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The Ghosts of Thorwald Place
Trust No One. Especially Your Neighbors.
Rachel Drake is on the run from the man who killed her husband. She never leaves her safe haven in an anonymous doorman building, until one night a phone call sends her running. On her way to the garage, she is murdered in the elevator. But her story doesn’t end there.
She finds herself in the afterlife, tethered to her death spot, her reach tied to the adjacent apartments. As she rides the elevator up and down, the lives of the residents intertwine. Every one of them has a dark secret. An aging trophy wife whose husband strays. A surgeon guarding a locked room. A TV medium who may be a fraud. An ordinary man with a mysterious hobby.
Compelled to spend eternity observing her neighbors, she realizes that any one of them could be her killer.
Rachel Drake is on the run from the man who killed her husband. She never leaves her safe haven in an anonymous doorman building, until one night a phone call sends her running. On her way to the garage, she is murdered in the elevator. But her story doesn’t end there.
She finds herself in the afterlife, tethered to her death spot, her reach tied to the adjacent apartments. As she rides the elevator up and down, the lives of the residents intertwine. Every one of them has a dark secret. An aging trophy wife whose husband strays. A surgeon guarding a locked room. A TV medium who may be a fraud. An ordinary man with a mysterious hobby.
Compelled to spend eternity observing her neighbors, she realizes that any one of them could be her killer.
416 pages, Paperback
First published October 5, 2021
35 people are currently reading
9428 people want to read
About the author
Helen Power
10Ìýbooks620ÌýfollowersI'm an author, librarian, and book reviewer living in Saskatoon, Canada. My debut novel "The Ghosts of Thorwald Place" was published October 2021 by CamCat Books, and "Phantom" was released in October 2023.
I publish book reviews here, on Instagram, Amazon.ca, and on my . If you want to submit a request for a book review, please read my book review policy and reach out to me through that website.
I publish book reviews here, on Instagram, Amazon.ca, and on my . If you want to submit a request for a book review, please read my book review policy and reach out to me through that website.
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February 3, 2023
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place
by Helen Power, narrated by Rachel Fulginiti
Rachel Drake has been hiding since her husband was murdered. Her nice multistory apartment building has elevators, a gym, basement storage, and a concierge. But what it can't do for Rachel is keep at bay her fear that her husband's murderer can find her. She's changed her name, cut off contact with everyone she knew, and never leaves the apartment building. She does hotline volunteer work from her apartment and has made only one friend and she keeps even him at a distance.
And then she is murdered in one of the apartment elevators and her life becomes a different sort of nightmare. That elevator is now the center of her life...I mean, death. Tethered to that elevator, she goes where it goes, her leash only so long. But the things she learns! The secrets her neighbors were hiding! She isn't the only one living a life of agony and grief. She isn't the only one who felt threatened, was threatened. And Rachel is sure that one of her neighbors is her killer. But what to do? How to communicate with the living and how to avoid the dead and the dark, shadowy thing that looms over everyone?
You would think that living in a fancy, expensive apartment with all kinds of amenities would be a nice, safe, existence. But this story shows that danger lurks around every corner and in the homes of most of the people that Rachel now watches. There are so many potential murderers here, the put together wife isn't so put together, the ordinary man is anything but ordinary, even Rachel's own neighbor doctor is hiding something. But every time Rachel gets close to learning something new that elevator yanks her to another floor.
That narrator does a good job of voicing the many characters that populate this story. Rachel appears to be in a hopeless situation, with no way of moving on or communicating with those who need to be warned of their own dangers. It was interesting trying to ferret out the potential killers and finding out that this apartment was never a safe place for anyone.
First published October 5, 2021
Thank you to CamCat Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
by Helen Power, narrated by Rachel Fulginiti
Rachel Drake has been hiding since her husband was murdered. Her nice multistory apartment building has elevators, a gym, basement storage, and a concierge. But what it can't do for Rachel is keep at bay her fear that her husband's murderer can find her. She's changed her name, cut off contact with everyone she knew, and never leaves the apartment building. She does hotline volunteer work from her apartment and has made only one friend and she keeps even him at a distance.
And then she is murdered in one of the apartment elevators and her life becomes a different sort of nightmare. That elevator is now the center of her life...I mean, death. Tethered to that elevator, she goes where it goes, her leash only so long. But the things she learns! The secrets her neighbors were hiding! She isn't the only one living a life of agony and grief. She isn't the only one who felt threatened, was threatened. And Rachel is sure that one of her neighbors is her killer. But what to do? How to communicate with the living and how to avoid the dead and the dark, shadowy thing that looms over everyone?
You would think that living in a fancy, expensive apartment with all kinds of amenities would be a nice, safe, existence. But this story shows that danger lurks around every corner and in the homes of most of the people that Rachel now watches. There are so many potential murderers here, the put together wife isn't so put together, the ordinary man is anything but ordinary, even Rachel's own neighbor doctor is hiding something. But every time Rachel gets close to learning something new that elevator yanks her to another floor.
That narrator does a good job of voicing the many characters that populate this story. Rachel appears to be in a hopeless situation, with no way of moving on or communicating with those who need to be warned of their own dangers. It was interesting trying to ferret out the potential killers and finding out that this apartment was never a safe place for anyone.
First published October 5, 2021
Thank you to CamCat Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
November 17, 2022
Why I chose to listen to this audiobook:
1. even though author is also a GR friend, she has not asked me to read, rate and/or review this debut novel. Instead, it was after reading another GR friend's intriguing review (Thanks, Bob!) that I just had to add it to my WTR list;
2. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could borrow this audiobook through Hoopla; and,
3. July 2022 is "Canadian Authors Month" for me!
Praises:
1. Wow! What a captivating story with a unique concept! Right from the get-go, I was invested as MC Rachel, living as a recluse in fear for her life, is brutally murdered in an elevator within her apartment building called Thorwald Place. Immediately, she finds herself as a ghost trapped in a bubble that gives her limited access to various floors and apartments, only to get "pulled away" whenever "her" elevator is in motion. And then the "fun" begins!;
2. I loved the variety of tenants and visitors as Rachel observes their conversations, actions, and behaviors. I had fun trying to figure out how each character's nuances fit into the story, as well as their relation to Rachel and to each other;
3. several chapters give a glimpse into Rachel's past through her diary entries, giving more mysterious clues into her demise;
4. besides feeling goosebumps while listening to this story, there was some tongue-in-cheek humor (e.g. the comment about the Toronto Maple Leafs made me chuckle) as well as the occasional tear in my eye; and,
5. narrator Rachel Fulginiti does a phenomenal job! Her realistic voices kept me riveted!
Overall Thoughts:
Everything about this audiobook worked for me - no niggles at all!
Recommendation?
If you enjoy a suspense/thriller involving the paranormal with a pinch of horror, then you should definitely check out this book!
1. even though author is also a GR friend, she has not asked me to read, rate and/or review this debut novel. Instead, it was after reading another GR friend's intriguing review (Thanks, Bob!) that I just had to add it to my WTR list;
2. I was pleasantly surprised to find that I could borrow this audiobook through Hoopla; and,
3. July 2022 is "Canadian Authors Month" for me!
Praises:
1. Wow! What a captivating story with a unique concept! Right from the get-go, I was invested as MC Rachel, living as a recluse in fear for her life, is brutally murdered in an elevator within her apartment building called Thorwald Place. Immediately, she finds herself as a ghost trapped in a bubble that gives her limited access to various floors and apartments, only to get "pulled away" whenever "her" elevator is in motion. And then the "fun" begins!;
2. I loved the variety of tenants and visitors as Rachel observes their conversations, actions, and behaviors. I had fun trying to figure out how each character's nuances fit into the story, as well as their relation to Rachel and to each other;
3. several chapters give a glimpse into Rachel's past through her diary entries, giving more mysterious clues into her demise;
4. besides feeling goosebumps while listening to this story, there was some tongue-in-cheek humor (e.g. the comment about the Toronto Maple Leafs made me chuckle) as well as the occasional tear in my eye; and,
5. narrator Rachel Fulginiti does a phenomenal job! Her realistic voices kept me riveted!
Overall Thoughts:
Everything about this audiobook worked for me - no niggles at all!
Recommendation?
If you enjoy a suspense/thriller involving the paranormal with a pinch of horror, then you should definitely check out this book!
March 30, 2023
In a Nutshell: I didn’t expect scary paranormal elements to be a part of this ‘mystery-thriller�. But despite some scenes that were a tad too spooky for this scaredy-cat, I enjoyed the book. Entertaining, though somewhat slow. Better enjoyed without overanalysing.
Story Synopsis:
Where the book worked for me:
👻 Rachel was a distress helpline volunteer when alive, and this aspect is woven well into her afterlife arc. She isn’t necessarily a likeable character, but she’s good at heart, though a bit slow to get a grasp of things. I liked this imperfect depiction of a lead. She is as human as can be with her judgemental nature coupled with genuine concern for others, all of which is quite ironic as she isn’t a human for most of the story.
👻 There are many characters in the story, whom we see though Rachel’s eyes while her ghost wanders into various apartments. Almost all these secondary characters are complex and even creepy. It just goes to show that humans are scarier than ghosts!
(Of course, you can take this point and turn it on its head as well, saying, “There were too many creepy characters within a single building!� But it added to the fun, especially as each character was distinct.)
👻 Though somewhat morbid, the writing incorporates plenty of humour through Rachel’s comments about the residents.
👻 An amazing ending that kept throwing surprise after surprise my way. Who doesn’t love surprises! The final scene was just beautiful.
👻 I didn’t guess the killer and I enjoyed all the red herrings thrown in my direction.
👻 I loved the diary excerpts as they revealed a lot about Rachel’s personality.
👻 I am a big scaredy cat when it comes to paranormal novels. I like all fictional ghosts to have a rational reason for existence (Don’t laugh!) and a happy ‘ending�. This book satisfied me on that count.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
� The level of spookiness was slightly above my comfort level. Of course, this point isn’t a shortcoming of the book per se, but of my limitations as a reader.
� I didn’t buy the little girl’s back story. It wasn’t convincing.
� There’s a little bit of repetition in Rachel’s first person thoughts. This stands out more in the audio version.
� Things become farfetched in the final quarter. The need to provide a satisfactory ending to all characters made the story cross logical limits and rush to tie all ends neatly. (Reminding you again, I still enjoyed the actual finale. So not all was lost!)
� One thing I simply didn’t figure out was how agoraphobic Rachel was not at all hesitant about leaving her flat after the phone call. Not once does she deliberate over stepping out! So the agoraphobia felt more like a decorative label than an actual phobia.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 11hrs 18 min, is narrated by Rachel Fulginiti. I enjoyed her performance. She doesn’t try too hard to give individual voices to the myriad characters, making them sound natural. Her narration was very easy on the ears, and gave the audiobook the perfect realistic touch. I’d definitely recommend the audio version, especially as the book is on the longish side at 400+ pages.
That said, there are too many characters to keep track of in this story. If you are an audiobook newbie, better stick to reading.
All in all, this was a nice audiobook for me, despite its going over the top at the end. If you don’t overanalyse the proceedings and just go with the flow, this can be a great entertainer.
The book has elements of mystery and drama, with a hefty dollop of the outworldly. The dominant genre here is drama, which worked in my favour. Mystery lovers will also find much to like. However, horror fans will find it too mild, and horror phobes will find it too scary.
Definitely recommended to those looking for an unusual mystery read with paranormal elements. For a debut work, it is quite ambitious, and achieves most of what it sets out to do. I will surely try more by this author.
4 stars.
My thanks to CamCat Books and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Ghosts of Thorwald Place�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
PS: I don’t know why but the cover somehow gives a historical vibe to me, despite the clear presence of the elevator. Is it the font?
Content Warnings: Domestic abuse, infidelity, murder, suicide, human death, brutal animal death, (Well, there are graphic human deaths also, but we readers love animals more.),� Y’all, treat it as a horror story and prepare yourselves accordingly!
—â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä�
Connect with me through:
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Story Synopsis:
Rachel Drake, who is hiding from someone, has not stepped out of her apartment in the two years she has lived in Thorwald Place, a doorman building for those who can afford it. When Rachel gets a phone call one night, she knows that she has been found and decides to run away. She gets murdered in the lift while on her way to the garage.
Now Rachel’s ghost is stuck in Thorwald Place, tied to the lift. Her reach is limited to the apartments near the elevator. As she gets a glimpse of the residents of the building, she realises that all of them have some dark secret. Could any of them have been her killer? Or was it the person she had been hiding from?
The story comes to us in the first person perspective of Rachel.
Where the book worked for me:
👻 Rachel was a distress helpline volunteer when alive, and this aspect is woven well into her afterlife arc. She isn’t necessarily a likeable character, but she’s good at heart, though a bit slow to get a grasp of things. I liked this imperfect depiction of a lead. She is as human as can be with her judgemental nature coupled with genuine concern for others, all of which is quite ironic as she isn’t a human for most of the story.
👻 There are many characters in the story, whom we see though Rachel’s eyes while her ghost wanders into various apartments. Almost all these secondary characters are complex and even creepy. It just goes to show that humans are scarier than ghosts!
(Of course, you can take this point and turn it on its head as well, saying, “There were too many creepy characters within a single building!� But it added to the fun, especially as each character was distinct.)
👻 Though somewhat morbid, the writing incorporates plenty of humour through Rachel’s comments about the residents.
👻 An amazing ending that kept throwing surprise after surprise my way. Who doesn’t love surprises! The final scene was just beautiful.
👻 I didn’t guess the killer and I enjoyed all the red herrings thrown in my direction.
👻 I loved the diary excerpts as they revealed a lot about Rachel’s personality.
👻 I am a big scaredy cat when it comes to paranormal novels. I like all fictional ghosts to have a rational reason for existence (Don’t laugh!) and a happy ‘ending�. This book satisfied me on that count.
Where the book could have worked better for me:
� The level of spookiness was slightly above my comfort level. Of course, this point isn’t a shortcoming of the book per se, but of my limitations as a reader.
� I didn’t buy the little girl’s back story. It wasn’t convincing.
� There’s a little bit of repetition in Rachel’s first person thoughts. This stands out more in the audio version.
� Things become farfetched in the final quarter. The need to provide a satisfactory ending to all characters made the story cross logical limits and rush to tie all ends neatly. (Reminding you again, I still enjoyed the actual finale. So not all was lost!)
� One thing I simply didn’t figure out was how agoraphobic Rachel was not at all hesitant about leaving her flat after the phone call. Not once does she deliberate over stepping out! So the agoraphobia felt more like a decorative label than an actual phobia.
The audiobook experience:
The audiobook, clocking at 11hrs 18 min, is narrated by Rachel Fulginiti. I enjoyed her performance. She doesn’t try too hard to give individual voices to the myriad characters, making them sound natural. Her narration was very easy on the ears, and gave the audiobook the perfect realistic touch. I’d definitely recommend the audio version, especially as the book is on the longish side at 400+ pages.
That said, there are too many characters to keep track of in this story. If you are an audiobook newbie, better stick to reading.
All in all, this was a nice audiobook for me, despite its going over the top at the end. If you don’t overanalyse the proceedings and just go with the flow, this can be a great entertainer.
The book has elements of mystery and drama, with a hefty dollop of the outworldly. The dominant genre here is drama, which worked in my favour. Mystery lovers will also find much to like. However, horror fans will find it too mild, and horror phobes will find it too scary.
Definitely recommended to those looking for an unusual mystery read with paranormal elements. For a debut work, it is quite ambitious, and achieves most of what it sets out to do. I will surely try more by this author.
4 stars.
My thanks to CamCat Books and NetGalley for the ALC of “The Ghosts of Thorwald Place�. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the audiobook.
PS: I don’t know why but the cover somehow gives a historical vibe to me, despite the clear presence of the elevator. Is it the font?
Content Warnings: Domestic abuse, infidelity, murder, suicide, human death, brutal animal death, (Well, there are graphic human deaths also, but we readers love animals more.),� Y’all, treat it as a horror story and prepare yourselves accordingly!
—â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä”â¶Ä�
Connect with me through:
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October 18, 2023
I’m so incredibly excited to be letting my book baby loose on the world!
The idea for The Ghosts of Thorwald Place first came to me in a dream, where I was a ghost tethered to the elevator of an apartment building, yearning to visit the adjacent apartments, but every time I ventured too far the elevator would be summoned, yanking me back. I took that idea and played with it, embracing the similarities my plot ideas had with Rear Window, one of my favourite Hitchcock films, and I wrote a first draft during National Novel Writing Month in 2015. I shelved the book for quite a while before revisiting it and finishing the draft. I shelved it again and revisited it occasionally to edit it. Then, I participated in #Pitmad, a twitter event where you pitch your novel to agents and editors in 240 characters or less. That was when The Ghosts of Thorwald Place found a home to haunt with CamCat Books!
Hope you enjoy reading my genre-blending supernatural mystery/thriller as much as I did dreaming it up!
For questions about triggers, please visit my website.
The first line features audio from the audiobook, and the haunting music was written by my sister herself!
in Suspense Magazine's Summer 2021 issue.
Come chat with me about books on:
| | |
|
The idea for The Ghosts of Thorwald Place first came to me in a dream, where I was a ghost tethered to the elevator of an apartment building, yearning to visit the adjacent apartments, but every time I ventured too far the elevator would be summoned, yanking me back. I took that idea and played with it, embracing the similarities my plot ideas had with Rear Window, one of my favourite Hitchcock films, and I wrote a first draft during National Novel Writing Month in 2015. I shelved the book for quite a while before revisiting it and finishing the draft. I shelved it again and revisited it occasionally to edit it. Then, I participated in #Pitmad, a twitter event where you pitch your novel to agents and editors in 240 characters or less. That was when The Ghosts of Thorwald Place found a home to haunt with CamCat Books!
Hope you enjoy reading my genre-blending supernatural mystery/thriller as much as I did dreaming it up!
For questions about triggers, please visit my website.
The first line features audio from the audiobook, and the haunting music was written by my sister herself!
in Suspense Magazine's Summer 2021 issue.
Come chat with me about books on:
| | |
|
October 23, 2021
“How do you know that name?� I swallow, my throat suddenly paper dry. “I’m coming for you.� was the reply
The main protagonist is Rachel who had to flee her previous life after the murder of her husband. The setting is a top end apartment block in Thorwald Place, dubbed Fort Knox because of its strict security measures, on site guards and the relentless CCTV cameras always watching everything and everyone. No one can enter of leave without its unyielding eye. Then the unthinkable happens.
Despite living the life of a recluse, with a new identity, a work from home job and not mingling with other residents, Rachels’s nightmare returns and minutes after a threatening call, something “…cold and sharp tears across her throat, slicing her open from ear to ear�, Rachel knows the unimaginable has happened and then the footsteps lead away as her killer leaves her to die alone in the elevator. This is not a spoiler but is the opening to the fascinating book and a search for whodunnit keenly observed by Rachel the victim.
The story takes us to each floor and to many of the residents in search of the truth, but most have secrets that they would like to remain hidden. Now invisible, Rachel gets prime spot viewing into their lives and soon comes to the conclusion that most of them could have killed her. In fact, she remarks of one
“He is a manifestation of all the dark urges, the wicked desires and cruel impulses of those who inhabit this building. He thrives on the pain, the fear, the hate, the evil that lives in every one of us. Those emotions strengthen him, fortify his form, giving him essence . . . and power.�
I loved this book it was such a great concept to have a victim observe the investigation into her own murder, and to watch people lying in an attempt to conceal the truth about themselves and their less than perfect lives. Rachel continues to travel the elevators and walk the floors looking for evidence that she is powerless to do anything with, except watch. I felt the frustration through her character and the writing, the suspense level was maintained throughout, and I was so keen to get to the end (in a good way) to find out who did it, and also to find out what happened to the other residents who were putting on the happy façade to hide the heartache in their own lives.
This is the debut of a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend who is very active in reading and reviewing other people’s work. So it is nice to be able to offer congratulations to Helen Power, for a wonderfully thought-out book, with a great concept and central character, the writing style was great for me, I could connect with everything about this book. Well done Helen.
The main protagonist is Rachel who had to flee her previous life after the murder of her husband. The setting is a top end apartment block in Thorwald Place, dubbed Fort Knox because of its strict security measures, on site guards and the relentless CCTV cameras always watching everything and everyone. No one can enter of leave without its unyielding eye. Then the unthinkable happens.
Despite living the life of a recluse, with a new identity, a work from home job and not mingling with other residents, Rachels’s nightmare returns and minutes after a threatening call, something “…cold and sharp tears across her throat, slicing her open from ear to ear�, Rachel knows the unimaginable has happened and then the footsteps lead away as her killer leaves her to die alone in the elevator. This is not a spoiler but is the opening to the fascinating book and a search for whodunnit keenly observed by Rachel the victim.
The story takes us to each floor and to many of the residents in search of the truth, but most have secrets that they would like to remain hidden. Now invisible, Rachel gets prime spot viewing into their lives and soon comes to the conclusion that most of them could have killed her. In fact, she remarks of one
“He is a manifestation of all the dark urges, the wicked desires and cruel impulses of those who inhabit this building. He thrives on the pain, the fear, the hate, the evil that lives in every one of us. Those emotions strengthen him, fortify his form, giving him essence . . . and power.�
I loved this book it was such a great concept to have a victim observe the investigation into her own murder, and to watch people lying in an attempt to conceal the truth about themselves and their less than perfect lives. Rachel continues to travel the elevators and walk the floors looking for evidence that she is powerless to do anything with, except watch. I felt the frustration through her character and the writing, the suspense level was maintained throughout, and I was so keen to get to the end (in a good way) to find out who did it, and also to find out what happened to the other residents who were putting on the happy façade to hide the heartache in their own lives.
This is the debut of a Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ friend who is very active in reading and reviewing other people’s work. So it is nice to be able to offer congratulations to Helen Power, for a wonderfully thought-out book, with a great concept and central character, the writing style was great for me, I could connect with everything about this book. Well done Helen.
October 5, 2021
I'm really surprised and impressed. full discloser the author is a GR friend. but despite that this review was not solicited or requested. I'm not that type of reader/reviewer. i hated doing book reports in school and if asked to read and review a story by a author i would repulse said offer saying they're better more influential reviewers on GR and other platforms. Also i would hate to rip apart someone i kind of know work. since my review are mostly random honest musing i would feel obligated to be honest. But lucky i don't have to here because the ghost of Thorwald place was soooooooo much better than i expected.
If i had to describe this novel in one line it would be a living story told by a ghost. It's not a spoiler to tell you that the main character dies in the beginning. She is a shut in hiding in fear after her husband murder because the killer was never found. living in a expensive motel in Toronto. She was a recluse so she does not know any of her neighbors despite living their for about 2 years. So as a ghost she and we get to know them. That the special part of the story it's multiple stories in one. there's a abused wife, a neglected wife, goth teenager, a depressed women, a overbearing controlling woman, a famous psychic medium, and attentive concierge, and a contract killer. Power tells all their tales and expertly intertwines them. but that's not all including the MC their are also other ghost a little girl with no eyes, a man in-between, and a shadow man. If you watch paranormal ghost shows like my wife and i you know a shadow man is a bad thing. that's like 8 or 10 stories intertwined in one. But wait there's even more, what about the MC's story. Who killed her and her husband. To investigate this her husband's brother and her best friend come separately to investigate the murder. they team up and even hook up. that's two murders to solve and a lot of mysteries for those who are counting in one! i was really impressed that i was not only able to predict the killers didn't really predicted anything about any of the stories. i grew up watching Perry Mason, Matlock, and murder she wrote with my mom i was always impress that she could predict the murder with like a 90% accuracy rate. I'm not that good but because of that experience i usually predict most mysteries and look to do so early on when starting a mystery novel. i can't really enjoy them fully because of that. i not sure why i was wrong on everything going on in Thorwald place maybe subtle misdirection. Even something i should have gotten like "the woman with no past" who of course had a past and was the first story tie-in that I picked up on and got me excited about the possibilities. i was very surprised throughout! If i had to find a complaint it would be maybe the elevator always pulling Rachel away when things were getting interesting but i know that was a plot device just kind of annoying. The pacing maybe because the plot slows down as you get to know the many characters by like Dickens in that is by design and the excitement when things click into place makes up for that tenfold!
I was tempted to be stingy and rate this 4 stars because i might be bias but i really think it deserves a 5 star rating. in truth i enjoyed it more than i read a month ago. might even bump down my rating for that after seeing how a mystery thriller should be done!
If i had to describe this novel in one line it would be a living story told by a ghost. It's not a spoiler to tell you that the main character dies in the beginning. She is a shut in hiding in fear after her husband murder because the killer was never found. living in a expensive motel in Toronto. She was a recluse so she does not know any of her neighbors despite living their for about 2 years. So as a ghost she and we get to know them. That the special part of the story it's multiple stories in one. there's a abused wife, a neglected wife, goth teenager, a depressed women, a overbearing controlling woman, a famous psychic medium, and attentive concierge, and a contract killer. Power tells all their tales and expertly intertwines them. but that's not all including the MC their are also other ghost a little girl with no eyes, a man in-between, and a shadow man. If you watch paranormal ghost shows like my wife and i you know a shadow man is a bad thing. that's like 8 or 10 stories intertwined in one. But wait there's even more, what about the MC's story. Who killed her and her husband. To investigate this her husband's brother and her best friend come separately to investigate the murder. they team up and even hook up. that's two murders to solve and a lot of mysteries for those who are counting in one! i was really impressed that i was not only able to predict the killers didn't really predicted anything about any of the stories. i grew up watching Perry Mason, Matlock, and murder she wrote with my mom i was always impress that she could predict the murder with like a 90% accuracy rate. I'm not that good but because of that experience i usually predict most mysteries and look to do so early on when starting a mystery novel. i can't really enjoy them fully because of that. i not sure why i was wrong on everything going on in Thorwald place maybe subtle misdirection. Even something i should have gotten like "the woman with no past" who of course had a past and was the first story tie-in that I picked up on and got me excited about the possibilities. i was very surprised throughout! If i had to find a complaint it would be maybe the elevator always pulling Rachel away when things were getting interesting but i know that was a plot device just kind of annoying. The pacing maybe because the plot slows down as you get to know the many characters by like Dickens in that is by design and the excitement when things click into place makes up for that tenfold!
I was tempted to be stingy and rate this 4 stars because i might be bias but i really think it deserves a 5 star rating. in truth i enjoyed it more than i read a month ago. might even bump down my rating for that after seeing how a mystery thriller should be done!
February 11, 2022
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THE GHOSTS OF THORWALD PLACE by Helen Power is a superb paranormal thriller and debut book from this new-to-me author. I could not put it down!
Rachel Drake is her pseudonym as she lives in the security building her policewoman friend found for her as hides from the man she believes killed her husband. She works from home and discourages any neighborly overtures. But one night, she receives a call that sends her running straight into the man who kills her in her apartment building’s elevator.
She is now a ghost, tethered to the elevator she was murdered in. She is able to enter the apartments surrounding the elevator, but only to a point. As she rides the elevator, she begins to discover many of her fellow Thorwald Place residents are hiding terrible secrets and she is not the only ghost on the premises.
Rachel is now drawn to the neighbors she ignored while she was alive and wonders what she needs to do to or who she needs to help so that she can move on and possibly uncover her killer.
This paranormal thriller is perfectly plotted to continually keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The thriller plotline is full of surprising twists and misdirection that just keep coming and the paranormal plotline keeps the creepy factor at its height. I was captivated by all the neighbors lives and secrets and it makes you wonder how many secrets go on behind apartment doors in nonfictional buildings. I do not believe I have read another thriller like this. This is a clever paranormal thriller read with a great cast of fully developed characters and a perfectly paced plot.
I highly recommend this unique read!
THE GHOSTS OF THORWALD PLACE by Helen Power is a superb paranormal thriller and debut book from this new-to-me author. I could not put it down!
Rachel Drake is her pseudonym as she lives in the security building her policewoman friend found for her as hides from the man she believes killed her husband. She works from home and discourages any neighborly overtures. But one night, she receives a call that sends her running straight into the man who kills her in her apartment building’s elevator.
She is now a ghost, tethered to the elevator she was murdered in. She is able to enter the apartments surrounding the elevator, but only to a point. As she rides the elevator, she begins to discover many of her fellow Thorwald Place residents are hiding terrible secrets and she is not the only ghost on the premises.
Rachel is now drawn to the neighbors she ignored while she was alive and wonders what she needs to do to or who she needs to help so that she can move on and possibly uncover her killer.
This paranormal thriller is perfectly plotted to continually keep the reader on the edge of their seat. The thriller plotline is full of surprising twists and misdirection that just keep coming and the paranormal plotline keeps the creepy factor at its height. I was captivated by all the neighbors lives and secrets and it makes you wonder how many secrets go on behind apartment doors in nonfictional buildings. I do not believe I have read another thriller like this. This is a clever paranormal thriller read with a great cast of fully developed characters and a perfectly paced plot.
I highly recommend this unique read!
November 24, 2021
Once I started to read this book. I couldn't put it down. What an amazing ghost story. I love a story where you get totally lost in it. If your looking for a book that keeps your mind on the go. It was a sucker punch at the end for me. I absolutely loved it!
January 30, 2023
A different premise made for a different story!
An interesting premise that had a number of twists and turns in discovering the murderer.
Rachel Drake is the main protagonist and what sets her apart if that she is dead. She is a ghost that inhabits the area where she was viciously murdered, an elevator. Rachel had confined herself to Thornwald after the murder of her husband., but one night after receiving a phone call, she heads to the car garage and that is the last of her life.
With her new residence, Rachel haunts the hallways and rides the elevator while learning about the residents, all of whom have secrets and becoming major suspects in Rachel's murder. Why is she here and not gone to the great beyond? As Rachel learns more, the suspense increases and perhaps Rachel will learn the devious nature of the why of her death as well as that of her husband, Jay.
The only issue I had with the story was its length and the many characters presented in the story. Helen Power does present her characters well, but flips back and forth with their presence in the story. It is this author's first book and was a fairly good attempt.
Thank you to Helen Power, CanCat Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this story narrated by Rachel Fulginiti. This book published in October of 2021.
An interesting premise that had a number of twists and turns in discovering the murderer.
Rachel Drake is the main protagonist and what sets her apart if that she is dead. She is a ghost that inhabits the area where she was viciously murdered, an elevator. Rachel had confined herself to Thornwald after the murder of her husband., but one night after receiving a phone call, she heads to the car garage and that is the last of her life.
With her new residence, Rachel haunts the hallways and rides the elevator while learning about the residents, all of whom have secrets and becoming major suspects in Rachel's murder. Why is she here and not gone to the great beyond? As Rachel learns more, the suspense increases and perhaps Rachel will learn the devious nature of the why of her death as well as that of her husband, Jay.
The only issue I had with the story was its length and the many characters presented in the story. Helen Power does present her characters well, but flips back and forth with their presence in the story. It is this author's first book and was a fairly good attempt.
Thank you to Helen Power, CanCat Books, and NetGalley for a copy of this story narrated by Rachel Fulginiti. This book published in October of 2021.
December 11, 2024
I love a really good ghost story! I came across this one while trolling reviews of GR friend, Tina. The book summary lays out the start of the story along with the primary storyline of the MC, Rachel, being killed in the elevator while trying to escape her condo and now her spirit is trapped in the building. The book summary also mentions some of the secondary storylines regarding some of the residents in the building. There is also a young, abused and pregnant resident, who had contacted the domestic abuse hotline that Rachel was working at when she died. At the time, Rachel didn’t know the woman on the hotline call was her neighbor. It wasn’t until later she realized who Melody was.
“Sadly, many women think that once they’ve left, the battle is over, but that’s when the fight truly begins.� Rachel Drake
What the book summary doesn’t mention is that early in the story Rachel’s brother-in-law, Will, has moved into her unit and appears to be investigating Rachel’s murder. He is soon joined by a cop, Catalina, who not only helped Rachel disappear after the man who killed her husband started to come after her. Rachel and Catalina were also good friends and former college roommates. It also doesn’t mention that early in the story, Rachel comes across two other ghosts within in the building; one a young girl trapped in the basement and a creepy man who can wander just like Rachel.
The story flips back and forth between present day with Rachel’s spirit wandering the halls and units in the Thorwald Place building, witnessing the lives of her neighbors, and the past before Rachel’s husband, Jay, was killed. Most of the story revolves around Rachel trying to figure out who killed her while trying to help Melody as well as Rachel discovering that she and Jay’s new home is haunted. The ending was a shocking twist in the story that I never saw coming. I like it when an author can do that.
The character development for Rachel was pretty good and the character development for some of her neighbors was good as well. The pacing was steady to fast in some parts and the storyline very interesting. I really liked how Power continues to build up suspense, intrigue and intensity, right up to a shocking and intense ending. Deep into the second half, this story was looking like a solid 4star review. Unfortunately, there was an incident late in the second half that I found really horrible (see TW). I’m just going to say this again (had to say in the last review too), brutally killing beloved and innocent family pets is despicable. It’s so disappointing that some writers clearly do not understand that. I would rather writers just leave an adored family pet out of the story than to just murder it. This disappointment is reflected in my review. Enough said.
TW: Animal cruelty
“Sadly, many women think that once they’ve left, the battle is over, but that’s when the fight truly begins.� Rachel Drake
What the book summary doesn’t mention is that early in the story Rachel’s brother-in-law, Will, has moved into her unit and appears to be investigating Rachel’s murder. He is soon joined by a cop, Catalina, who not only helped Rachel disappear after the man who killed her husband started to come after her. Rachel and Catalina were also good friends and former college roommates. It also doesn’t mention that early in the story, Rachel comes across two other ghosts within in the building; one a young girl trapped in the basement and a creepy man who can wander just like Rachel.
The story flips back and forth between present day with Rachel’s spirit wandering the halls and units in the Thorwald Place building, witnessing the lives of her neighbors, and the past before Rachel’s husband, Jay, was killed. Most of the story revolves around Rachel trying to figure out who killed her while trying to help Melody as well as Rachel discovering that she and Jay’s new home is haunted. The ending was a shocking twist in the story that I never saw coming. I like it when an author can do that.
The character development for Rachel was pretty good and the character development for some of her neighbors was good as well. The pacing was steady to fast in some parts and the storyline very interesting. I really liked how Power continues to build up suspense, intrigue and intensity, right up to a shocking and intense ending. Deep into the second half, this story was looking like a solid 4star review. Unfortunately, there was an incident late in the second half that I found really horrible (see TW). I’m just going to say this again (had to say in the last review too), brutally killing beloved and innocent family pets is despicable. It’s so disappointing that some writers clearly do not understand that. I would rather writers just leave an adored family pet out of the story than to just murder it. This disappointment is reflected in my review. Enough said.
TW: Animal cruelty
July 22, 2022
This was a wonderful ghost story! It is rare that we read the story from the point of view of a ghost. Usually, we follow a living narrator who has to deal with the haunting, benevolent or otherwise.
I really liked our protagonist Rachel or Kae, as her real name is. And the more I learned about her past and what drive her to the dark mental place she was in at the moment of her untimely death, the more I empathized.
I also loved the fact that death opened her eyes to the suffering of others. She was so fixated on her own fear and mysery when she was alive, that she pushed away every attempt by everyone to become friends. I'd say she did more to help her fellow residents in death than she ever did in life.
Death also made her realize just how much she'd missed on by getting shut into her 4 walls. Or that everyone puts up a brave face to the rest of the world, even if their life is a complete nightmare behind closed doors.
It was interesting, and often heartbreaking to get to know the other residents through Rachel's visits to them. Some I liked more than others, and some got exactly what they deserved.
I admit that the actual plot ran a bit thin and farfetched sometimes, though. There are a couple pot holes, especially when it comes to her husband's twin brother and his involvement with the whole sordid affair. But all in all, I really liked this book.
I really liked our protagonist Rachel or Kae, as her real name is. And the more I learned about her past and what drive her to the dark mental place she was in at the moment of her untimely death, the more I empathized.
I also loved the fact that death opened her eyes to the suffering of others. She was so fixated on her own fear and mysery when she was alive, that she pushed away every attempt by everyone to become friends. I'd say she did more to help her fellow residents in death than she ever did in life.
Death also made her realize just how much she'd missed on by getting shut into her 4 walls. Or that everyone puts up a brave face to the rest of the world, even if their life is a complete nightmare behind closed doors.
It was interesting, and often heartbreaking to get to know the other residents through Rachel's visits to them. Some I liked more than others, and some got exactly what they deserved.
I admit that the actual plot ran a bit thin and farfetched sometimes, though. There are a couple pot holes, especially when it comes to her husband's twin brother and his involvement with the whole sordid affair. But all in all, I really liked this book.
January 13, 2022
“I know where you live…Kae. I’m coming for you.�
Rachael Drake (fka Kae) is an agoraphobe. She’s been that way since her husband Jay was murdered nine months before. Rachael works from home, manning a crisis hotline, counseling callers seeking help and advice. Just after finishing a session Rachael takes the next caller an is immediately thrust into a state of panic when her life is threatened.
Unable to stem her overwhelming fear, Rachael makes a rash decision to leave the confines of her condo. Packed and ready, Rachael enters her elevator and is suddenly overcome by someone. Rachael is no match and is killed in the elevator by a knife that slits her throat from ear to ear. After such a brutal attack, Rachael is shocked to see her own body lying in a pool of blood on the elevator floor. How can that be? Yet, there is her body � lifeless and bloody.
Confused and filled with disbelief, Rachael watches as officials cordon off the crime scene and transport her lifeless body to the morgue. As Rachael attempts to follow the crime scene investigators, she is met with fierce resistance from an invisible barrier that keeps her spirit within the confines of the elevator and neighboring apartments. What strangeness is this, Rachael wonders? Who is her killer, and when will she be able to move on?
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is author Helen Power’s debut novel, and what a novel it is. Simply stated, the novel is absolutely absorbing.
The characters are varied and many. They are developed enough to get and keep your attention. Of particular interest were the spiritual characters that added to the paranormal landscape.
The plot is riveting and complex with twists and turns to keep you engaged. Multiple storylines are the mainstay that keeps the narrative moving forward until they converge into an epic finale.
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is a novel not to be missed. It should be on every thriller/paranormal fan’s list. Five outstanding stars.
I received a digital copy of the book from Blackthorne Book Tours. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Rachael Drake (fka Kae) is an agoraphobe. She’s been that way since her husband Jay was murdered nine months before. Rachael works from home, manning a crisis hotline, counseling callers seeking help and advice. Just after finishing a session Rachael takes the next caller an is immediately thrust into a state of panic when her life is threatened.
Unable to stem her overwhelming fear, Rachael makes a rash decision to leave the confines of her condo. Packed and ready, Rachael enters her elevator and is suddenly overcome by someone. Rachael is no match and is killed in the elevator by a knife that slits her throat from ear to ear. After such a brutal attack, Rachael is shocked to see her own body lying in a pool of blood on the elevator floor. How can that be? Yet, there is her body � lifeless and bloody.
Confused and filled with disbelief, Rachael watches as officials cordon off the crime scene and transport her lifeless body to the morgue. As Rachael attempts to follow the crime scene investigators, she is met with fierce resistance from an invisible barrier that keeps her spirit within the confines of the elevator and neighboring apartments. What strangeness is this, Rachael wonders? Who is her killer, and when will she be able to move on?
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is author Helen Power’s debut novel, and what a novel it is. Simply stated, the novel is absolutely absorbing.
The characters are varied and many. They are developed enough to get and keep your attention. Of particular interest were the spiritual characters that added to the paranormal landscape.
The plot is riveting and complex with twists and turns to keep you engaged. Multiple storylines are the mainstay that keeps the narrative moving forward until they converge into an epic finale.
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is a novel not to be missed. It should be on every thriller/paranormal fan’s list. Five outstanding stars.
I received a digital copy of the book from Blackthorne Book Tours. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
April 18, 2022
Good one for "The Ghost Story Junkie". I've read a million ghost stories but never one where the ghost tries to solve their own murder. Just the idea and the execution of this plot line by itself, should be worth a 5-star rating. It's partly a murder mystery and partly a supernatural thriller. Rachel, finds her ghost tied to the scene of her murder in a fancy apartment building. She's stuck in a sphere surrounding the elevator where died. She begins to discover more about the secrets of the people that lives in her building than she ever would have ever discovered while alive. Not all of them were good and one of them might even be her killer. Rachel is a wonderful character. You can easily sympathize with her. You begin to feel as desperate as she does to discover what really happened in that elevator. Overall...very well written and compelling.
Posible trigger warnings: Contains references to domestic violence, brief reference to severe self-harm by a child and pet death
Posible trigger warnings: Contains references to domestic violence, brief reference to severe self-harm by a child and pet death
July 25, 2023
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is an absolutely phenomenal debut novel! A truly one-of-a-kind book that will hook you and take you on the most unexpected ride.
This novel covered so many bases for me personally. It was the perfect blend of ghost story and mystery/suspense. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that left me eager to see what Helen Power will bring to the table next.
One of the biggest reasons I found myself loving this book was the many ghosts and their varying and yet interlocking story lines. While each ghost was unique, I felt that their stories were cleverly interwoven and fed off of each other very well.
Another reason I found this book enjoyable was the intermingling of genres. This book definitely had its creepy parts, but not to the point that it would deter someone who might not usually read ghost stories. This book could easily be picked up and enjoyed by any thriller or mystery reader.
The characters were well written and believable. The plot was fantastic and unique. I seriously can't say enough good things about this debut!
I could outline the plot for you. I could tell you a little about each ghost. But I would be doing you a disservice. This is a book you need to read and feel for yourself.I urge you to come inside the Thorwald and take an elevator ride so you too can start unlocking its many secrets.
I received an E-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you again Blackthorn Book Tours for letting me take part in the blog tour.
This novel covered so many bases for me personally. It was the perfect blend of ghost story and mystery/suspense. Overall, it was a wonderful experience that left me eager to see what Helen Power will bring to the table next.
One of the biggest reasons I found myself loving this book was the many ghosts and their varying and yet interlocking story lines. While each ghost was unique, I felt that their stories were cleverly interwoven and fed off of each other very well.
Another reason I found this book enjoyable was the intermingling of genres. This book definitely had its creepy parts, but not to the point that it would deter someone who might not usually read ghost stories. This book could easily be picked up and enjoyed by any thriller or mystery reader.
The characters were well written and believable. The plot was fantastic and unique. I seriously can't say enough good things about this debut!
I could outline the plot for you. I could tell you a little about each ghost. But I would be doing you a disservice. This is a book you need to read and feel for yourself.I urge you to come inside the Thorwald and take an elevator ride so you too can start unlocking its many secrets.
I received an E-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Thank you again Blackthorn Book Tours for letting me take part in the blog tour.
November 30, 2023
I received a copy of this book to listen to in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is an eery, creepy thriller with some great twists and turns. We follow Rachel, a domestic violence helpline worker who works from her apartment in a fancy building with numerous amenities. Rachel chose this apartment as a safe haven after her husband was murdered to keep her safe from his killer. When Rachel receives a menacing phone call, she knows he's found her and tries to run for her life. Murdered in the elevator shaft, Rachel becomes tied to it as a kind of anchor, only free to wander where the elevator takes her up and down different floors in the building. Rachel tries to piece together who her killer is, but this doesn't come easy as so many potential suspects come crashing to the surface. Secrets are buried behind every apartment door casting suspicion on everyone who lives there.
This was such a good book to listen to on audio, and the narrator did a fantastic job enacting each and every character (and there are quite a few!). There were so many great twists towards the end that I didn't see coming too!
***AUDIO BOOK VERSION***
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is an eery, creepy thriller with some great twists and turns. We follow Rachel, a domestic violence helpline worker who works from her apartment in a fancy building with numerous amenities. Rachel chose this apartment as a safe haven after her husband was murdered to keep her safe from his killer. When Rachel receives a menacing phone call, she knows he's found her and tries to run for her life. Murdered in the elevator shaft, Rachel becomes tied to it as a kind of anchor, only free to wander where the elevator takes her up and down different floors in the building. Rachel tries to piece together who her killer is, but this doesn't come easy as so many potential suspects come crashing to the surface. Secrets are buried behind every apartment door casting suspicion on everyone who lives there.
This was such a good book to listen to on audio, and the narrator did a fantastic job enacting each and every character (and there are quite a few!). There were so many great twists towards the end that I didn't see coming too!
January 27, 2023
A hidden gem! I don’t usually go for ghost stories or anything supernatural but this sounded too interesting to pass up and I’m so glad I branched out. Fans of AHS might like this!
There is a LOT going on here but to start, we have Rachel Drake, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s living under an assumed name because her husband was murdered and she’s hiding from that person. Thorwald Place seemed safe. It has a doorman who’s more attentive than a prison guard, but somehow, she is murdered in the elevator when trying to escape anyway.
She assumes the masked killer is the same person who killed her husband but she watches her best friend and her brother-in-law investigate anyway. She’s tethered to the elevator so she can see what’s going on but eventually gets pulled away.
There are a lot of unsavory things going on in this building, among both the living and the dead and in order to get any peace, she has to figure out why she’s still there. There’s a TV medium in the building so maybe he can help!
This was a ghost story, a mystery, and a domestic drama all wrapped into one. It has some really creepy aspects that spooked me but also some soapy situations. It had a little bit of everything so when I sat down to write a review, I couldn’t find a negative! At one point, I had wished it was shorter but we needed the character development and it paid off. Usually with this many characters, I mix them up and get tired of it but I remembered everyone and wanted to know everything while following their story.
It also had a satisfying ending, which is kind of rare these days! I loved it. I got the audio and the narration was fantastic. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review. Available now!
There is a LOT going on here but to start, we have Rachel Drake, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. She’s living under an assumed name because her husband was murdered and she’s hiding from that person. Thorwald Place seemed safe. It has a doorman who’s more attentive than a prison guard, but somehow, she is murdered in the elevator when trying to escape anyway.
She assumes the masked killer is the same person who killed her husband but she watches her best friend and her brother-in-law investigate anyway. She’s tethered to the elevator so she can see what’s going on but eventually gets pulled away.
There are a lot of unsavory things going on in this building, among both the living and the dead and in order to get any peace, she has to figure out why she’s still there. There’s a TV medium in the building so maybe he can help!
This was a ghost story, a mystery, and a domestic drama all wrapped into one. It has some really creepy aspects that spooked me but also some soapy situations. It had a little bit of everything so when I sat down to write a review, I couldn’t find a negative! At one point, I had wished it was shorter but we needed the character development and it paid off. Usually with this many characters, I mix them up and get tired of it but I remembered everyone and wanted to know everything while following their story.
It also had a satisfying ending, which is kind of rare these days! I loved it. I got the audio and the narration was fantastic. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen and review. Available now!
October 11, 2021
I received The Ghosts of Thorwald Place in a giveaway.
I read this book in a day and a half, and I am not a fast reader. I don’t skim, I don’t speed read, I read each and every word, and I have to hear it all in my head as I’m going, so reading takes me a little longer than others. So what does that tell you? It tells you that, after starting this book Saturday evening, I put aside everything else I had planned to do on Sunday to read this book.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I never would have guessed. I was pretty sure going into it that I had read it was her first, but I had to check her profile on goodreads to be sure, because she can write!
I honestly have nothing to complain about with this book. The characters were well-developed, even minor ones, so well that I felt I knew each one and cared about what was going on with them. It wasn’t fast-paced, but it also wasn’t a slow burn. There was something interesting going on at all times, and the events and pieces fit together, but not in a way that made it feel like there were too many coincidences or that it was “too easy.�
Anyway, I loved this one! And I can’t wait for more from her!
I read this book in a day and a half, and I am not a fast reader. I don’t skim, I don’t speed read, I read each and every word, and I have to hear it all in my head as I’m going, so reading takes me a little longer than others. So what does that tell you? It tells you that, after starting this book Saturday evening, I put aside everything else I had planned to do on Sunday to read this book.
This is the author’s debut novel, and I never would have guessed. I was pretty sure going into it that I had read it was her first, but I had to check her profile on goodreads to be sure, because she can write!
I honestly have nothing to complain about with this book. The characters were well-developed, even minor ones, so well that I felt I knew each one and cared about what was going on with them. It wasn’t fast-paced, but it also wasn’t a slow burn. There was something interesting going on at all times, and the events and pieces fit together, but not in a way that made it feel like there were too many coincidences or that it was “too easy.�
Anyway, I loved this one! And I can’t wait for more from her!
March 5, 2023
But did the cat really have to be killed?
This book was almost, almost a solid 4-star for me.
Alas, I really dislike animals dying in books. I don't step into every thriller book thinking I'd encounter it. Maybe I should have been wearier since this is also shelved as a 'horror' book.
Still, I will say it now and again. You do not need to graphically kill an animal to make a good book. This alone dodged a solid star from me. It just wasn't needed.
On the other note. We follow Rachel, with a past. Rachel is murdered in her apartment building, and her ghost remains. Now we follow her ghost as she uncovers many secrets of the residents of Thorwald place.
This book - minus killing a cat - was actually an enjoyable read. The audiobook was well done. The book was well done and I kind of liked this idea, it felt different from anything that I have read before.
I like following Rachel and learning about her neighbors through her eyes. I liked all the mystery and the drama. It was such an intriguing read. It was creepy, it was uncomfortable at times. It was gory, and the plot kept me drawn and on the edge of my seat. Really well done. I loved how all the pieces fell into place.
I liked how for the most part it seems that the author has tied up all the loose ends. I don't recall anything that she might have missed that left me with questions.
Would I try anything in the future from this author? Yes, I think I would go in cautiously knowing that there is a possibility of animal abuse.
Overall, despite a dodged star, this was an entertaining, original story that I did really enjoy.
I got a copy of this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion, all thoughts are my own.
This book was almost, almost a solid 4-star for me.
Alas, I really dislike animals dying in books. I don't step into every thriller book thinking I'd encounter it. Maybe I should have been wearier since this is also shelved as a 'horror' book.
Still, I will say it now and again. You do not need to graphically kill an animal to make a good book. This alone dodged a solid star from me. It just wasn't needed.
On the other note. We follow Rachel, with a past. Rachel is murdered in her apartment building, and her ghost remains. Now we follow her ghost as she uncovers many secrets of the residents of Thorwald place.
This book - minus killing a cat - was actually an enjoyable read. The audiobook was well done. The book was well done and I kind of liked this idea, it felt different from anything that I have read before.
I like following Rachel and learning about her neighbors through her eyes. I liked all the mystery and the drama. It was such an intriguing read. It was creepy, it was uncomfortable at times. It was gory, and the plot kept me drawn and on the edge of my seat. Really well done. I loved how all the pieces fell into place.
I liked how for the most part it seems that the author has tied up all the loose ends. I don't recall anything that she might have missed that left me with questions.
Would I try anything in the future from this author? Yes, I think I would go in cautiously knowing that there is a possibility of animal abuse.
Overall, despite a dodged star, this was an entertaining, original story that I did really enjoy.
I got a copy of this book for free in exchange of my honest opinion, all thoughts are my own.
March 2, 2025
Received the audio through NetGalley, and I thought that Rachel Fulginiti did a great job with this.
This was a unique story for me. I was for the most part pulled in by the cover, so I did not give the blurb a read. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was not for the main character to be murdered in the very beginning of the story! I guess I thought with the book’s title that it would be about her being haunted, not killed and becoming a ghost! (FYI, that is revealed in the blurb, so not me spoiling). So, it was a nice surprise and worked for me as a plot twist.
The main character is believable and relatable. Her grief and paranoia has pushed her to become a complete agoraphobe inside her well secured apartment complex. Even though she completely cuts herself off from the outside, it’s not enough to keep her safe. Nothing is. I didn’t really feel like that was creepy while listening to it, but now that I’m writing it out it surely does.
The author does a great job subverting a lot of the expectations around paranormal activity—what a ghost can do, and can not do, may surprise you a lot. It is much more along the lines of someone normal trapped in the in between of life and death, than it is like a malignant spirit in movies.
The author weaves a very twisting story, where every character, and every interaction, may lead to another clue or even another mystery. My only gripe is I did feel like this went on to the point where the main character’s story is a little less mysterious than I wished it would have been.
This was a unique story for me. I was for the most part pulled in by the cover, so I did not give the blurb a read. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it was not for the main character to be murdered in the very beginning of the story! I guess I thought with the book’s title that it would be about her being haunted, not killed and becoming a ghost! (FYI, that is revealed in the blurb, so not me spoiling). So, it was a nice surprise and worked for me as a plot twist.
The main character is believable and relatable. Her grief and paranoia has pushed her to become a complete agoraphobe inside her well secured apartment complex. Even though she completely cuts herself off from the outside, it’s not enough to keep her safe. Nothing is. I didn’t really feel like that was creepy while listening to it, but now that I’m writing it out it surely does.
The author does a great job subverting a lot of the expectations around paranormal activity—what a ghost can do, and can not do, may surprise you a lot. It is much more along the lines of someone normal trapped in the in between of life and death, than it is like a malignant spirit in movies.
The author weaves a very twisting story, where every character, and every interaction, may lead to another clue or even another mystery. My only gripe is I did feel like this went on to the point where the main character’s story is a little less mysterious than I wished it would have been.
March 11, 2022
The Ghosts of Thorwald place is the debut novel by Helen Power and a really solid read that I enjoyed.
Falling, for me, just short of a 5*- I enjoyed the characterization employed by the author for the unique premise she chose as her ‘initial and continued plot device� with regards to ‘the murder� that sets the wheels of the story in motion. Focusing squarely on the main character and the apartment (condo?) complex of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place, were are given insights into the generally horrible lives of everyone who lives there.
Child abuse? Check. Domestic abuse? Check. Adultery? Check. Other murders? Check. A little bit of evil supernatural? Check. In fact, it’s a literal litany of terrible human beings.
Along the way, though, visceral disgust for fictional humanity aside, the plot is unfurled and the mystery is solved- and is done so in a generally satisfying way.
I look forward to reading future works by the author.
Falling, for me, just short of a 5*- I enjoyed the characterization employed by the author for the unique premise she chose as her ‘initial and continued plot device� with regards to ‘the murder� that sets the wheels of the story in motion. Focusing squarely on the main character and the apartment (condo?) complex of The Ghosts of Thorwald Place, were are given insights into the generally horrible lives of everyone who lives there.
Child abuse? Check. Domestic abuse? Check. Adultery? Check. Other murders? Check. A little bit of evil supernatural? Check. In fact, it’s a literal litany of terrible human beings.
Along the way, though, visceral disgust for fictional humanity aside, the plot is unfurled and the mystery is solved- and is done so in a generally satisfying way.
I look forward to reading future works by the author.
February 17, 2022
This fast paced story is a unique take on a paranormal mystery/thriller. Rachel Drake is hiding out from her husbands killer and when she ends up dead herself, she is “trapped� in the elevator where she dies and adjacent apartments. Catching snippets of conversations and learning more about the neighbors she previously avoided and their secrets, she tried to solve the mystery of her own death. Paranormal stories aren’t my typical go to but I enjoyed this book and would read others by this author. I thank Blackthorn Book Tours and Helen Power for the review copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 1, 2022
This was a wonderfully suspenseful paranormal thriller. On the surface, it is about a woman who is murdered in the elevator of her apartment building, and then must haunt the building in which she died. In reality, though, this book is about so, so much more than that. It's about all of the residents of Thorwald Place, and all of the secrets and lives that they keep hidden away. It's about pain and heartache and suffering that lives behind closed doors. It's also about peace, in different ways, and family, and so much more. This book is structured so differently from most other books that I've read, because it isn't really focused around one central person or narrative. Sure, we follow Rachel around, but the book is just as much about everyone else as it is about her. So many of the stories we see as we flit from apartment to apartment, and life to life, have nothing at all to do with Rachel and her murder. And yet still they are important, and still we linger with them. I loved that about this book, how it looked at snapshots of these people's lives, but it didn't discard any of them. So yes, this was a really great supernatural book and presented a really intriguing thriller, but more than that what it gave us were really great people, and all of their really great stories, woven together.
December 30, 2022
4.25 stars I just recently started listening to Ebooks. I like reading Canadian authors especially with stories set in Canada. This one is set mainly in Toronto. The narrator did a very good job. Some of the narrators of other Ebooks I have tried can be annoying. This is a ghost story and very different to anything I have read before. I enjoyed it very much.
February 17, 2023
I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this especially when the ghost is wandering around trying to figure out what’s going on but that’s what made this book even better. I loved seeing everything from Rachel’s point of view and getting to know the neighbors she ignored when she was alive. There are so many twists and turns to this story that it’s difficult to put it down. I loved it! Highly recommended for times when you can read straight through or rush right back to your read.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #CamCatBooks for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and #CamCatBooks for an honest review.
February 14, 2022
Here is a review I am sure you would not have expected on Valentine’s Day. A ghost story with a difference, this book looks at relationships of various kinds. Leaving you curious about how well you know the people around you. When choosing this title, you can expect a light tale set around domestic violence, loveless marriages and murder, and as if that is not enough some ghosts and demons make it all the more haunting. The Ghost of Thorwald Place is an entertaining read from start to finish.
Helen Power leaves you with a smile on your face despite the dark subject matter in this debut novel. The story is told from Rachel/Kaela’s perspective, and you enjoy the experiences of a “new� ghost who eagerly tries to find a way to have an impact on the living world. She witnesses countless injustices that she would love to rectify. Power keeps her story light and easy to read while digging deep into dark subject matter.
When Kaela’s husband is brutally murdered she is convinced that she will be next. She changes her name and leaves town, with only one person left behind that knows where she has gone. For two years she hides away in her apartment in a highly secure apartment building., not allowing anyone to get close to her. Until she receives a threatening phone call, which leaves her determined to run away again. An hour later, with one bag in hand, she leaves her apartment only to have her throat slit from ear to ear before even climbing off the elevator. Now Kae is a ghost, linked to the elevator where she died with a limited radius around it that she can move around in. While the police and her best friend are investigating her murder, Kae moves through the various apartments in the building, observing her neighbours. Only to discover that what happens behind closed doors are not what she might have imagined. As she witnesses the truths about the people she shared the building with, she is desperate to find a way to communicate so she can help some of these people whose lives are even worse than her own used to be.
I loved how the author managed to wrap real-life issues into a ghost story, keeping it light and entertaining while leaving you with something to think about. Kae’s ghost experiences were brilliant and her realisation that she was not the only one with problems highlighted how we never really know what happens in someone else’s homes.
Kaela / Rachel is a wonderful creation. Kaela, convinced the house she shared with her husband Jay was haunted, there were many unexplained occurrences. When she finds Jay murdered her life becomes a scary place. She changes her name and runs away. Yet even as Rachel, she jumps at shadows, suffers from panic attacks and cannot find any peace, locking herself away within her apartment. When she finally dares to walk through the door, she ends up murdered. Only in death does Kaela find the strength to fight for what she believes in when she finally sees the truth about the world she lived in. It was sad that she had to die to see reality. Only then did she understand that she wasted precious time which she could never regain.
The author uses this character to show the importance of not taking life for granted, the importance of living every day, opening yourself up to those around you, even if they may end up disappointing you. The author reminds us that we never know how much time we have left.
Paranormal thriller fan or not, you will find this light ghost story a gripping, entertaining read that allows you to escape reality and then leaves you with some food for thought as you close the book.
Helen Power leaves you with a smile on your face despite the dark subject matter in this debut novel. The story is told from Rachel/Kaela’s perspective, and you enjoy the experiences of a “new� ghost who eagerly tries to find a way to have an impact on the living world. She witnesses countless injustices that she would love to rectify. Power keeps her story light and easy to read while digging deep into dark subject matter.
When Kaela’s husband is brutally murdered she is convinced that she will be next. She changes her name and leaves town, with only one person left behind that knows where she has gone. For two years she hides away in her apartment in a highly secure apartment building., not allowing anyone to get close to her. Until she receives a threatening phone call, which leaves her determined to run away again. An hour later, with one bag in hand, she leaves her apartment only to have her throat slit from ear to ear before even climbing off the elevator. Now Kae is a ghost, linked to the elevator where she died with a limited radius around it that she can move around in. While the police and her best friend are investigating her murder, Kae moves through the various apartments in the building, observing her neighbours. Only to discover that what happens behind closed doors are not what she might have imagined. As she witnesses the truths about the people she shared the building with, she is desperate to find a way to communicate so she can help some of these people whose lives are even worse than her own used to be.
I loved how the author managed to wrap real-life issues into a ghost story, keeping it light and entertaining while leaving you with something to think about. Kae’s ghost experiences were brilliant and her realisation that she was not the only one with problems highlighted how we never really know what happens in someone else’s homes.
Kaela / Rachel is a wonderful creation. Kaela, convinced the house she shared with her husband Jay was haunted, there were many unexplained occurrences. When she finds Jay murdered her life becomes a scary place. She changes her name and runs away. Yet even as Rachel, she jumps at shadows, suffers from panic attacks and cannot find any peace, locking herself away within her apartment. When she finally dares to walk through the door, she ends up murdered. Only in death does Kaela find the strength to fight for what she believes in when she finally sees the truth about the world she lived in. It was sad that she had to die to see reality. Only then did she understand that she wasted precious time which she could never regain.
The author uses this character to show the importance of not taking life for granted, the importance of living every day, opening yourself up to those around you, even if they may end up disappointing you. The author reminds us that we never know how much time we have left.
Paranormal thriller fan or not, you will find this light ghost story a gripping, entertaining read that allows you to escape reality and then leaves you with some food for thought as you close the book.
October 17, 2022
If a thriller mystery can be fun and whimsical - then by fits the bill to a "t!" I don't read seasonal books - but I am happy I read this as we entered the Halloween season.
Rachel Drake volunteers for a trauma helpline - helping those dealing with a variety of situations needing support and resources to help them with whatever their situation is. Rachel is also managing her own trauma - in fact she is living with a new identity in a new city in a super-secure luxury apartment building.
BUT - and this is not a spoiler - she is murdered after receiving a disturbing call related to her prior life. Instead of moving to the afterlife- she becomes a ghost! And she is stuck in her apartment building. And she is determined to solve her own murder!
We see her as she is able to move through doors to "visit" neighbors - hoping to get clues from them as to her murder. It's a secure building - it has to be from someone inside...
Well - that's the fun. Written with humor and suspense -we visit with Rachel's neighbors who include a man who can speak with the dead, an older woman living in the past listening to old music and dancing with herself and even her friend- who helps with the investigation and stays i the building. We also learn about Rachel's past trauma!
It's a fun read - a mystery and thriller, some love stories and intrigue, even visits with other ghosts.
You need to pick up this book - you will enjoy it and you'll get in your Halloween read...
Thank you @powerlibrarian @camcat_books and @letstalkbookspromo for gifting this book to me and providing the opportunity to read this fun read! I am happy you did!
Rachel Drake volunteers for a trauma helpline - helping those dealing with a variety of situations needing support and resources to help them with whatever their situation is. Rachel is also managing her own trauma - in fact she is living with a new identity in a new city in a super-secure luxury apartment building.
BUT - and this is not a spoiler - she is murdered after receiving a disturbing call related to her prior life. Instead of moving to the afterlife- she becomes a ghost! And she is stuck in her apartment building. And she is determined to solve her own murder!
We see her as she is able to move through doors to "visit" neighbors - hoping to get clues from them as to her murder. It's a secure building - it has to be from someone inside...
Well - that's the fun. Written with humor and suspense -we visit with Rachel's neighbors who include a man who can speak with the dead, an older woman living in the past listening to old music and dancing with herself and even her friend- who helps with the investigation and stays i the building. We also learn about Rachel's past trauma!
It's a fun read - a mystery and thriller, some love stories and intrigue, even visits with other ghosts.
You need to pick up this book - you will enjoy it and you'll get in your Halloween read...
Thank you @powerlibrarian @camcat_books and @letstalkbookspromo for gifting this book to me and providing the opportunity to read this fun read! I am happy you did!
October 15, 2021
The Ghosts of Thorwald Place is a debut novel, and a new author for me. I loved the concept of this book, if certainly was an original read for me. Rachel witnesses her husbands death, and then goes into seclusion not making any friends or leaving the building. One night she is murdered, and becomes a ghost tethered close to the elevator in which she was killed. What follows is an intriguing read as she attempts to discover the truth behind other residents in the building but the pull of the elevator will pull her away before much is revealed at a time. The book contains many twists and turns throughout, which keeps you turning the pages. I certainly would recommend this book to others, I received an ARC from the author and #partnersincrimevbt, and am under no obligation to leave a positive review all opinions expressed here are my own.
August 30, 2021
This debut novel is a captivating read, original in its plot with a writing style that is at points lyrical and heart wrenching. Without revealing any spoilers, it contains twists and unexpected cliff hangers which left me breathless and taken aback. I could not put it down once I started reading it and soon became fully engrossed in the life of the unique individual characters who inhabit Thorwald Place. I highly recommend The Ghosts of Thorwald Place for those of you who appreciate a well crafted suspense thriller!
September 21, 2023
This book tries to straddle 2 genres, but leans more murder mystery than ghost story. Secrets abound at Thorwald Place, so there are plenty of mysteries to solve among a crowded character list. None of the people in the tower seem to live the boring lives of normal people with jobs and hobbies. Having such a large cast with so many stories within is one of the strengths of the book, keeping the interest piqued. Another is a great narrator who managed to voice the multiple characters well; the audio version is recommended.
The ghost story component was a little less enjoyable for me. The fright factor was pretty low, and it didn't have much atmospheric nuance, though maybe I should cut her a little slack here, since she's haunting an elevator instead of a creepy old house. But also, I think the author should have sought less corporeal descriptions of her ghost's emotions--chills creeping up the spine, hairs standing on end, and pressure in the chest--just what body is feeling these things, Rachel? Because you don't have one!
None of the characters were particularly likeable, including Rachel, who isn't a bad person, just self-involved and not someone you'd make an effort to befriend. As Rachel tries to figure out what's going on with all the residents, she describes her progress in the first person present tense and enlightens the reader to her musings by asking herself questions. Many, many questions, often the same question just phrased differently. That got tedious, but following the various mysteries was still enjoyable and clear closure was provided for all.
An average, but solid, 3 stars.
The ghost story component was a little less enjoyable for me. The fright factor was pretty low, and it didn't have much atmospheric nuance, though maybe I should cut her a little slack here, since she's haunting an elevator instead of a creepy old house. But also, I think the author should have sought less corporeal descriptions of her ghost's emotions--chills creeping up the spine, hairs standing on end, and pressure in the chest--just what body is feeling these things, Rachel? Because you don't have one!
None of the characters were particularly likeable, including Rachel, who isn't a bad person, just self-involved and not someone you'd make an effort to befriend. As Rachel tries to figure out what's going on with all the residents, she describes her progress in the first person present tense and enlightens the reader to her musings by asking herself questions. Many, many questions, often the same question just phrased differently. That got tedious, but following the various mysteries was still enjoyable and clear closure was provided for all.
An average, but solid, 3 stars.
February 12, 2022
Interesting take on a murder mystery. A woman who changed her name and has been hiding out in a supposedly secure high scale apartment building is brutally murdered in the elevator. When she awakes she knows she dead and is only able to wander so far away from the the murder scene (the elevator).
As she floats through the building she finds out her neighbors all harbor secrets, some dark and dangerous. While this is happening, we also go back in time to find out how she ended up murdered - from before she met her husband, to his death and then a crazy stalker.
All aspects of the story from the current to the past and how it all eventually leads to a shocking conclusion are fascinating and keeps you turning the pages.
As she floats through the building she finds out her neighbors all harbor secrets, some dark and dangerous. While this is happening, we also go back in time to find out how she ended up murdered - from before she met her husband, to his death and then a crazy stalker.
All aspects of the story from the current to the past and how it all eventually leads to a shocking conclusion are fascinating and keeps you turning the pages.
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