Abbot's Keep

A Ghost Story

By: Benedict Ashforth

Narrated by: Ric Jerrom

Length: 2 hrs and 51 mins

Publisher's summary

"Brother, do not try to follow me once you have read this. No good can come of it..." When Clifford Fox QC receives a desperate letter from his estranged younger brother, Simon, he departs his comfortable Yorkshire home to locate him. The letter outlines the harrowing events that have led Simon to the very edge of sanity.

Following a stint at the Brentwell Rehabilitation Unit, failed architect and recovering alcoholic Simon is invited by an old school-friend to Abbot's Keep - a Tudor residence, nestled deep in remote Berkshire countryside. Soon after arriving, he is left to explore the neighboring monastery ruins and discover the house's dark history. But the more he learns, the more certain he becomes that he is not alone at Abbot's Keep, and that nothing is as it seems. But can he stop the house's medieval past repeating itself one final time? And can his brother find him before it's too late?

©2014 Patrick O'Neill (P)2016 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"Abbot’s Keep is refreshing a hell. Finally, a ghost story that reminds you why the basement is so terrifying!" (Brett McNeill of Rue Morgue Magazine)

"Ashforth does Edgar Allen Poe and Bram Stoker proud delivering a solid contribution to the literary movement. It is time that the ghost story made a comeback. With writers like Benedict Ashforth writing Abbot’s Keep, a revival just might be at hand." (Matthew J. Barbour of Horror Novel Reviews)

"A really entertaining read with a delightful frisson of fear." (Simon Ball of Horror Hothouse)

Perfect for a short listen, very intense.

It was a bit confusing at first. I think because the narrator's voice is more for historical reading. Once you get past that, it is very intense and captivating.

I rather enjoyed this rather very wordy story.

Steeped in prose. This is a ghost mystery of historic telling. Give it a listen 'ol boy.

Wow!

Such a talented narrator- It felt like I was watching a one man play! An incredible short story brought to life so vividly by Mr. Jerrom.

Well Written!

This story was very well written, and pretty creepy as well. Written like an old time horror story, and I was quite surprised to see it as a more contemporary piece. The narrator was good, a good choice for this. He sounded to me like an old time actor, I want to say “John Lawton”, but not sure it that’s right.

At any rate this little story is a good choice if you are short on time and looking for a short, well written, pretty creepy diversion. Check it out! ☺️

That performance was 🤌

He absolutely slayed the reading of that. Bravo! The story was good too. Nice little quick listen. Overall, very pleased with this one.

Ok. Not my favorite.

Performance was great. Glad I read, but
Not sure I would recommend it to others.

A supernatural creeper

This would have made for a great Tales From The Crypt episode. It is not frightening but it is certainly creepy.

Great short story

I found this book very well rounded and coming together full circle. It could have been dragged out with more backstory and history but nonetheless it was a tidy story most worthy of a quick read.

Not bad, but not great

The performance was a bit over the top at times, but I think I will definitely look for other books read by the narrator because he does really do a great job, it is just too much for the situation that the characters are in.

The last third of the book was pretty solid and made the listen worth-while, but it is slow getting through the first two thirds.

It is also not scary and not really even creepy.

💥a blast... enjoyable for every single minute

I truly applaud this one simply for the fact that it hit all the requirements of a novella. It's rare to me, in truth not very well read... that a short story get 2 suck you in! A drunken brother... another that's used 2 helping his younger brother. What can he do? However now just out of rehab an old friend has chosen to step-up! As he stays in The Keep, things go from having a safe space to come back to the world. Then quickly become a reality he is not at all ready for. Does DNA make one guilty for its sins? Don't go looking for them no matter what you do. the Foxes are out there for the hunt. Are they the predators or the prey & to whom?