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Dutch (59 KP) rated Experimemtal Film in Books
Mar 11, 2019
Experiments in film
When Lois Cairns stumbles upon a mystery that points towards a lost chapter in Canadian film history she jumps at the chance to make a name for herself and revive a career as a film critic that has long been on the slide.
Enlisting the help of a former student she becomes embroiled in the tale of Lady Midday and the tragic Whitcombe family.
The first part of the book very much focuses on Lois, her husband Simon, their autistic son Clark and her mother Lee with whom she has a strained relationship. Lois has seen her career fail, her health is not far behind and she feels guilty at the inability to love her son the way she feels she should.
As the story of Lady Midday unfolds she finds herself sucked into a story much darker and terrifying than she ever could have imagined.
Experimental Film is what I would call a gentle ghost story with the majority of the book focussed on Lois and her family and the struggles she must overcome to maintain her health, her project and ultimately her son.
I enjoyed the story but would not call it a horror story but rather a character focused tale with a subtle dash of the supernatural and a book worth seeking out.
Enlisting the help of a former student she becomes embroiled in the tale of Lady Midday and the tragic Whitcombe family.
The first part of the book very much focuses on Lois, her husband Simon, their autistic son Clark and her mother Lee with whom she has a strained relationship. Lois has seen her career fail, her health is not far behind and she feels guilty at the inability to love her son the way she feels she should.
As the story of Lady Midday unfolds she finds herself sucked into a story much darker and terrifying than she ever could have imagined.
Experimental Film is what I would call a gentle ghost story with the majority of the book focussed on Lois and her family and the struggles she must overcome to maintain her health, her project and ultimately her son.
I enjoyed the story but would not call it a horror story but rather a character focused tale with a subtle dash of the supernatural and a book worth seeking out.
Mark @ Carstairs Considers (2165 KP) rated Ghosts ‘N Graveyards in Books
Nov 24, 2020
Haunted Thanksgiving
It’s Thanksgiving, and Emma and her new husband, Phil, are planning a quiet holiday with their friend Jeremiah and his friend Rose. Like Emma, Jeremiah is also a medium who has solved mysteries with Granny, the ghost of Emma’s great-great-great grandmother. That’s going to come in handy with Granny shows up. It seems that one of the ghosts in Julian’s Pioneer Cemetery is more upset than usual. It sounds like she thinks someone is about to die. Is she right? Can Emma and Jeremiah stop it from happening?
It’s been a couple of years since we got a new Granny Apples story, so it is wonderful to get to visit some of the characters again with this short story. The story is a bit simple, even for a short story, but it serves as a great excuse to spend time with these characters again. While we don’t see everyone in Emma’s orbit, I was glad to get the update on the characters who are here. All of them, living and dead, are wonderful. We even get a glimpse of what might be coming for another character this author writes about. This is a story for fans, and they will be happy. If you haven’t met the characters, don’t jump in here, but do start this fun paranormal series.
It’s been a couple of years since we got a new Granny Apples story, so it is wonderful to get to visit some of the characters again with this short story. The story is a bit simple, even for a short story, but it serves as a great excuse to spend time with these characters again. While we don’t see everyone in Emma’s orbit, I was glad to get the update on the characters who are here. All of them, living and dead, are wonderful. We even get a glimpse of what might be coming for another character this author writes about. This is a story for fans, and they will be happy. If you haven’t met the characters, don’t jump in here, but do start this fun paranormal series.
Sarah Betts (103 KP) rated The Phantom of the Opera in Books
Dec 31, 2019
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I love this book so much. It's got a little bit of everything and the story (kinda based on actual events?) plays out superbly.
Poor Christine has no idea that the Angel of Music she's being so thoughtful tutored by is the dreaded Opera Ghost.
The dashing Raoul determined to save his childhood friend.
The OG (you probably know his name but let's let that be a surprise for those that don't know!) who feels destined to wander the opera house.
It all starts with a hanging man, a man whose noose mysteriously disappears.
This story has been told many tests and I don't want to sound like a snobby purist but I honestly think this is the best version.
I love this book so much. It's got a little bit of everything and the story (kinda based on actual events?) plays out superbly.
Poor Christine has no idea that the Angel of Music she's being so thoughtful tutored by is the dreaded Opera Ghost.
The dashing Raoul determined to save his childhood friend.
The OG (you probably know his name but let's let that be a surprise for those that don't know!) who feels destined to wander the opera house.
It all starts with a hanging man, a man whose noose mysteriously disappears.
This story has been told many tests and I don't want to sound like a snobby purist but I honestly think this is the best version.
Hazel (1853 KP) rated Hawthorne High in Books
Sep 18, 2019
Bullied for many things, such as having a boys name, Dylan Hatfield's only friends are imaginary. Imaginary, that is until they ask her to help possess the minds of the bullies. Happy that her enemies are now being nice to her, Dylan soon realises she has made a mistake when horrible things start to happen around town. Not only were they not imaginary, but it also appears they are evil too.
Hawthorne High is a short young adult ghost story by the versatile author Jordan Elizabeth. Set in the present day, the story deals with past and current issues, particularly bullying. Dylan has been bullied her whole life and it is the attention she receives from her "imaginary friends" that leads her to make a devastating decision. Whilst not a conventional way to tackle bullying, the possession of the bullies makes Dylan's life much better at school but it has dangerous consequences for the rest of the town.
The "imaginary friends" or ghosts, as they turn out to be, harbour grudges about the town and the people who tormented them in the past. The people are no longer living and it is the current inhabitants that end up paying for their past transgressions. Without being able to tell anyone about the ghosts, Dylan has to find out how to get rid of them and save the town from total destruction.
When the author offered me the book to read in exchange for a review, I almost said no. The term "ghost story" nearly put me off because I do not enjoy scary stories, however, due to the reassurance that it was "more of a drama than a horror," I agreed to give the book a chance, and I am glad I did. Being short, Hawthorne High is fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged. The story becomes exciting as it unfolds and the town's past comes to light.
More could be written about the ghosts' history, however, as a short story, Hawthorne High works well and is great for a quick read. Although written for young adults, it is a story adult readers can enjoy too.
Hawthorne High is a short young adult ghost story by the versatile author Jordan Elizabeth. Set in the present day, the story deals with past and current issues, particularly bullying. Dylan has been bullied her whole life and it is the attention she receives from her "imaginary friends" that leads her to make a devastating decision. Whilst not a conventional way to tackle bullying, the possession of the bullies makes Dylan's life much better at school but it has dangerous consequences for the rest of the town.
The "imaginary friends" or ghosts, as they turn out to be, harbour grudges about the town and the people who tormented them in the past. The people are no longer living and it is the current inhabitants that end up paying for their past transgressions. Without being able to tell anyone about the ghosts, Dylan has to find out how to get rid of them and save the town from total destruction.
When the author offered me the book to read in exchange for a review, I almost said no. The term "ghost story" nearly put me off because I do not enjoy scary stories, however, due to the reassurance that it was "more of a drama than a horror," I agreed to give the book a chance, and I am glad I did. Being short, Hawthorne High is fast-paced and keeps the reader engaged. The story becomes exciting as it unfolds and the town's past comes to light.
More could be written about the ghosts' history, however, as a short story, Hawthorne High works well and is great for a quick read. Although written for young adults, it is a story adult readers can enjoy too.
Lindsay (1717 KP) rated The Lady Ghost (The Decoders #2) in Books
Feb 16, 2020
You looking for an adventure book for your child or children to enjoy? Well, the series called “The Decoders” by Alba Arango is a good one. It seems to focus on helping others out but also doing what they love to do. Which is solve cases. I have rated it 4.5 Moons – (Stars).
It about three smart kids, how they have adventures. They seem to help their friends and family out. Though in this book it about “The Lady Ghost”. What is happening on the movie set? Why are they scaring people to leave? Is the ghost real or is it fake?
The plot is done well. The characters are developed well. Matt, Steve, and Jenny seem to have different skills that they use to solve mysteries. The stories and mysteries are different. They seem to find someone or a few that seem to help them out.
The adventures seem enjoyable. I enjoy each one. I love that the mysteries are entertaining but not overwhelmed. They are really good for middle graders and children. It one that children can read and fall in love with.
The author does a wonderful job of this and keeping it suitable for children. I just think the story could have been a bit more with the ghost and with movie set. It was a good read. I hope to able to read the next one. I want to read the other adventures of the decoders.
It about three smart kids, how they have adventures. They seem to help their friends and family out. Though in this book it about “The Lady Ghost”. What is happening on the movie set? Why are they scaring people to leave? Is the ghost real or is it fake?
The plot is done well. The characters are developed well. Matt, Steve, and Jenny seem to have different skills that they use to solve mysteries. The stories and mysteries are different. They seem to find someone or a few that seem to help them out.
The adventures seem enjoyable. I enjoy each one. I love that the mysteries are entertaining but not overwhelmed. They are really good for middle graders and children. It one that children can read and fall in love with.
The author does a wonderful job of this and keeping it suitable for children. I just think the story could have been a bit more with the ghost and with movie set. It was a good read. I hope to able to read the next one. I want to read the other adventures of the decoders.
Phil Leader (619 KP) rated In Shadows Waiting in Books
Nov 15, 2019
When Simon Reynolds thinks he sees a shadow flit outside the window of the house he shares with his family, he doesn't think much of it. But when there are more ocurrences and other members of the family (including the dog) become unsettled by things not quite seen, it is clear that there is something not quite normal at work.
As the days go by the menace becomes clearer. What is going on and why?
This is very much a traditional ghost story told very effectively by Bint from Simon's point of view. The whole story is also told by Simon as a flashback so we are aware that there are tragic consequences.
The air of menace in the first half of the book is palpable. The ghost is only glimpsed and can be explained away in the cold light of day. As the plot progresses and the threat becomes more real I felt that this sense was lost - but perhaps this is inevitable. Things half-seen out of the window at dusk mean nervous glances out of the windows when reading, but more substantial manifestations don't invoke quite the same sense.
By that time however the reader will be very keen to see what happens to Simon and his family. The past is demanding a price from the present, but who is going to pay it?
As the days go by the menace becomes clearer. What is going on and why?
This is very much a traditional ghost story told very effectively by Bint from Simon's point of view. The whole story is also told by Simon as a flashback so we are aware that there are tragic consequences.
The air of menace in the first half of the book is palpable. The ghost is only glimpsed and can be explained away in the cold light of day. As the plot progresses and the threat becomes more real I felt that this sense was lost - but perhaps this is inevitable. Things half-seen out of the window at dusk mean nervous glances out of the windows when reading, but more substantial manifestations don't invoke quite the same sense.
By that time however the reader will be very keen to see what happens to Simon and his family. The past is demanding a price from the present, but who is going to pay it?
graveyardgremlin (7194 KP) rated Night's Edge in Books
Feb 15, 2019
I just finished Maggie Shayne's short story, Her Best Enemy, and enjoyed it a lot. Yes, the plot is rushed and I didn't believe they could love each other that soon at the end, but it was a really fun story! I would have liked it better if Ms. Shayne had left them just starting out in their promising relationship and not dropping the L-bomb at the end - it felt too forced and cheesy. But as I said before, it was very fun, and an easy and fast read too! :)
4/5 stars
Someone Else's Shadow was another very good story. I really liked Maddie, and while the love angle was again very fast, but at the end I appreciated that the author addresses how fast they fell in love. As with the first story, the ghost angle was creepy and made the whole atmosphere of the story come alive. The chemistry between Maddie and Phil was palpable and it did make me feel like they could in fact fall in love that fast. A great short story!
4.5/5 stars
Dancers in the Dark was another good tale in this anthology. Rue was a likable protagonist who had a horrible past, and while Sean could have been brought to life (ha!) more, he was still a good hero for her. The plot was well-done and I never got annoyed at Rue for feeling sorry for herself or anything, which can happen in stories similar to this. All-in-all it was a fascinating tale.
4/5 stars
4/5 stars
Someone Else's Shadow was another very good story. I really liked Maddie, and while the love angle was again very fast, but at the end I appreciated that the author addresses how fast they fell in love. As with the first story, the ghost angle was creepy and made the whole atmosphere of the story come alive. The chemistry between Maddie and Phil was palpable and it did make me feel like they could in fact fall in love that fast. A great short story!
4.5/5 stars
Dancers in the Dark was another good tale in this anthology. Rue was a likable protagonist who had a horrible past, and while Sean could have been brought to life (ha!) more, he was still a good hero for her. The plot was well-done and I never got annoyed at Rue for feeling sorry for herself or anything, which can happen in stories similar to this. All-in-all it was a fascinating tale.
4/5 stars
Awix (3310 KP) rated The Live Ghost (1934) in Movies
Feb 23, 2019
Okay mid-period Laurel and Hardy short. Stan and Ollie are hired by regular antagonist Walter Long to help kidnap men to crew his allegedly-haunted ship; perhaps inevitably, they end up press-ganging themselves. Better not mention the ghost to the captain...
About as close to over-plotted as you can get with a L&H movie; some good stuff near the start but it gets a bit busy as it goes on - too much story, not enough slapstick. Concludes by recycling the (slightly gruesome) closing gag from the same year's Going Bye-Bye! Has its moments, but not as many as some other films from the boys.
About as close to over-plotted as you can get with a L&H movie; some good stuff near the start but it gets a bit busy as it goes on - too much story, not enough slapstick. Concludes by recycling the (slightly gruesome) closing gag from the same year's Going Bye-Bye! Has its moments, but not as many as some other films from the boys.
I might not go on that hiking trip.....
You're in at the deep end straight away with this story, and it doesn't come up for air for the next 200 pages (or so!). It starts as a ghost story told by their teacher to five 13 year old boys on a training weekend on Rutmoor National Park, and ends - well, that would be giving the game away! We get glimpses into the past with the use of newspaper articles written about missing children and mutilated animals, and we look at the present and one of the survivors from the ill-fated walk. We're also told the story of what really happened on that ill-fated weekend.
The suspense was portrayed really well, and the boys were written with an understanding of how teenaged boys talk and act (much like Stephen King, in fact). I actually dreamt about this story whilst I was reading it, and let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant! And yes, I loved it!
This is great for horror-suspense lovers, and isn't really gory, in my opinion. It just messes with your mind ?
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for choosing this book to serialise. It was fun (in a keep-you-thinking-about-it-late-into-the-night kind of way)!!!
The suspense was portrayed really well, and the boys were written with an understanding of how teenaged boys talk and act (much like Stephen King, in fact). I actually dreamt about this story whilst I was reading it, and let me tell you, it wasn't pleasant! And yes, I loved it!
This is great for horror-suspense lovers, and isn't really gory, in my opinion. It just messes with your mind ?
Thanks to The Pigeonhole for choosing this book to serialise. It was fun (in a keep-you-thinking-about-it-late-into-the-night kind of way)!!!
ClareR (5674 KP) rated Platform Seven in Books
Sep 1, 2019 (Updated Sep 2, 2019)
A beautiful, sad story.
If I could give more than 10/10 for Platform Seven, I would. The main character, and I’m giving nothing away here, is a ghost. She doesn’t know her name or why she’s there, but she knows that she’s dead, and she knows that she can’t leave the confines of Peterborough train station. However, two things trigger the return of her memories: a suicide on Platform Seven, and the appearance of a (living) young man in the station. We then learn her name, and the sequence of events that resulted in her death and afterlife at Peterborough train station.
This was a beautifully told story, and I’ll warn you now that you’ll need to read it with tissues at hand. I cried, and I cried quite a lot! This isn’t an action packed thriller. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and at times it’s frustrating. It’s easy to read a story and say to yourself that you won’t make the same mistakes as the lead character, that that character should have made different choices, but this book explains so well a manipulative, emotionally abusive relationship.
I would recommend this story - it really is well worth reading.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this outstanding book.
This was a beautifully told story, and I’ll warn you now that you’ll need to read it with tissues at hand. I cried, and I cried quite a lot! This isn’t an action packed thriller. It’s thoughtful, emotional, and at times it’s frustrating. It’s easy to read a story and say to yourself that you won’t make the same mistakes as the lead character, that that character should have made different choices, but this book explains so well a manipulative, emotionally abusive relationship.
I would recommend this story - it really is well worth reading.
Many thanks to The Pigeonhole for serialising this outstanding book.