Cause of Fear

by Robert Ross

"A delightfully spooky read. Robert Ross will keep you guessing until the end--and then he'll surprise you "--Tamara Thorne

All her life, Linda Leigh has been a plain Jane -- the kind of woman no one notices. That all changes when handsome college professor Geoffrey Manwaring falls in love with her. The only shadow cast over their upcoming marriage is Geoff's son Josh's stubborn refusal to accept Linda into his life -- and his insistence that the unbalanced mother who deserted him years before will return to claim him...

Gabrielle. Everyone remembers how intelligent, witty, and beautiful Geoff's first wife was. Still, Linda is confident she'll be a good stepmom to Josh, once he lets down his defenses. But then the nightmares start. Visions of being burned alive that soon become hallucinations. The same dreams plague Geoff, then Josh, who continues to await his mother's arrival...

Until the day a woman in a red cloak comes up the lane and approaches the house. The wife who walked out on Geoff four years ago. The mother whose memory Josh clings to. The force of evil who wants Linda out of their lives -- forever...

299 pages, Paperback

First published March 31, 2000

Reviews

[Kaz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for original stories that intertwine culture and horror and this did just that. I wish it would have leaned into that aspect a little bit more but the characters were good, the twists were well laid out and hard to see coming all the time, I really like the pace of the book and I think Ross has a very readable style. It won’t blow your mind but it’ll keep you locked in for almost 300 pages of fun and that’s good enough for me.

[Edenation ArtnBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was the first novel I've read when I was in high school, before that I always say that I will only read books with pictures! Now, I am reading a lot of psychological thriller and horror fictions novels. It's so exciting! I love this book and I miss reading it. I am trying to find this book online from where I am but it's hard to grasp.

[Lesley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I give this a solid “meh”. I really didn’t like the protagonist as she was somewhat of a pushover. Also, all of the characters were underdeveloped.

[Evette · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book really drags on. Luckily, the second half saves it.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time I read anything by this author so I didn't know what to expect. I thought I was going to be reading a murder mystery but it surprised me and it was a nice surprise. Linda couldn't believe she was lucky enough to be engaged to a guy like Geoff. There were a few hitches - he needed to divorce his wife who walked out on him 4 years ago but that was almost final and she needed to win his 8 year old son over but nothing insurmontable or so she thought. Then Gabrielle, Geoff's wife shows up mysteriously one morning. Everything escalates from there to Linda's visions, seances, and more. This was a fast read and one I didn't want to put down.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Glad i picked up this book at random! it wasnt full of gore like i was hoping but it kept my interest the entire time. i would definitely read this one again

[Brian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun read, but this book had one too many irritating errors and one glaring plot inconsistency that knocked it down a couple of stars.

[Squiggles · Rating 2 out of 5]

An alright read. The start is very reminiscent of Rebecca..

[riyo. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this when I was a teenager so I will probably reread it