As literature, Loch has much to recommend it, with good dialogue, vivid descriptions, and a fine sense of humor. The descriptions are perhaps the most memorable aspect of the novel. A good example is this sentence which captures the atmosphere around Lake Alban: "Over all were the mountains rimming the lake, looming tall like protective, watchful giants." The descriptions are often charged by the tension of the action, as when doomed Jesse Sanderson goes outside and "The fog rushed at him as he checked the motorboat and canoe . . ." The anticipation of foreboding through description creates haunting effects. novel.

When a helicopter arrives, "its shadow falling on them like that of a great, brown wasp," this ominous description helps to create the atmosphere for the terrifying events to follow.

Loch and Zaidee are bright conversationalists whose dialogue sparkles with wit and irony. Their fondness for puns may...