Rating: 
Summary: I truly believed she didn't have a bad book in her!!!!
Review: Like all of the other reviewers, I have been a Barbara Michaels, Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Mertz fan since the terrifying days of Ammie Come Home and the truly hilarious Devil May Care. I wait with baited breath for the next Michaels/Peters offering and have met the author several times. I even have my 12 year old daughter hooked on Amelia! What happened? After reading a brief synposis of the plot, thank goodness I didn't buy this but patiently waited the two months to get it from the library. Summed up? Don't bother.
Rating: 
Summary: Paranormal parallelism
Review: Other Worlds is an interesting read and is a departure in style from Michael's normal prose style. It has two stories happening in parallel that are brought together through annecdote and seance. The narrative style took some getting used to even thought I've read lots of her books before.
Rating: 
Summary: Ignore the other comments you've read.
Review: Reviews of this book by long-time fans have been extremely negative. As nearly as I can figure, these criticisms boil down to disappointment in getting something different. These readers want a modern gothic romance, with a mildly neurotic heroine, and two attractive male protagonists.This book is different, and fresh, and more than a little frightening in spots. I read it in 2 nights, and enjoyed it very much. My only criticism is that story number 2 ends a little weakly.
Rating:
Summary: Barbara in a different light....
Review: The paranormal novel, Other Worlds, is a step away from what Barbara Michaels (Aka Elizabeth Peters) normally writes, which is romantic suspense, and maybe that's why it isn't up to her normal talented standards. Since I listened to the abridged audio, some of the Michaels drama may have been missing. I can't say for sure, but this may be why I came to this conclusion. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but it just didn't have the Michaels suspense that her other titles are blessed with. Another attribute of Ms. Michaels that is missing is the romance, but I don't think it would have been appropriate anyway. There is a meeting at an exclusive men's club. At this cozy get together is Frank Podmore of the Society for Psychical Research, magician Harry Houdini, Arthur Conan Doyle, Nandor Fodor, former director of the International Institute for Psychical Research. In this meeting, two stories are presented. One is a story of a witch ghost that haunts the Bell family of Tennessee for several years... As a supernatural ghost tale, the book held it's own, with the exception that the characters were not taking it seriously, and this seemed to keep me from taking it seriously. The analysis and criticism after each story didn't bothered me, but some of the individuals' opinions did. Maybe it's just me, but some of the attitude's came across more as sexist than actually debunking. But, all in all, because it is a Barbara Michaels work I would still recommend it to those who know her work and those who don't, after all it was an interesting concept. When listening to an audio, I like to make mention on how it appealed to me. When I see Barbara Rosenblat's name as the narrator, I pretty much expect a good read, and this one was, but I wonder if the story would have been a little more engaging with a male narrator. Don't let my wonderings stop you from trying the audio or the book. It was an interesting paranormal read.
Rating:
Summary: Is it or isn't it....might be might not be.
Review: They meet after dark in an exclusive mens club. Amidst the swirling fog, they arrive wrapped tight in their cloaks, to tear apart the theories presented to them after much deliberation. They are the famous Harry Houdini, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle along with other prominent members of society who are interested in illusions and psychoanalysis. After being presented with strange stories, of what appears to be poltergeist or demonic activity, they present their analysis and conjectures. It is an interesting concept for a book and it was an out of the ordinary read but the analysis left me wanting more of a concrete explanation. I would give this one 3.5 stars. It was a quick read and the two main stories held my interest. I found myself trying to figure out how the manipulations were taking place, but like magic tricks in Vegas it was shear speculation. Kelsana 11/03/01
Rating: 
Summary: Different ,unique and a great time for all who read it
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
Rating: 
Summary: I can't believe she wrote this poorly
Review: This book was very disappointing, especially since I had waited so long for another Michaels' novel. I didn't mind the change in genres, but these stories didn't give me the chills the way all her others have. Not even one tiny goosebump. In addition, the second story was poorly edited, with the name of the little boy switching back and forth from Harry to Henry, sometimes even on the same page. I can't believe someone would recommend this book when such a distracting and confusing mistake pops up again and again. I couldn't bear to give it only one star, since I feel so loyal, but in my heart I know that I really think it deserved no star. Try one of her other books - you'll be much more pleased.
Rating:
Summary: yuck-this is not typical barbara michaels!
Review: This books starts out with such promise. It is elegantly written and suspensful. I stayed awake all one night and half of the next to finish it. It is not typical Michaels fare. There is mystery but no real romance like her other books. The two mysteries that this book encompasses are only tied together by the main characters-Harry Houdini, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and several other peripheral gentlemen gathered at a men's club. The two stories that they are grappling with are interesting and almost spooky-but never totally fleshed out. The ending of the second tale was definitely unfulfilling. This is the first Barbara Michaels book that has disappointed me. I would not recommend this at all, but read any of the others and I can guarantee you a good read.
Rating:
Summary: This is Ms. Michaels' worse book to date!!
Review: Ths premise for this book is very clever; unfortunately the tellling of the stories does not live up to the author's usual abilities. I have bought every book of Barbara Michaels that I can get my hands on, but this one was a real disappointment! Don't waste your money!
Rating:
Summary: different isn't always good
Review: While I admire Barbara Michael's attempt at something different, this is not a good example of her work which is normally full of good humor even during the worst of situations. This book is unresolved and more of a scholarly tretis. But thanks for all your other books. They are deeply appreciated and enjoyed.
| 
