Praise

𝗔 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗪𝗼𝗻'𝘁 𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗪𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺

I just finished Iwan Ross's '𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘮𝘢𝘯'𝘴 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘬,' and I'm still reeling. The atmosphere he creates is palpable; I could practically feel the dust in my own throat, the chilling presence in Chloe's every panicked breath. The slow burn of dread, the way the lines between dream and reality warp, is masterfully executed. Ross doesn't just tell you a story; he pulls you down into the darkness with Chloe.

The supporting characters, Sandra and Gilbert, aren't just props; they're vital, complex cogs in this 𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗲. Their secrets and motivations keep you guessing, adding another layer of unsettling tension. This isn't your typical monster-in-the-closet tale. It's a 𝗽𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 descent, a gut-wrenching exploration of fear, family secrets, and the terrifying power of the unknown. Prepare to be haunted long after you turn the final page. 𝗙𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘀, 𝗮𝗯𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆.

Guilty pleasure revealed! I enjoy reading true stories immensely. So, when GROWING SLOWLY NOWHERE by Iwan Ross found its way under my watchful eyes, I jumped at the chance to read this riveting book. The description immediately hooked me... and so along I went and lost myself within the pages.

Lost is an apt word to describe my reading journey. The author's life unravelled like a train moving cross country and I was vested in his true story. So many ups and downs. The author's earnest tone was the icing on the cake. His urgency was felt in the way he strung his words together and depicted his life in great detail.

The author's relationship with his mother broke my heart. I could tell he was always trying to make his life better, trying valiantly to rise about whatever cards life dealt him. Thus far, he lived life with determination and gusto, inspiring the reader to keep moving forward when difficult waves threaten to disrupt their world.

Verdict: 5/5 Nothing dull here... a truly entertaining read. I can tell I won't soon forget this true

Gripping "Coming of Age" Gothic Mystery that takes you on a ride you'll never forget!

A multi-layered story richly told with vivid imagery showing very flawed human beings and what they are capable of, for good or for evil, and to what extent they will go to achieve their desires. Book pulls you in from the first page and takes you on a roller coaster ride through legend, myths, family, first love, heart ache, betrayal and redemption. Not all questions were answered as the story ends "begging" a sequel. Great read I thoroughly enjoyed with no idea where it would lead and no regrets when it ended. Masterful storyteller!

Five-Star Review for "The Haunting of Serpent's Manor" by Christopher

"The Haunting of Serpent’s Manor" is a spellbinding journey into the heart of gothic mystery and suspense. From the moment Coby McTavish and his family set foot in Grimloch’s eerie estate, I was utterly captivated by the vivid atmosphere, rich with spectral secrets and haunting melodies. The author’s masterful storytelling brings the manor and its ghostly inhabitants to life, blending intrigue and emotion in every page. The intertwining of love, betrayal, and supernatural mystery kept me turning pages late into the night, eager to uncover each new layer of the manor’s dark history. This novel is an absolute triumph—a must-read for anyone who loves atmospheric, character-driven tales where the past and present collide so beautifully. Five stars, without hesitation!

There are moments, as a writer, when a story stops belonging solely to you.

This review is one of those moments.

It captures something I never consciously set out to write, yet somehow found its way into the world of Elm Brook Manor. A different lens. A different truth. And perhaps, a deeper reflection of what the story means to those who step inside it.

I’ve chosen to share this review exactly as it was written—because stories are not only told… they are experienced, interpreted, and sometimes reshaped in ways we could never predict.

To the reader who wrote this: thank you.
You didn’t just read the story—you saw something within it that even I am still discovering.

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!