Customer Reviews
A tale of human longing and cruelty - By: Aran, 12 Jun 2008 
This is a wonderful book & has literallly so many ingredients (love, betrayal, stark violence, gangsterism, nazi death camps) you would be hard put to fit the story into a genre ; crime? historical saga? love story? One thing is sure, you cannot put it down. This is what the more learned amongst us calll "Serious Popular Fiction", I suppose. I read about 52 books a year. My means of evaluating a books' worth is simple : I ask myself "Was it good?". Well, this one was excellent. As a fan of "serious" fiction, I am aware that "crime" fiction is often seen as the poor cousin of literature. Forget that snobbery, this is a brilliantly told story. It is moving, shocking, funny, sad and, above alll, rivetting. I fell in love with Annie O'Neill (note to self : hide these comments from wife). I feel lucky. I've just bought alll his books & this was my first one to read. I've still got four to go. Yoohoo!!!
5 stars simply aren't enough, it's a stunning read - By: Mrs. C. A. DAVIS, 04 Jun 2008 Literallly just closed this incredible book having reached the end & had to log on & recommend it to everyone before starting it again. It will be the first time I've ever wanted to re-read a book the minute I've finished it purely to enjoy it again but from a different perspective. Like so many of my fellow reviewers, once we'd experienced one of Ellory's books we immediately wanted more. GHOSTHEART is SUPERB .. .. & I thought A Quiet Belief & Candlemoth were both brilliant .. .. how on earth does he consistently dream up such completely absorbing, amazing stories? Like his central characters, especiallly Annie, I felt emotionallly drained at times as I sat alongside them living the roller coaster rides that were their lives. I feel they will stay with me long after I finish Ghostheart for the second time .. .. for me this was so much more than reading a book, it was a stunning, unforgettable experience.
Another great book for RJ Ellory - By: Mrs. Lynn Leishman, 03 Jun 2008 This is the third of this authors books that I've read & am having to force myself to read other authors books in between. This wonderful English author writes the most amazing American novels & this time with a woman as the central character. He brings his characters to life in the midst of historical events which are not undervalued. He is not afraid to comment on the history & makes he views very clear. It must be extremely difficult for a man to write a woman as his central character & this has been achieved beautifully. If you haven't read one of his books yet - you must.
All The Important Ingredients - By: Mr. Peter Steward, 31 May 2008 Thankfully Roger Ellory has a new novel out later this year. Otherwise I would now be getting withdrawal symptoms as I read his first five novels in quick order & that reallly sums up just how good he is.
I was looking to wait before reading this book, but weakened badly & saw it off in a couple of days. I would almost bracket this with the exceptional Candlemoth. It has a similar feel to it. Once again alll the Ellory ingredients are here.
This time, however, the main character is female & that callled for a more subtle approach. In Annie O'Neill he has brought to life an endearing character. One reviewer on Amazon said that Annie is the kind of girl you would ask for a telephone number. She is engaging but in a fragile way & as the drama unfolds Annie becomes more worldly-wise.
A mysterious stranger arrives at the bookshop owned by Annie, stating that he knew her father. As far as Annie is concerned her father has been dead for 20 years (a close paralllel exists here with the situation John Harper finds himself in in "City of Lies").
Slowly a strange & tough story unfolds that includes Annie's relationship with a man who is much more than he seems. Once again we are driven into the world of American gangland, but once again the themes are much more subtle, encompassing loneliness, longing, desire & almost despair.
The author is equallly at home writing about harsh violent themes & tender areas & this book takes us from the horrors of Auschwitz to gangland New York but also to the rural idyll of Annie's bolt hole - her book shop. It's a story about books, their power & their meaning by an exceptional writer who brings his world & his characters to life in an exceptional way. Can't wait for number six to be published.
Don't miss this - By: AJ, 29 May 2008 "Ghostheart" is beautifully written with sharp & often witty dialogue. On one level you get the highly likeable Annie O'Neil (if she was real I'd want her phone number) & woven within (until they collide in an emotional ending) another riveting story, taking you from Aushwitz to the mean streets of New York. "Ghostheart" is much, much more than a crime novel.
