It's the right time of year for a ghost story based inside a haunted house.

But John Saul's latest book, "House of Reckoning," falls short of its promise.

Teenager Sarah Crane is moved to a foster home in a new town after a series of unfortunate events.

An outcast in her new school, Crane befriends a boy who hears voices and an art teacher whom townspeople call a witch.

The teacher, Bettina Phillips, lives in an old house that has a personality of its own and was once home to the criminally insane.

Through a disorganized plot line, the teens and teacher are pulled together because of their oddities. Together they find that Phillips' house punishes those who have done wrong.

The story has eerie connections to last year's "Duma Key" by Stephen King -- the main character in each story uses art to connect with evil spirits.

Saul's story has a lot of potential but leaves you wanting more. He spends too many pages preparing you for what is to come but then leaves the story somewhat unfinished.

The plot line tries to mix too many uncommon elements and seems to be a mash of ghost stories that have already been told.

For those who have read Saul in the past, this one will be a disappointment.