Bookish Blerd

This is a re-read for me. I read the original serial novels as they were published and felt the need to revisit them.

Creepy. Creepy. Creepy. Ugh I love John Saul's writing so much!

Strange things are afoot in the town of Blackstone. The Blackstone Asylum, which has stood at the top of the tallest hill, overlooking the town of Blackstone for over a century is scheduled for renovation. It will soon become a shopping center with the hope of rejuvenating the slowly dying town. The Asylum is deeply ingrained in the town's history and many are glad to see it go. But after the first ceremonial strike of the wrecking ball, everything starts going to crap. The bank finds itself in trouble and has to halt the project, which means a lot of people are going to be out of work, not to mention all of the loan payments from townspeople that will come due with no possibility for extensions. And all just in time for Christmas.

A dark figure scours through the asylum and finds a hidden treasure trove. A "gift" is sent to the McGuire family. It's an antique porcelain doll. And let me just say, this is one of many reasons why I don't mess with antique dolls *shudder* so creepy! It's an old creepy doll, of course its evil! After the doll is introduced into the household, tragedy hovers of the family like a black cloud. Bad, things happen, things that seem like accidents. Sadly, it's just the beginning of the bad times for this town.