SOLVED. Supernatural horror/thriller centered in a small town with an evil (witch) woman and an old group of friends- classic horror. [s]

[Thomas]

Centered in a small town (somewhere in the Norheast, New York I believe) there is a group of older friends. One of them dies (sucicide I am pretty sure) and they are all shocked by it. Before his death, he was with a mysterious woman who accompanied him to a party where something odd occurred. She was a beautiful Hollywood star, but something was very troubling about her.
Strange things happen to some of these friends, and they ultimately confide in each other at meetings that they have. That are all petty successful, and maybe in their late 50s.
Some form of evil manifests itself in this witch like woman, and she terrorizes these men. She has an assistant/henchman with yellow eyes I believe, and she stays in a hotel at some point. She is associated with a green light if I recall correctly.
There is a huge snowstorm at some point.
They ultimately confront her at the end.
This is a well-written, serious book, probably several decades old at least. I read it perhaps 8 years ago but I believe it is much older. Not a recent cheap sci-fi book.

[Therese]

I hope someone comes up with the title - sounds like a great story.

[Deanne]

Ghost story! !
Written by Peter Straub. Back in the 80s. One of my favorites!

[Deanne]

I want to add that the book description here and on Amazon is vague. Maybe check the Wikipedia page for a better description of the book (it was also a movie).

[Thomas]

Ah yes, it was Ghost Story by Peter Straub. Thank you very much!