The House on Cold Hill

By: Peter James

Narrated by: Nicholas Boulton

The House on Cold Hill is a chilling and suspenseful ghost story from the multi-million copy bestselling author of the award-winning Grace series, Peter James.

Evil isn't born, it's built . . .

Moving from the heart of the city to the Sussex countryside is a big undertaking for born townies, Ollie Harcourt, his wife, Caro, and their twelve-year-old daughter, Jade. But when they view Cold Hill House – a huge, dilapidated, Georgian mansion – they are filled with excitement. Despite the financial strain of the move, Ollie sees Cold Hill House as a paradise for his animal-loving daughter, a base for his web-design business and a terrific long-term investment.

But, within days of moving in, it becomes apparent that the Harcourt family aren't the only residents in the house.

At first it is only a friend of Jade, talking to her on FaceTime, who sees a spectral woman standing behind her. Then there are more sightings of her, and increasingly disturbing occurrences. Two weeks after moving in, Caro, out in the garden, is startled to see faces staring out of an upstairs window of the house. The window of a room which may hold the secret to the house's dark history . . .

A room which does not appear to exist.

'Superbly creepy modern horror story' - Book of the Week, Sunday Mirror

*****

Praise for The House on Cold Hill:

''Impeccable' – Sunday Times

'James is a compelling storyteller, and he ratchets up the tension in increments, so that his readers will be suitably terrified. By the time you want to scream "Look behind you!", it's already too late' – Daily Mail

'James plays with your expectations - creating a convincing and genuinely terrifying tale that, in the best old-fashioned tradition, will frighten the wits out of you in a most enjoyable way' – Irish Sunday Mirror

'A great piece of escapism that will have you looking over your shoulder' – Scotsman

They Thought I was Dead was an instant no.1 Sunday Times bestseller w/c 13/05/2024

©2015 Peter James (P)2015 Pan Macmillan Publishers Ltd.

Not up to par

I am a huge fan of the Roy grace series. This book,however, dragged on and on. I listened to it. I probably wouldn't have finished it if l had been reading it.

Peter James’s Cold Hill House

This is a marvelous ghost story. Peter James is one of the best writers I’ve ever read. While he may be better known for his Crime Dramas, he is just as adapted with a ghost story, as well as his other works. Thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Good book ....

I enjoyed it but the pace didn't vary throughout and despite a few deaths being connected to the main character, no Roy Grace minded inspector got involved, wasted opportunity! also felt the end was a bit rushed

Better than Stephen King

An old fashioned haunted house book, without blood and gore, set in modern times with a contemporary family.
I am generally not a great lover of fiction, but this one held my attention all the way through. And it was the perfect length. The narrator was great. I will be recommending it to my Bookclub.

Excellent

I enjoyed the story. Kept me wanting to know what was coming next. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Great if you love horror clichés...

My "House on Cold Hill" Drinking Game

1) Before reading, take a second to write down every horror cliché you can imagine. Don't be stingy!! No trope is too overdone, no ground too treaded, no stone too turned!
2) While reading, mark down every one you get right. Bonus points if you saw the same gimmick used in a recent episode of Supernatural or a reenactment from "My Celebrity Ghost Story"...
3) When you finish, take one shot for every one you marked. The neat thing is that, when you are taken by the eventual onset of alcohol poisoning, you will feel on the outside, how this book makes you feel on the inside... dead.