The Winter Ghosts (2009) (edit title/settings)

• Rated 4 stars

“This was a nice little ghost story that takes place in the Pyrenees right after WW1. I would like to see those mountains sometime. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“Nice little ghost story. M.R.James without the hyper terror. Saki without the humor. Twist pretty easy to spot, but she does a lovely job of building suspense. Loved the woodcuts at the chapter heading.”

• Rated 1 stars

“Whilst the small element of history, in relation to the fate of the last Cathars was interesting, the story itself was incredibly slight. Not enough tension to be classed as a ghost story, but the main criticism is that it was appallingly written - bad simile after bad simile, platitude upon platitude - with no realflow. Thankfully it was short and easy to read”

• Rated 4 stars

“What a lovely story, well written and beautifully told. Freddie has found some parchment written in Occitane, the old language, he takes it to a bookseller to be translated. The bookseller asks Freddie how he came by the parchment and he is told the story of Freddie's journey. It is am amazing journey of discovery in many ways, historically, and also emotionally as Freddie is able to come to terms with the death of the brother he lost in the war. His discoveries not only help him but also the inhabitants of the village of Nulle where great sadness hangs in a grey cloud. ”

• Rated 0 stars

“Hmmm....an inconclusive, well written ghost story , far too many things left unfinished both in characters and plot. Disappointing. ”

• Rated 3 stars

“For some reason this felt like reading a long short story, if there can be such a thing. Maybe that was because it centred on one character (1st person narrative) over a very short period of time - basically just a few days, and mostly just a couple of days. We knew before the main character that there was some ghostly goings-on.”

• Rated 4 stars

“greatly atmospheric, a very traditional ghost story with a hint of a love story. very easy to read. I liked this quite a lot”

• Rated 2 stars

“I loved the setting for the book, and thought the descriptive passages about it were amazing, and I liked the historical details.

With regards to the plot of the book, I thought it started well, and I was intrigued to discovered what was going to happen, but as the book went on, I found it predictable. Even as he met with Fabrissa in the Ostal I thought it was pretty clear what was going to happen. I'd hoped for another twist of some kind, but it never came.

Enjoyable, but not one I'd read again.”

• Rated 3 stars

“This is a very good read - set after WWI about a mentally recovering man and his encounter with the ghost of a young girl from the past in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. ”

• Rated 5 stars

“Really enjoyable read, which unusually for me I managed in two days. Thoroughly enjoyable and recommended.”