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Summary: Two superb novellas that could be ghost stories or mysteries
Review: This book consists of two brilliant novellas that will thrill fans of detective tales and ghost stories as a group of renowned personage provides their spin on the alleged supernatural. "The Bell Witch Ghost". Frank Podmore (skeptic in chief of the Society for Psychical Research), Dr. Nandor Fodor (former Director of the International Institute for Psychical Research), Harry Houdini, Conan Doyle, and a guest meet to discuss the Bell Witch ghost. Houdini provides the background material about the appearance of an 1817 spirit in Tennessee visiting the Bell family. People, in turn, provide their interpretation to Houdini's narration. "The Phelps Case" has pretty much the same participants, except the guest is a woman. She provides the story to the attendees of a visit of a spirit to the Phelps home. This time, however, the participants debate what happened on Connecticut. OTHER WORLDS is a fascinating book that is must read for fans of ghost stories and detective tales. Houdini and Doyle come so alive in these novellas, readers will believe they are sitting at the same table with the two men. The story lines of both books are crisp, fun, and intriguing. The meeting attendees, and the Phelps and Bell characters all feel genuine. With this fiction, Barbara Michaels owes readers more tales starring this elite group of thinkers. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: Not up to expectatons.
Review: As a huge Barbara Michaels fan, I was thrilled when a new book hit the markets. The basic premise of bringing together mystery/supernatural experts in a turn of the century environment is wonderful. However, the remainder of the book is nothing more than a rehashing of old tales. Not enough advantage was taken of the original premise and it would have been far more interesting to use newly created mysterious occult tales and involve the legendary solvers more directly. I was very disappointed in this book but have high hopes that Ms. Michaels' next book will be more up to the standards of previous novels such as "Ammie Come Home" and "To Be Buried in the Rain".
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Summary: I couldn't believe how disappointing it was.
Review: As a long-time admirer of Michaels/Peters, I always greet a new work by this author with great enthusiasm. When the librarian checked it out to me, she shook her head and said, *This one is 'different'* In this case that meant it was a disappointment! I have adored every Amelia Peabody tale and I consider *Ammie, Come Home* one of the most chilling stories I have ever read. I have to agree with others that the first-time readers of Michaels shouldn't judge her talents on the basis of this book.
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Summary: Michaels has disappointed this fan.
Review: Barbara Michaels is one of my favorite authors--I have read all her books, own most of them, and this is the first time I have been disappointed in her choice of stories. The 'mens' club' meeting of imaginary ghost busters is just plain boring. Most ghost story readers are already familiar with the tale of the Bell Witch, and by the time I got thru this and started on the various opinions, I had had enough. I must admit that I didn't get to the second story--I just gave up , and it is seldom that I don't finish a book. Come on, Barbara, go back to the romantic suspense your readers have come to expect and enjoy.
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Summary: If I could have clicked 0 stars on this one, I would have.
Review: I am a devoted fan of Barbara Michaels and have read and enjoyed every book she has ever written. I bought this book based on her name alone which I am sure the publishers were banking on because it turned out to be a sore disappointment. You can be sure that I will no longer just buy her next book but will check it to be sure it is worth my time. Shame on the publishers and Barbara Michaels for pulling a fast one over on us, her fans.
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Summary: NOT Barbara Michaels' usual style!
Review: I bought it, and would buy it again just to put some dollars into the coffer of an author who has, in the past, afforded me much reading pleasure - however, I would not reccomend it to those who have never read Michaels as an introductory example! The premise is a gentlemen's club shrouded in the mists of the world between hither and yon - wherein gather such great experts of the paranormal as Houdini, Conan-Doyle, and, unless I miss my guess, creation of Michaels' alter ego E.Peters, Jaqueline Kirby. The purpose of the gathering is to tell a paranormal story and determine the cause - far too much pontificating and not generally entertaining. Although I hesitiate to criticize since I've yet to submit a manuscript, much less turn out as much wonderful fiction as Ms. Michaels/Peters/Mertz, I do feel that readers who are just beginning to discover Michaels should be aware that this is not typical of her usual work. She's a skilled weaver of intelligent Romantic Suspense tales. I have to say this one should have probably been published under a name other than Michaels. Just not up to snuff!
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Summary: disappointed
Review: I can't even describe how disappointed I was by this book. I love Michaels' other books - I own them all, but this was a disaster. It didn't even appear to have been edited - throughout the second story, the name of one character is constantly switching between Harry and Henry, sometimes on the same page. Overall, it was not chilling or witty like her other books. The writing seemed flat, which surprised me since all of her other books are wonderful reads.
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Summary: I wish I had read these reviews before I bought the book!
Review: I discovered "Walker in Shadows" at age 15, and have been enthralled with her books ever since. I was completely disappointed with this book, much to my sorrow. What was the point? Who doesn't know about the "Bell Witch"? While I was unfamiliar with the Phelps' disturbance(except for an oblique reference in "Shattered Silk), I was bored with it. I am hesitant to read her new "Amelia Peabody"-I can't take this disappointment twice in a row. Please, Barbara, shake off this lethargy and bring us the books and characters we love!
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Summary: Very Disappointing
Review: I generally love Ms. Michaels novels and own all of them. I was very disappointed in this new one. The plot is confusing for no good reason, the setting is bizarre but not entertaining, and I had a hard time getting through it. Usually I sit down with on of these books and have a hard time putting it down before it is finished. Not so with this one. Hopefully, Ms. Michaels will go back to her old style with her next novel as this experiment was an utter failure.
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Summary: Get the Geist
Review: I had not read any of her works as either Barbara Michaels or Elizabeth Peters before, so this was my introduction to her work. This mystery is actually two stories in one, with each story around 100-120 pages long. I preferred the first to the second; both dealt with families being tormented by a spirit of some kind or poltergeist activity. At the close of each story, the ghostly gentleman's club - including Harry Houdini and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle - draw various conclusions. Thus there is not just one right answer, but instead various opinions and scenarios. Good work, quick read, fun for classic mystery / poltergeist fans.
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