The Walker in Shadows

While written almost twenty years ago this is still a modern tale of secret passions, family quarrels and haunted houses with eerie appearances that are not of this world. The story is about Pat and Mark, a widow and her son who welcome new neighbors: Josef and his daughter Kathy into the house next door. Their homes are identical, build by the same architect and unknowingly to them they share a secret. Abandoned for a long time the house next door was solemn and dark but when new flesh moved in strange things started to happen. Unfriendly and hostile Joseph with his authoritative attitude kept Pat away until she got drawn into the lives of two strangers who managed to build a tangible hold on her and her son. Feelings, strong, some malevolent and others vague form between the neighbors, but when a secret romance starts to blossom things get hairy and the houses start to freak out. Apparently old history that dates back to the Civil War and the original owners doesn't want to leave the new owners in peace. New people in the house stir up freaky occurrences and that's when things get interesting! I dare not say anything else because this book is best savored when the reader doesn't know what waits around each corner. This was another fun read from Michaels, her characters were likable but with flaws, making them real to me, and from time to time Josef would annoy me with his macho remarks and outburst but the way the book progressed I couldn't help but like him. The atmosphere was brilliant, and eerie creepy stuff started to happen right away. This isn't a book that one has to sit around for hours waiting for something to go bump in the night. Fun, easy and totally seductive, the book drew me in and I felt compassion and care for the main characters. The history parts were a bit drawn out but they didn't take away from the story. The set up was huge and I only wish the ending had a little more of a bang, other than that I loved it. Who else but Michaels can combine a haunted house, a mysterious diary, secret lovers and ghosts into such a lovely story. - Kasia S.

So far I have only found a few of Barabara Michael's books to be unrewarding ("Other Worlds" and "The Wizard's Daughter" for instance). Mostly they deliver exactly what I look for -- an easy to read book with likable characters, some supernatural element and a logic to the mystery. "The Walker In The Shadows" fills all those requirements. Thanks, Ms. Michaels, for another couple of hours of reading pleasure.

Walker in the Shadows is a book that is timeless in it's intensity and thrilling from start to finish. Imagine yourself in an old, historical home, complete with things that go bump in the night. Out of the corner of your eye, you see a whisp of smoke, curtains blowing with no breeze to sway them, a glowing light with no apparent source...well, you get the idea! Ms. Michaels has wonderful three dimensional characters to go along with her chilling tale that takes you from the present to the past, with all the mystery and intrigue you can possibly desire. Walker is a wonderful book to cuddle up with on a dark, stormy night...but do yourself a favor...you may want to leave the night light on after you read it!

I started reading Barbara Michaels' (aka Elizabeth Peters) novels a loooong time ago. Of the three spookiest, this is one, along with Ammie Come Home and The Crying Child. Every time I re-read one of these three, I get the cold shudders. The atmospheres are wonderfully creepy, and the characters are like normal, real-life folks who find themselves in seemingly impossible situations. Grab this author's books wherever and whenever you can, and turn on all the lights in the house before you start reading!

I read this book when it first came out. I loved it then and have loved it each time I've read it since then. It's become a book that I take off the shelf when the fancy strikes me to read a perfectly written ghost story with romance and humor thrown in. The characters are wonderfully developed. Ms. Michaels has the ability to bring humor into a story without being forced. It's scary enough to keep you on the edge and along the way you laugh. I've read the book several times and will keep it on my book shelf for a future read. If you can get a copy--do so!