Dark Power

Dark Power follows Luker, a psychologist who moves to a remote Connecticut village for a fresh start. There he encounters a group of people who share an unusual obsession with hypnotism and mind control. The narrative centers on the dynamic between Luker and the local residents as he begins to suspect something sinister beneath their fascination with psychological manipulation. His professional background and natural skepticism put him at odds with the villagers' beliefs and practices. Growing tensions between rational science and supernatural possibilities create an atmosphere of unease throughout the novel. The isolation of the rural setting and the shifting alliances among the characters heighten the psychological suspense. The book explores themes of power, influence, and the human capacity for both self-deception and manipulation of others. Through its examination of group psychology and paranormal phenomena, it poses questions about the boundaries between scientific knowledge and unexplained forces.

There are not enough internet reviews to create a summary of this book. Instead, here is a summary of reviews of Elisabeth Sanxay Holding's overall work: Contemporary readers praise Holding's psychological depth and ability to build tension through ordinary domestic situations. Many note her skill at depicting seemingly normal characters whose lives spiral into darkness. Reviews frequently mention her clean, understated prose style and realistic dialogue. What readers liked: - Complex female characters making morally ambiguous choices - Natural progression of suspense without relying on violence - Period details and social observations of mid-century America - Economical writing style that maintains momentum What readers disliked: - Slower pacing compared to modern thrillers - Some dated social attitudes and character behaviors - Limited action or overt drama - Occasional predictable plot developments Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: The Blank Wall - 3.8/5 (500+ ratings) Net of Cobwebs - 3.7/5 (100+ ratings) Amazon: Limited reviews but generally 4+ stars Library Thing: Average 4/5 across titles One reader noted: "Her ability to create suspense from everyday situations makes the stories more frightening because they feel so possible."

Ladies of the Lake by Constance Little A 1940s suspense novel about a woman who discovers dark secrets among the residents of a lakeside town while investigating her husband's disappearance.

Mischief by Charlotte Armstrong The tale of a babysitter who uncovers sinister intentions in an apartment building unfolds into psychological suspense.

The Blank Wall by Elisabeth Sanxay Holding A mother's attempts to protect her daughter lead to blackmail and murder in this domestic noir thriller.

Beast in View by Margaret Millar A woman receives threatening phone calls that connect to a web of deception and psychological manipulation in 1950s Los Angeles.

Too Many Bones by Ruth Sawtell Wallis An anthropologist faces danger and intrigue when she investigates suspicious deaths in a small New England town.

🔹 Elisabeth Sanxay Holding was praised by Raymond Chandler as "the top suspense writer of them all," yet she remains relatively unknown compared to her contemporaries. 🔹 Dark Power (1945) is part of the domestic suspense subgenre, which focuses on psychological tension within everyday settings rather than hard-boiled detective work. 🔹 The author wrote romance novels under the pen name "Elisabeth Sanxay" before switching to mystery writing during the Great Depression for financial reasons. 🔹 The book explores themes of manipulation and paranoia in post-WWII America, reflecting the growing sense of unease in suburban life during that era. 🔹 Dark Power helped establish many of the narrative techniques still used in modern psychological thrillers, including the unreliable narrator and the slow build of domestic dread.