For more than three decades John Saul has haunted the New York Times bestseller list—and listeners imaginations—with his chilling tales of psychological suspense and supernatural horror. His instinct for striking the deepest chords of fear in our hearts and minds is unerring, and his gift for steering a tale from the light of day into the darkest depths of nightmare is at its harrowing best in House of Reckoning.
After the untimely death of her mother, fourteen-year-old Sarah Crane is forced to grow up quickly in order to help tend her family’s Vermont farm and look after her grieving father, who’s drowning his sorrow in alcohol. But their quiet life together is shattered when her father is jailed for killing another man in a barroom brawl and injuring Sarah in a drunken car crash. Left in the cold care of a loveless foster family and alienated at school, Sarah finds a kindred spirit in classmate Nick Dunnigan, a former mental patient still plagued by voices and visions. And in eccentric art instructor Bettina Phillips, Sarah finds a mentor eager to nurture her talent for painting.
But within the walls of Bettina’s ancestral home, the mansion called Shutters, Sarah finds something altogether different and disturbing. Monstrous images from the house’s dark history seem to flow unbidden from Sarah’s paintbrush—images echoed by Nick’s chilling hallucinations. Trapped for ages in the shadowy rooms of Shutters, the violence and fury of long-dead generations have finally found a gateway from the grave into the world of the living. And Sarah and Nick have found a power they never had: to take control, and take revenge.
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"Sarah finds some disturbing things.Montrous images from the house,s dark history seem to flow unbidden to Sarah,s paint brush images echoed by Nicks chilling hallucinations. Violence and fury of long dead generations have finally found away to get revengeis forced to grow up quickly after the untimely death of her mother. So that she can help her grieving father take care of the family farm. But their quiet life is shattered when her father is senjailed for killing another man in a barroom brawl and injuring Sarah in a car crash. Sarah is placed in foster care. With a loveless foster family. She meets Nick a classmate and former mental patient and Bettilia Phillips her art teacher but within Bettina,s ancestral home a mansion called Shutters, Sarah"
— Georgiann (5 out of 5 stars)
" A young girl falls victim to circumstance and the bad choices made by her father and alcohol. Very interesting book, I couldn't even begin to imagine how horrible it would be to have your life totally upended and then to land in such a nasty place... "
— Doreen, 2/19/2014" So hard to put it down, even when it was freaking me out! "
— Amy, 2/18/2014" Entertaining as only John Saul can be. While his books are almost always predictable and in some ways similar, they are always a good, fun, eerie read! House of Reckoning was no different. I enjoyed it from start to finish. "
— Stacey, 2/12/2014" One of Saul's better ones in a while. Hated the characters, which is what he wanted. Thanks Mr. Saul. "
— Jaime, 2/8/2014" Saul's best work since Blackstone Chrronicles, absolutely awesome! "
— Tim, 2/4/2014" wow a fast read! perfect john saul! "
— leigh, 1/28/2014" "House of Reckoning" moves right along and packs a very satisfying wallop as it does. A solid haunted house read just in time for Halloween. "
— Tansy, 1/17/2014" I stayed up all night reading this book. I couldn't put it down. It was one of the best mystery/thriller books I have read in a really long time! "
— Mallory, 12/30/2013" Read this book in 3 days. Would have been less if I didnt have to work. John Saul makes characters come to life. I found myself feeling so sad for a girl who doesnt exist. "
— Kelly, 12/27/2013" Why am I surprised when I pick up his books that I have a hard time putting down to cook or do something else...really fun reading. "
— Mary, 12/16/2013" This book was good in the beginning. I thought it was going to be a great story and ending but I was very dissappointed. I just didn't get it. The ending didn't make sense. Sorry I wasted my time. "
— Jamie, 11/23/2013" Grabbed me at first, but then just became kind of silly. Questions left unanswered which just seem like an oversight (not a cool plot twist or anything). "
— Tamlyn, 10/22/2013" This book had some creepy moments and the end was somewhat satisfying in ways, but also left me wanting a little more. "
— Jessica, 10/22/2013" Wow. This was just like reading his books when I was in my teens. Used to love his books. "
— Melanie, 5/28/2013" Classic John Saul. An interesting story, thorough character development, rich in detail. The good people suffer at first, then instant karma reverses and dispenses with the bad people and the good people prevail. "
— Claudia, 1/28/2013" It definitely wasn't one of Saul's better books. I was rather unimpressed, sadly, as he is one of my favorite authors. "
— Terra, 12/8/2012" Great Characters and Descriptive Visuals....I liked this easy read! "
— Dar, 11/26/2012" Pretty good. Will read another of his I think. "
— Peggy, 11/23/2012" The scariest book I have read in years!!! I couldn't put it down..a terrific read. "
— Linda, 10/23/2012" Ghost story, but I liked it. I like how humanity is described in the book, how hypocrisy is. And the unseen forces. I was not afraid when reading it, but mind you, there are some scary scenes in this one. "
— Chingwan, 8/4/2012" Great book.....ending leaves a couple things hanging though. "
— Carole, 4/15/2012" Quick and easy John Saul read. "
— Ellenjsmellen, 1/26/2012" This is a scary book from John Saul- like he used to write. It's excellent but if you are prone to nightmares don't read it before going to bed. "
— Kay, 12/23/2011" really liked the concept of revenge upon the people who caused pain to those weaker than themselves. would have loved to actually see the house and its setting. sounded beautiful ! concept and story stayed true to the author's formula which i love. "
— Tamara, 7/18/2011" Love love love John Saul! "
— Emily, 6/11/2011" Amazing book with a lot of twists but could be a little predictable at times. "
— LaMyia, 6/5/2011" Good read. John Saul never fails to provide the "scratch your head and wonder how'd that happen" plot. "
— Rene, 5/2/2011" Didn't care for it too much. It's about a house that repairs itself by eating up bad people. "
— Judith, 4/11/2011" I've loved this author since High School and although its been quite some time since I've read one of his books after reading this one I'm still not disappointed. So cool! Can't wait to read Perfect Nightmare. "
— Blanca, 3/23/2011" Thought it was a pretty good book! "
— Tracy, 3/9/2011" Was bored by the end. "
— Ellen, 3/6/2011" It has been a while since I read a John Saul book. The contrived plot and the coincidental relationships made the book less than a satisfying read for me. It was a book my 78 year old mother gave to me and was excited about me reading, if it wasn't for love of her, I would not have read this one. "
— Rhonda, 2/1/2011" Would make a good rate B horror movie. "
— Sheryl, 1/12/2011" This was a good supernatural thriller, but it did remind me of one of Saul's other books and had quite a few similarities. This plot did have some unique aspects, though,and this did turn out to be a good read. "
— Tina, 12/28/2010" Couldn't put this one down! "
— Kimberly, 12/24/2010" Very intriging book. I loved the justice that was dished out in the end. "
— Kathy, 12/17/2010" If done right, this would make a pretty good movie. "
— Lauren, 12/12/2010" I thoroughly enjoyed this John Saul book, it was gripping, I HAD to finish reading it and couldn't put it down, it was also pretty creepy. I do wish it was longer, I would've loved to read more! Awesome book!! "
— Julie, 12/1/2010" Pretty good. Will read another of his I think.<br/> "
— Peggy, 11/29/2010John Saul is the author of several bestselling books, including Suffer the Children, Midnight Voices, The Manhattan Hunt Club, Nightshade, The Right Hand of Evil, The Presence, Black Lightning, Guardian, and The Homing. He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling serial thriller The Blackstone Chronicles, initially published in six installments but now available in one complete volume. Saul divides his time between Seattle, Washington, and Maui, Hawaii.
Angela Dawe is an actor, writer, and audiobook narrator based in the Midwest. Her work as an actor has included roles in theater, film, and television, as well as improv and sketch comedy with such theaters as Second City and the Annoyance. In the literary world, Angela has received multiple awards and nominations for her work as an audiobook narrator, and is a published fiction author herself. She holds a BA in philosophy, so if the writing/performing work dries up, she has something to fall back on.