A London Haunting - A Christmas Ghost Story

by Shani Struthers

A spine-tingling brand-new Christmas ghost story featuring the much-loved Lottie Beck from Alice — atmospheric, moving, and unforgettable. Perfect for fans of Susan Hill, Michelle Paver, Laura Purcell, and classic haunted-house fiction.

After leaving Silver Birches, the care home where she worked, twenty-year-old Lottie Beck takes on a new client – the reclusive, cantankerous Reggie Lord – soon discovering his London home is plagued by more than just dust and neglect.

Everyone who’s lived as long as eighty-four-year-old Reggie has a story to tell – the trouble is, Reggie keeps his hidden. More companion than carer, Lottie finds her days in his house dragging. Reggie confines himself to one room, all other doors are locked, including the living room, where one strange constant a Christmas tree, as forlorn as the place itself.

A tree that stands there, year in, year out – all year.

Though they don’t get off to the best start, Lottie and Reggie soon fall into a fragile routine. She reads to him from the classics – he rarely seems keen, but it passes the time. Yet she notices that whenever Reggie is angered – by her, or by a passage in the book – something stirs in the house. Something…unseen. And each time, Reggie withdraws a little further.

Lottie becomes increasingly curious. Does he retreat because he’s frightened? Is Reggie haunted by more than just memories?

As Christmas approaches and the hauntings grow violent, Lottie must walk away, or use her gift for reading people – not just books – to uncover what lies buried within. No matter the cost.

One house. One secret. And a Christmas that never ends…

~

Download today or READ FOR FREE in

Psychic Surveys

Psychic Surveys Book The Haunting of Highdown Hall

Psychic Surveys Book Rise to Me

Psychic Surveys Book 44 Gilmore Street

Psychic Surveys Book Old Cross Cottage

Psychic Surveys Book Descension

Psychic Surveys Book Legion

Psychic Surveys Book Promises to Keep

Psychic Surveys Book The Weight of the Soul

Psychic Surveys Book The Devil's Liar

Psychic Surveys Book Field of Flowers

Psychic Surveys Companion

A Psychic Surveys Prequel

Blakemort (Corinna's story)

Thirteen (Ness's story)

Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)

Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys most loved and mysterious characters)

This Haunted World

This Haunted World Book The Venetian

This Haunted World Book The Eleventh Floor

This Haunted World Book Highgate

This Haunted World Book Rohaise

This Haunted World Book Resistance

Reach for the Dead

Reach for the Dead Book Mandy

Reach for the Dead Book Cades Home Farm

Reach for the Dead Book Walker

Reach for the Dead Book The Spook Road

Jessamine

Jessamine

Comraich

Summer of Grace&l

Genres: Christmas

227 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2025

About the author

It's all about the ghosts...

Here's the order my books come in:

Psychic Surveys Series:

Psychic Surveys Book One: The Haunting of Highdown Hall

Psychic Surveys Book Two: Rise to Me

Psychic Surveys Book Three: 44 Gilmore Street

Psychic Surveys Book Four: Old Cross Cottage

Psychic Surveys Book Five: Descension

Psychic Surveys Book Six: Legion

Psychic Surveys Book Seven: Promises to Keep

Psychic Surveys Book Eight: The Weight of the Soul

Psychic Surveys Book Nine: The Devil's Liar

Psychic Surveys Companion Novels:

Eve: A Psychic Surveys Prequel

Blakemort (Corinna's story)

Thirteen (Ness's story)

Rosamund (Rosamund Davis - Ruby's great-grandmother's story)

Jed (the story of one of Psychic Surveys' most treasured and mysterious characters)

This Haunted World Series:

This Haunted World Book One: The Venetian

This Haunted World Book Two: The Eleventh Floor

This Haunted World Book Three: Highgate

This Haunted World Book Four: Rohaise

Reach for the Dead Series:

Reach for the Dead Book One: Mandy

Reach for the Dead Book Two: Cades Home Farm

Reach for the Dead Book Three: Walker

Jessamine Series:

Jessamine

Comraich

Carfax House - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

The Damned Season - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Wildacre - A Christmas Ghost Story (standalone novella)

Summer of Grace - A standalone psychological thriller

Catch up with me via Facebook or on my website www.shanistruthers.com where you can sign up to my newsletter for all the latest information, offers and giveaways.

Reviews

[Claire-Louise Armstrong-Brealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another stonkingly good read from this weaver of tales.

Yes, it's a Christmas ghost story - actually suitable all year round, not just for Christmas - and one to be read while wrapped up snug in a duvet, with a hot cup of something, to keep the chills you may feel, out.

Things that go bump and not just at night. Would you be able to work in a place where things fly at you? Or would you turn tail and run away at the first chance?

Some people are born carers. Are you? Can you be a Lottie?

The author weaves magic, read her!!

[Terry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my ‘tis the season to get yourself a good book and snuggle down to be creeped out!
Lottie is such a good character and she’s just thoughtful and yes she can feel things and react to them around her.
She’s a carer and this house she goes into as an every day companion is different.
Reggie is her client and he doesn’t want to talk or go out or leave his room.
Lottie wants to help him, as is her character and boy does she get pulled into some things.
Such a good read.

[Mariam Salahudeen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I stay away from reading anything horror, I was intrigued by the title and plot of the story. I enjoyed it very much!

[Debra gniadek · Rating 5 out of 5]

London haunting

It was sush a lovely story ♥️ but it ended far to quickly would recommend it to anyone
Thank you shani

[Caroline Willis · Rating 5 out of 5]

a great read

Didn’t want to put this down. Just fabulous! Great characters and good to follow Lottie from the previous book. Can’t wait for the next book

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading A London Haunting while living in London adds an extra layer of intimacy to the experience. The streets, the houses, the quiet winter evenings — everything feels uncomfortably close to home. This is a ghost story that doesn’t rely on fear, but on familiarity slowly turning strange.

What I appreciated most was how the haunting seeps into everyday life. It reminded me of walking through London in December, when the city feels hushed despite being full, when old buildings seem to hold more than just history. The story captures that feeling perfectly: the sense that the past is never fully gone, only waiting for the right moment to resurface.

The writing is restrained and atmospheric, allowing unease to build through suggestion rather than spectacle. There is a quiet melancholy beneath the supernatural elements, touching on loss, memory, and the weight of unresolved emotions — themes that feel especially present during the holiday season.

This is not a story meant to terrify, but to linger. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you close it, subtly altering how you see familiar streets and ordinary nights. For anyone who knows London, or has ever felt the city’s shadows at Christmas, this is a deeply evocative read.

[Ally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading A London Haunting while living in London adds an extra layer of intimacy to the experience. The streets, the houses, the quiet winter evenings — everything feels uncomfortably close to home. This is a ghost story that doesn’t rely on fear, but on familiarity slowly turning strange.

What I appreciated most was how the haunting seeps into everyday life. It reminded me of walking through London in December, when the city feels hushed despite being full, when old buildings seem to hold more than just history. The story captures that feeling perfectly: the sense that the past is never fully gone, only waiting for the right moment to resurface.

The writing is restrained and atmospheric, allowing unease to build through suggestion rather than spectacle. There is a quiet melancholy beneath the supernatural elements, touching on loss, memory, and the weight of unresolved emotions — themes that feel especially present during the holiday season.

This is not a story meant to terrify, but to linger. It’s the kind of book that stays with you after you close it, subtly altering how you see familiar streets and ordinary nights. For anyone who knows London, or has ever felt the city’s shadows at Christmas, this is a deeply evocative read.

[Monty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Shani Struthers — her novels are so easy to get lost in, the perfect way to spend a winter's Sunday.

This story starts simply enough: an old man in an old house, no trace of a past, and a curious, empathetic carer trying to piece together who he really is. But there’s something lingering in the background… something odd, something just a little off.

And then comes the twist: the key to unravelling the mystery lies in a book. But which book? And what will it reveal? Time to see what jumps out…

[Lynne Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another brilliant read

Honestly loved this Christmas ghost story. Look forward to this every year and not disappointed with this year's. A tormented old man, young Lottie learning about her gift and finding more than friendship building up to a traumatic climax. Definitely tears at the end

[Miss Lorraine Draper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ghost story.

I don't know how she does it but every one of Shani Struthers books are as good as the previous ones. This one is no exception i loved all the characters. I liked lottie from the previous book it's nice she came back. This is definitely a good ghost story to read.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! ... I thought last years Christmas ghost story from Shani was unsurpassable, but for me A London Haunting is easily as good if not better. Shani has this incredible ability to connect with the readers inner sensitivities like no other Author I know of. Truly amazing.

[Jon Matthews · Rating 2 out of 5]

The final book of the Christmas series by Shani Struthers and probably my least liked.

It’s written, as always, with the greatest respect to the subject matter but for me it lacked any real umph and substance.

[Michelle Clarke · Rating 4 out of 5]

comfortable read

Not your usual Christmas story, yet it had a charm of its own. Easy read, kept me wondering about the reasons of the haunting right through to the end. Loved all the classic bookish references too.

[Kathryn Kitterman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

It is a great read. I stayed up until 4:30am to finish it. 4 days before Christmas. We all need to remember to be kind to one another no matter what time of the year

[Katy Millward · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Sara Davies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely unputdownable

An absolutely fantastic book, it kept me hooked from start to finish. A perfect Christmas read, definitely recommended by me.

[Deb Avery · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming story for this time of year.

Combines all the elements of Shani Struthers...compassion, the paranormal and helping others...in a wonderful story for everyone, but especially the ones who find Christmas time such a bittersweet time of the year.