Nothings as it seems

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.

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Well worth the listen!

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

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A complex and frightening little chiller

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.

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4 people found this helpful

An unexpected pleasure

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.

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A bit disappointed

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.

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Goodness me…

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

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No spoilers

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

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Disappointing

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.

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4 people found this helpful

loved it

the narration is excellent
the story is excellent

a little waffle but yep I like this!

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"My questing knight."

This reader is not a fan of ghost of horror stories usually, but something drew me to this book: probably because it was read by Simon Vance, whose narration I always appreciate. But also the title, Ghost Writer, with the concept of one author writing another's story. And this was the perfect title for a truly creepy book.
Gerard Freeman is the only child of an over protective mother, growing up in the 1960s in Mawson, Australia.When he was very little, his mother Phyllis used to tell him takes of Staplefield, the family home in England where she grew up but this stopped completely after Gerard found an old photo of a beautiful young woman hidden behind a drawer. Later the boy also finds an old magazine containing a Short story written, it would appear, by his great grandmother, Viola Hatherley, and becomes the ardent pen friend of a girl in England. As Gerard grows into adulthood, it becomes obvious that his mother is concealing a secret, one so terrifying to her, she fears for their lives. And it has to do with their family history about which she will say nothing.

Written in the first person from Gerard's perspective, but interspersed with four short stories written in a different hand by Viola, as well as other person letters, diary entries and email, this fascinating story draws the reader into the troubled Gothic past of his family history as well as his ongoing desire to find, not only his mother's real and hidden background but also to finally meet his corresponding English friend, Alice. A little pinch of suspending disbelief is needed, especially in the earlier chapters,
despite some flaws, this remains one of the only haunting stories that I have found truly invasive and frightening in the same way that I was affected by the Turn of the Screw, by Henry James. All was, as expected, impeccably performed by Simon Vance.

I downloaded this book for free as part of the Audible Plus programme. Thank you, Audible. Very enjoyable.

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2 people found this helpful