The Lost Ones: The most captivating and haunting ghost story and debut historical fiction novel of 2020

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I'd happily recommend this for those that enjoy supernatural fiction and/or those that are looking for something a little different to their normal reads.

The Lost Ones by Ben Cheetham | Goodreads

From children’s cries, to footsteps, unexplained rocking cribs and the strange placement of toys, there doesn’t appear to be an explanation for these spiralling events. I worked out how the story would play out a little earlier that I feel I should have, I found it predictable and a little contrived in places, and I think that this would have been a better book if certain of the story-lines had been pruned a little; but I was captivated from start to finish. Struggling with her lingering grief a change is most definitely needed so when her brother in law asks her as a favour to join her pregnant sister at his family seat and keep her company in his absence Stella is only too happy to comply with his wishes. But, surely this murder of Elijah and Joanna Ingham couldn't have anything to do with the missing girl?And then there was a noise in the night: Stella and Madeleine - and no one else - heard the clear and inexplicable sound of a child crying . I realize when a child goes missing, emotions are high, but there were just too many instances of thoughtless behavior that it became frustrating as a reader. These ladies shift back and forth between being antagonists to allies or vice versa as the mystery deepens and Stella’s investigation ruffles feathers in the household. I did guess the outcome and there was some predictability but nevertheless this novel is beautifully written and evocative of time and place, just what you need for these long dark evenings. We have Stella, grieving from the death of her fiancé in WW1, who, with her maid Annie, goes to stay with her pregnant sister Madeleine at her husband's country estate.

The Lost Ones by Anita Frank review – this ghost story lacks The Lost Ones by Anita Frank review – this ghost story lacks

I hope I never have the misfortune to meet a group of people as unpleasant as the characters in this book. As the book progresses, the chapters get shorter and snappier which was great as it really ramped up the tension. Like the Broken, the Lost Ones have forsaken the Holy Light practices they once had, and have instead started to use shamanism and even dark magic. Something that defies all logical explanations except maybe the obvious no matter how outlandish it may initially appear. Due to their negative impact on the environment, they are enemies with the shaman of the Earthen Ring.

Mr Sheers is yet another ambiguous character who vacillates between being friend or foe; his agenda at Greywick is to help resolve the heightened emotions and ‘hysteria’ over spirits supposedly wreaking havoc, but obviously his skeptical viewpoint conflicts with Stella and Madeleine who were already fighting a losing battle to convince the family they aren’t going insane. The characters in the story are well portrayed and easy to picture though some are not likeable such as Hectors mother although she thaws a bit at the end of the book.