In the Lonely Hours

IN THE LONELY HOURS by Shannon Morgan Who doesn’t sometimes daydream about inheriting a Scottish castle from an unknown distant relative? I love a modern gothic ghost story any time of the year, but especially in the fall. This has a spooky, foreboding atmosphere and a heartfelt story. While this started off slow, in the end I enjoyed the way it all unfolded with such detail. There were quite a few characters to keep track of at first, but each one was memorable and well developed. I liked how Edie and Neve were pretty unfazed when it came to interacting with ghosts. I also appreciate the author’s sensitivity and respect when writing about a character with autism. Mungo and his sister Lottie were the standout characters and I won’t soon forget them. Unfortunately, I also won’t forget Lady Elizabeth “Bitsie” Maundrell. She was such a despicable grandmother/character. Overall, this has a lot going for it. It blends Scottish folklore, family drama, a murder mystery and a cursed jewel. If you want to escape, pick this up! Rating: 4/5 ⭐️