Elsewhere
William Peter Blatty
Cemetery Dance, Mar 2009, $25.00
ISBN 9781587670831
The old mansion Elsewhere in Craven’s Cove up the Hudson from NYC has a haunting reputation that makes it difficult to sell. Thus thirtyish Manhattan realtor Joan Freeboard hits on a unique idea to try to find a buyer for what has become a mausoleum. She persuades British psychic Anna Trawley, NYU parapsychologist Dr. Gabriel Case and renowned but currently wordless author Terrence Dare to accompany her inside of Elsewhere to prove there are no ghosts.
As the quartet settle inside of Elsewhere, a nasty storm strands them there. Meanwhile, each member of the team feels isolated from the others yet shares in common a growing sense of belonging to the mansion. As they learn the secret of the house, their personal secrets are exposed; each visitor has protected their egos with customized realisms.
In many ways this excellent haunted house tale is a psychological suspense thriller as much of the story line (except for the climax) follows the quartet as the house coaxes them to reveal their secrets. Illustrations by Alex McVey add depth to the atmosphere of pending doom. Fans of Peter Blatty will welcome his fresh approach of psychological paranormal paradigm twist to the haunted house horror sub-genre.
Harriet Klausner
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