Rating: 
Summary: Almost got me.
Review: With the first chapter the author sets you up for a great read. The story unfolds, however, into an unsatisfying mixed bag of tricks. The characters all take the wrong roads, make the wrong decisions, weaken when they should stand firm, stay silent when they should speak. When they DO speak, their language is stilted and unnatural. The story line, which involves child abuse , paying for past sins and a ghostly haunting held promise but fell short for me with its distracting shortcomings. This book could have been so much more. The ending, like the first chapter, was spellbinding...but I like my thrillers to challenge me a bit, and this one failed to intrigue me.
Rating: 
Summary: Sorry Johnny
Review: As a fan of John Saul who has enjoyed a majority of his books over the years, I was a little more than letdown with his current novel, NightShade. I found it to be very dry and rather boring. The plot was easy to see through right from the beginning, and the level of suspense was basically nil in comparison to Saul's previous novels. The ending was extremely disappointing. I don't wanna give it away to those who haven't read the book, but keep this in mind...it was unfair and unfinished, unless John Saul plans to follow NightShade with a sequel perhaps. If you are looking for a novel of suspense and terror, unfortunately you will not find it here. This lastest writing of Saul's is lacking to say the least.
Rating: 
Summary: mesemerizing
Review: I loved it. The First book I read of his was Second Child. I thought that book was great! This one was awsome. I could hardly put it down. And Talk about the surprise ending! I never suspected in a million years it would end like that. I loved it and i recomnded you read it.
Rating:
Summary: Nightshade
Review: I loved this book! I was afraid to buy it after reading The Right Hand of Evil - his worst book ever! It's a great pool book - quick and easy read. You know this book is right for you when you just want to relax and not have to read a complicated book.
Rating:
Summary: Sorry, I thought this a very contrived story
Review: Reading the other reviews posted for this book I realize I am not in the majority, however, I did not find this book entertaining at all. The author went to too many extremes with the characters in their actions and reactions. I found it unbelievable that Emily could be so ill with Alzheimers and Joan still felt compelled to care for her...as if she was convinced she could handle that type of situation . The nightmares of Matt and the total snub by his friends after Bill was killed were very unrealiatic. I did not like this book at all.
Rating:
Summary: Bone-Chilling Suspense!
Review: Strange Things are starting to happen to the perfect family...and life might never ever be the same for any of them. Joan Moore-Happgood appears to have the perfect family and life. She along with her husband of ten years, Bill Happgood and Joan's son Matt have an idyllic life in rural New Hampshire. That is until Joan has to care for her mom, Emily Moore who's elderly and suffering from Alzheimer. Emily changes everything for the family when her house catches on fire by accident and she has to move in with her youngest daughter,Joan,and her family. Emily continues to live in the past and pines for her oldest, perfect and beautiful but dead daughter Cynthia. Emily unfortunately has never liked Joan or Joan's brat Matt, and when strange things begin to happen Emily blames it all on Matt. Matt soon discovers that with Grandmother Emily come secrets of the past that are painful, haunting, deathly, and destructive. Nightshade is a definite page-turner as Saul takes us into the taboo territory of child abuse, incest, and mental illness and brings the storyline to a frightening and terrifying climax. I listened to the abridged audiobook for Nightshade and I was immensely engrossed in the tale as told by Lee Meriweather. Lee Meriweather was superb as a narrator and I must say that Nightshade has got to be the best book that I've ever listened to via audiobook. In fact, I was so drawn into the story and suspense that I couldn't stop listening to the tape because I had to know what was going to happen next. Murders were happening all over the place and bodies were stacking up. Evidence was pointing to one person but I just felt it couldn't be that person. Who was it then? Maybe it was that person? Why were these things happening? Nightshade is the first novel by John Saul that I've had the pleasure to read. I like Saul's writing style, and was captivated from page one, because Saul delivered a story that kept me turning the pages/listening to the audiobook until I heard the end of the story. Nightshade is a must read/must listen to book for 2000. This is one thriller/suspense novel that will not disappoint. The storyline is compelling, the characters are interesting and well developed, scenes are vivid and graphic and you'll be on the edge of your seat from page one. However, I must warn that some parts are very graphic and disturbing and definitely not for the faint at heart. Nightshade is a quick read and filled with shocking plot twists which will keep you on the edge of your seat and might even send you to check out other books by John Saul. I know I will.
Rating:
Summary: 3 1/2 stars
Review: A fairly good mystery with a hint of the supernatural. This book reminded me of 'Psycho', with its somewhat odd family and shady history. It was a little predictable and yet it had some surprises. John Saul has written scarier novels but this one had a certain bite to it. "Do what you want to do....Do what you need to do...." Recommended
Rating: 
Summary: John Saul Does It Again
Review: John Saul does not disappoint his fans with another engrossing page turner. (I read it in one sitting). I note that the book has already been sold to the movies. Sadly, I think whichever company bought it was intrigued by the possibilities of the final pages with their gore and blood and slasher elements.
Rating:
Summary: Don't read this alone!
Review: I was captivated by this book from the beginning. Though the story was a little farfetched, the writing and character descriptions were incredible. Was it really a ghost or was everyone just crazy? You'll just have to read this and find out.
Rating:
Summary: Up all night...
Review: I haven't read a John Saul novel in at least ten years. I picked up "NIGHTSHADE" at the library, and I have to tell you this is a thoroughly enjoyable book. It's well thought through, the plot is delicately planned, leading the reader this way and that. IT's a whodunit, a mystery, a family novel, a thriller, a detective story, but most of all a true ghost story. It had my heart pounding at times, and I had to read the final 200 pages well into the night to get to the end or I wouldn't have been able to sleep. Well done, Mr. Saul. Well done indeed.
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