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.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
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.
Copyright 1985 Reed Business Information, Inc.
