Book Review: The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn

I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Book Review: The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing HahnThe Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn
on 2010-09-06
Pages: 160
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
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When twelve-year-old Florence boards the crowded horse-drawn coach in London, she looks forward to a new life with her great uncle and aunt at Crutchfield Hall, an old manor house in the English countryside. Anything will be better, she thinks, than the grim London orphanage where she has lived since her parents' death.
But Florence doesn't expect the ghost of her cousin Sophia, who haunts the cavernous rooms and dimly lit hallways of Crutchfield and concocts a plan to use Florence to help her achieve her murderous goals. Will Florence be able to convince the others in the household of the imminent danger and stop Sophia before it's too late?

I would classify The Ghost Of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn as historical fiction horror. The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall is a very brief middle grade book chock full of orphans, servants, a mean old lady, and a ghost.

12 year old Florence’s parents died in a boating accident when she was very young. Apparently her parents were estranged from their siblings, as no one was able to take Florence in. SO, Florence ends up chilling out in some orphanage for a few years until her Uncle Crutchfield decides to adopt her. Upon arrival at her new home, she makes friends with the servants, pisses off her mean old aunt, and decidedly is not allowed to meet her bedridden cousin James, who is also an orphan. Oh and did I mention James’ sister Sophia is dead of an unfortunate accident and is haunting the hall? She is evil and not exactly a friendly ghost like Casper.

At this point in history, they are not going to call the ghostbusters, so it is up to Florence and James to figure out a way to make Sophia go back to hell, since obviously she is not destined to sing in a heavenly choir. Let me just say straight up, children terrify me. Seriously, you get some creepy kid just standing there and staring and good lord, the chills, they go up and down my spine. And well, Sophia being a grade-A jerkwad, comes up with these mean things to do to the residents of Crutchfield Hall, things that involve dolls, snowmen, roofs. You know, run of the mill terrifying things.

I won’t say The Ghost Of Crutchfield Hall is the greatest book I have ever read. It isn’t exactly full of depth and deep heartfelt revelations or laugh out loud humor or crocodile tears. However, it isn’t a terrible way to pass the long hours of the afternoon away. The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall isn’t half bad, and I think it is worth taking out of the library, unless you are a genuine elementary school kid or a middle grader, then you might want to add The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall to your collection.

Disclosure: Received for review via Netgalley.

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April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.
About April (Books&Wine)

April is in her 30s and created Good Books And Good Wine. She works for a non-profit. April always has a book on hand. In her free time she can be found binge watching The Office with her husband and toddler, spending way too much time on Pinterest or exploring her neighborhood.

Comments

  1. I have never heard of this book, but it sounds interesting – something some of my middle schoolers might want to read. 🙂

  2. I love this book it is really intersting and i think its a very good spine tingling suspense…..I bought it at my school bookfair i loved it and i recommend it to alll 🙂

  3. This book is amazing I read 3 pages of it and I wanted to marry the book. Poor Florance. 🙁 But, otherwise from that, if you like a mystery or an interesting book, you might decide to read this.

    • why u need 2 no says

      u must be pretty smart to read only 3 pages and already love it haha jk i read only 2 pages and i loved it

  4. this is the most awsome book you can ever read i think everyone should read this even adults.:)

  5. i an in the 4th grade i love it. it just what you went if you went a little fun

  6. i really only read this book because it ha my last name in it and end up reading quite abit if her booksd i just got done with deep dark and dangerous

  7. i love this book i first it in grade 4 and now im in grade 6 and i have read it over and over again mary downing is a great writer i cant wait for her next book <3

  8. i love this book i enjoyed reading it i would give it 5 stars

  9. Vivian Ihenacho says

    This book is really nice. I only read 3pg and fell in love with it, u have to read this book:)

  10. I thought the book was boring i like spirts but i feel asleep after the first two chapters

  11. I HATE this book:(