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The Dead of Winter
 
 
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The Dead of Winter [Hardcover]

Chris Priestley
4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
RRP: £10.99
Price: £8.30 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions
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    Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.
    This item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

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Product details

  • Hardcover: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC (4 Oct 2010)
  • Language English
  • ISBN-10: 1408800136
  • ISBN-13: 978-1408800133
  • Product Dimensions: 20 x 13.4 x 2.6 cm
  • Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 147,159 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Chris Priestley
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Product Description

Review

`Open a Chris Priestley Gothic ghost story and what seeps from the pages, like mist from a desolate marsh, is his sheer love of the genre. This passion not only shapes a gripping story with well-rounded characters, but lifts the level of writing well above similar Victorian chillers . . . Deliciously creepy with lots of twists and turns to keep young readers on edge'
--Daily Mail

`A beautifully paced novella that carries a sting in its tail'
--The Times

`Priestley assembles his plot and possibly psychotic characters with wicked glee, creating a supernatural tale which is aware that revenge is always open-ended. Genuinely frightening, this will make your ghoulish nephews stay up all night'
--Literary Review

`A cracking nineteenth century style ghost story with some wonderful Dickensian characters, a puzzling plot line and revelations on Christmas Day'
--School Librarian

`A gripping, accessible read for 10 to 15-year-olds which I would highly recommend'
--School Librarian

Review

Praise for Tales of Terror from the Black Ship: 'A fantastic page-turner, with a really scary ending' Independent on Sunday Praise for Uncle Montague's Tales of Terror: 'Scare yourselves silly ... recalls the best of Edward Gorey in wickedness and humour ... Perfect for reading aloud' Observer Praise for Dead of Winyter: 'A superb little ghost story ... it's quite chilling, and has the capacity to give children a pleasingly good scare. It would make a great book for reading aloud over a series of nights' SFX 'Open a Chris Priestley Gothic ghost story and what seeps from the pages, like mist from a desolate marsh, is his sheer love of the genre. This passion not only shapes a gripping story with well-rounded characters, but lifts the level of writing well above similar Victorian chillers ... Deliciously creepy with lots of twists and turns to keep young readers on edge' Daily Mail --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
34 of 34 people found the following review helpful
The Dead Of Winter 29 Oct 2010
By Vicki @ Cosy Books TOP 1000 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
I am not easily scared. There are very few books that can keep me awake at night through terror. With it's deliciously spine-chilling story, The Dead Of Winter managed that and had me on edge throughout.

Young Michael has lost both his parents and faces orphan hood in Victorian London, but on the day of his mother's funeral a surprise benefactor is revealed. Michael must go and spend Christmas in his new guardians home, the formidable Hawton Mere. Nervous to meet his new guardian, Sir Stephen, Michael's apprehension soon turns to terror as he approaches Hawton Mere in a carriage late at night and sees a ghostly woman in the marshes surrounding the stately home. Once inside his fear isn't abated as he finds Sir Stephen on the edge of insanity and dark secrets lurking in every shadow.

I love a gothic ghost story. There's nothing better than slipping back into an eerie past and being scared out of your wits. The Dead Of Winter is no disappointment and is gripping throughout.
In a book of this kind perhaps the most important character is the setting itself, and Hawton Mere is a fantastic, creepy mansion harbouring all kinds of secrets. Surrounded by cold dark marshes, Priestly truly sets the scene for a terrifying ghost story in this cold and unforgiving home. The descriptions of the surrounding areas are vivid and I could easily picture it while reading the book.

The characters are also brilliantly crafted and very much of their time. From the mad aristocratic guardian, lurking in every shadow and dripping secrets, to the fiercely loyal servants refusing to abandon the family that has seen such tragedy they are exactly what you want from this genre. Sir Stephen's sister Charlotte adds a mysterious and complex dimension as you wonder throughout what her role truly is-friend or foe. The language used is authentic and formal as you would expect, but still manages to be incredibly readable and gripping. Rather than alienate, it sucks you right in and you'll feel you've slipped back in time yourself as you read this book.

The Dead Of Winter is a hugely atmospheric book and best read curled up in front of the fire on a dark, windy night. It isn't a long book and at just over 200 pages is one you will devour in one sitting. I literally couldn't put it down and had that thrilling edge of your seat feeling throughout with every creak and groan in the house having me jump out of my skin. It's my favourite kind of horror, suggestive, atmospheric and sinister without being graphic. I'd recommend this book to anyone of any age from Eleven years old who enjoys a good gothic ghost story and especially to reluctant readers as I'm certain even they won't be able to resist this devilishly delicious tale of horror.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
This is a bit of a guilty read, as it is aimed at young adults. However, once you get passed that, what you get is a highly enjoyable book, which will only take a couple of days to read. Parts of the plot are a bit contrived, and the ending feels fast tracked, but it hits the mark most of the time, spooky and atmospheric on an autumn day!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
By Brida TOP 500 REVIEWER VINE™ VOICE
Format:Hardcover
THE DEAD OF WINTER is a brilliantly atmospheric, gothic ghost story for younger readers. The story is narrated by a young boy, Michael. Following the death of his mother - which leaves him an orphan - he is told that he is to spend the festive season at Hawtorn Mere at the mansion of a man he hardly knows. All he knows about this man is that his own father died saving his life. But the house has a secret, a secret which does not want to remain secret anymore.

Priestley has done a fantastic job at creating believeable characters and a brooding setting. The marsh land which surrounds the house is brilliantly described and adds to the feel of the book. Ghost stories are hard to write well, but Priestley has done a good job - he truly draws you into the story, pulling you along with Michael so that you feel as though you are living every word with him.

I would thoroughly recommend this book to all people who enjoy an atmospheric, gothic book. Even adults will feel the tingles on their spine whilst reading this - absolutely brilliant!
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
The Dead Of Winter
An excellent read which kept me on the edge of my seat all the time. It is the sort of book that you can loose yourself in and be unaware of your surroundings so it is best to read... Read more
Published 2 months ago by R. A. Ward
An adult read too!
I had no idea that this novel was aimed at young adults when I bought it a Christmas (I think it was on special offer). The whole story had a bit of a M.R. Read more
Published 2 months ago by V. Harrington
Highly enjoyable
I've read quite a few victorian novelists. I think Chris Priestly has captured the period very well indeed. It's a good traditional ghost story and none the worse for that. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Davey
Chilling.
Decided to read this as a bit of a diversion from more serious adult books (I'm 22) but that doesn't make this book any less good. Read more
Published 3 months ago by ThatBoyLuke
More clichés than chills
Dreary, contrived, predictable, and trots out every cliché in the 'ones to avoid' handbook. I stuck with it in the hope that it would improve, but it really didn't, and the... Read more
Published 3 months ago by Pyewacket
Not just for young adults!
I am fast approaching the big 40 so cannot be described as a young adult. I would urge anyone who loves a good ghost story to buy it. Read more
Published 4 months ago by C. Conn
Quick easy read.
This was my first book read on the Kindle and I enjoyed it as a quick easy read. A simple plot and fairly entertaining. Worth reading as it is short and to the point. Read more
Published 4 months ago by S. Moor
The Dead of Winter
I have just finished reading The Dead of Winter, and I still don't want to turn the light off and go to sleep! Read more
Published 4 months ago by C Cochrane-Davies
GREAT
This is a great book, could not put it down, well worth reading.
kept you guessing to how is could be.
Published 4 months ago by Alison Nutt
Spooky
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. One of my first Kindle downloads....it was a quick read and maintained a spooky feel throughout. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Freckles
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