Haunted by the ghosts of characters memorialized in their songs, a pair of lovers must uncover the truth behind the ghosts' deaths.
... read full description
... read full description
reviews
Dec 03, 2011
Ringan Laine plays in a band that plays English folk music. Since that doesn't pay the bills, he also renovates old houses on the side. When one of his wealthy clients has a little cash flow problem, and can't pay Ringan, he deeds him an old cottage instead. Hmm. Why is the landlord so eager to get rid of this little property, complete with valuable antique furniture? Because it's haunted, naturally, and not with one ghost, but with two, a pair of young lovers. Betsy inhabits the house, and Will
More...
Jul 04, 2008
Joy
rated it: 
In which a folk musician and his lover attempt to uncover the truth behind the haunting of his new home. Interesting concept, poor execution. I got about halfway through before I decided I was horribly bored and gave up. The set-up was taking far too long, and I didn't think I could bear to read another pointless description of Penny's clothing and its effect on her various male acquaintances. I think I'll be passing on the rest of this series.
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Apr 06, 2011
Spuddie
rated it: 
#1 Haunted Ballad mystery set in the UK. Is it a mystery? A gothic ghost story? A charming English story? Yes, yes and yes. Ringan Laine is the guitarist and vocalist in a traditional folk band, which doesn't often pay enough of a living wage to subsist on. So he also does home restorations. When the owner of the manor home he's nearly finished restoring explains that he isn't able to pay him in cash due to a problem with the courts tying up his liquid assets, Ringan is livid--until the man offe
More...
Jan 16, 2012
Melissa
rated it: 
Having read the author's "JP Kinkaid Chronicles", I was intrigued by the premise in her other series. Mysteries featuring the ghosts from folk ballad characters. I was not disappointed. A short book(only 182 pages), I was quickly enthralled with the two main characters: Ringan and Penny and the ghosts that haunt Ringan's new home and barn. Can't wait to start on the 2nd story in the series!
"Haunted by the ghosts of characters memorialized in their songs, a pair of More...
"Haunted by the ghosts of characters memorialized in their songs, a pair of More...
Aug 18, 2008
Mary
rated it: 
The premise of this book was a ghost story based on an old folk song - which it was, but not a very good one.
Ringan Laine is a British folk musician who moves into an old cottage that is also inhabited by a ghost. Additionally, the ancient barn on his property is also haunted - by a different ghost. These ghosts affect Ringan and his friends in various ways, but eventually they figure out who the ghosts are and how to "exorcise" them.
All along I felt I was missing somethin More...
Ringan Laine is a British folk musician who moves into an old cottage that is also inhabited by a ghost. Additionally, the ancient barn on his property is also haunted - by a different ghost. These ghosts affect Ringan and his friends in various ways, but eventually they figure out who the ghosts are and how to "exorcise" them.
All along I felt I was missing somethin More...
Oct 09, 2011
Anne
rated it:
Wow. A friend reccommended this one and I can see why. I loved it and once I started it couldn't put it down. The pacing and feel of it is not fast but it suits the story and characters perfectly. The descriptions are wonderful - I could very well imagine being there. Not sure why it's in the library as mystery/detective - it's a ghost story, but so much more and I love the role that music plays in it.
Feb 09, 2011
Sara
rated it: 
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I wasn't blown away by the writing, but the storyline was good and it kept me interested. The first 2/3 of the book - the unfolding of the story - was maybe drawn out a little longer than necessary. I say this to explain my three star rating - I liked and enjoyed the book, but it wasn't amazing. A good read for a lazy Sunday, or on vacation in an old English farmhouse.
Jun 13, 2010
Stasha
rated it:
I got this in my attempt to move away from some of the paranormal reading. How was I to know this was a ghost story? I loved the texture of the countryside, the glimpse into British culture, and learning about the structure of British society. Loved how the characters didn't get in the way of the story, yet still liked the characters.
Dec 17, 2009
LJ
rated it:
THE WEAVER AND THE FACTORY MAID (Gothic-England-Cont) - VG
Deborah Grabien – 1st in series
Thomas Dunn Books, 2003- Hardcover
Ringan Laine, a British folk musician and period architecture restoration expert, accepts a piece of land containing a cottage and tithe barn in lieu of payment. What he didn’t know, at the time, was it also contained a pair of ghosts. With the help of his girlfriend, benefactor and band mates, he becomes determined to find out who they are and how to rel More...
Deborah Grabien – 1st in series
Thomas Dunn Books, 2003- Hardcover
Ringan Laine, a British folk musician and period architecture restoration expert, accepts a piece of land containing a cottage and tithe barn in lieu of payment. What he didn’t know, at the time, was it also contained a pair of ghosts. With the help of his girlfriend, benefactor and band mates, he becomes determined to find out who they are and how to rel More...
Nov 12, 2010
Sherri
rated it:
Book was a suggested reading from the library and my introduction to Grabien's Ballad series. A modern murder based on an old ballad. Subsequent books on this series were well written and dug some of the research on how certain ballads came to be and how a murder in the present could relate to it.
Jul 19, 2011
I enjoyed this book. I feel like I "discovered" an author. I am familiar with McCrumb's mysteries with a ballad tie-in so I thought I would enjoy this one. It had a ballad and a murder and was set in England, so nice bonus.
Oct 27, 2011
Sounds interesting. Brit folk has a special place in my heart thanks to Bert Jansch and some of his drinking buddies. This may be the book to set me off in search of a books on tape service.
May 30, 2008
Hope
rated it:
Not really a mystery, not really a spooky ghost story, but I enjoyed it. Ringan Laine is a fold musician and house-restorer/historian who gets an 18th century cottage as payment for a job. As he is moving in, he and his girlfriend discover that it is haunted. Some of the reviews I read about it were disparaging about the lack of suspense in the murder mystery part of the story, but I don't think it is a problem. No, it isn't a who-done-it, but the story of the characters is still interesting.
More...
0 comments
like
(1 person liked it)
Dec 15, 2009
Aiisa
rated it:
main characters Penny Wintercraft-Hawkes a theatre director, Ringan Laine a folk musician and architectural historian/restoration consultant
Aug 20, 2011
Michelle
rated it:
I enjoyed this book- it was a quick read and I think this will be an interesting series. I liked how the mystery of the two ghosts evolved and how they were tied into the folk ballad. I believe Ringan, Penny and the rest will be intriguing characters going forward.
Nov 04, 2009
Michele
rated it:
This is a short book and not a bad story, but it's taking me FOREVER to read!
Dec 01, 2007
Sarah
rated it:
A great ghost story - not so scary that you stay awake or have nightmares, but it imparts just enough chills. The fact that it is based on an English folk song is really fun, and the characters are well developed. The story is fairly simple and wraps up quickly, but it's a good, gentle read. The fact that it's set in the English countryside makes it very enjoyable, too. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Apr 06, 2008
Alison
rated it:
This is a good ghost story - sort of creepy in parts but you can still sleep after. However, I didn't connect with the characters at all. I thought they were over analytical and almost pious. Maybe it is because the author is English and I didn't really get the phrases they used. However, I know people who loved this book.
May 08, 2008
GraceAnne
rated it:
Written with energy and verve, this ghost story/mystery takes its inspiration from the ballad of the title (this is the first in a series of five "Haunted Ballads") and its lush prose from the English countryside and the world of British folk music. Can't wait to read the rest of them.
Apr 03, 2008
Melissa
rated it:
This whole series of books is excellent. It's historical fiction woven with mystery and modern day occurances. I really enjoyed the Haunted ballad series and now need to find the new book that just came out- New Knight. Can't wait to read it...when I have the time! :)
Dec 17, 2009
Samonia
rated it:
Though I adored the setting (and especially the cottage), I didn't find myself caring very much for the main characters. Luckily, the story was interesting enough I didn't mind.
Jan 21, 2008
Shauna
rated it:
This book actually gave me goosebumps. It was creepy, but not downright terrifying.
Jan 29, 2012
Jan 26, 2012
Jan 15, 2012
Jan 01, 2012
Dec 06, 2011
