Book review of The Penny Arcade: Mother’s Care Orphanage

by David A. Neuman (Author)

Updated at: 09/02/2025

In David A. Neuman's The Penny Arcade: Mother's Care Orphanage, the sleepy South Australian town of Kapunda harbors a dark secret. The abandoned Mother's Care Orphanage isn't simply derelict; it's a nexus of lingering trauma, where the past refuses to stay buried. Constable Benjamine McLevy is haunted by terrifying visions, unable to escape the horrors that cling to the land. When a mysterious late-night call compels Joshua Triplow to return to his childhood home in Kapunda, he unwittingly becomes entangled in the town's chilling history. Together, they must confront the malevolent forces that plague the orphanage, a place where the dead are far from silent, and the line between life and death blurs dangerously.

4.8 / 58 ratings

Review The Penny Arcade

"The Penny Arcade: Mother's Care Orphanage" completely captivated me. From the very first page, I was immersed in the eerie atmosphere of Kapunda, South Australia, a town seemingly clinging to a horrific past that refuses to stay buried. Neuman's writing style is incredibly evocative; he paints such vivid pictures with his words that I could almost feel the damp chill of the fog rolling through the overgrown playground, hear the creak of rusty swings, and sense the lurking dread in every shadowy corner. The descriptions are so detailed and atmospheric that Kapunda itself becomes a character, a malevolent presence influencing the lives of its inhabitants.

The story unfolds with a slow, deliberate pace that builds tension masterfully. It's not a relentless barrage of jump scares; instead, the fear seeps in gradually, a creeping dread that settles deep in your bones. This deliberate pacing allows the reader to truly connect with Joshua Triplow and Constable Benjamine McLevy, two characters grappling with their own personal demons while simultaneously uncovering the town's dark secrets. Their individual struggles, woven together with the overarching mystery of the orphanage, add layers of complexity and emotional depth. I found myself deeply invested in their journeys, both rooting for them and agonizing over their struggles.

The blend of psychological horror and supernatural elements is expertly done. The line between the living and the dead blurs, leaving the reader constantly questioning what’s real and what’s a manifestation of the town's collective trauma. The author masterfully plays with this ambiguity, keeping you guessing until the very end. While the pacing does slow in places, allowing for introspection and character development, it never truly detracts from the overall impact. These moments of reflection actually enrich the experience, adding weight to the emotional core of the story and allowing for a deeper understanding of the characters and their motivations.

What truly sets this book apart, however, is its exploration of lingering trauma and the way the past refuses to stay buried. The horrors of Mother's Care Orphanage aren't merely a plot device; they are a living, breathing entity that continues to haunt the town and its inhabitants. This exploration of the psychological impact of past atrocities is chillingly effective, and it's handled with a sensitivity that elevates the story beyond simple horror into something far more profound. It’s a story that lingers long after you finish reading, a testament to Neuman's talent for crafting unforgettable characters and a truly unsettling atmosphere. If you appreciate atmospheric horror that delves into the psychological depths of trauma and the enduring power of the past, then "The Penny Arcade: Mother's Care Orphanage" is a must-read.