Book Review: Naomi

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Naomi     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Douglas Clegg
Class/Genre:   Fiction   Horror
Leisure, Apr 2001, $5.99, 359 pp.

Jake and Naomi were both born in Carthage, Virginia, a place where evil stands side by side with the righteous. Neither one had a descent family to turn to for support so they clung to one another. At seventeen Naomi left town to attend school and a year later Jake followed her though they never stayed in touch with one another. Thus, Jake is shocked to learn that his childhood sweetheart died by falling onto the tracks of a New York subway station.

In a bizarre coincidence, Jake rents an apartment in Greenwich Village just across the hall where Naomi lived. When he goes into the subway to catch a train, he swears he has just seen Naomi walking on the tracks. When it happens again and other weird things occur, Jake wonders if Naomi is dead or is her restless spirit trying to communicate with him. Either way, Jake knows that he cannot ignore what his senses tell him for if he does he will go slowly insane.

Douglas Clegg has written a complex, suspenseful, and exciting horror novel that contains several levels of understanding due to strong subplots that tie back to the prime theme. The story line includes several likable and not so likable characters, but the show belongs to Jake who must contend with the curious and crazy happenings that engulf him.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner