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Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #1
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper
Ellie Jordan’s job is to catch and remove unwanted ghosts. Part detective, part paranormal exterminator, Ellie operates out of Savannah, Georgia, one of the oldest and most haunted cities in North America.
When a family contacts her to deal with a disturbing presence in the old mansion they’ve recently purchased, Ellie first believes it to be a typical, by-the-book specter, a residual haunting by a restless spirit. Instead, she finds herself confronting an evil older and more powerful than she’d ever expected, rooted in the house’s long and sordid history of luxury, sin, and murder. The dangerous entity seems particularly interested in her clients’ ten-year-old daughter.
Soon her own life is in danger, and Ellie must find a way to exorcise the darkness of the house before it can kill her, her clients, or their frightened young child.
When a family contacts her to deal with a disturbing presence in the old mansion they’ve recently purchased, Ellie first believes it to be a typical, by-the-book specter, a residual haunting by a restless spirit. Instead, she finds herself confronting an evil older and more powerful than she’d ever expected, rooted in the house’s long and sordid history of luxury, sin, and murder. The dangerous entity seems particularly interested in her clients’ ten-year-old daughter.
Soon her own life is in danger, and Ellie must find a way to exorcise the darkness of the house before it can kill her, her clients, or their frightened young child.
218 pages, Paperback
First published August 27, 2014
1874 people are currently reading
5618 people want to read
About the author
J.L. Bryan
53 books1,034 followersJ.L. Bryan studied English literature at the University of Georgia and at Oxford, with a focus on English Renaissance and Romantic literature. He also studied screenwriting at UCLA. He lives in the metro Atlanta sprawl with his wife and son. He is the author of the Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper books and some other assorted novels like Inferno Park, The Unseen, Jenny Pox, and basically a lot of supernatural stories, some of it dark, some of it very dark, some of it less dark than that.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 789 reviews
October 15, 2017
And they thought they only had to get rid of Mercy ....
Ellie is hired to come to Treadwell House to remove a ghost. Ellie is joined by her new hire, Stacey and later by a psychic, Jacob. Ellie didn't want either one but her boss said so. They turned out to be great workers and I loved them all.
Anna and Dale's little girl Lexie is tormented by a ghost. All of them are really. Dale is skeptical at first until later on.
Ellie and Stacey stay the night and find the ghost of Mercy and oh what joy!
This book was a lot scarier than I was expecting and I loved it. I felt like I was on one of my ghost shows hunting ghosts but with a scary movie creepy ghost setting.
When Ellie and Stacey remove Mercy and take her somewhere safe for ghosts, the sh*t hits the fan. Turns out there are a lot of really, really bad ghosts in the house. Many of them and there is a reason but I'm not telling you!
Ellie and Stacey with the help of Jacob have to take out the evil and they come close to getting killed in the process!
I very much enjoyed this book and it's on kindle unlimited right now for those that have it 😊 Wait! It's not on KU now, it's free on kindle. I just bought it, er, downloaded it 😂
Happy Reading!
Mel ❤️
I don't care how many ghosts you've encountered-the fear never goes away. I watched the bolt slide and felt myself shiver. A feeling of panic rose in my gut and had to be fought down. It was surreal, like a bad dream, watching that bolt scrape itself open.
Ellie is hired to come to Treadwell House to remove a ghost. Ellie is joined by her new hire, Stacey and later by a psychic, Jacob. Ellie didn't want either one but her boss said so. They turned out to be great workers and I loved them all.
Anna and Dale's little girl Lexie is tormented by a ghost. All of them are really. Dale is skeptical at first until later on.
Ellie and Stacey stay the night and find the ghost of Mercy and oh what joy!
"Mercy," I said. "Leave this family alone. Your time here is done. You need to move on."
Her lips drew into a sneer. She had no visible teeth or tongue-as with her eyes, it was just empty hallway behind her when her mouth opened.
She blasted one word at me. I felt it strike me in the forehead like a gust of Arctic air, and I heard the word inside my brain more than with my ears: Leave
"You don't understand, Mercy," I said. "You're dead, you died--"
A howling shriek hit me right in the brain. The ghost charged me, her misty face distorted and distending as she put on speed, her empty eye sockets and mouth hole stretching to inhuman shapes.
"So what do you think?" Stacey asked.
"Yeah," I replied. "I'd say this house is definitely haunted."
This book was a lot scarier than I was expecting and I loved it. I felt like I was on one of my ghost shows hunting ghosts but with a scary movie creepy ghost setting.
When Ellie and Stacey remove Mercy and take her somewhere safe for ghosts, the sh*t hits the fan. Turns out there are a lot of really, really bad ghosts in the house. Many of them and there is a reason but I'm not telling you!
Ellie and Stacey with the help of Jacob have to take out the evil and they come close to getting killed in the process!
I very much enjoyed this book and it's on kindle unlimited right now for those that have it 😊 Wait! It's not on KU now, it's free on kindle. I just bought it, er, downloaded it 😂
Happy Reading!
Mel ❤️
April 24, 2018
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper Series #1
By: J. L. Bryan
Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer
This is an excellent ghost hunting book! Much better than ghost hunters. Lots of exciting stuff goes on, great characters, and great plot! I was hooked right away! Nothing like listening to a haunted ghost tale at night!
The narration was spot on! Great job! On to buy book 2!
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper Series #1
By: J. L. Bryan
Narrated by: Carla Mercer-Meyer
This is an excellent ghost hunting book! Much better than ghost hunters. Lots of exciting stuff goes on, great characters, and great plot! I was hooked right away! Nothing like listening to a haunted ghost tale at night!
The narration was spot on! Great job! On to buy book 2!
October 22, 2017
This is the first audiobook ever that my 14-year-old has wanted to listen to with me ; and I say that any book that attracts a reluctant reader is a fantastic book!
This was the perfect book to get you in that Halloween spirit, just the perfect amount of creep for me.... Ellie was the perfect ghost hunter, and although she and I have very little in common I found her quite relatable; she was a tomboy with a girly side, if that makes any sense? Stacey was fabulous as well, and really just the perfect sidekick(She also made me feel like less of a scaredy-cat)..... just a overall fun old fashion go story, and I will be reading the second book in the series with my son (how can I not?)....
**** narration: narrator did a fantastic job of creating that spooky atmosphere, definitely added to the creep factor! As a sidenote, I have an Alexa and there is a character in this book named Lexa and my Alexa got quite excited every time her name was mentioned, LOL 😂
This was the perfect book to get you in that Halloween spirit, just the perfect amount of creep for me.... Ellie was the perfect ghost hunter, and although she and I have very little in common I found her quite relatable; she was a tomboy with a girly side, if that makes any sense? Stacey was fabulous as well, and really just the perfect sidekick(She also made me feel like less of a scaredy-cat)..... just a overall fun old fashion go story, and I will be reading the second book in the series with my son (how can I not?)....
**** narration: narrator did a fantastic job of creating that spooky atmosphere, definitely added to the creep factor! As a sidenote, I have an Alexa and there is a character in this book named Lexa and my Alexa got quite excited every time her name was mentioned, LOL 😂
May 7, 2015
I went into this read super leery. Ghosts are one of my most favorite paranormal beings to read about because quite simply, what if?
Having read something else by this author in the past and not loving it, I was worried this would turn into another failed read for me and I just didn't want that. I wanted something fun and creepy. Different and lovable. I guess you could say, I wanted a lot but was expecting very little.
With a setting set in Georgia and ghosts galore, I opened this with trepidation but excitement as well. I was so in the mood for a good ghost story.
I have always admired those authors that can write from the point of view of a gender other than their own. It must be hard, challenging even, to be in the head of someone completely different from your own norm and yet, Bryan pulled it off beautifully. Ellie was fierce, strong, brave and tough and you could even say a tomboy at heart but she was still soft heartened and kind as well. In fact, the thing I loved about her most, was that she was so normal. An average every day person doing a very dangerous job that is anything but average or normal.
There were times while reading this that I had to stop and look around me to make sure no one (i.e. read “ghost” here) was in the room with me. I was so thankful I started this during the bright sunny day. I think if I would have started this at night, I would have been in trouble. I'm not sure I would have been able to sleep at all. Certain scenes in this book were down right creepy (hello scary dark asylum!) and I loved it.
Overall this was a fabulous start to what promises to be a very action packed, creepy series. I loved every single minute of this book and I can't wait to read more. I can finally see what all the fuss is about.
Having read something else by this author in the past and not loving it, I was worried this would turn into another failed read for me and I just didn't want that. I wanted something fun and creepy. Different and lovable. I guess you could say, I wanted a lot but was expecting very little.
With a setting set in Georgia and ghosts galore, I opened this with trepidation but excitement as well. I was so in the mood for a good ghost story.
I have always admired those authors that can write from the point of view of a gender other than their own. It must be hard, challenging even, to be in the head of someone completely different from your own norm and yet, Bryan pulled it off beautifully. Ellie was fierce, strong, brave and tough and you could even say a tomboy at heart but she was still soft heartened and kind as well. In fact, the thing I loved about her most, was that she was so normal. An average every day person doing a very dangerous job that is anything but average or normal.
There were times while reading this that I had to stop and look around me to make sure no one (i.e. read “ghost” here) was in the room with me. I was so thankful I started this during the bright sunny day. I think if I would have started this at night, I would have been in trouble. I'm not sure I would have been able to sleep at all. Certain scenes in this book were down right creepy (hello scary dark asylum!) and I loved it.
Overall this was a fabulous start to what promises to be a very action packed, creepy series. I loved every single minute of this book and I can't wait to read more. I can finally see what all the fuss is about.
December 3, 2016
This was a good ol' creepy ghost haunting that I devoured in one night. Ellie and her sidekick Stacey were well written and easy to like. Not once did I check to see how far along I was and for me that is saying something:) On a side note: Ellie is totally misrepresented on the cover. She wouldn't be caught dead in that mistress of the boardroom get up. She wears a leather jacket(helps protect from ghost stabbings) and pants!! She explicitly states she doesn't do girly. Silly silly cover!
January 10, 2017
3.5
First, I have no idea who the girl on the cover is. That is not the main character! Second, the blurb or the first part of it, at least - I do hope they mean the original Ghostbusters since that one was, you know, entertaining.
I always give a break to a book that opens a series. This one didn't really need too much of it anyway. It is written in the first person narrative, but Ellie Jordan has an apprentice of sorts. They are apart only a couple of pages in the book.
Since this is the beginning of a series, you don't get too much about Ellie Jordan. There is her tragic past and the reason she started working for Calvin. Right there is the opening for at least one book in the series. That storyline sounds intriguing.
You know how usually when a story like this starts and you get to see the main characters in action for a couple of pages or so, or in a prologue, then they get another problem/thing/case to deal with? Well, that's not the case here. The house Ellie and Stacy are sent to check in the beginning of the book is actually in the centre of this story. It's not a spoiler to say it is haunted; just not the way they expect. They actually investigate. Imagine a number of creepy abandoned places and I bet at least one on your list got on theirs too.
A couple of grammatical errors can't ruin a fast-paced, occasionally scary story. And there are a couple of hair-raising moments especially in the first part of the book. I didn't really expect to like it this much.
First, I have no idea who the girl on the cover is. That is not the main character! Second, the blurb or the first part of it, at least - I do hope they mean the original Ghostbusters since that one was, you know, entertaining.
I always give a break to a book that opens a series. This one didn't really need too much of it anyway. It is written in the first person narrative, but Ellie Jordan has an apprentice of sorts. They are apart only a couple of pages in the book.
Since this is the beginning of a series, you don't get too much about Ellie Jordan. There is her tragic past and the reason she started working for Calvin. Right there is the opening for at least one book in the series. That storyline sounds intriguing.
You know how usually when a story like this starts and you get to see the main characters in action for a couple of pages or so, or in a prologue, then they get another problem/thing/case to deal with? Well, that's not the case here. The house Ellie and Stacy are sent to check in the beginning of the book is actually in the centre of this story. It's not a spoiler to say it is haunted; just not the way they expect. They actually investigate. Imagine a number of creepy abandoned places and I bet at least one on your list got on theirs too.
A couple of grammatical errors can't ruin a fast-paced, occasionally scary story. And there are a couple of hair-raising moments especially in the first part of the book. I didn't really expect to like it this much.
June 24, 2019
Quite enjoyable. Ending was a nice touch. Well worth the FREE Kindle version :D
6/24/19 1st 3 books free today in set
6/24/19 1st 3 books free today in set
September 9, 2020
Reread 2020 3.5 stars
Not sure if I was less interested because I kind of remembered what was coming or if my opinions are changed. Totally planning on reading book 2 to see if things do get better.
——————
This book felt like an unique take. Ellie Jordan doesn't have magical powers, just science to back her up. So, hunting ghosts can be quite difficult.
I really enjoyed reading this book and trying to figure out the mystery behind the deaths and what happened. Ghosts are really interesting in this world and I feel like future novels will only make them more interesting and dangerous. I wasn't always super engaged and wish there was a little more oomph about Ellie -- something to make her a bit more memorable.
I'm writing this review a month late which is why things are a little vague (whoops!). I did like this enough that I would read the next one, but not enough that I'm going to be hunting down and reading it any time soon. I'm more curious about what will happen next. Definitely worth a read if you are looking for something about ghosts in a contemporary setting, but not over the top with paranormal aspects.
Not sure if I was less interested because I kind of remembered what was coming or if my opinions are changed. Totally planning on reading book 2 to see if things do get better.
——————
This book felt like an unique take. Ellie Jordan doesn't have magical powers, just science to back her up. So, hunting ghosts can be quite difficult.
I really enjoyed reading this book and trying to figure out the mystery behind the deaths and what happened. Ghosts are really interesting in this world and I feel like future novels will only make them more interesting and dangerous. I wasn't always super engaged and wish there was a little more oomph about Ellie -- something to make her a bit more memorable.
I'm writing this review a month late which is why things are a little vague (whoops!). I did like this enough that I would read the next one, but not enough that I'm going to be hunting down and reading it any time soon. I'm more curious about what will happen next. Definitely worth a read if you are looking for something about ghosts in a contemporary setting, but not over the top with paranormal aspects.
October 20, 2015
Ellie Jordan is a ghost trapper and her and Stacey are called on to investigate a mansion haunting by the owners. Thinking it is nothing more than residual haunting, Ellie and Stacy are taken for a spin when they discover that the mansion has many layers and each one is more sinister than the first. Now they are facing something truly evil and must rely on each other if they want to survive catching this thing.
"Naturally, zipping out to a dark, long-abandoned loony bin on a likely wild goose chase, was not how I would have preferred to spend my afternoon."
Admittedly I picked this one up because of Ali @ My Guilty Obsession and Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings and their awesome reviews. Wow, just wow. What a little gem. I came away with this so pleasantly surprised. The first book in the Ellie Jordan series came out a hit with me. The authors writing, imagination, realistic writing, setting and characters really resonated with me. I love how Bryan chose Savannah, Georgia for its known ghostly history. It made the story somehow more appealing because it made it kind of believable. I don’t know what I expected, but Bryan’s ghosts surprised me. Not only were they well written into the story, but they were kind of creepy and some of the scenes could come out downright scary, especially if you make a rookie mistake and read this book at night like I did. I came prepared for the final scene thanks to Heidi and read it during day time and that helped defuse the creepy factor.
I admit, when it comes to thrillers and ghost stories I am scared easily, but Bryan did an excellent job that beside now perking up at every sound at night, I found it truly enjoyable. The characters themselves were pretty awesome and the first book really set up the foundation for the rest of the series. It left me wanting more, I wanted to know more about Ellie and the ghost that set her on this path of ghost trapping, I wanted to know more about Stacey, but most of all I wanted more adventure.
I loved and admired how seamlessly Bryan can blend humor into the story. Ellie as the main voice of the story is funny, head strong, brave, but also underneath it all is still only just human and despite the brave facade that she puts up – she is just scared like everyone else.
"The bar looked like a place where meth-addicted rats went to die"
"We held each other while I cried and tried to get myself together."
I found the plot itself interesting and kept my attention. Moments that made me want to hide under my covers, and moments where I couldn't help but laugh. Overall, I felt like this was an amazing start to what is promising to be a very refreshing new series for me. I am looking forward to learning how Ellie's boss got into the business and his story.
The only thing I did not understand was Ellie's dislike of the idea of having a psychic work for them. It seems to me at times an extra pair of hands is not such a bad idea. Ellie seems to have a hard time believing the guy is genuine, but that does not stop her from using him, even if she still ends up denying his abilities while he is using them.
Also, did not understand fully how Jake's abilities work. He can somehow see the ghosts and they talk to him, yet where they violently attack Ellie, they did not seem to have wanted to harm him - at least in that one scene. Everything else did come together at the end, and I wasn't left with a lot of questions.
Oh the father of the family that called on Ellie, oh my god did I hate him for being such a jerk.
I have made a lot of highlights in the book of my favorite quotes and scenes. I will leave you with two more. If you love a good ghost story, I strongly suggest picking this book up now and giving it a shot. It is free on amazon at this very moment.
"If he'd hurt my cat, I would probably zap him in the eyeballs"
"Things I would rather do than get possessed by a ghost include eating a bucket of live leeches, swimming in piranha-filled waters while bleeding from a dozen cuts, and sticking my head into the mouth of a hungry, hungry hippo."
I feel like I need the next book in the series now. Hopefully I can get my hands on it and make some time for it to read it, cause seriously I found a new addiction.
This review was originally posted on Night Owl Book Café
dnf-not-my-thing
January 27, 2020This isn't a book for me. A story about ghost hunters is interesting, however, it didn't pull me in, and I gave it 30% to do so. I'll admit there was a moment where the ghost appeared and it was terrifying, but besides that, and the annoyance towards the husband, it didn't capture my full attention.
November 24, 2021
Not bad an interesting take on a ghost hunter it just took me forever to get through with different things going on will try to contiune the series soon great audio version!
January 25, 2023
I WANT TO GO TRAP GHOSTS WITH ELLIE AND STACEY.
January 17, 2018
Not exactly what I was expecting (much spookier) but a good read. Ellie helps remove ghosts from homes they are haunting and has all the necessary ghost busting tools and a new apprentice - Stacey. This new case doesn't seem to be too bad, just a female ghost who says "leave". Of course, nothing is ever simple.
It was interesting to learn about the history of the residence and the people who had been there. Ellie is really more like a genealogy detective as she needs to research people and places. I'll definitely check out the next one.
It was interesting to learn about the history of the residence and the people who had been there. Ellie is really more like a genealogy detective as she needs to research people and places. I'll definitely check out the next one.
February 22, 2023
Hee! This one was fun! Ghosties, ghoulies, smart women, and plenty of danger had me hooked from page one. Ellie knows her stuff and she knows when she needs to ask for help.
(Admittedly, that last part took a little nudging, but she did ask. Eventually.)
I should probably mention that I love ghost stories. These particular ghosts totally hit the spot. The story behind how the house became haunted worked for me. The story behind why Ellie became a ghost trapper worked for me. Heck, Ellie's friendship with Stacey worked for me. Not going to lie, I'm intrigued by Jacob and how (or if) he'll fit in with Ellie and Stacey down the line.
With nicely gruesome imagery, likeable characters, and some twisted backstory to give both the ghosts and Ellie depth, I'm digging what J.L. Bryan has created here. Given that Ellie's working in ghost-central, the possibilities look to be endless for potential stories. GOOD THING. I want to know more about Ellie and see what she gets into next!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
(Admittedly, that last part took a little nudging, but she did ask. Eventually.)
I should probably mention that I love ghost stories. These particular ghosts totally hit the spot. The story behind how the house became haunted worked for me. The story behind why Ellie became a ghost trapper worked for me. Heck, Ellie's friendship with Stacey worked for me. Not going to lie, I'm intrigued by Jacob and how (or if) he'll fit in with Ellie and Stacey down the line.
With nicely gruesome imagery, likeable characters, and some twisted backstory to give both the ghosts and Ellie depth, I'm digging what J.L. Bryan has created here. Given that Ellie's working in ghost-central, the possibilities look to be endless for potential stories. GOOD THING. I want to know more about Ellie and see what she gets into next!
-Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal
September 30, 2014
3.5 stars
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author J.L. Bryan, and Megg Jensen.)
This was a creepy ghost story, and it reminded me a bit of the TV show ‘Supernatural’.
I liked the characters in this book, I did think Ellie was maybe a little crazy for wanting to hunt down ghosts for a living, but once she explained why she did it, it seemed more noble than nuts! Stacey was certainly enthusiastic, and Jacob the psychic seemed fairly genuine.
The storyline in this was pretty good, and there were plenty of creepy moments. What is worse than visiting an old abandoned insane asylum? Visiting an old abandoned insane asylum’s basement. Rather you than me Ellie! And investigating a creepy old house full of nasty ghosts? I’m not going there either.
The ending to this was wrapped up nicely, but still left us wanting to know what happens next for Ellie. There were quite a lot of creepy moments and surprise twists in this book, so overall it was a pretty good ghost story.
7 out of 10.
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to author J.L. Bryan, and Megg Jensen.)
This was a creepy ghost story, and it reminded me a bit of the TV show ‘Supernatural’.
I liked the characters in this book, I did think Ellie was maybe a little crazy for wanting to hunt down ghosts for a living, but once she explained why she did it, it seemed more noble than nuts! Stacey was certainly enthusiastic, and Jacob the psychic seemed fairly genuine.
The storyline in this was pretty good, and there were plenty of creepy moments. What is worse than visiting an old abandoned insane asylum? Visiting an old abandoned insane asylum’s basement. Rather you than me Ellie! And investigating a creepy old house full of nasty ghosts? I’m not going there either.
The ending to this was wrapped up nicely, but still left us wanting to know what happens next for Ellie. There were quite a lot of creepy moments and surprise twists in this book, so overall it was a pretty good ghost story.
7 out of 10.
July 19, 2015
I have had this book downloaded for a while, but the cover illustration always made me think it was just another YA Buffy type book. I was pleasantly surprised when I finally got round to reading it. It is well thought out and well written, and given the subject matter the characters are quite believable. There is even a plausible explanation as to why Ellie decided to become a ghost trapper.
Ellie Jordan is working for Eckhardt Investigations, as part investigator and part ghost buster. She finds herself mentoring Stacey, the new employee, as they tackle a possible new case. This case is situated in an old house in Savannah, Georgia, supposedly one of the most haunted cities anywhere. The reader follows their footsteps as they investigate a potential haunting. The obvious things have to be eliminated first, even though a woman and her daughter claim to have seen the ghost.
This was quite a fun book to read, without any really dark overtones, but it is written in such a way that it kept me engrossed throughout. I shall definitely be looking out for more in this series.
Ellie Jordan is working for Eckhardt Investigations, as part investigator and part ghost buster. She finds herself mentoring Stacey, the new employee, as they tackle a possible new case. This case is situated in an old house in Savannah, Georgia, supposedly one of the most haunted cities anywhere. The reader follows their footsteps as they investigate a potential haunting. The obvious things have to be eliminated first, even though a woman and her daughter claim to have seen the ghost.
This was quite a fun book to read, without any really dark overtones, but it is written in such a way that it kept me engrossed throughout. I shall definitely be looking out for more in this series.
January 2, 2015
Fun! I really enjoyed this book. Sometimes you just need a good Ghost Story. Despite the cover (Which looks like this would be a tween book) and the Title (again, tweeny sounding) the book was decidedly not juvenile. No, it is no John Saul or early Dean Koontz kinda of creepy but it was creepy enough.
I loved both Stacy and Ellie and the ghost was sufficiently spooky. This book had everything a good ghost tale has...
* Old House that no one lives in long - CHECK!
* Wife and Child who see the ghost, husband who thinks it's BS- CHECK!
* A jaded Ghost Hunter and a spunky young apprentice - CHECK!
* Creepy ass Ghost - Check! Check! and Check!
Did it tie up nicely? Of course it did!
Did knowing the the above outline would be used before I even cracked it open deter me from enjoying every second? NOPE!
I will certainly buy the rest in the series. These will be the books I go to after the dark, heavy, and serious novels that seem to lure me.
It's all about balance.
I loved both Stacy and Ellie and the ghost was sufficiently spooky. This book had everything a good ghost tale has...
* Old House that no one lives in long - CHECK!
* Wife and Child who see the ghost, husband who thinks it's BS- CHECK!
* A jaded Ghost Hunter and a spunky young apprentice - CHECK!
* Creepy ass Ghost - Check! Check! and Check!
Did it tie up nicely? Of course it did!
Did knowing the the above outline would be used before I even cracked it open deter me from enjoying every second? NOPE!
I will certainly buy the rest in the series. These will be the books I go to after the dark, heavy, and serious novels that seem to lure me.
It's all about balance.
April 11, 2017
If you want a ghost story that isn't cheesy and will actually make you a bit jumpy in the night after reading, this would be it! At least for me, and i'm not the jumpy kind. I mean the Exorcist didn't even scare me, seriously.
The ghosts in this book are pure evil. Trust me when I say this is not a pathetic attempt of the author's to make this novel seem scary, it is, actually it's terrifying, it's truly disturbing.
I think I will be a new fan of J.L Bryan's books, I can't wait to check out the others. Why haven't I heard of this author before? I have high hopes that the other books from J.L Bryan will be just as captivating and creepy.
The ghosts in this book are pure evil. Trust me when I say this is not a pathetic attempt of the author's to make this novel seem scary, it is, actually it's terrifying, it's truly disturbing.
I think I will be a new fan of J.L Bryan's books, I can't wait to check out the others. Why haven't I heard of this author before? I have high hopes that the other books from J.L Bryan will be just as captivating and creepy.
September 30, 2014
Four stars: A creepy, realistic ghostly tale.
Ellie and Stacey arrive at the old mansion. Ellie and Stacey are ghosts hunters and they have been called out to investigate a haunting by the new owners. At first, Ellie believes it to be a relatively simple case of a ghostly haunting, but she soon finds out that there are far more sinister and foul things residing in the house. With Stacey's help, Ellie intends to flush out the ghosts once and for all, but little does she know, she is up against a powerful force. Can Ellie clean house?
What I Liked:
*What a fun, creepy little book. What makes this book shine is that Mr. Bryan keeps it realistic. Ellie and her partner, Stacey, hunt ghosts with all of the latest technology that real ghost hunters use. I loved that it had a believable vibe throughout, and that made it all the more scary. Note to self and to you readers, don't read this book while away on vacation when you are sleeping in an unfamiliar place, it makes every unfamiliar sound in the night feel much more sinister!
*You want ghosts? There are plenty of spooky spirits in this one. From Mercy, the scary lady who haunts the family, to the terrible Captain Marsh, and lots of hobos, prostitutes and transient ghosts, there is even a junkie ghost looking for his next fix. I liked the variety of ghosts, and I appreciated that some were terrifying while others served as guardians. If you love believable ghost stories, this one is for you.
*The characters were terrific. I liked meeting Ellie and discovering the traumatic events in her past that drive her to hunt ghosts. She is fierce and brave, you have to be in order to trap ghosts and stay the night in haunted places*shivers*. I admired her tenacity and courage, especially in light of her past. I definitely want to know more about that pyrokinetic ghost. Stacy is Ellie's new, ambitious sidekick. She is optimistic, funny and she manages to keep things on the lighter side. I liked how she was willing to jump in and do what was necessary, even though she was at times terrified. I am anxious to see her mature as a ghost hunter. The rest of the cast from the family being haunted to the ghosts themselves were well developed and fleshed out. I thought the entire cast was terrific.
*For all of you technology geeks, there are plenty of gadgets, gizmos, and techniques utilized by the ghost hunters to trap ghosts. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring all these devices and learning how they were used. Mr. Bryan has done plenty of research to try and make sure that everything in the book used by the ghost busters is authentic. Who knew that there was such an array of inventions to catch ghosts? The traps were fascinating. If you are a fan of ghost shows, you will like this book.
*The setting, Savannah, is perfect for ghost huntings. Savannah is reputed to have an abundance of ghosts, and I can't wait for more adventures in this old, haunted city.
*The ending is satisfying with no cliffhangers. I especially loved the final twist with Mercy. Even though this is the first book in a new series, it can be read as a stand alone. The main threads are resolved, but there are some lingering issues regarding the characters that I cant wait to follow up on.
And The Not So Much:
*Ellie is employed by a retired, wheel chair bound, former detective. Calvin Eckhart was a character I desperately wanted to know more about. How did he end up paralyzed? Was it the result of an accident trapping ghosts? Why did he start trapping ghosts? I am hopeful that more of his story will be forthcoming in the next book.
*Calvin insists that Ellie bring in a psychic, Jacob Weiss, to help investigate the haunting. Ellie is extremely reluctant to have Jake help out, and she is downright rude to him. I couldn't figure out why she was so adverse to having extra help. I was also disappointed that Jake didn't play a bigger role because once he did start using his abilities, I wanted more. I need more of Jake in the next book as well.
*The overall story was a bit predictable. There were plenty of clues dropped ahead of time so the reveals didn't have the same impact. I pretty much had everything figured out one step ahead of the characters. Not a big issue, but I was hoping for a few jaw dropping surprises.
*I wasn't satisfied with the information provided regarding Louisa Marsh. I feel like there was way more to her part of the story, and I wanted more answers.
*For all you scaredy cats out there, this is definitely a nail bitting, creepy book not to be read before bed if you are prone to nightmares. Some of the final ghostly scenes are downright scary, and what makes it even more frightening is that ghosts are one of those phenomenons that can't be proved or disproved. Who knows? So if you scare easily, best read this during the day.
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper is a solid start to what is sure to be an exciting series. I have become a big fan of Mr. Bryan over the last three years, and this latest installment doesn't disappoint. It is a realistic, creepy book all about ghosts and those brave enough to hunt them. This first installment sets the stage for more terrifying and exciting adventures for the ghost hunting gang. I am eagerly awaiting book two!
Favorite Quotations:
"Tips for breaking into an abandoned mental hospital: first, get permission from the current owner, probably a bank or government agency. Second: go during the daytime. Third: go with a large group."
I purchased a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Ellie and Stacey arrive at the old mansion. Ellie and Stacey are ghosts hunters and they have been called out to investigate a haunting by the new owners. At first, Ellie believes it to be a relatively simple case of a ghostly haunting, but she soon finds out that there are far more sinister and foul things residing in the house. With Stacey's help, Ellie intends to flush out the ghosts once and for all, but little does she know, she is up against a powerful force. Can Ellie clean house?
What I Liked:
*What a fun, creepy little book. What makes this book shine is that Mr. Bryan keeps it realistic. Ellie and her partner, Stacey, hunt ghosts with all of the latest technology that real ghost hunters use. I loved that it had a believable vibe throughout, and that made it all the more scary. Note to self and to you readers, don't read this book while away on vacation when you are sleeping in an unfamiliar place, it makes every unfamiliar sound in the night feel much more sinister!
*You want ghosts? There are plenty of spooky spirits in this one. From Mercy, the scary lady who haunts the family, to the terrible Captain Marsh, and lots of hobos, prostitutes and transient ghosts, there is even a junkie ghost looking for his next fix. I liked the variety of ghosts, and I appreciated that some were terrifying while others served as guardians. If you love believable ghost stories, this one is for you.
*The characters were terrific. I liked meeting Ellie and discovering the traumatic events in her past that drive her to hunt ghosts. She is fierce and brave, you have to be in order to trap ghosts and stay the night in haunted places*shivers*. I admired her tenacity and courage, especially in light of her past. I definitely want to know more about that pyrokinetic ghost. Stacy is Ellie's new, ambitious sidekick. She is optimistic, funny and she manages to keep things on the lighter side. I liked how she was willing to jump in and do what was necessary, even though she was at times terrified. I am anxious to see her mature as a ghost hunter. The rest of the cast from the family being haunted to the ghosts themselves were well developed and fleshed out. I thought the entire cast was terrific.
*For all of you technology geeks, there are plenty of gadgets, gizmos, and techniques utilized by the ghost hunters to trap ghosts. I thoroughly enjoyed exploring all these devices and learning how they were used. Mr. Bryan has done plenty of research to try and make sure that everything in the book used by the ghost busters is authentic. Who knew that there was such an array of inventions to catch ghosts? The traps were fascinating. If you are a fan of ghost shows, you will like this book.
*The setting, Savannah, is perfect for ghost huntings. Savannah is reputed to have an abundance of ghosts, and I can't wait for more adventures in this old, haunted city.
*The ending is satisfying with no cliffhangers. I especially loved the final twist with Mercy. Even though this is the first book in a new series, it can be read as a stand alone. The main threads are resolved, but there are some lingering issues regarding the characters that I cant wait to follow up on.
And The Not So Much:
*Ellie is employed by a retired, wheel chair bound, former detective. Calvin Eckhart was a character I desperately wanted to know more about. How did he end up paralyzed? Was it the result of an accident trapping ghosts? Why did he start trapping ghosts? I am hopeful that more of his story will be forthcoming in the next book.
*Calvin insists that Ellie bring in a psychic, Jacob Weiss, to help investigate the haunting. Ellie is extremely reluctant to have Jake help out, and she is downright rude to him. I couldn't figure out why she was so adverse to having extra help. I was also disappointed that Jake didn't play a bigger role because once he did start using his abilities, I wanted more. I need more of Jake in the next book as well.
*The overall story was a bit predictable. There were plenty of clues dropped ahead of time so the reveals didn't have the same impact. I pretty much had everything figured out one step ahead of the characters. Not a big issue, but I was hoping for a few jaw dropping surprises.
*I wasn't satisfied with the information provided regarding Louisa Marsh. I feel like there was way more to her part of the story, and I wanted more answers.
*For all you scaredy cats out there, this is definitely a nail bitting, creepy book not to be read before bed if you are prone to nightmares. Some of the final ghostly scenes are downright scary, and what makes it even more frightening is that ghosts are one of those phenomenons that can't be proved or disproved. Who knows? So if you scare easily, best read this during the day.
Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper is a solid start to what is sure to be an exciting series. I have become a big fan of Mr. Bryan over the last three years, and this latest installment doesn't disappoint. It is a realistic, creepy book all about ghosts and those brave enough to hunt them. This first installment sets the stage for more terrifying and exciting adventures for the ghost hunting gang. I am eagerly awaiting book two!
Favorite Quotations:
"Tips for breaking into an abandoned mental hospital: first, get permission from the current owner, probably a bank or government agency. Second: go during the daytime. Third: go with a large group."
I purchased a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
June 29, 2018
I originally got this book as a freebie from Amazon, it might always be free but I am not sure. Anyways, this is EXACTLY what a free book that is first in a series should be. The book was so good, didn't end on a cliffhanger and STILL made me want to read the rest of the series. Hear that all you authors giving the first book in your series away for free? This is what you want to strive for!
The author did an amazing job with the descriptive details in the story. I could visualize everything so perfectly. And it was the perfect amount of scary that I love. It's really hard to find a horror book that isn't all gore and extreme violence, so that was a nice change of pace. I was reading this book at night before going to sleep. The first night I finished about 20% of the book and then had a hard time sleeping because I thought I was hearing noises. It was just so good. I can't wait to read the rest of this series to see what Ellie and her friends get into!
The author did an amazing job with the descriptive details in the story. I could visualize everything so perfectly. And it was the perfect amount of scary that I love. It's really hard to find a horror book that isn't all gore and extreme violence, so that was a nice change of pace. I was reading this book at night before going to sleep. The first night I finished about 20% of the book and then had a hard time sleeping because I thought I was hearing noises. It was just so good. I can't wait to read the rest of this series to see what Ellie and her friends get into!
October 19, 2017
Well, that was a totally enjoyable read :)
This book follows Ellie, a ghost trapper.
Her boss just hired a new girl to the company and Ellie is in charge of training her.
They work the case of a haunted house, bought by a couple who are renovating it to be a hotel, but the wife and the couples daughter experience a lot of weird things...
This story was well written, a little dark and just spooky/creepy enough. The final backstory got just sordid enough for my taste, I like a bit of weirdness this time of year :D
If you feel like reading a ghost story, this is an excellent one.
This book follows Ellie, a ghost trapper.
Her boss just hired a new girl to the company and Ellie is in charge of training her.
They work the case of a haunted house, bought by a couple who are renovating it to be a hotel, but the wife and the couples daughter experience a lot of weird things...
This story was well written, a little dark and just spooky/creepy enough. The final backstory got just sordid enough for my taste, I like a bit of weirdness this time of year :D
If you feel like reading a ghost story, this is an excellent one.
October 1, 2017
Ellie Jordan's job is to identify and remove unwanted ghosts. Part detective, part paranormal exterminator, Ellie operates out of Savannah, Georgia, the most haunted city in the United States.
3.5 stars. This is the first book in the Ellie Jordan series and I enjoyed reading this. It was a quick read that was rather creepy; lots of ghosts, and while the ghosts were creepy, the book didn't creep me out as much as I was expecting. I would say this was like Ghost Hunters with maybe a little Ghostbusters thrown in, minus the comedy.
I liked all the characters, but at this point we have only really scratched the surface of who they are. We get a lot more backstory on the main character Ellie, the others, next to nothing. Hopefully that will change in subsequent books. This could be the start of a promising series if the author digs deeper into who the characters are and writes a more intricate overarching story for them. It could also just remain like one of those case of the week things that never really focuses too much on character development. Personally I think that would be disappointing. I do plan on continuing this series because I love ghost stories.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
3.5 stars. This is the first book in the Ellie Jordan series and I enjoyed reading this. It was a quick read that was rather creepy; lots of ghosts, and while the ghosts were creepy, the book didn't creep me out as much as I was expecting. I would say this was like Ghost Hunters with maybe a little Ghostbusters thrown in, minus the comedy.
I liked all the characters, but at this point we have only really scratched the surface of who they are. We get a lot more backstory on the main character Ellie, the others, next to nothing. Hopefully that will change in subsequent books. This could be the start of a promising series if the author digs deeper into who the characters are and writes a more intricate overarching story for them. It could also just remain like one of those case of the week things that never really focuses too much on character development. Personally I think that would be disappointing. I do plan on continuing this series because I love ghost stories.
Review also posted at Writings of a Reader
November 2, 2024
This book certainly brought spooky and creepy new meaning... I enjoyed this book immensely, and found myself definitely needing to keep the lights on while I indulged in this ghostly mystery... The mix of historical and paranormal facts along with some intense action sequences kept my attention engaged and my emotions on edge... Ellie Jordan is a unique and interesting character with her hard edges, soft heart, and intelligent mind... She leads a ragtag paranormal investigative team into the heart of a century old murder uncovering the facts while fighting off the spectral entities... I found myself completely enraptured by this story and look forward to the next read in the series...4 Stars:)
2nd Read: 4.5 Stars:)
2nd Read: 4.5 Stars:)
October 25, 2015
A nice creepy ghost story with detective work tossed in for good measure. Ellie Jordan is a ghost trapper, the head field operative in a team that works at removing unwanted ghosts from homes when they refuse to move on. In this, the first of the series, the reader is introduced to Ellie and the "newbies" on her team...a young enthusiastic videographer and a psychic. All of the characters are fun and engaging, as is the work they do. I will definitely check out more in this series.
May 15, 2017
Ellie Jordan's job is to identify and remove unwanted ghosts. Part detective, part paranormal exterminator, Ellie operates out of Savannah, Georgia, the most haunted city in the United States.
A family contacts her boss a out a spirit haunting the mansion they just bought and are renovating to become a bed and breakfast. The female ghost is especially frightening their young daughter and even the wife, but the father is in denial. Ellie and assistant Stacey. Both eventually get the ghost, Mercy trapped, but not long after, other, more vicious phantoms appeared to harass the owners. Ellie finds herself confronting an older and more powerful evil that dwells within the walls of the house, stalking the living.
The theme of Ghostbusters applied to Ghost Hunters, mixes horror, paranormal, and urban fantasy to
an addictive, insomnia-inducing story.
A family contacts her boss a out a spirit haunting the mansion they just bought and are renovating to become a bed and breakfast. The female ghost is especially frightening their young daughter and even the wife, but the father is in denial. Ellie and assistant Stacey. Both eventually get the ghost, Mercy trapped, but not long after, other, more vicious phantoms appeared to harass the owners. Ellie finds herself confronting an older and more powerful evil that dwells within the walls of the house, stalking the living.
The theme of Ghostbusters applied to Ghost Hunters, mixes horror, paranormal, and urban fantasy to
an addictive, insomnia-inducing story.
August 16, 2018
3.5 stars
I admit the creepy stuffs could be creepy. And reading about ghost trappings were kind of fun. BUT there were some boring moments in the middle, in which I skimmed to the story a bit. This feels like one-case kind of books, different ghosts each time, maybe? I see that there are so many books in this series already. Not feeling the pressure to jump and binge the series at this time though...
I admit the creepy stuffs could be creepy. And reading about ghost trappings were kind of fun. BUT there were some boring moments in the middle, in which I skimmed to the story a bit. This feels like one-case kind of books, different ghosts each time, maybe? I see that there are so many books in this series already. Not feeling the pressure to jump and binge the series at this time though...
November 7, 2017
I recognized a lot of the locations from my time in Savannah. I love that my college was mentioned several times. Ellie and Stacey are amazing characters and I hope to read more from this series to get to know them better.
December 17, 2018
I picked up this book as a freebie from amazon.
I enjoyed the book, and Ellie Jordan is a likeable character. The story itself was interesting - Ellie and her firm has been hired to lay the ghost in an old southern mansion being remodeled as a B&B. Ellie captures the ghost - BUT....releases something worse.
Not frightening, but a good read. Buy it.
I enjoyed the book, and Ellie Jordan is a likeable character. The story itself was interesting - Ellie and her firm has been hired to lay the ghost in an old southern mansion being remodeled as a B&B. Ellie captures the ghost - BUT....releases something worse.
Not frightening, but a good read. Buy it.
September 25, 2014
The first thing I noticed about this book was the story takes place in Georgia. It’s supposed to be one of the most haunted cities in the south, steeped in dark stories. It’s the perfect setting.
You’ve read the blurb so you know this is about a haunted house. So I’m going to introduce you to the ghost trappers from Eckhart Investigations instead of telling you what you already know.
Retired Homicide Detective Calvin Eckhart is the owner and boss man. He needed something to do with all of those empty days and it was an easy decision to start investigating hauntings as he had a keen interest in the supernatural.
Since he’s confined to a wheelchair and not getting any younger, he hires Ellie James to do the work for him. To determine if there is, in fact, a haunting, and then take care of that pesky ghost.
Ellie Jordan, head ghost trapper. Her job is to determine if a house is haunted, and either to get the ghost to vacate, or trap it and dispose of it in a safe place.
She’s my favorite character. Smart, determined, and gutsy, she goes places I’d never dream of entering.
But even she is terrified as the ghost turns out to be many ghosts, and the danger escalates into the physical realm.
Stacey is the newbie. Eckhart didn’t like Ellie going into a haunting investigation alone. It could be very dangerous. Stacey always had an interest in ghosts, and really wants to meet one up close. She helps set up the video equipment and monitored the cameras from outside in a van. She’s in contact with Ellie, and helps to pinpoint where a ghost might be lingering. Her enthusiasm is fun and addictive. I doubt she’ll be so eager to see a ghost after this job.
Jacob Weiss is thrust upon Ellie by the boss. Eckhart insists a psychic could be beneficial. Jacob is one of only a few survivors of a horrible plane crash and now can contact ghosts. He comes into the story closer to the end so I didn’t get to know him very well, but as this is a series, I hope to see more of him. He did come in handy though, so Eckhart was wise to use him.
Finally, the hauntees, the Treadwell family, consisting of Dale, Anna, and their young daughter Lexa. They bought a rundown mansion in an out of the way place. The only other structures on the street are some derelict warehouses and factories. They have big plans to renovate the house and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Dale came up with a great idea. They could add a sports lounge for the men, complete with a huge flat screen TV to watch the games, and plenty of beer. That would make it appealing to the husbands while the quiet holiday appealed to the wives. It’s really a good idea.
There’s just one little hitch. The house came with a ghost, a very expressive ghost. It wants just one thing…for them to vacate the premises, now!
I’d tell you about the ghosts but that would be telling you the story. I can tell you this. I don’t think I’ve experienced such an intense, nail-biting, scene as the one when these characters enter the house for the final event. If it was a movie, I’d have been peeking through my fingers. Horror doesn’t always come with a happy outcome, so all of them were fair game to die a grisly death. That kept me reading, eyes zipping from word to word, hoping for the best and fearing the worst. I was breathless afterwards and my shoulders ached from the tension.
The author nailed it with his characters. Each almost immediately became familiar.
His ghosts were terrifying.
The plot was fun and scary and your quickly immersed in it.
And this is book one in the series, so read it now. That way you’ll be ready for the next one.
I was given this book for my reading enjoyment, no review required. How could I not tell you how fun it was.
You’ve read the blurb so you know this is about a haunted house. So I’m going to introduce you to the ghost trappers from Eckhart Investigations instead of telling you what you already know.
Retired Homicide Detective Calvin Eckhart is the owner and boss man. He needed something to do with all of those empty days and it was an easy decision to start investigating hauntings as he had a keen interest in the supernatural.
Since he’s confined to a wheelchair and not getting any younger, he hires Ellie James to do the work for him. To determine if there is, in fact, a haunting, and then take care of that pesky ghost.
Ellie Jordan, head ghost trapper. Her job is to determine if a house is haunted, and either to get the ghost to vacate, or trap it and dispose of it in a safe place.
She’s my favorite character. Smart, determined, and gutsy, she goes places I’d never dream of entering.
But even she is terrified as the ghost turns out to be many ghosts, and the danger escalates into the physical realm.
Stacey is the newbie. Eckhart didn’t like Ellie going into a haunting investigation alone. It could be very dangerous. Stacey always had an interest in ghosts, and really wants to meet one up close. She helps set up the video equipment and monitored the cameras from outside in a van. She’s in contact with Ellie, and helps to pinpoint where a ghost might be lingering. Her enthusiasm is fun and addictive. I doubt she’ll be so eager to see a ghost after this job.
Jacob Weiss is thrust upon Ellie by the boss. Eckhart insists a psychic could be beneficial. Jacob is one of only a few survivors of a horrible plane crash and now can contact ghosts. He comes into the story closer to the end so I didn’t get to know him very well, but as this is a series, I hope to see more of him. He did come in handy though, so Eckhart was wise to use him.
Finally, the hauntees, the Treadwell family, consisting of Dale, Anna, and their young daughter Lexa. They bought a rundown mansion in an out of the way place. The only other structures on the street are some derelict warehouses and factories. They have big plans to renovate the house and turn it into a bed and breakfast. Dale came up with a great idea. They could add a sports lounge for the men, complete with a huge flat screen TV to watch the games, and plenty of beer. That would make it appealing to the husbands while the quiet holiday appealed to the wives. It’s really a good idea.
There’s just one little hitch. The house came with a ghost, a very expressive ghost. It wants just one thing…for them to vacate the premises, now!
I’d tell you about the ghosts but that would be telling you the story. I can tell you this. I don’t think I’ve experienced such an intense, nail-biting, scene as the one when these characters enter the house for the final event. If it was a movie, I’d have been peeking through my fingers. Horror doesn’t always come with a happy outcome, so all of them were fair game to die a grisly death. That kept me reading, eyes zipping from word to word, hoping for the best and fearing the worst. I was breathless afterwards and my shoulders ached from the tension.
The author nailed it with his characters. Each almost immediately became familiar.
His ghosts were terrifying.
The plot was fun and scary and your quickly immersed in it.
And this is book one in the series, so read it now. That way you’ll be ready for the next one.
I was given this book for my reading enjoyment, no review required. How could I not tell you how fun it was.
March 17, 2024
I know this sounds snobby but this book was so much better than the cover suggests. It was damn creepy at times and I loved scaring myself to death reading it. I don't think I'll read all 20 books in the series but I would definitely read the next few!
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