Ratings9
Average rating4
“Portis House emerged from the fog as we approached, showing itself slowly as a long, low shadow….”
In 1919, Kitty Weekes, pretty, resourceful, and on the run, falsifies her background to obtain a nursing position at Portis House, a remote hospital for soldiers left shell-shocked by the horrors of the Great War. Hiding the shame of their mental instability in what was once a magnificent private estate, the patients suffer from nervous attacks and tormenting dreams. But something more is going on at Portis House—its plaster is crumbling, its plumbing makes eerie noises, and strange breaths of cold waft through the empty rooms. It’s known that the former occupants left abruptly, but where did they go? And why do the patients all seem to share the same nightmare, one so horrific that they dare not speak of it?
Kitty finds a dangerous ally in Jack Yates, an inmate who may be a war hero, a madman… or maybe both. But even as Kitty and Jack create a secret, intimate alliance to uncover the truth, disturbing revelations suggest the presence of powerful spectral forces. And when a medical catastrophe leaves them even more isolated, they must battle the menace on their own, caught in the heart of a mystery that could destroy them both.
Reviews with the most likes.
I actually finished this a few days ago but am being really bad about updating goodreads. This is probably closer to a 4.5 but I'm going to round up because this held my interest which right now is almost impossible. Great writing and atmosphere build up. Good ghost story.
Topics of PTSD and mental health were way sadder than I expected so keep that in mind before diving in
I love the strength and capability of Kitty. I like how St. James portrays what PTSD really looks like and how shameful that was for families. And yet elk the characters have dignity. That is a great strength. And it all ends fairly happy.