Showing posts with label Ghosts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ghosts. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Review: The Woman in Black by Susan Hill

The Woman in Black
by Susan Hill
Paperback, 176 pages
Published: 1983
Synopsis: The classic ghost story by Susan Hill: a chilling tale about a menacing spectre haunting a small English town.

Arthur Kipps is an up-and-coming London solicitor who is sent to Crythin Gifford—a faraway town in the windswept salt marshes beyond Nine Lives Causeway—to attend the funeral and settle the affairs of a client, Mrs. Alice Drablow of Eel Marsh House. Mrs. Drablow’s house stands at the end of the causeway, wreathed in fog and mystery, but Kipps is unaware of the tragic secrets that lie hidden behind its sheltered windows. The routine business trip he anticipated quickly takes a horrifying turn when he finds himself haunted by a series of mysterious sounds and images—a rocking chair in a deserted nursery, the eerie sound of a pony and trap, a child’s scream in the fog, and, most terrifying of all, a ghostly woman dressed all in black. Psychologically terrifying and deliciously eerie, The Woman in Black is a remarkable thriller of the first rate.
- goodreads.com


Keeping my pledge to read it 1st, I promptly got my grubby fingers on this book after seeing the movie trailer.  On, February 3, 2012 the movie adaptation of this book is being released starring Daniel Radcliffe. The book is 176 pages long so I think you guys can read this in two months.


The Woman in Black totally solidifies that I am most certainly a city girl! Seriously! When I started reading this I could not help but think, what a cool place, it sounds so beautiful and serene, I wonder if there is a real place like this, maybe a bed and breakfast, It would be a wonderful weekend getaway.

Towards the end of this book I am totally thinking I would much rather find a getaway deal in the heart of NYC.

Like I said, I am a city girl. I need to be somewhere someone would hear me scream. I am horrified of rural places. Mostly from my own paranoia and overactive imagination. For instance, I have worked myself into a fearful frenzy of the thought of this crazy dude from around where my brother in law lives (I call him the Sasquatch of the Hollow) Whenever I am driving up my Brother-in-laws long wooded driveway, secluded in the Virginia mountains I am convinced I will see the Sasquatch of the Hollow winding through the trees at twilight mingling with the shadows amid the horrendous sounds of screech owls. AHHHH! Silence also horrifies me. I need honking horns and sirens to lull me to sleep. So this story set around a house that is situated on the marsh only accessible at low tide with creepy “frets” (thick fogs) rolling in at a moments notice scares me out of my wits. Now add some creepy wasted face ghost with a malevolent essence around her. Heck No! This is a ghost story! A classic ghost story! Of course this ghost story is only as scary as your imagination. This one clicked with mine it fed on my fear of being trapped on the marshes with a wasted face malevolent ghost and no way to leave AHHHHHH it gives me goosebumps thinking about it. If you are looking for something to read during a dark night, grab a blanket and cup of tea. You won’t be disappointed.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Review: Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson





The Name of the Star

By: Maureen Johnson

Intended Age: YA

Hardcover: 372 pages
Published September 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile
ISBN 0399256601 (ISBN13: 9780399256608)

Synopsis: The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.


Soon "Rippermania" takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities. –goodreads.com

OK, this book just looks nice. I love the cover, with its opalescent tone, giving it an ethereal feel. So eerie. I love how the first page each chapter is bordered by these beautiful scrolls and the font is super cool especially when the Chapter begins with the letter I (it looks like a candle)

I have heard about this book on the blogosphere for some time now and I finally got my hands on this book (just released Sept 29th) Thank you Maggie for getting this for your birthday and letting me read it!

I started this book at night and stayed up as long as I could finishing it before lunch the next day. It is truly creepy! This book could keep you up at night scouring the shadows of your room. Jack the ripper is frightening enough! Now there is a copycat killer and main character Rory has just moved to the locality of the original and now copycat murders. Maureen Johnson ups the stakes by adding a ghoulish twist I really didn’t see coming. All and all it was an awesome hair-raising tale that I highly recommend.

My only complaint is that I read this SO soon after it was published! DARN! Now I have to wait till book two of the Shades of London Series is released. AHHHHHHH! So I will now troll/cyber-stalk Maureen Johnson’s twitters for any news and updates.