(41) I did not like this as much as ‘The Woman in Black.’ Her novels are essentially novellas - fairly well-written ghost stories to tell around a campfire. In this one, a professor and amateur art collector comes into possession of an oil painting of a carnival scene in Venice. The painting seems to draw viewers in, waking them from sleep to peer at newly noticed creepy details. Someone wanted this painting very badly and one dark night over drinks, this professor tells one of his old students the whole story. A jealous lover, a vengeful curse - are there new people going missing who seem to pop up in the picture with looks of abject terror on their faces? Surely not, as the painting was made in the 1700’s…

There was rather heavy foreshadowing which at times is an effective way to generate psychological tension, but in this case seems to make the story too predictable. I was a tad freaked by ‘Woman in Black,’ but not this one. Honestly, at times despite the brevity, I was ready for the punchline.

I won’t hurry to get another one of her novellas. I wish she would write a nice thick gothic haunting tale. These stories beg for more contextual detail and characterization. Overall though, a quickly read vacation read, but don’t expect to be scared. ( )

A story within a story, within a story, that turns out, IT'S WITHIN A STORY!

Evil bitter women, blameless men, more women as side-casualties and folks enjoying narrating stuff.

Read it before identifying Susan Hill's tropes (talked about here) so I didn't much mind the portrayal of women because I saw it as an analogy for other things and didn't quite place them within the saint/witch classic sexist dichotomy she loves using in her other novels as well. I loved the idea of an evil painting sucking men in, and would have liked to learn more about its origins and creation. It reminded me a lot of a duMaurier story of a newlywed couple that goes on a European country for their honeymoon and end up also having ghostly problems. But then again Hill is clearly influenced by Daphne and maybe that's why I love them both, sexist tropes and all. ( )

Susan Hill (The Woman In Black) has delivered another wholly satisfying, eerie tale in the vein of M. R. James -- who is the most chilling writer I've encountered thus far. ( )

Quick, spooky, creepy, little tale. Good for a rainy afternoon if you're in the mood. Told from the perspective of four narrators, it centers on a painting of a carnival in Venice and its disastrous effects on those whose hands it passes through. Interesting premise, if a little predictable. Enjoyable regardless. ( )

Another excellent spooky ghost story, this one reminiscent of M.R. James' wonderful "The Mezzotint." Read straight through with barely a pause. ( )