The Shadow Guest

by Hillary Waugh

Shadow Guest

Genres: Gothic, Fiction, Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

Aka Elissa Grandower (5 books), H. Baldwin Taylor (3 books), Harry Walker (1 book).

Hillary Baldwin Waugh was a pioneering American mystery novelist. In 1989, Waugh was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America.

During his senior year at Yale, Waugh enlisted in the United States Navy Air Corps and, after graduation, received his aviator's wings. He served in Panama for two years, flying various types of aircraft. While in military service, Waugh turned his hand to creative writing, completing and publishing his first novel Madam Will Not Dine Tonight in 1947. He quickly published two more novels, but they were not very well received.

In 1949, as the result of reading a case book on true crime, Waugh decided to explore a realistic crime novel. With the cooperation of his fiancée, who was a student at Smith College, Waugh set his police procedural Last Seen Wearing... in a fictional women's college. Published in 1952, the book was a significant success and is now considered a pioneering effort exploring relentless police work and attention to detail.

After Last Seen Wearing..., Waugh went on to publish more than thirty-five additional detective novels, many aptly described as "hard boiled". Pseudonyms include "Elissa Grandower," "Harry Walker" and "H. Baldwin Taylor."

Waugh married Diana Taylor, and the couple had three children. Waugh died on December 8, 2008.

Reviews

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE SHADOW GUEST is a fantastic mystery/suspense novel from the vintage Gothic fiction genre. An American couple, Howard and Angela, move to a cottage on the coast of England after her breakdown.

Howard is hesitant to be so secluded with their medical issues, but some strange force compels Angela to stay at Heather Cottage. Even with unexplained happenings at night - frightening noises, shadowy figures, and bizarre dreams - Angela refuses to leave. Is there something supernatural afoot? Or does someone want them gone?

I enjoyed this creepy book very much. The author created the perfect atmosphere of sinister suspense. Best of all I had absolutely no clue what the ending would bring. So twisted! ♥ My copy of THE SHADOW GUEST was published by Dell in July 1972.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Angela suffers a sickness, her doctor advises a change of scenery for her. She and her husband Howard move into a house by the sea in England. They soon discover strange happenings occurring at their new house. I first read this book a long time ago, and I've remembered it ever since. I've been trying to get a copy of this book for literally years. My daughter found it in Canada finally. I give this story an A+! most definitely.

[Neer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew of Hillary Waugh as the author of policeprocedurals and that's what I expected this book to be. However, it is a very different book with just that touch of the supernatural that sent shivers down my spine. Read it in the dark of the night as rain poured outside and it added to that delicious creepy feeling.

Highly recommended.

*

First Line: Though I am well inland now, when the wind blows stiffly over the moors and the low dark puffs of cumulus roll across the sky, or when the rain beats its heavy, steady siege and the dampness crawls into my clothes with me, I swear I smell the sea and hear the gulls again.


Pages: 268
Source: Open Library

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. I never did figure out the answer, and the story kept my interest throughout. Rarely, unless it’s written by Agatha, do I rate mysteries a 5, and even then, mostly 4. But this was fun. My verdict: Not Guilty!

[Nick Pemberton · Rating 4 out of 5]

A touch of the gothic to this mystery, set mainly in an old house on a cliff-top on the English south coast. Quite eerie when events take a possibly supernatural turn. Didn't see the ending coming either. Very enjoyable but a hard to find book.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars

[Catherine Meza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Keeps the tension ratcheted up until the astonishing ending. Don't miss it!

[Bent Andreassen · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 til 4 minus. En god kriminal. Waugh er blant de bedre.
Norsk tittel: En engel i mitt hus

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in 2007