Now, for the first time, the New York Times bestselling serial thriller is complete in one terrifying volume. John Saul, the master of supernatural suspense, John Saul, brings to chilling life the small New England town of Blackstone–and the secrets and sins that lay buried there. . . .From atop Blackstone’s highest hill, the old Asylum casts its shadow over the village. Built in the 1890s to … 1890s to house the insane, the Asylum has stood vacant for decades. But now, the wrecker’s ball is about to strike–and unleash an ominous evil. Strange gifts begin to appear on the doorsteps of Blackstone’s finest citizens.
Each bears a mysterious history.
Each brings a horrifying power to harm.
Each reveals another thread in the suspensefully woven web of . . .
THE BLACKSTONE CHRONICLES
Part I–An Eye for an Eye: The Doll
Part II–Twist of Fate: The Locket
Part III–Ashes to Ashes: The Dragon’s Flame
Part IV–In the Shadow of Evil: The Handkerchief
Part V–Day of Reckoning: The Stereoscope
Part VI–Asylum
From the Trade Paperback edition.
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I played the video game, then got the book and it was very good. You can still get the video game from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/John-Sauls-Blackstone-Chronicles-pc/dp/B0007LUVD8
Twisted, entertaining and a bit unpredictable. It was my first serial novel although I read it as one book. The ending was a little too “sweep it under the rug” for me, but the overall story was really well done. Typical John Saul scaryness!
The Blackstone Chronicles, John Saul, 1997
My favorite quote: “The dark figure cradled the doll, gazing into its porcelain face in the moonlight, stroking its long blond hair, remembering how it had come to be here.”
Notable characters: The truth is, they’re all notable. Seriously. This is some of the best work Saul has ever done
Most memorable scene: Early on, when the little girl goes to the asylum. I was stunned. STUNNED. And so was the nurse who helped her undress
Greatest strengths: The shock value. Here there be many, many shocks …
Standout achievements: For technically containing six different stories, it’s remarkably cohesive
Fun Facts: The Blackstone Chronicles is a serialized novel consisting of six installments, all of follow the lives of different characters living in the fiction New Hampshire town of Blackstone
Other media: It’s been adapted into a graphic novel, a computer game, and ALMOST a miniseries … but apparently plans fell through
What it taught me: Because of the way it’s weaved together with a few interesting threads, this collection reads like a complete novel — something I paid very close attention to for later use in my own work
How it inspired me: When Tamara Thorne and I began our gothic horror collaboration, The Ravencrest Saga, it was originally released in serial form. It’s thanks to Stephen King’s The Green Mile and John Sauls The Blackstone Chronicles that we were able to do that. Those serializations paved the way and warmed modern-day readers to the idea of serial installments
Additional thoughts: When we interviewed John Saul on our podcast, he told us a wonderful story about how this book prompted Whoopi Goldberg to get in touch with him … good stuff
Haunt me: alistaircross.com
Great Reading! This book kept me turning pages to see what was going to happen next. Thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend.
John Saul is an amazing author. Love his books.
Loved every installment, beginning to end. Thank goodness the whole series was all there in one book – I can’t imagine having to wait until the next installment was published!
A great book.
The Blackstone Chronicles has been one of my all-time favorite books. Saul left no stone unturned, no detail to speculation when developing the plot and twists. I recommend The Blackstone Chronicles to anyone who loves a great thrill ride full of twists, turns and the frightening things that go bump in the night.
Have been reading his books for many years and never read one I didn’t like. If you like supernatural and terror you need to read this book.
One of my all time favorite books! Absolutely love this book and recommend to everyone.
I read this book in two days. It was difficult to put down. I even read it in the bsth tub. Love this author so much.
Have always loved John Saul books, and “The Blackstone Chronicles” did not disappoint me. I read the chronicles several years ago, and reread them when I got my new Nook. Enjoyed reading the chronicles as much now as I did the first time.
Kept you reading you just had to sleep. One of my favorite ever definitely up there with King and Koontz. I an currently reading it for the third time. Please give us another one like this.
Diane
A very good read.
was a good story. enjoyed it,
As always, John Saul manages to weave a tale that will keep the reader entranced! He has been a longtime favorite of mine, and always will be.
Readers of John Saul will love this collection of 6 novellas in one volume. They all tie in to a creepy story.
THIS WAS ORIGINALLY A SERIAL BOOK AND I LOVED THE ANTICIPATION OF GETTING THE NEXT BOOK. CREEPY.