Review of The House on Tyner
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Elavarasi Charles
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Review of The House on Tyner
[Following is a volunteer review of "The House on Tyner" by Matthew O’Connell.]
The House on Tyner by Matthew O’Connell is a remarkable work. The plot follows Jackson Taylor, a former all-star pitcher, as he relocates to a beautiful house with a horrible past in Tyner, northern California. After losing his wife and two children to an unfortunate accident 9 years ago, Jack retired from baseball out of depression and found a new purpose in life by becoming a chef. 1988, and he is looking forward to opening his restaurant in Lake Tahoe, a well-known spot for winter sports, as he settles down in his new house. With the stress of renovation work for his upcoming restaurant on his hands, Jack encounters a never-before experience in his life—coming face-to-face with a ghost of a little girl and her quizzical messages. The house had him mesmerized at first sight, and he looked over the fact that the architect of the house had committed murder-suicide in it and that all the previous owners had sold it back after less than a year of living there. But now, recurring paranormal encounters challenge his resilience and sanity. With the help of some acquaintances that he makes along the way, Jack sets out to unearth the mystery buried in the house.
There is a fine line dividing people when it comes to supernatural happenings. What makes you believe them or not? And why? For some, it is just a figment of the mind in response to a trauma. But some tend to believe what they see when it feels more real than what a human brain could fabricate on its own. This book cradles both sides alike. And the author isn’t justifying anything. But bringing about a debate among readers is what sets this book apart.
I was expecting a typical horror script that hosts a vengeful ghost out there on a killing spree for whatever unjust it has been put through. But the ghost here is more just seeking and less vengeful. The nondescript nature of it adds the right amount of scare. However, the core of the plot, which changes the course of the story midway, becomes unexpected and more horrific instead. The ending has a satisfying closure as Jack finally opens his heart to his love interest, a librarian who aided him in this dreadful journey, and accepts the happiness he had denied himself. As for twists, while most others were predictable, the one in the closing chapter had me surprised.
The author has done excellent research, and it shows on every page. This book is suspenseful and, for the most part, informative. I enjoyed familiarizing myself with Italian cuisine, Jack’s specialty, and extensive wine vocabulary, sadly from his mild alcohol addiction. In that aspect, a re-read can still be enjoyable. Some chapters have conversations on supernatural beliefs and human psychology in deciding right from wrong that are thought-provoking.
Considering the quality time I had reading this book and the meticulous way it has been professionally edited, I gladly rate this book 5 out of 5.
Some of the historical events may disturb readers of those specific regions, and the gore in some unsettling events may be gruesome. Along with these, a very mild usage of profanity can also be given as a warning. For these reasons, this book is suitable for teens and adults. Whoever loves a good, quoting the author, ghost story wrapped in a mystery, enjoys Italian food, and is a wine enthusiast can look forward to some terrific nights with this book.
******
The House on Tyner
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
The House on Tyner by Matthew O’Connell is a remarkable work. The plot follows Jackson Taylor, a former all-star pitcher, as he relocates to a beautiful house with a horrible past in Tyner, northern California. After losing his wife and two children to an unfortunate accident 9 years ago, Jack retired from baseball out of depression and found a new purpose in life by becoming a chef. 1988, and he is looking forward to opening his restaurant in Lake Tahoe, a well-known spot for winter sports, as he settles down in his new house. With the stress of renovation work for his upcoming restaurant on his hands, Jack encounters a never-before experience in his life—coming face-to-face with a ghost of a little girl and her quizzical messages. The house had him mesmerized at first sight, and he looked over the fact that the architect of the house had committed murder-suicide in it and that all the previous owners had sold it back after less than a year of living there. But now, recurring paranormal encounters challenge his resilience and sanity. With the help of some acquaintances that he makes along the way, Jack sets out to unearth the mystery buried in the house.
There is a fine line dividing people when it comes to supernatural happenings. What makes you believe them or not? And why? For some, it is just a figment of the mind in response to a trauma. But some tend to believe what they see when it feels more real than what a human brain could fabricate on its own. This book cradles both sides alike. And the author isn’t justifying anything. But bringing about a debate among readers is what sets this book apart.
I was expecting a typical horror script that hosts a vengeful ghost out there on a killing spree for whatever unjust it has been put through. But the ghost here is more just seeking and less vengeful. The nondescript nature of it adds the right amount of scare. However, the core of the plot, which changes the course of the story midway, becomes unexpected and more horrific instead. The ending has a satisfying closure as Jack finally opens his heart to his love interest, a librarian who aided him in this dreadful journey, and accepts the happiness he had denied himself. As for twists, while most others were predictable, the one in the closing chapter had me surprised.
The author has done excellent research, and it shows on every page. This book is suspenseful and, for the most part, informative. I enjoyed familiarizing myself with Italian cuisine, Jack’s specialty, and extensive wine vocabulary, sadly from his mild alcohol addiction. In that aspect, a re-read can still be enjoyable. Some chapters have conversations on supernatural beliefs and human psychology in deciding right from wrong that are thought-provoking.
Considering the quality time I had reading this book and the meticulous way it has been professionally edited, I gladly rate this book 5 out of 5.
Some of the historical events may disturb readers of those specific regions, and the gore in some unsettling events may be gruesome. Along with these, a very mild usage of profanity can also be given as a warning. For these reasons, this book is suitable for teens and adults. Whoever loves a good, quoting the author, ghost story wrapped in a mystery, enjoys Italian food, and is a wine enthusiast can look forward to some terrific nights with this book.
******
The House on Tyner
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
Latest Review: Quantum Terra by Kirk Marty
