Customer Reviews

Someone in the House

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

As a longtime fan of Barbara Michaels, I really wanted to like this book--and I expected to, since after all it has all the elements I look for in her work: a spunky heroine; a spooky, potentially haunted house; and, of course, potential romance. And Michaels does, as usual, create wonderful suspense and chills. What I disliked about this book is that it doesn't play fair: most of the action is consumed with what turns out to be a red herring, and I felt jarred and betrayed when the mystery was finally resolved in a completely unexpected way. My other major complaint is the severely downbeat ending. Those like me who expect and want a happy romantic ending will be depressed and disappointed when they get to the last page of Someone in the House. Yes, it's a twist on the formula, but since it comes out of nowhere, it seems less like an innovation than a nasty (and unfair) shock. I give three stars because Michaels is consistently a wonderful writer, but this is not a book I will recommend.

This book got off to a great start immediately. It was almost instantly obvious that this was not going to be a typical book, and although I have always loved Barbara Michaels writing style I was releived that she could be original and unpredictable. There was humor, suspense and the story built as it went. Just when you thought you couldn't possibly be shocked any further, Ms. Michaels threw a curve at the ending.

The characters of Bea, Roger, Father Stevens, Kevin, were all very real, likeable, and interesting. Throughout the book, the suspensese became more intense, the humor climaxed, and the author threw in wonderfully fascinating bits of history. There was even some conflict between the various characters and their religious beliefs. This novel keeps you guesing all the way to the end, and then drops a surprising bombshell. True romantics like myself will have to fight the need to hate the ending, but anyone with any love of literature will be surprised and possibly in awe of Ms. Michaels' ability to stray from form and try something new.

This book started out with sharp humor and a thrill, and got better and better as it went. Ann, the main character, was witty, funny, realistic and vulnerable, and the other characters of Bea, Roger, Father Stevens, Kevin, etc, were well-drawn, likeable and intriguing. Throughout the book, the suspense rose, the humor continued, fascinating bits of history were brought in, and an intriguing conflict between the various characters' Christianity and atheism was introduced and well tied in with the conflict between Christianity and ancient religions in the house. A storm lead to an exciting climax. Then...thud. The ending was a complete let down; it was as if the author got tired of the story or ran into a deadline and just plunked it down. I enjoyed the rest of the book so much that the ending was quite a disappointment and I almost felt cheated. I look forward to reading other books by this author, and I hope in those the endings match the quality of the stories.

I have always been a greater fan of Barbara Mertz's other nom de guerre, Elizabeth Peters, but Barbara Michaels is the author to pick up for a rainy autumn night. "Someone In the House" is Michaels at her most expressive and potent. I know you're not supposed to be emotionally moved by a dime thriller, but I must say that I was. Deeply. There is a distinctly untraditional Michaels conclusion that stands out all the more because of its uniqueness. The fact that Michaels strayed from her "formula" on this one proves that it meant something significant to her. This significance, I believe, resonated in me. A tour de force!

It's been more than 8 years since I read this book, but it was powerfully written and has stayed with me. The story unfolded in a well-plotted manner, and the twists were wonderful. The ending was unexpected but perfect. I'm more a fan of Barbara Mertz's Elizabeth Peters books, but this book reminded me why I devoured every single Barbara Michaels book my high school library had.

I love MPM. I've read and reread her books hundreds of times. This book, and one other (Black Rainbow) I have never reread. The depressing endings just jarred me! I'm used to being uplifted. And while I know I'm a bit lame about it, I prefer my fiction to be uplifting and/or funny. Get enough of the downside of things in non fiction/real life.

Shed a few tears of disappointment at the end of this. So unusual for me with MPM's books. She is my all time favorite.

I've read many Barbara Michaels books and I was surprised at how deep and thought provoking this book was. When I finished the book, I felt very conflicted and it had me thinking about the nature of happiness and free will for several days.

Mild Spoilers:

Here are some things you may want to know about the book before reading that may be considered by some as spoilers. First, this book is not a typical romance. There is no happily ever after for the main couple and there is no happy ending at all. Fortunately, I had read the wonderful reviews here before I read the book so I was not expecting a happy ending. If I had been, I would have been really disappointed and it probably would have ruined my enjoyment of the book (since I normally love happy endings). Second, there is no real twist ending here. The only twist is that it doesn't end like a typical romance novel and if you are expecting her to pull out the happy ending in the last pages you will be (perhaps bitterly) surprised.

So, if you are willing to forgo the happy ending I think you will find this book an excellent read with well drawn characters and lots of humor.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which is only the second book from Barbara Michaels that I've read. I liked this one much better than Here I Stay, which I think I only gave a 2 star review.

A woman, whose live-in boyfriend is going away for training for the summer, finds herself having second-thoughts about their relationship. She does take comfort in the thought of working on a mutual-project with her handsome colleague, Henry. But Henry throws a curve ball her way in the form of an ancient house his lucky, newly-rich parents bought. They asked him to house-sit for the summer while they went away on vacation. Henry invites her to come with him so they can work on the project there...just as friends and colleagues, of course.

The house has a strange and myriad history, and many secrets. Strange voices, shadows, the feeling of being watched...it's all there wrapped up in a very enjoyable ghost story. I can't see many people being disappointed with this one.

The heroine, Anne, is very likeable. You can relate to her, and sympathize with her inner struggles (unlike the one in Here I Stay, JMHO). I like how Barbara kept you guessing until the end. You didn't really know how it was going to turn out, but I do have to say I thought it was a very strange ending. I won't give it away, but let's just say it was..."different". Hence the four star review instead of five.

I came to Barbara Michaels fairly late in my reading life: I was in my 30s and totally burned on romance novels. What vein of good reading Michaels has been! She is really good at the gothic thing and romance, although frequently present in her novels, takes a backseat to the story. Such is definitely the case in "Someone in the House."

When college professors Anne and Kevin tuck themselves away in an old manor house in Pennsylvania to work on a book, strange things begin to happen. Joined by Kevin's aunt and a friendly neighbor, the quartet begins to investigate the mystery of the house. What is behind the strange sights and sounds? How come the longer they stay at the house, the more healthy and content they become? Is the house good or evil? What does it want?

I see by the reviews here that some people are disappointed with the ending. I have to admit that I felt the same disappointment when I first read the book, but in successive readings, that feeling went away, and this point, I actually like the explanation of the mystery-it makes sense to me. So don't be deterred by the comments about the ending. This is Michaels at her best.

This is a very interesting and and different Michaels story. I have read many of her books, and caught the link with 'Black Rainbow'. I think this story didn't need the link, it is a very good stand alone story, and certainly does not do anything for the credibility of the other story

The ending is very surprising, I don't think anyone expected it.