One word: delightful. This Old House meets Martha Stewart, raised on a healthy diet of Edgar Allan Poe and Henry James. I was so pleasantly surprised by this book after slogging through the 10-episode Netflix series (which, by the way, has precious little to do with Jackson's book: do NOT waste your time). This book is Goldilocks-right in length and tone. If you are attempting to lose sleep and/or check manically under your bed or behind the door every few minutes, this may not be the book. The eeriness level is genteel, just like an after-dinner parlor with a game of chess and a glass of brandy. But the characters have a sharp wit and their development is not formulaic. And don't even get me started on Mrs. Montague: how did *she* get there? The Laura Miller introduction in this edition (which I recommend saving for the end, if you want to avoid spoilers) mentions an excellent 1960s adaptation, and I do believe that's next on my to-watch list.