Thank you to NetGalley and  the publisher for an ARC of the book in return for a fair and honest review. 
After reading the description and the amount of reads this book had on Amazon, I was very excited to read this book. The introduction was very long, much longer than I felt was necessary. While I found the story itself to be fascinating and scary, I was not a fan of the way the author chose to tell the story. I understand his reasons, which he explains clearly, but I feel the book would have been far more effective if told in novel form. Overall, it held my interest and may me bring my husband to the bathroom with me at night, but it could have been told far more effectively.

I love haunted house stories. A great creepy tale about things that go bump in the night is right up my alley, especially when the story is supposedly true. So, of course, I had to read the nonfiction account of a haunted house in England. 

The Haunted Horror of Havorfordwest is the continuation of a story about a house G.L. Davies wrote about in a prior book, A Most Haunted House. The events in this new book start 13 years before the paranormal events Davies first wrote about. The house is the same, but the experiences are a bit different. 

From 1989-1991, a married couple, Dai and Anne, lived in the house in Havorfordwest, until they couldn't stand it any more. Their terrifying experiences finally drove them out of the house. Paranormal events ranged from disembodied voices to physical attacks by an entity. The author interviewed this couple 46 times over a two year period to gather the facts of the case. The specific location of the house and the actual names of those involved are kept confidential.

Davies presents the facts in an interview transcript format with a bit of extra information on the surrounding area, the house, and his thoughts on the interviews and the haunting. 

These events predate the occurrences outlined in Davies' prior book, A Most Haunted House. The text of that book is also included. A Most Haunted House outlines another couple's experiences in the house starting in September 2003. Their experiences were somewhat different -- unexplained lights, shadowy figures, cold spots and a menacing atmosphere made it difficult for them to remain in the home. Just like the first couple, they finally abandoned the property. 

Davies offers a few non-supernatural explanations -- electromagnetic fields, mold, radiation, infrasound and other possible causes. He also offers a few supernatural suggestions -- ghosts, demons, aliens, or other dimensions. 

While I enjoyed reading the accounts of experiences in this house, I'm not sure I totally believe the story. It's easy to list experiences as fact when the locations, people and events can't be corroborated. Although I would not want to live in a house where I was experiencing any of the events reported by these couples, I didn't find this book particularly scary. I found most of the experiences to be basically trope-y things used in almost every bad movie or book written about ghosts. One scene about a female spirit actually trying some sort of weird sex attack on a resident of the house just seemed ridiculous.....more silly than scary. But, I'm a skeptic. Someone who believes in ghosts and that these experiences could actually happen might be more frightened by the story of this house. 

While I don't buy the story, I did enjoy reading both books. I love stories about ghosts and creepy occurrences. Stories about hauntings are one of my most guilty pleasures. But, I don't believe the tales are true. I am not a believer in the supernatural. Dead is dead. Ghosts or hauntings just don't exist. I firmly believe that most hauntings are just misinterpretations or hallucinations brought on by suggestion, or environmental issues like magnetic/electrical problems. But....in the event of factual proof being brought to light....I would be willing to admit I'm wrong and change my mind. For now, I will just continue to love stories about hauntings, and leave the actual ghost hunting to others. 

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from John Hunt Publishing via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest by G.L. Davies was well written and well researched, but it wasn't the kind of book I was expecting. I didn't finish the book. At about halfway through, I stopped. It's written like a transcript of interviews. I didn't mind the format, and I started to like it, but I couldn't get a feel for the story. It was like being told about something that had happened. There wasn't enough imagery to bring it to life.

I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book is actually 2 books in one, including the author's previously published book A Most Haunted House.

Told in the interview style, this book was very well written and was very entertaining--if you like scaring yourself like me, the best time to read this book is right before turning out the lights. 

Claiming to be non-fiction (of this I have no reason to doubt or confirm), the story starts in Wales, 1989, when Dai and Anne, a married couple get a good deal on the purchase of a house.  As is always the catch in these matters, the house is very, very haunted. At the beginning, the entities manifest themselves as shadowy figures, and over time move on to violations of both mind, body, and spirit--the entities terrorize the couple, so much so, that they are eventually forced to move out.

Decades later, an unsuspecting couple, "John" (who is in fact the author) and "Sarah" his now ex-girlfriend, move into the house.  Again, almost immediately they begin to experience strange occurrences in the house. The couple is so affected by the haunting, that they break up and move away.

The author ends the book with a recitation and summary of the varying theories of what could cause paranormal occurrences, or rather, people's perception that these occurrences are happening to them.  While these theories are intriguing, I feel that they detract from the overall story of the individuals living in the haunted house.  In fact, I considered skipping it all together.  I would have rather liked to see these theories more fleshed out and investigated in a separate book.

Nevertheless, I really liked this book not only because of the overall story, but because of the realness of the characters. These people were just normal, average people who found themselves in an unspeakable situation. I could see myself a little in John, because at the beginning I also would have been excited to have a real haunting in the house, and can totally understand how this excitement could in fact turn to horror, fear, and despair.

If you love movies including Amnityville Horror, the Conjuring 2, Stranger Things (the series), and Insidious, (or if you are looking for a good scare) then I would definitely recommend this book.

But is it true? That is the one thought that permeates all others both before commencing, during and on completion of this absorbing, deeply unsettling but at the same time thoroughly entertaining account of strange otherworldly goings on in a seemingly fairly nondescript Victorian terraced house in the South Wales town of Haverfordwest. 

There can ultimately be only three explanations regarding the veracity of the book. Firstly that the events documented in the book are true and are the direct result and are derived from what we call the paranormal being events outside the current body of science and therefore can not be determined by a rational scientific explanation. If this is the case then we need to rethink everything that we have taken for granted since around the time of the Enlightenment. Secondly, the events in the book are again true but have a rational explanation.  These can be found in the summary of possible explanations towards the end of the book and cover such subjects as false memory, gas, drugs, terrestrial trunked radio and even toxic mould. However due to the number of people who experienced the different manifestations  and the period of time involved the explanations offered seemed unlikely. Thirdly ofcourse this could all be a work of fiction, a hoax, a spoof even, cleverly done but all made up. I personally do not know which of the three options it is and to be honest I do not particularly care for the reason for obtaining the book was to be scared, spooked and frightened and in regard to this objective the book resonantly succeeds.

The first half of the book concerns the testament of Dai and Anne who bought the house in 1989 and their story is presented as a  transcript of an interview. From the beginning of their stay they are plagued by a plethora of paranormal events that include the sighting of a spectral black dog, electrical appliances going on and off, white noise, sudden changes in temperature, doors opening and closing and the sighting of dark shadows in human form. You know the script as these have been previously encountered by us in a hundred late night horror movies. Added to this litany of terror was the discovery of animal cadavers buried in the garden and the spiritualist who when entering the house says that what is there is beyond heaven and hell. Eventually just like in the movies they flee the house in the middle of the night never to live there again. Over the years the house has had many owners but none have stayed long and for long periods the house appears to have remained empty. Many people acquainted with the house seem to know about its strangeness but there is a reluctance to talk about it. Interestingly there is no record of anything that might suggest an act of violence taking place there or it was built on an old burial site

We learn that Dai and Anne on leaving the house went on to have a happy life together but similar events suffered by Sarah and John who later lived in the house and who's testament follows would lead to the breakup of their relationship. The author G L Davies stayed in the house and as he relates came close to committing suicide. The house would appear to be inhabited by an entity that seeks to first disorient then depress and if possible destroy those who reside there. I suppose that the best course of action would be for those in the paranormal community to get together (perhaps through crowd funding) and purchase the house then a full evidenced based scientific investigation can be conducted. Until then I regrettably must conclude that I do not foresee visiting Haverfordwest in the near future  just in case by chance I may stumble upon the house.

A great read for Halloween.

Extremely disappointed.

I am a big fan of classic gothic horrors and Stephen King, and I was hoping for something similar from the title and description.   This was nothing like that - more of a nonfiction paranormal interview.

I hated the interview/ recount style as I found it distracting from the story and I got quite bored. I couldn't picture the house or the style or the layout of it. It starts with several pages about the author feeling depressed/ suicidal from his experiences, and then after several more pages I found that the horror relied on gory details rather than any build of suspense. I didn't feel that the writing gave any atmosphere or tension - eg everything was quite mundane and they went to bed and then had a horrible nightmare...

I skipped/skimmed a fair amount -  eg in the beginning there is a bit where someone's friend's ex'boyfriend's dad used to live in the house - which had already been discussed a few pages previously -  so they went down to the pub to call the friend who hadn't heard from the ex in a while because they broke up because he was seeing other women...  I found the narrator's possible explanations of events not particularly scientific or formally researched and a bit irritating.  

 I think my main problem is that I wanted to be taken into the house, to feel like I was there and I was expecting to feel scared by the story.  Instead it was other people saying they were really scared when they lived in the house.

I wouldn't recommend this book.

Haunted: The Horror of Haverfordwest by G. L Davies (Release date: 30th of November, 2018). 

Blurb: Blissful beginnings for a young couple turn into a nightmare after purchasing their dream home in Wales in 1989. Their love and their resolve are torn apart by an indescribable entity that pushes paranormal activity to the limit. Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest is the prequel to the bestselling A Most Haunted House. Dare you step inside...

Anne and Dai moved into the house as their first home together but right from the beginning they start to experience the unexplained. From vivid horrifying nightmares to black dogs to unexplained noises and visitations. It nearly tears their relationship apart. They are haunted by a vile old lady, two strange children and a large angry man....a twisted family that refuse to let anyone find happiness in the house. 

When I requested this book I was unaware that it was a real life account and I also didn't know it was a prequel. This might have put me off. At first I worried it would have a "found footage" feel as it was written in an interview format. However, I continued and soon found myself drawn into the story of Anne and Dai. It resonates with me as I have lived in Wales in my misspent youth and I have also lived in a haunted house (not at the same time). I think because I have experienced living in a haunted environment the story felt authentic. I found this book genuinely creepy. I would love to know if anyone ever found more information about the spirits in this house and their origin. I thought the authors attempt at the end to provide a variety of potential reasons for the experiences other that a supernatural origin really interesting and refreshing that alternative conclusions were explored. 

5/5: A real life haunting account. 

Thank you to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing for this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

Crikey what a book!  I loved it and couldn't put it down.  It's fascinating, compelling, scary, I can't describe it any better.  A must read.

A word of caution, do not read this alone at night.  So few books are genuinely unsettling but I found this to be because it’s just so plausible.

No big shocks, no revelations and no ridiculously gore splattered descriptions. Just a creeping sense of unease and the certainty that I would literally rather die than spend a night in that house.

Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest kept my unswerving attention from the first page to the last. I looked forward to reading it each day and night; I shared my findings with whoever would listen until at times they complained of goosebumps. When I originally found the title, through sheer luck, by looking up what I might find in the horror category, I did not realize this work is nonfiction. Honestly, that made the reading far more gripping for me. I find G.L. Davies to be a highly intelligent person/researcher and writer, and I can empathize with his doubting whether he has not been cursed by this dark house. 

Besides feeling utterly immersed in the story of the first couple Dai and Anne, and admiring a pregnant woman's fortitude and the couple's ability to escape, I could not help but compare what I read (and which I will certainly not reveal) with everything I have ever read or heard on the subject of hauntings, evil possession, and the dark side. Everything in this book rings true. One of the aspects I value most highly is the author's commitment to looking at all possible explanations for what was happening in this place. Davies has a gift for pacing and balance in what he offers between all concerned. The related interviews are as perfect as a reader could hope for. I was thrilled to discover Dai and Anne's story is followed by Sarah and John's, and that it ultimately included the nephews, now grown up.  It blew my mind that nothing was repetitive; the demonic possession (or whatever it is) of that house is so nuanced that the reader will feel it gets to know its victims so as to exploit them. 

I felt like I learned something about people's reactions to this kind of evil. It is fascinating that people will not want to talk about it. Having just read The House on Dale Street about a house possessed by evil in the USA, I sensed that some people do have strengths that can free them, as Anne did. 

I started listening to the author's paranormal podcasts as well. Some of the evil presented in Haunted: Horror of Haverfordwest is so shocking that I was utterly unprepared. I do have questions for this author and would like to ask him those questions in a short written interview on my own blog. I thank him for his phenomenal research! Honestly, this might be the best book I have EVER come across on demonic or evil possession of a house. I have always believed in the unseen. The various theories explored at the end of this book are the icing on the cake. As a writer of horror fiction, I had based my own ideas of a demonic house on theory, and until finding Davies book, I had no research upon which to base my concept. Now I do! #HauntedHorrorOfHaverfordwest #NetGalley

This is a paranormal horror modern classic. Some books in this genre focus on the events whereas this drags you in emotionally and mentally on a truly dark paranormal account. Written in a unique, refreshing style that will make you want to read in one sitting. Terrifying and incredibly dark this will take you on a journey through fear, depression, anxiety and absolute terror. This is one of the scariest books I have ever read and nothing can prepare you for what you are about to read.

Yeah, this wasn't what I had expected at all. I expected a normal horror story with lots of ghosts, hauntings and more. I was eagerly looking forward to it. Instead we first get a way too long introduction that I gave up on reading 2 pages in. Then I thought, oh, and now the story is starting. Instead this whole book is like an interview. And sure, there were scary things happening, but the format just didn't work for me. This kind of format I would rather see than read. In other words, in a show this would have worked perfectly.

I have to say I expected a lot more from this book given the subject matter.  Yes it was creepy, knowing that the events have actually happened, but I could quite comfortably have read this in the dead of night without a worry.  I really liked the way it was written with the characters telling their story in an interview style.  It was like being part of a conversation.  Overall not bad, but it didn't have me pulling the duvet over my head.  Thanks to Netgalley for the copy.

Wow! What a truly fascinating read. Firstly I need to say thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book pre-publication in return for an honest review.
I am one of those people who really sits on the fence when it comes to all things supernatural. So many people I know say they have experienced something odd or ghostly and I find it all a bit creepy and hope I don't ever experience anything, especially nothing as horrific as all the people in this book. I mean, I wouldnt call someone a fake or a liar if they said they had seen a ghost. I would probably look for a rational explaination but if there is none then I probably would believe them. I love a good ghost story, especially around Autumn with the cold nights drawing in and this read fitted the bill.
It was more in the style of an interview with 2 people, unfortunate enough to live at this house in Haverfordwest from 1989 to 1991. The awful goings on almost ruined thier marriage and ultimately their lives. I really liked the fact that the authors first book 'A Most Haunted House' was at the back of this book as I felt I got a real feel for the house and it was interesting to see how yhe different accounts of living there (almost 12 years apart) differed.
I also liked that the book explored that some goings on, including feeling cold spots and hearing crying, could be rationally explained. It really made me think and by the end I realised that we will never really know what the explaination is for the things these poor people experienced and we probably never will. I would love to read a third account of what happened in this house so if anyone thinks they have lived there at any point in time then get in touch with the author. 5/5 stars!

I really liked how the presentation of this book with the author presenting it as a transcript of an interview of previous occupants of the house. It gave it an immediacy and unsettling atmosphere.

After purchasing their first house in Haverfordwest, a young couple experience a series of unexplained traumatic events that stretch their relationship and physical and emotional well-being to the limit.

This book is well written and has a good flow. It is very atmospheric, I found myself cringing, holding myself tense and grinding my teeth at some points as the story unfolds. I would definitely recommend it to family and friends but would suggest that it is probably best read with someone else in the house and during daylight, not in the dark during a storm as I did. Really spooked me.

I was really looking forward to reading this and expected a powerfully spooky and creepy novel. However, the "interview" style of writing made the tale difficult to keep track of and diluted the suspense. Some great concepts in there but unfortunately for me, the style of presentation took away the potential.

The book concludes with an interesting section about other theories behind ghostly phenomena but this, coupled with the "interview" sections makes the book feel more like a collection of research notes for a novel rather than a final presentation. Maybe this was the intent, in which case congratulations are in order. Unfortunately, I expected and wanted a chilling tale not a make my own novel.

A creepy ghost story just right for this time of year as the nights draw in. Atmospheric and draws you into the story and the characters

First things first: I wasn’t expecting this to read like it did. Much like a transcript, which is totally not my thing. Had this read like a fiction novel with actual characters telling the story, I’m almost positive my rating would have gone up. (This author is new to me and the description did not specify this.) 

That being said, I enjoyed the content. I was thoroughly creeped out.  So I’d say the book did its job. The author’s stories (this is actually two in one) interested me enough to go back to their other work later in time. 

I applaud the author for all their research put into this writing. You can tell they took their time and put effort into their theories and opinions of others.

This story is a recounting of the author's personal experiences in a seriously haunted house in the township of Haverfordwest,  West Wales, United Kingdom.  The author makes an effort to provide a reasonable, and well thought-out explanation of all the experiences that he enduring there, in part by offering the first half of the book to the shared experiences of other previous occupants of the house, both men and women who had lived there for a brief period (up to 2 years) before giving his own story.  G.L. Davies spent his time in Haverfordwest as a sole occupant - a fact which, as a reader, I found amazing (and perhaps reckless) considering the tremendously evil influences in the house. After sharing the opinions of other past residents, and then his own experiences in the house, he provides a well-reasoned review of both scientific explanations for hauntings, and then a more "spiritual" or metaphysical explanations, followed by a discussion on demonic influences or possession, and how to deal with it.  This part of the book covers the last 52 pages of discussions. The story is told with a charming "English" brogue...the interview dialogues and verbal interactions clearly have a vernacular that is endemic to Wales, and not an "American accent".  I enjoyed reading the book, in part, because of that. Aside from that nuance, the recounting of the experience of the author and others who have lived in the house was clearly disturbing, hair-raising, and genuinely frightening. This is a good read for both the avid reader of paranormal suspense and the educated sceptic.

Thank you to NetGalley and John Hunt Publishing Ltd 6th Books, for an ARC of this book. The story is about a house in Wales that may be haunted. The author interviewed people that have previously lived in the house and gives a detailed description of what the occupants went through. I could not put this book down. I found the story to be creepy, scary and at times terrifying.