⇒ Libro Gratis Paper Ghosts A Novel of Suspense Julia Heaberlin 9780804178020 Books

Paper Ghosts A Novel of Suspense Julia Heaberlin 9780804178020 Books

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Paper Ghosts A Novel of Suspense Julia Heaberlin 9780804178020 Books

Why did I read this book? I had read the author’s previous book, “Black-Eyed Susans” and enjoyed it very much. Secondly, I read a rather favorable review in the Washington Post that, while warning of slow going through much of the story, claimed it ends with a climax akin to being t-boned by an 18-wheeler. And finally, I felt that it was time for me to read some crime fiction and there didn’t seem to be better alternatives at the moment.

I was disappointed in “Paper Ghosts” for three reasons. First, the plot was very improbable. I never bought into the likelihood of several key threads ever happening, even in Texas. More on this below. Secondly, the story was very slow, and very dull. There was very little tension throughout. And as for the climax, it was more like a parking lot fender bender. I just wanted to be done with the book and wound up pacing myself by force reading 30 pages a day just to get to the end. Thirdly, reading this book felt like watching a movie where every scene is enveloped in fog. It was never clear to me what the narrator intended to do when she arrived at the truth she was anticipating. The soundtrack on this movie occasionally fluttered so I felt like I had missed something on occasion. Maybe this was by design, maybe it was me, but I felt the author was going for “literary” more than telling a story that would grab her readers.

I’ve saved the plot for last. I don’t think there are any spoilers ahead, but I’ll write more detail than I usually do. Grace, the narrator, now in her early 20’s is the younger sister of Rachel, a college age woman who disappeared one day and was never seen again. The suspected killer is Carl, now somewhat demented and living in a halfway house. Grace arrives at the residence claiming to be Carl’s daughter, and arranges a 10 day release; her intent is to draw out a confession. But then, what? (She carries a gun but apparently a lot of Texas girls carry a gun). Carl goes along with her story, in part to be free of his confinement, but also out of curiosity. And so, a road trip of sorts begins, criss-crossing Texas, visiting locales of other girls who have disappeared under circumstances somewhat similar to the sister. The encounters with victims’ families and friends could have been special, but weren’t. And the epilogue was a bit over the top.

So back to the basic plot – young woman creates a situation where she is alone with a suspected killer, in a car for 10 days passing through desolate country……for some reason I just couldn’t buy into that setup….


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Paper Ghosts A Novel of Suspense Julia Heaberlin 9780804178020 Books Reviews

Paper Ghosts is so full of suspense i lost sleep several nights unable to put it down. Love the twist if an ending. Julia H. has once again created a great summer reader.
Ms Heaberlin’s imagery is wonderful. You perfectly picture everything she describes. So many twists & turns. It is the type of book that you don’t want to end, yet you can’t put down! I would highly recommend Paper Ghosts and all other books by this author!
So the first half was SLOW and boring. I am not a fan of first person stories, but have liked her previous books.Had to force myself to keep reading. In the second half, the characters came alive and the plot improved....was sorry when it ended.
The thriller of the summer! Could not put it down. Heaberlin's writing is so descriptive it puts you right in the story. Compelling page-turner - read it in two days. I highly recommend!
This book begins a bit slowly but within a very short time, the reader is totally intrigued by Grace and her intentions and by Carl and his own intentions. The plot cascades forward rapidly and the reader doesn't see the ending coming. Nothing is as it appears and this contributes to the suspense and meanderings toward that ending. And then, it all makes sense.
I read the "black-eyed Susans" novel and didn't hesitate to jump right in for this new novel.

It was outstanding. Ms. Heaberlin is a gift slinger of superior prose. I felt as if I could see the main characters in my mind's eye and wouldn't mind a crack at casting the film (for which this tale is a sure successful venture)!

I had an inkling about how it would all sort out and that did not distract from the pleasure of savoring every word of each eloquent if short chapter.

I hope her next book continues in this vein of excellence. I will buy it sight unseen - provided its not short stories! - and from me that's the ultimate mega compliment to any novelist.
Caught my interest in the beginning. The middle part seemed repetitive and I figured that I already knew what was going to happen for the next 100+ pages without having to read them. So I started skimming and I was right. The writing quality is fantastic, I loved how she let you get into the girl's mind, I just thought the journey was tedious and could have added in some surprises or let their relationship evolve more so the trip wasn't so predicable. When I got to the end I thought the explanation of Carl's history was too easy for all the background that he has. I'm interested in reading her first book now b/c I loved her writing style, just might work better with a different story line.
Why did I read this book? I had read the author’s previous book, “Black-Eyed Susans” and enjoyed it very much. Secondly, I read a rather favorable review in the Washington Post that, while warning of slow going through much of the story, claimed it ends with a climax akin to being t-boned by an 18-wheeler. And finally, I felt that it was time for me to read some crime fiction and there didn’t seem to be better alternatives at the moment.

I was disappointed in “Paper Ghosts” for three reasons. First, the plot was very improbable. I never bought into the likelihood of several key threads ever happening, even in Texas. More on this below. Secondly, the story was very slow, and very dull. There was very little tension throughout. And as for the climax, it was more like a parking lot fender bender. I just wanted to be done with the book and wound up pacing myself by force reading 30 pages a day just to get to the end. Thirdly, reading this book felt like watching a movie where every scene is enveloped in fog. It was never clear to me what the narrator intended to do when she arrived at the truth she was anticipating. The soundtrack on this movie occasionally fluttered so I felt like I had missed something on occasion. Maybe this was by design, maybe it was me, but I felt the author was going for “literary” more than telling a story that would grab her readers.

I’ve saved the plot for last. I don’t think there are any spoilers ahead, but I’ll write more detail than I usually do. Grace, the narrator, now in her early 20’s is the younger sister of Rachel, a college age woman who disappeared one day and was never seen again. The suspected killer is Carl, now somewhat demented and living in a halfway house. Grace arrives at the residence claiming to be Carl’s daughter, and arranges a 10 day release; her intent is to draw out a confession. But then, what? (She carries a gun but apparently a lot of Texas girls carry a gun). Carl goes along with her story, in part to be free of his confinement, but also out of curiosity. And so, a road trip of sorts begins, criss-crossing Texas, visiting locales of other girls who have disappeared under circumstances somewhat similar to the sister. The encounters with victims’ families and friends could have been special, but weren’t. And the epilogue was a bit over the top.

So back to the basic plot – young woman creates a situation where she is alone with a suspected killer, in a car for 10 days passing through desolate country……for some reason I just couldn’t buy into that setup….