The Bride of Ashbyrn House
The Bride of Ashbyrn House
By Amy Cross
The Sexton’s musings (spoilers are likely):
I like the way Cross has structured this book. It is told in first person by the two main characters. They are separated by over a century but they both tick me off from square one. It's gonna be hard to move past it. They are some of the least sympathetic characters I think I have ever met and that's saying something. I've read about serial killers and Hitler.
Owen Stone
This dude needs to get over himself. I completely sympathize with him in wanting to be away from people. The crowds and stupidity of the busy city, but all of this seems to be because his wife/girlfriend left him, Vanessa. This is no reason to become a recluse. It's all of humanity that should prompt this from him. The house does sound amazing but I don't particularly like the way he treats the realtor. He should just let the poor guy tell his ghost stories. Maybe he'll get some material for his next book.
Turns out she didn't leave him, he broke it off with her because of a terrible accident that took place on the night of his bachelor party. This dude needs to get a grip. He is so far in man brain that he can't see what's right in front of him. The reason for calling off the wedding is the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard. His guilt is completely misguided. How is he responsible for his friend getting drunk off his ass and then falling off a balcony, not even in Owen's presence mind you, a killing himself. That is 100% on him not Owen. You can't force people to stop their bad and dangerous addictions. They have to want to do that themselves. And Charlie did not. His guilt runs so deep that in half the book we think that Charlie is calling and visiting Owen at the house. It's fucked up! Even in Owen's own mind Charlie want's him to talk to Vanessa. SMH!
Now lets talk about what happens to him and this broken leg he does not seem to think is important enough to seek medical attention. A bloody ghost patches him up. And he still fights the belief that ghosts are a reality. The bitch is pouring him drinks and killing his dog for crying out loud! Not to mention the nuptials that she is expecting of him.
Katinka (the bride/ghost)
In the beginning this 27 year old woman, who acts like a petulant teenager, drives me up the wall. She has to be one of the most pompous characters I have ever had the pleasure of reading. She is so full of herself that she makes Dorian Grey look like an amateur. She’s vacant and empty. There is nothing in there except self-regard. I can't imagine with 100 + years is going to have done to her threadbare soul.
Honestly she takes bridezilla to a whole new level. I seriously doubt there is enough money in the universe for any man to want to put up with her ridiculous shit. Oh and the fact that she is absolutely bat-shit crazy! Status seems to be the only thing that she cares about. She does not love Charles, the man she is due to marry; in fact, she catches him with her sister Pippa in the pantry! Eventually she ends up taking Pippa out but not because she is jealous but because she fears scandal. It is even mentioned that she does not care if he takes mistresses but her immediate family is off-limits due to how it would look. The scene of Pippa's death is rather gruesome. Not in an extreme way but those that are sensitive to violence or desecration of a dead body be warned.
I failed to mention that she slices off skin and flesh from her own sides so that her waist can look slimmer in her wedding dress. Absolutely off her knob in life and in death.
Vanessa
This is the previous fiancé to Owen. Seems like a decent enough woman. She is not in the habit of disbelieving her own eyes for one. Which is refreshing. She also has the ability of critical thinking which is something Owen lacks. Luckily she is there to pull his ass from the fire. Frankly I'd leave him there to bubble and squeak. In the end she really should have done that.
Charlie
Owens friend who tragically died on the night of Owens bachelor party. Which means that the version of Charlie we know is in Owen's head. It's interesting because he's trying to convince himself to leave and believe in ghosts through Charlie. But he denies his own mind that courtesy. Dude sounds like a real wanker anyway.
Closing thoughts:
I'm just going to say it...in what kind of story does the dog die?! I mean come on people! For me, if there is the death of an animal, dogs are the worse, it is the most unsettling part of a story for me. This one was traumatic. I don't need to be told about the sounds that are going on while that crazy bitch of a ghost kills Ben. This is not necessary...okay it might be to illicit this kind of emotional reaction but still! Then later in the story Cross just has to pour salt in the wound by mentioning the sound again. Horrible.
The story itself was a decent one. A unique take on a haunting. There are some good twists thrown in there. Some predictable but really it's only from the hints that you are given so that seems to be the intension. Worth the read.
