The paranormal novel, Other Worlds, is a step away from what Barbara Michaels (Aka Elizabeth Peters) normally writes, which is romantic suspense, and maybe that’s why it isn’t up to her normal talented standards. Since I listened to the abridged audio, some of the Michaels drama may have been missing. I can’t say for sure, but this may be why I came to this conclusion. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it, but it just didn’t have the Michaels suspense that her other titles are blessed with. Another attribute of Ms. Michaels that is missing is the romance, but I don’t think it would have been appropriate anyway. 

There is a meeting at an exclusive men’s club. At this cozy get together is Frank Podmore of the Society for Psychical Research, magician Harry Houdini, Arthur Conan Doyle, Nandor Fodor, former director of the International Institute for Psychical Research. In this meeting, two stories are presented. One is a story of a witch ghost that haunts the Bell family of Tennessee for several years. During the first visit, it haunts and harasses all the members until the father dies. During the second visit, it comes back and tells the son of future tragedies. The Phelps family, who lives in Connecticut, and is being harassed by a demon force is the second story. Each suspenseful, paranormal story is told, and afterwards each gentleman gives his opinion on the story and lists the possible culprit(s). As a supernatural ghost tale, the book held it’s own, with the exception that the characters were not taking it seriously, and this seemed to keep me from taking it seriously. The analysis and criticism after each story didn't bothered me, but some of the individuals’ opinions did. Maybe it’s just me, but some of the attitude’s came across more as sexist than actually debunking.  But, all in all, because it is a Barbara Michaels work I would still recommend it to those who know her work and those who don’t, after all it was an interesting concept. 

When listening to an audio, I like to make mention on how it appealed to me. When I see Barbara Rosenblat’s name as the narrator, I pretty much expect a good read, and this one was, but I wonder if the story would have been a little more engaging with a male narrator. Don’t let my wonderings stop you from trying the audio or the book. It was an interesting paranormal read.