Editorial Content for A Haunting on the Hill

In 1959, Shirley Jackson penned THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, a horror novel that was instantly hailed a classic. The book’s reach was so vast that it spawned two feature films, each called The Haunting, as well as the terrific Netflix miniseries “The Haunting of Hill House,” directed by modern-day horror maven Mike Flanagan.

Now, just in time for the Halloween season, Elizabeth Hand has given us a treat: a follow-up to Jackson’s seminal work. A HAUNTING ON THE HILL takes us back to the now legendary Hill House and casts some new characters in a narrative that forces them to explore its dark nature and history.

"Elizabeth Hand has always been a special writer. However, stepping into Shirley Jackson’s shoes is a feat from which most authors would have shied away. I am glad she did not, because A HAUNTING ON THE HILL is a fine horror novel and exploration of the supernatural world."

Playwright Holly Sherwin has not had much recent success in her career. However, she feels that may all change when she comes across the gothic and ominous Hill House while on a weekend trip upstate. She decides to immerse herself there and see what inspiration comes her way. Be careful what you wish for, Holly!

Holly’s girlfriend, Nisa, and a group of actor friends join her for the brief rental of Hill House, and all are initially excited about the opportunity to stay in such an infamous location. Once the spooky, supernatural incidents start to occur --- as every reader will expect --- they begin to realize that they may have jumped into the deep end of the haunted house pool.

Having had no living residents for nearly 60 years, you can imagine how hungry for new souls a place with the psychic energy of Hill House must be. Whatever darkness has existed there all this time is now eager for the new company and may not want to be alone anymore. With each character feeling something and being drawn to a different part of the house, in both the literal and spiritual sense, Hill House once again has the opportunity to possess and claim a soul or souls for its own and in unexpected ways.

There are some outside characters, like a servant and a cook, who stop by during the daytime to see to their duties and care for the new temporary residents. However, none of them will ever consider being inside Hill House after dark. That creepy sensation you now feel running up your spine is not only very real but will start the supernatural rollercoaster ride that is to follow.

Knowing horror, as most readers of this book undoubtedly do, should clue you in on what is about to develop. Tales of witchcraft and very real witches are uncovered in numerous ways, and the expected possession of someone also takes place. There is nothing that possibly could have prepared Holly and company for everything that is happening to them. All are in danger of losing themselves permanently to the dark entity that is at the heart of Hill House.

Elizabeth Hand has always been a special writer. However, stepping into Shirley Jackson’s shoes is a feat from which most authors would have shied away. I am glad she did not, because A HAUNTING ON THE HILL is a fine horror novel and exploration of the supernatural world. It is not a retelling but rather another story in the history of a haunted place to which I was more than happy to return.