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The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic
by
Kathleen Valentine (Goodreads Author)
Novelette (15k words) Psychological horror. – The townhouses on serene, elegant Beacon Hill in Boston are some of the most lavish and expensive in the country. When Stan and Mattie take up residence in the dark and crumbling five-story house that Mattie grew up in, and has just inherited from her grandmother, their plans are to clean it out, fix it up, sell it, and return...more
Kindle Edition
Published
(first published July 4th 2011)
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This was an awesome psychological thriller. I enjoyed the detail of the past and present of the characters in the book and how they all intertwined with each other. I felt for Mattie throughout the book as she uncovered as of her life she never knew. I loved this book!
OK, I must confess to the reader of this review that I am a bit biased to Kathleen Valentine's writing. I fell in love with it in her book The Old Mermaid's Taleand with almost every piece I have read of hers since. Her range of writing, from women's lit to this piece of work which she classifies as a psychological thriller, is spectacular. Her character development...always superb! This piece of work has a specific aura of sarcastic wit to it, which adds to the vibe of the story. I also tend to...more
Well as it turns out The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic is not a novel but a Novelette (15k words) and it was a good read, it was not a "thriller" it was a bit of drama and a telling of things that had happened in the past which had been totally oblivious to the young girl who grew up there. I guess it was 4+ Stars for a story that you can read in an hour or 2 but after reading the excellent books of Ms Hunter for the last several days it was hard to get excited about it. If you ever need something...more
So good! I didn't figure it out til the end.
I found out about The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic from a thread on a forum. The description really grabbed me, and I loved the fact that it was only 15k words long. At 99c, it was really a no-brainer purchase, and one I'm glad I made.
The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic is written in first person, present tense. Since most stories are usually written in past tense, this change was slightly disorientating for a few pages. But after the first few pages, it seemed perfectly natural and I found myself re...more
The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic is written in first person, present tense. Since most stories are usually written in past tense, this change was slightly disorientating for a few pages. But after the first few pages, it seemed perfectly natural and I found myself re...more
So far this year, I've been having a lot of trouble getting into anything I've tried to read. I finally started searching around for different genres, trying to find something that would grab me, and I came across this novelette. Thank [deity of choice].
I know that sounds like I should be giving this story more than three stars, but hear me out. The reason why it doesn't get four is because ... I wish it had been longer. The premise is great, and the plot moves along quickly. Perhaps too quickly...more
I know that sounds like I should be giving this story more than three stars, but hear me out. The reason why it doesn't get four is because ... I wish it had been longer. The premise is great, and the plot moves along quickly. Perhaps too quickly...more
First, I warn any others whom the title of this book might allure, that it's an ill-chosen one, since the lady referred to is neither crazy nor old. In fact, she's dead and buried; furthermore, contrary to what its description says, there's not a tinge of horror in these pages.
While the author's narrative is pretty smooth and evocative, the tale itself unfolds too quickly, scattering blunt hints all over, thus stripping the suspense of an otherwise great story - a story that somehow reminded me...more
While the author's narrative is pretty smooth and evocative, the tale itself unfolds too quickly, scattering blunt hints all over, thus stripping the suspense of an otherwise great story - a story that somehow reminded me...more
This book was really good - and kept me interested the whole time. I only wish it were a bit longer.
Book Description- The townhouses on serene, elegant Beacon Hill in Boston are some of the most lavish and expensive in the country. When Stan and Mattie take up residence in the dark and crumbling five-story house that Mattie grew up in, and has just inherited from her grandmother, their plans are to clean it out, fix it up, sell it, and return to their quiet life on Cape Cod. Mattie is overwhelmed by the gowns, furs and jewels in GrammyLou's bedroom. Stan is amazed by the fifth-floor ballroom w...more
Apr 11, 2013
Lyn M
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
psychological thriller fans
Recommended to Lyn M by:
Kathleen Valentine
Mattie and Stan inherit a Beacon Hill townhouse from Mattie's Grandmother on GrammyLou's death. In The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic, the first story in Kathleen Valentine's Crazy Old Lady series of stories, they decide to spend the summer living in the townhouse so that they can fix it up and sell it. As they sort through GrammyLou's belongings, a story unfolds that has Mattie and Stan intrigued and nothing will do but for them to figure it out. This story had me intrigued, too, from beginning to...more
I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book; it starts off sounding like a memoir, then moves into a family history sort of story, then a mystery, and ends completely differently from any of them. I'm not sure the vague "psychological horror" description quite describes it either. It was a decent read, and unlike several e-books I've read seemed to have had a thorough editor. I think I probably would have given it 4 stars if it were just a bit stronger, but all in all I can't really say anythi...more
When I saw the cover of this book I was afraid it was going to be just a crazy old story. But this short book had everything in it that makes a good "attic" mystery to me.
Mattie inherits the big mansion on Beacon Hill she grew up in after her granny's death.
As she and her husband begin the cleaning up process it becomes a mix of past and present as Mattie puts together her memories of life growing up there and what really happened.
I loved it and will read more of Kathleen Valentine.
Mattie inherits the big mansion on Beacon Hill she grew up in after her granny's death.
As she and her husband begin the cleaning up process it becomes a mix of past and present as Mattie puts together her memories of life growing up there and what really happened.
I loved it and will read more of Kathleen Valentine.
This novelette was quite good...giving me a taste of things to come, as I am now on to The Crazy Old Lady's Revenge
Ms. Valentine, again the consummate storyteller, took me straight to the "old money" district in Boston for a mystery just beginning to unravel. Old money, old family secrets no one wants to reveal...
4 stars
Ms. Valentine, again the consummate storyteller, took me straight to the "old money" district in Boston for a mystery just beginning to unravel. Old money, old family secrets no one wants to reveal...
4 stars
This was a great read overall - after this I purchased every other Kathleen Valentine I could find on Kindle. She has a great style that you don't come across too often, and she really draws you into her characters. This story was a great reminder that inside every nice old woman their might be hiding a very wicked old witch. When the story reached it's conclusion I was actually sick to my stomach ...LOVED IT!
Mwahahahaha! Just finished this short mystery and recommend it for a quick, interesting read this Halloween week. Not a horror story, but a well-woven uncovering of family secrets only available as a digital download. Well worth downloading the free Kindle app to your computer if you do not have a Kindle. I'll be looking for more from this author.
I didn't realize this was a short story. It was okay but I think it could have been made into a novel and been more enjoyable. It was predictable and didn't leave me guessing at anything. Everything was spelled out for the reader, and I personally don't need to be told every secret, I like to speculate and figure it out for myself.
This novella was a sweet mystery and a bit predictable. The reason I rated it so low was because I didn't realize it was a novella and being so short, there wasn't much substance to it. The title is a little deceiving because you don't learn that there's even a "crazy old lady" in the attic until the book is nearly finished. A fast read if you're wanting something for a few hours.
This was terrifically well written and certainly could have been a novel. But it was mad creepy! I know that's the point, but still. Almost nightmare inducing in a very subtle way. I will definitely look for more by the author. To be read in the morning when lots of company is about.
I really enjoyed this story, but in the end found it a bit too short. The idea was great, but at the end I felt like too many points had been glossed quickly over to make this a short novel. I do look forward to reading longer works from the same author though.
I bought this book for my Kindle and paid 99 cents. Not worth a penny, very short book, seems to be the gig now with the 99 cent books...so before you buy look and see how long the book is first..as I did this with another Kindle book...
A nice and quick read, but I felt it was too short. This was the type of story that needed more plot and character development. It would have made an excellent story if everything was a bit more fleshed out, but overall I just felt kind of unsatisfied.
I am getting to the point where I like to read a good short story after I have read a 500 page book So the more my friends talked about this book the more I wanted to read it. As with all short stories you can't give away to much of the plot or you give away the whole story for the next person. If you like a good psychological horror/ mystery without all the blood and guts, old five story brownstone houses and a family and their servants who have some secrets to hide. Then you will like this bo...more
I enjoyed the story, but it was too short to really give the horrifying effect that was promised in the blurb. A young woman inherits her grandmother's house, and while cleaning it out, she finds out some interesting family history and...some that she'd rather not know.
This was a .99 cent Kindle purchase. The characters just did not have time to develop in this short of a novelette. It would be better as a full length story with some more creepy thrown in.
My first read by this author and it was an awesome one!! A great thriller that kept me glued to the screen until the very last page!! Can't wait to read more by Kathleen!! Four stars for me!
A quick, short read on the Kindle. I was waiting for something. Not sure what, but I didn't feel anything spectacular or sensational to give me anything but a slightly boring read.
Another well written book by Kathleen Valentine, I gave her The Old Mermaids Tale 5 stars
as it was a much better story, much longer book. I love her writing though.
as it was a much better story, much longer book. I love her writing though.
Enjoyed this but there was so much room to expand & make it bigger & better & I didn't feel like it fits as a short story.
Quick (an hour tops), easy read.
Quick (an hour tops), easy read.
Fun novelette.....on afternoon on the couch (not really....have never spent an afternoon on the couch....but this was an entertaining fast read).
Definately would not give this the title of "psychological horror story". That is a bit of a stretch.But with that said - I did like the story. Parts were predictable, but not everything. Nice short story to enjoy within a couple hours, by an author that has some pretty good work out there. Will opt for more of her Kindle short stories. Has the effect of cleansing the pallet after reading a regualr novel of over 350 pages.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| Sisterhood of the...: The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic, by Kathleen Valentine | 1 | 8 | Jan 14, 2013 06:07pm | |
| Sisterhood of the...: The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic by Kathleen Valentine | 2 | 6 | Jan 11, 2013 01:46pm |
Kathleen Valentine is the author of the coming-of-age novel, "The Old Mermaid's Tale," and two novels of romantic suspense, "Depraved Heart" and "Each Angel Burns." She has also written several novelettes of psychological horror including the best sellers "The Crazy Old Lady in the Attic" and "Ghosts of a Beach Town in Winter." Her latest work is a novel in stories, "The Whiskey Bottle in the Wall...more
More about Kathleen Valentine...
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updated Nov 28, 2011 07:04pm