The Haunting of Pitmon House

I really enjoyed this book by author Michael Richan. The story is about a young woman's brother who becomes deathly ill and enraged after encountering an object in the Pitmon House. The woman acquires friends along the way to help her find out what made her brother ill to the point where they have to enter the Pitmon House to find their answers. But what lies within the Pitmon House gives the woman and her friends something they wish they had never encountered. Two bad entities rule the top floor of the house and they do not like intruders. This was a very intense and gripping read as I could not put the book down. Giving this book four stars.

4.5 stars!<br /><br />THE HAUNTING OF PITMON HOUSE, by Michael Richan, is a stand-alone novel based on the early life of one of his "River" characters. Although followers of the River Series will recognize Eliza's name, this book takes place before any of those references--after she leaves college to care for her 14 year-old brother, following the death of their father. At this stage, Eliza has virtually no idea that she is "gifted", and is forced to learn about her abilities after her brother is mysteriously infected by a cursed object.<br /><br />The journey is unique, as we learn about the "gifteds" along with Eliza. With research and help from some newfound friends, the source of the problem is linked to Pitmon House--a black-marked estate feared by all who know of it. Hideous murders and sadistic mutilations are often the fate of any person who dares to venture into this long-abandoned mansion.<br /><br />With the aide of an entirely new cast of characters, Eliza realizes that she must learn to use her unique ability, and venture into the heart of this accursed place if she wishes to find a way to save her brother.<br /><br />Richan delivers on the brutality and horror in regards to the dead that still reside in Pitmon House. Utilizing torture techniques once used by the sadistic entities during their actual, physical lives, the ante is considerably higher once they are in spirit form--without fear of imprisionment or repercussions of any sort.<br /><br />After all, what is there for the dead to fear?<br /><br />A refreshing break from the ongoing links to the other branches in the River Universe, THE HAUNTING OF PITMON HOUSE is a great introduction to Michael Richan, and the abilities of his "Gifted" mortals.<br /><br />Highly recommended!

The Haunting of Pitmon House is a book that stands alone. You do not have to be familiar with any other books in The River Series. Eliza brother Shane, is infected by something at The House of Rock, where Eliza works. Shane goes from an average teenager to a raving maniac. It is so bad, that Shane has to be admitted to the hospital and kept sedated. Eliza, finally realizes, that the doctor's can not help her brother. Eliza works at The House of Rock with Rachael, who is gifted. Rachael notices that Eliza could be gifted but does not know how use her power. Eliza father never taught her about her gift and about the river. Rachael decides to help Eliza save her brother. They discover that the old abandon Pitmon House, is linked to Shane's infection. Rachael tries to convince Eliza, that the Pitmon House in no ordinary haunted house and people have died there. It will be a long journey for Eliza and her friend Rachael. Along the way, Eliza and Rachel makes new friends who are gifted and want to help them battle the spirits that inhabit the house. Eliza will do anything to save her brother, even it if means putting her own life on the line. Can the group defeat the spirits that haunt The Pitmon House and save Shane? This was an enjoyable read for me. The characters are well developed and that adds to the story line. Michael Richan, is a good writer and a very good storyteller. I recommend this book.

The blurb sounds great and with lots of positive reviews I was sure I would love this. Unfortunately, it turned out to be a struggle to finish. I didn't really like or care about the characters and the world was hard for me to picture and understand. Maybe if I'd read some of the other books first it would have helped? For some reason I just wasn't engaged in the story and my attention would wander. I think it is probably an "it's me, not you" thing.

I really loved this story! Not anything I have read before, and I understand it’s part of a “river” series. This story was more supernatural than I usually like, but it really worked for me! It was exciting, fast paced, and I loved the characters. I will be reading more in this series :)

2.5 stars<br /><br />For me this book was just okay. The pluses: it is a quick read and has some interesting elements. I didn't find the book as scary as I thought it would be and I didn't fall in love with any of the characters. If you are looking for a quick, slightly spooky haunted house book you might like this.

A solid, enjoyable read. Simple, but engaging. I wasn't sure I would continue by the end of the book, since it wasn't really as 'haunted' and scary as I was hoping for, but it drew me in and I started up the 2nd book right off.

There is much to the plot of this novel. Eliza has a "gift" but she doesn't know from whence it came. Her friend, Rachel, has the same gift and instructs her to enter a river with her eyes closed. This river is the source for the gift. It contains ordinary things with super-ordinary powers.<br /><br />So, when Eliza's brother, Shane, becomes violently uncontrolled, and is sent to an asylum, she suspects something else is wrong. Eliza's friend, Rachel, introduces her to an array of extra-sensory people who look at "prints" from the river, to tell them who possessed Shane. They are led to the house of horror, where ESP people have died: Pitmon House! There, they will find the spirit who possessed Shane. <br /><br />It's a slow start, and we have to understand: Eliza has no idea of her powers. Her parents never told her. How will she use her power to free Shane, and, does Shane has the same powers? <br /><br />This is a very creative take on the horror genre. One might say, it's a serious, magical "Ghostbusters" in print! The dialog seems real (too many expletives, Mr. Richan!) and the amazement of Eliza is profound and sympathetic. I notice the author has many "Haunting of" novels. This should be a great adventure to explore all of them!!

This isn't a great book, but it interested me because i'm familiar with the locations where it takes place. The book begins at a place i've visited several times, The House on the Rock, in Spring Green, WI. It is an amazing, creepy, awesome place where you might be convinced anything could happen. To believe there are things there that hold evil, is not all that difficult, and that is the premise that starts the book. The brother of an employee there comes under the influence of some sort of curse carried by an object in the House. The book is his sister's quest to remove that curse. This leads her to another haunted house, The Pitmon House. The author seems to be making up magick as he goes along with his own names and rules. I didn't find any of this part believable in the least. And several plot points were left open at the end of the book, i presume to be picked up in the next book in this series. I hate that. Finish your damn books!!

<strong>Wow</strong><br /><br />This is the first book I've read of this author and to say I was impressed is an understatement. An excellent read with no tedious grammatical errors and no equally tedious fillers; just pure unadulterated suspense and enjoyment. The pace was pleasantly fast and the characters likeable. I also liked the fact that the main character grew in wisdom and acquired a backbone. I can't wait to read the next book on Waverley Hall and will look into the River series. Great read!