This is one of the weirdest, scariest, most uncomfortable books I have ever read, and I read "The Shining"!!
I seriously questioned whether I would be able to finish it. The saving grace was that it really is 6 semi-separate stories, so each mystery was somewhat resolved just before I gave up! The ending was excellent! Doubtful whether I would ever read anything else by this author!

I don't usually read this type of story but somthing about it intregied me so I read it. And I loved it. first of all this is really more of a psycological thriller rather than a supernatural one. This a suspenseful mystery that will keep you guessing right up to the last chapter. With all of the hidden connetions and flashbacks this is a story that will easily hook any fan of LOST. Though the conclusion is sold it will still leave you longing to return to the town of Blackstone.

I'm giving the whole series 5 stars - individual books may vary. I say 'books' because this was a 'Serial Terror in 6 Parts' when I first read them in the 90's. Someone may have already mentioned this but I didn't read the other comments... anywho, I would anxiously await the release of the next book in the series. Just like how "The Green Mile" was set up. Some of the stories were more creepy than others but overall, a great read. I think I'll re-read them this week - The 90's & my 20-something mind vs. '23 & my 50-something mind!!

The Blackstone Chronicles is a serial novel in 6 parts. The story has a lot of potential that is never developed. This may be a method that is too constricting on the author and which does not allow him the space he needs to develop the characters and the story.

Each of the six parts deals with a different family: the Hartwicks, Beckers, Wagners, McGuires, Wards and Metcalf/Connally. Each of these families has strong ties in Blackstone as they have lived there several generations. Also in Blackstone is an Asylum (soon to be turned into a commercial center), and each of the families mentioned has had some connection to the asylum, be it family or staff. The Asylum was run by Dr. Malcolm Metcalf, Oliver Metcalf's father. In each of the books a gift finds its way into the homes of each of these families and it brings havoc and destruction. Each object brings out evil and people either go mad and do unconscionable things or "accidents" happen. The items are delivered, or strategically placed, by a dark figure that moves around the Asylum as if it were his home.

The characters in these books are barely explored and thus we never get to fell a connection nor empathy with any of them (well, maybe Rebecca). We are provided with mere glimpses of who these people. The stories themselves are a bit too quick to conclude providing barely any climax to any of the 6 books. In fact, the end climax for me felt fickle, non-climactic and way to quick to end.

For a horror story, the book has very little horror to it, save for tons of mentions of evil lurking somewhere, dark shadows and ....that's it actually. The villain of this story was far too predictable which made me lose a lot of the interest in the book. This was one of the most predictable books I have read.

I was very disappointed by these series, especially the end. It was unsatisfying and unresolved. I would not have changed the end result though, but it should have been better presented. And, can someone explain to me what was the purpose of the end scene with Edna Burham?!

A quick read nevertheless, buy if you like John Saul.