The Gate House

I've read most of N. DeMille's books over the years, and esp. loved the The Gold Coast. While it's sequel (?), The Gate House, has a fairly strong start (up to p.140 or so) and end (the final 30 pages), the overly long vast middle section (500 pages or so) could have profitably been edited down to 200 pages or so to create a vastly more satisfying book.

Mr. DeMIlle has the ability to keep your interest from the very first page and not want to put the book away until you have unfortunately finished another great book. His characters are filled with life and make you identify with their thoughts and feelings. His sarcasm may be lost on some readers but I personally enjoy the "snarky" remarks and unspoken thoughts of his main characters.

My only regret about finishing this book is the amount of time lapse until his next book arrives at my local bookseller.

I couldn't agree more with some of the reviews here! Having read almost all of DeMille's books, The Gold Coast and Charm School stand out for me as his best page-turners. As such, I was excited about this 'sequel' to Gold Coast, but as the reviewer said so aptly - and as I mentioned to several friends - it appears as though no one took the time to edit this book. The reader is subjected to every single 'side bar' mental thought that goes through the main character's (John Sutter's) head, and while some of this helps to embellish his character, about 250-300 pages could have been trimmed to keep the pace going at a more intriguing clip. One has the distinct sense that he verbally dictated the story, it was transcribed, and the publisher let it all go in, when a red pen was sorely needed.

Loved the Gold Coast and was looking forward to this continuing story. Got about 150 pages in and had to quit. Same ol' same ol' over and over.

I like the previous DeMille novels. But the action that was an ongoing part those was sadly lacking in the Gate House. I am not one to look ahead in books to the final pages so I know what is going to happen, but with this one, if I had skipped to the last three chapters I could have saved myself a lot of time and enjoyed the Novel greatly. I hope his next book will bring a return to the true DeMille.