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theresam18's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. There were several different plotlines that ran through the main story - the plane crash and resulting trauma, the herbalists, the mysteries of the house - which all tied together perfectly to create a book I wanted to keep reading. There were several times I was surprised at what was unfolding, and I was especially shocked by the epilogue. If you like books about ghosts, "witches," and small town lore, I'd recommend this one.
lucy1375's review against another edition
2.0
This book was somewhat disappointing in that it started out rather slowly, unlike this author's other books, which have immediately sucked me in. A great storyline with the expected surprise ending, though the ending left me feeling a little angry at the author.
slnrreads's review against another edition
Started reading it (got about 100 pages in) but it just wasn't doing it for me. Didn't love the style of writing and almost seemed like there were too many plots going on. Didn't hate it, but didn't love it...too many other things on my list (and on my Nook from the Library)!
memoriesfrombooks's review against another edition
3.0
Review first published on my blog: http://memoriesfrombooks.blogspot.com/2011/12/night-strangers.html
The Night Strangers is the story of the Linton family - Chip, Emily, and their twin daughters, Hallie and Garnet. Chip is an airline pilot whose life changed when the plane he is flying crashes, killing 39 people. To rebuild their lives, the family moves from Pennsylvania to a small town in New Hampshire. They buy a house with a past, not the least of which is the door in the basement with 39 bolts. The book deals with recovering from the trauma of the crash and the strange happenings they find in their new home town - from the "herbalists" to the history of the house to the other townspeople with a fear of the herbalists.
The book is part ghost story, part psychological thriller, party mystery, and part family story. Both Chris Bohjalian books I have read were very unpredictable. The endings made me want to re-read the books to see if I saw it coming. This book does have hints throughout as to what is coming and the reason behind the actions of certain characters. Or perhaps, these signs are more visible now that the ending is clear. I won't say more for fear of a spoiler.
Two-fold reaction to this book. The resolution of the story was not one I expected and not one that made me happy. For that reason, the book was unsatisfying. The story did keep me completely engrossed, waiting to see what happened. I left tasks undone and stayed up late to finish it. Certainly, the signs of a satisfying reading experience.
The Night Strangers is the story of the Linton family - Chip, Emily, and their twin daughters, Hallie and Garnet. Chip is an airline pilot whose life changed when the plane he is flying crashes, killing 39 people. To rebuild their lives, the family moves from Pennsylvania to a small town in New Hampshire. They buy a house with a past, not the least of which is the door in the basement with 39 bolts. The book deals with recovering from the trauma of the crash and the strange happenings they find in their new home town - from the "herbalists" to the history of the house to the other townspeople with a fear of the herbalists.
The book is part ghost story, part psychological thriller, party mystery, and part family story. Both Chris Bohjalian books I have read were very unpredictable. The endings made me want to re-read the books to see if I saw it coming. This book does have hints throughout as to what is coming and the reason behind the actions of certain characters. Or perhaps, these signs are more visible now that the ending is clear. I won't say more for fear of a spoiler.
Two-fold reaction to this book. The resolution of the story was not one I expected and not one that made me happy. For that reason, the book was unsatisfying. The story did keep me completely engrossed, waiting to see what happened. I left tasks undone and stayed up late to finish it. Certainly, the signs of a satisfying reading experience.
moroforo's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. This was a perfect October book - suspenseful and creepy and holy wow the ending! I might have nightmares. Eek!
sternyblossom's review against another edition
3.0
This was a 4 star book until the end. My goodness, I couldn't put this book down. It was creepy and kept me on edge and then the ending just fell flat. It didn't have to be the happiest of endings, I just wasn't expecting that.
jenzerbenz's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like it.
It makes me sad to say, but I kind of hated it.
It's all angry and sad. Some may disagree, but that's how I feel.
It makes me sad to say, but I kind of hated it.
It's all angry and sad. Some may disagree, but that's how I feel.
coquelicot_kate's review against another edition
1.0
Gosh this book was rubbish. It was horror/thriller by numbers (Basements, Victorian houses, a pilot who crashed his plane and now has PTSD; 39 people dead on the plane, a strange door with 39 bolts, strange women who call themselves Herbalists and cook Vegan food) but it failed to delivered. It really failed to deliver. the chracters are boring. The 10 year olds talk like they are 80. The plot is boring. The writing style is downright odd (all the characters are written in 3rd person, past tense.... except for the pilot who for some odd reason is written in 2nd person, present tense) and sure makes it annoying to read.
Things I learnt from this book:
Vegans should be avoided at all costs. If they give you food with your name on it, it's probably poisoned. Vegans also go around poisoning cats (I'm still not sure why), so keep your cats away from any Vegans you might know.
Any person with a greenhouse is probably involved in a strange cult.
All twin girls must have one with the name Garnet. This is the second book (the first being Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson) I've read, which featured 10 year old twins with one named Garnet.
If you put a statue of a faun in a greenhouse people will assume you are a Satanist. Not interested in like Greek mythology or any other conclusion normal people would jump to.
If you do get sucked into a cult, people won't talk to you, will avoid you like the plague, but they are still happy to send their children to a school where their teacher is a cult member...
Pilots make their own sandwiches to eat on flights.
Things I learnt from this book:
Vegans should be avoided at all costs. If they give you food with your name on it, it's probably poisoned. Vegans also go around poisoning cats (I'm still not sure why), so keep your cats away from any Vegans you might know.
Any person with a greenhouse is probably involved in a strange cult.
All twin girls must have one with the name Garnet. This is the second book (the first being Double Act by Jacqueline Wilson) I've read, which featured 10 year old twins with one named Garnet.
If you put a statue of a faun in a greenhouse people will assume you are a Satanist. Not interested in like Greek mythology or any other conclusion normal people would jump to.
If you do get sucked into a cult, people won't talk to you, will avoid you like the plague, but they are still happy to send their children to a school where their teacher is a cult member...
Pilots make their own sandwiches to eat on flights.