All My Darkest Impulses (House of Crows Book 1)

4 4 out of 5 stars | 1,530 ratings

Price: 1.99

Last update: 12-18-2024


About this item

What really happened to the girl who walked into the woods and vanished forever? It’s a never-forgotten mystery that clings like a shadow in a short story about dark memories and inescapable fears.

For disgraced professor Matthew Merle, the inheritance of his grandfather’s crumbling mansion is both a burden and an offer of safe haven. His childhood friend Claire, a psychiatrist, desperately needs a haven of her own after one of her patients unleashes his dark side. At turning points in their lives, it’s inevitable that they should return to the past. And to Merle House. It’s been waiting for them.

All My Darkest Impulses is part 1 of House of Crows, a four-part serial about friends with a shared history of darkness. They’ve spent their lives running, but they can no longer hide from the past. Each story can be read or listened to in a single haunted sitting.


Top reviews from the United States

Amethyst
5.0 out of 5 stars So much better than I expected
Reviewed in the United States on January 6, 2023
For a free book on Amazon, I honestly didn't hold really high expectations but I am so pleasantly surprised to find a rather good series that I look forward to the upcoming books and the unfolding of the story.

This is a REALLY short book, basically a booklet - one full length book being split into several short books and calling it a series. I'm okay with that!

The story has been building tension, developing the characters reasonably well, and left the reader with just enough understanding of what's happening and just enough unanswered questions to really entice you into starting the next book.
Kindle Customer
4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining fantasy listening ????????????????✨
Reviewed in the United States on September 28, 2024
This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account board one of five

He has been fired when accused of sexual inappropriate behavior. She was attacked by a killer in the hospital. This is a weird short novella.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of fantasy world ???? adventure quick read mystery novels ????????. 2024 ????
A Lady
3.0 out of 5 stars ALL MY DARKEST IMPULSES: House of Crows Book #1 of 4 by Lisa Unger (An Amazon Original Short)
Reviewed in the United States on June 22, 2021
Welcome back to Merle House. It's been waiting for you...

I only recently saw this series by Ms. Unger which sounded really interesting if a bit creepy. I'm not sure what it says about me, but the creepiness was the selling point and the reason I thought I'd give it a try. Since it's a four book serial about four friends I expected each one of the friends to get their own story, which is not the case, and I assume the others will be similar. Book one is actually told from three different points of view (see below) and sadly I only found one of these individuals to be even a little likable.

First we have Matthew who inherits an old mansion that would be right at home in American Horror Story. Matthew himself is a jerk who cheats on his wife in thought if not in deed, when said wife is fighting a life threatening illness no less. Next is his old friend Claire, who my heart ached for. Her situation was horrifying and reminds me of the movie Fallen with Denzel Washington. And last we have Matthew's teen daughter Jewel, who is apparently so unhappy that she wants everyone around her to be miserable too.

There's also Matthew's wife Samantha who I liked, as well as some other pretty mysterious characters. And while there are definitely plenty of strange and chilling occurrences, it's hard to really love a book when most of the cast is so unappealing. I also don't like cliffhangers which is how I'm now assuming each story except maybe the last, will end. It seems to me that this is a single book broken down into four parts, not four separate stories. Overall it was okay but a bit disappointing and I'm not sure if I'll read more.

NOTE: I simultaneously read this on Kindle while listening to the Audible version of the story. There are three narrators all of whom I thought did a splendid job. My only issue would be with the male portraying Matthew, whose impersonation of the female voices felt a little off. The two different women who portrayed Claire and Jewel on the other hand I liked a little better since both did credible versions of the men they were depicting. Overall one of the better narrated books I've listened to in a long time though.

Pages & Kindle Locations: The story ended at 99% on page 53 and location 769.
Lucy Swailes
5.0 out of 5 stars So far I love it
Reviewed in the United States on November 15, 2024
I am ready to start book 2. I usually don't read short stories, but this is good so far .
Jennifer Williams
4.0 out of 5 stars super creepy
Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2024
This short story was super creepy and I really enjoyed it. I can’t wait to find out what happens in part two! This was a page turner for sure.
squareone
5.0 out of 5 stars Draws you in
Reviewed in the United States on May 18, 2024
Definitely the opening part of a larger work, but draws you in for sure. Although I am not a fan of using teenagers with attitude for characters, but I suppose the one in here does have a good reason. Looking forward to reading the remaining books in the series.
Torireadsalot
4.0 out of 5 stars Good spooky haunted house story
Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2024
Spooky haunted house story. What's not to love? The story did feel a bit incomplete, but it's a series of short stories, so, really, what else would you expect? I enjoyed the Dual POVs and how they (kind of) merged towards the end.
Bakermaniac
3.0 out of 5 stars undecided
Reviewed in the United States on November 20, 2024
Short story so when it ended I couldn’t decide if I like it or not. I will need to read the next book and see where it leads.

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