There are a plethora of aspects within Robert McCammon's books that I could offer my thoughts and comments on.

However, I believe that what truly stands out above all else is the remarkable fact that his endings never fail to satisfy. They always manage to live up to the high expectations that are set throughout the entire course of the storyline. It is an absolutely riveting book that will undoubtedly remain a permanent fixture on my "favorites" shelves.

My latest reading of this book concluded on October 1st, 2016. Although technically it was our October group read, I found myself spending a significant portion of the past week in doctor's offices and hospitals with the kiddos. Nevertheless, I was still able to do a considerable amount of reading.

What more can I add that hasn't already been said? After having re-read this book four or five times, it still remains one of my personal favorite works by McCammon. I think the connection to Poe's House of Usher was what initially drew me in, but McCammon has truly transformed it into something entirely new and unique. Reading both versions back-to-back is an absolute treat that I would highly recommend to any avid reader.

A great and beautiful gothic horror story that starts from the initial idea that the Usher family, described by Edgar Allan Poe in his wonderful "The Fall of the House of Usher", fortunately present at the beginning of the volume and which has been a real pleasure to reread after more than twenty years, actually existed.

After an initial prologue in which the brother of Roderick and Madeline Usher tracks down Poe in a tavern and accuses him of slandering his family, the story jumps forward to the present and departs from it, taking its own path.

We then have the Ushers, arms manufacturers afflicted by a family curse that makes them hypersensitive (as in Poe's story) and forces them to lock themselves in isolated rooms during their crises, attacks that increase with the passage of time and seem to improve only when they return home.

Rather than a family, it's a veritable den of vipers.

We then have a mysterious Loggia, a nightmare house with stairs that lead nowhere, walled-up doors and windows that open onto the floor, an architectural labyrinth that very much recalls the Winchester Mystery House in California, one of the most haunted houses in the world.

Not content, McCammon adds to the plot a mysterious Man in the Hats who kidnaps children on the mountain and his assistant, the black panther Greediguts who walks on two legs...

... Children with可怕的powers, who seem to come from "The Village of the Damned" or be distant relatives of Carrie in Stephen King's novel.

Mysteries, unexpected twists in the plot, horror, well-developed characters and an accurate historical reconstruction in the flashbacks related to the Usher family's past (the part with the Great Chicago Fire is spine-chilling), in an exciting story but rather slow in the first part, which however fully satisfies by bringing all the loose ends together in the chilling finale.

An excellent read for October nights.

Ooooh, a huge house that was alive - perfect!

The setting of this story was truly captivating. There was the sprawling estate, with its vast lawns and magnificent gardens. Beyond that, the dense woods added an air of mystery, and the glistening lake provided a sense of tranquility. However, something sinister was lurking within this idyllic scene.

It seemed that the patriarchs of this wealthy family were being slowly decayed in a horrible way. One could only assume that it was because they were greedy warmongers. Their excessive wealth and power had corrupted them, leading to their downfall.

This story served as a powerful reminder of how the hideously rich often control those with nothing. It was a sad truth that this kind of exploitation happened all the time, everywhere. It made one wonder if there was any hope for a more just and equal society.

Overall, it was a fab story that left a lasting impression on the reader.

I absolutely adored the eerie and spine-chilling nature of this book.

The Usher family is shrouded in a plethora of secrets, and as the story unfolds in this novel, these secrets gradually come to the surface.

Although it may take a little while to fully immerse oneself in the narrative, it is most definitely worthwhile to invest the time.

The child-stealing pumpkin man, the weapons of mass destruction that have amassed the family's fortune, and the debilitating attacks that afflict this dysfunctional family all contribute to a sense of horror in very distinct ways.

This gives the horror novel an intriguing and captivating complexity that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat from start to finish.

It's a truly unique and engaging read that horror enthusiasts are sure to love.

A gigantic maze-like mansion owned by the mad heirs of an arms manufacturing empire?

I strongly suspect that the author drew inspiration for this book from the Winchester house in San Jose. It was also very much in the style of another great southern writer, the late Michael McDowell, a master of southern gothic horror.

The only thing that holds me back from awarding this a full 5 stars is that far too many of the characters were completely unlikable. Their actions and personalities made it difficult to truly engage with them on an emotional level.

My sincere thanks go out to the folks at the Horror Aficionados group for providing me with the opportunity to read and discuss this and many other excellent books. It has been a great experience to share my thoughts and hear the perspectives of others within the group.

This book has its strengths, such as the vivid descriptions of the mansion and the overall atmosphere of mystery and horror. However, the unlikable characters do detract from the overall enjoyment to some extent.

Nonetheless, I would still recommend this book to fans of southern gothic horror, as it does have its own unique charm and elements that are sure to keep readers on the edge of their seats.

So in case you’re wondering, this is how you write horror.

This is based on Edgar Allan Poe’s The Fall of the House of Usher. It takes that creepy little tale and transforms it into something truly gothic, gritty, and terrifying. There is a looming and slow-burning sense of dread. But there is so much going on. Between the Usher’s gruesome family history, the mysterious Mountain King, the Pumpkin Man who steals children, the panther hybrid Greediguts that stalks the mountains, and especially the main characters themselves. All of it is a hodge-podge of information that’s thrown at you for seemingly no reason. However, the utterly riveting denouement brings all those stray pieces together into a ghastly, vivid, and surreal revelation. Through the last hundred pages of this book, I could not put it down.

Robert McCammon is one of my favorite authors. He’s right up there with Stephen King as a master of horror. His works have the ability to draw readers in and keep them on the edge of their seats. The detailed descriptions and the well-developed characters make his stories come alive. Whether it’s the spooky atmosphere of a haunted house or the terrifying presence of a supernatural creature, McCammon knows how to create a sense of fear and suspense that lingers long after the book is finished.

My first foray into McCammon was truly a delightful experience.

The inclusion of Poe in the beginning part was an excellent addition. It added a certain charm and mystery to the story.

It seems that I will have to embark on a journey to discover more of his remarkable works.

I am eager to explore the other masterpieces that McCammon has to offer.

His writing style has captivated me, and I can't wait to see what else lies ahead.

Each page turn has been filled with anticipation and excitement, and I know that there are many more such moments waiting for me.

So, off I go to find more of McCammon's literary treasures and continue this wonderful adventure.

This was truly a really fun book to read.

There is an abundance of things happening within the 400 pages of this book.

In fact, with all the diverse stories unfolding in it, this could have effortlessly been a much lengthier book.

However, since it was only 400 pages, there wasn't really any dull filler.

The book managed to keep me in a state of constant guessing throughout, and I was extremely satisfied with how everything came together splendidly in the end.

This book had a wonderful mix of mystery, horror, and even fantasy.

It encompassed everything that I thoroughly enjoy in a book.

It was a captivating read that held my attention from start to finish and left me with a sense of fulfillment and enjoyment.

The year 1847 marks the beginning of a captivating tale. A man named Hudson Usher, brother of the deceased Roderick from Poe's famous "Fall of the House of Usher," sets out on a search for Edgar Allen Poe. His intention is to find out how much Poe truly knows about his family. Poe, who is sick, drunk, and on the verge of death, recalls perhaps reading something about the family's misfortunes. However, the story seems to mirror the turmoil within his own mind and soul. Hudson leaves, content that his family's secret remains safe and that the writings of this half-mad author will soon be forgotten along with him.

Fast forward to the present day. We are introduced to Rix Usher, one of the last descendants of the Ushers. Tall and handsome, he is the very image of a Welsh prince. When Rix, who resides in New York, is informed that his father is dying and wishes to see him, he reluctantly returns home to the estate of Usherland in South Carolina. This place holds only half-forgotten memories and all-too-vivid nightmares.

Once back at Usherland, it becomes abundantly clear that something is seriously amiss. Not only is there something wrong with the estate and the people who live there, but Rix himself has his own set of problems. He suffers from Usher's Malady, an illness that heightens his senses to the point of excruciating pain and has plagued his family since at least the time of Roderick. Additionally, his writing career has stalled following the suicide of his wife three years ago.

Despite the chaos in his own life, or perhaps because of it, Rix decides to write his family's story. He delves into his grandmother's diary, the casebook of the doctor who treated his great-grandmother, and a servant's account of fleeing with the family from the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. All of these elements form a dark thread that weaves through his family's past.

Discovering that the previous owner of the local newspaper is also writing a book about the Usher family, Rix teams up with the man's daughter, Ravin Dunstan, the current owner and sole reporter of the newspaper. She has been investigating the disappearance of local children, a string of disappearances that dates back over a hundred years.

As Rix digs deeper, he gets closer to solving the century-old mystery of his family and the legacy that has been passed down. He begins to wonder if his nightmares are real and if there is something or someone haunting Usherland's vast forest and kidnapping the children of the hill people who live nearby. And perhaps whatever is stalking Usherland is now after him as well.

This is just a brief overview of the story. There is so much more to this spellbinding and delightfully creepy book. It features a monstrous panther, a coven of witches, and the boogyman-like Pumpkin Man. McCammon also picks up on some of the threads from Poe's story and takes them in new directions. Although this is one of the author's earlier works and the writing may not be as polished as in his later books, "Usher's Passing" remains one of my favorites.

Okay, this book truly made me a die-hard fan of this author. I was initially somewhat convinced by his previous works, and when I started this book, I thought it was just okay for the first half. However, then it took off like a rocket. I mean, it really took off in an astonishing way. The ending felt as if it was hurtling forward at an ever-increasing pace, with one surprise after another hitting me like punches. Nothing was what I had initially thought it was going to be.

What began as a nostalgic trip down the memory lane of "Fall of the House of Usher" for Poe fans quickly spiraled into something entirely different. Rix, the protagonist, travels back home to his family as the patriarch is nearing his passing and the estate is up for grabs. Their fortune has been amassed through creating weapons of war, which Rix apparently opposes on moral grounds. The family intrigue is counterbalanced by clever foreshadowing and great atmospheric writing. There is even a creature hunting children in the area, adding an extra layer of mystery and danger.

As the story progresses, it quickly becomes evident that there is much more beneath the surface. Occult themes and dark secrets are woven throughout, making the plot highly complex and engaging. What starts out as a somewhat trite Halloween creature soon develops into a highly original plot teeming with creativity.

This was an excellent read, and the author demonstrates a remarkable skill in handling both the setting and the characters. The people are well-developed, realistic, and believable. They are multi-faceted and likable, which makes it easy for the reader to become invested in their stories. What started out as maybe a four-star rating for me ultimately became a five-star rating due to the phenomenal ending that was well worth the wait.

Highly recommended for all fans of mystery, thriller, and horror genres.

This book is truly, truly remarkable.

The story it weaves is filled with such intense suspense that it keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish.

The characters are vividly brought to life, each with their own unique qualities and personalities.

And the background of the Ushers is simply awe-inspiring.

It creates an atmosphere that is both mysterious and captivating.

Once you begin reading this book, it becomes extremely difficult to put it down.

You find yourself completely immersed in the world that the author has created, eager to discover what will happen next.

It's a literary masterpiece that will leave you with a lasting impression and a desire to read it again and again.

WOW,

this book truly has everything one could desire from an Autumnal read. It is so captivating that it might just become a yearly listen for Halloween, as it is simply perfect for that spooky season.

The characters in this story are great, each with their own unique personalities and traits. And the mystery that is woven throughout the narrative is both engaging and satisfying, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat until the very end.

McCammon has an exquisite eye for capturing time and place, painting a vivid and detailed picture in the reader's mind.

Overall, Robert McCammon has once again proven himself to be a master storyteller. He hasn't let me down yet, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next.