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Read what group members are saying about Asylum Lake!

Jennifer Place's review
Jan 30, 11

status: Read from January 27 to 30, 2011

The first thing that intrigued me about this book – even before the synopsis – was the cover art. I don't know why, but it captured my interest immediately. I have a book "problem" and have endeavored to stop spending so much money on them and be more selective in my choices but this one I had to have.

I finished it this afternoon and it was a good, entertaining and quick read (quick despite having a three year old. If it's less than a week to finish, I consider that "quick" these days).

Great premise. Great characters. Witty dialogue. I loved the mystery in the story and needed answers to the story. I'm looking forward to reading more by Mr. Evans for certain.

My only complaint – and it's certainly not much of one – is the end felt a little rushed to me. This isn't entirely a bad thing because I felt myself rushing as I was reading, trying to find out how the story would end. So the story's pacing sort of fell in with my own frantic need to know what was going to happen to the characters I had really begun to enjoy.

 

Charlie's review
Jan 26, 11

bookshelves: horror

status: Read from January 23 to 25, 2011


In the spirit of full disclosure, I must confess I was originally drawn to this book for two reasons: it is set in Michigan, the place where I born and grew up and it's horror. Little did I know, I'd discover another connection, that to Seattle, where I now reside. If this wasn't enough to give me a shiver, the story of Asylum Lake certainly was! Beware, you might not want to read right before turning off the lights and going to bed. Too scary? Not for me! This is exactly the kind of mysterious paranormal horror I love to read. The characters attract tragedy and death. At first, they seem like a very unfortunate lineage, but as this mysterious thriller unfolds you will be enlightened to the purpose behind the events.

For those from the 'mitt' you will like the authentic setting and subtle humor. I had to chuckle at the Up North House. Any true Michigander goes up north for vacation because south would lead to Chicago. I can not think of a better setting for this tale to take place than on a secluded lake in northern Michigan, whether it is on a hot, muggy summer night or a cool, breezy fall day, viewing an abandoned state asylum would be enough to scare even the toughest Mid-Westerner.

Another interesting aspect, and I'm certain this is the case with many small towns, is our fascination with old crime stories. I appreciate how influential cases are sited by the author (whether they are real or not) and work to draw a connection from past to present. This grounds the paranormal making it believable, which in my opinion is a key element to escalating the horror level. Getting a reader to imagine that an event truly could or did happen is essential. Old crimes and cases don't die in places like Bedlam Falls. One thing you can count on is people will certainly remember what happened but might forget the details. By making use of this human tendency, Evans creates a creepy mystery. Circumstances similar to the one surrounding the characters of Asylum Lake become legends in towns like Bedlam. Stories permanently attach to the land, they seep in and hibernate until the next thaw. Brady brings the thaw, but why and how? Well, I'm not going to give that away! I can't wait to read the next book and learn more about what happened to Lionel and Dr. Clovis!