Two strangers buy a house precisely because it's haunted - and come to regret it.
Excerpt
ONCE UPON ALL TIME...
The Butterfly House held its breath and every nerve-ending in every timber became alert, trying to sense the slightest movement within. It was almost sure that, just now - which, for the house, it always was - while it was drowsing, it had sensed something moving about on its second floor. It knew that the man, growing less careful as the tedium of his inertia in time preyed on his mind, had taken to wandering out of his sanctuary occasionally...particularly late at night when the House was often comatose. And one of these nights, it would trap him and destroy him.
All of the House's senses were alive now; every windowed eye peered inwards, scanning the dusty rooms; every floorboard tensed until it ached, trying to discern a footfall; every wainscot sniffed its room for the spoor of the man. But there was nothing new. Only the faintest trace of perfume left behind by the woman.
The woman was no problem. Her mind was in the House's total control and would be until she was swallowed into the Vast Unknowable. But the man was an unwanted impingement upon the House's sovereignty over the Inexpressible. He must be destroyed.
However, if the man had been there, he was gone again now. Gradually, the House relaxed and allowed its sensors to rest.
After all, it sighed softly, it had all the time in the world. It could wait until its last occupant, finally driven mad by his isolation in time, ventured more recklessly out of his sanctuary at a moment when the House was ready for him. And then it would destroy him, as it had destroyed all other failed acolytes.
And it would be alone at last.
Of course, the House was aware of the "For Sale" sign posted by its gate. But no one would buy a place so widely known to be haunted or, if someone were really that foolhardy, then it would drive him away, or destroy him too.
So, for the time being, which it always was for the house, the Butterfly House would simply wait.
Time was on its side.
Professional Reviews
Surprises
I was interested in this story from the start. For
one thing, the setup is far enough from the traditional haunted
house take that I couldn't accurately predict what was coming
next. For another, while I figured that neither hostile nor
stranger would last (I dreaded the inevitable blossoming
romance that no story seems to be complete without), the
author surprised me again. I won't tell you how but whichever
way you guess, I'm willing to bet you don't get it exactly right.
T.K. Sheils has rendered a tale in which the familiar nestles so
close to the unknown it's hard to tell where one ends and the
other begins. I was willing to allow for some adherence to the
horror "formula" but every time we ventured into what appeared
to be formulaic territory, the trail, much to my satisfaction, took
an unexpected turn. With shades of Lovecraft, Barker-esque
overtones, and imagery worthy of any of the current kings of the
macabre, "Butterfly House" oozed its foreboding ambiance all
over my attic office space and managed to creep me out. In the
day time. Exactly what a horror novel ought to do. I look
forward to reading more of Sheils' work.
!
Reviewed by Détra Fitch for Huntress
Recommended
T.K. Sheils: title - Butterfly House
Jackson Rutledge and Sabrina Osterling both saw the ad in the paper with the haunted house for
sale. Arriving within minutes of each other at the realtor's office, they met and immediately hated
each other on sight. However, they went to check out the house together. Both loved it, however,
neither could afford it alone. Since the house was huge and had two identical wings, they agreed to
purchase it jointly and each live in their half.
Soon unexpected events began to happen. Faces appeared in the windows, footsteps in a tower
that had no access, a knife throwing itself, horrible visions appearing, footprints to nowhere, and so
much worse! Then the unbelievable truth came out, the place really was haunted! No friendly
ghosts here! Their lives were at serious risk. The history of the house was not great either. Luther
Hanley and his two daughters had been experimenting with books best left alone by Agrippolos
Sinister. The Book of the Dead was among them. What happened to the small family is a story that
involves many people in town who refused to talk.
Seldom do I read a horror story that gives me nightmares as this one did! Highly
recommended reading for real horror fans! Excellent! I look forward to reading this author in
another book soon!
5-Star Reviewer's Choice!
5 Stars. Reviewer's Choice.
Someone is creeping through the darkened house...and the house doesn't like
it! The unusual opening draws the reader into this story of a strange house,
reputed to be haunted, and the mismatched pair that purchase it. Jack wants
to write a horror novel, and thinks the creepy atmosphere would be perfect.
Sabrina aches to meet a real ghost, and knows if one can be found anywhere,
it will be here. Although neither can afford the hefty price tag on the
house, its design of two identical wings flanking a common kitchen/dining
area makes it almost like a duplex. They agree to split the cost, and the
house, having as little contact with each other as possible. In fact, they
begin by sliding notes under each other's doors. When they hear footsteps in
the night, when threatening notes appear etched in the dust or typed on the
computer, when strange faces peer in the windows, and when someone -- or
someTHING -- seems determined to force them to leave, Jack and Sabrina find
comfort in each other. But they need more than comfort. They need answers.
Can they find the answers they need before the deadly threats are carried out?
This book scared the **** out of me. In fact, I'm not entirely certain I'll
be able to sleep tonight without leaving a light on. So from a horror
perspective, it was certainly effective. But what made it so chilling was
the perfectly reasoned and believable fantasy/science fiction (alternate
theology?) rationale motivating
the action. Studying the past, future, or even the present, to the exclusion
of all else, is ultimately doomed to failure and frustration. The events of
the book explore that concept to its logical and terrifying conclusion.
While I initially found Sabrina too abrasive, and never did quite understand
how her childhood experiences led to a hatred of all men, by the end I
sympathized with her. Jack was a more likable character from the beginning.
They are both fuller and more well-rounded than the standard victim
caricatures found in much horror, although their characters do not drive the
story. It is clearly an idea book. But that is not necessarily a bad thing.
In fact, when the idea is such a strong one, and delivered in such a
masterful way, it is a very good thing indeed.
Jennifer Dunne - Yeep(at)aol.com - http://members.aol.com/yeep/
