A book that feels like it's watching you . . . unsettling and gripping' Cari Thomas author of THREADNEEDLE

The Toll House by Carly Reagon | Hachette UK The Toll House by Carly Reagon | Hachette UK

Meagle sprang to his feet. "Nonsense," he said roughly. "He's tired out; that's all. Still, let's take him up and clear out. You take his legs and Barnes will lead the way with the candle. Yes? Who's that?"But when Kelda finds a death mask concealed behind one of the walls, everything changes. Inexplicable things happen in the house, Kelda cannot shake the feeling of being watched and Dylan is plagued by nightmares, convinced he can see figures in his room. As Dylan’s behaviour becomes increasingly challenging, Kelda seeks answers in the house’s mysterious past. But she’s running out of time. Bejeepers. This is one of those novels where I question why I read creepy novels at night. There are no real locations in this book but it’s the setting of the old toll house that is the real draw. I read a bit about toll houses when I spotted this book as it seemed as if it was going to lead me down a dark path…and it did. Just look at that cover for a start! He laughed again and walked on; and the heap in the fireplace put out its head tortoise fashion and listened in horror to the retreating footsteps. Not until they had become inaudible in the distance did the listener's features relax.

The Toll House by Carly Reagon | Goodreads

Carly Reagon completed a six month course at Curtis Brown Creative and wasshortlisted for the Lucy Cavendish College Fiction Prize in 2019. Her writing is inspiredby her love of the Welsh countryside where she lives with her husband and threechildren. She works as a senior lecturer at Cardiff University, is a keen runner andsinger, and has an interest in anything historic. They walked on for some time in silence, broken only by White's tribute to the softness, the cleanliness, and the comfort of the bed which was receding farther and farther into the distance. Under Meagle's guidance they turned off at last to the right, and, after a walk of a quarter of a mile, saw the gates of the house before them. There was no answer. He stood gazing into the darkness, and all the time the idea of something close at hand watching was upon him. Then suddenly the steps broke out overhead again. For those wanting a seasonal escape, we have a selection of rooms available for you to relax in and enjoy a magical time in Lancaster. The echoes of his voice left the air quivering, but the figure before him paid no heed. For a moment he tried to brace his courage up to endure its approach, then with a smothered cry he turned and fled.Come on!" he cried, with a low laugh. "All of you! All of you! Show your faces--your infernal ugly faces! Don't skulk!"

The Toll House by Carly Reagon - The Book Trail The Toll House by Carly Reagon - The Book Trail

He followed slowly for fear of extinguishing the candle, until they led him at last into a vast bare kitchen, with damp walls and a broken floor. In front of him a door leading into an inside room had just closed. He ran towards it and flung it open, and a cold air blew out the candle. He stood aghast. R.F. Kuang, Sue Lynn Tan, Rebecca Ross, Kate Heartfield, N.E. Davenport, Saara El-Arifi, Juno Dawson and Sunyi Dean The landlord nodded. "That's what the jury brought it in," he said slowly; "but his mind was sound enough when he went in there. I'd known him, off and on, for years. I'm a poor man, but I wouldn't spend the night in that house for a hundred pounds." I really felt for Kelda, not just because of what was happening in the house but because of her own past. I won’t go into too many details but lets just say her history is much more complicated and you understand why she is so protective of Dylan and is estranged with her family.From a writing perspective, I liked that everything was wrapped up satisfactorily. There was no ambiguity and no loose threads that leave you wondering. The duel timeline worked well and slowly revealed the secrets and truth of The Toll House.

The Toll House (Audio Download): Carly Reagon, Antonia

It's all very well for you young gentlemen to have your fun," he said indulgently; "but, supposing as how you are all found dead in the morning, what about me? It ain't called the Toll-House for nothing, you know." Lester arose, and, stretching his stiffened limbs, dusted his clothes with his hands and went out into the corridor. White followed. At the noise of their approach a figure which had been lying asleep at the other end sat up and revealed the face of Barnes. "Why, I've been asleep," he said, in surprise. "I don't remember coming here. How did I get here?"

He is coming round," said Meagle, with a smirk. "By the time I have done with him he will be a confirmed believer. Well, who will go and get some water? Will, you, Barnes?"