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Reviewed by Gaius Konstantine for Readers' Favorite
“Sometimes, real life is so much scarier than anything you can read about in fiction.” Winter Haunting: Dreadful Seasons by Samantha Arthurs expertly plays on that (ironic) quote. The tale introduces Lee Hughes, a writer of the macabre who is in a slump. Having recently glued himself back together after a life crisis, Lee has a final chance to redeem himself in the eyes of his publisher before being blackballed into the oblivion of a has-been. In his effort to restart a stalled career, Lee takes up residence in a small town that's barely noticeable on the map and moves into a house that was the scene of a murder. Soon, Lee uncovers the history of his new home and realizes he may have gotten more than he bargained for. Standing on the precipice of discovery, Lee is about to recognize that if you hunt a story hard enough, you risk becoming one, and some phantoms may not be quite dead.
Winter Haunting combines an upbeat and charming tone with malevolent menace lurking under a smile. It's almost as if the novel itself were a psychopath. When I come across a book that makes me want to lock the doors, turn off the phone, and grab a bowl of popcorn, then that, my friends, is the very definition of immersion. A realistic setting with believable and well-developed characters elevates this story and separates it from its peers primarily because everything is so plausible. From the well-defined imperfect people to the icy chill of a northern town, I felt like I was there, walking through the house, eavesdropping on the conversations. Samantha Arthurs also nailed the perfect balance in writing style by expertly and deliberately choosing her words. The result is a novel that is both fascinating and easy to read. Rejoice, fans of grim and mysterious tales; Winter Haunting is an unexpected yet wicked delight. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the delivery kept me enthralled.
