Ghosts of the Catacombs

Parisian Ghosts #1

by Janna Ruth

I'm a ghost whisperer, not a catacomb crawler. But when you live in Paris, sometimes you end up being both.

Hi, I’m Alix. During the day, I’m a history student at the time-honoured Sorbonne University. After class, I hang out with the ghosts of the revolution, the many undead misunderstood Parisian artists, and adventurous scientists that glow in the dark. None of them are alive, but they come to me to solve their problems with the living.
When a recently deceased catacomb tour guide asks me to retrieve a mysterious personal item from the underground, things take a turn for the weird. Suddenly, I find myself in a city of ghosts, hunted by murderous cave crawlers, and stumbling across haunting secrets. If I’m not careful now, I might end up a ghost myself.


Urban Fantasy with a French twist. If you like cave-crawling adventures, hopeless romantics, and ghosts, you'll enjoy Ghosts of the Catacomb, the first instalment of the Parisian Ghosts series. Travel to Paris today to embark on your catacomb adventure.

Genres: Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, Paranormal, Ghosts, Mystery, Ebooks, Romance

264 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 8, 2023

Reviews

[Chlo Bolton 🍃 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book! The storyline was a little predictable but that didn’t take away from the immersive experience! And who doesn’t love a sidekick hedgehog? 🫶 🦔I can’t wait to read the others!

[Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one was perhaps too young, even for me. And I've read a lot of YA. The MC is supposed to be in college but acts like a middle school student in many ways. This is exactly the type of book I was craving, but I had to really force myself to finish it, nearly DNFing it several times. Personally, it's a two star, but I'm going to mark it a three stars because I think a lot of people will like this, just not me.

[Trudie Skies · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Team Queen's Book Asylum for SPFBOX. All views are my own and do not reflect the team. I read this entry to 100%.

So the Ghosts of the Catacombs isn’t about a chosen one this time, but our MC Alix is a special young woman who can see and talk to ghosts. Sometimes this can be more of a curse than a blessing! This is an Urban Fantasy set in Paris, which is already a unique setting for the genre. Alix is a student at a French university and works as a tour guide at the Pantheon where she is friends with many famous French artists and celebrity figures throughout history, including Victor Hugo. Some of these ghosts are more charming and friendly than others, but many want Alix’s attention as she is a connection to the living and can run various errands for them. Not only is this a story about Alix’s rare ability, but also her struggle to maintain a normal life and put-up boundaries between herself and the spirits—especially when she begins dating a fellow fan of the famous Paris catacombs.

The story, then, is of Alix exploring the catacombs to help a ghost who is very insistent. During this quest, we learn more about the catacombs and uncover some dangerous goings on in the background. This is a short book, and feels more like an introduction to Alix and her world. There are a few side plot elements that are introduced but not explored or concluded here, which feel like they are being set up for the series. While there is some action, Alix doesn’t seem to be that kind of heroine, so I went into this one expecting her to be more pro-active in line with other action-orientated Urban Fantasy. Instead, what I got was an exploration of Paris with mouthwatering descriptions of food.

I’d say that if you’re hoping for an action-based Urban Fantasy, then this may not be for you, but if like the idea of a cozier spooky mystery with a Parisian flavour, then you’ll enjoy this. I also loved the twist at the end.

[Nicole Magolan]

I picked up a copy of this at Armageddon Expo -- it was lovely to meet the author.
I then flew through it in a couple sittings. (Perfect reading slump remedy!) It's a fun, fast-paced, and engaging story. I enjoyed the Paris setting, the cameos from famous figures as ghosts, and of course the hedgehog sidekick.
I'd recommend to anyone looking for a spooky (but not scary) ghosty book.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨Summary✨
Alix, a history student and ghost whisperer👻 , finds herself on a new, dangerous adventure after agreeing to find a medallion lost deep within the catacombs for a ghost named Emily. Alix meets Gaspar, whom she instantly has a connection with, and learns he is a cataphile (someone who explores the Catacombs beyond the legal areas). Alix delves deeper and deeper into the maze of bones 💀 by relying on Gaspar’s expertise and guidance, but she quickly realizes that it isn’t the possibility of getting lost underground she should fear, but what lurks around every corner.
✨Review✨
This book was an easy 5 out of 5-star read for me. There were so many aspects of the plot that were intriguing, even outside the main story line. Alix works at the Pantheon where we get to see her relationship with several historical figures, including her ghost best friend Victor Hugo. It was so fun reading the author’s interpretation of these ghostly historical figures interacting with each other, with Alix, and how they perceive the modern world. I also enjoyed when the reader gets insight into the background of Alix’s ghost whispering and how it’s affected her relationships with family, friends, and previous romantic partners. Then, of course, there’s the main plot which incorporates suspense, romance, adventure, and a view into the secret world of cataphiles. I automatically love anything to do with the catacombs just because they are so fascinating to me, but adding in Alix’s ability to see and communicate with ghosts created a whole new layer of macabre visuals and suspicious characters that leaves the reader questioning the truth and intention behind every interaction.
If you enjoy paranormal fantasies, the idea of exploration in restricted areas (including a RAVE in the CATACOMBS🪩), Parisian history, and/or mysteries that begin in the world of the living but breach the world of the dead, then I highly recommend this book. I already moved the second one in the series to the top of my TBR.
This book is 229 pages long and a decently quick read. It helped me get out of a reading slump and I am so excited to read more from this author.🤗

[Aoibheann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute and intriguing, this has a very cool concept of a ghost whisperer who adventures in Paris’ catacombs. Nice little twist at the end too!

[Lola · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this book when it first released as it sounded good. When I was struggling through another book I decided to pick up something else to read in between. I recently had gotten a newsletter from the author that brought this series to the top of my mind and decided to start it. I immediately got hooked and enjoyed this book.

Ghosts of the Catacombs follows Alix who is a ghost whisperer. She can see ghosts and for her they are as real as those who are alive. She's friends with ghosts at the place she works and she's a history student. The book takes place in Paris and she has an adorable hedgehog as pet. This book has everything I like about urban fantasy books, but also manages to feel fresh with the French setting and the ghosts.

The plot is engaging and kept my attention. I liked reading about Alix, seeing her delve in the catacombs below Paris to help a ghost. I am claustrophobic like Alix' best friend Gabby, so it was interesting to visit the catacombs through a book as I would never visit such a place in real life. I liked seeing the direction the plot takes and there are some great twists toward the end, one of which I managed to predict, which was fun.

I like Alix as a main character, the way she wants to help ghosts and interacts with them was great. I also liked her friendship with Gabby. It was nice to see her have such a supportive friend, especially as her family isn't always as supportive. Her budding romance with Gasper was great to see and how he introduced her to the catacombs. Their romance develops quite quickly, but I thought that worked here and felt realistic.

To summarize: This was such a great start to this series. It has everything I like in an urban fantasy book, but also feels fresh due to the ghosts and the French setting. I like main character Alix and enjoyed reading about her as she deals with the ghosts and their requests. She has a great best friend Gabby who is very supportive of her, a cute hedgehog pet and a new blossoming romance with Gasper. I thought the plot was engaging and there are some nice twists toward the end, one of which I managed to predict. The ending makes me eager to read book 2 soon.

[Victoria Seaman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book in return for an honest review.

On a whim, I jumped this book up my list as I was going to Paris and was in the mood for ghosts! I’m so glad I did this. It was just the kind of book I needed, easygoing and light (mostly).

This was a 4.5 book for me. Not quite perfection but pretty close. I did take points off as I worked out the plot twist before it was going to happen - which for me is a rare thing to happen - BTH it didn’t impact on my absolute enjoyment of this book.

For once this is an urban fantasy that is not set in either the UK or USA. Which is so rare I currently can’t think of any books that are set elsewhere and are urban (I’m sure someone will tell me)

Anyway, you want the good stuff, not my ramblings. We have Alix who is a bit of an introvert and who can talk to ghosts. She is doing her master's and works at the Pantheon, I think, where she talks to the ghosts and has a fine time. She is accosted by a ghost who had been killed recently in the catacombs and wanted her to retrieve something to give to their daughter. She is reluctant and the adventure starts there. Add in a sprinkling of romance a sister (she does have 2) who is concerned about her mental health and a BF who has her back. It made for a great adventure I enjoyed and look forward to reading the next instalment.

The negative for me was the predictability of the plot but this wasn’t a huge detractor for me as I was enjoying the journey.

This is a fabulous autumnal read and highly recommend it!
Good for you if you want:-

low stakes
mostly cozy urban fantasy
spooky but not scary
and hedgehogs, let's not forget about Malou!

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alix has a lot going on in her life, from working at the Pantheon, going to school for her Masters, and oh yeah, she sees ghosts everywhere. She spends her time working, going to school, and hanging out with some of the most famous dead French people. Her mother and her sister do not tolerate her shenanigans with ghosts and her sister feels compelled to let her opinion be known about this. Alix deals with a lot and always tries to help ghosts, even to her detriment.
The story starts off easily enough with a ghost asking for a favor, Victor Hugo (yes, that Victor Hugo who really liked writing loooooong sentences) raises his issues, but Alix still wants to help out anyway. Plus, how else is she going to learn more about history than wandering around the catacombs? The book picked up more towards the end after starting a little slow and I liked the twists and turns with the catacombs and its inhabitants.
Malou was wonderful! She was such a fun hedgehog and her antics were adorable! Plus she knows to follow her nose.
There's some romance in the story (just kissing), swearing, murder, crawling around the catacombs, and LOTS of ghosts. The story does end on a bit of a cliffhanger (not quite a true one in my opinion, but definitely on a note that REALLY makes me impatient for the next one!).

Alix is first introduced in the prequel book, but it's not needed to be enjoyed prior to reading this one. I do recommend it because it is a fun story and it was neat learning about Josephine Baker.

[Karen Tankersley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Malou is the most adorable hedgehog sidekick 🥰

This book had a somewhat cozy YA kind of vibe. Alix is a college student in Paris who can see and talk to ghosts. She mostly keeps her abilities a secret, although she has confided in her best friend Gaby (who believes her), as well as her mother and older sister (who think she’s crazy). I loved the complicated family dynamic they had, and I especially loved Gaby’s unwavering loyalty to Alix.

The ghosts naturally ask Alix for favors, and one ghost draws Alix and her new boyfriend Gaspar into the catacombs of Paris. I’ve never been to Paris before, but if I ever get the chance to go I’m definitely going to tour the catacombs! There were parts that seemed spooky, and others where I felt the claustrophobia of the tiny tunnels that could cave in at any moment. But mostly it was the supernatural aspect—ghosts living in the catacombs alongside their remains, as well as a sinister plot that’s just starting to unfold.

While I did guess the plot twist early on, if you don’t figure it out then the ending will probably be a bit of a gut punch 😢 it was still fun to watch it unfold even though it didn’t catch me off guard. I’m excited for the next one. 😃

[Yael · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first in a series, and the first book I have read by Janna Ruth. Ghost of the Catacombs felt like a YA cozy mystery with ghosts, wonderful world building and compelling characters (living and ghosts). We meet Alix, a ghost whisperer, and her family and their dynamics; her best friend, Gaby, who stands by her no matter what; her ghost friends, and ghosts that just want to use Alix. The latest request for help sends Alix to the catacombs, where she learns more about ghost politics and herself. With the backdrop of Paris, its landmarks, food, and history brought to life it was a delightful read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jillian K · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first Urban Fantasy read set in Paris. The artist’s description made me feel like I was back in Paris walking around the beautiful streets. I never got to go down to the catacombs but this book really makes me want to take a tour! The story and characters are great and there’s a bit of a twist at the end! Cannot wait for the next book in the series!!!

[Tom Mock]

This is not a full review. I read through the beginning of all 300 SPFBOX contest entries. This was a book I wanted to read more of.

A little girl sees her first ghost at her grandmother’s Paris funeral. The ghost wants to know if her new neighbor lead an interesting life.

This paranormal urban fantasy has good clear prose and a focused beginning. The tone is light and mildly playful. Our ghost isn’t scary at all. She’s just a dead woman having a conversation with a kid. It reads well.

Though our MC is a child in the first chapter, this isn’t plagued with overly childish dialogue. Sometimes authors will turn up the realism on their kid-talk a little too high, reproducing child babble accurately enough, but at the expense of their story.

The way (some) kids actually talk isn’t always that interesting. Not so here. This is an easy read. It isn’t trying to do too much. It gives us good information, and I like the setting of Paris.

It seems the narrative continues with our adult MC in the same city. I don’t know what the story will ultimately be about, but I’m enjoying reading it.

This doesn’t seem like the typical bells and whistles, fairies, werewolves, and the kitchen sink kind of urban fantasy, and I like that. I can’t really fault anything. It’s working! I’m in.

[Leslie Twitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts of the Catacombs is a captivating paranormal read. This story grabbed my attention and sucked me in. Alex is a great character and my heart goes to Gaspar. A definite reaf.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Stephanie Gillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent spooky time

Very fun and much better than I anticipated. Mad at the cliffhanger but definitely enjoyed the ride! Malou for the win also

[MermaidOfMischief · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first read from this author and I was delighted throughout! The premise was intriguing, and the story and characters delivered. I can never get enough of Malou the hedgehog!!! A quick read for fans of history, ghosts, and suspense.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ghosts of the Catacombs(Parisian Ghosts #1) by Janna Ruth is an enjoyable story throughout. The main character Alix, is a history student by day and she is also a ghost whisperer Sometimes ghosts come to her to solve some of their problems with the living. In this one a recently deceased catacomb tour guide asks for help. This book is very well written and I recommend

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very enjoyable book, even though I figured out the ending surprise way back when it first occurred. I love the taste of Paris and how real the characters feel. Impatiently waiting for book 2!

[Di Reads Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book had a great story with a good plot twist, if you´re able to see the foreshadowing, you´ll be pleased you guessed, but if you didn´t, it wil defo be a surprise!
I loved the main characher and how she always tried to help the ghosts who asked for her help, though it led her to some huge problems. I really want to know what´s coming for Alix next.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Crystal · Rating 2 out of 5]

Being born in Germany, I assume English is not the author's first language, and it shows. Awkward sentence structures make this book difficult to read, as your brain is constantly having to rearrange the words so they make sense. The dialogue doesn't flow naturally, and many of the word choices are out dated or overly formal. Life is too short trudge through a book like this, no matter how interesting the premise sounds.

[Shandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alix is a ghost whisperer and a history student at the Sorbonne University in Paris. Working at the Pantheon, Alix is able to see and talk to some of the most important people in France's history. One night a young woman appears to ask Alix for help. She used to be a catacomb tour guide and on her last trip dropped and lost an important item she would like Alix to receive. Entering the catacombs is illegal and despite having all her friends, alive and dead, tell her not to go there she wants to help the ghost. Alix discovers an underground city full of ghosts and cataphiles (catacomb urban explorers). But the catacombs are expansive and they hold a lot of secrets and Alix has to be careful she doesn't become a ghost herself.

First off Alix is too nice for her own good. Just having some of the stuff she went through described made me feel claustrophobic. Secondly, I love Malou. Just adorable. Now for the story. I thoroughly enjoyed it even though I guessed Gaspar's secret pretty early on. The romance was so cute that it felt like a gut punch to Alix at the end. Thankfully she has Gaby to confide her secrets to. I do have some questions around her future BIL and how the Templar was affecting people. Can't wait for the next book.

Rating 4 stars
*I received a review copy from the author for my voluntary and honest review

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Alix..

What a ride. For a change, this age group reading has kept me captive and on task
What a crazy ride through Pais and the catacombs. Gasper, will he believe her or not.

[Starr Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

fascinating

Alix is a young 20s something French girl who can see and interact ghosts, and Alix tries to help them, so she is known as the ghost whisperer. She has the gift (or some days, the curse 🙄). She has few friends because it’s awkward to explain looking like a crazy person, when talking to invisible dead.

So she meets Gaspar, a charming young man and he also attends her university. They click immediately and go out, and go to a rave in the catacombs. The catacombs of Paris are where millions of dead were ignominiously buried so thousands of souls linger there.

As Alix and Gaspar tentatively begin dating, Emily, another soul approaches Alix asking for help. Alix is uncomfortable but unclear why - and reluctantly agrees to help her, but it means going deep into the catacombs. Fortuitously, Gaspar is a cataphile and knows his way around fairly well and assists Alix.

Unfortunately they both realize too late Emily is a selfish cow of a ghost, withheld vital information for her own benefit and used them to help her with no regard for their safety…and they find themselves thrust into a deadly situation that will endanger them both!

A fast paced read, fascinating story, intriguing characters and shocking ending and an absolutely worthwhile read

[fred jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really enjoyable and entertaining book. Great characters but it is the setting that makes the story come to life. The descriptions of the Paris catacombs are vivid and claustrophobic. Aliix is a ghost whisperer and a lover of the catacombs with their thousands of ghosts and hobbling with Victor Hugo and Josephine Baker is not bad either, but when a ghosts asks for help things take a darker and more dangerous turn. Loved the story and the shocking twist at the end. I have already bought the next one.

[Kristy · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.75 stars rounded up - I throughly enjoyed this book, and I will definitely be reading more from this series. I liked the main character and her ghost sensing hedgehog. So cute! The catacombs were creepy, but not in a scary way. The emotional family drama felt real. I love her two closest friends, and that she finally got to experience what a real romantic relationship should feel like. I’m not mad about the cliffhanger. I’m looking forward to learning more about this world.

Song: Love Like Ghosts by Lord Huron

[Paula Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alix is definitely a risk taker and leads with her heart which does tend to get her into trouble.
This story is well written and definitely took me to a place I have never been or read about! The descriptions of the catacombs made me claustrophobic while I sat in my living room. Well done Janna!

[Christy Morris-Colley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Was good. Not my usual adventure. Im claustrophobic so her talking about being stuck in tight spots put me on edge. Love the history and locations. Would I recommend it? Maybe

Borrowed it from Hoopla so this is an unsolicited review.

[Judy Lujan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Story, Awesome Characters

Alex is an amazing protagonist; I really cared about what happened to her. Gaby is the BFF we all want. I totally DON'T understand why Alix took Malou into the catacombs with her, though. Still it was a really good read.

[Andi C Buchanan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid and fun urban fantasy. I liked the sense of humour, the sense of place, and the family dynamics. An enjoyable read that's true to genre.

[Debra Parmley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating and exciting story

So many mysterious things about the catacombs below Paris. Now I need to read book two to find out what happens next.