‘The House of Mystery’ by Joy Ellis

Published by Joffe Books,
27 January 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-80573498-7 (PB) 

Following a bad car accident Ellie McEwan suffered a severe head trauma, which left her distressed and in shock as she was experiencing flashing lights of different colours. However with the help of her friend Carole Cavendish-Meyer and Dr Alice Cros, Ellie’s  partner, Ellie has come to terms with the possession of auric sight, which gives her the ability to see energy in fields of colour and therefore people’s auras which tell her that the person they are seeing is ill, or a person in a dark place. This means that she can diagnose problems within the body. 

This is the third book in this series, and we now find Ellie living in Snug Cottage which had been Carole and her partner, Vera’s home. Both have now passed over, and with the money left to her by Carole, she along with Professor Michael Seale have set up The Cavendish-Meyer Healing Centre. 

Callum Church works at the Healing Centre, and on his way to work, is experiencing shivers of apprehension, and he hopes that this is not some kind of presentment of things to come. And as he drives past the impressive frontage of the Centre, he sees Vera and Carol sitting on a stone bench, who immediately fade away. Unbeknown to him Ellie is experiencing the same feelings of apprehension. 

Beth Saunders is in despair with her 5-year-old daughter Izzie, who one moment is a lovely little girl but when alone with her mother spouts horrible malevolent words to her.  Teenager Oliver Cruise aged 14 has gone missing and young 8-year-old Christopher says he is writing an important book, using words that are far beyond is age.  Five-year-old Harry talks about flying planes over Germany and draws continually and accurately the inside of a WW11 Lancaster bomber. Daisy Hilton sent a letter to her parents 3 months after she disappeared saying she is safe and happy. 

Something bad is happening. But what? Initially these unconnected events seem to be tied up with young children.  Are they being used by an evil force? As Ellie and her team begin to uncover the truth, connections surface between the gifted children and an isolated mansion hidden deep in the Surrey woods. A place spoken about in whispers. A place no one is meant to find called The Eleventh House. A teenage boy's body is found on a lonely country road at dawn. But by the time the police arrive, it has vanished without trace. The blanket that covered him remains. The witness is adamant the boy was dead. But when Detective Bob Foreman and DI Jonathan Leatham reach the scene, there is nothing. No body. No blood. No explanation. 

I am not a believer in ghosts or the supernatural, but this book does draw you in. I had to keep reading. 

Intricately plotted, there are many strings to this story, which is a battle between good and evil. Which will prevail.? Recommended, for those who like something different.
---------
Reviewer: Lizzie Sirett 

Joy Ellis was born in Kent but spent most of her working life in London and Surrey. She was an apprentice florist to Constance Spry Ltd, a prestigious Mayfair shop that throughout the Sixties and Seventies teemed with both royalty and ‘real’ celebrities. She swore that one day she would have a shop of her own. It took until the early Eighties, but she did it. Sadly, the recession wiped it out, and she embarked on a series of weird and wonderful jobs; the last one being a bookshop manager. Joy now lives in a village in the Lincolnshire Fens with her partner, Jacqueline. She had been writing mysteries for years but never had the time to take it seriously. Now as her partner is a highly decorated retired police officer; her choice of genre was suddenly clear. She has set her crime thrillers in the misty fens.   

www.joyellis.info