Other Worlds

Other Worlds is an interesting read and is a departure in style from Michael's normal prose style. It has two stories happening in parallel that are brought together through annecdote and seance. The narrative style took some getting used to even thought I've read lots of her books before.

I had not read any of her works as either Barbara Michaels or Elizabeth Peters before, so this was my introduction to her work. This mystery is actually two stories in one, with each story around 100-120 pages long. I preferred the first to the second; both dealt with families being tormented by a spirit of some kind or poltergeist activity. At the close of each story, the ghostly gentleman's club - including Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - draw various conclusions. Thus there is not just one right answer, but instead various opinions and scenarios. Good work, quick read, fun for classic mystery / poltergeist fans.

I truly don't understand all the negative reviews of Other Worlds that I have read. I enjoyed the book very much, and was especially excited to read the cases of 'true' ghost stories that where presented. I thought the explinations that where offered by each participent to be true to what the actual person might have said or felt concerning the case. My only thought as to why others have given poor reviews is that they where expecting the same kind of offering the Ms. Micheals has given in the past. I commend her for not doing the same ole, same ole, and congradulate her for writing such a fine novel. I look forward to hearing more from this society of men.

This book consists of two brilliant novellas that will thrill fans of detective tales and ghost stories as a group of renowned personage provides their spin on the alleged supernatural. "The Bell Witch Ghost". Frank Podmore (skeptic in chief of the Society for Psychical Research), Dr. Nandor Fodor (former Director of the International Institute for Psychical Research), Harry Houdini, Conan Doyle, and a guest meet to discuss the Bell Witch ghost. Houdini provides the background material about the appearance of an 1817 spirit in Tennessee visiting the Bell family. People, in turn, provide their interpretation to Houdini's narration. "The Phelps Case" has pretty much the same participants, except the guest is a woman. She provides the story to the attendees of a visit of a spirit to the Phelps home. This time, however, the participants debate what happened on Connecticut. OTHER WORLDS is a fascinating book that is must read for fans of ghost stories and detective tales. Houdini and Doyle come so alive in these novellas, readers will believe they are sitting at the same table with the two men. The story lines of both books are crisp, fun, and intriguing. The meeting attendees, and the Phelps and Bell characters all feel genuine. With this fiction, Barbara Michaels owes readers more tales starring this elite group of thinkers.Harriet Klausner

This book consists of two brilliant novellas that will thrill fans of detective tales and ghost stories as a group of renowned personage provides their spin on the alleged supernatural. "The Bell Witch Ghost". Frank Podmore (skeptic in chief of the Society for Psychical Research), Dr. Nandor Fodor (former Director of the International Institute for Psychical Research), Harry Houdini, Conan Doyle, and a guest meet to discuss the Bell Witch ghost. Houdini provides the background material about the appearance of an 1817 spirit in Tennessee visiting the Bell family. People, in turn, provide their interpretation to Houdini's narration. "The Phelps Case" has pretty much the same participants, except the guest is a woman. She provides the story to the attendees of a visit of a spirit to the Phelps home. This time, however, the participants debate what happened on Connecticut. OTHER WORLDS is a fascinating book that is must read for fans of ghost stories and detective tales. Houdini and Doyle come so alive in these novellas, readers will believe they are sitting at the same table with the two men. The story lines of both books are crisp, fun, and intriguing. The meeting attendees, and the Phelps and Bell characters all feel genuine. With this fiction, Barbara Michaels owes readers more tales starring this elite group of thinkers.Harriet Klausner