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Kaylee's Ghost
Grandmother Miriam, thrilled that her granddaughter, Violet, seems to be psychic, wants nothing more than the chance to mentor her way her own Russian grandmother, Bubbie, had done with her. But Cara, Miriam’s daughter, a modern businesswoman who remembers all too well the downside of living with her psychic mother, digs in her heels. As things become more fractious in the family, Violet, a brilliant and sensitive child, is torn between her mother and grandmother, until Miriam’s gift back fires, bringing terrible danger to those she loves. Can Miriam put things right in time, or is it already too late? A mesmerizing story about life here on Earth and after we've passed on, Kaylee’s Ghost is also a domestic drama spanning five generations, a tale about forgiveness, letting go and discovering who we are meant to be, no matter how unusual.
346 pages, Paperback
First published November 27, 2012
47 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
November 25, 2013
When I heard that Ms. Shapiro, author of “Miriam the Medium” had a new novel out, I was thrilled. I’d fallen under the spell of the heimische phone psychic – Miriam -- from Great Neck who inherited her gift from her Russian grandmother, “Bubbie.” Miriam returns in Kaylee’s Ghost, and now Miriam is a grandmother herself. Her prickly more straight-arrow daughter, Cara, has given birth to Violet. And what a granddaughter. Usually even great writers do a barely passable (and usually corny) job of getting into the POV of young children, but I was with this charming kid possessed of psychic gifts, all the way. The chemistry between grandmother and granddaughter is powerful and touching and at times laugh out loud funny. Now if only the Mom -- uptight Cara -- would get out of the way, stop separating these two. Because for Cara, Violet’s psychic ability has got to be the worst thing that could ever happen to her daughter. (Cara knows – she grew up with a psychic mother and wants to spare Violet that horrible fate.)
Shapiro has a genius for making the supernatural sound as natural and every day as your neighbor’s tuna casserole. I found it ridiculously easy to suspend my disbelief (in psychics) throughout the novel. It’s also incredibly suspenseful. Grandmother longing was never portrayed so acutely in literature. I positively ached for Miriam and wanted to throttle her daughter Cara for interfering between grandma and child. For that matter, I also wanted to throttle Miriam for her obtuseness, for not respecting her daughter’s wishes. But how can you hate a lady who describes her own face as a “Just Say No to Botox” ad? (But Miriam doesn’t care if she sags all over. The older she gets, the more her face resembles her beloved Bubbie’s.) I think I even dreamed about Miriam, that’s how much this character got into me. Nearly every page gave me reading pleasure. It made me think about the double-edged sword of our talents, gifts, motherhood, being Jewish and just being human. RJS -- write another!
Shapiro has a genius for making the supernatural sound as natural and every day as your neighbor’s tuna casserole. I found it ridiculously easy to suspend my disbelief (in psychics) throughout the novel. It’s also incredibly suspenseful. Grandmother longing was never portrayed so acutely in literature. I positively ached for Miriam and wanted to throttle her daughter Cara for interfering between grandma and child. For that matter, I also wanted to throttle Miriam for her obtuseness, for not respecting her daughter’s wishes. But how can you hate a lady who describes her own face as a “Just Say No to Botox” ad? (But Miriam doesn’t care if she sags all over. The older she gets, the more her face resembles her beloved Bubbie’s.) I think I even dreamed about Miriam, that’s how much this character got into me. Nearly every page gave me reading pleasure. It made me think about the double-edged sword of our talents, gifts, motherhood, being Jewish and just being human. RJS -- write another!
December 14, 2012
I read "Miriam the Medium" several years ago and was hooked from the first page. The sequel, "Kaylee's Ghost," is no exception! Not only is the writing style excellent, but the plot is amazing - it's so unique, and the twists it took were completely unexpected - and I found myself thinking about it for days after I finished. It's the kind of book that makes you really think about your own path and your own life, and those who you encounter. I have already recommended it to several of my friends...definitely a must read!
January 29, 2013
ADVANCE PRAISE FOR KAYLEE’S GHOST
Charming, warm and hilariously funny, Shapiro's book looks at the family ties that bind and sometimes tie us in knots with grace and aplomb. A real-life psychic, she paints an unforgettable picture of a wife and mother who inherited her "bubbie's" gift. Filled with characters so memorable, you expect them to come to dinner. -- Dana Kennedy, MSNBC correspondent and New York Times contributing writer
"A mother's love--especially when she's a psychic--can be both a gift and a curse. In her endlessly charming novel, Rochelle Jewel Shapiro reveals how far we'll go to protect our children, even as we're watching them leave. Whip-smart, funny, and all-too-relatable, Kaylee's Ghost will stay with you long after you've turned the last page."
--Jillian Medoff, author of I Couldn't Love You More and Hunger Point
Heart-stopping, poignant, and wryly comic, Kaylee''s Ghost explores the ties that bind mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and grandchildren, both on earth and in the spirit world with wisdom and grace. I couldn't put it down!
---Robin Gorman Newman, Founder of Motherhoodlater.com and associate producer of the international play, Motherhood Out Loud.
KIRKUS REVIEW
Professional psychic Miriam Kaminsky secretly hopes that her paranormal abilities will be passed on after skipping a generation, but her daughter Cara isn’t so sure. After all, Miriam’s Aunt Chaia was institutionalized for most of her life because of a similar “gift.” As her granddaughter Violet grows up, Miriam encourages her to explore her ability to see into people’s minds, and Violet pinpoints classmates’ illnesses as well as their parents’ cheating spouses—much to the parents’ chagrin. Miriam, however, becomes increasingly frustrated as her abilities cause a rift in the family. When a young woman named Kaylee dies due to Miriam’s actions, she believes that it may be time to stop using her powers. But when Kaylee’s spirit returns after her dramatic demise and begins haunting 5-year-old Violet, all bets are off. Will Miriam manage to save the day, or will Kaylee’s influence drive Violet insane? Shapiro effectively immerses readers in a world of spirits—a milieu in which Miriam’s dead Bubbie talks to her on a daily basis—and keeps the proceedings from ever feeling over-the-top.
Charming, warm and hilariously funny, Shapiro's book looks at the family ties that bind and sometimes tie us in knots with grace and aplomb. A real-life psychic, she paints an unforgettable picture of a wife and mother who inherited her "bubbie's" gift. Filled with characters so memorable, you expect them to come to dinner. -- Dana Kennedy, MSNBC correspondent and New York Times contributing writer
"A mother's love--especially when she's a psychic--can be both a gift and a curse. In her endlessly charming novel, Rochelle Jewel Shapiro reveals how far we'll go to protect our children, even as we're watching them leave. Whip-smart, funny, and all-too-relatable, Kaylee's Ghost will stay with you long after you've turned the last page."
--Jillian Medoff, author of I Couldn't Love You More and Hunger Point
Heart-stopping, poignant, and wryly comic, Kaylee''s Ghost explores the ties that bind mothers, daughters, grandmothers, and grandchildren, both on earth and in the spirit world with wisdom and grace. I couldn't put it down!
---Robin Gorman Newman, Founder of Motherhoodlater.com and associate producer of the international play, Motherhood Out Loud.
KIRKUS REVIEW
Professional psychic Miriam Kaminsky secretly hopes that her paranormal abilities will be passed on after skipping a generation, but her daughter Cara isn’t so sure. After all, Miriam’s Aunt Chaia was institutionalized for most of her life because of a similar “gift.” As her granddaughter Violet grows up, Miriam encourages her to explore her ability to see into people’s minds, and Violet pinpoints classmates’ illnesses as well as their parents’ cheating spouses—much to the parents’ chagrin. Miriam, however, becomes increasingly frustrated as her abilities cause a rift in the family. When a young woman named Kaylee dies due to Miriam’s actions, she believes that it may be time to stop using her powers. But when Kaylee’s spirit returns after her dramatic demise and begins haunting 5-year-old Violet, all bets are off. Will Miriam manage to save the day, or will Kaylee’s influence drive Violet insane? Shapiro effectively immerses readers in a world of spirits—a milieu in which Miriam’s dead Bubbie talks to her on a daily basis—and keeps the proceedings from ever feeling over-the-top.
December 14, 2012
Warm, funny, insightful look at what makes us special and how it can sometimes be a blessing--or a curse. Loved it.
July 30, 2014
Delightful story that gives a glimpse into realities most of us haven't experienced! Nice interactions with mother-daughter dynamics!
November 16, 2016
Kaylee’s Ghost is one of those novels that will capture the reader's’ attention from the first page. Despite dealing with a protagonist who is a psychic, there is a lot of relatability with the characters especially as Rochelle Shapiro explores the mother-daughter dynamic. Each character is well-thought out and there is never a flat moment in their interactions. One of the highlights of this book is how well Shapiro managed to make her characters realistic but likeable as well. It’s a precarious balance but despite each character’s shortcomings, they represent how real families are supposed to be which is not perfect.
Review by Dennise Garcia
Review by Dennise Garcia
May 12, 2013
If you like reading about ghosts, psychic abilities, family bonds and everyday life that is not so much an everyday day, then Kaylee's Ghost by Rochelle Jewel Shapiro is the book for you. This delightful story will keep you turning page after page. It is far from a typical boring 'soap opera' story. The plot is great and has so many twists and turns it kept me guessing who was going to do what next. I didn't read "Miriam the Medium" and was not at a loss as this book stands on its own.
Both Miriam and her granddaughter, Violet have psychic abilities but it must have skipped a generation because Cara, Miriam's daughter and mother to Violet does not. Not only can they 'see' things that will take place in the future but they can in the past as well. Top it off, they can talk to and see ghosts or spirits as some call them. This becomes a real problem when Miriam encourages Violet's gift despite Violet's mother's wishes to have her lead a normal life. As it is Violet already has no more friends. She isn't invited to parties or to play dates because she doesn't understand you are not suppose to tell everyone's business in public. She would blurt out things about the other child's parent and when the parents found out that she was telling their secrets (Your mother is having a tummy tuck today!) they wouldn't allow their child to play with her and would even go so far as to switch their classrooms so they didn't have to be near her. This 'gift' was more like a 'curse' in Cara's eyes.
Miriam does readings and has her normal clients. One of these clients is Kaylee who contacts her often for a reading. Kaylee had just lost her mother not long ago and she was thinking of going somewhere to 'relax' and her mother told Miriam to tell her not to go. Miriam knew how much Kaylee needed this 'vacation' and told her to go but it ended with disastrous results and now Miriam blames herself for lying to Kaylee. She knew if she had told her the truth, Kaylee wouldn't have gone and none of this would have happened. This really turned Miriam off about being psychic and gives up her clients and learns to ignore her abilities.
In the meantime, Cara is having a crisis in her marriage and they don't see eye to eye about how to bring Violet up or how to deal with her abilities. There is a lot of tension in the family and things come to a head when Violet disappears one night from her bed. The whole family, in laws included must come together for Violet's sake and their own. Not an easy task when ghosts are involved and there is so much guilt, resentment, even snootiness but this is either a bonding time for them all or a time that will rip them apart forever.
I realize I am not making it sound interesting but believe me it is. I just can't write more because I don't want to put any spoilers in it. It was a great story and the characters were all fully developed. I couldn't help feel a connection with them and when little Violet was in a crisis I even could feel my own heart sink. You may need a tissue box not far offhand but be prepared for some laughs too. I recommend this book!
Both Miriam and her granddaughter, Violet have psychic abilities but it must have skipped a generation because Cara, Miriam's daughter and mother to Violet does not. Not only can they 'see' things that will take place in the future but they can in the past as well. Top it off, they can talk to and see ghosts or spirits as some call them. This becomes a real problem when Miriam encourages Violet's gift despite Violet's mother's wishes to have her lead a normal life. As it is Violet already has no more friends. She isn't invited to parties or to play dates because she doesn't understand you are not suppose to tell everyone's business in public. She would blurt out things about the other child's parent and when the parents found out that she was telling their secrets (Your mother is having a tummy tuck today!) they wouldn't allow their child to play with her and would even go so far as to switch their classrooms so they didn't have to be near her. This 'gift' was more like a 'curse' in Cara's eyes.
Miriam does readings and has her normal clients. One of these clients is Kaylee who contacts her often for a reading. Kaylee had just lost her mother not long ago and she was thinking of going somewhere to 'relax' and her mother told Miriam to tell her not to go. Miriam knew how much Kaylee needed this 'vacation' and told her to go but it ended with disastrous results and now Miriam blames herself for lying to Kaylee. She knew if she had told her the truth, Kaylee wouldn't have gone and none of this would have happened. This really turned Miriam off about being psychic and gives up her clients and learns to ignore her abilities.
In the meantime, Cara is having a crisis in her marriage and they don't see eye to eye about how to bring Violet up or how to deal with her abilities. There is a lot of tension in the family and things come to a head when Violet disappears one night from her bed. The whole family, in laws included must come together for Violet's sake and their own. Not an easy task when ghosts are involved and there is so much guilt, resentment, even snootiness but this is either a bonding time for them all or a time that will rip them apart forever.
I realize I am not making it sound interesting but believe me it is. I just can't write more because I don't want to put any spoilers in it. It was a great story and the characters were all fully developed. I couldn't help feel a connection with them and when little Violet was in a crisis I even could feel my own heart sink. You may need a tissue box not far offhand but be prepared for some laughs too. I recommend this book!
April 19, 2013
Kaylee's Ghost is a surprisingly good read. I didn't expect this kind of plot from the book, when I started reading it.
Miriam is psychic and she 'reads' people as her job. Her psychic abilities is hated by her daughter, Cara. When Cara becomes pregnant gives birth, Miriam knows that her grand-child is also psychic, but doesn't tell that to Cara. Violet, Cara's new born child shows psychic abilities even before she can speak or walk. Although Miriam is extremely happy about this, Cara tries to squash those abilities from the start. She cuts down all her meetings with her grandmother and tries to indulge the child in anything else. But, Violet tells people's secrets so easily and people start to avoid her.
Meanwhile, Miriam is helping people get on with their lives by reading their past and future. One of her clients, Kaylee, is struggling to have some life with her controlling mother and very old husband. Kaylee wants to have children, which proves to be impossible. What Miriam says to Kaylee ends Kaylee's life pretty badly. And now Kaylee is stalking Violet. What is Miriam going to do? Will Cara finally learn to accept what her daughter really is, rather than what she wants her daughter to be?
Excellent sub-plots and deep characterization. Emotions of three generations are brought out very well. At the end of each character's POV, I feel that they are right, because they ARE. A grandmother, who wants her abilities to be passed on to next generation; A mother, who wants her daughter to have proper friends, rather than be avoided by everyone; A child, who struggles to connect with her mother and grandmother, and also tries to be...a child..even after knowing everyone's secrets.
Every character is amazing, in their own way. Even Kaylee's husband is made an excellent character, when his understanding towards Kaylee, when she lost all her money, was shown. I loved Cara's husband and the sub-plot that followed him with his parents. I can totally relate to these characters. These are characters, that you see, maybe even related to, in real life.
The only flaw in this novel is too much content, that is not necessary. Even without them, I would have understood the feeling of the characters. This extra content makes me pause and think 'Where was I'.
Only after I finished reading this novel, and checked Goodreads about the author did I know that this book is a sequel. But, this clearly can be read as a stand-alone and still can be enjoyed.
Although I started with the intention of some ghost story in the beginning, it was something much more. And I certainly won't miss this read. If you are into novel that focuses on family, pick it up.
Miriam is psychic and she 'reads' people as her job. Her psychic abilities is hated by her daughter, Cara. When Cara becomes pregnant gives birth, Miriam knows that her grand-child is also psychic, but doesn't tell that to Cara. Violet, Cara's new born child shows psychic abilities even before she can speak or walk. Although Miriam is extremely happy about this, Cara tries to squash those abilities from the start. She cuts down all her meetings with her grandmother and tries to indulge the child in anything else. But, Violet tells people's secrets so easily and people start to avoid her.
Meanwhile, Miriam is helping people get on with their lives by reading their past and future. One of her clients, Kaylee, is struggling to have some life with her controlling mother and very old husband. Kaylee wants to have children, which proves to be impossible. What Miriam says to Kaylee ends Kaylee's life pretty badly. And now Kaylee is stalking Violet. What is Miriam going to do? Will Cara finally learn to accept what her daughter really is, rather than what she wants her daughter to be?
Excellent sub-plots and deep characterization. Emotions of three generations are brought out very well. At the end of each character's POV, I feel that they are right, because they ARE. A grandmother, who wants her abilities to be passed on to next generation; A mother, who wants her daughter to have proper friends, rather than be avoided by everyone; A child, who struggles to connect with her mother and grandmother, and also tries to be...a child..even after knowing everyone's secrets.
Every character is amazing, in their own way. Even Kaylee's husband is made an excellent character, when his understanding towards Kaylee, when she lost all her money, was shown. I loved Cara's husband and the sub-plot that followed him with his parents. I can totally relate to these characters. These are characters, that you see, maybe even related to, in real life.
The only flaw in this novel is too much content, that is not necessary. Even without them, I would have understood the feeling of the characters. This extra content makes me pause and think 'Where was I'.
Only after I finished reading this novel, and checked Goodreads about the author did I know that this book is a sequel. But, this clearly can be read as a stand-alone and still can be enjoyed.
Although I started with the intention of some ghost story in the beginning, it was something much more. And I certainly won't miss this read. If you are into novel that focuses on family, pick it up.
February 26, 2013
I am absolutely in love with this book. Miriam was so lovable that I couldn't help but be glued to the pages from the start. I was rooting for her throughout the book even when she made the wrong choices.
I am not sure if this was intended as a direct sequel to "Miriam the Medium" or more of a companion novel but I thoroughly enjoyed "Kaylee's Ghost" without reading the other beforehand. I hope to be able to get my hands on a copy of "Miriam the Medium" in the future, because I have no doubt I will love it.
I am not sure if this was intended as a direct sequel to "Miriam the Medium" or more of a companion novel but I thoroughly enjoyed "Kaylee's Ghost" without reading the other beforehand. I hope to be able to get my hands on a copy of "Miriam the Medium" in the future, because I have no doubt I will love it.
December 14, 2012
I love it when the experience of reading a book extends to the times when you're not reading, and that's what happened when I read Kaylee's Ghost. I found myself thinking about Miriam, Violet, Kaylee and all the other characters over the days when I was reading the book. The story is well-crafted, with a perfect mix of believability and drama. As the plot built up, I found myself staying up late to find out what happened. What an enjoyable book!
February 25, 2016
I felt the drama immediately between mother and daughter! This is a multi-generational story of psychic ability and how it affects the lives of those family members that have the gift and those who do not. Miriam's grandmother has the gift. Miriam's mother does not. Miriam has the gift. Miriam's daughter does not. Miriam's granddaughter has the gift. Oh, the trials and tribulations of these women!
March 1, 2013
I did enjoy this book. The end kind of fizzled for me though. When the spirits all talked about going to get coffee, this book went from 4 stars to 3. There is something very irritating to me when ghosts talk about eating and drinking...just a pet peeve of mine. It is worth a read for those that enjoy a good book about psychics.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews