Be Buried In Rain [Paperback]

Barbara Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1987

There are terrible secrets from generations past buried at Maidenwood. Medical student Julie Newcomb has returned to her family's decaying plantation—the site of so many painful childhood memories—to tend to her tyrannical grandmother, felled by a stroke. The fire of malevolence still burns in the cruel, despotic matriarch's eyes—yet, for Julie, a faint spark of redemption and second chances flickers in this hated, haunted place. But her hope—and her life—are seriously threatened by a nightmare reborn . . . and by the grim discovery on the lonely road to Maidenwood of the earth-browned skeletons of a mother and child.

--This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Writing both as Michaels and as Elizabeth Peters, the author is a favorite of suspense fans, who will immerse themselves in this eerie tale. Summoned to Maidenwood, a crumbling "mansion" set amidst acres of Virginia countryside Julie Newcomb must tend to her grandmother, felled by a stroke. Although ailing, Martha Carr at 85 is still a despot, and Julie hates the woman. Only duty takes Julie there, especially when she learns that Alan Petranek, an archeologist, will be at Maidenwood. Martha had ruined a love affair between Julie and Alan years earlier. Nowunknown to Marthaher cousin has hired him to investigate the land around the house. The discovery of two skeletons on the estate has brought Alan onto the scene and Julie into a reluctant partnership with him as he tries to dig up Maidenwood's secrets. The story's pace quickens with threats to Julie's life but she survives to render justice to the pathetic remains, identified at last as victims of a cruel killer. November 22
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

A fully clothed skeleton found on a country road, a cantankerous old woman crippled by stroke, a somewhat chauvinistic yet charming politician, religious fanatics, a mythical ancestor, practitioners of ``psychic'' archeology, long-suppressed memories, and a single-minded man from her past: these are the elements that confront medical student Julie Newcomb when she arrives at the family plantation in Virginia to help care for her bed-ridden grandmother. Michaels is near her top form in this 20th offering under that pen-name, and creates an aura of sinister intrigue that will keep the reader spellbound. The ending may not be totally satisfying but is, in fact, a shade more realistic than most. Michaels's legion of fans will hardly be disappointed. Judith A. Gifford, Salve Regina Coll. Lib., Newport, R.I.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback
• Publisher: Berkley (March 1, 1987)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425096343
• ISBN-13: 978-0425096345
• Product Dimensions: 6.9 x 4.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,612,120 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Crumbling Plantation house dripping with vines, ghosts....., March 3, 2001

By 

A. Y. Smittle (Winchester, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Be Buried in the Rain (Mass Market Paperback)

I went looking for what Barbara Michaels has to offer: I wanted a modern "gothic" romance. I wanted a a creepy old house on a vast old Virginia plantation, dripping with creeper and ivy, with crumbling foundations and spooky attics. Something like an adult Nancy Drew. (I beg your pardon!) Ms Michaels always manages to set the perfect stage; regardless that the story flows excellent, the dialogues are excellent, too excellent. Ok, yeah, she misses the last star because the story wasn't the best---but atmosphere, my dear, is everything! I'll bet is was a joy to write this story and what a joy it was to read it. If you are looking for a book that has a little of everything....suspense, mystery, romance, etc. This is it. Graveyards, archaeology, family secrets....read on! Don't forget to check out her other stuff to! All in the same sort of line. The "feminist" heroine, the Mr. Rochester-type hero, the spooky background...ahhhh, the spooky background....

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Barbara Michaels writes another intriguing book., July 25, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Be Buried in the Rain (Paperback)

This book doesn't just smack you in the face with realizations. It let's the answers come to you slowly. The characters seep into your subconcious. As a writer Barbara Michaels has surpassed herself again and again. I highly recommend all of her books. Also check out her books she's writes as Elizabeth Peters. They are well worth the read

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Michaels at her best!, September 1, 2001

By 

Tamara Blackwell "Avid Book Reader" (Mississippi Delta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Be Buried in the Rain (Mass Market Paperback)

This is my favorite Michaels' book. The creepy old house, the mystery surrounding the old woman and her maliciousness, the ruined love affair rekindled, and the archaeological dig combine to make a great story. A reader who reviewed this book was disappointed that the ending was left up in the air; it was the perfect ending in my opinion - it literally sent chills down my spine!