her new home make her increasingly unsettled.

In the 1840s, showman Abel Wenham seduces Dolly, a talented albino girl and makes her the star of his performing collection of freaks. But after she becomes pregnant with his child, he discards her and imprisons her at Merry Hall, where her only solace is the company of fellow performers Ida the Bear Lady and the Jack the Posturer. They plan to escape with Dolly and her child and set up in business, but Wenham has other ideas.

Is Dolly, just one of the ghosts that haunt Merry Hall, reaching out across the centuries to right the wrongs of the past?"

I needed a book to tide me over until the new Laura Purcell comes out next month!

When all of your favourite genres merge together in one book you know you're in for a great read.
1847 and Dolly Dove is the latest acquisition for Abel Wenhams travelling show. Cast as the Ghost lady, he feels he's going to make lots of money from her. Living in Merry Hall, Dolly quickly falls for his charms, against the views of her fellow performers.
2025 and Nell and her daughter Fern take the opportunity of cheap rent to stay in Merry Hall. But from the outset there are strange noises and things going missing or appearing. Rotting vegetables and strange smells don't add to the character of the house and it isnt long before they regret moving in. But the house hasn't finished with them as there's still a tale to be told.
If you love your historical fiction novels to have a paranormal gothic theme then you'll love this book, it's dark and creepy and very atmospheric. I loved it

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Heather Davey for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Ghosts of Merry Hall coming out September 16, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by the author. I really enjoy the old manor with ghosts themed books. I think the dual timeline was interesting, but I definitely enjoyed the Victorian time more. I just enjoyed the characters more than the present. I would definitely check out my books by this author. I think it was a great spooky book.

I absolutely loved this atmospheric ghost story. The dual timelines were so well done. Nell and Fern’s modern-day struggles were just as compelling as Dolly’s tragic tale in the 1840s. The setting of Merry Hall is eerie and alive, with every creaking floorboard and cold gust adding to the tension.

It’s the perfect blend of gothic, historical fiction, and emotional drama. If you enjoy ghost stories with real depth, this one’s for you.

Would I recommend this book to you? Yes

Expected Release Date: 09/16/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

In the 1840s, Dolly – a young albino girl – becomes the latest star attraction in Abel Wenham’s freak show, quickly being taken in by his charms and moving to Merry Hall.

Nearly 200 years later, Nell is given the opportunity to housesit in a crumbling mansion after her divorce. It must be better for her teenage daughter than sharing a room in an old lady’s house.

However, the house comes with its own challenges. Something in the house wants to finally be heard.

An interesting story of secrets, ghosts and family.

Sure, let's move into a decaying house for a elusive owner with my daughter for a fresh start. That always works out. Nell and her daughter Fern soon found this house to be unsettling, complete with ghost noises , moving objects and odd smells.
This is a compelling story with dual timeline and supernatural events. The whole story kept me interested and invested in how the events of the past affected the present through all the haunting parallels. The

The Ghosts of Merry Hall alternately tells the story of Nell in 2025 and Dolly in 1867.
After separating from her husband, Nell decides to move with her sixteen-year-old daughter Fern to her mother’s hometown. Struggling to make ends meet without relying on her ex, she accepts an offer to housesit a crumbling Victorian mansion - the same mansion Dolly lived in over a century ago.
Soon, Nell and Fern realise that there is more to the house’s story than anyone knows and Dolly is determined to make her story heard.

This was a haunting, atmospheric story, with well crafted characters and a captivating writing style that made me fly through the pages, with Dolly‘s character especially standing out. As Dolly reaches through time and space to make herself heard at all costs, Nell is forced to face her own past and personal ghosts.
While the story is immersive and enjoyable overall, there were moments where it felt a bit rushed or slightly off kilter with unsatisfying resolutions.

Nevertheless, I think this is an engaging read for spooky season, perfect for readers who love haunting ghost stories with characters confronting both supernatural forces and their own inner demons.

Thanks to NetGalley and Titan Books for for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Review will be posted on Goodreads, TheStoryGraph and Fable after publication, as requested.

My rating for this one is a solid 3.5! I really enjoyed this one but it wasn’t *quite* a 4-star read. A spooky, anxiety inducing read with a set of characters that are realistic and relatable! The pacing at the beginning felt slow to me but the set-up was good—and necessary for everything that followed! Miss Dolly Dove was a star and I wish we would’ve gotten more of her story. Additionally, I wish this book was longer so that we could get more details for some of the components in present day too..That probably would have upped my rating honestly. Overall, so happy with this read and it’s perfect coming into spooky season!

Thank you NetGalley and Titan Books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’m rating this book 3.5⭐️ simply because I wasn’t a huge fan of Nell. In my opinion, she made bad decisions at every turn. Recently divorced, her and her daughter rent a room in someone’s house because she can’t afford anything else, yet she goes out and buys trousers and pens? Super odd decision, but okay… I guess.
I liked Dolly and would have loved to delve deeper into her character and story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Titan Books for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book, the back and forwards in time showing us what happened to Dolly. The ghostly house full of memories and resentment. But I just couldn't get on with the character of Nell, a daughter of an alcoholic reaching for the wine, I don't think so. Goes shopping buys trousers and pens but no food. Rich husband kicks you out of the house and you don't get half or kick his butt out. She just annoyed me tbh. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

I love a ghost story and this was no exception. Set within two timelines, this story goes between present day with Nell and her daughter Fern moving into an old Victorian house that is haunted. In the 1840s, Dolly is a performer in a freak show and becomes pregnant by Abel, the showman. He imprisons her at Merry Hall and now she haunts the place present day. I will say this book made me feel uneasy throughout because it felt like a sinister force was always present. I love how Nell and Fern try to figure out the mystery of the Hall and all the creepy events that happen while they are there. I will definitely be reading more by Heather Davey from now on!