Customer Reviews

Ghost Shadow (The Bone Island Trilogy)

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

I've been reading Heather Graham novels since I was in high school. I loved her Civil War series of books, and know that she favors writing about her beloved Florida. I haven't read anything new from Graham for awhile, so I was really excited to get my hands on Ghost Shadow. A new Heather Graham book that was also a paranormal romance? Yes please!

So the basic story: Katie O'Hara, owner of Katie-okie, a karaoke business that seems to only play at her uncle's bar and restaurant, attempts to purchase a tourist attraction that has been vacant on the island ever since a woman was found murdered in one of the exhibits. The evening before the purchase goes through, she walks past the building and sees the lights on. Katie, of course, goes to investigate the mysterious lights only to find the co-owner of the building, and the man who many believed murdered the woman years before, David Beckett. After David blocks Katie's purchase of the museum, the two wind up teaming up in order to find out who killed the woman, David's ex-fiance, so many years before.

And, oh yeah, did I mention that Katie can see and talk to ghosts?

Katie's constant companion is Bartholomew - a wise-cracking pirate (oops, PRIVATEER) who is determined to keep Katie safe.

THE GOOD:

Katie's interactions with Bartholomew are hilarious. The ghost learns, though out the book, how to use his ghostly powers in order to do things like turn on the coffee maker, and every interaction with him left me with a smile. Learning a bit about the history of Key West was enjoyable as well, and I found myself researching some of the various historical figures that Graham mentions in the book and learning far more than I've ever learned before about some of the very scary things in Key West.

THE BAD:

The relationship between Katie and David just happens. There's no real buildup to it. One minute they meet (or re-meet), they reminisce a bit, and then they're in bed together, even though they've never been in bed together before. There doesn't really seem to be any chemistry between the two of them, aside from chemistry between the sheets. While I loved the interactions between Katie and Bartholomew, the interactions between her and other ghosts is minimal, as while she may see a ghost here or there, or follow one, she doesn't really interact with them very much throughout the book. And the fact that Katie's ability to talk to ghosts is a secret denied readers the opportunity to explore what could have been a very enjoyable part of the story.

I really, really wanted to like this book. I've always enjoyed Graham's work before. This book, however, just fell flat for me. I found myself skipping through the investigative portions of the book due to them feeling very dull to me, and was hoping for so much more of the ghost-talking than I got. I've read Graham's earlier works over and over again, to the point where the binding gets all creased and cracked and you can tell that the book was well loved. This book, however, will likely remain in pristine condition, unfortunately.

In Key West, photographer David Beckett takes the group on a tour of his family's wax museum. They reach the Count von Cosel exhibit however, in the bed near the Count is not waxy version Elena, but the corpse of David's former fiancée Tanya Barnard. Although everyone suspected David killed her, no evidence proved he did. Still he left town with a cloud hanging over him.

Ten years later, the Barnard homicide remains unsolved as David returns to Key West. With the death of David's octogenarian grandfather last year, businesswoman Katie O'Hara, a ghost whisperer, wants to buy the wax museum; David opposes the sale. He asks his friend Pete and his cousin Liam, both cops, to reopen the cold case. When a second murder occurs with the victim posed in a nearby museum, the Key West police and Katie wonder if the killer just came home from overseas after a decade away.

Ghost Shadow is an entertaining paranormal romantic suspense. The investigation is fun to follow, but remains in the background to the romance. The heroine in spite of communicating with ghosts (Bartholomew the spirit adds humor to the mix) has doubts about Beckett even as she falls in love with him. With a supernatural nod to Hitchcock's Suspicion, fans will enjoy Ghost Shadow.

Harriet Klausner

This series was a very good one, it has murder, romance, and a Ghost! Heather Graham did a great job weaving a story in Key West around this family and their friends. I love her Harrison investigation series too. My only beef is I wish she would number her books if they are connected, I like to read things in order becasue it makes for a better story instead of jumping around. BUT I love her books!

Heather Graham is getting into the paranormal and doing it very well indeed. I have been reading her books under all her AKA's for almost twenty years and have very seldom been less than enthused. I did get to meet her at a convention many years ago and was even more impressed.

The characters and story line are easily followed and understood. There were sub-stories but they were not distracting enough to lose the main plot lines and story. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the trilogy.

I have officially given up on this series and Graham. No suspence. the characters are unlikeable and even irritating. A thriller that failed to thrill.

Heather Graham can write some amazing paranormal suspense/romance novels. This is not one of them. It's entertaining enough for a light beach read, or something for reading on the plane or while you're having your hair done or something like that, but I wouldn't go terribly far out of my way to read it. The characters aren't as rounded as they could be and overall the story seems forced - the whole idea seems forced.

Set in Key West, which is presented as a party town with a tourist affliction, the book is filled with characters that could have been fun and quirky - instead they were just token characters. The "girl who sees ghosts;" the "old beach bum." Etc. Not to mention the "returning son, did he or didn't he kill his fiancee umpteen years ago?" which is opened again when more killings start up.

I like Graham's novels when they provide a good story - this one I was less than impressed with. I will likely follow the rest of the trilogy to see where she takes it, but I may follow it through the library rather than through buying the books.

Took an afternoon to read this book. Plot was pretty interesting with lots of historical facts. Use of humor, surprise, and suspense were evenly mixed with the characters pretty well drawn out. Not one I will read over and over, but definitely good for a plane flight or day at the beach.

One caveat - some steamy scenes... I would say 17+...

All the best,

Jay

"New York Times bestselling author Heather Graham brings readers a tantalizing tale of dark deeds and mysterious omens, set amid the fascinating history of the Florida Keys."

There are those who walk among us who are no longer alive, but not yet crossed over. They seek retribution...vengeance...to warn. Among the living, few intuit their presence.

Katie O'Hara is one who can.

As she's drawn deeper and deeper into a gruesome years-old murder, whispered warnings from a spectral friend become more and more insistent. But Katie must uncover the truth: could David Beckett really be guilty of his fiancee's murder?

Worse--the body count's rising on the Island of Bones, and the dead seem to be reenacting some macabre tableaux from history. The danger is increasing by the moment--especially as Katie finds herself irresistibly drawn to David, who may be responsible for more than just one killing...

Katie O'Hara runs a successful karaoke business in her uncle's bar on Key West. She also sees ghosts. Her lifelong dream has been to buy the Beckett museum and reopen it, despite its tragic history. It's about to come true when David Beckett shows up and tells her the museum is not for sale.

Ten years ago, David Beckett's girlfriend, Tanya, was murdered and then posed in a tableaux in his family's museum in Key West. Now a famed photographer he's traveled the world. He's come home to Key West after the death of his grandfather. Now he has to take care of his grandfather's estate, which includes the museum.

But now another murder has occurred. Some people think David killed the first girl, and a cloud of suspicion hangs over him for this one, too. When he and Katie start working to piece together clues they find out that the past can find its way into the present.

They also find out that passion can build, even if there is no chance for a future together.

Engaging, entertaining and wonderfully written, Ghost Shadow is a magical start to a new series from the talented Heather Graham. This book is a grand mixture of ghostly visitations, both humorous and scary, and a wonderful relationship that builds between two strong, well-developed characters. Ms. Graham's engaging descriptions brought Key West to life on the page, and made me feel as if I were walking the streets of the city and savoring its rich past.

This wonderfully plotted story features characters that sink into a reader's heart. It seemed as if I had known them forever, and when the book ended I wanted a way to stay in contact with them to watch their life unfold.

Heather Graham has created an engaging tale that captures a reader's imagination and heart. I can't wait to see where the Bone Island Trilogy leads next.

Amelia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

This was an excellent start to what is a great trilogy. Love the setting and Graham's ability to make the reader feel like they're in Key West. Great imagery and story line.