The House on Hurley Pond Road

by Darren M. Fitzgerald, Michael S Burke (Illustrator), Scott Stanton (Editor)

When the Fitzgerald family first moved into their large stately home which was nestled into a quiet back corner of a sleepy seaside town, Patricia and her husband Barry were delighted to have found such an ideal place to raise their two young children. Unfortunately their joy would soon turn to sorrow as their dream home quickly devolved into a living nightmare; a nightmare that would last for over eight years. This story is based on the true events which surround how one young girl's dream home would eventually become an older woman's nightmare. It also delves into the tragic history surrounding the residence where death and suicides have affected nearly every family that has ever resided there. Join us as the author relates his family's harrowing tale of their time spent living at "The House on Hurley Pond Road."

Genres: Nonfiction, Ghosts

188 pages, Paperback

First published March 13, 2009

Reviews

[Kimberly Robello · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is BASED on true events. I read this book because I heard the author, Darren Fitzgerald, being interviewed on the radio. His story sounded scary and interesting. On the radio he stated that the events in the book are true except for his speculation or details on the deaths prior to his moving into the house, if I remember correctly. I'm not completely convinced, but I do believe at least some of these things did happen.

Parts of the story sound really far-fetched and overdone, but I think those were embellishments to make the story more interesting. You can tell where he was embellishing and making up the story. He gets into the minds of the victims, so of course that would be made up. Some parts, however, seem too bizarre to make up. Truth is stranger than fiction.

Whether it's true or not, the deaths and tragedies are really sad. It makes for a good, scary story and it was very entertaining. If you're not looking for entertainment, then you shouldn't be reading fiction. Since this book is BASED on true events, I'm taking it as fiction. It's up to you to figure out what parts are true if any.

[Erik Jay Weber · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is a stellar example of why one should never invite friends to edit one's work: it's a goddamned mess. Starting with a stilted three chapter back story before delving into at least some beginning of an interesting first-person tale, the book devolves again into scattershot narrative, reeling from reinvented memory to total fish tale, overcrowded with characters, peppered with spelling screw ups and a nagging failure to grasp the proper use of the comma.

Overall, the book's better moments seem like a reimagined Amityville Horror from the kids' perspectives, but the entire thing fails under the friend-editor's inability to bring it together, resulting in a bungled effort that should have been a neat, tight, pulpy paranormal short story. And no, the page one excuse from some "paranormal professional" that it should be judged not on its technical and aesthetic merits but by the flat attempt of an average man to tell a supernatural history of his family and this house is no reason it could not have been worked into something at least halfway decent.

[Felicia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a scary read. I wish it was longer because it was so good. I found myself turning around to make sure nothing was there, during the daytime. Yikes! This story is local to me. I went down the road. The author doesn't give you an address so I have no idea what house it is, but it was fun to look for it. If you want a great scare, read it!

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

i really wish it was longer. i heard that he would possibly come out with a second one, but im still waiting. whether it is a true story or not i loved it and it actually got me into writing stories of my own (fiction of course).

[Michelle Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author describes all of the horrendous events that he lived through as a child. His family thought they were moving into “a dream” home, but it quickly turns into a nightmare. The readers will sympathize with this family as these events are described from an adult that reflects about his past. The author’s writing style is more of several journal entries about the history of the home than a narrative story. The readers will need to decide for themselves what type of hauntings were taking place in this home, and how such an “evil” presence could be created in such a beautiful dream home for a young family starting their lives together.

[Derrick College · Rating 4 out of 5]

These were some creepy tragic spooky stories and I loved every minute of it. For me it seemed like the stories blended together. Wasn’t sure if all the stories belong to the same person or other people. But very creepy non-the-less.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book that had its moments.
How much of what was written was actually true......who knows.
Enjoyable to a degree.

[Erin Hays · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really found this story interesting and cool that it happened right here in Central Jersey. So much tragedy.

[Sarah Distefano · Rating 1 out of 5]

I enjoyed it but it was so difficult to read because of how bad the typos and grammar were. He used the wrong form of “your” and loves to put commas everywhere they don’t belong

[Alison]

Not the best book but interesting

Read 2019

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am not sure why this book is getting such high ratings. The writing itself is mediocre and that is being generous. I bought this book because I grew up on Hurley Pond Rd and my mother still lives there so it was cool to see a book published about my street. We even think we know which house Darren is talking about but my mother knew one of the families who lived there before Darren and says it does not make sense.
The problem I found with the book was the constant overstating of things that happened in or around the house. I feel like with a better editor some of the spelling mistakes would have been captured and the book could have read more smoothly. I agree with some of the readers that if the book had been longer it may have helped flesh out some of the story rather than just throw thoughts at us for some families and then give full detail about his own.
The other thing that bothered me is the geography in the story. I wish he had stayed truer to what the area and house had looked like. It is an interesting road with many things and a highway just beyond the woods. The pond is at one end of the road and there is actually more than one Hurley Pond Rd in Wall.
Overall, for a first book I think it is a great effort. I know that is kind of backhanded, but I liked the tone of the story and the idea and hope Darren continues to write.

[Pamela Rossi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Borrowed this book from a friend who lives in the town of the title road (I grew up in the town next door), welcoming some non-mainstream scary reading for the Halloween season. Yes, the production quality of this book was REALLY BAD. I could have - on a volunteer basis, at that - spent an afternoon or two proofreading this, making the editorial quality infinitely better. Whether or not the story's really true, I couldn't give a hoot. I read stuff like this to be entertained, and it gained the 3 star rating (instead of the 2 stars I would have otherwise given it for such poor quality) because it did just that. I realize it was self-published, but even so, more care could have been given to the production of this book.

[Michele Adams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Since I live near by I was curious about this book. All I know is after reading it I would be nervous intentionally driving past this house. A friend did and took a picture for me, but considering some of the story went beyond the inner walls and I do not want to bother the current owners just reading it was good enough. Quick read and a little scary at times. Not sure how much is true since it does say some parts are a little exaggerated for storyline purposes but all the same I am glad I never lived there.

[Starr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. Fast read. About 131 pages. Very creepy if it's true, like they say. Also, author claims it all happened in New Jersy.

[Ghostleegirl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty creepy, and a fast enjoyable read. I don't think I'd want to go visit the house, and I can't help but wonder how the family lived in it as long as they did.

[Viridis Green · Rating 1 out of 5]

Waste of time and money. Found it completely over done and unbelievable.

[Erin Mahlow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good story....especially for the Halloween season!! :)

[Heather Gessling · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story line was fast paced and easy to read. I respect that Mr. Fitzgerald lived in a haunted house with a violent poltergeist and lived to tell the tale..since so many other residents didn't.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bone-chilling novel for those who like horror fiction!