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Obadiah: A Ghost's Story

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A heartwarming ghost story told by the ghost! Perfect for all ages. Set in South Georgia, forty years after the Civil War, this is the tale of Obadiah Sampson, a carpenter’s assistant who dies while helping to build a strange house for one of the town’s wealthiest families, the Stanleys. Angels bar him from entering heaven and enlist him for an undefined mission. He later assumes his task is to protect the Stanleys from their arch rivals, the Leiber family, a clan who will stop at nothing to reclaim a treasure in gold and diamonds. Obadiah soon meets the Stanleys' eight-year-old daughter, Avie, who has the unique ability to see and talk to the kindhearted ghost, and Obadiah forges a grandfatherly bond with the young girl. After a family tragedy, Obadiah learns his true task is to protect Avie at all costs. The Leibers devise multiple dastardly plans to secure the Stanley treasure. Obadiah’s challenges prove more complicated as multiple threats emerge, threatening to thwart him at every turn. Can Obadiah stop the increasingly dangerous Leibers from harming Avie and find the eternal peace he craves? Or will his actions break the bonds of their friendship and cause him to remain earthbound forever?

286 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2017

75 people are currently reading
64 people want to read

About the author

Robert Spearman

18 books27 followers
Spearman was born and raised in Hahira, GA...a small town 28 miles north of the Florida state line. Most of his adult life was spent in and around Atlanta.

In 2005 he moved to China. He is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and knows "enough Cantonese and Thai to get in trouble."

He began writing full time in late 2014 and published his first novel Carnies and Wildcats in July 2015.

In 2017 he finished his second novel Obadiah: A Ghost's Story. He is now working on a sequel for Carnies and Wildcats and his next novel, a series based on a time traveling gunslinger, soldier of fortune, and detective titled T. H. E. Knight.

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5 stars
77 (58%)
4 stars
39 (29%)
3 stars
12 (9%)
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3 (2%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
Profile Image for Susan.
52 reviews
September 27, 2017
Oh how I loved this book! It was like sitting by the fire listening to my grandfather tell stories, so warm, entertaining and enjoyable. It's been a long time that I have read a story that I truly can say I enjoyed

Obadiah is the sort of person you wish you had in your life although he does give new meaning to kick the bucket ha ha! If he were a real person I would imagine you could just sit on the porch and talk for hours, coming away with a feeling of well being and content.

Quite a difference from the sort of book I normally read, so happy that I did, certainly improved my mood and outlook. It is a simple tale and yet it stays with me. Thank you Mr. Spearman!
4 reviews2 followers
July 3, 2018
What a fantastic book!

I never wanted this book to end. As I read i experienced a wave of emotions from high to low. Obadiah was such an endearing character. I found myself wanting my very own ghost😇
14 reviews
May 11, 2017
Obadiah

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. The storyline was great. The author did a brilliant job tying everything together and keeping the interest going. I read the entire book in two days!
Profile Image for Valery.
1,501 reviews57 followers
May 22, 2017
Written in an endearing and heartwarming way, Obadiah: A Ghost's Story by Robert Spearman is highly entertaining and a quick story to delve into. The story is actually told by the ghost of Obadiah, after Obadiah's death. Obadiah works as a carpenter, has a buxom lady friend and all is well with his life. When he dies, his ghost lives on however. His ghost continues to influence and impact those people who were in his life. That in itself makes the story quirky, but there is plenty to admire about Spearman's writing and language. The beautiful Southern dialect and local colloquialisms come through in such a colorful manner, it is hard not to enjoy reading this story. A fun part of the story is a perplexing bucket that seems to follow Obadiah everywhere, even in death. With interesting characters, a glimpse into the afterlife, and a well rounded story, Spearman writes with ease and a light touch. Wholly amusing and different, this book is highly recommended.
Profile Image for Julius Blitzy.
476 reviews15 followers
May 17, 2017
I think I set a personal record on reading and finishing a book so fast, I regret nothing tough.
An angel’s job is to protect those who are precious, those who consider important above all things, but never could had imagined, Obariah will never know he would have to fulfill his role before he enters to heaven.
With all my heart I must say, I love this book from beginning to end, tonight I might start my second round to read this gem, it’s not that it took me so long to finish it, it just that some parts I re-read it over and over again, the characters are well written, everyone have their own time to shine, and the story doesn’t disappoint in the slightest.
A bonding story, life and death might not be as bad as we imagine, and a nice glimpse of the ‘afterlife’, truly an amazing book.
Profile Image for P.S. Winn.
Author 105 books367 followers
June 10, 2017
I think Obadiah would have been a wonderful man to meet.Even as a ghost he is the kind of person or rather spirit you feel you can trust.When Obie dies, he doesn't leave this world. Instead he finds there are things on Earth it is his job to set right and people he needs to protect. As Obie goes about his work, readers get to tag along and will find themselves wrapped up in a beautifully told story.
Profile Image for Kathi.
1,343 reviews4 followers
October 22, 2017
Sweet ghost story

It's mid October. Perfect time for a ghost story. This was a sweet little tale, narrated by a ghost, but mainly about the Stanley family. It definitely could have been more in-depth: for example, kicking the morphine addiction was glossed over. But it wraps around and incidents from the beginning of the tale are pertinent at the end.
Profile Image for Barbara Sanders.
163 reviews
December 7, 2017
Very entertaining, for older children, tweens or adults

The book was well written, and kept me entertained throughout. I liked the first-person narrative of the ghost, and that it was kept simple, but not childish. That lends itself to being read & enjoyed by many different age groups. Editing, spelling and punctuation were excellent.
106 reviews2 followers
October 5, 2017
Fantastic story!!

I loved every part of this book! I actually felt like I was there with Obadiah. The worst part of this book was when I realized it was over. Awesome characters. Well written. I now have a new favorite author.
1,375 reviews13 followers
March 31, 2020
Deserves 100+++ stars!!!

Truly a fantastic ghost story! I enjoyed this
so much I didn't want it to end. So many
emotions were felt while I read this. It was
a phenomenal story. Cried at the end and
wished the ending were left open for a
sequel. Obadiah could come back to help
another family!!!!?? Just saying!!!! Absolutely
loved it!!!!!!
20 reviews1 follower
July 27, 2020
THE ABSOLUTE BEST BOOK

This is the best book I have read in a very long time. I read a lot of books, usually one every day. This is one that won't allow a person to put it down until the end.
It is such a joy to read . It has it all and like the Disney movies it has an ending that you can enjoy and be glad about.
1 review
July 30, 2017
You must read "Obadiah...."

I loved everything about this book from cover to cover. It was unpredictable, happy and sad, and disappointing because it ended. A very entertaining read for anyone with an imagination and an open mind. Great accomplishment, Robert Spearman.
Profile Image for Cindy.
600 reviews78 followers
October 5, 2017
What a great story. Family and friends, looking out for each other. I had a hard time putting it down. It's one of those books where you think you are going to have some one nice stop by, then remember it's a book.
Profile Image for Carol Tilson.
55 reviews2 followers
November 5, 2017
A fun ghost story

Take a step back in time and enjoy this charming story of a ghost held over to watch over a family legacy. A fast read with some wonderful rhetoric. Bit of southern ways, a touch of excitement and a grand ending. Fit for all ages.
42 reviews
February 16, 2018
Unique and effective style

This book is a nicely unique take on the bridge between life and death. Christian overtones, but overwhelmingly so. An enjoyable jaunt exploring death, family, the soul, and the lengths we go to for people we love.
Profile Image for Bob.
3 reviews
July 18, 2017
Unique

Who would ever think to tell the story from a host's view? The relationship between Obadiah and the people are entertaining and entertaining. Loved this story.
247 reviews4 followers
October 7, 2017
An unusual story

I've never read a book with an unusual story line. It made it harder to guess what would come next. I thoroughly enjoyed it.😍
66 reviews
January 2, 2018
Enjoyable read

This is not a scary ghost story, but a more a guardian angel story.

You will fall in love with Oboe.
Profile Image for Patti.
355 reviews5 followers
May 10, 2018
This is a wonderful, sweet story of a ghost who had a mission to perform. I didn't want it to end! Please, Robert Spearman, write more like this!!
88 reviews2 followers
May 31, 2018
Unique Ghost Story

A sweet and loving ghost story. Captivating tale which shows the strong bonds of friendship and love in a sleepy southern town long ago.
42 reviews
September 23, 2018
A nice little ghost story that went rather quickly. I enjoyed the loose ends being happily and neatly tied up. Just the thing for a little bedtime reading.
1 review
June 4, 2019
Spellbinding!

Loved this story, the winding twisting tale of life I’ve known but so much more. Worth every second of your time.
Profile Image for Valerie.
17 reviews
July 28, 2019
Great read

I enjoyed this book so much! Reading Obie story was a delight!! Enjoy, enjoy,enjoy, enjoyed this book so very much
Profile Image for sharon murray.
176 reviews2 followers
September 17, 2019
Sweet story

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. So heartwarming! I had to keep reading because I loved everything about this story as I think you will as well.
185 reviews1 follower
September 21, 2019
Wonderful!

I loved this story. So unique. A ghost story that isn't scary but about love and friendship. I highly recommend it.
1 review1 follower
October 15, 2019
Entertaining

This was a simple, comfy read....not pretentious. I enjoyed the characters and the notion of auras surrounding them. Heart felt.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews

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