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The Haunting of Maddy Clare  By  cover art

The Haunting of Maddy Clare

By: Simone St. James
Narrated by: Billie Fulford-Brown
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Publisher's summary

A woman of limited means and even less experience must confront a vengeful spirit in this haunting novel from the New York Times bestselling author of The Broken Girls and The Sun Down Motel.

1920s England. Sarah Piper’s lonely, threadbare existence changes when her temporary agency sends her to assist an obsessed ghost hunter. Alistair Gellis—rich, handsome, and scarred by World War I—has been summoned to investigate the spirit of the nineteen-year-old maid Maddy Clare, who is said to haunt the barn where she committed suicide.

Maddy hated men in life, and she will not speak to them in death. But Sarah is unprepared to confront an angry ghost—real or imagined—on her own. She’s even less prepared for the arrival of Alistair’s associate, rough, unsettling Matthew Ryder, also a veteran of the trenches, whose scars go deeper than Sarah can reach.

Soon, Sarah is caught up in a desperate struggle. For Maddy’s ghost is no hoax—she’s real, she’s angry, and she has powers that defy all reason. Now, Sarah and Matthew must discover who Maddy was, where she came from, and what is driving her desire for vengeance—before she destroys them all....

©2012 Simone Seguin (P)2023 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

Winner of two RITA Awards from the Romance Writers of America and the Arthur Ellis Award from Crime Writers of Canada

“St. James has written an atmospheric and resoundingly old-fashioned ghost story that pulls you in from the first pages.”—Historical Novels Review

“A chilling start...fans of the modern Gothic novel will enjoy filling up a few creepy hours.”—Kirkus Reviews

“With a fresh, unique voice, Simone St. James creates an atmosphere that is deliciously creepy and a heroine you won't soon forget. The Haunting of Maddy Clare promises spooky thrills and it delivers. Read it, enjoy it—but don't turn out the lights!”—Deanna Raybourn, author of the Julia Grey series and of The Dark Enquiry

What listeners say about The Haunting of Maddy Clare

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Wonderful story

This had everything - it was spooky, a bit thrilling and a touch of romance. Loved it

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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    2 out of 5 stars

Meh

Plot started out good; however, the sappy love/sex portions were too numerous. Felt like I was reading a romance novel- not mystery.

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5 people found this helpful

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Spooky story for spooky season

I loved this period piece. Just in time for Halloween. Revenge comes in the most unexpected ways

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1 person found this helpful

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    4 out of 5 stars
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Great story

This was a great story! Spooky & a mystery plus a great narrator…just great!! I took one star away as it really didn’t need explicit sex scenes. The story was perfect without the author’s need to add soft porn to sell more books…but that’s just my opinion.

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2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Not my favorite

Definitely not my favorite from Simone. Still an okay ghost story though which is what I was looking for

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2 people found this helpful

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Great story!

Great story,! I Love her books, one of my favorite artists, One of her best stories

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I was surprised

I was surprised I enjoyed this book as much as I did. The book was gifted to me by my daughter and our taste in books are usually not the same but since she gave it to me and said she thought I would enjoy it because even though it was a ghost story it was also a mystery. She was right, It didn’t take long before I got into the story and was captured! Different for sure, from the usual mysteries I usually listen to but still, maybe because it was different, I couldn’t wait until I had another moment to listen. Throughly enjoyed the book from an author I had never heard of,

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    5 out of 5 stars

Thrilling and Emotionally Resonant.

I recently had the pleasure of diving into "The Haunting of Maddie Claire" by Simone St. James, and I must say, it was an utterly captivating experience. This book masterfully intertwines the eerie allure of ghost stories with the intricate puzzle of a murder mystery, creating a narrative that had me hooked from the first page to the last.

After reading the book, researched Simone St. James. As it turns out, she has a history and knack for crafting atmospheric mysteries that not only feature strong, complex female characters but also immerse you in chilling tales that transcend the typical ghost story. This one is clearly no exception. The plot, rich with suspense and unexpected twists, kept me guessing at every turn, while the hauntingly beautiful setting added an extra layer of depth that made the story even more engaging.

What truly sets this book apart for me was its ability to balance the tension and pacing so flawlessly. I found myself completely absorbed in the world St. James created, invested in the characters' journeys and the unfolding mystery. The descriptive backdrop helped amplify the eerie atmosphere expressed at times, making the ghostly aspects of the story feel all the more real and spine-tingling. In several instances, I felt like I could truly visualize the exact depiction that was being portrayed. I really appreciated that.

In conclusion, I would enthusiastically give "The Haunting of Maddie Claire" a five-star rating. It's a compelling blend of ghostly suspense and murder mystery, all set against a rich canvas that will undoubtedly appeal to many types of readers. I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a story that is both thrilling and emotionally resonant.

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I love Simone St. James. She keeps me interested from the beginning to the end.

I love the characters and how they interacted with each other. The storyline was eerie and kept me coming back for more.

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Recommend this mystery ghost story

You won’t be disappointed. The plot is strong and characters are well developed. You’ll be interested in the mystery through the end!

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2 people found this helpful