What do you think?
Rate this book
Fenton House #1
Don't Look Back
Adam’s eyes swelled in horror at the sight that confronted him. Henry was standing with his back against the front door, pale and rigid, his left hand pressed to his neck. Blood was seeping between his fingers, running down his wrist and dripping from his elbow onto the back of Jacob’s head. Jacob was facedown on the tiled floor, arms outstretched to either side with blood pooling around his wrists. There was a faintly metallic butcher’s shop smell in the air...
After the tragic death of their eleven-year-old son, Adam and Ella are fighting to keep their family from falling apart. Then comes an opportunity that seems too good to be true. They win a competition to live for free in a breathtakingly beautiful mansion on the Cornish Lizard Peninsula. There’s just one catch – the house is supposedly haunted.
Mystery has always swirled around Fenton House. In 1920 the house’s original owner, reclusive industrialist Walter Lewarne, hanged himself from its highest turret. In 1996, the then inhabitants, George Trehearne, his wife Sofia and their young daughter Heloise disappeared without a trace. Neither mystery was ever solved.
Adam is not the type to believe in ghosts. As far as he’s concerned, ghosts are simply memories. Everywhere he looks in their cramped London home he sees his dead son. Despite misgivings, the chance to start afresh is too tempting to pass up. Adam, Ella and their surviving son Henry move into Fenton House. At first, the change of scenery gives them all a new lease of life. But as the house starts to reveal its secrets, they come to suspect that they may not be alone after all…
What readers are saying about Ben Cheetham’s books
'I love love loved this book! Had me gripped right from the start and just had to keep reading it!'
'A dark and twisting narrative that will keep you turning the pages. Ben Cheetham's characters, though sometimes tainted or, indeed, pure evil, are completely believable.'
'The only trouble with this book is that sleep and work got in the way.'
'I loved this book and continue to think about the characters after I finished.'
'Brilliantly written and had me totally captivated. Didn't want to stop reading as I felt myself getting pulled into the drama and wanting to find out what happened next.'
'Wow! I loved this book. The suspense kept me on the edge of my chair!'
After the tragic death of their eleven-year-old son, Adam and Ella are fighting to keep their family from falling apart. Then comes an opportunity that seems too good to be true. They win a competition to live for free in a breathtakingly beautiful mansion on the Cornish Lizard Peninsula. There’s just one catch – the house is supposedly haunted.
Mystery has always swirled around Fenton House. In 1920 the house’s original owner, reclusive industrialist Walter Lewarne, hanged himself from its highest turret. In 1996, the then inhabitants, George Trehearne, his wife Sofia and their young daughter Heloise disappeared without a trace. Neither mystery was ever solved.
Adam is not the type to believe in ghosts. As far as he’s concerned, ghosts are simply memories. Everywhere he looks in their cramped London home he sees his dead son. Despite misgivings, the chance to start afresh is too tempting to pass up. Adam, Ella and their surviving son Henry move into Fenton House. At first, the change of scenery gives them all a new lease of life. But as the house starts to reveal its secrets, they come to suspect that they may not be alone after all…
What readers are saying about Ben Cheetham’s books
'I love love loved this book! Had me gripped right from the start and just had to keep reading it!'
'A dark and twisting narrative that will keep you turning the pages. Ben Cheetham's characters, though sometimes tainted or, indeed, pure evil, are completely believable.'
'The only trouble with this book is that sleep and work got in the way.'
'I loved this book and continue to think about the characters after I finished.'
'Brilliantly written and had me totally captivated. Didn't want to stop reading as I felt myself getting pulled into the drama and wanting to find out what happened next.'
'Wow! I loved this book. The suspense kept me on the edge of my chair!'
313 pages, ebook
First published December 3, 2018
2776 people are currently reading
2227 people want to read
About the author
Ben Cheetham
41 books256 followersBen Cheetham is an award-winning writer and Pushcart Prize nominee. His writing spans the genres, from horror and sci-fi to literary fiction, but he has a passion for dark, gritty crime fiction. His short stories have been published in Swill Magazine, The Fiction Desk, Deadcore (Comet Press), The London Magazine, The Willisden Herald New Short Stories 3, The Grist Anthology of New Writing, Dream Catcher, Staple, Fast Forward: A Collection of Flash Fiction, Voice From The Planet (Harvard Square Editions), The Momaya Annual Review, Transmission, The Chaffey Review, and numerous other magazines.
Ben lives in Sheffield, UK, where - when he's not chasing around after his two-year old son - he spends most of his time locked away in his study racking his brain for the next paragraph, the next sentence, the next word.
Ben lives in Sheffield, UK, where - when he's not chasing around after his two-year old son - he spends most of his time locked away in his study racking his brain for the next paragraph, the next sentence, the next word.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 587 reviews
sorry-couldn-t-finish-these
July 14, 2021DNF 51% What horror? What ghosts? When it is going to get exciting? It took until 30% before they moved to the house and now I am 20% further and STILL nothing happens and I am just bored.
Also I found it just creepy how the dude got horny (and then tried to have sex with his wife) when he saw someone have sex on his property. Ewwww.
And really nothing happened. There is yet to be something scary, I mean, it started off scary with the death of Jacob and almost death of Henry, but that is it. I was hoping with the passageways that maybe something scary would start, someone walking around, feeling like someone is watching. But nope. It just keeps on dawdling and I am wondering when it is getting scary.
If you call a book horror at least make it scary.
Also I found it just creepy how the dude got horny (and then tried to have sex with his wife) when he saw someone have sex on his property. Ewwww.
And really nothing happened. There is yet to be something scary, I mean, it started off scary with the death of Jacob and almost death of Henry, but that is it. I was hoping with the passageways that maybe something scary would start, someone walking around, feeling like someone is watching. But nope. It just keeps on dawdling and I am wondering when it is getting scary.
If you call a book horror at least make it scary.
January 24, 2024
Look Closely in the Mirrors... As Close As You Can...
DON'T LOOK BACK by Ben Cheetham
No spoilers. 4 stars. Adam and Ella Piper live a mundane life in London. Ella has a job she goes to every morning; Adam is an author experiencing writer's block. They have twin boys, Jacob and Henry...
One day, tragedy strikes the family...
While Jacob and Henry are playing, a glass door shatters, killing Jacob. The family is grief stricken...
While looking through the daily paper...
Ella sees an advertisement for someone to come and live in an old mansion known as Fenton House. If they do so, they will eventually receive the mansion free of charge...
But the house is haunted...
After answering some weird questions on the application, the Pipers are invited to move in and occupy the old house.The old woman that owns the house tells Adam:
Look in the mirrors as closely as you can...
This novel is beautifully descriptive of the seaside and the old house. There are mysteries to solve and plenty of other things associated with a haunted house story like hidden passages, creepy old women, and solicitors. It would have been an excellent five star novel except for a few things: overuse of wrinkled foreheads in the storytelling, a little slow moving, and some things not satisfactorily explained by the end... but it was well worth the journey... oh... and there is a twist at the end.
Another excellent haunted house novel is MAYNARD'S HOUSE by Herman Raucher. It is a five star novel with chills as well as laughs.
DON'T LOOK BACK by Ben Cheetham
No spoilers. 4 stars. Adam and Ella Piper live a mundane life in London. Ella has a job she goes to every morning; Adam is an author experiencing writer's block. They have twin boys, Jacob and Henry...
One day, tragedy strikes the family...
While Jacob and Henry are playing, a glass door shatters, killing Jacob. The family is grief stricken...
While looking through the daily paper...
Ella sees an advertisement for someone to come and live in an old mansion known as Fenton House. If they do so, they will eventually receive the mansion free of charge...
But the house is haunted...
After answering some weird questions on the application, the Pipers are invited to move in and occupy the old house.The old woman that owns the house tells Adam:
Look in the mirrors as closely as you can...
This novel is beautifully descriptive of the seaside and the old house. There are mysteries to solve and plenty of other things associated with a haunted house story like hidden passages, creepy old women, and solicitors. It would have been an excellent five star novel except for a few things: overuse of wrinkled foreheads in the storytelling, a little slow moving, and some things not satisfactorily explained by the end... but it was well worth the journey... oh... and there is a twist at the end.
Another excellent haunted house novel is MAYNARD'S HOUSE by Herman Raucher. It is a five star novel with chills as well as laughs.
February 11, 2024
Haunting Horrors!
Small backstory:
Adam and Ella Piper move out of the city and into the country to start over but they don't realize that the house they move into is haunted. Though Adam does not believe in such things and though rumors surround the place Adam denies that anything is happening in the house. The ghosts though have other plans and they will make themselves known one or another and make a believer out of Adam!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author and it won't be my last! This story starts out a little slow as it gives a small world building background but then as time goes on the pace picks up a little faster. The story reminded me of a classic haunting story and I thought the characters were well rounded. The atmosphere of the haunting whispers across the back of your mind as you go deep into this haunted tale.
Looking forward reading the rest of the books as I am curious where this author will be leading me. Giving this book four "Spooky Shivers" stars!
Small backstory:
Adam and Ella Piper move out of the city and into the country to start over but they don't realize that the house they move into is haunted. Though Adam does not believe in such things and though rumors surround the place Adam denies that anything is happening in the house. The ghosts though have other plans and they will make themselves known one or another and make a believer out of Adam!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
This was my first time reading this author and it won't be my last! This story starts out a little slow as it gives a small world building background but then as time goes on the pace picks up a little faster. The story reminded me of a classic haunting story and I thought the characters were well rounded. The atmosphere of the haunting whispers across the back of your mind as you go deep into this haunted tale.
Looking forward reading the rest of the books as I am curious where this author will be leading me. Giving this book four "Spooky Shivers" stars!
August 1, 2025
this ebook was ridiculous. some parts just droned on and on and on. like who wants to read about every little detail about what a room looks like? I had to DNF about 40% thru
December 13, 2019
This is a must read
This is how you tell a creepy story. Even as it concludes it may still leave you guessing as to what's real and not. This was my first book read by Ben Cheetham but nowhere near my lasf.
This is how you tell a creepy story. Even as it concludes it may still leave you guessing as to what's real and not. This was my first book read by Ben Cheetham but nowhere near my lasf.
September 19, 2022
**3.5 Stars**
March 12, 2021
This was a good book, I wasn’t mad excited about it, but it was an enjoyable read which kept my interest.
It begins in such a sad way, which we already know from the blurb on the back of the book, the story of a family coping with the tragic loss of a child in a terrible accident.
I really enjoyed the writing, it flowed really well at a good pace and there were just enough incidents to keep the intrigue going throughout so no boring patches. It was a little clichéd and predictable at times but to be honest I am not sure how you write a ghost story without at least a little bit of that.
Reading the book you just know the new life is not going to pan out well for this family trying to start over, it was a really slow build up but the second half really picked up the pace and the last 50 pages were rammed packed with action and revelations.
I really liked the ending, it was well done answering almost everything yet leaving just a smidge of wonder still.
I was hovering between a 3 and a 4 for this until the end just tipped it over, a very fair 4*/5
It begins in such a sad way, which we already know from the blurb on the back of the book, the story of a family coping with the tragic loss of a child in a terrible accident.
I really enjoyed the writing, it flowed really well at a good pace and there were just enough incidents to keep the intrigue going throughout so no boring patches. It was a little clichéd and predictable at times but to be honest I am not sure how you write a ghost story without at least a little bit of that.
Reading the book you just know the new life is not going to pan out well for this family trying to start over, it was a really slow build up but the second half really picked up the pace and the last 50 pages were rammed packed with action and revelations.
I really liked the ending, it was well done answering almost everything yet leaving just a smidge of wonder still.
I was hovering between a 3 and a 4 for this until the end just tipped it over, a very fair 4*/5
August 27, 2025
I got serious Shorley Jackson vibes from this book.Very good read.
April 15, 2022
3.5 stars
This story was an interesting take on the gothic horror trope. It starts off with a family tragedy, which causes the MC's to move abroad and into an old house with a tragic history. The house is infamous and has a reputation of being haunted.
The plot is slower paced, with the supernatural element taking root about midway through. As unexplainable and creepy things start happening, the plot explores these events from both a scientific/rational lens and a supernatural lens. Different characters believe different explanations.
I enjoyed the story itself. It felt grounded in reality and I liked that I could believe what was happening. However, I wasn't ever "scared," more intrigued, if anything.
The unfortunate part of the audiobook was the narrator. His performance did not do the story any favors. His voice tone and delivery just weren't a good fit for this genre. I think this may have been a big reason why I never experienced fear.
I would recommend reading this book but not listening. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
This story was an interesting take on the gothic horror trope. It starts off with a family tragedy, which causes the MC's to move abroad and into an old house with a tragic history. The house is infamous and has a reputation of being haunted.
The plot is slower paced, with the supernatural element taking root about midway through. As unexplainable and creepy things start happening, the plot explores these events from both a scientific/rational lens and a supernatural lens. Different characters believe different explanations.
I enjoyed the story itself. It felt grounded in reality and I liked that I could believe what was happening. However, I wasn't ever "scared," more intrigued, if anything.
The unfortunate part of the audiobook was the narrator. His performance did not do the story any favors. His voice tone and delivery just weren't a good fit for this genre. I think this may have been a big reason why I never experienced fear.
I would recommend reading this book but not listening. Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced audio copy in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2019
Book two in my Horrorthon 2019.
Very much enjoyed "Don't look back" which caught me by surprise. This was my first book by Ben Cheetham, I went in with no expectations and came out thoroughly satisfied.
Very much enjoyed "Don't look back" which caught me by surprise. This was my first book by Ben Cheetham, I went in with no expectations and came out thoroughly satisfied.
May 10, 2022
Its ok.
I don't see where there is anything haunting in this book. It was nothing what I was expecting it to be! What I was looking for in the book either.
I don't see where there is anything haunting in this book. It was nothing what I was expecting it to be! What I was looking for in the book either.
April 28, 2024
Sometimes the very worst things can happen to a family but yet they continue to search for the new start that will let them resume a normal life, or at least what appears to be "normal". Desperation can sometimes lead to a new opportunity that appears to be the "golden egg" but turns out to be so much worse than what you expected...so MUCH WORSE!!!
The author has written a horror story that tells the tale of a desperate family that leaves their small home where a horrible, unimaginable accident occurred for a beautiful mansion sitting on a cliff overlooking The English Channel. The family answered a detailed questionnaire which resulting in allowing them to move into this century old house entirely rent-free. I wanted to yell at them to find out the WHY of this opportunity that was certainly too good to be true...there had to be a catch. The catch was that the place is reputed to be haunted.
The characters are very well-developed, the descriptions are more than breath-taking, the plot is revealing, and the story moves along quickly. As with most haunted house stories, the house itself becomes a "main character" and the people are just there to help it along. Slowly what has been hidden within its walls for many decades is revealed. Surprises continue to occur as the tension rises to an almost unbearable level. It appears like the house has a strong hold on the family and has and has never had, any intention of allowing them to leave.
The author has given us a winding and twisting plot that climaxes in a dramatic ending. The book carries a vibe, that even though it is supposed to be fiction... will more than scare you. Maybe the entire story should carry a "possible trigger" warning for some.
The author has written a horror story that tells the tale of a desperate family that leaves their small home where a horrible, unimaginable accident occurred for a beautiful mansion sitting on a cliff overlooking The English Channel. The family answered a detailed questionnaire which resulting in allowing them to move into this century old house entirely rent-free. I wanted to yell at them to find out the WHY of this opportunity that was certainly too good to be true...there had to be a catch. The catch was that the place is reputed to be haunted.
The characters are very well-developed, the descriptions are more than breath-taking, the plot is revealing, and the story moves along quickly. As with most haunted house stories, the house itself becomes a "main character" and the people are just there to help it along. Slowly what has been hidden within its walls for many decades is revealed. Surprises continue to occur as the tension rises to an almost unbearable level. It appears like the house has a strong hold on the family and has and has never had, any intention of allowing them to leave.
The author has given us a winding and twisting plot that climaxes in a dramatic ending. The book carries a vibe, that even though it is supposed to be fiction... will more than scare you. Maybe the entire story should carry a "possible trigger" warning for some.
March 31, 2022
Published on Peeking Between the Pages: https://peekingbetweenthepages.com/20...
Don’t Look Back by Ben Cheetham is the first in the Fenton House series and oh my did I ever like it! This one was hard for me to stop listening to and right from the beginning I was invested in the story.
I’ll be straight up with you and say this story does start on a sad note but it fits in with where it takes the family when they win a competition to stay for free in a beautiful mansion. It seems to me this house was just waiting for this troubled family. Of course we know that anything free comes with some kind of trouble and in this case the rumours are that the house is haunted.
One of the main characters, Adam, doesn’t believe in ghosts but as time passes even he begins to have doubts. Strange and sinister things start to happen at every turn and the family begins to wonder if they are even safe staying there. I am someone who loves horror but haunted houses always scare me. This book is creepy and eerie and I was constantly on edge wondering what was coming next and I love that feeling when listening to something on the scary side.
The audio was just awesome! The narrator Ralph Lister was amazing! Ive never listened to him before but wouldnt hesitate to in the future. He brought the creep factor big time in the telling of this story! The second audiobook in the series is due out the middle of April and is once again narrared by Ralph Lister. I can’t wait to listen!
If you love creepy stories and haunted houses this one is so good and its such a fantastic one to listen to!
Don’t Look Back by Ben Cheetham is the first in the Fenton House series and oh my did I ever like it! This one was hard for me to stop listening to and right from the beginning I was invested in the story.
I’ll be straight up with you and say this story does start on a sad note but it fits in with where it takes the family when they win a competition to stay for free in a beautiful mansion. It seems to me this house was just waiting for this troubled family. Of course we know that anything free comes with some kind of trouble and in this case the rumours are that the house is haunted.
One of the main characters, Adam, doesn’t believe in ghosts but as time passes even he begins to have doubts. Strange and sinister things start to happen at every turn and the family begins to wonder if they are even safe staying there. I am someone who loves horror but haunted houses always scare me. This book is creepy and eerie and I was constantly on edge wondering what was coming next and I love that feeling when listening to something on the scary side.
The audio was just awesome! The narrator Ralph Lister was amazing! Ive never listened to him before but wouldnt hesitate to in the future. He brought the creep factor big time in the telling of this story! The second audiobook in the series is due out the middle of April and is once again narrared by Ralph Lister. I can’t wait to listen!
If you love creepy stories and haunted houses this one is so good and its such a fantastic one to listen to!
August 3, 2019
Gave up half way through. Nothing is happening, the characters are not likeable, the storyline lacks credibility. And what a cliche-fest. How can anyone pack three cliches into one sentence?
March 22, 2020
To be fair, this would have been worth 5 stars if it wasnt for the ending, it was suspensful, scary, all the things a supernatural book should be, only the ending completely ruined it for me. I was completely enthralled from the beginning, half afraid to move from my couch because I was so scared and then the ending just made me want to throw the kindle at the wall. Instead of answering my questions I ended up having more and well that just plain out annoyed the shit out of me. Having said that it is a very good read being very atmospheric and intruiging, I do think he could have had a better ending though which would be my only complaint. The writing, plot and characters were very good and more or less made up for the bad ending. Overall a very good read.
January 5, 2019
A little too far fetched for me, from the unrealistic house offer, to the 11 year old kidnapping the ‘goth girl’ and then to top it off .. the woman living for years in a tower. The writing was good and I’d read more from this author but the storyline was abit much
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 22, 2024
Tipico romanzo sulla casa infestata, genere che amo.
Gli stilemi sono tutti presenti.
Peccato per la traduzione che è sciatta e ricca di refusi.
Gli stilemi sono tutti presenti.
Peccato per la traduzione che è sciatta e ricca di refusi.
October 22, 2024
Wäre es länger gewesen, hätte ich es definitiv abgebrochen.
Nichts gegen den Schreibstil, doch es passierte einfach nix spannendes. Zudem war es nicht mal ansatzweise gruselig und auch ziemlich vorhersehbar.
Schade, da es großes Potential hatte.
Nichts gegen den Schreibstil, doch es passierte einfach nix spannendes. Zudem war es nicht mal ansatzweise gruselig und auch ziemlich vorhersehbar.
Schade, da es großes Potential hatte.
December 12, 2018
Loved it!
Yet again, Ben did not disappoint. I was totally engrossed and gripped by the story, I just had to finish it as soon as I could. It's full of suspense, and has you wondering the whole time about what's exactly going on in Fenton House and to the Piper family. I would highly recommend. Looking forward to reading some more from this author. He's one of my favourites.
Yet again, Ben did not disappoint. I was totally engrossed and gripped by the story, I just had to finish it as soon as I could. It's full of suspense, and has you wondering the whole time about what's exactly going on in Fenton House and to the Piper family. I would highly recommend. Looking forward to reading some more from this author. He's one of my favourites.
February 11, 2020
First time I have read a book by this author and wasn't disappointed. Don't know what I was expecting from the novel but it was an excellent read. Very atmospheric and intriguing. Will be researching more of Ben Cheetham
September 27, 2025
TW/CW: Language, death of child, depression, anxiety, sex scenes, blood, grieving, death of parent
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
After the tragic death of their eleven-year-old son, Adam and Ella are fighting to keep their family from falling apart. Then comes an opportunity that seems too good to be true. They win a competition to live for free in a breathtakingly beautiful mansion on the Cornish Lizard Peninsula. There’s just one catch – the house is supposedly haunted.Mystery has always swirled around Fenton House. In 1920 the house’s original owner, reclusive industrialist Walter Lewarne, hanged himself from its highest turret. In 1996, the then inhabitants, George Trehearne, his wife Sofia and their young daughter Heloise disappeared without a trace. Neither mystery was ever solved.Adam is not the type to believe in ghosts. As far as he’s concerned, ghosts are simply memories. Everywhere he looks in their cramped London home he sees his dead son. Despite misgivings, the chance to start afresh is too tempting to pass up. Adam, Ella and their surviving son Henry move into Fenton House. At first, the change of scenery gives them all a new lease of life. But as the house starts to reveal its secrets, they come to suspect that they may not be alone after all…
Release Date: December 3rd, 2018
Genre: Horror
Pages: 313
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Creepy weird town
2. Ghost house
What I Didn't Like:
1. Audiobook having one narrator was bad
2. Boring ghost story
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
I found it interesting how everyone but the son was able to just jump back into things being normal after the death of their son. Adam seems a little bothered but for the most part he's okay. Ella is pretty much confused why people are upset. I guess when you have twins it doesn't matter if you lose one.
I keep thinking that they are using people to move in to the house so they can feed on the kids in the house.
Wow a lot of sex in this book lol
Ewww Adam sees a couple having sex in a van and runs back to the house to have sex with Ella. No thanks.
I am not enjoying this book at all...
Final Thoughts:
Omg I hated the audiobook. I can't stand when they use one person for all the voices. The narrator does what he can but his female voices sound like Mrs. Doubtfire. You can clearly tell it's a man trying to sound like a female and it took me out of the book completely. He also does the sons voice too. I was at work and was unable to read the book physically so I was stuck listening to it.
I dnfed this page 267. I honestly couldn't care less about where this book was even going. I love the creepy small town vibes and moving into a haunted house, but these characters are just too stupid and their actions got on my nerves. Unfortunately this will be a book I forget about in a few months.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
*****SPOILERS*****
About the book:
After the tragic death of their eleven-year-old son, Adam and Ella are fighting to keep their family from falling apart. Then comes an opportunity that seems too good to be true. They win a competition to live for free in a breathtakingly beautiful mansion on the Cornish Lizard Peninsula. There’s just one catch – the house is supposedly haunted.Mystery has always swirled around Fenton House. In 1920 the house’s original owner, reclusive industrialist Walter Lewarne, hanged himself from its highest turret. In 1996, the then inhabitants, George Trehearne, his wife Sofia and their young daughter Heloise disappeared without a trace. Neither mystery was ever solved.Adam is not the type to believe in ghosts. As far as he’s concerned, ghosts are simply memories. Everywhere he looks in their cramped London home he sees his dead son. Despite misgivings, the chance to start afresh is too tempting to pass up. Adam, Ella and their surviving son Henry move into Fenton House. At first, the change of scenery gives them all a new lease of life. But as the house starts to reveal its secrets, they come to suspect that they may not be alone after all…
Release Date: December 3rd, 2018
Genre: Horror
Pages: 313
Rating: ⭐
What I Liked:
1. Creepy weird town
2. Ghost house
What I Didn't Like:
1. Audiobook having one narrator was bad
2. Boring ghost story
Overall Thoughts:
{{Disclaimer: I write my review as I read}}
I found it interesting how everyone but the son was able to just jump back into things being normal after the death of their son. Adam seems a little bothered but for the most part he's okay. Ella is pretty much confused why people are upset. I guess when you have twins it doesn't matter if you lose one.
I keep thinking that they are using people to move in to the house so they can feed on the kids in the house.
Wow a lot of sex in this book lol
Ewww Adam sees a couple having sex in a van and runs back to the house to have sex with Ella. No thanks.
I am not enjoying this book at all...
Final Thoughts:
Omg I hated the audiobook. I can't stand when they use one person for all the voices. The narrator does what he can but his female voices sound like Mrs. Doubtfire. You can clearly tell it's a man trying to sound like a female and it took me out of the book completely. He also does the sons voice too. I was at work and was unable to read the book physically so I was stuck listening to it.
I dnfed this page 267. I honestly couldn't care less about where this book was even going. I love the creepy small town vibes and moving into a haunted house, but these characters are just too stupid and their actions got on my nerves. Unfortunately this will be a book I forget about in a few months.
IG | Blog
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape media for this advanced copy of the book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 25, 2022
Don't Look Back is a very creepy, eerie, sinister, haunted thriller. There was a nice, loving family, Adam, Ella, and their twin boys who were all getting along well when suddenly a tragic accident occurred at home and one of the boys died. The grief that followed made it hard for each of them to move on.
Then, they win a competition and get to move into the beautiful Fenton House mansion for free. They are told it is supposed to be haunted, with a mysterious past, but decide to give it a try anyway since they don't believe in any of that stuff. This beautiful mansion in the Cornish countryside seems to be just the thing they need for a fresh start.
When they get moved in, things return to as normal as they can, for a couple grieving a child. Henry, their son, has started playing again. Adam has been able to start working on writing his book again, and Ella has been able to relax and enjoy herself.
Eventually, the secrets of the Fenton House start to reveal themselves. Some very creepy, scary stuff starts to happen, and the story reveals some very eerie, spooky, sinister twists and turns that kept me intrigued throughout, and I needed to know what would happen next!
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Ralph Lister, did an excellent job. The characters were believable and flowed well. I enjoyed this audiobook and would recommend it.
I want to thank #NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my AudioARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Audiobook to be published 29 Mar 2022.
Then, they win a competition and get to move into the beautiful Fenton House mansion for free. They are told it is supposed to be haunted, with a mysterious past, but decide to give it a try anyway since they don't believe in any of that stuff. This beautiful mansion in the Cornish countryside seems to be just the thing they need for a fresh start.
When they get moved in, things return to as normal as they can, for a couple grieving a child. Henry, their son, has started playing again. Adam has been able to start working on writing his book again, and Ella has been able to relax and enjoy herself.
Eventually, the secrets of the Fenton House start to reveal themselves. Some very creepy, scary stuff starts to happen, and the story reveals some very eerie, spooky, sinister twists and turns that kept me intrigued throughout, and I needed to know what would happen next!
I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator, Ralph Lister, did an excellent job. The characters were believable and flowed well. I enjoyed this audiobook and would recommend it.
I want to thank #NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for my AudioARC in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own. Audiobook to be published 29 Mar 2022.
April 11, 2022
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this advance listener copy in exchange for my honest review.
Where to start.....? I was really disappointed in this book. It had a lot of potential, but it fell flat. It wasn't scary. It wasn't even creepy. It was pretty boring, actually. I kept waiting for the horror, but it never came. The twist was predictable and I just kept wanting more.
Ella and Adam move into a strange house under strange circumstances after the death of their child. This was supposed to be a haunted house/ghost story, but it read more like a drama. It did hold my interest enough to finish it, but only because I was hoping that the ending would make it worth the time, but I was wrong.
The audio wasn't good either. I didn't like the narrators voices for anyone. Two stars for this one, because I did finish it.
Where to start.....? I was really disappointed in this book. It had a lot of potential, but it fell flat. It wasn't scary. It wasn't even creepy. It was pretty boring, actually. I kept waiting for the horror, but it never came. The twist was predictable and I just kept wanting more.
Ella and Adam move into a strange house under strange circumstances after the death of their child. This was supposed to be a haunted house/ghost story, but it read more like a drama. It did hold my interest enough to finish it, but only because I was hoping that the ending would make it worth the time, but I was wrong.
The audio wasn't good either. I didn't like the narrators voices for anyone. Two stars for this one, because I did finish it.
March 26, 2021
This was a superb read. Well written. Good characters. Great 'spirit of place' (Cornwall). Spooky. Intriguing. It's just one of those books you start late at night and then don't want to put down. There's a delicious level of ambiguity in the ending which would make a great talking point for any book club.
Ben Cheetham is on my list now (my 'authors I want to read more of' list. I have other lists no one would want to be on).
Highly recommended.
Ben Cheetham is on my list now (my 'authors I want to read more of' list. I have other lists no one would want to be on).
Highly recommended.
January 28, 2019
"Wow! What A Heart Beating Thriller"
This is a very well written, scary, suspenseful story which totally grabbed me. Here in this story, Adam and his wife, Ella, have been torn apart about the death of their son Jacob. Jacob's twin brother, Henry, is estranged as he is feeling guilty of causing the accident. Now, they all need to leave their home where the accident occurred. They were invited to live in an old house which had a reputation of being haunted. Just how haunting will it be? This novel totally grabbed me. There are many twists and secrets which will keep you guessing and intrigued to the very end.
This is a very well written, scary, suspenseful story which totally grabbed me. Here in this story, Adam and his wife, Ella, have been torn apart about the death of their son Jacob. Jacob's twin brother, Henry, is estranged as he is feeling guilty of causing the accident. Now, they all need to leave their home where the accident occurred. They were invited to live in an old house which had a reputation of being haunted. Just how haunting will it be? This novel totally grabbed me. There are many twists and secrets which will keep you guessing and intrigued to the very end.
September 8, 2019
I live for haunted house stories, and I adore the West country, so decided to give this a shot. I found it quite tense in places, and it did keep me quite interested up until the end. But it was wearing in places, the author's style of writing was not to my taste. No lasting impression left, I won't be hurrying to read more by Mr Cheetham.
January 4, 2020
Great Ending!
This is the first book of Ben Cheetham's that I've read, but now I'm really looking forward to reading more. (I already have two lined up!)
I know DON'T LOOK BACK is a self contained story, but I would love to read more about Henry, and what kind of person he grows up to be.
This is the first book of Ben Cheetham's that I've read, but now I'm really looking forward to reading more. (I already have two lined up!)
I know DON'T LOOK BACK is a self contained story, but I would love to read more about Henry, and what kind of person he grows up to be.
January 9, 2020
At first I was gripped by the book.
The opening chapter is so well written and full of action which unfortunately didn't carry on through the book.
I found it slow and dragged on A Lot and got about 60% of the way through before something happened again.
The ending was good but not worth the rest of the slow book.
I almost stopped reading.
The opening chapter is so well written and full of action which unfortunately didn't carry on through the book.
I found it slow and dragged on A Lot and got about 60% of the way through before something happened again.
The ending was good but not worth the rest of the slow book.
I almost stopped reading.
June 3, 2022
The summary sounded good and the premise of the story should have made this a home run. This characters were flat and the author spent more time telling me versus showing me. This book would have been better as a short story versus a novel. Not much happened.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for a copy of the audio book via NetGalley.
Thanks to Dreamscape Media for a copy of the audio book via NetGalley.
June 25, 2024
Ben… what did you put in this book dude???!?
I legit read this in 24 hours which is completely unheard of for me but omg was I just absolutely encapsulated by it.
The engaging writing and the descriptive plot of this book had me hooked from the beginning. A couple with twin boys loses one of them in a freak accident. The entire book you’re wondering if it was really an accident or just his twin out to get him. They decide to apply to live in this secluded house (more of a castle) on a peninsula, and leave their life in London for a fresh start after the death of their son. They are surprised to find that they have been selected to live at this house after an interview process from the CREEPY old lady whose family it belonged to. The wife, Ella is so weary of the house from the beginning but something about it draws the father and son in. People in the town are OBSESSED with this house and it draws people in from all over wondering what truly lies behind those doors. They find that the house has secret passageways and that the original owner had a big connection to the dead and wanting to contact them, but also holding sexy little parties at his house. There are peepholes in the tunnel and two way mirrors and it has you wondering who’s watching the whole time! Some super spooky stuff starts to happen and people even break in to hold their own seance. You’d think that’s when the family finally picks up and leaves but NOOOOOO. The ending had me like???? The daughter of the previous owners killed her own family just to be able to stay in this house. So lonely with herself she was about to kill anyone else who tried to leave
The only question that was left unanswered is that if the twin who is still alive knew more about this house than what we were led to think. Did this boy kill his twin because something sinister lives within him? That I never found out but I am excited to read more by Ben! Awesome read!
I legit read this in 24 hours which is completely unheard of for me but omg was I just absolutely encapsulated by it.
The engaging writing and the descriptive plot of this book had me hooked from the beginning. A couple with twin boys loses one of them in a freak accident. The entire book you’re wondering if it was really an accident or just his twin out to get him. They decide to apply to live in this secluded house (more of a castle) on a peninsula, and leave their life in London for a fresh start after the death of their son. They are surprised to find that they have been selected to live at this house after an interview process from the CREEPY old lady whose family it belonged to. The wife, Ella is so weary of the house from the beginning but something about it draws the father and son in. People in the town are OBSESSED with this house and it draws people in from all over wondering what truly lies behind those doors. They find that the house has secret passageways and that the original owner had a big connection to the dead and wanting to contact them, but also holding sexy little parties at his house. There are peepholes in the tunnel and two way mirrors and it has you wondering who’s watching the whole time! Some super spooky stuff starts to happen and people even break in to hold their own seance. You’d think that’s when the family finally picks up and leaves but NOOOOOO. The ending had me like???? The daughter of the previous owners killed her own family just to be able to stay in this house. So lonely with herself she was about to kill anyone else who tried to leave
The only question that was left unanswered is that if the twin who is still alive knew more about this house than what we were led to think. Did this boy kill his twin because something sinister lives within him? That I never found out but I am excited to read more by Ben! Awesome read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 587 reviews