Ghost

In 60 AD, Aine finds herself captured and enslaved by the Romans. Fleeing her new master, she hides in a tunnel where she finds an altar and unwittingly unleashes something dark. Centuries later, Sarah Gibson takes refuge in the woods after the death of her mother. Seeking to help others with her knowledge of healing, she is at ease with nature, sensing Aine’s restless spirit and wishing to help her. In the present day, Marie has ‘burned out’, dropping out of art college. She goes to stay with Jen, her aunt, following the death of her much loved Uncle Matty and senses that there is something wrong in the woods and yet is drawn to them by the connection she feels with the girls from the past.

‘Ghost’ is one of those books which is really hard to offer a summary for! Inspired by legends surrounding ‘Sally in the Woods’ in Wiltshire, it is an evocative read, celebrating connections through time and place, the beauty of the natural world and family love.

Perfect for anyone looking for something a little bit different, Finbar Hawkins effortlessly weaves together the stories of Aine, Sarah and Marie, creating a slightly eerie and compelling narrative, steeped in folklore and old magic. Each girl has lost loved ones and each finds courage in the face of adversity, combining across time to overcome evil and find peace. Each girls’ voice is heard in turn as the reader discovers more about their individual background before their stories merge and they vanquish the spirit haunting the woods.

Mesmerising is an excellent word to describe this story which is hard to do justice to in a review! It is more than ‘just’ a ghost story- it is a book which just has to be read!

Ghost

Finbar Hawkins

Zephyr ISBN: 978-1837933075