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The Lost Trilogy #1
Lost Girl
Lost Girl - Readers' Favorite Book Award Finalist in Paranormal Fiction
Renowned sculptor Allison Weathers doesn't believe in ghosts. But when a tragic twist of fate leads her to the small mountain town of Dawson Mills, Tennessee, she soon learns the dead don't always stay silent. Shadows begin to shift in the rambling, old Victorian farmhouse she's purchased. Voices come from nowhere. She can feel the eyes on her.
Paul Bradford, a contractor who is bidding the renovation work on the house, believes it's more than just Allison's imagination conjuring up the paranormal activity. Toni Harper, a reporter for the local paper, concurs. She's heard snippets of hand-over-the-mouth gossip from some of the town's deputies who responded to calls in the middle of the night. Ghosts. Or so the former owner claimed in the few months before his death.
The secrets they unearth rock Allison right down to the core. Thrust into a haunted world where the paranormal and evil collide, she has one hope of survival: unravel the sinister history buried for decades within the old farmhouse, and find the link to a muddled piece of her past.
Lost Girl by Anne Francis Scott is a paranormal mystery/ghost story with chilling scenes at the fringe of horror.
Paul Bradford, a contractor who is bidding the renovation work on the house, believes it's more than just Allison's imagination conjuring up the paranormal activity. Toni Harper, a reporter for the local paper, concurs. She's heard snippets of hand-over-the-mouth gossip from some of the town's deputies who responded to calls in the middle of the night. Ghosts. Or so the former owner claimed in the few months before his death.
The secrets they unearth rock Allison right down to the core. Thrust into a haunted world where the paranormal and evil collide, she has one hope of survival: unravel the sinister history buried for decades within the old farmhouse, and find the link to a muddled piece of her past.
Lost Girl by Anne Francis Scott is a paranormal mystery/ghost story with chilling scenes at the fringe of horror.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2012
542 people are currently reading
231 people want to read
About the author
Anne Francis Scott
3 books34 followersParanormal Mystery Author
Anne Francis Scott is a Readers’ Favorite award finalist author in paranormal fiction. She has a fascination for haunted houses, ancient cemeteries, and ghostly mysteries with a twist.
Those passions fuel her writing, giving her the chance to take readers to an otherworldly place and leave them there for a while. She hopes that journey is a good one. . .
If you'd like to know more about Anne, visit her website, where she talks (okay, maybe rambles a little) about her personal paranormal experiences.
annefrancisscott.com/about
Anne Francis Scott is a Readers’ Favorite award finalist author in paranormal fiction. She has a fascination for haunted houses, ancient cemeteries, and ghostly mysteries with a twist.
Those passions fuel her writing, giving her the chance to take readers to an otherworldly place and leave them there for a while. She hopes that journey is a good one. . .
If you'd like to know more about Anne, visit her website, where she talks (okay, maybe rambles a little) about her personal paranormal experiences.
annefrancisscott.com/about
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
July 22, 2018
This story has a little bit of everything-murder mystery, haunted house, decades old missing person case, kidnapping, lost treasure etc.- you name it, it's in here.
I thought it all tied together really well though and I'm definitely planning to read the next book in the series.
I thought it all tied together really well though and I'm definitely planning to read the next book in the series.
August 23, 2015
Unique, original and gripping. Anne Francis Scott sets the scene from the very first chapter. It is then you know you are in for a brilliant read. The author takes you along with the main character, Allison and her journey towards the paranormal.
The plot, narrative and dialogue drives the story forwards, so much so I couldn't put the book down. Even when the MC thought 'hold on, Allison. Hold on.' I was holding on too! Lost Girl is gripping and a great story. Half-way through I thought I heard someone call my name ... creepy!
Character development is just right, especially since this is the first in a trilogy.
With Lost Girl, you can feel the tension and chills as you swipe each page forward. I was recommended this book, and I am so glad I opted to download this novel with KU. I look forward to reading more from Anne Francis Scott.
The plot, narrative and dialogue drives the story forwards, so much so I couldn't put the book down. Even when the MC thought 'hold on, Allison. Hold on.' I was holding on too! Lost Girl is gripping and a great story. Half-way through I thought I heard someone call my name ... creepy!
Character development is just right, especially since this is the first in a trilogy.
With Lost Girl, you can feel the tension and chills as you swipe each page forward. I was recommended this book, and I am so glad I opted to download this novel with KU. I look forward to reading more from Anne Francis Scott.
dnf
August 3, 2024DNF at 28%
It was okay... I guess... But the writing felt simplistic and the dialogue unrealistic.
It was okay... I guess... But the writing felt simplistic and the dialogue unrealistic.
March 5, 2019
Full of suspense and paranormal mystery.
My intention was to read Lost Souls which is the sequel to this book. However I am glad that I decided to read Lost Girl first. It is not just an introduction to Alison, whom I believe is also the protagonist in Lost Souls, but it is also a nice introduction to the writing of Anne F Scott. She writes fiction with a pervasive feeling of realism about it.
Alison is a well written character and easy to identify with. She questions her own experiences in line with others who feel that she has an over-active imagination. Her newly acquired big old house in sore need of a D.I.Y. work-over and is a fitting stage for a slow suspenseful build up. It's a study in paranormal experiences told as a classic ghost story full of intrigue and mystery. The difference here is subtle. Alison has taken on a lot and manages her responsibilities diligently despite the increasing occurrence of paranormal experiences. However, the ghosts are real and their story enfolds like a mystery that is slowly being solved and Alison's own discoveries and intuition are key to solving it.
My intention was to read Lost Souls which is the sequel to this book. However I am glad that I decided to read Lost Girl first. It is not just an introduction to Alison, whom I believe is also the protagonist in Lost Souls, but it is also a nice introduction to the writing of Anne F Scott. She writes fiction with a pervasive feeling of realism about it.
Alison is a well written character and easy to identify with. She questions her own experiences in line with others who feel that she has an over-active imagination. Her newly acquired big old house in sore need of a D.I.Y. work-over and is a fitting stage for a slow suspenseful build up. It's a study in paranormal experiences told as a classic ghost story full of intrigue and mystery. The difference here is subtle. Alison has taken on a lot and manages her responsibilities diligently despite the increasing occurrence of paranormal experiences. However, the ghosts are real and their story enfolds like a mystery that is slowly being solved and Alison's own discoveries and intuition are key to solving it.
May 16, 2015
There's nothing like a good story well told. That's what you get with this perfectly paced well balanced tale from a writer I know I will be going back to. I like a bit of creepy, especially when it is well done. The trick is to keep the momentum up and where so many others have tried and failed Lost Girl gets the balance just right. I never spoil a plot so I wont change that today. I will say that while I am only familiar with the setting for the book from films or TV, I found myself reading with a Tennessee accent after a few pages and that for me means I am right in the story. Great descriptive writing, smart dialogue with an intriguing narrative. I know this is part of a trilogy so I can tell you for sure I am going to be reading more from this spook spinner. Pick it up and enjoy.
June 29, 2020
I went into this book expecting a paranormal mystery that was light on the paranormal and mystery but heavy on the romance (this is through no fault of the book or synopsis, I am just a sucker for a good paranormal romance so I was leaning towards that). Instead I found Lost Girl to be a very twisty mystery with so many aspects to the story I could never have seen coming as well as a suspect pool that kept growing as the book went on. There was just a smidge of romance also, but it was in no way the focus of the story. There were some dark moments dealing with murder and multiple kinds of assault (mentioned, but never detailed), and overall this had a pretty dark undertone to the story.
One of the main mysteries that this book dealt with resolved, but there are so many more that I need to get answered so there is no doubt in my mind that I will continue on in what I discovered is a series.
The story is told in multiple points of view, with at least four characters that I would call main characters, even though the synopsis only focuses on two, and there were a few different side characters that also narrated the book. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job of giving each of the character's their own voice. I would easily listen to the next book on audio and recommend this format for anyone who loves listening to a creepy, suspenseful mystery.
One of the main mysteries that this book dealt with resolved, but there are so many more that I need to get answered so there is no doubt in my mind that I will continue on in what I discovered is a series.
The story is told in multiple points of view, with at least four characters that I would call main characters, even though the synopsis only focuses on two, and there were a few different side characters that also narrated the book. I listened to the audio and the narrator did a good job of giving each of the character's their own voice. I would easily listen to the next book on audio and recommend this format for anyone who loves listening to a creepy, suspenseful mystery.
November 8, 2015
I absolutely adore horror stories with a creepy undertone. I also love well crafted horror stories that insert the shocks and gore cleverly. In many ways, Lost Girl elevates itself to something higher through its excellent telling of a paranormal mystery. The main character, Allison Weathers, is an artist practised in sculpture. The quiet town of Dawson Mills, wonderfully described amongst the real state of Tennessee, welcomes her, as does the house she moves into. But is there a reason why she ends up there?
Anne Francis Scott writes with a maturity that, amongst the deluge of YA/NA books out there, it would be easy to class this book along them. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but as I say, this is mature storytelling.
It is just so obvious on every page, that the author has taken her time to really craft a creepy tale. You will feel sympathy with the other characters around Allison, who know of her history.
Yes, she hears voices. Yes, the pipes in the old house creak and rattle. It's played down by her acquaintances, because the author is letting our viewpoint play out in the statements of these characters. They like Allison, as do we. But they are just a bit concerned that she is reading more into things than see them for what they actually are.
Every time she tries to focus on her work, something happens to scare her. What is clever is that she is not always on her own when it happens, but many times, she is. Given the author's articulate writing style, we are still in the loop when the crazies turn up. The question is, are these ghosts in Allison's mind, remnants of her recent, psychotic past, or are the ghostly apparitions for real?
There's a ramp up in the creep factor when Allison finds an old book in the house. The character featured in this book is so good, I would rate her the best character in the book. It's hard to say more without giving the story away, but this find was a core piece of the story's first third.
The story loses pace, or maybe that is the intention of the author, about half way through. This in itself is not a bad thing, because we need to take a breath and understand the events of the first half of the book. By the story's end, it wraps up rather brilliantly with the terrific ending. It's wonderful to know that there will be another story in the series.
The dialogue between Allison and her tormentors (or her tormented mind) is really well done. It takes an author of great skill to do that.
Personally, I would have wanted more horror in the story. The eerie feel is great and kept up throughout - not an easy task for anyone, but the author managed this feat. But maybe I have read too many horror books so I am rather desensitised about it. There is a hint of romance in the story too, but it does't detract from the main story, otherwise it might have been an irritating side-show. Honestly? If I have ghosts in the house and / or demons in my head, the last thing I want is romance. I'd probably end up taking an axe to the head of she whoever would take a fancy to me.
I will certainly be reading book two, and of course I would like to read the final book in due course, so the rating of 4 is a strong one, but provisional.After the story has been read as a whole, I may come back and revise the rating upwards.
Some great examples of the writing in this book:-
'Racked with shivers under her lightweight sleep-shirt, Allison wondered why her breath didn't frost in front of her.'
and
'Going through the days, living life, because that's what time forced you to do. And somewhere in the middle of it, hanging onto a thin fragment of hope.'
I enjoyed this.
Well done, Anne Francis Scott.
Anne Francis Scott writes with a maturity that, amongst the deluge of YA/NA books out there, it would be easy to class this book along them. Nothing wrong with that in itself, but as I say, this is mature storytelling.
It is just so obvious on every page, that the author has taken her time to really craft a creepy tale. You will feel sympathy with the other characters around Allison, who know of her history.
Yes, she hears voices. Yes, the pipes in the old house creak and rattle. It's played down by her acquaintances, because the author is letting our viewpoint play out in the statements of these characters. They like Allison, as do we. But they are just a bit concerned that she is reading more into things than see them for what they actually are.
Every time she tries to focus on her work, something happens to scare her. What is clever is that she is not always on her own when it happens, but many times, she is. Given the author's articulate writing style, we are still in the loop when the crazies turn up. The question is, are these ghosts in Allison's mind, remnants of her recent, psychotic past, or are the ghostly apparitions for real?
There's a ramp up in the creep factor when Allison finds an old book in the house. The character featured in this book is so good, I would rate her the best character in the book. It's hard to say more without giving the story away, but this find was a core piece of the story's first third.
The story loses pace, or maybe that is the intention of the author, about half way through. This in itself is not a bad thing, because we need to take a breath and understand the events of the first half of the book. By the story's end, it wraps up rather brilliantly with the terrific ending. It's wonderful to know that there will be another story in the series.
The dialogue between Allison and her tormentors (or her tormented mind) is really well done. It takes an author of great skill to do that.
Personally, I would have wanted more horror in the story. The eerie feel is great and kept up throughout - not an easy task for anyone, but the author managed this feat. But maybe I have read too many horror books so I am rather desensitised about it. There is a hint of romance in the story too, but it does't detract from the main story, otherwise it might have been an irritating side-show. Honestly? If I have ghosts in the house and / or demons in my head, the last thing I want is romance. I'd probably end up taking an axe to the head of she whoever would take a fancy to me.
I will certainly be reading book two, and of course I would like to read the final book in due course, so the rating of 4 is a strong one, but provisional.After the story has been read as a whole, I may come back and revise the rating upwards.
Some great examples of the writing in this book:-
'Racked with shivers under her lightweight sleep-shirt, Allison wondered why her breath didn't frost in front of her.'
and
'Going through the days, living life, because that's what time forced you to do. And somewhere in the middle of it, hanging onto a thin fragment of hope.'
I enjoyed this.
Well done, Anne Francis Scott.
June 7, 2016
This book was different than I was expecting – but in a really good way. It’s my fault for going into it blind. I saw the gorgeous cover and barely read the blurb before jumping in with two feet. I probably would have finished it in one sitting if I hadn’t been so tired that night.
Allison is a woman who has been through a lot in her life. Widowhood doesn’t suit her, but that isn’t the only thing that’s bothersome. There are secrets in her family. Secrets about her mother. After a PI tells her of a small town where her mother once went, she buys an old house there, determined to learn the truth. What she learns and experiences is more than she ever imagined.
This story is written at a pace that never lets you get bored. It keeps you guessing at every turn. I loved every page and the fact that I didn’t see the ending coming – at all. The plot is strange combinations of complexities and a simplicity that lets you easily understand what’s going on and never get lost. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.
Allison is a woman who has been through a lot in her life. Widowhood doesn’t suit her, but that isn’t the only thing that’s bothersome. There are secrets in her family. Secrets about her mother. After a PI tells her of a small town where her mother once went, she buys an old house there, determined to learn the truth. What she learns and experiences is more than she ever imagined.
This story is written at a pace that never lets you get bored. It keeps you guessing at every turn. I loved every page and the fact that I didn’t see the ending coming – at all. The plot is strange combinations of complexities and a simplicity that lets you easily understand what’s going on and never get lost. I’ll definitely be checking out more from this author.
November 29, 2018
Not your typical ghost story
Scott's Lost Girl is not your typical ghost story. It seems to be more of a mystery as it brings the main character, Allison, into the world or afterworld. She's on a journey in her own mind, or she thinks it's her mind. I think where there are ghosts, it brings a level of paranormal, but the way the story is woven, there is a lot going on, but just the perfect amount of chills, that just run down your spine. A great story. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
Scott's Lost Girl is not your typical ghost story. It seems to be more of a mystery as it brings the main character, Allison, into the world or afterworld. She's on a journey in her own mind, or she thinks it's her mind. I think where there are ghosts, it brings a level of paranormal, but the way the story is woven, there is a lot going on, but just the perfect amount of chills, that just run down your spine. A great story. I look forward to reading more stories from this author.
February 19, 2024
I am a sucker for a good mystery. Add in a bit of paranormal and you will have me hooked. I rather enjoyed this book. There are a lot of twists and turns to it that you don't see coming until they jump out and shock you. The narrator was fantastic at bringing the characters to life and I look forward to more from this author.
May 9, 2021
Goodness. What an unexpected find! It had it all: murder, a decades-old mystery, a haunted house, well developed characters and that "I can't put this book down" factor. I could not figure out who did it for the life of me. I started reading it in the evening and quickly became a nervous wreck. Was she losing her mind, or was it real? Excellent read and I'm quickly moving to the next book!
January 11, 2020
Great Paranormal Book
I chose this book based on the title. Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down.
I chose this book based on the title. Once I started reading it I didn't want to put it down.
August 18, 2018
Lost Girl captures perfectly the sense of eeriness of a big old and deserted house stuck out in the backwoods of nowhere. The central character, Alison, has had a troubled past and is still fragile from personal loss and recent events, and has moved there from the city for a fresh start and to find solitude and peace and quiet for her work as a sculptor.
I’m not totally swayed by notions of the paranormal and was therefore glad not to have had to suspend my disbelief right from the offset. The story starts off quite sedately, giving the reader some insights into Alison’s character and situation. From then on though, the author slowly builds the tension and sense of unease with lots of little-unexplained things, some of which she tries to write off as her imagination. There are too many pieces to the puzzle for it all to be coincidence though and she soon suspects there’s a lot of history in her new house, much of it connected directly to her, but how or why is a mystery.
I also enjoyed that the paranormal aspects of the story were intertwined with living people and more earthly bound motives, events, and mystery, which for me, made this chilling story all the more credible, allowing me to put aside any initial scepticism I have about the paranormal. Although there was an element of horror too, it wasn’t overdone; the strength and quality of Lost Girl come more from the sense of atmosphere and genuine fear it creates as the story progresses rather than adding unnecessary blood and gore, though what there was of that blended seamlessly into the overall story. Writing-wise, there was good dialogue and characterisation throughout but without padding out the peripheral characters, all of which played their part in adding to the overall picture.
Lost Girl is an excellent stand-alone story but clearly leaves enough doubt and speculation at the end to provide a solid foundation for book two in what will eventually be a trilogy. Book Two has now been added to my reading list, and if its anywhere near as good as the first, then I’ll definitely be adding book three when it comes out.
I’m not totally swayed by notions of the paranormal and was therefore glad not to have had to suspend my disbelief right from the offset. The story starts off quite sedately, giving the reader some insights into Alison’s character and situation. From then on though, the author slowly builds the tension and sense of unease with lots of little-unexplained things, some of which she tries to write off as her imagination. There are too many pieces to the puzzle for it all to be coincidence though and she soon suspects there’s a lot of history in her new house, much of it connected directly to her, but how or why is a mystery.
I also enjoyed that the paranormal aspects of the story were intertwined with living people and more earthly bound motives, events, and mystery, which for me, made this chilling story all the more credible, allowing me to put aside any initial scepticism I have about the paranormal. Although there was an element of horror too, it wasn’t overdone; the strength and quality of Lost Girl come more from the sense of atmosphere and genuine fear it creates as the story progresses rather than adding unnecessary blood and gore, though what there was of that blended seamlessly into the overall story. Writing-wise, there was good dialogue and characterisation throughout but without padding out the peripheral characters, all of which played their part in adding to the overall picture.
Lost Girl is an excellent stand-alone story but clearly leaves enough doubt and speculation at the end to provide a solid foundation for book two in what will eventually be a trilogy. Book Two has now been added to my reading list, and if its anywhere near as good as the first, then I’ll definitely be adding book three when it comes out.
August 31, 2013
Book review originally published here: http://www.iheartreading.net/reviews/...
Lost Girl is an extraordinary book, a paranormal mystery at its finest, with believable, relatable characters, plot twists I never saw coming, a dark, chilling terror dripping down from the pages and a relentless pace from start to end.
Allison Weathers wants what we all want at some point – to start anew. To do so, she moves away from the big city, and to the small mountain town of Dawson Mills in Tennessee. The added bonus is that the town is connected to her mother’s disappearance, and Allison wants to continue the search for her mother, no matter what the cost. She has fallen in love with the Victorian farmhouse she’s purchased, and she’s ready to start life all on her own.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done, especially when her new house starts to lead a life of its own. Disembodied voices out of nowhere startle Allison in the dead of night. Shadows shift in the corridors of her new home. Someone is watching her. And then there’s the little children she and her friends noticed on the first night in the new house. The longer Allison begins to think about it, the more she grows convinced those children may not even be alive anymore…
With spirits haunting her at every corner, Allison enlists the help of local reporter Toni Harper. Toni has heard gossip from the latest owner who died in his bed in the house, but hasn’t been able to get to the root of the story yet. However, she’s determined to find out. With Toni’s help, Allison discovers the house’s sinister history…and how her own past is tied to it.
There’s also a little bit of romance, in the form of Paul Bradford, a contractor who is doing renovations on Allison’s house. He’s the first one to believe it’s more than Allison’s imagination, and who convinces her she isn’t crazy, but something else is going on. Paul was a good love interest – their relationship developed slowly, and he was a good, solid guy. The kind you can trust, trust being the main thing Allison needed in a relationship.
Allison herself was a lovely character as well. Her personality was very down-to-earth, especially considering what happened to her, and she didn’t freak out easily. She was intelligent, brave, friendly and driven by a sense of curiosity and wonder I can easily relate to.
But besides the characters, I really loved the plot. These kind of novels, that hold the middle between horror and paranormal mystery, those are my absolute favorite reads. And Lost Girl is definitely one of the better reads in that category. The mystery is complicated enough that you can’t get it right away, there are ominous signs early on, and there’s suspense and dread surrounding the reader and the characters from the first page.
An impressive novel, and I’m most definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended to everyone who loves a good ghost story and/or paranormal mystery.
Lost Girl is an extraordinary book, a paranormal mystery at its finest, with believable, relatable characters, plot twists I never saw coming, a dark, chilling terror dripping down from the pages and a relentless pace from start to end.
Allison Weathers wants what we all want at some point – to start anew. To do so, she moves away from the big city, and to the small mountain town of Dawson Mills in Tennessee. The added bonus is that the town is connected to her mother’s disappearance, and Allison wants to continue the search for her mother, no matter what the cost. She has fallen in love with the Victorian farmhouse she’s purchased, and she’s ready to start life all on her own.
Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done, especially when her new house starts to lead a life of its own. Disembodied voices out of nowhere startle Allison in the dead of night. Shadows shift in the corridors of her new home. Someone is watching her. And then there’s the little children she and her friends noticed on the first night in the new house. The longer Allison begins to think about it, the more she grows convinced those children may not even be alive anymore…
With spirits haunting her at every corner, Allison enlists the help of local reporter Toni Harper. Toni has heard gossip from the latest owner who died in his bed in the house, but hasn’t been able to get to the root of the story yet. However, she’s determined to find out. With Toni’s help, Allison discovers the house’s sinister history…and how her own past is tied to it.
There’s also a little bit of romance, in the form of Paul Bradford, a contractor who is doing renovations on Allison’s house. He’s the first one to believe it’s more than Allison’s imagination, and who convinces her she isn’t crazy, but something else is going on. Paul was a good love interest – their relationship developed slowly, and he was a good, solid guy. The kind you can trust, trust being the main thing Allison needed in a relationship.
Allison herself was a lovely character as well. Her personality was very down-to-earth, especially considering what happened to her, and she didn’t freak out easily. She was intelligent, brave, friendly and driven by a sense of curiosity and wonder I can easily relate to.
But besides the characters, I really loved the plot. These kind of novels, that hold the middle between horror and paranormal mystery, those are my absolute favorite reads. And Lost Girl is definitely one of the better reads in that category. The mystery is complicated enough that you can’t get it right away, there are ominous signs early on, and there’s suspense and dread surrounding the reader and the characters from the first page.
An impressive novel, and I’m most definitely looking forward to reading more by this author. Highly recommended to everyone who loves a good ghost story and/or paranormal mystery.
July 10, 2013
Anne Francis Scott’s Lost Girl is set in a small town called Dawson Mills. After spending two years in a mental institute, Allison Weathers thought she was done believing she could see ghosts. When Allison moves to Dawson Mills, her past comes back to haunt her in the form of two ghost children and a stalker. Seeking answers to her mother’s disappearance, Allison enlists the help of local handyman, Paul and her reporter friend, Toni. As they begin looking into the ghosts’ identities and her mother’s disappearance, things start turning deadly. Someone dark and evil wants something in Allison’s new house and is willing to do anything to prevent the past from being dug back up. As the death toll gets larger, will Allison, Toni, and Paul be able to solve the mystery before the mystery kills them?
This book is a unique addition to the paranormal mystery genre. One great aspect of Scott’s novel is the unique, well-developed nature of the main characters. Their likable, flawed personalities only increases the book’s natural way of grabbing the reader’s interest. The plot is well-developed and the author does a great job of mixing suspense and mystery. The plot twists in the book are masterfully done and keep the reader guessing at how the book will end. Readers who like horror, mystery, suspense, and ghosts will enjoy reading this book.
This book is a unique addition to the paranormal mystery genre. One great aspect of Scott’s novel is the unique, well-developed nature of the main characters. Their likable, flawed personalities only increases the book’s natural way of grabbing the reader’s interest. The plot is well-developed and the author does a great job of mixing suspense and mystery. The plot twists in the book are masterfully done and keep the reader guessing at how the book will end. Readers who like horror, mystery, suspense, and ghosts will enjoy reading this book.
May 3, 2015
I must say that this is one of the most superbly written books I have read in quite some time. With just the right amount of narration, this book gives you a great impression with which to create your own world. Another reviewer also commented on Ms. Scott's ability to do so. Every chapter had something "eerie" or revealing, which drove the plot along nicely. In response to the one reviewer who commented that it dragged and that it is unrealistic, I would like to say I found the opposite to be true. I am a plot driven reader so that holds a lot of weight.. Perhaps it is because this is written in a "mature" paranormal way? For example, in True Blood when the vampires emerged from hiding, they did so in a public relations, political sort of way. Although one must suspend belief for fiction, it gave it a sense of realism. As soon as twenty different type of supernaturals beings were written in, in my opinion, the books and the TV show both became "immature" and "campy." The way this is written, the hint of possibility is there, the hint that it could be the character's imagination is there.... until there are no more hints-- which leaves you with a "what happens next?" feeling. Now I'm stuck waiting for the next book. Well done, Ms. Scott. Well done.
January 21, 2015
Lost Girl (Book One of the Lost Trilogy) A Paranormal Mystery
by Anne Francis Scott
To write a review is very hard for me.
But I'll try.
I've just finished one of the greatest books I ever read.
I pictured it all in my head, I wanted to be there.
Not one page was boring, every page was exciting for me.
It was like a rollercoaster ride, makes me want more more and more with every turning page.
I was sad when it ended, I could read this every day of my life.
It had everything I like;
Smokey Mountains (I'm from The Netherlands so I never been in the USA)
I googled it, and wow it's awesome. I love nature.
I saw the cabin in the woods, the house Allison bought.
The ghosts I loved.
It was exciting, I had goosebumbs, tears in my eyes.
I was very sad about Steve ....
And I LOVED JACK, the dog.
I love to daydream about it, I would love to life there ...
So you did a great job here Anne Francis Scott.
Keep on writing, I'll be waiting for the next book.
You have a BIG fan here in The Netherlands !!!
xxx
by Anne Francis Scott
To write a review is very hard for me.
But I'll try.
I've just finished one of the greatest books I ever read.
I pictured it all in my head, I wanted to be there.
Not one page was boring, every page was exciting for me.
It was like a rollercoaster ride, makes me want more more and more with every turning page.
I was sad when it ended, I could read this every day of my life.
It had everything I like;
Smokey Mountains (I'm from The Netherlands so I never been in the USA)
I googled it, and wow it's awesome. I love nature.
I saw the cabin in the woods, the house Allison bought.
The ghosts I loved.
It was exciting, I had goosebumbs, tears in my eyes.
I was very sad about Steve ....
And I LOVED JACK, the dog.
I love to daydream about it, I would love to life there ...
So you did a great job here Anne Francis Scott.
Keep on writing, I'll be waiting for the next book.
You have a BIG fan here in The Netherlands !!!
xxx
October 21, 2015
It’s nice to ghosts used as a motivator for the story and not as the main focus of the story. There are ghosts in Anne Francis Scott’s Lost Girl, but they’re not the focus of the story even if their narrative is important to the story. Lost Girl is a mystery as much as it is a ghost story. And the mystery surrounds the main character just as the ghosts orbit her. Like all good ghost stories Scott starts her tale with the quiet haunting: you can’t be sure if there really are ghosts or if it’s all in her mind. It’s at the mid(ish)-point that Scott changes the rules for the better.
Even as you realize the ghosts are real, the main mystery of the story still remains. That mystery, and the mystery of the ghosts themselves, is what will draw you through the rest of the story. And that’s the part I can’t talk about here without blowing the mystery.
Suffice it to say, Lost Girl is a great read with just the right balance of ghostly activity and mystery. In a way, it’s like getting two books for the price of one. And both of them are good.
Even as you realize the ghosts are real, the main mystery of the story still remains. That mystery, and the mystery of the ghosts themselves, is what will draw you through the rest of the story. And that’s the part I can’t talk about here without blowing the mystery.
Suffice it to say, Lost Girl is a great read with just the right balance of ghostly activity and mystery. In a way, it’s like getting two books for the price of one. And both of them are good.
January 11, 2023
I stumbled across Lost Girl a bit by accident on 'kindle unlimited recommends' for me. I'd not heard of Anne (Author) before (Shocking really). So I went in with just the kindle recommendation and didn't even bother to read the synopsis.
Lost Girl is a mostly paranormal mystery, but there was a lot of other genres taking a stab at it. A little macabre, romance and even general fiction really. I love a good ghost book and in that department I felt we were left hanging a while till things really made sense. There's a lot going on in Lost Girl and even at the end after everything (No spoilers), you are still finding out things. The twist over the lost girl (I'll call her) was a bit obvious in my opinion. Didn't take much to work that out. But the other aspects of the mystery were pretty clever. I liked Allison a lot and loved her back story, especially with her gift etc. Toni and Jenna were both brilliant and I hope even with Jenna going home we see more of her in the next book. I felt Paul and Ray made good *eye candy* male characters, but wish Allison had Paul work a bit harder in the relationship department (I don't like things too easy). And special mention to Jack, just because I'm a softy for big dogs.
The story is fairly fast paced. I think until I hit the 60% mark things were still a little disjointed, but everything does come together. I did sit on the fence as to whether this was a 3.5 or a 4 star book. But come the end most things felt covered and I had answers. So I'm going 4 stars on this. Also it's a kindle unlimited read, so free if you subscribe (Which I do and a free book is always a bonus). If you like a good paranormal mystery with a little romance and a lot going on, then check this one out. Read over 24 hours.
Lost Girl is a mostly paranormal mystery, but there was a lot of other genres taking a stab at it. A little macabre, romance and even general fiction really. I love a good ghost book and in that department I felt we were left hanging a while till things really made sense. There's a lot going on in Lost Girl and even at the end after everything (No spoilers), you are still finding out things. The twist over the lost girl (I'll call her) was a bit obvious in my opinion. Didn't take much to work that out. But the other aspects of the mystery were pretty clever. I liked Allison a lot and loved her back story, especially with her gift etc. Toni and Jenna were both brilliant and I hope even with Jenna going home we see more of her in the next book. I felt Paul and Ray made good *eye candy* male characters, but wish Allison had Paul work a bit harder in the relationship department (I don't like things too easy). And special mention to Jack, just because I'm a softy for big dogs.
The story is fairly fast paced. I think until I hit the 60% mark things were still a little disjointed, but everything does come together. I did sit on the fence as to whether this was a 3.5 or a 4 star book. But come the end most things felt covered and I had answers. So I'm going 4 stars on this. Also it's a kindle unlimited read, so free if you subscribe (Which I do and a free book is always a bonus). If you like a good paranormal mystery with a little romance and a lot going on, then check this one out. Read over 24 hours.
December 8, 2019
Suspenseful!
This was an enjoyable listen. The paranormal elements of the story are based on psychics, mediums and ghost, making it believable and spooky.
Anne Francis Scott's writing is excellent, well-paced, clear, and precise. The story is well-plotted, captivating the readers/listeners. The mystery is gripping, involving paranormal and police investigation, eventually joining and expanding further. The storyline is suspenseful, loaded with twists and unexpected turns. As for the characters, they are well- developed and engaging, particularly the female leads, I found them to be intriguing and relatable.
The narration by Lisa L. Wiley is excellent, I'm satisfied with her performance. My only complaint is the male characters, I wished she used a deeper voice.
Overall, the Lost Girl is an enjoyable paranormal mystery, and I highly recommend it. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
This was an enjoyable listen. The paranormal elements of the story are based on psychics, mediums and ghost, making it believable and spooky.
Anne Francis Scott's writing is excellent, well-paced, clear, and precise. The story is well-plotted, captivating the readers/listeners. The mystery is gripping, involving paranormal and police investigation, eventually joining and expanding further. The storyline is suspenseful, loaded with twists and unexpected turns. As for the characters, they are well- developed and engaging, particularly the female leads, I found them to be intriguing and relatable.
The narration by Lisa L. Wiley is excellent, I'm satisfied with her performance. My only complaint is the male characters, I wished she used a deeper voice.
Overall, the Lost Girl is an enjoyable paranormal mystery, and I highly recommend it. I was given a free copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review.
May 17, 2021
This was my first Anne Francis Scott's book, and definitely won't be my last. I just found a new favorite author! This is the first book in The Lost Trilogy Series. This is a great Paranormal Ghost Mystery. The characters are well developed, and intriguing. I loved to follow Allison, Paul, and Toni in their adventure, and I loved to have the multiple points of view. The story is original, filled with ghosts, a haunted house, and a little romance. The storyline is fast-paced, suspenseful, scary, heartbreaking, and enthralling. The mystery unfolds at a gripping pace. Impossible to put it down. Lisa L. Wiley did a fantastic job with the narration. She has a beautiful voice, and a great range of voices. Looking forward to listen to Lost Souls, Toni's story, the next book in the Series. If you like paranormal ghost mystery, this one is definitely for you. I enjoyed it, and I HIGHLY recommend it.
December 16, 2019
Like Allison, I understand the appeal of old houses. I've bought one that's much too big for me, but they have so much "character" that brings them to life. And it's the ghosts that make them special...
The descriptions of the house and setting is just one of the things that makes this story come alive. You'll be in for plenty of surprises as the story unfolds. The great cast of characters will elicit many emotions from you: fear, love, annoyance, hate, and more. As the story unfolds, the tension builds, until at it progresses, you'll want to race through the pages to find out what happens next. A well-written and completely engrossing story for those who enjoy a bit of mystery/thriller with some paranormal activity thrown in.
The descriptions of the house and setting is just one of the things that makes this story come alive. You'll be in for plenty of surprises as the story unfolds. The great cast of characters will elicit many emotions from you: fear, love, annoyance, hate, and more. As the story unfolds, the tension builds, until at it progresses, you'll want to race through the pages to find out what happens next. A well-written and completely engrossing story for those who enjoy a bit of mystery/thriller with some paranormal activity thrown in.
April 27, 2020
This was an interesting paranormal mystery/thriller. I'm not really a fan of horror, and thankfully, I wouldn't personally put this book in that category (although I've seen other users have). I'm giving it 4-stars because it took a bit for me to get into, but once I did, it was a great listen! It's got suspense, secrets, and plot twists that will keep you guessing. And to top it off, the FMC has a pretty cool name ;)
I did listen to the audiobook version. I'd give the narrator 3/5 stars. She was easy to understand and listen to, but her tone was pretty emotionless and she didn't do distinct voices or anything like that. This is also likely why it took me longer than usual to get hooked on the story!
I did listen to the audiobook version. I'd give the narrator 3/5 stars. She was easy to understand and listen to, but her tone was pretty emotionless and she didn't do distinct voices or anything like that. This is also likely why it took me longer than usual to get hooked on the story!
February 27, 2018
Allison buys a Victorian farmhouse whose previous owner had died there. Before long strange things start to happen like cold spots. She also sees a young boy and a dog who run away before she can talk to them.
Allison lives alone. She's an artist but some of her creations seem to come from a very dark place inside her.
If seeing possible ghosts wasn't bad enough it appears that someone is stalking her. This has major implications for others who like Allison and for certain young people who are actually quite dead. In this case, though, working with the dead might be the only way that Allison can survive the living. It's a paranormal murder mystery and it's pretty well done.
Allison lives alone. She's an artist but some of her creations seem to come from a very dark place inside her.
If seeing possible ghosts wasn't bad enough it appears that someone is stalking her. This has major implications for others who like Allison and for certain young people who are actually quite dead. In this case, though, working with the dead might be the only way that Allison can survive the living. It's a paranormal murder mystery and it's pretty well done.
March 1, 2020
A large, rambling older home on the outskirts of a small town, an artist healing from a devastating past, and secrets, so many secrets. This story has a large cast, a sprawling setting, and just when you thought you figured out where it was going it changes directions. The author does a good job balancing and weaving together the elements of this story into a vividly captivating tale. The paranormal elements are integral to the story but are almost understated rather than ruling the story.
Overall an enjoyable story with a satisfying conclusion, no cliff hanger. The ending does open possibilities for the next book in this series.
Overall an enjoyable story with a satisfying conclusion, no cliff hanger. The ending does open possibilities for the next book in this series.
February 21, 2021
I was not sure how I would feel about this book. But once I started it, I could not stop. It has a little bit of everything, but it is set in another time. Allison has to figure out what happened and help the ghost find rest. IN doing so, she uncovers more than she wanted to. This story is so gripping. I loved the suspense of it. I could not stop reading until I found myself at the end. I am really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Lisa Wiley did a great narration of this book. She brought out all the eeriness and suspense of the story. Lisa brought Allison to life. She has an easy to listen to voice. I look forward to hearing more narration from Lisa.
Lisa Wiley did a great narration of this book. She brought out all the eeriness and suspense of the story. Lisa brought Allison to life. She has an easy to listen to voice. I look forward to hearing more narration from Lisa.
April 1, 2020
I listened via Audible to this book. The author provided me with a copy but all opinions are my own.
The story unwinds slowly. In fact, I thought I might put it down. But I stayed with it and was rewarded with an interesting paranormal story. The ending was thrilling and promised more adventure.
I liked the narrator. The voice was perfect for the character and she was able to make it easy to understand when someone else was talking.
Overall, this is a creepy story thrilling story if you can just get into it.
The story unwinds slowly. In fact, I thought I might put it down. But I stayed with it and was rewarded with an interesting paranormal story. The ending was thrilling and promised more adventure.
I liked the narrator. The voice was perfect for the character and she was able to make it easy to understand when someone else was talking.
Overall, this is a creepy story thrilling story if you can just get into it.
January 8, 2021
I say I started this book and finished it the same day but actually I started it right before bed at 11.00pm and finished it at 1.30am. It was so good I couldn’t out it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the story line and the elements of romance that did not over power the story but gave me a dose of romance I love in my books.
For me, it wasn’t predictable or something I would have guessed before the end. It kept me reading and waiting. I’m in the process of reading the second book now and I am loving it too.
Highly recommend!
For me, it wasn’t predictable or something I would have guessed before the end. It kept me reading and waiting. I’m in the process of reading the second book now and I am loving it too.
Highly recommend!
November 16, 2021
This was fun. I liked the characters & the story line. It was well written, and often hard to put down. All about a young woman with some issues in her past. She is a widow, & in trying to find out what happened to her mother, she is drawn to a town far away from anything, as well as drawn to a large house she is compelled to buy. Then she starts hearing things, & seeing things. She involves the young good looking contractor doing some work for her as well as a reporter she befriended who works for the local newspaper.
December 24, 2019
Spellbinding mystery revolving around a woman sculptor who has been there, done that, got the emotional scars to prove it. Abruptly widowed five years ago and traumatized less than a year ago, she has moved to an eerie out of the way old house to be alone and move on with her art. But it seems that she's not alone. Things happen, she makes a couple of new friends, and gets scared witless. Excellent imagery, atmosphere, and engaging characters. Loved it!
Lisa L Wiley is the skilled narrator.
Lisa L Wiley is the skilled narrator.
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