Dream House

Rating:
Summary: A good horror novel about a family living in an evil house
Review: A good horror novel about a family's move to an infamous house where one man had killed his family and another family had died in a fire.

After many years working as an insurance salesman, Peter Willis is denied the promotion he obviously deserves. This triggers a sort of mid-life crisis for Peter and he literally tells his boss to take his job and shove it. He decides to move (with his family), open his own business, and sculpt in his spare time.

Unfortunately, the unscrupulous real-estate agent hid the fact that many people had died on the property. Peter finds Satanist 'paraphernalia' there (a Satanic Bible, a ritualistic robe, a shrine, the previous owners' journal -- and some very gruesome things which I won't mention and spoil the story for you). Afterward, he struggles with his business and the restoration of the house. Peter becomes obsessed with the journal. Tensions run high among Peter, his wife, and his son. Some sort of explosion seems inevitable.

Fahy's story was unpredictable, particularly during the first half. Fahy keeps alive the mystery about just what is happening to the Willis family for a good part of the novel. There is also a very tense, suspenseful chase during the climax.

Fans of Stephen King's "The Shining" would probably enjoy this book a lot. (Don't worry. Fahy's novel is not a clone of King's novel. "Dream House" is similar to "The Shining" to the extent that King's "Salem's Lot" is similar to Bram Stoker's "Dracula".)

I almost gave the story 4 stars (rather than 3), but it's probably just a little too long.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent creepy read.
Review: It's been years since I read this novel but it's stayed with me all this time. A family moves into an old house and finds violence and evil in it's past. An evil that seems to resonate still, threatening their lives... Fahy is really an underappreciated writer. I've read all but one of his novels and had a great time with all of them. I also recently discovered that he is alive and well and still writing. Looking forward to more of your work, Mr. Fahy!