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Ghost Dreams
Commercial burglar Stan Winkelman encounters the ghost of Jane Manchester, wrongly confined for life in a 1940s insane asylum by a powerful family. She wants to know what happened to Harmon, the baby boy that was stolen from her.
Aided by Jeannie, his ghost-obsessed autistic daughter, Stan and Jane begin a quest to find Harmon, or his descendants. But their search will run them afoul of Andrew Bigelow, reclusive heir to the fortune Jane was robbed of.
And Bigelow is in cahoots with a murderous crew who deal in guns and blood diamonds and will stop at nothing to keep their crimes hidden.
Stan uses his burglar skills to uncover the truth, but that will draw him and Jeannie into a deadly confrontation, with the vengeful spirit of Jane Manchester his only ally.
Aided by Jeannie, his ghost-obsessed autistic daughter, Stan and Jane begin a quest to find Harmon, or his descendants. But their search will run them afoul of Andrew Bigelow, reclusive heir to the fortune Jane was robbed of.
And Bigelow is in cahoots with a murderous crew who deal in guns and blood diamonds and will stop at nothing to keep their crimes hidden.
Stan uses his burglar skills to uncover the truth, but that will draw him and Jeannie into a deadly confrontation, with the vengeful spirit of Jane Manchester his only ally.
281 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 28, 2022
About the author
Matthew Hughes
185 books268 followersBorn in Liverpool, his family moved to Canada when he was five years old. Married since late 1960s, he has three grown sons. He is currently relocated to Britain. He is a former director of the Federation of British Columbia Writers.
A university drop-out from a working poor background, he worked in a factory that made school desks, drove a grocery delivery truck, was night janitor in a GM dealership, and did a short stint as an orderly in a private mental hospital. As a teenager, he served a year as a volunteer with the Company of Young Canadians.
He has made his living as a writer all of his adult life, first as a journalist in newspapers, then as a staff speechwriter to the Canadian Ministers of Justice and Environment, and, since 1979, as a freelance corporate and political speechwriter in British Columbia.
His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s, Asimov’s, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Postscripts, Interzone, and a number of "Year’s Best" anthologies. Night Shade Books published his short story collection, The Gist Hunter and Other Stories, in 2005.
He has won the Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. His novels and stories regularly make the Locus Magazine annual recommended reading list.
A university drop-out from a working poor background, he worked in a factory that made school desks, drove a grocery delivery truck, was night janitor in a GM dealership, and did a short stint as an orderly in a private mental hospital. As a teenager, he served a year as a volunteer with the Company of Young Canadians.
He has made his living as a writer all of his adult life, first as a journalist in newspapers, then as a staff speechwriter to the Canadian Ministers of Justice and Environment, and, since 1979, as a freelance corporate and political speechwriter in British Columbia.
His short fiction has appeared in Alfred Hitchcock’s, Asimov’s, The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction, Postscripts, Interzone, and a number of "Year’s Best" anthologies. Night Shade Books published his short story collection, The Gist Hunter and Other Stories, in 2005.
He has won the Arthur Ellis Award from the Crime Writers of Canada. His novels and stories regularly make the Locus Magazine annual recommended reading list.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 29, 2022
Ghost Dreams is a genre-bending thrill ride of a page-turner! Totally unexpected and the conclusion will leave you gobsmacked! Matthew Hughes pulled a fast one as he took what could’ve easily fit into the ‘horror’ genre and completely transformed it into a crime caper mystery whose moving parts will give you whiplash.
Using a traditional ghost story/haunting as the catalyst, Hughes lures the reader into solving the mystery of Jane Manchester. While her story is tragic, it isn’t novel as tales that mirror her experience have been explored in the media. That said, it doesn’t take away from the ‘horror’ of it nor the affinity I felt for her and her circumstance. Through Jane’s story, Hughes addressed themes that are just as relevant today as they were in Jane’s lifetime. Themes relating to classism, the usurpism of female rights, mental health, loss, and trauma were filtered throughout the plot shown through flagrant displays of prejudice, injustice, and the more insidious presentations of it within contemporary society.
Hughes exercised restraint and mastery as he eloquently weaved these themes into the plot’s fabric. His subtlety in their introduction and consistency in their maintenance didn’t fall heavily onto the plot but landed with a grace that enabled the themes to seep into the readers’ subconscious while the mechanics of the overarching mystery monopolized the reader’s mind.
From the very first page, I was taken with the ‘regular-ness’ of the protagonist, Stan. He felt familiar, much like a neighbour that you see often and like, but don’t know too much about. As the plot unfolded, Stan became the epitome of the anti-hero, and who doesn’t love an underdog? His protectiveness of Jeannie, his autistic daughter, and Jane made him even more endearing. Possessing a “Robin Hood-esque” quality, I rationalized his occupation and marveled at the options it afforded him. Options that many leading lives that stayed within the lines of society would not have had access to. It was not lost to me that Stan’s occupation was ultimately needed to fight the patriarchy that stole Jane’s life.
I appreciated that Hughes didn’t try to paint Stan as infallible but recognized that he was ultimately a criminal regardless of his honorable intentions and desire to obtain justice for Jane. The author did an excellent job showing Stan wasn’t selfless as righting the wrong dealt to Jane also became a matter of self-preservation. I liked that Stan was an older character with all that encompasses—his strengths and weaknesses.
Hughes’ showcased his aptitude for research as he engineered every facet of Stan’s capers—the technical support needed, and the tools and people that could facilitate or hinder Stan’s career. His understanding of autism was also well researched and helped to craft the fully developed and nuanced character of Jeannie as well as the relationship between her and Stan.
Hughes showed insight, compassion, and grace as he presented relatable and believable conversations, reactions and resolutions to Jeannie’s condition and Stan’s ability to navigate it as a single parent. Their relationship was one of the book’s highlights. Hughes’ understanding of the intricacies of the crime world that Stan lived in also reflected the elevated level of research that went into creating this world. Meticulous, refined, intricate, believable, and plausible, you will enjoy the attention to detail.
The relationship between Jane and Stan was also quite intriguing. Hughes’ take on ghosts is refreshing, and his thesis regarding Jane’s development as her relationship with Stan grew is equally disturbing and believable. Their relationship opens a discourse on supernatural entities and their connection to the natural world. It also hints at a link between possessions, hauntings, dreams, and mental health. The injection of romance followed a natural progression and was unsurprising. It was commendable that Hughes’ wrote the romance to develop organically, and it wasn’t fetishized as it could have been.
Ghost Dreams had more than a few characters and moving parts which grew overwhelming as some of the characters rarely appeared and there were a lot of names to keep straight. That said, it was a plausible facsimile of the world Stan resided in. The supporting characters of Lele and Cheeks were charming and well written.
The conclusion’s ambiguity is another testament to Hughes’ ability to weave a supernatural tale with contemporary sensibilities. This plot required a lot of finesse and well-timed reveals, and Hughes proved a master at juggling and providing a well-paced narrative. This book seamlessly blends the supernatural with the crime world and proves to be a thriller with a heart much like its protagonist.
Ghost Dreams is nuanced, complex, relatable, contemporary, unexpected, and fun. Exactly what you want in a thriller!
Pros:
Unexpected and well-researched genre twist
Relevant themes written with grace. Not at all heavy handed or evangelical
Nuanced and well-written characters
Relationship between Stan and Jeannie, Stan and Jane
Refreshing and FUN!
Cons:
Lots of characters and places can make it challenging to keep it all straight
Not a completely original plot but well executed
Favourite Characters:
· Jeannie – quirky, relatable, nuanced
· Stan – epitome of anti-hero
· Jane – tragic and well written
Cover Score: 9.0/10
Book Score: 9.0/10
Using a traditional ghost story/haunting as the catalyst, Hughes lures the reader into solving the mystery of Jane Manchester. While her story is tragic, it isn’t novel as tales that mirror her experience have been explored in the media. That said, it doesn’t take away from the ‘horror’ of it nor the affinity I felt for her and her circumstance. Through Jane’s story, Hughes addressed themes that are just as relevant today as they were in Jane’s lifetime. Themes relating to classism, the usurpism of female rights, mental health, loss, and trauma were filtered throughout the plot shown through flagrant displays of prejudice, injustice, and the more insidious presentations of it within contemporary society.
Hughes exercised restraint and mastery as he eloquently weaved these themes into the plot’s fabric. His subtlety in their introduction and consistency in their maintenance didn’t fall heavily onto the plot but landed with a grace that enabled the themes to seep into the readers’ subconscious while the mechanics of the overarching mystery monopolized the reader’s mind.
From the very first page, I was taken with the ‘regular-ness’ of the protagonist, Stan. He felt familiar, much like a neighbour that you see often and like, but don’t know too much about. As the plot unfolded, Stan became the epitome of the anti-hero, and who doesn’t love an underdog? His protectiveness of Jeannie, his autistic daughter, and Jane made him even more endearing. Possessing a “Robin Hood-esque” quality, I rationalized his occupation and marveled at the options it afforded him. Options that many leading lives that stayed within the lines of society would not have had access to. It was not lost to me that Stan’s occupation was ultimately needed to fight the patriarchy that stole Jane’s life.
I appreciated that Hughes didn’t try to paint Stan as infallible but recognized that he was ultimately a criminal regardless of his honorable intentions and desire to obtain justice for Jane. The author did an excellent job showing Stan wasn’t selfless as righting the wrong dealt to Jane also became a matter of self-preservation. I liked that Stan was an older character with all that encompasses—his strengths and weaknesses.
Hughes’ showcased his aptitude for research as he engineered every facet of Stan’s capers—the technical support needed, and the tools and people that could facilitate or hinder Stan’s career. His understanding of autism was also well researched and helped to craft the fully developed and nuanced character of Jeannie as well as the relationship between her and Stan.
Hughes showed insight, compassion, and grace as he presented relatable and believable conversations, reactions and resolutions to Jeannie’s condition and Stan’s ability to navigate it as a single parent. Their relationship was one of the book’s highlights. Hughes’ understanding of the intricacies of the crime world that Stan lived in also reflected the elevated level of research that went into creating this world. Meticulous, refined, intricate, believable, and plausible, you will enjoy the attention to detail.
The relationship between Jane and Stan was also quite intriguing. Hughes’ take on ghosts is refreshing, and his thesis regarding Jane’s development as her relationship with Stan grew is equally disturbing and believable. Their relationship opens a discourse on supernatural entities and their connection to the natural world. It also hints at a link between possessions, hauntings, dreams, and mental health. The injection of romance followed a natural progression and was unsurprising. It was commendable that Hughes’ wrote the romance to develop organically, and it wasn’t fetishized as it could have been.
Ghost Dreams had more than a few characters and moving parts which grew overwhelming as some of the characters rarely appeared and there were a lot of names to keep straight. That said, it was a plausible facsimile of the world Stan resided in. The supporting characters of Lele and Cheeks were charming and well written.
The conclusion’s ambiguity is another testament to Hughes’ ability to weave a supernatural tale with contemporary sensibilities. This plot required a lot of finesse and well-timed reveals, and Hughes proved a master at juggling and providing a well-paced narrative. This book seamlessly blends the supernatural with the crime world and proves to be a thriller with a heart much like its protagonist.
Ghost Dreams is nuanced, complex, relatable, contemporary, unexpected, and fun. Exactly what you want in a thriller!
Pros:
Unexpected and well-researched genre twist
Relevant themes written with grace. Not at all heavy handed or evangelical
Nuanced and well-written characters
Relationship between Stan and Jeannie, Stan and Jane
Refreshing and FUN!
Cons:
Lots of characters and places can make it challenging to keep it all straight
Not a completely original plot but well executed
Favourite Characters:
· Jeannie – quirky, relatable, nuanced
· Stan – epitome of anti-hero
· Jane – tragic and well written
Cover Score: 9.0/10
Book Score: 9.0/10
January 23, 2023
I like reading the stories Matthew Hughes writes. His characters are usually engaging. His plots are revealed in a way that makes sense to me. His writing is usually pretty family friendly. Most of all, it is that his characters are consistently those more suited to roles of "supporting actors" in someone else's larger story. I'd wager that his favorite character from the Lord of the Rings series is not Frodo, but one of the supporting cast. (Obviously, Sam.)
So, it was with high expectations that I went into this book that has been teased in Hughes’ newsletters for a few months. Those expectations were elevated with the plot synopsis of a burglar and a ghost teaming up to take down a big bad guy type. I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Lawrence Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr series, so I like stories that feature a burglar as protagonist, and who doesn’t like a good ghost story?
The part of the plot synopsis that flew past my brain without registering was the autistic daughter of Stan, the burglar in this story. My wife and I have an adult son who is well into the “special needs” spectrum. Since that is our reality, this particular plot point did not register as unusual. But, it is unusual. Once more, Hughes shows his preference for outlier type characters, those outside the parameters of “normalcy” whatever that may be.
These three, Stan, Jeannie, and Jane the ghost make for a good David unintentionally coming to the notice of a particularly nasty Goliath. As is the wont of giants, this particular Goliath tries to squash the trio like bugs. Some bugs are not easily squashed. Let me add that I also like David versus Goliath stories, and you can probably see where this review is going.
So, we have a burglar who cannot go to the police, his daughter who has her own struggles and a deep need for routine, and a ghost who has her own driving need to find out what became of her baby boy. Then on the other side is a relentless individual determined to stop the little trio from achieving their goal of discovering the fate of that same boy. Throw them all into a pot, add a sprinkling of good food, humor, and Hughes’ attention to character, and you have a story that really satisfied this reader.
I greatly enjoyed the relationships between Stan and his daughter, and Stan and Jane. I was having so much fun watching those relationships that the events in which they were caught up became almost secondary. In other words, Mr. Hughes, I’d love another adventure featuring them.
Highly recommended.
So, it was with high expectations that I went into this book that has been teased in Hughes’ newsletters for a few months. Those expectations were elevated with the plot synopsis of a burglar and a ghost teaming up to take down a big bad guy type. I’ve read and enjoyed a few of Lawrence Block’s Bernie Rhodenbarr series, so I like stories that feature a burglar as protagonist, and who doesn’t like a good ghost story?
The part of the plot synopsis that flew past my brain without registering was the autistic daughter of Stan, the burglar in this story. My wife and I have an adult son who is well into the “special needs” spectrum. Since that is our reality, this particular plot point did not register as unusual. But, it is unusual. Once more, Hughes shows his preference for outlier type characters, those outside the parameters of “normalcy” whatever that may be.
These three, Stan, Jeannie, and Jane the ghost make for a good David unintentionally coming to the notice of a particularly nasty Goliath. As is the wont of giants, this particular Goliath tries to squash the trio like bugs. Some bugs are not easily squashed. Let me add that I also like David versus Goliath stories, and you can probably see where this review is going.
So, we have a burglar who cannot go to the police, his daughter who has her own struggles and a deep need for routine, and a ghost who has her own driving need to find out what became of her baby boy. Then on the other side is a relentless individual determined to stop the little trio from achieving their goal of discovering the fate of that same boy. Throw them all into a pot, add a sprinkling of good food, humor, and Hughes’ attention to character, and you have a story that really satisfied this reader.
I greatly enjoyed the relationships between Stan and his daughter, and Stan and Jane. I was having so much fun watching those relationships that the events in which they were caught up became almost secondary. In other words, Mr. Hughes, I’d love another adventure featuring them.
Highly recommended.
January 31, 2023
Delightfully well-crafted and enchantingly imaginative . . . It has some of the same ineluctable atmosphere that made Matthew Hughes’s paranormal books such a popular success.
Horror is a peculiar genre. If it’s meant purely to scare, what is scary? What might shock one reader is laughable to another. Ghosts, serial killers, great heaving monsters, the loss of self-control. Ghost Dreams by Matthew Hughes is an amazing piece of bone chilling novel in which characters are running for their lives. As much as horror is a genre it’s also a technique; a way to confront or explore something real by taking the audience to extremes. As a kid I was terrified of horror films – until I actually watched one and then I couldn’t get enough. But what really stood out about the films and books I loved the most was that more often than not the horrific aspect was only one part of what made the story special. The best horror has something more on its mind than just scares, and indeed finds a way to use the scares to explore whatever that something is, and Ghost Dreams by Matthew Hughes is one those amazing books. Ghost Dreams totally got into my head to the degree that it found it's way into my dreams. I was so involved with the story and characters that they made my head their home. The characters are so superbly written.
If I have not made it clear that I recommend this book then I suppose that I have no gift for recommendation. Do read it if you have any taste for this sort of thing, and especially if your recollection is still taken up with the films.
A must read for sure!
Horror is a peculiar genre. If it’s meant purely to scare, what is scary? What might shock one reader is laughable to another. Ghosts, serial killers, great heaving monsters, the loss of self-control. Ghost Dreams by Matthew Hughes is an amazing piece of bone chilling novel in which characters are running for their lives. As much as horror is a genre it’s also a technique; a way to confront or explore something real by taking the audience to extremes. As a kid I was terrified of horror films – until I actually watched one and then I couldn’t get enough. But what really stood out about the films and books I loved the most was that more often than not the horrific aspect was only one part of what made the story special. The best horror has something more on its mind than just scares, and indeed finds a way to use the scares to explore whatever that something is, and Ghost Dreams by Matthew Hughes is one those amazing books. Ghost Dreams totally got into my head to the degree that it found it's way into my dreams. I was so involved with the story and characters that they made my head their home. The characters are so superbly written.
If I have not made it clear that I recommend this book then I suppose that I have no gift for recommendation. Do read it if you have any taste for this sort of thing, and especially if your recollection is still taken up with the films.
A must read for sure!
December 29, 2022
The Review
This was a brilliant and powerful story. The blend of crime thriller, mystery, and horror that this story infuses into itself was captivating to read. The heavy atmosphere and compelling chemistry between the cast of characters made this feel like the perfect modern-day gothic ghost story, with a tone that felt like it could have easily fit into a more Victorian-era period if not for the modern-day Washington setting.
The heart of this narrative had to be in the mystery components of the story and the character development, especially for the protagonist. The complexity of the protagonist’s background and journey, from a thief and morally questionable history to his somewhat heroic turn to find justice and answers for the spirit of this young woman and how they bond together in the face of this tragic backstory, made this a thrilling read. The shocking series of events that unearth the truth behind not only Jane’s history but the truth behind Bigelow’s life, in general, will keep readers hanging off of the author’s every word.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, chilling, and entertaining, author Matthew Hughes’s “Ghost Dreams” is a must-read crime thriller and horror mystery read. The twists and turns in the narrative help elevate the character growth of the protagonist and the cast of characters greatly, and readers will be invested heavily as the story and mystery unravel over time.
This was a brilliant and powerful story. The blend of crime thriller, mystery, and horror that this story infuses into itself was captivating to read. The heavy atmosphere and compelling chemistry between the cast of characters made this feel like the perfect modern-day gothic ghost story, with a tone that felt like it could have easily fit into a more Victorian-era period if not for the modern-day Washington setting.
The heart of this narrative had to be in the mystery components of the story and the character development, especially for the protagonist. The complexity of the protagonist’s background and journey, from a thief and morally questionable history to his somewhat heroic turn to find justice and answers for the spirit of this young woman and how they bond together in the face of this tragic backstory, made this a thrilling read. The shocking series of events that unearth the truth behind not only Jane’s history but the truth behind Bigelow’s life, in general, will keep readers hanging off of the author’s every word.
The Verdict
Thought-provoking, chilling, and entertaining, author Matthew Hughes’s “Ghost Dreams” is a must-read crime thriller and horror mystery read. The twists and turns in the narrative help elevate the character growth of the protagonist and the cast of characters greatly, and readers will be invested heavily as the story and mystery unravel over time.
January 30, 2023
Ghost Dreams by Mathew Hughes
I have over a dozen books sitting on my TBR (To Be Reviewed) shelf, but when Ghost Dreams showed up, I dropped everything. Hughes is my favourite living author and a national treasure. He is best known for his twenty or so SF&F novels but has also won awards for his mysteries, and his What the Wind Brings (previously reviewed in the ORB, March 2021) is a masterpiece of historical fiction. With Ghost Dreams, Hughes crosses mystery with the supernatural to produce a thriller of gangsters, mercenaries, burglars and ghosts.
The premise is simple: A professional burglar learns of a long-abandoned mansion filled with now potentially valuable antiques and paintings. Unfortunately, the house was abandoned because haunted, and the vengeful ghost attaches itself to our hero. Caught up in trying to solve the ghost's 50-year-old mystery drags our mild-mannered burglar and his autistic daughter into a series of dangerously escalating encounters with stone-cold killers.
The mystery twists and turns and kept me guessing until the end. I can usually spot where an author has tucked in some inconspicuous detail that will later turn out to be the crucial clue, but Hughes is more clever than most. The burglar's underworld contacts and insider knowledge and the daughter's computer skills create a uniquely qualified detective team to go after the ghost's cold case.
Hughes himself grew up in a family of petty criminals (his Patreon account includes captivating excerpts detailing his childhood from his upcoming autobiography) so his depiction of the criminal underworld is both detailed and compelling. Particularly fascinating is the distinction between the commercial thieves and fences (who view themselves as merely individuals contributing to the insurance industry) and the much darker world of mobsters and the criminally wealthy.
I do not know if Hughes has similarly in-depth familiarity with autism, but I greatly appreciate his realistic, non-stereotypical depiction of the daughter's autism, her preference for computers over people, and the evolution of the father/daughter relationship. I also quite like how Hughes goes about developing both the ghost and its relationship with our heroes.
The result is a fast-moving thriller of a father and daughter looking forward to his quiet retirement but instead getting caught up in events beyond their control. They can only react moment to moment, as ghosts and gangsters turn their lives upside down. A great, fast read.
Oh, and don't let the Hughes name under 'publisher' on Amazon.ca discourage you: This is a first-rate book from a top traditional publisher. Ghost Dreams is published in the UK by the prestigious press, PS Publishing. PS is currently in a dispute with Amazon, but graciously allowed Hughes to self-publish the e-book in North America to match their UK release date, the PS hard and soft cover editions to come out later. If you have issues with Amazon, the ebook is also on Kobo and other usual ebook outlets.
[Reprinted from Ottawa Review of Books, January 2023]
I have over a dozen books sitting on my TBR (To Be Reviewed) shelf, but when Ghost Dreams showed up, I dropped everything. Hughes is my favourite living author and a national treasure. He is best known for his twenty or so SF&F novels but has also won awards for his mysteries, and his What the Wind Brings (previously reviewed in the ORB, March 2021) is a masterpiece of historical fiction. With Ghost Dreams, Hughes crosses mystery with the supernatural to produce a thriller of gangsters, mercenaries, burglars and ghosts.
The premise is simple: A professional burglar learns of a long-abandoned mansion filled with now potentially valuable antiques and paintings. Unfortunately, the house was abandoned because haunted, and the vengeful ghost attaches itself to our hero. Caught up in trying to solve the ghost's 50-year-old mystery drags our mild-mannered burglar and his autistic daughter into a series of dangerously escalating encounters with stone-cold killers.
The mystery twists and turns and kept me guessing until the end. I can usually spot where an author has tucked in some inconspicuous detail that will later turn out to be the crucial clue, but Hughes is more clever than most. The burglar's underworld contacts and insider knowledge and the daughter's computer skills create a uniquely qualified detective team to go after the ghost's cold case.
Hughes himself grew up in a family of petty criminals (his Patreon account includes captivating excerpts detailing his childhood from his upcoming autobiography) so his depiction of the criminal underworld is both detailed and compelling. Particularly fascinating is the distinction between the commercial thieves and fences (who view themselves as merely individuals contributing to the insurance industry) and the much darker world of mobsters and the criminally wealthy.
I do not know if Hughes has similarly in-depth familiarity with autism, but I greatly appreciate his realistic, non-stereotypical depiction of the daughter's autism, her preference for computers over people, and the evolution of the father/daughter relationship. I also quite like how Hughes goes about developing both the ghost and its relationship with our heroes.
The result is a fast-moving thriller of a father and daughter looking forward to his quiet retirement but instead getting caught up in events beyond their control. They can only react moment to moment, as ghosts and gangsters turn their lives upside down. A great, fast read.
Oh, and don't let the Hughes name under 'publisher' on Amazon.ca discourage you: This is a first-rate book from a top traditional publisher. Ghost Dreams is published in the UK by the prestigious press, PS Publishing. PS is currently in a dispute with Amazon, but graciously allowed Hughes to self-publish the e-book in North America to match their UK release date, the PS hard and soft cover editions to come out later. If you have issues with Amazon, the ebook is also on Kobo and other usual ebook outlets.
[Reprinted from Ottawa Review of Books, January 2023]
March 26, 2023
This was a very interesting and enjoyable book, with several unexpected twists. The narrator, Stan Winkleman, is a professional burglar. He thinks he's hit the jackpot when he discovers an upscale house with high-end art that's been abandoned for decades. Alas, he also discovers a ghost - one who basically possesses him and demands that he help her.
The story unfolds from there as Stan and his daughter Jeannie, who is autistic but high-functioning, solve two mysteries. The first is what the ghost wants, namely the fate of her son, taken from her as an infant. The second is why somebody is very determined to keep this 50+ year old event a secret. As I said, there's a lot of twists which makes this book difficult to summarize, but it's well-written and very entertaining. Highly recommended.
The story unfolds from there as Stan and his daughter Jeannie, who is autistic but high-functioning, solve two mysteries. The first is what the ghost wants, namely the fate of her son, taken from her as an infant. The second is why somebody is very determined to keep this 50+ year old event a secret. As I said, there's a lot of twists which makes this book difficult to summarize, but it's well-written and very entertaining. Highly recommended.
March 31, 2023
Ghost Dreams by Matthew Hughes is a paranormal mystery thriller. The writing by Matthew Huges is well-written. It is an engaging tale. The main character is both a father and a major thief. He learns of a particular house that has caught his interest in robbing. His daughter is the one to blame for getting him interested. A haunted place by a well-known ghost makes for an exciting read. He is soon lured into more than just robbing a place. A complicated yet complex plot with many twists and turns. This read gets darker as I dug deeper. Matthew Hughes creates a suspenseful thriller. I highly recommend this to all who love crime fiction and thrillers.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews