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Reviews of novels, movies and writing events.

Ghost novel review: Leaving Time

Ghost novel review: Leaving Time

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Happy Halloween, everyone! I think this is my fourth book review for the R.I.P. reading challenge hosted by the Estella Society. Please hop on over there to see the other wonderful spooky books readers are discussing. Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult Publisher: Ballantine Books, 480 pages Format: Paperback Source: Purchased What it’s about: Teen Jenna Metcalf has been searching for her mother Alice for as long as she can remember. Alice disappeared over a decade ago following a trampling death…

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Haunted by James Herbert

Haunted by James Herbert

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Publisher: Jove Books, 338 pages Format: Paperback Source: Purchased Haunted was the subject of a group read over at Supernatural Fiction Readers hosted by Werner A. Lind on Goodreads as well as a R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril X reading challenge at Estella Society. What it’s about: David Ash, a paranormal investigator for the Psychical Research Institute, has taken a case in rural England where he meets the siblings Simon, Christina, and Robert; and their aunt, Nanny Tess. They live in a decaying…

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Guest post: Bag of Bones Review

Guest post: Bag of Bones Review

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        Bag of Bones by Stephen King Well, if you’re anything like me, you are bemoaning the fact that October–the best month in the year–seems to be running away on little ghost feet. If I had my way, October would last for two months! So, there’s nothing for it but to try to eke out all the crisp-leaf, brisk-walking, sweatshirt-donning goodness while we can. That and curl up in your favorite armchair for some ghost novels. To…

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Ghost Novel: The Face

Ghost Novel: The Face

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The Face by Dean Koontz Publisher: Random House Audio Format: Audio Recording Source: Pleasanton Library The Face is my second reviewed novel of The R.I.P. Reading Challenge hosted by The Estella Society. What it’s about: The Face is a poignant but darkly comic novel of suspense. The primary setting of Koontz’s book is the Southern California mansion Palazo Rospo where ten-year-old Aelfric (Fric) resides with a house full of staff but rarely his father, and never his mother. The title…

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The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz

The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz

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The 20’s Girl, the Ghost, and All That Jazz by June Kearns Publisher: Amazon Digital Services Format: Ebook Source: Purchased What it’s about: Gerry is desperate for money. Her late aunt thought nothing of leaving their English village and sailing to parts unknown or taking up with a new love at the drop of a feathered silk hat. Along with mounting debt, Gerry has inherited her aunt’s stunning wardrobe and old bookstore. Unfortunately, Aunt Leonie ransacked the bookstore for valuable…

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Review: The Rosie Project

Review: The Rosie Project

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The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion Greetings, all! Today I’m excited to be guest blogging about the novel The Rosie Project over at What Has Been Read Cannot Be Unread. The Rosie Project is not the kind of book I usually review. In other words, The Rosie Project is not YA, nor does it contain a single ghost. But I think you will enjoy this dramatic comedy, and so I invite you to take a gander at my review by…

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Chasing Vito’s Ghost

Chasing Vito’s Ghost

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Ghost novel review: Chasing Vito’s Ghost by G.R. Benyue Publisher: SDP Publishing Format: ebook Source: Netgalley via Book Review Buzz in exchange for an honest review Becka Brandt wants a new life. Grieving the death of her fiance in an explosion, Becka moves to New Bedford and rents a cottage. Once there, she discovers her new home comes with a cantankerous ghost named Vito. Becka has been able to see ghosts since childhood, a gift that has enabled her to…

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Ghost Novel: A Test of Wills

Ghost Novel: A Test of Wills

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A Test of Wills by Charles Todd Publisher: Harper, 305 pages Format: paperback Source: Purchased What it’s about: The year is 1919. Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge has been sent into the countryside to investigate the death of a wealthy war hero. Rutledge’s superintendent hates him, and takes great delight in assigning the intelligent, well-bred Rutledge to a case he’s bound to mismanage. Both the victim and the prime suspect served in World War I and returned changed men, as…

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Ghost Novel Review: Practical Magic

Ghost Novel Review: Practical Magic

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Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman Publisher: Berkley Books, 317 pages Format: Paperback Source: Purchased What it’s about: Following the sudden death of their parents who were “so much in love they failed to notice smoke emanating from the walls of the bungalow where they’d gone to enjoy a second honeymoon” (5), Sally and Gillian move in with their mysterious maiden aunts in a gothic Victorian on Magnolia Street. The young siblings are horrified to discover their aunts are free spirits…

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Ghost Review: Maybe This Time

Ghost Review: Maybe This Time

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  Review: Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie Publisher: Brilliance Audio Format: audiobook Source: Pleasanton Library What it’s about: When Andromeda Miller returns ten years’ worth of alimony checks to her ex-husband, she is met with a surprise. A job offer. A job for one month. Salary: 10,000 dollars. An offer too good for Andy to reject. Andy’s ex-husband North knows that when he sends Andy to the haunted castle she will figure out a way to handle any and…

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Review: The Dead Room

Review: The Dead Room

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The Dead Room by Heather Graham Publisher: Mira, 379 pages Format: hardcover Source: Pleasanton library What it’s about: An explosion in the historic Hastings House of Manhattan has robbed Leslie MacIntyre of the love of her life, Matt Connolly. Leslie and Matt were attending a gala when the fire bomb erupted. As Leslie recovers from her injuries, she discovers her near death experience has left her with the ability to see dead people. This ability comes in handy in Leslie’s…

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Ghost Novel Review: Help for the Haunted

Ghost Novel Review: Help for the Haunted

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Help for the Haunted by John Searles Publisher: William Morrow, 368 pages Format: hardcover Source: Guest review The premise of this novel attracted me right away: A married couple counsels people tormented by ghosts. This couple never knows when someone will call with an urgent need for help–often these calls come in the middle of the night. Imagine being the teen daughter of parents such as these. Help for the Haunted is a coming-of-age story with a supernatural twist. I’m…

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Guest review: Five Days Left

Guest review: Five Days Left

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Review: Five Days Left by Julie Lawson Timmer Publisher: G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 341 pages Format: Print, 136 pages Source: Purchased Last month millions of viewers tuned in as terminally ill Brittany Maynard discussed her decision to end her life. Faced with debilitating symptoms, Maynard wanted to die with dignity while she still had the ability to act. Although it was all too real, it seemed the stuff of fiction. And so it is the stuff of fiction, in one of…

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