Friday, June 10, 2011

Book Review Friday -- The Ghost Downstairs, and Nocturne

It's Book Review Friday again, and today I want to mention two books: 

One I reviewed for Saramento Book Review , Nocturne, by L. D. Harkrader

One is an e-book I won in a giveaway contest, The Ghost Downstairs, by Molly Ringle.  


I'll share The Ghost Downstairs first:

The Ghost Downstairs   by Molly Ringle



For some reason I was not able to upload a picture of the jacket, but you can see it at Molly's site.  Normally I only review children's books or YAs on this blog, and this book actually falls closer to adult than YA.  But I love ghost stories, and I love a mystery.  This book has both, as well as a steamy romance (thus the "adult" comment).  

I don't want to give the plot away, because the whole idea is so original.  Let me just say that The Ghost Downstairs involves ghosts (two of them), broken hearts (two of them), manslaughter, suicide, and a young man with a mysterious past.  The story unfolds with one surprise after another and the ending was the biggest surprise of all.  Once I started reading it, I simply had to finish it.  Go check it out for yourself.  

And thanks, Molly, for an enjoyable read! 


Next is Nocturne, a YA novel with lots of atmostphere.  No ghosts , but  magic, mystery, and the question of who to trust. . . . .

Nocturne

By L.D. Harkrader
Mirrorstone, $9.95, 245 pages
Fifteen years ago, Flannery Lane was left on the doorstep of the village wizard, Monsieur Anatole. A mysterious note advised, she will do better with someone of her own kind. Monsieur Anatole has raised Flannery as his niece, admonishing her never to use her own magic. Why? Magic draws evil to itself.
“Flan squared herself before the immense gates, and as she stood there, searching for a bell or knocker on the fat stone pillar, the gates groaned and swung open.” 
But, it’s hard not to use natural talent. At fifteen, Flan surreptitiously dabbles in small spells. An incident at the local blacksmith’s earlier eroded villagers’ trust in Anatole’s protective magic. People come to him now only for simple amulets and spells. When a sudden curse weakens his powers, he becomes bedridden. Flannery tries to cure his curse while keeping his condition secret. Two mysterious strangers come to town. Each takes an interest in Flan: one claims he wants to become a vampire hunter. But, does he? The other claims he’s a relative of the last Viscount Blakely, the vampire hunter who protected the village when he was alive. But, is he? People disappear. A violin plays a nocturne in the still of the night.
This suspenseful tale brings new surprises on each page, and the author avoids a predictable ending.

6 comments:

  1. Ghosts, broken hearts, and mysteries. Follow that with magic, vampire hunters, and music. Sounds like you are having a lot of fun with your reading time.

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  2. Both books sound excellent; my reading ears perk up whenever I see the words ghosts, mysteries and magic. Your review of Nocturne is lyrical and sets the tone beautifully.

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  3. I haven't read many ghosts stories, but maybe I should start :-) These sound interesting!

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  4. Nocturne sounds like my kind of a book. I love reading ghost stories and this has magic and vampires too. Thanks for introducing me to a great book, Elizabeth.

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  5. I haven't read a good ghost story for ages. I will have to remedy that! The Ghost Downstairs sounds good.


    Glynis Smy (writer)

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  6. Rosi, yes I am. It's really fun both reading and reviewing!

    Michelle, Nocturne is written in an especially lyrical way. I feel like the author has a lot of poetry in her background.

    Kenda, you can get hooked on ghost stories. If a title implies either a mystery or a ghost, I'm hooked!

    Rachna, I'd look into whether it's available on Kindle.

    Glynis, thanks for your visit. I just visited your site as well. Really a cool site.

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