An Unbidden Visitor

By: Dianne Ascroft

Narrated by: Elizabeth Klett

Length: 32 mins

Publisher's summary

A short story inspired by Northern Ireland's famous Cooneen ghost.

A tale of family, friends, and fear....

And the unnatural force that threatens to ruin everything....

March 1913: Struggling to make ends meet, widow Bridget Murphy finds life in rural Ireland difficult, raising six children while farming her small acreage. With the help of neighbors and friends, Bridget is able to cope with the many arduous tasks and chores required of her.

When an unnatural and terrifying force invades their house, threatening their family, Bridget is surprised to see so many backs turning on her. Fearing for themselves, those she once counted on for help and support will not risk their safety for her. Father Smyth, their priest, is the only one who stands alongside their family in the battle against the uninvited and fearsome poltergeist. But, prayers alone won't run the farm. Will Bridget find a way to save her home and her family before there's nowhere left to turn?

©2017 Dianne Trimble (P)2017 Dianne Trimble

If not a rat, what could it be?

This story is based on true events and takes place in 1913 in Ireland when a family realizes that the sounds in the attic are more than a rat.

Elizabeth Klett's narration captures the Irish accent and characters perfectly, but at the same time she is very clearly spoken and is an easy listen.

The story moves quickly through the events of the time, following closely the mistress of the home who does what she has to in order to keep her family together and her sanity in one piece. I agree with another reviewer that the story could have been stretched out more, but at the same time, this is a great snapshot of the poltergeist story from Ireland and the interactions of one family with the unknown.

I received this book for free from the author, narrator or publisher and I voluntarily left this review.

A Creepy Listening!

So this was a very surprising story for me to listen to. I don’t always read too much of blurbs before starting as I like the element of surprise. And this was definitely a scary surprise! This is a short story about ghosts and a haunting that supposedly happened in the 1900s. I felt really creeped out while listening to it. Ascroft did a great job retelling this haunting case and making me feel tense and on edge the whole way through! The characters were endearing and I was wishing for them the whole way through to make it. I give the novel a 5/5!

The narration was excellent as well. Klett does a wonderful job with Irish accents! It felt realistic and in the setting that Ascroft was writing in. I also enjoyed the tones in her voice that made me feel creeped out along with the characters. Studio production seems excellent as well. Good clear voices and no issues with static or low volume! I give it a 5/5!

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Dianne Ascroft. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Quick ghost story

Great quick ghost story. Very well written and beautifully read by the narrator. I received a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Well written short story based on historical event

This is the novelization of the story of the Coneen ghost, a famous Irish poltergeist, and how it affected Bridget and her children, showing how their neighbors turned their backs on them leaving them with few choices.

It was a very short and exquisite listen. The characters are well portrayed and the moments of tension kept me on the edge of my seat. I have just a small complaint, and that I would have preferred something much longer. Short stories usually leave me wanting for more, and this could have made a great longer story.

Elizabeth Klett is, as always, wonderful. She has an amazing ability narrating stories, carefully interpreting each character with a unique style and voice. Her accents are also credible, and the audio production is spotless. It's clear that Klett has ample experience as a narrator and she enjoys what she does.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Dianne Ascroft. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Loved this story; Wish it were longer

I really enjoyed the setting and the characters in this story. I wondered if it were her husband or someone she knew. It was ashame that the preacher and the other townsfolk including the children shunned them for something entirely out of their control. I wish this story had been longer but loved it nonetheless.

Elizabeth Klett has a beautiful voice. Her accent is wonderful along with her voice inflections.

I received this book for free from the author, narrator or publisher and I voluntarily left this review.

Scary good

I knew this listen was based on a true story but I had no idea the depth of the "visitation." Wow. I couldn't help but feel for the family.

The narration was extremely well-done. Klett is an exceptional narrator and even in this very short listen, she gave the story depth.

Great Read

An Unbidden Visitor by Dianne Ascroft was a good quick read. This was a great quick Irish tale, that is set in March of 1913. Bridget is a widow who is just trying to make ends meet for her family. But many people turn their backs on her and her family due to a force that invades her home.

Great Beginning of a Horror Story.

Where does An Unbidden Visitor rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is a very well-written and well performed book. However, it feels like the first chapter of a horror story. A really good first chapter, but there is no real ending or resolution. The listener is left waiting for more.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Bridgett's eldest son is my favorite character. He is realistic and loyal and sticks with his family. Father Smyth is also very likeable and the narrator performs him beautifully.

What about Elizabeth Klett’s performance did you like?

Her accent is amazing. Her voice is easy to listen to. Her performance was spectacular. I will look for more books narrated by her.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, it is very short and can easily be listened to in one sitting.

Any additional comments?

I received this book for free from the author, narrator or publisher and I voluntarily left this review.

Love that this was taken from a true account

An Unbidden Visitor by Dianne Ascroft is taken from true story of the Cooneen Ghost involving the Murphy family in County Fermanagh Northern Ireland in 1913. There is lots of documentation on the Poltergeist activity.

The story goes that the poltergeist activity included scratching and banging sounds. Priests were called in and tried to free the home and family to no avail. Neighbors also witnessed the activity.

Bridgett Murphy a widow and mother being afraid for her family and also being ostracized by the community decided to leave and sail to America where her brother lived to be free of poltergeist.

This is a very short Audiobook only about 30 minutes long. It is narrated by Elizabeth Klett. I really enjoyed listening to her lilting Irish accent. She has done a wonderful job with the narration. I was fully involved with the narration and stopped what I was doing to listen.

I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Dianne Ascroft. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.

Short And Well-Written

Would you listen to An Unbidden Visitor again? Why?

Yes. This title is worth sharing with others.

What about Elizabeth Klett’s performance did you like?

She was clear and had good pacing. I really liked her accent! She's very easy to listen to!

Any additional comments?

I really liked this short story. It's well-written and to the point. The premise was strong and it fit the description.

There are times that made me feel how tense the situation was and I could empathize with all the characters throughout.

The narrator, Elizabeth Klett, did an excellent job reading this title. I think she was the perfect choice for this role.

The sound quality was good.

This title was well worth the time spent listening to it. I would recommend this to anybody that likes supernatural short stories.

I'm looking forward to more from this author/narrator duo.

*This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.