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Ghost Behind Me
When her family first moved into the empty old house, Cinnamon sensed something wasn't quite right. Then she found a packet of old love letters, and the eerie sensation grew stronger. They were letters from Felix to Emily - beautiful, romantic letters filled with the forbidden yearnings of the love they shared long ago.
Now Felix's ghost wants Cinnamon's help finding his long-lost Emily. He follows her everywhere, pleading, begging, insisting that she help him. Can she resist his strange power? Or will Cinnamon become the next victim of the mysterious ghost with the haunting dark eyes?
Now Felix's ghost wants Cinnamon's help finding his long-lost Emily. He follows her everywhere, pleading, begging, insisting that she help him. Can she resist his strange power? Or will Cinnamon become the next victim of the mysterious ghost with the haunting dark eyes?
196 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1984
2 people are currently reading
174 people want to read
About the author
Eve Bunting
307 books406 followersAlso known as Evelyn Bolton and A.E. Bunting.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
Anne Evelyn Bunting, better known as Eve Bunting, is an author with more than 250 books. Her books are diverse in age groups, from picture books to chapter books, and topic, ranging from Thanksgiving to riots in Los Angeles. Eve Bunting has won several awards for her works.
Bunting went to school in Ireland and grew up with storytelling. In Ireland, “There used to be Shanachies… the shanachie was a storyteller who went from house to house telling his tales of ghosts and fairies, of old Irish heroes and battles still to be won. Maybe I’m a bit of a Shanchie myself, telling stories to anyone who will listen.” This storytelling began as an inspiration for Bunting and continues with her work.
In 1958, Bunting moved to the United States with her husband and three children. A few years later, Bunting enrolled in a community college writing course. She felt the desire to write about her heritage. Bunting has taught writing classes at UCLA. She now lives in Pasadena, California.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 20, 2023
"Ghost before me. Ghost behind me. Nowhere to hide. Ghost will find me."
I read this book roughly 35 years ago, and it has always lingered in the back of my head. I remembered it well enough that when I read in the NYT tonight that Eve Bunting had died, I immediately remembered her as the author of this delightfully creepy book.
Bunting was an excellent writer. May she rest in peace.
I read this book roughly 35 years ago, and it has always lingered in the back of my head. I remembered it well enough that when I read in the NYT tonight that Eve Bunting had died, I immediately remembered her as the author of this delightfully creepy book.
Bunting was an excellent writer. May she rest in peace.
August 13, 2014
UPDATE 8/13/14: In short, the book was typical of that genre from that era: Stock characters, predictable plot, and filled with many, many cliches. The verdict: Not as good or as creepy as I remembered, but at least it's no longer a nagging and hazy memory. AND at least there was no love triangle, which I'm more grateful for than I can adequately express (had it been written today, Cinnamon would likely be carrying on dual relationships with boy-next-door Paul and ghostly stalker Felix)
UPDATE 8/11/14: Finally the book is in my eager hands! I must finish some other stuff first, but I can't wait to start reading!
I've been trying to find this one FOREVER! Like, YEARS! I'd read it as a teen and parts of it stayed with me into adulthood, but all I could remember about the story was it involved a haunting, an unusual window, and a girl named Cinnamon. It was really bothering me I couldn't find it anywhere.
Well, looking up another stumper, I stumbled across it (thank you Loganberry website!!) I found it in my library catalog system, placed a hold, and it is on its way to me.
Soon I will see if my memory matches reality... (and hope that it's not another "All On A Winter's Day," where memory definitely did NOT match the re-read)
UPDATE 8/11/14: Finally the book is in my eager hands! I must finish some other stuff first, but I can't wait to start reading!
I've been trying to find this one FOREVER! Like, YEARS! I'd read it as a teen and parts of it stayed with me into adulthood, but all I could remember about the story was it involved a haunting, an unusual window, and a girl named Cinnamon. It was really bothering me I couldn't find it anywhere.
Well, looking up another stumper, I stumbled across it (thank you Loganberry website!!) I found it in my library catalog system, placed a hold, and it is on its way to me.
Soon I will see if my memory matches reality... (and hope that it's not another "All On A Winter's Day," where memory definitely did NOT match the re-read)
July 6, 2024
Good ghost story. ♥️
February 7, 2017
This was a great story idea in a vivid location, with a protagonist who took measures to investigate a haunting that solely guilt-suffering people can see. Cinnamon dragged her heels overmuch before starting but there was a better than usual effort to use any contacts she gleaned: what was the haunting about, why her, how to put it to rest. I loved Nellie Cram, Paul, and his parents. I disliked Jo-Jo, their Father, and developed no empathy for the ghost.
The first downside is Eve Bunting having no sense of savouring or simmering emotional moments. She starts a haunting before we know the characters but only hints that Cinnamon and Jo-Jo lost their Mother and sibling. It was not artful but irksome. When Eve spits out the story; we know its delay was ludicrous because it is central to a breakdown that makes Cinnamon reluctant to solicit an ally, with a story "too crazy to believe". She never told Paul, whom she could have. She did not ask Lisa to verify her credibility and Cinnamon's Dad did think his daughter unbalanced.
The other downside to a great premise is that already by 1984, "Ghost Behind Me" brimmed with tired-out plot devices. The mindless parent confirming Cinnamon's reluctance to share a problem, even with Paul whom she could trust. The lady old enough to tell Cinnamon everything she needs, out-of-town until the novel needs a resolution. Cinnamon steered that meeting into one more branch of research but the remedy came about too abruptly to believe or enjoy. Then, instead of basking in a relieved outcome for Cinnamon and Paul; the novel ends. Eve has great ideas and writes in an way that keeps us moving but had no flair for building a great moment and letting the afterglow spiral to ground.
The first downside is Eve Bunting having no sense of savouring or simmering emotional moments. She starts a haunting before we know the characters but only hints that Cinnamon and Jo-Jo lost their Mother and sibling. It was not artful but irksome. When Eve spits out the story; we know its delay was ludicrous because it is central to a breakdown that makes Cinnamon reluctant to solicit an ally, with a story "too crazy to believe". She never told Paul, whom she could have. She did not ask Lisa to verify her credibility and Cinnamon's Dad did think his daughter unbalanced.
The other downside to a great premise is that already by 1984, "Ghost Behind Me" brimmed with tired-out plot devices. The mindless parent confirming Cinnamon's reluctance to share a problem, even with Paul whom she could trust. The lady old enough to tell Cinnamon everything she needs, out-of-town until the novel needs a resolution. Cinnamon steered that meeting into one more branch of research but the remedy came about too abruptly to believe or enjoy. Then, instead of basking in a relieved outcome for Cinnamon and Paul; the novel ends. Eve has great ideas and writes in an way that keeps us moving but had no flair for building a great moment and letting the afterglow spiral to ground.
November 19, 2018
I found this book in a box of my childhood things and decided to give it a reread. I was surprised how much of it I actually remembered. I don't remember loving it but finding quality young adult books in the 80s was difficult to say the least (especially ones with a supernatural theme). The characters are a little wooden, except for the little brother JoJo who is a definite stand out, and the plot predictable. So this book is going to get tossed back into the memory box for another 30 years. Maybe then I'll just then I'll just throw it away instead of rereading it again.
March 22, 2020
This first time I read this book I was in 5th grade. I absolutely loved it then and really enjoyed it again this time around. It’s interesting to re-read so many years later the books that got me hooked on reading in the first place.
December 29, 2012
This was one of my fav books as a teen! Want to read this again!
October 13, 2013
One of my favorite books when I was in my early teens. I must have read it a dozen times. I still have my battered old copy somewhere...
March 10, 2021
Such a beautiful, haunting tale.
February 19, 2020
An enjoyable book from my childhood. No, it's not as creepy as I remember, but it was still a fun read with a satisfying ending. Sometimes that's all I'm looking for.
October 9, 2021
I thought this would be a paranormal romance with a ghost but it’s more of a mystery with a ghost stalking the main character. Overall kinda boring. Though I liked the San Francisco setting. Cinnamon is a dumb choice for a name. Reminded me of the name of the rat in Stargirl.
December 20, 2022
I read this book in 1988. I was 10 years old. I remember my mom bought it for me from Walden Books…I miss that store. I had already read the newest Fear Street book, so I decided on this one.
I loved this book!! When I finished reading it, I started over and read it again. 🫶🏻
I loved this book!! When I finished reading it, I started over and read it again. 🫶🏻
October 8, 2024
I read this book about 39 years ago, and lately I can't get it out of my head. The rhyme, the old house the fragile character of Cinnamon--they're all such great elements for a truly haunting ghost story. I hope Ms Bunting knew what an enduring book this turned out to be.
March 14, 2010
In this books a girl moves into an old house in California. She finds a ghost that followes her untill she helps him (10&up)
I Love Eve Bunting, but this book took me forever to get through this book. It had it's good parts but it had a lot of really boring parts.
I Love Eve Bunting, but this book took me forever to get through this book. It had it's good parts but it had a lot of really boring parts.
January 2, 2009
A teenage girl is susceptible to be haunted by a young man who died decades ago. Death guilt (feeling responsible for someone else's death) made her susceptible. Interesting read.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews