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The Hunting Ground

3.76 of 5 stars 3.76 · rating details · 126 ratings · 26 reviews

When Elliott and his brother move into the old and crumbling Glebe House they don't expect to find themselves sharing it with ghosts. But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past - and of a terrible tragedy. An old woman talks to ghosts - but is she in fact being controlled by them? And what of the sinister East Wing - a hideo...more

Hardcover, 274 pages

Published July 1st 2011 by Orion (first published May 1st 2011)

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Jun 11, 2011 Nikki-ann rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I haven’t read a ghost story in a while, so I thought a young adult book wouldn’t be too scary of a re-introduction to ghost stories. However, The Hunting Ground is quite creepy for a kids book! I guess that’s why it says “Not for younger readers” on the back of the book!

I found the book to start very well, with tension building immediately. I certainly felt a little wary when I put the book down and turned off the light… If anything had made a sound shortly after I’d put the book down, I’d have...more

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Apr 06, 2013 Sam Pope rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another chiller from Cliff McNish - although a young adult author his books are as scary as any adult ones I have read. In this, two brothers are tormented by the ghost of a young girl almost immediately after they arrive at Glebe House, which their dad has been commissioned to renovate. The secret seems to lie in the East Wing and in the old lady who wanders the grounds in a dress covered in wilting flowers. Increasingly, the younger boy Ben becomes obsessed with the portraits of the former mas...more

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Jul 13, 2011 Kirsty rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: never-read-again, free-amazon-vine-books, ghosts

This is a young teenage ghost novel that I think would suit an age range of around 12-14. The book starts off well and delves straight into a creepy scene with no slow build up. Tension is created right from the beginning and I actually found the start of the book quite unnerving. What can be more scary than small Victorian ghost girls that drag their dolls behind them, leaning over you in the middle of the night? Still gives me chills thinking about it...

The end of the book is also quite drama...more

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Jul 03, 2012 Luna rated it 4 of 5 stars

I’m not a fan of ghost stories but I couldn’t resist this and I’m so glad I didn’t. The Hunting Ground is creepy and disturbing for all the right reasons. I was so engrossed in the story I forgot pretty much everything around me.

The Hunting Ground has a split narration; most of the story follows Elliott and his younger brother as they unravel the mystery of Glebe House but one of their clues is the diary of a young boy called Theo whose family were the last occupants at Glebe House in the 1960s....more

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May 28, 2011 Rachel rated it 4 of 5 stars

A Haunting Hunt

I was sent a copy of this to review.

This story of two brothers and their father who roam the country renovating houses slips comfortably into an easy reading style. Pages slip past under your fingers and before you know it the birds are singing outside the winter.

The tale starts with the ghost of the little girl, Amy, watching the boys sleep and descends further into terror with each passing page. The tales of the former occupants is told in back story through the medium of pages...more

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Jan 23, 2013 Vee rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

OK SO FIRST OF ALL I'D LIKE TO SAY THAT I HATE HORROR AND THRILLER NOVELS BECAUSE THEY SCARE THE CRAP OUT OF ME!
BUT I FORTUNATELY READ THIS ONE AND REALLY ENJOYED IT! :D

so the setting was great, a bit cliche,(seeing how everyone goes for the haunted, gothic, eerily beautiful mansion,) but nonetheless great.
the characters were great too and I loved the way they were protrayed. the ghosts were freaking scary at first but upon finding out about their intentions, i started to warm up to them.
of co...more

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Apr 03, 2012 Beth Kemp rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books, ya-thriller-chiller-horror

I read this in a day, because I started it on the way to work, continued on the way home and snuck away to finish it before dinner so that I would be able to comfortably go to bed. This is not a book for the very young (and I wouldn’t recommend it at bedtime, either!). It’s no gory horror, but it is excruciatingly tense. Cliff McNish is a skilful craftsman who knows how to manipulate the tension level and keep you guessing – there is a mystery element to this novel as well.

As the blurb shows, t...more

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Jun 26, 2011 Teresa rated it 4 of 5 stars

I do enjoy a good ghost story especially those with a subtle build up which don't rely on blood and gore to terrorise the reader - think The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, the ghost stories of M R James and, more recently, Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. I don't think there are enough good ghostly books out there for young teens as the focus has been on vampires and is now turning to zombies so this is a neglected zone which Cliff McNish is exploring. This is my first foray into the world of McNis...more I do enjoy a good ghost story especially those with a subtle build up which don't rely on blood and gore to terrorise the reader - think The Woman in Black by Susan Hill, the ghost stories of M R James and, more recently, Dark Matter by Michelle Paver. I don't think there are enough good ghostly books out there for young teens as the focus has been on vampires and is now turning to zombies so this is a neglected zone which Cliff McNish is exploring. This is my first foray into the world of McNish although I have the Doomspell Trilogy lurking on my shelves and after thoroughly enjoying The Hunting Ground, I will be reading it very soon.

The two main characters are male, Elliot, 14 and Ben, 12 but this is not a Boy's Own adventure and is suitable for both boys and girls and indeed readers of a certain age, like myself... They find themselves spending the summer months at Glebe House, an ancient, crumbling mansion with a mysterious, labyrinthine East Wing which is inhabited by ghostly creatures whose intentions, good or bad, are unclear at the opening of the novel. I won't spoil the plot but there is an evil being incarcerated in the enigmatic East Wing and somehow it exerts a sinister influence on Ben, gradually drawing him into the centre of its web and thus simultaneously attracting Elliot and his Dad who try to rescue him, not realising the power exerted by this malevolent creature who relishes the hunt, the thrill of chasing and capturing its innocent victims.

This is an action-packed novel with plenty of pace to keep young readers glued to the page. McNish has created a brilliant villain in the shape of the red-bearded, merciless Cullayn and the tension is gradually cranked up with lots of shocks and twists and turns which keep the readers on their toes. I loved the drip-feeding of clues via the snippets of old diaries found by Ben and Elliot as they strive to solve the mystery of what happened to Theo and Eve who lived at Glebe in the early sixties. Not for the faint-hearted, this is a real page turner and yes, you may need to leave the light on afterwards!(less)

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Jan 23, 2012 Vivienne Serendipity Reviews rated it 4 of 5 stars

Cliff McNIsh knows how to scare the pants off you! This book is full to the brim of hair raising, spine tingling, ghostly moments that will leave you constantly looking over your shoulder. You won't be able to sleep at night, as you analyse each and every sound to convince yourself there is no such thing as ghosts!

This book is told from the point of view of Elliott, a sixteen year old boy who has moved into a rather sinister house with his father and younger brother, whilst his dad repairs the h...more Cliff McNIsh knows how to scare the pants off you! This book is full to the brim of hair raising, spine tingling, ghostly moments that will leave you constantly looking over your shoulder. You won't be able to sleep at night, as you analyse each and every sound to convince yourself there is no such thing as ghosts!

This book is told from the point of view of Elliott, a sixteen year old boy who has moved into a rather sinister house with his father and younger brother, whilst his dad repairs the house to sell. The house alone, is a huge character in this book. Glebe House is just full of evil and it seeps out of the page, playing tricks with your mind. If this house was real, I wouldn't even step in it's driveway, let alone stay the night. The paintings! Oh my - how I didn't walk round my house and turn every picture I have to the wall, I really don't know.

Cullayn is a really evil character in this book. I haven't come across such a sinister character in some time. Yet Eve, the little ghost girl is quite a match in evilness. Every time she came into the story, all I could think of was the film The Ring, and the girl coming out of the television!
Janey was an excellent character - I really loved her flower dress, covered in real flowers. She really had me fooled and confused as to her real intentions.

I loved the use of the diary. At one point, I wasn't sure who Elliot should trust, as the author had created so much doubt in my mind. I also loved the ending of the book. I was pleased the way things turned out for all the characters.

The plot was excellent and fast paced. The events of the book all occur in a matter of days. Once Eve had revealed herself, I thought they would have made a quick exit from the house, but no, they decide to stay another night. Madness! I would have been out of there quicker than it would take me to blink.

This book is dark and atmospheric and will keep you up all night. It is definitely not suitable for younger readers who might scare easily.

Cliff McNish is an excellent storyteller. He knows how to achieve the highest creep factor in a book. I am adamant that I wouldn't want to sit around a camp fire with him, listening to his ghost stories as I would spend the whole night awake. I still find it amazing that someone so funny and charming, could write such a scary book. (less)

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May 02, 2011 Kirsty (overflowing library) rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-books, uk-author

The Hunting ground is a really creepy thriller which will play on your mind long after you finish reading it. It is well written and keeps you engrossed all the way through, with every word precisely selected and masterfully deployed to scare the pants off you.

The story centres around a family of three Elliot, Ben and their Dad who have moved into a creepy old mansion to renovate it. As time goes on strange things are seen and heard which makes the family start to worry that there might be somet...more The Hunting ground is a really creepy thriller which will play on your mind long after you finish reading it. It is well written and keeps you engrossed all the way through, with every word precisely selected and masterfully deployed to scare the pants off you.

The story centres around a family of three Elliot, Ben and their Dad who have moved into a creepy old mansion to renovate it. As time goes on strange things are seen and heard which makes the family start to worry that there might be something not quite right with their new accomdation, especially in the ultra creepy East Wing. This nigglying worry is only made worse when the boys see a creepy old lady wandering around the grounds and see what appears to be a ghost of a little girl in the building.

I enjoyed how this story was told. You follow it quite closely through the eyes of Ben and Elliot of main characters of the piece and you follow them as they try to piece together the mystery behind the house. I liked how they stumbled upon a diary of a teenage boy who used to live in the house and how this is used to tell the backstory to the house and the things that went on there previously and hint at a murder mystery that the boys try to get to the bottom of.

The story is fast paced and gets creepier as the story goes on. It soon becomes apparent that the strange happenings are casused by ghosts who are still residing within the house and more worryingly that these aren't the sort of ghost who intend no harm to the lastest occupiers. The ghost involved is that of the former owner of the house whose spirit is as nasty and strange as all the weird all portraits that adorn the walls of the house make him out to be. The story continues to gain momentum to the point where the pace becomes breakneck and you don't want to put it down as you need to know what happens next.

I'm not going to go into any details about the plotline itself as I don't know how I could do it justice and not spoil it but I will say that the final conclusion is both awesome and very satisfying as a reader.

All in all a wonderfully creepy read which royally freaked me out throughout and played on my mind long after I finished reading it. Not for the faint hearted but certainly one I would recommend.

(less)

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Mar 29, 2011 Arjun Thakrar (Excellent Reads) rated it 5 of 5 stars

When Elliott and his brother, Ben, move into the old and crumbling Glebe House they don't expect to find themselves sharing it with ghosts. But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past - and of a terrible tragedy. A mysterious woman talks to the dead. And evil lurks in the East Wing - a hideous labyrinth of passageways devised by a truly twisted mind. Can Elliott and his family escape the clutches of Glebe House? Or will they be trapped in the maze...more When Elliott and his brother, Ben, move into the old and crumbling Glebe House they don't expect to find themselves sharing it with ghosts. But soon sinister events are unfolding. An old diary reveals glimpses of the mansion's past - and of a terrible tragedy. A mysterious woman talks to the dead. And evil lurks in the East Wing - a hideous labyrinth of passageways devised by a truly twisted mind. Can Elliott and his family escape the clutches of Glebe House? Or will they be trapped in the maze of corridors, forever hunted by the dead?

The Hunting Ground had me hooked from the moment I picked it up. The Hunting Ground is a fantastical, fast paced thriller with a touch supernatural. Definitely everything I wanted. I kept me engrossed and left me wanting more and the end of each chapter. It had twists and turns and the detail was thrilling. It kept me on the tips of my toes throughout the whole two hours it took me to devour this book.

This hunting ground follows the story of Brothers Elliott and Ben, in which they have moved to the, daunting and terrifying Glebe House, but it also incorporates a lot of the history of the house, portrayed through the diary of a boy named Theo Stark. The brothers are drawn to the East Wing of Glebe house, home to dangerous and Death loving ghost Cullayn.

The book is perfectly written, with chapter filled with horror and ghosts only to find the next chapter a lot less intense and so to calm you down and stop you looking behind you, scared to your wits expecting to see Cullayn with a musket.

The book is set both in modern times and in the past. The diary of Theo Stark is a story within the book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s mysterious and dangerous. The edginess of it gives you thrill to the darkness that awaits Ben and Elliott.

The book has a fantastic plot line. It keeps the thrill the whole way through with surprises awaiting you in each chapter. The story slots together one part at a time, like a jigsaw completing and when it’s finished, boy, it is worth it.

I would have to say the last couple of chapters were tantalizing. They were sending shivers through my body, keeping me alert and awake. They were full to the brim with action and ghosts. I particularly enjoyed the scenes in which Janey and Elliott are running throughout the east wing and they finally arrive in the hidden room. It is such a clever idea to have Theo in the tapestry and it is so immense when the ghosts pull their forces together to finally destroy Cullayn.

My favourite character is definitely Eve. She is so innocent and childlike yet so deadly. She had multiple personalities, and is under the influence of Cullayn, and even though she questions herself she follows him, until, surprisingly she strikes the final blow. She was killed young and is a mature woman in a Childs body still with the desires of a child.

Janey is an interesting one. Very deceiving, yet so fragile and as clear a glass to see through. I think she is the one character I felt for a lot. She lost the one she loved, became influenced by the one she hates, and nearly gets killed multiple times.

Cullayn is totally evil, but hey, everybody loves a good villain, and boy did he do his job. Sly and twisted Cullayn portrays the perfect supernatural evil being, and he plays the part perfectly. Of course he dies (Good over Evil) but thanks to him I had a fantastic time reading McNish’s new novel.

At around 320 pages McNish’s novel has everything I wanted. It was intense; edgy dangerous, filled with supernatural beings and of course the spot of romance. If followed a fantastic plot and was beautifully written. I am glad to say this is McNish’s best novel yet and I hope to god he has more to come.(less)

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Jun 03, 2012 Raa rated it 5 of 5 stars

I picked this up at my school library because I have always loved ghost stories. This seemed a little cheesy when I read the synopsis and looked at the cover. But once I started reading, I could not stop and it genuinely gave me chills. It is a very unique ghost story and very cleverly written.

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Jun 09, 2012 Clare Wilson rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was a great read from start to finish.

Having seen Cliff at the Edinburgh Book Festival last year, I decided to pick this one up, and I wasn't disappointed.

This ghostly tale keeps you on the edge of your seat. When I did manage to put it down, I was afraid to turn the light off!

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Feb 20, 2012 Vicky rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Vicky by: Me

This book was pretty awesome, though it's not one you want to read during the night. (I stayed up till two thanks to this book, and I finished it in one sitting :D) It gave me the chills, but the plot was fairly well put together. I was talking about all trough the next day XD

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Nov 26, 2012 Kellyann rated it 4 of 5 stars

It was pretty good, very interesting, and kinda creepy. I enjoyed it over all. I couldn't put it down, i liked the characters, and it drew me in. It may seem cheesy, but its pretty good.

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Feb 24, 2013 Ella added it

Really liked this book, as it had a bit of an edge to it. Really spooky and I would recommend to anyone looking for a great story with an unusual twist.

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Jun 12, 2012 Kelly rated it 5 of 5 stars

This was not what i was expecting! A great book that i couldn't put down which worried me because of what the portraits did in the books... This book also managed to scare me a little and that's never happened before!

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Apr 25, 2012 Stasis rated it 2 of 5 stars

Promising premise, creepy start, completely bollocks ending. Ok as far as kids books go.

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May 21, 2012 David Gunn rated it 4 of 5 stars

Really liked this book and parts of it reminded me of the haunting

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Dec 24, 2011 Shauna rated it 1 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2011

I was expecting good things of this book but didn't get them. The basic plot is good - two brothers and their father move into an old house that just happens to be haunted by the ghost of a sadistic killer. But the end result is a disappointment and actually a touch on the childish side despite the fact that 'Not suitable for younger readers' is on the back. I didn't read anything that would be unsuitable for younger readers. I don't know, it just wasn't for me.

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Jul 08, 2011 Annmarie Ager rated it 4 of 5 stars

i really enjoyed this book. as a bit horror fan this was my sort of thing while its still for young adults the horror is at a minimum but the chills the book gave me and the times i looked over my shoulder whole reading the just proves how good the book is. the book had an amazing story that leaves you wondering why you may in bed DID I HEAR A NOISE....IS THAT SHODOW MOVING....DO I HEAR WHISPERS. if you like a scare but with minimum blood read this :)

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Sep 03, 2012 Rebecca Matthews rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: bcc-reviewed

3.5 stars full review coming soon on www.bookchickcity.com

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Sep 29, 2012 Andra rated it 5 of 5 stars

very good haunted house story- brought the characters (including the main entity and the house itself) top life and I couldn't put this book down. Some images still remain in my head- and that proves it was a good read!

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Jul 28, 2011 Lou rated it 4 of 5 stars

Couldn't read this one at night! Well written, spooky, clever little book. Son No 1 (aged 11) is reading it now, but only during daylight hours...

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Aug 19, 2012 Vikki rated it 5 of 5 stars

A magical, suspense driven, hair rising, spine tinkling book.
Recommendation: Anyone, although don't read it at night.

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Jul 26, 2012 Conny rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

Best book ever, more than 5 stars !!!

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May 19, 2013 Abby Squire marked it as to-read

May 16, 2013 Crystal rated it 4 of 5 stars

May 15, 2013 Kimberley marked it as to-read

May 15, 2013 Legato Darksummers added it · review of another edition

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About Cliff McNish

According to my Mum, when I was arriving in this world on the night of 24th August 1962 the electricity in the house failed, and all the lights went out. So I was born part in darkness and part in candlelight. I’ve no idea what significance that has, but it sounds impressive somehow…

I was born in Sunderland, a city in the north-east of England. I’d like to say I picked up the local Mackam accent,...more According to my Mum, when I was arriving in this world on the night of 24th August 1962 the electricity in the house failed, and all the lights went out. So I was born part in darkness and part in candlelight. I’ve no idea what significance that has, but it sounds impressive somehow…

I was born in Sunderland, a city in the north-east of England. I’d like to say I picked up the local Mackam accent, but unfortunately I only stayed long enough to toddle a few steps before my Dad whisked me, Mum and my older brother, Andy, down south.

I don’t remember too much about my first 8 years of life. I think I just day-dreamed it away. One thing I do remember is that our family was always moving, so I had to get used to a new school and friends all the time. I got to dread that first day in a new class. When I was only six I distinctly remember being told off in my first week at yet another new school by a teacher. I had no idea what I’d done wrong, but the teacher shouted loudly and made me spend about 30 minutes standing on my chair in front of the whole class as punishment. That was the second most embarrassing moment in my life. The most embarrassing moment in my life occurred about a year earlier when, after repeatedly telling my teacher I had to go to the bathroom, and being told to wait and wait and wait, I … er, couldn’t wait a single moment longer.

What was I like as a youngster? I don’t know – cheerful and a bit vacant probably sums it up quite well. We had a hawthorn wood at the back of my house, and I’d play there with my friends all day long whenever I had the chance. I always came home covered in scratches.

My school reports were spectacularly average. My teachers were always noting that I ‘day-dreamed’ a lot. I didn’t read much either, and when I did it was comics – mainly Marvel superhero comics. There was one superhero named The Silver Surfer who went silently round the Universe on a kind of space-surf board. He was lonely, aloof, a genius.

I identified with him.

My first real book memory is being given C.S. Lewis’s The Magician’s Nephew by my English teacher, Mrs Baldwin. Wherever you are now Mrs Baldwin, I thank you, because you opened my eyes. I was so bowled over by it that I read all the other 6 Narnian books right away. I loved them. Actually, I went further than love. I remember lying in bed in the dark, staring at the ceiling and wishing, wishing with all my heart, not just that I could meet C.S.Lewis (he was dead, actually), but that I could be C.S.Lewis. I wanted to BE C.S.Lewis! Don’t ask me what was going on in my head ...

My Mum and Dad separated when I was eight years old, and my brothers, sister Caron and I moved several times again after this. Eventually we settled down in Luton in Bedfordshire.

As I entered my teens I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I had no ambition to write. When I was fourteen I briefly wanted to be a geomorphologist (someone who studies the landforms of the Earth), but only because I really liked my geography teacher, a brilliant Welshman called Gwyn Bennett. The last I heard he was still teaching, at the very same school in Luton I left 23 years ago. There’s a happy thought!

With no better idea what to do with my life I just carried on at school, did my A-levels and went on to study History at York University. I left after 2 years, bored with the course and somewhat unhappy, without my degree and with a need to earn some money.

My first job involved working in a warehouse, and I’m afraid my day-dreaming days returned. One of the jobs involved putting items into boxes and writing the customer addresses on them. Not too difficult, you might think, and you’d be right, but my attention strayed often and I kept putting the boxes in the wrong places or getting the addresses wrong. Luckily, I was moved into the accounts section of the company before they sacked me. I ended up doing some work on the office com(less)

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