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Rating: 
Summary: Good, But Not My Favorite
Review: "The Unloved" (though unoriginally named and oftentimes confused with his other book, "The Unwanted"--what next, "The Unneeded"?) is a pretty good thriller by John Saul, though it doesn't fit his typical supernatural fare. This one takes place on a South Carolina family plantation (Sea Oaks), which is located on Devereaux Island. It's here that 40-year-old Kevin Devereaux has returned with his wife and two children (15-year-old Julie and 8-year-old Jeff), to visit his cruel, dying mother.But shortly after their arrival, the grandmother dies, leaving an odd twist in her will that forces them to remain at Sea Oaks or they won't inherit anything. However, that doesn't seem to be a problem, seeing as how someone intends on making sure they cannot leave the island either way--dead or alive. As one reviewer mentioned, "The Unloved" does have a slight V. C. Andrews/"Flowers in the Attic" feel to it in more ways than one. For starters, Marguerite Devereaux (Kevin's older sister) has an odd similarity to the deceased author--she lives with her elderly mother, is slightly crippled and interested in ballet--not to mention two common threads seen in most V. C. Andrews books: a Southern setting and abusive home life (though none of Andrews' incest exists here; Saul exchanges that for blood and violence). I did like this book--the setting was particularly descriptive--however, it was rather obvious who the killer was halfway through it, so no major surprise there. Even though it's been years since I've read this book, it's not one I'd necessarily re-read by Saul (unless I was really, really bored)--but it is one I'd recommend to horror fans.
Rating: 
Summary: A SINGULARLY SUSPENSEFUL READING
Review: Leave it to gifted voice performer Sandra Burr to deliver an appropriately chilling, suspenseful reading of this enduring tale by a master of the thrillers, John Saul. On what could be but definitely is not an enchanted island off the South Carolina coast is a once prosperous plantation. It is now inhabited only by the family matriarch, Marguerite Devereaux, and her middle-aged daughter who has discarded her personal dreams to care for the troublesome and sometimes frightening older woman. Suddenly Marguerite Devereaux summons Kevin, the son she has not seen in many years. Accompanied by his wife and two children he returns for the first time in two decades to see a mother for whom he feels nothing but acrimony. The older woman had said she was ill, but it begins to appear that was not her real reason for asking Kevin to return.
When Marguerite Devereaux dies a dreadful death long held secrets are revealed which may shatter once tranquil lives forever. - Gail Cooke
Rating: 
Summary: One of his worst
Review: Very predictable and a very stupid ending.
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