All Reviews by Cheryl
The White People
by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This short novel has the same title as the Arthur Machen story, but a much different message. Burnett takes a supernatural theme and turns it into a charming story of hope. Although you'll see the meaning behind the story's title long before the central character does, it's still worth reading for the beautiful writing.
There Will Be School Tomorrow
by V.E. Thiessen
Understated SF/horror short story. Robots programed to do everything for "the good of the children" take their orders to the extreme level. Any horror elements are subtle and done "off-stage". This story would've made a good "Twilight Zone" episode.
The Givers
by Mary Wilkins Freeman
Good short story collection that focuses on the seemingly unimportant people in society - the poor, the elderly, the plain-looking, the spinsters. The author treats these people with real compassion and empathy, making the characters come alive so that we see the worth and value in their quiet lives.
The Octopus Cycle
by Fletcher Pratt
Fans of 1950's B-movies such as "Tarantula" and "Them!" will
get a kick out of this pulp adventure story. The island of Madagascar is being attacked by giant killer octopi that have the ability to walk on land for short periods of time. Will the heroes be able to defeat them before they take over the world? Mindless fun.
I Say No
by Wilkie Collins
More of a romance novel than a mystery. A bit long, the novel's pace slowed down just after the halfway mark. The mystery was resolved in a way that I thought was not very satisfying. The female characters were interesting enough to keep me reading until the end. Collins has written better than this.
Birds of Prey
by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
The "birds of prey" in this Victorian novel are four con-men who are all out to make money in both legal and illegal ways. The first half of this book shows the life of each man, and by the middle of the story their lives - and schemes - become intertwined with each other. I found the characters to be interesting, but thought the plot could've been pared down a bit. In fact, the book ends abruptly because it is only part one of the story. It is continued in "Charlotte's Inheritance." I wish a note had been made, either on this website or at the beginning of the novel, that this is part one of a two part story. This book is not for someone looking for a quick read.
The Good Soldier
by Ford Madox Ford
Excellent character study that examines two troubled marriages that end in tragedy. The style of the book feels very modern as the story is told in a non-linear way. Small tidbits of info about the tragedies are given sporadically throughout the narrative, which adds to the overall suspense of the plot. I couldn't put this book down until I found out what happened to these people.
The Nebuly Coat
by J. Meade Falkner
If you like Dickens' "Bleak House" or "The Mystery of Edwin Drood", I think you will like this book. "The Nebuly Coat" is a well written mystery with interesting characters, however the pace of the plot is more along the lines of Dickens than of a modern suspense novel. The title refers to the coat of arms belonging to a wealthy English family, whose story is intertwined with that of the village cathedral, a boarding house owner, and a visiting London architect repairing the cathedral. Worth reading.
The Mystery of Edwin Drood
by Charles Dickens
Interesting mystery novel that is unfinished due to Charles Dickens' death. The story stops just as it's really getting good. Frustrating! Mainly for die-hard Dickens fans. I read it because author Dan Simmons has a book coming out called "Drood" that is based on this book. Maybe he'll attempt to finish it?
The Rose-Garden Husband
by Margaret Widdemer
Good, somewhat predictable story of a marriage of convenience that evolves into something deeper. A quick, breezy read.
Solander's Radio Tomb
by Ellis Parker Butler
Predictable short story about a man who takes his love for radio to extremes. You can see the "twist" ending coming a mile away.
No Sect in Heaven
by Anonymous
Good poem about unity amongst Christians, regardless of denominational differences. This is something today's Christians need to hear.
The Shadow Over Innsmouth
by H. P. Lovecraft
A young man comes to New England to tour various towns on his vacation. To save money, he forgoes taking the train to the next town and decides to take a bus instead. The locals tell him that the bus stops at the town of Innsmouth before it goes on to his desired destination. They tell him about the weird rumors concerning that town and its inhabitants, but he takes the bus anyway. What's the worst that can happen? He soon finds out.
If you like this story, check out Neil Gaiman's Lovecraft satire "Shoggoth's Old Peculiar" as he reads it on YouTube ( in 3 parts) :
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rN1HElM_ECA
The Colors of Space
by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Fast paced SF novel about interstellar travel. Light, but entertaining.
The Price of Love
by Arnold Bennett
A large sum of money is left in Mrs. Maldon's house because a business transaction was completed after the banks had closed. That evening she hosts a dinner party, with two grand-nephews and her paid female companion attending. What happens to the money and how it affects everyone who was in the house is the basis of the plot. I thought the story could've been pared down a bit, especially where it repeated the same incident from different characters' points of view.
The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Fantasy short story about a most unusual baby.
Helen with the High Hand
by Arnold Bennett
Fans of Jane Austen might like this book. It reminded me a bit of both "Emma" and "Pride and Prejudice", and had a light, humorous tone to it. Helen meets her estranged great uncle in a park and makes plans to have some of his wealth for her own. She starts by offering to become his housekeeper, thereby giving up her hated teaching job. She slowly begins to take the "high hand" with him, trying to manipulate him to get what she wants. They both have the same type of personality, so clashes occur with each change Helen tries to make to his household. Although Helen is getting what she wants, the great uncle also unexpectedly benefits in interesting ways that make his life better. Lots of fun, with a happy ending for both.
The Dualitists
by Bram Stoker
Short story about two boys who develop a taste for torture. They starting off destroying household objects, but soon become bored and move onto living things to torture and destroy.( Their torture sessions are described with some detail.) All the while they get away with it, blaming servants and others when their carnage is found out. No justice for them in the end - they live to become grandfathers. What makes this story worth reading is beyond my understanding. I guess if you're into toture movies, you might like it.
The Herapath Property
by J.S. Fletcher
Well-written murder mystery, with a family secret and a disputed will. I was a little disappointed that the solution to the mystery involved information that was not provided until the end of the book. That made it impossible for me to guess who the murderer was.
The Pursuit of God
by A.W. Tozer
Excellent! Tozer is not only a good theologian, he's a good writer as well. The introductory note in the book describes it well:
"Here is a masterly study of the inner life by a heart thirsting after God."
This book gave me some great insights for developing my spiritual life. I wish you had more of this author's books available on this website.
Roger Trewinion
by Joseph Hocking
Interesting family saga that's told as a story within a story. The plot contains plenty of gothic elements: a family curse and secrets, witches, a strange dream or vision, and someone opening a burial vault at night. The ending seemed a little rushed, but it's still worth reading.
Shunned House
by H.P. Lovecraft
Interesting short story about a house where strange things happen to those who live there. A man is determined to investigate what's causing it.
Milly Darrell
by Mary Elizabeth Braddon
This book only has the short novel "Milly Darrell" in it, and doesn't contain any short stories. That said, "Milly Darrell" is an unremarkable story of a woman who finds a mystery while vacationing at her friend Milly's house. It's not much of a mystery, and you can see the ending coming a mile away.
The Open Door, and the Portrait.
by Mrs Oliphant
Two horror short stories. The first, "The Open Door", is very well written and has a creepy feel to it. The second, "The Portrait", I did not like as much. It felt more boring than frightening, and had a meandering plot. So you might want to read the first story and just skip the second one.
The Coffin Cure
by Alan Nourse
Cute science fiction short story about Dr. Coffin's cure for the common cold. The cure ends up causing problems of it's own.
The Old Wives' Tale
by Arnold Bennett
Excellent character study of two sisters' lives, from young girls to old age. The author shows alot of insight into marriage, parenthood,and friendship. Don't let the length of the novel dissuade you from reading it. The author's style makes this story fly by, and the plot contains some interesting turns of events in the women's lives.
The Man Who Evolved
by Edmond Hamilton
This short story will appeal to fans of old 1950's scifi movies, as well as fans of the old Outer Limits series. In fact, it reminded me of an episode from that series called "The Sixth Finger", which also dealt with an experiment in evolution. Look past the bad science, and view it as a horror story.
Poor, Dear Margaret Kirby and Other Stories
by Kathleen Norris
Good short story collection by Kathleen Norris. The title story is very good, and all of the stories showcase the author's ability to create characters that seem real.
Life at High Tide
by Various Authors
Each of the short stories in this collection deals with a critical moment in a person's life, a turning point or "high tide" that changes things. I liked some stories better than others. It's a quick read for those who don't have the time to read a full-length novel.
Lukundoo
by Edward Lucas White
Gruesome horror story about an English explorer in the African jungle. It was unique, and it held my interest.
Aerophilia
by Tobias Buckell
Okay cyberpunk SF short story. Too short, but the characters were interesting. I'd like to read more about the main character, maybe in the form of a novel?
The Shrieking Pit
by Arthur J. Rees
Okay, but nothing special. Murder mystery set in a remote country inn at Norfolk, England. The first half is better than the second half. The multiple retellings of how the crime was committed slowed down the last five chapters.
Craphound
by Cory Doctorow
I loved this story. It's about collectors of memorabilia, and how simple objects can evoke powerful emotions - like a poem does. Being a science fiction story, it shows how this is truly a universal phenomenon.
Ernest Maltravers
by Edward Bulwer-Lytton
Over-the-top romantic melodrama by the king of purple prose. I was unable to finish it.
In the Sargasso Sea
by Thomas A. Janvier
Excellent nautical tale of a man who survives a storm at sea only to be stranded in the miles of tangled seaweed that makes up the Sargasso Sea. Great psychological writing, with eerie descriptions of the many abandoned vessels the protagonist must explore to get needed supplies.
The Monster of Lake Lametrie
by Wardon Allan Curtis
Gruesome short story about a "Loch Ness Monster" type of creature that inhabits a lake in Wyoming. The plot has elements of "Frankenstein" in it, which makes it particularly creepy.
Wylder's Hand
by Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Good mystery novel containing some gothic elements. It starts out a little slow, but the pace picks up the further you read until you just can't put it down. Lots of suspense that will have you guessing until the end. Worth reading.
The End of Her Honeymoon
by Marie Belloc Lowndes
An English couple on the last day of their honeymoon arrive at a Paris hotel after midnight. Their reservations were mixed up, but the hotel owners have two separate single rooms they can use for the night. In the morning, the wife finds her husband to be missing. The hotel owners tell her she arrived alone, and imply that she is crazy. Who is telling the truth? Good mystery novel with plenty of suspense. It keeps you guessing until the end.
'Doc.' Gordon
by Mary Wilkins Freeman
A young doctor comes to stay at the home of Doc Gordon to be an intern to his country medical practice. He soon learns that the family has a secret - one that's beginning to threaten the lives of the entire household. Good story, with good characterization.
My Ántonia
by Willa Cather
Good coming-of-age novel, set in Nebraska during the pioneer days. The slower pace of the novel helps you to spend time with the characters and really feel like you know them.
The Door in the Wall and Other Stories
by H.G. Wells
There are a few stories here with a science fiction or a fantasy theme, but some are just regular fiction. The overall quality is ok, but three stories stand out as being very good: "The Door in the Wall", "The Star", and "The Country of the Blind". If you read these, it'll be well worth your time.
The Lifted Veil
by George Eliot
Gothic novella that contains mind reading, seeing the future, and resurrecting the dead. It begins with a man describing when, where, and how he is to die - in the near future. He then goes on to explain how he knows this. The prose is a little slower to read than we're used to today, but don't give up. You'll be rewarded by a good, creepy story.
The Circular Study
by Anna Katharine Green
Odd mystery novel that's kind of a cross between a Sherlock Holmes mystery and "Wuthering Heights". It's told in a variety of formats (i.e. narrative, letters, diaries) by different characters. It was good, but the ending seemed too rushed.
Badge of Infamy
by Lester del Rey
Fast-paced science fiction novel, with a more contemporary feel. The story involves a medical mystery and political intrigue on a Mars colony. The plot has more science than action-adventure, but that doesn't make it any less interesting. The politics portrayed even seem plausible. ( Watch out for that health insurance lobby!) Worth reading.
The Shadow Line
by Joseph Conrad
If you like "Heart of Darkness", you'll like this book. It is an intense, atmospheric character study of a young man's first command of a sailing ship. Well written - I felt like I was on that ship with him.
Bressant
by Julian Hawthorne
I really wanted to like this novel. The story is about a love triangle concerning two sisters and their father's student. The first half is pretty good, but then it slowly turns into a melodramatic, maudlin mess with an abrupt ending. This may have been an early attempt by the author, because I thoroughly enjoyed his novel "Archibald Malmaison". I guess no author can have success 100% of the time.
Archibald Malmaison
by Julian Hawthorne
A unique novel with gothic elements, written by the son of Nathaniel Hawthorne. The story focuses on the title character - a man with a mysterious malady. Every seven years, he falls into a trace-like state and emerges with one of two alternate personalities.This book has it all - insanity, death, a secret chamber, a ghost, revenge, duels, a court trial, star-crossed lovers, and a grisly ending. A must-read for fans of strange or gothic literature.
The Foolish Virgin
by Thomas Dixon
Melodramatic romance novel. The plot is written like a soap opera, with alot of sensational developments. It is a very fast paced, light read and is ok for a mindless summer's entertainment.
Adrien Leroy
by Charles Garvice
A good story by an author of "dime novels" for women. Although it is a romance, it's not overly melodramatic. The characters are interesting and there are plenty of plot twists to keep you reading.
City at World's End
by Edmond Hamilton
Fast-paced 1950's science fiction, with more adventure than science. Perfect for those looking for light reading that's lots of fun.
The Mystery of Cloomber
by Arthur Conan Doyle
Suspenseful supernatural mystery that does not feature Sherlock Holmes. Centers around a mysterious reclusive family that moves into a remote village. Their tale reaches from the shores of Ireland to the mountains of Afghanistan. Very gothic, and very enjoyable.
The Whole Family
by William Dean Howells
Enjoyable novel about a daughter's engagement, and all the drama and complications that come from it. This is a novel written by twelve different authors, who each take one member of the family and tell what's going on in the plot through their perspective. The only place I thought it dragged a bit was in the chapter written by Henry James. The mood and writing style didn't seem to mesh as well with the other authors. ( You can skim it without missing anything important to the plot.) Overall, a very interesting experiment in writing that you'll enjoy.
by
In business, can there ever be such a thing as a "good" monopoly? This novel attempts to answer the question. Romance and mystery are also part of the plot, along with musings on business ethics. A totally
unique kind of story.
Indian Summer
by William Dean Howells
An American middle-aged man returns to Florence,
Italy - the scene of a heartbreaking romance twenty years earlier. There he meets an old friend from those days, her daughter, and her twenty year old protege. Slowly a surprising romantic relationship develops, but is it really what both people want? Great dialogue, wonderful character development, and a happy ending.
The Spinners
by Eden Phillpotts
Good novel about an English spinning mill, the family that owns it, and the workers that run it. The characters are well-drawn, especially the women. The plot reminded me of something Thomas Hardy might write.
The Mystery of Mary
by Grace Livingston Hill
Fast-paced, entertaining mystery about a beautiful woman running away from someone or something. A man meets her at the train station and tries to help her without knowing all of her mysterious past. Mary's story is revealed through the many twists and turns of the plot.
Swiss Family Robinson
by Johann David Wyss
Boring and not very realistic. Too simplistic for adults, but too slow-moving for children.
Sister Carrie
by Theodore Dreiser
This book reads as though it were written today, even though it was written in 1900. Tells the story of a small town girl trying to 'make it big" in the big city. Even though I did not always like the characters, I felt almost compelled to see what happened to them. The pace is a bit slow in the first half, but really picks up as the story progresses.The last few chapters were hard to get out of my head after I finished the book. Worth reading.
The Age of Innocence
by Edith Wharton
I loved this book. The characters are well-written and very real. It gives you insight into the social mores of rich New Yorkers at the end of the 19th. century. Also lets you inside the thoughts and feelings of the main character.