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The Night Visitors
The latest thriller from the internationally bestselling author of The Lake of Dead Languages and The Other Mother, a story of mistaken identities and missed chances, forgiveness, and vengeance.
ALICE gets off a bus in the middle of a snowstorm in Delphi, NY. She is fleeing an abusive relationship and desperate to protect...
OREN, ten years old, a major Star Wars fan and wise beyond his years. Though Alice is wary, Oren bonds nearly instantly with...
MATTIE, a social worker in her fifties who lives in an enormous run-down house in the middle of the woods. Mattie lives alone and is always available, and so she is the person the hotline always calls when they need a late-night pickup. And although according to protocol Mattie should take Alice and Oren to a local shelter, instead she brings them home for the night. She has plenty of room, she says. What she doesn't say is that Oren reminds her of her little brother, who died thirty years ago at the age of ten.
But Mattie isn't the only one withholding elements of the truth. Alice is keeping her own secrets. And as the snowstorm worsens around them, each woman's past will prove itself unburied, stirring up threats both within and without.
290 pages, Hardcover
First published March 26, 2019
440 people are currently reading
9632 people want to read
About the author
Carol Goodman
35 books2,903 followersCarol Goodman is the author of The Lake of Dead Languages, The Seduction of Water, which won the Hammett Prize, The Widow's House, which won the Mary Higgins Clark Award and The Night Visitors, which won the Mary Higgins Clark Award. She is also the co-author, with her husband Lee Slonimsky, of the Watchtower fantasy trilogy. Her work has appeared in such journals as The Greensboro Review, Literal Latte, The Midwest Quarterly, and Other Voices. After graduation from Vassar College, where she majored in Latin, she taught Latin for several years in Austin, Texas. She then received an M.F.A. in fiction from the New School University. Goodman currently teaches literature and writing at The New School and SUNY New Paltz and lives with her family in the Hudson Valley.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 570 reviews
May 31, 2019
***NOW AVAILABLE***
This is the first book by Ms. Goodman that I have read and it was a cleverly done thriller but so much more!
Oren and Alice are on the run for their lives through an ever increasing blizzard. Alice has finally found a way to rescue Oren from his abusive father even though her own life may now be in jeopardy. They have left behind a dead body, but whose, in the end, is it???
The story is told from two points of view, Alice and Mattie. Mattie is a kind soul, living in a run down, once beautiful Victorian house in a small town in the Catskills. She is a social worker who now usually only consults on cases and helps to find placement for victims.
However on the night that Oren and Alice arrive a blizzard is ever increasing and bending the rules, she decides that Oren and Alice should stay with her at least until morning. Alice is terrified that they will be found. Mattie tries to reassure her “I understand”, Mattie says, “Everyone in our network understands. Your whereabouts will be kept completely confidential.”
I don’t want to spoil even a minute of this twisty, come-out-of-nowhere plot for any future readers but this was a brilliantly plotted novel. There is even a bit of the supernatural, just enough to make things that much more interesting.
This book deals with child and domestic abuse and is careful in pointing out all of the self-guilt and constant fear that lives in the minds of those that are abused for the rest of their lives. I felt as though I knew, perhaps, just a little bit more of how those that are abused view themselves.
However with the unwinding of the plot it also shows that there is help out there, in the form of social workers, police and others that work with the abused so that hopefully, those that are in trouble may find the courage to seek out that help. This story tugged at my heart which is unusual in a thriller. The characters of Alice, Mattie and Oren are so well developed that I felt many things for them, anger, frustration, fear and yet hope for the future.
I highly recommend this book not only for it’s quick moving plot and wonderful writing but also for the messages that it conveys.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
This is the first book by Ms. Goodman that I have read and it was a cleverly done thriller but so much more!
Oren and Alice are on the run for their lives through an ever increasing blizzard. Alice has finally found a way to rescue Oren from his abusive father even though her own life may now be in jeopardy. They have left behind a dead body, but whose, in the end, is it???
The story is told from two points of view, Alice and Mattie. Mattie is a kind soul, living in a run down, once beautiful Victorian house in a small town in the Catskills. She is a social worker who now usually only consults on cases and helps to find placement for victims.
However on the night that Oren and Alice arrive a blizzard is ever increasing and bending the rules, she decides that Oren and Alice should stay with her at least until morning. Alice is terrified that they will be found. Mattie tries to reassure her “I understand”, Mattie says, “Everyone in our network understands. Your whereabouts will be kept completely confidential.”
I don’t want to spoil even a minute of this twisty, come-out-of-nowhere plot for any future readers but this was a brilliantly plotted novel. There is even a bit of the supernatural, just enough to make things that much more interesting.
This book deals with child and domestic abuse and is careful in pointing out all of the self-guilt and constant fear that lives in the minds of those that are abused for the rest of their lives. I felt as though I knew, perhaps, just a little bit more of how those that are abused view themselves.
However with the unwinding of the plot it also shows that there is help out there, in the form of social workers, police and others that work with the abused so that hopefully, those that are in trouble may find the courage to seek out that help. This story tugged at my heart which is unusual in a thriller. The characters of Alice, Mattie and Oren are so well developed that I felt many things for them, anger, frustration, fear and yet hope for the future.
I highly recommend this book not only for it’s quick moving plot and wonderful writing but also for the messages that it conveys.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through Edelweiss.
May 3, 2019
Three lives intersect in a small town during the middle of a snowstorm but things aren’t always what they seem.
Alice is on the run, fleeing from an abusive relationship and with her is the 10 year old Oren. They arrive at the little town of Delphi, where they meet Mattie, who acts as a volunteer at a women’s shelter and is charged with taking the two to a safe house. Instead, she abandons protocol and takes them back to her home. But Mattie isn't the only one holding secrets. Soon Mattie’s past collides with Alice’s present and chaos ensues.
The story begins on a promising note and the setting is absolutely spot on. When you have an old house in a small town, a raging snowstorm and somewhat creepy characters with dark secrets, you cannot go wrong. The story moves along nicely & the writer is able to create a unique thriller.
The story alternates between the perspectives of Alice and Mattie. The creepy atmosphere, the unreliable characters, with each one hiding their secrets, give a feeling of impending doom, all of which was well crafted by the author. As the story begins to unfold with more and more twists, you realize that nothing is what it seems to be.
In the second half of the novel though, the plot twists start getting more and more absurd and the story loses focus. The story’s entire premise starts falling apart with too many twists and coincidences. Truth be told, the story had immense potential even without these twists. Apart from the usual twists, there are some supernatural elements in this book as well; which I thought were never really explained till the end nor it had anything to do with rest of the story.
The frustrating part though is that many of ‘twists’ go unexplained in the end. It’s as if they were added for the sake of making the story more interesting, without meaning anything. As the story unfolded, it became clear that it is not going the way you thought it would. Even during the climax, there was no real sense of danger and it felt a bit convenient and forced.
All said & done, The Night Visitors is not a bad read. I loved the premise and the first half but the second half could have been a lot better. It still works as an enjoyable thriller with many enjoyable moments. 3.5 stars
Many thanks to the publishers William Morrow, the author Carol Goodman and Edelweiss for the ARC.
Alice is on the run, fleeing from an abusive relationship and with her is the 10 year old Oren. They arrive at the little town of Delphi, where they meet Mattie, who acts as a volunteer at a women’s shelter and is charged with taking the two to a safe house. Instead, she abandons protocol and takes them back to her home. But Mattie isn't the only one holding secrets. Soon Mattie’s past collides with Alice’s present and chaos ensues.
The story begins on a promising note and the setting is absolutely spot on. When you have an old house in a small town, a raging snowstorm and somewhat creepy characters with dark secrets, you cannot go wrong. The story moves along nicely & the writer is able to create a unique thriller.
The story alternates between the perspectives of Alice and Mattie. The creepy atmosphere, the unreliable characters, with each one hiding their secrets, give a feeling of impending doom, all of which was well crafted by the author. As the story begins to unfold with more and more twists, you realize that nothing is what it seems to be.
In the second half of the novel though, the plot twists start getting more and more absurd and the story loses focus. The story’s entire premise starts falling apart with too many twists and coincidences. Truth be told, the story had immense potential even without these twists. Apart from the usual twists, there are some supernatural elements in this book as well; which I thought were never really explained till the end nor it had anything to do with rest of the story.
The frustrating part though is that many of ‘twists’ go unexplained in the end. It’s as if they were added for the sake of making the story more interesting, without meaning anything. As the story unfolded, it became clear that it is not going the way you thought it would. Even during the climax, there was no real sense of danger and it felt a bit convenient and forced.
All said & done, The Night Visitors is not a bad read. I loved the premise and the first half but the second half could have been a lot better. It still works as an enjoyable thriller with many enjoyable moments. 3.5 stars
Many thanks to the publishers William Morrow, the author Carol Goodman and Edelweiss for the ARC.
April 24, 2019
An Erie and atmospheric thriller.Brimming with tension and peppered with the supernatural!
Carol Goodman has crafted a creepy and addictive tale that will keep you up far past your bedtime. Unique and clever, this is a story you don’t just read you experience. Miss Goodmans descriptive writing will have you shuttering and covered in goosebumps. The feeling of impending doom and the cold of the snow seep through the pages of this book.
There is an element of the Supernatural in this book that added the perfect amount of tension to the story.
Alice and Oren arrive in a small town in the Catskills by bus in the middle of the night. Mattie A complete stranger is waiting for them at the bus station. She works for an agency that finds placement for women and children fleaing domestic abuse. Mattie is immediately drawn to Oren, for that reason and the impending blizzard she takes them home with her rather than to the shelter. Mattie still lives in her family home, a once beautiful old Victorian now in need of much repair. The house was as much a character in the story as Mattie, Alice, and Oren. Each of these characters is hiding something and the truth might possibly put their lives in danger. Who can be trusted? And what will happen when the secrets are revealed?
A creepy house, a brutal snowstorm, intriguing characters, and dark secrets all make for a compelling story. I really liked both Alice and Mattie, But I was also suspicious of both of them throughout the book. Oren was an adorable kid and I loved his passion for Star Wars. I really wanted everything to work out for all these characters, I just wasn’t quite sure what that was? I loved how the layers of this story were peeled away and the truth was eventually laid bare. Towards the end of this book I was seriously on the edge of my seat, the tension was palpable, and the results startling.
A cunning tale that was simultaneously creepy and heartwarming. A unique thriller packed with twists and turns and a shocking end!
*** many thanks to William morrow for my copy of this book ***
Carol Goodman has crafted a creepy and addictive tale that will keep you up far past your bedtime. Unique and clever, this is a story you don’t just read you experience. Miss Goodmans descriptive writing will have you shuttering and covered in goosebumps. The feeling of impending doom and the cold of the snow seep through the pages of this book.
There is an element of the Supernatural in this book that added the perfect amount of tension to the story.
Alice and Oren arrive in a small town in the Catskills by bus in the middle of the night. Mattie A complete stranger is waiting for them at the bus station. She works for an agency that finds placement for women and children fleaing domestic abuse. Mattie is immediately drawn to Oren, for that reason and the impending blizzard she takes them home with her rather than to the shelter. Mattie still lives in her family home, a once beautiful old Victorian now in need of much repair. The house was as much a character in the story as Mattie, Alice, and Oren. Each of these characters is hiding something and the truth might possibly put their lives in danger. Who can be trusted? And what will happen when the secrets are revealed?
A creepy house, a brutal snowstorm, intriguing characters, and dark secrets all make for a compelling story. I really liked both Alice and Mattie, But I was also suspicious of both of them throughout the book. Oren was an adorable kid and I loved his passion for Star Wars. I really wanted everything to work out for all these characters, I just wasn’t quite sure what that was? I loved how the layers of this story were peeled away and the truth was eventually laid bare. Towards the end of this book I was seriously on the edge of my seat, the tension was palpable, and the results startling.
A cunning tale that was simultaneously creepy and heartwarming. A unique thriller packed with twists and turns and a shocking end!
*** many thanks to William morrow for my copy of this book ***
March 14, 2019
When Mattie, a social worker, gets the call that a woman and child are arriving on a bus and need her assistance, she's ready. The call came into the hotline at the Sanctuary, and they know Mattie is always available to help out and take those in need--especially domestic violence victims--to a nearby shelter or safe house. But when Mattie sees Alice and ten-year-old Oren get off the bus that snowy night, she somehow can't drop them off at the shelter. Is it because Oren reminds her so much of her own little brother, Caleb, frozen in time forever at the age of ten? Mattie isn't the only one breaking the rules and holding things back, though. Alice and Oren have secrets too. And as the snowstorm around them intensifies, so does the danger.
I just love Carol Goodman's books. She has eerie, creepy, Gothic writing down perfectly, and this book was certainly no exception. I was hooked from the beginning. This novel alternates between Mattie and Alice's perspectives. Mattie is older (fifties), living alone in her decrepit home, damaged by her past.
"When I told Anita that I didn't believe in God she'd pressed the medal into my hand and told me that I should just say a prayer to whatever I did believe in. So I say my prayers to Anita Esteban, who left her drunk, no-good husband, raised three children on her own, went back to school, and earned a law degree. She's what I believe in."
I took to her immediately. You know that there's definitely more to each woman's story than meets the eye, and it's fascinating to watch their stories unfold. Alice shows up with a story about running away from an abusive relationship. Oren, she claims, is all she cares about. Is that true? How much can we trust either of the women? What I loved was that the book had me guessing the entire time. It was incredibly captivating, and both women seemed so real.
As for Oren, he was great, too, and you immediately wanted to protect him. The novel definitely has some creepy and mysterious pieces to it. It's less about suspending disbelief than just engaging with the story--becoming a part of it. I certainly found myself spooked a few times. It's a compelling tale, which will keep you engaged, intrigued by the characters, and culminates is a really great twisty (and twisted) story. This one isn't necessarily for the faint of heart; there are some brutal moments here. But what I really loved is that while this can be a very dark story, it's also weirdly sweet, too. I was very touched in places--a true sign that I'd grown to love these characters.
Overall, another enjoyable book from Goodman. She has a way of sucking you into the landscape of her books--and suddenly you are engrossed by the story and its characters. This one was eerie, captivating, mysterious, and yet oddly heartwarming at times. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 03/26/2019.
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I just love Carol Goodman's books. She has eerie, creepy, Gothic writing down perfectly, and this book was certainly no exception. I was hooked from the beginning. This novel alternates between Mattie and Alice's perspectives. Mattie is older (fifties), living alone in her decrepit home, damaged by her past.
"When I told Anita that I didn't believe in God she'd pressed the medal into my hand and told me that I should just say a prayer to whatever I did believe in. So I say my prayers to Anita Esteban, who left her drunk, no-good husband, raised three children on her own, went back to school, and earned a law degree. She's what I believe in."
I took to her immediately. You know that there's definitely more to each woman's story than meets the eye, and it's fascinating to watch their stories unfold. Alice shows up with a story about running away from an abusive relationship. Oren, she claims, is all she cares about. Is that true? How much can we trust either of the women? What I loved was that the book had me guessing the entire time. It was incredibly captivating, and both women seemed so real.
As for Oren, he was great, too, and you immediately wanted to protect him. The novel definitely has some creepy and mysterious pieces to it. It's less about suspending disbelief than just engaging with the story--becoming a part of it. I certainly found myself spooked a few times. It's a compelling tale, which will keep you engaged, intrigued by the characters, and culminates is a really great twisty (and twisted) story. This one isn't necessarily for the faint of heart; there are some brutal moments here. But what I really loved is that while this can be a very dark story, it's also weirdly sweet, too. I was very touched in places--a true sign that I'd grown to love these characters.
Overall, another enjoyable book from Goodman. She has a way of sucking you into the landscape of her books--and suddenly you are engrossed by the story and its characters. This one was eerie, captivating, mysterious, and yet oddly heartwarming at times. 4+ stars.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and Edelweiss in return for an unbiased review (thank you!); it is available everywhere as of 03/26/2019.
Blog ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Google+ ~ Instagram ~ Smashbomb
May 15, 2024
3.5 stars
A woman and a child arrive in a small town after fleeing an abusive household. They find kindness and protection but cannot escape the eerie and haunting feeling that follows them.
I was invested in this story from the first chapter. The writing pulled me into the storyline and setting and had me caring and rooting for the characters. All of the characters in the novel are unique and developed, each adding an important layer to the storyline.
There is a slight supernatural vibe. It isn’t overwhelming but lingers as a constant unknown, adding a sense of unease throughout the book.
My connection and investment did lessen in the second half of the novel as some of the scenes became overly dramatic and slightly unbelievable, however, I remained invested and curious to see how it would all come together.
There are some heavy topics covered within these pages. Domestic abuse, murder, rape, adoption, institutional abuse.
Overall, an entertaining read but not a stand out novel for me.
A woman and a child arrive in a small town after fleeing an abusive household. They find kindness and protection but cannot escape the eerie and haunting feeling that follows them.
I was invested in this story from the first chapter. The writing pulled me into the storyline and setting and had me caring and rooting for the characters. All of the characters in the novel are unique and developed, each adding an important layer to the storyline.
There is a slight supernatural vibe. It isn’t overwhelming but lingers as a constant unknown, adding a sense of unease throughout the book.
My connection and investment did lessen in the second half of the novel as some of the scenes became overly dramatic and slightly unbelievable, however, I remained invested and curious to see how it would all come together.
There are some heavy topics covered within these pages. Domestic abuse, murder, rape, adoption, institutional abuse.
Overall, an entertaining read but not a stand out novel for me.
March 26, 2019
Three lives intersect during the middle of a snowstorm.
Alice is fleeing an abusive relationship and is desperate to protect ....
Owen ... 10 years old, a Star Wars junkie, who may have a 'gift'. He bonds immediately with...
Mattie ... a social worker who meets Alice and Owen at the bus station and takes them to her huge home to stay until she can find a safe place for them. Owen reminds Mattie of her own young brother who died 30 years ago at the same age as Owen.
But someone is not telling the truth. All three of them have secrets .. secrets that may be deadly.
And as the snowstorm worsens around them, each woman's past will prove be brought to the light, stirring up threats both within and without.
This is a well-written tale with unique characters. Several twists and turns will keep the reader glued to the pages from the very beginning to the surprising ending.
Many thanks to the author / William Morrow Books / Edelweiss for the digital copy of this Psychological Thriller. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.
April 1, 2019
Alice has taken young Oren and fled an abusive relationship. They arrive in Delphi, NY in the middle of a snowstorm and are taken in by Mattie, a social worker. Mattie breaks all her rules when she brings them home to her instead of a local shelter. But the bad weather makes easier to bring them home. She has the space for them, and Oren reminds Mattie of her brother who died over thirty years ago...
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
READ THE REST OF THE REVIEW OVER AT FRESH FICTION!
May 2, 2019
Was enjoying this book until it got political. If I wanted an anti-trump book I would have bought one.
March 31, 2019
Throw in enough twists, you got yourself a noose...
March 3, 2019
I have never read a book by Carol Goodman but after this book I feel like I need to run to the library right away! Alice and her ten year old son Oren who are on the run from her abusive husband Davis who is also Oren’s father. They meet Mattie who is a case worker , she has her own demons in her past which are similar to Alice’s. Mattie takes Alice and Oren from the bus stop to her home which is against the rules , but with a blizzard coming in she decides it’s the best idea. When they arrive at Mattie’s home which is an old Victorian in upper New York , Alice feels like Mattie isn’t everything she portrays herself to be, she keeps her brothers room untouched since his death , he died at the age of ten and her fathers study door locked since his death, why does she seem to have such an unhealthy interest in Oren? Mattie doesn’t tell anyone but Oren reminds her of her little brother who died thirty years ago... Oren claims that Caleb, Matties younger brother tells him things and Alice just brushes it off as his imagination but Mattie feels like Oren is telling the truth.. when they become snowed in together and an unknown assailant is out to get them, the past is brought up and three innocent people end up embroiled in a race for the truth in a decades long cover up , and is everyone who they claim to be?? This book had so many layers and I found myself gasping at certain parts and I loved the dark element surrounding the home! It makes you wonder if old houses could tell you secrets what would they be? This book was the perfect weekend read and I highly recommend it! If you love dark thrillers where clues are slowly given this book is for you! This book will be available March 26th 2019!
March 31, 2019
Mattie is a social worker that helps abused women and children. She takes in Alice and 10 year old Oren. They all have secrets that end up dangerous. Domestic abuse is a hard subject to read about. This plot contained an alarmingly high amount of plot twists, some were guessable and others were not. The timing felt rushed throughout. Alice was not a likeable lead character. The high number of implausible plot twists led to this just being an okay read.
August 1, 2019
A tense, atmospheric thriller, exceptionally well written and with both heart and intelligence at its core.
December 19, 2022
Alice and ten-year-old Oren have fled from an abusive relationship in the middle of a snowstorm. That doesn't mean that their troubled pasts aren't attempting to catch up with them though. They take shelter with social-worker Mattie who can see some of her own past reflected in this duo. Will that be enough for her to trust and to protect them, once their truths are revealed and their pasts come knocking at her own door?
I really adore Carol Goodman and will read any book of hers, regardless of subject matter or topic. I always find them filled with thrilling mysteries and darker subject matters. She delivers thrills and chills but also a heavy dose of sad reality and trauma. The events in this book really affected me and I found myself rooting for all those whose suffering featured here. There was much darkness and many a sinister character (also a slightly supernatural tone that took me entirely by surprise and deeply unnerved me on occasion) but also so much goodness and light that it flooded out all else by the novel's close.
I really adore Carol Goodman and will read any book of hers, regardless of subject matter or topic. I always find them filled with thrilling mysteries and darker subject matters. She delivers thrills and chills but also a heavy dose of sad reality and trauma. The events in this book really affected me and I found myself rooting for all those whose suffering featured here. There was much darkness and many a sinister character (also a slightly supernatural tone that took me entirely by surprise and deeply unnerved me on occasion) but also so much goodness and light that it flooded out all else by the novel's close.
October 24, 2025
3.75 stars. Great read, I liked the plot a lot. Very engaging read.
April 8, 2019
2.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2019/04/08/...
Every once in a while I’ll take a break from my sci-fi and fantasy and satisfy my craving for a good thriller, so when I saw The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman and took in its synopsis and cover, I thought it would be perfect. You see, I have something of a weakness for snowbound thrillers. And for a while, things were going great and I thought I’d found another gem on my hands. Regrettably though, that was until the second half, when the story’s carefully constructed premise started falling apart with too many absurd twists and coincidences. There’s also a paranormal aspect, which I’m usually all for, except I didn’t feel it worked quite as well here.
The story opens late at night in a bus station, following Alice as she places a frantic phone call to a social services hotline requesting help to get her away from an abusive relationship. Traveling with her is ten-year-old Oren, whom Alice is desperate to protect. She tells the woman on the other end that she needs to go somewhere no one can find her, and receives instructions to go to Delphi, New York, where Alice is assured someone will be meeting her and her boy.
Enter Mattie, a fifty-something social worker whom the hotline calls to do the late-night pickup. With a winter storm rolling in, however, the original plan to bring Alice and Oren to a local shelter had to be abandoned. Instead, Mattie breaks protocol in favor of safety and brings them to her house in the middle of the woods where she lives alone. It is also the house her parents used to own, before they died along with Mattie’s little brother, who was the same age as Oren at the time, to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Or that’s what Mattie tells people, anyway. The truth is a lot more complicated, but she doesn’t need anyone digging into her past.
As it turns out though, Mattie’s not the only one keeping secrets. Alice herself is hiding a few of her own, and she hasn’t been entirely truthful to the social worker about what she’s running away from. Lately, she’s also been noticing something strange about Oren. Somehow, he seems to sense or know things before they happen, but as much as it scares her, Alice is reluctant to tell anyone for fear they’ll take the boy away from her.
I’ll give The Night Visitors this—I reviewed the audiobook and it was a quick listen; at no time was my listening bogged down by any lulls or boring bits. That said though, part of the problem was the utter craziness that happens in the second half of the novel, when the plot practically implodes on itself and the author completely drops the ball on the ending. The beginning on the other hand was interesting and suspenseful, slowly teasing the mystery as we alternated between Alice and Mattie’s POVs. As the story unfolded, it became clear that not all was at it seemed. In the end, I don’t know what I expected. Perhaps, with all the characters’ lies being so carefully and methodically revealed, I had thought we would get a more complex and satisfying conclusion. Instead, all that build-up led to very little payoff, with an ending that felt brute-forced and trite.
Also, normally I’d say a bit of paranormal activity spices up a good thriller. Not so much in this case. Again, it was an element that felt awkwardly shoehorned in and doesn’t feel organically connected to the rest of the plot. As well, I found it difficult to get feel enthusiastic about the idea because its implementation came across as lazy and didn’t seem all that well developed. Needless to say, if you’re looking for any answers or clarity, I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Finally, I had a hard time getting into any of the characters. A part of me understands that these kinds of thrillers and unlikeable characters usually go hand in hand, but at the same time, there’s only so much nastiness, ignorance, smugness, virtue signaling or judgmental self-righteousness I can take. That said though, I can appreciate how every character in this book is a flawed and unique individual. As the novel endeavors to point out, there is good and bad in everyone, and sadly, some people who have been hurt and damaged in the past end up going on to hurt and damage others.
Ultimately, this story is about Alice and Mattie both trying to break this vicious cycle by learning to open their hearts to each other—and in the end, that’s a message I can get behind. And quite honestly, The Night Visitors wasn’t all bad. I loved every moment early on as the story was meticulously laying down its foundations, but simply wished the second half hadn’t spiraled out of control the way it did. It’s passable if all you’re looking for is a standard thriller, but I just expected more from its early potential.
Audiobook Comments: Jane Oppenheimer did a perfectly fine job narrating, but the audiobook could have been improved with a second narrator. Not only would it have been less confusing when the story switched between the POVs, I think a narrator who sounded older would have been better suited to read Mattie’s chapters.
Every once in a while I’ll take a break from my sci-fi and fantasy and satisfy my craving for a good thriller, so when I saw The Night Visitors by Carol Goodman and took in its synopsis and cover, I thought it would be perfect. You see, I have something of a weakness for snowbound thrillers. And for a while, things were going great and I thought I’d found another gem on my hands. Regrettably though, that was until the second half, when the story’s carefully constructed premise started falling apart with too many absurd twists and coincidences. There’s also a paranormal aspect, which I’m usually all for, except I didn’t feel it worked quite as well here.
The story opens late at night in a bus station, following Alice as she places a frantic phone call to a social services hotline requesting help to get her away from an abusive relationship. Traveling with her is ten-year-old Oren, whom Alice is desperate to protect. She tells the woman on the other end that she needs to go somewhere no one can find her, and receives instructions to go to Delphi, New York, where Alice is assured someone will be meeting her and her boy.
Enter Mattie, a fifty-something social worker whom the hotline calls to do the late-night pickup. With a winter storm rolling in, however, the original plan to bring Alice and Oren to a local shelter had to be abandoned. Instead, Mattie breaks protocol in favor of safety and brings them to her house in the middle of the woods where she lives alone. It is also the house her parents used to own, before they died along with Mattie’s little brother, who was the same age as Oren at the time, to accidental carbon monoxide poisoning. Or that’s what Mattie tells people, anyway. The truth is a lot more complicated, but she doesn’t need anyone digging into her past.
As it turns out though, Mattie’s not the only one keeping secrets. Alice herself is hiding a few of her own, and she hasn’t been entirely truthful to the social worker about what she’s running away from. Lately, she’s also been noticing something strange about Oren. Somehow, he seems to sense or know things before they happen, but as much as it scares her, Alice is reluctant to tell anyone for fear they’ll take the boy away from her.
I’ll give The Night Visitors this—I reviewed the audiobook and it was a quick listen; at no time was my listening bogged down by any lulls or boring bits. That said though, part of the problem was the utter craziness that happens in the second half of the novel, when the plot practically implodes on itself and the author completely drops the ball on the ending. The beginning on the other hand was interesting and suspenseful, slowly teasing the mystery as we alternated between Alice and Mattie’s POVs. As the story unfolded, it became clear that not all was at it seemed. In the end, I don’t know what I expected. Perhaps, with all the characters’ lies being so carefully and methodically revealed, I had thought we would get a more complex and satisfying conclusion. Instead, all that build-up led to very little payoff, with an ending that felt brute-forced and trite.
Also, normally I’d say a bit of paranormal activity spices up a good thriller. Not so much in this case. Again, it was an element that felt awkwardly shoehorned in and doesn’t feel organically connected to the rest of the plot. As well, I found it difficult to get feel enthusiastic about the idea because its implementation came across as lazy and didn’t seem all that well developed. Needless to say, if you’re looking for any answers or clarity, I wouldn’t hold your breath.
Finally, I had a hard time getting into any of the characters. A part of me understands that these kinds of thrillers and unlikeable characters usually go hand in hand, but at the same time, there’s only so much nastiness, ignorance, smugness, virtue signaling or judgmental self-righteousness I can take. That said though, I can appreciate how every character in this book is a flawed and unique individual. As the novel endeavors to point out, there is good and bad in everyone, and sadly, some people who have been hurt and damaged in the past end up going on to hurt and damage others.
Ultimately, this story is about Alice and Mattie both trying to break this vicious cycle by learning to open their hearts to each other—and in the end, that’s a message I can get behind. And quite honestly, The Night Visitors wasn’t all bad. I loved every moment early on as the story was meticulously laying down its foundations, but simply wished the second half hadn’t spiraled out of control the way it did. It’s passable if all you’re looking for is a standard thriller, but I just expected more from its early potential.
Audiobook Comments: Jane Oppenheimer did a perfectly fine job narrating, but the audiobook could have been improved with a second narrator. Not only would it have been less confusing when the story switched between the POVs, I think a narrator who sounded older would have been better suited to read Mattie’s chapters.
February 24, 2023
Labs trilleris par Alises un Oreona bēgšanu no bīstamās dzīves mājās. Spriedzi noturēja līdz pat galam. Netraucēja arī paranormālais elements.
May 2, 2019
2.5 stars ...this one is exactly average!
Unlikeable protagonist, Alice, and Star Wars obsessed Oron are on the run from his abusive father. Enter social worker Mattie, equally messed up. Not sounding too bad...add one implausible twist after another, an irritating Alice and some questionable timeline issues (especially in the middle of an extreme snow storm) and you get average. Had the writing been a little more refined, the characters developed a little better, then some of these issues would not be so glaringly obvious. The perfect example of an average read!
Unlikeable protagonist, Alice, and Star Wars obsessed Oron are on the run from his abusive father. Enter social worker Mattie, equally messed up. Not sounding too bad...add one implausible twist after another, an irritating Alice and some questionable timeline issues (especially in the middle of an extreme snow storm) and you get average. Had the writing been a little more refined, the characters developed a little better, then some of these issues would not be so glaringly obvious. The perfect example of an average read!
April 10, 2019
"Is this called The Night Visitors because everyone fucking visits her house at night?" -- my fiancee, hitting the nail on the head.
Anyway, I truly believe that some suspension of disbelief when we are reading is necessary, but this was beyond the pale. Alice's abusive ex-boyfriend turns up at the EXACT house she's staying at, in the EXACT tiny town in rural Vermont, because he knew she had stayed with some foster families up there??? He manages to track the EXACT location of the house because of tracking the caller ID of a CVS nearby??? He breaks in at the same time as a MAGA guy from the night before????
Like...there are three bodies in this house at the end of this book. THREE BODIES!!!!! This book felt like it was trying very hard to be a ~*~commentary~*~ and it was like a farce.
Anyway, I truly believe that some suspension of disbelief when we are reading is necessary, but this was beyond the pale. Alice's abusive ex-boyfriend turns up at the EXACT house she's staying at, in the EXACT tiny town in rural Vermont, because he knew she had stayed with some foster families up there??? He manages to track the EXACT location of the house because of tracking the caller ID of a CVS nearby??? He breaks in at the same time as a MAGA guy from the night before????
Like...there are three bodies in this house at the end of this book. THREE BODIES!!!!! This book felt like it was trying very hard to be a ~*~commentary~*~ and it was like a farce.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 25, 2019
The Night Visitors, due out March 26th, is only the second Carol Goodman novel I've read, but it's the second one in the last month, as I'm on a reading mission to enjoy all of her thrilling tales. She has already become an author of consistent satisfaction for me. Carol Goodman knows how to tell a story, to pull a reader in from the beginning and to keep the suspense building without pause. The Night Visitors is a story of survival on so many levels, with twists from the past and the present that will rise up to shake the foundations of what you think you've figured out. It's a reader's paradise of unpredictability. And, yet, Goodman writes with what I can only describe as a confidence that transfers to the reader as trust in being lead through the maze to a resolution. The characters are deftly drawn to evoke investment in their outcome, with even the flaws of characters being a part you want to understand. There are, of course, the main characters with whom readers will be wholly involved, but the minor characters and the "bad guys" are riveting in their roles. Then, there is a touch of the other worldly in the presence of another character who, while he certainly doesn't make it a ghost story, eerily contributes to the progression of events.
The Night Visitors begins on a bus ride at night in the cold and often unforgiving conditions of an upper New York state winter. The setting speaks to the desolation of Alice and Oren, two battered souls traveling on the bus to escape their abuser. Alice, in her thirties, and Oren, a ten-year-old boy who uses his love of Star Wars to dissociate from the brutalities of his situation, arrive in the small town of Delphi, New York in the middle of a snowstorm, Alice having called a hotline for help and being directed to that location. Mattie Lane is a seasoned, fiftyish social worker who is used to getting the late night calls to meet a bus, as she lives alone and is readily available. When she sees Alice and Oren, Mattie is immediately drawn to the young boy, as he reminds her of Caleb, her little brother who had died at the same age as Oren is. The plan and protocol to take Alice and Oren to a nearby convent that houses abuse victims on their way to a more permanent solution is disregarded by Mattie, as the snowstorm makes taking them to her house, even closer, overnight a seemingly better idea. It's a rule that is not broken lightly, as the result is too often an undesirable one. But, with the weather and, of course, Mattie's interest in the boy guiding her, it's to her home they go.
Mattie still lives in her family home, a large house in the country, a place that has known its share of grief and sadness. Its isolation and its dilapidated condition add to an already dark and possibly dangerous atmosphere. When traces of Caleb seem to be making their appearance, the foreboding setting takes an even more intense turn. Oren reveals some unique gifts of clairvoyance and an understanding beyond his years, which will become important to the efforts of the three to survive. Mattie and Alice play things closer to the vest, each with secrets that are part of the puzzle to enable them to navigate the twists of the story. And, Mattie's secrets contain some that even she isn't aware of, so they are especially dangerous. Struggling to ensure that Alice and Oren get the chance for a new life, Mattie takes measures to fortify the house and themselves against those who wish them harm. Then, like in all great stories of suspense and twist, the lights go out. When the lights are restored, Mattie will have learned truths that could either break her or set her free.
I was so fortunate to receive a copy of The Night Visitors from the author, who so graciously stated that she hoped I enjoyed it but was under no obligation to do so. Well, I did enjoy it and highly recommend it. It is a captivating story that has perfect timing, chilling twists, and is brilliantly written.
The Night Visitors begins on a bus ride at night in the cold and often unforgiving conditions of an upper New York state winter. The setting speaks to the desolation of Alice and Oren, two battered souls traveling on the bus to escape their abuser. Alice, in her thirties, and Oren, a ten-year-old boy who uses his love of Star Wars to dissociate from the brutalities of his situation, arrive in the small town of Delphi, New York in the middle of a snowstorm, Alice having called a hotline for help and being directed to that location. Mattie Lane is a seasoned, fiftyish social worker who is used to getting the late night calls to meet a bus, as she lives alone and is readily available. When she sees Alice and Oren, Mattie is immediately drawn to the young boy, as he reminds her of Caleb, her little brother who had died at the same age as Oren is. The plan and protocol to take Alice and Oren to a nearby convent that houses abuse victims on their way to a more permanent solution is disregarded by Mattie, as the snowstorm makes taking them to her house, even closer, overnight a seemingly better idea. It's a rule that is not broken lightly, as the result is too often an undesirable one. But, with the weather and, of course, Mattie's interest in the boy guiding her, it's to her home they go.
Mattie still lives in her family home, a large house in the country, a place that has known its share of grief and sadness. Its isolation and its dilapidated condition add to an already dark and possibly dangerous atmosphere. When traces of Caleb seem to be making their appearance, the foreboding setting takes an even more intense turn. Oren reveals some unique gifts of clairvoyance and an understanding beyond his years, which will become important to the efforts of the three to survive. Mattie and Alice play things closer to the vest, each with secrets that are part of the puzzle to enable them to navigate the twists of the story. And, Mattie's secrets contain some that even she isn't aware of, so they are especially dangerous. Struggling to ensure that Alice and Oren get the chance for a new life, Mattie takes measures to fortify the house and themselves against those who wish them harm. Then, like in all great stories of suspense and twist, the lights go out. When the lights are restored, Mattie will have learned truths that could either break her or set her free.
I was so fortunate to receive a copy of The Night Visitors from the author, who so graciously stated that she hoped I enjoyed it but was under no obligation to do so. Well, I did enjoy it and highly recommend it. It is a captivating story that has perfect timing, chilling twists, and is brilliantly written.
December 31, 2019
I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway (which always leads to me jumping up and down at the mailbox with glee when it arrives), and I was over-the-moon excited, as the premise sounded promising. I'm a sucker for snowbound thrillers and this had all the elements of being the perfect storm; however, in the end, it was similar to many of our Maine nor'easters - a lot of build-up, but not a lot of accumulation.
The book started off with a few eye rolls from me regarding characterization. It may be just me, but as I've said many times, I'm not a fan of authors using fiction to espouse their personal views on religion, politics, or race, and by golly, Goodman hit all three in the first few chapters: Iranian ex-husband [clearly an abuser]; violent deer hunter [definitely a MAGA hat-wearing redneck]; old Catholic nun [strong outward religious beliefs but secretly hides a Planned Parenthood pin]. Insert eye roll. I find generalizations offensive in any form, as it just doesn’t add any depth to characters, and in this case, it seemed out of place and "preachy." Also, in regard to the plot, there was a glaring inconsistency that I caught right away and it bothered me throughout the whole book. One of the main storylines follows a character, Mattie, whose parents and younger brother had been killed years before by carbon monoxide poisoning. When describing the scene, Goodman refers to Mattie entering the house and "smelling gas" and finding her parents dead. From Science 101, we know that carbon monoxide is odorless, and not remotely close to gas in a home, which you would smell from a leak. I just found it to be a bizarre error from a seasoned author.
Nonetheless, the first part of the book kept me guessing, and I was completely sucked in to the plight of abused, runaway, Alice, and her young son, Oren. I also liked Oren’s connection with Mattie, the hider of abused women, and the story of Mattie’s brother was compelling. Regrettably though, the second half went completely downhill. I felt like the premise was quite carefully constructed to that point, but it quickly fell apart with way too many absurd twists and coincidences. For instance, a blinding snowstorm, and not one, but two crazy men (completely unrelated) track the women down at the remote farm at the exact same time? Just a big no in the believability factor for me. Then there’s also a paranormal aspect, which just didn’t work in this book in any way for me. I did like the ending of the book, though, as it tied things up nicely, and it gave me a little warm and fuzzy feel inside.
I also give it an extra star because the pace moved along quickly, and I read the book in one sitting without it ever losing my interest; but overall, it was just a bit lackluster and not overly believable. 3 stars.
Thanks to the Eidelweiss and author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
The book started off with a few eye rolls from me regarding characterization. It may be just me, but as I've said many times, I'm not a fan of authors using fiction to espouse their personal views on religion, politics, or race, and by golly, Goodman hit all three in the first few chapters: Iranian ex-husband [clearly an abuser]; violent deer hunter [definitely a MAGA hat-wearing redneck]; old Catholic nun [strong outward religious beliefs but secretly hides a Planned Parenthood pin]. Insert eye roll. I find generalizations offensive in any form, as it just doesn’t add any depth to characters, and in this case, it seemed out of place and "preachy." Also, in regard to the plot, there was a glaring inconsistency that I caught right away and it bothered me throughout the whole book. One of the main storylines follows a character, Mattie, whose parents and younger brother had been killed years before by carbon monoxide poisoning. When describing the scene, Goodman refers to Mattie entering the house and "smelling gas" and finding her parents dead. From Science 101, we know that carbon monoxide is odorless, and not remotely close to gas in a home, which you would smell from a leak. I just found it to be a bizarre error from a seasoned author.
Nonetheless, the first part of the book kept me guessing, and I was completely sucked in to the plight of abused, runaway, Alice, and her young son, Oren. I also liked Oren’s connection with Mattie, the hider of abused women, and the story of Mattie’s brother was compelling. Regrettably though, the second half went completely downhill. I felt like the premise was quite carefully constructed to that point, but it quickly fell apart with way too many absurd twists and coincidences. For instance, a blinding snowstorm, and not one, but two crazy men (completely unrelated) track the women down at the remote farm at the exact same time? Just a big no in the believability factor for me. Then there’s also a paranormal aspect, which just didn’t work in this book in any way for me. I did like the ending of the book, though, as it tied things up nicely, and it gave me a little warm and fuzzy feel inside.
I also give it an extra star because the pace moved along quickly, and I read the book in one sitting without it ever losing my interest; but overall, it was just a bit lackluster and not overly believable. 3 stars.
Thanks to the Eidelweiss and author for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 31, 2019
I would've enjoyed this book, and Ms. Goodman's storytelling much more had it not been tainted by politics and filled with sweeping generalizations. I can't help feeling that this story had the potential to be so much more than it is.
Attributes such as kindness, charity, compassion, love, and sacrifice are not determined along party lines or by political affiliation. A real disappointment.
Attributes such as kindness, charity, compassion, love, and sacrifice are not determined along party lines or by political affiliation. A real disappointment.
October 25, 2019
Goodman is a wonderful writer and always dives deep into her characters. This one has a touch of the supernatural— which I always love. A great story, propulsive and moving.
August 27, 2019
Well-paced story, a couple good characters, but the author is way too preachy. Yes, she’s a liberal feminist, so every man in the story was a murderer, but worse!, a sexist, racist, homophobe, fraudster, and/or abuser of women and children.
Give me a break. A Christian nun from the convent, a convent that shelters battered women, graciously praises Roe v. Wade for decreasing her workload..... yup, that’s right. The author has fun putting her pro-abortion stance into her story, sending PP donations in pro-life supporter’s name, badmouths Republicans & police, all the while creating flat-dimensional characters, of everyone else. Not one place does she explore that the church (and most human beings) considers killing a baby in the womb murder.
Meh.
Give me a break. A Christian nun from the convent, a convent that shelters battered women, graciously praises Roe v. Wade for decreasing her workload..... yup, that’s right. The author has fun putting her pro-abortion stance into her story, sending PP donations in pro-life supporter’s name, badmouths Republicans & police, all the while creating flat-dimensional characters, of everyone else. Not one place does she explore that the church (and most human beings) considers killing a baby in the womb murder.
Meh.
November 5, 2019
Ugh! I was liking this book pretty well* but I hated the last 50 pages or so! The characters seemed so unrealistic and I hate cat and mouse stuff. Too much swearing and vulgarity also. Yuck.
*even though it was blatantly liberal/pro-abortion/anti-Trump and Republicans. A nun wearing a pin in support of Planned Parenthood? The bad guy wearing a MAGA hat? Oh brother.
*even though it was blatantly liberal/pro-abortion/anti-Trump and Republicans. A nun wearing a pin in support of Planned Parenthood? The bad guy wearing a MAGA hat? Oh brother.
April 7, 2020
Meh. The story references crimes that occurred long ago, but it's not a dual timeline novel. The past plot line seemed like it could have been more interesting than the story we got. The mildly supernatural angle didn't add anything.
February 3, 2019
The only saving grace to this book was Mattie’s character. The numerous coincidences and plot twists/shockers were actually tiresome at the end.
June 9, 2019
4.5 stars rounded up!!
April 6, 2019
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway.
Alice and Oren are on the run with a lot of secrets to hide. When she places a call to the Sanctuary Doreen arranges for Mattie to pick them up in the bus stop and take them to a safe place. When they finally arrive the snow is coming down. Mattie agrees to let them stay the night with her even though it is against the rules.
Mattie has secrets of her own, secrets that have driven her to start the network and help women hide from abusive situations. But little does she know that the past is going to collide with the present in a way she could never imagine.
This was a great book. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out things. I really loved the characters. The author did a great job of drawing you in and connecting you with the story and the characters. I didn't say too much about what happened because I try to avoid spoilers and there are a lot of twists that happen in this book. Some big and some little.
Alice and Oren are on the run with a lot of secrets to hide. When she places a call to the Sanctuary Doreen arranges for Mattie to pick them up in the bus stop and take them to a safe place. When they finally arrive the snow is coming down. Mattie agrees to let them stay the night with her even though it is against the rules.
Mattie has secrets of her own, secrets that have driven her to start the network and help women hide from abusive situations. But little does she know that the past is going to collide with the present in a way she could never imagine.
This was a great book. I was on the edge of my seat trying to figure out things. I really loved the characters. The author did a great job of drawing you in and connecting you with the story and the characters. I didn't say too much about what happened because I try to avoid spoilers and there are a lot of twists that happen in this book. Some big and some little.
August 25, 2020
3.5 This story had some ghostly elements that I enjoyed as well as great weather events and the perfect setting to enhance the thrill factor.
April 16, 2019
I try to make a point in my leisure reading of being haphazard: I pick up each new book from the shelves or the library because I fancy it in that moment and not because it's part of a series I've enjoyed before, or leads on from the book I've just read, or whatever else. I guess this is a reaction to the fact that so much of my reading life is tied up doing research for the nonfiction books I write, and therefore necessarily structured. Yes, I do break my own fiction-reading rules from time to time, as with the Ngaio Marsh and Margaret Millar "seasons" I recently allowed myself, but most often the process is random.
Which makes it odd how frequently I find parallels between two books read in close proximity.
I don't think this is because, von Daniken-like, I'm seeing parallels because I want to see parallels -- i.e., seeing parallels that don't actually exist. I think part of what's going on is that so many modern novels, genre or otherwise, tend to explore a fairly limited number of themes (an unreliable narrator! suppressed childhood trauma!) while the other part is just straightforward serendipity.
Just a few days ago I was reading (and loving) Johan Theorin's The Darkest Room, a book that's primarily a crime/thriller novel but that could, if you so wished it, be read as a ghost story. And now I've read Carol Goodman's The Night Visitors, a book that's actually a ghost story but that's also a tremendous crime thriller.
Alice and ten-year-old Oren are on the run from Ridgewood, NJ, and Oren's abusive father, Davis. They arrive in a small Upper New York State town seeking sanctuary, and are met by elderly spinster Mattie Lane, a thoroughly good person who's spent most of her inherited fortune setting up lifelines and refuges for spouses and children who're trying to escape abusers. Mattie and Oren very soon find a common bond: Mattie's kid brother Caleb was about Oren's age when he was murdered decades ago, and was likewise a Star Wars nut.
Oren seems to have psychic powers of some kind -- obviously, he describes them as "the Force." Caleb seems still to be hanging around Mattie, seeking justice for his murder and also trying to protect his big sis, who loved him. Because, although Mattie doesn't know it, she's been wrong all these years about why and how her family died . . .
Goodman's a tremendous writer, and I was absolutely glued to this book. At the same time, I wasn't convinced it was actually all that good -- certainly it's a far lesser piece of work than the Theorin piece I mentioned and indeed than Goodman's own The Lake of Dead Languages (2002), which I loved when I devoured it quite a few years ago. As I was reading The Night Visitors I felt there were far too many instances where things were happening, or people were behaving, less according to how they would in real life and more in service of the dictates of a tightly wrought plot. As a single example, Davis tracks down Alice and Oren with not-credible speed in the remote hideout where Mattie's keeping them -- and in the midst of a blizzard, no less, conditions in which outsiders would have special difficulty. In real life he'd surely have taken a lot longer, if he'd ever found them at all (despite the clues he has); the fact that he turns up so quickly aids the rapid progress of the plot, yes, but not verisimilitude.
Similarly in service of the plot rather than realism are a couple of places where, in the midst of scenarios where surely the characters would be acting first and thinking later, we suddenly have people coming out with great slodges of exposition: We must keep incredibly quiet because there's a killer after us and a ghost-child in the chilly darkness up ahead, but let me pick this moment to explain a whole bunch of stuff.
Leaving aside such concerns, I was having enough fun -- and enough goosepimples -- that I was perfectly okay about leaving my brain at the door. The Night Visitors is a tremendous page-turning thriller along the lines of Nancy Price's Sleeping with the Enemy; it's also a pretty damn' fine ghost story. No complaints from me on either front.
Which makes it odd how frequently I find parallels between two books read in close proximity.
I don't think this is because, von Daniken-like, I'm seeing parallels because I want to see parallels -- i.e., seeing parallels that don't actually exist. I think part of what's going on is that so many modern novels, genre or otherwise, tend to explore a fairly limited number of themes (an unreliable narrator! suppressed childhood trauma!) while the other part is just straightforward serendipity.
Just a few days ago I was reading (and loving) Johan Theorin's The Darkest Room, a book that's primarily a crime/thriller novel but that could, if you so wished it, be read as a ghost story. And now I've read Carol Goodman's The Night Visitors, a book that's actually a ghost story but that's also a tremendous crime thriller.
Alice and ten-year-old Oren are on the run from Ridgewood, NJ, and Oren's abusive father, Davis. They arrive in a small Upper New York State town seeking sanctuary, and are met by elderly spinster Mattie Lane, a thoroughly good person who's spent most of her inherited fortune setting up lifelines and refuges for spouses and children who're trying to escape abusers. Mattie and Oren very soon find a common bond: Mattie's kid brother Caleb was about Oren's age when he was murdered decades ago, and was likewise a Star Wars nut.
Oren seems to have psychic powers of some kind -- obviously, he describes them as "the Force." Caleb seems still to be hanging around Mattie, seeking justice for his murder and also trying to protect his big sis, who loved him. Because, although Mattie doesn't know it, she's been wrong all these years about why and how her family died . . .
Goodman's a tremendous writer, and I was absolutely glued to this book. At the same time, I wasn't convinced it was actually all that good -- certainly it's a far lesser piece of work than the Theorin piece I mentioned and indeed than Goodman's own The Lake of Dead Languages (2002), which I loved when I devoured it quite a few years ago. As I was reading The Night Visitors I felt there were far too many instances where things were happening, or people were behaving, less according to how they would in real life and more in service of the dictates of a tightly wrought plot. As a single example, Davis tracks down Alice and Oren with not-credible speed in the remote hideout where Mattie's keeping them -- and in the midst of a blizzard, no less, conditions in which outsiders would have special difficulty. In real life he'd surely have taken a lot longer, if he'd ever found them at all (despite the clues he has); the fact that he turns up so quickly aids the rapid progress of the plot, yes, but not verisimilitude.
Similarly in service of the plot rather than realism are a couple of places where, in the midst of scenarios where surely the characters would be acting first and thinking later, we suddenly have people coming out with great slodges of exposition: We must keep incredibly quiet because there's a killer after us and a ghost-child in the chilly darkness up ahead, but let me pick this moment to explain a whole bunch of stuff.
Leaving aside such concerns, I was having enough fun -- and enough goosepimples -- that I was perfectly okay about leaving my brain at the door. The Night Visitors is a tremendous page-turning thriller along the lines of Nancy Price's Sleeping with the Enemy; it's also a pretty damn' fine ghost story. No complaints from me on either front.
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