Status
Available
Call number
Genres
Publication
Amsterdam Luitingh-Sijthoff cop. 1998
Description
A gothic mystery featuring Paul Skoglund, a man suffering from Tourette's Syndrome, which causes ticks, fidgeting and outbursts of swearing. Not able to work normally, he and his girlfriend jump at the opportunity to restore a vandalized house and come up against unseen forces. But are the forces occult or human?
User reviews
LibraryThing member Bookmarque
I was mad at myself when I finished this book, that I didn’t figure it out before the end. Duh. I’m not sure how to feel now that I know.
I found Paul to be somewhat weak and pathetic. Really. Just ask the question for god’s sake. Don’t sit there wondering all over the place. He did start to
I liked the structure of the chapters. Unlike most thrillers, he didn’t leave each one as a mini-thriller all on its own. Each chapter had closure and was easy to pick up again. Not that I left it long – finished the book in one day. The dialogue from the aunt was a bit stilted though and it was never fully explained where her ex-husband got off to.
I found Paul to be somewhat weak and pathetic. Really. Just ask the question for god’s sake. Don’t sit there wondering all over the place. He did start to
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fight back in the end though. I liked the structure of the chapters. Unlike most thrillers, he didn’t leave each one as a mini-thriller all on its own. Each chapter had closure and was easy to pick up again. Not that I left it long – finished the book in one day. The dialogue from the aunt was a bit stilted though and it was never fully explained where her ex-husband got off to.
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LibraryThing member smartprofessor
Picked this up randomly at a book market because it looked different and interesting. The plot kept me turning the pages til the end, although I was a little disappointed because I thought it became too bizarre at the end. But it still deserves 4 1/2 stars because it tries and succeeds in doing
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something different with the plot and the characters. I especially liked the fact that the characters are different from the usual one dimensional stereotypes, and it made me more interested in Tourettes syndrome, which is topical because of Pete from Big Brother. Show Less
LibraryThing member LaurieRKing
Most of Hecht's titles are enjoyable, especially Skull Session and Land of Echoes.
LibraryThing member mikedraper
Paul Skoglund has Tourette's Syndrome and even though he is a talented person, finding work has been difficult.
When his aunt asks his help in repairing a hunting lodge, he accepts.
The home has been heavily damaged by vandals and Paul manages the repairs with other workmen.
At the same time, his
Mo Ford is a police officer recently transferred to the local state police barracks. He picks up a number of open cases including the vandalism to the hunting lodge and a number of missing teenagers.
I enjoyed the novel and seeing how one man can overcome the difficulties in dealing with Tourettes. Mo Fisher is also an appealing character. He's compassionate yet very down to earth.
Recommended.
When his aunt asks his help in repairing a hunting lodge, he accepts.
The home has been heavily damaged by vandals and Paul manages the repairs with other workmen.
At the same time, his
Show More
former wife is trying to use Paul's illness and work record to gain full custody of their child.Mo Ford is a police officer recently transferred to the local state police barracks. He picks up a number of open cases including the vandalism to the hunting lodge and a number of missing teenagers.
I enjoyed the novel and seeing how one man can overcome the difficulties in dealing with Tourettes. Mo Fisher is also an appealing character. He's compassionate yet very down to earth.
Recommended.
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LibraryThing member poetreegirl
A great mystery with a bit of the paranormal, and an interesting examination of the psyche. Characters are well-developed with an uncommon depth. This one will keep you thinking long after the last page.
LibraryThing member ChristineEllei
I picked up this book based on my enjoyment of Daniel Hecht’s Cree Black series. I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much. An unemployed teacher, who happens to have Turret’s, takes on the job of renovating his aunt’s large home. In the renovation process he uncovers many family secrets. Reading
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this book I never really got to like any of the characters, so those horrible family secrets didn’t mean a lot to me. Finished the book only because I felt I should. Show Less
LibraryThing member Floratina
READ IN DUTCH
This was a very weird book. It's starts like an ordinary thriller. The main character, troubled with many problems (his Tourette's syndrome, not having a job, you name it), is asked by his aunt to renovate one of her houses. It seems strange things have happened in the house, and young
So far, so good. Although not extremely original perhaps. But then it takes a turn for the bizarre and extreme, turning it more and more in to something either fantasy or horror like, both of which I wasn't expecting. I didn't really liked the ending either...
This was a very weird book. It's starts like an ordinary thriller. The main character, troubled with many problems (his Tourette's syndrome, not having a job, you name it), is asked by his aunt to renovate one of her houses. It seems strange things have happened in the house, and young
Show More
people have gone missing.So far, so good. Although not extremely original perhaps. But then it takes a turn for the bizarre and extreme, turning it more and more in to something either fantasy or horror like, both of which I wasn't expecting. I didn't really liked the ending either...
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Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1998
ISBN
9789024508921