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beckylej's review against another edition
4.0
When Arlen Wagner sees death on the train to the Keys, he abandons his trip at the nearest stop. But taking refuge at the Cypress House in Corridor County might be a worse choice!
Michael Koryta is a fantastic author. Smart plots and great characters!
Michael Koryta is a fantastic author. Smart plots and great characters!
lisah04's review against another edition
3.0
Arlen Wagner can see when someone is going to die soon. When he realizes that everyone on the train he is riding in will die, he gets off and convinces one other man to come with him. They end up at The Cypress House, where even more trouble awaits.
The Cypress House will keep you reading until you find out whether Arlen reaches safety, or loses his own life.
The Cypress House will keep you reading until you find out whether Arlen reaches safety, or loses his own life.
vnesting's review against another edition
4.0
This is a richly atmospheric, supernatural-tinged thriller set in depression-era Florida. Arlan Wagner has the ability to see smoke in the eyes of people who will die soon, so when he sees it in the eyes of his fellow passengers on a Southbound train, he decides he must get off the train, bringing along his young friend, Paul Brickhill. When they end up at The Cypress House, where unexpected events lead them to stay to help the beautiful but mysterious owner, Rebecca Cady. The local sheriff makes it clear that he does not want them here, but a hurricane is coming and, against their better judgment, Arlan and Paul choose to stay and battle the evil that has Rebecca so afraid. A compelling read.
midnightbookgirl's review against another edition
4.0
Another book from my Stephen King Summer Reading List. The story started out slow for me, and it took awhile before I really started to connect to the characters, mostly because there's so much mystery. The setting was very vivid, and I started feeling like I was watching an old movie on TCM unfold (mostly because the book's setting is 1935) and it helped to draw me in. Eventually I started to really care about the characters, and all day yesterday I couldn't put down the book until I was done. It's a great mystery with a touch of the supernatural and I hope to read more Michael Koryta's books.
fxtrtr's review against another edition
4.0
Arlen Wagner can see death in peoples eyes, a wisp of smoke that means the end is close. So when he sees smoke in the eyes of everyone aboard the train he was travelling on, bound for the Keys and the promise of work, he convinces nineteen-year-old, Paul Brickhill, to get off the train with him.
They end up at a boarding house, run by Rebecca Cady and are forced to stay due to an approaching hurricane. Trouble is brewing at the Cypress House, and it isn't being brought by the storm. Arlen's eerie gift alerts him to coming danger but can he help others avoid what is coming?
They end up at a boarding house, run by Rebecca Cady and are forced to stay due to an approaching hurricane. Trouble is brewing at the Cypress House, and it isn't being brought by the storm. Arlen's eerie gift alerts him to coming danger but can he help others avoid what is coming?
jennereads's review against another edition
3.0
I became a bit bored about half way through. I think it's because at the time l was in the mood for a different type of book. I found that when I was deciding whether or not to abandon it completely, l was still interested in finding how it ends. I am glad I saw it through.
velvetsun's review against another edition
2.0
1 - 2 confusing stars
The premise for this book sounded amazing: A retired military man can look at someone and know when they are about to die. Avoiding an upcoming disaster, he and a friend take sanctuary in a small town...only to discover they are in the direct path of a monster hurricane.
Sounds exciting, right? Well it would have been. If that was the actual main storyline. But all of that happens in the first 20% of the book. After that, the story turns into an awkward love story slash mystery slash i don't even know what else. It was messy and rambling and more than a little dull. I lasted until the 65% mark before giving up on this one.
The premise for this book sounded amazing: A retired military man can look at someone and know when they are about to die. Avoiding an upcoming disaster, he and a friend take sanctuary in a small town...only to discover they are in the direct path of a monster hurricane.
Sounds exciting, right? Well it would have been. If that was the actual main storyline. But all of that happens in the first 20% of the book. After that, the story turns into an awkward love story slash mystery slash i don't even know what else. It was messy and rambling and more than a little dull. I lasted until the 65% mark before giving up on this one.
gkonkler's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a fun read/listen. The reader was fabulous! I kind of expected it to end a little more tragically than it did. Still worth reading.