Stirrings in the Black House

De: Ambrose Ibsen

Narrado por: Joe Hempel

Fear is a place.

When struggling concert pianist Emil inherits a house from his late uncle, he thinks all of his problems are solved. Absconding to the mysterious Weatherby House in the suburbs of Portland where his famous uncle composed many classical masterpieces, Emil finds the place completely empty, save for one thing: his uncle's grand piano.

But Weatherby House is not the ideal getaway it appears at first glance. It has a dark past and is shunned by the locals. As the days pass, strange things occur on the property, leaving Emil to wonder if he isn't losing his mind.

Unplaceable footsteps resound in the upstairs; dark figures peer into the windows at night despite the empty acreage that surrounds the old house, and that blasted piano can't seem to keep quiet, loosing music at turns beautiful and terrifying even as no one sits before it.

In time, Emil discovers that there's something else living in Weatherby House.

And it refuses to let him leave.

©2017 Ambrose Ibsen (P)2017 Ambrose Ibsen

Could Have Been Better

This is ok. It's a really good story, which is the main thing it has going for it. But it is really boring most of the time. I kept wanting to know what happened, so I kept listening, even though it SHOULD have been a lot scarier and creepier than it was along the way.

I don't; know if it was the writing or the narration. It just fell flat. Being alone in a spooky house should have been a LOT scarier. The main character was sympathetic, but not really interesting until the very end. The girl in the story is completely uninteresting.

I probably wouldn't recommend.

Great ghost story!

I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

I will start by saying that I jumped on this book because of Joe Hempel. He's become one of my favorite narrators after listening to him on a few other books. I love horror stories and ghosts and I was not disappointed. I thought this was a well told and creepy story with interesting characters. The combination of Ambrose Ibsen's writing and Joe Hempel's narration is excellent. I will definitely look for more from this duo.

Haunted house or craziness?

Emil is a concert pianist struggling with an addition to opiates. When his Uncle Gustav dies and leaves him a house across the country, Emil is shocked but decides that he needs a change in his life in order to try to salvage his career.

When he arrives at the Weatherby house, he is shocked to see how huge it is and by the fact that there are no furnishings or light bulbs in it. Everything is covered with a thick layer of dust and Emil wonders if his Uncle ever lived in the house.

When he meets a young woman named Kelly, Emil learns that the house was the setting for some horrific murders at the hands of a cult. Of course, Emil starts to hear things and see things in the house and begins to wonder if he is going crazy.

There is really nothing new or surprising in this book, but if you enjoy a good haunted house/cult/ghost story, you will enjoy this one. There is a bit of a cheesy 1980's slasher movie to this book and I found myself wanting to scream at the characters several times. But, that is part of the charm of a haunted house story, isn't it? The ending was pretty predictable, but it didn't take away from the chills I felt at parts of the book. Ambrose Ibsen is a good writer and you can really feel the terror as Emil narrates.

Joe Hempel continues to be one of my favorite narrators and this book is no exception. He is perfect in his reading and telling of the tale.

I was gifted a copy of this Audible book by the narrator/author/publisher and chose to review it.

Absolutely Gripping!!

I've read/listened to almost all of Ambrose Ibsen and he never fails to perform stories that will just take you to the brink of hysteria! Very well written and polished to perfection brings this horror experience to the edge of your seat! Excellent narration by Joe Hempel rounds out the small, yet powerful cast of characters!

Good Fun!

Any additional comments?

"Stirrings in the Black House" was a totally satisfying listen. Ibsen always writes a good paranormal horror story, but I thought that this one was particularly well crafted and interesting. I also appreciated how few characters there were in this book; it gave the writer an opportunity to really bring them to life. I can't and won't say more to avoid spoilers but I will say that anyone who enjoys a good ghost story will very much enjoy this tale!! Joe Hempel does a fantastic job, as always, of narration. I would recommend anything by Ambrose Ibsen and/or Joe Hempel! 10/10 I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

The Occult, Torture, and Opiates...!!

If you could sum up Stirrings in the Black House in three words, what would they be?

I guess I would use the same words as in my headline...LOL...The Occult, Torture, and Opiates-- What's not to love? ;0)

What did you like best about this story?

I liked the portrayal of the Occult members to be so truly evil that in the end, the person would actually beg for death. I could see where that could happen if the torture was as horrific as the things they did.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved all of the torture scenarios.

If you could rename Stirrings in the Black House, what would you call it?

Skinned "Tones"

Any additional comments?

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Kitty

This is a goodbok,we'll worth listening to . didny like the way it ended either. Unless there's going to be a part 2

Horrifying

In my opinion this book is down right terrifying it gave me the absolute creeps. The plot is well written, spine tingling and phenomenal. The characters are likeable and believable. I highly recommend this book if you like horror with a twist of suspense. I received this book at my request and I am voluntarily leaving my honest review here of my own volition.

Great story and great narration

I received a free copy of this book in audio format from the narrator in exchange for an honest review.

Playing piano is everything for Emil. After a breakdown some months before, he has no job nor prospects in life. Upon his death, his uncle Gustav, famous music composer, leaves Emil an old house in Portland, where Emil moves to and discovers an exceptional piano in the house living room. This could be a new opportunity for Emil and he takes it in stride, until the inhabitants of the little town close to the house start telling him about the gruesome murders committed in the house during the 70's.

I always enjoy a ghost story by Ambrose Ibsen. He is capable of building up the right amount of tension and creating the right atmosphere to make a story startling. Even though I do not believe in ghosts, as I have a rational mind like Emil, the flow of the story caught my attention and kept it until the end. I especially enjoyed the twist, and made complete sense as the only real possibility at that point. It is one of those stories where everything falls elegantly in place.

I liked Emil, a young tormented soul with hopes to forge a better future for himself, and Kelly, the girl who introduces him to the house and stays by his side when he needs it the most. Despite not being a very long novel the characters are fully fleshed, and their actions and words feel natural and fluid.

The narration was beautifully done by Joe Hempel, bringing to life each one of the characters. Not changing them but giving them a little extra, making the book shine and become alive. Listening to a book narrated by Joe Hempel is always an unsurpassable experience.

This is my second book by Ambrose Ibsen, and I am impressed by his writing skills, not only creating characters that are alive but also places with a soul. I am looking forward to listening to his other books.

Ghost story at its best

Ambrose Ibsen is a master of ghost stories. This chilling tale of murder, music, cults, possession and more will leave you with all the lights on in your house...of course that just makes the shadows darker and deeper.the author weaves a masterful tale narrated in chilling detail by joe hempel. This tale of a house with a dark history will lead you down a path and take you through twists and turns down paths you never expect. Be ready to be scared. Be ready to find out what is stirring in the Black House. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.