Another scary book review—this time Craven Manor by Darcy Coates. This book follows Daniel and his attempt at a fresh start as the groundskeeper of Craven Manor. A mysterious boss he never meets, strange rules that must be followed, and payment in coins from long ago set the tone for this chilling tale. The most important rule: do not open the door to the tower.
This book had my mind everywhere. Who is Bran, the owner of Craven Manor—or more accurately, what is Bran? What really happened at Craven Manor? Will Daniel leave or stay? Every time one question was answered, another would arise, keeping me hooked until the very last page.
Without giving too much away, what I loved about this story was that it isn’t your typical ghost or horror novel. It blends gothic atmosphere with mystery, a touch of history, and an emotional undercurrent that makes you question loyalty, trust, and fear itself. Darcy Coates has a way of making the supernatural both terrifying and oddly beautiful at the same time.
Overall, I think this is an excellent book to read during spooky season and would highly recommend it. I felt everything from dread to curiosity to laughter by the end. This is only the second Darcy Coates book I have read, but I can promise you—it won’t be my last.
👉 Have you read Craven Manor or any of Darcy Coates’ other books? What’s your favorite spooky-season read? Share in the comments—I’d love to hear your recommendations!