The Touch Of Ghosts

Alex Rourke #2

by John Rickards

Boston private investigator Alex Rourke is looking forward to the weekend. He's heading to Vermont to visit his girlfriend, and also plans to do some checking on his latest missing a young man named Adam Webb who made the same journey, and never came back. But the truth about Adam Webb isn't the only secret buried in the Green Mountain woods. Hikers have gone missing, a prostitute has been murdered and something sinister is happening in the ghost-town of North Bleakwater. It soon becomes clear that in the mountains, who you trust can means the difference between life and death. And Alex will have to make decisions with his heart as well as his head. Because a single bullet is about to blow his world to pieces.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

Reviews

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was exceptional all the twists and turns made me want to keep reading and the quirky ending made me want to read the next one in this exceptional authors group of books. Now I just have to find the next one by John Richards.

[Seth Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read and enjoyed the writer's cut version of this book. Despite the title it's not a ghost story - more detective fiction. Well worth a read.

[Nancy Vega · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder/mystery/betrayal

Great book with former FBI agent Alex Rourke turned private investigator investigating the death of his beloved. Off to chase ghosts of the past & tie them all
Together.

[Linda Look · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rate this a 4.2

[Marelize Le · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice twist. Too bad the murderer got away.

[Mike Kimmings-Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book!

[Robbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good mystery with an intelligent, determined protagonist who strives for justice and doesn't necessarily walk away happy when he finds it. I liked Alex Rourke and plan to read more of this series. I rate this one 4.5 stars.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

c2004. The second book in the Alex Rourke series. Quite a startling beginning - I did not expect the protagonists girlfriend to take up such a tiny part of the entire book.. but as the blurb says - "Because a single bullet is about to blow his world to pieces.". All sorts of red herrings, suspects and sub plots. I did not realise that Mr Rickards (aka Sean Cregan) is a freelance journalist living in England and that this second volume was, at one stage, only available in the UK. I know that he has brought out a 3rd novel which is, more or less, a stand alone volume but it has to do with crime against children which, on principle, I will not voluntarily read. Nice pacy style and despite a few meanderings up the garden path, I had deduced the ending marginally before the ending came up to meet me. Enjoyable read. "What to do with a corpse no one knows about and which I'm not supposed to have disturbed isn't a question I have ever faced."

[Claudia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Solita trama con detective privato che ha da risolvere un delitto in cui è coinvolto personalmente.
In breve la sua ragazza, una patologa che vive nel Vermont, viene uccisa da un proiettile mentre guida in una desolata foresta vicino al paese dove abita. La polizia sembra intenzionata ad archiviare il caso come incidente di caccia o omicidio a opera di maniaco, ma Alex indaga per conto suo.
Banale, se non fosse per la comparsa, dopo le prime quaranta noiosissime pagine, di una città fantasma, mio incubo privato che mi inchioda al romanzo.
Finale prevedibile fino all'ultimo capitolo, dove il colpo di scena risolleva l'altrimenti triste destino del libro.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read all 4 books in 2 days. They are compulsive reading. Alex pushes the boundaries of legal behaviour, it's hard not to empathise with his actions. The vague hints at the supernatural just add to the obvious mental deterioration of a man who has suffered unimaginable loss. Not knowing if Alex is going to break the law adds to the uncertainty in this series. Throw the rule book out of the window, nothing you assume is going to happen will happen

[james · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second John Rickards book, and I have become a big fan. JR is a British author who writes mystery stories about northern New England. There are all sorts of British expressions but this didn't bother me at all. This one takes place in Vermont near the border with Quebec. It's well plotted and the action moves quickly. I recommend this author for those who like mystery books.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't read the first book in the series, but had no problem following the story or characters in this one. It was a good mystery but frustrating at the end. The fact that he was having mental issues added to the atmosphere of the story. Although ghosts were mentioned in the title, there were no ghosts involved in the story, just his memories.

[Gerd Mueller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot is too unrealistic, I still like the book and the follow up books were better if I remember correctly but the motive here is just too convenient and unreal for my taste. Ok too read but not outstanding.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Writer's Cut the author gave the long winded explanation about should've been one without quite so many (or any at all)flashbacks. Otherwise, it was a rather good mystery,but not a ghost story as the title suggests.

[Thasc · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a bad story, it was well paced. The real culprit behind the murders was a total surprise I didn't see that one coming, I was disappointed though that they slipped through the net

[Tharina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a bit confused...got to page 156 and no ghosts...just lurking shadows which could also have been caused by our fumbling hero's insomnia or a bad drug trip...Disappointing ending...

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really well done but somewhat predictable mystery. Great, descriptive writing.

[Andrew Kirkhouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, the killing at the start of the book came as a bit of a surprise . The story line was well executed and they ending leaves things open for further meetings

[Ruth Boynton · Rating 4 out of 5]

while I enjoyed the book.....it needed a bit more action...title was a bit misleading. I was hoping for Gemma to "return" to help Alex find her killer.

[Therese · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had to persevere to the end.