First
Sentence: “I don’t mean to imply the house
is haunted,” said Professor Rosendale firmly.
Michael Flight is asked to investigate Deadlight Hall, a building
currently being renovated that had been used as an orphanage
and hospital during WWII. At that time, a pair of twin sisters,
Jewish refugees, disappeared for the hall. Going back into
the house’s history, Michael and his fiancée
Nell, discover another pair of sisters who vanished in the
1880s. In spite of the fact that no one now lives at the Hall,
it quickly becomes clear that the house is not empty.
Rayne immediately achieves just the right atmosphere and sense
that things could be perfectly fine…or perhaps not.
One disadvantage of reading an eGalley, is that one lacks
the chapter headings and other breaks which usually indicate
a change in scene or time period. Even so, the device used
to convey some of the information is interesting, but it doesn’t
really allow to story to unfold page by page.
The suspense is very well done; gripping and decidedly creepy,
and is enjoyably offset by the inclusion of Flint’s
fictional cat, Wilberforce, and his adventures. It leaves
one questioning whether things are natural or supernatural
and what is motivating them. There is also a fascinating concept
of “The Silent Minute,” quite different here from
the historical Silent Minute from WWII where people were asked
to devote one minute of prayer for peace at nine o’clock
each evening.
Rayne’s descriptions are wonderfully atmospheric…”The
poison book was in good condition….There was, though,
the feeling that the light which fell over the pages was tinged
with the flickering radiance of candlelight, wax-scented and
dim, or even the bad-smelling gaslight that came later.”
Deadlight Hall is a intriguing, creepy story with
lots of twists and is sure to entertain anyone who appreciates
things that go bump in the night.
|