Haunted

Not being a book critic, I rate books on how well they keep me entertained. This was the first book that I have read by James Herbert and I thought it was fantastic. If you love haunted houses and things that go bump in the night, then this is the book for you. I look forward to reading his other books.

I'm not sure which I like best, this or the Magic Cottage. Probably joint first of Herbert's novels. Haunted is one of those rare ghost stories where the ending completely catches you by surpise. Like the film, Sixth Sense.Without giving it away, this isolated english rural house is the setting for the erstwhile reporter, David Ash, to unravel an old, old ghost who is claimed to be haunting the current inhabitants. Simplistically told, well drawn, I dare anyone to guess what's really going on.Oh, and there was a film made of this with Anthony Andrews a while back whose screenplay is as good as this original ghost story. I recommend watching it as well

I purchased this book because I was in the mood for a good ghost story. I was not disappointed. At one point when I was reading the book, and it was a cold and blustery night outside, the telephone rang and I jumped through the ceiling! Recommend it to anyone in the mood for a good scare.

One of the most frightening books I have ever read! Herbert's best, unparalleled by any he has written before or since. The movie was a poor imitation - read the book. It will stay with you long after you are done.

Haunted is the first James Herbert book I ever read, and I was hooked immediately. Like all of James Herbert's books, Haunted manages to thoroughly "blow you away" in the last few pages without killing all the good characters to do it. I always get cold chills at the surprise endings of James Herbert's books, and this is, in my opinion, his best. The movie is great, but read the book first, then read The Ghosts of Sleath (it's a sequal).