Customer Reviews

Ghost Light

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I too will take the middle ground on this book. It has its' strengths (mainly a really, really nasty villain who is all that much nastier because he is human.), and some decently developed characters. As some of the more critical reviews have stated, however, the plotting is a little thin. The most powerful element in constructing a great horror or suspense novel is the authors' ability to create a suspension of disbelief. The reader has to be able to accept the fantasy that the author has created, and I found myself questioning some of the plot developments that Rick Hautala inserted into this book especially concerning the inability of the police to figure out what was going on. Other than this I found it to be a decent read-nothing to really brag about but I have surely read a lot worse novels that have sold a lot better.

I'll take the middle ground in the reviews here so far. I like Hautala's writing, and I happen to think he is quite talented. I also liked GHOST LIGHT although I did not find it to be incredible. I had some problems with various aspects of the novel, but overall I thought it was a good little thriller.
Anyone looking at Debbie and Alex Harris would think they had the perfect life together: beautiful home, 2 incredible children, lasting marriage. But Cindy Toland, Debbie's sister, knows differently, and after Vicki dies in what is dubbed as a freak accident, she knows she has to do something to protect Billy and Krissy, her niece and nephew. She knows the horrors Debbie faced with Alex, and she sets off cross-country with the children to try to escape her maniacal brother-in-law. What does Alex do? He dives into escalating psychopathology and will stop at nothing to punish Cindy for taking what is his. Forever looking over her shoulder, Cindy tries to make a new life for the kids. What she can't escape is Krissy's insistence that a mysterious "blue lady" appears to her each night. A confrontation is inevitable, but Hautala makes sure to build the suspense along the way.
I liked the character of Alex. He is insane, he is creepy, he is the absolute worst that humanity has to offer. He adds an edge to this story and had me cheering on the good guys. Yes, the storyline is rather formulaic horror, but it works. It's that simple! I was pulled into the suspense and had to keep reading to find out how everthing comes together at the end. I recommend this book; it's certainly worth the read.

This is, without a doubt, the worst book I've ever read. So bad that I just couldn't bring myself to finish it-- and I wholeheartedly believe in finishing any book I start. The plot was utterly ridiculous and the dialogued so cliched that I find it hard to believe that this book was written by an adult. I'd like to think that others that have given this book a favorable review are youngsters that still have time to develop a more discriminating taste in literature. But I won't hold my breath.

If suspence or horror is what you're looking for, run away from this book. On the other hand, if you want to read something aloud to your friends for a great, good laugh-- this is the ticket!

Contrary to the previous review, I found this book to be very creepy and entertaining. I enjoyed the suspense, and was sorry when the story was done! I recommend this book for anyone who loves good horror fiction!

Though it has its shades of supernatural, GHOST LIGHT is more of a thriller than horror. Narratively impressive, it deals with the effect of making bad choices and the degree of which one needs to reach to be set free. Between freshly drawn characters and action-packed suspense, Hautala tells a tale of love, responsibility and forgiveness, forgiveness of others, but more importantly of oneself. Adding to the mix a drop of an unearthly apparition and a full-cup of one nasty nasty villain, and you got one exciting read that will surely please seekers of high tension everywhere.-----Martin Boucher

One of the worst books I've ever read. Suspenseless, leaden, with cliches leaping out of every paragraph. Out of print and deservedly so. I've read numerous Hautala books...enough of them to say unequivocally that the man is a really poor writer with no sense of plotting, characterization, and pace.