Customer Reviews

Whispering Pines

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have enjoyed Mavis's books before and always look for new work from her. I was not disapointed with, "Whispering Pines". I was drawn into the world of this novel and could not wait to finish the story. It was fun trying to guess the details and the outcome. I am a fan of "Ghost Hunters", and "Ghost Hunters International" so if you like those and lesbian stories you will probably like this one. All in all a great read and I will keep this book to reread again. If you don't like bloody details, there is a pretty gory murder, but it was needed for the story.

Shawn Williams, paranormal investigator, and Faith Charles, professional skeptic, solve the disappearance of Captain Stratton's wife and sister who abruptly vanished a century ago. One morning in 1916, servants of Whispering Pines Manor discovered a bloody kitchen and axe marks on the cabinetry. No trace was found of the two women. Replete with ghosts and a bit of romance, this murder mystery is an entertaining story that is difficult to put down.

Mavis Applewater brings to light great characters and incredibly creative plots. Her writing style is quite enjoyable as well. That holds true for her previous publications and `Whispering Pines' too.

Here she introduces skeptic Faith Charles and paranormal investigator Dr. Shawn Williams (the Xena and Gabby characters, respectively). The book opens with these two women staying overnight in the Whispering Pines mansion. They experience such powerful entities at the house that Faith can no longer be considered a skeptic and Shawn refuses to ever set foot on the property again. It seems the mansion is haunted by Captain Horatio Stratton, his wife Anna and his sister (Anna's lover) Catherine. Everyone believes the Captain murdered his wife and sister because he caught them having an affair. In some ways, Anna's `life' was improved by this because he was a terrible mentally abusive husband who treated her like nothing more than a piece of property. After their stay at the house, Faith and Shawn have a short but powerful relationship - that is, until Faith decides to go report from a war zone. This single decision tears them apart. A few years later, they meet again and Faith tries to win Shawn's love once again. Shawn wants Faith, but is scared to go down that road again. Eventually, circumstances bring the couple back to Whispering Pines where they finish what they started by bringing Anna and Catherine peace.

The trial of trying to rebuild their relationship is the central vein of the story. The ghosts and other paranormal stuff just provide the stage. Funny in spots, scary in others, this one is surely to be enjoyed by all.

I certainly believe there are gifted psychics among us, but the the Halloween 2002 chapters are a bit too overly dramatic, as is the relationship between Shawn and Faith in this haunted setting.

Honestly, it's like a Halloween episode of "Scoobie Doo" meets the girls from "The L Word".

The dialogue is equally strained and, for the most part, the subject matter is quite depressing, leaving a painfully uncomfortable piece of work.