Wraith Ladies Who Lunch

by Sean Patrick Traver

Christabel is a Victorian phantom with a tragic past, attached to a piece of antique mourning jewelry. Ta-senet-net-hor (her name means 'Sister of Neith and Horus') is a three-thousand-year-old Egyptian, attached to a mummy on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Neither of them knows another ghost who's anything more than an emotional echo, nor do they understand why they linger on when others fade away. They meet up at a restaurant near the museum now and then, to speculate about the nature of their afterlife and pretend to have a few drinks. Until the day Derren Gray arrives in their midst. The brand-new ghost of an elderly architect provides them with answers they've sought for centuries, but the things they learn mean the afterlife won't ever be the same, not for any of them. Join the WRAITH LADIES WHO LUNCH as they address eternal questions both large and small with surreal humor, historical depth, and a hint of mystical intrigue.

Genres: Fantasy

108 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2017

About the author

SEAN PATRICK TRAVER is a native of Los Angeles. His writing explores the hidden worlds that lurk behind the sleek facade LA presents to a casual observer. In addition to the traffic jams, the film studios, and the cookie-cutter suburbs, there are opulent courtyards and private gardens high up in the Hills, as well as blank, black-market warehouses crouched down in the Valley below. There are ritual shrines hidden near the hiking trails and secret practitioners who summon the spirits left over from a thousand years of history. Suburban shamans, rogue necromancers, criminal cabals and computer-savvy witches all populate the pages of his fiction. Learn more at seanpatricktraver.com

Reviews

[Darque Dreamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wraith Ladies Who Lunch is a stunningly well developed short story about life, death, and that burning question of "what happens when we die?" Traver has packed this one with humor, mystery, a thought provoking plot, and a tinge of sadness. This one will not leave you disappointed!

I knew I was going to love this one when I read the synopsis. Sean Patrick Traver has a fantastic writing style that draws you in and keeps you hooked! The three characters in this 100 page story were so well developed and were highly enjoyable! The plot, and its twists, kept me entertained with laughter and plenty of "hmms," being said. 

I really loved the idea of these ghosts finding each other and making a connection. It was so fun to see them discussing their lives and their theories about what keeps a spirit from passing on. What I really enjoyed was the twist that tied them together and made me feel like I had just read a 300 page novel! I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys quick reads, paranormal reads, and thought provoking mysteries.

Thank you to Black Chateau, Rocket Surgery Books, and Sean Patrick Traver for providing me with this free copy in exchange for my honest opinion!

[Paige · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4/5

Genre: Paranormal

Recommended Age: 14+ (some strong language, some mature topics but just briefly mentioned)

I received a free copy of this arc in exchange for my honest review and promotion. All opinions are my own. Thanks Black Chateau and Sean Patrick Traver!

Christabel is a Victorian phantom with a tragic past, attached to a piece of antique mourning jewelry.

Ta-senet-net-hor (her name means 'Sister of Neith and Horus') is a three-thousand-year-old Egyptian, attached to a mummy on display at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

Neither of them knows another ghost who's anything more than an emotional echo, nor do they understand why they linger on when others fade away. They meet up at a restaurant near the museum now and then, to speculate about the nature of their afterlife and pretend to have a few drinks.

Until the day Derren Gray arrives in their midst. The brand-new ghost of an elderly architect provides them with answers they've sought for centuries, but the things they learn mean the afterlife won't ever be the same, not for any of them.

Join the WRAITH LADIES WHO LUNCH as they address eternal questions both large and small with surreal humor, historical depth, and a hint of mystical intrigue. – Amazon.com

Do you ever feel that you’re being watched at a museum? Well, you might just be! In this book we are introduced to three ghosts who are able to roam the Earth long after their death due to their attachment to this world. I thought the story was very unique. I thought it would be more like Night at the Museum, but I was very surprised by how unique it actually was. I thought the character development was very well done and the book was very well written.

I did think that the book’s plot was a bit lost in the book. I also thought that the ending didn’t provide a lot of closure for my personal tastes. While the book was a very exciting read, I just felt that the book left me with more questions than answers.

Verdict: While I did feel like I didn’t get a proper ending, I did enjoy the book overall and I loved how unique it was. I hope that there is a continuation to this book because I feel like there could be some room for a sequel and I feel like ours characters tales are not done yet. This book would be excellent for any history buff and anyone who wants a quick read that would get them out of a slump.

[Nia Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an absolute gem - I didn't realise when starting it that it was only 102 pages long, I was only a couple of pages in when I knew that wasn't going to be long enough!
In such a short amount of time, the author manages to set up all of the rules of ghostly living as well as make the reader form strong attachments with the characters. The writing style is understated and very, very funny.

Two ghosts, an (almost) three thousand year old Egyptian woman and a two hundred year old Victorian woman, meet up a few times a year for a chat and to discuss the nature of the universe until one day they're joined by another ghost and learn more about why they're still hanging around while all those who've gone before have passed on. I really enjoyed this whirlwind ride through the author's imagination and can't wait to read more of his work!

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much.
It was amusing and interesting, and highly entertaining.
Despite it being short, it felt developed and deep.
I am happy I finally got around to read this book, it was hard to put down.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an advanced copy to review. This in no way affected my opinions.

Wraith Ladies Who Lunch is a novella about three wraiths, or ghosts, who hang out contemplating their lives and their afterlives. It only took me an hour to read so it is perfect for someone who wants a light piece of fiction to enjoy; perfect for being in between books.
The three main characters are Christabel, a Victorian ghost who I advise you not to ask about her ex, Tasenetnethor (Ta-senet-net-hor), a 2,900 and change Egyptian spirit who is tied to a mummy that is currently residing in a museum, and Derren Gray, who is the newest addition to the clan and was an architect that made some bad decisions. I enjoyed Christabel the most because of her spunky attitude and the fact that I am so happy I am not living in the Victorian age.
However, I don't think that I was the intended audience for this book. As it deals with the afterlife and a good majority of the novella involves Derren talking about his life mistakes, such as how he could have had a better relationship with his daughters. Overall, it just did not envelope me in the story the way that I was hoping it would.
Also, the ending was a bit confusing though I did enjoy the plot twist that Traver included to tie all of the characters together. However, the ending still felt rushed and I think that it could have been smooth out a bit more to make it not feel so sudden.
In a nutshell, I would recommend this book to someone who wants a light, unique read in between books that gives you something to think about.

[Kylie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I went into this book almost blind and was pleasantly surprised. Although, this book was short, the story was wonderful.
When I first started, I wasn't immediately pulled in because I wasn't sure exactly what was supposed to be happening other than these ghosts having lunch together.
The whole idea of the book was so interesting and the random meeting of the three ghosts and what that meant was so well thought out. I definitely like that the story took a different turn than I originally thought at the beginning.
If there will be a sequel to this book, I will definitely read it!

[Fangs for the Fantasy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ta-Senet-Net-Hor has been a ghost for thousands of years, moving with her mummy from location to location, rarely meeting another like herself. Until she met Christabel, a Victorian ghost tethered to a particularly morbid piece of jewellery. Neither understanding their condition, the two spectral ladies agreed to meet for lunch at semi-regular intervals

Until a third ghost enters their circle, Derren Gray, a newly deceased ghost who may provide them with the missing clues to find the truth of their unique natures.



I’ll be honest, I went for this book mainly because of the title. I pictured a rather hilarious collection of historical ghostly ladies of note gathered together, Sex in the City style to have shenanigans and adventures. I could see Queen Elizabeth and Cleopatra and Joan of Arc and Ching Shih all running around spectrally in the modern world doing all kinds of hilarious and silly things. By it's title and cover I expected humour, lightness and shenanigans.

This is why you should never judge a book by it’s cover

Instead we have a rather deep, powerful book focusing on Ta-senet-net-hor, an Ancient Egyptian woman who has been a ghost for millennia and her infrequent contact with her fellow ghosts (Christabel a Victorian lady and Derren, a much more recently deceased ghost). They talk and often discuss the whys of being a ghost. Why they are ghosts, why other people are not ghosts and the limitations and restrictions of their state. What is noteworthy and interesting is how little they actually know - how their knowledge of ghostliness is all theoretical, despite, in Ta-Senet-Net-Hor’s case, existing for centuries as ghosts.

I like this uncertainty, the fact that the supernatural can be this big unknown even for those supernatural.



This book explores their lives, their own personal development including the often bleak and difficult situation they find themselves in. I like how we get a powerful sense of the frustration and hollowness of ghostly existence without a lot of over the top angst while still maintaining small gems of experience that make this existence still worth clinging to. I like how we examine each character with a careful view of their flaws as much as their virtues, making all three extremely human people

The discovery of the secrets behind their condition is interesting and unexpected as well as the grand revelation of what connects them all as well as the dark secret in Ta-Senet-Net-Hor’s past. I even like the show down scene which, like so much in this book, is restrained, careful, layered and nuanced. There’s no moustache twirling villain. There’s no be-halo’d saint.

It all makes for a fascinating, insightful and well balanced book that is truly artfully crafted

In terms of diversity we had only three characters, but our protagonist is definitely a woman of colour as an Ancient Egyptia

It’s also a short book - unsurprising since it’s a novella. And when I reached the end I was left with a vague sense that I had just read a prologue and was looking for the rest of the story.

Read More

[Nate · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a well-developed longer short story about the ghosts of an Egyptian aristocrat, Victorian innocent, a modern architect and the ties between them. The story goes down the path of a quite interesting, thought-out world with great characters who were developed very well, something uncommon in short stories. The writing here was fantastic with some nice jokes but also deeper discussions about death and the afterlife as well as about limbo. The ending, while it did feel a little rushed, was such a great one for pointing how lonely being "alive" can be. I really loved this and can't wait to see more stories from Mr. Traver. For 2.99 for Kindle, it is a steal!

A digital copy of this book was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

okay, so where to start. I laughed out loud, cried of laughing! it was so much fun to read, it's a perfect read for in a museum (with a mummy of course!). Well, so I have been told by the author, Sean Patrick Traver. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to get to the museum myself but reading it I could totally get the idea for me.

I already decided I am going to re-read this with a friend (@dreaming_bibliophile) when it comes out and she received it as well. It officially comes out on the 24th of October! I am so excited for everyone to read it, are you? Let me know in the comments down below if you are going to get this book because I highly recommend this book.

in short my opinion: easy to read, fast read, reading slump cure, funny, unusual, unique and I am giving this book a 5 out of 5 stars and belongs in my top 5 favorites.

go check out my blog for more book reviews and book related stuff https://elizaandbooksblog.wordpress.com/

with love,

Eliza

[Amanda Candler · Rating 5 out of 5]

How do I sum up a book that I was privileged enough to do the art for the cover? How do I write of the love I have found for the characters that I absolutely badgered the author for information on to bring them into the light? I wanted to know everything about them- I needed to know their souls. And the more I learned about them, the more I wanted. Being introduced to Tash and Christabel was not enough- I want everything. I want more. They are the kind of people I would love to grab lunch with- I think you will too.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two female ghosts meet several times a year at the Cheesecake Factory in Los Angeles to gossip and pretend to eat. They have been doing this for several years when a third ghost joins them. Comparing stories, they find out that there is a mystery to be solved regarding why they hang around and others do not. But the price of the truth may be more then they thought. And stranger as well. An interesting short story that leaves plenty of room for additional tales in this world.

Thanks Netgalley for the chance to read this tale!

[Eileen Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was lovely.
Just the right length to read in one sitting.
Christabel, a Victorian ghost walking the earth because she is attached to a piece of mourning jewellery, popular with Victorians at that time.
My favourite character is Tasenetnethor, Ancient Egyptian Queen, she is the eldest of the three ghosts and more worldly.
I like the way the two female ghosts act as though they are mortal and modern, wearing designer clothes and dining - sort of - at up market restaurants in Los Angeles and discussing how and why they are still on the earth and what will happen in the future.
Derren Grey, architect, modern ghost, walking the earth because his ashes was made into a memorial gem, an artificial diamond.
This is a great start and I hope there are more like this in the pipeline.
I was given a digital copy of this book by the publisher Rocket Surgery Books via Netgalley in return for an honest unbiased review.

[Missy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going into this story I thought I was going to read a fun, silly story about bored ghosts. What I got was a thought provoking story about the lives of ghosts, the realization of regret, and friendship. It was a short story but was still funny, sad , mysterious with a twist ending.

The story follows two bored ghosts who meet up four times a year to chat about being ghosts. One day a new ghost joins the mix and they realize there is a connecting force within the group.

The characters are really well developed and the storyline is way to delve into.So the ending was a bit disappointing because it seemed rushed, especially the interaction between the protagonist and the Egyptian priest.

Overall, the story was really nice and I would recommend it to someone looking for a quick read.

[Erin Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

A super quick and easy read that was fun and engaging. I can't even imagine hanging around for almost three thousand years as the main character Tasenetnethor does. She is honest and straightforward and enjoys her get together s with Christabel every solstice. When a new ghost, Darren, shows she finally discovers why she has remained while others have passed on. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and the ideas were interesting and original. Traver's writing style is genuine, straightforward, thought provoking and a joy to read. It was a great book, being about ghosts, to bring in October. I highly recommend this as well as his other stories.

[Kate Atonic · Rating 3 out of 5]

An ancient Egyptian, her name and image preserved by her mummy.
A Victorian Lolita, her name preserved with a lock of hair in a mourning brooch.
Every solstice, they get together at Cheesecake Factory to talk about life after death and share some mimosas.

When a third wraith joins them, they realize they have more in common than they thought.

This was a short story, with interesting ideas about the afterlife and “pre-death” regrets. Downgraded a full star for the “whoops, my bad” tone when talking about infidelity and the impact on his daughters.

[Brandie June · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much fun!

[Tori · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delight! Humorous, intriguing, and suspenseful all in one little book. I thoroughly enjoyed this novella by Sean Patrick Traver and look forward to reading his books.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

RTC

[Charming Chapters Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ta-senet-net-hor, a three thousand year old Egyptian ghost, meets every so often with Christabel, a Victorian spirit, to reminisce and ponder their somewhat unusual existence at a local restaurant in Los Angeles.

Unlike typical spirits that pass through the afterlife quickly, they suspect that they are kept in the land of the living due to objects from their previous lives, including an antique necklace and a mummy at a local museum. They believe they are the only two ghosts of their nature until they encounter Derren Gray one day who has become the same type of ethereal being.

They soon discover that they have more in common than they originally believed and set off to uncover the secrets behind their unusual existences.

(I received an ARC of "Wraith Ladies Who Lunch" in exchange for an honest review.)

"Wraith Ladies Who Lunch" is a short story filled with mystery, humor, and supernatural beings. This would be a great read around Halloween, as it features ghosts and their somewhat haunted pasts.