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Summary: Am I Crazy, Or Is It Just Me?
Review: The affluent little town of Blackstone appears to be under some kind of curse. For decades, the asylum on the hill was the town's most notable feature, and most everyone alive today either had family members who worked for it or were hospitalized in it. Now, it's being converted into mall space. That is, if it doesn't kill everyone involved in getting rid of it, first - because the town's movers and shakers are being left unique gifts, each of which brings a horrific accident or suicide along with it. And those gifts are being sent by someone at the asylum - which has stood empty for many years.This was originally a serialized novel in six parts, and compiling the whole into one volume would better have been served by removing the necessary redundancies that format required to keep new readers up to date on the action of preceding chapters, but it's less annoying than it easily could have been. It's packaged like a supernatural horror story - and to a certain extent, it is - but it's really an epic murder mystery, spanning generations. It has some of the flavor of The Omen movies and the Friday the 13th T.V. series, with its "cursed objects" and portentous sins-of-the-father dooms visited on the sons, but these are more the bouquet of the wine than the vintage itself. Jaded readers will figure out the mystery well before the final revelation, but it's still cleverly done and a worthy read. After Saul's first novel twenty-five years ago, Suffer the Children, I vowed I'd never read him again - that book was an endless parade of sadisms against children, with no socially redeeming value that I could discern - but happily a friend prevailed upon me to undertake The Blackstone Chronicles, which largely redeems the author in my eyes. It has some grisly moments, yes - it is a horror story, after all - but at least any nastiness in its pages has a rhyme and reason behind it, and even a sick kind of poetry.
Rating: 
Summary: Good, but not great
Review: I thought I was going to be in for a great novel, but it turned out that it was just an average book. Although I was extremely happy to see the resurrection of some of Sauls old characters (Elizabeth from Suffer the Children, Melissa and Charles Holloway from Second Child) I was disappointed with the writing. It was not as exciting as I first thought it to be. It didn't really hold me and the ending was predictable. However, as I said before, I loved the idea of Saul putting in old characters and hope that he does this again.
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Summary: Great Serial Novel......
Review: After reading "The Green Mile," I was trying to, look for a serial novel I noticed I found "The Blackstone Chronicles," I did look at it I then decided to wait. So I went to the library and got Parts 1-4 and I was amazed John did a great job discrbing the characters I noticed it was, going to be ABC-TV Mini-Series I haven't seen it so...hope they air it. I liked this book it scares, you and I was horrified so if you loved The Green Mile you'll like this.
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Summary: I was on the edge of my seat!
Review: From start to finish, cover to cover this was by far one of the best series of novels I've ever read. Once I started I couldn't put the book down, and once, finished...I had to rush to get the next in the series. I was scared and excited and WOW! Great story, wonderfully obscure characters and a surprise ending! Who could want more? ME!!
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Summary: One of the Best Series Ever!!!
Review: I read the Blackstone Chronicles when they first came out.Every month I'd be in suspense,the waiting and antcipation for the next part to come out was almost painful.John Saul is probably my favorite writer.The way he weaves the past into the present is brillant.Actually this was his first work I read and now I devour everyone of his works that I can get my hands on!!!!
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Summary: A chilling page turner...another Great Saul!!
Review: Let me just start by saying that I LOVE John Saul!! And this series was great! It kept me turning, page after page and I could not put it down. Here I am, just finishing and still recovering from lack of sleep for all the time I put in to finishing this book!! I was nervous and chilled as well as angry at times and I even found a few humerous parts. And I love the way our dear Mr. Saul would throw characters from his other books in there. This book is basically about the past of the Insane Asylum and the horrible things that went on and the evil doctor that ran the place. Now, years later, they want to conserve it and a mystery gifts start popping up...as well as a little added evil.
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Summary: he's at it again!
Review: I LOVE John Saul- his writings are remarkably spooky and gripping. His Chronicles was in line with the rest of his novels. Although the plot was a bit predictable, it still had me flipping through the pages. It was quick reading (maybe just because I couldn't put it down) and I felt satisfied when I finally put it down. I highly recommend this book along with all J.Saul's others. I especially like his book "Monster"...that one takes the prize.
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Summary: You Will Get Goosebumps
Review: I read the six-month installments in 1997. This is vintage John Saul -- the delightfully insidious terror that overtakes a sleepy little village. These books left me wanting more. I thought he did an excellent job of building the suspense and creating very interesting characters. What really made these installments so wonderful was the reintroduction of characters from previous books. I certainly hope John Saul does another Blackstone series or novel -- we would love it!
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Summary: Great Story!
Review: I like the way that John Saul wrote this book. I'm glad that I bought all 6 at one time, because I don't think that I could have waited for the next one to come out. The ending could of been better, but I think that the book itself was fantastic!
Rating:
Summary: A good, quick read with suspense!
Review: I loved this book. I bought it after playing the video game based on the book. It was excellent reading...a good book to read over a relaxing weekend. Nearly impossible to put down!
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