The Somnambulist - Essie Fox

BBC TV Bookclub Blurb

The debut novel from Essie Fox, The Somnambulist follows seventeen year-old Phoebe Turner as she visits Wilton's Music Hall to watch her Aunt Cissy performing on stage, risking the wrath of her mother, Maud, in the process. Maud marches with the Hallelujah Army, who are campaigning for all London theatres to close. At the show, Phoebe is drawn to the enigmatic Nathaniel Samuels, a man who heralds dramatic changes in the lives of all three women. When offered the position of companion to his wife, Phoebe leaves London for Dinwood Court in Herefordshire, a house that could well be haunted and that holds the darkest of truths. A darkly stunning gothic novel that transports the reader right back into Victorian times.

My Review

I heard of this book via the BBC TV Bookclub, and was intrigued by the story line.   Must confess to my ignorance I did not know what Somnambulist meant (sleepwalker).  Now a new word added to my vocabulary.  Thoroughly enjoyed this novel of 405 pages, I read it so quickly it didn't seem that long at all.  A Gothic (although not heavily so) novel set in Victorian London and Herefordshire, mainly from the viewpoint of the primary protagonist Phoebe.  Very atmospheric and descriptive, full of twists and turns some of which you can predict and some that catch you unawares.  A good strong story with great characters. 

Recommended. 

The Shell Seekers - Rosemunde Pilcher

Phew...just finished reading this mammoth book, 600+ pages.  I thoroughly enjoyed the story but it took a few (long) chapters to get into it but when I did it was engrossing.  I have read as big if not bigger books but this one would have benefitted from being shorter.  The characters were believable, some likable, some not so much but all evoked an emotion of some sort - product of good writing skills.  

When I was reading it at the back of my mind was Angela Landsbury (in the movie) I believe meeting one of the characters (no elaboration here as I don't want to spoil the book), this didn't gel with the novel.  I hate it when moviemakers think they can improve on a successful story.  Would like to see the movie with Venessa Redgrave, I understand this is more true to the novel. 

I would have awarded 5 stars, the story was excellent, the descriptions were very well written and beautifully descriptive but some were just too long therefore I have awarded 4 1/2 stars.  However I would still recommend this as a very good read.  I am looking forward to hearing what my fellow bookclubbers make of this one.  

Lowcountry Ghost Stories

Official Blurb

Lowcountry Ghosts haunt the maze of marshes and ancient rice fields along South Carolina's Coast . . .

• Does lovely Alice Flagg still live in The Hermitage at Murrells Inlet more than 100 years after her death?
• When ghost ships appear far out in the marsh, do they represent lost fishermen? pirates? Confederate blockade runners? 
• Are threatening spirits haunting Miss Genevieve's beads taken from a long-forgotten grave?

Find history, mystery, and romance in these three gentle ghost stories (10,000 words, nine illustrations--about 40 pages if it were a paperback) from Lynn Michelsohn's longer work, Tales from Brookgreen: Folklore, Ghost Stories, and Gullah Folktales in the South Carolina Lowcountry.

My Review

Interesting little collection of 3 ghost stories and the history behind them set in South Carolina, I particularly enjoyed the history of the Confederate blockade runners. Short introductions to the authors' other works are also included.  If you like this sort of forklore storytelling check out Haunted Lowcountry Website for other ghostly tales.

 

Amador Lockdown - Coral Russell

Official Synopsis
Something has moved into the Amador Hotel. Hector, Marcos, Bev, and Tony of the Paranormal Posse are called in to either debunk the haunting or get rid of whatever is causing the problems. With the surprise arrival of Hector's son, he tries to keep his professional and personal lives separate, but whatever is haunting the Amador Hotel has other plans.

My Review
A hauntingly good paranormal ghost story holding the tension from start to finish. Although less than 100 pages in length it had plenty of content and good characters.   Intriguing read leaving a desire for more ghost hunting adventures with the Paranormal Posse (the main protagonists).  The relationship between father and son, the glimpse into the spirit world and the twist at the end create more depth to the narrative.  If you like a good old fashioned ghost hunt then this is for you.  Great title.

The Slippery Art of Book Reviewing

How do I begin to review a book entitled The Slippery Art to Book Reviewing. That was the daunting question I asked myself when I finished reading this book. The best way I feel is to review it in the same way I would review any other book. That may seem like the book was ineffectual but this is by no means the case.

This book is a good aid for those who are thinking of becoming a ‘serious’ reviewer or wish to improve their reviewing skills, it contains some useful examples, reference material and in-depth explanations. I fall into the category of ‘reader to reader’ reviewer and although the book is aimed mainly towards the more professional reviewer I still found it interesting. It hasn’t influenced me to change my style of reviewing and level of participation in same but it has helped to reinforce my choice.