Very in depth

Enjoyed the whole story. The ghost aspect was interesting but for me the most intriguing part was the story of Marianne Foyster. I would like to find out more about her incredible life.

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1 person found this helpful

Fascinating social & historical context

I wanted to read a book about Borley Rectory, and I can’t even remember why I chose this one now but I know I didn’t read many reviews or anything before choosing.
Anyway I was well rewarded - this book goes into real detail about the lives of people connected with Borley, and I found myself getting really interested in the paths their lives took. I think originally I wanted more info on the spooky stuff, and whilst this book does do this, it’s also a fascinating delve into the historical context. Have been looking for more stuff from the author since.

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1 person found this helpful

Very informative historical account

If you’ve heard and are interested in Borley Rectory like myself then this is the book/audiobook that you’ve dreamed of!! Enjoyed the narration aswell.

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4 people found this helpful

Fascinating, worth a listen - but would have benefited from an edit

Overall enjoyable and very thorough, though at times more detailed than required even for the avid fan. With some content duplication, it would have benefited from a stronger edit. For fans of fabled ghost stories, and particularly Borley, this is definitely worth a listen.

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1 person found this helpful

Captivating

Comprehensive, exhaustive and completely enthralling. This to my mind is now the definitive book on the most haunted house in England. Superb narration as well.

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1 person found this helpful

A little slow at times, but otherwise fascinating.

Moving into Borley Rectory in 1928, Eric and Mabel Smith discovered a human skull in a cupboard. Subsequent events suggested the house might be haunted. Within a year, the family had moved out. Reverend Lionel Foyster and his young wife then moved in and became aware of what appeared to be poltergeist activity. Reported in the tabloid press, the house attracted the attention of ghost hunter Harry Price and the events that followed gave the house its reputation as the most haunted house in England.

The most exciting thing about a supposedly haunted house must be the possibility that it might actually be haunted. However, in this book, Sean O’Connor shows that the ghost stories were probably just that – stories. I’ve been aware of the tales surrounding Borley Rectory for many years and had always assumed that at least some of the sightings and phenomena must have some basis in fact. In this highly detailed and thoroughly researched account, Sean O’Connor reveals that while some events – such as the four sisters who allegedly saw a ghostly nun crossing the garden – could be put down to spooky shadows and youthful enthusiasm – other accounts, like the echoing footsteps in upper rooms of the house when no-one was actually upstairs, sound feasible. Some incidents, like flying pebbles and other objects were most likely the result of Harry Price’s slight-of-hand antics and his desire to promote his own reputation. As the Borley Report (published in 1956) pointed out, there was little evidence to back up Price’s claims and much to suggest several people played tricks on friends and visitors, keeping up the pretence of ‘spiritual’ activity for reasons best known to themselves.

What is most interesting about this book are the lives of the individuals who lived in the house and their various shenanigans and possible reasons for wanting everyone to believe it really was haunted. Though the pace of the book slows a little at times, it is nevertheless a fascinating account of what is most probably not the most haunted house in England.

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5 people found this helpful

Borley

I have been fasinated by this haunting for many years, and having visited Borley and read both of Price's books and a number of others. I found this book very informative, without taking one side or the other. It told the story from the many angles of the incombants, visitors and local residents, sheading new light and views that I had not heard before. And talks about the social aspect of the time as well. It was well read and well put over, without being too scientific and boring.

A good read for anyone interested in the study of the supernatural, fact or fiction.

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2 people found this helpful

Very interesting

Only because the story line wanders too much into the life of people post 1950. This makes the book more mundane. I totally agree in my mind, the reasons for the 'haunting', and Mr Price's "investigations'. It is excellently researched, written and narrated. Overall 4.5 stars

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Thorough and (mostly) interesting

Very detailed and interesting account, however there is some repetition and the author's left leaning bias comes through in places, especially in the summation section

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More than just a ghost story.

I really enjoyed this. As an curious researcher of all things paranormal I couldn't resist thos title when I discovered it. Like all things spooky there is often much more to the story than the haunting itself. Tge author expands greatly on the background and characters. He even considers the World order in the time period during which these hauntings supposedly took place. Fantastic story incredibly well told and narrated.

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