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At the Sign of the Jack O' Lantern
For newlyweds Harlan and Dorothy Carr, inheriting a grand country home from a distant relative seems like a dream come true—a chance for respite from the hustle and bustle of New York City, for Harlan to pen his first novel in peaceful quiet, and for Dorothy to try her hand at farming. But Uncle Ebeneezer’s house is nothing like they imagined, and quickly turns out to be more than they bargained for!
For one thing, Dorothy swears the eyes of Uncle Ebeneezer’s portrait are watching her—in fact, she can’t help but feel that Uncle has never really left the house at all. For another, a beautiful woman who seems to have stepped right out of the pages of Harlan’s novel appears at their doorstep, and immediately causes tension between the newlyweds. And a stream of eccentric visitors claiming to be Uncle Ebeneezer’s other relations begin arriving, driving Dorothy and Harlan to distraction by day, and secretly searching for the treasure they’re sure Uncle Ebeneezer left behind by night. Add to that a superstitious housekeeper, a cat who may or may not have come back from the dead, and a devious plan for revenge served from beyond the grave, and you’ve got the ingredients for a hilariously haunting good time!
For one thing, Dorothy swears the eyes of Uncle Ebeneezer’s portrait are watching her—in fact, she can’t help but feel that Uncle has never really left the house at all. For another, a beautiful woman who seems to have stepped right out of the pages of Harlan’s novel appears at their doorstep, and immediately causes tension between the newlyweds. And a stream of eccentric visitors claiming to be Uncle Ebeneezer’s other relations begin arriving, driving Dorothy and Harlan to distraction by day, and secretly searching for the treasure they’re sure Uncle Ebeneezer left behind by night. Add to that a superstitious housekeeper, a cat who may or may not have come back from the dead, and a devious plan for revenge served from beyond the grave, and you’ve got the ingredients for a hilariously haunting good time!
366 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1902
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About the author
Edwin Muir
143 books31 followersEdwin Muir, Orcadian poet, novelist and translator noted, together with his wife Willa Anderson, for making Franz Kafka available in English.
Between 1921 and 1923, Muir lived in Prague, Dresden, Italy, Salzburg and Vienna; he returned to the UK in 1924. Between 1925 and 1956, Muir published seven volumes of poetry which were collected after his death and published in 1991 as The Complete Poems of Edwin Muir. From 1927 to 1932 he published three novels, and in 1935 he came to St Andrews, where he produced his controversial Scott and Scotland (1936).
Between 1921 and 1923, Muir lived in Prague, Dresden, Italy, Salzburg and Vienna; he returned to the UK in 1924. Between 1925 and 1956, Muir published seven volumes of poetry which were collected after his death and published in 1991 as The Complete Poems of Edwin Muir. From 1927 to 1932 he published three novels, and in 1935 he came to St Andrews, where he produced his controversial Scott and Scotland (1936).
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 5, 2015
I meant to read this last year but I ran out of October before I could get to it. I am not sure what I was expecting from this book about a newly married couple who inherit a huge old house whose front windows are designed in such a way that it looks like a grinning face leering out into the night. Ghosts and goblins? Hauntings and spooks? A locked room mystery and hidden passages? I thought about all of these things, and as I read along, I saw with approval the arrival of the housekeeper, stern and forbidding: surely she will be a main component of the creepiness that will turn up at any moment?! And then there's that cat, turning up in the middle of the very first night...where did it come from? Why is it there? And why does the sight of it bother the housekeeper so much?
Well, although my questions about the cat were valid, this book was nothing at all what I thought it might be. Our young couple, Dorothy and Harlan, are soon inundated with a motley crew of 'Relations' who had spent every summer in the house for years, and certainly don't plan to stop coming now simply because old Uncle Ebeneezer has up and died and left the house to Harlan. The story revolves around the efforts made by the Relations to find the money that is surely hidden somewhere in the house just for them, misunderstandings between this one that one and two or three others, and the gradual revealing of Uncle Ebeneezer's carefully laid plans, put into action at the proper time by his old lawyer.
This book seemed to want to be a spooky story, it certainly gave hints of such a character in the first chapters. But it settled into a slightly goofy farce, with the Relations taking over not only the house but the story itself. Although I did enjoy Mrs. Dodd, the widow who had been married seven times and who shared a great deal of her hard-earned wisdom with young Dorothy. I really think she should have her own book, she was a hoot. Here she is talking about husband number three, I believe it was: After we was married, we took a honeymoon to his folks, an’ I’ll tell you right now, my dear, that if there was more honeymoons took beforehand to each other’s folks, there’d be less marryin’ done than what there is.
Everything works out just the way Uncle Ebeneezer wanted it, even the cat was happy in the end. Well, I think so, anyway. He up and disappeared right after the Big Reveal, and he had been very much involved all along. Could he really have been....the housekeeper did say that the cat actually resembled....nah, that's silly. Isn't it?
Well, although my questions about the cat were valid, this book was nothing at all what I thought it might be. Our young couple, Dorothy and Harlan, are soon inundated with a motley crew of 'Relations' who had spent every summer in the house for years, and certainly don't plan to stop coming now simply because old Uncle Ebeneezer has up and died and left the house to Harlan. The story revolves around the efforts made by the Relations to find the money that is surely hidden somewhere in the house just for them, misunderstandings between this one that one and two or three others, and the gradual revealing of Uncle Ebeneezer's carefully laid plans, put into action at the proper time by his old lawyer.
This book seemed to want to be a spooky story, it certainly gave hints of such a character in the first chapters. But it settled into a slightly goofy farce, with the Relations taking over not only the house but the story itself. Although I did enjoy Mrs. Dodd, the widow who had been married seven times and who shared a great deal of her hard-earned wisdom with young Dorothy. I really think she should have her own book, she was a hoot. Here she is talking about husband number three, I believe it was: After we was married, we took a honeymoon to his folks, an’ I’ll tell you right now, my dear, that if there was more honeymoons took beforehand to each other’s folks, there’d be less marryin’ done than what there is.
Everything works out just the way Uncle Ebeneezer wanted it, even the cat was happy in the end. Well, I think so, anyway. He up and disappeared right after the Big Reveal, and he had been very much involved all along. Could he really have been....the housekeeper did say that the cat actually resembled....nah, that's silly. Isn't it?
July 21, 2022
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 10, 2015
I selected this title for the Legacy Vintage Collection, and I adore it! Newlyweds Harlan and Dorothy Carr have no idea what they're getting into when they inherit an old house from a distant relative and decide to spend a summer there to escape the city life, because it turns out that even though Uncle Ebeneezer is dead and gone, he still has plans for his house! The story is filled with colorful characters and biting wit, and more than a little tension for the newly married couple. Set in New York at the turn of the twentieth century, it's a treat for lovers of historical fiction, mystery, and romance!
April 9, 2013
Utter slosh.
August 27, 2013
Myrtle Reed writes old fashioned stories with--sometimes--a bit too much sugar. I used to devour them in great quantities but now I fancy one only now and then.
At the Sign of the Jack O' Lantern is different than her other books. The story follows a newly married couple to a newly inherited house. A slightly creepy old house that quickly fills with more than slightly unsavory guests. Uncle Ebeneezer has left the house to Harlin and Dorothy, but they've also inherited his uninvited summer visitors. There are newly wed misunderstandings, uncontrolled children, secrets, and a book-in-progress.
This book has a slightly gothic feel to--very gentle gothic--and some good humor. I like the female main character and the cat and I found the secondary characters interesting and--mostly--infuriating.
I'd give parts of the book five stars. My four star rating would stand more firmly on its feet were it not for one thing: the male main character is a writer, and there are examples given of the great book he is writing. Only it's not a great book, see? And another character is a poet, and there are examples given of his poetry. Quite dreadful poetry, see? And these parts bring the book down almost to a three star rating.
So my advice: Skim the boring parts and enjoy the rest. Oh, and if you can arrange to tweak a few noses and kick a few shins on your ramble through the house, I give you my thanks in advance.
At the Sign of the Jack O' Lantern is different than her other books. The story follows a newly married couple to a newly inherited house. A slightly creepy old house that quickly fills with more than slightly unsavory guests. Uncle Ebeneezer has left the house to Harlin and Dorothy, but they've also inherited his uninvited summer visitors. There are newly wed misunderstandings, uncontrolled children, secrets, and a book-in-progress.
This book has a slightly gothic feel to--very gentle gothic--and some good humor. I like the female main character and the cat and I found the secondary characters interesting and--mostly--infuriating.
I'd give parts of the book five stars. My four star rating would stand more firmly on its feet were it not for one thing: the male main character is a writer, and there are examples given of the great book he is writing. Only it's not a great book, see? And another character is a poet, and there are examples given of his poetry. Quite dreadful poetry, see? And these parts bring the book down almost to a three star rating.
So my advice: Skim the boring parts and enjoy the rest. Oh, and if you can arrange to tweak a few noses and kick a few shins on your ramble through the house, I give you my thanks in advance.
February 5, 2014
"The story follows a newly married couple to a newly inherited house. A slightly creepy old house that quickly fills with more than slightly unsavory guests. Uncle Ebenezer has left the house to Harlin and Dorothy, but they've also inherited his uninvited summer visitors. There are newlywed misunderstandings, uncontrolled children, secrets, and a book-in-progress."
This was such a pure pleasure to read. As old as it is --- it still applies to today and today's families....had me chuckling and laughing out loud and remembering relatives on both sides of our family! Don't believe will ever go out of style. Myrtle Reed really writes in a classical style! Believe anyone would enjoy this book!
This was such a pure pleasure to read. As old as it is --- it still applies to today and today's families....had me chuckling and laughing out loud and remembering relatives on both sides of our family! Don't believe will ever go out of style. Myrtle Reed really writes in a classical style! Believe anyone would enjoy this book!
October 15, 2015
I just can't do it!
I can forgive just about anything in a book (on occasion even bad writing) other than being boring. & this novel is beyond tedious, populated by people with bizarre motivations who I just don't care about. It's also very dated & old fashioned. This book is starting -gasp!- to make me not want to read!
DNF 34%.
I can forgive just about anything in a book (on occasion even bad writing) other than being boring. & this novel is beyond tedious, populated by people with bizarre motivations who I just don't care about. It's also very dated & old fashioned. This book is starting -gasp!- to make me not want to read!
DNF 34%.
October 2, 2013
Funny with satire and an abundance of misfit characters. A perfect choice for those who enjoy adding books onto their Halloween reads list. 3.5 stars
July 29, 2022
I really enjoyed this book- it’s a good solid 3 stars for me. It’s no Anthony Trollope, nor any other masters of a novel but it is interesting reading. I read most Victorian-era fiction and this one seems almost modern as I believe it was published right on the cusp of the 20th century.
I listened to this free audiobook provided by LibriVox.org. All LibriVox books are in the public domain, and are read by volunteers.
At times this book reminds me of a farce stage play, such as The Importance of being Earnest, for example. There’s a particular scene that I can really see fitting in with that genre- once you have read the book, perhaps you will agree - the one where Dick is an observer to a hilarious scene.
This is my take- leave me a comment and let me know yours!
I listened to this free audiobook provided by LibriVox.org. All LibriVox books are in the public domain, and are read by volunteers.
At times this book reminds me of a farce stage play, such as The Importance of being Earnest, for example. There’s a particular scene that I can really see fitting in with that genre- once you have read the book, perhaps you will agree - the one where Dick is an observer to a hilarious scene.
This is my take- leave me a comment and let me know yours!
July 28, 2018
Well, this is my 6th Myrtle Reed book this summer. I found a whole collection of her pretty little books in an antique store and thought they'd be a welcomed summertime distraction from all the dark, heavy bestsellers my book clubs have been reading. And they were...at first. Simple love stories from a much simpler time. But after reading several in succession, theyve begun to get quite boring & predictable. Every single one of her books involves a heroine (or hero) who abandons his or her paltry career as a small time journalist to take off for some wonderfully convenient or inherited place in order to write the great American novel. Really...?
Now, I get that Reed herself was a journalist turned novelist, so the theme is not lost on me, but every single book??? And always the most wonderful of circumstances i.e. An unknown relative who just happens to be rich endows our struggling writer with means so he/she can write, fall in love & marry all without a care for work. Nice gig if you can get it...
I am still tickled with her prose and language arts, a wonderful command of vocabulary and accents from particular regions, but I've grown bored of the predictability and unlikely circumstances.
Now, I get that Reed herself was a journalist turned novelist, so the theme is not lost on me, but every single book??? And always the most wonderful of circumstances i.e. An unknown relative who just happens to be rich endows our struggling writer with means so he/she can write, fall in love & marry all without a care for work. Nice gig if you can get it...
I am still tickled with her prose and language arts, a wonderful command of vocabulary and accents from particular regions, but I've grown bored of the predictability and unlikely circumstances.
October 15, 2013
I thoroughly enjoyed this little, old-fashioned story. A young couple have just inherited a large home. He is eager to begin a career as a novelist, she is eager to begin her life as a homemaker. Unbeknownest to them, they have also inherited all the relatives who come to stay for several months each year during the summer. Their lives become more and more frantic, and the house more and more chaotic. This is a charming tale with just a touch of a ghost story in the resolution. A lovely, light read for October.
October 15, 2012
New Release just in time for Halloween! Originally published in 1902, At the Sign of the Jack o’ Lantern is a fun haunted house tale with an enchanting blend of humor, mystery, and tongue-in-cheek social commentary. The Legacy Vintage Collection Enhanced Edition has been professionally edited and formatted for your favorite e-reader and features a fun collection of full-color vintage Halloween postcards.
December 23, 2012
I own the original 1902 copy, which belonged to my great-great-aunt Gladys -- it was a childhood favorite of mine, and what a surprise to see it's been re-released in a new edition! I'm so glad, since it's such a funny, sprightly book and I've always thought it would still be popular if only people knew about it.
March 23, 2011
At the Sign of the Jack O'Lantern was published in 1905 and was Ms. Reed's ninth book published and probably one of her funniest. (Read my entire review here: http://libraryhospital.blogspot.com/2...)
August 22, 2012
I am really enjoying Myrtle Reeds books! They have a lot of humor and some interesting twists. This one had some fun turns in the plot. Reading her view of an author in the book, knowing her life story, was interesting too.
January 6, 2010
I thought the storyline was hilarious, the character development was brilliant, and the end fitting. Only four stars because it's not a "must read" by any stretch.
October 2, 2012
Very fun little book.
looks-interesting-maybe-read
October 14, 2012Free for Kindle
December 30, 2012
Very cute enjoyable book.
Read
March 16, 2014couldn't finish
October 4, 2018
Fun silly halloween story with humor, a bit of mystery, and romance. Done in the tone of Cold Comfort Farm.
Read
June 17, 2024Dickensian Character Depictions
As each new character is introduced, this book just gets better and better! At times I actually laughed out loud - not typical for me.
There is a *possibly* haunted cat, baffling architecture, and a slew of distantly related treasure hunters busily trying to pretend they aren't treasure hunting on their departed relative's property. The relationships among "The Relations" are dazzlingly entertaining.
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a while, and I'm delighted to have initially discovered it at a secondhand shop.
This book is a grand old gem indeed. However, the style in which it was written does reflect its time period. If you're not used to reading older books, it's a good light-hearted way to dip your toes in. If you are used to it, this should be a quick easy read!
Lastly - do look up this author's life story if you get a chance! Myrtle was an interesting sort, far ahead of her time. This book is a comedy, but Myrtle herself was not without tragedy.
Happy reading!
As each new character is introduced, this book just gets better and better! At times I actually laughed out loud - not typical for me.
There is a *possibly* haunted cat, baffling architecture, and a slew of distantly related treasure hunters busily trying to pretend they aren't treasure hunting on their departed relative's property. The relationships among "The Relations" are dazzlingly entertaining.
I haven't enjoyed a book this much in a while, and I'm delighted to have initially discovered it at a secondhand shop.
This book is a grand old gem indeed. However, the style in which it was written does reflect its time period. If you're not used to reading older books, it's a good light-hearted way to dip your toes in. If you are used to it, this should be a quick easy read!
Lastly - do look up this author's life story if you get a chance! Myrtle was an interesting sort, far ahead of her time. This book is a comedy, but Myrtle herself was not without tragedy.
Happy reading!
November 29, 2024
🖍️Fun story with a coherent plot. This book was made into a movie in 1922; directed by Lloyd Ingraham and starred Betsy Ross Clarke and Earl O. Schenck. It is a lost film.
📕 Published in 1905.
જ⁀➴🔵 The e-book version can be found at Internet Archive.
જ⁀➴🟢The e-book version can be found on Project Gutenberg.
🖋️ About Myrtle Reed: Born in Norwood Park, Illinois September 27, 1874. She passed away at her apartment 5120 N. Kenmore, Chicago (suicide) August 17, 1911 and was buried at Graceland Cemetery. An extensive article in Chicago Magazine by Dan Carlinsky gives much more information on the life, work, and death of Reed, which can be read here in “HELL IN PARADISE FLAT.” 🪦Some more information about Reed can also be found on this link at Find a Grave.
📕 Published in 1905.
જ⁀➴🔵 The e-book version can be found at Internet Archive.
જ⁀➴🟢The e-book version can be found on Project Gutenberg.
🖋️ About Myrtle Reed: Born in Norwood Park, Illinois September 27, 1874. She passed away at her apartment 5120 N. Kenmore, Chicago (suicide) August 17, 1911 and was buried at Graceland Cemetery. An extensive article in Chicago Magazine by Dan Carlinsky gives much more information on the life, work, and death of Reed, which can be read here in “HELL IN PARADISE FLAT.” 🪦Some more information about Reed can also be found on this link at Find a Grave.
December 5, 2024
Not my favorite from ole Myrtle. Wanted it to have spooky vibes and it didn’t.
A couple moves into the distant dead uncle’s home, only to be descended upon by tons of people who claim to be relatives and want to take advantage of uncle’s space and money. In the end, the uncle speaks from beyond the grave (through his lawyer leaving mysterious notes in the night) and basically tells everyone he could never stand them and to get out.
A couple moves into the distant dead uncle’s home, only to be descended upon by tons of people who claim to be relatives and want to take advantage of uncle’s space and money. In the end, the uncle speaks from beyond the grave (through his lawyer leaving mysterious notes in the night) and basically tells everyone he could never stand them and to get out.
November 5, 2021
Charming, weirdo, funny. I want to read all Reed's novels now.
February 25, 2024
Full video review available here: https://youtu.be/BG4rFQ_tVVA?si=d6FO8...
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews