House of Reckoning

By: John Saul

Narrated by: Angela Dawe

For more than three decades, John Saul has haunted the New York Times best seller list - and listeners imaginations - with his chilling tales of psychological suspense and supernatural horror. His instinct for striking the deepest chords of fear in our hearts and minds is unerring, and his gift for steering a tale from the light of day into the darkest depths of nightmare is at its harrowing best in House of Reckoning.

After the untimely death of her mother, 14-year-old Sarah Crane is forced to grow up quickly in order to help tend her family's Vermont farm and look after her grieving father, who's drowning his sorrow in alcohol. But their quiet life together is shattered when her father is jailed for killing another man in a barroom brawl and injuring Sarah in a drunken car crash.

Left in the cold care of a loveless foster family and alienated at school, Sarah finds a kindred spirit in classmate Nick Dunnigan, a former mental patient still plagued by voices and visions. And in eccentric art instructor Bettina Phillips, Sarah finds a mentor eager to nurture her talent for painting.

But within the walls of Bettina's ancestral home, the mansion called Shutters, Sarah finds something altogether different and disturbing. Monstrous images from the house's dark history seem to flow unbidden from Sarah's paintbrush - images echoed by Nick's chilling hallucinations.

Trapped for ages in the shadowy rooms of Shutters, the violence and fury of long-dead generations have finally found a gateway from the grave into the world of the living. And Sarah and Nick have found a power they never had: to take control, and take revenge.

©2009 John Saul (P)2009 Brilliance Audio, Inc.

Predictable.

Felt like I was listening to something aimed at middle schoolers. Lots of loose ends. For example, people disappear with no repercussions to those who last saw them. That was only one example, there are several others. I have listened to other works by this author and they were better.

John Saul fan

Where does House of Reckoning rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This was one of the first audio books I listened to and I enjoyed it, I would rate it towards the top of my list. It was not as short as some and not as longs as others so it fit just right for the time I had to listen at that point.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

I liked the ending but I wished there were more twists once the ending started.

What about Angela Dawe’s performance did you like?

I liked her performance and her voice.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

don't know

one person's opinion

I'm a fan of John Saul and have read almost all of his books. I found this story tedious, long, and anti climactic. Not his best work.

Just Okay

Maybe my expectations were much higher, but I felt let down by this author's characters and plot. All the characters were drawn one-dimensionally, either really good or really bad. The whole business with the house seemed sketched and told instead of fully explored and shown.
There were a number of plot points with holes that you could drive a truck through even if suspension of disbelief is usually needed for paranormal stories. Spoiler Alert: One example would be the fate of all the bad guys. All legalities and investigations of the real world were just swept aside as everyone agrees case closed. There was just a mention that some deputies would return to look around. Oh, okay. A lot of people have just disappeared, but oh well.
Angela Dawe's narration was fine, if uninspiring.
This is the first book I've ever listened to by this author so I have nothing to compare it to. I would like to give some other of his books a chance.

Excellent John Saul Book

Very exciting, and even though I have read many of John Sauls books, this was the first Audible book of his. The narration was excellent added greatly to the story.

Started slow then wow!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Did not sound like Ms Dawe, great narrator read. Started slow, I don't usually stay with a book when that happens. However I was on a long journey and had nothing else to listen to. Glad I did. Fun and surprising

Kind of bland from start to finish

It's not really a bad book, I listening from start to finish. You expect this big spooky thing and it's just bland. A flash in the pan ending that doesn't really explain anything (even by supernatural or horror standards). Story sort of plods along but better than sitting in silence.

Not the best Saul book

Most of Sauls books are real page turners that make you want to keep listening to see what happens next. This story was more of a slow burn and didn’t really focus on the house until toward the end. And the ending was spectacular!!! As usual, characters very well developed and narrated well. (This narrator seems to have limits on her male voices, but you get used to it.

I hated almost every character in this book

I have never listened to a book like this where I absolutely despised almost every character in it out of all the townspeople and everything I like three people the story was good but it felt like the ending was rushed

Kept me on the edge of my seat.

This book defiantly kept my interest and my day flew by with the anticipation of what horror could be next. I would recommend this book to my friends who do read horror. Admittedly there was some holes in the plot line but I enjoyed the book enough that I overlooked them. Sarah and Nick sure got the bummed deal with foster parents/parents and kids at school. I loathed the foster parents and I so wanted to bring Sarah into my home for a better life. I would have also liked to have known more of the history behind the house and an explanation of why some of the events that happened in the story. Narrator was good, she not my favorite but I like her well enough.