Book #1 from the series: The McTavish Chronicles

Elm Brook Manor

Gripping ghost suspense

About

Serenity Falls is a town of quiet beauty and long memories — and Elm Brook Manor is its darkest secret.

Seeking refuge from his former life, author Coby McTavish — known to his readers as Mister Jones — moves into the historic manor on the edge of town. But behind its elegant façade lie forgotten corridors, whispered histories, and a presence that refuses to remain silent.

Elm Brook Manor is not empty. It is waiting.

Haunted by the restless spirit of Sandra River, a woman brutally murdered within the manor’s ancient walls, and guided by the enigmatic Ethereal Trinity, Coby is drawn into a mystery rooted deep in Serenity Falls’ past. His search for truth entangles him with a scorned mother, her elusive son, and the ghost of a man whose death raises more questions than answers.

Not everyone welcomes the past being unearthed.

Alistair Sinclair — born into privilege and power — is determined to keep the manor’s secrets buried. As Coby digs deeper, he discovers that some truths threaten more than reputations — they could shatter the town itself.

Elm Brook Manor is a haunting supernatural mystery woven with history, suspense, and a touch of romance.

Will the truth be uncovered — or will the manor’s secrets remain forever trapped within its haunted walls?

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Praise for this book

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

A Masterpiece of Mystery and Supernatural Intrigue

From the moment I turned the first page of "Elm Brook Manor," I was captivated. This isn't just another supernatural mystery; it's a beautifully woven tapestry of intrigue, history, and ethereal charm. The author brilliantly transports readers to Serenity Falls, a town as enchanting as it is mysterious, and introduces us to Coby McTavish—a character whose journey into the unknown is as thrilling as it is profound.

The manor itself, with its cobweb-draped corners and whispering secrets, becomes a character in its own right, guiding us through a labyrinth of haunting tales and spectral encounters. The narrative masterfully intertwines the fates of characters both living and beyond, creating a rich mosaic of stories that are as heart-wrenching as they are suspenseful.

What sets this novel apart is not just its ability to chill the spine but also how it captures the heart. The exploration of forbidden tales and unspoken truths, coupled with a delicate touch of romance, elevates "Elm Brook Manor" from a mere ghost story to a profound journey through the shadows of history and human emotion.

To say I recommend "Elm Brook Manor" is an understatement. It's a must-read for anyone who craves a story that offers not only chills but also a deep, resonating connection to the very essence of mystery and the supernatural. Prepare to be enchanted, chilled, and ultimately transformed by this unforgettable adventure.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Elm Brook Manor

This book had loveable, real characters and an awesome mysterious story along with it. I highly recommend it for people who like stories about ghosts and mysteries.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Elm Brook Manor is a mesmerizing journey into the supernatural, steeped in mystery and wrapped in the ethereal beauty of Serenity Falls. As an author, I found myself drawn into the rich tapestry of the manor's past, unraveling a web of secrets and unspoken tales. The novel introduces you to Coby McTavish, whose search for truth is as captivating as the haunted halls of the manor itself.

The story masterfully interweaves elements of history, adventure, and a hint of romance, making it more than just your average ghost story. The restless spirit of Sandra River, the enigmatic Ethereal Trinity, and the determined Alistair Sinclair are characters that will linger in your mind long after you've turned the final page.

As the author, I invite you to delve into the mysteries of Elm Brook Manor, to walk alongside Coby and experience the enchanting, sometimes chilling, reality of Serenity Falls. Will the truths be uncovered, or will they forever remain hidden within the manor's haunted walls? Time is ticking, and the answers are waiting for you in Elm Brook Manor.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Author Coby McTavish, also known as Mister Jones, hopes to reinvigorate his life by moving into historic Elm Brook Manor. But the house harbours secrets from the past, including the restless spirit of a murdered woman. Digging into the house’s history, Coby becomes entwined with a scorned mother and the ghostly figure of a man.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, and it has a decidedly supernatural tone to it. Set in the oddly named Serenity Falls in the Scottish Highlands, the hero of the tale moves into an old manor in a bid to escape a difficult relationship with his wife. Along with several spooky apparitions, Coby meets the mysterious Gracie Drummond and hears of the equally mysterious death of her husband. As if that wasn’t enough, he’s drawn into investigating the history of the Lord Lucas family and the death of another woman, Sandra River.

Ghostly apparitions and weird experiences aside, this was an interesting read, though I did find the story hard to follow at times. The author’s overuse of adjectives isn’t to my taste but I’m sure the book will appeal to readers who enjoy spooky goings on and ethereal beings.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

'Larger than life - a well-deserved five stars!'

The story evolves on a writer and author who has the power to connect with the 'otherworldly' and unveils the mystery of the Manor he acquired. He unearths the mysterious deaths of the ladies- all involved in their stay at Elm Brook Manor. For Coby, having stayed in Elm Brook not only gives him respite from his troubled marriage but an opportunity as well to rediscover himself. Giving him the space to trust once again of his worth of existence. The manor gives him what he needs - trusting himself again, appreciating beauty and meaning and finding love and worth once more. All rolled into one as he discovers the true culprits of the crimes whose spirits are restless and incessantly haunting the Manor's walls and recesses for justice.

Author Iwan Ross's woven narratives are sleek and generous. Cleverly describing the interlacing of the characters, scenes, plots and historical semblance in such a vivid take. Making the narratives complex and engrossing. I love the characters of Ewan, Gracie and the dog Janie, and even Morven! And the glamorous ghosts are enthralling! And, I am wondering what happened to the other member of the Enigmatic Trio- Josephine? I am guessing in the next book, the unveiling of more of their fate will be revealed as the ending of this book gives a hint of the unfolding mystery and the culprits. It gives me the idea that it is larger than the Elm Brook Manor and its community - Serenity Falls as it involves those who are in power.

I cannot wait to continue reading the next instalment of this series. A well-deserved five stars! Highly recommended!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Some stories give you chills. Elm Brook Manor settles into your bones. From the moment Coby McTavish, known to his readers as Mister Jones, arrives in Serenity Falls, there’s an undercurrent of quiet dread beneath the town’s polished charm. The setting is beautifully rendered: a place of postcard beauty and carefully guarded histories. And at its heart stands Elm Brook Manor, elegant, imposing, and very much alive.

The atmosphere is this novel’s greatest triumph. The manor doesn’t rely on cheap scares or spectacle. Instead, it breathes. Forgotten corridors, whispered memories, and subtle supernatural threads build a slow, intoxicating tension. The haunting of Sandra River feels tragic rather than theatrical; her presence is woven into the story with emotional weight and purpose.

Coby makes for a compelling protagonist. As a writer seeking refuge, he carries his own ghosts, which makes his connection to the manor feel both personal and inevitable. His investigation unfolds with thoughtful pacing, drawing readers deeper into layers of betrayal, generational secrets, and buried truths. The mysterious Ethereal Trinity adds an intriguing spiritual dimension without overwhelming the narrative.

The supporting characters enrich the mystery beautifully. A scorned mother, an elusive son, and the lingering shadow of a questionable death create a web of suspicion that tightens steadily. And then there’s Alistair Sinclair, privileged, polished, and quietly menacing. His determination to protect the town’s reputation at any cost raises the stakes in a way that feels both political and personal.

What elevates this book beyond a standard ghost story is its emotional core. Beneath the suspense lies a meditation on memory, power, and what happens when truth is suppressed for the sake of legacy. The romance thread adds warmth without distracting from the darker currents, giving the story balance and heart.

By the final chapters, the tension is palpable, and the revelations feel earned rather than rushed. The story doesn’t just ask whether the past will be uncovered; it asks whether a town can survive its own history.

Atmospheric, intelligent, and deeply immersive, Elm Brook Manor is a supernatural mystery that lingers long after the last page.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Elm Brook Manor by Iwan Ross is a supernatural mystery set in the quietly eerie town of Serenity Falls.
When author Coby McTavish, known to many as Mister Jones, moves into the historic Elm Brook Manor, he’s hoping for a fresh chapter. Instead, he finds himself surrounded by lingering spirits and secrets that refuse to stay buried. The manor isn’t just old; it carries the tragic memory of Sandra River, whose restless presence seems determined to have her story heard.
As Coby digs deeper, he uncovers layers of local history tied to betrayal, hidden truths, and long-held grudges. Strange visions and the guidance of mysterious forces push him further into a mystery that some in town would rather leave alone, especially the powerful Alistair Sinclair, who has his own reasons for keeping the past undisturbed.
Blending ghostly encounters with suspense and a touch of romance, Elm Brook Manor offers a moody, slow-burning tale about uncovering truth in a place where history still lingers in the walls.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

What I admired most about Elm Brook Manor was its emotional intelligence. The haunting is not just spectral, but psychological and social woven through generational trauma, unspoken names, and forbidden stories. Reading it reminded me that unresolved pasts rarely stay silent forever. The subtle romantic thread adds warmth without distracting from the central mystery, grounding the story in human connection. This is the kind of book that invites you to slow down, pay attention, and reflect on why some truths frighten us more than ghosts. An immersive and thoughtful supernatural mystery.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Elm Brook Manor pulled me in with its rich atmosphere and layered mystery. The haunting feels emotional as well as eerie, and Coby’s journey into the manor’s buried secrets kept me hooked. A well-balanced blend of supernatural suspense, history, and just a touch of romance. Definitely a compelling read.