ISBN: 1-55690-838-5 Order from: Recorded Books
A well-written romantic suspense novel with a likable if somewhat weak protagonist and an ambiguous resolution.
Reviewed by David on January 27, 2002
Genre: Mystery (Romance, Occult)
Synopsis: This is an unabridged recording of Someone in the House.
Anne, an English graduate student and an aspiring author of school textbooks, is invited to spend the summer in the house of her collaborator's parent in rural Pennsylvania.
The house, Grayhaven, proves to be a large and old English mansion, disassembled and transported to America in the 1920's.
As Anne, her friend Kevin and his aunt Bea settle into the country living, strange phenomena begin to distract and concern them. Between the residents and some neighbors, many theories are introduced, from ghosts to intruders, from hoaxes to spritual residue. As the beautiful summer progresses, and the quirky and likable characters argue about explanations, the mystery of the house seems no closer to resolution.
Full Review: This novel has several references to Michael's Black Rainbow, although the connection is slight and does not contribute to the plot.
The mystery is lively, and the romantic motif, while present, is not very strong. The main character is likable, although exhibits several periods of annoying weakness. The surrounding characters are all well-drawn, and the plot is nicely twisted, with evocative but not overpowering descriptions of the house and surrounding countryside. The character's erudition and the habit of jumping to conclusion is rather overdone, but acceptable in the contest of supernatural suspense.
While the plot is enjoyable, the resolution is a bit weak. While the conclusion reached by the protagonist is consistent, it lacks solidity in view of the many conflicting and equally plausible theories earlier in the book.
This well-paced and mostly well-plotted novel filled with solid characters and mystery is enjoyable, despite a weaker conclusion.
Overall: 5.5; Plot: 5; Characters: 5.5; Style: 5.5; World-building: 5; Originality: 6;
Copyright date 1981, Recorded Books, 1993, Audio cassette, 6 cassettes
ISBN: 1-55690-838-5 Order from: Recorded Books