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The Midnight Side
 
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The Midnight Side [Hardcover]

Natasha Mostert (Author)
4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)


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Book Description

December 26, 2000

He had been waiting patiently: midnight had come and gone and then the first, early morning hours. And still there was light in the room on the top floor of the house on the opposite side of the street, forcing him to wait ....

He glanced at his watch. Four o'clock. The streets were still, the air hushed. This was the dreaming hour when people cried out in their sleep; the crisis hour when a fever might break or hope finally disappear. The hour when death's angel was walking.

The Midnight Side is a chilling tale of an incredibly seductive woman who, even from the grave, is able to manipulate events to her satisfaction. A haunting story of obsession and loss, Natasha Mostert's arresting debut is an intricately plotted psychological thriller that will leave you breathless.

Isa DeWitt is not alarmed when she receives a phone call in the early morning hours from her cousin Alette -- they'd always shared a tight bond -- until she discovers that Alette has been dead for two days. Summoned to attend to the affairs of Alette's estate, Isa travels from her home in South Africa to meet with Alette's attorney in London. There, the attorney presents her with the first of three envelopes that Alette has willed to her -- envelopes containing vengeful letters that carefully describe how to bring about the financial destruction of the company owned by Alette's former husband. Alette's final wish is that Isa complete this daunting task. Although she is reluctant to comply with Alette's commands, Isa is plagued by memories of the strange phone call, and her cousin's constant presence in her dreams begins to overpower her will to resist just as Alette had planned.

Fast-paced, with a twist ending, The Midnight Side is a beautifully written page-turner replete with demons -- real and imagined -- and lurking at all times. 


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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

A telephone call from beyond the grave sets in motion South African writer Mostert's auspicious debut thriller, a gripping tale of obsession and revenge. Alette Temple, psychic to the British elite, senses her life is in danger long before someone tampers with the brakes of her car, sending her skidding to her death on an icy road in London. In her will, she leaves everything to her South African architect cousin, Isa DeWitt, but requires Isa to fulfill a final ruthless request: she must financially destroy the pharmaceutical company belonging to Alette's former husband, Justin Temple, using incriminating information Alette had been hoarding. In London, Isa, not realizing Alette was murdered, carries out her cousin's last wishes by way of anonymous phone calls to stockbrokers and information leaks to leading financial newspapers. As Alette's posthumous plan takes on a life of its own, Isa begins to wonder about her cousin, uncovering Alette's darkest obsessions and secrets. The more Isa probes, the closer she comes to Alette's demented killer, who will stop at nothing to silence his pursuer. African mysticism, paranormal experiences and terrifying dreams set the tone for this eloquently written novel. Though the deus ex machina ending disappoints, Mostert's solid prose and chilling premise should make this a crossover success, satisfying fans of ghost stories as well as readers of mainstream suspense thrillers. Agent, Harvey Klinger.
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Review

"A Dickensian picture of foggy London that is as compelling as the unfolding drama. Bedtime reading for the brave." -- The Times (London), May 13, 2000

"A taut and disturbing story." -- The Newcastle Evening Chronicle, May 3, 2000

"An original, unsettling book,, which kicks the usual preconceptions into shape and preserves its chill to the final line." -- Literary Review, August 2000

Product Details

  • Hardcover: 256 pages
  • Publisher: William Morrow & Company; 1st edition (December 26, 2000)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0688173853
  • ISBN-13: 978-0688173852
  • Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6 x 1 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
  • Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #906,822 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

6 Reviews
5 star:
 (3)
4 star:
 (2)
3 star:    (0)
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Average Customer Review
4.0 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)
 
 
 
 
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars This paranormal mystery is worth reading at any price, December 21, 2000
This review is from: The Midnight Side (Hardcover)
Not many people can claim they receive phone calls from a dead person, but Isa De Witt talked with her cousin Allette two days after the latter died. At the time of their discussion, Isa was unaware that Allette had already died until a solicitor informed her that she inherited her cousin's large estate. Isa immediately leaves her South Africa home for Allette's estate in England.

Allette's solicitor gives Isa a letter written by the deceased in which she claims she suffered mental abuse from her ex-husband Justin and wants revenge from the grave. Her goal is to see his pharmaceutical company, which he loves the most in the world, destroyed even as the firm is close to creating a medicine to help with Alzheimer's disease. When Isa hesitates, Allette calls her again to encourage her to take action. Isa learns that someone murdered Allette, but is unaware that the killer plans to send her to a place where she will not need a phone to talk with Allette.

The supernatural elements add a chilling feel to a well-designed mystery. Dead people using telephones (must be a cell phone) allows the audience to see the reflections inside the mind of the victim as well as her mirror image reflected from the eyes of an obsessive maniac. The metaphysical and the mundane overlap, as Natasha Mosteri provides her audience with a wonderfully unique reading experience.

Harriet Klausner

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7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent First Novel!, August 3, 2002
I think The Midnight Side has everything a mystery /suspense reader would want! The dead communicating with the living via dreams and phone calls, a murder mystery, unrequited love, revenge, and a surprising twist at the end.

I'm looking forward to Ms. Mostert's next book!

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6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing Writer!, February 10, 2005
This review is from: The Midnight Side (Hardcover)
Wow - I can not believe this author isn't better known!

If you are looking for a haunting, imaginative experience with mystery, suspense, and romance presented with incredible writing skill and talent, then this quality book is for you.

I cannot remember when last I have encountered another author who writes this well.

You just cannot compare this book to the usual lackluster fare churned out by high school drop-outs with spell checkers, which for some reason become best sellers. This is art - a reminder that writing is a craft best left to professionals.

I, for one, will be looking out for more novels from her. Her next novel, Windwalker, is due for release on April 5. I can't wait.
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