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Taryn's Camera #2
Griffith Tavern
Griffith Tavern is empty, but there’s something alive within the crumbling walls and it’s been waiting for Taryn, and her alone, for nearly 100 years…
When the Friends of Griffith Tavern hire Taryn to come in and do one last painting before it’s demolished, she assumes it will be a quick, easy job. She’s in desperate need of cash flow and the quaint town and lovely hostess of the B&B she’s staying in appear to be a perfect balm to her injured spirit.
But something is watching Taryn, and waiting…Something that slithers in the dark and clutches at her, even invading her dreams. Who is the woman that haunts the grounds and what does she want from Taryn?
Still mourning the death of her husband, and reeling from the events at Windwood Farm, Taryn struggles to piece together the fragments of the mystery that shroud the old tavern.
It might be too late to save the old building, but is it too late to save Taryn?
**The Taryn’s Camera series features Taryn Magill, a 30-year-old multi-media artist who sees the past when she looks through her camera. This is Book 2 in the series.**
When the Friends of Griffith Tavern hire Taryn to come in and do one last painting before it’s demolished, she assumes it will be a quick, easy job. She’s in desperate need of cash flow and the quaint town and lovely hostess of the B&B she’s staying in appear to be a perfect balm to her injured spirit.
But something is watching Taryn, and waiting…Something that slithers in the dark and clutches at her, even invading her dreams. Who is the woman that haunts the grounds and what does she want from Taryn?
Still mourning the death of her husband, and reeling from the events at Windwood Farm, Taryn struggles to piece together the fragments of the mystery that shroud the old tavern.
It might be too late to save the old building, but is it too late to save Taryn?
**The Taryn’s Camera series features Taryn Magill, a 30-year-old multi-media artist who sees the past when she looks through her camera. This is Book 2 in the series.**
278 pages, Paperback
First published October 15, 2014
94 people are currently reading
422 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
November 24, 2014
Great Story
Enjoyed this next book as much as the first. It mostly held my interest and I didn't figure out the end before I finished. My new complaint has to do with all the typos. I found myself rereading it to make sense and having to correct them in my mind. That's why I gave it a four not a five.
Enjoyed this next book as much as the first. It mostly held my interest and I didn't figure out the end before I finished. My new complaint has to do with all the typos. I found myself rereading it to make sense and having to correct them in my mind. That's why I gave it a four not a five.
June 1, 2017
The first book was much better. This one was just too vague and repetitive.
May 26, 2020
A major disappointment. The internalized misogyny was present in the first book, but it's gotten worse. Someone needs to tell the author that 30 isn't old. The third person narration spends way too much time framing Taryn as some sad spinster. A woman wearing comfortable clothes and not bothering with makeup isn't some bizarre tragic curiosity, just a human being living her life in a way that men are allowed to without any of this sort of scrutiny. As for starting a love triangle before conveniently killing off one of the two options (the one option who didn't try to claim ownership)? Not a great choice. Adding in some "rape makes you evil" (or in this case, crazy and murderous) towards the end was an even worse choice. Having the murder be entirely sympathetic and at least somewhat justified doesn't remove the nasty implications of having a character who was raped go insane and kill a bunch of people. Not to mention all of the horrible implications of having the ghost's descendant engage in some similar activities.
There's something I call "the hand of the author", and this book suffered from it badly. It's where plot contrivances build up, everything is too convenient, everything connects to everything else too neatly. Things that happen don't happen because of characters acting on their own personal motivations, they happen because the author needs them to happen. You can see the author's hand grabbing characters and marching them around, and it completely ruins suspension of disbelief. Author needs a secondary love interest to make the best friend jealous? Boom, suitable man appears. Author needs him out of the picture? Boom, the B&B owner murders him. Author needs a connection between the boyfriend murdering B&B owner now and the murderous innkeeper from the past? Boom, the B&B lady is her decedent.
The third book better not also pull another "Plot twist! The murderer was an innocent seeming old woman!". Statistically speaking, men commit about 96% of homicides, and most murderers are in their late teens through their 30's, except for in the crime show/novel universe where an exceptionally high proportion of killers are children or old women.
There's something I call "the hand of the author", and this book suffered from it badly. It's where plot contrivances build up, everything is too convenient, everything connects to everything else too neatly. Things that happen don't happen because of characters acting on their own personal motivations, they happen because the author needs them to happen. You can see the author's hand grabbing characters and marching them around, and it completely ruins suspension of disbelief. Author needs a secondary love interest to make the best friend jealous? Boom, suitable man appears. Author needs him out of the picture? Boom, the B&B owner murders him. Author needs a connection between the boyfriend murdering B&B owner now and the murderous innkeeper from the past? Boom, the B&B lady is her decedent.
The third book better not also pull another "Plot twist! The murderer was an innocent seeming old woman!". Statistically speaking, men commit about 96% of homicides, and most murderers are in their late teens through their 30's, except for in the crime show/novel universe where an exceptionally high proportion of killers are children or old women.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2018
Enjoyable book.
August 11, 2018
Griffith Tavern
Good story kept you wanting more had some great twists and turns that were unexpected would advise any one who likes good mystery mixed with ghosts to read this
Good story kept you wanting more had some great twists and turns that were unexpected would advise any one who likes good mystery mixed with ghosts to read this
February 14, 2021
Griffith Tavern
A Good afternoon read. But why all the bad luck. Same luck as Harry Potter. A good mystery and who done what.
A Good afternoon read. But why all the bad luck. Same luck as Harry Potter. A good mystery and who done what.
December 26, 2021
I enjoyed the first one and I enjoyed this one just as much.
July 8, 2015
"Griffith Tavern" is the second in a series of 3 books about Taryn, an artist who paints old houses as they were in their prime and while working senses a spiritual presence. Taryn is commissioned to do a painting of the Griffith Tavern by The Friends of Griffith Tavern group that consists of college student who wish to purchase and preserve the building. The group is making every effort to raise money for the project, but the owners are anxious to sell soon due to financial hardship. The owners want the house to be preserved, but a a development group is interested in buying the property, tear it down, and build a Target...I think. The owners are giving the students a deadline to raise the money before they go ahead and sell the house to the development company. In the meantime, Permelia, a spirit who inhabits the Inn reaches out to Taryn for help. Permelia, is a previous owner of the Tavern. The main storyline is about Taryn and her efforts to figure out what Permelia wants her to do. In addition there are several other story lines: (2) Taryn's relationship with her best friend Matt, (3) Taryn's budding relationship with a new guy, (4) The obstacles that the Friends of Griffith Tavern Society face in trying to raise money to purchase the house by the deadline, and (5) another story that unfolds about, Delphina, the Lady who runs the bed and breakfast that Taryn is staying in. The setting is great! How can you go wrong with old houses inhabited by ghosts? The characters are interesting...in particular Taryn (the main) an artist who names her camera "Dixie" and can see the way the house looks in the past through the lens of Dixie, Matt (her best friend) who seems to want more than a friendship, and Daniel (leader of the preservation society) who really has a good heart. I enjoyed the first to middle section of the book, but towards the end I started feeling a little disappointed. Two reasons for my disappointment where as follows: First I felt like Pernelia's character was portrayed a way, that her eventual actions didn't fit the character. Second the addition of the Delphina story line towards the end just wasn't necessary and seemed to be just too much; making the story seem less real to me. So In the end I did like the story, but just didn't love it.
March 9, 2015
This second book gives a more nuanced picture of Taryn's background, I feel like we're on the road to a friendship :-) She comes across like a person who isn't very different from you or me, and its nice to recognise yourself in situations that ordinarily are reserved for characters with extraordinary abillities. Tho as someone not accustomed to American diets, I've had escalating cravings for vegetables throughout! Even tho I wish I could get hold of Velveeta somewhere, I regret never to have tried it...
To begin with the story outline is similar to book 1, and I personally sympathise with Taryn's love of old buildings. If I could paint I'd have considerd her line of work. But this particular tavern ofcourse has it's very own history, and it is woven into the present day's community, with or without the awareness of its inhabitants. It's a good blend if her professional and personal turmoil. Not exciting in an action kind of way (which I found quite refreshing, so many paranormal plots have to have so much violent urgency in them, even tho the ghosts usually have had centuries of quiet to float about the place), but still gripping, a story that draws you in. And without any spoilers I still have to say that I did not see that end coming!
There are so many untold stories behind every facade, and its sad that most of them slide into oblivion once the last vestiges are replaced by modern development. This is a botomless well for literary tragedy, hope, love, loss and laughter... I'm hoping for several sequels
To begin with the story outline is similar to book 1, and I personally sympathise with Taryn's love of old buildings. If I could paint I'd have considerd her line of work. But this particular tavern ofcourse has it's very own history, and it is woven into the present day's community, with or without the awareness of its inhabitants. It's a good blend if her professional and personal turmoil. Not exciting in an action kind of way (which I found quite refreshing, so many paranormal plots have to have so much violent urgency in them, even tho the ghosts usually have had centuries of quiet to float about the place), but still gripping, a story that draws you in. And without any spoilers I still have to say that I did not see that end coming!
There are so many untold stories behind every facade, and its sad that most of them slide into oblivion once the last vestiges are replaced by modern development. This is a botomless well for literary tragedy, hope, love, loss and laughter... I'm hoping for several sequels
February 26, 2015
Loved this book! The story was written well and in an easy-to-follow way. This book was a great addition to Taryn's story and I can't wait to read the next one. I think there was a little secret the author snuck into this story regarding Taryn's "past" that might be added into the next book, but I can only hope! I highly recommend this book for fans of historical, paranormal and/or mystery books.
Taryn's 'powers' are awakening even more as she takes on a new job painting an old tavern inn. She experiences things differently than she did in the first book, and it's a refreshing change as you get to experience those changes with her. As she begins to dig into the past of Griffith Tavern and its owners, she quickly unearths things unknown to anyone, and the outcome and severity of those truths will shock everyone.
Check out more reviews on my blog or like me on Facebook!
http://wingsaloft.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kellyswingsa...
Taryn's 'powers' are awakening even more as she takes on a new job painting an old tavern inn. She experiences things differently than she did in the first book, and it's a refreshing change as you get to experience those changes with her. As she begins to dig into the past of Griffith Tavern and its owners, she quickly unearths things unknown to anyone, and the outcome and severity of those truths will shock everyone.
Check out more reviews on my blog or like me on Facebook!
http://wingsaloft.weebly.com/
https://www.facebook.com/kellyswingsa...
February 6, 2017
First book I've read from this author, and definitely NOT my last. Loved the story line. It is one in a series but easily read alone. The main character, Taryn, has an unlikely 'side kick', Miss Daisy, which happens to be her camera as she is a photographer/artist. This is where her ability to see ghosts comes to play. I'll say...the ending threw me for a loop. Did not expect it at all. It wasn't scary. But a really nice, paranormal, mystery read. Will dive into another one of this series soon. It also helped she mentions living in my neck of the woods, Nashville. I knew all the places she wrote about. Thanks RPH for a great book!
November 29, 2014
This is the second book about Taryn and her abilities to sometimes see the past through a camera lens. Because Taryn reconstructs old, crumbling buildings through her painting talents, she has the perfect opportunity to repeatedly be exposed to haunted buildings. It's a great premise and sets this up for many books in the future. I really enjoyed this story as it unraveled and couldn't stop myself from reading it when I should have been doing other things... like sleeping. Now that I've finished, I kinda miss Taryn and wish there was a third book.
August 2, 2015
Book two in this series. We are following our heroine, Taryn, as she learns how to solve the mysteries behind old, historic buildings, and the people who lived in them. She has been given the talent to paint the building the way it 'used to be', before years and years have caused decay and destruction. With her camera, she is able to see things others cannot see. Then she is driven to claify the bits and pieces that she is shown to unravel mysteries of the past...and help restless Souls find their way Home.
February 1, 2017
I really tried to like this book
All the reviews mentioned mystery, plot twists and turns. All I read over and over is Taryns constant repetition of the "incident at windwood farms". Scenery descriptions repeat over and over. Repetition of the same phrases drove me crazy. I got to 75% of the book still waiting for this great mystery ghost story. I give up! He first few pages held such promise. I cannot recommend as a mystery, or a good ghost story. A tale of loneliness is not for me.
All the reviews mentioned mystery, plot twists and turns. All I read over and over is Taryns constant repetition of the "incident at windwood farms". Scenery descriptions repeat over and over. Repetition of the same phrases drove me crazy. I got to 75% of the book still waiting for this great mystery ghost story. I give up! He first few pages held such promise. I cannot recommend as a mystery, or a good ghost story. A tale of loneliness is not for me.
October 14, 2015
Another Great Read
Book 2 is just as intriguing as Book 1. I find the historical findings on these old deserted homes and other buildings to be quite fascinating, and who hasn't looked at old pictures of such places and thought about the people who lived there and what their lives might have been like. Taryn has a psychic ability to sense ghosts and restless spirits. While this book wasn't as scary as Book 1, it is a good read.
Book 2 is just as intriguing as Book 1. I find the historical findings on these old deserted homes and other buildings to be quite fascinating, and who hasn't looked at old pictures of such places and thought about the people who lived there and what their lives might have been like. Taryn has a psychic ability to sense ghosts and restless spirits. While this book wasn't as scary as Book 1, it is a good read.
April 15, 2016
Ghost story
Well thought out, interesting characters, good plot , unfortunately i found missing words, sometimes I found whole paragraphs missing since characters make references to conversations that the characters had not even had. It is a shame, too, because this author definitely knows how to tell a story.
Well thought out, interesting characters, good plot , unfortunately i found missing words, sometimes I found whole paragraphs missing since characters make references to conversations that the characters had not even had. It is a shame, too, because this author definitely knows how to tell a story.
April 13, 2016
This Book caught me my surprise and did not let me go.
This story is great ... If you want to read a mix of mystery and suspense... with great characters... start this series. I love the way this rolled out...making you wait until the end to know how it goes. Nothing given away with a guess. I love this story.
This story is great ... If you want to read a mix of mystery and suspense... with great characters... start this series. I love the way this rolled out...making you wait until the end to know how it goes. Nothing given away with a guess. I love this story.
January 9, 2016
This is truly unusual ghost story. This story has so many twists and turns I just kept read to find out what happened next. Very well developed characters. Love the mystery around the heroine and her camera.
February 9, 2015
Good unexpected read
Easy to read...ghost story but not scary..kept you on edge as far as what was happening, trying to figure it out..didn't see any of it coming.
Easy to read...ghost story but not scary..kept you on edge as far as what was happening, trying to figure it out..didn't see any of it coming.
April 19, 2015
Sit and read the whole book
This is the second book in this series. I love the wonderful photos and the fascinating stories. More please. I am sold on this series.
This is the second book in this series. I love the wonderful photos and the fascinating stories. More please. I am sold on this series.
May 8, 2015
Different
This book seemed to ramble a lot. I enjoyed the character and actually felt tartan sorrow. The ending was not what I expected
This book seemed to ramble a lot. I enjoyed the character and actually felt tartan sorrow. The ending was not what I expected
June 25, 2015
Better than the first imho. A few typos, but not enough to slow the flow of the story.
I just hope Taryn catches a break one of these days!
have already purchased #3 in the series...
I just hope Taryn catches a break one of these days!
have already purchased #3 in the series...
August 8, 2015
Another good read
Love paranormal books. Although Wildwood Farm was my favorite, this book held its own. Kept you guessing. Looking forward to the next book.
Love paranormal books. Although Wildwood Farm was my favorite, this book held its own. Kept you guessing. Looking forward to the next book.
November 5, 2015
I enjoyed the ghost story connected with picture taking and the multiple mysteries.
November 6, 2015
I recently got interested in stories of the paranormal. This series has been an interesting read. I recommend it to paranormal buffs for a little light reading.
May 5, 2016
Rate the book.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. Very neat camera. She was a lot braver then I would have been.
I enjoyed reading this book very much. Very neat camera. She was a lot braver then I would have been.
May 26, 2016
Good storyline
I enjoyed this book. It was well written, and I look forward to reading more in this series. The historic preservation angle captured my attention.
I enjoyed this book. It was well written, and I look forward to reading more in this series. The historic preservation angle captured my attention.
April 22, 2017
This series has a lot of potential and I am making the effort to finish it. However, it tends to be a bit slower to get to the plot than the other series I normally read. The author has captured my interest because I can't stop reading the series either way"
March 24, 2017
Good
I enjoyed this story but not as much as the first book. There's a lot more romantic interest & woe is me type stuff that didn't feel right. Maybe the author got questions & wanted to answer them, I don't know. I'll read the next one & see how it goes.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the story & it feels new & different from other books - something else I like.
I enjoyed this story but not as much as the first book. There's a lot more romantic interest & woe is me type stuff that didn't feel right. Maybe the author got questions & wanted to answer them, I don't know. I'll read the next one & see how it goes.
Overall, though, I enjoyed the story & it feels new & different from other books - something else I like.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews