This was a story about a rich family's past and secrets, about one spoilt girl and another sweet innocent girl being bullied by the first all throughout the book, and a lot more. Good versus evil with the main character ending tragic and unfair. The epilogue was very characteristic for the author, showing us an ending that I like to call 'x-files' ending...kind of happily ever after but with the possibility of everything going south once again later in the future.

I don't know why I liked the story especially as I'm not a fan of books where the main character a kid is. I guess because of it's simplicity and the author's great depiction of every character and his/her emotions I really enjoyed it (and his ability to provoke emotions in me, like disliking the treatment Tracy was giving to Beth etc). I think some would find the story boring and some not. I would have to think hard whom to recommend this.

The old mill in Westover, Massachusetts, has a troubling past tied to child labor and the violent actions of a man from long ago. As plans to renovate the mill begin, strange events start to happen, giving the building a menacing aura. Carolyn Rogers lives in the Sturgess mansion with her husband Philip, the mill's owner, their daughter Beth, Philip's daughter Tracy, and his mother. Sadly, Carolyn and Beth face hostility from Tracy and her grandmother, making their lives harder. Beth feels alone and struggles to fit in, thinking she has connected with Amy, the spirit of a girl her age. Meanwhile, Tracy is a source of nightmares, taking every opportunity to cruelly tease Beth.

John Saul's ghost story is skillfully written, becoming an engaging read with rich descriptions and well-crafted characters. The story draws readers in, and the narrative is strong, eerie, and immersive, linking the characters' lives to the mill's dark history. The supernatural aspects blend smoothly, leading to a surprising and chilling ending.

John Saul este unul dintre autorii mei preferati, pe care am ajuns sa il pretuiesc chiar mai mult decat pe Stephen King, cel din urma fiind un pic prea comercial pentru gustul meu. In adolescenta am citit cam tot ce a scris, astfel incat ori de cate ori mai gasesc o carte de a sa pe care am omis-o, ma bucur foarte mult. Cel mai bun moment de a citi creatiile sale este fara indoiala noaptea de Halloween. Il apreciez pentru ca este un maestru in prelungirea intensitatii misterului si fricii iar personajele sunt vii si traiesti alaturi de ele, temandu-te pentru siguranta lor. Acest build-up al terorii mi se pare fascinant.
"Focul iadului" nu este chiar atat de reusit, poate tocmai pentru ca personajele nu sunt atat de credibile iar in fata tragediei lor sunt lipsite de emotie, chiar fade. Cum ar fi Philip Sturgess, tatal vitreg al eroinei, in jurul caruia mor rudele si copiii iar el este lipsit de orice reactie sau emotie. Cel mai revoltator mi s-a parut atunci cand chiar dupa inmormantarea tatalui sau, doreste sa faca sex cu sotia sa in loc sa fie indurerat - iar cartea mai are cateva asemenea momente absurde.
Asa cum ne-am obisnuit la John Saul, romanul incepe cu un fragment edificator care ne pregateste si ne introduce in atmosfera. Actiunea se desfasoara in Westover, unde bogatul Philip Sturgess decide sa o ia de sotie pe Carolyn, o femeie de conditie normala care are o fiica dintr-o alta casatorie. Beth nu este bine primita de familia tatalui vitreg si nici de noua ei sora care, ori de cate ori poate, o raneste si o umileste.
In momentul in care Philip decide sa redeschida vechea fabrica de pantofi a familei, in jurul careia circula teribile legende si povesti, destinul personajelor se va schimba pentru ca acolo salasluieste un demon insetat de moarte si razbunare.
Ca incheiere, consider ca John Saul are romane mult mai bune cu care ne putem delecta dar si aceasta carte merita incercata pentru atmosfera si de dragul autorului in cazul in care avem prea mult timp liber la dispozitie.

This book reminded me of a female version of the good son almost. It was a good fast read, it kept me interested but until near the end it was a little to PG-13 for me. But I still enjoyed it. Sometimes the writing didn't always make sense, it wasn't really scary just interesting and fun to read.