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Penny Wright #3
Demon House: The Haunting of Demler Mansion
Penny Wright faces the ghost of a serial killer in this unputdownable paranormal thriller.
She's the one he's been waiting for.
Demler Mansion has seen its share of darkness. In 1995, notorious serial killer Edmund Demler set a fire there that would end his life. A quarter century later, urban explorers break into the old ruin. They find a once-grand house now falling into decay—blackened walls, broken furniture, echoes that sound like voices.
Then something far more terrifying finds them.
After this latest tragedy, medium Penny Wright arrives to investigate. She’s now part of a team of para-sensitives—sent by the mysterious Mercury Group—charged with ridding Demler Mansion of its haunting. From her first moments inside the house, Penny suspects that the spirit of Edmund Demler has never left.
But there’s an even darker secret behind the murders that no one suspects. Penny finds herself in another killer’s sights. To survive, she’ll have to confront most shocking truth of all: what really happened at Demler Mansion.
She's the one he's been waiting for.
Demler Mansion has seen its share of darkness. In 1995, notorious serial killer Edmund Demler set a fire there that would end his life. A quarter century later, urban explorers break into the old ruin. They find a once-grand house now falling into decay—blackened walls, broken furniture, echoes that sound like voices.
Then something far more terrifying finds them.
After this latest tragedy, medium Penny Wright arrives to investigate. She’s now part of a team of para-sensitives—sent by the mysterious Mercury Group—charged with ridding Demler Mansion of its haunting. From her first moments inside the house, Penny suspects that the spirit of Edmund Demler has never left.
But there’s an even darker secret behind the murders that no one suspects. Penny finds herself in another killer’s sights. To survive, she’ll have to confront most shocking truth of all: what really happened at Demler Mansion.
400 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 6, 2022
145 people are currently reading
177 people want to read
About the author
A.N. Willis
16 books134 followersA.N. Willis writes gripping mysteries and paranormal suspense where the past never stays buried.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
December 20, 2021
In DEMON HOUSE, the 3rd book in the fantastic PENNY WRIGHT series, Kacey Eckert and her sister are exploring an old, abandoned mansion in a small Colorado town that was once home to serial killer Edmund Demmler. While there, someone suffers a terrible accident after seeing a ghostly apparition. Penny Wright, who is gifted with strong paranormal abilities, arrives with the paranormal team she’s recently begun training with to investigate. I’ve been very excited to read this book as I was interested to see what changes it might bring for Penny once she had more people around her with paranormal abilities who had been trained to use them.
There were lots of new characters that I really loved! Favorites included Ben and Zandra, who had really cool backstories. Told in dual timelines, we see what’s happening in the present day as the paranormal investigation team tries to piece together what’s happening up at the Demmler mansion, and also in flashback (I was completely immersed in the past timeline!!) as we see what happened back in the 90’s with the Edmund Demmler serial murders. The writing in this series is top-notch with clear storytelling, solid world building and good pacing. I loved the way the novel kept surprising me with twists and turns, both in the flashback and present-day timelines. I was also super excited to get to the note at the end when I saw what’s next in store for the series!
I received a complimentary copy of Demon House as one of its beta readers. This is my honest and voluntary review.
There were lots of new characters that I really loved! Favorites included Ben and Zandra, who had really cool backstories. Told in dual timelines, we see what’s happening in the present day as the paranormal investigation team tries to piece together what’s happening up at the Demmler mansion, and also in flashback (I was completely immersed in the past timeline!!) as we see what happened back in the 90’s with the Edmund Demmler serial murders. The writing in this series is top-notch with clear storytelling, solid world building and good pacing. I loved the way the novel kept surprising me with twists and turns, both in the flashback and present-day timelines. I was also super excited to get to the note at the end when I saw what’s next in store for the series!
I received a complimentary copy of Demon House as one of its beta readers. This is my honest and voluntary review.
January 26, 2023
I thought that this book was good
June 16, 2024
I’m sobbing 😭😭😭
That was so sad. And beautiful.
Some people are so delusional it’s insane, and sometimes we jump too quickly to conclusions. But don’t ever cover your family’s demons, just own up to shit. Ugh my heart.
The reason why this doesn’t get a 5 is I’m sick of the reluctant protagonist. I can’t even root for her at a certain point because she’s annoying. 😂
That was so sad. And beautiful.
Some people are so delusional it’s insane, and sometimes we jump too quickly to conclusions. But don’t ever cover your family’s demons, just own up to shit. Ugh my heart.
The reason why this doesn’t get a 5 is I’m sick of the reluctant protagonist. I can’t even root for her at a certain point because she’s annoying. 😂
January 14, 2022
4.5 Rounded to 5
This is my favorite of the series so far. What a wild ride! I have really loved this series so far. The author's writing style pulls you in and keeps you there.
I love the paranormal investigation aspect that has been introduced with this one, as well as Zandra and Ben. The characters are well done and Penny's development with each book gets better and better. I can't wait to see where she goes and what she tackles next.
This series is great for those looking to get into a paranormal thriller/mystery. If you're like me and you plan ahead for your Spooktober reads, add this series to your list. You won't be disappointed.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
This is my favorite of the series so far. What a wild ride! I have really loved this series so far. The author's writing style pulls you in and keeps you there.
I love the paranormal investigation aspect that has been introduced with this one, as well as Zandra and Ben. The characters are well done and Penny's development with each book gets better and better. I can't wait to see where she goes and what she tackles next.
This series is great for those looking to get into a paranormal thriller/mystery. If you're like me and you plan ahead for your Spooktober reads, add this series to your list. You won't be disappointed.
I sincerely appreciate the publisher and BookSirens for providing me with a review copy. All opinions expressed herein are mine and mine alone.
June 5, 2024
I loved it. I've read many books like this and this one is by far my favorite...
September 11, 2023
Loved it! This one is actually my favorite one!
December 13, 2021
The third book in the Penny Wright Series, Demon House, was definitely a highly anticipated read for me. I really liked the first two books in the series and I was breathlessly waiting to see what would happen to Penny now that she was linking with some experienced investigators. I have to say that I wasn’t as impressed by this book as I was by the others.
Penny is a strong character. In the first two books we see a lot of character development take place. She owns her ability to see ghosts and begins to accept that she can bring about positive changes by helping ghosts cross over and stop reliving their pain from mortal life. The haunted situations she finds herself addressing were eerie and fascinating but also historically interesting and they were woven really well into Penny’s own life story. Her romantic relationship with Matthew was developing really well and her reconnection with her family and beginnings of forgiveness with her father were really well done . I was invested in their story. I found myself looking forward to learning more about how her families support and encouragement would help her develop her gift and her confidence in herself to find out exactly what her purpose is with helping ghosts.
Demon House didn’t really deliver on that premise. Penny is coerced to join the Mercury Group by Anderson, a non-parasensitive who seems to want to help her learn to control her abilities but who really just wants to exploit them. He is a truly unlikable character, one that I had a hard time understanding how someone as guarded as Penny could have been deceived by. New characters were introduced from the Mercury Group who will play larger parts in coming books in the series, Zandra and Ben, and I honestly can’t say I was really invested in either of them as likeable or sustainable characters either. Zandra has the power to read auras and feelings while Ben can see spirit trails and poltergeists. Neither of them seemed to approve of Anderson’s tactics with Penny but they didn’t speak out to him about it either.
The ghost of the story is a suspected teenage serial killer named Edmund Demler. Everyone thinks he murdered 3 teen girls in the 1990’s and then killed himself by burning himself to death in a fire.
Penny is a strong character. In the first two books we see a lot of character development take place. She owns her ability to see ghosts and begins to accept that she can bring about positive changes by helping ghosts cross over and stop reliving their pain from mortal life. The haunted situations she finds herself addressing were eerie and fascinating but also historically interesting and they were woven really well into Penny’s own life story. Her romantic relationship with Matthew was developing really well and her reconnection with her family and beginnings of forgiveness with her father were really well done . I was invested in their story. I found myself looking forward to learning more about how her families support and encouragement would help her develop her gift and her confidence in herself to find out exactly what her purpose is with helping ghosts.
Demon House didn’t really deliver on that premise. Penny is coerced to join the Mercury Group by Anderson, a non-parasensitive who seems to want to help her learn to control her abilities but who really just wants to exploit them. He is a truly unlikable character, one that I had a hard time understanding how someone as guarded as Penny could have been deceived by. New characters were introduced from the Mercury Group who will play larger parts in coming books in the series, Zandra and Ben, and I honestly can’t say I was really invested in either of them as likeable or sustainable characters either. Zandra has the power to read auras and feelings while Ben can see spirit trails and poltergeists. Neither of them seemed to approve of Anderson’s tactics with Penny but they didn’t speak out to him about it either.
The ghost of the story is a suspected teenage serial killer named Edmund Demler. Everyone thinks he murdered 3 teen girls in the 1990’s and then killed himself by burning himself to death in a fire.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2022
I'm loving the Penny Wright books! A.N. Willis knows how to hold your interest with twists and turns that keep those pages turning. This is the 3rd in the series, and can stand alone. It doesn't disappoint and may be my favorite so far.
Penny is recruited by paranormal experts because of her powerful gift. This is a gift that she tried to deny in the past, but now feels if she can learn how to control it, she will be able to help people who have died but are stuck in this world for one reason or another.
Her boyfriend, Matthew is her rock and her family are all close. They hope she'll leave LA and stay in their small town. Penny is undecided in the beginning and makes a deal to help with a haunting of Demler Mansion so that she can learn more and control her paranormal skills. The mansion and grounds are where murders happened and everyone believes that Edmund Demler is haunting the place. He's been deemed a serial killer for 25 years and a recent accident at the mansion ruins has brought Penny's new team to expel the killer. The ghost controlling the mansion is strong, and determined. It's full of rage, wants revenge and will not hesitate to get it.
I really liked how the ghosts were shown in their previous lives as well as after their murders. It was interesting to see the relationships and characters, and what they actually were to each other. The mansion is haunted for good reasons and trying to unravel just who the culprits are is a wild ride.
Penny is recruited by paranormal experts because of her powerful gift. This is a gift that she tried to deny in the past, but now feels if she can learn how to control it, she will be able to help people who have died but are stuck in this world for one reason or another.
Her boyfriend, Matthew is her rock and her family are all close. They hope she'll leave LA and stay in their small town. Penny is undecided in the beginning and makes a deal to help with a haunting of Demler Mansion so that she can learn more and control her paranormal skills. The mansion and grounds are where murders happened and everyone believes that Edmund Demler is haunting the place. He's been deemed a serial killer for 25 years and a recent accident at the mansion ruins has brought Penny's new team to expel the killer. The ghost controlling the mansion is strong, and determined. It's full of rage, wants revenge and will not hesitate to get it.
I really liked how the ghosts were shown in their previous lives as well as after their murders. It was interesting to see the relationships and characters, and what they actually were to each other. The mansion is haunted for good reasons and trying to unravel just who the culprits are is a wild ride.
May 23, 2022
This was an interesting read, as I am a sucker for these set-ups where a crew of people investigate a supposedly haunted location, etc. But this time it's not a film crew but a real paranormal investigations group with different skillsets and in this scenario what they do is real and they have knowledge through the company for which they work.
So I went into it thinking I knew what the story would be but it surprised me in various ways. It has horror elements but I would say it was more of a murder mystery book.
This is my first Penny Wright series book - I'm a bit curious if I pick up another of the series? I had a bit of a feeling the book was slightly geared more towards people who are familiar with the series, so I would be curious to read the first in the series to see if there is more information about the company, etc.
So I went into it thinking I knew what the story would be but it surprised me in various ways. It has horror elements but I would say it was more of a murder mystery book.
This is my first Penny Wright series book - I'm a bit curious if I pick up another of the series? I had a bit of a feeling the book was slightly geared more towards people who are familiar with the series, so I would be curious to read the first in the series to see if there is more information about the company, etc.
April 20, 2022
Book #3 of the Penny Wright series was by far the best of the series.
Book #1 comes across as a YA, Nancy Drew meets Scoobie Doo, kind of story. It was okay, but it certainly wasn't the "scary book" it was touted to be.
Book #2 of the series was so bad, I could barely get through it. I seriously did not want to waste my time reading Book #3 of the series - Demon House. However, curiosity got the best of me and once I started reading, that was it. I finished the book in less than 48 hours. Definitely not the scariest or best book ever written, but definitely a step up from the previous two books in the series.
Book #1 comes across as a YA, Nancy Drew meets Scoobie Doo, kind of story. It was okay, but it certainly wasn't the "scary book" it was touted to be.
Book #2 of the series was so bad, I could barely get through it. I seriously did not want to waste my time reading Book #3 of the series - Demon House. However, curiosity got the best of me and once I started reading, that was it. I finished the book in less than 48 hours. Definitely not the scariest or best book ever written, but definitely a step up from the previous two books in the series.
February 27, 2022
Demon House: The Haunting of Demler Mansion is the third book in the Penny Wright series by A.N. Willis.
Penny is working with the Mercury Group to investigate the Demler Mansion where 3 young girls were murdered and the serial killer killed himself. It switches between present day and 1995 when the final deaths took place.
This was intense! I couldn’t put this book down. I like the addition of Ben and Zandra from the Mercury group. I can’t wait to see what Penny’s next case is.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Penny is working with the Mercury Group to investigate the Demler Mansion where 3 young girls were murdered and the serial killer killed himself. It switches between present day and 1995 when the final deaths took place.
This was intense! I couldn’t put this book down. I like the addition of Ben and Zandra from the Mercury group. I can’t wait to see what Penny’s next case is.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
October 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this creepy ghost story with a side helping of serial killer.
From the very beginning you want to know what happened and why, and feel a lot of sympathy for all the ghosts involved. Because we are being told the story from the point of view of a ghost while she was alive sympathies grow and you appreciate the tragedy of the story even more but the thirst to know what happened makes the story a really gripping read.
Do any of the great well-known ghost stories make this one inadequate in comparison? I don't think so.
From the very beginning you want to know what happened and why, and feel a lot of sympathy for all the ghosts involved. Because we are being told the story from the point of view of a ghost while she was alive sympathies grow and you appreciate the tragedy of the story even more but the thirst to know what happened makes the story a really gripping read.
Do any of the great well-known ghost stories make this one inadequate in comparison? I don't think so.
August 2, 2022
Right off the top, I hadn't read the other two books. It didn't matter, as this is a standalone story. The Mercury Goup is sent to the Demler Mansion to rid the house of ghosts. The ghost, or ghosts aren't in a mind to move along. Penny, the newest recruit is learning her skills and finds herself in deeper than she can control. Plenty of twists in the past and in the present. Fast paced, loved the characters and the story was easy to sink your time into it. An enjoyable read.
March 8, 2022
Demon House is the third installment in the Penny Wright series and just when you think you figured out what is happeninga new twist is presented. Very well written I found myself devouring this fantastic book. Very compelling writing style that help my attention. Exceptional story-line. I highly recommend this book and series.
July 25, 2022
i received a free ebook in exchange for an honest review. i absolutely adored Penny! more and more after each book, definitely a character impossible not to love. despite having quite numerous characters & names to remember, i miraculously went through the pages without any confusion. the author must have quite a skill in making impression on however small the character may be.
March 5, 2022
Amazing
Just when you think you figured out who did it you find another twist. I can't get enough of this fantastic book. Completely hook on this author. Exceptional story line....so glad that this is a continuing series.
Just when you think you figured out who did it you find another twist. I can't get enough of this fantastic book. Completely hook on this author. Exceptional story line....so glad that this is a continuing series.
April 20, 2022
Good read
The book started out intriguing and then kept getting more interesting chapter after chapter. Great storyline and you wouldn’t think you’d feel any sympathy for Edmond Demler who had been portrayed as a serial killer from the start. Unexpected outcome.
The book started out intriguing and then kept getting more interesting chapter after chapter. Great storyline and you wouldn’t think you’d feel any sympathy for Edmond Demler who had been portrayed as a serial killer from the start. Unexpected outcome.
July 10, 2022
I actually like this installment better than the first two books. While there is a shift in the main character, (not as strong as she was made out to be) this story will keep you entertained for hours.
July 12, 2022
Ghostly & scary
Another chapter in the life of Penny Wright, medium. She's on the trail of ghosts in a family's mansion. Scary, creepy & suspenseful. A.N. Willis has written another hit!
Another chapter in the life of Penny Wright, medium. She's on the trail of ghosts in a family's mansion. Scary, creepy & suspenseful. A.N. Willis has written another hit!
January 25, 2025
I listened to the audiobook. Story was good, decent twists and turns. While normally I love audiobooks read my the authors, in this case I do wonder if the author would consider contracting a voice actor.
January 22, 2022
Amazing
This is my favorite book in the series. I can not wait for the next one. I love this series.
This is my favorite book in the series. I can not wait for the next one. I love this series.
April 7, 2022
Another good one
I love reading ghost stories, but know that if in real life I'd be terrified.
Really enjoyed this one and the outcome.
I love reading ghost stories, but know that if in real life I'd be terrified.
Really enjoyed this one and the outcome.
April 7, 2022
Great!
This was my favorite of the trilogy. I really enjoyed the new characters and can't wait to read what comes next!
This was my favorite of the trilogy. I really enjoyed the new characters and can't wait to read what comes next!
August 7, 2022
Really liked it.
January 20, 2023
This isn't my usual jam, but it sure did hit the spot just right for a cold January read. I will be looking more from this author and series.
January 25, 2023
This one was not as good as the others. WAY TOO MUCH happening and it got confusing.
November 10, 2025
A cute little YA ghost story. Reminded me of an episode of Buffy sans vampires.
My advice is to read the print edition, the narration on the audio edition is horrible, all of these strange pauses between words where there shouldn't have been pauses. I'm not sure of it was purposely done to try to create tension in the storyline or if the narrator just kept losing her place while reading, whatever the reason, it was annoying and dropped the stars from 4 to 3.
My advice is to read the print edition, the narration on the audio edition is horrible, all of these strange pauses between words where there shouldn't have been pauses. I'm not sure of it was purposely done to try to create tension in the storyline or if the narrator just kept losing her place while reading, whatever the reason, it was annoying and dropped the stars from 4 to 3.
December 16, 2021
Another fantastic, 5-star read from A.N. Willis! If I could have given it ten stars, I would have. This is the third book in the Penny Wright series, and I cannot get enough of her story. This book was highly anticipated by me, and I was not disappointed!
I was really happy to see that Penny and Matthew were still together, maybe it's the romantic in me, but I really am rooting them on. Penny is still working in L.A. with her best friend and is on break to from it to work with The Mercury Group. Anderson Green has recruited Penny to join the other parasentives and to learn more about how to harness her powers. Within Mercury group, new characters, Zandra and Ben were introduced and I'm hopeful that they will play a larger part in further books.
The book opens with three people, two sisters, and a male friend, urbexing at the Demler House. They think they hear whispers and then see a large silver light. One of the sisters falls and is gravely injured, subsequently falling into a coma. They owner of the house and the camp adjacent to the house, Vera Miller (Demler) decided that it is time to figure out what's going on at the large house. She hires Anderson Green, and he has gathered Penny, Zandra and Ben to join him in Crimson Falls, Colorado, to clear the ruins of the large house of any remaining entities. The story behind the house is a grim one. In the 1990's a teenager by the name of Edmund Demler, murdered three teen girls and then killed himself by trying to burn his house down.
The house sits near Shady Valley Camp a place for troubled young women. The camp has long been closed but is now used as a motel. When the group starts to poke around the large house, they are met with whispers, spirit trails and a poltergeist. The decision is made to try their best to gather as much information they can about the Demler case and as they do startling revelations come to light that threaten to destroy the town and some of the people in it. Penny is a powerful medium, more powerful than she is aware and it really causes problems in this book. Can Penny and the others in the Mercury Group find out the truth before it's too late?
I'm going to stop there because I don't want to reveal too much. This story is full of twists, turns, love, suspense, and mystery. I did not want to put this book down and even stayed up late trying to finish it. I am very much looking forward to reading more about Penny and what other adventures she will get into. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
I was really happy to see that Penny and Matthew were still together, maybe it's the romantic in me, but I really am rooting them on. Penny is still working in L.A. with her best friend and is on break to from it to work with The Mercury Group. Anderson Green has recruited Penny to join the other parasentives and to learn more about how to harness her powers. Within Mercury group, new characters, Zandra and Ben were introduced and I'm hopeful that they will play a larger part in further books.
The book opens with three people, two sisters, and a male friend, urbexing at the Demler House. They think they hear whispers and then see a large silver light. One of the sisters falls and is gravely injured, subsequently falling into a coma. They owner of the house and the camp adjacent to the house, Vera Miller (Demler) decided that it is time to figure out what's going on at the large house. She hires Anderson Green, and he has gathered Penny, Zandra and Ben to join him in Crimson Falls, Colorado, to clear the ruins of the large house of any remaining entities. The story behind the house is a grim one. In the 1990's a teenager by the name of Edmund Demler, murdered three teen girls and then killed himself by trying to burn his house down.
The house sits near Shady Valley Camp a place for troubled young women. The camp has long been closed but is now used as a motel. When the group starts to poke around the large house, they are met with whispers, spirit trails and a poltergeist. The decision is made to try their best to gather as much information they can about the Demler case and as they do startling revelations come to light that threaten to destroy the town and some of the people in it. Penny is a powerful medium, more powerful than she is aware and it really causes problems in this book. Can Penny and the others in the Mercury Group find out the truth before it's too late?
I'm going to stop there because I don't want to reveal too much. This story is full of twists, turns, love, suspense, and mystery. I did not want to put this book down and even stayed up late trying to finish it. I am very much looking forward to reading more about Penny and what other adventures she will get into. I received this book free from Booksirens for an honest review.
March 10, 2022
This series was rather strange for me, because I read the first instalment with a lot of criticisms and wasn't sure if I was going to continue. But I ended up being very glad to read the second book, which went up to a 4 star to me, and then this one... definitely 5 stars. I absolutely loved it. I really enjoyed the new characters introduced in this part and felt more invested in the cast. Having a team for Penny to work with brought in a new dynamic to the story and also made me interested to learn more about how psychics work in the world.
I think what really made me love this book too was the character of Ed Demler, what a fascinating character, I was constantly guessing throughout the book and the mystery really engrossed me. The backstory behind the haunting really had me feeling for the characters too. I couldn't put it down. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for any future instalments in this series.
I think what really made me love this book too was the character of Ed Demler, what a fascinating character, I was constantly guessing throughout the book and the mystery really engrossed me. The backstory behind the haunting really had me feeling for the characters too. I couldn't put it down. Will definitely be keeping an eye out for any future instalments in this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews