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plax1612's review against another edition
3.0
The narrator of the book is kind of a wet blanket who eventually blossoms a bit, and the background -- that there are actual spirits and spirit-hunters, is nothing new in the paranormal world. The author hasn't done much in the way of real world-building, though the idea of spirit doors did seem new to me.
According to the book itself, spirits are different from ghosts -- ghosts are dead humans, while spirits are something else entirely. So the title is a bit of a misnomer since the woman in the green dress is a spirit rather than a ghost. Beyond Dr. Ribero and Miss Wellbeloved, the supporting characters are flat. Though I kept reading, that kind of carelessness keeps this from getting a higher rating.
According to the book itself, spirits are different from ghosts -- ghosts are dead humans, while spirits are something else entirely. So the title is a bit of a misnomer since the woman in the green dress is a spirit rather than a ghost. Beyond Dr. Ribero and Miss Wellbeloved, the supporting characters are flat. Though I kept reading, that kind of carelessness keeps this from getting a higher rating.
rkill's review against another edition
4.0
I received an advanced copy through Netgalley.
I enjoy a good ghost story now and then and this book certainly was that but with a more relaxed attitude. The quirky but relatable character made me feel like a member of the team and the writing style flowed nicely throughout the book. I would suggest to friends that they give this book a go and if this continues as a series will probably continue to read them.
I enjoy a good ghost story now and then and this book certainly was that but with a more relaxed attitude. The quirky but relatable character made me feel like a member of the team and the writing style flowed nicely throughout the book. I would suggest to friends that they give this book a go and if this continues as a series will probably continue to read them.
sorkatani's review against another edition
1.0
I suspect that the blurb was written for another book, one that actually resembled it, but somehow ended up on this book by mistake.
If you are looking for a ghost story in the vein of a Victorian novel, I suggest you look elsewhere.
The attempt to be quirky had my eyes hurting from all the times I rolled them. There's a real disconnect between how the main character is described and how they actually act. There's a lot of unnecessary body shaming, and the conversations between characters (and internal monologues) felt forced and artificial.
I can't say that I would recommend this book.
If you are looking for a ghost story in the vein of a Victorian novel, I suggest you look elsewhere.
The attempt to be quirky had my eyes hurting from all the times I rolled them. There's a real disconnect between how the main character is described and how they actually act. There's a lot of unnecessary body shaming, and the conversations between characters (and internal monologues) felt forced and artificial.
I can't say that I would recommend this book.
walla_jay's review
4.0
3.5/5 rounded up due to GoodReads not allowing half stars. Was better than just ok a 3/5 would indicate.
FYI my rating system
1/5 - Hated it or could not finish
2/5 - Finished it but would not recommend
3/5 - Ok, others might enjoy it
4/5 - Liked it, would definitely recommend
5/5 - LOVED IT! Fangirl moment for sure! Recommend to everybody
I really enjoyed the paranormal aspects of this book, particularly the different cultures and urban myths included. I hope this continues. It was a bit slow going at the start as is often the case with the first book of a series, so I hope to see in the next installment a bit quicker pacing and more focus on the paranormal investigating. Particularly as once the ghost busting started it was quite interesting.
The characters were ok, I wouldn't say hugely lovable but none loath-worthy.
Overall, worth the read and I will try the next in the series in the near future.
FYI my rating system
1/5 - Hated it or could not finish
2/5 - Finished it but would not recommend
3/5 - Ok, others might enjoy it
4/5 - Liked it, would definitely recommend
5/5 - LOVED IT! Fangirl moment for sure! Recommend to everybody
I really enjoyed the paranormal aspects of this book, particularly the different cultures and urban myths included. I hope this continues. It was a bit slow going at the start as is often the case with the first book of a series, so I hope to see in the next installment a bit quicker pacing and more focus on the paranormal investigating. Particularly as once the ghost busting started it was quite interesting.
The characters were ok, I wouldn't say hugely lovable but none loath-worthy.
Overall, worth the read and I will try the next in the series in the near future.
chicquka's review against another edition
3.0
A very enjoyable 3. Writing is solid; pacing is decent--a few plodding sections but generally I understand them as they may be needed for extra exposition in the first of a series. I found Kester's disheveled, somewhat lost and unconfident persona to be a refreshing cast for a protagonist. He's not dashing; he's self-critical; he's hopeful but not generally optimistic. These are so often attributes relegated to female protagonists that it was endearing and dare I say a bit egalitarian to see Kester take his turn. Plot unwound without jarring surprise twists but not overly predictable either.
I appreciate Banks's willingness and effort in making a diverse group of characters each with his and or her own quirks and flaws. The only one I found myself decreasingly tolerant of was Mike, (whom I mentally started calling Misogynistic Mike by the end, and for whom one of my last highlight-notes simply read, "F%#$ off, Mike!"). I understood Banks including a "grumpy-guy" sort who acts and talks like a great many men have over the years, but given that she has the freedom and option to give him some nuance and reduce the disparaging tone about women, even Mike is "joking," he seemed a misstep.
I would read more of the series to see how Kester gets on, and if Jennifer ever finds some amount of increased peace.
I appreciate Banks's willingness and effort in making a diverse group of characters each with his and or her own quirks and flaws. The only one I found myself decreasingly tolerant of was Mike, (whom I mentally started calling Misogynistic Mike by the end, and for whom one of my last highlight-notes simply read, "F%#$ off, Mike!"). I understood Banks including a "grumpy-guy" sort who acts and talks like a great many men have over the years, but given that she has the freedom and option to give him some nuance and reduce the disparaging tone about women, even Mike is "joking," he seemed a misstep.
I would read more of the series to see how Kester gets on, and if Jennifer ever finds some amount of increased peace.
kmlanahan's review against another edition
3.0
The book started slow for about the first third, then picked up a bit.
The hero, Kester, is a nebbish young man who didn't know he had supernatural abilities. He encounters a firm that dispatches spirits back to their world and reluctantly joins them on a job. It is not to his liking, but persists, trying to find something he can do to help them.
It's not a particularly great story, but it was pleasant listening to it. The reader did a fine job capturing the annoying nerdy quality of the hero and the members of the agency he found.
The hero, Kester, is a nebbish young man who didn't know he had supernatural abilities. He encounters a firm that dispatches spirits back to their world and reluctantly joins them on a job. It is not to his liking, but persists, trying to find something he can do to help them.
It's not a particularly great story, but it was pleasant listening to it. The reader did a fine job capturing the annoying nerdy quality of the hero and the members of the agency he found.
heatheranne1218's review against another edition
2.0
Stopped about half-way through on this one. It wasn't for me. I liked premise behind the ghost-busting team but they characters did not stand to me and I actually couldn't keep the members of the very small team straight even over 100 pages in. I tend not to gravitate towards "cozy" and maybe that was part of the problem too. There are too many books on my to-read list so it's time for me to move on.
casualcostumer's review against another edition
2.0
Quite a slog. Silly concept, unlikeable characters.
ereandrill's review against another edition
4.0
Horror and the Paranormal have always been pretty high on my list of interests although this does not mean I believe ( I want to believe, Mulder ). The case of the green dressed ghost fit in perfectly!
The case of the Green Dressed Ghost is Lucy Banks’ first novel and the start of the Doctor Ribero’s agency of the paranormal series. I was looking forward A LOT to reading this book and was extremely exciting when I heard the soft “thump” of the book falling through my mailbox. I finished it in three days and could not stop reading! Every commute, during my lunch, when I woke up or even when I was batteling sleep just before I turned off the light. This book – although I have some remarks, is great light reading. I can totally see myself reading this on holiday.
Kester is a 22 old nerd. There is no other way of describing him. He has a bit more volume around the waist, wears glasses and – lets be honest, is a bit of a pussy. When his mother dies, he sets out to find the mysterious Doctor Ribero. She had whispered his name and pressured him to find the man just before she died. Kester makes the trip from Camebridge to Exeter and finds out his life was one big lie. His father – who he did not kow he excisted, runs a paranormal agency out of a run down old building in the centre of Exeter.
Kester, an Oxbridge himself, does not think much of all the paranormal humble jumble and after his very first ghost observation he runs back to Camebridge with his tail between his legs. I cannot say much more because we would be threading into the dangerous world of spoilers.
Like I mentioned earlier : I do have some remarks about this book. You can read the complete review on my website : www.liezeneven.com
The case of the Green Dressed Ghost is Lucy Banks’ first novel and the start of the Doctor Ribero’s agency of the paranormal series. I was looking forward A LOT to reading this book and was extremely exciting when I heard the soft “thump” of the book falling through my mailbox. I finished it in three days and could not stop reading! Every commute, during my lunch, when I woke up or even when I was batteling sleep just before I turned off the light. This book – although I have some remarks, is great light reading. I can totally see myself reading this on holiday.
Kester is a 22 old nerd. There is no other way of describing him. He has a bit more volume around the waist, wears glasses and – lets be honest, is a bit of a pussy. When his mother dies, he sets out to find the mysterious Doctor Ribero. She had whispered his name and pressured him to find the man just before she died. Kester makes the trip from Camebridge to Exeter and finds out his life was one big lie. His father – who he did not kow he excisted, runs a paranormal agency out of a run down old building in the centre of Exeter.
Kester, an Oxbridge himself, does not think much of all the paranormal humble jumble and after his very first ghost observation he runs back to Camebridge with his tail between his legs. I cannot say much more because we would be threading into the dangerous world of spoilers.
Like I mentioned earlier : I do have some remarks about this book. You can read the complete review on my website : www.liezeneven.com
unbirthday's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0