I’m going to tell you a funny story.
Sorry, did I ruin the twist there? Let me start again….
It was a dark and stormy night….
No, that’s not right either.
How about a modern ghost story?
Perfect.
I’ve never been haunted. I’ve only had one experience that might be construed that way, and it was not a fun experience. I was in high school, and I’m grateful to say I was a Christian, and that praying made whatever it was go away. It was an experience I’ve not repeated since, and one I hope to never experience again.
That experience made The Windwilder Haunting especially relatable, because the main character is also a Christian, and she ends up haunted. Several times through the book, Madelyn finds herself in a struggle that only prayer seems to be able to get her out of. Even those of you who don’t pray can probably find this relatable.
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Synopsis
In a modern ghost story, The Windwilder Haunting, Madelyn Springer signs on as a docent for the new museum in town. The Windwilder patriarch, Philip, has agreed to allow tours of his house. While touring the house, Madelyn comes across a painting, almost 100 years old, of a woman who looks an awful lot like herself.
This striking resemblance creates animosity with Lillian, the head of the town’s historical society, who seems hellbent on not only keeping the museum from opening, but also on destroying the house itself.
If Madelyn can’t figure out why Lillian hates her so much, or why she keeps hearing the voice of a small child who seems to hate her just as much, then her time in the Windwilder house may come to a swift and wicked end.
Thank you to the author, Sandra Kopp, for a free copy of The Windwilder Haunting, in return for an honest review.
My Thoughts on The Windwilder Haunting
I don’t read many ghost stories. I’ve never really been afflicted with nightmares, but I feel like I could be if I’m not careful. For that reason, I try to stay away from stories about hauntings, or ghosts, or anything truly creepy. The Exorcist book isn’t even allowed in my house, and I won’t be in the room if my husband wants to watch IT.
So, imagine my surprise when I found myself drawn into The Windwilder Haunting. I couldn’t put it down. Sandra sent this book to me years ago, and I’m so sorry it took me so long to read. I absolutely loved it, and if you enjoy ghost stories, I think you will too.
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The Characters
Sandra Kopp wrote such relatable characters in Madelyn and Lillian, and while I loved and sympathized with Madelyn, I absolutely hated Lillian. She was a crotchety old woman, and I just really didn’t like her. The fact that she seemed so determined to destroy Madelyn’s life, made her all the more detestable.
I can’t really say how I felt about Philip Windwilder. He’s the great-grandson of the original builder of the house, and I just always felt like he knew what was going on, and just didn’t care. When he and Madelyn became friends and started spending time together, I trusted him even less.
I’m not going to say whether my mistrust was misplaced or not.
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Additional Thoughts
I did like the fact that Madelyn was a Christian. When she starts getting attacked by this unseen entity, being able to pray to make it go away made me feel better about the book. I don’t agree that in every ghost story, there needs to be some fancy ritual that involves going in the woods, dancing naked, and sacrificing a rabbit to the god of inebriation in order to make a ghost go away. Sometimes, it should be something simple. Madelyn gave us that, and I really enjoyed that part.
Theme and Genre
I love books that use the “good vs. evil” trope in a unique way. Sandra did that in The Windwilder Haunting, and I really like that. Other genres added into the story include:
- Romance
- Thriller
- Contemporary Fiction
The theme of family is woven into The Windwilder Haunting as well, but in such a subtle way that it doesn’t seem to exist at times. The ending, for this reason, seemed almost anticlimactic. I hope there will be more stories in this world, because I could really use another fix. I would especially enjoy a prequel about Bella.
Recommendation
If you like ghost stories, thrillers with unknown antagonists, or even just interesting stories about interesting people, I urge you to check out The Windwilder Haunting. I wasn’t sure if I would like it, because I don’t typically like ghost stories, but I found that I enjoyed it very much. So, even if this type of book isn’t your thing, or you think it might be, you can find it on Amazon.
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Check out The Windwilder Haunting on Amazon
More Ghost Stories on The Picky Bookworm
The Liar of Red Valley by Walter Goodwater
Dark Blue by Elliott Motl
8 Souls by Rachel Rust
Conclusion
If you enjoy a modern ghost story, definitely give The Windwilder Haunting a try. If you liked this review, please leave a comment below with your thoughts! I love comments, and reply to every one.
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Until Next Time, Friends!
