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The Ghost Writer

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The Ghost Writer

By: John Harwood
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

In this tantalizing tale of Victorian ghost stories and family secrets, timid, solitary librarian Gerard Freeman lives for just two things: his elusive pen pal Alice and a story he found hidden in his mother's drawer years ago.

Written by his great-grandmother Viola, it hints at his mother's role in a sinister crime. As he discovers more of Viola's chilling tales, he realizes that they might hold the key to finding Alice and unveiling his family's mystery - or will they bring about his untimely death, as they seem to foretell?

Harwood's astonishing, assured debut shows us just how dangerous family skeletons - and stories - can be.

©2013 John Harwood; 2013 Blackstone Audiobooks Genre Fiction Ghosts Gothic Horror Literary Fiction Mystery Suspense Thriller & Suspense Haunted Scary Fiction Fantasy Paranormal

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All stars
Most relevant  
After reading the first book I was hooked. Was one of those books you don’t want to pause for no one or nothing!

Well worth the listen!

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An original story with intricate twists and turns. Written in detailed ‘swirls’ and with mystique.
The listener needs to follow carefully and get a good grasp of the characters in my opinion. Not exactly bedtime reading.

Nothings as it seems

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Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Because it does what horror should do. It is scary, chilling and effortlessly gothic.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The narrator probably. A relatable narrator who manages to tell a great ghost story while still having great character is something even M.R James struggled with on occasion.

What about Simon Vance’s performance did you like?

His accent is a touch odd at first, but then as the book goes on you realise just how versatile a performer he is, bringing chills and a unique perspective on each character.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ending, and the way each of the ghost stories played out. But a good horror book is measured by how well it pulls off it's big 'twist'. You may think you see this one coming, but you don't. You REALLY don't.

Any additional comments?

It's a great slide of modern gothic with ingeniously intertwined stories. The epilogue is perhaps more abrupt than I would like, but this is a skilfully written and frightening novel.

A complex and frightening little chiller

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I started this book thinking, like so many audiobooks, that it was going to be corny and hammy. However, it pulled me in to its murky depths. The story winds and weaves like a dream. A story within a story within a story, each anxious strand pulls you in a little deeper to the unravelling nightmare.

Simon Vance’s narration is excellent, subtle characterisation and voices with a knack for accents throughout.

If you enjoy MR James or Bram Stoker style fiction this is like an extended, more modern, take on that. Thoroughly satisfying.

An unexpected pleasure

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This is without doubt a gothic ghost story. The style of writing is just right and atmosphere created is excellent.
It is incredibly complex. Lots of stories told that intertwine and which are deliberately similar. I just found it hard work though. I don’t think I’ve ever complained of a story being too complex before. I usually like that, but with this one I just couldn’t keep up. I kept forgetting which story related to which and where we were. You can’t go back easily because the fragments of story are so short that you end up going to another one and then get even more confused. I can’t decide if it was too complex for its own good or it just wasn’t engaging enough to keep my full focus. Either way I was disappointed and a bit frustrated. It just felt to me as if it was trying a bit too hard.

A bit disappointed

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Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

I was so looking forward to this book, having loved 'The Asylum'. But I found 'The Ghost Writer' almost impossible to finish with its extraordinary mixture of gothic fantasy and supposedly real life. I plodded on till the end because I felt that the whole thing must eventually come together and I suppose in a way it did, but I was left feeling it had been a total waste of time. I certainly wouldn't recommend it to anyone.

What will your next listen be?

'The Killer Next Door'!

What does Simon Vance bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

Simon Vance is an excellent reader but I think that even his skill couldn't save the book; maybe it worked better on the page

Do you think The Ghost Writer needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

NO! See above.

Disappointing

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the narration is excellent
the story is excellent

a little waffle but yep I like this!

loved it

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I have to write more than just ‘goodness me’ but I think that sums up my thoughts.

Goodness me…

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I did see the end coming but only just, it was a good story and kept me guessing and puzzling.

No spoilers

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I recently finished Ghost Rider, and I wanted to share my thoughts. At first, I found the book interesting and engaging it kept me hooked early on. But as the story went on, I began to struggle with keeping track of the characters. It became difficult to follow who was who and what each person was doing. Toward the end, I have to admit I got a bit lost. Not with the overall story itself, but with the characters their roles and relationships started to blur for me.

The ending felt a little flat. It seemed like there was a buildup, but no real crescendo or payoff. The audiobook narration was well done the narrator had a good delivery and brought the story to life. Still, I think I was hoping for more. Maybe it’s just me, but I felt a little let down by how it wrapped up. That said, it wasn’t a bad read, just one that didn’t quite land for me.

Interesting!

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