What a magnificent book! It has love ghosts, lost kids, weird housekeeper and second chances.
Andie Miller-Archer and North Archer are divorced and haven't seen one another for ten years. The past is dead and done - she is engaged to Will Spenser the famous writer. Andie's life couldn't be better, she has come to see North to return tens years of alimony checks and to say good-be.
North is the legal guardian of two children, Alice and Carter, who live in an alleged haunted house in a remote area in the south of Iowa. The children are orphans and being taken care of by Mrs. Crumb, the elderly housekeeper. North has been unable to keep Nannie because they believe the house is haunted , the children are weird and Mrs. Crumb is downright evil. In desperation North hires Andie to fix the children and see what is actually going on at the house.
Sullivan, North's brother, wants to take Kelly O'Keefe, a TV reporter, and her cameraman to the house to make a documentary. North flatly refuses Sullivan's request, but he isn't inclined to listen. Andie arrives at the house to a very belligerent housekeeper, children with secrets and very strange happenings. She starts having unusual dreams about a young girl who keeps asking her questions about North. Is she dreaming or is there really ghosts?
Sullivan and his crew arrive in a ranging storm. Kelly has contacted Mrs. Hammersmith, a medium, to hold a seance. This is where the book becomes interesting. Will arrives uninvited. North, a Private Investigator, North's mother and Andie's mother also arrive. Mrs. Hammersmith tells everyone there are ghosts and they are becoming stronger due to all the anger. Is this true or have they been drugged by Mrs. Crumb and are hallucinating? There is another death and Andie believes she is possessed.
Ms. Crusie is an excellent writer of fiction. You really must read this book. Maybe Next Time is an exceptionally good novel. It will keep you guessing, on the edge of your seat, and seeing ghosts in every room!
Highly recommended.
