This was the first book I read by RJ Ellory, quite some time ago. At the moment this book isn't for sale in the Netherlands, something I find really strange, for it was one of the best thrillers I've ever read.

It's not primarily about the story, that wasn't too special, but the writing style is just terrific. Sometimes is closer to a novel than a suspense novel, but it is enjoyable anyways. Here in the Netherlands publicers like to use the word Literature when describing a thriller, but if there is one writer who deserves to be called 'Literature Thriller' it has to be RJ Ellory!

 

Note: I read a Dutch translation of this book

 

Note: I've heard since writing this review that Ellory apparently has been writing good reviews about himself, and negative ones about other writers. I don't understand why people would do that, but especially Ellory, because his books are really good!

A novel I first read many years ago, I came to "Ghostheart" with great anticipation. A good story well told is worth more than any amount of money and Mr Ellory never lets me down on that front. I had a vague remembrance of enjoying it muchly, and that was the case again now. In it we meet Annie O Neill, a single lady who drifts from day to day, opening her bookshop that people rarely visit and spending her evenings with her good neighbour Sullivan. Annie still feels the loss of her father, and believes there should be something more to life. One day an elderly gentleman arrives in her shop bringing with him an aged manuscript and the hope of some knowledge of her father...but what exactly are his intentions?Cleverly paced, this book takes us between Annie's reality and that of the story brought to her. As Annie reads about another life, another time, in her world things change and clarify..sometimes for the better and sometimes not. As she finds that life she so desperately seeks, still she has not found that one thing that will define her. Hey I know that feeling at the moment! This book asks the question - is it ALWAYS best to know the truth? Or is it more true that ignorance can be bliss....I still find myself amazed at how the characters in Mr Ellory's novels pop right off the page and into your life. Every time for me - Annie had a lot of the same personality traits that I recognise in myself and that made this read all the more poignant. But taking this novel just as it is - a story to take you into another world for a while - its nigh on perfect. Anyone who appreciates great writing, great characters, real sense of place and time and likes to be transported away from lifes little annoyances while they read should definitely pick this up. Or, for that matter, any of the other novels by this author. My favourite of which is still Candlemoth - next on my Ellory re-read list so a review will come soon. Happy Reading!

truly brilliant soul searching read