👻 Ghost Stories

A Ghostly Cry: A Mother's Search for Justice from Beyond the Grave

✍️ Lecy McKenzie
Reader Score
4.4
(1 review)
$16.95
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A mother fights supernatural forces after her husband moves them into a haunted house.

The narrative follows Darla Kaye Linder, who endures a loveless and abusive marriage to wealthy Dean McKrae. Her husband’s family arranged the union to hide a scandal regarding an illegitimate child. When Dean wishes to leave Darla for Cindy Margoles, he moves his wife and daughter Kayla to a house with a dark reputation. This action releases a vengeful spirit that had remained inactive for years. Darla must confront this entity alongside her human adversaries. She utilizes help from a spectral figure and a worn toy bear to protect her child. The story tracks her journey from victimhood to a fight for redemption. It highlights the consequences of deceit and the lengths a parent will go to ensure safety.

Key Themes
marital deception haunted house maternal justice
Literary Context

Published in 2013 by Authorhouse, this work sits within the contemporary American tradition of supernatural fiction. It draws on the classic haunted house trope, where a specific location holds dormant evil. The narrative reflects modern anxieties regarding domestic abuse and family scandals. It blends psychological thriller elements with ghostly intervention to create a unique reading experience.

Difficulty
●● Medium
Recommended For Fans Of
Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier · Robert Aickman
👻
Ghost Stories
🏛 Authorhouse 📅 2013 📖 196 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781481718561

📝 Description: A Ghostly Cry: A Mother's Search for Justice from Beyond the Grave

Lecy McKenzie presents a suspense thriller centered on Darla Kaye Linder and her abusive marriage to Dean McKrae. The narrative details how Dean’s family orchestrated this union to conceal an illegitimate child scandal. Seeking to escape his wife, Dean devises a deceptive plan involving the beautiful Cindy Margoles. He relocates Darla and their daughter, Kayla, to a residence known for its history of death and revenge. This decision inadvertently awakens a dormant spirit that has lain within those walls for years. The story unfolds as Darla faces a life-threatening struggle against both human malice and supernatural forces. She relies on the aid of a sad ghost and a ragged toy bear to survive. The plot focuses on her quest for justice after being wrongly accused of crimes she did not commit. McKenzie frames this tale within the tradition of haunted house fiction, where the setting itself becomes an antagonist. The book examines themes of marital deception, maternal protection, and posthumous intervention. It appeals to readers who enjoy domestic suspense mixed with ghostly elements. Those seeking historical accuracy or non-fiction accounts will find this work unsuitable as it is a fictional narrative.

💎 Our verdict on A Ghostly Cry: A Mother's Search for Justice from Beyond the Grave

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
McKenzie effectively blends the chilling atmosphere of haunted house fiction with the intense emotional stakes of domestic abuse. The narrative succeeds in making the setting an antagonist, utilizing the dark reputation of the residence to amplify Darla’s vulnerability. The integration of a spectral ally and a symbolic toy bear adds a layer of mythic resonance to her fight for survival. This approach elevates the plot beyond simple thriller mechanics, grounding the supernatural in tangible maternal fear. The book is best suited for fans of psychological horror who appreciate complex family dynamics and moral ambiguity. It delivers a tense experience where the boundary between human villainy and ghostly vengeance remains delightfully blurred.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who enjoy the intersection of domestic drama and supernatural thriller will find this narrative compelling. It offers a unique perspective on maternal protection, where Darla’s struggle against an abusive husband is mirrored by her battle with vengeful spirits. The story appeals to those interested in how deceit and scandal can manifest as literal haunting. By combining the tension of a legal injustice with the eerie atmosphere of a cursed residence, the book provides emotional depth alongside suspense. It is ideal for audiences seeking stories where the home itself is a character, and where justice requires navigating both human cruelty and otherworldly intervention. The focus on redemption and parental sacrifice adds weight to the horror elements.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.4
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

McKenzie effectively blends the chilling atmosphere of haunted house fiction with the intense emotional stakes of domestic abuse. The narrative succeeds in making the setting an antagonist, utilizing the dark reputation of the residence to amplify Darla’s vulnerability. The integration of a spectral ally and a symbolic toy bear adds a layer of mythic resonance to her fight for survival. This approach elevates the plot beyond simple thriller mechanics, grounding the supernatural in tangible maternal fear. The book is best suited for fans of psychological horror who appreciate complex family dynamics and moral ambiguity. It delivers a tense experience where the boundary between human villainy and ghostly vengeance remains delightfully blurred.

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