THE HOUSE is the 3rd book of Michael McDowell's BLACKWATER series. At this point, I can't really write a full review without giving away information from previous books. However, the atmosphere of this one intensifies dramatically, and events begin to happen that drastically alter what we've come to know of Perdido. There were scenes in this volume that will stand out for some time to come, and many new revelations. I'll be diving into Book 4: THE WAR, immediately.Highest recommendation for this...

this series is just wonderful.

It’s been only a year and a half since I read and reviewed the previous volume in the Blackwater saga, The Levee. I enjoyed the hell out of that book, as I did this one, so why the long wait? Well, the original plan was reading these little novels a month at a time, as they were published ... and life got busy ... and I read other things. Excuses, excuses. But I’m back! And boy, The House is a treat. This series is only getting better with each book, and in this one previous plot-lines come to a...

Part 3 in the BlackWater Chronicles really delivered the goods that were promised with The Levee. In a short amount of time, these characters have become family to this reader, and it's impossible to not feel like you're a part of this town and the drama that ensues. The Southern flavor is once again sprinkled in to the mix with an insane amount of talent, and the developments at the end of The House change the direction in which the series will continue in a dramatic and exciting way. Where McD...

"Bless your heart" is the most terrifying thing to hear. The Caskey clan is a little bit older and now entering the Great Depression. The levee has been built and the Perdido river still hasn't flooded. The passive aggressive war between Mary-Love Caskey and daughter-in-law Elinor for dominance over the family continues. The series really is a family drama with some horror elements tossed in and while I generally dislike both genres, McDowell writes with an assured confidence and brisk pacing th...

The Elementals is still my favorite book by McDowell, but the Blackwater series really gets cooking in book #3. I had a few of those moments where you have to close the book after reading a surprisingly terrifying sentence that comes out of nowhere, which is what McDowell does best.

Just gets better and better!

The story becomes more darker in this episode, more people die and other visitors show themselves. He writes so well the words flow and make it a joy to read. The author wrote this about story so far from 1 and 2 of the saga.." Our story 'til now... Following her mysterious appearance during the flood of 1919 in Perdido, Alabama, Elinor Dammert marries into the town's leading family, the Caskeys. After surrendering her first child, Miriam, to her possessive mother-in-law, Mary-Love, Elinor settl...

Part 3 of the Blackwater saga is intense. Previous plot threads are aligning, tensions have never been more high and there's creepiness throughout. The intriguing build-up of the previous two books are proving worthwhile now that McDowell is taking full advantage of the festering family drama and eerie setting. I still can't decide if this epic is the greatest thing ever or an unreasonably long (but good) tale. So far leaning toward the greatest thing ever, but we'll have to see what the remaini...

This Southern Gothic soap opera continues to deliver! The Perdido river runs through town and who knows what it brings with it? It seems in some cases to heal and in others to kill and building a levee didn't do a damn thing to contain all that. The river remains within its boundaries but its not happy about it. I just can't get over how much fun I'm having with this series. It's a total blast and I would recommend it to anyone at this point-fans of soap operas, ghost stories,southern horror, s

Reviewing a serial novel is like reviewing the chapters of any other book, so I'll just cut to the chase and say that this slice of life, supernatural Southern Gothic is a must read!It is everything that horror fans got into reading for, and so much more.

Review to come on the entire series.

Elinor's House... Ooh that was good! Lots of stuff happening with the Caskey clan! Carl-Queenie's husband, Francis - Elinor & Oscar's daughter & Marylove- the Caskey matriarch all had significant roles in this third book of the Blackwater Saga and Elinor's house was the central locale for all of the action & drama. I can't say too much about the plot without spoiling the story but if you like Southern Gothic horror, you should give this old 80's serial a try, the characters alone make it worth t...

The war for the Caskey throne comes leisurely to a head as a new generation of these Alabama elites steps onto the stage of this sprawling gothic soap opera. Though the Great Depression serves as a mile marker for this entry, the Caskeys are less concerned with financial ruin than with some more child swapping, a malevolent haunting and a maniac with a stockpile of rifles. The writing is as sinuous as ever, and McDowell's sensitivity to character and to the affects time has on us all are laudato...

Its never easy trying to put down comments about a book in the middle (ok close to the middle there are 6 in total) of the series without giving anything away and not sounding bland and pointless. Therefore what can I say? The families main characters start to straighten their positions and now the supernatural elements start to become more and more tangible - well in their evidence at least- the proof of their doing or malevolent intention are still obscure and difficult to blame on anyone pers...

I am absolutely utterly in love with this series. I'm the kind of person who, even with novellas, usually likes to break after a book or two to read something else. But I'm currently reading the 4th book and am not thinking of breaking away from this story anytime soon.Read this if you like any of either: Southern gothic, epic family dramas, and horror. Also, even if you don't like any of those things, you can still read it! This stuff is addictive.

The House is the third book in The Blackwater Series. The Depression hits most of the people of Perdido very hard. The Caskey family with their established fortune, manage to keep their heads above water. Elinor surrenders her first child Miriam, to her mother in law. Elinor gives birth to another daughter names Frances. Frances will be the daughter that Miriam could never be. Frances will share some of her mother's creepy mysterious genes. James Caskey is paid a visit by his penniless sister la...

Yikes! I'm both afraid to read on, but yet, want to dive headlong into part IV! All I can say is ===:-O

Red shows her mettleshe does what needs to be donestay off her shit list.

I entered this book with the hope that this will be a southern gothic haunted house book. While it was effective, it did not quite scratch that itch, so I will need to read The Elementals.Sister bugged out off-screen between books two and three, and I’m glad she came back, because they spent an awful amount of time on her and Early in the last book, and I’d have been annoyed if that had been a lot of investment for nothing.The closet in the front room of the Caskie house is messing me up, partia...