Review: In This House

In This House
by Kathryn Meyer Griffith

Bernard and Althea have lived their whole lives in the neighborhood, in the same house and have grown old there. But Doe Run’s lead smelter plant has been buying out the houses around them because of lead contamination fears and now the lots are empty weeds and only their house remains. Their neighbors are gone. They’re alone. Althea’s been sick and Bernard cares for her even as he remembers how lovely she once was, all the friends they once had and all the good times they enjoyed when they were young. He loves her and he’ll never leave her. They’ll never leave their home. But they can’t stop time and they’re only waiting for their lonely daughter, Jenny, to make one last visit so they can say goodbye to her and introduce her to the man they know she’s meant to be with…then they can leave this earth happy.

Bernard and Althea are no longer the young people they used to be. But they are still very much in love, and it shows. In fact, theirs is a love so strong it goes with them beyond this life.

Branded as a paranormal romance, I knew something was up, or was going to happen from the start of this story. I just didn’t know what. There was a bittersweet feeling to it, as Bernard remembered his youth, falling in love, and the good times he and his wife had shared with friends and family.

At first the changes were subtle, hinting that something was happening. But just as I finally caught on, the story turned and became about the couple’s daughter. I must admit, it was rather jolting. But all is well that ends well, and the romantic thread that started at the end felt like a promise of something more to come. If this author chose to do another story and pick up where this one left off, I would definitely read it -- it begs to be a longer piece. Short and sweet, this story is appropriate for women of any age.



Review by Violet