👻 Book Review: Nightmare Abbey by David Longhorn & Scare Street
A chilling supernatural thriller where a haunted manor becomes a playground for ancient evil—Book 1 in the Nightmare Series.
David Longhorn’s Nightmare Abbey kicks off the six-book Nightmare Series with a classic haunted house setup that quickly spirals into something far more sinister. With a Goodreads rating of 3.53/5 from over 750 readers, the novel is praised for its atmospheric dread, fast pacing, and inventive horror elements, though some readers found it more pulpy than profound.
🧠 Plot Overview
Set in the ominous Malpas Abbey, a decrepit estate perched on a dark hill and steeped in blood-soaked history, the story follows an American paranormal TV crew led by Matt McKay and Ted Gould. They arrive to film an episode about the abbey’s ghostly legends—but quickly discover they’re in way over their heads.
As strange occurrences escalate—equipment failures, eerie noises, and shadowy figures—the crew realizes the abbey isn’t just haunted. Beneath its foundations lies a stone altar pulsing with malevolent energy, feeding on their deepest fears. What begins as a ghost hunt turns into a desperate fight for survival against a force older and darker than the devil himself.
💬 Why Readers Enjoy It
- Classic Haunted House Vibes: Malpas Abbey is a textbook setting for supernatural horror, with gothic architecture and a cursed legacy.
- Documentary-Style Setup: The TV crew format adds realism and tension, echoing found-footage horror tropes.
- Fast-Paced & Accessible: At just 159 pages, the story moves quickly, making it ideal for a one-sitting scare.
- Inventive Monsters: The evil entity isn’t just a ghost—it’s a nightmare-fueled force that twists reality and preys on psychological terror.
⚠️ Critiques
- Some readers expected a traditional ghost story and were surprised by the more demonic, surreal horror.
- Character development is light, with the focus on action and atmosphere over emotional depth.
- The pulpy tone may not appeal to fans of literary or slow-burn horror.
📣 Reader Praise
“Grabs you from the first page to the last. You just can’t put it down ’til you’re done.”
“A twisted, dark and utterly enthralling read. I loved it! Makes me very eager for the next book!”
🏁 Final Verdict
Nightmare Abbey is a fast, frightening read perfect for fans of Scare Street, Haunted House horror, and paranormal thrillers with a demonic twist. If you enjoy stories where ancient evil lurks beneath crumbling walls and no one is safe, this one delivers the chills.
