I've read a couple of Herbert's novels in the past and remember thinking they were pretty good horror stories. This one fell a little short for me. I think it was because of on top of the creepy things happening in the cottage, Herbert made a cult group - the Synergists - a big part of the story. The Synergists were out to obtain the cottage because of its location and the "magic" vibes emanating from there. I think the novel would have been better as a more direct ghost story. Anyway, a very mild recommendation for this one.
