Holy terror

by Josephine Boyle

Emily Wakelin is a successful artist and needlewoman. She and her husband have moved into a dream cottage in the North Essex village of Little Hocking. She learns that a chapel is being furnished in the church in memory of a local sixteenth century martyr and it seems that a commission for a wallhanging may be thrust upon her. Then a series of appalling shocks threaten her peace of mind. The troubled sixteenth century is still dreadfully near in Little Hocking, and it is reaching out for Emily...

283 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Holy Terror was, for the most part, a well written and creepy gothic ghost story dealing with the theological theme of Resting in Peace (RIP). I liked how Boyle dealt with alot of spiritual questions many of us have struggled with for centuries. She presents a compelling argument about how humanity has tried to define and shape God's ultimate truth, and in that respect, this book was very thoughtful in it's approach. I would have liked to rate it higher, but unfortunately Boyle isn't much on character development IMO. Her female protagonist suffers from the "doormat syndrome" so popular in writers like Barbara Erskine. Nothing worse then a grown woman who can't say "no" to anyone. In addition, I felt like the other characters were thinly drawn, and I couldn't get a real fix on them.

Otherwise, the supernatural elements were great and suitably spooky, and it's definitely a book I would re-read.

[Lisa Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, I love it!! This one is like a Barbara Michaels' gothic novel, minus some of the humor, but none of the brains or supernatural elements. I will be looking for more by Boyle. I'm not done yet, but it's already 5 stars for me.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I personally thought that there was not enough suspense to the novel. Otherwise, it was a well-written story.

[Juan Camacho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not particularly suspenseful; it was more straightforward, but if you have the patience to stick with it to the end, you'll likely be satisfied.