Haunted House

I am not sure what made me pick this up but I am glad I did. To say it had horror but was also enjoyable seems an oxymoron but it's true. The problem with doing a good review is that I can't tell you why I enjoyed it, because that would give away spoilers. This book includes characters you may have already met in some previous Kilborn/Konrath novels. (I had not when I picked it up). It includes government testing and some paranormal elements which keeps you on the edge of your seat. I couldn't put this down. I fell asleep reading it and then picked it up again in the middle of the night to finish it. I just didn't want to put it down! I loved the characters. A group of people who have been in situations and experienced great fear are given an invitation to visit a haunted house and stay one night. The reason is a study of fear and because they have been afraid in their past, this makes them excellent candidates for the study. In addition, they are each offered 1 million dollars for successfully spending the night and participating in the study. The characters are indeed faced with fear, some perhaps imagined, some perhaps set up, some perhaps real paranormal. How each character reacts is fascinating and makes most of the characters endearing; especially if you have met the characters previously in one of the novels. Will they survive for a whole night? Well that's the spoiler. It's a quick read and to me very satisfying.

I started with 'Origin' and 'Afraid' and recently finished 'The List'. I had intended to pick up the others that lead into 'Haunted House' but after enjoying 'The List', I decided to jump right into things.This is a very entertaining book for those who have followed these characters from the other novels. It is not required that you know the characters but it does make things more fun when we go through the characters back stories.The story is bit repetitive for those who have read Matheson's 'Hell House' or other similar novels. Characters head to a large mansion that is rumored to be populated with the worst ghosts imaginable. They quickly run into some crazy events and have to make it out alive. The author does put a couple of nice twists on the formula but aside from that, you get pretty much exactly what you came for.I did make the mistake of reading the last 50 pages or so during lunch - - probably not a good idea. The author is as good as always at describing some pretty revolting things. The novel is not just splatter but there is enough to satisfy those who enjoy this aspect of the author's other works.The resolution of this happens a bit quick but this is largely a necessity of the story being told. After introducing a wide variety of characters and telling a number of back stories, the group faces the house and then it is nearly a footrace to the end.I greatly enjoyed the novel and recommend it to anyone who enjoys fast paced horror-tinged action.

Ok, so its no secret that I am a HUGE fan of Jack Kilborn. So I was pleasantly surprised that he was putting out a new book. I was also pleasantly scared when i found out that it had characters from other books in it. I buckled down with my cup of tea, a blanket (its been cold in CT) and got to reading!Shortly after I began-right after the description of Butler House-I became really freaked out. like MOM! I'M SCARED! HOLD ME! type of freaked out. I was so drawn in by Sara and Dr. Belgium and Tom and The Dieters, and at the same time I felt like I was gonna lose my mind. But, I'm a big girl (sometimes) and not a quitter (sometimes) so I sat there and i vowed that nothing would stop me from finishing it (except nightfall-i only read this during the day).What an AMAZING story! The love between these characters...the creepiness of the characters...very well done. This book made me want to go back and read the other books these characters come from again. There was a point where I was literally cheering everyone on. Its not only a deliciously scary story, but its so sweet too-there's a couple of love stories in there for you love birds who have hope of finding love in a hopeless place. I just-i really REALLY liked this book. It has classic horror feeling to it. I could See this being a movie (a movie i'd never see, because to read about a head being chopped off is completely different then seeing it happen). The back story of Butler House was very well done-so well done in fact that I read it and promptly opened every blind in the house. To hear about how some of the other characters faired after their ordeals-I felt bad for all of them, but I admired how they continued on, especially the Dieters. I was creeped out, I was happy, I was sad, I was creeped out some more...what a joyride this book was! I like how there were references back to other books {"Remember that vampire outbreak at that hospital? They said crucifixes didn't work there either.") If you are a fan of Jack Kilborn, if you have no idea who who is, if you like creepy, dark, freaky stories and sweet romantic ones that possibly give you hope for the future, GET THIS BOOK. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait for the next book! GREAT JOB MR. KILBORN!!!

Enjoyed this book very much. I do not know how Jack Kilborn does it, but I just can't get enough! Yes it can be terrifying but we want to go till the end. We are kept in suspense till the very end. Great Characters !

Hier kommen viele Charaktere zusammen. Sie sind authentisch und spiegeln wieder was sie vorher erlebt haben. Dazu kommt viel Horror und die Spannung kommt nicht zu kurz. Mehr will ich nicht verraten.

Phew, I'm exhausted from sitting on the edge of my seat and following this harrowing tale - brilliant.Fabulous writing of a story of terror, where the characters were both believable and realistic, which brought alive the very real fear that can haunt us all.I've never read anything by this author before, and despite not knowing the back stories of the characters, there was enough detail so that from the first I was invested in their lives.An excellent read, if you like the psychological stance of horror, where conquering 'fear' is explored, but be warned, there is blood!Highly recommended.

I really enjoy reading J A Konrath's books. Always an entertaining read and this book didn't disappoint. It was nice running into characters from previous books and I liked the story the author wrote incorporating them all together.

I found this fun to read, mostly since I have read 4 of the 6 relevant texts. After reading this I'll be looking to download the remaining two aswell.To really enjoy and understand this I would say that you would need to have read at least 2 or 3 of the previous works. I don't feel it would work as a standalone, which is why I've rated it a 4*.I've enjoyed everything I've read by this author. There are a few grammar and editing issues in places, but not enough to detract from the story or to make it an unpleasant read.It was interesting to be brought back around to so many familiar characters, to be able to see them all in one setting. I think the idea of the book is brilliant.The content lives up to expectations; is appropriately gory and limit pushing. Not for the faint hearted.Slow paced to begin with, but becomming more engrossing towards the middle, with maybe a slight rushed feeling by the end.Perhaps a little cliche at points with the characters, but not in a detrimental way.I was disappointed when I reached the end, I'd recommend this, but ONLY if you've read the author's background works required for it, without those, or at least some of them, this could be confusing.