The Amulet by Michael McDowell

[Addy]

We will be starting this June 8th. It’s me and Terry right now. Feel free to drop us a line if u want to join!

[Terry]

I’ve had this on my shelf forever! Glad to finally be reading it.

[Addy]

Yes. I remember this being very good. I think my last McDowell book was the one you didn’t finish...Gilded Needles. I think you should give it another shot. It was also very good:)

[Marie Helene]

I'll be joining. I remember the Gilded Needles buddy read. Good book, but more historical fiction/thriller than horror.

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Yes. I remember this being very good. I think my last McDowell book was the one you didn’t finish...Gilded Needles. I think you should give it another shot. It was also very good:)"

I did end up finishing it, and enjoying it. I was definitely slow getting into it, but came around to enjoying by the end.

[Terry]

Marie Helene wrote: "I'll be joining. I remember the Gilded Needles buddy read. Good book, but more historical fiction/thriller than horror."

Glad you can join too, Marie Helene! You are so right, that book was definitely more historical fiction. Looking for more horror here I hope.

[Dawn]

I’m in, sounds like a fun read!

[Terry]

Dawn wrote: "I’m in, sounds like a fun read!"

Glad you can join also, Dawn.

[Addy]

Great to have you all on board! I agree with the historical fiction part of Gilded Needles. It’s not usually what I go for, but it was pretty interesting.

[Marie Helene]

So, are we starting the buddy read today? 🤓 😎

[Terry]

I’m starting today, Marie Helene.

[Marie Helene]

Terry wrote: "I’m starting today, Marie Helene."

OK, so am I 👍

[Addy]

I’ve stopped at ch5 for now. The story is being set up and the characters introduced. I really like Sarah and Becca. They have a dynamic relationship that I’m a little envious of.

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I’ve stopped at ch5 for now. The story is being set up and the characters introduced. I really like Sarah and Becca. They have a dynamic relationship that I’m a little envious of."

I’m at the same spot. Definitely not the best situation they’re in though. Actually, nobody in this story is so far!

[Marie Helene]

I've stopped at ch1. Alabama 1965. We are far from New York and the Gilded Age. Loved the end of the chapter: 'they were seasons in which Pine Cone was an excellent place to live -if you were a spectator, and not a victim.'

[Terry]

Marie Helene wrote: "I've stopped at ch1. Alabama 1965. We are far from New York and the Gilded Age. Loved the end of the chapter: 'they were seasons in which Pine Cone was an excellent place to live -if you were a spe..."

Haha, yes, they had better not put that on the welcome sign at the edge of town.

[Terry]

If there is one thing that McDowell does well, he really paints a picture of the settings of his stories. There is a lot of feeling to them, a richness I guess I’d call it.

[Addy]

(view spoiler)[this is just a test(view spoiler)[/ (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

I think im doing spoilers wrong...can someone show me how to do it?

[Addy]

Ok. I think I got it...lol. I stopped at ch9(view spoiler)[does anyone else think we got a voodoo witch on our hands? Jo’s history with deaths is pretty questionable. (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Ok. I think I got it...lol. I stopped at ch9[spoilers removed]"

Good question. (view spoiler)[ She certainly sounds evil enough. What a trapped existence for Sarah. I feel bad for her. (hide spoiler)]

[Marie Helene]

Addy wrote: "I’ve stopped at ch5 for now. The story is being set up and the characters introduced. I really like Sarah and Becca. They have a dynamic relationship that I’m a little envious of."

Addy, I feel the same as you!

[Phil]

I loved this book, but I just reread it a few months ago. The husband is a great character!

[Addy]

@phil (view spoiler)[He certainly doesn’t do much...lol. I’m not trying to be insensitive but he doesn’t seem like a good guy. And there is the question of whether he truly is aware? (hide spoiler)]

[Phil]

Addy-- (view spoiler)[ That is why I liked him so much! He plays a key role in the story, yet after the first chapter (where yeah, he seems to be some kind of asshole), he just sits there (sometimes he is moved, but whatever). I do not think I have ever read such a character in a novel before. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

Phil, I totally get what u mean now that I think about it...lol. McDowell has a knack for that sort of thing. I sure wish he would have written more books.

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Phil, I totally get what u mean now that I think about it...lol. McDowell has a knack for that sort of thing. I sure wish he would have written more books."

Did he write any books under another name also?

[Addy]

I’m not sure. I know his book Toplin was by far his most ambiguous book that I’ve read. It was almost like somebody else wrote it.

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I’m not sure. I know his book Toplin was by far his most ambiguous book that I’ve read. It was almost like somebody else wrote it."

I've not read that one. It's on the list to get to, though.

[Addy]

Oh Axel Young. He wrote one book by that pseudo name.

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Oh Axel Young. He wrote one book by that pseudo name."

Good to know!

[Latasha]

i listened to this one. It was really good! i hope everyone likes it.

[Addy]

I’ve stopped at ch14(view spoiler)[I had forgotten how cruel and ruthless Larry’s death was including his children! What a strange amulet and yet Jo seemed so cool and confident. This woman isn’t very innocent. In fact, I think she knows all too well what’s going on. She let loose a domino effect! (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I’ve stopped at ch14[spoilers removed]"

I agree! (view spoiler)[ Jo definitely seems to know what's going on, and she basically threatened the whole town. And wow, you are right, the deaths of all of them was brutal! Especially the son falling out of the window. I'm curios now what happens to the amulet after the fire. I was surprised with how quick things went south after Rachel put it on. It was instant pretty much. (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

I made it up to the start of ch22 this morning. (view spoiler)[ Wow, this amulet acts fast on people! Very creepy. I'm wondering now a lot about the backstory we don't know yet. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

I’m at ch18 but with work starting again I didn’t get to read as much as I liked. I’ll figure something out. (view spoiler)[Terry, what backstory do you mean? The amulet’s perhaps? (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I’m at ch18 but with work starting again I didn’t get to read as much as I liked. I’ll figure something out. [spoilers removed]"

Yes, (view spoiler)[ I was wondering if there was a history to the amulet that we'll learn, something to explain its evil - unless it's all just Jo... (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I’m at ch18 but with work starting again I didn’t get to read as much as I liked. I’ll figure something out. [spoilers removed]"

And no worry on the schedule! I'm in no hurry :) I'm not going to make any progress today.

[Addy]

To be honest, I don’t remember. We will just have to find out!

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "To be honest, I don’t remember. We will just have to find out!"

It’s better that way, right?!

[Terry]

I read up to ch28 this morning. Such short chapters! Anyway, what a crazy story.

[Addy]

Hoping to catch up today:)

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "Hoping to catch up today:)"

Excellent! I get to work today instead of reading :(

[Addy]

I didn’t really get to catch up...lol. My mom wanted to bbq yesterday so didn’t have much time for reading. I am on ch22 this fine morning and will continue to read for a bit more. (view spoiler)[poor James Shirley:( Certainly a horrible way to meet ur demise. Do u think the amulet makes whoever is wearing it kill them selves as well? It seems to be that way. (hide spoiler)]

[Addy]

I’ve stopped at ch26 but will prob read some more tonight. (view spoiler)[so can we all agree that Dean must be in a vegetative state or maybe a coma? Though he’s not on a breathing machine. I can’t fathom the kind of relationship Jo has with him. Is she perhaps delusional or is she using some kind of voodoo magic? Any thoughts? (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I didn’t really get to catch up...lol. My mom wanted to bbq yesterday so didn’t have much time for reading. I am on ch22 this fine morning and will continue to read for a bit more. [spoilers removed]"

Good question! (view spoiler)[ it seemed that James wife was an accident when she slit her throat, so who knows. It sure makes them crazy! (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Addy wrote: "I’ve stopped at ch26 but will prob read some more tonight. [spoilers removed]"

Another great question! (view spoiler)[ I think we’re supposed to be left guessing it seems, but I’m guessing it’s something more than a vegetative state, like maybe the voodoo idea is more right. Maybe the amulet has something to do with keeping him alive as long as it gets to keep killing people? Who knows, but a great mystery! (hide spoiler)]

I read a little more this morning up to ch33, about 20-some pages from where you are right now.

[Marie Helene]

Finished ch21. Hoping to catch up with you soon 😀
Pine Cone, Alabama: (view spoiler)[population declining at an alarming rate (hide spoiler)]

[Terry]

Marie Helene wrote: "Finished ch21. Hoping to catch up with you soon 😀
Pine Cone, Alabama: [spoilers removed]"

Haha, too true! 😂

[Addy]

Oh my gosh! So true!