The Terrible Tide

Rating:
Summary: The odd book out
Review: Generally I'm not a huge fan of the books MacLeod writes as Alisa Craig -- the tongue-in-cheek cutesy melodrama is just a little *too* cozy for my tastes. Tbis book is different from those in her "Grub and Stakers" and "Janet Rhys" series, though -- it's a straightahead 1970's-Barbara-Michaels-style modern gothic, with a spunky-but-injured young heroine stranded in a dusty old heap of a house with two old ladies, ghostly noises in the night, and various threatening characters wandering in and out. If you like that kind of thing (and I do) it's a good read, although you will easily guess every "shocking plot twist" miles ahead of its revelation. I wish she'd write more like this one . . .

Rating:
Summary: The odd book out
Review: Generally I'm not a huge fan of the books MacLeod writes as Alisa Craig -- the tongue-in-cheek cutesy melodrama is just a little *too* cozy for my tastes. Tbis book is different from those in her "Grub and Stakers" and "Janet Rhys" series, though -- it's a straightahead 1970's-Barbara-Michaels-style modern gothic, with a spunky-but-injured young heroine stranded in a dusty old heap of a house with two old ladies, ghostly noises in the night, and various threatening characters wandering in and out. If you like that kind of thing (and I do) it's a good read, although you will easily guess every "shocking plot twist" miles ahead of its revelation. I wish she'd write more like this one . . .

Rating:
Summary: Light, Modern Gothic without the Angst
Review: While not as witty as MacLeod's Peter Shandy series, The Terrible Tide is fun and entertaining. The style is modern gothic complete with noises in the night and several options for both the love interest and villain. In contrast to the classic gothic heroine however, Holly is no-nonsense and well able to handle any problems that come up. She is also refreshingly intelligent and not given to stupid acts the reader knows are dangerous.

The Terrible Tide holds no shocking surprises or sudden revelations. As the plot flows smoothly along, the reader easily figures out its general direction; and Holly is only a few steps behind. The lag is just enough time to give the reader a smug sense of superiority without making the heroine look dense. This is not to say that the reader figures everything out. The solution is still foggy enough to keep the reader engaged and wondering how everything will come together.

As for faults, the characterization of the love interest is sketchy; and the reader might like to get to know him better before sending him off into the sunset with the heroine. Also, the ending is a bit abrupt with all the loose ends gathered together in one or two pages. Although, to be fair, the reader will probably have picked them up already and only need confirmation. MacLeod's flowing style and smooth writing voice make up for any weakness. The Terrible Tide is a pleasure to read.