The Haunting of Borley Rectory: The Story of a Ghost Story

Marianne Foyster, Harry Price, and the most haunted house in England, Borley Rectory, are the perfect read for Halloween. In 1928, Eric and Mabel Smith moved into the Rectory and discovered a human skull, which led to the house becoming notorious as the 'most haunted house in England.' Reverend Lionel Foyster experienced a further explosion of poltergeist activity, and Marianne was accused of faking the ghosts, adultery, bigamy, and murder. Harry Price investigated the case and recorded evidence of 200 witnesses to over 2,000 supernatural incidents, confirming that ghosts existed and life after death. Sean O'Connor brings the story to life as an allegory for an age fraught with anxiety and haunted by the shadow of the Great War and the apocalypse.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 12 October 2023
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd

Marianne Foyster, Harry Price, and the Most Haunted House in England: A Perfect Halloween Read

Borley Rectory, an ancient haunt with an extraordinary grip on the popular imagination, stands as a testament to the enduring power of haunted places. In 1928, Eric and Mabel Smith embarked on a new chapter by taking over a lonely parish on the northern border of Essex. Their move to Borley Rectory brought with it a chilling discovery—a human skull hidden in a cupboard. Little did they know, the house would soon become infested with spirits, casting a haunting shadow over their lives.

Within a year, the Smiths abandoned the Rectory, leaving it to gain notoriety as the "most haunted house in England." Reverend Lionel Foyster, the new occupant, soon encountered a surge in paranormal activity, with the spirits becoming increasingly violent towards his young wife, Marianne. Marianne, a passionate and sensuous woman, found herself trapped in a village haunted by ancient superstition and deep-rooted prejudice. She would be accused of faking the ghosts, adultery, bigamy, and even murder.

The haunting, sensationalized by the tabloid press, gripped the nation. It drew the attention of Harry Price, a self-made "psychic detective," who embarked on an investigation to unravel the mysteries of Borley Rectory. Price recorded the evidence of 200 witnesses to over 2,000 supernatural incidents, providing concrete proof that ghosts existed and offering tantalizing glimpses of life after death.

Sean O'Connor, in his captivating narrative, brings the story of Borley Rectory to vivid life as an allegory for an age fraught with anxiety. Haunted by the shadow of the Great War and terrified of the impending apocalypse, the people of Borley find themselves trapped in a world of fear and uncertainty. The Rectory serves as a symbol of the tensions and fears that permeated society during that time, reminding us of the enduring power of the supernatural and the human capacity for both dread and hope.

As you immerse yourself in the pages of this captivating book, you will be transported to the eerie halls of Borley Rectory, where spirits lurk in every corner and the shadows hold secrets that refuse to be forgotten. Prepare to be haunted by the chilling tales of Marianne Foyster, Harry Price, and the most haunted house in England, a perfect Halloween read that will leave you pondering the mysteries of the past and the possibilities of the future.

Weight: 348g
Dimension: 198 x 127 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781471194795