Customer Reviews

The Walker in Shadows

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I read this book when it first came out. I loved it then and have loved it each time I've read it since then. It's become a book that I take off the shelf when the fancy strikes me to read a perfectly written ghost story with romance and humor thrown in. The characters are wonderfully developed. Ms. Michaels has the ability to bring humor into a story without being forced. It's scary enough to keep you on the edge and along the way you laugh. I've read the book several times and will keep it on my book shelf for a future read. If you can get a copy--do so!

I started reading Barbara Michaels' (aka Elizabeth Peters) novels a loooong time ago. Of the three spookiest, this is one, along with Ammie Come Home and The Crying Child. Every time I re-read one of these three, I get the cold shudders. The atmospheres are wonderfully creepy, and the characters are like normal, real-life folks who find themselves in seemingly impossible situations. Grab this author's books wherever and whenever you can, and turn on all the lights in the house before you start reading!

While written almost twenty years ago this is still a modern tale of secret passions, family quarrels and haunted houses with eerie appearances that are not of this world. The story is about Pat and Mark, a widow and her son who welcome new neighbors: Josef and his daughter Kathy into the house next door. Their homes are identical, build by the same architect and unknowingly to them they share a secret. Abandoned for a long time the house next door was solemn and dark but when new flesh moved in strange things started to happen. Unfriendly and hostile Joseph with his authoritative attitude kept Pat away until she got drawn into the lives of two strangers who managed to build a tangible hold on her and her son. Feelings, strong, some malevolent and others vague form between the neighbors, but when a secret romance starts to blossom things get hairy and the houses start to freak out. Apparently old history that dates back to the Civil War and the original owners doesn't want to leave the new owners in peace. New people in the house stir up freaky occurrences and that's when things get interesting! I dare not say anything else because this book is best savored when the reader doesn't know what waits around each corner.

This was another fun read from Michaels, her characters were likable but with flaws, making them real to me, and from time to time Josef would annoy me with his macho remarks and outburst but the way the book progressed I couldn't help but like him. The atmosphere was brilliant, and eerie creepy stuff started to happen right away. This isn't a book that one has to sit around for hours waiting for something to go bump in the night. Fun, easy and totally seductive, the book drew me in and I felt compassion and care for the main characters. The history parts were a bit drawn out but they didn't take away from the story. The set up was huge and I only wish the ending had a little more of a bang, other than that I loved it. Who else but Michaels can combine a haunted house, a mysterious diary, secret lovers and ghosts into such a lovely story.

- Kasia S.

This is a ghost story with an absorbing historical edge. To be honest, Michaels has treated this theme better in other of her novels and the characterizations are a bit superficial. Nevertheless, these are petty qualms in the face of such an entertaining work. The novel is set in the late 70s or early 80s, and some of the characters' ideas, not to mention the dialogue, are ludicrously out of date (actually, I enjoyed this for nostalgic reasons, but younger readers may be bewildered and/or roll their eyes a lot!). I have read this novel three or four times, and although I don't love it now as much as I did upon my first reading, I still highly reommend it. Michaels is simply a master of suspense, and this book will grip you and not let go until you turn the very last page.

Walker in the Shadows is a book that is timeless in it's intensity and thrilling from start to finish. Imagine yourself in an old, historical home, complete with things that go bump in the night. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a whisp of smoke, curtains blowing with no breeze to sway them, a glowing light with no apparent source...well, you get the idea! Ms. Michaels has wonderful three dimensional characters to go along with her chilling tale that takes you from the present to the past, with all the mystery and intrigue you can possibly desire. Walker is a wonderful book to cuddle up with on a dark, stormy night...but do yourself a favor...you may want to leave the night light on after you read it!

So far I have only found a few of Barabara Michael's books to be unrewarding ("Other Worlds" and "The Wizard's Daughter" for instance). Mostly they deliver exactly what I look for -- an easy to read book with likable characters, some supernatural element and a logic to the mystery. "The Walker In The Shadows" fills all those requirements. Thanks, Ms. Michaels, for another couple of hours of reading pleasure.

This "ghost" story is a fairly good read, but rather disappointing compared to other books I've read by Barbara Michaels. Looking for a good Michaels book? Try Vanish with the Rose or Into the Darkness.

I have read pretty much all of Barbara Michaels' books and this is one of my favorites. The gothic atmosphere is thick, and the star-crossed lovers who almost always appear in her books were a bit of a surprise. This is one of her older books and parts seem dated. But if you can get past that, this book has charm to spare!

I love Barbara Michaels books however this one is the ultimate best. if you enjoy this type of thing and probably even if you don't this will be one of the greatest books you'll ever read.

This is my first Barbara Michaels book but I have ordered about 10 more of her books. I really liked this story but just expected a little more Scary stuff in it.I loved the old gothic mysteries from years ago and would like to have seen more of this element to it. Overall it was very well written and interesting enough to keep me reading to find out who the ghost was. I do like her style though and have just started another one of her books. Barbara Michaels does have a new fan.