Whispers in the Wall

By Morrow Blackwood

Dive into the heart of darkness with "Whispers in the Wall," a spellbinding novel that beckons you to the enigmatic Evermere House, hidden within the shadows of a town time forgot. For the Holloway family, this alluring yet mysterious manor promises a new beginning, a chance to erase the past and start anew. But beneath its welcoming veneer lies a sinister secret, a legacy of darkness that whispers from the walls, awaiting the light of discovery.

Enter Emma Holloway, a twelve-year-old with an extraordinary gift that becomes both a blessing and a burden. Emma's ability to commune with the spirits ensnared within Evermere's walls thrusts her and her family into the heart of a centuries-old struggle. A delicate balance between benevolent guardians seeking release and malevolent forces craving chaos threatens to unravel the very fabric of their reality.

As Emma delves into the mansion's hidden depths, Evermere itself becomes an enigmatic character, its architecture a shifting maze that ensnares or liberates at the whim of unseen forces. The Holloways find themselves caught in a web of secrets and revelations that challenge their understanding and force them to confront the truth about Emma's connection to the spirit world.

The tension mounts to a fever pitch when Emma uncovers the root of the haunting—a tragedy that set the house's dark destiny in motion. Armed with this knowledge, she faces the architect of their despair in a desperate bid to rewrite Evermere's future. In the face of overwhelming darkness, the Holloways must unite, relying on their unbreakable family bonds and Emma's unyielding courage.

"Whispers in the Wall" masterfully intertwines the thrill of a haunted house tale with the profound strength found in family unity. This gripping narrative not only ventures into the chilling embrace of the supernatural but also illuminates the enduring power of love and the resilience of the human spirit. Every page crackles with suspense, each whisper a clue to a salvation fraught with danger and sacrifice.

Embark on a journey with the Holloways as they navigate the spectral corridors of Evermere House, where the veil between life and death is at its thinnest. Will the Holloways' love and Emma's extraordinary gift be enough to conquer the shadows, or will the whispers in the wall spell their doom?

Prepare to be ensnared by "Whispers in the Wall," where every secret revealed brings you closer to the heart of darkness or the light of redemption. This is not just a story of haunted halls and ghostly apparitions; it's a saga of a family's fight against an ancient curse, where the ultimate victory lies in the power of connection and the courage to face the unknown.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Bacon Smile
• Release date: Feb 21, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224150809

Book preview

Chapter 1: The Arrival at Evermere House

The Holloway family's car wound its way through the dense forest, the canopy above blotting out the late afternoon sun, casting the road into shadow. Emma Holloway, twelve years old and brimming with a mix of excitement and anxiety, pressed her face against the car window, her eyes tracing the ancient trees that seemed to watch them pass with silent, knowing looks.

Are we there yet? Her younger brother, Alex, eight years old and lacking any trace of patience, had asked this question what seemed like a hundred times since they'd left the city behind.

Soon, Alex, their mother, Sarah, reassured from the front seat, her voice a calming presence in the cramped space of the car.

David Holloway, their father, drove with a steady hand, his face set in a hopeful expression. Evermere House is just around the bend, he announced as the car took a sharp turn, revealing a break in the trees.

And there it stood, Evermere House, in all its Victorian splendor and mystery. The mansion, with its towering spires and sprawling gardens, looked like something out of a fairy tale, or perhaps a ghost story, depending on one's perspective. Emma felt a shiver run down her spine, not from fear, but from a deep, inexplicable connection to the place.

As they unpacked the car, the house loomed over them, its windows like eyes, watching, waiting. The move had been a sudden decision—a fresh start, as their parents called it—after a series of unfortunate events had left the family in need of a change. Evermere House, with its secluded location and its need for a caring touch, seemed like the perfect solution.

Their first night in the house was an adventure in itself. The electricity was spotty, casting the interior into shadow, the only light provided by the flickering flames of the fireplace in the grand living room. They explored the ground floor with flashlights, discovering a library filled with ancient books, a dining hall that could seat fifty, and a kitchen stocked with utensils that looked centuries old.

Dinner was a simple affair, eaten around a small table they'd found in the kitchen, their laughter and conversation echoing through the empty house. But as the night deepened, the atmosphere shifted. The wind howled outside, making the ancient timbers creak and groan, and Emma could swear she heard whispers, voices carried on the breeze that seemed to call her name.

Alex was the first to notice the portrait. Hanging above the fireplace was a painting of a woman, her gaze serene yet sad, her eyes following them around the room. Who is she? he asked, his voice small in the vastness of the living room.

The original owner, perhaps, David mused, examining the painting with a curator's eye. This house has a lot of history, a lot of stories within its walls.

As they prepared for bed, finding rooms on the second floor that felt welcoming, Emma felt the pull of the house more strongly. Her room was spacious, with a large window that looked out over the gardens, now a wild tangle of plants and trees under the moonlight. She felt drawn to the window, her gaze locked on the gardens, where shadows moved with a life of their own.

Lying in bed, Emma listened to the house, the whispers more pronounced, as if the walls themselves were speaking to her. She drifted off to sleep with a sense of belonging, a feeling that she was meant to be here, at Evermere House, that this was just the beginning of their story.

The night passed with strange dreams for Emma, dreams of wandering the halls of the house, of secret rooms and hidden treasures, of a voice that called to her, gentle and sad. When she awoke, the morning light was streaming through her window, casting the room