Gallow Hill by Darcy Coates Review! #NetGalley @poisonedpenpress

 "Catnip for fans of things that go bump in the night, and eventually the day." ―Kirkus Reviews

The Hull family has owned the Gallows Hill Winery for generations. Their wine wins awards. Their business prospers. Their family thrives. People whisper that the curse has awakened once more.

The sprawling old house has long been perched on top of a hill overlooking the nearby town, jealously guarding the estate's secrets.

It's been more than a decade since Margot Hull last saw her childhood home. She was young enough when she was sent away that she barely remembers its dark passageways and secret corners. But now she's returned to bury her parents and reconnect with the winery that is her family's legacy―and the bloody truth of exactly what lies buried beneath the crumbling estate. Alone in the sprawling, dilapidated building, Margot is forced to come face to face with the horrors of the past―and realize that she may be the next victim of a house that never rests...

Darcy Coates brings you a brand-new horror novel that'll take your breath away... Gallows Hill is perfect for fans of Jennifer McMahon, Simone St. James, lovers of ghost stories and anyone mesmerized by the twisted secrets of the past.

Darcy is the USA Today Bestselling author of Hunted, The Haunting of Ashburn House, Craven Manor, and more than a dozen horror and suspense titles.

She lives on the Central Coast of Australia with her family, cats, and a garden full of herbs and vegetables.

Darcy loves forests, especially old-growth forests where the trees dwarf anyone who steps between them. Wherever she lives, she tries to have a mountain range close by.

You can hear about her next book by joining her newsletter: www.darcycoates.com/subscribe 

My Thoughts

I read this book in one sitting, it took about 4 hours. I don't usually do that but this one really resonated with me. I love a good horror story and this one is definitely that.

Margot Hull is back after her parents' deaths to Gallow Hills Winery, just in time for the funerals. I didn't learn until about halfway through that the reason there were no open caskets for her parents was the abject look of horror on their faces. What could have caused that?

Margo meets the inhabitants of the Winery, but they are evasive about the questions Margo has regarding her parents. She gets a tour of the winery and other buildings on the grounds. This is her inheritance, the winery, and the house. Does she want it? Not really. She does not remember her parents as she was removed from the home at a young age.

The first night in the house, besides being creepy is filled with noises and things that go bump in the night. Subsequent nights are even worse with dead bodies coming to life and they come after her.

She learns that there is a curse on her bloodline of family. She learns about the curse and must devise a way to break that curse and keep herself and the other people on the land safe.

I had not read a good horror story in a while and saw this one and it piqued my interest. I am glad I did. This is a story that sticks with you for a while. Good and scary! Darcy Goates can sure tell a story and I will be sure to be reading more of her titles that I have on my Kindle. 

I give the book 5 stars! Loved it!

I received a copy of the book for review purposes.