Ephram Korban was a lover of the arts. After his death Korban Manor is kept open as an artistic retreat for a select few for a six week period. Once the artists, writers, sculptors, filmmakers, etc, arrive they find themselves highly motivated to create masterpieces. Mason Jackson, a working class sculptor, knows he must create something special as this is his last chance to make it as an artist.

Anna Galloway, a dying ghost hunter, finds herself drawn to Korban Manor by the ghosts in her dreams. Together the two think they have found what they’ve been searching for, only to find they’ve been called to Korban Manor for far more nefarious reasons as the Manor is suffused with the evil spirit of Ephram Korban who wants nothing more than to come back from the dead and will do anything to make sure it happens.

Scott Nicholson gives me the creeps.

Of course I mean that in the best possible way. He has crafted a chilling story about restless spirits, malevolent forces and a spooky house that couldn’t stop me from turning the pages as fast as my brain and hands would allow.

Nicholson’s greatest strength lies in his descriptions of his Appalachian surroundings. While you’re reading his books you can close your eyes and image you’re deep in the mountains with the characters. The characters themselves aren’t too shabby either. The two main heroes of this book are very likeable despite being somewhat surly. The residents of the Manors surrounding countryside aren’t written as ignorant hillbillies but as regular people with a healthy respect for folklore. I may not be a Southerner but I live here and I’m tired of horror books and movies with stereotypes featuring yokels with three teeth sitting in a washboard and jug band.

There were times when I was sure I had everything figured out only to be knocked for a loop time and time again. If you’re looking for a good read with suspense, thrills and chills then give The Manor a shot.