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The Crying Child
Mary just sat quietly and listened, listened for the crying of a child. A crying that always came to her in the dead stillness of night. A piercing, pathetic wail that was slowly destroying her with its agonizing horror.
Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1971
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568 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Michaels
95 books692 followersBarbara Michaels was a pen name of Barbara Mertz. She also wrote as Elizabeth Peters, as well as under her own name.
She was born in Canton, Illinois and has written over fifty books including some in Egyptology. Dr. Mertz also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Egyptology.
She was born in Canton, Illinois and has written over fifty books including some in Egyptology. Dr. Mertz also holds a Ph.D. from the University of Chicago in Egyptology.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 77 reviews
January 27, 2016
Come on, just the title alone is worth a second glance, right?
As usual Michaels indulges in cozy storytelling with a different twist on her characters. Here the heroine of the story is suffering from desiring forbidden fruit, so to speak, but is highly moral and won't follow Eve's path. Between her urge for independence and witty humor - and thankfully less of a bitchy nature than many other Michaels characters - she's another likable act to follow. The sister Mary is an intriguing one, not a usual for Michaels, a little reminiscent of an early, watered down V.C. Andrews character. She's frail and fragile, being protected from all sides, yet with a cunning glint in her eye when it suits her. Her husband was just in between, a character to feel for but no one who overly stands out. Overall, as always, the blend is a gripping one that only serves the stories purpose.
Plot wise, it's another good one. You never know with her books whether there really is something supernatural, or whether it's something that ends up being disproven. I won't spoil that part for you, but will say the emphasis the supernatural is handled a little less than usual. It's the main theme of the story, but doesn't involve the same sort of endless debates, research, and multiple signs and symptoms other novels share. While not as detailed, it's still as mystifying, and I in no way could imagine the ending. In fact, the revelation was a smidge creepy, which is also abnormal for Michaels.
Pace wise, it's lightning as she hops on the plane in chapter one and conjures up important facts in her mind, then plunges right into the heart of the matter. A reader and fan of mysteries won't grow bored. The trademark love story is of course present as always, without much steam or surprise. Suspense is high when it's meant to be in scarce parts, and Michaels typical language use is appealing.
On the downside, while the story didn't drag its feet and remained interesting, I didn't stay 100% glued in all parts. More action would have spruced up a few scenes. This is one of Michael's earlier works and it wouldn't have hurt to flesh out a few characters more, particularly the good old doctor. His enthusiasm for his patients seemed a little overdone and stereotypical as well. It was never explained about his avid treatment of the psychiatrist, but the end result leaves the reader assuming it was all in the heroines head. From reading the story, to me it wasn't, and them having a sort of conversation about it would have been preferred. Overall a sweet ending (after the chilling part, of course)
If you're in the mood for a delightful little mystery with a tinge of morbidity, The Crying Child's your midnight companion.
As usual Michaels indulges in cozy storytelling with a different twist on her characters. Here the heroine of the story is suffering from desiring forbidden fruit, so to speak, but is highly moral and won't follow Eve's path. Between her urge for independence and witty humor - and thankfully less of a bitchy nature than many other Michaels characters - she's another likable act to follow. The sister Mary is an intriguing one, not a usual for Michaels, a little reminiscent of an early, watered down V.C. Andrews character. She's frail and fragile, being protected from all sides, yet with a cunning glint in her eye when it suits her. Her husband was just in between, a character to feel for but no one who overly stands out. Overall, as always, the blend is a gripping one that only serves the stories purpose.
Plot wise, it's another good one. You never know with her books whether there really is something supernatural, or whether it's something that ends up being disproven. I won't spoil that part for you, but will say the emphasis the supernatural is handled a little less than usual. It's the main theme of the story, but doesn't involve the same sort of endless debates, research, and multiple signs and symptoms other novels share. While not as detailed, it's still as mystifying, and I in no way could imagine the ending. In fact, the revelation was a smidge creepy, which is also abnormal for Michaels.
Pace wise, it's lightning as she hops on the plane in chapter one and conjures up important facts in her mind, then plunges right into the heart of the matter. A reader and fan of mysteries won't grow bored. The trademark love story is of course present as always, without much steam or surprise. Suspense is high when it's meant to be in scarce parts, and Michaels typical language use is appealing.
On the downside, while the story didn't drag its feet and remained interesting, I didn't stay 100% glued in all parts. More action would have spruced up a few scenes. This is one of Michael's earlier works and it wouldn't have hurt to flesh out a few characters more, particularly the good old doctor. His enthusiasm for his patients seemed a little overdone and stereotypical as well. It was never explained about his avid treatment of the psychiatrist, but the end result leaves the reader assuming it was all in the heroines head. From reading the story, to me it wasn't, and them having a sort of conversation about it would have been preferred. Overall a sweet ending (after the chilling part, of course)
If you're in the mood for a delightful little mystery with a tinge of morbidity, The Crying Child's your midnight companion.
March 26, 2017
Oh, a rare mystery for adults: solving the reason for a haunting! Penned in a modern-feeling 1971, "The Crying Child" is compelling immediately. Jo quickly observes that what seems like her sister, Mary, breaking-down is something else. I loved there being no "no one will believe me" nonsense. There are vigorous, intelligent debates about why the disturbers could be ghosts. I savour Barbara's composition: wholly natural characters thinking as we would - not always so in fiction. Personalities strike approving chords, calling it as we would see it!
Wit and dialogue capture real life, without adverbs or any descriptions in superfluity. What Barbara does describe, like Jo's refusal of a séance: you never heard anything so astute and yet worded like no one has ever thought to arrange words before. ""I'm not afraid of a fake medium, or a séance that flops. I'm afraid of one that might succeed". Ran looked disturbed but I knew he couldn't possibly be as revolted by the idea as I was. He hadn't seen the thing that would come in answer to such a summoning".
The only bump is awareness at the end, that one or two ideas aren't followed-up. The cast suggests that Mary might have spoken with an apparition but don't try to interview either of them. The crying seems to be pointless, along with occult symbols and possible involvement. These might be guesses that fell away but the summary could have tightened all the threads more thoroughly. Lastly, an informative keepsake inside the vast house would be exciting enough. Detouring it to an antique store stretched luck. Mild observations about pages I flew through: five stars! If all novels were so engrossing to me, if I read only my favourite kind; I would whoosh through the annual number my contemporaries do.
Wit and dialogue capture real life, without adverbs or any descriptions in superfluity. What Barbara does describe, like Jo's refusal of a séance: you never heard anything so astute and yet worded like no one has ever thought to arrange words before. ""I'm not afraid of a fake medium, or a séance that flops. I'm afraid of one that might succeed". Ran looked disturbed but I knew he couldn't possibly be as revolted by the idea as I was. He hadn't seen the thing that would come in answer to such a summoning".
The only bump is awareness at the end, that one or two ideas aren't followed-up. The cast suggests that Mary might have spoken with an apparition but don't try to interview either of them. The crying seems to be pointless, along with occult symbols and possible involvement. These might be guesses that fell away but the summary could have tightened all the threads more thoroughly. Lastly, an informative keepsake inside the vast house would be exciting enough. Detouring it to an antique store stretched luck. Mild observations about pages I flew through: five stars! If all novels were so engrossing to me, if I read only my favourite kind; I would whoosh through the annual number my contemporaries do.
July 15, 2016
This is typical Barbara Michaels "cozy gothic" fare. There's a beautiful old mansion, some mildly spooky occurrences (with a mystery to unravel), and a side-story romance (which in most cases is very sparsely sketched). If you like her other gothic novels, you'll probably like this, too. It seems about on par with the several others I've already read.
I found it rather blandly enjoyable, but there were also some of the same irritations I almost always find in this author's works. The overtly old-school feminist angle gets old, for instance. (More on the annoyances below, in the spoiler section.)
So... It was okay. Neither bad nor great. I'll probably keep reading these books, every so often, because some of them are better than others (and maybe my mood and other factors come into play, too). If you want something to (more or less) pleasantly pass a little time without requiring much concentration or emotional investment, this will do. <
Specifics (with SPOILERS):
--At least in this book there wasn't a heavy reliance on the word "chauvinist", but there were still things like this: Not to say that there's no truth to any of that, but it's so heavy-handed! I came here looking for an escape, not a lecture on the bad old days...
--These books so often have such an odd attitude toward religion. It annoys me when the same character who has witnessed and acknowledged and accepted paranormal phenomena still acts like Christianity (or any religion, probably) is suspect and not to be taken too seriously. Um, so ghosts/spiritual manifestations are completely real, but the Bible just isn't plausible? ...Okay, then. Silly of me to have expected a little more open-mindedness from characters who've just gone through a series of events that challenged so many other preconceived notions.
--One of the two openly religious characters says things like this: "I'm not saying our kind of faith was a purely good thing. It can be awfully narrow and cruel." *eyeroll* No obnoxious stereotyping here, no siree.
--"I don't know what you think about the soul, or survival after death, or anything like that; the important thing is what Mary believes. I know how she feels because I have the same weaknesses."
...Weaknesses? Is she saying it's a weakness to believe in any sort of afterlife? Why is that "weak", exactly? Seems like an odd choice of words, no matter what you believe.
--
-- Ugh! Just shut up, Jo.
--This was strange:
--Maybe the most obvious sign that this is an older book is all the cigarettes.
I found it rather blandly enjoyable, but there were also some of the same irritations I almost always find in this author's works. The overtly old-school feminist angle gets old, for instance. (More on the annoyances below, in the spoiler section.)
So... It was okay. Neither bad nor great. I'll probably keep reading these books, every so often, because some of them are better than others (and maybe my mood and other factors come into play, too). If you want something to (more or less) pleasantly pass a little time without requiring much concentration or emotional investment, this will do. <
Specifics (with SPOILERS):
--At least in this book there wasn't a heavy reliance on the word "chauvinist", but there were still things like this: Not to say that there's no truth to any of that, but it's so heavy-handed! I came here looking for an escape, not a lecture on the bad old days...
--These books so often have such an odd attitude toward religion. It annoys me when the same character who has witnessed and acknowledged and accepted paranormal phenomena still acts like Christianity (or any religion, probably) is suspect and not to be taken too seriously. Um, so ghosts/spiritual manifestations are completely real, but the Bible just isn't plausible? ...Okay, then. Silly of me to have expected a little more open-mindedness from characters who've just gone through a series of events that challenged so many other preconceived notions.
--One of the two openly religious characters says things like this: "I'm not saying our kind of faith was a purely good thing. It can be awfully narrow and cruel." *eyeroll* No obnoxious stereotyping here, no siree.
--"I don't know what you think about the soul, or survival after death, or anything like that; the important thing is what Mary believes. I know how she feels because I have the same weaknesses."
...Weaknesses? Is she saying it's a weakness to believe in any sort of afterlife? Why is that "weak", exactly? Seems like an odd choice of words, no matter what you believe.
--
-- Ugh! Just shut up, Jo.
--This was strange:
--Maybe the most obvious sign that this is an older book is all the cigarettes.
April 3, 2019
Joanne McMullen gives up her job and life on the west coast to spend the summer with her sister and brother-in-law on a remote island off the coast of Maine. Her sister, Mary, has had a miscarriage, and Mary's mental state is concerning to Jo. Soon, however, there is much more to worry about. Something is amiss in the house, and family history and a family mystery, from many generations past, must be sorted out before lives no longer hang in the balance.
I so enjoyed this book. In many respects, the writing style is similar to that of Phyllis A. Whitney, so I felt right at home reading this book. But I enjoyed this book in its own right as well. Definitely an author I plan to add to my reading circle.
September 14, 2021
3.5 Stars
I enjoyed the mystery but found the heroine callous and shallow.
I enjoyed the mystery but found the heroine callous and shallow.
July 7, 2024
April 2022 Reread: Man, I still love this book, which was instrumental in my love of reading. Each time I read it, more passages seem dated, though. There's dated gender dynamics, men being way to quick to grab women too hard, and I found myself having questions about what Jo's career plans, if any, are at the end. There's a casual remark about, well...
They usually stopped at Hawaii on the way out; the ladies of the Sandwich Islands had quite a reputation for beauty and accessibility.
This passage really makes me want to recommend White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color
And I'd be really remiss if I didn't mention the treatment of mental illness, especially around the topic of miscarriage.
“You didn’t want information. You only wanted confirmation. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re wrong! Mary is—” “A spoiled, pampered neurotic who can’t endure the slightest frustration.”
But I've spent my whole reading life chasing the vibes in this book. I don't know how many times I've mentioned I love a creepy, scary, old house, and I really think this book is my origin story.
Original Review:I read this for the first time when I was maybe 10-years-old or so. My mother and grandmother were fans of the author and it was easy for me to fall in love with her writing as well.
Aspects of the story are dated, certainly the musical references that are there to make the heroine seem young and hip, but it's still an enjoyable read.
The writer is more famous for the Elizabeth Peters books, but I'm a Barbara Michaels fan through and through and think any of the books issued under that name are worth a read.
They usually stopped at Hawaii on the way out; the ladies of the Sandwich Islands had quite a reputation for beauty and accessibility.
This passage really makes me want to recommend White Tears/Brown Scars: How White Feminism Betrays Women of Color
And I'd be really remiss if I didn't mention the treatment of mental illness, especially around the topic of miscarriage.
“You didn’t want information. You only wanted confirmation. I know what you’re thinking, and you’re wrong! Mary is—” “A spoiled, pampered neurotic who can’t endure the slightest frustration.”
But I've spent my whole reading life chasing the vibes in this book. I don't know how many times I've mentioned I love a creepy, scary, old house, and I really think this book is my origin story.
Original Review:I read this for the first time when I was maybe 10-years-old or so. My mother and grandmother were fans of the author and it was easy for me to fall in love with her writing as well.
Aspects of the story are dated, certainly the musical references that are there to make the heroine seem young and hip, but it's still an enjoyable read.
The writer is more famous for the Elizabeth Peters books, but I'm a Barbara Michaels fan through and through and think any of the books issued under that name are worth a read.
October 10, 2021
I remembered this one as being one of Michaels' creepier gothics and upon reread, it still gives me a touch of the shivers.
The book opens as Joanne McMullen gives up her job on the West Coast to head to rural Maine. Joanne values her independence, but she also loves her sister and wants to be there to comfort her following a devastating miscarriage. Joanne expected rural isolation and the well-meaning attempts of her wealthy brother-in-law to help her by basically overstepping her boundaries. However, she was ill-prepared for just how fragile her sister Mary would be.
The author does a great job of showing how Joanne is both worried for her sister and also moderately creeped out by life in the remote Maine woods herself. Mary insists that she hears a child crying late at night, and the more Joanne learns about the old family home, the more its history does seem to lend itself to hauntings. As with many Michaels novels, this one features both earthly mysteries and an intriguing dig into local history. And naturally, there is some romance - this time in the person of the local doctor. If you like older gothics, you will probably enjoy this one. There are a few loose ends left dangling toward the end, but overall it's well done.
CW: This was written in the '70s and if all the cigarettes didn't give that away, the gender attitudes would; Also, discussions of child death and miscarriage
The book opens as Joanne McMullen gives up her job on the West Coast to head to rural Maine. Joanne values her independence, but she also loves her sister and wants to be there to comfort her following a devastating miscarriage. Joanne expected rural isolation and the well-meaning attempts of her wealthy brother-in-law to help her by basically overstepping her boundaries. However, she was ill-prepared for just how fragile her sister Mary would be.
The author does a great job of showing how Joanne is both worried for her sister and also moderately creeped out by life in the remote Maine woods herself. Mary insists that she hears a child crying late at night, and the more Joanne learns about the old family home, the more its history does seem to lend itself to hauntings. As with many Michaels novels, this one features both earthly mysteries and an intriguing dig into local history. And naturally, there is some romance - this time in the person of the local doctor. If you like older gothics, you will probably enjoy this one. There are a few loose ends left dangling toward the end, but overall it's well done.
CW: This was written in the '70s and if all the cigarettes didn't give that away, the gender attitudes would; Also, discussions of child death and miscarriage
September 3, 2013
When one is reading Ms Barbara Michaels’s work, one cannot deny her ability of perception (as to from which angle she views a scene) and her craft of mingling her thoughts with the gravity of words. The moment when I came across this book, I was hardly aware who Miss Michaels was. Having picked it from a second sale lot, I loved the yellow texture of the pages and the sweet pungent smell radiated by the age of the copy which I found to be 22 years old.
Now it is the kind of a book which might seem tedious if you do not pay much attention to the writing style and which occurs when one is merely habitual of picking up the plot as they read on and not interested in the play of characters and scenes. But if you are one of those readers who vigilantly swim across each line of every page, this one is a treat.
When Joe receives an imploring call from her millionaire brother-in-law Ran Fraser (whom she always considered undeniably handsome) asking her to come and stay with him and Mary (Joe’s sister) in his lavish property located on a secluded island where the couple had headed for the summer, Joe couldn’t deny the offer even though she was far from feeling enthusiastic about taking a vacation (she had just started on her road to an independent life). Her elder sister Mary Fraser having suffered a miscarriage recently has fallen into the arms of grief and a possible mental breakdown. Ran feeling helpless towards his wife’s condition looks out for Joe’s help knowing that she is the only person who can penetrate the walls of Mary’s solitude and help her recuperate.
When Joe joins them, does she finally realize how severe the state of her sister is. A woman who had been not only a sister but a mother and a friend to Joe her whole life, has now turned into a lost creature engulfed by her unfortunate circumstances. Mary whose behavior could not be stated as undeniably crazy but clearly resigned. Randomly mumbling words in private conversations, unexpected alterations in Mary’s mannerisms and uncalled blows of lethargy are other noticeable symptoms. During a conversation with Joe, Mary claims to have heard voices of a crying child reaching her from somewhere inside of the woods and which in her opinion are the cries of the spirit of her unborn child. A development, which to everyone around at first, seems to be the effect of her grief is proved legit when one night Joe also hears the cry that sounds innocent but ghastly alluring.
Again what I have revealed so far is available in the synopsis. The book carries many more elements to keep you connected. As the book progresses, many more characters pour in, days pass by and the situation only deepens bringing every person at the disposal of the house come into the play of understanding the mystery of the Fraser house and deciphering it. The book is mainly about unveiling the shadow that is hovering over the Frasers. Interesting characters, mocking tone of the narrator(Joe) is entertaining. Ingenious scenes and conversations embedded in various backdrops help readers to visualize the geography of the house and surroundings and also in building the Gothic character of the tale. I wouldn’t say it’s a typical horror book that freaks out your mind, but it has an intense (if not very dark) and engrossing personality to it. Worth your time.
Now it is the kind of a book which might seem tedious if you do not pay much attention to the writing style and which occurs when one is merely habitual of picking up the plot as they read on and not interested in the play of characters and scenes. But if you are one of those readers who vigilantly swim across each line of every page, this one is a treat.
When Joe receives an imploring call from her millionaire brother-in-law Ran Fraser (whom she always considered undeniably handsome) asking her to come and stay with him and Mary (Joe’s sister) in his lavish property located on a secluded island where the couple had headed for the summer, Joe couldn’t deny the offer even though she was far from feeling enthusiastic about taking a vacation (she had just started on her road to an independent life). Her elder sister Mary Fraser having suffered a miscarriage recently has fallen into the arms of grief and a possible mental breakdown. Ran feeling helpless towards his wife’s condition looks out for Joe’s help knowing that she is the only person who can penetrate the walls of Mary’s solitude and help her recuperate.
When Joe joins them, does she finally realize how severe the state of her sister is. A woman who had been not only a sister but a mother and a friend to Joe her whole life, has now turned into a lost creature engulfed by her unfortunate circumstances. Mary whose behavior could not be stated as undeniably crazy but clearly resigned. Randomly mumbling words in private conversations, unexpected alterations in Mary’s mannerisms and uncalled blows of lethargy are other noticeable symptoms. During a conversation with Joe, Mary claims to have heard voices of a crying child reaching her from somewhere inside of the woods and which in her opinion are the cries of the spirit of her unborn child. A development, which to everyone around at first, seems to be the effect of her grief is proved legit when one night Joe also hears the cry that sounds innocent but ghastly alluring.
Again what I have revealed so far is available in the synopsis. The book carries many more elements to keep you connected. As the book progresses, many more characters pour in, days pass by and the situation only deepens bringing every person at the disposal of the house come into the play of understanding the mystery of the Fraser house and deciphering it. The book is mainly about unveiling the shadow that is hovering over the Frasers. Interesting characters, mocking tone of the narrator(Joe) is entertaining. Ingenious scenes and conversations embedded in various backdrops help readers to visualize the geography of the house and surroundings and also in building the Gothic character of the tale. I wouldn’t say it’s a typical horror book that freaks out your mind, but it has an intense (if not very dark) and engrossing personality to it. Worth your time.
September 29, 2010
Some of her books hold up over the years, some don't. The mystery/creepiness in this one is still good, but it is dated by its references musical groups such as the Who and The Beatles (they are "far out"--outdated lingo)and women don't wear jeans and everyone smokes.
June 3, 2023
The writing was very patchy in parts, although this book started off by well. It lost its flow mid way and the ending was quite rushed. You can't possibly reveal new characters and plots in the last chapter of your novel! What could have been a meaty horror mystery, became a dramatic, excruciating read. Minus 100 points for that cringey romantic angle that was totally unnecessary.
January 17, 2022
This was an old book still sitting on my shelf that a grabbed to read. It’s a horror mystery with a real eerie feeling of mystery to it like Rebecca by dumaurier. It was a fun quick read albeit old fashioned but I still enjoyed it and the plot.
September 2, 2021
I have a fondness for Barbara Michael’s gothic and mystery novels, with their bad-tempered feminist heroines. They have a similar appeal to Mary Stewart novels - well-crafted settings, historical references, clever protagonists. Both novelists also like stories somewhere on the supernatural spectrum, although usually it’s only an atmospheric hint.
Michaels was a very prolific author, with at least 30 novels under this pseudonym alone (her more comic pseudonym, Elizabeth Peters, was even more prolific). Unfortunately, very few of her novels are available for Kindle in Europe, despite my one-woman campaign at her publishers. I’ll probably end up reading them in some more inconvenient form, but while idly checking to see the current situation I found that there are many more Kindle versions of her books in German translation. They are bizarrely retitled and with completely inappropriate covers for whatever reason, but the translation itself seemed great. I haven’t read the original, but Michael’s was carried through well, both the descriptiveness and that faint touch of cynicism.
This novel, unusually for Michaels, pushed the supernatural element all the way to literal manifestation. There are actual ghosts, not just ghost stories, and they are unambiguously real. I actually found the book surprisingly scary. I can’t watch horror films, but literary horror normally works on a metaphorical level for me, rather than something that makes me physically uneasy. I wondered whether this was because I was reading it in a second language which forced me to spend more time with the text ( I read much much slower in German), but some is due to the novel itself. The plot didn’t end entirely convincingly, but there are some very good descriptions of the protagonist, Jo’s, emotional reactions, skepticism giving way growing unease and then outright fear, that are very well done.
Otherwise, this is not my favourite Michael’s novel, and it has some deep flaws. Mary, the heroine’s sister and the subject of the haunting, barely exists as a character and I don’t understand why she should have so little agency, insight and memory compared to her sister . It doesn’t make sense, in fact reads as intensely cruel, that the characters lie to her and continue to treat her as delusional and mentally ill when they know her haunting is real. The doctor, our love interest, and the psychiatrist, an ambiguous but sympathetic character, both behave in a horrifyingly unethical fashion by modern standards*. The psychiatrist engaged by Mary’s husband pretends to be a vet and strikes up a friendship with her to spy on her, for example. However, as the book was written at a time when women were still being lobotomised to stop inconvenient moodiness, it reflects the time it was written and not just sensationalism, which is about as horrific as anything you’d find in the storyline.
* Given the ghost storyline revolves around an historical mistreatment of women that Jo feels repulsed by according to her contemporary standards, it’s interesting I can be repulsed by the romantic lead disparaging, breaking the confidentiality of, and lying to his patients, by my contemporary standards. However it does seem the doctor is trying to do his best according the standards of the day, and does have some moral qualms.
Michaels was a very prolific author, with at least 30 novels under this pseudonym alone (her more comic pseudonym, Elizabeth Peters, was even more prolific). Unfortunately, very few of her novels are available for Kindle in Europe, despite my one-woman campaign at her publishers. I’ll probably end up reading them in some more inconvenient form, but while idly checking to see the current situation I found that there are many more Kindle versions of her books in German translation. They are bizarrely retitled and with completely inappropriate covers for whatever reason, but the translation itself seemed great. I haven’t read the original, but Michael’s was carried through well, both the descriptiveness and that faint touch of cynicism.
This novel, unusually for Michaels, pushed the supernatural element all the way to literal manifestation. There are actual ghosts, not just ghost stories, and they are unambiguously real. I actually found the book surprisingly scary. I can’t watch horror films, but literary horror normally works on a metaphorical level for me, rather than something that makes me physically uneasy. I wondered whether this was because I was reading it in a second language which forced me to spend more time with the text ( I read much much slower in German), but some is due to the novel itself. The plot didn’t end entirely convincingly, but there are some very good descriptions of the protagonist, Jo’s, emotional reactions, skepticism giving way growing unease and then outright fear, that are very well done.
Otherwise, this is not my favourite Michael’s novel, and it has some deep flaws. Mary, the heroine’s sister and the subject of the haunting, barely exists as a character and I don’t understand why she should have so little agency, insight and memory compared to her sister . It doesn’t make sense, in fact reads as intensely cruel, that the characters lie to her and continue to treat her as delusional and mentally ill when they know her haunting is real. The doctor, our love interest, and the psychiatrist, an ambiguous but sympathetic character, both behave in a horrifyingly unethical fashion by modern standards*. The psychiatrist engaged by Mary’s husband pretends to be a vet and strikes up a friendship with her to spy on her, for example. However, as the book was written at a time when women were still being lobotomised to stop inconvenient moodiness, it reflects the time it was written and not just sensationalism, which is about as horrific as anything you’d find in the storyline.
* Given the ghost storyline revolves around an historical mistreatment of women that Jo feels repulsed by according to her contemporary standards, it’s interesting I can be repulsed by the romantic lead disparaging, breaking the confidentiality of, and lying to his patients, by my contemporary standards. However it does seem the doctor is trying to do his best according the standards of the day, and does have some moral qualms.
July 30, 2020
So this book is one of the books sent to me in the Half Price books mystery box. Not something I would have picked up on my own, but now that I own it I decided to give it a try.
It started out pretty good. I think the main character Jo was likeable enough, even though she stayed in her head alot. A lot of navel gazing but I found her voice easy enough to relate to or read. The other chars were okay as well. I do find that her relationship with her sister pretty lackluster. She was supposed to be there helping her sister but they barely interacted with each other. After Jo got to the island they spent that one day together and maybe one or two other times, and then that was it. I learned more about Ran, Will , the Willard's and Sue than anything else. And Sue is just Wills ex. I didn't see why we needed to know so much about Will's old relationship....but fine.
Sometimes I felt that the author would do a fairly good job creating tension and suspense only to squander it before you could really feel it. It happened so many times that I felt that the author was her own worst enemy. The thrilling elements read more like an old goosebumps book...but I know this book is old so I guess that's just how they wrote suspense back then.
I won't get into spoilers but the author seemed so excited to reveal the mystery that before you could try and answer the questions poised, she was already pointing to the answer. And it wasn't even subtle hints, it was a well lit runway showing you a clear path to the answer.
It was an easy and quick read, but nothing that will stick with you. Nothing deep or thoughtful...just something to help you pass the time.
It started out pretty good. I think the main character Jo was likeable enough, even though she stayed in her head alot. A lot of navel gazing but I found her voice easy enough to relate to or read. The other chars were okay as well. I do find that her relationship with her sister pretty lackluster. She was supposed to be there helping her sister but they barely interacted with each other. After Jo got to the island they spent that one day together and maybe one or two other times, and then that was it. I learned more about Ran, Will , the Willard's and Sue than anything else. And Sue is just Wills ex. I didn't see why we needed to know so much about Will's old relationship....but fine.
Sometimes I felt that the author would do a fairly good job creating tension and suspense only to squander it before you could really feel it. It happened so many times that I felt that the author was her own worst enemy. The thrilling elements read more like an old goosebumps book...but I know this book is old so I guess that's just how they wrote suspense back then.
I won't get into spoilers but the author seemed so excited to reveal the mystery that before you could try and answer the questions poised, she was already pointing to the answer. And it wasn't even subtle hints, it was a well lit runway showing you a clear path to the answer.
It was an easy and quick read, but nothing that will stick with you. Nothing deep or thoughtful...just something to help you pass the time.
July 26, 2008
Elizabeth Peters who writes under the name of Barbara Michaels is a master at writing suspenseful gothic novels, which are even better when there's a ghostly source. This novel is not an exception.
Originally published in 1971, the worldviews and conversations are a bit antiquated, though I'm sure at the time they were very hip and modern. A woman who can change a tire? How shocking!
Joanne receives a call from her rich brother-in-law Ran that her sister Mary who has recently suffered her third miscarriage is having problems. He's moved his grief-stricken wife to one of his family's old homes on a tiny island off the coast of Maine.
The home is slightly isolated, built near cliffs, and has a lovely attic full of family papers. Just perfect for a spooky gothic mystery.
A spooky it is when Mary tells Joanne she's been hearing a child crying and his name is Kevin. Add to that a mysterious cloaked figure who wanders near a family graveyard and Mary's increasingly eratic behaviour, Joanne and Will, the island doctor have their hands full as they try to determine if Mary is insane, or if ghosts can be real.
For all my sarcasm, I really did enjoy this book. Michaels descriptions aren't overblown, but I easily imagine myself wandering through a dense fog and coming across the graveyard. In the past couple of years her books have been re-issued with new covers, hopefully her works will attract attention from a newer generation.
Originally published in 1971, the worldviews and conversations are a bit antiquated, though I'm sure at the time they were very hip and modern. A woman who can change a tire? How shocking!
Joanne receives a call from her rich brother-in-law Ran that her sister Mary who has recently suffered her third miscarriage is having problems. He's moved his grief-stricken wife to one of his family's old homes on a tiny island off the coast of Maine.
The home is slightly isolated, built near cliffs, and has a lovely attic full of family papers. Just perfect for a spooky gothic mystery.
A spooky it is when Mary tells Joanne she's been hearing a child crying and his name is Kevin. Add to that a mysterious cloaked figure who wanders near a family graveyard and Mary's increasingly eratic behaviour, Joanne and Will, the island doctor have their hands full as they try to determine if Mary is insane, or if ghosts can be real.
For all my sarcasm, I really did enjoy this book. Michaels descriptions aren't overblown, but I easily imagine myself wandering through a dense fog and coming across the graveyard. In the past couple of years her books have been re-issued with new covers, hopefully her works will attract attention from a newer generation.
May 27, 2013
This is one of my favorite Barbara Michaels and one I've reread over and over. The story starts with Jo arriving on the island to cheer up her sister after a miscarriage and wind up in a full fledged ghost story with a big family secret. The characters are all likable (with the exception of Anne who irritated me) and sympathetic (not excluding Anne).
May 20, 2019
I thought this book was a very good mystery/ghost story. The author did a very good job at setting the scenes for the ghost mystery. Even though you had an idea that certain things were going to happen, when they did happen it’s still managed to scare me. Ghost stories don’t scare me easily but this book did give me a little bit of a fright. I would definitely read other mysteries by this author.
March 6, 2024
What better thing to do when you are home alone and you can see that fog is rolling in than to pull a cozy gothic ghost story off the shelf and get lost in that story? That's precisely what I did and, as usual, Barbara Michaels did not disappoint, no matter which name she happens to be writing under! This one is both creepy and predictable and that is just fine by me when I want to get a shiver but race through a story. I did find a few gems tucked in the pages..
"There is something very seductive about being allowed to talk about yourself, by someone who really listens."
"All this mystique about old families and blue blood and William the Conquerer...What was so great about William the Conquerer anyhow? He was just a bloody minded illiterate killer like all the other antique kings people are so anxious to add to their family trees." (Preach it sister!)
"Damn it, Doctor, you can't help Mary if you won't face the fact that people are sentimental and primitive adn uncritical. Our sophistication is a veneer; when trouble strikes, we revert to the emotional patterns of the Middle Ages, or before. I don't know what you think about the soul, or survival after death, or anything like that; the important thing is what Mary believes. I know how she feels because I have the same weaknesses. The idea of death as a journey - it's only a figure of speech, to describe a transition that is otherwise incomprehensible. But it isn't just an academic description; it has a more complex meaning to some of us. And then when we think about the children...It must be terrible to see them start on such a long, long journey, when we never even let them out of the front yard alone. In the dark nights, with rain or snow falling, the thought is unbearable. And no matter how fine a place Heaven may be, we can't believe that they won't feel strange and lonesome there."
"As I sat in the misty darkness I could hear the foghorn still, even though doors and windows were closed. I began to feel like a character in one of those gloomy O'Neill plays; I remember one in which the foghorn hoots, with monotonous misery, through the entire second act. It's an extremely effective theatrical device for creating a mood of utter depression." (I read this line and suddenly all the memories of my "O'Neill" period washed through my brain and it was a fun few moments of reflection.)
"There is something very seductive about being allowed to talk about yourself, by someone who really listens."
"All this mystique about old families and blue blood and William the Conquerer...What was so great about William the Conquerer anyhow? He was just a bloody minded illiterate killer like all the other antique kings people are so anxious to add to their family trees." (Preach it sister!)
"Damn it, Doctor, you can't help Mary if you won't face the fact that people are sentimental and primitive adn uncritical. Our sophistication is a veneer; when trouble strikes, we revert to the emotional patterns of the Middle Ages, or before. I don't know what you think about the soul, or survival after death, or anything like that; the important thing is what Mary believes. I know how she feels because I have the same weaknesses. The idea of death as a journey - it's only a figure of speech, to describe a transition that is otherwise incomprehensible. But it isn't just an academic description; it has a more complex meaning to some of us. And then when we think about the children...It must be terrible to see them start on such a long, long journey, when we never even let them out of the front yard alone. In the dark nights, with rain or snow falling, the thought is unbearable. And no matter how fine a place Heaven may be, we can't believe that they won't feel strange and lonesome there."
"As I sat in the misty darkness I could hear the foghorn still, even though doors and windows were closed. I began to feel like a character in one of those gloomy O'Neill plays; I remember one in which the foghorn hoots, with monotonous misery, through the entire second act. It's an extremely effective theatrical device for creating a mood of utter depression." (I read this line and suddenly all the memories of my "O'Neill" period washed through my brain and it was a fun few moments of reflection.)
April 22, 2025
Suomennettu nimellä Kuka itkee yössä?, Weilin+Göös, 1973.
Tämä on nyt kolmas lukeman Barbara Michaelsin (Elizabeth Peters) kirja ja luultavasti tähän asti viihdyttävin. Kirja oli sisällöltään juuri sitä mitä odotinkin. Oli vanha kartano, sukusalaisuuksia, orastavaa romantiikkaa ja lievää kummittelua. Tosin tässä kirjassa kummittelua oli enemmän kuin edellisissä, jopa sen verran että kirjan voi sanoa sisältävän kauhua.
Kirjan sankaritar on Michaelsille tyypilliseen tapaan omatoiminen ja pärjäävä Joanne, parikymppinen taiteilija, joka lähtee syrjäiselle saarelle sisarensa seuraksi. Mary-sisar ja hänen upporikas aviomiehensä Ran ovat kohdanneet jo kolmannen keskenmenon ja näyttää siltä että menetykset ovat alkaneet vaikuttaa Maryn mielenterveyteen. Kuten jo kirjan otsikko jossain määrin spoilaa, saaren yössä kuuluu lapsen itkua jonka Maryn lisäksi havaitsevat pian muutkin talon asukkaat.
Kirja oli nopealukuinen ja oikein viihdyttävä, jatkanen Michaelsin kirjojen parissa aina kun näitä kohdalle osuu.
Tämä on nyt kolmas lukeman Barbara Michaelsin (Elizabeth Peters) kirja ja luultavasti tähän asti viihdyttävin. Kirja oli sisällöltään juuri sitä mitä odotinkin. Oli vanha kartano, sukusalaisuuksia, orastavaa romantiikkaa ja lievää kummittelua. Tosin tässä kirjassa kummittelua oli enemmän kuin edellisissä, jopa sen verran että kirjan voi sanoa sisältävän kauhua.
Kirjan sankaritar on Michaelsille tyypilliseen tapaan omatoiminen ja pärjäävä Joanne, parikymppinen taiteilija, joka lähtee syrjäiselle saarelle sisarensa seuraksi. Mary-sisar ja hänen upporikas aviomiehensä Ran ovat kohdanneet jo kolmannen keskenmenon ja näyttää siltä että menetykset ovat alkaneet vaikuttaa Maryn mielenterveyteen. Kuten jo kirjan otsikko jossain määrin spoilaa, saaren yössä kuuluu lapsen itkua jonka Maryn lisäksi havaitsevat pian muutkin talon asukkaat.
Kirja oli nopealukuinen ja oikein viihdyttävä, jatkanen Michaelsin kirjojen parissa aina kun näitä kohdalle osuu.
December 5, 2021
Yet another Barbara Michaels reread. This is one that I remember as being in the middle of the pack. I remembered enjoying it (and that I found it quite creepy), but not loving it. The reread didn't change things.
Nice characters, but mostly not particularly remarkable ones (exceptions: I adored Mrs Willard and her husband Jed -like the heroine, I fell a little bit in love with the man). The mystery was interesting, and it has the typical Michaels element I like of a disparate group who soon accept that something supernatural is going on and investigate the past for clues of what it is, and how to fix it. That said, I thought that could have been a bit more developed, and some things were described in ways that felt at the same time a bit coy and silly, and which haven't aged that well.
I was wavering between a B- and a B for this one (I guess in Goodreads stars it's a 3.5), but I will round up.
Nice characters, but mostly not particularly remarkable ones (exceptions: I adored Mrs Willard and her husband Jed -like the heroine, I fell a little bit in love with the man). The mystery was interesting, and it has the typical Michaels element I like of a disparate group who soon accept that something supernatural is going on and investigate the past for clues of what it is, and how to fix it. That said, I thought that could have been a bit more developed, and some things were described in ways that felt at the same time a bit coy and silly, and which haven't aged that well.
I was wavering between a B- and a B for this one (I guess in Goodreads stars it's a 3.5), but I will round up.
June 1, 2023
Thoughts: I struggled with this book but wanted to persevere as I had not read any books by this author (under either her own name Barbara Mertz or her pseudonyms of Barbara Michaels or Elizabeth Peters). With an impressive amount of published books I thought I’d like to try one and when this copy was available through my local charity bookcase I thought it would be perfect to try.
However, I struggled with continuity of when the book was supposed to be written as it felt very old, turn of the century maybe but then there were references to the Beatles no longer being new music and I was left confused as to when it’s supposed to be. There was nothing I could feel wrong with the plot or story though so I may just not be a fan of the writing style or this particular story.
Favourite Quote:
"It is very hard to reverse every rational conviction you have ever held, overnight."
However, I struggled with continuity of when the book was supposed to be written as it felt very old, turn of the century maybe but then there were references to the Beatles no longer being new music and I was left confused as to when it’s supposed to be. There was nothing I could feel wrong with the plot or story though so I may just not be a fan of the writing style or this particular story.
Favourite Quote:
"It is very hard to reverse every rational conviction you have ever held, overnight."
January 10, 2020
I enjoyed this story but felt it was a bit slow moving. I loved the idea of the story more than anything. I love stories that involve something that happened in the past. I love when they go back to look at what happened in the past to dig out secrets by look into genealogy or long forgotten items that have been stored away. This book wasn't very long but it sure seemed to take longer to get to the next stage of the story. I kept putting it down but I've read bigger books in shorter times; the story just kept losing my interest. I enjoyed the ending as it wasn't what I expected and not something I've read before in another book.
November 14, 2021
I spent most of the book looking for the gimmick and not finding it, so I have to say this was a surprising but enjoyable read. I couldn't quite get into the characters as much as I usually like, mainly because it was almost completely from one character's viewpoint which made it read like "first person" when it wasn't. The story was great, however, so, when you enjoy reading something this much, that should be enough in spite of the little bit of carping I am doing here.
November 14, 2017
I found this to be a very chilling tale. I couldn't put this book down and I look forward to reading other titles by Mrs. Michaels. This is a page-turning, well paced, mystery complete with researched historical events that fit perfectly. The suspense is amazing as you find there are more than plenty of suspects, but that you never suspected the actual evil doer.
November 18, 2019
Sometimes I get a craving for old school gothic novels, and I’ve enjoyed Barbara Michaels books in the past. That being said, I enjoyed some elements of this, but I was bored as well. I liked Jo the main character, but she got fobbed off into an undeveloped relationship with a guy who was lowkey misogynistic. What a catch.
September 23, 2022
While I love Barbara Mertz's books, I usually feel a little letdown by the endings of her "Barbara Michaels" suspense books because they're either abrupt, unsatisfying, or both. This one takes the cake, although I thought it was great until the final chapter. It's nicely atmospheric and a fun read, but you should approach it with the attitude that the journey is more important than the ending.
October 17, 2025
A surprisingly enjoyable read for what it was. I appreciated the nuance to the characters, the subtle themes presented in book, and I liked the way the story twisted into its final climax. It had everything I love to see in a 70s gothic paperback.
My copy has different cover art from any recorded editions here on Goodreads which is a shame, bc the cover is absolute fire!
My copy has different cover art from any recorded editions here on Goodreads which is a shame, bc the cover is absolute fire!
February 27, 2018
Disappointed with the ending. The book started out so well too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 7, 2020
First published in 1971 and unfortunately did not age well.
July 15, 2021
Gewohnt gruslig und gut.
Neu erschienen als ebook unter "Die Töchter von King's Island".
Neu erschienen als ebook unter "Die Töchter von King's Island".
January 20, 2022
3.5. Not a favorite, too much of a rush to the end, not to mention coincidences and a meh romance, but still entertaining. Good rainy day read and amazingly one I'd never read before.
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