The Boy in the Burgundy Hood

The Ghosts of Alice #1

by Steve Griffin

An atmospheric, spine-tingling ghost story with a dark twist…

Alice Deaton can't believe her luck when she lands her dream job at a medieval English manor house. Mired in debt, the elderly owners have transferred their beloved Bramley to a heritage trust. Alice must prepare it for opening to the public in the spring.

But when the ghosts start appearing - the woman with the wounded hand and the boy in the burgundy hood - Alice realises why her predecessor might have left the isolated house so quickly.

As she peels back the layers of the mystery, the secrets Alice uncovers haunting Bramley's heart will be dark - darker than she could ever have imagined...

Genres: Paranormal, Horror, Fiction, Young Adult, Ebooks

241 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 14, 2019

About the author

Steve Griffin is the author of eighteen books, best known for his atmospheric ghost stories and supernatural thrillers - including the bestselling Ghosts of Alice series and his spine-tingling Christmas tales. His latest festive chiller, The Old Man of the Black, follows a young man and an enigmatic woman who must survive a night of ghostly terror when a blizzard traps them in a remote Scottish mansion.

Steve’s other books include The Secret of the Tirthas, a fast-paced mystery adventure series for young adults. The City of Light, the first in the series, was praised by The Guardian as “entertaining and exciting.” He lives in the Surrey Hills with his wife and two sons and when he’s not writing he’s out hiking, going to indie gigs, or watching classic horror films.

Follow him on Amazon or @stevegriffin.author for new releases and behind-the-scenes updates.

Reviews

[John Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lack of atmosphere!

This was an interesting, if rather silly, story of a naive young woman who is appointed curator of an ancient country manor house. The house has just been acquired by a national restoration trust, although the previous owners retain a lifetime tenancy in a separate wing of the manor. The young woman in question lacked the academic qualifications and experience for such a specialist role but was appointed nevertheless. Very little help was afforded to her by the national charitable trust and she was just left to her own devices. Very strange! Oh and by the way, the manor was haunted. A good job she was comfortable in the presence of ghosts but then these spectres were not really scary. Throw into the mix one of two rather dodgy characters and you get a readable but entirely predictable storyline. Still I've read a lot worse.

[Becky Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing I love more than a good ghost story, especially when it is set in the rural remoteness of an English manor house. Add a storm and some snow to isolate our poor protagonist, and you have a winner.

But wait, there is far more to The Boy in the Burgundy Hood...

Alice Deacon lands her dream job working for a heritage trust, readying Bramley, a vast medieval manor house to open to the public the following spring. The owners of Bramley, now occupying one of the wings, are a nosey couple in their later years, they don't like change, and Alice is not sure if they like her. Bramley is remote, old and full of history and atmosphere, and ghosts. When Alice finds herself confronted with the vision of a young boy in a burgundy hood, she is lead down a dark path of sinister intrigue, mystery, and grisly realisations.

For me, The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is far more than just a ghost story. It pulls you into an original tale of historical details, art and mythology, with well-formed characters that twist along with the devious plot. When you think one thing, the author surprises you and gives you something else.

I'm eagerly looking forward to reading more from Steve Griffin.

[Caroline Noe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Deaton is surprised when she gets her dream job managing a newly acquired house and grounds for a heritage trust. Granted the in residence former owners are a little odd and the atmosphere strange, but she's happy, until the titular ghost runs across her path. She might not be afraid of ghosts, but there may be worse things to fear in the great house.
The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is an atmospheric slow burn of a spooky novel, but turn the screw it does, right up to its terrifyingly dark finale. Written through the eyes of our plucky, vulnerable heroine and utilising the staples of creaky, crumbling mansion, remote location and strange people who may or may not be who they seem, it reads like a modern twist on gothic horror allied to Victorian ghost melodrama.
Well written and increasingly frightening. A spooky five stars.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, rounding up.

THE BOY IN THE BURGUNDY HOOD, by Steve Griffin, was certainly an atmospheric tale. It was not what I was expecting, in that the main character was comfortable and completely believed in the existence of ghosts right off the bat. The part that threw me was that this made the ghosts not in the least bit scary, and the regular people immediately suspect.

I figured out the "idea" behind the story early on, so that is most likely why this one failed to impress me more. There were too many obvious clues, in my opinion. While I can't say that I "disliked" the main character, I certainly didn't think much of her with all the red flags she ignored during her interview.

Overall, it was a fast paced, well-written read, although predictable in my opinion.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice is a feisty yet vulnerable heroine; chosen as the ideal candidate by a heritage trust she is keen to make a success of her dream job but the dream slowly turns into a nightmare.
The story gripped me throughout, not only because of the plot but also because it is very well written. The author has a gift describing locations which really brings them to life in one's mind. Highly recommended.

[Emma Britton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good adult ghost story. Its very interesting to follow the story of Alice especially as she is not afraid of ghosts yet for the reader the descriptions of them can be quite chilling! I would definitely recommend this book.

[Sherry Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boy in the Burgundy Hood by Steve Griffin

Mr. Griffin’s tale, The Boy in the Burgundy Hood, is an eerie but beautiful ghost story. If you love ghost stories, medieval English manor houses, art, architecture, roman mythology, old tapestries and also favor your characters to be a bit eccentric, you will drink this book right up. The 28-year-old Alice Deaton has landed the job she has always wanted as a manager of Bramley Manor House, recently contracted by the Trust for England. On the very day of her arrival Alice has a glimpse of the boy in the burgundy hood. In the first few days, strange appearances begin to make their presence known to her. We learn that she is not completely new to such experiences. In fact, as Griffin explains: “The thing was, she wasn’t afraid of ghosts. The violence of humankind and nature, the ridiculous enormity of outer space, the fragile skin of existence, the unfathomable mystery of the origins of life and thought – all these things could petrify her, if she allowed them. But ghosts? No.” What wonderful writing! It is thought provoking and how well it sets up her quirky and very appealing character. We also have the very English and eccentric couple, Smythe-Johnstones, whose family has lived at Bramley Manor for 300 years. Now, fallen on hard times, they’ve signed their family home over to the Trust, but, as their contract allows, they still remain living on the premises in their private quarters as if they stilled owned the manor.

As an American, I have had the pleasure of many trips to England and Scotland over the years as my husband and I raised our two children and we have since gone back with some frequency since. So I have been one of the many “visitors” to such manor houses owned by the Trust for England and opened to the public. And I’ve slept at such homes when converted into hotels. Mr. Griffin knows is manor houses from top to bottom, inside-out; its gardens, private lakes, woods, fields and farms. The extent of his knowledge and love of these places shine in this story and shine with beauty. These places are also known for their legends and ghosts. And that is where Griffin has achieved the eeriness. The spookiness can be quiet or surprising, unsettling or at moments almost matter of fact. I don’t want to give anything else away. Just let me say there are mysteries to be solved, some quite disturbing, and among them there is the boy in the burgundy hood. This is a wonderful read for its eeriness and its beauty.

[Frannie Burd · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be better than a medieval English house that includes a ghost or two? This well-written novel tells the tale of a young woman who begins a new job as a caretaker of a property owned by the National Trust of England. Soon after moving into the isolated home, she discovers that all is not as it seems. A spooky, atmospheric read.

[Linda Lou · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is a haunting and at times violent story. The descriptive passages are this author’s strength as he combines the backdrop of Bramley Manor with the playing out of the story. I was easily led into the story and allowed it to envelope me. Each room came into clear focus, catching every intricate detail along with bits of its history and clues. The gardens and surrounding grounds were just as detailed. I could almost feel the crispiness of autumn ending and winter nipping in. As I read, I became privy to Alice’s doubts and fears. I saw what she saw... including the ghosts. The ghost parts are descriptively creepy.

The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is a haunting story with some horror added for good measure. It’s a stand alone book; but like all good authors, Griffin has left a literary door open for more. And me? I’ll be at that door waiting for the next one...you can count on it!

[Kevin Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good

A well deserved 5stars I really enjoyed this book it was very well written
With many twists i never saw coming.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyable and atmospheric ghost story with good twists and turns. Definitely one to read.

[Jessica Cantwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Boo!

I love a good ghost story but I am not into anything gory, gruesome or extremely scary. The Boy in the Burgundy Hood was absolutely perfect for me. An entertaining read full of mystery and suspense with a sprinkle of paranormal activity. If you are a fan of The Haunting of Hill House or The Huanting of Bly Manor than this is the book for you. Highly recommended!

[Matthew · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly brilliant ghost story. Really looking forward to reading more in the Ghosts of Alice series!

[Kay Kipling · Rating 5 out of 5]

It had me gripped from start to finish. The suspense and plot twists kept me on my toes, and I found it completely unpredictable!

Loved it!! Now to buy all Steve's books!!

[Elisabeth Korn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Atmospheric winters read with a good twist. I like a ghost story at this time of year and this pushed all the right buttons. The relationships between the different characters were gripping, and it had a fantastic ending.

[T.K. Toppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully creepy! I usually don't read ghost stories, because...ghosts. But I sucked it up and decided to give this a try. It was truly beautifully crafted story, rich in detail from the vivid descriptions of the landscape, architectures, and the history. It was so easy to imagine myself right there with Alice, following her every step. The story was engaging enough that, scary ghosts aside, I wanted to know what happened next! There was creepiness, suspense, mystery, and history all balled up together in an imaginative way. So glad I decided to give this book a try.

[Jennifer Griffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was up til 3am to finish, could not put it down

Was a little slow to start but soon got into it andhad some good twists, a good read, would highly recommend this book

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sentences did it

This was a tough read for me. The sentences in this story was heavy with commas, it hurt to read

[Rachel Stanley · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is marked up as being a ghost story and so I was a little apprehensive about reading it because I thought it might be too spooky for me. I wanted to read it though because I kept hearing good things about it on Instagram. In actual fact I would say it's more of a slow burn thriller that just so happens to be served up with a ghostly side dish. It's a great read!

It follows the story of Alice, the 'ideal' candidate, when she lands her dream job as a property manager for the Trust of England, despite not being all that well qualified for the job. The Trust for England have taken ownership of Bramley Hall because the ex-owners, now live-in tenants, can no longer afford the upkeep. Alice has not long been on the job when she stumbles across her first ghost, but is it the ghosts that she should be afraid of or does something more sinister lurk at Bramley Hall?

The Boy in the Burgundy Hood starts at a leisurely pace, building intrigue with each passing chapter. It's well written, the ending is explosive and there are plenty of twists and turns, some of which I had guessed but some of which I hadn't.

If you like ghost stories, I can assure you that you'll like it. And if you don't, but you like a good thriller, I can also assure you that you'll like it.

[Ellen Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a ghost story with a difference. Alice Deaton lands her dream job at a medieval manor house in England. The elderly owners, who still live on the premises, have transferred Bramley, the home they love, to a heritage trust to take on its upkeep. Alice’s job is to prepare the house and grounds for a public opening in the spring.

At the outset, Alice sees the ghost of a young boy in a burgundy hood. He runs through the house and out into the grounds. Alice follows him but can’t catch up. Alice isn’t afraid of ghosts. She’s had ghostly experiences since her childhood. However, the appearance of another ghostly figure, that of a woman with a wounded hand, and standing in her bedroom, gives Alice the chills. The boy appears again and eventually Alice realises he wants to show her something.

Alice isn’t sure who she can talk to. Who can she trust?

There are many layers in this book, and Steve Griffin weaves them all together into a wonderful story. I love the stumpery, the history of the old house as it unfolds. I particularly like the references to Roman mythology.

I highly recommend this book. A fantastic ghost story, with suspense, and history to spare.

5 Stars

[Donna White · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing and fun story. Alice gets her dream job of managing an old English estate under The Trust of England. The elderly descendants living in the manor can no longer afford the upkeep on the home, so they sign over rights to the trust to refurbish the home to its former glory while maintaining the right to live there. Alice sees ghosts who are trying to tell her something. Odd clues and behavior start popping up and soon the story moves in the direction of a Sherlock Holmes mystery. The descriptions of the home, landscape, and characters are well-written and the hidden history of the family is unique. The excitement comes from the dangerous situation and not knowing where it is coming from, or why. This is a fantastic book. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle fans will get a kick out of this tale! Well Done Mr. Griffin!

[Soulla Christodoulou · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the evenings, in bed, over a couple of weeks and it wasn’t until I got to the second part of the book that I became totally engrossed in what was coming next. The first part of the book was a little slow for me, less mysterious. However the descriptions of the setting and the old mansion were beautiful and I did enjoy these - proof there is a place for Tell not Show and Steve capitalised on these parts of the story with detail and precision. Clearly a lot of research went into the writing of the story. The story did not disappoint! Alice certainly had quite a time of it at Bramley House and though ghost visitations and experiences are present in the story I would say this is more of a mystery book with an incredibly satisfying ending! Omg! Well done Steve.

[T.L. Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an original ghost story - a breath of fresh air. I love how the protagonist isn't scared of ghosts. And I really like that there's at least one modern ghost despite the beautiful, historical setting of a medieval manor house.

As someone who enjoys snooping around National Trust properties, I adored being taken around Bramley Manor. The place has a lot of history - some of which has come back to bite it in the bum!

Alice lands the job of her dreams - helping ready a property so it can be opened to the public. But what secrets do the ghosts hold? What are they trying to tell her? And how does an ancient Roman sect fit into all this?

This is a gentle ghost story which also manages to build tension, especially near the end.
Not scary but creepy and gripping.
A fab read!

[Vicky Coughlan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read with a good story line but feeling a bit scattered. A good ghost story where the ghosts are a lot kinder than the humans. An insane family worshipping a dead religion, a main character - Alice - who struggles with her own demons. All come together in a horrific tale with a happy (???) ending.

[Frances Burd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Atmospheric Ghost Stoty

What could be better than a medieval English house that includes a ghost or two? This well-written novel tells the story of a young woman who begins a new job as caretaker of a property owned by the National Trust of England. Soon after moving into the isolated home, she discovers that all is not as it seems. A good, spooky read.

[Julia Blake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book series has been sitting on my Kindle for at least a year, but I was reluctant to read it. Not because I didn’t think it would be any good, but because it is supernatural, and I am an utter coward when it comes to ghosts and ghouls and things that go bump in the night. Maybe I was afraid the books would be too good and scare the dickens out of me. But I eventually pulled up my big girl pants and sat down in my lunch hour (safer than starting at bedtime, I thought) to start book one — The Boy in the Burgundy Hood. I finished it less than two days later, regretting I’d left it so long to read.

Is it scary? Yes. In places quite definitely so. I had chills running up and down my spine a few times and once the hairs on the back of my neck went cold. Was it too much for me? No. I handled it just fine. I think partly because the writing is so good I had to keep reading to find out what happens next. Also, the supernatural side of it was dealt with sympathetically and humanely. Yes, these are dead people, but the emphasis is on why they are lingering and how can Alice, the main character, help them move on.

Alice, ah Alice. Possibly one of my new fictional favourites. Practical and pragmatic, her previous experience with spirits has taught her that most of them don’t want to hurt us. They are here for a reason that is usually connected with how they died or unresolved issues left behind. When Alice accepts a dream job as manager of a newly acquired England Trust property, she doesn’t mind the isolation and the physical hardships of the glorious Tudor mansion — no Wi-Fi, inadequate heating — but when the spirits of a boy in a burgundy hood and a woman bearing quite horrific wounds manifest themselves to her, Alice realises the dream job is turning into a nightmare.

This is a short book and a fast-paced, quick read, but it is the perfect length. In the last quarter of the book, the pace develops into a sprint, and I was swiping the pages faster and faster to get to an ending I did not expect and that had my heart pounding in agonised anticipation. Why? You’ll just have to read the book and find out. A deliciously creepy five stars from me.

[Ian Hornett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that spine-chilling was a phrase used to describe any ghost or horror story – a standard phrase, almost. It’s a ghost story, therefore it must be spine chilling. To actually experience it physically was something new. There was a section in Steve Griffin’s ‘The Boy in the Burgandy Hood’ where my spine was actually tingling. I was so engrossed, so feeling what Alice – the main protagonist – was feeling, so scared that a good part of me was desperate to put the book down. Of course, I didn’t. When writing makes a reader feel like that, you know it’s a great read.

This is a story about Alice, a woman with vulnerability who also has an amazing inner strength, not least of which is that she is able to see ghosts. She takes on a dream job managing an old house and grounds for English Heritage. We feel her frustration as she comes up against obstacles – practical in the form of problems with the condition of the house and having to cope with the eccentric owners, but emotional too as she deals with the loss of her mother. When the ghosts start appearing, you might think it would all become too much. But not for Alice. She is determined to find out more about the history of the place, not least why the ghosts are there.

The author builds the tension superbly and his talent for describing settings is fantastic. And the main twist… just didn’t see it coming.

This is the first book in the ‘The Ghosts of Alice’ series. Having read the third already, I am reading out of order. It doesn’t matter as they are stand alone. I will definitely be reading ‘The Girl in the Ivory Dress’… just as soon as I’ve got my breath back.

Superb!

[Julie Embleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice lands her dream job, but soon finds herself in a waking nightmare, not only stalked by persistent ghosts, but troubled by the strange behaviours of Bramley Manor’s owners.

I saw lots of praise for this paranormal tale popping up on Instagram, and I agree with all the well-deserved 5 star reviews. From the get-go, Griffin hits you with a suitably chilling sense of threat, one that strains and disturbs until released for the terrifying finale. This perfect simmer makes The Boy in the Burgundy Hood impossible to put down.

With wonderfully formed characters, I fell deep into this tale, my suspicions working overtime to figure out the twists as the plot develops. I loved Alice Deaton. Despite her low self-confidence, she doesn't freak out when she first sees ghosts, but digs into her stubbornness so she can make a success out of the strange Bramley Manor. Griffin’s descriptions had me in every room of the rambling house with her. I could smell the history, the dust, the fear. The cold had me shivering, but it was Alice’s interactions with the ghosts that had me chilled.

Tightly written with flowing dialogue and a great pace, I came away from this book with no negatives. A definite recommendation if you seek a clever plot, buckets of spooky atmosphere and characters for which you can root. Just don’t read it alone!

[Barbara Lennox · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is described as a ghost story, and it's certainly that. But it's also a mystery and a thriller. The story revolves around a young woman, Alice, a loner, who finds herself running a stately home. But all is not as it seems and the dangers she faces come not just from the ghosts of the house but from the rather creepy group of characters she comes across. As an added bonus for anyone interested in the cult of Mithras, this is explored in the story and plays a dramatic role in the denouement. The characters are all well-developed and the prose is a joy to read, as you might expect from someone who's published two excellent books of poetry. A gripping read, and I'm delighted to see that Alice appears in a follow-on novel, The Girl in the Ivory Dress, which I'm looking forward to reading.

[Bruce Spydar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disturbingly entertaining!

The Boy in the Burgundy Hood is described on the cover as ‘a ghost story’ and, while it is, there is a much more to it than that. Alice Deaton believes she’s found her dream job, when she lands the role of overseeing the restoration and opening of Bramley, a neglected country estate, reluctantly passed on to a heritage trust by a family who could no longer afford to run it.
The former owners are still on site, but there’s no internet, poor phone reception, and Alice feels isolated from the outside world … the perfect place to feel unsettled … oh, and then the author introduces the odd ghost, a creepy gardener, signs of the occult … and layer by layer begins to unravel the story. I won’t say more. Read it for yourself … it’s disturbingly entertaining.