The Ghosts of Marsh House
The Ghosts of Marsh House
By Amy Cross
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
Stars out very similar to the previous books. We don't have a look into the history of the house however we do have a main character moving into a house that has been in his family and he is using it to get a fresh start. Escaping something tragic that happened in his life. This house, like so many of our previous houses, is in need of some TLC. Amy has a very definite easy to read style that would make anyone comfortable to read her stories. There is a minimum amount of gore and the cussing seems to be kept to a minimum. There are adult themes and talk of suicide.
Andrew Mitchell
Our first introduction to our main character is interesting. She describes him as a rich kid essentially but the way he acts is contrary to that description. When I saw that I figured this guy was gonna be on my shit list for a while but so far so good. I love the ghost tour that he takes. The last stop is super amusing. It's his own house.
There are some frustrating moments with this dude though. His reason for leaving London and coming to his inherited house is because his girlfriend, Audrey, whose life he saved, needed some space. He respectfully gives her that space, at first reluctantly. I understand that she has some mental health issues. Don't we all! But if you truly love someone then you let them help you. You don't push them away. Because her solo attempts in the past to get herself in check have obviously not been a raging success. I mean like she legit breaks things off with him. Even though it's supposedly just for a little while. How is that fair. Keeping the other person in limbo.
Things are pretty much status quo up until the last few chapters where the truth is revealed. I mean, that would fuck anyone up and I'd be pissed too but the whole thing with Audrey gets tiresome. Then we learn the horrific truth of what occurred. In these 161 pages our main character lives 49 years in that house. For him it seemed like a few weeks but in reality he lost 49 years. Turns out she did wait for him. She looked for him. But by the time he finds out what has happened it's too late. I tell ya, those DIY projects make for great distractions. 49 years worth apparently.
Victoria Winter
This is our ghost. Her story is tragic or is it? The question is which story is real? I would not blame her if she were to become a violent, vengeful spirit in death should one of the tour stories is true. The true story is revealed later during the twist at the end. And what a twist it is too.
Debbie
While Debbie may not have a large role to play in this story I thought it only fair to give her an honorable mention. She did sleep with the main character after all and I feel she died for it. At least that is my impression.
Queenie/Victoria
I like her. I think that initial interaction in the pub was a little off putting but after that she seems like a decent person. That is of course until the twist at the end. Honestly, I did not see that coming, any of it really. We do learn what really happened to her. If that story is really true than what is she doing still sticking around. Is it just that she was so lonely in life that she stuck around to find the right man in death? That just seems crazy to me. She's not just any ghost either. She is one that is capable of performing home renovations and manipulating a person into giving up 49 years.
Closing thoughts:
A unique story. A twist that is not easily figured out. There are some things that when you know and look back make sense but really there are not many clues as to what is going on. I'm usually pretty good about at least suspecting what is happening but this one blindsided me.
