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A review by booksonawednesday
Ghost Story by Elisa Lodato
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Thank you to Bonnier Books for sending me an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
While grieving her daughter and her sister, Seren is contacted by her agent about a new writing opportunity. In desperate need of money and a direction in life, Seren agrees to retreat to an abandoned Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides to focus on writing a ghost story.
Seren’s research suggests that the island experienced a massacre centuries ago, but she isn’t prepared for the echoes of the fallout that are still reverberating today.
This is the perfect autumnal, spooky read. I loved the eerie, atmospheric setting of the abandoned island. I felt immersed in the ghost story, and it really reminded me of a more modern version of Woman in Black (which I love).
I do have a significant concern with this book though, in that it is entirely marketed as a ghost story but there are significant themes of domestic abuse throughout. This isn’t even alluded to in the blurb, and I couldn’t see any trigger warnings.
I also felt like there were a few plot holes (mild spoilers ahead). Firstly, if the island had a massacre, how come it was repopulated and only later abandoned in 1912? I also don’t understand how the MacKinnon women are all midwives, since women take their husband’s surnames?
I would still really recommend this book for a great spooky read!
While grieving her daughter and her sister, Seren is contacted by her agent about a new writing opportunity. In desperate need of money and a direction in life, Seren agrees to retreat to an abandoned Scottish island in the Outer Hebrides to focus on writing a ghost story.
Seren’s research suggests that the island experienced a massacre centuries ago, but she isn’t prepared for the echoes of the fallout that are still reverberating today.
This is the perfect autumnal, spooky read. I loved the eerie, atmospheric setting of the abandoned island. I felt immersed in the ghost story, and it really reminded me of a more modern version of Woman in Black (which I love).
I do have a significant concern with this book though, in that it is entirely marketed as a ghost story but there are significant themes of domestic abuse throughout. This isn’t even alluded to in the blurb, and I couldn’t see any trigger warnings.
I also felt like there were a few plot holes (mild spoilers ahead). Firstly, if the island had a massacre, how come it was repopulated and only later abandoned in 1912? I also don’t understand how the MacKinnon women are all midwives, since women take their husband’s surnames?
I would still really recommend this book for a great spooky read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse
Moderate: Animal death