What do you think?
Rate this book
Ghosts of San Francisco
Gritty SciFi action/adventure. Follow the rise of Eclipse through a haunting world where paranormal has become the norm. Ghosts are real.... Nothing will ever be safe again. These aren't your clanking chain, sheet over the head ghosts that your grandmother warned you about. These are the future. When something moves in the corner of your eye and is gone when you turn to look... when you feel like you're being followed... when the knife is in a different place on the kitchen counter than where you just set it... You're not imagining things. Ghosts are real. Add that to international intrigue, secret societies, and super powerful world corporations... and you have Ghosts of San Francisco. The explosive debut novel of Mord McGhee and volume 1 of the Tales of Eclipse.
- GenresCyberpunk
280 pages, Paperback
First published March 15, 2014
110 people want to read
About the author
Mord McGhee
32 books70 followers"A great addition to the (Coming of Age) genre," says ADAM DAVIES, Animal Planet Adventurer.
"Intense. Graphic. Provocative. The psychological thriller has a new voice, and it is Mord McGhee," said STEVE ALTEN, NY Times Best-Selling Author of 'Meg.'
"Even if you hate reading, this book will change that." said GEORGE C. ROMERO, filmmaker.
"A uniquely intellectual American book," says LOREN COLEMAN, renowned cryptid investigator and author.
"IT'S NOT DYSTOPIA TO THINK HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF." This is the theme of McGhee's fiction, whether literary or genre.
Mord McGhee is an award-winning, best-selling author whose work appears internationally on a regular basis in literary and genre magazines and in print.
Born in ice Pittsburgh, PA USA, he now writes out of Lowcountry South Carolina, while visiting his hometown often.
"Intense. Graphic. Provocative. The psychological thriller has a new voice, and it is Mord McGhee," said STEVE ALTEN, NY Times Best-Selling Author of 'Meg.'
"Even if you hate reading, this book will change that." said GEORGE C. ROMERO, filmmaker.
"A uniquely intellectual American book," says LOREN COLEMAN, renowned cryptid investigator and author.
"IT'S NOT DYSTOPIA TO THINK HISTORY WILL REPEAT ITSELF." This is the theme of McGhee's fiction, whether literary or genre.
Mord McGhee is an award-winning, best-selling author whose work appears internationally on a regular basis in literary and genre magazines and in print.
Born in ice Pittsburgh, PA USA, he now writes out of Lowcountry South Carolina, while visiting his hometown often.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
March 24, 2014
Mord McGhee’s Ghosts of San Francisco is an action-packed, terrifying thriller of what very well could be our own technological future. Death dealing gang members with implants and enhancements that make them nigh impossible to kill, complete takeovers of the private sector by large companies, murder, betrayal…Ghosts of San Francisco has it all.
It has a unique tone in that some of the story is told through recorded transcripts, and then takes you on a wild ride through what actually happened with brilliant character development. Just enough of the world is given to you through the story, and then leaves much to the imagination—which helps create a more horrific image than what you are actually given.
The best part for me? The fact that the main characters were a male/female team, but there was no romantic subplot detracting from the constant action of the novel. Nor is there any overt emphasis on the fact that the female lead is “something special because she’s such-and-such kind of woman.” Not even a tiny bit, which was amazing.
If you want to get a glimpse into where our technologically-based future where no one is safe, then Ghosts is definitely for you. (And it’s the first in a series!)
It has a unique tone in that some of the story is told through recorded transcripts, and then takes you on a wild ride through what actually happened with brilliant character development. Just enough of the world is given to you through the story, and then leaves much to the imagination—which helps create a more horrific image than what you are actually given.
The best part for me? The fact that the main characters were a male/female team, but there was no romantic subplot detracting from the constant action of the novel. Nor is there any overt emphasis on the fact that the female lead is “something special because she’s such-and-such kind of woman.” Not even a tiny bit, which was amazing.
If you want to get a glimpse into where our technologically-based future where no one is safe, then Ghosts is definitely for you. (And it’s the first in a series!)
October 26, 2014
Disclaimer: I received an e-copy in exchange for an honest review.
I must start off by saying, having not read the synopsis before I started the book (I try not to go into a book I'm going to review with any preconceived notions), I was pleasantly surprised when the title turned out to mean something drastically different than normal "ghosts". And that wasn't a bad thing, trust me. This book was incredibly unique and very interesting, and it kept me turning pages as quickly as I could. I especially liked how the chapters were constructed, where some would give back story and others were structured as a deposition of sorts, recorded for posterity and investigation. It provided a different point of view every so often and allowed for a different frame of mind, something I found very refreshing and extremely beneficial for this story.
All-in-all, this was a great book, and I will definitely add this author to my watch list for the future.
5 stars
I must start off by saying, having not read the synopsis before I started the book (I try not to go into a book I'm going to review with any preconceived notions), I was pleasantly surprised when the title turned out to mean something drastically different than normal "ghosts". And that wasn't a bad thing, trust me. This book was incredibly unique and very interesting, and it kept me turning pages as quickly as I could. I especially liked how the chapters were constructed, where some would give back story and others were structured as a deposition of sorts, recorded for posterity and investigation. It provided a different point of view every so often and allowed for a different frame of mind, something I found very refreshing and extremely beneficial for this story.
All-in-all, this was a great book, and I will definitely add this author to my watch list for the future.
5 stars
April 11, 2014
This story is fast-paced and full of twists and turns. The world is dark and believable, showing the underside of society through both professional (corporate) crooks and local street toughest (oligarchy versus the common guy). The technology showcased in this story adds to the menace of its atmosphere because it's existence is entirely plausible, having some analogues in our own society. The characters are well thought out, having believable personalities and traits. I came away from this story thoroughly entertained while at the same time feeling somewhat disturbed by the plausibility of the future that it predicts. This is a must- read for all sci-fi fans that will be a welcome addition to any collection.
March 1, 2015
So glad this was released on Nook. I started it and finished the next day. Influences of Bladerunner Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? and Neuromancer but the ghost twist was cool. It makes me want to reread his other stuff and vice versa.
I really liked Rigs. Wish there was art of the gang in the Nook.
I really liked Rigs. Wish there was art of the gang in the Nook.
April 28, 2014
Imagine if the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo happened 200 years in the future, that is one of the many themes running through the book. There is a ton going on and it is tied together beautifully.
The technology is SO realistic, does this guy have a time machine?
It left a lingering fear I never knew I had.
I read the Paperback version. Loved the hidden content concept.
January 8, 2016
Mr. McGhee does it again for me. I loved this book also. It was action and thriller and a little bit of future in it. I enjoyed the characters in it and some of the character were a bit surprising to me. This book was a joy for me to read. I love it when I find great books. * I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
May 26, 2015
rage against the machine. fast and deadly
April 21, 2014
The Dark Knight meets Mad Max
I don't usually read dark, violent, tales of the future. However, this author captured me with his gritty portrayal of a young girl who survives by grit and courage in a cruel world. She joins a strange assortment of biker assassins, who become friends and family of sorts. She's willing to fight and die to protect and avenge them. The story is told in two narratives, as testimony (under torture) from Trixie "Rigs" Stardust (she calls herself Rigs) and as a third person narrative about the team of Rigs and Slicer.
The action is fast and violent, taking the reader on a wild ride through a dangerous and dark future. The world reminded me of the Gotham from Batman's Dark Knight mixed with the roaming gangs from Mad Max. Technology is installed into human bodies until it creates terrifying abilities and nearly unstoppable killers. It's difficult to tell the bad guys from the very, very bad guys. Rigs and Slicer are not romantically linked, but they become as close as twins, well-trained and well-armed assassins. They follow orders without thinking until the day they become targets themselves. That's when the "expletive removed from the public record" hits the fan and Eclipse is born. Eclipse becomes the underground team that fights The Company (a corporate army of assassins) and no one knows if anyone will survive in the end.
"Ghosts" turn up because people are physically connected to the net by implants and enhancements. It becomes possible to astral project minds into the world to roam, spy, and possibly attack enemies. These ghosts become assets but they also become enemies more dangerous than flesh and blood killers. When the physical body dies, do these ghosts stay alive in the net to fry the brains of people they deem enemies? Can their dead bodies be brought back to life when reconnected in the real world?
The author takes his readers on a journey with a fascinating group of anti-heroes. There is blood and gore, so don't buy this book if you're squeamish. Buy the book if you enjoy vivid characters, fast-packed action, and a glimpse into a potentially dark future. The author is talented and the "ghosts" he portrays are downright terrifying. Beware!
I don't usually read dark, violent, tales of the future. However, this author captured me with his gritty portrayal of a young girl who survives by grit and courage in a cruel world. She joins a strange assortment of biker assassins, who become friends and family of sorts. She's willing to fight and die to protect and avenge them. The story is told in two narratives, as testimony (under torture) from Trixie "Rigs" Stardust (she calls herself Rigs) and as a third person narrative about the team of Rigs and Slicer.
The action is fast and violent, taking the reader on a wild ride through a dangerous and dark future. The world reminded me of the Gotham from Batman's Dark Knight mixed with the roaming gangs from Mad Max. Technology is installed into human bodies until it creates terrifying abilities and nearly unstoppable killers. It's difficult to tell the bad guys from the very, very bad guys. Rigs and Slicer are not romantically linked, but they become as close as twins, well-trained and well-armed assassins. They follow orders without thinking until the day they become targets themselves. That's when the "expletive removed from the public record" hits the fan and Eclipse is born. Eclipse becomes the underground team that fights The Company (a corporate army of assassins) and no one knows if anyone will survive in the end.
"Ghosts" turn up because people are physically connected to the net by implants and enhancements. It becomes possible to astral project minds into the world to roam, spy, and possibly attack enemies. These ghosts become assets but they also become enemies more dangerous than flesh and blood killers. When the physical body dies, do these ghosts stay alive in the net to fry the brains of people they deem enemies? Can their dead bodies be brought back to life when reconnected in the real world?
The author takes his readers on a journey with a fascinating group of anti-heroes. There is blood and gore, so don't buy this book if you're squeamish. Buy the book if you enjoy vivid characters, fast-packed action, and a glimpse into a potentially dark future. The author is talented and the "ghosts" he portrays are downright terrifying. Beware!
February 11, 2017
story of what appears to be a kidnapped girl and an interrogation/torture. recounting the memories of protagonist 'rigs' as she rises from a runaway on the streets of san francisco to a powerful player in a seedy corporate-run future. i wish this was translated to language other than english but good. i read the sequel first not realizing it was a sequel when i bought. enjoyed the tie-in and cant wait for third in series
January 13, 2017
I bought the second book of this series first and decided to start from the beginning. It tell the story of a runaway girl who fights her way to the top of the hitman for hire world paid for by legitimate business. She joins a group of superkillers who hunt modified humans who are out of control (ala Bladerunner) and we discover a huge twist halfway through, as the story is told through a series of past visions and transcripts from an interrogation sequence.
It's very well done and I didn't see it coming.
In the end the members of this assassin team revolt and kill their overlords.
##modified after finishing the second novel in series##
Trust McGhee, because if you try to think ahead and figure things out you will be shocked when you open the second book.
I went back to skim a few parts and he has my brain racing with where this series could be headed. The world created is more of our world gone wild, instead of creating some new place.
Loved, 5 stars
It's very well done and I didn't see it coming.
In the end the members of this assassin team revolt and kill their overlords.
##modified after finishing the second novel in series##
Trust McGhee, because if you try to think ahead and figure things out you will be shocked when you open the second book.
I went back to skim a few parts and he has my brain racing with where this series could be headed. The world created is more of our world gone wild, instead of creating some new place.
Loved, 5 stars
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 13, 2014
I read the kindle book and really enjoyed the twists and turns put forth on the traditional ghost story. I do have to add that the paperback version is a lot nicer. There is an extra story hidden inside. I love how the writer ties any story together somehow. I mostly like books about children with mysteries and thrillers but I was captivated right away by McGhee's ease in which he puts you into the story and makes you feel like you are being watched by one of his ghosts. Creepy. there is gore and language.
May 13, 2014
I read the kindle book and really enjoyed the twists and turns put forth on the traditional ghost story. I do have to add that the paperback version is a lot nicer. There is an extra story hidden inside. I love how the writer ties any story together somehow. I mostly like books about children with mysteries and thrillers but I was captivated right away by McGhee's ease in which he puts you into the story and makes you feel like you are being watched by one of his ghosts. Creepy. there is gore and language.
April 28, 2014
Imagine if the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo happened 200 years in the future, that is one of the many themes running through the book. There is a ton going on and it is tied together beautifully.
The technology is SO realistic, does this guy have a time machine?
It left a lingering fear I never knew I had.
The technology is SO realistic, does this guy have a time machine?
It left a lingering fear I never knew I had.
July 25, 2014
Cool weapons, slick technology, and it reads as fast as machine gun fire. Think: if Major Kusanagi from GHOST IN THE SHELL teamed up with the cyberjunkies in 8 MAN AFTER.
April 14, 2017
I liked Murder Red Ink and Ghosts of the Golden Triangle better, but the scene where Rigs and Slicer meet is priceless and I'm glad I went back and started the series over. It was a gritty introduction and while not my favorite, was still very good. Quick, lean prose and engaging characters.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews