Hangman

Hangman

From Library JournalMarcia and Brian Middleton leave New York City, Brian's infidelity, and their other problems behind and buy a rambling house in a picturesque Vermont town. But the house is infected with evil, and the already unstable Brian hangs himself in the attic within days of their arrival. Bohjalian, the author of one previous novel, A Killing in the Real World, has created a well-written, fast-moving supernatural tale in which the violence and gore are refreshing in their near-total absence. What a concept--the people and not their splattering are the important thing. Highly recommended for genre fans.- A.J. Wright, Univ. of Alabama, BirminghamCopyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.Detective J.P. Burrows investigates the mysteries of a century-old farmhouse when one of its inhabitants, Brian Middleton, is found hanging by a noose in its atticFrom Publishers WeeklySoon after this smoothly written mystery/horror novel begins, Marcia Middleton finds the body of her husband, Brian, hanging from the attic rafters of their new house in Deering, Vt. Relocated New Yorkers, the couple had moved only a month before--shortly after Brian had confessed to an adulterous affair. An autopsy reveals that the victim was dead before his body was hoisted. Once the police learn about Brian's indiscretion and his wife-beating, they label Marcia a murder suspect. Detective J. P. Burrows, however, can't find any evidence against the widow, though he does build a case that an evil force in the Middleton house killed Brian. In the meantime, the beautiful Marcia seems to be going slowly out of her mind--from guilt perhaps. Burrows finds out, too late for one victim, that a conscience can be a dangerous thing. Bohjalian's ( A Killing in the Real World ) plot glides to a chilling conclusion.Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.