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Ghost of the Thames
Love knows no boundary…
A stranger—led back from the shadowy edges of death by a ghost—finds herself cold and bloody on the filthy banks of a river in a city she does not know…
From opium-drenched hovels and rat-infested warehouses of Limehouse to the glistening facades of West End mansions, a woman—known only as Sophy—searches for her identity. But the mist-shrouded alleys of Victorian England hold grave dangers for the friendless.
Captain Edward Seymour, the last of a long line of distinguished Royal Navy officers, is searching, as well. Returning from sea to find that his niece has disappeared, he begins combing every inn and hellhole of the city’s darkest corners, desperately hoping to find some trace of the girl.
No one knows the streets of London like Charles Dickens, a young novelist with a reformer’s soul, and Sophy and Edward turn to him for help. Flush with his early literary successes, he is working hard to use his knowledge of the city and his newfound fame to right some of the social ills that plague Victorian England.
But with each step they take toward the truth, Death draws ever closer…
May McGoldrick's novels are
“Richly romantic.” –Nora Roberts
“Enchanting.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Excellent.” –Heather Graham
A stranger—led back from the shadowy edges of death by a ghost—finds herself cold and bloody on the filthy banks of a river in a city she does not know…
From opium-drenched hovels and rat-infested warehouses of Limehouse to the glistening facades of West End mansions, a woman—known only as Sophy—searches for her identity. But the mist-shrouded alleys of Victorian England hold grave dangers for the friendless.
Captain Edward Seymour, the last of a long line of distinguished Royal Navy officers, is searching, as well. Returning from sea to find that his niece has disappeared, he begins combing every inn and hellhole of the city’s darkest corners, desperately hoping to find some trace of the girl.
No one knows the streets of London like Charles Dickens, a young novelist with a reformer’s soul, and Sophy and Edward turn to him for help. Flush with his early literary successes, he is working hard to use his knowledge of the city and his newfound fame to right some of the social ills that plague Victorian England.
But with each step they take toward the truth, Death draws ever closer…
May McGoldrick's novels are
“Richly romantic.” –Nora Roberts
“Enchanting.” –The Philadelphia Inquirer
“Excellent.” –Heather Graham
- GenresAmazonHistorical Romance
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 23, 2011
87 people are currently reading
142 people want to read
About the author
May McGoldrick
576 books503 followersMay McGoldrick, Nik James, and Jan Coffey are pen names for USA Today bestselling authors Nikoo Kafi and Jim McGoldrick. Together, they have crafted over fifty fast-paced, conflict-filled historical, contemporary, and Western novels, and two works of nonfiction.
Nikoo’s education and training was in engineering. She worked in robotics and submarine shipbuilding. Before earning a PhD in sixteenth-century Scottish and English literature, Jim pursued a hundred and one jobs, including a decade in submarine construction.
Storytellers at heart, Nikoo and Jim were always searching for careers that gave them time for both family and writing. Then, after thirteen years of marriage, they recognized each other’s creative strengths. Nikoo is all about characters and feeling. Jim is about action and sense of place. Their first attempt in writing fiction together produced their award-winning novel, The Thistle and the Rose. Since then, their stories have touched the hearts and minds of millions of readers all over the world. Their work has been translated into over a dozen languages and counting.
Nikoo and Jim are four-time Rita Finalists and the winners of numerous awards for their writing, including the Daphne DeMaurier Award for Excellence, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award, three NJRW Golden Leaf Awards, two Holt Medallions, and the Connecticut Press Club Award for Best Fiction.
The authors make their home in California.
Here is a complete catalogue of May McGoldrick, Nik James and Jan Coffey’s work, in chronological order.
Each book stands on its own.
MAY McGOLDRICK
Macpherson Clan Series
The Thistle and the Rose
A Midsummer Wedding (novella)
Angel of Skye
Heart of Gold
Beauty of the Mist
The Intended
Flame
Tess and the Highlander
The Dreamer (Highland Treasure)
The Enchantress (Highland Treasure)
The Firebrand (Highland Treasure)
Much Ado About Highlanders (Scottish Relic)
Taming the Highlander (Scottish Relic)
Tempest in the Highlands (Scottish Relic)
Arsenic and Old Armor
---
Pennington Family Series
The Promise
The Rebel
Borrowed Dreams
Captured Dreams
Dreams of Destiny
Romancing the Scot
It Happened in the Highlands
Sweet Home Highland Christmas (novella)
Sleepless in Scotland
Dearest Millie (novella)
How to Ditch a Duke (novella)
---
Royal Highlander Series
Highland Crown
Highland Jewel
Highland Sword
---
A Prince in the Pantry (novella)
Ghost of the Thames
---
Made in Heaven
Thanksgiving in Connecticut (novella)
NIK JAMES
The Winter Road (novella)
High Country Justice
Bullets and Silver
Silver Trail Christmas
JAN COFFEY
Trust Me Once
Twice Burned
Triple Threat
Fourth Victim
Five in a Row
Silent Waters
Cross Wired
The Janus Effect
The Puppet Master
Blind Eye
Road Kill
Mercy (novella)
Tropical Kiss
Aquarian
When the Mirror Cracks
NONFICTION
Marriage of Minds: Collaborative Fiction Writing
Step Write Up: Writing Exercises for 21st Century
---
Sign up for the May McGoldrick, Nik James, Jan Coffey Newsletter
https://www.maymcgoldrick.com/contact-us
---
Visit their author websites
www.MayMcGoldrick.com
www.NikJamesAuthor.com
www.JanCoffey.com
https://www.facebook.com/MayMcGoldrick/
https://twitter.com/MayMcGoldrick
https://www.instagram.com/maymcgoldrick/
Nikoo’s education and training was in engineering. She worked in robotics and submarine shipbuilding. Before earning a PhD in sixteenth-century Scottish and English literature, Jim pursued a hundred and one jobs, including a decade in submarine construction.
Storytellers at heart, Nikoo and Jim were always searching for careers that gave them time for both family and writing. Then, after thirteen years of marriage, they recognized each other’s creative strengths. Nikoo is all about characters and feeling. Jim is about action and sense of place. Their first attempt in writing fiction together produced their award-winning novel, The Thistle and the Rose. Since then, their stories have touched the hearts and minds of millions of readers all over the world. Their work has been translated into over a dozen languages and counting.
Nikoo and Jim are four-time Rita Finalists and the winners of numerous awards for their writing, including the Daphne DeMaurier Award for Excellence, the Romantic Times Magazine Reviewers’ Choice Award, three NJRW Golden Leaf Awards, two Holt Medallions, and the Connecticut Press Club Award for Best Fiction.
The authors make their home in California.
Here is a complete catalogue of May McGoldrick, Nik James and Jan Coffey’s work, in chronological order.
Each book stands on its own.
MAY McGOLDRICK
Macpherson Clan Series
The Thistle and the Rose
A Midsummer Wedding (novella)
Angel of Skye
Heart of Gold
Beauty of the Mist
The Intended
Flame
Tess and the Highlander
The Dreamer (Highland Treasure)
The Enchantress (Highland Treasure)
The Firebrand (Highland Treasure)
Much Ado About Highlanders (Scottish Relic)
Taming the Highlander (Scottish Relic)
Tempest in the Highlands (Scottish Relic)
Arsenic and Old Armor
---
Pennington Family Series
The Promise
The Rebel
Borrowed Dreams
Captured Dreams
Dreams of Destiny
Romancing the Scot
It Happened in the Highlands
Sweet Home Highland Christmas (novella)
Sleepless in Scotland
Dearest Millie (novella)
How to Ditch a Duke (novella)
---
Royal Highlander Series
Highland Crown
Highland Jewel
Highland Sword
---
A Prince in the Pantry (novella)
Ghost of the Thames
---
Made in Heaven
Thanksgiving in Connecticut (novella)
NIK JAMES
The Winter Road (novella)
High Country Justice
Bullets and Silver
Silver Trail Christmas
JAN COFFEY
Trust Me Once
Twice Burned
Triple Threat
Fourth Victim
Five in a Row
Silent Waters
Cross Wired
The Janus Effect
The Puppet Master
Blind Eye
Road Kill
Mercy (novella)
Tropical Kiss
Aquarian
When the Mirror Cracks
NONFICTION
Marriage of Minds: Collaborative Fiction Writing
Step Write Up: Writing Exercises for 21st Century
---
Sign up for the May McGoldrick, Nik James, Jan Coffey Newsletter
https://www.maymcgoldrick.com/contact-us
---
Visit their author websites
www.MayMcGoldrick.com
www.NikJamesAuthor.com
www.JanCoffey.com
https://www.facebook.com/MayMcGoldrick/
https://twitter.com/MayMcGoldrick
https://www.instagram.com/maymcgoldrick/
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 2, 2018
I found this story started off slower but the amount of detail that was put into it, added to it. It wasn’t rushed and once the story started building up, it blew me away and took me on an emotional rollercoaster. The emotion that went into the story can be felt on every page and it is completely heart wrenching in some places. Ghost of the Thames is also spine-tingling, full of suspense and completely unpredictable! The characters are ALL well developed and I fell hopelessly in love with the hero. This is a mesmerizing and haunting, yet beautiful story that tugs on your heartstrings. A story you won’t soon forget.
November 11, 2018
Exciting
What a lovely wonderful story! Loved all of it! Kept hoping for a different outcome but it still ended right! Great read!
What a lovely wonderful story! Loved all of it! Kept hoping for a different outcome but it still ended right! Great read!
January 30, 2019
Absolutely wonderful!
I've had this book for about three months and just now got around to reading it. If I had known what a terrific story was awaiting me, it would definitely have been moved to the top of the stack!
The story opens with a young woman in the Thames, fighting desperately to stay alive. Another young woman speaks to her, encouraging her to swim to shore. This second young woman is the ghost of the Thames, who calls the drowning lady Sophy.
Sophy is badly injured and can recall nothing, not even her own name. Then as she struggles down the street, she falls beneath a carriage. She is then taken to a house and a doctor is called to attend to her injuries.
This is a fascinating story, not quite paranormal although there is the ghost.
8
I've had this book for about three months and just now got around to reading it. If I had known what a terrific story was awaiting me, it would definitely have been moved to the top of the stack!
The story opens with a young woman in the Thames, fighting desperately to stay alive. Another young woman speaks to her, encouraging her to swim to shore. This second young woman is the ghost of the Thames, who calls the drowning lady Sophy.
Sophy is badly injured and can recall nothing, not even her own name. Then as she struggles down the street, she falls beneath a carriage. She is then taken to a house and a doctor is called to attend to her injuries.
This is a fascinating story, not quite paranormal although there is the ghost.
8
November 15, 2018
3.5 out of 5 stars
December 21, 2018
GHOST OF THE THAMES by May McGoldrick could be an appetizing choice if you enjoy…
…a story told with the tropes of a traditional Romance (handsome hero and beautiful heroine, attracted to each other, but problems keep them apart to the very end, where they live happily ever after).
…an historical set in Victorian London.
…a story that opens with the heroine having amnesia and the plot involves her having to remember who she is and where she comes from.
…a tale where the hero and heroine are both from extremely well-to-do families, so they are very well-suited for each other in class-conscious England, even without the passions of love.
…a ghost story.
McGoldrick has combined these disparate elements into a mixture that would be ideal for the reader who has a taste for these ingredients.
…a story told with the tropes of a traditional Romance (handsome hero and beautiful heroine, attracted to each other, but problems keep them apart to the very end, where they live happily ever after).
…an historical set in Victorian London.
…a story that opens with the heroine having amnesia and the plot involves her having to remember who she is and where she comes from.
…a tale where the hero and heroine are both from extremely well-to-do families, so they are very well-suited for each other in class-conscious England, even without the passions of love.
…a ghost story.
McGoldrick has combined these disparate elements into a mixture that would be ideal for the reader who has a taste for these ingredients.
May 10, 2017
Exciting to the end
Loved the incorporation of Dickens' involvement in this novel. His ability to address so many wrongs going on in England at this time was monumental in the correction of such injustices.
I love how you weave the characters' personalities so beautifully into believable people. Thank you once more for the enjoyment I've had in reading your novels, & I plan on purchasing more.
I've always enjoyed reading & tried to instill that love in my students over the years. As a retired English teacher, I'm having a great time with your stories.
Alvie Hoffmann
Loved the incorporation of Dickens' involvement in this novel. His ability to address so many wrongs going on in England at this time was monumental in the correction of such injustices.
I love how you weave the characters' personalities so beautifully into believable people. Thank you once more for the enjoyment I've had in reading your novels, & I plan on purchasing more.
I've always enjoyed reading & tried to instill that love in my students over the years. As a retired English teacher, I'm having a great time with your stories.
Alvie Hoffmann
November 2, 2018
I really liked this. The first scene, wherein Sophy fights her way out of the filthy waters of the Thames, had me hooked. Her life is saved by a ghost, who leads Sophy from one Victorian London horror scene to the next, and into the arms of Capt. Edward Seymour. Edward has been searching for his missing niece throughout London when his path crosses with Sophy's. Sophy suffers from memory loss and the Captain, along with his philanthropic acquaintances, try to help her. Along the way - and with some guidance from the ghost - Sophy and Edward solve interlocked puzzles.
January 2, 2023
Ghost of the Thames by May McGoldrick was a wonderful surprise of a book! A ghost story, romance, mystery - it has it all as well as historical references to Charles Dickens. The story is carefully woven together staring as a ghost leads the drowning Sophie out if the Thames and the mysteries begin from there as we follow Sophie following g the lead of her rescuer and j to the arms of a sea captain who watches over her as they work to discover who she is. The story is well written and keeps the reader interested and engaged til the end.
August 30, 2018
"It is not your time Sophy, come with me". A ghost, a young women thrown into the Thames from a ship, a love story and of course, Charles Dickens. What more could one ask for. I enjoyed reading this book and found it gave me a feel for the London at this time period. I thought this was a wonderful read, and something different from the usual romantic stories of the time period.
May 3, 2018
Slavery is an ugly word
Sony finds herself injured with no memory. Edward is a sea Captain with little reason to stay at home. Edward's niece is missing. Can Sophy help him out his ghosts to rest?
Sony finds herself injured with no memory. Edward is a sea Captain with little reason to stay at home. Edward's niece is missing. Can Sophy help him out his ghosts to rest?
November 2, 2018
The Thames
I was very pleased reading this novel. Ms. McGoldrick is able to write about a ghost and get information about them and from them correctly.
Her characters all fit in the story.
I feel if you read this story, you will be just as happy as I was to read it.
I was very pleased reading this novel. Ms. McGoldrick is able to write about a ghost and get information about them and from them correctly.
Her characters all fit in the story.
I feel if you read this story, you will be just as happy as I was to read it.
January 9, 2019
Interesting but also predictable
The story opened up with enough mystery and interesting characters to keep reading but about midway I found it predictable and a little boring. I ended up skimming through quite a few pages to wrap it up.
The story opened up with enough mystery and interesting characters to keep reading but about midway I found it predictable and a little boring. I ended up skimming through quite a few pages to wrap it up.
August 31, 2018
A ghost saved her life
It is very unique how the author mixes the ghost way of getting Sophy to do what she wants. Loved the way we learned who the ghost was.
It is very unique how the author mixes the ghost way of getting Sophy to do what she wants. Loved the way we learned who the ghost was.
September 9, 2018
Excellent
Incorporating real people into this story was great. Adventure, romance , intrigue made this book a real page Turner. Love the books by this author.
Incorporating real people into this story was great. Adventure, romance , intrigue made this book a real page Turner. Love the books by this author.
September 27, 2021
From the blurb I didn’t expect that kind of story. It was a very good story.
July 17, 2016
I bought this book simply because I love May McGoldrick's previous historical romances, but it definitely lacked a spark. The book almost read like a history book or some schoolbook. It didn't pull at any emotions like any of May McGoldrick's previous novels and that makes me sad because I cherish each and every book (even YA) written by Nikoo and Jim under this name. I hope the next May McGoldrick book will be more heartwarming, compelling, and engaging.
Honestly, I would HIGHLY recommend most of their older novels. I have all of them and re-read them often up to this day!
Honestly, I would HIGHLY recommend most of their older novels. I have all of them and re-read them often up to this day!
December 29, 2015
This book is entertaining and fun. Not a lot of complexity but beautiful in its simplicity.
February 5, 2016
I felt the characters were rather shallow in this book. The story was quite good, but the author just didn't really develop her characters with any real depth. It made the whole book a bit flat.
November 6, 2018
Fabulous read
Every chopstick book grabs you in the first chapters and doesn't let you go. This is no exception. The heroine was rescued from the Thames by a ghost, who continues to guide her actions. As the story unfolds she rescues unfortunates, finds love, and rights injustice. Great story
Every chopstick book grabs you in the first chapters and doesn't let you go. This is no exception. The heroine was rescued from the Thames by a ghost, who continues to guide her actions. As the story unfolds she rescues unfortunates, finds love, and rights injustice. Great story
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews