Customer Reviews

Wait for What Will Come

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I read this book one dull, dreary day when I remained home from work, overwhelmingly sick with the flu. This remarkable novel instantly cured my boredom. It is a wild mixture of riveting suspense, soothing romance, chilling dreams and ingenious storytelling. I honestly do not know how she manages to do it, but somehow, Michaels' works have a strange habit of inducing me to read on and on, without rest, without food, without a care in the world... except that of the book glued securely to my hands (and my cough medicine.) The story itself is enchanting, and myself, being a somewhat industrious student of European folklore, was captivated by the Cornish legends surrounding the seas and lakes of Cornwall. The simple idea of a merman-monster seducing young women on Midsummer's Eve so as to capture the essence of their virtuous souls, scared me stiff as if I was there myself. Carla is a practical heroine, full of logic and wit. She is one without fear and supersition. And our hero. Oh, yes, who could possibly forget Michael? The ever-so-charming ex-ballet star whose graceful panther-like composure and his tanned, muscular build blend in nicely to result in a superb specimen of quite a leading man. I enjoyed this book to the highest degree. It is truly satisfying and especially appropriate for a bed-ridden person who needs some delightful literatural entertainment to add some color to the bleakness of having the flu.

American teacher Carla Tregellas is the last remaining heir to a huge mansion on the cliffs of Cornwall. When she arrives she is confronted by an elderly housekeeper who tells her the tale of one of her ancestors disappearing on a stormy night, apparently taken by a mysterious merman. Carla is the practical type who is not dissuaded by old legends and decides to stay the summer. She becomes entwined with the housekeepers grandson, the local vicar, a young doctor, the lawyer handling the estate, and a myriad of other interesting characters. Carla notices that they all seem very intent on her leaving and she stubbornly refuses to give in. Meanwhile she has dreams and some real horrors in the house. In spite of all that she falls in love with the old estate and plans to stay. That's when the real fireworks start. This was an excellent mystery keeps you guessing until the amazing conclusion. Great fun to read.

I haven't read a Michael's book in ages and picked this one up. I absolutely loved it. Couldn't put it down until the wee hours of morning. If you like old houses, mysteries and ghosts this book is for you. Wish she would write another with these characters.Enjoy!

Although the house with spirits has been done repeatedly, Barbara Michaels does a wonderful job with her interpretation of this well used theme. I found myself being drawn into the tale and especially enjoyed the picturesque description of the castle. Despite its great twists and turns, I couldn't help but be sadden by the choice of endings. It does leave the reader wondering, how much of the ending was a result of the "spirit of the house" and how much of it was the mental workings of the heroine? You decide.

I've read this book at least 15 times. It has great atmostphere and I enjoy the romance. Ms. Michaels plays the story out in the same genre that she makes fun of. The humor, history, good plot, great charactors makes this one of my favorite Michaels book...and she is my favorite authors - so that's saying a lot!

Barbara Michaels Gothic thrillers seem to involve some sort of a haunted house/castle, a man with a secret shady pasty, time setting around 1950's and witty damsel in distress with spunk and a bit of an attitude. This suits me just fine when I am in deed in the mood for mystery, thriller and romance all mixed into one and a relaxing evening of some fun, light reading. This kept me glued to the pages enough to finish quickly and I am looking forward to more of her books in the future. This is not serious literature but when in the mood this suits me fine.

The story begins with Carla Tregellas, an American math teacher who travels to Cornwall, England to inherit an estate left for the last bearer of her family name. It's appropriate that the moorland landscape surrounding the mansion adds charm and mystique to the ragged coastline and crisp weather, taking the heroine and the reader back in time. With Celtic blood in her veins Carla feels close to her roots in this new surrounding and starts to wonder whether she really wants to sell the grand house or not. Occupied by few servants, a cook and local gardener she is quickly surrounded by locals who want to take her around and show off the area. Impressed by the warm welcome she makes a few quick friends, most of them men as things start to get complicated. An old legend surrounding Lady Caroline who used to live in the house and who's portrait looks very familiar to Carla is on the lips of Mrs. Pendennis, a housekeeper stuck on the past, trying to warn Carla about the upcoming midsummer eve anniversary of madness and death that doomed the lady of the house, a tradition that is not going to stop this year. A demon from the sea is said to be waiting for a new bride that night and Carla doesn't know whether to run and pack or laugh. Things start to happen and near accidents change her mind but there is more that meets the eye.

The reader is quickly introduced to all the characters and that's when the real charade begins, I was wondering myself whether the tale of the man from the see who seeks out his bride on the fatal night was real or whether Carla's friends weren't so friendly after all and were after something in the house instead. This was a fast read and I almost guessed the chain of events, with many twists and surprises from the author.

Good fun and lot's of intrigue from Carla's male suitors made for an entertaining read.

- Kasia S.

I "discovered" Barbara Michaels as a teenager and became instantly hooked by her suspenseful mysteries that usually add a touch of the paranormal (sometimes more than a touch!). Although twenty years later - I'm pushing 40 now - they come across a little dated, they are always a pleasure to read again and again, which I do. This was always one of my favorites, from the somewhat exotic - to me, a Texan! - locale of Cornwall, England to the terrific atmosphere Michaels creates in these creaking, wonderful old houses, it entertains up to the end. I also enjoy the fact that although there's a tiny bit of romance in the background in the tension between characters, it's never a prominent arc in the storyline, and in fact is barely discernible at times. I like that because if I want to read romance, I'll read romance. When I want quality, sophisticated suspense without all the gooey love stuff, I turn to Michaels every time.

I loved this book, so picturesque and mystical. One of my favorites of hers. I fell in love with the villain, much more so than the hero. What a pity he could have not been the one to save her!

Barbara Michaels really does a great job
of capturing the charm and uniqueness of
an old castle close to a small village in Cornwall.
The heroine is sympathetic, the
love interests are appealling yet annoying,
and the plot will send shivers up and
down your spine. I've collected almost
all of Michaels' books, but this is one of my
favorites

Another good book from Barbara Michaels. I could not put it down...and yes, I am reading another one right now....