You know, horror novels can be wonderfully, terrifyingly, page-turningly awesome without killing animals (think The Exorcist, Amityville, just to name 2 of the Best Horror Novels Ever, IMO). Once the plot turns to animals being tortured and/or gruesomely murdered, that's where it's not scary, it's just gross. None of the animal killings in this book were really necessary for the plot, which is where this book got maddeningly annoying. Because then it became really really predictable. This book could have been scary in the Amityville Horror vein, but it fell short more than a few times. Just couldn't waste anymore time with it.

I read this one over Spring break, when I didn't have much time to read. I still finished it in a decent time, though, due to its storyline sucking me in. True, there was cheese there and sometimes dangerously close to overdoing it, and the tale was a bit cliché and used a very stereotypical villain most stories should avoid unless they're going to do it perfectly, but Saul wrote it relatively well so that you cared about most of the characters and wer curious how far he would take it and what would be the outcome.

Opening the story with a severe alcoholic as the husband and an unhappy marriage kept it flowing with unhealthy drama. I do have some curiosities with the resolution - was it always the same person who inhabits the people? Did the person inhabited redeem at all? I'm guessing he did have something in him as well for his charismatic ability rose highly. The ending felt too cut off - the ending happened but there was no afterword to see what happens with the family, even the reaction outside the door. The beginning skids off a bit from back story horror to delve into family drama buildup. This slow start still kept me into the story because it was akin to watching a train wreck.

I do have to say that, despite his easy flowing style and keeping something exciting always happening, he overdoes the comma rule. I read two books in a row like this. Eck. It's not a grammatical rule that he's breaking, but it does interrupt the flow of reading for me. A lot.

The twin bond is overdone in stories. Not much stand out character wise. The animal deaths really need to leave. Having the priest as the real controlling force of the town interested me. In a weird way I wish I could have gotten to see the improved, non-drink dependent father’s true face. I’d also have loved to learn more about the weird bargain that was made.

Overall, animal deaths are the most disturbing part of the book. Gore is moderately splashed, certainly there. Some creepy scenes but nothing too chilling. A decent story that keeps it interesting, but for a house tale likely one I won't remember forever.

This is my sixth Saul book I've read and it might be my favorite so far. "Hand" grabs you in the opening with a very scary scene. This sets the stage for what awaits the Conway family. Some very scary visuals. I'm not sure if any of Saul's work has been turned into movies but this would make a good one. Quick read, worth checking out. (originally posted on Amazon.com)

Don't go into this John Saul book thinking you are going to get his normal scares...this one is EXTREMELY violent and gory!! I LOVED this, both when it originally came out in 1999, and now again in 2021! WARNINGS: animal and child sacrifices, depicted VERY graphically!!!

So, in St. Albans; Louisiana a house has sat for almost 40 years. It is owned by the Conway family, who are really that well liked in this town, and when 'Aunt Cora Conway' dies and leaves the house to her nephew, Ted and his wife Janet, their teenaged twins a boy and girl, and their 2 year old daughter Molly. Now this is a weird child!! Ted wants to turn it into an Inn.......but would anyone stay in a mansion that is supposed to have harbored much murder, and torture in it's days, and is HAUNTED!!? This is a haunted mansion book, but it is MUCH more than that.....it is a book about devil worship, demons possessing kids with horrifying results, church sacrifices of everything, and about the Conways. Ted is an alcoholic, and he and his wife were almost going to divorce when this situation comes up in their family......do they move it? Do they sell it? The book deals with and shows some of the most dark, and extremely graphic scenes of violence, and mutilation unlike has ever been in a Saul book....AND it takes place during Halloween in one part!!! I do not ever remember that in a Saul book. So, if you are into this kind of horror and disturbing sleep patterns, pick this one up! You won't regret it.....and do you really want to stay at Conway House? Hmmm?

A family led by a simpering mother and a drunk abusive father inherits a foreboding property in small town Louisiana.

This book contains some typical horror elements-sinister religious vibes, a terrible father figure, a messed up family, suspicious townspeople, blah, blah, blah. It's fairly predictable and the writing is only so-so.

This just wasn't for me. However, if you are looking for stereotypical horror w/heavy evil religious stuff, and writing doesn't matter, then this might be for you.

Have not read a horror novel in quite a long time. This novel seemed to have had good possibilities, but fell short at the end. Just an OK read for me, however I would read more from John Saul as others of his writings have been better.

One of the first adult horror novels that I ever read. It messed with my head terribly and I've been reading horror ever since!

Typical horror tropes. Ghost appearing, noises in the dark when no one is there, death, etc. This might have interested me in middle school but I found this book boring. Pretty much found out what happens at the end via the prologue and was I surprised? No typical horror tropes. Basically the guy who inherited the large house from his cray estranged aunt turns psycho.

Didnt need to waste time reading 300 extra pages, the plot is unoriginal. The guy feels comfort/relaxed for the first time in his life while sleeping in Night 1 living there. Meanwhile the rest of his family are feeling nervous and extreme discomfort. Easy to see where the plot is going especially since he is thinking “they never truly got me! No one understands me and keeps giving me an evil eye!”

The only reason I rated this a two star is because if you are extremely bored and want a good (good as in well-written) horror story then this is for you. The plot is basic and predictable.

Everything is falling apart for Janet Conway. Her husband Ted has just been fired from his latest job, he thinks everyone is against him and he is a raging alcoholic. Everyone in the family feels the strain including 15 year old twins Jared and Kim and 16 month old Molly.

Then Ted's only relative dies and the family learns that Ted is the beneficiary of a large trust fund. The only conditions are that they have to live in the family home in the town of St. Albans and their children have to attend St. Ignatius Catholic school. It seems like a miracle. Ted has even given up alcohol and is thriving.

But something sinister is brewing under the surface. Jared's personality totally changes. Kim feels totally cut off from her twin brother and is plagued by horrific nightmares. And there are rumors of cursed Conways from earlier generations floating throughout town. Could something evil really be attached to the Conway family?

John Saul is the master of the paranormal story and this one delivers. This is a great read.

A little too scary for me now at this time in my life. I think I outgrew scary.

Ohmygaaaawd!!!! Sooo goood!!!!!

This book had me screaming, questioning and open mouthed!

This author is not afraid of writing about the things that are usually considered taboo and I really appreciated it.

There was a character that I WANTED something bad to happen to, and it would normally be “off limits”, but John Saul DELIVERED!!!!! Yes!!!!!

The Conways move to a late Aunt's home and strange things begin to happen. I haven't read a horror book for a long time. I found this one gory-I don't like the killing of animals and this book was very graphic.