Rating: 
Summary: Not bad, but not strong, either
Review: I enjoyed reading Karen Novak's debut novel, and I am interested in reading more of her work. That said, "Five Mile House" is a quick engaging read, but leaves much to be desired. The supernatural connection between the main character and the narrator never becomes clear, and the plot has way too many holes and is a bit too outlandish for easy acceptance. I don't want to beat this horse to death as there are already so many reviews, so let me just leave you my suggestion: check the book out at the library before you buy. It's likable, but not one I'd read again.
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed!
Review: I picked this novel up after reading some glowing reviews on Amazon. The premise sounded very interesting and I couldn't resist a novel that is narrated by a ghost.The first few pages indicated that I was really going to enjoy this book, but after those few, I wondered when it was going to get interesting- it really never did. As others have stated, the characters in this book are flat & uninteresting. The main character is completely unsympathetic - all the way through to the last page. I found myself wondering if the author thinks that people typically behave as the "herione???" (I use that term loosely). She is probably one of the most selfish characters ever to be charged with carrying a story. The story is told by a woman long dead, who somehow has some connection to the main character, Leslie. There are some thoughts included as to how they are connected, but none are very strong or definitive. The story bumps along with Leslie snapping at people, being downright nasty at times, committing adultary without the slightest hint of guilt and trying to convince the reader that she is a good, protective mother, when her actions don't really indicate this consistently. She supposedly is trying to piece together the mystery of an old house that her husband is restoring - one that possesses a dark history and is fodder for local legend. When the book begins to wrap-up with the cliche'd quick summary at the end, when everything is revealed while fighting with the bad guy, you almost wish it would just hurry up and end. The "explanations" given at the end have too many missing pieces and there are elements that pop up seemingly out of WAY left field. It is an easy read, not requiring much mental exercise. It is not the worst book I've read, but I would have preferred spending my time reading another novel that was mapped out more carefully and with a bit more intelligence.
Rating:
Summary: Good idea, but....
Review: I picked this novel up after reading some glowing reviews on Amazon. The premise sounded very interesting and I couldn't resist a novel that is narrated by a ghost. The first few pages indicated that I was really going to enjoy this book, but after those few, I wondered when it was going to get interesting- it really never did. As others have stated, the characters in this book are flat & uninteresting. The main character is completely unsympathetic - all the way through to the last page. I found myself wondering if the author thinks that people typically behave as the "herione???" (I use that term loosely). She is probably one of the most selfish characters ever to be charged with carrying a story. The story is told by a woman long dead, who somehow has some connection to the main character, Leslie. There are some thoughts included as to how they are connected, but none are very strong or definitive. The story bumps along with Leslie snapping at people, being downright nasty at times, committing adultary without the slightest hint of guilt and trying to convince the reader that she is a good, protective mother, when her actions don't really indicate this consistently. She supposedly is trying to piece together the mystery of an old house that her husband is restoring - one that possesses a dark history and is fodder for local legend. When the book begins to wrap-up with the cliche'd quick summary at the end, when everything is revealed while fighting with the bad guy, you almost wish it would just hurry up and end. The "explanations" given at the end have too many missing pieces and there are elements that pop up seemingly out of WAY left field. It is an easy read, not requiring much mental exercise. It is not the worst book I've read, but I would have preferred spending my time reading another novel that was mapped out more carefully and with a bit more intelligence.
Rating:
Summary: Awful!
Review: I'm not sure why the other reviewers loved this book so much because I thought it was the worst book I have read in a long time. I hated this book, the main character was horrible and unsympathetic and I don't see how anyone could empathize or identify with her. The plot made no sense, it was confusing, completely unbelieveable, fantasy or not. There were a lot of loose ends that were not explained or tied up. The characters were undeveloped, flat and it was difficult to understand their motivations. Lastly, the plot half way through the book revolved around this mythic "entity" that was unexplainable, unbelievable, and frankly did not make the reader care one bit if it was found, understood or proven false. This novel is a complete waste of time...don't buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Nice cover.
Review: If you like tales of Fairie land search no more! I'm an English Major and this is a great story! Young or old ,This is what fairy tales are SUPPOSED to be. Tam Lin was never told so well!
Rating: 
Summary: So Good!!
Review: If you like tales of Fairie land search no more! I'm an English Major and this is a great story! Young or old ,This is what fairy tales are SUPPOSED to be. Tam Lin was never told so well!
Rating:
Summary: A Modern Gothic Classic
Review: It's creepy. It's classy. It's one of the best horror thrillers I have ever read. The emotion is real and the plot intense; this is a book that is difficult to put down, and almost impossible to forget. My preview copy has been read so many times -- by myself and many others -- that it is about to disintegrate. Never have I been so happy to write for a genre Web Magazine (The 11th Hour) as when I got to experience this novel before its publication. A must read.
Rating:
Summary: Amazing passion and depth in writing
Review: Karen Novak writes with fabulous passion and insight into the very fabric of the human psyche. Her characters and plot represents this depth and weaves for us an amazing story of self-discovery - a must for readers into great plot lines and personable characters.
Rating:
Summary: Nice idea...
Review: Novak does write well, however she's not much of a storyteller. Given the subject matter, one would expect some suspense, some thrills, some atmosphere. There is little to no character development, the characters themselves are static and emotionless, and one cannot develop empathy for any character. The novel was readable, but only because of the writer's skill with the language, not her ability to craft a story. While it could have developed into an intriguing tale of fear, deceit and revenge, it does not, and the ending seems more of an "easy out" than either a conclusion or a cliffhanger.
Rating:
Summary: A really well done mystery cum ghost story
Review: Tense police detective Leslie Stone relaxes in a comfortable marriage raising two precocious daughters. However, the homicide beat is tearing her apart, especially the killing of children. One day, Leslie snaps after another murder of a child. Leslie enters the cage where the suspect is detained and shoots him to death. Her sympathetic peers arrest her. She is acquitted based on temporary insanity, but is remitted to an institution to heal before returning home to her family. Leslie's spouse believes a change in environment will help Leslie recover. He accepts a restoration job in the small New England town of Wellington. The home, FIVE MILE HOUSE, is the place where a century ago, Eleanor killed her seven children before jumping from the tower. Leslie quickly hears of the local legend and some time afterward that a coven battles the Wellington family. Eleanor, a ghost haunting FIVE MILE HOUSE, believes her doppelganger Leslie will prove her savior when the war openly erupts between the Wiccan and the Wellington clan. Leslie and Eleanor narrate the story line until their lives converge at the surreal climax. The story line combines a mystery with a supernatural intrigue that works because the key players come across as actual individuals. The humans and even the ghost intermingle in a realistic manner with authentic motives (not that this reviewer can confirm what entails a genuine spirit). The unique tale will remind readers of The Sentinel (the movie not the comic book) while challenging the audience's beliefs on several planes. Karen Novak proves she is a terrific storyteller whose voice provides a fascinating cross-genre appeal. Harriet Klausner
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