This version of the book has been reviewed in English(189) by readers.
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What are readers saying about Secret of Crickley Hall?
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A reader posted a review at 2009-10-22 09:52:08.
(Language: English)
  
It's only because James Herbert is such a competent writer that he has been able to make this weary plot readable. The main question is, why pick this plot in the first place? He's an imaginative guy. "The Secret Of Crickley Hall" crumbles beside some of his other gems like "The Magic Cottage"; its characters come across as lame (particularly the father)despite their backgrounds, as they plod through a story that should be scarier, but for some reason, isn't.The story follows the Caleigh family as they take up residence in a spooky old manor house in Devonshire which was a former home for orphan evacuees during World War II. As the family meet the locals and tell them where they are living, there are a lot of changes-of-subject and umms-and-ahhs and muttering. It isn't long before there are strange noises and bangs and tappings and all the usual haunted-house phenomena. Frustratingly, every few pages it seems that one of the main characters thinks; "it's a bit creepy in here, maybe we should move out". Despite the hauntings becoming increasingly agressive and terrifying until even the family dog does a runner, the Dumb Family Caleigh still persist in saying things like "hmmm ... there's something not quite right here". I only wish I had their staying power. One of Secret Of Crickley Hall's problems is its length; the story is probably drawn out longer than it needs to be. By the time I reached the end it felt as if the family had been there for months, and I got confused when characters mentioned "last night" when they were speaking of an incident that happened 300 pages ago. There are of course a number of redeeming qualities - Herbert is after all a top notch writer, and he can conjure up images and tell a story well, even if the tightness or inginuity of plot isn't there on this occasion. The story of the evacuated orphans is a cruel and interesting one, and it does build up nicely throughout as more information about them is revealed. Despite being long-dead, their characterisation is more readily imagined than that of the Caleigh family themselves, who are a bit of a nondescript bunch really. All in all a pretty run-of-the-mill horror, with a few interesting hooks only just making it sufficiently different from another "Amityville" or "Poltergeist" type affair. 
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Helen posted a review at 2009-09-26 18:13:09.
(Language: English)
The title suggested a sinister old house with a ghostly secret and the story doesn't disappoint. For fans of James Herbert's earlier books, this isn't in the same gory style...however I like both styles, and it shows the authors talent to be able to write a thrilling book that doesn't have to rely on the gory side of horror to be thrilling.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-09-09 04:03:46.
(Language: English)
One of James Herberts´best novels!!
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A reader posted a review at 2009-08-18 15:12:03.
(Language: English)
another master of horror
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Juliana posted a review at 2009-08-05 11:25:21.
(Language: English)
not the best...just ok
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Jackie posted a review at 2009-07-15 01:28:32.
(Language: English)
This is the first James Herbert book I have read, it will not be the last! This is a real chilling, gothic horror story. Set in Devon, Crickley Hall is home to a tragic past that still haunts the house & the new tennants. There is a good bit of sceen setting in the first 100 pages or so, the story starts off quite slow meadnering it's way to a very fast paced chilling end.
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Susie Bennett posted a review at 2009-07-11 16:02:22.
(Language: English)
Couldn't put this book down, great read for JH fans
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A reader posted a review at 2009-06-06 10:35:52.
(Language: English)
this book is a great read...i couldnt put it down.
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A reader posted a review at 2009-05-27 09:09:47.
(Language: English)
What a let down! I waited ages for a new novel from James Herbert and unfortunately all he has done is a hauted house (very similar to 'Haunted') and not very well ... admitably the beginning of the book is seriously spooky with banging inside the walls and creepy puddles appearing in hallways ... but overall it wasn't one of his masterpieces
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Clare Stubbins posted a review at 2009-05-25 13:13:54.
(Language: English)
There is an old, empty house in Devils Cleave, a deep gorge that leads from the high moors down to the harbour village of Hollow Bay. The house is Crickley Hall and its large and grim, somehow foreboding. Its rumoured to be haunted. Its thought to hold a secret. Despite some reservations, the Caleighs move in, searching for respite in this beautiful part of North Devon, seeking peace and perhaps to come to terms with whats happened to them as a family. But all is not well with the house. They hear unaccountable noises. A cellar door they shut every night is always open again in the morning. They see things that cannot be real. The house is the last place the Caleighs should have come to, for the terror that unfolds is beyond belief. Soon they will discover the secret horror of Crickley Hall . . . The Caleighs are a really nice family, you end up wanting everything to be OK for them they also recently had their young son Cameron go missing and the pain of this is all too fresh. Of course, everything is not going to be alright for them this is a horror book after all! The cast of characters were really good too from the 70 year old caretaker to the young psychic (scared to do readings, go figure!) This is only the second book of James Herberts I have read and found this to be your typical haunted house story, I love horror books that really scare me but, sorry to say this didn't do that for me, I haven't found an author to beat Graham Masterton on that yet but, having said that it was a horror story and I'm sure if whilst reading this one of your locked cupboard doors comes flying open then it might give you the heebie jeebies! This was a good story it just didn't have the horror factor I would have liked but, I will be reading more from James Herbert.
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