The Amityville Horror II

by John G. Jones

George and Kathy Lutz flee their demon-plagued home only to face renewed terrors

Genres: Horror, Fiction, Paranormal, Supernatural, Thriller, Media Tie In, Fantasy

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1982

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m giving this a generous 2 stars. Certainly better written than the Jay Anson original, The Amityville Horror II presents many issues in a supposedly true story. The names of the kids have changed, which creates a problem in empathysising with them, as the reader is constantly trying to rectify them with the first book. The recreation of the climatic scene from the first is substantially different, so that one is trying to either forget the original events or creating a new series in their mind. The writing style of John G. Jones sets up a better atmosphere overall, as the tension and danger is palpable. However, there are too many scenes that go nowhere. At one point the little girl (either Missy or Amy, take your pick) is sick, yet there’s no follow up, just a jump of several weeks. This is a difficulty throughout the book, as the time jumps too far ahead and then references back to events not covered in the narrative. The Amityville Horror, both I and II, is a perfect example of poorly executed great story. There’s so much potential here for a great horror novel, let down by a terrible writing style and too many obvious inconsistencies.

[Angela Gascoigne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally loved this book and have read it around six times. It's been years since I last read I but I wonder if I'd be disappointed if indulged once again. Maybe I should keep the spooky memories locked away now. Or...maybe not!

[Nick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent sequel to original Jay Anson novel. It has some good elements but it didn't have the same "based on true events" feel to it. More outlandish. The entity from Amityville follows thee Lutz Family even after they moved. I remember a few scenes at the grandmothers house and in their car but nothing too lasting stuck in my head with this one.

10/18/21:
So as far as writing, I thought this book was vastly more entertaining than the original by Jay Anson. I still thought the dialogue was bad in that George and Kathy always called each other "babe" and that word accounted for 10% of the total words in the book LOL. This story continues the Lutz storyline as they leave Amityville. It changes the ending of the first one and goes into more detail of them leaving the home and that problems didnt start at Kathys mothers house, like in the original ending of the first book but instead started on the car ride there.

I thought the whole book tour and press conference and interviews were interesting. Even the lie detector scene was good and if true, very interesting to the validity of what the Lutz said and thought they experienced.

As far as Horror, we get a lot of the same old from the first book. Lots of flies, bad smells, and Jodie the pig is back. We get a cool ending with a Reverend that I wish was expanded upon as it was a little short for my taste.

3.5 stars

[William Gobbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would recommend reading Amityville Horror before reading this review



The Amityville Horror II was about George and Kathy Lutz and their experiences after staying in their Haunted house in Amityville. George was almost trapped by the evil when he tried to escape from the house.It also held him nearly suspended in time unable to move and speak upon his bed slowly draining his energy. Once he broke free the family made their escape. The Lutz's run away from the Horror that lurks in their small home. but when they think that it is gone. Things take a turn for the worst. The Evil reappears and starts to follow the Lutz's. The evil that once was inside the Amityville house has escaped and slowly haunts the Lutz's everywhere they go. In their vehicle and in the Mothers House. This evil is nearly impossible to stop but can it be defeated?

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in Horror. This book is filled with excitement and thrills. You may get scared but otherwise the book is true. When you first meet the Lutz's you can feel the terror and fear that fills their souls when the evil starts to over come the family slowly tearing them apart again and again.

I would give this book 5/5 because it contains the right amount of Horror and thrills to keep the reader into the book. When you start reading the book it recaps the first one then it gets right into the action and sucks the reader in. It continues that story of George and Kathy Lutz. Who's home in Amityville became a living hell causing them to vacate. Reading this story makes you wonder what has caused this evil? Why is it following the Lutz's? Is there anyone who can stop it? Read the book to find out! Be careful the evil could be anywhere!!!

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, especially if you need something creepy to read while you are camping and can't sleep.

[Tim Gunter · Rating 3 out of 5]

How one enjoys this book will probably largely factor in whether they go in thinking it is fact or fiction. As a story based on fact, I'd probably rate it a 1 due to certain absurdities, and the fact that the book almost feels like it needs to assure even itself that it and its predecessor are based on true events. If taken as a work of fiction, as I did, I give it the 3 I'm giving it here. Not the best haunting story I've read by a long shot, but interesting enough to keep me going and intrigues to eventually read through the ending of the trilogy.

[Suzie Q · Rating 3 out of 5]

Creepy, very creepy. Odd that the kids are given different names in this book than the first one.

[Dan R. Celhay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems to lead somewhere but it does not. The end seems rushed and predictable. Not that I expected too much of it. It is fine for easy casual reading.

[Dubzor · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok, so let's start by taking the first book, the "real story" of the Lutz's home in Amityville out of the equation on this. It will make things much easier to deal with. Ok? Good.

Everything in this book is utter horseshit. Every word of it, and it's not even subtly hidden either. It's so blatant in its fabrication that the final 100 pages nothing but hammering home "THIS IT TOTALLY REAL YOU GUYS AND YOU SHOULD FEEL AWFUL IF YOU DON'T THINK SO." Seriously, it's just sad.

Before you even get that far though, it's clear that something isn't right. Right from the first chapter, where they completely contradict their story about what happened on the final night in the house. Then add in the fact that the "evil power" wildly swings from serious events like possession and attempted murder, right back to the mundane like making someone misplace their keys before finally petering out into nothing more than make everyone have a string of, not even bad luck, but minor inconveniences. "Oh darn, I broke a heel." GASP!!! WHAT HORROR WILL THE FOUL DEMON COMMIT NEXT??

The sad thing is, it's not even entertaining in a way that you can laugh at it. It's a slog. A dull, repetitive slog that doesn't so much come to an end as the author simply just decides to stop writing.

So, yeah...I'd skip this one.

[Black Tea Lady ☕️📚 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Me encanta el primer libro y la película de Amityville de 1979, me traen muchos buenos recuerdos. Para continuar la historia en los siguientes libros que salieron, hay que ser verdadero fan. Desafortunadamente este libro no es muy bueno, la historia continúa cuando los Lutzes deben huir de casa en casa porque Jodie los viene siguiendo muy al estilo de The Haunted de Robert Curran de 1988. Hay muchos momentos repetitivos del libro anterior como olores fétidos, apariciones, objetos que vuelan, levitaciones, heridas y moretones, terrores nocturnos y la clásica hora de las brujas 3:15 am. Jodie aparece en sueños de George como un cerdo gigante de ojos rojos y extremadamente sucio con moscas volando alrededor sobre su pelaje manchado. Todo un Belcebú aparentemente. Al mismo tiempo, sale el libro de Amityville Horror y es un éxito tanto en ventas como en el cine. Para quitarse a Jodie de encima, los Lutzes terminan realizando una misa medio exorcista para liberarlos de estas fuerzas malignas.
Me tomó mucho tiempo retomarlo porque me aburrió el cliché aunque sea una de mis historias favoritas. Aún así es una colección que tengo impresa y me quedan 2 libros más por leer. Lo continuaré en otro momento.

[Ryan Stacy · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 ⭐️

[Bronwyn]

that anything is possible, and you have to decide if you believe it

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what an amazing sequel had me on the edge of my seat :)

[C.A. Baynam · Rating 5 out of 5]

John G. Jones’s The Amityville Horror II is an intense continuation of the chilling events that plagued the Lutz family after fleeing the infamous house. This sequel masterfully combines supernatural horror with psychological tension, offering readers a deeper look into the lingering trauma and the relentless evil that followed the family.

🚨 Spoilers Ahead! 🚨

The book picks up where the original story left off, with the Lutz family escaping the house in Amityville. However, their nightmare is far from over. The supernatural forces tied to the house begin to pursue them, manifesting in eerie and violent ways no matter where they go. From objects moving on their own to invisible entities attacking family members, the horrors escalate as the Lutzes desperately search for a way to break free from the curse.

Jones does an excellent job expanding on the lore of the Amityville house. He delves into its dark history, including ties to occult practices and Native American burial grounds, adding depth and context to the malevolent forces at play. The blend of real-life accounts and speculative elements creates a narrative that feels disturbingly plausible.

One of the most harrowing moments occurs when George and Kathy Lutz experience a near-fatal car attack, seemingly orchestrated by the same supernatural entity that tormented them in the house. The family’s unwavering faith and determination to protect one another stand as a testament to their courage amidst unimaginable terror.

Favorite Quote:
“The house may have let them go, but the evil wasn’t finished with them yet.”

This sequel is as gripping and unnerving as the original, though some readers might sometimes find the recounting of events repetitive. Nevertheless, The Amityville Horror II offers an unrelenting exploration of how evil can linger and adapt, ensuring that fans of the first book will find themselves thoroughly spooked once again.

#TheAmityvilleHorrorII #JohnGJones #HauntingReads #SupernaturalHorror #ChillingSequel 🏚️👻

[Yaaresse · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ah, almost forgot about this one. I don't usually go in for horror, but it seemed like everyone was reading these books or seeing the movies there for a while. (I wonder if the national fascination with demon possession and hauntings then was to counterbalance all the crooked television evangelists?)

With tongue firmly planted in cheek, I'm shelving it as non-fiction since that't the conceit with it. Frankly, I suspect the whole thing was an elaborate rouse. Maybe something did happen to the Lutz family, but I doubt it was as presented. This book was supposedly a "behind the scenes" that was supposed to both tell the "real" story and continue it from the original Amityville Horror, which was presented as a novelization "based on a true story." Jay Anson wrote the original and apparently saw no need to follow it up, but Jones and a couple other writer's wrote several follow-ups over the next couple of decades as court cases flew and shows such as "In Search Of" or "That's Incredible" would pull the thing out of the mothballs for another go round.

Basically, this is supposed to suggest that the "thing" that terrorized the Lutz family in Amityville followed them and continued to make trouble. It's really not that interesting (or spooky). Anson knew how to weave a truly--if not true--creepy story. Jones's extension read more like the milking of a cash cow.

[William Beck · Rating 2 out of 5]

With the first Amityville Horror, there are two ways in which you can explore it;
1. As a terrifying true story
Or
2. An interesting haunted house horror.
With this curious follow up novel, you’re left with the options of;
1. A continued true story
Or
2. A bizarre fan fiction continuing the supposed true story of the Lutz family.

I found this book a little distracting at times with how much it tries to convince you to believe option 1.
There are 2 separate instances in this book where characters appear seemingly just to deliver dialogue along the lines of “wow this event was real and the Lutz family were right all along!”. This includes a lie detector test with an entire page devoted to explaining how irrefutable they are as evidence, and a sequence of people revisiting the house to find the horrors still occurring. This was certainly better written to how I remember the original story being, with some decent lines building tension. But it never lasts long, and the final result is just a little underwhelming whether taken as a true account, or even as a haunting on its own merits.

I don’t regret my curiosity in reading it, but this is not one that will hold the continued interest as the original story.

[Mikepottz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fact or fiction? I still can't say but there are some intriguing moments on both sides. A malevolent force with evil intent start terrifying the Lutz family and after 28 days leave the house in the middle of the night leaving all possessions behind. A imagery friend or evil entity with stay with the youngest daughter. Coldness will constantly envelope the family, impenetrable invisible walls will appear, demon like figures will materialise in fire, thick blackness will ooze across rooms. The nightmares and headaches will penetrate their skull like a sickening electric drill plunging into the softness of the brain. They will sell their story, pass a lie detector, go on tour telling their story and get exorcised by the unstoppable power within. The six people shot dead lying face down has some unexplored questions.

[B.J. Burgess · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's been over 20 years since I had read Jay Anson's The Amityville Horror, so I cannot tell you if the official sequel is better or worse. I will say that as an '80s horror novel, The Amityville Horror II is mediocre. John G. Jones tries his best to build suspense out of a half-concocted plot. There are only a few horror scenes, and the rest of the story is full of over-the-top melodrama that I could care less about, except for the paranormal couple. I'm taking a wild guess that these characters are representing Ed and Lorraine Warren. Their names were probably changed, just like the Lutz children. I still can't wrap my mind around why the children's names were changed.

Overall, The Amityville Horror II is a misguided sequel that's low on scares, in a similar vein to all the sequel films. Did I get some enjoyment out of reading it? Sure! I have a fondness for '80s horror, so I did enjoy it to some degree.

Read my full review at https://www.coffeeaddictedwriter.com/....

[Naomi · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've had a casual interest in the Lutzes' story for a long time. I know it was a hoax, but I'm fascinated how much it's carried on over 50 years. So I know enough of the history to see how much BS- sorry, fictionalized truth- this book tries to sell you.
Featuring:
-details that contradict each other between chapters
-physical descriptions that match the actors in the movie but not the real people
-repeated attempts to make George sound like father of the year (when it's way more likely he was abusive)
-pointless snake encounters(?!) & dream sequences
-other just plain awkward writing
-complaining about all the press attention and questions they're getting... for a story they started...

Skip this and watch a decent documentary about the story and fallout instead.

[Katie Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think anyone who enjoyed the original Amityville book would enjoy this sequel, although it is not by the same author. It was really interesting to learn more about the Lutz family and what their lives were like post-Amityville, adjusting to their new celebrity (or infamy) and trying to escape the evil forces that continued to plague them. One of the more interesting scenes was the Warrens' investigation of the house. Although they gave them made up names in the book, anyone who knows much about the story knows who they are. They should have made a movie out of this story instead of the nonsense some of the sequels devolved into.

[Paul · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yeah, some things are better in your memory. I was probably too young to read this when it first came out, but read it I did. Now that we more or less acknowledge that the original Amityville was so much hooey, you can only judge this as a horror book. It's not very good. There's no build, and there's no character building. It has all the failings of every sequel that just assumes your emotional investment in the characters and doesn't bother to write the book with potential new readers in mind. And, frankly, the book isn't terrifying as much as glum with nothing working, everybody miserable, it just gets repetitive.

[Chantal1 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ja trouvé le premier livre plus intéressant. Dans cette suite, on nous raconte ce qui arrive aux Lutz après qu'ils aient quittés leur maison d'Amityville. Intéressant à lire, mais sans plus. Peu de scènes d'horreur, et celles qu'il y a ne font pas vraiment peur. Livre qui semble avoir été écrit à la va-vite.

[Todd R · Rating 1 out of 5]

The not so bad writing could have been used to tell a fun story, instead every page started with a demonic event that was predictably boring. After the second chapter I was yawning from the lackluster frightening nonsense. Which is disappointing because I was looking forward to reading all of the books in this series...but not now.

[Zack · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one is interesting because it represents the Lutzes attempting to take back control of the narrative after they felt they'd been misrepresented in the first book, or maybe they just didn't like the way the storm of publicity was going.

[Scott Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

The continuing story of the Lutz family and the evil of Amityville that followed them when they fled Long Island and moved across the country to California

Not a bad book, you have to take it with a pinch of salt but a entertaining read none the less

[Chad Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Less of a horror story and more of a survival story, The Amityville Horror II still manages to sneak in some good scares while presenting a more vivid and fascinating story than the original.

[Alex Dimaio · Rating 3 out of 5]

The ending was crap

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was very much into this entire story. The fact that it is based on true events made me even more unable to put it down! Read the entire thing in a day! Very cool ride!

[Allison Church · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh...just...meh...

[Bryson Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good leaves off right ag the end of the last one