I stumbled upon this novel when I was searching for thrillers that were suspenseful and genuinely creepy, and this book certainly meets (and exceeds) those criteria. I won't rehash the plot, because others have done such a good job of detailing it. I have to say, though, that the subject matter is certainly provocative, in that it explores the genesis of ghostly encounters and stories by focusing on the power of the mind in terms of first creating and then actually manifesting entities and energies. It becomes even more interesting when people lose control of their creation, and then have to contend with reality as they know it irrevocably changing as a direct result of what they've done. Ambrose interweaves typical ghost- and poltergeist- story threads with philosophy and physics, as he details how events in the present change the past, which ultimately serves to actually alter the present. It is definitely confusing when Ambrose begins his foray into this line of thought, but it quickly begins to not only make sense, but also becomes quite disturbing. The novel isn't perfect - there are some slow parts, as well as times when the narrative becomes a bit too rambling. That said, the vast majority of the book is compulsively readable, and includes a love story or two; ghost/poltergeist activity (complete with Ouija boards); fraudulent psychics; curses; incompatible realities; murders; and fascinating discussions about everything from French history to the laws governing the universe. Above all, Ambrose conveys a sense of dread from early on in the novel that builds significantly with the turning of each page. It's a great, scary, suspenseful book that was extremely difficult to put down. This will definitely fit the bill for anyone who enjoys thought-provoking thrillers and/or ghost stories.
I found this book much by chance. I was waiting for my friends to arrive so we could catch up and I'd just received a call to tell me they were running late so I decided to have a look at the books in the local charity shop. I read the blurb and was vaguely intrigued so I bought it for 50p and off I went.I honestly never been happier that my friends were late. It gave me an extra hour to read this book and it was worth it.This story is so thought provoking, it really does make you question the real reason's behind ghosts and the paranormal. The mix between the 'ghost hunters' idea and the science behind all of the 'happenings' is really interesting and well done.I've seen a few people saying that the were disappointed with the ending but I felt quite the opposite. Books like this one can so often be horribly predictable and so when you finally get to the end all you can think of is "Oh wow, I totally didn't see that one coming" with perhaps an added eye roll for emphasis. When I read this book I was expecting a completely different ending and when I finally got to the actual one I was blown away, stuck in a state of being both confused and impressed. Why? BECAUSE IT WAS SO EXPECTED IT WAS UNEXPECTED!
Do You like book Superstition (1999)?
What just happened?WOW!!!!!! I would really love to discuss this book with different people and get their takes on "what just happened"? This book is captivating, can't put it down, you think you know what is going on - but do you? Without spoiling the book by telling you what goes on - all I will say is my cousin and I read the book together and she couldn't figure it out. I actually couldn't either; however, I kept pondering over it like a sliver stuck in my hand that needed to come out yet I couldn't get to it. Finally I came to a conclusion!!!!!! explained it to my cousin and she could see my resolve and accept it. phew!!!! Now that makes an excellent read! Have you read this??? Let me hear your theories............
—Maryann Troche
Convinced that ghosts are actually manifestations of the combined will of living individuals, Sam creates an experiment bringing a group of people together to try to do just that. They create a fictional character and start the experiment. But when things start to go bad and they want to stop the test, people start dying.I enjoyed this book. I like the premise and think it is very original. It kept me engaged but there is quite a bit of theory that got repeated often. So at some points I felt like say, I get it already!. But that does not stop me from recommending it. It is not a super scary book, it is creepy.
—Jan
I found what might otherwise have been an ordinary horror story, (I'm not a fan of horror), surprisingly interesting because of the thought provoking concepts it contained. I've written a number of novels that involve the paranormal--(THE THIRD EYE, STRANGER WITH MY FACE, SUMMER OF FEAR, etc.)--as well as one non-fiction book, PSYCHIC CONNECTIONS: A JOURNEY INTO THE MYSTERIOUS WORLD OF PSI (now out of print) which I co-authored with parapsychologist Dr. William Roll. During the course of that project, with Dr. Roll as my guide, I was given an in-depth look at the type of scientific research that is now being done on the very subjects that are dealt with as fiction (?)in David Ambrose's novel. Mr. Ambrose must have done the same sort of research, because in very disconcerting ways this story has the ring of truth. What do we truly know about the nature of reality? About the effects that the energy of our minds might have on the world around us?Besides that, the story -- as a fiction story -- contained what I considered a fascinating twist.
—Lois Duncan
