Rating: 
Summary: A very entertaining read!
Review: The main character, Heather Tradescant, is a wonderful change of pace from the impossibly beautiful, waif-thin 18 year olds of many mystery/romance novels. I was very entertained by Heather and her experiences at Troytan House. This book was suspenseful and kept my interest right up to the end; however, I was surprised by the number of loose ends that were never explained. Perhaps Heather Tradescant will get a sequel? All in all, I enjoyed the book and plan to read more of Barbara Michaels' work.
Rating: 
Summary: Not so spellbinding
Review: The title of the book is very misleading. Besides the fact that you can't really tell if it means "floor that dances" or "floor on which to dance" the term doesn't appear more than a few times in the whole book and it doesn't have anything to do with the plot or the outcome of the book. Between p.175 and p.345 is seems to have been completely forgotten and unmentioned. The author has key characters react strongly to the mention of the term "dancing floor" but it is another ploy to keep up your interest, because in the end it isn't even pertinent.Ms. Michaels shows off her knowledge of the history of witches, witch trials, witch craft and 16th and 17th century English landscape history. it's as if Ms. Michaels had all this good information about witch lore and historical gardens she wanted to use and had to invent a lame plot to tie it all together. It is slightly entertaining because you think it is leading up to something really "mysterious." She is also adept at the "red herring" technique of emphasizing certain elements or characters to throw you off-track, but it's pretty obvious. The "heroine" is referred to as a "spinster school teacher" although she is only 25 years old and while still single, not virginal. The author gets "into her head" by providing parenthetical exlanations and thoughts that are distracting to the storyline. More than once this character compares herself to the main character in a suspense-romance novel, which she actually is. This heroine describes herself as overweight, not pretty, man-ish in her actions, and yet she has four men showering attention on her. You will be surprised at which one she ends up with, however. There's even the local town "good" witch. The end of the story is too unbelievable... I stayed up late to finish it and was thoroughly disappointed. If you'd like to read a good mystery containing witchcraft, try the Three Sisters Trilogy by Nora Roberts.
Rating: 
Summary: WOW -- fabulous story, excellent mystery
Review: This Barbara Michaels mystery is first rate, well written, completely absorbing. I read it in two nail biting days. Excellent book. The heroine of the store is Heather Tradescent. She lost both her parents in a car crash and was left with a lot of life insurance money and the desire to complete a dream of her's and her late father's -- to visit historic gardens in Great Britain. Sounds dull? Trust me it isn't. Heather visits all the gardens before the story begins. This book begins with her determination to see the last garden on the list she and her father made up. Though the grounds are closed to visitors, she isn't deterred and ends up crashing through a hedge at the feet of the very wealthy homeowner and his son. When the home owner hears her name (an name linked with the history of his land) he asks her to stay and help him restore the garden. Sound dull? It's not. This book isn't about restoring an old garden, it's about complex relationships that develop intertwined with a mysterious plot that involves some one plotting Heather's murder. OK, here's where I have to stop, I don't want to give any of story away, but will say that the end had some twists and turns that will take your breath away! This is an excellent book and the mystery ... well let's just say, Ms. Michaels keeps you guessing. Mixed up with the mystery is a romantic story as well, so you have just the right mix of suspense, mystery, and a little romance to spice things up and keep you guessing. I borrowed this book from the library and will now be seeking a keeper copy for my bookshelf.
Rating:
Summary: A little disappointing
Review: This book started out great! I love Barbara Michaels in all of her incarnations, and I didn't want to put this one down. I didn't put it down, in fact, until I finished it, but I was terribly let down at the end. Not only did I have the guilty party figured out almost from the beginning, but a number of plot lines were never explained or expanded. This story definitely needed an epilogue to tie up the loose ends.
Rating:
Summary: WOW!!
Review: This is my first ever Barbara Michaels book. i absolutely loved it!!!!!! its the perfect combo of suspense and romance! Barbara created perfectly believable and funny characters. near the end, though, it goes from romance/thriller to pure thriller to pure romance! it ended so wonderfully and w/ one of her extraordinary cliffhangers. im definitely looking forward to digging into Shattered Silk this weekend!
Rating:
Summary: A mystery with a bit of everything!
Review: This is the first novel I've ever read by Barbara Michaels but after this I must say that I'm hooked. If you enjoy mystery thrillers then this book is for you. Michaels is a superb writer! The Dancing Floor is an excellently crafted story set in the heart of the English countryside. Mystery, some romance, the way the plot unfolds, and most of all the distinguished personalities of the characters make this novel the masterpiece that it is.
Rating:
Summary: Not Barbara Michaels best, but definitely a good read.
Review: This may not be one of Barbara Michaels most engrossing books, but it is one of her most enjoyable. It was a pleasure and a relief to find a heroine who is not gorgeous or waif-like. The suspense, the mystery, the romance were all in balance. If you've never read any of Michael's books, this is a great place to start.
Rating:
Summary: Great Book!
Review: This was an excellent book! I am a devoted Marion Zimmer Bradley reader, and I think anyone who enjoys Bradley's mysteries will love this book!
Rating:
Summary: AWSOME!
Review: This was not my first Barbara Michaels but it has definately hooked me! The twists and turns of the plot kept me on my toes and I could not put it down till I was finished. The characterization was awsome as well. Anyone who likes Barbara Michaels or Elizabeth Peters will love this book.
Rating:
Summary: Good vacation read.
Review: What a nice read! Good plot, not too predictable. Characters are all people that everyone knows "someone like that". Heroine is refreshing, in that she is not one of your voluptious, slightly vacuous, young girls. She appears to be large and sensible and unaware that she herself is attrative, although not conventionally.
I enjoyed the book. It doesn't require too much thought and reflection. I read it in just an hour or so, while curled up with a cool drink. Great, relaxing reading.
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