Although this isn't her most atmospheric story, Ms. Jackson still sets a scene full of oddly "off" characters with quirks untold. The story of Merricat and her family (those that are left) is told matter-of-factly by Merricat herself, and you will get the feeling that everyone, dead or alive, has something to hide. I originally read this when I was young, probably 10 or so, and I remember being impressed by Merricat and writing about her in my diary. Now that I'm older, I wonder if what I wrote had more meaning than I realized at the time. I guess that will have to be discussed with my therapist one of these days. This story is not as terrifying as "The Haunting of Hill House" but more disturbing, as you come to see that all of these characters are imprisoned in the "castle" one way or the other. I think it would easily be considered a psychological thriller, although it is rather slow and plodding at times. It makes you wonder what was going on in Shirley Jackson's life at the time.