Prince of Darkness [Hardcover]

MICHAELS (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 28, 1985

A stranger has come to Middleburg, Maryland, a visitor from abroad with a mysterious purpose. But this quaint, affluent community has dark secrets of its own. And when the interloper, Peter Stewart, becomes involved with the bewitching, seductive ward of noted local author Kate More, the townfolk fear the chilling past they are hiding will no longer be safe. For Middleburg has a colonial history of malevolent sorceries and obscene sacrifice. And when the terrible pot is stirred, murder may be the least of the evils to emerge from the unholy brew.

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

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Elizabeth Peters (writing as Barbara Michaels) was born and brought up in Illinois and earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the University of Chicago's famed Oriental Institute. Peters was named Grandmaster at the inaugural Anthony Awards in 1986, Grandmaster by the Mystery Writers of America at the Edgar® Awards in 1998, and given The Lifetime Achievement Award at Malice Domestic in 2003. She lives in an historic farmhouse in western Maryland.

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

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers (November 28, 1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727812130
• ISBN-13: 978-0727812131
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,027,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fun read (just ignore the cheesy title), January 24, 2001

By 

"serracus" (Singapore) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince of Darkness (Paperback)

I'm not too familiar with the gothic romance genre, which is pretty much looked down upon by snooty readers, but if they are all written like Barbara Michaels I'm all for them. This book worked for me. It is witty, well-paced, has a clever plot, and most importantly, is believable notwithstanding its batty premise of a modern-day witches' coven deep in Upper Middle-Class America. A reader looking for "horror" is bound to be disappointed, because Ms Michaels is not out to terrorise her readers or scare them silly. Which is fine with me, because I prefer stories which are moved by real human agents who face up to challenges and grasp their destinies, rather than tales popoulated by terrified pawns of the supernatural. An easy and thoroughly enjoyable read. Not too much stress on the little grey cells, but neither are we required to suspend our disbelief.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Favorite Barbara Michaels' Book, August 5, 2000

By 

K. Houlton "Kellticdogs" (Fairbanks, AK United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Prince of Darkness (Paperback)

Style-wise, this is perhaps her most creative book. It is split into 3 parts: the 1st is 3rd-person omniscient, the 2nd is told through the male main-character's POV, and the 3rd is told through the female main-character's POV. The events unfold much like a movie in that the reader isn't just told what is going to happen... rather, we "see" it as it happens. It makes for a very exciting read! The characters are wonderfully 3-dimensional, and as always with this author, the conversation is witty & smart!

3.0 out of 5 stars Interesting protagonist makes this stand out, but it's still just a fun gothic romp. Moderately recommend, July 21, 2011

By 

Juushika (Oregon, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Prince of Darkness (Mass Market Paperback)

Peter Stewart comes to the New England town of Middleburg with impure intentions, but finds a city that makes even him nervous: beneath its sleepy, wealthy exterior, Middleburg hides a penchant for the occult and perhaps something even darker than that. Stewart's point of view is a pleasant surprise--bad guy outclassed by a worse town, and with a bit of a mouth on him too, he offers a unique view of Middleburg; his nefarious goings-on, rendered with just enough detail to make them realistic, are outright interesting, as well as a refreshing change from the sort of tentative exploration one expects in a gothic novel. Unfortunately, Stewart's point of view denies many of the traditional gothic indulgences which build atmosphere, and so while Middleburg has its moments it never quite becomes haunting. The book changes protagonists at its midway point, but does itself no favors. The second protagonist has a weaker voice and character, and the second half of the book is given over to a lengthy climax which leaves little room for character development. Nonetheless, the protracted climax is engaging: Michaels retains her eye for detail, the action is strong, and dwelling on it for half the book renders it grand instead of dull. Except that the point of view switch robs the climax of its emotional import, it's a satisfying conclusion.

And "satisfying" is an apt descriptor for Prince of Darkness. The book is by no means high art, but it is solid entertainment. Oblique to a glaring degree, the prose is a little tortured, and not in the way one would expect from a gothic novel--but it serves the same purpose, creating a style that's affected and suitably lush. The setting may not be haunting but it's still strong, and autumnal, picturesque, menacing Middleburg is a delight. There's some compelling intrigue, but this is stripped of impact with the point of view change and so it's action which sustains the book--and there's plenty of that, vivid and suspenseful. Prince of Darkness isn't quite an inversion of the gothic genre, but it's just unusual enough to stand out, and rewards reader interest with a compelling tale. To another reader, I imagine that this sort of book could be addicting; personally, I wish for something of more emotional or thematic substance to compliment the plot. Still, I moderately recommend Prince of Darkness: it's just what it sets out to be, and in this case that's enough.