What do readers think of Coram House by Bailey Seybolt? Write your own review.

CORAM HOUSE
By Bailey Seybolt

You can leave Coram House but you can’t leave it behind.

3.5 stars
In 2016 Alex Kelley, a true crime writer hoping to redeem herself from her last book, takes a job as a ghostwriter for a book revolving around the shadowy inheritance of the Catholic orphanage, Coram House, in Vermont. For generations there have been stories of abuse and the disappearance of a boy named, Tommy, at the orphanage back in 1968. As Alex delves into the mysteries she becomes overly obsessive and a bit of a nuisance with authorities. Did Tommy actually exist? Her investigation takes a chilling turn when Alex …more discovers a body near the lake and believes it has something to do with Coram House. The past just won’t stay buried.

There is a gothic vibe in the eerie setting of Coram House on Lake Champlain with the cemetery next to it. A debut inspired by true events. I liked the atmosphere and setting of the story. It is a slow-burn suspense/thriller with some twists and turns, and a lot of red herrings. I didn’t connect with the MC; probably because she was so complex and scattered all the time. I thought for a debut it was a pretty good read. I will keep an eye out for what she does next. (less)

I have been asked to ghostwrite a book about an orphanage and what happened there even though my first book was not a success?

Alex always had an interest in history and researching.

Researching Coram House about the abuse and specifically the drowning of Tommy, a child at the orphanage, and Sarah who was pushed out of a window, was difficult with no one wanting to give out much information when interviewed.

Based on a true story, Alex delves into what really happened to Tommy and Sarah, and then a body and another body is found.

What do these two incidents have in common?

Is this death connected to Tommy's all those …more years ago and Alex’s “digging?”

It looks as if writing a book is turning into everyone who is being investigated turning up murdered.

Will she be able to write this book or will she be the next body to be found?

Is she getting too close to what really happened with all the people she is researching?

Well written, engaging, and heartbreaking, Coram House is an outstanding debut with its detail and storyline.

A good twist at the end. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own. (less)