Dark Magic

by Miriam Lynch

Andrea shivers the first time she sees the dreary old mansion. She's glad she's just visiting Shadowlawn for a school project. The last thing she expects is to be trapped there, held prisoner by a wild storm that blows in.

Andrea finds herself surrounded by six strange people—and Craig, who is kind and protective. What are the others covering up? Andrea tries desperately to find answers as to why she is locked in her room, how a body on the stairs disappears, and who drugs Craig.

Before long, Andrea realizes someone in the house wants her to stay—to assist an old magician in a performance that is bizarre—and possibly deadly.

Genres: Gothic, Mystery, Thriller, Young Adult

170 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Miriam Lynch wrote several Gothic novels and some nurse/doctor romances and some hybrids which have all of the above in them.

Pseudonyms Include:
Dolores Craig
Moira Lord
Miriam Lynch
Claire Vincent
Mary Wallace

Reviews

[Grace Chan · Rating 4 out of 5]

"I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON" was a recurrent thought in my head for 95% of this book. But it was moody, creepy and kept my interest until the wacko ending.

So homegirl goes to Shadowlawn mansion for a school project and ends up being trapped there due to a crazy storm rolling in. And then of course weird shit starts going down...the dead body at the foot of the stairs that disappears, someone locking her in her room and then locking her out on her balcony, hushed whispers in the hall of stealing a dog I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING ON.

All will unfold and be revealed at the end of course, and if the thought of being trapped in a tiny dusty old theater with life-size dolls and weird old people wearing garish makeup performing creaky vaudeville acts terrifies the bejeezus out of you, you too will appreciate this strange and creepy book. The 80's horror movie vibe was strong with this one.

4 out of 5 rabbits pulled from your hat. But do the trick right, or the creepy old man who smells like mothballs will make you do it over.

[Erica Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a MOOD. The writing is really successful at building tension and creating a general sense of foreboding and ickiness. Somewhat ominous, vague references from a cast of creepy quirky characters kept me guessing.

Nothing makes sense but something is definitely Wrong.

Didn’t see that ending coming and I thought it was brilliantly done, although I think the final ~trick should’ve been at least attempted so that the reader could get a better sense of the danger involved. All that talk about it and we don’t even get to see it play out? Boo.

But overall I enjoyed it. One of the more original Windswepts I’ve read so far

[Joziat · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a nice book which portrayed a totally different message either than its title.Personally the lesson i had from this book was we shouldn't love because of what that person has but we should nonetheless.

[Atokple Grace]

It was an interesting book but I think the story does not link to the title of the book.