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Whispers from the Grave
The Virginia Plantation Poplar Ridge is sprawling, secluded, and foreboding. Chris Olson is immediately swept into its somber history and an inexplicable, electrifying passion for Geoff Cameron, her best friend's brother. Dreams of a Confederate soldier who strongly resembles Geoff and a haunting one-eyed scout cloud her mind further. Through the eyes of the long-dead Margaret, Chris witnesses mysterious events shrouded in the conflict of the Civil War, until little by little, she uncovers Margaret's dark and terrible secret—and Geoff's connection to the enchanting woman from the past.
286 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
January 29, 2012
A Spellbinding Paranormal
Because I enjoy stories that are unusual, off the beaten path, and
beyond the average, this book grabbed me from the very beginning and
held my attention all the way through. The authentic setting in and
around Tidewater Virginia and Richmond, and the consistency of the
plotline with the actual history of the 19th century and Civil War,
are icing on the cake. And for dog lovers, the appearance of Saber, a
Belgian Sheepdog, is a really nice touch.
If you are looking for routine books that fit the industry standard,
"formula" in terms of predictable plot, two-dimensional characters and
a humdrum ending, look elsewhere. Whispers from the Grave
has none of those characteristics—fortunately.
August 17, 2010
A Civil War ghost story with lots of twists and turns. It kept me guessing until the end.
June 5, 2018
An intriguing mix of past and present, so many secrets and lies ... Totally engrossing.
August 30, 2014
Chris Olson only wanted to visit her old college room-mate but what she got was a whirlwind romance, proof that the paranormal is real and a mystery to solve. When Chris arrives at The Virginia Plantation called Poplar Ridge she has dreams of a confederate soldier who looks like her lover Geoff Cameron and a one-eyed scout. Poplar Ridge is a place with a long history and the past never died. Through the eyes of the long dead Margaret and some research of the Cameron family archives, Chris unlocks the secrets to Poplar Ridge’s tragic history.
When I first started this book I thought the romance part of it went way to quick and I didn’t like the main character of Chris. It’s stated that Chris is a lawyer but in the beginning I thought she came across as an emotional flake and I kept thinking to myself that lawyers wouldn’t be like this. As I kept reading though the character of Chris grew on me and I liked how the civil war story with Margaret unfolded.
I loved Margaret’s story and the description of how the civil war effected the Cameron family and Poplar Ridge. The story unfolds in pieces as the present day story is told which adds to the mystery of the book. Kim Murphy has written another non fiction book on the civil war called I Had Rather Died: Rape In The Civil War. Kim’s knowledge about the Civil War really brought Margaret’s story to life. Women during the war did suffer what Margaret endured and even though this book is fiction there is a lot of realism to Margaret’s story.
While you feel a lot of empathy for Margaret in the book you also have to feel bad for her husband George. Both characters had their lives ripped apart by war. Even though Margaret was not a solider she suffers more than George and what she has to go through changes George’s life as much as hers. Another aspect of this book that I liked was how events that happened over 140 years ago still effect a family. Geoff still talks badly of Northerners, the grounds of the plantation are unchanged from Civil War times with some of the artifacts still in their place and the ghosts of the past never went away. When a tragic event happens in a family it affects future generations and the past doesn’t always stay where it belongs.
History aside there are two great love stories in Whispers From The Grave. What makes the loves stories interesting is they are not perfect. George and Margaret have a love story that is deeply effected by tragedy they have no control of, despite this they still love each other. The other love story was between Geoff and Chris, what I liked about it was that I wasn’t sure how it would go. Geoff’s ex-wife Beth is still in the picture and the couple still have feelings for each other. Also Geoff has epilepsy and Chris has a career in Boston. As much as I liked the history I also loved that I couldn’t guess if the love story would work out until the end. Whispers From The Grave is a great book whether you are into romances or if you just like well researched books set during the Civil War.
When I first started this book I thought the romance part of it went way to quick and I didn’t like the main character of Chris. It’s stated that Chris is a lawyer but in the beginning I thought she came across as an emotional flake and I kept thinking to myself that lawyers wouldn’t be like this. As I kept reading though the character of Chris grew on me and I liked how the civil war story with Margaret unfolded.
I loved Margaret’s story and the description of how the civil war effected the Cameron family and Poplar Ridge. The story unfolds in pieces as the present day story is told which adds to the mystery of the book. Kim Murphy has written another non fiction book on the civil war called I Had Rather Died: Rape In The Civil War. Kim’s knowledge about the Civil War really brought Margaret’s story to life. Women during the war did suffer what Margaret endured and even though this book is fiction there is a lot of realism to Margaret’s story.
While you feel a lot of empathy for Margaret in the book you also have to feel bad for her husband George. Both characters had their lives ripped apart by war. Even though Margaret was not a solider she suffers more than George and what she has to go through changes George’s life as much as hers. Another aspect of this book that I liked was how events that happened over 140 years ago still effect a family. Geoff still talks badly of Northerners, the grounds of the plantation are unchanged from Civil War times with some of the artifacts still in their place and the ghosts of the past never went away. When a tragic event happens in a family it affects future generations and the past doesn’t always stay where it belongs.
History aside there are two great love stories in Whispers From The Grave. What makes the loves stories interesting is they are not perfect. George and Margaret have a love story that is deeply effected by tragedy they have no control of, despite this they still love each other. The other love story was between Geoff and Chris, what I liked about it was that I wasn’t sure how it would go. Geoff’s ex-wife Beth is still in the picture and the couple still have feelings for each other. Also Geoff has epilepsy and Chris has a career in Boston. As much as I liked the history I also loved that I couldn’t guess if the love story would work out until the end. Whispers From The Grave is a great book whether you are into romances or if you just like well researched books set during the Civil War.
March 25, 2012
This is a romantic/time travel/historical focused on the present day, although the Civil War period intrudes. I thought the novel was well-written, carefully plotted and balanced, and that it had believable characters and an all-too real tale of horror to provoke the haunting around which the story revolves. Civil War atrocities DID happen, although Victorian mores quickly kicked sand over the evidence. The ghost story had a chilling reality, and could have been a stand-alone. There's sufficient material here for a three part mini-series--at least. The Civil War research that shines through the period sections is correct and commendable. Civil War buffs, take note!
June 26, 2016
I gave it a week. I don't like writing negative reviews, but I also want to be honest. This book is just not good. Granted I only read about 1/3 of the way through. But here is my thought about the book - it is a somewhat better written romance novel/ science fiction story without the lusty cover. The story line is lame and far-fetched. The characters are under developed and often without their clothes! Though there is a mystery, it just didn't intrigue this reader. I despise not finishing a book and many times have sloughed through one just to see it done. But I can't dredge up the desire, even on principle, to endeavor on with this one.
December 15, 2009
My MIL recommended this book and let me borrow it. I was interested because the plot involved the Civil War, which is a huge pet interest of mine. However, I was disappointed.
The writing was juvenile, and read more like a fanfiction than a published novel. The plot line was convoluted and for majority of the book, it was hard to keep track of who was who in regards to the present and the past, and the relationships between them all.
Not a great book. Wouldn't really suggest it to anyone.
The writing was juvenile, and read more like a fanfiction than a published novel. The plot line was convoluted and for majority of the book, it was hard to keep track of who was who in regards to the present and the past, and the relationships between them all.
Not a great book. Wouldn't really suggest it to anyone.
November 15, 2014
The past will always influence the future, no matter how hard you try. Or they try. Or maybe that's what they want, those ghosts from the past...
Fascinating history and a haunting story of timeless love, woven into a tale about finding love again after trauma - when sometimes it's the only thing keeping them going. Even after death...
This book is difficult to describe. It's part American Civil War tale, part modern romance with a badly broken hero. And a hero who can't be fixed, because it's all part of his tragic past.
Well worth a read.
Fascinating history and a haunting story of timeless love, woven into a tale about finding love again after trauma - when sometimes it's the only thing keeping them going. Even after death...
This book is difficult to describe. It's part American Civil War tale, part modern romance with a badly broken hero. And a hero who can't be fixed, because it's all part of his tragic past.
Well worth a read.
March 29, 2015
Ghost Story
This is a story about 2 people from today leading parallel lives to two people from the Civil War era. The plot seems far-fetched at times. Everyone accepts that there are ancestor ghosts at the plantation who are influencing behavior currently, in one instance. Another is that the ghosts can take over people's behavior to resolve past conflict. It was well written and was true to history, besides these points.
This is a story about 2 people from today leading parallel lives to two people from the Civil War era. The plot seems far-fetched at times. Everyone accepts that there are ancestor ghosts at the plantation who are influencing behavior currently, in one instance. Another is that the ghosts can take over people's behavior to resolve past conflict. It was well written and was true to history, besides these points.
November 23, 2014
Whispers from the grave
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I have great interest in the civil war era. this book had a huant.ge mystery about it and a love affair. what more could you w
I absolutely enjoyed this book. I have great interest in the civil war era. this book had a huant.ge mystery about it and a love affair. what more could you w
January 20, 2012
Chris is drawn into the history of VA plantation Poplar Ridge and a passion for Geoff, who strongly resembles a Confederate soldier who seems to haunt the place
April 19, 2015
past and present collide in this murder mystery. It is difficult to follow the story like, although the present day characters are likable
November 19, 2015
Good book! I was expecting a little more history to be involved, around the Civil War, but not so. Still a good, entertaining read.
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May 21, 2019Not a bad story. Felt sorry for the baby. Want too read sequel.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews