The Popcorn Thief

Chronicles of Franklin #1

by Leah R. Cutter

Ghosts get stuck sometimes.

Franklin helps them move from this world to the next. Sometimes that means giving a ghost a ride so they can confront their killer. Other times, it means listening to the wind in his fields and the trucks blowing down the interstate and hearing the songs a ghost needs to sing.

Generally, Franklin happily does whatever a ghost needs. It’s his duty.

Then Gloria shows up. She wants Franklin to steal the crop of his rival, Karl—they compete every year at the Kentucky State Fair for the blue ribbon prize for who grows the best popping corn.

Franklin’s no thief. His mama taught him better.

But something else is out there, hiding in the fields. Something much worse than a ghost.

A creature that’s not interested in stealing crops, but in taking people’s lives and powers.

A thing that Franklin and his family must stop.

Genres: Paranormal, Fantasy

196 pages, Paperback

First published February 9, 2014

About the author

Leah Cutter writes page-turning fiction in exotic locations, such as New Orleans, ancient China, the Oregon coast, rural Kentucky, Seattle, Minneapolis, Budapest, and other places.

Her fiction includes literary, fantasy, mystery, science fiction, and horror, and has been published in magazines, anthologies, and on the web.

Read more stories by Leah Cutter at www.KnottedRoadPress.com.

Follow her blog at www.LeahCutter.com.

Reviews

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming, matter of fact, cosy ghost story. While there is a monster that Franklin doesn't entirely know what to do about, you're quite sure he can manage it. Small town superstition and bigotry might be another matter, but if Franklin can come to terms with his nemesis, there's hope for the small town yet.

[M.B. Austin]

Really enjoyed meeting Franklin in this quirky paranormal adventure. Looking forward to seeing what happens in the next!

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in stupid love with Leah Cutter as an author. She weaves fantastic stories that are capable of pulling you right in.

In this series, Franklin can see ghosts. He helps them resolve what they need to so they can cross over and move on. While trying to help one, he discovers his cousin has been murdered by... something. Now it's his responsibility to figure it out and stop it before more people get killed.

I purchased this book to read prior to The Soul Thief which I received in order to review.

[Shoshana Hathaway · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although there are just enough scary things to prickle the back of your neck, this is a gentle and charming fantasy. The author, wisely, does not revel in the horrific. Instead, she treats the supernatural in a down-home, accepting and almost casual way. Some folks are special. Some can track what they want to hunt. Some can see ghosts, and some can see spirits (not the same thing), and some can see lay lines. Usually these knacks are put to positive use, and everyone and everything benefits.

Until, something is created that upsets the balance of this good land, and then those with special gifts and those who don’t even believe in such things must work together in the face of very real, and tangible danger.

The author tells her tale with sensitivity and humor, and her characters are lovingly and charmingly developed. It is a wonderful read, even if it makes me yearn for really *good* pop corn, slathered, not in the purest lard, but the richest butter.

This book makes a point which is not new, certainly, but the author also makes a specification of that point that is extremely thought provoking, which makes this book not just fun, but of value, as well.

The narrator gives his usual impeccable performance. He has all his skills down pat, but the thing that struck me with this book is that, in addition to his excellent pacing, phrasing character voicing and perfect pronunciation, he has a wonderful way with dialect. His characters *sound* like they come from Kentucky, and he presents their speech patterns with ease and absolute naturalness.

I give both book and narrator 5 out of 5 stars.

I received this book in exchange for this unbiased review via the courtesy of AudioBookBlast dot com.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received a copy via Goodreads. Loved the cover and title. The book was so good I read in one sitting then ordered the sequel. Franklin is a lovely man with a special gift but doesnt realise how special he is. He uses his talent of seeing and communicating with ghosts to help them move onto the next world. This is a major part of Franklins lifewhich he does happily to give the ghosts what they need. When an evil being appears and begins to injury and kill people something drastic needs to be done. The evil is defeated by love with help from his mother and GLoria, both ghosts and his gardening rival Karl. This is not my usual type of book but I found it so easy to read and well written and became gripped by the story line. Leah Cutter is new to me but is now on my want to read book list.

[Chris Meads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Franklin sees ghosts. His gift is that and to help them move on. But why is his mother and another ghost, Gloria, still haunting him. Franklin has always grown popping corn and submitted it in the fair. He's always the second place winner to Karl Metzger's first place. And he ponders why--but this year will be different. Until his cousin is killed by a strange entity. Franklin and Karl team up with the two ghosts to battle the entity and put a stop to it's damaging effects.

This was a good book. It flowed steady and there were a few scary moments. Ms. Cutter's characters felt real and you could feel their anguish and pain throughout the story. I would recommend this book to others.

[Deedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Popcorn Thief,narrated brilliantly by Michael Gilboe,is an interesting story of a man obsessed with his popcorn crop.This man and many of his 'kin' have special abilities,like seeing ghosts,or spirits...which we learn are NOT the same thing.Franklin is in a popcorn rivalry with a neighbor and his ghost friends are not making it any easier.People are turning up dead and poor Franklin gets framed...by ghosts.Will he be able to prove he's innocent?Give a listen and find out!"I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the author, publisher and/or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via AudiobookBlast or MalarHouse dot com"

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good story with a steady pace and a few scary moments. The narrator did an excellent job with the voices. I would not have chosen the way the main character spoke but I suppose that was how the author intended it to be. Other than that it was entertaining.

"This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com."