The buzz of this book built up around me like a whisper turning into to shout. I kept hearing it mentioned again and again, especially with the movie coming out (featuring my favorite actor Sebastian Stan). And daaaaaang Ms. Jackson can write my socks right off.

The agoraphobia, the twisting plot, the shifting view of the characters, the dry humor and sentence structure: the sheer craft and skill are mind-boggling. It's a masterwork of horror, just the right mix of sorrow and creeping atmosphere that makes it a fun scaredy time as opposed to a chest-beating and hair-tearing scaredy time. Imagining Sebastian Stan in Charles' place added some fun during otherwise bleak, angry time towards the end.

Overall, a terrific, terrifying read that won't break your heart, but will chill your bones. I can't think of a better Halloween read.