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The Ghost Painter
Eccentric, world-famous Santa Fe artist Adelaide Moran, recently arrived in heaven, is obsessed with not having finished painting the masterpiece that she feels will be so different from all others that it will forever ensure her legacy in the history of art. Invading the dreams of her earthly assistant, Ramon Herrera, she elicits his help--and that of a Taos shaman and a psychic--to steal the soul of talented young New York painter Angelina Bonelli. Whisked to New Mexico and held prisoner as she is guided by Moran's ghostly hand painting on the masterpiece, Angelina struggles against dark, seemingly immovable forces to find her way back to the reclamation of her soul as an artist and woman. Her best friend, jazz singer Gabriella Burke, and a handsome Santa Fe photographer, Troy Lundberg, join forces in a race against time to rescue Angelina. Bonelli counts Moran as one of her favorite artists, but aches to honor her own artistic expression. Meanwhile, even in death, the spirit of Moran will stop at nothing to become as famous as Georgia O'Keeffe. Two painters, but only one set of hands ... and an art world that may be forever changed.
- GenresMystery
208 pages, Paperback
First published January 25, 2012
83 people want to read
About the author
Marilu Norden
3 books2 followersBorn in Calais, Maine to a minister father and a dietician mother, Marilu Norden showed an early interest in art when, at age four, she rendered with her crayons a red schoolhouse against a blue sky on the floral-patterned wallpaper of her room. Despite the then negative reaction from her parents, she knew art was a satisfying way to express herself.
Later, in school plays, she discovered the joys of dancing, singing, and acting in front of an audience. Studies in art at Syracuse University as well as with many estimable instructors throughout the years helped refine her artistic talents.
In Hollywood, as a young single mother of two small children, she worked as a fashion model and, as a vocalist with big bands, made some recordings at Capitol Records. She also appeared in print jobs, films and television commercials. Marrying a clinical psychologist and moving to La Jolla, California, Marilu soon had three more children and became active in local theatre, appearing in major roles in the Starlight Opera and the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.
In Del Mar, California where she, her husband, and family lived for twenty years, she founded and directed her own theater, and helped in the foundation of two others, continuing her acting and also producing. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, she painted professionally and performed onstage as well as in film and television. She was an active member of the steering committee for the Greer Garson Theatre Center at the College of Santa Fe and served on the boards of two other theaters for the ten years she and her husband lived in The City Different.
It was in Santa Fe also that she commenced the writing of her first novel, Unbridled: A Tale of a Divorce Ranch, a story based on personal experience. Now widowed and living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Marilu continues to paint, exhibit her art, and perform onstage. She has now published her second book at the young age of 86, The Ghost Painter, a story about an artist who dies before her life's work is complete and fights her way back to finish her masterpiece. Set in both Santa Fe and New York City, this book is sure to please many locals with mentions of great haunts around town.
Later, in school plays, she discovered the joys of dancing, singing, and acting in front of an audience. Studies in art at Syracuse University as well as with many estimable instructors throughout the years helped refine her artistic talents.
In Hollywood, as a young single mother of two small children, she worked as a fashion model and, as a vocalist with big bands, made some recordings at Capitol Records. She also appeared in print jobs, films and television commercials. Marrying a clinical psychologist and moving to La Jolla, California, Marilu soon had three more children and became active in local theatre, appearing in major roles in the Starlight Opera and the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego.
In Del Mar, California where she, her husband, and family lived for twenty years, she founded and directed her own theater, and helped in the foundation of two others, continuing her acting and also producing. In Santa Fe, New Mexico, she painted professionally and performed onstage as well as in film and television. She was an active member of the steering committee for the Greer Garson Theatre Center at the College of Santa Fe and served on the boards of two other theaters for the ten years she and her husband lived in The City Different.
It was in Santa Fe also that she commenced the writing of her first novel, Unbridled: A Tale of a Divorce Ranch, a story based on personal experience. Now widowed and living in Santa Fe, New Mexico, Marilu continues to paint, exhibit her art, and perform onstage. She has now published her second book at the young age of 86, The Ghost Painter, a story about an artist who dies before her life's work is complete and fights her way back to finish her masterpiece. Set in both Santa Fe and New York City, this book is sure to please many locals with mentions of great haunts around town.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
June 18, 2012
Well, I am far, far, too warm and fuzzy from a personal achievement in photography and a number of beers to write a super epic review. Either that or this will be a most epic review.
I loved the idea of this book. The concept, I felt, was brilliant. A famous artist dies, and even though she has lived a full and successful life, she feels as though her masterpiece is incomplete. Anyone that knows artists knows that when it comes to their work they are utter perfectionists. So, it is completely plausible that Adelaide Moran would find a way to posses a still-living artist to complete her work. Marilu Norden clearly drew on her experiences as an artist for a lot of the book. Her descriptions of the art work and any of the out-of-body experiences were brilliant. Her passion for color and movement shows beautifully.
Marliu, I really do believe that if we didn't live on basically opposite sides of the country, we would get along well. I feel as though you are the kind of crazy artist that I would get along with well. And thank you for sending me your book through Goodreads Giveaways!
However, however, however. I had a hard time reading this book. A large part of me wanted to take a red pen and cross out most of the novel. It borders on novella-size, anyway, and I wanted to make it most clearly a novella, hell, even a short story. A lot of the description felt unnecessary and like fluff; there was a lot of “telling” rather than “showing.” There are two rules in writing that I really do believe to be almost all encompassing.
1. Show, don't tell.
2. Less is more.
Of course there are always exceptions to this rule, but I feel as though this book could have done with a heavy dose of editing out the extra description words.
Chapters 15 through 27 were really great. A lot of what came before and after felt unnecessarily tacked on. I'd rather read the story and not the back story. 15-27 is where the story peaked, so of course some of the other chapters were necessary, but they fell flat of the expectations I had for such a wonderfully creative premise.
This concept has a lot of promise. So many possession stories are all about revenge, that is gets old, frankly. Though the “Thriller” tag on the back cover is a little misleading, I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, more so as fantasy. This was a breath of fresh air.
I loved the idea of this book. The concept, I felt, was brilliant. A famous artist dies, and even though she has lived a full and successful life, she feels as though her masterpiece is incomplete. Anyone that knows artists knows that when it comes to their work they are utter perfectionists. So, it is completely plausible that Adelaide Moran would find a way to posses a still-living artist to complete her work. Marilu Norden clearly drew on her experiences as an artist for a lot of the book. Her descriptions of the art work and any of the out-of-body experiences were brilliant. Her passion for color and movement shows beautifully.
Marliu, I really do believe that if we didn't live on basically opposite sides of the country, we would get along well. I feel as though you are the kind of crazy artist that I would get along with well. And thank you for sending me your book through Goodreads Giveaways!
However, however, however. I had a hard time reading this book. A large part of me wanted to take a red pen and cross out most of the novel. It borders on novella-size, anyway, and I wanted to make it most clearly a novella, hell, even a short story. A lot of the description felt unnecessary and like fluff; there was a lot of “telling” rather than “showing.” There are two rules in writing that I really do believe to be almost all encompassing.
1. Show, don't tell.
2. Less is more.
Of course there are always exceptions to this rule, but I feel as though this book could have done with a heavy dose of editing out the extra description words.
Chapters 15 through 27 were really great. A lot of what came before and after felt unnecessarily tacked on. I'd rather read the story and not the back story. 15-27 is where the story peaked, so of course some of the other chapters were necessary, but they fell flat of the expectations I had for such a wonderfully creative premise.
This concept has a lot of promise. So many possession stories are all about revenge, that is gets old, frankly. Though the “Thriller” tag on the back cover is a little misleading, I wouldn't classify this as a thriller, more so as fantasy. This was a breath of fresh air.
August 21, 2012
The story is a good story, but its execution was a little unrealistic. Some of the dialogue was unbelievable, for instance the seance, some of the dialoge with the Indians were stereotyped. The idea that a deceased painter could be so bent on finishing her masterpeice that she would go so far as to possess another painter in order to do it is a good concept. Another area that I felt was a bit unrealistic was Angelina's thoughts. She thought too linearly and too formally. When I'm thinking I don't think so completely. Also Ms. Norden was good at telling, but there were many areas she could have shown instead. This was a good concept, but it could be improved. I am glad I got the chance to read it.
June 24, 2012
I won this book in a goodreads giveaway. I entered because the premise of this book sounded really interesting, a painter dies before she can finish her masterpiece and tries to use someone else to finish it for her. However, I was a little disappointed, the descriptions of the artwork were great but the rest was kind of iffy for me. I don't know if it was because there were so many characters that maybe it should've been longer to develop them and their relationships better or if some characters could've been taken out. Seriously, did we need Claudine and Ramon? I think it would've still worked with just the shaman but who knows? I was just disappointed.
November 30, 2013
The plot for this book was very interesting, something new and different from all the 'Teen Paranormal Romances' floating around right now.
I realize now, after finishing the book that Adelaide's strong determination to get her 'masterpiece' done was beneficial to the story. But I found it a little off-putting in the beginning and it made it a little harder for me to connect with that character.
I did connect with Angelina's character, and would have liked to see more about her life after this instance and her new found artistic abilities.
I recieved this book through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. This has not affected my review in any way.
I realize now, after finishing the book that Adelaide's strong determination to get her 'masterpiece' done was beneficial to the story. But I found it a little off-putting in the beginning and it made it a little harder for me to connect with that character.
I did connect with Angelina's character, and would have liked to see more about her life after this instance and her new found artistic abilities.
I recieved this book through the GoodReads First Reads Giveaway. This has not affected my review in any way.
February 27, 2015
I finished reading this book quite a while ago, and had a hard time making up my mind how I liked it. It is one of those books that is "almost good", and I would give it a 3.5 if I could. It has possibilities and the plot is interesting. However, there are several unresolved issues, and inconsistencies in both the story line and character portrayals. It has an unfinished feel to it.
June 13, 2012
I'm glad I waited to review this book. I enjoyed the premise, and the idea of heaven! I liked the character development but at some point it seemed a little cheesy. What made that okay, was the book event pointed out itself that it seemed cheesy. Overall the book grew on me more than I realized and there are people I will be recommending it to. It blends artistry well with story telling.
June 3, 2012
Just finished the book which I found intriguing and compelling to read to the end of each chapter and desiring to jump into the next chapter. This was not my usual subject matter for reading, but I found it grabbing my interest and attention completely so that I finished it in a couple days despite other activities distracting me.
Definitely recommend.
Definitely recommend.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews