The Vanished Bride of Northfield House by Phyllis M. Newman

The Vanished Bride of Northfield House
by Phyllis M. Newman

The Vanished Bride of Northfield House

Gothic Mystery
1st in Series
Date of Release January 26, 2018
Cup of Tea Books
Paperback: 346 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1939403452
Digital ASIN: B0791MQVBM

England, 1922 Times are hard. Anne Chatham is a clever, modest young woman with little money, no prospects for marriage, and a never-shared secret—she can see spirits.

Anne finds employment as a typist at Northfield House, the grand country manor of the Wellington family. Her employer, the wheelchair-bound Mr. Wellington, is kindly. His haughty wife is not. He has two handsome sons, the wry and dashing Thomas and the dark and somber Owen.

Anne feels sure her prayers have been heard. Until the terrifying night, she stumbles upon a tortured spirit roaming the dark halls of Northfield, a spirit that only she can see.

In a search for answers, she finds herself drawn to Owen as they unearth a tragic story from the Wellington family’s past—a beautiful young bride gone missing on her wedding day.

Then tragedy strikes again on the night of a glittering masquerade ball...

My Review:
4*
Phyllis M Newman has done a great job with this book. It is a real page turner. I do wish there had of been a bit more interaction and ghost hunting then there was. The book is filled with mystery, as is the people and the home. Some of the book was a bit over descriptive, but it all evened out in the end. I did have the villain pegged from pretty close to the 1st of the book and, figured out mystery of Eleanor very early on, but I didn't have the details of it all sorted out. And I must admit there were a few surprises thrown in also. 

 Anne Chatham is alone in the world. After loosing most of her family to Influenza and nearly dying herself. Then her Father passes away. He has left no money or insurance to take care of Anne. Anne finds employment at the Northfield House as a typist for Mr. Wellington. Anne has a secret. After he near death experience she can see spirits. Almost immediately after entering NorthField House she starts seeing the resident spirit of the house.  

Sorry if this review is a bit vague on details but I don't want to say to much and spoil the book for anyone. 

Phyllis M Newman turned to writing mysteries after a career in finance and human resources. She lives in Columbus, Ohio in a big house with a weed-filled yard, three strong-willed cats, and a husband that's easy on the eyes.

Author webpage www.readphyllismnewman.com

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ReadPhyllisMNewman/

Purchase Link

Amazon

Short Excerpt

I heard scratching—fingernails or claws or beaks on wood. Then the rustle of wings, a soft fluttering. Perhaps a bird had gotten trapped on the floor above.

Knock. Thud. Knock. Thud. Knock. Thud.

Then nothing.

I waited for the thumps and scratches to begin again, but heard only Owen’s rapid breathing.

His grip on my shoulder softened. Before we could step away from each other, I heard something else. Whispers. Not words, but sibilance. A faint weeping.
I could pretend no longer that the sounds issued from an animal.

Owen shuddered, and I tried to swallow.

My sight darted from the floors to the ceilings, from corner to corner, searching for additional signs. I saw none. The bed, its elaborate draperies, and the pictures on the walls were all undisturbed, but a plaintive lament—a mournful sobbing—suddenly filled the space.

When the weeping stopped, I found my hand pressed against Owen’s chest. I could feel his heart beating, hard and fast, under my palm.

“I think it’s over,” he said, releasing my shoulders.

I reluctantly withdrew my hand and took a step away.

Interview with Phyllis M. Newman

Do your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the reigns of the story?

I never map out my story line or do an outline. I am too impatient to write a backstory or the background of my characters. The ideas spinning in my head just take over before I can do anything like that.

Typically, I start with an opening paragraph and an idea of what motivates my main character: love, control, the need for money, a place to belong…these are the things that are universal for all of us. And I always have a final paragraph. Then I try to fill in the middle. The final paragraph gives me a kind of guidepost. However, I don’t allow that final paragraph to fully define the story. Sometimes I’ll get halfway through the plot and realize I need to change either the villain or the victim. Change is good.

My characters take me places I have never thought to go. I have no idea as I start each day what will happen and what problems will present themselves. For this reason, I advise anyone who wants to write to sit down and do it. Don’t wait until the mood strikes or you figure out what you want to write about. Your characters can take you there and give you what you cannot come up with on your own by just thinking about it.

Convince us why you feel your book is a must read.

When was the last time you read a really spooky, honest to goodness ghost story? One where there is no rational explanation for paranormal events, like a cat on the piano keys or squirrels in the attic?

The Vanished Bride of Northfield House is just such a gothic tale - with a spirited heroine, intriguing mystery, engaging romance, and a ghost to make it lively. So sit back and prepare yourself to get lost in a story!

Have you written any other books that are not published?

Yes, I have 3 additional manuscripts that have not yet been published. I have published one other novel.

Pen or type writer or computer?

Odd notes, sudden ideas, a name that catches my fancy – pen on paper. But after that - computer! Once I start to write my story my fingers can’t move fast enough on the computer keyboard.

Anything you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I have enormous fun writing about my characters, the problems they face, and trouble they get

themselves into. I love to evoke a creepy scene or romantic interludes. I relish doing the research required to transport my readers into another world.

If the reader enjoys reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them, then I will have been a success!

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