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The House of a Hundred Whispers
On a windswept moor, an old house guards its secrets... The new stand-alone horror novel from 'a true master of horror.'
All Hallows Hall is a rambling Tudor mansion on the edge of the bleak and misty Dartmoor. It is not a place many would choose to live. Yet the former Governor of Dartmoor Prison did just that. Now he's dead, and his children – long estranged – are set to inherit his estate.
But when the dead man's family come to stay, the atmosphere of the moors seems to drift into every room. Floorboards creak, secret passageways echo, and wind whistles in the house's famous priest hole. And then, on the same morning the family decide to leave All Hallows Hall and never come back, their young son Timmy disappears – from inside the house.
Does evil linger in the walls? Or is evil only ever found inside the minds of men?
All Hallows Hall is a rambling Tudor mansion on the edge of the bleak and misty Dartmoor. It is not a place many would choose to live. Yet the former Governor of Dartmoor Prison did just that. Now he's dead, and his children – long estranged – are set to inherit his estate.
But when the dead man's family come to stay, the atmosphere of the moors seems to drift into every room. Floorboards creak, secret passageways echo, and wind whistles in the house's famous priest hole. And then, on the same morning the family decide to leave All Hallows Hall and never come back, their young son Timmy disappears – from inside the house.
Does evil linger in the walls? Or is evil only ever found inside the minds of men?
400 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 2020
947 people are currently reading
4856 people want to read
About the author
Graham Masterton
423 books1,993 followersGraham Masterton was born in Edinburgh in 1946. His grandfather was Thomas Thorne Baker, the eminent scientist who invented DayGlo and was the first man to transmit news photographs by wireless. After training as a newspaper reporter, Graham went on to edit the new British men's magazine Mayfair, where he encouraged William Burroughs to develop a series of scientific and philosophical articles which eventually became Burroughs' novel The Wild Boys.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
At the age of 24, Graham was appointed executive editor of both Penthouse and Penthouse Forum magazines. At this time he started to write a bestselling series of sex 'how-to' books including How To Drive Your Man Wild In Bed which has sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His latest, Wild Sex For New Lovers is published by Penguin Putnam in January, 2001. He is a regular contributor to Cosmopolitan, Men's Health, Woman, Woman's Own and other mass-market self-improvement magazines.
Graham Masterton's debut as a horror author began with The Manitou in 1976, a chilling tale of a Native American medicine man reborn in the present day to exact his revenge on the white man. It became an instant bestseller and was filmed with Tony Curtis, Susan Strasberg, Burgess Meredith, Michael Ansara, Stella Stevens and Ann Sothern.
Altogether Graham has written more than a hundred novels ranging from thrillers (The Sweetman Curve, Ikon) to disaster novels (Plague, Famine) to historical sagas (Rich and Maiden Voyage - both appeared in the New York Times bestseller list). He has published four collections of short stories, Fortnight of Fear, Flights of Fear, Faces of Fear and Feelings of Fear.
He has also written horror novels for children (House of Bones, Hair-Raiser) and has just finished the fifth volume in a very popular series for young adults, Rook, based on the adventures of an idiosyncratic remedial English teacher in a Los Angeles community college who has the facility to see ghosts.
Since then Graham has published more than 35 horror novels, including Charnel House, which was awarded a Special Edgar by Mystery Writers of America; Mirror, which was awarded a Silver Medal by West Coast Review of Books; and Family Portrait, an update of Oscar Wilde's tale, The Picture of Dorian Gray, which was the only non-French winner of the prestigious Prix Julia Verlanger in France.
He and his wife Wiescka live in a Gothic Victorian mansion high above the River Lee in Cork, Ireland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 728 reviews
October 11, 2020
The book reminded me a bit on Walkers, a 1991 novel where also people were "drawn" into the walls. Where did little Timmy went to? What about the three siblings inheriting Allhallows Hall? What really happened to Herbert Russell, the former owner and who belong the suitcases found in the attic? Graham Masterton leads you into an interesting trip full of mysticism, druidism and horror. I also like the allusions to The Exorcist. Can a magician and a catholic priest solve the riddle within those walls? After the first part the book became a bit tedious but the last quarter was very strong. As usually there is a shot of satire included in his work (e.g. one of the characters is named Kipling, but not to be mixed with Rudyard) or the name of the demon (this was a bit exaggerated in my opinion and made the book funnier than it really was). Some motifs like the colored glass window or the witching room (a hidden room) were very strong. Also the folk lore of the Fluter was brilliant and eerie. Overall a very solid horror novel that took up speed over the pages and came up with a good ending. Ideal read for October and highly recommended!
January 17, 2022
Co za tragiczna książka. Bardzo nieudana, choć pomysł jest dobry.
Wybitnie nudna i ani trochę nie jest straszna.
Wybitnie nudna i ani trochę nie jest straszna.
November 13, 2020
After just finishing, I'm giving this book 1.5 out of 5. I read a lot of horror and this one is a real mixed-bag. It had its moments, particularly the mystery-building in the first half of the novel, but by the end I was really looking forward to it being over, and it left a flat taste in my mouth. By the end, any enjoyment had completely dissipated. I removed it from the library I share with my friends, because I didn't want them to think I was recommending it.
There were a few points in the storytelling that turned me off, but the final tragedy was the last part of the book. All of the suspense and spookiness and mystery that was so methodically built just...deflated like a depressing balloon. It became an ostentatious display of gore that seemed so unrealistic I couldn't feel fear, and the remainder of the resolution was puzzling, too. The final pages were getting downright laughable, and the "fix"? to get rid of the Big Bad? Easy peasy as it happens, just needed an everyday man for the job. This book wasn't a great introduction for me, but I don't think I'm of the intended audience. 😕
A content warning for the thoughtful: there's an unnecessary gang rape scene where a woman is penetrated by one of the rapists before being saved by another male. She is fully stripped and presented to the men. I wouldn't say it was necessary to the horror plot and could have been more effective by not going so far. Aside from the foreboding dread and hinting at this violence it really caught me off guard and felt tastelessly written. I don't think there was any value, be it social commentary or horror, added through this scene, but it certainly cheapened the novel. The only lesson lies in the author's unintended disclosure of his own problematic relationship with rape culture, which was also hinted at before the scene itself. It is clear that sometimes authors are unaware of what they're writing: it's a book with a lot to unpack, but I'm not sure the actual extent was planned.
There were a few points in the storytelling that turned me off, but the final tragedy was the last part of the book. All of the suspense and spookiness and mystery that was so methodically built just...deflated like a depressing balloon. It became an ostentatious display of gore that seemed so unrealistic I couldn't feel fear, and the remainder of the resolution was puzzling, too. The final pages were getting downright laughable, and the "fix"? to get rid of the Big Bad? Easy peasy as it happens, just needed an everyday man for the job. This book wasn't a great introduction for me, but I don't think I'm of the intended audience. 😕
A content warning for the thoughtful: there's an unnecessary gang rape scene where a woman is penetrated by one of the rapists before being saved by another male. She is fully stripped and presented to the men. I wouldn't say it was necessary to the horror plot and could have been more effective by not going so far. Aside from the foreboding dread and hinting at this violence it really caught me off guard and felt tastelessly written. I don't think there was any value, be it social commentary or horror, added through this scene, but it certainly cheapened the novel. The only lesson lies in the author's unintended disclosure of his own problematic relationship with rape culture, which was also hinted at before the scene itself. It is clear that sometimes authors are unaware of what they're writing: it's a book with a lot to unpack, but I'm not sure the actual extent was planned.
January 19, 2021
Spoiler Alert.
Mr. Masterson, this is a personal note for you.
This book could not have been more disappointing.
The story was more or less okay and the plot had lots of potential but I have two main points for you. One about the book itself and the other just an overall update for you here in 2021 that if you would be so kind to pass on to your male author friends, women would appreciate it.
You led me on a journey with this book that I really wanted to go on but you did not have the tools for the task. There are multiple plot holes that no decent editor should have allowed you to get away with and you should fire them immediately from any future projects.
The most notable is that this heinous force that while confined within the walls of the house had the power to reduce people to meat sacks but once released only had the ability to hold on to the top of the car for dear life until it is very shortly thrown from the roof of the car to its demise. M'kay. My eight year old grandson could manage a better ending. You ran out of steam on this book. Period. The lack of imagination to take this story where it needed to go is really unforgivable. If you want to write, then do it.
That being said, allow me to enlighten you and any other male writers out there. Gratuitous rape scenes, much less attempted gang rape scenes, are not entertainment. Allow me to repeat.
It is not entertainment for women to be raped. This scene did not add to the plot. It did not even "aid in character development" as male authors are prone to think.
It was thrown in this book for absolutely no reason. It had nothing to do with the story, with the plot, with the character nor with anything at all. This tells me a great deal about you as a person. Suffice it to say, I will not be reading anything else by you and neither should anyone else.
Mr. Masterson, this is a personal note for you.
This book could not have been more disappointing.
The story was more or less okay and the plot had lots of potential but I have two main points for you. One about the book itself and the other just an overall update for you here in 2021 that if you would be so kind to pass on to your male author friends, women would appreciate it.
You led me on a journey with this book that I really wanted to go on but you did not have the tools for the task. There are multiple plot holes that no decent editor should have allowed you to get away with and you should fire them immediately from any future projects.
The most notable is that this heinous force that while confined within the walls of the house had the power to reduce people to meat sacks but once released only had the ability to hold on to the top of the car for dear life until it is very shortly thrown from the roof of the car to its demise. M'kay. My eight year old grandson could manage a better ending. You ran out of steam on this book. Period. The lack of imagination to take this story where it needed to go is really unforgivable. If you want to write, then do it.
That being said, allow me to enlighten you and any other male writers out there. Gratuitous rape scenes, much less attempted gang rape scenes, are not entertainment. Allow me to repeat.
It is not entertainment for women to be raped. This scene did not add to the plot. It did not even "aid in character development" as male authors are prone to think.
It was thrown in this book for absolutely no reason. It had nothing to do with the story, with the plot, with the character nor with anything at all. This tells me a great deal about you as a person. Suffice it to say, I will not be reading anything else by you and neither should anyone else.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 8, 2021
2.5✨
Nie powiem, żebym była zachwycona - niestety nie. Mam mocno mieszane uczucia, bo prawie wszystkich plottwistów fabularnych domyśliłam się wcześniej.
Ciekawy koncept, ale fabuła za długo rozkręcała się do tego momentu, minęła połowa książki, a ja nie mogłam doczekać się aż rozmyślania bohatera się skończą.
Może to po prostu nie była książka dla mnie? To moje drugie spotkanie z Mastertonem i oba nie były udane.
Nie powiem, żebym była zachwycona - niestety nie. Mam mocno mieszane uczucia, bo prawie wszystkich plottwistów fabularnych domyśliłam się wcześniej.
Ciekawy koncept, ale fabuła za długo rozkręcała się do tego momentu, minęła połowa książki, a ja nie mogłam doczekać się aż rozmyślania bohatera się skończą.
Może to po prostu nie była książka dla mnie? To moje drugie spotkanie z Mastertonem i oba nie były udane.
June 27, 2023
Spooky Occult Vibes!
A small backstory:
Robert Russell along with his wife, Vicky and their son Timmy inherit a mansion named All Hallow's Hall as Robert's father passed away. Robert's brother Martin and his wife all decide to meet at the estate to find out what gets divided and what they are going to do. But things go to hell in a handbasket quick when Timmy disappears and no one can find him. While they are searching for Timmy other things start happening within the mansion as they all start hearing loud whispering that seems to emanates from one room in the home.
When they go to investigate a malevolent force lets itself be known that it does not want them there and it will do whatever it takes to keep them out of that room. One thing leads to another when they decide to call in a priest as then whatever force is in the mansion goes into a rage and the Russell family is standing in its path!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
Once again I was transported into Masterton's world and this story just kept gaining speed as once the character Timmy disappears the story seemed to get faster. Lots happening within this story as there is a haunting along with demonic activity which sent this book into high gear. It took some time though to get into the story but once things started happening within the mansion, the creepiness and suspense dug down into my psyche.
I read the last half of the book in a couple of days as I could not put it down! This should really be a five star read but when Timmy disappears I felt there was too much of the story spent looking for him as that takes up a good 30% to 40% of the book but once other things start happening then the focus of the story shifts to other characters in the book and the story starts heating up.
The whispering, the haunting, and the demonic activity takes center stage eventually and this is what truly drove the story at high speed to the end of the book! All that is what kept my insomnia fueled and then the puzzle pieces falling into place when more is revealed of why the mansion is haunted. Another great book by this author and looking forward to reading more of his books as I own quite a few I have not read yet. Giving this book four "Haunted Horror" stars!
A small backstory:
Robert Russell along with his wife, Vicky and their son Timmy inherit a mansion named All Hallow's Hall as Robert's father passed away. Robert's brother Martin and his wife all decide to meet at the estate to find out what gets divided and what they are going to do. But things go to hell in a handbasket quick when Timmy disappears and no one can find him. While they are searching for Timmy other things start happening within the mansion as they all start hearing loud whispering that seems to emanates from one room in the home.
When they go to investigate a malevolent force lets itself be known that it does not want them there and it will do whatever it takes to keep them out of that room. One thing leads to another when they decide to call in a priest as then whatever force is in the mansion goes into a rage and the Russell family is standing in its path!
That is about all I can give on a small backstory without giving away spoilers so if you want to know more then go read this book!
Thoughts:
Once again I was transported into Masterton's world and this story just kept gaining speed as once the character Timmy disappears the story seemed to get faster. Lots happening within this story as there is a haunting along with demonic activity which sent this book into high gear. It took some time though to get into the story but once things started happening within the mansion, the creepiness and suspense dug down into my psyche.
I read the last half of the book in a couple of days as I could not put it down! This should really be a five star read but when Timmy disappears I felt there was too much of the story spent looking for him as that takes up a good 30% to 40% of the book but once other things start happening then the focus of the story shifts to other characters in the book and the story starts heating up.
The whispering, the haunting, and the demonic activity takes center stage eventually and this is what truly drove the story at high speed to the end of the book! All that is what kept my insomnia fueled and then the puzzle pieces falling into place when more is revealed of why the mansion is haunted. Another great book by this author and looking forward to reading more of his books as I own quite a few I have not read yet. Giving this book four "Haunted Horror" stars!
October 3, 2021
Jeden ze współczesnych mistrzów grozy powraca opowieścią pulpową, miejscami straszną, miejscami zabawną, katarktyczną w pewien sposób też.
„Dom stu szeptów” miejscami straszy, miejscami bawi, co z pewnością zadziwi wielu, którzy horror kojarzą raczej stereotypowo – skupiając się na strachu i straszeniu właśnie. A horror korzysta przecież z humoru, absurdu, groteski nie od dziś. Warto dodać, że to podstawowe narzędzia przy operowaniu strachem, bo każdy dobry horror ma właściwości oczyszczające, katarktyczne, przełamujące pewne bariery między opowieścią a czytelnikiem. Ta właściwość nadaje gatunkowi wielowymiarowości, pozwala odczytywać kolejne historie na różnych płaszczyznach.
Graham Masterton okiełznał sztukę balansowania między humorem a grozą po mistrzowsku, co udowadnia chociażby najnowszym „Domem stu szeptów”, w której idealnie równoważy śmiech przetykany ciarkami grozy. Powieść czyta się z prawdziwą przyjemnością, czując te snujące się mgły wokół starej posiadłości, czując to poczucie narastającej tajemnicy, która zalęgła się w Allhallows Hall.
Kto nie miał jeszcze przyjemności obcować z prozą Grahama Mastertona – „Dom stu szeptów” to świetna wymówka, żeby spróbować! A kto Grahama Mastertona zna nie od dziś, ten niech szykuje się na pysznie pulpową opowieść o nawiedzonym domu, w której wszystko jest możliwe.
„Dom stu szeptów” miejscami straszy, miejscami bawi, co z pewnością zadziwi wielu, którzy horror kojarzą raczej stereotypowo – skupiając się na strachu i straszeniu właśnie. A horror korzysta przecież z humoru, absurdu, groteski nie od dziś. Warto dodać, że to podstawowe narzędzia przy operowaniu strachem, bo każdy dobry horror ma właściwości oczyszczające, katarktyczne, przełamujące pewne bariery między opowieścią a czytelnikiem. Ta właściwość nadaje gatunkowi wielowymiarowości, pozwala odczytywać kolejne historie na różnych płaszczyznach.
Graham Masterton okiełznał sztukę balansowania między humorem a grozą po mistrzowsku, co udowadnia chociażby najnowszym „Domem stu szeptów”, w której idealnie równoważy śmiech przetykany ciarkami grozy. Powieść czyta się z prawdziwą przyjemnością, czując te snujące się mgły wokół starej posiadłości, czując to poczucie narastającej tajemnicy, która zalęgła się w Allhallows Hall.
Kto nie miał jeszcze przyjemności obcować z prozą Grahama Mastertona – „Dom stu szeptów” to świetna wymówka, żeby spróbować! A kto Grahama Mastertona zna nie od dziś, ten niech szykuje się na pysznie pulpową opowieść o nawiedzonym domu, w której wszystko jest możliwe.
June 13, 2023
Boże Przenajświętszy, to chyba najgorszy horror (?)/thriller(?) jaki czytałam :D
Nie wiem jakim cudem dobrnęłam do końca, chyba liczyłam na zakończenie które uratuje tę książkę, ale nic z tego. Mam wrażenie, że to powieść totalnie niedopracowana, pisana na szybko, na kolanie. I zupełnie nie jest straszna, a mnie wcale nie trudno przerazić :D
Nie wiem jakim cudem dobrnęłam do końca, chyba liczyłam na zakończenie które uratuje tę książkę, ale nic z tego. Mam wrażenie, że to powieść totalnie niedopracowana, pisana na szybko, na kolanie. I zupełnie nie jest straszna, a mnie wcale nie trudno przerazić :D
February 4, 2022
To raczej komedia, a nie horror. Jedna z najgorszych książek z jaką się zetknęłam. Nie mam nic więcej do dodania.
September 3, 2020
Thank you, Head of Zeus, and NetGalley for a copy of Graham Masterton’s The House of a Hundred whispers. It’s a long time since I have read a book from this author, (6 years in fact) and that one was a police procedural. So, when I read the blurb, I was interested to know how it would pan out.
On the misty moors of Dartmoor lies an old run-down Tudor mansion called All Hallows Hall. Not everyone’s choice for a place to live but, it is owned by the ex-governor of Dartmoor prison until he is found bludgeoned to death with a hammer. His children now grown up with their own families come to stay to hear his will. When one of the sons five-year-old son Timmy goes missing whilst in the house so they all don’t want to leave until he is found. While the search is on to find him, sinister things go on in the mansion. they keep hearing whispers in the night but there is no one there and foundations on the house move in the night.
This is a spooky story that I couldn’t put down. It was full of suspense and chills. As I am not an avid reader of horror, so I was holding my breath a few times and I was a bit scared as I read this in bed lol. The only thing I could not keep up with. There is a lot of characters in this book and sometimes thought is this necessary to have so many. If you like stories with witches and demons and supernatural beings, this is for you. 4 stars from me.
On the misty moors of Dartmoor lies an old run-down Tudor mansion called All Hallows Hall. Not everyone’s choice for a place to live but, it is owned by the ex-governor of Dartmoor prison until he is found bludgeoned to death with a hammer. His children now grown up with their own families come to stay to hear his will. When one of the sons five-year-old son Timmy goes missing whilst in the house so they all don’t want to leave until he is found. While the search is on to find him, sinister things go on in the mansion. they keep hearing whispers in the night but there is no one there and foundations on the house move in the night.
This is a spooky story that I couldn’t put down. It was full of suspense and chills. As I am not an avid reader of horror, so I was holding my breath a few times and I was a bit scared as I read this in bed lol. The only thing I could not keep up with. There is a lot of characters in this book and sometimes thought is this necessary to have so many. If you like stories with witches and demons and supernatural beings, this is for you. 4 stars from me.
February 15, 2021
3.5 Stars
This was an enjoyable piece of supernatural horror with an intriguing premise. Overall, I had a lot of fun reading it, but there were a lot of plot details that were poorly thought out or just didn't make a lot of sense. I've heard this author has a reputation for writing a lot of objectionable subject matter but I didn't find that here.
This was an enjoyable piece of supernatural horror with an intriguing premise. Overall, I had a lot of fun reading it, but there were a lot of plot details that were poorly thought out or just didn't make a lot of sense. I've heard this author has a reputation for writing a lot of objectionable subject matter but I didn't find that here.
July 27, 2020
Enthralling, as I expect from Master of Horror Graham Masterton, terrifying, with implacable, unavoidable, horror, whose roots reach back centuries, perhaps to prehistory, and which gives no sign of ever stopping. In an antique (17th century) mansion on lonely Dartmoor, an evil old man dies during the Full Moon. His will specifies an unexpected heir, which only riles the offspring, who are commanded to maintain the property, now in trust.
But the house contains far more than valuable antiques and ugly memories. Black magic has been done here, and for centuries. A charmer, a gleaner, and a Catholic priest will all battle to stop the house's evil, with horrifying consequences.
But the house contains far more than valuable antiques and ugly memories. Black magic has been done here, and for centuries. A charmer, a gleaner, and a Catholic priest will all battle to stop the house's evil, with horrifying consequences.
May 16, 2023
Naciągane 1.5⭐️. Było całkiem znośnie - aż do finału, który był tak naciągany, jakby autor desperacko walczył o nagrodę za najgłupszą scenę „pościgu”.
September 7, 2021
What can I say about this novel other than it left a bad taste in my mouth.
I read a lot of horror, and while there were moments of good writing ultimately this feels like a lazy offering with stereotypical tropes which have no place in modern horror fiction. Was describing a female characters breasts relevant to the plot? No.
Trigger Warning: Rape
Particularly disliked the authors apparent casual attitude to rape/rape culture. The graphic sexual assault/gang rape scene served no purpose to the plot and traumatised and alienated many readers. Is he actively trying to put people off reading his books?
This was my first taste of Masterton. I will not be giving him a second chance.
Why this book is so highly rated on Goodreads is beyond me.
I read a lot of horror, and while there were moments of good writing ultimately this feels like a lazy offering with stereotypical tropes which have no place in modern horror fiction. Was describing a female characters breasts relevant to the plot? No.
Trigger Warning: Rape
Particularly disliked the authors apparent casual attitude to rape/rape culture. The graphic sexual assault/gang rape scene served no purpose to the plot and traumatised and alienated many readers. Is he actively trying to put people off reading his books?
This was my first taste of Masterton. I will not be giving him a second chance.
Why this book is so highly rated on Goodreads is beyond me.
June 3, 2024
This was a pleasant surprise. I spotted it on the library shelf and thought it looked good but kept my expectations low.
A family return to their home after the death of their father to go through the will and sort out paperwork.
However, not long after arrival Rob’s five year old son Timmy goes missing, and then two others.
I love a good haunted house story, and this one was really interesting with history woven in. Witching rooms, family secrets and gripping writing.
Thoroughly enjoyable, would recommend.
A family return to their home after the death of their father to go through the will and sort out paperwork.
However, not long after arrival Rob’s five year old son Timmy goes missing, and then two others.
I love a good haunted house story, and this one was really interesting with history woven in. Witching rooms, family secrets and gripping writing.
Thoroughly enjoyable, would recommend.
September 27, 2021
Good grief, I have never been so torn with rating a book! As I started reading, I was hooked right away, but then as more things were revealed, there were so many similarities to Masterton's other books- Walkers and Prey. So it started to go slightly downhill for me because of that. I expected this to be some variation of a creepy haunted house story, but sigh... it wasn't. And then it needs to be mentioned, trigger warning of a gang rape scene that added NO value to the story! I'm just baffled at what Masterton was thinking. There were also questions that went unanswered, and that bugged me. This could have been done so much better... a bit disappointed.
November 8, 2020
The House of A Hundred Whispers starts off with a bang. Or, to be more exact, with a hammer blow to the head. Herbert Russell, retired governor of Dartmoor Prison and owner of Allhallows Hall, avoids his mansion on nights when there is a full moon. He has good reason to. However, this time round, he is late in filing his tax return, and apparently, Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs are scarier than the horrors lurking within the Hall. And so, Herbert returns to collect his accounts book. It turns out to be a fatal mistake and, before long, his children are called to Allhallows Hall for the opening of his will. There’s financier Martin and his stuck-up wife Katharine. There’s artist Rob – a disappointment to his late father – and his wife Vicky, with their little son Timmy in tow. There’s Grace and her partner Portia. The solicitor, once she arrives, announces that – surprisingly – Herbert has left the house in trust to Timmy. But right on cue, Timmy disappears. What at first appears to be a matter of a lost child, turns out to be something far ghostlier and uncannier, as Allhallows Hall unleashes its demonic influence and starts targeting its new residents.
A haunted house on the misty moors of Devon, ghostly manifestations, arcane rituals, nightly escapades, botched exorcisms… what’s not to like? While, quite a lot, unfortunately. Let’s start with the dialogue, which often feels wooden and unconvincing. Here’s a typical example - Rob, Timmy’s father, is answering police officers’ questions right after Timmy’s disappearance:
“Has he ever gone missing before? Did you have an argument with him, or tell him off for something?”
Rob shook his head. “Never, and no. We don’t have to read him the riot act very often, but when we do, usually he sulks and shuts himself in his bedroom and plays video games. But that never lasts for long. He’s not the kind of kid who bears grudges, especially when it’s teatime and there’s beans on toast”.
For a distraught father whose son has just disappeared into thin air, Rob plays pretty cool.
Then there are the unnecessary details which are so irrelevant to the narrative that they sound unintentionally funny. Such as when on the night of Timmy’s disappearance, when one would have thought that everybody would be at their wits’ end, all the family sit down to order a takeaway:
“…Their steaks and pies are terrific. When they’re ready I can whizz over and collect them”. He looked up The Rock’s menu online, and they all chose what they wanted to eat. Grace asked for a chicken salad bowl but Portia was vegan, and so she opted for the butternut squash risotto. Rob went for the fisherman’s pie. Vicky insisted that she didn’t feel like anything to eat, but he knew she might be tempted to share it with him. Martin ordered the Devonshire rump steak, cooked rare. Katharine wanted nothing more than crushed avocado on toast with a hen’s egg”.
If that wasn’t enough, there are the attempts at high-flying metaphors, such as the search dog taking “a deep and enthusiastic sniff at Timmy’s jacket, a connoisseur of what tragedy smelled like”, or Rob about to face a diabolical foe – “Vicky had always said that he looked like Lord Byron, but this morning he thought he looked like Lord Byron when the poet was suffering from the fever which eventually killed him”.
Every supernatural novel expects us to suspend our disbelief. But Masterton throws in so many elements into the mix that it becomes, depending on your tastes, either an over-the-top horror extravaganza, or a self-parodic mess. In their desperation to rid the house of its presences, the family call an ill-assorted bunch of unlikely paranormal investigators: a modern-day “witch”, a sceptical scientific-minded “wizard” who does not believe in ghosts but is not averse to using Druidic magic, and a Catholic priest “trained at the Vatican” whose methods and beliefs are, to say the least, quite unorthodox. They can’t seem to agree on what’s wrong with All Hallows Hall except that, whatever it is, it’s really bad. And that’s a great excuse for Masterton to combine elements of witchcraft, folk-horror, pagan deities, Catholic exorcism rituals and straight out splatter horror.
To be honest, there were times when I thought of abandoning this novel. That was until a decided to enjoy it for what it is, a supernatural romp which is by turns scary and silly.
2.5* rounded up to 3* (because of the effort gone into the Rock's online menu)
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
A haunted house on the misty moors of Devon, ghostly manifestations, arcane rituals, nightly escapades, botched exorcisms… what’s not to like? While, quite a lot, unfortunately. Let’s start with the dialogue, which often feels wooden and unconvincing. Here’s a typical example - Rob, Timmy’s father, is answering police officers’ questions right after Timmy’s disappearance:
“Has he ever gone missing before? Did you have an argument with him, or tell him off for something?”
Rob shook his head. “Never, and no. We don’t have to read him the riot act very often, but when we do, usually he sulks and shuts himself in his bedroom and plays video games. But that never lasts for long. He’s not the kind of kid who bears grudges, especially when it’s teatime and there’s beans on toast”.
For a distraught father whose son has just disappeared into thin air, Rob plays pretty cool.
Then there are the unnecessary details which are so irrelevant to the narrative that they sound unintentionally funny. Such as when on the night of Timmy’s disappearance, when one would have thought that everybody would be at their wits’ end, all the family sit down to order a takeaway:
“…Their steaks and pies are terrific. When they’re ready I can whizz over and collect them”. He looked up The Rock’s menu online, and they all chose what they wanted to eat. Grace asked for a chicken salad bowl but Portia was vegan, and so she opted for the butternut squash risotto. Rob went for the fisherman’s pie. Vicky insisted that she didn’t feel like anything to eat, but he knew she might be tempted to share it with him. Martin ordered the Devonshire rump steak, cooked rare. Katharine wanted nothing more than crushed avocado on toast with a hen’s egg”.
If that wasn’t enough, there are the attempts at high-flying metaphors, such as the search dog taking “a deep and enthusiastic sniff at Timmy’s jacket, a connoisseur of what tragedy smelled like”, or Rob about to face a diabolical foe – “Vicky had always said that he looked like Lord Byron, but this morning he thought he looked like Lord Byron when the poet was suffering from the fever which eventually killed him”.
Every supernatural novel expects us to suspend our disbelief. But Masterton throws in so many elements into the mix that it becomes, depending on your tastes, either an over-the-top horror extravaganza, or a self-parodic mess. In their desperation to rid the house of its presences, the family call an ill-assorted bunch of unlikely paranormal investigators: a modern-day “witch”, a sceptical scientific-minded “wizard” who does not believe in ghosts but is not averse to using Druidic magic, and a Catholic priest “trained at the Vatican” whose methods and beliefs are, to say the least, quite unorthodox. They can’t seem to agree on what’s wrong with All Hallows Hall except that, whatever it is, it’s really bad. And that’s a great excuse for Masterton to combine elements of witchcraft, folk-horror, pagan deities, Catholic exorcism rituals and straight out splatter horror.
To be honest, there were times when I thought of abandoning this novel. That was until a decided to enjoy it for what it is, a supernatural romp which is by turns scary and silly.
2.5* rounded up to 3* (because of the effort gone into the Rock's online menu)
https://endsoftheword.blogspot.com/20...
January 17, 2023
This atmospheric, original story was very, very good. Readably blending folk horror, murder-mystery, and just plain villainy, the path through this tale was engaging, suspenseful, and easy to follow. The characters were a bit shallow and not overly developed but the sprawling house, lonely moors, and secondary mythology made up for the characters’ lack of substance. Overall, this book made for a fantastic way to spend a rainy afternoon!
September 6, 2021
This book is great fodder for the memes out there about men writing women characters. From needlessly sexualizing each of their physical descriptions, little things like calling someone "a -woman- member of the team," a gratuitous, unnecessary, and explicit scene of sexual violence, and blatant transmisogyny, this book was just awful. It read as though no one had edited the thing and this guy just published a draft.
It's disappointing because the concept could have been neat and was just executed so poorly. All of the "twists" were obvious and telegraphed from the start. A lot of the writing felt clunky - almost all of the insights into the characters' thoughts and emotions felt forced and blandly expository.
This is a small issue compared to the others, but the use of local slang and phonetic spelling of accents makes a significant portion of the dialogue unintelligible.
The ending is also comically clumsy, as all of the obviously-hinted-at "revelations" are just rattled off matter-of-factly by a peripheral character. Show, don't tell, my guy.
It's disappointing because the concept could have been neat and was just executed so poorly. All of the "twists" were obvious and telegraphed from the start. A lot of the writing felt clunky - almost all of the insights into the characters' thoughts and emotions felt forced and blandly expository.
This is a small issue compared to the others, but the use of local slang and phonetic spelling of accents makes a significant portion of the dialogue unintelligible.
The ending is also comically clumsy, as all of the obviously-hinted-at "revelations" are just rattled off matter-of-factly by a peripheral character. Show, don't tell, my guy.
January 5, 2023
Very odd
I loved the first part of the book but then when it got to the 'room', it just got too strange for me. And I didn't understand the ending? I don't want to give away the plot but it was well written and it was definitely different with regards to the 'whispering' and this missing little boy but I just didn't love it. I liked it and I was disappointed in what happened to everyone and a little sad about theories but it was entertaining. Just the whole room thing was a little wonky.
I loved the first part of the book but then when it got to the 'room', it just got too strange for me. And I didn't understand the ending? I don't want to give away the plot but it was well written and it was definitely different with regards to the 'whispering' and this missing little boy but I just didn't love it. I liked it and I was disappointed in what happened to everyone and a little sad about theories but it was entertaining. Just the whole room thing was a little wonky.
January 5, 2022
DLACZEGO TA KSIĄŻKA MA TAK NISKIE OCENY? :((
Zacznijmy od tego, że przed jej przeczytaniem zwróciłam uwagę na notkę od autora, w której to wspomina, że jego inspiracją do napisania książki stał się... zamek na Dolnym Śląsku 😅
JAK MI SIĘ TA HISTORIA PODOBAŁA, TO BRAK MI SŁÓW. Bardzo wciągająca, intrygująca, mogę przypisać jej chyba moje wszystkie możliwe uczucia, bo jednym razem wybuchałam śmiechem ze względu na prowadzone dialogi, innym razem bałam się czytać dalej, bo opisy wywoływały we mnie jeszcze większe ciary niż niejeden obejrzany horror, a jeszcze kolejnym odkładałam, by móc się przez chwilę zastanowić CO TU SIĘ WŁAŚNIE PODZIAŁO. Akcja poprowadzona w sposób bardzo dynamiczny, brak przestojów czy niepotrzebnych wątków. Ani na moment nie traciła swojego poziomu! Co więcej, każdy jeden wprowadzony element na początku czy w trakcie, jakiś szczegół, napomniany fakt - wszystko to zostało wyjaśnione pod koniec, co niezwykle cenię w książkach. Nie zostały absolutnie żadne niedopowiedzenia, wszystko złożyło się w jedną, logiczną i jakże inteligentną całość!
Książka ta ma dokładnie wszystko to, czego potrzebuję, by określić ją jako bardzo dobrą. Nawet jeśli ją odkładałam, myślami wciąż byłam przy tej akcji. Naprawdę nie sądziłam, że aż tak na mnie wpłynie, ale fakt, że po jej przeczytaniu zostały przy mnie same pozytywne wrażenia, mówi sam za siebie.
To moja pierwsza styczność z tym autorem, ale już teraz jestem pewna, że na pewno nie ostatnia. Chętnie sięgnę po jego kolejne horrory i thrillery, bo to, jak jego twórczość na mnie oddziałuje, jest czymś nie do podrobienia.
2022 oficjalnie rozpoczęłam 5-gwiazdkową pozycją i oby tak dalej ✨
Zacznijmy od tego, że przed jej przeczytaniem zwróciłam uwagę na notkę od autora, w której to wspomina, że jego inspiracją do napisania książki stał się... zamek na Dolnym Śląsku 😅
JAK MI SIĘ TA HISTORIA PODOBAŁA, TO BRAK MI SŁÓW. Bardzo wciągająca, intrygująca, mogę przypisać jej chyba moje wszystkie możliwe uczucia, bo jednym razem wybuchałam śmiechem ze względu na prowadzone dialogi, innym razem bałam się czytać dalej, bo opisy wywoływały we mnie jeszcze większe ciary niż niejeden obejrzany horror, a jeszcze kolejnym odkładałam, by móc się przez chwilę zastanowić CO TU SIĘ WŁAŚNIE PODZIAŁO. Akcja poprowadzona w sposób bardzo dynamiczny, brak przestojów czy niepotrzebnych wątków. Ani na moment nie traciła swojego poziomu! Co więcej, każdy jeden wprowadzony element na początku czy w trakcie, jakiś szczegół, napomniany fakt - wszystko to zostało wyjaśnione pod koniec, co niezwykle cenię w książkach. Nie zostały absolutnie żadne niedopowiedzenia, wszystko złożyło się w jedną, logiczną i jakże inteligentną całość!
Książka ta ma dokładnie wszystko to, czego potrzebuję, by określić ją jako bardzo dobrą. Nawet jeśli ją odkładałam, myślami wciąż byłam przy tej akcji. Naprawdę nie sądziłam, że aż tak na mnie wpłynie, ale fakt, że po jej przeczytaniu zostały przy mnie same pozytywne wrażenia, mówi sam za siebie.
To moja pierwsza styczność z tym autorem, ale już teraz jestem pewna, że na pewno nie ostatnia. Chętnie sięgnę po jego kolejne horrory i thrillery, bo to, jak jego twórczość na mnie oddziałuje, jest czymś nie do podrobienia.
2022 oficjalnie rozpoczęłam 5-gwiazdkową pozycją i oby tak dalej ✨
May 10, 2021
A great horror story is a delight for me to read. And Graham Masterton is in my opinion definitely the best at it.
On a windy swept, misty, Dartmoor the former Governor of Dartmoor Prison had lived in Allhallows Hall. The dead mans' family come to stay in this creepy atmospheric house. Home it could not be called. They want leave as quickly as possible after the will has been read.
Then Vicky and Rob's 5 year-old son, Timmy disappears
Unputdownable
On a windy swept, misty, Dartmoor the former Governor of Dartmoor Prison had lived in Allhallows Hall. The dead mans' family come to stay in this creepy atmospheric house. Home it could not be called. They want leave as quickly as possible after the will has been read.
Then Vicky and Rob's 5 year-old son, Timmy disappears
Unputdownable
November 19, 2022
Some really good ideas here hobbled by poor execution and some poor writing towards the end. Didn't really enjoy the ending and one of the semi-main characters makes some really poor decisions out of nowhere.
February 6, 2021
Welcome back to what you do BEST; Graham Masterton!!! HORROR! Get ready to enter The House of a Hundred Whispers!!
Look here soon for the video review of this book:
https://youtu.be/RT6Jsh6jisM
OMFG it was so so great to read again what is and has got to be one of the best authors of vintage and new horror since the 70's!!! When a family comes to Dartmoor to read the will and go over the death of the father and once Governor of the prison they stay in the spralling haunted and terrifying mansion of All Hallow's Hall, that is before they realized that it was alive!! Yes, the author of one of my all time favorite horror novels of the 80's "Charnel House" goes back to 'a house that breathes' and get ready for the horrors and violence and gore to blow his previous works away to Neverland! Yes, this book was so good that it was read in a sitting of 2 days time, and it scared me GOOD! Once arriving the family and friends notice something is in the mansion with them, and not being able to see anything they can hear the creepy as fuck whispers all over the inside........then 5 year old Timmy disappears from INSIDE the house!! There are demons, there is witching rooms, there is torture, disembowelings, there is possession and Master-ton does it like the Master he is!!
Oh, and did I say there is an exorcism scene in here that makes that head turning one laughable!
5 😈👹👻☠🩸
Look here soon for the video review of this book:
https://youtu.be/RT6Jsh6jisM
OMFG it was so so great to read again what is and has got to be one of the best authors of vintage and new horror since the 70's!!! When a family comes to Dartmoor to read the will and go over the death of the father and once Governor of the prison they stay in the spralling haunted and terrifying mansion of All Hallow's Hall, that is before they realized that it was alive!! Yes, the author of one of my all time favorite horror novels of the 80's "Charnel House" goes back to 'a house that breathes' and get ready for the horrors and violence and gore to blow his previous works away to Neverland! Yes, this book was so good that it was read in a sitting of 2 days time, and it scared me GOOD! Once arriving the family and friends notice something is in the mansion with them, and not being able to see anything they can hear the creepy as fuck whispers all over the inside........then 5 year old Timmy disappears from INSIDE the house!! There are demons, there is witching rooms, there is torture, disembowelings, there is possession and Master-ton does it like the Master he is!!
Oh, and did I say there is an exorcism scene in here that makes that head turning one laughable!
5 😈👹👻☠🩸
August 18, 2021
Honestly what the hell is wrong with the representation of women in this book? It genuinely irritated me.
Why does the author feel the need to sexualise each female character? Two of them are described as having big boobs, one is described as being "full figured" and someone else is described as having "sensual lips". Author kept describing the characters as wearing "tight" or "very tight jeans" just say skinny jeans for christ sake!!! We don't need to know what a characters boobs look like, it literally serves no purpose to the plot.
Poor Ada is constantly sexualised throughout and then even more disturbing is the fact she nearly gets gang raped? In a scene which served no purpose to the plot? And said scene was weirdly descriptive? It just made me feel so icky and uncomfortable and I just couldn't get my head around why the author felt there was any need for it.
Also the plot is repetitive and all over the place. I wanted creepy ghosts and an eerie setting and instead I got people stuck in time and an atmosphere that was stale and boring. I don't know how some people are rating this 4 stars, and I have no clue how some people can call this book a "horror". The plot was just so ridiculous.
I only read this so quick because I wanted it over and done with so I could move onto a different book.
Why does the author feel the need to sexualise each female character? Two of them are described as having big boobs, one is described as being "full figured" and someone else is described as having "sensual lips". Author kept describing the characters as wearing "tight" or "very tight jeans" just say skinny jeans for christ sake!!! We don't need to know what a characters boobs look like, it literally serves no purpose to the plot.
Poor Ada is constantly sexualised throughout and then even more disturbing is the fact she nearly gets gang raped? In a scene which served no purpose to the plot? And said scene was weirdly descriptive? It just made me feel so icky and uncomfortable and I just couldn't get my head around why the author felt there was any need for it.
Also the plot is repetitive and all over the place. I wanted creepy ghosts and an eerie setting and instead I got people stuck in time and an atmosphere that was stale and boring. I don't know how some people are rating this 4 stars, and I have no clue how some people can call this book a "horror". The plot was just so ridiculous.
I only read this so quick because I wanted it over and done with so I could move onto a different book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2025
3.5 Stars
I found this to be a gratifying read. Had some quite spooky elements and an interesting story line. I liked how it put a bit of history in it. I found the parts about the priest holes and how they were hidden in some houses very interesting. It went into detail about a man named Nicholas Owen who specialized in building these priest holes. After I was done with the story I had to research this as I had never heard of these hidden places. That put me on another journey learning about them. Love when that happens.
I found this to be a gratifying read. Had some quite spooky elements and an interesting story line. I liked how it put a bit of history in it. I found the parts about the priest holes and how they were hidden in some houses very interesting. It went into detail about a man named Nicholas Owen who specialized in building these priest holes. After I was done with the story I had to research this as I had never heard of these hidden places. That put me on another journey learning about them. Love when that happens.
September 26, 2020
I fell in love with Graham Masterton's horror books as a teenager in the early 1980s. Almost forty years later my enthusiasm hasn't waned. Never having been a Stephen King fan, Masterton was always my number one choice for anything supernatural and scary.
When the owner of All Hallows Hall is found dead, his family gather at the mansion for the reading of his will. During the night they hear whispering but can't locate the source. Then the young son of a family member disappears, forcing the family to stay put. When yet another person vanishes it's time to face facts and accept that something supernatural and very sinister is happening.
I really enjoyed The House of a Hundred Whispers. It forged ahead at a good pace and had just the right amount of spookiness without being overly scary. Whilst there are a couple of macabre scenes, if you're wanting an all-out gorefest this wont be for you.
Did it make me want to sleep with the lights on? Nah, not at all! That being said, there's just something about Masterton's horror books that I really love. This one was no exception. It kept me turning pages and captured my imagination from the get-go. It was an exciting and highly entertaining read.
Book Source: Review copy from the publisher
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2RUyCVt
When the owner of All Hallows Hall is found dead, his family gather at the mansion for the reading of his will. During the night they hear whispering but can't locate the source. Then the young son of a family member disappears, forcing the family to stay put. When yet another person vanishes it's time to face facts and accept that something supernatural and very sinister is happening.
I really enjoyed The House of a Hundred Whispers. It forged ahead at a good pace and had just the right amount of spookiness without being overly scary. Whilst there are a couple of macabre scenes, if you're wanting an all-out gorefest this wont be for you.
Did it make me want to sleep with the lights on? Nah, not at all! That being said, there's just something about Masterton's horror books that I really love. This one was no exception. It kept me turning pages and captured my imagination from the get-go. It was an exciting and highly entertaining read.
Book Source: Review copy from the publisher
Read my review on my blog: https://bit.ly/2RUyCVt
June 15, 2021
Cool idea but this was just a little bit boring
almost the entire time.
The way information was dropped was copious and clunky.
The gist is a family patriarch is murdered and his children and 5 year old grandson go to his country estate for the reading of the will, no one cares this guy was murdered like you forget for most of the book. While there the grandson disappears, this starts a huge search inside and outside which is moors and forests, while searching there is also weird happenings in the house, so they call in people to investigate, we get all these info dumps as history lessons to the parents of a missing 5 year old. If my kid is missing I would not care about the local goings on 300 years ago, religious persecution and what not it turned out pertinent but I mean it was heavy handed.
almost the entire time.
The way information was dropped was copious and clunky.
The gist is a family patriarch is murdered and his children and 5 year old grandson go to his country estate for the reading of the will, no one cares this guy was murdered like you forget for most of the book. While there the grandson disappears, this starts a huge search inside and outside which is moors and forests, while searching there is also weird happenings in the house, so they call in people to investigate, we get all these info dumps as history lessons to the parents of a missing 5 year old. If my kid is missing I would not care about the local goings on 300 years ago, religious persecution and what not it turned out pertinent but I mean it was heavy handed.
November 22, 2021
Z taką koncepcją w powieści grozy jeszcze się nie spotkałam i jestem na TAK!
Były momenty grozy, momenty zaskoczenia, momenty małych absurdów.
Zostałam wciągnięta w historię i nie oderwałam się od niej aż do samego końca!
Były momenty grozy, momenty zaskoczenia, momenty małych absurdów.
Zostałam wciągnięta w historię i nie oderwałam się od niej aż do samego końca!
November 20, 2022
1.5
lol
lol
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