Ghosts from the Past

Marcie and Amanda Mysteries #3

by Glen Ebisch

Researching an article on regional ghost stories for her popular New England magazine, Marcie Ducasse discovers the past is alive and dangerous in Doric, Vermont. In 1944, three young men were found hanged in an old barn. The mystery was never solved, but one greedy old-timer says he can identify the killer—for a price. Hours later, he is found swinging from the very same rafter.

Since she was the last person to see the old man alive, Marcie is ordered to stick around by the sheriff. She teams up with a local reporter to dig deeper into the lives of the victims past and present to uncover the secrets that led to their violent ends. Soon, Marcie pieces together a shocking story involving conspiracy, blackmail and politics. And a killer who's convinced murder is the only way to keep the dead silent…and the living from talking.

Genres: Mystery, Horror

250 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Glen Albert Ebisch lives with his wife in western Massachusetts. His interests include philosophy, yoga, and reading mysteries..

Reviews

[Teresa R. Cevallos · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Although here's no ghost at all is a good story for everyone, I really enjoyed. The whispering voice reader was totally annoying using string of words instead of phrases and paragraphs, definitely need some serious evaluation

[Lakima King · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good read!

I liked the way the storyline built itself. Had me guessing the whole time about the real story. The little clues through out where just enough to allow you to guess who the killer was. Great job.

[Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

A dilapidated barn and a mystery inside.

To solve the mystery of a town's past, that was pushed aside and buried. A captivating novel full of suspense and surprises.

[Lucinda Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent suspense- kept me guessing until the end.

[J. Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written, well-plotted, good characterization. Liked the main characters. Breezy read. Engaging. Was a bit disappointed that the ghost part is minimal but that's okay. A solid mystery.

[Tolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story. It focused a bit on what it was like to not be able to serve during WW2 and it had some thoughts I've never really read about from that point of view. Fast and spooky.

[Jeanine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay, rather predictable mystery.

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and disappointing compared to the other two. The ghost story was negligible and the killer both past and present was obvious. At 40% into the story I'd figured out who and why, and was so bored I skipped to the last two chapters. The end played out exactly as I expected.

Since this series is available to read on Amazon Unlimited, I'll give the author another chance and try book 4.


Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Luna Lovebooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be honest, I am not a huge mystery fan. I have read a few; but, what drew me to this one was the title. While the ghosts weren’t prominent in the story, they still hinted at the paranormal. Sometimes that is all that is needed.

The story drew me in and made me want to keep reading to find out what happens. Marcie and Kevin make a great pair working both together and separate to find the clues to solve the case. However, I was still surprised by who the culprit was! There are places in the story where it slows down and drags a little.

Overall this wasn’t a bad read. I give it three wails. Get it because ghosts wail? I know I’m terrible at jokes just bear with me

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Marcie, who writes a paranormal column for a New England lifestyle magazine, is investigating a tip about three men who were hanged in a barn sixty years ago. The farmer who sent in the information now wants a big payoff before he turns over his story, which now is said to include information on the original murderer. Marcie can't pay as much as he wants, but by the next day, he's been hanged, too. The local police chief is willing to let the death pass as suicide, but a young reporter joins Marcie on her quest to find a murderer who seems to have committed crimes 60 years apart.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 3rd book in the Marcie and Amanda series. In this book Marcie is on her own and investigating the ghosts of the 3 hanged men, when her interviewee ends up dead and she ends up stuck in town. While there she teams up with Kevin Murray, another local reporter to investigate. This one was quite engrossing, but the end was somewhat predictable.
On a separate note, I wish the Good Reads app would have the ability to switch book formats. I read the Kindle edition, but it entered it as the hardback edition.

[Bruce Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't like this one as well as the first two I read from Glen Ebisch in this series. He played with romance between the main characters. It kind of reminded me of pulling petals off a daisy. He loves me, he loves me not. Was it love at first sight?

The story was well written, and had a good plot, and good crime solving.

It would be interesting to see others' response to the romance portion. If it is well received by other readers, maybe I need to rethink my own writing. His romance version seemed more old fashioned rather than what I'm used to writing or reading.

[penny temple · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ghosts" from the past

This story took a very long time to read. That is not a good sign. I felt the characters were pretty one dimensional, I never felt bonded to any of them. Perhaps it is just me, but there were so many characters who had insignificant parts it was difficult to keep everyone straight. Perhaps the story was not to my taste, but I am afraid I would not be able to recommend it.

[Jeff Dickison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very tepid murder mystery as writer for paranormal column for New England magazine investigates a decades old murder mystery which is also connected to a recent murder. I figured who the murderer was as soon as he was introduced in the book. This would be a likely candidate to be transformed into a Lifetime channel movie. Very tame and not very interesting. Not recommended.

[Roxann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writer of a paranormal column for a New England magazine goes searching for 'ghosts' of three men hanged 60 years earlier. As she investigates she is drawn into the mystery of who did it and why are people being killed now.

This was an ok book-it was a fast read. I'm not certain I would read another in the series though.

[Donna Eklund · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

Great story

The book earned the rating. Great story,leads the reader through the strange legend of the hanged men. Who were they and why we're they hanged. How did the legend lead to a present day murder? The story leads the reader and keeps you suspense until the very.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting plot

It is an entertaining book with an interesting plot. Marcie, the main character, meets a man with a secret and dies without telling the secret. Marcie and a new friend try to solve the mystery. It is a good story that keeps you reading to the end.

[Aimee McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good better than crying girl awesome plot lots of twist and turns keeps you guessing to the end

Like mystery books and this one was good a real who done it and why will try another story by the same

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a quick to read mystery. Would like to read the prequels to this one also.

[Steph (loves water) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Four stars again from the sapsucker...I can't help it if I love the atmosphere, and the stories are clever. There were typos again...Mr. Ebisch, if you need an editor, I'm volunteering my services!

[Helena Tucker]

Great storyline

I gave it 3 stars because while it was a great storyline, it didn't hold my attention or make me want to keep reading.

[Susan · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing. The writing was fine but it is a very weak ghost story. Not spooky or scared. . . This title is misleading. I want a story with ghosts to at least. Be a little spooky, please!

[Frances Donald · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

Ok

a good read, not to weird. kinda slow at times. but kept me coming back. probably will buy another book by this author.

[Gloria Mccracken · Rating 3 out of 5]

An okay book from an okay series. The writings a little gawky but the plots aren't bad.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not for me

Was an easy read. Came across a lot of errors. Story just didn't grab me. Found my self drifting off as I was reading at times.

[Stephanie Sue Laughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery

This was a real page-turner! I really enjoyed the characters and how the story comes together! The author does a wonderful job of keeping you guessing.

[Miki]

Quick read . Okay story !

[Jennifer Farr · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't love it, but it was OK

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good murder mystery with great ending.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book and can't wait to read the next book in this series.