Content levels
Trigger warnings
Positive tags
Hero archetypes
Heroine archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Themes
Synopsis
The Secret of Crickley Hall is James Herbert’s number one bestseller. It explores the darker, more obtuse territories of evil and the supernatural. With brooding menace and rising tension, he masterfully and relentlessly draws the reader through to the ultimate revelation – one that will stay to chill the mind long after the book has been laid aside. The Caleighs have had a terrible year . . . They need time and space, while they await the news they dread. Gabe has brought his wife, Eve, and daughters, Loren and Cally, down to Devon, to the peaceful seaside village of Hollow Bay. Perhaps here they can try, as a family, to come to terms with what’s happened to them . . . Crickley Hall is an unusually large house on the outskirts of the village at the bottom of Devil's Cleave, a massive tree-lined gorge – the stuff of local legend. It's perfect for them, if a bit gloomy. And Chester, their dog, seems really spooked at being away from home. And old houses do make sounds. And it's constantly cold. And even though they shut the cellar door every night, it’s always open again in morning . . .
The Secret of Crickley Hall: content & age rating
Intended for adult readers (18+).
Adults only. This is a horror novel with strong supernatural menace, implied child endangerment and death, psychological terror, and graphic atmospheric dread. Not suitable for teens despite fantasy classification.
What to know going in
This book has strong violence, mild sexual content, and moderate language. Content notes include child harm, child death, death, and grief (see the full list above).
Who'll love this
Adults drawn to atmospheric supernatural horror and family-under-threat stories will find this deeply unsettling and suspenseful.