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Matt Monroe and the Haunted House
A haunted mansion.
A community at risk.
A group of teens with mysterious abilities.
Strange sightings at the Payne mansion and baffling incidents in the countryside place the community of Kingston on edge. Did opening the portal to Paragon draw evil entities to Kingston? In facing this new threat, Matt Monroe soon realizes he is not the only one who has secret talents. Many of his companions have hidden abilities which are exposed as Matt and his friends confront a terrifying, ethereal foe.
A community at risk.
A group of teens with mysterious abilities.
Strange sightings at the Payne mansion and baffling incidents in the countryside place the community of Kingston on edge. Did opening the portal to Paragon draw evil entities to Kingston? In facing this new threat, Matt Monroe soon realizes he is not the only one who has secret talents. Many of his companions have hidden abilities which are exposed as Matt and his friends confront a terrifying, ethereal foe.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published October 15, 2019
About the author
Edward Torba
6 books8 followersEdward Torba is a life-long resident of Latrobe, PA. Ed enrolled at the University of Pittsburgh after graduating from Derry Area High School in 1969. He graduated from Pitt, majoring in Biology in 1973. It was at this time in his life that he had to decide between dentistry or a career in marine biological research. He chose dentistry. Also attending Pitt, he received his Doctorate in Dental Medicine in 1977.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 29, 2020
Matt Monroe and the Haunted House by Edward Torba is an exciting mystery. It's an adventure of a lifetime. The story starts off with a brother running away with his little sister. He saw what happened to his mom by his stepfather and knew he had to escape. But he got them in the end. Now, the siblings haunt the house and still think it's 1901. A they soon meet a young boy from the present day. Together they fight off evil and maybe, the siblings will finally get the peace they deserve.
The cast of characters were great. I felt transported back into this book. The scenes were full of intense dark mystery. Murder, mayhem, and the paranormal can be found on every page. I loved how the ghost siblings were close and kind. The other two brothers were also just as close. It will take a lot for the young Matt to help keep everyone safe. Overall, this is a series fit for middle grade and teens. I am an adult and loved every moment of this entertaining novel.
I received this coy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
The cast of characters were great. I felt transported back into this book. The scenes were full of intense dark mystery. Murder, mayhem, and the paranormal can be found on every page. I loved how the ghost siblings were close and kind. The other two brothers were also just as close. It will take a lot for the young Matt to help keep everyone safe. Overall, this is a series fit for middle grade and teens. I am an adult and loved every moment of this entertaining novel.
I received this coy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
November 24, 2019
Another great Matt Monroe story!!
This is the second book in the Matt Monroe series! My nieces and daughter were super excited to read this one after we read the first one together. That being said, you do not need to read the first story to be able to follow this one one, but we do recommend it because it fills in a lot about Matt Monroe and it’s also an amazing read for all ages. It is perfect for all ages, we all enjoyed reading it in different levels. My daughter is 3 but was happy to sit with us and enjoyed the story as well. Matt Monroe is a young man with special abilities. When the town of Kingston is plagued with haunted entities Matt discovers that he isn’t the only young man with these abilities. He and his new comrades must pool their abilities to defeat these ethereal entities. You won’t regret picking up this series!
This is the second book in the Matt Monroe series! My nieces and daughter were super excited to read this one after we read the first one together. That being said, you do not need to read the first story to be able to follow this one one, but we do recommend it because it fills in a lot about Matt Monroe and it’s also an amazing read for all ages. It is perfect for all ages, we all enjoyed reading it in different levels. My daughter is 3 but was happy to sit with us and enjoyed the story as well. Matt Monroe is a young man with special abilities. When the town of Kingston is plagued with haunted entities Matt discovers that he isn’t the only young man with these abilities. He and his new comrades must pool their abilities to defeat these ethereal entities. You won’t regret picking up this series!
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March 9, 2021I didnt feel I could fairly give this book a star rating as it was a DNF for both me and my daughter.
My 9 year old struggled with reading this. The language, especially in the prologue, was a bit above what she could understand. I think this book might be appropriate for an older middle grader or a very very strong reader.
After she decided it wasnt for her I gave it a try.
I ended up not really connecting with the characters. After 50 pages I really was annoyed with the adults in the book and wasnt connecting to the kids either. Some really interesting stuff was happening but at thst point we werent getting much of the interesting stuff and it was mostly school kids being bullied.
I dont think this was a bad book it just wasnt right for me and was too complex for my 9 yr old.
My 9 year old struggled with reading this. The language, especially in the prologue, was a bit above what she could understand. I think this book might be appropriate for an older middle grader or a very very strong reader.
After she decided it wasnt for her I gave it a try.
I ended up not really connecting with the characters. After 50 pages I really was annoyed with the adults in the book and wasnt connecting to the kids either. Some really interesting stuff was happening but at thst point we werent getting much of the interesting stuff and it was mostly school kids being bullied.
I dont think this was a bad book it just wasnt right for me and was too complex for my 9 yr old.
March 29, 2020
I think if I'd read the book prior to this one, I'd be less confused about the story. There are too many characters that it was hard to keep track of. Some of the characters come off as bullies or hotheads. The dialogues seem forced and there were too many things happening but with very little plot development. The synopsis seemed promising and I really wanted to like this book but it felt lacking. Thank you to All Points Press for the arc.
October 15, 2019
Why I chose this book:
T has me in a spooky-book mood, so this cover caught my eye. After I read the synopsis, I was excited by the opportunity to join this blog tour. A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Book Review:
I do not like grisly horror or psychological thrillers, but I do like a well-crafted ghost story that is mystery and character driven. That os precisely what Matt Monroe and the Haunted House is. (You can think of Betty Ren Wright or Mary Downing Hahn, though Edward Torba seems to aim more in the direction of a male readership.) I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I recommend it to young readers of similar taste. It was almost impossible to put down.
A prologue introduces the Parker children and alludes to their 1901 murder. Next, readers meet the titular Matt who sees two children: the ghosts of the Parker children. Repeated appearances lead Matt to investigate their presence. It becomes clear that their arrival is an after-effect from the events of the previous book; by visiting the realm of Paragon, Matt and his friends opened their own world to other visitors, including those they thought they had vanquished in Paragon. The Haunted House follows Matt and his friends as they attempt to figure out precisely what effects their earlier actions have had. Each new character and strange occurrence adds a layer to the artfully crafted mystery. I hesitate to get too specific and spoil anything for you.
The story is compelling and the characters relatable. Bullies, a dragon, family drama, and magical abilities all combine to make for a gripping story. And the fluctuating levels of confidence vs. self-consciousness and impulsivity vs. critical thinking produce an authentic depiction of the high school experience. Torba weaves a delightful web of mystery and deceit that will ensnare readers of any age (though not as young as T - he doesn't need to read about murdered children).
Note: It is unnecessary to have read the first book. Enough background information is provided to make reading The Haunted House enjoyable.
I hereby disclose partnership with The Children's Book Review.
T has me in a spooky-book mood, so this cover caught my eye. After I read the synopsis, I was excited by the opportunity to join this blog tour. A review copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Book Review:
I do not like grisly horror or psychological thrillers, but I do like a well-crafted ghost story that is mystery and character driven. That os precisely what Matt Monroe and the Haunted House is. (You can think of Betty Ren Wright or Mary Downing Hahn, though Edward Torba seems to aim more in the direction of a male readership.) I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I recommend it to young readers of similar taste. It was almost impossible to put down.
A prologue introduces the Parker children and alludes to their 1901 murder. Next, readers meet the titular Matt who sees two children: the ghosts of the Parker children. Repeated appearances lead Matt to investigate their presence. It becomes clear that their arrival is an after-effect from the events of the previous book; by visiting the realm of Paragon, Matt and his friends opened their own world to other visitors, including those they thought they had vanquished in Paragon. The Haunted House follows Matt and his friends as they attempt to figure out precisely what effects their earlier actions have had. Each new character and strange occurrence adds a layer to the artfully crafted mystery. I hesitate to get too specific and spoil anything for you.
The story is compelling and the characters relatable. Bullies, a dragon, family drama, and magical abilities all combine to make for a gripping story. And the fluctuating levels of confidence vs. self-consciousness and impulsivity vs. critical thinking produce an authentic depiction of the high school experience. Torba weaves a delightful web of mystery and deceit that will ensnare readers of any age (though not as young as T - he doesn't need to read about murdered children).
Note: It is unnecessary to have read the first book. Enough background information is provided to make reading The Haunted House enjoyable.
I hereby disclose partnership with The Children's Book Review.
October 10, 2019
'Matt Monroe and the Haunted House' is a thrilling middle grade fantasy that fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. I don't normally read this genre, so I was out of my comfort zone. There were several aspects of the book that I liked and some that I didn't. The major characters, including our main character Matt, were well rounded and realistic. They had positive traits and flaws that made them easier for the reader to identify with. Matt is smart, gifted, brave, and willing to do what he has to in order for things to go back to normal. I liked seeing his character figure out problems and overcome obstacles. The plot was definitely interesting and had a pretty quick pace. Although the story itself wasn't wholly original, the author puts his own touches in order to give it his own twist.
There were two things that bugged me about this book, but they both come back to writing style. First of all, the story is told in the third person from Matt's perspective. I personally am not a fan of this style and almost always prefer the first person point of view. I felt like I didn't get to connect with Matt enough for the story to really draw me in. Another thing that I didn't like was how the story is told in a really weird way. I'm not sure how to explain it, but the writing just felt off to me. Like the writing didn't fit with a middle grade fantasy novel, but something much heavier - like an adult drama or something. Between these two issues, I personally wasn't able to get into the story like I normally do. I also couldn't really relate to the main character either, which I think is an important part of the reading experience. Please remember that these are my own personal opinions and not everyone is going to feel the same way. For me, it was a solid novel that fans of the genre should give a try.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
There were two things that bugged me about this book, but they both come back to writing style. First of all, the story is told in the third person from Matt's perspective. I personally am not a fan of this style and almost always prefer the first person point of view. I felt like I didn't get to connect with Matt enough for the story to really draw me in. Another thing that I didn't like was how the story is told in a really weird way. I'm not sure how to explain it, but the writing just felt off to me. Like the writing didn't fit with a middle grade fantasy novel, but something much heavier - like an adult drama or something. Between these two issues, I personally wasn't able to get into the story like I normally do. I also couldn't really relate to the main character either, which I think is an important part of the reading experience. Please remember that these are my own personal opinions and not everyone is going to feel the same way. For me, it was a solid novel that fans of the genre should give a try.
Disclosure: I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
January 29, 2020
Bought for grandchildren; I read books before giving to them. This is the second book in a series. I enjoyed reading it. Our grands will love this.
November 2, 2019
The community of Kingston is on edge. There have been unexplained, strange sightings at the Payne Mansion and disturbing incidents in the countryside further set the spooky tone of the book. We follow along with Matt, as he and his friends set out to solve the mystery of just what happened here. And if possibly the portal, that transported them into the past had also let something else through when they came back. A great haunted spooky story or kids and adults alike. My 7-year-old liked reading this book with me over the past few nights, getting ready for the Halloween spirits. This book is the second in the series, but I did not read the first. It was still easy to follow along and the writing was accessible, even if my 7-year-old were to read this on her own. I also liked that the main character was not the only one with special talents, lets hear it for the side kicks who can hold their own!
November 25, 2019
Author Edward Torba writes this thrilling children’s story about Matt Monroe, a teen with secret talents, who finds that the local Payne mansion is home to some strange sights and eerie stories that have spooked the neighborhood. However, Monroe is determined to find out what exactly is going on at this supposed haunted structure. Monroe gathers his friends to explore the house while fighting off the evil powers that are causing problems.
If you are on the search for a fun yet spooky children’s book, this is definitely one to check out. It’s not only filled with plot twists that kids are sure to enjoy, but plenty of mysterious characters. It also gives a quick background into the history of the mansion to inform readers about the significance of it. Because of this, the book is a great read for kids who want a good mystery to cuddle up with.
If you are on the search for a fun yet spooky children’s book, this is definitely one to check out. It’s not only filled with plot twists that kids are sure to enjoy, but plenty of mysterious characters. It also gives a quick background into the history of the mansion to inform readers about the significance of it. Because of this, the book is a great read for kids who want a good mystery to cuddle up with.
October 31, 2019
Matt Monroe and the Haunted House is a sequel. I did not know that, or that it is not a horror story, but fantasy. There is a bit too much cursing for a MG book, in my opinion. The love triangle and girl angst was a bit much. The story is interesting, but the dynamics are a bit vague. Overall a decent story if you are into MG Fantasy.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews