-50% 🔥 Bestseller Earthbound — Ghost Stories

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👻 Ghost Stories −50%

Earthbound

Name: Earthbound
Price: 15.99 USD
Availability: InStock
ISBN: 9780765311719

✍️ Richard Matheson

Reader Score

4.6

(6 reviews)

$15.99 ~~$32.00~~ Save $16.01 (50%)

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📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A married couple's retreat is haunted by a seductive spirit seeking revenge.

The narrative centers on David and Ellen Cooper, who move into a secluded beachside cottage hoping to save their marriage. Their plans are disrupted by Marianna, a mysterious visitor who appears only when Ellen is away. As David becomes involved with her, he discovers that she is connected to dark events from the past. Her influence extends beyond romantic temptation, threatening the physical safety and spiritual well-being of all involved. The story examines how unresolved marital issues can make individuals vulnerable to external supernatural forces.

Key Themes

marital breakdown supernatural seduction haunted cottage

Literary Context

Published by St. Martins Press in 2005, this work continues the legacy of Richard Matheson. It fits within the American horror tradition established by his previous novels Hell House and A Stir of Echoes. The setting utilizes the classic gothic trope of isolation to explore psychological fear.

Richard Matheson

📚 all books by this author (56) →

Difficulty

●● Medium

Recommended For Fans Of

Shirley Jackson · Daphne du Maurier · Thomas Harris · Elizabeth Massie

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Ghost Stories

🏛 St. Martins Press-3PL 📅 2005 📖 223 pages 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9780765311719

📚 This Book in Collections

🏚️ Haunted House Novels

📝 Description: Earthbound

Richard Matheson, known for Hell House and A Stir of Echoes, presents Earthbound as an erotic ghost story. David and Ellen Cooper seek to repair their failing marriage by renting a lonely beachside cottage for a second honeymoon. Their isolation is broken by Marianna, a beautiful and enigmatic stranger who visits David whenever his wife is absent. This arrangement quickly becomes complicated as David succumbs to her seductive charms, unaware that she is far more than a threat to his marriage. The narrative reveals that Marianna’s secrets lie deep in the past and beyond the grave. Her presence introduces an unholy desire that endangers the life and soul of everyone she touches. The story draws on gothic traditions where the supernatural intrudes upon domestic spaces, using the isolated cottage setting to heighten tension. Matheson explores themes of marital discord, forbidden attraction, and the lingering power of death. This book suits readers who enjoy psychological horror blended with romantic suspense. It may not appeal to those seeking fast-paced action or clear-cut resolutions. The plot relies on atmospheric dread and character interaction rather than explicit gore. Fans of Matheson’s earlier works will find familiar ground in his exploration of human vulnerability against supernatural forces. The story concludes with the consequences of these unholy desires coming to light.

💎 Our verdict on Earthbound

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Horror Reads editorial team

Horror desk

Matheson delivers a seductive yet unsettling tale where the supernatural intrudes upon domestic tranquility. While the premise of a haunted second honeymoon is compelling, the story may frustrate readers seeking clear-cut resolutions or explicit action. The plot relies heavily on character interaction and atmospheric dread, which might feel slow to those preferring immediate thrills. It is not suitable for audiences looking for straightforward jump scares or graphic violence. However, fans of gothic traditions and psychological horror will find value in its exploration of marital discord and the consequences of unholy desires. The ending leaves significant ambiguity regarding the ultimate fate of the protagonists.

✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers who appreciate atmospheric dread over visceral gore will find this novel deeply engaging. It offers a nuanced exploration of how unresolved marital issues can render individuals vulnerable to external supernatural forces. The narrative does not rely on fast-paced action but rather on the slow, mounting tension of forbidden attraction and psychological manipulation. Those interested in the intersection of romantic suspense and horror will appreciate Matheson’s examination of human vulnerability against ancient, lingering powers. It is ideal for those who enjoy stories where the true horror stems from emotional betrayal and spiritual corruption rather than physical threats.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

⭐ HorrorReads editorial review Editorial rating 4.5/5

★★★★★

Readers craving atmospheric psychological horror and gothic romance will adore this tale of marital decay and supernatural seduction. Avoid if you prefer visceral gore, rapid-fire action sequences, or tidy, unambiguous endings.

Reader rating

4.6

Based on 6 reviews

Jessica H.

June 30, 2026

Worth every penny

Needed a good scare and got one. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. Well worth it.

Nathan B.

April 13, 2026

Genuinely scary

Not my usual subgenre but wanted to branch out. The audiobook crowd will want the paper copy for the margins. Highly recommend.

Megan J.

January 14, 2026

A new favorite

Grabbed it for a long flight. Some chapters are hard to read in the best possible way. A few scenes I will not forget, whether I want to or not. Already eyeing my next order.

Grace C.

June 21, 2025

A new favorite

Ordered it for Halloween and it came in time. It leans on old gothic bones and makes them creak convincingly. Great value for what you get.

Caleb E.

May 11, 2025

Needed a good scare and got one. Genuinely unsettling in places, and it earns it without cheap tricks. Good, with the caveats above.

❓ Frequently asked questions

It is a fusion of both, using romantic suspense as the vehicle for psychological terror. The supernatural elements are deeply tied to the characters' emotional lives and marital strife.

While the story explores erotic themes and seduction, it focuses on atmospheric dread and emotional consequences rather than graphic descriptions. The horror stems from psychological manipulation and supernatural threat.

📖 Who should read this

📜 Historical context

Richard Matheson extends his legacy in supernatural fiction by weaving erotic tension into classic Gothic tropes. Echoing the tradition where haunted domestic spaces reflect internal turmoil, Earthbound places an isolated coastal cottage at the center of a psychological siege. This work bridges mid-century horror’s focus on character-driven dread with lingering themes of death and forbidden desire.