House of Ash and Bone

By: Joel A. Sutherland

Narrated by: Veronica Hortiguela

The Haunted meets House of Salt and Sorrows in this young adult debut horror by acclaimed master of the macabre Joel A. Sutherland.

Seventeen-year-old Josephine Jagger is a talented writer with special abilities she doesn't fully understand. Over the years she has developed methods to cope with the voices she hears in her head, but the old house her family has inherited in Vermont makes Josephine question what's real and what's not more than anything she's ever encountered before. It's filled with shadows, and whispers, and the unshakable feeling of being watched. Josephine then catches her first glimpse of a shadowy woman with long hair, pale skin, an impossibly wide smile and hollow pits for eyes. Her name is Dorcas, the ghost of a witch who died three hundred years ago. She has summoned the family to Vermont to ensnare them — then consume them — in order to rise from the grave and live again . . .

Critic reviews

One of Kids Committee List's Red Maple Fiction Readers Books for 2024

"Engaging characters kept me turning the pages even when spine-chilling scenes made me wish I hadn’t decided to read this after dark." —Kelley Armstrong, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Someone Is Always Watching

“A chilling story of shadows and of witches who want more than just your soul to keep. Joel is a master in the art of suspense, and you'll root for Josephine too while she slowly uncovers the terrifying secrets of her new home all the way to its horrific, heart-pounding conclusion.” —Rin Chupeco, author of The Bone Witch

“House of Ash and Bone breathes new life into YA horror and also announces the arrival of a powerful new voice! Highly recommended!” —Jonathan Maberry, New York Times bestselling author of Rot & Ruin and editor of Weird Tales Magazine

"Crammed with jump scares and terrifying twists, House of Ash and Bone is a chilling, spine-tingling thriller with atmosphere to spare. Joel A. Sutherland’s debut young adult novel is a winner from creepy start to terrifying finish, a classic horror tale with a contemporary vibe that’s sure to have readers of all ages flipping pages until late into the night. I loved it!" —Tom Ryan, award-winning author of Keep This to Yourself

"A thoroughly enjoyable, suspenseful supernatural tale." —Kirkus Reviews

"Sutherland lets readers know from the start that something is wrong with the house and its inhabitants. A feeling of being unmoored permeates the book as Josephine tries to understand what is real and what is delusion. . . . A creepy and unsettling ghost story." —School Library Journal

Great Halloween Read!

Great easy listen to get Halloween started! Will recommend to all my witch loving readers.

An excellent way to start Spooky Season

I read this in an ebook format a few days ago because NetGalley and Penguin Random House Canada sent me an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. I loved the book so much that once I found that there was an audiobook version of it, I had to get it. And I am glad I did because the story is even better in its audio format. I highly recommend it if you want to add some horror to your Fall TBR.

A family from Amherst, NY, inherits an old, creepy house in the middle of Vermont and decides to spend the winter holiday there. Seventeen-year-old Josephine must protect her family from Dorcas, the ghost of a witch who died three hundred years ago. I was blown away by how much I enjoyed this book. The author's vivid description created an eerie and immersive atmosphere that sent shivers down my spine. The plot was a rollercoaster of suspense and unexpected twists. This book could easily be adapted into a horror movie. I love The Conjuring" vibes I got from it. The main character, Josephine's journey of self-discovery, is beautifully portrayed by the author, making her a character you can easily root for. Overall, if you are looking for an introduction to horror or if you are an avid horror reader, you will love reading "The House of Ash and Bone"!