Written originally as a serial novel, each chapter stands on it's own yet interlinked with the next chapter, a cliff hanger at the end of each. Very well developed characters and the ending was a total surprise

Excellent

This is written beautifully ! One of the very best intertwining novel's ever written and ever read . Thank you Mr.Saul

I've been pulled in by quite a few John Saul novels, but this one wasn't quite what I was hoping for. As a serial novel, it's what you might expect - six parts, all with one running storyline pulling them together, but each with a standalone tale as well. The first few parts each focus on a different character and a different cursed item. By the third one of these, I was bored with it - character gets item, death and mayhem ensue, we won't be hearing from that character again. I get it. I started finding myself skimming parts of Part 4, and lots of Part 5. The sixth part concludes the common storyline, so I read that a little more closely. But in general, not as suspenseful or thrilling as some other John Sauls I've read. Perhaps this would be more thrilling read separately with several weeks between each part, as it was initially published.

The Blackstone Chronicles – containing all six books in one volume – was a fun read, but at times I found myself wishing I hadn’t taken on something so long. Having said that, John Saul did a great job with the storytelling.

While I liked how each story fit together, it wasn’t too difficult to figure out who was behind the series of events happening in the town. However, The reason BEHIND why they were doing them wasn’t as easy to figure out.

This was a great series but not the ending that I was expecting. I'm not sure how I feel about it actually. I think that the writer may have lost focus towards the end just a tad, it seemed kind of anti-climactic.

This book was originally written in 6 parts (ala Stephen King with the Green Mile), unfortunately, I was not aware of its existence then so I read it all in one book. Fortunately for me, the book works either way. I am taking this from a 5 star rating down to a 4 because of not loving parts 4 and 5 of the story as well as being fairly unsatisfied with the ending. I feel like maybe I'm dumb, but I didn't get it. Regardless of that, most of the parts of the book were just plain creepy and set a great tone for the novel as a whole. I enjoyed the characters and definitely came to know, love and fear the village of Blackstone. Very good read!

An abandoned asylum. A mysterious person. Cursed objects. Mayhem ensues.

6 short thrillers that are very well written

Comprises 6 books, fast read, format like The Green Mile.

Good not great!

A good book in that it kept you on the edge of your seat. It developed the characters pretty well, although some of them were sort of stereotypical. The ending could have been fleshed out a little more, however.

This book came to highly recommended and I must admit I am glad I chose the version that I did.

But lets wind back for a second. This book is the combination of 6 shorter stories very much in the style of Stephen King's Green Mile (in fact John Saul actually credit this books creation to King acknowledging the fact that with out his book the Blackstone Chronicles would not have existed).

Anyway this book is like I say the collection of the 6 short stories in to one book. Now I will admit that after the first story I think if I was reading them in isolation I may not have read much further -the story was good the action predictable and the characters engaging BUT and here is the BUT it felt so predictable well at least the first story

Now I know that in every story someone has to write it first usually followed by a number f people who think they can do it better but usually end up only copying the original at the same time creative cliches left right and centre.

Well after the first story that is how I felt - but since I was technically only 1/6 through the book forged on. And boy was I glad as the story started to leave the predictable and cliche and set out on its own and I started to really enjoy the story.

Obviously I will not give anything away that is my no spoilers however at the end it did feel a suitably convincing end although reading it at times feel like I was reading a TV script rather than a book. However if you like you creepy town filled with secrets then this is the one for you. I think the Green Mile did it better but I am glad others have tried their hand at the serial story too. I may be temped to read more of Mr Saul's work as a result.

Really contrived. Thought it would be fun but the characters are so one dimensional and it is so episodic in doesn’t feel like a serial but like 6 really over the top tales from the crypt without the fun.
Rare non recommendation.
Done with John Saul