Customer Reviews

Haunting Refrain

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Kate McGuire divorced her wealthy politician husband and set up a photography studio, slowly gaining business over the past year. Deciding to try something fun, she joins a parapsychology group at a local college. It's entertaining, until she gets a vision of an angry man strangling a young woman - a vision that is so vivid that she feels as though she is the one being strangled. After the professor running the group - Martin Carver - checks the registration on the item Kate was holding, it is discovered that it had belonged to a young woman named Kelly Landrum, who has gone missing several days before. Venice Ashburton, a professional psychic, receives a similar vision. When Kate refuses to go to the police, Venice decides to take matters into her own hands and contacts John Gerrad, a reporter, who meets with Venice and Kate and then mentions them in an article about the missing girl. While Kate is upset about people finding out she is involved with a psychic research group because she is afraid it will negatively impact her business, what she should have been concerned about was what the killer would think when reading the article - because now the killer thinks that Kate and Venice know more than they do - and plans to do something about it ...

Ellis Vidler has created a very well-crafted mystery/suspense in "Haunting Refrain." Several good suspects are kept in the mix through the book and while I did figure out whodunit, I wasn't absolutely sure I was correct until the denouement. I was also impressed by the fact that, up until the end, the heroine was shown to be pretty sensible, taking the advice from the police and from Gerrard for her own protection. Of course, then she did go and do something stupid ... but it was a necessary part of the plot to move things forward properly so I'll let it go. It was just refreshing to have a heroine that was willing to listen to reason and behave in a somewhat logical manner as far as protecting herself went, once she realized she was in danger. I also liked the fact that Ms. Vidler did such a good job at giving each of her characters such an individual voice - having recently read a book in which all the characters sounded the same, it was nice to see this done so well. Overall I was highly impressed with this book and fans of mystery, suspense and/or thrillers should love this book. Definitely check it out.

Ellis Vidler has created a nice mystery with plenty of suspense in it. Her heroine discovers by chance that if she touches an item belonging to a victim, she sees what has happened to the victim. This was one of the elements of the story that especially intrigued me because I do believe this happens, and I can tell you, there's one scene in this book that will stay with me forever. When you read it I bet you'll know right away which scene that is. I also liked the romantic element with the reporter, which was just right for this story. Good job by Ellis Vidler, and I'm looking forward to her next book.

In Haunting Refrain, Kate McGuire and her elderly friend, Venice, take part in a parapsychology study. Kate picks up a headband which, unknown to her, was last worn by a missing college student. Kate "sees" things, and from there the story takes off in directions that will entertain you until the last page.

From the police to a reporter named John Gerrard, everyone is reluctant to pay attention to Kate's visions, and Kate is the most reluctant of all. Unfortunately, the reporter writes a story for the newspaper about this situation and he includes her name. The killer decides that Kate's visions need to come to an abrupt end, and after all, he's already killed. What's one more death? Yes, the college student's body is recovered, under the circumstances that Kate described.

The interaction between Kate and her friend, Venice, is priceless. Kate and Venice are both characters you'll remember after you put the book down. I enjoyed Ellis Vidler's portrayal of the players in this story and I'll definitely be looking for her next book. I recommend this book to anyone looking for a good story and characters.

If you like a book with mystery, suspense, and romance, you'll love Haunting Refrain. Not only does it keep you turning the pages, but it's well-written. And what an atmospheric cover. I loved it! Polly Iyer

This book is just in time for vacation. Good entertainment especially if you are a bit interested in those who have special senses. Kate, the main character, "sees" things happen to people she doesn't know. Mix up a bit of murder, mystery and romance and you have a good read!

This is an entertaining romantic suspense with a slight supernatural bent (if you consider psychic visions supernatural). The book has interesting and likeable characters and an engaging storyline. Even though I found it relatively easy to predict who the murderer was, I did not find that it detracted from the overall story. I was still sucked into it and read it quickly.

There were a couple of things that I thought could have had more follow-through. The main thing is Kate's visions. They played a large part in getting the story going but then the whole concept sort of petered out. Why did she connect so easily with Kelly's memories but not with Charlene's? The small pseudo-explanation given felt lacking. I felt like there could have been more closure (for lack of a better word) with her whole psychic connection to the story. However, this wasn't a huge deal for me and even with it I still very much enjoyed this book. I definitely recommend it.

**Please note that I did receive a free copy of this book offered by the author through a public group online. However, this did not in any way affect my review or opinion of the book.**

The charm of this parapsychology mystery is the reluctance of the heroine to lay claim to her visions concerning a recent disappearance of a college coed. Gradually, Kate is drawn into the situation. Her visions place her in obvious danger and the story goes on from there. A local reporter at first scorns her second sight, then, reluctantly, not only believes her but but becomes attracted to her. You should enjoy this book for its highly suspenseful plot, but, also, for the romance of a couple of very vivid pair of characters.

To please her friend, Kate McGuire agrees to partake in a parapsychology study at the local university in the Piedmont area of South Carolina. Nobody is more shocked than Kate is when she touches a headband and receives visions of a woman being strangled by a powerful man. The professor conducting the study tells her that the headband belongs to a woman that has been missing for a few days.

When the police find the body in a place that is exactly like Kate described reporter John Gerrard prints the story and includes the psychic's name. The killer reads the paper and decides to kill Kate before she can reveal his identity. John who has come to care for Kate, tries to protect her but the killer is determined that nobody gets in his way.

HAUNTING REFRAIN is an exciting amateur sleuth tale starring a reluctant psychic who sees her gift as a curse that frightens her. This weakness endears her to the audience because they can empathize with the heroine. The protagonist's romance with the reporter is a clever plot device that eases the level of tension caused by the killer's attacks. Ellis Vidler is a gifted storyteller who deserves a large following for her wonderful romantic mysteries like this one.

Harriet Klausner

I have just recently read this book, and was truly delighted with it. It has a little bit of everything mystery,woo-woo, romance which is not overdone. I will come back for all the Ellis Vidler books.

My only complaint is that the story isn't more original because I read/watch a lot of these kinds of stories. A psychic and a fledgling psychic are recruited by a professor of the paranormal. When a local college student is murdered, the psychics get wrapped up in a murder mystery. Throw in a reporter who becomes intrigued with the paranormal and possibly the fledgling psychic... The characters are vivid and entertaining. The psycho is creepy. The writing is good and the relationships are engaging.