Mum's Monday: Peter James – The House on Cold Hill

Oliver, Caro Harcourt and their daughter Jade move to the country Oliver has plans to make a success with his own web design company. It’s a big house they have taken on with a lot of structural problems. The family know they will be living in a building site for a while but at the end they see their dream home.

At the beginning of this book, after reading about the Harcourt family on the back cover it starts off confusing as it introduces another family – Johnny, Rowena, Felix and Daisy – but by chapter two, 4^th September, the Harcourt family moves in.

Next between the 4^th of September and the 21^st of September, you are thinking why? With costs mounting, more structural problems, paranormal activity brought on by a past resident who didn’t want people leaving the house once they have moved in, computer glitches including inappropriate being sent to clients which ruins Oliver’s new business, strange messages, and tragic and unexplained deaths of associates in the area including the local vicars; is this house a stretch too far for the family?

It all becomes clear near the end of the story. What happens whilst living in the house makes you think, “no”, stay away this could be the worst mistake you ever made, it is so sad to know what the new family is letting themselves in for with and I feel sorry for their friends, family and any associates of theirs.

I would highly recommend this amazing book. If you like mysteries and like being spooked; the paranormal activity and the area in which it is set is well researched. I would also recommend this book to anyone who is buying a house to renovate or is renovating a house as this book shows how there might be more work to do on a house than first thought with hidden problems. It’s best to check for damp, extra structural, plumbing and electrical work.

This book is a brilliant read, it is confusing but it draws you in making you want to read more. It’s satisfying to know how it all comes together at the end.