Dream House

Description

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Customer Reviews

Excellent creepy read.
It's been years since I read this novel but it's stayed with me all this time. A family moves into an old house and finds violence and evil in it's past. An evil that seems to resonate still, threatening their lives... Fahy is really an underappreciated writer. I've read all but one of his novels and had a great time with all of them. I also recently discovered that he is alive and well and still writing. Looking forward to more of your work, Mr. Fahy!

2001-07-25 (Knoxville, TN USA) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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A good horror novel about a family living in an evil house
A good horror novel about a family's move to an infamous house where one man had killed his family and another family had died in a fire.

After many years working as an insurance salesman, Peter Willis is denied the promotion he obviously deserves. This triggers a sort of mid-life crisis for Peter and he literally tells his boss to take his job and shove it. He decides to move (with his family), open his own business, and sculpt in his spare time.

Unfortunately, the unscrupulous real-estate agent hid the fact that many people had died on the property. Peter finds Satanist 'paraphernalia' there (a Satanic Bible, a ritualistic robe, a shrine, the previous owners' journal -- and some very gruesome things which I won't mention and spoil the story for you). Afterward, he struggles with his business and the restoration of the house. Peter becomes obsessed with the journal. Tensions run high among Peter, his wife, and his son. Some sort of explosion seems inevitable.

Fahy's story was unpredictable, particularly during the first half. Fahy keeps alive the mystery about just what is happening to the Willis family for a good part of the novel. There is also a very tense, suspenseful chase during the climax.

Fans of Stephen King's "The Shining" would probably enjoy this book a lot. (Don't worry. Fahy's novel is not a clone of King's novel. "Dream House" is similar to "The Shining" to the extent that King's "Salem's Lot" is similar to Bram Stoker's "Dracula".)

I almost gave the story 4 stars (rather than 3), but it's probably just a little too long.

2001-01-08 | Laymon Fan (Philadelphia, PA USA) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 3

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Limerock-Maine Stories

Description

15 short stories about archetypal Maine natives and out-of-staters who have chosen to live in Maine.

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Customer Reviews

A very good collection of short stories
"Limerock" is a very good collection of short stories. Most of the stories are set in Maine. One ("Ride") is set in Philadelphia.

The stories show the conflict between locals and "summer people"; between wealthy people and poor; between black people and white; between old and young; between gay and straight. Some stories show the difficulties of aging or illness.

I agree with the previous reviewer who praised "Detour". It's a great story about a childless man who tries to protect a little girl from her unstable family members.

"Uncle Cub at Paradise Fair" is very funny at times. The behavior of some of the characters is so appalling that it's also darkly funny.

"The Tip" is an affecting story showing the same event from two different points of view. It probably should seem corny or preachy, but the author manages to avoid those pitfalls.

You might be surprised how much tension there can be in a story set in Maine (particulary since they lack supernatural elements). "The Best in the World", "Detour", "A Clock in San Diego", and "Holly Point" stand out in my mind as tense stories.

The book is a nicely-designed trade paperback. My first copy was missing four pages. My next copy was fine, though.

I enjoyed the book. Hopefully it will be followed by an anthology of fantasy and suspense stories. I'd also like to read another of the author's suspense novels.

2001-01-11 | Laymon Fan (Philadelphia, PA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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A very good collection of short stories
"Limerock" is a very good collection of short stories. Most of the stories are set in Maine. One ("Ride") is set in Philadelphia.

The stories show the conflict between locals and "summer people"; between wealthy people and poor; between black people and white; between old and young; between gay and straight. Some show the difficulties of aging or illness.

I agree with the previous reviewer that praised "Detour". It's a great story about a sterile man (?) who tries to protect a little girl from her unstable family members.

"Uncle Cub at Paradise Fair" is very funny at times. The behavior of some of the characters is so appalling that it's also darkly funny.

"The Tip" is an effecting story showing the same event from two points of view. It probably should seem corny or preachy, but the author manages to avoid those pitfalls.

You might be surprised how much tension there can be in a story set in Maine (particulary since they lack supernatural elements). "The Best in the World", "Detour", "A Clock in San Diego", and "Holly Point" stand out in my mind as tense stories.

I enjoyed the book. Hopefully it will be followed by an anthology of fantasy and suspense stories. I'd also like to read another of the author's suspense novels.

2001-01-08 | Laymon Fan (Philadelphia, PA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Great Maine Stories
Reading Limerock is like taking a vacation to Maine, but instead of eating lobster dinners and walking on the beaches, this time you get invited into people's home. No, more like this: You marry into the family and move in. You start spending Friday nights at the Grange Hall dance, Saturday at BEANO. You drink coffee sombraroes with the cousins, drink tea with a good aunt, put up with the Connecticut people next door, watch the old barn on the hill slowly collapsing . . . and can't seem to get enough of it. Want to know what Maine is like? Read this wonderful book.

2000-04-26 | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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A Must Read Book
Rarely does a collection of short stories come along in which each one of them is a gem! Fahy has captured the essence of ordinary life in Maine with extraordinarily brilliant glimpses into places and personalities. "Detour" is a masterpiece. "Limerock" should be in the collection of everyone who appreciates great literature.

2000-03-26 (Washington Institute for Creative Activity, Washington, DC) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Limerock:Maine Stories
A welcome departure from Fahy's usual scary tales, Limerock explores a Maine many don't know exists. Carefully and clearly drawn, the characters, (and I do mean "characters") portray the struggle, tension and distrust between the Maine natives and the "out-a-staters". An eye opening and enjoyable read.

2000-03-25 | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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Eternal Bliss

Description

"A fascinating study of a disturbed mind...Fahy has a strong sense of what makes people tick, an enviably lean and almost invisible prose style, and he doesn't cheat."

—Charles Delint

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Customer Reviews

Abysmal
I've read a few of this author's other books, and the stories were sharp and well done. This book was terrible. Terrible characters. Terrible plot development. A complete and utter waste of time. I can't believe the same guy wrote this mess.

2008-11-27 (Waukegan, IL United States) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 1

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"She was a beautiful teen star--at the mercy of a madman..."
Twenty-year-old actress Bliss Marshall is abducted one day by an obsessed fan, Alan Swan, and brought to his isolated home on Calico Island, Maine, in order for him to "save" her from her decadent Hollywood lifestyle and bring her "back to nature." During the long months, he tries to capture her transformation by making a film of them together, which he hopes will make him a star as well.

"Eternal Bliss" isn't as disturbing or violent as I had expected (it's about a PG-13 rating), but it's still a riveting horror novel with great characterization. I hope to read more by Fahy in the future. 4½

2003-10-02 | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 4

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A good suspense novel about a kidnapping
A good suspense novel about a man kidnapping a famous model.

(I'd like to give a more detailed review, but it's been too long since I read the book.)

The characterization of the kidnapper is particularly interesting.

On the downside, the author seemed to get stuck at times. Most of the story focuses on just two characters on a small island. Stephen King managed to write a great novel about a celebrity and his kidnapper ("Misery"). Fahy's novel isn't quite as well-paced.

2001-01-08 | Laymon Fan (Philadelphia, PA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 3

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Matinee at the Flame

Description

An elderly junk dealer finds redemption in a defunct burlesque theater. A middle-aged Jewish man discovers the aphrodisiacal powers of a Ku Klux Klan uniform. An annual street carnival provides the venue for legalized murder.

Welcome to the world of Christopher Fahy, a world of fantastical transformation, where the ordinary takes bizarre and macabre twists:

• A druggie wandering in Europe touches a medieval painting and is shockingly changed forever.

• A middle aged bachelor loser becomes a slave to his TV set, which has him carry out its evil plans.

• New dental work turns a cuckold into a vengeful killer.

• A mild-mannered octogenarian comes back from the dead to right the wrongs of his familiar world.

• A greedy businessman is trapped in a life-or-death game played with 1952 baseball cards.

• Frankenstein’s monster visits his creator, Mary Shelley, in the dark of a sleepless night with love on his mind.

• A hopeless young factory worker uses her savings to pay for a fantasy tryst with her idol, a dead rock star, and is shattered by the experience.
These are among the twenty-three (includes one extra story in this signed hardcover limited release) fantasy stories in the latest Overlook Connection Press release, Christopher Fahy’s Matinee at the Flame.

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Customer Reviews

Great collection of horror stories!

I'm a big fan of Fahy's work. This is an excellent collection of 22 short stories.

They're very short. The 22 stories fill only 253 pages. (The limited edition hardcover has an extra story, bringing the total to 23 and adding an extra ten or so pages.)

Ten of the stories are reprints from other anthologies. The other twelve are exclusive to this collection.

The book was published by Overlook Connection. You may be able to read the title story at their website.

Also, check out the cover art by clicking on Amazon's thumbnail image at the top of this page.

There's a "Twilight Zone" or "Tales from the Crypt" feel in some of the stories. One or two of them have a touch of Harlan Ellison in them. (Fahy's "Dream Box", for me, had the feel of Ellison's "Djinn, No Chaser", though the storylines are not similar.)

Some standout stories: "Trolls", "Dream Box", "Night Watch", "The Real Thing" (from 'Santa Clues'), "Want" (from "The King is Dead: Tales of Elvis Post-mortem"), "Transformations" (from an anthology edited by Isaac Asimov), and "Randall Rodgers Reinvented" (about a man who involuntarily returns from the dead).

All of the stories are pretty good, but "Carnival", "The Man in Black", and "The Pharoah's Crown" are probably the stories I liked -least-.

I didn't fully understand "Pharoah's Crown"; "Carnival" seemed to be too long (it has an SF element but that didn't bother me); and in "The Man in Black" Fahy wrote in a style that's much different from his other writing. It's a first-person story told from the point of view of Mary Shelley, author of "Frankenstein."

If you like Fahy's collection of horror stories, you might want to try his story collections "Limerock" and "Greendgroundtown" (w/o horror stories), his horror novels "Dream House" and "Nightflyer", his thrillers "The Lyssa Syndrome" and "Breaking Point", and his mainstream novels "Chasing the Sun" and "Fever 42".

2006-11-15 | Minion of Drew Goddard (Philadelphia) | Helpful Votes: 2 | Rating: 5

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FANTASTIC COLLECTION OF SHORT STORIES!
Matinee at the Flame from Overlook Connection Press was my first exposure to the work of Christopher Fahy and I certainly hope it will not be the last. It's been awhile since a collection of stories from a single writer has thrilled me as much as this book certainly did. I honestly believe that Christopher must have channeled the spirit of Rod Serling as many of these stories read like classic episodes of the Twilight Zone; Ordinary people experiencing extraordinary things, sometimes for the good and sometimes for the bad, but always entertaining.

The title story Matinee at the Flame is a perfect example. A story of redemption and second chances to make up for one's mistakes in life. An old man named Elmer Hutchins is hired to remove the junk from an old burlesque theatre called The Flame, that he frequented when he was a young man. Upon entering he is shocked to find the place still running but terrified when the stage managers thrusts him on stage before a packed house. As Elmer relates the bitter trials of his life, the crowd roars in amusement, laughing at him and then jeering him. What payment awaits Elmer for his humiliation? A chance to make amends. A truly heartfelt modern fantasy!

Blumberg Variations finds a Jewish man named Hymen attending an antique auction where he buys an old Ku Klux Klan robe with the intention of burning it. Yet, when he gets the robe home and tries it on, he finds it has a strange effect on a certain male organ...and organ that has been giving poor Hy and his wife trouble for some time.

The real Vlad Dracula shows up at a horror convention in Convention, intent on putting the bite on a group of female editors and their long-standing disrespect of Vlad and his kind. Hilarious!

Lucky Sunday doesn't seem so lucky for little Jimmy who's going to church with his Grandma. It's hot, and he's wearing a brand new suit that is bothering him. Jimmy wonders where all the other kids are...he is the only kid in church this Sunday. Jimmy's about to find out why...

Transformations was one of my favorite stories in the book. A struggling poet named Winston is making his last attempt to sell his poems. When he stops to make copies at a tiny bookstore, he finds that the copier has remarkably changed the title of his poems, and re-written them perfectly as he envisioned! A gold mine! Winston insists upon buying the copier from the owner and makes the arrangements. But back at his apartment, the owner of the copier company pays him a visit. A dark man, dressed in black...and he tells Winston a serious mistake has been made.

It's In the Cards is another fabulous story. A man stopping in a small store to buy a pack of cigarettes thinks he's hit the jackpot when the owner has a box full of unopened packs of baseball cards from 1952. The owner tries to talk him out of buying the cards but Cooper insists. Finally, the storeowner relents but will only sell him one pack for now. And Cooper is warned not to open the pack until he is inside his house. Cooper soon finds himself playing a game for his very life and the life of his family.
Finally, I will mention The Guardian which would have made a wonderful episode of Goosebumps. Ten Year old Danny is finally able to go trick-or-treating with his friends and without his mom tagging along. A new boy named Eddie Carter who is dressed as a ghost joins the group. Eddie rescues Danny from being nearly hit by a car and then stands up to the trio of bullies who try and steal t he group's candy. What Danny can't figure out though is how Eddie claimed to have known his mother a long time ago...

I was absolutely enchanted by the stories in the book. This mix of modern fantasy and ironic, EC Comic-style horror is a masterpiece. My highest recommendation! The book is scheduled for an October 2006 release.

2006-10-30 (Michigan) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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Fever 42 - Trade Edition

Description

"I thought that Chris Fahy's novel Fever 42 was both wildly funny and surprisingly sad. The combination made me think of the early J.D. Salinger period. ... I think it will attract a lot of attention. Chris is a wonderful writer." - Stephen King. Ted Wharton, 42, a teacher at Whitman High in Somerside, New Jersey, lives a routine suburban life with his wife and kids. Disenchanted after fifteen years of teaching, going thru the motions at work -and home-he feels the clock is ticking. Then it happens: on the same day that one of Ted's colleagues drops dead of a heart attack, Joy, 17, a bright and stunningly beautiful senior in one of his classes, makes a play for him. And he puts up no resistance. Fully alive for the first time in years, he revels in his wild trysts with Joy -many at Whitman High. Living on the edge, obsessed with Joy, but realizing the ultimate disaster this will become, tries to end his relationship with her. Only to see his world spiral out of control.

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Customer Reviews

Recommended. Good mainstream novel, full of sex and humor.

I'm a long-time fan of Christopher Fahy's horror and suspense novels. This book is a good mainstream novel about a 42-year-old teacher during his mid-life crisis. The teacher, Ted Wharton, has an affair with a beautiful 17-year-old high school student from his Honors Psychology class -- with disastrous consequences.

The beginning and end of the book are very funny, and the book is solid and involving throughout.

I recommend this book, as well as Fahy's horror novels "Nightflyer," "Dream House," and "The Lyssa Syndrome."

I also recommend his story collections, particularly "Limerock."

Fever 42: 4 1/2 stars.

(Note: I read only the hardcover version.)

2006-05-31 | Laymon Fan (Philadelphia, PA USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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Don't Mess Around with Your Students
I read this book last year and was amazed. It was the first book I've ever read by Chris Fahy and it will not be the last. I read approximately 65-70 books per year and it was one of the best books that I read 2003.

The subject dealt with Ted Wharton, a middle aged school teacher who seemed to be living the American Dream. He enjoyed his career, had a nice wife, and two well behaved kids. However, at 42 he felt like he was missing out something. He recognized his mortality. About this same time, one of his senior students, Joy, sexy, smart, beautiful, and absolutely hot, began flirting with him (and not so innocently). In spite of risking his career, his marriage, his reputation, his future relationship with his children, he cast all caution to the wind, and began a torrid affair with her. Joy, wanted their sexual encounters to be risque; outdoors, in the AV room, classroom, in a car in the shopping mall parking lot, at his home, etc. Eventually, the consequences of his sexual escapades catch up with him. Besides Joy won't leave him alone.

What I like about this book is that even though Ted Wharton is dispicable and violated the trust of his community by sleeping with a student, betrayed his family, and threw his career away, all for a piece of "booty," I found myself rooting for the guy, hoping that he could work his way out of the quagmire that he created for himself. I hoped that he would be able to save his career and his marriage.

I actually liked the guy, although I'm not sure that I would want my daughter in his class.

Fahy is a wonderful author and I'm looking forward to reading more by him.

2004-09-10 | Mentally Tough (Evansville, IN United States) | Helpful Votes: 3 | Rating: 5

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Recommended. Good mainstream novel, full of sex and wit.
I'm a long-time fan of Chris Fahy's horror and suspense novels. This book is a good mainstream novel about a 42-year old teacher during his mid-life crisis. The teacher, Ted Wharton, has an affair with a beautiful 17-year old high school student from his Honors Psychology class -- with disastrous consequences.

I highly recommend Fahy's horror novels "Nightflyer", "Dream House", and "The Lyssa Syndrome".

I also recommend his story collections, particularly "Limerock".

2004-09-02 | Laymon Fan (Philadelphia, PA USA) | Helpful Votes: 0 | Rating: 4

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Summer Lines

Description

Poets Jonathan Aldrich, Mary Burchenal, Christopher Fahy, Elizabeth Gordon McKim and David Riley published this collection to celebrate a decade of reading poetry to audiences in Tenants Harbor Maine.

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Customer Reviews

The most beloved poetry
Summer Lines is an anthology of poetry published in celebration of the ten-year anniversary of the annual poetry readings conducted in the Jackson Memorial Library in the coastal village of Tenants Harbor, Maine (later moved to the Oceanview Grange in Martinsville to accommodate its increasing popularity). The most beloved poetry from the readings presented over the years, as selected from the works of five eminent poets (Jonathan Aldrich, Mary Burchenal, Christopher Fahy, Elizabeth Gordon McKim, and David Riley) has been collected into Summer Lines, creating a treasury of evocative verse meant to be freely voiced and shared. "Night: The Water Bearer": who is that man / between field and river / coattails flapping / skyward at the cold / close of January? / who is this man / who let the stars / fold over him?

2006-12-09 (Oregon, WI USA) | Helpful Votes: 1 | Rating: 5

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