From the Bookshelf of Mostly Sapphic…

A Question of Ghosts

Cate Culpepper

Start date: August 1, 2012

Finish date: August 31, 2012

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What Members Thought

Dec 10, 2012 Pin rated it it was amazing

Shelves: theme_asd, character_neurodivergent, 5-stars, favorites-of-all-time, theme_rich-girl-poor-girl, genre_paranormal-supernatural, character_quirky-geeky-odd, theme_ghosts

Wow! Great fun to read this one! This is my first Culpepper, but it certainly will not be the last. A perfect blend of mystery, paranormal and romance with a nice dose of humor. An excellent book that goes on my re-read list.

25 likes · Like · see review

Dec 04, 2017 Jess rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, crime-and-mystery, kindle, romance, lesbian, mental-illness, grief, washington, paranormal, bold-strokes-books

Once I read the synopsis for this book, I knew it had to be bumped up on my to-read list. I love books that deal with "real world" paranormal subjects like ghost hunting and EVP, and I love when the true believer and the skeptic have to work together to solve a mystery. In this book, we get two believers who approach a case from two angle--Jo is a professional who seeks proof, and Becca is a woman trying to solve the mysteries of her parents' deaths when she was only five.

The mystery plot was aw Once I read the synopsis for this book, I knew it had to be bumped up on my to-read list. I love books that deal with "real world" paranormal subjects like ghost hunting and EVP, and I love when the true believer and the skeptic have to work together to solve a mystery. In this book, we get two believers who approach a case from two angle--Jo is a professional who seeks proof, and Becca is a woman trying to solve the mysteries of her parents' deaths when she was only five.

The mystery plot was awesome in this. It kept me guessing constantly, kept me questioning each characters' intentions as Becca and Jo brought up all the old skeletons in everyone's closets. Even the parts of the book that leaned towards contemporary romance were great--Becca's "clan" of close friends felt like coming home, and all the amazing Xena references sent my little gay heart soaring. It made me incredibly invested in Becca's well-being, her relationship with Jo, and the root of all of her childhood horrors.

I like that the characters feel very real in this. They're flawed and broken and beautiful together. Becca's phobia, PTSD, and status as a recovering addict don't make her any less of an adorable dork who "eats roughly four pounds of chocolate per day" (Jo's words, not mine). She has a wicked sense of laid-back humor and is great in crisis, making her the kind of gal I'd want in my corner. Jo, on the other hand, was a little less fully-fleshed than Becca, but still very enjoyable. I thought she was autistic from the first time we met her, but the story never reveals any kind of diagnosis, just that she has difficulty with social cues and situations. She's smart and capable and completely in over her head as she falls for Becca, and I love that she's a sexy butch who doesn't fall into many of the butch stereotypes still prevalent in lesfic (I love a leather jacket and motorcycle as much as the next girl, but sometimes a dorky scholar butch is just my cup of tea). Even the minor characters, like Rachel Perry or Luther Emerson, are shown to be three-dimensional people even as they battle illnesses that come with old age. It's a small detail, but it's one that I enjoyed.

I use the "paranormal" tag very loosely for this, since this book is only paranormal in that (view spoiler). I think some readers won't like that aspect (either because they're skeptics or they want more of it, but it really worked for me in a subdued horror-story kind of way.

This was a relatively short book with a succinct plot, great characters, and a good mystery. The romance won't work for everyone (and it is kept very PG), and some might be put off by the paranormal-lite aspects, but I thought it was a great read. ...more

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Aug 25, 2012 MEC rated it liked it

Shelves: spec-fic-sf-fantasy-horror, sf, 2012-read-and-re-read

The first time I read this one, I didn’t like it. But since I re-read River Walker and enjoyed it so much, I gave this one another try. I enjoyed A Question of Ghosts much more than the first go around – I still could have done without all the Xena references; but, that’s really just a personal preference. Overall, this was a humourous paranormal romance with two extremely engaging characters and decent bit of mystery to keep things interesting.

Becca Healey should be a basket case – her parents The first time I read this one, I didn’t like it. But since I re-read River Walker and enjoyed it so much, I gave this one another try. I enjoyed A Question of Ghosts much more than the first go around – I still could have done without all the Xena references; but, that’s really just a personal preference. Overall, this was a humourous paranormal romance with two extremely engaging characters and decent bit of mystery to keep things interesting.

Becca Healey should be a basket case – her parents died in an apparent murder-suicide on her fifth birthday, she has developed a debilitating phobia around dolls or anything that portrays a human representation, she has a ridiculously addictive personality (luckily she’s managed to restrict it to chocolate) and she hears the voice of her dead mother over radio static. Instead she’s empathetic, funny, optimistic and has solid circle of friends who love her dearly – okay, so she has a few panic attacks, but she’s so damned engaging you can’t help but fall for her.

Poor Dr Joanne Call, an expert in Electronic Voice Phenomenon that Becca reaches out to, doesn’t stand a chance. Jo is an odd kind of character – unable to process or understand social queues – she doesn’t quite know what to make of Becca and is dragged from her reclusive and quiet life of scientific study. At first she’s fascinated by the EVP phenomena and the messages from Becca’s mother, but she quickly finds herself swept up by Becca and her feelings for her. The two seem to have an ability to figure one another out, quirks and all and they are a perfect fit. So the romance works – it’s fun, sweet and the two main characters are endearing.

The ghost element is rather original – Becca’s mother’s voice emanates from a radio (EVP), giving hints and warnings that prompt Becca and Jo to question whether her death was an actual suicide or murder – and the resulting investigation moves along at a good clip as they sort through suspects, motives and opportunities.

2012 Review

An interesting premise in too short of a book - which left too many gaps and unanswered questions for me. I'm still a fan of Culpepper - if you haven't already, read Riverwalker. And if you're a X/G uber fan - the Tristaine series is a recommended read. Two and a half stars. ...more

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Jul 10, 2012 Chris Paynter rated it it was amazing

I really admire Culpepper's writing, especially her storytelling abilities to hook you and take you through the duration of the novel. I've read two of her other novels, the latest being her Lambda-winning "River Walker." "A Question of Ghosts" is along the same lines as "River Walker." Her character development is amazing. She's not afraid to give her characters flaws, which to me makes you even more invested in their lives. I highly recommend this book and can't wait for her next release! ...more

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Jun 08, 2012 Cab rated it really liked it

Shelves: lgbt, romance, mystery, e-books

I’ve read some mixed reviews on this book but I thoroughly enjoyed it. I have no idea if the author intended the first few chapters to be as funny in spots as they were but there were definitely a few places where I was laughing so hard I had tears in my eyes. My absolute favorite scene was the Ghost yelling “Becca Run!!” and the description of the events afterward. I’m still giggling at the visual that was created for me.

I liked the interaction between Becca and Jo and the development of both c ...more

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Nov 05, 2011 Gill rated it it was amazing

Loved this. Intrigue and humour, great combo and so finely balanced. Jo is a wonderful quirky, flawed character, one of my all time favourite fictional lesbian. And Becca is just delicious. This book is on my re-read list and has become a treat to dip into.

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