Gaston Hall

By: L.B. Stimson

Narrated by: Jennifer March

Length: 4 hrs and 8 mins

Publisher's summary

Elsie Goodwin is barely clinging to life when she wakes to find herself hidden away inside the cellar of Gaston Hall. Hopeful she has found shelter from the nearby battles, she quickly realizes the hell she had escaped hours earlier has followed after her.

Set against the backdrop of the US Civil War, the residents of Gaston Hall find themselves struggling to survive in a place where the worlds of both the living and the dead are intertwined. All is not what it may seem at Gaston Hall - a home for orphaned and abandoned children.

One. Two. Three. Four. The children appeared.

“Ashes. Ashes. We all tumbled down.”

Della’s eyes fluttered. She shifted in her chair; her mouth pinched. Elsie drew back as the smallest and last of the spectres emerged. The child crawled upon Della’s lap, nestling her head against her mother’s breast. Della’s chin dropped, disappearing within her daughter’s matted hair. The others began to sway, moving around their mother and sister in a close circle and humming the horrific tune. Elsie watched in horror, but remained firm in her place. Were the children sending her clues or taunting their mother? It couldn't be. Oh, what wicked thing did you do?

Elsie leaned close to the woman’s face and whispered in her ear.

“What did you do to your children?”

©2020 L.B. Stimson (P)2021 L.B. Stimson

I couldn't turn it off until I finished it

I wish this book was longer, because the story is incredible! Creepy kids, a protective ghost, and secrets that gradually begin to emerge. One of my favorite books so far this year.

A haunting story of grief

This take takes place in in the south after the civil war and tells the story of the woman who houses orphans and children whom need a home.
We also learn a little bit about past from the children who never had a chance to grow up.
overall I enjoyed the story. I did find it more sadness than haunting as you learn about the children who have perished and never left the land but I did find the mystery of the previous people who ran the Hall entertaining.

Great story!

It’s not often that a book sucks me in from the very beginning, but this one did it! Most audiobooks make me fall asleep but I finished this one the same day I started it. I loved the story, the characters had depth and the narration was really good! Can’t wait to read/listen to more from this author!

Great Little Ghost Story

This is was a fun little gothic ghost story. I really enjoyed listening to this story, the narrator was very good and did an excellent job throughout.

The synopsis is a bit misleading, as the story mainly takes places several years after the Civil War during reconstruction in the south and one of the main conflicts is the lack of funds and families willing to adopt orphan southern children. This was a bit of realism that I enjoyed quite a bit. The historical realism and character angst and mystery is what drives this piece. You really feel for the main character, Elsie, and the different orphans that are introduced that inhabit Gaston Hall. The mystery isn't complicated, but it is traditionally gothic in nature and is delivered well.

What really shines here is the character development, for such a short book each of the characters introduced is given enough time to really be developed and I really got to know each of them and their motivations.

I definitely recommend this little gem and will definitely pick up more from L.B. Stimson.

Dark History of Deep South

Thank You L B Stimson and Jennifer Marsh

I loved this Novella. An Original Southern Gothic Story of the Deep South. It is so very sad with a surprising twist.

Supernatural
Occult
Historical Fiction / Non Fiction

Dark Secrets of the Past

This book is well written and very creative. I must admit that some parts truly pissed me off and I wanted to stop listening but I continued and found redeeming qualities within the story. I loved the storyline of vengeance and redemption but the ending wasn't a true ending it left me with many questions. I received this book from Audiobooks Unleashed and this is my honest unbiased review.

Sweet/disturbing paranormal story

The story was sweet in the way that Elsie cared for the children and looked after them. It was disturbing with the original children. The ending leaves a few questions and a way to possibly continue on with the story. There are a few characters you will fall in love with, some you’ll like and some you’ll have a pity/dislike for. The narrator did a good job in conveying emotions. All in all it was good.

I was provided a free copy in exchange for my honest review.

Ghostly children and huge secrets

I used to read gothic romance novels all the time in my younger years and I have recently rediscovered my love of the genre. This book is a great example of a Southern Gothic novel.

Elsie Goodwin is a young woman living in the South during the Civil War. After she is attacked by a group of men, she awakens in the basement of Gaston Hall. Elsie soon discovers that she just survived one form of torment to be thrust into another.

The owner of the house, Della, is running an orphanage for children, but she is also hiding secrets. Elsie tries to comfort the resident children, but they are often frightened by the vision of a group of ghostly children. Elsie is determined to discover the truth of their deaths and why they refuse to move on.

The book had a lot of gothic vibes and ghostly encounters. I do admit that I had difficulty at times in figuring out whether a character was "real" or a ghost. The author has done a great job in creating wonderful characters and ghostly atmosphere, along with some horrible villains and emotional moments.

The narrator did a fantastic job and the inclusion of children singing "Ashes, ashes, we all tumbled down", followed by eerie laughter, was a wonderful touch.