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Ghost Riders (Ballad #7)

3.87 of 5 stars 3.87 · rating details · 898 ratings · 68 reviews

The latest ballad novel from Sharyn McCrumb tells the true story of the Civil War in the Appalachians, where neighbors became enemies, and the half-life of violence keeps soldiers' ghosts abroad in the modern wilderness. For frontier lawyer Zeb Vance, the war was an odyssey that leads to the Governor's mansion. Malinda Blalock, who followed her young husband into battle, b...more

Paperback, 416 pages

Published May 4th 2004 by Signet (first published 2003)

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Jul 26, 2011 Jobiska (Cindy) added it

Shelves: mystery

I always enjoy Sharyn McCrumb, but this book, though interesting, was not as compelling as some of her other works. I found the historical tales--those of Zeb Vance and Malinda Blalock--engrossing, but the present-day ones were merely okay, and the culmination of all the stories was just--eh. I'm not sure what the character Rattler added other than to provide a more irascible, and male, version of Nora Bonesteel, whom I know and love from some (all?) of the other books by this author. And if Spe...more

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Feb 14, 2011 Barbara Mitchell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recently Sharyn McCrumb posted on her Facebook page that her next novel will be out in August 2011, and suggested that we should read her earlier book Ghost Riders before then. The new book will be about Tom Dooley, of "Hang down your head, Tom Dooley" fame. His lawyer in the real story was Zebulon Vance, who is a major character in Ghost Riders. By the way, Tom's real name was Tom Dula but everyone mispronounced it.

I had a copy of Ghost Riders on my shelf so I have now read it. The characters i...more Recently Sharyn McCrumb posted on her Facebook page that her next novel will be out in August 2011, and suggested that we should read her earlier book Ghost Riders before then. The new book will be about Tom Dooley, of "Hang down your head, Tom Dooley" fame. His lawyer in the real story was Zebulon Vance, who is a major character in Ghost Riders. By the way, Tom's real name was Tom Dula but everyone mispronounced it.

I had a copy of Ghost Riders on my shelf so I have now read it. The characters in this book are some of McCrumb's best work. A few are real, others fictional, but all totally believable and fascinating. Everyone's favorite McCrumb character, Nora Bonesteel, makes a sort of cameo appearance in it, but another character with "the Sight" is one of the main characters. He is called "Rattler" and he is inseparable from the mountains he lives in, the Appalachians of western North Carolina. He's a loner but frequently reenactors of the Civil War camp in the mountains and if he wants some conversation he'll go visit them. Problem is, their uniforms and firing of period weapons seems to be bringing back ghosts of the real war.

In flashback we meet McKesson (Keith) and Malinda Blalock, union sympathizers in a "secesh" area. This is one of the toughest couples you'll ever meet. When he is forced to join the Confederate Army, Malinda dresses like a boy and joins up too as "Sam Blalock." Turns out she's a good soldier and they plan to cross over to the Union army as soon as they can. It's only when her husband is wounded and is to be sent home that she reveals her sex and goes home with him. That isn't the end of their wartime experiences though, far from it.

There are other superbly drawn characters to fill out the story of mountain people divided by a war they have little stock in, the cruelty shown toward the women, children, and old people trying to survive at home while the young men fight and die, and the lingering feuds that result, a la the Hatfields and the McCoys. This is the war I'm interested in rather than battles and generals and tactics so I greatly enjoyed this wonderful story. Above all, the people's sense of belonging to the Appalachians and their knowledge of the mountains prevails.

I highly recommend this book regardless of whether you are a Sharyn McCrumb fan or not. If you aren't, you will be after reading this book. (less)

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Jun 28, 2010 Kate rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: southern-writing

Here is another book that I may have never read if it had not been lent to me. I love how sharing books can open up new ways of thinking for people! I am so glad I read it as it has wet my appetite for learning more about the Reconstruction following the Civil War.

"Ghost Riders" is set in the Appalachian Mountains and tells the tale of the impact of the Civil War on those who lived in these mountains bordering North and South Carolina, in particular. Sharyn McCrumb poured over historical documen...more Here is another book that I may have never read if it had not been lent to me. I love how sharing books can open up new ways of thinking for people! I am so glad I read it as it has wet my appetite for learning more about the Reconstruction following the Civil War.

"Ghost Riders" is set in the Appalachian Mountains and tells the tale of the impact of the Civil War on those who lived in these mountains bordering North and South Carolina, in particular. Sharyn McCrumb poured over historical documents to learn more about the people who lived in these mountains and the way the war affected them. Families were divided on which side they were on from farm to farm and that made for a very unique war.

McCrumb used the real stories of a woman who dressed as a male soldier to fight alongside her husband, a famous governor of North Carolina (Zebulon Vance), and a few other central characters to provide a frame of realistic reference and offer credibility to her story.

The story is told from the perspective of several characters and weaves its way through modern and past times to show the way the Civil War left a massive impact that is still felt to this day. The tales of those who faced the war head on are juxtaposed with the modern-day reenactors and those who have "the sight" and are able to communicate with the ghosts that play a significant part in the story. At times, these changing perspectives can be confusing and it is easy to mix them up, but the style offers a comprehensive way of viewing the way the mountains bore the horrors of war.

She uses the supernatural presence of ghosts of soldiers on both sides to signify the ways in which the war is still not over. Grudges were formed between families who sided with either the Confederacy or the Union that she suggests are still felt today.

Having grown up in both North and South Carolina, I have often visited Grandfather Mountain, a unique mountain that is now known for its mile high suspension bridge between the twin peaks. Grandfather Mountain is an important character of sorts in the book as it serves as a haven to those resisting joining up with the Confederates and also a death trap for those who are caught. Thinking of all of the time I have spent there hiking and visiting, it is difficult to fathom the role it played during the Civil War.

At the end of the story, I was struck by how difficult it must have been to go on after the war was over. In the story, one of the characters sagely suggests that it is easy to start a war but almost impossible to make it stop. Despite the fact that the Confederacy had surrendered, there were still scores that many felt needed to be settled and the war was far from over for them. This was a dark time for our country and a time of healing that I imagine many thought was not possible.

McCrumb does a wonderful job of proving this difficulty and making her readers really think about how such a war tore apart our country.(less)

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Jan 16, 2013 Cole I is currently reading it

Ghost Riders has tough me a lot about the human spirit. The woman that goes with her husband into the Civil war is brave and cancerous. When she is faced with death or to leave her husband. She doesn't she stays and tries to overcome adversity. "I thought to myself, i will stay here no matter what happens to my unit."(36). This shows how she will never leave her friends. No matter what will happen to them. As the book progresses she see more terrible things and starts to rethink her statements....more

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Oct 15, 2009 Dave rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Fans of historical fiction or ghost stories

Recommended to Dave by: Vilo Westwood

Shelves: fiction-read

My lovely long suffering spouse, a fan of McCrumb, recommended this one to me. I found it an interesting and educational historical novel. McCrumb weaves an engaging tale of Appalachia blending the perspective of contemporary fictional characters with those of historical characters. The author shows the Civil War in a light I'd not seen before with the stories of Union supporting guerrillas, committed Confederates and their modern descendants dealing with the lingering traumas from the war.
I'm o...more

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Sep 05, 2010 David rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is my second time of reading for this book. I appreciated it much more the second time through. I now live where the story took place. I have been to some of the places mentioned. I now know of the people mentioned.
The Appalachian mountains at the time of the civil war was a divided area. Communities were divided on the issues that provoked The War. Families were divided. Neighbors killed neighbors, abused neighbors, and hated neighbors. After the war many returned to their homes and hope...more

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Apr 24, 2012 Annette rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is a wonderful book. It starts in modern times Appalachia where civil war enthusiasts meet to renact a certain battle. However, their presence is stirring up something that they didn't bargain for; hence, the name of the book. The book takes you back into the history of real people who lived during the time of the civil war and shows that a lot of people were not too happy to be considered a confederate or a yank depending on which state line you lived over and forced to fight kin who happe...more

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Jan 27, 2009 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical

A fictionalized account of the Civil War in the mts. of Tenn. and NC. Many people sided with the Union because they didn't own slaves. Your neighbor might be your enemy - the wrong army is whichever one you joined. Malinda and Keith joined the Conf. army - she dressed as a boy. They spend the war as Union guerrilla fighters. Also tells of Zebulon Vance (a real person) governor of NC and who fought for Appalachio.

Well-written.

Great quote by Malinda, "It's easy to start a war, much harder to stop...more

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Aug 09, 2010 Susan rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: mysteries

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Aug 30, 2011 Melanti rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: appalachia, mystery, 2011, historical

For the last couple of months, I've been thinking about the American Civil War. Why are most wars ignored, forgotten, or have their edges softened by time, while the Civil War which has been over for a century and a half still has such a strong hold, particularly in southern and Appalachian literature?

Ghost Riders spends most of its time answering this question. It's one thing to be taught in an academic environment that the Civil War meant neighbors fought against each other but it's entirely d...more

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Jul 05, 2009 Jennifer B rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was my first foray into Civil War fiction- inspired by my Civil War scholar of a friend I thought I would give it a try. Also it focused on Western NC, and being able to recognize many of the towns McCrumb described was and added incentive.It is told through three semi-related narratives; that of a group of civil war re-enactors, and the intertwining stories of Zebulon Vance, a Confederate governor and Malinda Blalock and her husband Keith for whom she dressed as a man to follow into war. I...more

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Oct 14, 2008 JG (The Introverted Reader) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Recommended to JG (The Introverted Reader) by: Donna

Shelves: fiction, historical_fiction, southern-lit, strong_females, read_in_2008, civil_war, reviewed, appalachia, 3_stars, author_american, setting_us

This is a story told from many points of view. First is Zebulon Vance, the real life Civil War governor of North Carolina. We follow him from his days as a hotel porter fresh off the farm until his rise to governor. Next is Malinda Blalock, a tough mountain woman who follows her husband to war and beyond. Then there's Rattler, a modern day man with a touch of the second sight who realizes that the Civil War re-enactors of the mountains are calling up uneasy spirits who are best left alone.

I enjo...more

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Jul 04, 2008 Suzanna rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Civil War, history, American / Appalachian history, women warrior readers

McCrumb often writes a historical storyline coinciding with a modern storyline, and usually that works reasonably well in my opinion. In the case of this book, I feel she would have been better off not trying to tie in the modern tale; it was not well thought out, weak, and poorly executed. It felt like a distracting interruption, not even an interesting sideline. In fact, if I had to guess I would say she plugged it in after writing the rest of the novel in order to make it a part of her series...more McCrumb often writes a historical storyline coinciding with a modern storyline, and usually that works reasonably well in my opinion. In the case of this book, I feel she would have been better off not trying to tie in the modern tale; it was not well thought out, weak, and poorly executed. It felt like a distracting interruption, not even an interesting sideline. In fact, if I had to guess I would say she plugged it in after writing the rest of the novel in order to make it a part of her series. However, the bulk of the story was historical (Civil War era), and that part was very entertaining and well thought out.

I did not connect right away with the Civil War side of the story, but once I did (just a handful of chapters into the book) I could barely put the book down. I am hardly a "buff", but I like Civil War stories and documentaries, and was fascinated by the aspect of the War presented here, and the voices she gave to her main characters. Out of curiosity, I did some research on the main characters myself and found McCrumb was well within the accepted data of events and people. There was even an interesting, factual connection to Frankie Silver, which "The Ballad of ... " is my favorite historical novel by McCrumb.

The main characters are Malinda Blalock and Zebulon Vance, and I had never heard of either of them until reading this book. Malinda disguised herself as a man to fight alongside her husband in the War. Zeb Vance was primarily a politician. Superficially, Zeb's side of the story especially would not interest me. But the fact that he, along with the Blalocks, were actually Union sympathizers who were stuck, for the most part, on the Confederate side of things (or really preferring to just be OUT of things but forced to take part) made for a much more interesting tale than I would have initially thought. Additionally, the voices of these two figures has been well developed and thought through so that you identify well with them, and they are immensely entertaining.

Overall, it was entertaining, interesting and educational.
Not my favorite book by McCrumb, but well worth the read! (less)

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Mar 23, 2008 Robert rated it 4 of 5 stars

I am new to the Asheville area and only a part time resident. I wanted to begin reading some local fiction, and have always had an interest in history. I found this an excellent gateway.

It's very readable and the characters truly resonate. The flow of the writing is seductive and beautiful. I truly love the mountains in the area, and there is a profound respect and appreciation for the landscape apparent in the writing.

I felt that the narrative conveyed a texture of the times and a sense of the...more

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Jan 28, 2009 Lanea rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, appalachian_studies, women-writers, mystery, historical-fiction

I'm a big fan of McCrumb's. Some people read romance novels when they need something light. . . I read regional fiction, particularly from Appalachia, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. I studied a lot of Appalachian lit when I was an undergrad and was pretty well immersed in both the Appalachian Studies community and the actual local Appalachian community there in Blacksburg and its surrounds. I had the pleasure of meeting McCrumb several times, and I think I can say without reservation that the lad...more I'm a big fan of McCrumb's. Some people read romance novels when they need something light. . . I read regional fiction, particularly from Appalachia, Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. I studied a lot of Appalachian lit when I was an undergrad and was pretty well immersed in both the Appalachian Studies community and the actual local Appalachian community there in Blacksburg and its surrounds. I had the pleasure of meeting McCrumb several times, and I think I can say without reservation that the lady is astounding. Every time I spoke to her she either made me laugh like mad or dropped some little bit of truth or inspiration in my waiting palm. Her books are light, but her head sure isn't.

This may be my least favorite of her Ballad novels, and I think that's because Nora Bonesteel isn't making many appearances, and the music itself is figuring less in the mystery. And, truthfully, this novel isn't really a mystery like most of the others in the loosely-connected series. It's still a good read--don't get me wrong. But it didn't ring as loudly in my head as its predecessors.

As is always the case, the book is well researched, and McCrumb does a great job sketching out historical and fictional characters, male and female. She does seem to have a tiny bone to pick this time, chastising Civil War reenactors several times through the plot itself and through the voice of Rattler, this novel's lead seer. I can't call her out for that though--Civil War reenactments give me the willies sometimes, probably because so many reeneactors in Virginia seem to be rehashing a political and ethical conflict more than 100 years gone.

The shining stars in this novel are the characters Malinda Blalock, a woman who ends up serving in both the Confederate and Union armies, and North Carolina's Confederate Governor Zebulon Baird Vance, a historical character McCrumb places front and center in the novel. Vance is great fodder: he was a pro-Union politician who ended up serving the Confederacy in both military and political roles because he felt bound to his locality. I'm certainly no expert on Vance, but McCrumb's characterization of him is fascinating and rings true throughout. (less)

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Jul 27, 2007 Irishcoda rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

What a frustrating book! On the one hand, I liked the voices of the characters very much. I could just about hear them speaking in my mind. I truly enjoyed some of the characters very much but they didn't appear as often as I liked.

On the downside: what was this story supposed to be about? I was drawn to it because of the title and the summary I saw in the book club newsletter: it's the Civil War and a young woman dresses up like a man and follows her husband off to war. There were not-so-subtl

...more

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Feb 11, 2008 Kellie rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2008-reads, fiction-literature, bookclub-books

This was a historical fiction book about the Civil War. Most of the places mentioned in the book were right here in North Carolina. Asheville, Statesville, Blowing Rock and Raleigh were mentioned several times. Even Charlotte was mentioned towards the end. I really tried to enjoy this book but after I finished it, I felt really let down. I am not sure if I was reading a history book or a sad attempt to weave some fiction with non-fiction. This book just did not capture my interest. My ears perke...more

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Dec 07, 2010 Debra rated it 3 of 5 stars

I like the occasional historical fiction read. The novel relates a part of the civil war as told by the North Carolina governor, Zeb, and his mountain people. I listened to the audio book and at times confusing shifting from present day enactment to the ghost's stories. I understand a statue of Zeb is in North Carolina in his honor and remembrance. The civil war had women involved in the fighting and the author shares the respective of one of these women.

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Apr 14, 2012 Ginia rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, historical-fiction, non-fiction, read-in-2012

I remember studying the Civil War in 12th grade. This book has far more interesting biographies and events than my high school class ever did. Zebulon Vance and Malinda Blalock were real people. Really tough amazing people. I learned a lot from them. I believe the spirit of this book is ultimately about the character traits of courage, persistance, and hope. Things that the United States are built on.

The North Carolina/Tennessee border is a vast and beautiful setting. I have loved reading Shary...more

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Nov 27, 2012 Kerry rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fans of American historical novels

Sharyn McCrumb's Ballad Mystery series are well-written historical novels in the guise of mysteries. I have learned volumes about the South, specifically the Civil War Era and cultural values, from them. As a New England yankee, it was both much needed (I know lots about Paul Revere, for example) and interesting. The stories are gripping and by no means conventional. Among my favorite writers.

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Oct 05, 2011 Andrea rated it 2 of 5 stars

2.5 stars. I have enjoyed this series, but so far this is by far my least favorite book. I thought the story of the solitary present-day man was an odd addition. There wasn't enough of the characters I have come to "know" in this at all. I seemed to feel at a loss for what this book was about. There were so many stories trying to be told. I wanted to like it, but in the end...eh.

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Oct 08, 2011 Beth rated it 4 of 5 stars

I'm a huge fan of Sharon McCrumb and this book did not disappoint. I really felt as if I was in the middle of The Civil War. The only downside was there was not enough time spent with two of my favorite characters: Nora Bonesteel and Rattler. Not enough ghosts for me. And way too much despair about the war, but kudos to her for staying true to the events of North Carolina.

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Nov 09, 2011 Terry rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: historical-fiction

This historical novel explores the effect of the Civil War on life in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. The author uses the technique of flashbacks between modern day reenactors and the actual war, especially as experienced buy two historical figures: Zebulon Vancer (wartime governor of North Carolina) and Malinda Blalock (woman soldier and outlier).

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Jul 16, 2012 Cynthia rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: keepers

McCrumb may be more widely known as the author of lighter fare (also mysteries), but the "Ballad Series" is her best work. They are all set in a fictional county in eastern Tennessee, not far from her homeplace in western North Carolina, and they are deeply rooted in mountain culture as well as mountain music. Sheriff Spencer Arrowood (pronounced "Arrwood," in case you're not from around there and didn't know)is a great character -- a deeply compassionate man who still is able to feel for all co...more

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Aug 10, 2011 Mom rated it 4 of 5 stars

Another very good Civil War book,but different. The story takes place in the Appalachians where most people never took sides but fought whoever interfered with their life. Today the ghosts of these people are still fighting the fight. Included is the story of a young couple who joins the war with the girl dressed as a man.

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Sep 30, 2009 Kate rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a very good book which didn't quite live up to its early promise in the end. I liked the format of different chapters being told from the POV of different people, all involved with the same place but in different times.

The ending was a let down -- it didn't resolve anything, and was rather murky.

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Jan 06, 2013 Mimi rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: read-2013, pbs-hf-challenge-2013

I've been on an inadvertent Civil War kick - this entry into the Ballad Mystery series goes back and forth between a fairly modern story and the war.
It isn't her most solid entry, and the personalities were stronger than the story, but it was still a pleasant read. I will definitely continue the series.

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Apr 19, 2008 Rae rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

McCrumb usually writes fun mysteries set in the hills of Appalachia, but this book is a bit of a departure from that. It is historical fiction and tells the story of the Civil War environment in North Carolina. She uses some real historical people and weaves their story with modern-day reenactors.

NC was a split state with many Union supporters and McCrumb does a good job of evoking sympathy for both sides by the reader. Her descriptions help me to imagine what it must have been like for my own r...more

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Dec 17, 2010 Joy rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is one of my very favorite authors! This is a ballad intertwined with civil war history and present day folks. The setting is Western North Carolina, my most favorite state and the history is authentic. Very enjoyable!

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May 29, 2009 Lewis rated it 4 of 5 stars

I thoroughly enjoyed this fictional account of the Civil War in the NC mountains. All that talk of Morganton reminded me of friends....well written and fascinating tale of the division that is rarely discussed in secesh country.

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About Sharyn McCrumb

Sharyn McCrumb is an American writer whose books celebrate the history and folklore of Appalachia. Educated at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Virginia Tech, she has also taught Appalachian studies. She is married to David McCrumb, a corporate environmental director, and has two children, Laura and Spencer.
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Books by Sharyn McCrumb

The Hangman's Beautiful Daughter (Ballad Series, #2)

She Walks These Hills (Ballad Series, #3)

The Ballad of Frankie Silver (Ballad Series, #5)

If Ever I Return, Pretty Peggy-O (Ballad Series, #1)

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Ghost Riders (Ballad #7)

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