I knew nothing about A House of Ghosts or W.C. Ryan when I bought it. It was 100% a spur of the moment whim based on the cover. But boy, am I glad I did. Because while it’s not a book that’s going to change your life, it will nevertheless be an incredibly enjoyable read.

An English Ghost Story is a novel of interesting ideas, poorly handled. There is a lot in here that could have made a fascinating story. Unfortunately, Newman doesn’t deliver on any of these. 

When you go into a Susan Hill ghost story, you know what you’re expecting. She has shown over and over that she is a master of the gothic horror story. And with The Man In The Portrait, you get exactly what you expect.