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The Dori Orihuela Series
Lost in the Light
No one remembers…
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white house on the hill and was never seen again.
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela helplessly witnesses his brutal murder in her nightmares.
Settling into a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, Dori restores her dream home while recovering from a bullet wound and waiting to go back on duty.
But then one afternoon, Vicente materializes out of Dori's butler's pantry and asks her to find a woman named Anna. Dori wonders if she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori and Vicente's unlikely friendship takes us back to the waning days of Prohibition in San Diego and the Westside barrio of National City, California. Mary Castillo's latest novel, featuring the wild Orihuela family that first delighted readers in Names I Call My Sister, weaves romance, history and mystery into a humorous, touching and unforgettable story.
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white house on the hill and was never seen again.
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela helplessly witnesses his brutal murder in her nightmares.
Settling into a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, Dori restores her dream home while recovering from a bullet wound and waiting to go back on duty.
But then one afternoon, Vicente materializes out of Dori's butler's pantry and asks her to find a woman named Anna. Dori wonders if she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori and Vicente's unlikely friendship takes us back to the waning days of Prohibition in San Diego and the Westside barrio of National City, California. Mary Castillo's latest novel, featuring the wild Orihuela family that first delighted readers in Names I Call My Sister, weaves romance, history and mystery into a humorous, touching and unforgettable story.
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 25, 2012
23 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Mary Castillo
19 books121 followersMary Castillo's novels have turned romance and mystery readers into dedicated fans. She is the author of The Dori O. Paranormal Mysteries starting with Lost in the Light and Girl in the Mist. Her romantic comedies include Switchcraft, In Between Men and Hot Tamara and novellas featured in the anthologies, Orange County Noir, Names I Call My Sister and Friday Night Chicas.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
October 23, 2014
Very engaging & interesting read that I got for free through the Read2Review section of the Paranormal & Horror Lovers group. Fantastic idea & a great way to meet new authors. I'm glad I met this one.
While this is a ghost story, it's a mystery & has a true horror element to it, but most of that is what humans can do to each other, nothing supernatural about it & it's all the more horrible for that. The mystery is interesting, solved partially by flashbacks into the days of the Great Depression & Prohibition. There's also a strong romantic element running through the story - no explicit sex.
On the downside, I found the narrative a bit choppy at times & the motivations of characters didn't always ring quite true, but the latter could be me. I felt it was a bit a stretch to give this a full 4 stars, but 3 stars weren't really enough.
I'll definitely look at some of this author's other books.
While this is a ghost story, it's a mystery & has a true horror element to it, but most of that is what humans can do to each other, nothing supernatural about it & it's all the more horrible for that. The mystery is interesting, solved partially by flashbacks into the days of the Great Depression & Prohibition. There's also a strong romantic element running through the story - no explicit sex.
On the downside, I found the narrative a bit choppy at times & the motivations of characters didn't always ring quite true, but the latter could be me. I felt it was a bit a stretch to give this a full 4 stars, but 3 stars weren't really enough.
I'll definitely look at some of this author's other books.
November 24, 2020
Review posted on Kindles & Wine
Boy, this book evokes mixed feelings in me...sort of like my dog does. I adore my pooch and would do just about anything for him. I love running to see him, and he rewards me with teeny doggie kisses (benefit to owning a tiny 7-pound dog is that everything is so cute - he's even cute when he poops, I promise!). But despite all the goodness, I sometimes have to wag my finger at him and scold him, kind of like that blonde Delta airline safety video chick. Confused? Let's review...
The premise itself is fantastic. Dori is on leave from her job on the police force, and she's taking advantage of the time off not only to recover but also to work on her newly purchased, super-old mansion...except she's not alone (dun-dun-duuuun - that's the scary music). Old mansions wouldn't be the same without a resident ghost, right? Except this one's cute, has an attitude, and is unable to move on without finding out what happened to the love of his life. His name is Vicente, and he's been searching for Anna for years except he seems unable to leave Dori's newly acquired mansion.
The other characters in the story are very well-rounded. There's Dori's crazy grandma, who honestly deserves a book of her own - she has quite the colorful past, filled with bootlegging and other not-exactly-legal activities. While Dori is searching for Vicente's lost love, she meets and befriends Meg, who works in the local library and is from England. Lastly, there's Dori's sexy ex-boyfriend who's been called by Dori's grandma to put a bid on the work Dori needs done on the house. Who doesn't love a meddling grandma, right? {wiggles eyebrows up & down}
The book alternates between Dori's perspective in the present day and Vicente's perspective in 1925. I loved the alternating-time technique used here. I feel like I'm getting a BOGO when books do this - two stories in one!
Lots of good things, right?? Let's get to the finger-wagging part.
While I loved the premise, I feel like the story lacked in two key areas. First, I'm not sure there was enough history between Vicente and his "true love" Anna to really call it "true love." Without spoiling too much, the two lovebirds didn't really get to spend much time together. They're apart much more than they're together, and when they're together toward the end, I didn't feel the connection they had when they first met. Although it sounds like I just spoiled things for you, I swear I didn't--Vicente says from the start that Anna is his true love. If Vicente and Anna's "togetherness" had been allowed a little more time, this part of the story would have resonated a lot more with me.
The second area that I wish the author had expanded on is the background descriptions. I was confused a lot of the time about Dori's surroundings, especially when she was at home. Normally I think I do a good job of visualizing what things might look like (I'm an über-visual person), but there were a number of occasions where I thought Dori was in one room of her house and then suddenly she was somewhere else. Note to self: Remember to highlight book passages so you can reference them in reviews!
Bottom Line
If I disregard the two finger-wagging items, then I can say I really enjoyed the premise of Lost in the Light ...in fact, it sounds like it's part of a series, and I will definitely purchase the other one. I'm curious to see where the author will take the character (will she become a ghost hunter now?). I think the paranormal elements were very well-done, and there's just enough romance in the story to make you wonder how things will turn out.
Rating: It was this close to getting a B, but I have to go with a B- (3½ stars) due to the finger-wagging.
Review copy courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review
Boy, this book evokes mixed feelings in me...sort of like my dog does. I adore my pooch and would do just about anything for him. I love running to see him, and he rewards me with teeny doggie kisses (benefit to owning a tiny 7-pound dog is that everything is so cute - he's even cute when he poops, I promise!). But despite all the goodness, I sometimes have to wag my finger at him and scold him, kind of like that blonde Delta airline safety video chick. Confused? Let's review...
The premise itself is fantastic. Dori is on leave from her job on the police force, and she's taking advantage of the time off not only to recover but also to work on her newly purchased, super-old mansion...except she's not alone (dun-dun-duuuun - that's the scary music). Old mansions wouldn't be the same without a resident ghost, right? Except this one's cute, has an attitude, and is unable to move on without finding out what happened to the love of his life. His name is Vicente, and he's been searching for Anna for years except he seems unable to leave Dori's newly acquired mansion.
The other characters in the story are very well-rounded. There's Dori's crazy grandma, who honestly deserves a book of her own - she has quite the colorful past, filled with bootlegging and other not-exactly-legal activities. While Dori is searching for Vicente's lost love, she meets and befriends Meg, who works in the local library and is from England. Lastly, there's Dori's sexy ex-boyfriend who's been called by Dori's grandma to put a bid on the work Dori needs done on the house. Who doesn't love a meddling grandma, right? {wiggles eyebrows up & down}
The book alternates between Dori's perspective in the present day and Vicente's perspective in 1925. I loved the alternating-time technique used here. I feel like I'm getting a BOGO when books do this - two stories in one!
Lots of good things, right?? Let's get to the finger-wagging part.
While I loved the premise, I feel like the story lacked in two key areas. First, I'm not sure there was enough history between Vicente and his "true love" Anna to really call it "true love." Without spoiling too much, the two lovebirds didn't really get to spend much time together. They're apart much more than they're together, and when they're together toward the end, I didn't feel the connection they had when they first met. Although it sounds like I just spoiled things for you, I swear I didn't--Vicente says from the start that Anna is his true love. If Vicente and Anna's "togetherness" had been allowed a little more time, this part of the story would have resonated a lot more with me.
The second area that I wish the author had expanded on is the background descriptions. I was confused a lot of the time about Dori's surroundings, especially when she was at home. Normally I think I do a good job of visualizing what things might look like (I'm an über-visual person), but there were a number of occasions where I thought Dori was in one room of her house and then suddenly she was somewhere else. Note to self: Remember to highlight book passages so you can reference them in reviews!
Bottom Line
If I disregard the two finger-wagging items, then I can say I really enjoyed the premise of Lost in the Light ...in fact, it sounds like it's part of a series, and I will definitely purchase the other one. I'm curious to see where the author will take the character (will she become a ghost hunter now?). I think the paranormal elements were very well-done, and there's just enough romance in the story to make you wonder how things will turn out.
Rating: It was this close to getting a B, but I have to go with a B- (3½ stars) due to the finger-wagging.
Review copy courtesy of the author in exchange for an honest review
August 1, 2017
This was a really sweet story, I do love ghost stories which are centred around history and emotions rather than spirits shouting 'boo' at the unsuspecting.
Dori is a police officer at her very core, so when she's on administrative leave following a shooting - she has to deal with other parts of her life and what kind of person she is without a badge.
When a ghost appears in her new house, it becomes clear that she's a woman of integrity and loyalty. They both share these traits and strike up a slightly unusual friendship, leading Dori to start looking for the woman that Vicente left behind before his death so that he can rest in peace.
This story flits back and forth between present day, where Dori is trying her best to forge meaningful relationships with the people around her, and the 1920s-30s where Vicente was trying his best to be the man that the woman of his dreams needed him to be.
I don't want to give anything away but if you're like me and quite particular about the ending of ghost stories - rest assured, this has a very satisfying ending!
It's a very touching, human story which was made all the more moving by the author's own narration. Nobody knows better than the author how they want their characters to speak, though it can be a risky manouvre if they don't have the voice talent to back it up - not an issue in this case! Castillo brings all her characters to life, which elevates the story to something wonderful.
My favourite character, as voiced by Castillo, has got to be Dori's grandmother - the sassy but proud lady who is scared of becoming a burden to her family in her old age.
This is a beautiful story and well worth picking up in audio form!
Dori is a police officer at her very core, so when she's on administrative leave following a shooting - she has to deal with other parts of her life and what kind of person she is without a badge.
When a ghost appears in her new house, it becomes clear that she's a woman of integrity and loyalty. They both share these traits and strike up a slightly unusual friendship, leading Dori to start looking for the woman that Vicente left behind before his death so that he can rest in peace.
This story flits back and forth between present day, where Dori is trying her best to forge meaningful relationships with the people around her, and the 1920s-30s where Vicente was trying his best to be the man that the woman of his dreams needed him to be.
I don't want to give anything away but if you're like me and quite particular about the ending of ghost stories - rest assured, this has a very satisfying ending!
It's a very touching, human story which was made all the more moving by the author's own narration. Nobody knows better than the author how they want their characters to speak, though it can be a risky manouvre if they don't have the voice talent to back it up - not an issue in this case! Castillo brings all her characters to life, which elevates the story to something wonderful.
My favourite character, as voiced by Castillo, has got to be Dori's grandmother - the sassy but proud lady who is scared of becoming a burden to her family in her old age.
This is a beautiful story and well worth picking up in audio form!
June 27, 2019
I very much enjoyed getting know know Detective Dori Orihuela and Vicente. Never mind the fact that Vicente is a ghost from the 1930s era. He was the key and the murdered subject. Dori was the detective needed to find all the clues and solve a murder that no one really knew took place, or did they. The paranormal aspect of this was the intrigue. The ghost that worked to solve his own murder. The memories that we sorted through. The things pieced together to show just how deceptive, deceitful, petty, and horrific the human can be.
The history of the story brought things to a more real state. Things felt more genuine.
We have the benefit of this author also being the narrator of the story. That for me was a mixed bag of what will I get. I was pleasantly surprised that this was a very good narration from Mary. She gave the story some extra authenticity and realism with her narration. She of course wrote the story, so who else could know what was going on while it was being written and what it was to portray at what times. This brought the levels of the read up in standards.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Audiobookworm Promotions on behalf of various authors, narrators, and publishers. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
The history of the story brought things to a more real state. Things felt more genuine.
We have the benefit of this author also being the narrator of the story. That for me was a mixed bag of what will I get. I was pleasantly surprised that this was a very good narration from Mary. She gave the story some extra authenticity and realism with her narration. She of course wrote the story, so who else could know what was going on while it was being written and what it was to portray at what times. This brought the levels of the read up in standards.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Audiobookworm Promotions on behalf of various authors, narrators, and publishers. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
December 10, 2017
This book kept me on the edge of my char. the writing, the atmosphere, the mystery was great. I couldn't put it down until I finished.
The characters were very well written, the plot was wonderful with the twists and turns. I enjoyed the parallel stories of Dori and Vicente. I was captivated how the story of Dori's discovery of Vincente's fate unfolded. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Highly recommended
The characters were very well written, the plot was wonderful with the twists and turns. I enjoyed the parallel stories of Dori and Vicente. I was captivated how the story of Dori's discovery of Vincente's fate unfolded. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
Highly recommended
December 29, 2012
I really enjoyed this book. Mary Castillo writes in a unique voice and I was immediately pulled into the life of her main character, Dori Orihuela.
Dori is a police officer who has just been shot and is recuperating in a house she bought just before the arrest, a fixer-upper Edwardian mansion about 120 years old. On her first day back from the hospital, she walks up to the door and sees a strange man in the house. She and the police search the house but find no one. Dori’s already on the verge of a breakdown so the fact that she’s seeing strange, disappearing men in her creaky old house doesn’t alarm the police too much.
It takes Dori a little while to accept that there’s a ghost in her house. Then she “sees” the horrible death of Vicente Sorolla, a bootlegger from the 30’s, in her front parlor.
What follows is Vicente’s story, but one thing I really liked about this book is that it’s very much Dori’s story as well, and even about the strange friendship between them (no, this is not a paranormal romance). So many past-present stories just use the present as a storytelling device, but Castillo has created a really multi-dimensional, sympathetic character in Dori. If anything, I think Vicente’s character could have been strengthened. But I liked this book because it’s a rare past-present story where the present story is always relevant.
What I really liked about Dori: she messes up a lot. She’s sort of a compulsive liar (you might be too if you lived with a ghost), her emotions are a mess, and she has no idea what she’s doing most of the time. But you still admire her strength and character. I also liked the way Castillo isn’t just telling a story, she’s really created a past and present for this character that goes beyond the ghost story. For example we learn a lot about Dori’s rebellious youth, her troubled relationship with her mother, and her love for her grandfather who died when she was young.
As you can tell from the name, the Orihuelas are Latina, and Dori’s family and culture permeate the book, which I really appreciated. If I were to count, I probably read mostly white authors and it’s always good to realize there are other points of view, other ways of thinking about things.
A couple of weaknesses are worth noting although they didn’t keep me from enjoying the book. The first is that the level of historical detail is pretty light. This is a story about Vicente, his family, and the woman he loves. There’s a lot of local detail about National City and Southern California, but I didn’t come away from this book having a good sense of the history of bootlegging, or even the mechanics of it. What we do see, though, is how easy it must have been for a poor kid like Vicente to get caught up in the world of organized crime in the 30's.
Also, Castillo keeps the logistics of Vicente’s ghost-hood fuzzy, and that could drive some readers a little crazy. Neither Dori nor Vicente have any idea why Vicente’s stuck in the house, when he can talk to Dori and when he can’t. Has he talked to other residents of the house in the past 80 years? There’s no explanation of why he appears to Dori only after her shooting. Sometimes Vicente’s presence includes smells of cologne and alcohol, and sometimes cold air. And what’s that Shadow thing in the parlor?
Those things aside, this was a fun and satisfying read, with a good mix of history, culture, drama and friendship. If you like a good ghost story, you’ll appreciate this one.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. The author had no input into the content of this review.
Dori is a police officer who has just been shot and is recuperating in a house she bought just before the arrest, a fixer-upper Edwardian mansion about 120 years old. On her first day back from the hospital, she walks up to the door and sees a strange man in the house. She and the police search the house but find no one. Dori’s already on the verge of a breakdown so the fact that she’s seeing strange, disappearing men in her creaky old house doesn’t alarm the police too much.
It takes Dori a little while to accept that there’s a ghost in her house. Then she “sees” the horrible death of Vicente Sorolla, a bootlegger from the 30’s, in her front parlor.
What follows is Vicente’s story, but one thing I really liked about this book is that it’s very much Dori’s story as well, and even about the strange friendship between them (no, this is not a paranormal romance). So many past-present stories just use the present as a storytelling device, but Castillo has created a really multi-dimensional, sympathetic character in Dori. If anything, I think Vicente’s character could have been strengthened. But I liked this book because it’s a rare past-present story where the present story is always relevant.
What I really liked about Dori: she messes up a lot. She’s sort of a compulsive liar (you might be too if you lived with a ghost), her emotions are a mess, and she has no idea what she’s doing most of the time. But you still admire her strength and character. I also liked the way Castillo isn’t just telling a story, she’s really created a past and present for this character that goes beyond the ghost story. For example we learn a lot about Dori’s rebellious youth, her troubled relationship with her mother, and her love for her grandfather who died when she was young.
As you can tell from the name, the Orihuelas are Latina, and Dori’s family and culture permeate the book, which I really appreciated. If I were to count, I probably read mostly white authors and it’s always good to realize there are other points of view, other ways of thinking about things.
A couple of weaknesses are worth noting although they didn’t keep me from enjoying the book. The first is that the level of historical detail is pretty light. This is a story about Vicente, his family, and the woman he loves. There’s a lot of local detail about National City and Southern California, but I didn’t come away from this book having a good sense of the history of bootlegging, or even the mechanics of it. What we do see, though, is how easy it must have been for a poor kid like Vicente to get caught up in the world of organized crime in the 30's.
Also, Castillo keeps the logistics of Vicente’s ghost-hood fuzzy, and that could drive some readers a little crazy. Neither Dori nor Vicente have any idea why Vicente’s stuck in the house, when he can talk to Dori and when he can’t. Has he talked to other residents of the house in the past 80 years? There’s no explanation of why he appears to Dori only after her shooting. Sometimes Vicente’s presence includes smells of cologne and alcohol, and sometimes cold air. And what’s that Shadow thing in the parlor?
Those things aside, this was a fun and satisfying read, with a good mix of history, culture, drama and friendship. If you like a good ghost story, you’ll appreciate this one.
Note: I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. The author had no input into the content of this review.
October 17, 2016
4.5 stars
I’ve not read a huge number of paranormal mysteries but Lost in the Light embodies all that I’d want in one. A great read that is a worthy nominee for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Paranormal/Mystery Suspense.
Dori is on leave from her job as a police officer, after being involved in a shooting, as she struggles to overcome her emotional trauma, she plans to focus her efforts on restoring her newly bought gothic style mansion. Seven pages in the eeriness begins when the ghost of Vicente makes his first appearance.
Vicente wants Dori to find out what happened to Anna, his true love. Told in the present day and flashbacks to the Prohibition during the 1920/30’s, Dori learns of Vicente’s untimely demise and attempts to find out what became of Anna.
Some of the books I have read previously have had paranormal elements, to read a book ridden with it was a pleasure. I enjoyed the eeriness, it wasn’t horror in the sense that it was scary, but in a way that made me want to read on and learn more about Vicente. Midway through the book, I began really looking forward to the lights switching off by themselves or the windows rattling as that meant the return of Vicente.
Castillo has created a great cast of characters. Dori, the main character, is so likeable, you immediately warm to her. But her Grammy Cena stole the show, she added lovely elements of humour throughout the book. I hope Castillo won’t mind if I share with you my favourite scene in which Grammy made me laugh out loud…
“Did you bring your cell phone?” Dori ordered, reaching for her off-duty weapon.
“Damn girl, what you packing?”
Grammy pointed to the Smith and Wesson M&P9 in Dori’s holster.
“You can’t have it.”
“That a .45?”
“9mm.”
“9mm? Pssh! That’s for pu**ies.”
“Stay outside. I may need you to call 911.”
When Grammy didn’t answer, Dori turned to see her pulling a chrome-plated piece out of her purse. “Your Grammy don’t bring no damn cell phone to a fight.”
These injections of humour were so entertaining and very much appreciated.
This book is described as “a modern gothic mystery woven with suspense, ghosts and romance.” I’d replace the word ‘romance’ with the word ‘history’ as this book definitely contains some historical fiction. I’m not a fan of romance so trust me when I say the romance in this book is minimal, it’s the necessary amount for the storyline – there’s no great love/romance scenes. I do believe this book would appeal to readers of all genres (unless you’re not a fan of paranormal mysteries) – I highly recommend it.
I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, I was engaged and gripped throughout. Castillo has a lovely writing style and I look forward to more paranormal mysteries from her.
My only criticism is that some parts of this book were poorly edited, this took away from the story in certain parts as it disrupted the flow.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
I’ve not read a huge number of paranormal mysteries but Lost in the Light embodies all that I’d want in one. A great read that is a worthy nominee for the Daphne du Maurier Award for Excellence in Paranormal/Mystery Suspense.
Dori is on leave from her job as a police officer, after being involved in a shooting, as she struggles to overcome her emotional trauma, she plans to focus her efforts on restoring her newly bought gothic style mansion. Seven pages in the eeriness begins when the ghost of Vicente makes his first appearance.
Vicente wants Dori to find out what happened to Anna, his true love. Told in the present day and flashbacks to the Prohibition during the 1920/30’s, Dori learns of Vicente’s untimely demise and attempts to find out what became of Anna.
Some of the books I have read previously have had paranormal elements, to read a book ridden with it was a pleasure. I enjoyed the eeriness, it wasn’t horror in the sense that it was scary, but in a way that made me want to read on and learn more about Vicente. Midway through the book, I began really looking forward to the lights switching off by themselves or the windows rattling as that meant the return of Vicente.
Castillo has created a great cast of characters. Dori, the main character, is so likeable, you immediately warm to her. But her Grammy Cena stole the show, she added lovely elements of humour throughout the book. I hope Castillo won’t mind if I share with you my favourite scene in which Grammy made me laugh out loud…
“Did you bring your cell phone?” Dori ordered, reaching for her off-duty weapon.
“Damn girl, what you packing?”
Grammy pointed to the Smith and Wesson M&P9 in Dori’s holster.
“You can’t have it.”
“That a .45?”
“9mm.”
“9mm? Pssh! That’s for pu**ies.”
“Stay outside. I may need you to call 911.”
When Grammy didn’t answer, Dori turned to see her pulling a chrome-plated piece out of her purse. “Your Grammy don’t bring no damn cell phone to a fight.”
These injections of humour were so entertaining and very much appreciated.
This book is described as “a modern gothic mystery woven with suspense, ghosts and romance.” I’d replace the word ‘romance’ with the word ‘history’ as this book definitely contains some historical fiction. I’m not a fan of romance so trust me when I say the romance in this book is minimal, it’s the necessary amount for the storyline – there’s no great love/romance scenes. I do believe this book would appeal to readers of all genres (unless you’re not a fan of paranormal mysteries) – I highly recommend it.
I’m surprised by how much I enjoyed this book, I was engaged and gripped throughout. Castillo has a lovely writing style and I look forward to more paranormal mysteries from her.
My only criticism is that some parts of this book were poorly edited, this took away from the story in certain parts as it disrupted the flow.
*I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
January 10, 2013
I'd give this 3.5 stars. This was an unusual read, and it's one of those books that is a little rough in the execution, but lingers in the mind nevertheless. The main character, Dori Orihuela, is a police officer recovering from a gunshot wound. The events leading to the shooting haunt her, as does what seems to be a very real ghost lingering in the historic home Dori has purchased and started to renovate. The ghost is that of a bootlegger from the 1920s/30s, and his story draws Dori into a darker side of history.
The intersections between past and present in Dori's life are fascinating. Dori's life in the present feels vibrantly alive as her grandmother, friends, and various family members zoom in and out of her daily routines. However, the author does a wonderful job of showing just how isolated Dori is in the midst of all this activity. The mysteries of her house and the way in which the ghost haunting it met his demise push past the walls that Dori has built up, and I really enjoyed watching her unravel the mystery. I also really liked Dori herself. She's not a perfect heroine and I enjoyed seeing her struggle to do the right thing and to solve a mystery even as she had to deal with her own stubbornness, physical weakness, and what might best be described as an uneasy relationship with the truth.
Parts of the story are told in flashbacks to the San Diego/National City/Coronado area in the 1920s/1930s, and the portraits of life in the Mexican-American community at that time as well as the effects of Prohibition on the area were both vivid and quite different from what I've encountered in most mainstream mysteries. There's some romance worked into the plot of Lost in the Light, but the ghost story and related mysteries dominate most of the plot action.
And the rough spots? Well, while the mystery of the murder gets solved, plenty of other loose ends with regard to the characters from the 1920s/30s in this book get left dangling for no good reason. In addition, if you're one of those readers who must know how everything works from a logical perspective, the ghost plotting in this book will drive you nuts. I could deal with the ghosts appearing and reappearing at various points in the home and even with the idea that somehow Dori's presence could call a ghost to her, but no real explanation of the mechanics of the ghostly world is given.
Even though this book has some weak points, I still enjoyed reading it and I'll be curious to see what happens to Dori and her family next. This one is an enjoyable mystery and also an interesting glimpse into another culture and time.
The intersections between past and present in Dori's life are fascinating. Dori's life in the present feels vibrantly alive as her grandmother, friends, and various family members zoom in and out of her daily routines. However, the author does a wonderful job of showing just how isolated Dori is in the midst of all this activity. The mysteries of her house and the way in which the ghost haunting it met his demise push past the walls that Dori has built up, and I really enjoyed watching her unravel the mystery. I also really liked Dori herself. She's not a perfect heroine and I enjoyed seeing her struggle to do the right thing and to solve a mystery even as she had to deal with her own stubbornness, physical weakness, and what might best be described as an uneasy relationship with the truth.
Parts of the story are told in flashbacks to the San Diego/National City/Coronado area in the 1920s/1930s, and the portraits of life in the Mexican-American community at that time as well as the effects of Prohibition on the area were both vivid and quite different from what I've encountered in most mainstream mysteries. There's some romance worked into the plot of Lost in the Light, but the ghost story and related mysteries dominate most of the plot action.
And the rough spots? Well, while the mystery of the murder gets solved, plenty of other loose ends with regard to the characters from the 1920s/30s in this book get left dangling for no good reason. In addition, if you're one of those readers who must know how everything works from a logical perspective, the ghost plotting in this book will drive you nuts. I could deal with the ghosts appearing and reappearing at various points in the home and even with the idea that somehow Dori's presence could call a ghost to her, but no real explanation of the mechanics of the ghostly world is given.
Even though this book has some weak points, I still enjoyed reading it and I'll be curious to see what happens to Dori and her family next. This one is an enjoyable mystery and also an interesting glimpse into another culture and time.
January 29, 2013
**I was given a free copy of this book by the author for an honest review**
No one remembers…
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white house on the hill and was never seen again .
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela helplessly witnesses his brutal murder in her nightmares.
Settling into a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, Dori restores her dream home while recovering from a bullet wound and waiting to go back on duty.
But then one afternoon, Vicente materializes out of her butler's pantry and asks her to find a woman named Anna. Dori wonders if she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori and Vicente's unlikely friendship takes us back to the waning days of Prohibition in San Diego and the dusty barrio of National City.
I really liked this story. It was a very enjoyable read. The author tells a entertaining, and in my opinion, believable story. She switches characters from Dori to Vincente in a seamless manner that makes sense. Story was not only entertaining but involved enough to keep the reader engrossed and did not get bogged down in details or unimportant fact. Although were a few things, I would have liked to be explained. For example, what did Dori really do to Gavin all those years ago. It was not really needed for the story. I would also preferred a little more romance, but this is not a romance, so that is just a personal preference.
I would state again that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this aurthor.
No one remembers…
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white house on the hill and was never seen again .
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela helplessly witnesses his brutal murder in her nightmares.
Settling into a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, Dori restores her dream home while recovering from a bullet wound and waiting to go back on duty.
But then one afternoon, Vicente materializes out of her butler's pantry and asks her to find a woman named Anna. Dori wonders if she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori and Vicente's unlikely friendship takes us back to the waning days of Prohibition in San Diego and the dusty barrio of National City.
I really liked this story. It was a very enjoyable read. The author tells a entertaining, and in my opinion, believable story. She switches characters from Dori to Vincente in a seamless manner that makes sense. Story was not only entertaining but involved enough to keep the reader engrossed and did not get bogged down in details or unimportant fact. Although were a few things, I would have liked to be explained. For example, what did Dori really do to Gavin all those years ago. It was not really needed for the story. I would also preferred a little more romance, but this is not a romance, so that is just a personal preference.
I would state again that I really enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more by this aurthor.
July 26, 2016
REVIEW:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
I don't usually start my reviews with plain and simple remarks but there's no other way to express how I feel; I really, really, really, thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Mary Castillo, I'd like you to know that it was this book that solidified my favourite genre as supernatural mystery and romance. Bravo! This book contains concepts that will satisfy the taste of any reader; from mystery, to romance, to thriller. These entities all seem prevalent within this book.
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•
•
The main character Dori Orihuela, experiences a traumatic debacle with her job as a police officer, recovering from a bullet wound. In her leave of absence from her job, Dori purchases a grandiose, gothic mansion in which not only needs major renovation (the task ironically being done by her ex boyfriend Gavin), but maybe several buckets of holy water? Traumatic occurrences seem to acquire a strong friendship with Dori throughout the novel , when a spirit (Vicente Sorolla) still haunts the creaky walls of the house. He appears to her, asking her to delve into his history and find his love, Anna, in order to move on. If your want to find out the cause of Vicente's demise and his connection to Anna, you will have to read the book to uncover Vicente's history, for I don't want to let out any spoilers.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
I don't usually start my reviews with plain and simple remarks but there's no other way to express how I feel; I really, really, really, thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Mary Castillo, I'd like you to know that it was this book that solidified my favourite genre as supernatural mystery and romance. Bravo! This book contains concepts that will satisfy the taste of any reader; from mystery, to romance, to thriller. These entities all seem prevalent within this book.
•
•
•
The main character Dori Orihuela, experiences a traumatic debacle with her job as a police officer, recovering from a bullet wound. In her leave of absence from her job, Dori purchases a grandiose, gothic mansion in which not only needs major renovation (the task ironically being done by her ex boyfriend Gavin), but maybe several buckets of holy water? Traumatic occurrences seem to acquire a strong friendship with Dori throughout the novel , when a spirit (Vicente Sorolla) still haunts the creaky walls of the house. He appears to her, asking her to delve into his history and find his love, Anna, in order to move on. If your want to find out the cause of Vicente's demise and his connection to Anna, you will have to read the book to uncover Vicente's history, for I don't want to let out any spoilers.
September 30, 2012
I am kicking off Mary Castillo’s tour on CLP Blog Tours for Lost in the Light. This book captivated me. The story brings in some of my favorite elements – mainly being mystery and the past. Detective Dori Orihuela buys a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion to restore while she waits to get back on duty after she was shot. She has no idea when she moved in that she was going to be visited by the ghost of Vicente Sorolla, who is seeking Dori’s help to find a woman named Anna. Dori begins to worry about her sanity, but through time and proof that Vicente and his story is real, an unlikely friendship forms between the two.
The story shifts back and forth from present day and 1932, and readers understand Vicente’s story more and more as the book whips along. There is a lot of history in this book which I loved. The mystery aspect really drew me in, and I liked that readers could get into Dori and Vicente’s head both. The ending might have been my favorite. No spoilers, but it wasn’t drawn out, too quick or anything cheesy, which I’ve seen happen with mystery novels like this. One of my favorite mystery reads of the year, and one to get your to-read list!
**4.5 stars**
The story shifts back and forth from present day and 1932, and readers understand Vicente’s story more and more as the book whips along. There is a lot of history in this book which I loved. The mystery aspect really drew me in, and I liked that readers could get into Dori and Vicente’s head both. The ending might have been my favorite. No spoilers, but it wasn’t drawn out, too quick or anything cheesy, which I’ve seen happen with mystery novels like this. One of my favorite mystery reads of the year, and one to get your to-read list!
**4.5 stars**
December 6, 2012
Review of Lost in the Light
What a truly delightful exploration into a very realistic and believable Supernatural! An injured police detective attempts to settle in at the historic home she’s purchased, a real beauty but also a major fixer-upper. Avoiding antidepressants and stifling her emotions just as her Grampy always showed her, Dori is astounded to discover what she at first considers to be an elusive intruder, only to discover it’s a walking, talking, electricity-defying-ghost. A good-looking (when she’s not seeing his battered near death body) Hispanic male in his 30’s, Vincente comes to her from 1932, when as a rumrunner he was betrayed and beaten, left for dead in this house. He has unfinished business he wants her to transact (don’t all ghosts?), but mostly Dori just wants to be left alone, by her unlikable Mother, Mom’s boyfriend the pharmacist, and by Gavin, the contractor, who was one of Dori’s high school conquests (and betrayals).
“Lost in the Light” is a real page-turner, romantic, suspenseful, tension-building-and of course, Supernatural. I highly recommend it.
I received a review e-book copy from the author via Goodreads Group Paranormal and Horror Lovers.
What a truly delightful exploration into a very realistic and believable Supernatural! An injured police detective attempts to settle in at the historic home she’s purchased, a real beauty but also a major fixer-upper. Avoiding antidepressants and stifling her emotions just as her Grampy always showed her, Dori is astounded to discover what she at first considers to be an elusive intruder, only to discover it’s a walking, talking, electricity-defying-ghost. A good-looking (when she’s not seeing his battered near death body) Hispanic male in his 30’s, Vincente comes to her from 1932, when as a rumrunner he was betrayed and beaten, left for dead in this house. He has unfinished business he wants her to transact (don’t all ghosts?), but mostly Dori just wants to be left alone, by her unlikable Mother, Mom’s boyfriend the pharmacist, and by Gavin, the contractor, who was one of Dori’s high school conquests (and betrayals).
“Lost in the Light” is a real page-turner, romantic, suspenseful, tension-building-and of course, Supernatural. I highly recommend it.
I received a review e-book copy from the author via Goodreads Group Paranormal and Horror Lovers.
January 11, 2013
Lost in the Light by Mary Castillo began as an interesting story and quickly developed into one of my favorite paranormal mysteries I’ve ever read. The story begins with police officer Dori Orihuela coping with a shooting in which she was forced to kill a woman.
To help herself heal, Dori decides to begin renovating an Edwardian mansion she purchased a short time before. Before the renovations start, she begins hearing and seeing a ghost dressed in a fine suit from the 1930’s. After witnessing his death replayed in front of her, she befriends the ghost and agrees to find out what happened to his true love, Anna.
As the story unfolds we’re introduced to Vicente Sorolla through flashbacks to his childhood during Prohibition. It doesn’t take long until Dori begins to look at Vicente as a true friend. While struggling to keep her sanity over talking to ghosts and learning to deal with the skeletons in her own closet, she begins to learn how to survive.
To help herself heal, Dori decides to begin renovating an Edwardian mansion she purchased a short time before. Before the renovations start, she begins hearing and seeing a ghost dressed in a fine suit from the 1930’s. After witnessing his death replayed in front of her, she befriends the ghost and agrees to find out what happened to his true love, Anna.
As the story unfolds we’re introduced to Vicente Sorolla through flashbacks to his childhood during Prohibition. It doesn’t take long until Dori begins to look at Vicente as a true friend. While struggling to keep her sanity over talking to ghosts and learning to deal with the skeletons in her own closet, she begins to learn how to survive.
October 14, 2012
I haven't read a mystery novel in quite some time. This one definitely reminded me of why I enjoy them so much. Lost in the Light is an enjoyable story that flips between the Prohibition in the 1920's/1930's and the present. I did end up learning a bit about the Prohibition, which was interesting to me. Never thought I would enjoy "history" that much, but Mary made it entertaining. :) And who doesn't love a good ghost story! Ghost shows up in your house, haunts you, askes you for favors and basically tells you what to do constantly... gotta love it! :)
I would recommend Lost in Light if you're in the mood for this type of book. I'm not sure what genre it would be considered... it has mystery, romance, and some history... so if you like that kind of stuff, you will really enjoy this one!
I would recommend Lost in Light if you're in the mood for this type of book. I'm not sure what genre it would be considered... it has mystery, romance, and some history... so if you like that kind of stuff, you will really enjoy this one!
January 11, 2013
Mary brings to life an invigorating story in Lost in the Light. Dori Orihuela is looking for a way to spend her time after being shot on duty. The ivestigation into what happened is still undergoing so Dori is on leave. To fulfill her time, Dori makes the decision to purchase an old mansion that needs some restoration. As Mary spends time at the mansion restoring it, she realizes the house is not abandoned. Vicente, a former human who is now a ghost, starts to turn to Dori for help in finding his lost love Anna.
Lost in the Light is vitalizing tale filled with love, heartache, mystery, and the story of a ghost that is desperately trying to find the love of his life. Don't be surprised when you find yourself laughing, crying, happy, and then sad again. It truly is a wonderful read!!
Lost in the Light is vitalizing tale filled with love, heartache, mystery, and the story of a ghost that is desperately trying to find the love of his life. Don't be surprised when you find yourself laughing, crying, happy, and then sad again. It truly is a wonderful read!!
November 1, 2012
Wow this book! I am speechless. Words cannot tell you how brilliant this book was. I didn't want it to end. The realism of the characters was amazing. I have read all of the author's book and enjoyed them all, but this is her best work yet!
February 21, 2013
Best book I've read in ages!
August 31, 2017
Disclaimer: I received this audiobook free of charge for an honest and unbiased review.
This book is based on Detective Dori Orihuela, on leave from the police department after a gunshot wound and the ghost, Vicente Sorolla, who haunts in Dori Orihela's 120 year old house. Vicente Sorolla was killed in 1932 in the same house that Dori Orihela now owns. Vicente Sorolla is trying to get Dori to find out what happened to the love of his life Anna.
Mary Castillo had an interesting story. Lost In the Light is a simple novel. Mary Castillo places this book in the paranormal and Supernatural, mystery and thriller genre. Besides Vincent the ghost haunting Dori's house there's not much paranormal or supernatural. In my opinion not much mystery or thriller either. Mary Castillo's writing style is simple. Mary Castillo writes enough descriptions of scenery and events to advance the plot od Lost in the Light which makes this an easy read. In this story I felt like some of the characters were unnecessary. I also had an issue with some of the character's names.
Mary Castillo narrated this book herself. I personally found the production of this audiobook lacking. The audio was constantly fluctuating and is not at a good level for easy listening. Some times the audio was so low I had to turn my device all the way up to hear what was being said. Then a few moments later I had to turn it down. After a while the distinction between character is annoying and hard to figure out. All the character seems to sound the same.
Now for the big question. Would I recommend this book? I will admit Lost in the Light was a nice story and was great to listen to while working. Only because I didn't have to worry to much about violence or excessive bad language. Yet my answer would have to be No. I wouldn't recommend this book because it left me disappointed and frustrated.
This book is based on Detective Dori Orihuela, on leave from the police department after a gunshot wound and the ghost, Vicente Sorolla, who haunts in Dori Orihela's 120 year old house. Vicente Sorolla was killed in 1932 in the same house that Dori Orihela now owns. Vicente Sorolla is trying to get Dori to find out what happened to the love of his life Anna.
Mary Castillo had an interesting story. Lost In the Light is a simple novel. Mary Castillo places this book in the paranormal and Supernatural, mystery and thriller genre. Besides Vincent the ghost haunting Dori's house there's not much paranormal or supernatural. In my opinion not much mystery or thriller either. Mary Castillo's writing style is simple. Mary Castillo writes enough descriptions of scenery and events to advance the plot od Lost in the Light which makes this an easy read. In this story I felt like some of the characters were unnecessary. I also had an issue with some of the character's names.
Mary Castillo narrated this book herself. I personally found the production of this audiobook lacking. The audio was constantly fluctuating and is not at a good level for easy listening. Some times the audio was so low I had to turn my device all the way up to hear what was being said. Then a few moments later I had to turn it down. After a while the distinction between character is annoying and hard to figure out. All the character seems to sound the same.
Now for the big question. Would I recommend this book? I will admit Lost in the Light was a nice story and was great to listen to while working. Only because I didn't have to worry to much about violence or excessive bad language. Yet my answer would have to be No. I wouldn't recommend this book because it left me disappointed and frustrated.
March 9, 2017
Lost in the Light (The Dori Orihuela Series) by Mary Castillo Lost in the life is paranormal mystery. Yep you get all the great things we red for. There is touch of romance, Ghosts, mystery, and the coolest sounding Granny on the planet.Dori is a police officer who was shot in the line of duty. While home recovering she decides to buy a old house and remodel it. Shorty after buying the the resident spirit Vicente steps out of the butler's closet. Not only does he introduce himself he also tells Dori what he wants from her. He wants her t find Anna, who was the love of his life. Vicente was murdered in 1932. While trying to find Anna, Dori also decides to find out who murdered Vicente so he can rest in peace as well. This story is basically 2 stories in one. You have present day as well as the story of Vicente and Anna in the 1920's and 30's during the prohibition. So you learn about the present and the past. And like I said you get the coolest Granny on the planet as well. I have to say she was my favorite character int he book. She is full of vinegar. She brings a lot of humor to the story. She is never short on smart comments. This was a very interesting story. I did really enjoy my time with Dori, her family, ad the ghosts. Ghosts are my favorite form of the paranormal genre, and Mary Castillo did not let me down. The ghosts are not scary. There is very little cursing and no strong 4 lettered words, nor any sex in this book. I would call it a clean read.
June 10, 2017
I really liked this book. I love paranormal mysteries, historic fiction, and stories about haunted houses. This book hit all those points. The book has lots of interesting characters (I especially love Grammy Cena and Meg), and is a fun look back at the times of prohibition in California. I loved seeing the ghost's reaction to Dori's cousin and the way he described his appearance. I love thinking about all those historic homes in National City and the secrets they might hide. I listened to the Audible Audio version of this story that was narrated by the author. She does a great job narrating and giving everyone a unique voice. My only complaint with the audio was that during the second half, there were a lot of repeats of words and phrases - I don't know if that was the recording itself, or the device I was playing it on. It was a little distracting, but it did not interfere with my enjoyment of the book. I'm really looking forward to the next book.
October 1, 2019
Audible:This was a good book.The story was good.Mary Castillo was a good narrator as far as voices but the sudden stops and starts,repeated words and phrases,etc were irritating.A good editing may be what it needs. Dory moves into a haunted house then hires her hig school boyfriend to rehab the place.The ghost tasks her with finding someone. I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
September 1, 2019
It took a while before I had a chance to read this, but I was thoroughly entertain by the great writing and the depth of characters that Mary Castillo brought to the story. I'd have to classify it as a paranormal mystery/suspense/romance novel.
November 11, 2017
It's very good. Keeps ones attention. I like the writing style and setting of the book.
June 25, 2018
3.75 stars!
Read
December 23, 2012I'm the author and I loved writing this book! Feel free to download the free excerpt or enjoy the following extra excerpt:
One moment Vicente was in the middle of talking to Dori. Then the next, he stood now at the window watching her talk to another man.
He tried to orient himself. The house's shadow lay across on the ground. If he remembered correctly, the house faced west so it was now morning. Had an entire night or a week passed since he talked to her in the kitchen?
Dori looked up at the house, but she didn't see him. He smiled, feeling himself take form. Even though his body was long dead and probably nothing more than dust, he sometimes felt the sensations of being inside it. He could see and hear. He could feel emotions, especially the ache of having been lost to those he had loved so many decades ago.
He used to wonder if they'd found his body somewhere and buried it proper. He doubted it but still, it would be nice if someone had placed flowers on his grave.
Dori's voice rose in anger. Vicente leaned closer to the window, sensing the exchange between Dori and this strange man intensify. She walked away, the man calling after her. She flung up her hand in dismissal and something clenched where Vicente's heart had once been. The gesture was so reminiscent of what he done to Anna.
The man stared after Dori, shook his head and then walked away, fading from Vicente's view.
Curious, Vicente turned from the window and then he was in the downstairs hallway. He stayed put, waiting for Dori to walk through the door. She was tough and he admired that. When he got in her face, she barked at him like a man. No crying and screaming and hand-wringing like most women.
But he needed to play this carefully. If he scared her off, who knew how much damn longer he'd be stuck in this bullshit purgatory.
He looked down the hallway, remembering what this house had looked like on that last morning of his life. The once pristine marble fireplace now sagged into the floor of the dingy hallway. The mirror he looked into was long gone.
Then, as if it he went back to that morning, Vicente saw himself as he had once been: hair disheveled and face rough from having missed his barber's appointment. But his body still carried the languid heat from the night before. When he stood before the mirror that morning, he had been thinking of Anna and her ferocity when he pushed her out the back door.
He blinked and the memory vanished when Dori slammed the door. She stomped through the kitchen. "Doll? Who the hell does he think he is calling me doll?" she muttered to herself.
"I wouldn't and I'm already dead," Vicente said, appearing behind her.
Both her feet came off the ground. Dori turned to see him standing in the butler's pantry, arms crossed with his shoulder leaning on the door jamb.
"You handled him pretty good. You made him feel about this big." Vicente pinched his thumb and finger together to illustrate.
She looked him up and down. At least this time she wasn't climbing up the stove to get away from him. "Is that how I make you feel?" she asked.
Vicente laughed and shook his head. "Nope. And you can put down your dukes. It won't do you much good."
She looked down at her fists and then opened her hands. "Oh, right."
"What did he want?"
"Who?"
"The man you were talking to."
"You saw us?"
"I wouldn't ask otherwise."
They stood there a moment, not quite sure how to proceed. "I called him to come look at the house. He said I should level it and then work with him to subdivide it."
Vicente tensed. "And?"
"I told him no thanks."
"And he wouldn't give up."
Her eyes narrowed. "He told me I was making a stupid decision."
"See now, I know how to respect a strong woman." Vicente deliberately drifted his gaze down the length of her body and then back up, hiding the fear of what would happen if she'd leveled the house. Where would that leave him?
Dori crossed her arms as she lifting a skeptical eyebrow. "I've had bigger and better than you," she said.
"But nothing like me." He then crossed the room in the blink of an eye, standing close enough that he could make out the freckles sprinkled over her cheeks.
Dori flinched but she stood her ground, meeting the challenge in his eyes. She even lifted her chin.
From chapter 11 of Lost in the Light
Copyright 2012 Mary Castillo
One moment Vicente was in the middle of talking to Dori. Then the next, he stood now at the window watching her talk to another man.
He tried to orient himself. The house's shadow lay across on the ground. If he remembered correctly, the house faced west so it was now morning. Had an entire night or a week passed since he talked to her in the kitchen?
Dori looked up at the house, but she didn't see him. He smiled, feeling himself take form. Even though his body was long dead and probably nothing more than dust, he sometimes felt the sensations of being inside it. He could see and hear. He could feel emotions, especially the ache of having been lost to those he had loved so many decades ago.
He used to wonder if they'd found his body somewhere and buried it proper. He doubted it but still, it would be nice if someone had placed flowers on his grave.
Dori's voice rose in anger. Vicente leaned closer to the window, sensing the exchange between Dori and this strange man intensify. She walked away, the man calling after her. She flung up her hand in dismissal and something clenched where Vicente's heart had once been. The gesture was so reminiscent of what he done to Anna.
The man stared after Dori, shook his head and then walked away, fading from Vicente's view.
Curious, Vicente turned from the window and then he was in the downstairs hallway. He stayed put, waiting for Dori to walk through the door. She was tough and he admired that. When he got in her face, she barked at him like a man. No crying and screaming and hand-wringing like most women.
But he needed to play this carefully. If he scared her off, who knew how much damn longer he'd be stuck in this bullshit purgatory.
He looked down the hallway, remembering what this house had looked like on that last morning of his life. The once pristine marble fireplace now sagged into the floor of the dingy hallway. The mirror he looked into was long gone.
Then, as if it he went back to that morning, Vicente saw himself as he had once been: hair disheveled and face rough from having missed his barber's appointment. But his body still carried the languid heat from the night before. When he stood before the mirror that morning, he had been thinking of Anna and her ferocity when he pushed her out the back door.
He blinked and the memory vanished when Dori slammed the door. She stomped through the kitchen. "Doll? Who the hell does he think he is calling me doll?" she muttered to herself.
"I wouldn't and I'm already dead," Vicente said, appearing behind her.
Both her feet came off the ground. Dori turned to see him standing in the butler's pantry, arms crossed with his shoulder leaning on the door jamb.
"You handled him pretty good. You made him feel about this big." Vicente pinched his thumb and finger together to illustrate.
She looked him up and down. At least this time she wasn't climbing up the stove to get away from him. "Is that how I make you feel?" she asked.
Vicente laughed and shook his head. "Nope. And you can put down your dukes. It won't do you much good."
She looked down at her fists and then opened her hands. "Oh, right."
"What did he want?"
"Who?"
"The man you were talking to."
"You saw us?"
"I wouldn't ask otherwise."
They stood there a moment, not quite sure how to proceed. "I called him to come look at the house. He said I should level it and then work with him to subdivide it."
Vicente tensed. "And?"
"I told him no thanks."
"And he wouldn't give up."
Her eyes narrowed. "He told me I was making a stupid decision."
"See now, I know how to respect a strong woman." Vicente deliberately drifted his gaze down the length of her body and then back up, hiding the fear of what would happen if she'd leveled the house. Where would that leave him?
Dori crossed her arms as she lifting a skeptical eyebrow. "I've had bigger and better than you," she said.
"But nothing like me." He then crossed the room in the blink of an eye, standing close enough that he could make out the freckles sprinkled over her cheeks.
Dori flinched but she stood her ground, meeting the challenge in his eyes. She even lifted her chin.
From chapter 11 of Lost in the Light
Copyright 2012 Mary Castillo
Read
December 23, 2012I wrote this book and loved bringing these characters to life. It is set in my hometown of National City, CA.
Here is an excerpt from chapter 11. You can also download an extended excerpt from GoodReads.
One moment Vicente was in the middle of talking to Dori. Then the next, he stood now at the window watching her talk to another man.
He tried to orient himself. The house's shadow lay across on the ground. If he remembered correctly, the house faced west so it was now morning. Had an entire night or a week passed since he talked to her in the kitchen?
Dori looked up at the house, but she didn't see him. He smiled, feeling himself take form. Even though his body was long dead and probably nothing more than dust, he sometimes felt the sensations of being inside it. He could see and hear. He could feel emotions, especially the ache of having been lost to those he had loved so many decades ago.
He used to wonder if they'd found his body somewhere and buried it proper. He doubted it but still, it would be nice if someone had placed flowers on his grave.
Dori's voice rose in anger. Vicente leaned closer to the window, sensing the exchange between Dori and this strange man intensify. She walked away, the man calling after her. She flung up her hand in dismissal and something clenched where Vicente's heart had once been. The gesture was so reminiscent of what he done to Anna.
The man stared after Dori, shook his head and then walked away, fading from Vicente's view.
Curious, Vicente turned from the window and then he was in the downstairs hallway. He stayed put, waiting for Dori to walk through the door. She was tough and he admired that. When he got in her face, she barked at him like a man. No crying and screaming and hand-wringing like most women.
But he needed to play this carefully. If he scared her off, who knew how much damn longer he'd be stuck in this bullshit purgatory.
He looked down the hallway, remembering what this house had looked like on that last morning of his life. The once pristine marble fireplace now sagged into the floor of the dingy hallway. The mirror he looked into was long gone.
Then, as if it he went back to that morning, Vicente saw himself as he had once been: hair disheveled and face rough from having missed his barber's appointment. But his body still carried the languid heat from the night before. When he stood before the mirror that morning, he had been thinking of Anna and her ferocity when he pushed her out the back door.
He blinked and the memory vanished when Dori slammed the door. She stomped through the kitchen. "Doll? Who the hell does he think he is calling me doll?" she muttered to herself.
"I wouldn't and I'm already dead," Vicente said, appearing behind her.
Both her feet came off the ground. Dori turned to see him standing in the butler's pantry, arms crossed with his shoulder leaning on the door jamb.
"You handled him pretty good. You made him feel about this big." Vicente pinched his thumb and finger together to illustrate.
She looked him up and down. At least this time she wasn't climbing up the stove to get away from him. "Is that how I make you feel?" she asked.
Vicente laughed and shook his head. "Nope. And you can put down your dukes. It won't do you much good."
She looked down at her fists and then opened her hands. "Oh, right."
"What did he want?"
"Who?"
"The man you were talking to."
"You saw us?"
"I wouldn't ask otherwise."
They stood there a moment, not quite sure how to proceed. "I called him to come look at the house. He said I should level it and then work with him to subdivide it."
Vicente tensed. "And?"
"I told him no thanks."
"And he wouldn't give up."
Her eyes narrowed. "He told me I was making a stupid decision."
"See now, I know how to respect a strong woman." Vicente deliberately drifted his gaze down the length of her body and then back up, hiding the fear of what would happen if she'd leveled the house. Where would that leave him?
Dori crossed her arms as she lifting a skeptical eyebrow. "I've had bigger and better than you," she said.
"But nothing like me." He then crossed the room in the blink of an eye, standing close enough that he could make out the freckles sprinkled over her cheeks.
Dori flinched but she stood her ground, meeting the challenge in his eyes. She even lifted her chin.
Copyright 2012 Mary Castillo
Here is an excerpt from chapter 11. You can also download an extended excerpt from GoodReads.
One moment Vicente was in the middle of talking to Dori. Then the next, he stood now at the window watching her talk to another man.
He tried to orient himself. The house's shadow lay across on the ground. If he remembered correctly, the house faced west so it was now morning. Had an entire night or a week passed since he talked to her in the kitchen?
Dori looked up at the house, but she didn't see him. He smiled, feeling himself take form. Even though his body was long dead and probably nothing more than dust, he sometimes felt the sensations of being inside it. He could see and hear. He could feel emotions, especially the ache of having been lost to those he had loved so many decades ago.
He used to wonder if they'd found his body somewhere and buried it proper. He doubted it but still, it would be nice if someone had placed flowers on his grave.
Dori's voice rose in anger. Vicente leaned closer to the window, sensing the exchange between Dori and this strange man intensify. She walked away, the man calling after her. She flung up her hand in dismissal and something clenched where Vicente's heart had once been. The gesture was so reminiscent of what he done to Anna.
The man stared after Dori, shook his head and then walked away, fading from Vicente's view.
Curious, Vicente turned from the window and then he was in the downstairs hallway. He stayed put, waiting for Dori to walk through the door. She was tough and he admired that. When he got in her face, she barked at him like a man. No crying and screaming and hand-wringing like most women.
But he needed to play this carefully. If he scared her off, who knew how much damn longer he'd be stuck in this bullshit purgatory.
He looked down the hallway, remembering what this house had looked like on that last morning of his life. The once pristine marble fireplace now sagged into the floor of the dingy hallway. The mirror he looked into was long gone.
Then, as if it he went back to that morning, Vicente saw himself as he had once been: hair disheveled and face rough from having missed his barber's appointment. But his body still carried the languid heat from the night before. When he stood before the mirror that morning, he had been thinking of Anna and her ferocity when he pushed her out the back door.
He blinked and the memory vanished when Dori slammed the door. She stomped through the kitchen. "Doll? Who the hell does he think he is calling me doll?" she muttered to herself.
"I wouldn't and I'm already dead," Vicente said, appearing behind her.
Both her feet came off the ground. Dori turned to see him standing in the butler's pantry, arms crossed with his shoulder leaning on the door jamb.
"You handled him pretty good. You made him feel about this big." Vicente pinched his thumb and finger together to illustrate.
She looked him up and down. At least this time she wasn't climbing up the stove to get away from him. "Is that how I make you feel?" she asked.
Vicente laughed and shook his head. "Nope. And you can put down your dukes. It won't do you much good."
She looked down at her fists and then opened her hands. "Oh, right."
"What did he want?"
"Who?"
"The man you were talking to."
"You saw us?"
"I wouldn't ask otherwise."
They stood there a moment, not quite sure how to proceed. "I called him to come look at the house. He said I should level it and then work with him to subdivide it."
Vicente tensed. "And?"
"I told him no thanks."
"And he wouldn't give up."
Her eyes narrowed. "He told me I was making a stupid decision."
"See now, I know how to respect a strong woman." Vicente deliberately drifted his gaze down the length of her body and then back up, hiding the fear of what would happen if she'd leveled the house. Where would that leave him?
Dori crossed her arms as she lifting a skeptical eyebrow. "I've had bigger and better than you," she said.
"But nothing like me." He then crossed the room in the blink of an eye, standing close enough that he could make out the freckles sprinkled over her cheeks.
Dori flinched but she stood her ground, meeting the challenge in his eyes. She even lifted her chin.
Copyright 2012 Mary Castillo
March 2, 2017
Wow, that’s all I can say, what a book! Dori is a police detective recovering from an injury that puts the badge she wears in jeopardy. Needing an outlet Dori buys an old house in her hometown, determined to slowly bring it back to life.
Unfortunately for Dori, that’s not the only thing to come to “life” in the old home. Vincent a prohibition era ghost enlist Dori to help him figure out what happened to his long-lost love, and just maybe along the way Dori will help solve a long-ago murder… If she's not declared crazy first.
Lost in the Light will make you feel sad, anxious and laugh out loud. I especially got a kick out of Grammy Cena, she’s the MVP of the book in my opinion.
Mary Castillo wrote and narrated this 8 ½ hour audiobook. I know what you’re thinking! "Lynda, I thought you never listen to audiobooks read by the author!" I know, I know, but the premise of the book sounded so intriguing to me and Mary did a wonderful job on the sample, I decided to take a chance, and I’m glad I did! Mary was outstanding, she voiced so many different characters with a variety of accents including the character Meg, who was British! All of the characters in this audiobook were done well.
If you are looking for a different type of book that is part ghost tale, murder mystery and love story, you’ve stumbled across a gem of a book. Enjoy!
This audiobook was gifted to me exchange for an unbiased review!
March 8, 2017
I received this book from the author as part of a blog tour. The opinions are my own.
This was a really fun story. I like the mystery, the characters, and even the two romances. Dori was a fun main character, and I thought her unintentional friendship and kinship with ghost Vicente was fun in a Ghost and Mrs. Muir kind of way. Finding out the truth of what happened to Vicente was heartbreaking. I loved all of Dori's friends and relatives. They were all easy to tell apart and added so much humor to the story.
I got the audiobook via Audible, and it was read by the author. She did a good job telling the story, but the editing of the audiobook left something to be desired. There were moments where she repeated herself, there was background noise, and sometimes weird static that was very jarring. But overall, it was a great read, and I really enjoyed it.
This was a really fun story. I like the mystery, the characters, and even the two romances. Dori was a fun main character, and I thought her unintentional friendship and kinship with ghost Vicente was fun in a Ghost and Mrs. Muir kind of way. Finding out the truth of what happened to Vicente was heartbreaking. I loved all of Dori's friends and relatives. They were all easy to tell apart and added so much humor to the story.
I got the audiobook via Audible, and it was read by the author. She did a good job telling the story, but the editing of the audiobook left something to be desired. There were moments where she repeated herself, there was background noise, and sometimes weird static that was very jarring. But overall, it was a great read, and I really enjoyed it.
January 1, 2015
Lost in the Light by Mary Castillo
Book Blurb:
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white house on the hill and was never seen again .
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela helplessly witnesses his brutal murder in her nightmares.
Settling into a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, Dori restores her dream home while recovering from a bullet wound and waiting to go back on duty.
But then one afternoon, Vicente materializes out of her butler's pantry and asks her to find a woman named Anna. Dori wonders if she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori and Vicente's unlikely friendship takes us back to the waning days of Prohibition in San Diego and the dusty barrio of National City. Mary Castillo's new novel, featuring the wild Orihuela family that first delighted readers in Names I Call My Sister, weaves romance, history and a mystery into a humorous, touching and unforgettable story.
My thoughts:
Lost In the Light is a simple, heart warming, book filled with history, determination and follow through. It’s a parallel love story of 2 couples that centers around an aging haunted mansion.
The Author places this book in the paranormal, crime, mystery, suspense genre. I will agree that it fits the history portion very well, I guess because there’s a ghost the paranormal also fits , and a murder, that supports the crime portion, but I did not find the mystery, suspense or the amount of it I was expecting.
I found that the writing was simple, descriptions, scenery, and events just enough to satisfy the plot of the story. The characters interacted well with each other but in many ways I didn’t feel the connections. Dori and Gavin had a history but it was only briefly discussed, Dori and her family had deeper ties, but I attribute this to the Hispanic matriarchal traditions. The story line of Anna and Vicente was some of the better writing, showing the history, strife, hardships of the times, and compromises that had to be made during the 1930’s for immigrants.
The story is told by jumping back and forth between the current to the 1930’s as Dori remodels her home and seeks to find out what happened to Anna, at the request of her mansions ghost. The one big negative for me were character names, such as Dori, Grammy, Grampy & Megs, I had a hard time relating this to an adult book, as they made me feel I was reading for a much younger age group.
This book would be appropriate for readers 15 and up as there is minimal violence, nothing offensive and only a vague reference to any serious sex. The book has a happy ending, providing a conclusion to the story of Anna & Vicente, one that ties generations together, and a promise of a future for Dori & Gavin.
This book was provided to me by the Author through the Goodreads “Read to Review” program for an honest review
Book Blurb:
One October morning in 1932, Vicente Sorolla entered the white house on the hill and was never seen again .
Now, Detective Dori Orihuela helplessly witnesses his brutal murder in her nightmares.
Settling into a 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, Dori restores her dream home while recovering from a bullet wound and waiting to go back on duty.
But then one afternoon, Vicente materializes out of her butler's pantry and asks her to find a woman named Anna. Dori wonders if she's not only about to lose her badge, but also her sanity.
Dori and Vicente's unlikely friendship takes us back to the waning days of Prohibition in San Diego and the dusty barrio of National City. Mary Castillo's new novel, featuring the wild Orihuela family that first delighted readers in Names I Call My Sister, weaves romance, history and a mystery into a humorous, touching and unforgettable story.
My thoughts:
Lost In the Light is a simple, heart warming, book filled with history, determination and follow through. It’s a parallel love story of 2 couples that centers around an aging haunted mansion.
The Author places this book in the paranormal, crime, mystery, suspense genre. I will agree that it fits the history portion very well, I guess because there’s a ghost the paranormal also fits , and a murder, that supports the crime portion, but I did not find the mystery, suspense or the amount of it I was expecting.
I found that the writing was simple, descriptions, scenery, and events just enough to satisfy the plot of the story. The characters interacted well with each other but in many ways I didn’t feel the connections. Dori and Gavin had a history but it was only briefly discussed, Dori and her family had deeper ties, but I attribute this to the Hispanic matriarchal traditions. The story line of Anna and Vicente was some of the better writing, showing the history, strife, hardships of the times, and compromises that had to be made during the 1930’s for immigrants.
The story is told by jumping back and forth between the current to the 1930’s as Dori remodels her home and seeks to find out what happened to Anna, at the request of her mansions ghost. The one big negative for me were character names, such as Dori, Grammy, Grampy & Megs, I had a hard time relating this to an adult book, as they made me feel I was reading for a much younger age group.
This book would be appropriate for readers 15 and up as there is minimal violence, nothing offensive and only a vague reference to any serious sex. The book has a happy ending, providing a conclusion to the story of Anna & Vicente, one that ties generations together, and a promise of a future for Dori & Gavin.
This book was provided to me by the Author through the Goodreads “Read to Review” program for an honest review
June 10, 2014
After Dori Orihuela shoots and kills a woman in self-defense while on duty as a police officer, she gets some time off to recover from her own bullet wound. Although she obviously suffers from something akin to PTSD, she resists taking the antidepressants prescribed while she is being investigated and attending therapy. With nothing else to do, Dori takes the time to get acquainted with her 120 year-old Edwardian mansion, which she recently purchased.
It doesn’t take long for the old house to creep up on her. Plagued by dreams of a man being murdered, she starts to think she’s going crazy. But when the man she has ghostly visions of getting killed actually starts talking to her, she starts to wonder if she shouldn’t start taking those pills.
Now she’s haunted by the memories of the woman she shot as well as an actual ghost. Vicente Sorolla, handsome and tortured, beseeches Dori to find Anna, the woman he once loved. Through Vicente’s stories, Dori and the reader are taken back to the time of Prohibition in National City, Calif., and a time that almost seems lawless.
Meanwhile, as Dori fixes up her house in between researching Vicente’s past, she finds herself falling for her old high school flame Gavin, who is the contractor leading the renovations to her house. But their romance didn’t end well when they were young, so now their interactions are laden with an edgy uncertainty. In addition to her ghost issues, she has a tense relationship with her mother, a new friend with the hots for Gavin, and an over-bearing, but well-meaning Grammy, who is Dori’s primary familial relationship and is trying to exorcise Dori’s house of her ghost. That’s some major conflict and drama.
It’s been a long time since I read a good ol’ fashioned ghost story, but it was a nice change of literary scenery. Castillo created an interesting, and expertly woven tale that is fraught with romance and mystery. Dori’s guardedness, Vicente’s rough edges and Grammy’s spunkiness all made for very real characters and good story telling.
Castillo knows how to dish up a story with some spice, and I’ll be looking forward to more adventures from her in the future.
It doesn’t take long for the old house to creep up on her. Plagued by dreams of a man being murdered, she starts to think she’s going crazy. But when the man she has ghostly visions of getting killed actually starts talking to her, she starts to wonder if she shouldn’t start taking those pills.
Now she’s haunted by the memories of the woman she shot as well as an actual ghost. Vicente Sorolla, handsome and tortured, beseeches Dori to find Anna, the woman he once loved. Through Vicente’s stories, Dori and the reader are taken back to the time of Prohibition in National City, Calif., and a time that almost seems lawless.
Meanwhile, as Dori fixes up her house in between researching Vicente’s past, she finds herself falling for her old high school flame Gavin, who is the contractor leading the renovations to her house. But their romance didn’t end well when they were young, so now their interactions are laden with an edgy uncertainty. In addition to her ghost issues, she has a tense relationship with her mother, a new friend with the hots for Gavin, and an over-bearing, but well-meaning Grammy, who is Dori’s primary familial relationship and is trying to exorcise Dori’s house of her ghost. That’s some major conflict and drama.
It’s been a long time since I read a good ol’ fashioned ghost story, but it was a nice change of literary scenery. Castillo created an interesting, and expertly woven tale that is fraught with romance and mystery. Dori’s guardedness, Vicente’s rough edges and Grammy’s spunkiness all made for very real characters and good story telling.
Castillo knows how to dish up a story with some spice, and I’ll be looking forward to more adventures from her in the future.
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