Magnetic Mansion

Forrest Haskell
Top (2007)
ISBN 9781929976423
Reviewed by Stephanie Rollins for Reader Views (8/07)


“Magnetic Mansion” is based upon true experiences of the author, Forrest Haskell.  Part I is a bit slow-moving.  In this section, Zack, Peggy Sue, and children buy a mansion as a second home.  They end up moving there permanently.  This part tries to build up suspense.  He describes each room of the house and its décor.

After Part I, the suspense begins.  The strange events at the house and the history of the house are fascinating. The mystery of the house leads the reader to the Knights of Zion, the mob, and the Purple Gang.   It leaves the reader wanting to visit the mansion. 

Haskell did not intend for the relationship between Peggy Sue and Zack to be mentionable, but I was taken aback throughout the entire book by it.  Peggy Sue is a stay-at-home homemaker.  Zack worships the ground she walks on, and he brags about her cooking.  He even referred to her as “the little wife” in one section.  They are a happy family that respects traditional gender roles.  I found that to be interesting, because I do not know how I would respond to being called “little wife.” 

“Magnetic Mansion” is a quick, enjoyable read.  Anyone who enjoys a good mystery will love this book.  There are two more books in this series, “The Knighthood of Zion” and “Mankind’s Second Genesis.”  I am off to get a copy of both.

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