What do you think?
Rate this book
Legacy of Darkness #3
Nocturne House
After months of searching for his missing wife, ex-priest turned demonologist Hunter Massabrook receives a call that Laura has turned up in a New Orleans hospital. But the woman barely looks like his wife, and she’s going by a different name. Worse, she’s obsessed with another man and memories of a life she’s lived in a place called Nocturne House.
As Laura relays the story of her disappearance and the people responsible, she also reveals her connection to a dangerous cult, a group of modern-day vampires that controls and manipulates through psychological strongholds, supernatural entities, and all-too-human wicked intentions.
Hunter soon realizes that Laura is still in danger, and she remains bound to the house through her heart, mind, and blood.
In the final suspenseful installment of the Legacy of Darkness series, supernatural and human evil collide in a tale about the power and danger of living outside society’s expectations and the relationships that can ruin or redeem us.
As Laura relays the story of her disappearance and the people responsible, she also reveals her connection to a dangerous cult, a group of modern-day vampires that controls and manipulates through psychological strongholds, supernatural entities, and all-too-human wicked intentions.
Hunter soon realizes that Laura is still in danger, and she remains bound to the house through her heart, mind, and blood.
In the final suspenseful installment of the Legacy of Darkness series, supernatural and human evil collide in a tale about the power and danger of living outside society’s expectations and the relationships that can ruin or redeem us.
468 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 5, 2020
276 people are currently reading
565 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
July 22, 2020
Nocturne House, a dark/horror book, was a solid 4 stars. The 3rd book in the Legacy of Darkness series, this book centers around Hunter Massabrook, a demonologist searching for his missing wife Laura. Upon locating his wife in a New Orleans hospital, Hunter learns that Laura is completely caught up in a modern-day vampire cult and has changed her identify and is now “married” to a man named Alex.
I throughly enjoyed the entire Legacy of Darkness series and found Nocturne House to be a fast-paced and creepy book. Told through multiple POVs, likable (and unlikable) characters, and the ominous atmosphere throughout- I’d highly recommend Nocturne House (and the entire series) to fans of horror/dark and supernatural books.
I throughly enjoyed the entire Legacy of Darkness series and found Nocturne House to be a fast-paced and creepy book. Told through multiple POVs, likable (and unlikable) characters, and the ominous atmosphere throughout- I’d highly recommend Nocturne House (and the entire series) to fans of horror/dark and supernatural books.
May 27, 2020
I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
This is the first book by London Clarke that I have read and I absolutely loved it! If you love vampires, gothic fiction, demons, ghosts, dark reads and the haunting of Hill House - this is definitely for you!
This book had me hooked from the first chapter and even had me jumping under the covers after turning the light off in bed.
Laura is Hunters wife and the main character in the book. She went missing 5 months ago and turned up after an accident. The book flicks back and forth from the present to 6 months previous and has three characters POV's. Laura has been in and out of mental hospitals nearly all her married life and gets drawn under the influence of a deadly cult....
Nocturne house is a frightening, dark and demonic place of nightmares!
This is the first book by London Clarke that I have read and I absolutely loved it! If you love vampires, gothic fiction, demons, ghosts, dark reads and the haunting of Hill House - this is definitely for you!
This book had me hooked from the first chapter and even had me jumping under the covers after turning the light off in bed.
Laura is Hunters wife and the main character in the book. She went missing 5 months ago and turned up after an accident. The book flicks back and forth from the present to 6 months previous and has three characters POV's. Laura has been in and out of mental hospitals nearly all her married life and gets drawn under the influence of a deadly cult....
Nocturne house is a frightening, dark and demonic place of nightmares!
June 6, 2020
This was a fascinating look at cult mentality and how it preys on the vulnerable. This was a southern gothic tale of humans who would be vampires - or sanguinators- as they preferred to be called, ghosts and possessing spirits, slaves used for sex and as blood donors. Many thanks to Netgalley for an arc of this book.
May 13, 2020
Nocturne house brings the Legacy of Darkness series to its end in a suspenseful and thrilling modern day vampire novel.
Vampires..Demons..Haunted houses? Sign me up! This was the first London Clarke book that I have read but I was impressed. Even having not read the other books in this series I was still able to enjoy the book. I do think reading them in order would still be beneficial and personally plan to go back and read the others.
If your a fan of supernatural beings you will greatly enjoy this book. I found myself invested in Laura and Pearses stories. While this book is focused mainly around Lauras interactions with SOAL ( formally known as the colony) it is heavily entwined with the lives of Pearse and Avery ( the protagonists from the previous book). All the characters seemed to be well developed. As I was reading I felt like I was reading about real people because their personalities were so well written. London Clarke is quite simply a phenomenal writer!
Overall, Nocturne house is a truly thrilling read. It will grab you from the start and wont let go. The plot and characters are fantastic. You will love some and hate others. I can presume that the previous books were just as amazing and that this is the finale of the perfect modern day vampire novel.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Vampires..Demons..Haunted houses? Sign me up! This was the first London Clarke book that I have read but I was impressed. Even having not read the other books in this series I was still able to enjoy the book. I do think reading them in order would still be beneficial and personally plan to go back and read the others.
If your a fan of supernatural beings you will greatly enjoy this book. I found myself invested in Laura and Pearses stories. While this book is focused mainly around Lauras interactions with SOAL ( formally known as the colony) it is heavily entwined with the lives of Pearse and Avery ( the protagonists from the previous book). All the characters seemed to be well developed. As I was reading I felt like I was reading about real people because their personalities were so well written. London Clarke is quite simply a phenomenal writer!
Overall, Nocturne house is a truly thrilling read. It will grab you from the start and wont let go. The plot and characters are fantastic. You will love some and hate others. I can presume that the previous books were just as amazing and that this is the finale of the perfect modern day vampire novel.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 11, 2020
(This review can be found on my blog All the Ups and Downs.)
---
I've been a huge fan of London Clarke's since I read her first book Wildfell over two years ago. I loved the other two books in the Legacy of Darkness series (The Meadows and Whickering Place). However, the last and final installment of the series, Nocturne House, absolutely blew me away. It has become my favorite book that Clarke has written so far!
(While Nocturne House is the final installment in the Legacy of Darkness series, it can be read as a standalone. However, you do get a little more backstory on the majority of the characters if you've read the previous two books. Also, if you start at Nocturne House, you'll end up with spoilers for the first two books.)
Laura has been missing for awhile. When she turns up in the hospital after a car accident, her husband, Hunter, is over the moon. However, Laura is devastated. She wants to return to her life she had while she was missing where she lived in a house called Nocturne House, where she was free of all her medications, and she belonged to another man. She was a sanguinarian in that life, and she seemed to enjoy it. However, Hunter knows that the cult Laura was in was involved in some highly shady and illegal dealings. Will Hunter be able to win back Laura's heart and convince her that her time in Nocturne House wasn't all it was cracked up to be?
I don't know how London Clarke does it. Perhaps she has magical author superpowers, but she makes each book in the Legacy of Darkness series even better than its predecessor. I didn't think that was possible since I always feel like each book was amazing! Nocturne House had such an intriguing plot. I found myself fully immersed in the story from the very first page. The story is extremely addictive, and I found that every time I had to put the book down for whatever reason, I was constantly craving more of the story. I had to find out what would happen next! Although there are chapters from Laura's point of view as well as Hunter's and Pearse's, Clarke does an amazing job at connecting all the narratives together. The story runs together so smoothly, and each chapter seems to just flow into the next. I liked how we got to know more about The Colony (the major vampire cult) and its offshoot named SOAL (Success of a Lifetime) which prides itself on being better than The Colony and not as dark. SOAL reminded me a lot of Scientology and The Manson Family in which the way things were ran. It was obvious that London Clarke had done her homework on cults and how they operate. There were quite a few plot twists peppered throughout Nocturne House. While I was able to foresee some of the twists, many of them I never saw coming. Major points for that because unpredictable plot twists are the best! I also loved how Clarke made the ending for Nocturne House come together nicely. It never felt rushed or too perfect. It just felt natural. While there are no cliffhangers, there is some room for speculation or perhaps another book in the series (wishful thinking on my part!). The only minor thing that confused me was when Laura's story would switch from past to present and back again. Laura's chapters started off with if they were in the past or present, but there were a few chapters that weren't labeled as such. Luckily, it was fairly easy to figure out which timeline I was in.
Every character in Nocturne House felt like a real life person. Each character felt very fleshed out instead of a make believe person. I was happy to revisit the lives of characters from the second book in the series and even more elated to see mentions of characters from the very first book! While this book has chapters from three different character's points of view, Laura stood out as the main character. I found her chapters to be the most exciting (though each chapter brought excitement of its own). I kept wanting Laura to come to her senses, but I could see the appeal of SOAL as well as Alex, the man Laura claimed to be her husband at Nocturne House. I enjoyed reading about Laura's thought process throughout the book especially when it came to SOAL's activities. I also enjoyed Hunter's perspective on everything, and his loyalty to Laura was very admirable. I think a lot of people would have just walked away after being treated the way Laura treated him. Alex was also a brilliant character, and even I was sucked in by his charismatic personality. I was elated to see that Pearse and Avery were back in Nocturne House. I loved them both in Whickering Place. I won't go into much detail about them in case you want to read the previous book in the series, but let's just say that Pearse was the same old Pearse with how he felt about everything.
Trigger warnings for Nocturne House include profanity, violence (though not gory), mental health issues, sexual situations (not graphic), rape (mentioned in name only), brainwashing, kidnapping, murder, demons, the occult, and alcohol use.
Overall, Nocturne House is a fantastic novel with a solid story and fantastic characters. London Clarke managed to make a spooky story really come to life in each and every page. I would definitely recommend Nocturne House by London Clarke to those aged 16+. I believe fans of most genres will enjoy this one!
---
I've been a huge fan of London Clarke's since I read her first book Wildfell over two years ago. I loved the other two books in the Legacy of Darkness series (The Meadows and Whickering Place). However, the last and final installment of the series, Nocturne House, absolutely blew me away. It has become my favorite book that Clarke has written so far!
(While Nocturne House is the final installment in the Legacy of Darkness series, it can be read as a standalone. However, you do get a little more backstory on the majority of the characters if you've read the previous two books. Also, if you start at Nocturne House, you'll end up with spoilers for the first two books.)
Laura has been missing for awhile. When she turns up in the hospital after a car accident, her husband, Hunter, is over the moon. However, Laura is devastated. She wants to return to her life she had while she was missing where she lived in a house called Nocturne House, where she was free of all her medications, and she belonged to another man. She was a sanguinarian in that life, and she seemed to enjoy it. However, Hunter knows that the cult Laura was in was involved in some highly shady and illegal dealings. Will Hunter be able to win back Laura's heart and convince her that her time in Nocturne House wasn't all it was cracked up to be?
I don't know how London Clarke does it. Perhaps she has magical author superpowers, but she makes each book in the Legacy of Darkness series even better than its predecessor. I didn't think that was possible since I always feel like each book was amazing! Nocturne House had such an intriguing plot. I found myself fully immersed in the story from the very first page. The story is extremely addictive, and I found that every time I had to put the book down for whatever reason, I was constantly craving more of the story. I had to find out what would happen next! Although there are chapters from Laura's point of view as well as Hunter's and Pearse's, Clarke does an amazing job at connecting all the narratives together. The story runs together so smoothly, and each chapter seems to just flow into the next. I liked how we got to know more about The Colony (the major vampire cult) and its offshoot named SOAL (Success of a Lifetime) which prides itself on being better than The Colony and not as dark. SOAL reminded me a lot of Scientology and The Manson Family in which the way things were ran. It was obvious that London Clarke had done her homework on cults and how they operate. There were quite a few plot twists peppered throughout Nocturne House. While I was able to foresee some of the twists, many of them I never saw coming. Major points for that because unpredictable plot twists are the best! I also loved how Clarke made the ending for Nocturne House come together nicely. It never felt rushed or too perfect. It just felt natural. While there are no cliffhangers, there is some room for speculation or perhaps another book in the series (wishful thinking on my part!). The only minor thing that confused me was when Laura's story would switch from past to present and back again. Laura's chapters started off with if they were in the past or present, but there were a few chapters that weren't labeled as such. Luckily, it was fairly easy to figure out which timeline I was in.
Every character in Nocturne House felt like a real life person. Each character felt very fleshed out instead of a make believe person. I was happy to revisit the lives of characters from the second book in the series and even more elated to see mentions of characters from the very first book! While this book has chapters from three different character's points of view, Laura stood out as the main character. I found her chapters to be the most exciting (though each chapter brought excitement of its own). I kept wanting Laura to come to her senses, but I could see the appeal of SOAL as well as Alex, the man Laura claimed to be her husband at Nocturne House. I enjoyed reading about Laura's thought process throughout the book especially when it came to SOAL's activities. I also enjoyed Hunter's perspective on everything, and his loyalty to Laura was very admirable. I think a lot of people would have just walked away after being treated the way Laura treated him. Alex was also a brilliant character, and even I was sucked in by his charismatic personality. I was elated to see that Pearse and Avery were back in Nocturne House. I loved them both in Whickering Place. I won't go into much detail about them in case you want to read the previous book in the series, but let's just say that Pearse was the same old Pearse with how he felt about everything.
Trigger warnings for Nocturne House include profanity, violence (though not gory), mental health issues, sexual situations (not graphic), rape (mentioned in name only), brainwashing, kidnapping, murder, demons, the occult, and alcohol use.
Overall, Nocturne House is a fantastic novel with a solid story and fantastic characters. London Clarke managed to make a spooky story really come to life in each and every page. I would definitely recommend Nocturne House by London Clarke to those aged 16+. I believe fans of most genres will enjoy this one!
June 7, 2020
After months of searching for his missing wife, ex-priest turned demonologist Hunter Massabrook gets a call that Laura has turned up in a New Orleans hospital. But the woman barely looks like his wife, and she’s going by a different name. Worse, she’s obsessed with another man and memories of a life she’s lived in a place called Nocturne House.
As Laura relays the story of her disappearance and the people responsible, she also reveals her connection to a dangerous cult, a group of modern-day vampires that controls and manipulates through psychological strongholds, supernatural entities, and all-too-human wicked intentions.
Hunter soon realizes that Laura is still in danger, and she remains bound to the house through her heart, mind, and blood.
In the final suspenseful installment of the Legacy of Darkness series, supernatural and human evil collide in a tale about the power and danger of living outside society’s expectations and the relationships that can ruin or redeem us.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
As Laura relays the story of her disappearance and the people responsible, she also reveals her connection to a dangerous cult, a group of modern-day vampires that controls and manipulates through psychological strongholds, supernatural entities, and all-too-human wicked intentions.
Hunter soon realizes that Laura is still in danger, and she remains bound to the house through her heart, mind, and blood.
In the final suspenseful installment of the Legacy of Darkness series, supernatural and human evil collide in a tale about the power and danger of living outside society’s expectations and the relationships that can ruin or redeem us.
This is a brilliant read.
Wonderful well written plot and story line that had me engaged from the start.
Love the well fleshed out characters and found them believeable.
Great suspense and found myself second guessing every thought I had continuousluy.
Can't wait to read what the author brings out next.
Recommend reading.
I was provided an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher. This is my own honest voluntary review.
June 16, 2020
Whilst I am usually a "ghost" and not a "Vampire" book fan, Clarke's Legacy of Darkness series has swept me into her modern take on Vampires. I give the book 5 stars because "I needed to finish the series" and Clarke really stepped up on the "creep factor" in this book which I appreciated as a reader.
I enjoyed reading the final book as the journeys of all the characters were brought together and wrapped up into a fitting conclusion.
As a reader, this was a series I had become attached to and I can say the final book is my favorite, but if you want a stand-alone book then Wildfell is an entertaining read - lots of dark corridors and ghosts and more.
I enjoyed reading the final book as the journeys of all the characters were brought together and wrapped up into a fitting conclusion.
As a reader, this was a series I had become attached to and I can say the final book is my favorite, but if you want a stand-alone book then Wildfell is an entertaining read - lots of dark corridors and ghosts and more.
June 12, 2022
London Clarke does it again! Whenever i see a Clarke book I know I have to read it, her name alone carries the quality of what you can expect in the book. This one doesn't disappoint, it scared me and kept me intrigued straight through to the end. I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a good horror story.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-ARC of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the E-ARC of this book to review. All opinions are my own.
May 25, 2020
I expected the story to be really enticing, and honestly I was disappointed. I was able to predict the story and that is why I didn't like it. I was rather bored. I had high hopes, because I love vampires and fantasy and cult story-lines.
June 13, 2020
I enjoyed reading this book as it was a little bit of horror with a blood clan mentatitly thrown in. These are a new modern day type of vampire, they had devised a different method of taking the blood and keeping their givers alive. They lived in many different cities and had ownership of many houses, some dating back centuries. When they decided someone was going to become part of their cult and start receiving blood, they moved them so they weren’t easily found.
Laura Massabrook tells her story. She disappeared after she got involved with them. They were like a new age clan, living in a really old house where she could sense the ghosts. The house was Nocturne House. They had to start living by the rules, drinking the blood which she wasn’t keen on and they could raise up the ranks, the different colour of the cords showed which rank you were. The symbol hanging from the cord was of Nocturne House which Laura kept fingering but they had to change their names too, she chose Vanessa. It made them harder to be traced. They had to read the rules to advance as that was going to become their way of life but Vanessa becomes attracted to one of the leaders and he has feelings for her, which isn’t allowed in the cult. There are no children and no relationships allowed.
Hunter Massabrook has been hunting for his missing wife for months when he suddenly receives a call to say that she may have turned up in New Orleans but under a different name. When he gets there, the woman doesn’t resemble his wife. He senses that she is in danger. She doesn’t remember him but is obsessed with a man called Alex and insists that he is her husband. Also, she has memories of living in Nocturne House and seems to be bound to it. Hunter is an ex-priest turned demonologist and realises he might need his old powers again to save her. He has to come up with a plan to save her and get her away from the clan she is mixed up with.
The story is told in a diary format from various people involved with the cult. Towards the end I found it a bit confusing as it was going to and fro in time with different accounts. It’s the first book I have read by this author but I might try the others as I liked it.
Laura Massabrook tells her story. She disappeared after she got involved with them. They were like a new age clan, living in a really old house where she could sense the ghosts. The house was Nocturne House. They had to start living by the rules, drinking the blood which she wasn’t keen on and they could raise up the ranks, the different colour of the cords showed which rank you were. The symbol hanging from the cord was of Nocturne House which Laura kept fingering but they had to change their names too, she chose Vanessa. It made them harder to be traced. They had to read the rules to advance as that was going to become their way of life but Vanessa becomes attracted to one of the leaders and he has feelings for her, which isn’t allowed in the cult. There are no children and no relationships allowed.
Hunter Massabrook has been hunting for his missing wife for months when he suddenly receives a call to say that she may have turned up in New Orleans but under a different name. When he gets there, the woman doesn’t resemble his wife. He senses that she is in danger. She doesn’t remember him but is obsessed with a man called Alex and insists that he is her husband. Also, she has memories of living in Nocturne House and seems to be bound to it. Hunter is an ex-priest turned demonologist and realises he might need his old powers again to save her. He has to come up with a plan to save her and get her away from the clan she is mixed up with.
The story is told in a diary format from various people involved with the cult. Towards the end I found it a bit confusing as it was going to and fro in time with different accounts. It’s the first book I have read by this author but I might try the others as I liked it.
June 19, 2020
Hunter has been looking for his missing wife, Laura when he gets a phone call that she is in a hospital in New Orleans. Laura isn’t happy to see Hunter. She wants to back to Nocturne House where the cult she is in and her man who she now considers him to be her husband, not Hunter. She isn’t nice to Hunter yet he doesn’t give up on her being his wife again. When she had joined the cult, she went to live in the cult’s home known as Nocturne House. Nocturne house is filled with ghosts. Laura sees one that has her unable to resist the ghost she sees. Before she knows it, the cult has her learning the rules the cult has and drinking blood. Will she be able to be a wife again to Hunter? Will she want to stop drinking blood?
The story is told with the chapters saying “Now” or “Past.” The chapters are also told by different characters including Laura. The mystery of the house along with being in a cult is written so well that it gave me the “creeps.” You can read this as a stand alone novel. I did and found it quite satisfying.
It’s a horror, mystery, cult and haunted house must read!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
The story is told with the chapters saying “Now” or “Past.” The chapters are also told by different characters including Laura. The mystery of the house along with being in a cult is written so well that it gave me the “creeps.” You can read this as a stand alone novel. I did and found it quite satisfying.
It’s a horror, mystery, cult and haunted house must read!
Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review or any review at all. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.
July 10, 2020
“Given a choice, I preferred the mania.” Nocturne House by London Clarke
3 stars. Or maybe 2.5. I’m a little confused by this book. Couldn’t tell if it’s a mystery/thriller, but there was the paranormal side of it too which took up a lot of chapters in the middle. So is it a horror/thriller story? And with 85 chapters, it’s a looong book. Nothing like Joona Linna though.
This is the last book in a series. Hunters finds his wife Laura, living in a haunted house (Nocturne House) brainwashed and going by a different name. She’s been in and out of mental facilities and her stint in the cult didn’t help her. Then there’s the ghosts of Nocturne House too and the house itself.
The house and its occupants was interesting. I thought it was the focus, with Laura snooping around at first, at the stuff she found there. Old letters and books But her illness kinda got in the way.
The story moved from the past to the present, from Hunter’s and Laura’s POV, till the timelines meet. Laura’s is mostly in the past while Hunter’s is in the present.
Despite being the last book in the series, it didn’t make me want to look for the first book. I felt like this book had a lot of potential to be a hit like the books of Riley Sager, Lisa Jewel or Simone St James. But it isn’t quite there. To me, it felt like it was a bit all over the place. Sigh. Oh well.
Thank you BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
3 stars. Or maybe 2.5. I’m a little confused by this book. Couldn’t tell if it’s a mystery/thriller, but there was the paranormal side of it too which took up a lot of chapters in the middle. So is it a horror/thriller story? And with 85 chapters, it’s a looong book. Nothing like Joona Linna though.
This is the last book in a series. Hunters finds his wife Laura, living in a haunted house (Nocturne House) brainwashed and going by a different name. She’s been in and out of mental facilities and her stint in the cult didn’t help her. Then there’s the ghosts of Nocturne House too and the house itself.
The house and its occupants was interesting. I thought it was the focus, with Laura snooping around at first, at the stuff she found there. Old letters and books But her illness kinda got in the way.
The story moved from the past to the present, from Hunter’s and Laura’s POV, till the timelines meet. Laura’s is mostly in the past while Hunter’s is in the present.
Despite being the last book in the series, it didn’t make me want to look for the first book. I felt like this book had a lot of potential to be a hit like the books of Riley Sager, Lisa Jewel or Simone St James. But it isn’t quite there. To me, it felt like it was a bit all over the place. Sigh. Oh well.
Thank you BooksGoSocial and NetGalley for a copy of this book.
August 15, 2020
I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Hidden Gems. I am not obligated to leave a favorable review, only asked to write a review.
Hunter is thrilled to receive a call that Laura, his wife who has been missing, was located in a hospital after a car accident. Hunter arrives at the hospital eager to see Laura only to be shocked that she doesn’t look like herself nor does she act like herself. Laura is not happy to be reunited with her husband and is eager to return to her new life with a new man at Nocturne House. Hunter becomes aware that Laura has been involved with a cult and while she is anxious to return, he knows the cult is dangerous and he needs to convince her of that fact.
Nocturne House is the third book in a series, however, I have not read the first two and did not feel like I was missing backstory that kept me from following. I would say it is a stand alone book. Honestly, I struggled to put it down. The story is told from different characters and even from different times. The chapters are labeled which makes following easy. London Clarke does an amazing job of weaving the chapters and characters which added to the over all experience. Nocturne House is filled with plot twists, it’s is not predictable. It’s a must read, in-fact. I plan to read the first two books.
Hunter is thrilled to receive a call that Laura, his wife who has been missing, was located in a hospital after a car accident. Hunter arrives at the hospital eager to see Laura only to be shocked that she doesn’t look like herself nor does she act like herself. Laura is not happy to be reunited with her husband and is eager to return to her new life with a new man at Nocturne House. Hunter becomes aware that Laura has been involved with a cult and while she is anxious to return, he knows the cult is dangerous and he needs to convince her of that fact.
Nocturne House is the third book in a series, however, I have not read the first two and did not feel like I was missing backstory that kept me from following. I would say it is a stand alone book. Honestly, I struggled to put it down. The story is told from different characters and even from different times. The chapters are labeled which makes following easy. London Clarke does an amazing job of weaving the chapters and characters which added to the over all experience. Nocturne House is filled with plot twists, it’s is not predictable. It’s a must read, in-fact. I plan to read the first two books.
May 25, 2020
Just like with London’s previous works, I was immediately drawn in and not just because I was eager to find out what happened after Whickering Place! I loved that it was a continuation that felt like a brand new story bringing the pieces together without feeling like I would have missed anything if I didn’t read the rest of the series.
London’s writing is both of this modern world, creating the stories to take place today with an old-world, Gothic feeling that’s unmistakeable. Her characters are deep and dark in a way that makes you like them no matter what they’ve gotten themselves into.
Without wanting to give too much away, I give it 5 stars and invite you to check out! Thank you Netgalley, London Clarke and BooksGoSocial for the ARC!
London’s writing is both of this modern world, creating the stories to take place today with an old-world, Gothic feeling that’s unmistakeable. Her characters are deep and dark in a way that makes you like them no matter what they’ve gotten themselves into.
Without wanting to give too much away, I give it 5 stars and invite you to check out! Thank you Netgalley, London Clarke and BooksGoSocial for the ARC!
October 19, 2020
Pearse - I am so in love with you. Book 3 in London's Legacy of Darkness series was all that I could have hoped for. Each previous book fed into the next until we reached the final (somehow I'm doubting this statement, LOL) climactic culmination that tied in Pearse, Avery, Hunter, and Laura. It was chock full of nail biting, pulse pounding suspense, with chills on my arms and a quick dart over my shoulder at a sudden "noise". London knows how to write a Gothic Horror novel and she sucks your very soul into her characters. I am so glad to have met London on Twitter, she's as lovely in person as she is slightly twisted in her storytelling, which to me is the epitome of what an author should be. I cannot wait for your next project, keep these stories burning!
June 9, 2020
Wow! I have read a few London Clarke books and all good but this was so intense. I have read this trilogy in order and I'm glad I did. it put the characters of both previous books together nicely and the horror of what they all go through is so well written you almost feel it yourself. I think this could be read as a standalone but I'm glad I have read all 3 books!
To me London Clarke is one of the greats in horror/suspense writing and I love her books.
Thank you netgalley.
To me London Clarke is one of the greats in horror/suspense writing and I love her books.
Thank you netgalley.
July 20, 2020
What an interesting read! This made me want to go back and read the rest of the series to catch the easter eggs I missed. Luckily, I was able to keep up even though I didn't read the others. The buildup was a good move on the author's part. True to form, it really showcased how people are convinced to join cults (a slow changing of thoughts and ideals over a long period of time). Cults, vampires, and psychological intrigue, sign me up! #NocturneHouse #Netgalley
December 30, 2021
Being that I was in the mood to read some paranormal fun stuff (vampires never disappoint!), I chose Nocturne House. Note: Although this is Book 3 of a series, which I hadn't read the other two before this one, I had no problem as reading it as a stand-alone novel. I highly recommend this creepy, scary story, one of how a woman survives unimaginable horrors. Fast-paced reading, too.
August 13, 2020
Nocturne House by London Clarke was absolutely fantastic. Every time I thought that I had a grasp on what was happening I was surprised by something else. I think this book is part of a series, but it read like a stand alone.
I felt immersed in the story and London Clarke wrote her characters in such a way I felt a real connection with them.
I received this book for free for my HONEST review & I highly recommend it!
I felt immersed in the story and London Clarke wrote her characters in such a way I felt a real connection with them.
I received this book for free for my HONEST review & I highly recommend it!
June 18, 2020
Gripping, creepy and entertaining. I couldn't put it down and love what I read.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine
August 12, 2020
Wildly engrossing, as I've come to expect from author London Clarke. Third in the Legacy of Darkness Series, NOCTURNE HOUSE weaves back and forth between present and recent past, between "treatment centers" and Spooky haunted houses in New Orleans' historic Garden District. Lately I seem to choose without realizing novels involving cults and cult-like organizations, and I'm happy that NOCTURNE HOUSE proves to be one of the best of these. The tension is ratcheted to nearly unbearable (okay, all the way unbearable) and the subtleties involved in the cult's seduction and indoctrination are very realistic and very vivid.
May 6, 2022
Great Series
Book read like a movie! Just when you thought you knew where the storyline was going….there would be another plot twist. This one was definitely action packed and concluded this series perfectly. Don’t hesitate to read this series…you’ll love it!!!!
Book read like a movie! Just when you thought you knew where the storyline was going….there would be another plot twist. This one was definitely action packed and concluded this series perfectly. Don’t hesitate to read this series…you’ll love it!!!!
April 17, 2023
Best book I have read this month. It's a mix of both scary psychological suspense, with supernatural/ paranormal events, while being surrounded with those that have evil intentions. I loved it!!!!!!!!!!!!
August 26, 2020
After receiving this book, I realized it was the third installment in a series. Sigh. Hate when I do that. So, I went back and got the first two books to catch up. I don't do spoilers, but I will try to break down how I felt about each book in the series.
New to the series and author, I had no idea what to expect and picked this up solely on a love for the cover art. Truth.
I was immediately taken with The Meadows, the first book, and loved the characters and the premise. We have a tough female lead, working hard to put her life back together after a problem with addiction. She buys an old mansion, hoping to make it into a B&B and start a new life. She's unaware of the evil entities already living in her house, and soon encounters a cult who worships the demons. The Colony is made up of humans who act like vampires and give sacrifice to the demons present in the home. Great characters, non-stop action, and a lot of supernatural fun made this a 4-star read for me.
I was eager to start the second book immediately. While we don't have any of the same characters in this one, Whickering Place again runs up against The Colony, and they are stronger than ever. Again we have a female lead trying to rebuild her life. She is an agoraphobic who inherits a mansion from her father. Again, the home is inhabited by demons, and frequented by The Colony, who make sacrifices in their name. Growing in power and size, the Colony makes Avery's life miserable as she tries to manager her illness, constant threats from outside, and her new love for Pearse. Sadly, this book didn't land as well for me. Avery starts out as an interesting character, but soon becomes completely irrational and a bit ridiculous. The cult, which in the first book was shady and dangerous and interesting, now seems normalized and mainstream. The "normal" characters are the ones in the minority. This helps to build a sense of isolation for Avery, which is good for the narrative, but it just comes off as silly at times. This one was a 2-star.
Finally ready to start the third book, I picked up Nocturne House hoping for a return to the fun I had in the first book. Sadly, it was not meant to be. We see characters return from both the first and second books in this one, which I enjoyed a lot. But the main character in this book is Laura/Victoria, the latest person to join the Colony. It is about her journey as she leaves behind her old life and embraces the vampire life of the Colony. To say this character is annoying is an understatement. I like unreliable narrators and flawed characters quite a bit, but Laura had me screaming at her on every page. I'm not sure it is believable to have someone be this consistently wrong with ever single move. I didn't feel empathy for her, and instead just felt frustrated and angry. I don't enjoy rooting against the lead in any story, but I certainly felt that here. This was another 2-star for me.
London Clarke does a few things right and consistently, and I really enjoyed her writing style. I LOVE that she has complicated and flawed female leads in her books. I also like her dedication to non-stop action. Anyone who loves vampires and cults will be taken with this series and there is a lot here to keep you interested.
I would recommend not letting my frustration with two of the lead characters keep you from trying out this series. For vampire lovers, this is a must. I'm guessing if I read this ten years earlier, I would have had a completely different reaction, so I think that is important. I'm guessing it is targeted to the younger Twilight fans, which typically does not include me.
New to the series and author, I had no idea what to expect and picked this up solely on a love for the cover art. Truth.
I was immediately taken with The Meadows, the first book, and loved the characters and the premise. We have a tough female lead, working hard to put her life back together after a problem with addiction. She buys an old mansion, hoping to make it into a B&B and start a new life. She's unaware of the evil entities already living in her house, and soon encounters a cult who worships the demons. The Colony is made up of humans who act like vampires and give sacrifice to the demons present in the home. Great characters, non-stop action, and a lot of supernatural fun made this a 4-star read for me.
I was eager to start the second book immediately. While we don't have any of the same characters in this one, Whickering Place again runs up against The Colony, and they are stronger than ever. Again we have a female lead trying to rebuild her life. She is an agoraphobic who inherits a mansion from her father. Again, the home is inhabited by demons, and frequented by The Colony, who make sacrifices in their name. Growing in power and size, the Colony makes Avery's life miserable as she tries to manager her illness, constant threats from outside, and her new love for Pearse. Sadly, this book didn't land as well for me. Avery starts out as an interesting character, but soon becomes completely irrational and a bit ridiculous. The cult, which in the first book was shady and dangerous and interesting, now seems normalized and mainstream. The "normal" characters are the ones in the minority. This helps to build a sense of isolation for Avery, which is good for the narrative, but it just comes off as silly at times. This one was a 2-star.
Finally ready to start the third book, I picked up Nocturne House hoping for a return to the fun I had in the first book. Sadly, it was not meant to be. We see characters return from both the first and second books in this one, which I enjoyed a lot. But the main character in this book is Laura/Victoria, the latest person to join the Colony. It is about her journey as she leaves behind her old life and embraces the vampire life of the Colony. To say this character is annoying is an understatement. I like unreliable narrators and flawed characters quite a bit, but Laura had me screaming at her on every page. I'm not sure it is believable to have someone be this consistently wrong with ever single move. I didn't feel empathy for her, and instead just felt frustrated and angry. I don't enjoy rooting against the lead in any story, but I certainly felt that here. This was another 2-star for me.
London Clarke does a few things right and consistently, and I really enjoyed her writing style. I LOVE that she has complicated and flawed female leads in her books. I also like her dedication to non-stop action. Anyone who loves vampires and cults will be taken with this series and there is a lot here to keep you interested.
I would recommend not letting my frustration with two of the lead characters keep you from trying out this series. For vampire lovers, this is a must. I'm guessing if I read this ten years earlier, I would have had a completely different reaction, so I think that is important. I'm guessing it is targeted to the younger Twilight fans, which typically does not include me.
September 14, 2023
I have very mixed feelings about this, some of which are because of actual parts of the story, and some from my own experiences.
I can't say it didn't hook me, or wasn't a "page-turning thriller," since I zipped through it eagerly and only stopped when I had to. I wanted to know how it would turn out, how all of the pieces would come together in the end--or if they would. That's the thing about the genre, you know; you can want a happy ending or an ending of any kind, and there's no guarantee. Just because someone is a main character, they aren't promised safety, and sometimes they're promised the very opposite. The non-linear nature of the storytelling meant that I could at least make some educated guesses up to what would happen up until the climax of the plot, but I couldn't begin to guess what would happen once we hit that point, and all bets were off.
I felt like the story was rather chaotic, although that could easily have been on purpose. The fact that multiple POV characters were telling their stories over multiple timelines meant I had to pay close attention to what was happening and try to hold multiple threads of the plot in my mind at the same time. Also, this was the third book in a series, and I don't think that having missed the first two materially affected my ability to enjoy the book, but I think I would also have gotten more out of it if I'd had some of the background information.
I have said many times that the best horror comes out of things that could happen, at least in theory. Here, it was the idea that your therapist, your psychiatrist--someone who knows your most private thoughts and your deepest fears--could manipulate you into terrible things. Usually, those terrible things are not joining vampire sex cults, but it's still a position of immense trust, and it has a corresponding ability to do immense harm. Unlike many of the other horror books I've read, this is one of the only ones in a long time that has given me nightmares. Again, not the vampire sex cult part--the psychiatrist tricking me into going off my meds and having horrible consequences part. And that's a fear that is much more visceral than zombies.
I can't say it didn't hook me, or wasn't a "page-turning thriller," since I zipped through it eagerly and only stopped when I had to. I wanted to know how it would turn out, how all of the pieces would come together in the end--or if they would. That's the thing about the genre, you know; you can want a happy ending or an ending of any kind, and there's no guarantee. Just because someone is a main character, they aren't promised safety, and sometimes they're promised the very opposite. The non-linear nature of the storytelling meant that I could at least make some educated guesses up to what would happen up until the climax of the plot, but I couldn't begin to guess what would happen once we hit that point, and all bets were off.
I felt like the story was rather chaotic, although that could easily have been on purpose. The fact that multiple POV characters were telling their stories over multiple timelines meant I had to pay close attention to what was happening and try to hold multiple threads of the plot in my mind at the same time. Also, this was the third book in a series, and I don't think that having missed the first two materially affected my ability to enjoy the book, but I think I would also have gotten more out of it if I'd had some of the background information.
I have said many times that the best horror comes out of things that could happen, at least in theory. Here, it was the idea that your therapist, your psychiatrist--someone who knows your most private thoughts and your deepest fears--could manipulate you into terrible things. Usually, those terrible things are not joining vampire sex cults, but it's still a position of immense trust, and it has a corresponding ability to do immense harm. Unlike many of the other horror books I've read, this is one of the only ones in a long time that has given me nightmares. Again, not the vampire sex cult part--the psychiatrist tricking me into going off my meds and having horrible consequences part. And that's a fear that is much more visceral than zombies.
August 19, 2020
"It's always better if punishment comes from someone who cares about you."
My Synopsis
When Vanessa Ruthven wakes up in a hospital in New Orleans, she immediately asks where her husband, Alex, is. She feels lonely, scared, and wants to go back home to Nocturne House. When she's told her husband is visiting she's so excited, but it ends up being a man named Hunter. Hunter happens to be an ex-priest turned demonologist, and tries convincing her that her name's Laura. Vanessa knows he's a threat to all that she holds dear...SOAL. A group of people focusing on success of a lifetime. Some consider it a modern day vampire cult, but they're wrong, especially Hunter. And she'll be damned if she goes anywhere with him.
My Review
This storytelling from Laura's point of view subsumed me. You totally see how SOAP appealed to her and the logic they use to keep her hooked is very captivating. It's been a while since I've read a book that made me feel like I was actually there like her chapters.
As much as Hunter meant well and was a total sweetie, I found myself loathing his chapters. Maybe it's because this is a last book in a series (but was enjoyable as a standalone!) and I don't know too much of his background, but man, this guy was such a whiner. He had his redeeming moment at the end, but it's clear he takes a back seat role throughout the entire book. Pearse and Avery's sub-plot was awesome and it really gave credit to how organized and dangerous SOAP is from beyond Laura's experience, and I kind of wish Hunter's chapters were more dedicated to them.
My Synopsis
When Vanessa Ruthven wakes up in a hospital in New Orleans, she immediately asks where her husband, Alex, is. She feels lonely, scared, and wants to go back home to Nocturne House. When she's told her husband is visiting she's so excited, but it ends up being a man named Hunter. Hunter happens to be an ex-priest turned demonologist, and tries convincing her that her name's Laura. Vanessa knows he's a threat to all that she holds dear...SOAL. A group of people focusing on success of a lifetime. Some consider it a modern day vampire cult, but they're wrong, especially Hunter. And she'll be damned if she goes anywhere with him.
My Review
This storytelling from Laura's point of view subsumed me. You totally see how SOAP appealed to her and the logic they use to keep her hooked is very captivating. It's been a while since I've read a book that made me feel like I was actually there like her chapters.
As much as Hunter meant well and was a total sweetie, I found myself loathing his chapters. Maybe it's because this is a last book in a series (but was enjoyable as a standalone!) and I don't know too much of his background, but man, this guy was such a whiner. He had his redeeming moment at the end, but it's clear he takes a back seat role throughout the entire book. Pearse and Avery's sub-plot was awesome and it really gave credit to how organized and dangerous SOAP is from beyond Laura's experience, and I kind of wish Hunter's chapters were more dedicated to them.
August 25, 2020
Thank you Hidden Gems for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
WOW, where do I start? I think this book should get 10/5 *. I absolutely loved it! I identified with the characters, loving some and hating others! Can't really say who or why without spoilers, so just take my word for it - you'll love and loathe, be prepared!
This book at me on the edge of my seat, turning pages almost faster than I could read them. Sometimes having to page back, because I had turned the page before reading the last line on the page. Imagine, it's 11pm, you have to work the next day, but you think to yourself 'just one more chapter' ... expect that to happen.
This book will definitely appeal to lovers of suspense, thrillers, dark cult, supernatural type stories. Add to that characters of great strength and integrity, and others with absolutely no integrity - highly recommended that you read this then.
Eighty-four chapters in just over two days, I literally ploughed through this book at a rate of knots, that in itself should be an indication of how good this book it.
Ms Clarke, this is the first book I have read of yours, if the others are just 80% as good as this one, this will definitely not be the last book. I am just a bit sad that I didn't know it was part of a series, although it can be read alone, but I now need to go and read a bit more about Pearce and the other books of the Legacy of Darkness series are definitely on my 'to read' list.
WOW, where do I start? I think this book should get 10/5 *. I absolutely loved it! I identified with the characters, loving some and hating others! Can't really say who or why without spoilers, so just take my word for it - you'll love and loathe, be prepared!
This book at me on the edge of my seat, turning pages almost faster than I could read them. Sometimes having to page back, because I had turned the page before reading the last line on the page. Imagine, it's 11pm, you have to work the next day, but you think to yourself 'just one more chapter' ... expect that to happen.
This book will definitely appeal to lovers of suspense, thrillers, dark cult, supernatural type stories. Add to that characters of great strength and integrity, and others with absolutely no integrity - highly recommended that you read this then.
Eighty-four chapters in just over two days, I literally ploughed through this book at a rate of knots, that in itself should be an indication of how good this book it.
Ms Clarke, this is the first book I have read of yours, if the others are just 80% as good as this one, this will definitely not be the last book. I am just a bit sad that I didn't know it was part of a series, although it can be read alone, but I now need to go and read a bit more about Pearce and the other books of the Legacy of Darkness series are definitely on my 'to read' list.
August 28, 2020
Preface: I received a free copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This is the third book in a sort-of trilogy about vampires that are really a cult, which I felt was an interesting take on the genre. I find cult stuff super interesting, and it was neat to watch Laura fall under the cult's spell chapter by chapter. I started out not being particularly sympathetic to her, but as the book went on and we saw her actually acting intelligently and figuring things out for herself, I came to enjoy her parts more.
I was also happy to see Pearse/Avery again, though I was a bit disappointed Avery got so little screen-time. I liked her a lot in the second book, and she's mostly off-page here. The few moments she does get, though, namely at the climax, were really neat and showed how far she's come from the shrinking violet we met at book two, andI'm pleased with how her story wrapped up.
I did have an issue with how boneheaded some characters behaved just to move the plot along. Laura's sister literally see hers writhing, screaming, /drinking blood/, etc., but still goes to a spooky murder house and gives the lady inside /Laura's husband's home address/. In what world could that possibly seem like a good idea? Other characters made silly decisions too, but that was one of the more egregious.
Overall, though, this was an interesting look at the psychology behind cults and the traps they lay, and a satisfying conclusion to the series.
Actual rating: 3.5 stars
This is the third book in a sort-of trilogy about vampires that are really a cult, which I felt was an interesting take on the genre. I find cult stuff super interesting, and it was neat to watch Laura fall under the cult's spell chapter by chapter. I started out not being particularly sympathetic to her, but as the book went on and we saw her actually acting intelligently and figuring things out for herself, I came to enjoy her parts more.
I was also happy to see Pearse/Avery again, though I was a bit disappointed Avery got so little screen-time. I liked her a lot in the second book, and she's mostly off-page here. The few moments she does get, though, namely at the climax, were really neat and showed how far she's come from the shrinking violet we met at book two, andI'm pleased with how her story wrapped up.
I did have an issue with how boneheaded some characters behaved just to move the plot along. Laura's sister literally see hers writhing, screaming, /drinking blood/, etc., but still goes to a spooky murder house and gives the lady inside /Laura's husband's home address/. In what world could that possibly seem like a good idea? Other characters made silly decisions too, but that was one of the more egregious.
Overall, though, this was an interesting look at the psychology behind cults and the traps they lay, and a satisfying conclusion to the series.
July 23, 2025
Laura has been hospitalized as bipolar, which she may or may not have ever been. She doesn't like the idea of being doped to death because, when even younger, she used to have mood swings that might have been manageable, or become so by now. And she finds a therapist who assures her that her moods were the "empowerment" and despair of a brilliant mind, and thinks she'll be better educated to use this brilliant mind, which we're not shown that she really has, either, at Nocturne House.
Fans of this author know what to expect, only it's grimmer in this novel, without the clear morality of traditional horror fiction. Nocturne House is another base for the vampire cult readers first met at Whickering Place. In withdrawal from several prescription drugs, Laura doesn't know how much of what she encounters there is real. There seems to be a long continuum from ordinary motivational thinking "classes" for entrepreneurs (Laura doesn't seem to have any enterprise in mind) through sadistic, kinky relationships all the way to demons that manifest as such in the real world of the story, with scaly tails and telekinetic powers and all. All the available choices appear to be bad.
Some fans tell London Clarke that fiction where all the available choices are bad, where the moral alternatives are between lesser and greater evils, is like their real lives. I hope they're all exaggerating, but anyway, this final installment in a three-and-a-half-book trilogy was written just for them.
Fans of this author know what to expect, only it's grimmer in this novel, without the clear morality of traditional horror fiction. Nocturne House is another base for the vampire cult readers first met at Whickering Place. In withdrawal from several prescription drugs, Laura doesn't know how much of what she encounters there is real. There seems to be a long continuum from ordinary motivational thinking "classes" for entrepreneurs (Laura doesn't seem to have any enterprise in mind) through sadistic, kinky relationships all the way to demons that manifest as such in the real world of the story, with scaly tails and telekinetic powers and all. All the available choices appear to be bad.
Some fans tell London Clarke that fiction where all the available choices are bad, where the moral alternatives are between lesser and greater evils, is like their real lives. I hope they're all exaggerating, but anyway, this final installment in a three-and-a-half-book trilogy was written just for them.
March 20, 2024
I really enjoyed this book although I felt it was rather hurried towards the end, although maybe this was me reading faster as it reached its climax. I would have liked to have focused more on Laura’s story a bit more, I didn’t feel that there was enough explanation to her sudden switch back to being a full believer after the accident and I still don’t think I’m clear about what happened in the room on Mardi Gras night. The supernatural element needed more clarifying, was she particularly psychic, as no one else seems to notice the ghosts as much as her? The hurried explanation about her exorcism seemed too simple. I honestly think there could have been another hundred pages tying up the story. The plot was thick but explanations thin on the ground.
I know I’ve just moaned a lot but I actually couldn’t put it down once I’d started.
Ahhh now I’ve just discovered it’s part of a series - damn it. I hate it when I read a book without realising that. But, at least I can now go and read the two previous books.
I know I’ve just moaned a lot but I actually couldn’t put it down once I’d started.
Ahhh now I’ve just discovered it’s part of a series - damn it. I hate it when I read a book without realising that. But, at least I can now go and read the two previous books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews