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The Saltwater Ghost
In the 1870s, Lainey Mercier, a young Mi’kmaq
Indian girl, drowns herself off the coast of
Saltwater, Prince Edward Island, after she is
deserted by her Anglo-Saxon lover.
In the 1980s, sixteen-year-old Garnet Macklin
dies in a fall on the same stretch of coastline,
after a fight with his best friend and childhood
hero, Alden Jurrien.
More than thirty years later, Alden is divorced,
estranged from his children, burnt out in his
college professor career, and trying to escape the
guilt he still feels by living in India, teaching
street-hardened teenagers who challenge both
his heart and his patience.
When Alden unexpectedly gets a job offer from
the college in his hometown of Saltwater, he
knows it may be the only way to find the peace
of mind that running away never brought. He
must go home.
But the ghosts of the past are still there…and
they won’t let him rest.
Indian girl, drowns herself off the coast of
Saltwater, Prince Edward Island, after she is
deserted by her Anglo-Saxon lover.
In the 1980s, sixteen-year-old Garnet Macklin
dies in a fall on the same stretch of coastline,
after a fight with his best friend and childhood
hero, Alden Jurrien.
More than thirty years later, Alden is divorced,
estranged from his children, burnt out in his
college professor career, and trying to escape the
guilt he still feels by living in India, teaching
street-hardened teenagers who challenge both
his heart and his patience.
When Alden unexpectedly gets a job offer from
the college in his hometown of Saltwater, he
knows it may be the only way to find the peace
of mind that running away never brought. He
must go home.
But the ghosts of the past are still there…and
they won’t let him rest.
208 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
17 people want to read
About the author
Shiela Jane Olley
1 bookShiela Jane Olley is an author and journalist originally from Mumbai, India, now based in Canada. Her educational background includes a degree in political science, a diploma in journalism and post-graduate certificates in technical and creative writing. She has worked in corporate communications and as a tutor and has published articles, short stories and poetry in a wide range of newspapers, magazines and fiction anthologies. One short story won the first-place award in a national capital writing competition. The Saltwater Ghost is her first novel.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
May 29, 2013
This story is a perfect companion for your holiday. It makes no demands of you. It’s just a beautifully written chance to meet and relax with a cast of lovely people. These family members, friends, neighbours, colleagues (mostly) care about each other (well, there has to be a little conflict) and there is a good balance with the romantic interest. Back story is skilfully woven in as it is needed so the pace and plot progression are steady and unforced.
Use of language is near perfect. By that I mean not just the dry considerations of grammar and punctuation, but the way exactly the right words were used to weave clear pictures in my mind of the scenes and the people. There were a few errors, but very few indeed. This is a well edited and polished book.
As for the ghost of the title, Lainey does have a part to play, but not quite in the way I expected. I’m pleased my preconceptions were proved wrong. The main characters certainly had ghosts to deal with, though, ghosts that had needed laying for a long time. Read it and find out what I mean.
I was allocated this book to review as part of the Goodreads Review Group scheme for non-reciprocal reviewing of indie authors by indie authors. I received a free copy but this in no way obligated me to give any other than an honest review.
Use of language is near perfect. By that I mean not just the dry considerations of grammar and punctuation, but the way exactly the right words were used to weave clear pictures in my mind of the scenes and the people. There were a few errors, but very few indeed. This is a well edited and polished book.
As for the ghost of the title, Lainey does have a part to play, but not quite in the way I expected. I’m pleased my preconceptions were proved wrong. The main characters certainly had ghosts to deal with, though, ghosts that had needed laying for a long time. Read it and find out what I mean.
I was allocated this book to review as part of the Goodreads Review Group scheme for non-reciprocal reviewing of indie authors by indie authors. I received a free copy but this in no way obligated me to give any other than an honest review.
April 16, 2013
This book was given to me by the author for an unbiased, non-reciprocal review. Because of the writing style of going back and forth between characters and in time, I found it somewhat difficult, initially for me to remember the substance of the storyline, without concentrating really hard to remember what happened before.
Normally, if a story doesn't grab me right away, I may not read any further, but this book taught me a very important lesson about "patience being a virtue". This tale of the residual effect and enter-twining lives of the ghosts of Lainey Mercier (a young Mi’kmaq
Indian girl in the 1870's) who drowned off the coast of Saltwater, Prince Edward Island, after she felt abandoned by her lover, and a sixteen-year-old boy named Garnet Macklin who met with a life-altering,tragic fall in the same coastal area after an altercation with the friend he idolized and adored (Alden Jurrien), kept me intrigued and entertained.
Several years later, Alden (divorced,
estranged from his children, living in India living an unrewarding existence) suddenly gets and accepts a job offer from
the college in his hometown of Saltwater. Upon returning to Saltwater he meets an alluring student named Wynn and a captivating geriatric named Louise Beck who bring this ghost story to life. Besides patience, lessons of unrequited love, enduring friendship, taking risks with reward, and true friendship and the power of love are all abound in this story.
The content of the story is worthy of five-stars but I rated it fours stars because it didn't spark my interest and reel me in until mid read. All in all, a uniquely written, very good book.
Normally, if a story doesn't grab me right away, I may not read any further, but this book taught me a very important lesson about "patience being a virtue". This tale of the residual effect and enter-twining lives of the ghosts of Lainey Mercier (a young Mi’kmaq
Indian girl in the 1870's) who drowned off the coast of Saltwater, Prince Edward Island, after she felt abandoned by her lover, and a sixteen-year-old boy named Garnet Macklin who met with a life-altering,tragic fall in the same coastal area after an altercation with the friend he idolized and adored (Alden Jurrien), kept me intrigued and entertained.
Several years later, Alden (divorced,
estranged from his children, living in India living an unrewarding existence) suddenly gets and accepts a job offer from
the college in his hometown of Saltwater. Upon returning to Saltwater he meets an alluring student named Wynn and a captivating geriatric named Louise Beck who bring this ghost story to life. Besides patience, lessons of unrequited love, enduring friendship, taking risks with reward, and true friendship and the power of love are all abound in this story.
The content of the story is worthy of five-stars but I rated it fours stars because it didn't spark my interest and reel me in until mid read. All in all, a uniquely written, very good book.
December 26, 2013
I was provided a copy of The Saltwater Ghost in exchange for my fair and honest review.
In The Saltwater Ghost, we meet Alden Jurrien who has spent years in India teaching Senior English, in his effort to run from his ex-wife and emotional past. But, when a position opens at Abegweit University, located in Alden’s hometown of Saltwater, located on Prince Edward Island, Alden determines it is time to journey back home, to reacquaint himself with his children, and to face his past. There, Alden takes possession of his former family home, surprising those from days gone by with his return. It seems that Alden has carried a secret all these years, a secret that has weighed him down with guilt.
Back in the day, Alden had a best friend, Garnet, who had a girl, Dana. Alden was known as the “Goldenchild.” Though he had once been Garnet’s protector, Garnet had grown into his own and eventually began to eclipse Alden’s own successes. When the three youngsters, Alden, Garnet and Dana, met up on a cliff path just days before Christmas, something happened—something that would change the future for all three young people.
In The Saltwater Ghost, Sheila Jane weaves a careful plot that urges the reader to continue forward and to examine the question: can one ever really return home? Also consider: are ghosts real? Comparing Alden’s story to a legend from days gone by, one that tells of a young woman who lost her love, then herself, at sea, the setting itself (Prince Edward Island) lends a mystery to this tale. Add into the mix Alden’s efforts to re-unite with his children, his new love-interest, and a fully unsuspected discovery at the end, and the reader is delivered a truly satisfying tale.
Also posted on Amazon and Amazon.co.uk, at www.Oathtaker.com and on BookLikes. Review added to two review groups on Google+ and on Facebook and tweeted. Cover pinned.
In The Saltwater Ghost, we meet Alden Jurrien who has spent years in India teaching Senior English, in his effort to run from his ex-wife and emotional past. But, when a position opens at Abegweit University, located in Alden’s hometown of Saltwater, located on Prince Edward Island, Alden determines it is time to journey back home, to reacquaint himself with his children, and to face his past. There, Alden takes possession of his former family home, surprising those from days gone by with his return. It seems that Alden has carried a secret all these years, a secret that has weighed him down with guilt.
Back in the day, Alden had a best friend, Garnet, who had a girl, Dana. Alden was known as the “Goldenchild.” Though he had once been Garnet’s protector, Garnet had grown into his own and eventually began to eclipse Alden’s own successes. When the three youngsters, Alden, Garnet and Dana, met up on a cliff path just days before Christmas, something happened—something that would change the future for all three young people.
In The Saltwater Ghost, Sheila Jane weaves a careful plot that urges the reader to continue forward and to examine the question: can one ever really return home? Also consider: are ghosts real? Comparing Alden’s story to a legend from days gone by, one that tells of a young woman who lost her love, then herself, at sea, the setting itself (Prince Edward Island) lends a mystery to this tale. Add into the mix Alden’s efforts to re-unite with his children, his new love-interest, and a fully unsuspected discovery at the end, and the reader is delivered a truly satisfying tale.
Also posted on Amazon and Amazon.co.uk, at www.Oathtaker.com and on BookLikes. Review added to two review groups on Google+ and on Facebook and tweeted. Cover pinned.
July 1, 2016
The book started out a bit jerky, but as it progresses, the flow becomes smoother.
The premise is quite cliched - doomed love, unrequited desire, untimely death - but, whats interesting is the interwieving of Alden's story in it. At first, you wonder what connection does he have to it all. Other than being interested in Wynn, who is interested in the ghost of Larney. Jane gradually unravels the plot that makes sense eventually. Jane neatly ties up the package, like her Wynn, by the time the book ends.
Many interlacing threads form the tapestry of this story - Larney, Alden, Kinton Lal.
The book is a definite page turner. Not too complicated, nor too simple. It started out as a ghost story, but seems like the author changed her mind mid book. Anyway, it is worth a read. A very good book for a debut.
A note to the editor: there are some typing errors. I call them that as I really couldn't understand what they are otherwise. There are instances where the words are just printed, without making any sense! It isn't grammatical. It has got to be a print error. Please check it before the next print.
For example, on page 96 of the kindle version: "He didn't look like anything much, a gangly red-headed string bean more than anything, but so far, he had succeeded in raising the enrolment shouldn't level by twenty percent and didn't see why it be higher."
I think it should be'... enrolment level by twenty percent and didn't see why it shouldn't be higher."
The premise is quite cliched - doomed love, unrequited desire, untimely death - but, whats interesting is the interwieving of Alden's story in it. At first, you wonder what connection does he have to it all. Other than being interested in Wynn, who is interested in the ghost of Larney. Jane gradually unravels the plot that makes sense eventually. Jane neatly ties up the package, like her Wynn, by the time the book ends.
Many interlacing threads form the tapestry of this story - Larney, Alden, Kinton Lal.
The book is a definite page turner. Not too complicated, nor too simple. It started out as a ghost story, but seems like the author changed her mind mid book. Anyway, it is worth a read. A very good book for a debut.
A note to the editor: there are some typing errors. I call them that as I really couldn't understand what they are otherwise. There are instances where the words are just printed, without making any sense! It isn't grammatical. It has got to be a print error. Please check it before the next print.
For example, on page 96 of the kindle version: "He didn't look like anything much, a gangly red-headed string bean more than anything, but so far, he had succeeded in raising the enrolment shouldn't level by twenty percent and didn't see why it be higher."
I think it should be'... enrolment level by twenty percent and didn't see why it shouldn't be higher."
February 22, 2017
GA I received a free electronic copy of this novel from JNJ Creative Hands and Shiela Jane in exchange for an honest opinion. Thank you all, for sharing your hard work with me.
This is a tightly paced, interesting tale. Though the story is based on a well worn, classic hook, I still enjoyed the process of getting there - I think you will, as well. Set in both Mumbai, India and Prince Edward Island, Canada, Ms. Jane brings both cultures and their natural beauty to life with her words. Her protagonists are well fleshed out and likable, and her conclusion is satisfying. I especially enjoyed her feisty seniors group and the artistic leanings of Wynn.
This is a tightly paced, interesting tale. Though the story is based on a well worn, classic hook, I still enjoyed the process of getting there - I think you will, as well. Set in both Mumbai, India and Prince Edward Island, Canada, Ms. Jane brings both cultures and their natural beauty to life with her words. Her protagonists are well fleshed out and likable, and her conclusion is satisfying. I especially enjoyed her feisty seniors group and the artistic leanings of Wynn.
August 5, 2015
The author, Shiela Jane, unknown to me, showed up one evening at my Writers' Group. She read a couple of pages from her paperback,The Saltwater Ghost. I fell in love with her style instantly, and bought the book the next day. There is so much to praise and admire about this novel that it's difficult to offer an unbiased review.
If you love words, like I do, Shiela Jane serves up a feast. Her diction - that choice she makes of which words to select for expressing feeling, describing characters, and painting stunning scenes and locations - is outstanding. It indicates the wonderful research and/or knowledge of an intelligent writer.
Her exceptional plot will keep you in suspense. Often there is a sense that you know parts you don't understand, but you believe those elements will reveal themselves sooner or later. Thus, the reader's patience is required to allow the story to evolve. And it's a good story.
Several new characters and situations are introduced that contribute to sub-plots. Structurally, and of course, I only speak for myself as a reader, I find when the point of view (POV) changes, the reader must make a new emotional investment, which was occasionally a bit problematic for me. Perhaps I am not patient enough, but I wanted the protagonist to point me in certain directions in order for me to 'care' about another character.
After finishing the book, I found all the parts came together, totally, as one would find in a beautiful patchwork quilt. I'd say that waiting for that finished product takes commitment. In this case, it was well-worth the wait.
Ms. Jane is a highly talented writer, and I look forward to more of her work. Five stars, hands-down for the genius of her word-usage. Four stars for structure, and a tiny 'gremlin'(her term) that slipped through editing. You decide, reader, how many stars it's worth. For me, not enough in the sky. The joy I experienced in reading The Saltwater Ghost - definitely worth 5 stars here!
If you love words, like I do, Shiela Jane serves up a feast. Her diction - that choice she makes of which words to select for expressing feeling, describing characters, and painting stunning scenes and locations - is outstanding. It indicates the wonderful research and/or knowledge of an intelligent writer.
Her exceptional plot will keep you in suspense. Often there is a sense that you know parts you don't understand, but you believe those elements will reveal themselves sooner or later. Thus, the reader's patience is required to allow the story to evolve. And it's a good story.
Several new characters and situations are introduced that contribute to sub-plots. Structurally, and of course, I only speak for myself as a reader, I find when the point of view (POV) changes, the reader must make a new emotional investment, which was occasionally a bit problematic for me. Perhaps I am not patient enough, but I wanted the protagonist to point me in certain directions in order for me to 'care' about another character.
After finishing the book, I found all the parts came together, totally, as one would find in a beautiful patchwork quilt. I'd say that waiting for that finished product takes commitment. In this case, it was well-worth the wait.
Ms. Jane is a highly talented writer, and I look forward to more of her work. Five stars, hands-down for the genius of her word-usage. Four stars for structure, and a tiny 'gremlin'(her term) that slipped through editing. You decide, reader, how many stars it's worth. For me, not enough in the sky. The joy I experienced in reading The Saltwater Ghost - definitely worth 5 stars here!
August 29, 2016
Fresh and Aspiring!
Great debut novel, intelligently written by quite a resourceful author. It touches on very sensitive ethical and moral issues like guilt, conscience, perception of good and evil. Multicultural somehow, picturesque setting, believable characters, and above all, distinct style of writing.
Great debut novel, intelligently written by quite a resourceful author. It touches on very sensitive ethical and moral issues like guilt, conscience, perception of good and evil. Multicultural somehow, picturesque setting, believable characters, and above all, distinct style of writing.
September 8, 2017
I'm not sure if something weird happened in the conversion of this book into an ebook, but the formatting of my copy was all messed up to the point that I almost put it down after just a couple of pages because of how annoying it was to read. Backwards apostrophes and quotation marks, inconsistent paragraph breaks, and so forth just made it seem sloppily written. But the story itself was all right. I didn't much care for any of the characters, and I was always waiting around for the story to get to the whole "ghost" bit of the story that the title implied... bit disappointing that it's not really a ghost story after all.
May 17, 2021
This is a perfectly painted modern ghost story.
October 3, 2016
Not since Rosamund Pilcher took us to Cornwall in her masterful novels has an author brought us such sublime prose filled with beautiful locales and flawed, fabulous characters.
Sheila Jane's debut novel, The Saltwater Ghost, takes us to Prince Edward Island, the literary home of Anne of Green Gables, where the author spins a yarn worthy of a loquacious sea captain. It's a story of tragic love and loss with a resultant ghost who affects the lives and loves of generations of Island residents. Add some regrets, self-imposed exiles ended, and a ticklish May-September romance and you have a story you will not forget.
Make some cocoa and curl up in the window seat with this book. You will be glad you did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an objective review.
Sheila Jane's debut novel, The Saltwater Ghost, takes us to Prince Edward Island, the literary home of Anne of Green Gables, where the author spins a yarn worthy of a loquacious sea captain. It's a story of tragic love and loss with a resultant ghost who affects the lives and loves of generations of Island residents. Add some regrets, self-imposed exiles ended, and a ticklish May-September romance and you have a story you will not forget.
Make some cocoa and curl up in the window seat with this book. You will be glad you did.
I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an objective review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews