If you are looking for a historical fiction, which is a ghost story and a murder mystery then this is your novel. However if your not looking for these things this is still a great read!

I love this genre, so I knew I was going to be a fan however what I wasn't expecting was the depth and the level of details in this novel, especially from a debut author. The plot was really compelling and although the book was quite lengthy I didn't want to get to the end, I was so wrapped up in the mystery and the characters. 

Probably my favourite book of the year.

It has been a long time since I have read a proper ghost story and I loved it. It ticked all the boxes of a classic gothic story. Mystery, suspense, hauntings and scepticism set in a gothic building with colourful characters. It made me leave the light on and keep turning the pages to know the end. Great read.

Not my usual type of book but I enjoyed it. Although it did take a while to read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an honest and unbiased opinion.

I was sent a copy of The Lost Ones by Anita Frank to read and review by NetGalley.
This is a well written ghost story/mystery set in rural England during the First World War.  The characters are nicely drawn and there is plenty of suspense to keep you reading on.  I did have an inkling as to the heart of the mystery before I reached the end of the book but that didn’t spoil my enjoyment of the novel in any way.

Well, this book was definitely something different from what I was expecting and what I usually read. 
I enjoyed it more than expected and the characters are compelling and interesting. 
Throw in the fact that it’s a historical fiction story, it added to the overall plot very well and I was captivated by the writing style  as well . 
Definitely a book to be recommended.

I love a ghost story, but I am very picky when it comes to picking up new ones, because I was spoiled at a very young age when I read the work of a wonderful array of authors in the Virago Book of Ghost Stories and two more collections that followed that one.

This is a rare case of a new ghost story catching and holding my attention.

I was intrigued by the setting and by the central character.

The story is set in England, towards the end of the Great War; a time when so many people were haunted by the deaths of young men far from home. Stella Marcham was one of those people. She had been a VAD nurse, she had worked hard and well, but she had been sent home after she was stricken by grief over the death of her fiancé Gerald.

Stella's parents were sympathetic, but as time passed they found it hard to deal with and they failed to understand why she couldn't come to terms with what had happened and start to live again. They began to wonder if their daughter was mentally ill.

They thought that a change of scene might help her, and an interesting opportunity presented itself. Stella’s sister Madeleine was pregnant, and her husband had insisted that she left London for the the safety of the countryside. He had left her in the care of his mother, Lady Brightwell,  st his family's country home, Greyswick while he continued his war work in the city. Stella would be a companion for Madeleine, and Madeleine would be a distraction for Stella.

The two sisters were delighted to be reunited; but Stella was concerned about her sister. Madeleine was unsettled, unhappy, and inexplicably fearful. Lady Brightwell said that she was foolish, that nothing could be wrong, but Stella knew her sister too well to believe that and she tried to work out what the problem might be.

It wasn't long before she saw the first signs.

And then there was a noise in the night: Stella and Madeleine - and no one else - heard the clear and inexplicable sound of a child crying ....

The story is captivating, the prose is lovely and nicely understated - I loved that it left space for me to think and to ponder. The description of the house and its grounds brought the setting to life; and the period, the place and the mood were wonderfully evoked.

The ghost story works well; there are times when it is genuinely frightening, and there are times when it is clear that there is a desperately sad story behind the haunting of Greyswick.

The human story wrapped around this ghost story had much to say.

It spoke of the position of women in a world where men govern society and determine how they should live; and of how that could make women victims, and of how women might use the little power that had for good or for bad.

It spoke of that society's treatment of grief and of mental disturbance; and of how those things could make a person terribly vulnerable.

Most of all it spoke about love and loss, through Stella's story and through other plot strands. As Stella strove to help her sister and to uncover the secrets of the house, she knew that she had to be strong; and though she would always grieve for Gerald she began to find a little comfort in the memory of him and of the time they had spent together. That was beautifully and sensitively done,

Of course, all of this only works if there is a cast of characters who are real and believable. This book has that. I was particularly taken with Stella, with her maid, Annie, who came from a family said to have psychic powers, and with the way their relationship moved from the traditional one mistress and servant to a very different one where the servant was superior to her mistress. Annie brought something different and distinctive to this tale, as did the three women who had lived in the house for many years - its mistress, her companion and her housekeeper. A wonderfully diverse cast of women!

I worked out how the story would play out a little earlier that I feel I should have, I found it predictable and a little contrived in places, and I think that this would have been a better book if certain of the story-lines had been pruned a little; but I was captivated from start to finish.

I could easily believe that the author had read and loved and learned from the work in those collections of ghost stories that I love and remember so well.

This book isn't <em>that</em> good, but it is very good; beautifully written, evocative of time and place, and holding a story that has much to say and much to haunt its readers.

The Lost Ones is an absolutely terrific ghost story in the classic mould. It’s all there: spooky goings-on in an inhospitable country house, an intrepid female protagonist, a Mrs Danvers-style intimidating housekeeper and even a sceptical male investigator determined to prove the strange happenings are all in the women’s minds.

It’s 1917 and narrator Stella is deep in grief for her fiancé Gerald. When Stella’s brother in law asks her to travel to Greyswyck, his family home, to be with her pregnant sister Madeleine - who’s finding both the house and her mother in law, Lady Brightwell, distinctly unwelcoming - she agrees to go (taking with her Annie, a young maid with an unsettling way of apparently seeing what others can’t)... but could never have predicted what she will find there. Toy soldiers in her bed and mysterious crying in the night are only the start of what will turn out to be a dark family mystery.

I loved the character of Stella - self-described as “argumentative, quick-tempered and cutting”, she’s also loyal, intelligent and with a fierce independence of mind. In many ways, she’s a woman out of her time. It was a pleasure to spend time with her.

The Lost Ones was a wonderful read with engaging characters, an at times heart-wrenching plot (I did guess the secret ahead of time... or at least part of it) and a beautifully created atmosphere. I didn’t want it to end - although the end was satisfying. And I can even imagine a sequel of sorts featuring certain of the characters... I’d definitely read that.

It’s 1917 and Stella Marcham, an ex-VAD, is mourning the loss of her fiancé, Gerald. She can’t see a reason to carry on her life without him now she’s lost the future she had imagined. Stella’s heartache is all consuming and she’s tried kill herself a couple of times. She is constantly watched over by her mother and her physician believes she should spend time in an asylum, so when her brother-in-law, Hector contacts her and asks her to go and stay with her pregnant sister, Madeleine, Stella jumps at the chance.

Madeleine is struggling to cope with life at the gothic mansion, Greyswick, where she’s been sent to live with her mother-in-law, Lady Brightwell away from the dangers of London. Unfortunately for Stella she is forced to take family maid, Annie Burrows with her to Greyswick. Annie makes everyone uneasy with her strange ways, but her father lost his life trying to rescue Stella’s younger sister from a house fire years before and Stella’s mother insists on employing her. Stella isn’t comfortable in Annie’s presence but has no choice but to make the best of things if she wants to get away from her family home. 

Stella arrives at Greyswick and discovering the gloomy, tense atmosphere, isn’t surprised to find that her sister is finding it difficult to settle there. She soon realises though that it’s not simply Lady Brightwell’s harsh ways troubling Madeleine and that there is much more to Greyswick than she could have realised. When Lady Brightwell, her companion Miss Scott and the foreboding cook, Mrs Henge mock Madeleine for insisting that she can hear ghostly cries in the night, Stella decides to help her and when she hears them for herself, she determines to discover the secrets behind this family’s past and the imposing gothic façade of the mansion.

Hector invites amateur ghost hunter and injured army veteran, Tristan to stay at Greyswick and carry out tests to put everyone’s mind at rest. Stella initially hopes that Tristan will find proof that she and Madeleine are not imagining things, however she soon discovers that Tristan will find an explanation for even the most impossible events. Finally, though they are unable to pretend that nothing is going on and finally get to uncover the past, and the reasons behind those ghostly tears.

I did struggle to get into this book, but once I was drawn in, I could not tear myself away from it. This is an enjoyable read and as the drama heightens the twists and turns increase taking the reader to an astonishing, heart wrenching ending.
The Lost Ones reminds me a little of The Silent Companions by Laura Purcell, another enjoyable read.

My thanks to the publishers HQ and NetGalley for an arc copy in return for an honest review.

The Lost Ones tells the story of Stella Marcham, who is in mourning after the death of her fiancé, Gerald, during the First World War. She was a nurse with the Voluntary Aid Detachment in France but is sent home to Haverton Hall after Gerald’s death, where her family, including her sister, Madeleine, try to improve her spirits. Stella is, understandably, still very upset and distressed but the rather unsympathetic Dr Mayhew encourages her to take pills to ease her ‘hysteria’ and seems keen to have her sent away to a ‘country retreat’ (asylum for well-to-do women).

Later on, we discover that Madeleine is pregnant and has been sent to stay with her husband, Hector’s mother, Lady Brightwell, at the family country estate, Greyswick, for her own safety while the air raids are ongoing in London. Madeleine is struggling emotionally and physically with pregnancy and Hector visits Stella and suggests that she stays at Greyswick as company and support for her sister.

A few days later, Stella and maid, Annie, catch the train to the village of Wick and, after a chauffeur-driven ride in a Rolls Royce to Greyswick, are greeted happily by Madeleine but rather unenthusiastically by the housekeeper, Mrs Henge, and Lady Brightwell.

Stella is rather concerned by Madeleine’s pale and drawn-looking face and her sister eventually confesses that she’s afraid and not sleeping due to strange goings on at the house – people entering her room despite the door being locked, toy soldiers being left in her bed and drawers, and random crying and creaking noises at night.

Madeleine believes the house is haunted but others are rather dismissive and after Lady Brightwell’s companion, Miss Scott, phones Hector with her concerns, he returns with a man called Tristan Sheers, who was injured during the war and lost a leg. It turns out that Sheers has studied the subconscious and has been enlisted to discredit the sisters and come up with sensible explanations for what has been happening at the house.

Stella, Madeleine and Annie are convinced that the house hides dark secrets and they’re not prepared to accept Sheers’ supposition that they’ve made everything up and it’s all in their minds. What follows is an intriguing, haunting and tense investigation to uncover the truth.

This book is well-written and cleverly layered and the tension grew as the story progressed; various chilling happenings occurred and we learnt more about some shocking and dark secrets from the past.

There was a good mix of characters: the main protagonist, Stella, who was grieving and devastated but also determined to protect her sister and get to the bottom of what was happening at Greyswick. I really liked the maid, Annie, who is thought of as odd and a troublemaker but she actually has a special gift and hidden depths and I was pleased that she grew in confidence as the story progressed. Tristan Sheers was rather sceptical at first and I thought he was going to be a negative influence but then he enthusiastically helped to uncover the truth.

This deliciously spooky and haunting tale was beautifully descriptive and I could really picture the atmospheric, haunting mansion and loved the descriptions of all the characters and the strange happenings. The ending was explosive and dramatic and tied up all the loose ends nicely!

The Lost Ones was an intriguing mix of genres with elements of a ghost story, Gothic fiction, supernatural occurrings, a historical tale, murder mystery and a war story. Something for everyone!

I really enjoyed Anita Frank’s debut novel and will definitely look out for her next book.

I was curious to read this début novel -The Lost Ones - by new author, Anita Frank as I liked the interesting premise and I love to read a good historical mystery.

The story is set in Greyswick, a Gothic mansion, in 1917. Greyswick is a house full of unease, as Stella Marcham discovers when she finds herself looking to move on following the death of her fiancé. On her arrival she realises that her pregnant sister, Madeleine is gripped by fear and suspicion, the cause of which is apparently Greyswick. Aided by a wounded war veteran, Stella sets about uncovering Greyswick’s dark and terrible secrets.

Against this spooky backdrop, the narrative develops to include paranormal happenings and a murder mystery. The intriguing story-line totally captured my attention from the start as I found myself transported into Greyswick. The atmosphere of time and place have clearly been well-researched by the author and the feeling was extremely authentic and quite chilling. The plot flowed well with some satisfying twists and turns that helped to keep my interest. 
 
The author’s writing style was very appealing, brilliantly encapsulating the core of the scenes that I was visualising whilst reading. Anita Frank’s special way with the prose made this complex and enthralling horror story very unique to me. 

Overall, The Lost Ones is a very worthwhile read with loads of scary moments and plenty of atmosphere. Don’t read it in the dark, on your own!

Thanks to NetGalley, HQ and the author, Anita Frank, for my complimentary copy of The Lost Ones. My honest review is entirely voluntary.

Well that was a very enjoyable book.

Set during the First World War, Stella is asked to visit her pregnant sister, Madeleine, at her home. Madeleine’s husband is concerned about her behaviour and hopes Stella’s visit will help.

It soon becomes evident that Madeline believes her home is haunted. Stella does not believe it until she,too, hears crying during the night and noises emanating from the old unused nursery.

With the help of the maid, Annie, who can see the ghost they try to work out why the ghost has not passed to the other side and what he is trying to tell them.

Throw in a scary housekeeper, a stern mother in law and a visitor who is a non believer in the supernatural and we have a brilliant debut by a very talented author. 

It kept my interest until the last revealing page!

This novel, in the style of The Woman in White, is set in Greyswick, a Gothic mansion, in 1917. Against this backdrop , the narrative develops to include paranormal happenings and a murder mystery. The atmosphere of time and place are clearly well researched by the author and feel authentic and quite chilling. The plot flows well with satisfying twists and turns that kept me reading at times when I started skim reading descriptive passages that  I found  over long and in need of editing.

Set in the early 1900's, After the death of her fiancé, during WW1, Stella, who is suffering from some personal mental health issues, goes to stay with her sister at Greyswick, an old and strange mansion, with even stranger goings on!

It takes a while to get to the heart of the story and it is written in quite old fashioned language, As another reviewer said, there is just too much descriptive prose which detracts from the story. The story lacked atmosphere, which was a shame and I also thought the characters were quite clichéd.

I thought this would be a good choice to read for Halloween but unfortunately it lacked the atmospheric build up I had hoped for.

I found this book hard going, I'm afraid! Just too much descriptive prose...I'm all for setting a scene, but this was over the top to the point of detracting from the story.

I don’t usually read this type of book, but I was drawn in and needed to know the ending. All is not well at Greyswick. Stella, back from nursing in the war, goes to the house to support her sister Madeleine, who seems unsettled. Are there unhappy spirits wandering the house? Madeleine’s mother-in-law dismisses the idea as nonsense, as does her companion, and the spooky housekeeper. Stella is determined to find out what is going on in this dark and unwelcoming house. Will she find out? Is she in danger? Anita Frank keeps us guessing and this book just gripped me.

This was a beautifully written story of loss, grief and spooky goings on. 

Anita Frank, has a fabulous way of describing details to transport you to the books heart. Greyswick, the country mansion in this book became a character in itself. 

Talking of characters there were some that you will love but, there are a few that will have you seething with anger. 

I enjoyed this book, a superb debut novel.

The ending of this was quite well done, but I think it could have used a good edit and I was a bit frustrated that so much was recounted rather than being dramatic scenes. 

The particular strength was in its depiction of the agency or lack thereof for women at the time, and throughout history, where any action not supported by society could be considered reason to have a lady treated in an asylum.

Anita Frank’s debut novel The Lost Ones is set during WW1. Stella Marcham is grieving the loss of her fiancé Gerald in the trenches. Her family are at a lost as to what to do with her so when her brother in law suggests she keep her pregnant sister Madelaine company at his country estate, Greyswick, while he does important war work, it seems the ideal solution.

As soon as Stella arrives at Greyswick she starts to feel uneasy, not helped by Madelaine’s tales of mysterious crying children and other ghostly occurrences, which are dismissed by her fierce mother-in-law as the delusions of a hormonal and hysterical woman. However, as Stella digs deeper she uncovers a web of dark family secrets and one particular tragic spirit who refuses to stay buried. The inclusion of psychic investigator Tristan Sheers, an enigmatic, war-wounded former soldier brought in by Madelaine’s husband to try to debunk the ghostly tales, adds a frisson of romance to the story and an element of truth to Stella and Madelaine’s assertions.

It’s a very atmospheric tale although I did think that the writing was a little flowery and over-descriptive at times. I also wondered whether there were plans for a series of books, as the friendship and respect between Stella and her maid Annie was developing well towards the end of the book and there was definitely unfinished business between Stella and Sheers.

A supernatural thriller set in 1917 with the horrors of the war affecting all families. Stella has been particularly affected by a tragic event and only a visit to her sister can alleviate her depressive state. Yet, on arrival at her sister's home, a series of troubling events suggest a house full of dark secrets.

Dialogue and setting are convincing and characters engaging, although some verge on the stereotypical. Stella is a super character, liberated in some ways by her experiences as a nurse on the front but restricted and frustrated by social conventions on her return to England.

A real page-turner and a delight to read.

(I was given an advance copy by the publisher in exchange for an honest review)

It's 1917 and Stella Marcham, grieving the loss of her fiance to the fields of France, is summoned to her sister Madeleine's side. Madeleine is pregnant and stuck in her husband's imposing country mansion, Greyswick, with only his cold mother and her few staff to keep her company. Since she's been there though odd things have been happening; toy soldiers have appeared in her bed and she can hear crying coming from the old nursery at night. Madeleine is terrified and her husband Hector thinks Stella's presence might help. Only once Stella and her strange maid Annie arrive, they begin to experience the same strange happenings too. Dismissed as hysterical women, Stella, Madeline and Annie have no-one to turn to and will have to solve the mystery themselves. Can they lay the ghosts of Greyswick to rest?

Part Downton Abbey, part Daphne Du Maurier, The Lost Ones is one of the best stories I've read this year. Though the subject matter is hard as the novel progresses and there are definitely a few triggers contained, *SPOILERS* (infant death, suicide attempts, murder, rape, the graphic nature of the horrors of war)*, at its core is a fantastic ghost story, perfect for those cold winter nights. As a mother I found certain parts hard to read but I couldn't put it down and stayed up late in to the night to finish it, it's gripping. 

Stella is a fantastic female lead who always does everything you'd like her to do, never abating of faltering. I enjoyed watching her relationship with Annie develop, and her memories of her time with Gerald added an extra depth to her character. I loved the way she never backed down to Lady Brightwell or the awful Mrs Henge (I wanted to reach in and slap them both), and how she always found the strength to carry on for her sister. I felt for Madeleine but she also irritated me at times as I felt she exacerbated certain situations and was weak when contrasted with her sister. 

The setting of Greyswick with its ghostly inhabitants, both alive and deceased, takes on a role all of its own and really comes alive on the pages; it's the perfect haunted house with walls full of secrets, and the ominous presence of Mrs Henge hiding in the shadows only serves to add to that. The writing is superb and you can almost feel all the supernatural goings on as if you're right there in the thick of it, it gave me goosebumps. The war related passages were really well done and Frank captured the overbearing attitudes of the time towards women perfectly too. 

I can't believe this is Frank's debut novel, it's so well written and so clever with its twists and turns. To be fair I did foresee the majority of them as there were lots of little clues dropped throughout, as well as some red herrings, but I did enjoy the last little one concerning Lady Brightwell! I thought it was wrapped up really well with no stone was left unturned, and I was satisfied with the outcome for each of the chatacters. Spine tingling and heart breaking in equal measure, The Lost Ones is a tale that will grab you and haunt you for days to come.