Holy Terror

by Josephine Boyle

Newlyweds John and Emily Wakelin can't believe their luck when they discover the quaint cottage of their dreams in Essex. Emily, a talented embroideress, and John, a rising accountant, settle into a peaceful life. But they get their first inkling of something amiss when Emily befriends the eccentric, autocratic Currans, who live in a centuries-old mansion next door. She can't shake the feeling that there is a strange presence lurking in the Curran house.
When the formidable Mrs. Witherley-Bashe, a self-righteous pillar of the community, discovers that the newest resident of Little Hocking is a talented artist, she insists that Emily accept a commission to create a wall hanging of the sixteenth-century martyr, Walter Tappett, for the local church. Emily, unable to say no, begins the task of constructing the embroidery. Battling local critics resistant to change, she gradually discovers a strange secret next door and finds herself racing against an unknown force to complete the embroidery before something horrible happens to herself or the people she loves.

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.