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Tag: Ghost novels

The Castle of Otranto

The Castle of Otranto

Every October I participate in a common read of the Supernatural Fiction Readers over at Goodreads. The group selection this time is The Castle of Otranto by Horace Walpole. We have been having a super lively discussion of this supernatural classic. Check out the discussion here. And great news! You can read The Castle of Otranto for free here on Gutenberg. The Castle of Otranto is supernatural lite, the paranormal elements consisting primarily of a giant helmet and a haunted painting….

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The Secret of Crickley Hall

The Secret of Crickley Hall

The Secret of Crickley Hall by James Herbert Publisher: Tom Doherty, 633 pages Format: Hardback Source: Purchased What it’s about: In The Secret of Crickley Hall, Gabe and Eve Caleigh along with daughters Loren and Cally have rented Crickley Hall while Gabe is working on an engineering project nearby. Gabe and Eve’s goal is to find some peace and quiet to mourn the disappearance of their child Cam and to prepare themselves to acknowledge Cam’s death, even though his body has…

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R.I.P. XII Challenge

R.I.P. XII Challenge

What time is it? R.I.P. time! I must admit, though, R.I.P. XII caught me by surprise this year.  In many ways, this has been a dispiriting year for many, so perhaps that played a role in my tardiness when it comes to my favorite time of year and the spooky books I love to curl up with when the days lengthen and darken. At any rate, better late than never to year twelve of the beloved autumn reading challenge in…

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Haunted Souls by Kathryn Knight

Haunted Souls by Kathryn Knight

Review: Haunted Souls by Kathryn Knight I like the double entendre of the title Haunted Souls; it’s not just a ghost who is haunted in Kathryn Knight’s novel. Emily Shea and her former lover Staff Sergeant Brett Leeds are both haunted by their pasts. Emily is raising a child alone and is tormented by the fact that she has never been able to share this news with his father, Brett. Brett is haunted by the events he witnessed in Afghanistan, events…

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The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

Review: The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater For my third novel in the R.I.P. Challenge, I read The Raven Boys. In case you missed my earlier post and reading lineup, here is the concept behind this challenge: Started by Carl at Stainless Steel Droppings, R.I.P. is a reading challenge in which imbibers come “together to enjoy the literature most associated with the darkening days and cooling temperatures of Autumn:” Mystery Suspense Thriller Gothic Horror Dark Fantasy As I read The Raven…

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Ghost novel review: Leaving Time

Ghost novel review: Leaving Time

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

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

        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

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

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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Ghost Novel: A Test of Wills

Ghost Novel: A Test of Wills

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

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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Review: The Dead Room

Review: The Dead Room

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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