Watcher in the Woods (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 2) [Hardcover]

Robert Liparulo (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 2008

It's not just the house that's keeping secrets.

Pretending everything's all right is harder than it sounds. But the Kings know that even if they told the truth about the bizarre things happening in their house, no one would believe them. They're hyper-focused on rescuing their lost family member before anyone finds out what's going on.

But when a stranger shows up to take their house, their options start dwindling fast. Why would he be so interested in a run-down old place? And what secret is he hiding--just as he hides the scars that crisscross his body?

The mystery gets stranger with each passing day. Will the Kings be able to find a way to harness the house's secrets and discover who is watching their every move before another gets snatched into an unknown world?

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you like creepy and mysterious, this is the house for you! Every room opens a door to magic, true horror, and amazing surprises. I loved wandering around in these books. With a house of so many great, haunting stories, why would you ever want to go outside?" --R.L. Stine (Goosebumps)

"A powerhouse storyteller delivers his most fantastic ride yet!"
-Ted Dekker, bestselling author of Chosen and Infidel

Review

"A powerhouse storyteller delivers his most fantastic ride yet!"

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
  
• Hardcover: 304 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; Edition Unstated edition (May 6, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1595544968
• ISBN-13: 978-1595544964
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #340,282 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I've been writing since before I could drive. Short stories, investigative exposes, celebrity profiles, editorials, business columns, radio dramas, screenplays--you name it. "Comes a Horseman" is my first novel. I was thrilled and humbled to have many of my favorite authors endorse it. The film rights sold to a top Hollywood producer (Mace Neufeld, who made the Tom Clancy movies, among many others) before publication, adding to my sense of having entered The Twilight Zone on the way to realizing my dream of being a published novelist. My short story "Kill Zone" appears in the James Patterson-edited anthology "Thriller," and my second novel, "Germ," releases in October. It's been one wild year!

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Don't Let the Marketing Fool You!, May 7, 2008

By 

Jake Chism (Texas, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watcher in the Woods (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

Xander and David King can't believe this is happening. Their family has recently moved into a creepy old house with secrets around every corner. Sounds are never what they seem in the house. The hall linen closet is a portal to a locker at their school. And who could forget the strange clearing in the woods out back where you can actually float on air? All of that seems normal compared to the secret rooms that act as portals to other worlds. Now a member of the family has been kidnapped by someone from these other worlds and the King's must work together to bring them back.

If things weren't bad enough, a stranger shows up who tries to run the family out of the house. He seems intent on destroying the family's reputation and soon has the local authorities on his side. Now the King's must deal with a new school and unfair perceptions as they secretly band together to find a way to bring back their missing loved one. The more they search the more they begin to understand just how dangerous this house is.

Robert Liparulo opens this second installment right where the first left off. Immediately we are sucked back into the tension and mystery that made House of Dark Shadows so enjoyable. Round two is just as exciting as we are taken on another whirlwind thrill ride that never lets up. David King gets most of the spotlight here and it's a blast getting to know this character more. We are treated to more alternate world adventures that are chocked full of action and suspense. Even more secrets are revealed and more questions created, adding to the clever plotlines that Liparulo masterfully weaves. Never is it obvious where the story is going and that's what makes it so addicting. As with the first book, the themes of love and family are beautifully explored bringing a welcome dose of heart to the story.

Some readers may be turned off by the "juvenile fiction" tag on the back of the book. Don't let the marketing fool you! This is a quality series that readers of all ages will enjoy. There are enough thrills, chills, mysteries, and action to keep all ages coming back for more. Liparulo's die hard fans will love this series and new readers will be charging to the nearest book store to discover his other works. This is top-notch storytelling on every level!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another page-turner,but warning it ends with an excruciating cliff-hanger!, September 16, 2008

By 

Christine H. "soblessed" (,OH,U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Watcher in the Woods (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

I missed the humor that was so evident in the first book in this series House Of Dark Shadows,but my interest never wavered in this second book despite it's noticeable absence.

There are plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments,and some very interesting twists to the story,plus the father's history with the house,was appreciated.

My only complaint is with that cliff-hanger of an ending,LOL!

As Mr. Liparulo's books marketed more for adults don't really interest me,with the excessive gore warned about for Comes A Horseman,for example,I am hoping that he will write many more YA series like this one.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another fast read!, June 26, 2008

By 

Paul Turner "CEO of Thrillerfandom" (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Watcher in the Woods (Dreamhouse Kings Series, Book 2) (Hardcover)

This story picks up as if it's just the next chapter of "House of Dark Shadows." That's good, if you had "Watcher in the Woods" handy, because you're going to want to go from one to the next asap. That's also the drawback, when you finish "Watcher" you're even more so going to want the next installment - and it comes out in January 2009. Write faster, Bob! Just kidding, I'm sure he's doing everything he can to keep us going.

I have come to really enjoy this family - they bond and grow together throughout this book, and they way they pull together seems to be the antithesis of the disfunctional family we all read about.

The adventures in this book become more recognizable by period and character, and I really look forward to the next 2-3 books as I'm sure you will if you buy these books.