A Stir of Echoes

by Richard Matheson

This eerie ghost story, from Richard Matheson, the award-winning author of Hell House and I Am Legend, inspired the acclaimed 1999 film starring Kevin Bacon.

Tom Wallace lived an ordinary life, until a chance event awakened psychic abilities he never knew he possessed. Now he's hearing the private thoughts of the people around him-and learning shocking secrets he never wanted to know. But as Tom's existence becomes a waking nightmare, even greater jolts are in store as he becomes the unwilling recipient of a compelling message from beyond the grave!

• ISBN10: 0765308711
• ISBN13: 9780765308719
• Publish Date: 1 July 2004 (first published 15 August 1999)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: US
• Imprint: Tor Books
• Format: Paperback
• Pages: 223
• Language: English

Reviews

[Cameron Trost]

Like many of you, I loved the film inspired by this book. The plot and Kevin Bacon's acting made for a truly chilling experience. Richard Matheson's novel didn't achieve that for me. The premise is intriguing, starting off with a spot of casual hypnosis between friends which awakens Tom Wallace's psychic powers. The first-person narrative works, although there are some annoying and repetitive observations that detract from it, like constantly noticing how women are wearing clothes that are too tight. For a ghost story, though, the tension wasn't enough. The tone is often too lighthearted and the atmosphere not haunting enough. Richard Matheson is, of course, a highly regarded American author, and while this novel was enjoyable, I wouldn't recommend it as one of his "must-reads". If you haven't already, I'd suggest discovering his short fiction.