Did you notice the question mark after the non fiction bit? That is because this book has had its fair share of skeptics who have questioned the "true" events which are described in it. I read this more like a horror book rather than the real story it claims to be and I enjoyed it a lot.
The cover describes this as a "stunning bestseller". On that count, the publishers are absolutely right. I have a 1978 edition of the book which i bought from some book fair and its printing pedigree IS stunning. It was printed 13 times in July 1978 and 10 times in August 1978.
The events take place at 112, Ocean Avenue, Long Island, NY. A man murdered his family. A different family moves in, enchanted by the deal they are getting for a very spacious house. They end up getting much more than they bargained for. They stay in the house for 28 days. This is their tale.
Much of the phenomenon which happens seems to be inspired by the classic William Peter Bletty's book "The Exorcist". There is a priest who is unwilling to perform the exorcism. There are disturbing events which are seen as the manifestation of a poltergeist.
The book is pacy and starts to grow on you despite many similarities with the aforementioned Exorcist. There are some genuinely disturbing events involving kids which will chill you to the bone.
It is unabashedly entertaining.
It is divided into 25 short chapters which describe the trauma which the family faces and the "sinister-ness" of these occurrences go on increasing with the passage of time.
This will be enjoyed by readers who like their serving of horror short and furiously paced like a thriller.
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