Witch [Paperback]

Barbara Michaels (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 1989

A silent stranger moves in twilight shadows...

It was more than her dream house. For Ellen March, buying the secluded old house nestled in the pine woods marked the start of a new life. Now she could put her failed marriage behind her, enjoy the quiet solitude of small town life, and get to know her worldly new neighbor, handsome Norman McKay... But strange visions began to cloud her mind - the shadowy figure of a woman, a ghostly white cat - and Ellen's safe haven slowly became her prison. Had she buried the past? Or had a dark legend come back to haunt her...?

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

• Paperback: 234 pages
• Publisher: Berkley (November 1, 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425118312
• ISBN-13: 978-0425118313
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,000,896 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Not quite what I expected...., October 30, 2008

By 

Theda Ghent (Wisconsin) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Witch (Mass Market Paperback)

This is the first Barbara Michaels/Elizabeth Peters book I have read and while it was not what I expected, it won't be my last. It's not quite the ghost story that the jacket synopsis would lead you to believe, but it does contain some more realistic elements that can be just as creepy.

With her grown family all going their separate ways, Ellen March decides to buy a house. Not just any house, her dream house. She finally finds it, nestled in the woods of a small town populated by people with even smaller minds. And the fact that she is living in the former house of the town "witch" is already one strike against her. But still life is pretty good and she's happy in her new home and getting to know her handsome new neighbor, Norman McKay. But with a strange phobia, a delinquent nephew, and some surly housekeepers, Norman's got his own problems. And when Ellen starts seeing the shadows of a woman in her home, things get even worse.

In the end, I wouldn't really consider this book a ghost story, although that element of it does get wrapped up and explained. It's more a story of the dark side of small town living. My only problem with the characters in this book is the fact that Ellen seems so much like a child at times, with her emotional reactions and thoughts. Her daughter seems much more sensible and adult, but Ellen is still a very like-able character. I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it to anyone who is already a fan of Elizabeth Peters' works as Barbara Michaels, or anyone who is looking to be.

28 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of her best! Couldn't put it down!, May 9, 2000

By 

Mary Chrapliwy (NJ, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Witch (Paperback)

I have read several of Barbara Michaels' books and have to say that this may actually be the best one I have read! I borrowed it from the library and was so entranced by the story that I read it in one day. Now I plan to purchase a copy from Amazon for a place on my bookshelf - which isn't that easy to qualify for! Only the very best books gain a place there. And this book is a great one!

17 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Delightfully Barbara Michaels!, July 15, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Witch (Paperback)

I have read both Barbara Michaels's and Elizabeth Peter's (her mystery nom de plume), and I can always trust her to be entertaining, well researched with an interesting plot. "Witch" is no different. Although predictable, it was a fun read. I recommend "Witch", as I recommend any book written by Ms. Michaels.