The physical attacks give way to mental onslaught as the house, or whatever it is, ramps up its attempts to subvert, divide, and conquer the four uninvited guests. But rest assured, Hell awaits, and the explorers do indeed suffer Satanic torments. But the events unfold slowly, which is the proper pacing for a horror novel, but after a time the reader can't help but wonder if they stumbled into Heck House by mistake. From these accounts, we know we're in for a dark and scary ride. Barrett reads an exhaustive list of psychic phenomena that have been recorded in the Belasco house, and Fischer recounts the criminal and perverse history of Belasco and his followers. Barrett and Florence clash over differing opinions while Fischer and Barrett's wife Edith share secrets and, later, sexual tension. He's only there to ride out the required inhabitancy and collect his money. Fischer, the medium who survived the last exploration of the house, though with a tapestry of mental scars, also believes the house to be haunted, he just doesn't care to do anything about it. One of them, Florence, attempts to contact the lingering souls directly and suffers Barrett's constant ridicule. The two mediums, on the other hand, do believe in spooks. He just doesn't believe them to be the result of ghosts. Note that he does not refute or disbelieve the reported psychic phenomena that others claim to have witnessed in the house. Barrett, the scientist, believes that so many blasphemous and atrocious acts occurred in the house that the very walls have become stained and saturated with powerful electromagnetic energy.

The Belasco house was built by Emeric Belasco as a retreat and hideaway for those who desired more and more perverted and depraved experiences. Along for the ride is the scientist's wife, who not only serves as an everywoman for the professionals to explain their differing opinions to, but also adds a nice layer of jealousy to the second half of the book. The investigating team consists of a scientist and two mediums, one of whom is the only survivor of a group of paranormal researchers who entered the house thirty years ago. Where to find that answer? In the old Belasco house, the titular house of hell, known in the novel as the Mount Everest of haunted houses. He promises a big cash payoff if they can provide a real answer before he shuffles off this mortal coil. Here's the setup: A dying millionaire hires a group of folks to find him proof that there either is or isn't an afterlife. Hell House by Richard Matheson Reading Review by Michael Channing

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