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245th out of 644 books
—
653 voters
Hellfire
by
John Saul
The old mill has been silent for a hundred years, its dread secrets locked from view Still, the people of Westover, Massachusetts, remember...and whisper of that terrible day when horrifying flames claimed eleven innocent young lives The day the mill's doors slammed shut - forever.
But now, the last of the once-powerful Sturgess family is about to unlock those doors again.....more
But now, the last of the once-powerful Sturgess family is about to unlock those doors again.....more
Paperback, 344 pages
Published
July 1st 1986
by Bantam
(first published January 1st 1986)
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Vengeful murderous spirits are released when the local entrepreneur decides to reopen the century old mill which made his family their fortune (thanks to exploitive child labour of the times).
Carolyn is married to Philip Sturgess, head of a rich and once-influential family that has resided in the small town of Westover Massachusetts for generations. Carolyn has a kind and sensitive 11-year-old daughter, Beth from a previous marriage and Philip has a rotten-to-the-core 13-year-old daughter Tracy...more
Carolyn is married to Philip Sturgess, head of a rich and once-influential family that has resided in the small town of Westover Massachusetts for generations. Carolyn has a kind and sensitive 11-year-old daughter, Beth from a previous marriage and Philip has a rotten-to-the-core 13-year-old daughter Tracy...more
Saul does not disappoint in this book. As with many of his other books, the pace is quickly set and the need to put the book down doesn't come. Instead, I found myself reading faster and faster in order to try and finish what I could before I absolutely had to put the book down. This book is captivating and a quick read, at least for me.
Do the sins of our previous generations actually harm the lives of the current generations when it comes to families? Hellfire takes a look at this scenario alo...more
Do the sins of our previous generations actually harm the lives of the current generations when it comes to families? Hellfire takes a look at this scenario alo...more
This was a good fun read especially so close to Halloween. I wouldn't exactly call it high art but if you are looking for something light with a bit of a disturbing quality to it then this is the book for you.
It's all about the greed of a rich family and the consequences of their actions. Saul develops some rather absurd and stereotypical characters. It is very clear who is good and who is evil.
I expected to plod along a rather predictable plot but still found myself a bit surprised and horrif...more
It's all about the greed of a rich family and the consequences of their actions. Saul develops some rather absurd and stereotypical characters. It is very clear who is good and who is evil.
I expected to plod along a rather predictable plot but still found myself a bit surprised and horrif...more
John Saul is noticeably inferior to many of the big-name writers, and Stephen King has openly criticized his writing, but although his writing doesn't have the same power or finesse as King or Straub or ... must I say it, Dean Koontz ... he is more than capable of turning out a simple and entertaining story that takes us from point A to B. Sometimes, in the case of 'Hellfire', he even manages to scare us - or at least creep us out a little. But the best part of this book is that it continues to...more
Just finished this one. Could've had a sequel, but I guess chose not to write one. Quick read.
This is a horror fiction novel. I would recommend this book if you enjoy this type of genre.
Synoposis:
The old mill has been silent for 100 years, its dreaded secrets locked from view. Still, the people of Westover remember....and whisper of that terrible day when the horrifying flames claimed 11 young lives. The day the mills doors slammed shut--forever. But now, the last of the once-powerful Sturgess family is about to unlock these doors again. Behind the padlocks, depp within the dark, abando...more
Synoposis:
The old mill has been silent for 100 years, its dreaded secrets locked from view. Still, the people of Westover remember....and whisper of that terrible day when the horrifying flames claimed 11 young lives. The day the mills doors slammed shut--forever. But now, the last of the once-powerful Sturgess family is about to unlock these doors again. Behind the padlocks, depp within the dark, abando...more
Carolyn Rogers marries Phillip Sturgess -- rich, eligible, successful bachelor with a heart of gold despite his snobbish breeding. Phillip, along with Carolyn's ex-husband, plan on reopening a mill where a group of the town's children burned to death in the late 1800s and has recently become the site of many mysterious accidents. And that's about all the Carolyn and Phillip have to do with the story.
The main focus of the story is Beth Rogers, Carolyn's daughter from her first marriage, and Trace...more
The main focus of the story is Beth Rogers, Carolyn's daughter from her first marriage, and Trace...more
John Saul's books have always been deliciously creepy with just the right amount of morbidity. Hellfire was no different. It was very interesting and I found it extremely difficult to put it down. The story of the old mill grasped my attention, and having a child be the antagonist was very intriguing as well. The ending was surely shocking, and although it wasn't a very happy one, it was amazing all the same.
I pretty much read every John Saul book that I could find in the 80ies from my local library and then for some reason I either fell out of love with his brand of ghoul or my library no longer carried his books and I have not read one in a very long time.
A period piece at first, complete with horse drawn carriages and farm estate... quickly became a tragic episode of murder on murder, with lots of blame on ghosts from the past. Parts enjoyable, but also a lag until I got halfway into it.
The first book I ever read. It is this book that got me into reading. While getting ready for a family vacation, I picked this book from my mother's shelf so I wouldn't be bored.
I rather enjoyed this book. I read the whole book in a weekend. I became a huge horror fiction fan because of this book. I enjoyed the fact that it took place in a very small town, like the town I grew up in, in the neighborhood of a closed textile factory. Awesome!
After a century of being closed, an abandoned factory...more
I rather enjoyed this book. I read the whole book in a weekend. I became a huge horror fiction fan because of this book. I enjoyed the fact that it took place in a very small town, like the town I grew up in, in the neighborhood of a closed textile factory. Awesome!
After a century of being closed, an abandoned factory...more
So I am really liking John Sauls books. During a few points I was even getting scared enough to wake my Fiance up haha. The stories are interesting,unique and well thought out. So far my only complaint is they never end happy! I know they are horror, but come on!
This novel was recommended to me by a fellow "goodreader" and I have to say that it changed my first impression of John Saul. This is a very solid book, with a thrilling climax and enjoyable ending, not exactly great literature but worth a read if you enjoy old town folklore and legends.
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This was an easy, cheesey horror novel--exactly what I was in the mood for. It reads kind of like a V.C. Andrews novel, about families and their dark secrets. Unfortunately, it ended stupidly.
One of the first books I read of his. Fantastic!! Really keeps you in suspense and hard to put down! One of my favorite authors!! Another must read!
An amazing read! I loved this book...each twist is mostly unexpected and is very thought provoking!
I was 12 when I read this in 1986 and it scared the crap out of me.
I know I read it , can't remember plot
way out
very good horror story
Great story, fast paced. I was hoping it would have a happier ending.
WOULDN'T YOU KNOW ....GREAT!!!!!!
The creepy parts were good and I was pleased that the author was not afraid to kill off likable characters. Even though the storyline was a little weak and the characters were pretty two dimensional, I would be interested in checking out this author's more recent work.
A little too much soap opera and not enough chills and thrills. He has written far better books than this one.
A riveting and moving page-turner. Once again John Saul delivers a supremely terrifying novel.
The only book I've ever read that made me jump.
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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| TERRIFYING NOVEL! | 3 | 8 | May 08, 2013 06:57pm |
John Saul was born in Pasadena, California on February 25, 1942, and grew up in Whittier where he graduated from Whittier High School in 1959. He attended several colleges—Antioch, in Ohio, Cerritos, in Norwalk, California, Montana State University and San Francisco State College, variously majoring in anthropology, liberal arts, and theater, but never obtaining a degree.
After leaving college, he...more
More about John Saul...
After leaving college, he...more
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