Set in Stone

by Robert Goddard

Recovering from the recent death of his wife in a cliff fall, Tony Sheridan goes to stay with her sister and her husband at their house in Rutland. The house, called Otherways, is in some senses a character in the story: a strange, circular, moted construction dating from Edwardian times.

Disturbed by memories of his wife and a growing attraction to her sister, and troubled by vivid dreams, Sheridan learns that a murder committed at the house in 1939 still has resonances for those living in the neighbourhood, including the sister of the murdered woman.

There is a scandal surrounding the murderer's brother, and enough hints of other mysteries to forewarn Sheridan of impending disaster as he embarks on a secret affair. But that disaster is far worse than a friendship betrayed. Its nature is revealed by the ghosts that have haunted Otherways over the years - of whom he comes to fear that he may be one himself.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, British Literature

416 pages, Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

In a writing career spanning more than twenty years, Robert Goddard's novels have been described in many different ways - mystery, thriller, crime, even historical romance. He is the master of the plot twist, a compelling and engrossing storyteller and one of the best known advocates for the traditional virtues of pace, plot and narrative drive.

Reviews

[Helen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this one. A slight change of pace from the others of his I've read. It was narrated in the first person by Tony, but not as a traditional first person tale. Tony was talking to his dead wife all through the book, which made it feel somewhat that he's telling you about what's been going on, rather than just telling the story. I won't say it was unputdownable, but when I did put it down (to go to work for instance) I was aware that it was waiting for me at home and that I needed to read more.
About the story, I liked the way it seamlessly morphed from ghost story to murder mystery, to spy thriller and back again.
Go ahead, read it, you'll probably not be disappointed.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough plot, but disappointing ending. It seemed as though the story was building into a much bigger and more interesting climax than happened. Seems as though the author suddenly ran out of imagination.

[Summer Slocum · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meandering plot. I felt like something was missing. I think it was the disjointed telling of two seperate plots that never really were joined in a cohesive manner. The mystery of the house was never well developed or concluded.

[Selaine Henriksen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd read this book before and have been looking for it, but forgot the name. Finally found it and read it again and it's as good as I remember. It's a love story, a ghost story, and a thriller all in one.

A round house is at the centre of the story and our cottage is round, with a square/rectangular room off the back. There's a wonderful relaxing, comfortable vibe there, nothing supernatural at all. Still, I like the "scientific" explanation for the house's oddities.

This is one of Goddard's best.

[Mitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Darn good story telling from Robert Goddard. Not a strong voice on the writer's personal tragedy, but thankfully avoiding the cloying. A mysterious yarn set around a strange house that sent it's architect mad and some of it's inhabitants after him. The mysteriousness of Otherways (the house), avoided straining credulity for those of us who can't suspend disbelief even for a good yarn, and the underpinning conspiracy fell into the believable spectrum. Maybe not far in, but it was well written and well worth the short time it took to read it.

[Mrs Gail Lane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. But can someone please enlighten me about the significance of the railway ticket?? I must be dense but I can only think of one explanation and I’m not even sure of that. Help please!

[SHR · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was beautifully written but not a compelling story.
My reaction to this was so mixed, I’m not sure I’d recommend it to anyone.
It was well written enough to keep my attention but several of the characters just weren’t likeable, including the lead one.
Some of the twisted paths taken in unraveling the “mystery” were so convoluted, as to be unsatisfying, and in the end I’m not sure all of the loose ends were tied up.
There were two stories running side by side, while also being intertwined; one in the here and now and one emerging from the past, with echoes from the past and future in both. It was a very interesting premise, with a house (Otherways) being central to the story and the other worldliness in the story stemming from the house but we are never told the how or why of these occurrences (but perhaps we can’t be because of their nature). However, we are given the more mundane and protracted how, why and when of the other events.
My favourite line/observation from the novel is “We all have the same amount of time. The difference lies in how we use it.”

[Mary (Biblophile) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one. A good mystery with spooky overturns. I read this at one setting as I found it hard to put down. The story was told from the first person perspective (which I don't usually like) but this one was well told. The main character is a man driven to solve a mystery, racked with guilt, and unable to let go of the past. Many red herrings. However, some things still were left unsolved.

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one for the overall theme a lot better than the previous Robert Goddard novel that I had read recently. This one was more gripping and more understandable as a plot, although I did sort of lose my way a bit towards the end, did get a bit confused with the story line. But overall I do like his novels

[CLM · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Goddard is probably the best suspense writer you've never read! I enjoyed this although it is no his very best. Here is a link to my review:

http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/201...

[Lucy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book that introduced me to Robert Goddard - it won't fail to disappoint!

[Steve Harper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery & suspense a plenty in this well written book. I liked the way it was told in the present tense by the main character to a deceased character. Keeps you hooked throughout.

[Dr Rao · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very absorbing story. But found the ending an anticlimax and quite confusing. Couldn’t understand significance of the railway ticket. It seemed the ending was a bit of a wrap up, as if the author had got fed up of the meandering story lines. Not up to the usual standards, and I’ve read almost all of his books, and rate them highly.

[Anni · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘Some part of your dreaming mind knows what’s going on all the time, doesn’t it?
Some stubborn, rational monitor keeps it all in check. But not at Otherways. My dreams there dovetailed themselves into my waking thoughts. There was no straight dividing line between them’.

Another master lesson in mystery and suspense from ‘the crime writers’ crime writer’.
Here we have a departure from his usual narrative style, as the story is being addressed in present tense to the narrator’s dead wife - a technique which has an intimate and moving effect on the reader. The main ‘character’ in the novel is an unusual and weirdly disturbing house which seems to capture echoes of the past - or is it the future? These two features- the dead wife and the ‘haunted’ house - introduce an element of the gothic into Goddard’s typical amateur detective genre.
Highly recommended!

[D.A. Fellows · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5/5 stars. The ending leaves a bitter taste in the mouth after what was one of the more compelling and intriguing Goddard novels I've read. About 70% of the book serves to build up the mystery of Otherways, the "haunted house" of the story, only for the house to all but disappear from the plot and serve no further purpose. Instead, we're given a short story about spies and defections, to which the narrator is connected only tangentially. I've given as many stars as I have for the journey of the book, but it must be said that the destination was really disappointing. It just felt as if Goddard had run out of either time or ideas, so threw in a couple of deaths to supply sufficient gravity to the ending, then called it a day.

[The Cruciverbalistic Bookworm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am a fan of the Robert Goddard novels, with intelligent, intriguing plots, fast-paced twists and the historical aura; the plot here seemed fascinating as usual and pretty promising (and perhaps too clever by half?) but the end was hugely disappointing. There were too many loose ends and no proper solution to the overall mystery. Also, I thought there would be some scientific explanation for the supernatural/paranormal events, but I think the author himself was confused with the intricacies and didn't understand it well. Since I am left somewhat bewildered, I couldn't help feeling cheated despite mostly enjoying the book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know why but I really couldn't get on with this book. I finished it because I wanted to try and understand what it was really about but I'm not sure I did! It's true there's a kind of spy thriller element to it but it was all a bit disappointing.
The whole issue of Lucy/Matt/ Marina etc just doesn't ring true to me. The sense of malevolence from the house I understand but ultimately I just didn't engage with it and so finished by thinking, ' oh is that it?' when I got to the end - sorry.

[Debbie Robson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read quite a few of Goddard's book and this is not one of his best although strangely I think it would make a really enjoyable movie. You have the incredible house with moat - Otherways, set in a flooded lake. You have a pattern of unexplained deaths and you have sets of lovers and a mysterious old lady. Although not nearly as captivating as Goddard's recent novel the excellent Fault Line, I still enjoyed reading Set in Stone.

[James Hutchisson · Rating 2 out of 5]

Goddard’s twisty-turny plots are somewhat exhausting. Add to this the multitudinous interrelationships of the many characters, and it’s a bit of a workout as a mystery read. I’d prefer that it have been a bit shorter, and I conjured a much different ending than the one presented, more in keeping with the supernatural subtext of the story. But it has lots of interesting atmosphere and an equally interesting historical backstory having to do with cold warriors.

[DrJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

First read this in 2001 and thought it was amazing. 17 years later I have read so many amazing, clever books, that sadly this did not stand up to the competition. Shows you probably shouldn't return to a much-loved book several years later when the genre has moved on so much. But without Goddard, I don't think we would have the quality of other writers now. He was ground-breaking at the time.

[Fiona Humphries · Rating 5 out of 5]

Any book which is this hard to put down earns 5 stars! This would make an incredible movie. It has pace, a multi-layered storyline, anticipation, surprises and believable characters. There was a quietly building sub-plot which grew to be the prime story and it has left me really thinking and pondering. What if? Totally recommend this.

[Thomas Stroemquist · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did not think this one was up to his usual standard, it is a bit short and unengaging. Goddard is a very good author and I would think that all his books are worth reading, but this one could safely be skipped in favor of one of his others.

[Cathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I've read several of Goddard's books and have always been a fan. This book had an interesting storyline, but I found the book slow and I was anxious for it to finish. I got bored but still wanted to see how it ended.

[Irma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story is quite sensational, about a house that sends people to think or dream strange things about their loved ones so that they actually start believing what they dream to be true. Mostly this has disastrous consequences. A good read till the end, with quite surprising turns!

[Hazel McHaffie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another thumping good read from Robert Goddard - one of my favourite writers. I deducted one star only because my brain struggled to unravel some of the complexities at the end; my deficiency rather than his, I suspect.

[Ian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Substantial and satisfying

A slight change in style from the recent R. Goddard books I’ve read. A great plot with a satisfying ending with all loose ends nicely tied up. Highly recommended and one of his better ones.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do think Robert Goddard is a good writer but I just didn't find this story line at all convincing.

[Bettie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bettie's Books

[Thomas Goddard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back to the endlessly enthralling Goddard for a little thriller to shuffle through.

This one involves a man whose wife dies in an accident. After which he takes a trip to stay with his friend and sister-in-law at a new house they've purchased. New to them but actually, along with spectacular architecture, it has a rich but sinister history.

Goddard blends a lot of the supernatural into his work, but never in a way that you'd call it a horror story. It's more furtive than that. There's a sense that what he's really doing is just laying out the world as it really is. With all its strange and inexplicable coincidences and odd events in tact. Not merely explained away. No matter how much else is revealed, there always lingers a sense of the unknown.

At least, that's what I think.

I think what I loved about this one is that he's talking to his dead wife throughout. Addressing the audience as if we are her. Giving us explanations, excuses, snippets of private thoughts and feelings. I rather liked the tone of it in this one. Goddard uses first person in his novels but in this one it really shines.

The characters felt full and their motivations seemed sincerely fleshed out too. I got a real sense of everything. So I'd probably put this at the number two spot behind his novel Caught In The Light. Since I love that novel deeply, I consider it high praise.

[Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recovering from the recent death of his wife in a cliff fall, Tony Sheridan goes to stay with her sister and her husband at their house in Rutland. The house, called Otherways, is in some senses a character in the story: a strange, circular, moted construction dating from Edwardian times.

Disturbed by memories of his wife and a growing attraction to her sister, and troubled by vivid dreams, Sheridan learns that a murder committed at the house in 1939 still has resonances for those living in the neighbourhood, including the sister of the murdered woman.

There is a scandal surrounding the murderer's brother, and enough hints of other mysteries to forewarn Sheridan of impending disaster as he embarks on a secret affair. But that disaster is far worse than a friendship betrayed. Its nature is revealed by the ghosts that have haunted Otherways over the years - of whom he comes to fear that he may be one himself.