China House

I was first introduced to Vincent Lardo's writing when he took over as author of the "McNally" novels upon the death of Lawrence Sanders (original author of the series). So taken was I with Lardo's ability to smoothly pick up right where Sanders left off that I decided to read his other novels. To say I was in for a treat is an understatement. To say YOU will be in for a treat is also an understatement. The plot in this, his first book, centers around a creepy deserted mansion in New England, allegedly the site of "dark doings" some twenty years ago, occurrences so shocking that residents who do recall refuse to discuss them. Long fascinated by the house and it's reputed dark history, Scott Evans, upon inheriting the mansion, is determined to unravel it's mysteries. Scott and his lover Mike Armstrong enlist the services of psychologist/psychic investigator Howard Roth, and his son, Ken to help them get to the bottom of the supernatural phenomen, part and parcel of the house's mystique. To reveal more would risk my spoiling the joy of unraveling the rest of the story on your own first read. Far too much fun for me to dare ruin it! A gothic thriller chockful of suspense and imaginative plot twists, this novel is a must-read. Lardo is a master of pairing high brow settings with fascinating characters and unexpected endings. Long may he write!