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GhostWriters #2
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts
Would you risk everything to save a stranger?
Off the coast of Venice lurks Poveglia, the world's most haunted isle, steeped in centuries of innocent blood. A deranged doctor who took great joy in torturing his patients in life continues to rule his abandoned asylum after death.
Few go to Poveglia willingly, but medium Kate Carlsson has no choice. It's her job.
While struggling to retrieve a young girl's soul, Kate uncovers some shocking truths about the evil on the island that challenges her own convictions and morals--and even her life.
Is saving Lily worth making a deal with the infamous Doctor of Death, or is the price too high to pay?
Off the coast of Venice lurks Poveglia, the world's most haunted isle, steeped in centuries of innocent blood. A deranged doctor who took great joy in torturing his patients in life continues to rule his abandoned asylum after death.
Few go to Poveglia willingly, but medium Kate Carlsson has no choice. It's her job.
While struggling to retrieve a young girl's soul, Kate uncovers some shocking truths about the evil on the island that challenges her own convictions and morals--and even her life.
Is saving Lily worth making a deal with the infamous Doctor of Death, or is the price too high to pay?
268 pages, Paperback
First published April 22, 2017
About the author
J.H. Moncrieff
35 books258 followersJ.H. Moncrieff's City of Ghosts won the 2018 Kindle Book Review Award for best Horror/Suspense.
Reviewers have described her work as early Gillian Flynn with a little Ray Bradbury and Stephen King thrown in for good measure.
She won Harlequin's search for “the next Gillian Flynn” in 2016. Her first published novella, The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave, was featured in Samhain’s Childhood Fears collection and stayed on its horror bestsellers list for over a year.
When not writing, she loves exploring the world's most haunted places, advocating for animal rights, and summoning her inner ninja in muay thai class.
To get free ebooks and a new spooky story every week, go to http://bit.ly/MoncrieffLibrary.
Reviewers have described her work as early Gillian Flynn with a little Ray Bradbury and Stephen King thrown in for good measure.
She won Harlequin's search for “the next Gillian Flynn” in 2016. Her first published novella, The Bear Who Wouldn’t Leave, was featured in Samhain’s Childhood Fears collection and stayed on its horror bestsellers list for over a year.
When not writing, she loves exploring the world's most haunted places, advocating for animal rights, and summoning her inner ninja in muay thai class.
To get free ebooks and a new spooky story every week, go to http://bit.ly/MoncrieffLibrary.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
May 10, 2019
THE GIRL WHO TALKS TO GHOSTS is Book 2 in author J.H. Moncrieff's GhostWriters series. What I feel makes this series so unique are the various locations used for the setting of some particularly gruesome hauntings. In this case, Kate, a spirit medium, is called to help a family whose daughter, Lily, seems to be under some kind of "possession". Shortly after Kate's arrival, Lily's "spirt" is taken away to a remote island, leaving her body a catatonic shell.
When Kate finds that Lily's essence has been transported to a place called Poveglia, the tension ramps up tenfold. Poveglia is known to man as "Plague Island" where it is rumored that somewhere in the vicinity of 100 thousand people met with violent deaths there.
Although Kate's character was first introduced in CITY OF GHOSTS, this story is more about Kate than her friend and companion, Jackson, and I don't find it necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this tale.
When Kate begins making preparations to go to the island in person, she uncovers the name of Dr. Abbandonato, one who was rumored to have conducted crude "therapies" and tortures upon the patients sent to his sanitarium.
". . . Italians called him Medico della Morte--the Doctor of Death . . ."
Once more, Moncrieff takes the reader on another tour--this one of a haunted island. The landscape is described so vividly that your mind can easily fall in line with our protagonists as they first step upon what is considered "cursed land". When we "meet" the long departed doctor through Kate's abilities, he feels just as real as any of the other primary characters. His background is fleshed out to us in such a way that I could honestly picture this man "helping" his patients--often those sent to him by parents or spouses looking for a convenient place to hide away what they no longer wanted.
". . . I can't stand ghosts who don't have the decency to accept they're dead . . ."
Several other characters are introduced, and their stories were ones I actually found MORE frightening than that of the doctor, himself. Moncrieff builds her characters in such detail that you can practically envision sitting next to them in a park . . . or better yet, a fog-shrouded burial ground. Some of these individuals are much worse than any of the "ghosts" we encounter.
"The only monsters are bad people . . . what most people tend to call monsters are really just creatures we don't have a name for yet . . . "
In this breath-taking follow-up novel, I once again felt as if I were personally traveling to a new, remote location. The terror, the bloodshed, and horrible deeds that once occurred in Poveglia are showcased in a way that will delight any true horror fan. Often, the most horrifying things are those that other humans do to each other.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe in the devil; the devil believes in you . . . "
A fantastic, enthralling supernatural novel that you'll want to read again.
Highly recommended!
Merged review:
*Re-read May 2019*
THE GIRL WHO TALKS TO GHOSTS is Book 2 in author J.H. Moncrieff's GhostWriters series. What I feel makes this series so unique are the various locations used for the setting of some particularly gruesome hauntings. In this case, Kate, a spirit medium, is called to help a family whose daughter, Lily, seems to be under some kind of "possession". Shortly after Kate's arrival, Lily's "spirt" is taken away to a remote island, leaving her body a catatonic shell.
When Kate finds that Lily's essence has been transported to a place called Poveglia, the tension ramps up tenfold. Poveglia is known to man as "Plague Island" where it is rumored that somewhere in the vicinity of 100 thousand people met with violent deaths there.
Although Kate's character was first introduced in CITY OF GHOSTS, this story is more about Kate than her friend and companion, Jackson, and I don't find it necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this tale.
When Kate begins making preparations to go to the island in person, she uncovers the name of Dr. Abbandonato, one who was rumored to have conducted crude "therapies" and tortures upon the patients sent to his sanitarium.
". . . Italians called him Medico della Morte--the Doctor of Death . . ."
Once more, Moncrieff takes the reader on another tour--this one of a haunted island. The landscape is described so vividly that your mind can easily fall in line with our protagonists as they first step upon what is considered "cursed land". When we "meet" the long departed doctor through Kate's abilities, he feels just as real as any of the other primary characters. His background is fleshed out to us in such a way that I could honestly picture this man "helping" his patients--often those sent to him by parents or spouses looking for a convenient place to hide away what they no longer wanted.
". . . I can't stand ghosts who don't have the decency to accept they're dead . . ."
Several other characters are introduced, and their stories were ones I actually found MORE frightening than that of the doctor, himself. Moncrieff builds her characters in such detail that you can practically envision sitting next to them in a park . . . or better yet, a fog-shrouded burial ground. Some of these individuals are much worse than any of the "ghosts" we encounter.
"The only monsters are bad people . . . what most people tend to call monsters are really just creatures we don't have a name for yet . . . "
In this breath-taking follow-up novel, I once again felt as if I were personally traveling to a new, remote location. The terror, the bloodshed, and horrible deeds that once occurred in Poveglia are showcased in a way that will delight any true horror fan. Often, the most horrifying things are those that other humans do to each other.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe in the devil; the devil believes in you . . . "
A fantastic, enthralling supernatural novel that you'll want to read again.
Highly recommended!
When Kate finds that Lily's essence has been transported to a place called Poveglia, the tension ramps up tenfold. Poveglia is known to man as "Plague Island" where it is rumored that somewhere in the vicinity of 100 thousand people met with violent deaths there.
Although Kate's character was first introduced in CITY OF GHOSTS, this story is more about Kate than her friend and companion, Jackson, and I don't find it necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this tale.
When Kate begins making preparations to go to the island in person, she uncovers the name of Dr. Abbandonato, one who was rumored to have conducted crude "therapies" and tortures upon the patients sent to his sanitarium.
". . . Italians called him Medico della Morte--the Doctor of Death . . ."
Once more, Moncrieff takes the reader on another tour--this one of a haunted island. The landscape is described so vividly that your mind can easily fall in line with our protagonists as they first step upon what is considered "cursed land". When we "meet" the long departed doctor through Kate's abilities, he feels just as real as any of the other primary characters. His background is fleshed out to us in such a way that I could honestly picture this man "helping" his patients--often those sent to him by parents or spouses looking for a convenient place to hide away what they no longer wanted.
". . . I can't stand ghosts who don't have the decency to accept they're dead . . ."
Several other characters are introduced, and their stories were ones I actually found MORE frightening than that of the doctor, himself. Moncrieff builds her characters in such detail that you can practically envision sitting next to them in a park . . . or better yet, a fog-shrouded burial ground. Some of these individuals are much worse than any of the "ghosts" we encounter.
"The only monsters are bad people . . . what most people tend to call monsters are really just creatures we don't have a name for yet . . . "
In this breath-taking follow-up novel, I once again felt as if I were personally traveling to a new, remote location. The terror, the bloodshed, and horrible deeds that once occurred in Poveglia are showcased in a way that will delight any true horror fan. Often, the most horrifying things are those that other humans do to each other.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe in the devil; the devil believes in you . . . "
A fantastic, enthralling supernatural novel that you'll want to read again.
Highly recommended!
Merged review:
*Re-read May 2019*
THE GIRL WHO TALKS TO GHOSTS is Book 2 in author J.H. Moncrieff's GhostWriters series. What I feel makes this series so unique are the various locations used for the setting of some particularly gruesome hauntings. In this case, Kate, a spirit medium, is called to help a family whose daughter, Lily, seems to be under some kind of "possession". Shortly after Kate's arrival, Lily's "spirt" is taken away to a remote island, leaving her body a catatonic shell.
When Kate finds that Lily's essence has been transported to a place called Poveglia, the tension ramps up tenfold. Poveglia is known to man as "Plague Island" where it is rumored that somewhere in the vicinity of 100 thousand people met with violent deaths there.
Although Kate's character was first introduced in CITY OF GHOSTS, this story is more about Kate than her friend and companion, Jackson, and I don't find it necessary to have read book one in order to enjoy this tale.
When Kate begins making preparations to go to the island in person, she uncovers the name of Dr. Abbandonato, one who was rumored to have conducted crude "therapies" and tortures upon the patients sent to his sanitarium.
". . . Italians called him Medico della Morte--the Doctor of Death . . ."
Once more, Moncrieff takes the reader on another tour--this one of a haunted island. The landscape is described so vividly that your mind can easily fall in line with our protagonists as they first step upon what is considered "cursed land". When we "meet" the long departed doctor through Kate's abilities, he feels just as real as any of the other primary characters. His background is fleshed out to us in such a way that I could honestly picture this man "helping" his patients--often those sent to him by parents or spouses looking for a convenient place to hide away what they no longer wanted.
". . . I can't stand ghosts who don't have the decency to accept they're dead . . ."
Several other characters are introduced, and their stories were ones I actually found MORE frightening than that of the doctor, himself. Moncrieff builds her characters in such detail that you can practically envision sitting next to them in a park . . . or better yet, a fog-shrouded burial ground. Some of these individuals are much worse than any of the "ghosts" we encounter.
"The only monsters are bad people . . . what most people tend to call monsters are really just creatures we don't have a name for yet . . . "
In this breath-taking follow-up novel, I once again felt as if I were personally traveling to a new, remote location. The terror, the bloodshed, and horrible deeds that once occurred in Poveglia are showcased in a way that will delight any true horror fan. Often, the most horrifying things are those that other humans do to each other.
"It doesn't matter if you don't believe in the devil; the devil believes in you . . . "
A fantastic, enthralling supernatural novel that you'll want to read again.
Highly recommended!
May 16, 2017
Venice. Ghosts. Fun characters back in their second book. If you liked City of Ghosts, you'll definitely want to continue Jackson and Kate's journey!
May 4, 2017
I loved this creepy thriller. Absolutely draws you in and keeps you turning the pages for more on the twisted plot! J.H. Moncrieff is a fabulous new talent in the horror genre and once you read one of her books, you'll be ticking off each title on her list! A compelling read that'll keep you up at night (reading more or trying not to be creeped out, in a good way)!
May 4, 2017
Someone needs to make a movie out of this book!! The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts kept me guessing --
and double guessing! -- until the very last page. J.H. Moncrieff is a masterful writer who knows who to build suspense that will send shivers down your spine!
and double guessing! -- until the very last page. J.H. Moncrieff is a masterful writer who knows who to build suspense that will send shivers down your spine!
October 15, 2017
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts by J. H. Moncrieff is a spooky thrill ride to one of the most haunted places in the world. Poveglia Island, near Venice, Italy, is real place. Tens of thousands died there of the plague or other illnesses over many centuries. It became an asylum and a dumping ground for the unwanted of society, but now it lies deserted, uninhabited by the living.
No one goes there by choice, but Kate Carlsson has The Gift of being able to see and talk to the spirits of the dead. She answers a call for help from a desperate mother whose daughter has been possessed by a dark spirit with a connection to Poveglia.
This fast-paced novel goes in unexpected directions as Kate and her writer friend, Jackson, embark on a dangerous mission. They try to save the soul of the troubled young girl who played with the darkness and lost.
I have never read anything quite like this, and all is not as it seems. Moncrieff explores the minds of the ghosts, which was fascinating. Learning about their motivations and their view of existing forever was so interesting. The horror elements and twists at the end of the chapters kept me reading late in the night, and when I woke up the next day, all I wanted to do was read more.
The simmering interactions between Kate and Jackson make the book so much fun. They shine no matter how dark it gets. I’m so excited to read more from this excellent author.
No one goes there by choice, but Kate Carlsson has The Gift of being able to see and talk to the spirits of the dead. She answers a call for help from a desperate mother whose daughter has been possessed by a dark spirit with a connection to Poveglia.
This fast-paced novel goes in unexpected directions as Kate and her writer friend, Jackson, embark on a dangerous mission. They try to save the soul of the troubled young girl who played with the darkness and lost.
I have never read anything quite like this, and all is not as it seems. Moncrieff explores the minds of the ghosts, which was fascinating. Learning about their motivations and their view of existing forever was so interesting. The horror elements and twists at the end of the chapters kept me reading late in the night, and when I woke up the next day, all I wanted to do was read more.
The simmering interactions between Kate and Jackson make the book so much fun. They shine no matter how dark it gets. I’m so excited to read more from this excellent author.
June 2, 2017
J.H. Moncrieff does it again. The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts kept me engaged from start to finish (and kept me awake quite late on a work night because I couldn’t sleep without knowing what happens next). Her returning characters, growing from City of Ghosts, become more real to the reader – Kate and Jackson feel like old friends now. I love how Moncrieff, in all her work that I’ve read, develops such real characters –they all have an incredible complexity of emotions and behaviours whether they’re alive, dead, or monsters that make them so relatable to the reader. It’s rare when a book has the reader sympathizing with the ‘bad’ guy but in The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts, this is a very real phenomenon – Moncrieff is able to create such depth in her writing that while you’re actively frightened of the character, you’re also feeling pity or sadness for what it was that brought them to this place.
I can usually predict where a story is going to take me – this one had me guessing the entire way though. It was an incredibly fun read and at any given time, had me going through a variety of emotions – at times I was angered, saddened, or laughing (Jackson and Kate have this banter that I truly love, and a sarcastic spirit is always appreciated). Again, as in City of Ghosts, the combination of fact and fiction makes it fascinating and inspires me to research these locations further on my own. I can’t wait to read the next one!
I can usually predict where a story is going to take me – this one had me guessing the entire way though. It was an incredibly fun read and at any given time, had me going through a variety of emotions – at times I was angered, saddened, or laughing (Jackson and Kate have this banter that I truly love, and a sarcastic spirit is always appreciated). Again, as in City of Ghosts, the combination of fact and fiction makes it fascinating and inspires me to research these locations further on my own. I can’t wait to read the next one!
June 21, 2019
Brilliant!!!
June 13, 2019
A ghostly tale that gives you the creeps from start to finish, The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts reunites Kate and Jackson and takes them on a journey to save a young girl's soul. The problem is they set off without all of the facts. Perhaps the girl was the one who sent herself into this predicament. Perhaps she doesn't want to be saved. If so, they're risking their lives for nothing. And who is the real danger on the infamous island where she's prisoner? Once you discover the truth, the story is full of gore and unsavory characters.
May 20, 2017
Great work! Another superb read. Longer review to follow on The Haunted Pen website in a few days. Off to read "The Bear Who Wouldn't Leave" now!
June 13, 2017
We first met medium Kate Carlsson in the first in this series - Ghost City. There she wasn't the central character but her personality and story screamed out for a starring role and in The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts she gets it. Set largely in the seemingly abandoned island of Poviglia, off the coast of Venice, we soon learn that the derelict asylum located there still has the power to exert its evil, and the soul of a young girl is caught up in the machinations of a sinister doctor who conducted some highly unorthodox experiments. The island exists, the derelict asylum exists and Poviglia is, by all accounts, a truly terrifying place, emptied of all humanity save the restless spirits that walk the ruins. The author has captured its frightening intensity and, by reuniting Kate with Jackson - the central character of Ghost City - has brought together a partnership that I, for one, hope endures through many more exciting and scary adventures.
October 29, 2018
Kate has a gift. She can connect and communicate with the dead. She uses her gift to help people. Kate is on a case to save a kidnapped soul, by a deranged and deadly doctor. She must travel to a remote Italian island to help bring back a young girl's soul intact, to save her life, while risking her own life to do so. Such is the risk of her mission she asks her friend Jackson, who doesn't know quite what he is letting himself in for and the adventure that awaits them ahead.
I do not usually read horror or dark fiction, but seeing as it is about to be Halloween I thought I would leave my comfort zone of love and romance, and have a look to see what the other side has to offer. I found the narration to be very lively and interesting. I did find some of the scenes a little gory at times, but that was to be expected reading this genre, right? However I would say this book is more like a thriller than a horror. I am glad I tried something different. I can see the book's appeal and if you are a fan of this genre then I recommend this book to you.
I do not usually read horror or dark fiction, but seeing as it is about to be Halloween I thought I would leave my comfort zone of love and romance, and have a look to see what the other side has to offer. I found the narration to be very lively and interesting. I did find some of the scenes a little gory at times, but that was to be expected reading this genre, right? However I would say this book is more like a thriller than a horror. I am glad I tried something different. I can see the book's appeal and if you are a fan of this genre then I recommend this book to you.
October 27, 2018
Very detailed, interesting and spooky tail.
The tale was reminiscent of “The Exorcist” to a slight degree, without the gore.
Miss Moncrieff went into great detail of Poveglia island where she dared to go by herself.
In reading the book, I almost felt I was transported to the haunted and deserted island myself.
The only character I was not crazy about was “Jackson,” but I don’t think I have ever liked every character in every book I’ve read.
All in all, a great book.
The tale was reminiscent of “The Exorcist” to a slight degree, without the gore.
Miss Moncrieff went into great detail of Poveglia island where she dared to go by herself.
In reading the book, I almost felt I was transported to the haunted and deserted island myself.
The only character I was not crazy about was “Jackson,” but I don’t think I have ever liked every character in every book I’ve read.
All in all, a great book.
January 12, 2019
One thing I love about Moncrieff's books is the location. Not only was the location creepy but I feel like I learned about the island of Poveglia in Venice. I had never heard of this island before reading her book and it actually made me want to look it up after to learn more.
I love Kate and Jackson and i'm so happy it appears that they are becoming closer in each book - I am rooting for them!
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts is fun, suspenseful and creepy with a hint of romance. What's not to like?!
I love Kate and Jackson and i'm so happy it appears that they are becoming closer in each book - I am rooting for them!
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts is fun, suspenseful and creepy with a hint of romance. What's not to like?!
May 21, 2017
Sequels are always risky. If the author merely retells the first story in a new setting, they can be a disaster. But if an author can expand on the story's universe, adding new characters (and new development for existing characters), while forcing them out of their comfort zone into uncharted territory, the result can be stunning. Aliens. The Godfather Part II. The Empire Strikes Back. And now, The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts.
The story opens a while after the events of City of Ghosts, and Jackson and his medium friend Kate have gone their separate ways. But when a little girl's spirit is captured by the ghost of a mad doctor from an abandoned asylum on the world's most haunted island, Kate knows she's in over her head, and the duo are soon reunited.
What follows is a roller-coaster ride through Italy and the cursed island of Poveglia, from the perspective of both Kate/Jackson and the girl, Lily. I can usually guess where a story is going, but this book kept catching me totally by surprise and making me say "holy shit!" to myself. Suffice it to say that there are some awesome twists and turns.
When I found out that the character of the doctor was based on a real person, and that Poveglia actually exists, and that its documented history is as nightmarish as Moncrieff portrays it, it added another layer of awesomeness to the book.
Moncrieff has a real gift for writing complex characters. The good people aren't entirely good, and the villains aren't entirely evil. She writes real people, not caricatures, and the result is a stunning piece of storytelling. I found myself caring about the characters as they grew and changed throughout the story, and it was so hard to walk away from the world she created when I finished the book. I can't wait for the next one!
The story opens a while after the events of City of Ghosts, and Jackson and his medium friend Kate have gone their separate ways. But when a little girl's spirit is captured by the ghost of a mad doctor from an abandoned asylum on the world's most haunted island, Kate knows she's in over her head, and the duo are soon reunited.
What follows is a roller-coaster ride through Italy and the cursed island of Poveglia, from the perspective of both Kate/Jackson and the girl, Lily. I can usually guess where a story is going, but this book kept catching me totally by surprise and making me say "holy shit!" to myself. Suffice it to say that there are some awesome twists and turns.
When I found out that the character of the doctor was based on a real person, and that Poveglia actually exists, and that its documented history is as nightmarish as Moncrieff portrays it, it added another layer of awesomeness to the book.
Moncrieff has a real gift for writing complex characters. The good people aren't entirely good, and the villains aren't entirely evil. She writes real people, not caricatures, and the result is a stunning piece of storytelling. I found myself caring about the characters as they grew and changed throughout the story, and it was so hard to walk away from the world she created when I finished the book. I can't wait for the next one!
July 23, 2017
I read this one even faster than the first. Creepy, scary, exhilarating. So happy to have discovered this series.
June 11, 2017
Book Review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/book-tou...
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts is the sequel to City of Ghosts, which I reviewed earlier. I loved the first book, but I liked the second book even more. This time, the book isn’t set in China (one of my favorite parts about book one was the implementation of Chinese culture) yet it still features a foreign culture, since most of the book is set in Venice, Italy, and the island of Poveglia. I’ve always been a big fan of Italy. I once visited Venice and I loved the city, so I certainly didn’t mind the different setting.
Kate Carlsson is a medium, and desperate to retrieve a young girl’s soul, she heads to the haunted isle. She uncovers some shocking truths about the island that challenges her own beliefs and morals, and even her own life. Kate was already one of the characters in City of Ghosts, and I was glad to follow her along now in this second book. Jackson, the main character of City of Ghosts, is also back for round two.
The writing was excellent and I was drawn into the story right away. Poveglia is an actual island – I’d heard about it prior to reading the book, as I’m a huge history / ghosts / legends buff, and I loved the author had picked this setting. The characters were complex and intriguing, even the villains. The storylines were engaging, and the book kept me guessing. An excellent pageturner!
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts is the sequel to City of Ghosts, which I reviewed earlier. I loved the first book, but I liked the second book even more. This time, the book isn’t set in China (one of my favorite parts about book one was the implementation of Chinese culture) yet it still features a foreign culture, since most of the book is set in Venice, Italy, and the island of Poveglia. I’ve always been a big fan of Italy. I once visited Venice and I loved the city, so I certainly didn’t mind the different setting.
Kate Carlsson is a medium, and desperate to retrieve a young girl’s soul, she heads to the haunted isle. She uncovers some shocking truths about the island that challenges her own beliefs and morals, and even her own life. Kate was already one of the characters in City of Ghosts, and I was glad to follow her along now in this second book. Jackson, the main character of City of Ghosts, is also back for round two.
The writing was excellent and I was drawn into the story right away. Poveglia is an actual island – I’d heard about it prior to reading the book, as I’m a huge history / ghosts / legends buff, and I loved the author had picked this setting. The characters were complex and intriguing, even the villains. The storylines were engaging, and the book kept me guessing. An excellent pageturner!
January 11, 2018
I received this book directly from the author/publisher in exchange for an honest review.
It took me awhile to decide how I was going to rate The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts by J.H. Moncrieff—the second book in the GhostWriters series. I honestly can’t decide if I liked it more than the first book or not. Personally, the ghost story and surrounding aspects of the plotline were a lot more interesting for me than those of the first book. I liked Lily’s POV as well as Kate’s much better than I liked Jackson’s (even though I didn’t know it at the time). It was fun following Kate around as she delved further into the paranormal than the author had been willing to in the first book.
Unfortunately, not all was hugs and puppies. I think an unfortunate consequence of Kate and Lily’s POVs being so interesting, was that Jackson fell a bit by the wayside. He was definitely more of a supporting character in this story, and honestly, kind of a useless one. He seemed to be around mostly to illustrate his ignorance about the paranormal, and to fail at being diplomatic. I don’t think he was necessarily as integral to the plot as he was intended to be, and so his character fell a bit flat.
As a smaller note, there were also a few plot holes. Most were minor, and they didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story as a whole, so I’ll leave it at that. If you’re looking for a solid paranormal ghost story, I highly recommend you check out this author and the various books in this series.
It took me awhile to decide how I was going to rate The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts by J.H. Moncrieff—the second book in the GhostWriters series. I honestly can’t decide if I liked it more than the first book or not. Personally, the ghost story and surrounding aspects of the plotline were a lot more interesting for me than those of the first book. I liked Lily’s POV as well as Kate’s much better than I liked Jackson’s (even though I didn’t know it at the time). It was fun following Kate around as she delved further into the paranormal than the author had been willing to in the first book.
Unfortunately, not all was hugs and puppies. I think an unfortunate consequence of Kate and Lily’s POVs being so interesting, was that Jackson fell a bit by the wayside. He was definitely more of a supporting character in this story, and honestly, kind of a useless one. He seemed to be around mostly to illustrate his ignorance about the paranormal, and to fail at being diplomatic. I don’t think he was necessarily as integral to the plot as he was intended to be, and so his character fell a bit flat.
As a smaller note, there were also a few plot holes. Most were minor, and they didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the story as a whole, so I’ll leave it at that. If you’re looking for a solid paranormal ghost story, I highly recommend you check out this author and the various books in this series.
April 19, 2020
I enjoyed the first GhostWriter book, it was a solid read. But I just could not get into this follow up. All of the characters grated on me, and I literally couldn’t wait to finish.
June 5, 2017
I just lost two entire days!!! Why? Because I bought City of Ghosts, The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts and The Bear That Wouldn't Leave...and could NOT put them down!!! I read them one after the other until I was finished! Well done!!
When I finished City of Ghosts, I found myself wishing that I could read a book where Kate was the main star and guess what?? I got my wish...sooner than I thought I would!! I opened The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts and what do I see in the Acknowledgement but that very same thought, expressed by someone else! Yahoooooo!!! I spent the next three hours immersed in the world of Kate and Jackson and their adventure in Italy. The characters that had entranced me in City of Ghosts became even more real in this sequel and I find myself wishing it was October!!! Why? Well not because I want to skip the summer, that's for sure. I wish it was October already because that is when the next installment is due out!! :)
Thank you for a wonderful read (or three) and I am very much looking forward to the next book!
When I finished City of Ghosts, I found myself wishing that I could read a book where Kate was the main star and guess what?? I got my wish...sooner than I thought I would!! I opened The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts and what do I see in the Acknowledgement but that very same thought, expressed by someone else! Yahoooooo!!! I spent the next three hours immersed in the world of Kate and Jackson and their adventure in Italy. The characters that had entranced me in City of Ghosts became even more real in this sequel and I find myself wishing it was October!!! Why? Well not because I want to skip the summer, that's for sure. I wish it was October already because that is when the next installment is due out!! :)
Thank you for a wonderful read (or three) and I am very much looking forward to the next book!
July 10, 2018
2nd Book in the series. I enjoyed the book, it didn't move as fast as the first book, but I see reviewers like the 3rd book even more.
Child is possessed by her grandmother, according to her mother. But Kate is called in and what she sees is a man. And then in a blink of an eye after the first battle, Lily's soul is gone. And Kate must head to Poveglia. Not wanting to subject herself to multiple ghosts she calls on her good "friend" (more than?) Jackson.
This story is about Kate, what she thinks, feels, sees when she is in the presence of ghosts. The first book was about Jackson.
It also carries some interesting information about the Island of Poveglia in Italy. Or as the HuffPost calls it "Like Hell, But in Italy".
Child is possessed by her grandmother, according to her mother. But Kate is called in and what she sees is a man. And then in a blink of an eye after the first battle, Lily's soul is gone. And Kate must head to Poveglia. Not wanting to subject herself to multiple ghosts she calls on her good "friend" (more than?) Jackson.
This story is about Kate, what she thinks, feels, sees when she is in the presence of ghosts. The first book was about Jackson.
It also carries some interesting information about the Island of Poveglia in Italy. Or as the HuffPost calls it "Like Hell, But in Italy".
April 7, 2018
Book 2 did not disappoint! I loved seeing the characters "mature" in this second book in the series. What I think I love most is that Moncrieff does her homework. She travels to the locales for the books and is able to describe them in detail. This makes each story more believable. You can picture yourself in the setting.
I liked Kate and Jackson in the first book and I think I like them even more in The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts.
Can't wait to buy and start the third installment.
I liked Kate and Jackson in the first book and I think I like them even more in The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts.
Can't wait to buy and start the third installment.
May 13, 2017
I absolutely loved this book, I have read tons of books where I figure everything out in the first 5 chapters, and finish them just because I want to see if I'm right. Not this book 1st Kate and Jackson are amazing together 2nd just when I thought I had it figured out it changed, all the way until the end. This writer is a breath of fresh air, I am looking forward to more books by J.H Moncrieff
October 10, 2017
The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts, by J.H. Moncrieff, is a deranged horror about being trapped in a world where the dead are insane, and the living are merely empty shadows of the past.
Kate Carrlsson is a medium who helps others deal with the undead, friendly or otherwise. When she meets a woman named Vittoria Walkins and her young, possessed daughter Lily, things begin to take a dark turn. In order to save Lily from the ghost of a demented doctor who believes she is ill, Kate most go to Poveglia, an Italian isle whose inhabitants once suffered from the Black Plague. Lily, meanwhile, finds herself in a place of darkness and sorrow, with only her fears to keep her company. In a race against time, the two must find each other, all the while endeavoring to fight off the monsters hidden within this nightmarish adventure.
I loved reading about the Doctor of Death himself. He truly does believe he is helping his patients, despite what others may say. He is caring, so much so he refused to leave a girl who was mutilated by cannibals all by her lonesome. He may be malicious at times, and even downright mental, but he does have a good heart. Nevertheless, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and he proved that much when he tried using Lily for his revenge. Then there is Lily, the girl whom Doctor Death had whisked away to “heal.” She is struggling with her own mind, to separate herself from the Doctor and from Alessandra. I can’t begin to imagine the trauma she’ll go through. Still, she’s brave to say the least. She’s also very mature for her age, and her perseverance probably was the reason why she managed to get back home.
The setting of the story was also exceptional. The isolated loneliness of Poveglia was beautifully haunting. Despite the doctor’s intentions, because of his dark agenda, the cannibals, and even the ghosts, it’s a miracle Lily managed to survive as long as she had. To be honest, I’m more than likely to die from the moment I’ve stepped on that damnable island. The ghosts were also terrifying, despite what the other characters may say; the concept that any entity could kidnap you from your own home when you dabble in the spirit world is more than terrifying. It’s a common theme used in horror, and one that I love dearly.
Needless to say, I did have a problem with Kate. In my opinion, she was too bland for my tastes, even though she’s one of the protagonists. But despite this, I liked this book, and would give it an overall rating of a 3.6 out of 5 stars. The characters, alongside the gloomy, solitary atmosphere made for a chilling tale. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Love, Death, and Other Lies by Jerome Sparks, and The Feral Sentence by C.G. Julien.
Kate Carrlsson is a medium who helps others deal with the undead, friendly or otherwise. When she meets a woman named Vittoria Walkins and her young, possessed daughter Lily, things begin to take a dark turn. In order to save Lily from the ghost of a demented doctor who believes she is ill, Kate most go to Poveglia, an Italian isle whose inhabitants once suffered from the Black Plague. Lily, meanwhile, finds herself in a place of darkness and sorrow, with only her fears to keep her company. In a race against time, the two must find each other, all the while endeavoring to fight off the monsters hidden within this nightmarish adventure.
I loved reading about the Doctor of Death himself. He truly does believe he is helping his patients, despite what others may say. He is caring, so much so he refused to leave a girl who was mutilated by cannibals all by her lonesome. He may be malicious at times, and even downright mental, but he does have a good heart. Nevertheless, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions, and he proved that much when he tried using Lily for his revenge. Then there is Lily, the girl whom Doctor Death had whisked away to “heal.” She is struggling with her own mind, to separate herself from the Doctor and from Alessandra. I can’t begin to imagine the trauma she’ll go through. Still, she’s brave to say the least. She’s also very mature for her age, and her perseverance probably was the reason why she managed to get back home.
The setting of the story was also exceptional. The isolated loneliness of Poveglia was beautifully haunting. Despite the doctor’s intentions, because of his dark agenda, the cannibals, and even the ghosts, it’s a miracle Lily managed to survive as long as she had. To be honest, I’m more than likely to die from the moment I’ve stepped on that damnable island. The ghosts were also terrifying, despite what the other characters may say; the concept that any entity could kidnap you from your own home when you dabble in the spirit world is more than terrifying. It’s a common theme used in horror, and one that I love dearly.
Needless to say, I did have a problem with Kate. In my opinion, she was too bland for my tastes, even though she’s one of the protagonists. But despite this, I liked this book, and would give it an overall rating of a 3.6 out of 5 stars. The characters, alongside the gloomy, solitary atmosphere made for a chilling tale. As such, I would recommend this book to fans of Love, Death, and Other Lies by Jerome Sparks, and The Feral Sentence by C.G. Julien.
May 3, 2017
All of my life I've always had this wariness of "sophomore efforts". Whether it's a new band I like, or an author who is writing a series, it's always been either hit or miss. Well I am pleased to say that J.H. Moncrieff has hit this one out of the park! After reading "City of Ghosts", I wasn't sure I could love a second book as much, and I was right; I love it more. I mean, not only does this story take us to Italy, but it is full of lovely little twists that kept me guessing and filled me with such joy. Bringing back the dashing character of Jackson and combining him with Kate, one of my favorite supporting characters from the first book, just made for a magical duo. I don't usually read scary stories and think... "I really want to go there", but this made me want to visit Poveglia! All I know is I want more of the stories and cases that Kate and Jackson encounter because each one is deliciously different and captivating!
September 30, 2020
4.5/5
Here we are! Book Two in Moncrieff’s absolutely fantastic GhostWriters Series!
‘The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts’ picks up sometime after the events of Book One.
This one is focused more on Kate and her role as a medium. Since Book One has ended, she has worked on building a career out of helping people with issues regarding spiritual contact.
It’s through this that she is contacted to help out a mother, desperate to find a solution to what is afflicting her daughter.
What I Liked: As with all Moncrieff books, J.H. creates characters with amazing depth but also settings that play an important role. Here, Poveglia itself is a setting that brings a lot of different elements to the table.
I won’t spend much time going into Poveglia and it’s history itself, but a lot of bad things have happened there throughout history. J.H. touches on a few of them and the amazing aspect here is that the descriptions come from her own journey to visiting the island itself.
This has elements of a psychological thriller, supernatural adventure, as well as character driven drama. J.H. really crafted a fun read, one that brought another element to Kate and Jackson’s relationship.
What I didn’t like: Minor things, but I really wished we would’ve dived even deeper into the doctor’s back story and life on the island.
As well, at the beginning, I wasn’t a fan of Kate being so jealous of Jackson and a perceived relationship. Felt a bit too high-schoolish.
Why you should buy this: Well, A – Poveglia. I mean, any book set there is a must read. B – a further entry into the ongoing adventures of Kate and Jackson is always a cause for celebration! With a bunch more books already out in this series, the GhostWriters group of stories may just be the perfect thing for those looking for spooky October reads!
Here we are! Book Two in Moncrieff’s absolutely fantastic GhostWriters Series!
‘The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts’ picks up sometime after the events of Book One.
This one is focused more on Kate and her role as a medium. Since Book One has ended, she has worked on building a career out of helping people with issues regarding spiritual contact.
It’s through this that she is contacted to help out a mother, desperate to find a solution to what is afflicting her daughter.
What I Liked: As with all Moncrieff books, J.H. creates characters with amazing depth but also settings that play an important role. Here, Poveglia itself is a setting that brings a lot of different elements to the table.
I won’t spend much time going into Poveglia and it’s history itself, but a lot of bad things have happened there throughout history. J.H. touches on a few of them and the amazing aspect here is that the descriptions come from her own journey to visiting the island itself.
This has elements of a psychological thriller, supernatural adventure, as well as character driven drama. J.H. really crafted a fun read, one that brought another element to Kate and Jackson’s relationship.
What I didn’t like: Minor things, but I really wished we would’ve dived even deeper into the doctor’s back story and life on the island.
As well, at the beginning, I wasn’t a fan of Kate being so jealous of Jackson and a perceived relationship. Felt a bit too high-schoolish.
Why you should buy this: Well, A – Poveglia. I mean, any book set there is a must read. B – a further entry into the ongoing adventures of Kate and Jackson is always a cause for celebration! With a bunch more books already out in this series, the GhostWriters group of stories may just be the perfect thing for those looking for spooky October reads!
November 21, 2017
I really enjoy Moncrieff's writing. I feel like I'm inside the head of the main characters, seeing and feeling their actions and reactions. "The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts" is a spooky ghost story set on a creepy island off the coast of Italy. Moncrieff takes us between the current physical world and the spirit world, bringing us back in time when those who are now ghosts roamed the island. She gives us a bit of history and a story that keeps you turning the pages. I ordered Book #3 in the Ghost Writers series, "Temple of Ghosts." Looking forward to the next mystical wander through Moncrieff's words/worlds.
January 8, 2018
Wow!
Kate is a fabulous medium and I love the work she and Jackson did while traveling to Italy. I enjoyed the read and inhaled it!
Kate is a fabulous medium and I love the work she and Jackson did while traveling to Italy. I enjoyed the read and inhaled it!
Read
April 12, 2018Fascinating!
This is a well-written book. It does flash back but wraps it all up to a satisfying conclusion. It flows well and quickly.
This is a well-written book. It does flash back but wraps it all up to a satisfying conclusion. It flows well and quickly.
August 3, 2020
This is the second in a series and switches the main supporting character from the first book to the MC role and vice versa. Kate has taken on an unusual case, even for her, and calls on Jackson for support. They again find themselves traveling outside the U.S. and soon realize language barriers and currency exchanges are the least of their worries.
For the first time, Kate isn’t trying to help a ghost, but the soul of a living girl trapped in between both worlds and Kate is figuring out what to do along the way. I love the way Kate is portrayed as confident and strong and yet willing to admit her mistakes. While Jackson is the muscle and charm of the pair, it’s clear that Kate is stronger in other ways that often ends up saving their lives. Jackson is also a source of distraction for Kate as they both recognize their potential for a romantic relationship.
Considering the times we live in, I feel it important to list this potential relationship as a possible trigger for those who haven’t read the first book because it would be an interracial relationship. For me, it’s simply another layer to their already complex and enjoyable story. Besides, romance is in no way a major or even minor subplot in this series so far.
This book was a lot scarier than the first, but because I read the first book, it helped me cope with some of what I read. For some reason, whether books, film, or TV whenever kids are thrown in, it always feels creepier. Yet, as someone who’s still on the fence about horror as a regular genre to read, I did find the frights to be sophisticated and meaningful, not just gory for the sake of it or all shock value.
I have the next book in the series and look forward to seeing where these characters go next.
Highly recommended to horror, suspense thriller, and paranormal fans.
For the first time, Kate isn’t trying to help a ghost, but the soul of a living girl trapped in between both worlds and Kate is figuring out what to do along the way. I love the way Kate is portrayed as confident and strong and yet willing to admit her mistakes. While Jackson is the muscle and charm of the pair, it’s clear that Kate is stronger in other ways that often ends up saving their lives. Jackson is also a source of distraction for Kate as they both recognize their potential for a romantic relationship.
Considering the times we live in, I feel it important to list this potential relationship as a possible trigger for those who haven’t read the first book because it would be an interracial relationship. For me, it’s simply another layer to their already complex and enjoyable story. Besides, romance is in no way a major or even minor subplot in this series so far.
This book was a lot scarier than the first, but because I read the first book, it helped me cope with some of what I read. For some reason, whether books, film, or TV whenever kids are thrown in, it always feels creepier. Yet, as someone who’s still on the fence about horror as a regular genre to read, I did find the frights to be sophisticated and meaningful, not just gory for the sake of it or all shock value.
I have the next book in the series and look forward to seeing where these characters go next.
Highly recommended to horror, suspense thriller, and paranormal fans.
March 31, 2018
I was intrigued that “The Girl Who Talks to Ghosts” takes place on the island of Poveglia near Venice, Italy. The story is spooky enough as it is, but when I realized that it was based on a real-life doctor who ran a mental asylum on the island and then ended up committing suicide, the creepiness factor shot through the roof. I loved the twists and turns that had me guessing characters' motivations and intents. Just when I thought I had things figured out, something else would surprise me. Moncrieff is a master at keeping you on the edge of your seat with complex characters and a fast-paced plot that keeps you turning the pages. The main characters, Kate and Jackson, have great chemistry and I look forward to seeing how their relationship continues to evolve in future books.
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